The Sun. — London, England, 1863-11-05 00:00:00

Le evidenco ied counsel LheForeign vere taken. t objects of • fitted out charge. )pear to be the short ply that a s yard, for yard for the h ey might one of the a miBcbief mpossible. nent. the Lola) d and said t, and they -e was mat' ke the rule to put it lcompeteut iot be war • :, or on the io positive a as would night take better take ictly what Day. ,EMEN 0,1 Cellars, of and Mr. :er, gentle- Wing. in 3 Ally, and ,d Wilhaul orning his airing the i i ng ." On u gg ling to Listing / 114 vo or aired hone) out• f the 16th the waiter, • Cellars d bumped Dixon, at id the de" on telling pulled bin' igh a pane madmart ad that 110 hear hitt' account of doubt h° elevate d 'ith night" iamb time y did the idmissiou? )rd. 'son lOso lerly an d )efore Mr. Elizabet h 1 bandag ° L with th° L about it. her door, lave satir e forehead seriouslY found the her fore fired him or to each isoned for 41s 35s 398 10d ; 3, 37 0 1d; t, 98,7 83 ; )52; peas irket Wa fS of roo st est at full bs. lower. have been show of and half )ut heavl than ell taken off or calves )w$ c 01314 d. 5. 4 1 L s 5 ; 65 A 10 4 4 1° 43 10 04 4 - ore Pig" , LY • • 1,5 ..270 Of ra e6ll 3tive, ~ to 48 0 4 L i t rk, 3 8 u‘i mic Bc we t° ° l ' al, 3s bl to 4s a higher e ao to? )5s 10d; )er 81b 0 ' s, 180) • clove l. ' ;er load• T clo ett et 1° . 00 A. T er, ) o r I°"' ff iva i o 0 , 0 tl3° at fr °° for I V ' is aP I ~mnr b A r Pr'; t for I—e r ived nti S clo se ' 3ted tlo oute for on give vloricl3' lea ° s eG 1 , r is 13 ' 4 e of t ile ft scL)l3t gel' ,r , h t 01° voie n e , 0 cow on to 3S trnoa's ATEST INTELLIGENCE. [REUTER'S TELEGRAM.] OPENING OF THE FRENCH CHAMBERS THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH. PARIS, NOVEMBER 5, The French Chambers were opened at one o'clock to-day by the Emperor, who delivered the following Speech : MESSIEURS TIIE SENATORS AND MESSIEURS THE DEPUTIES, The annual re-union of the great bodies of the State is always a happy occasion, which brings together all men devoted to the public good, and permits them to manifest the truth of their Patriotism to their country. The freedom of our mutual intercommunications calms disquietude and strengthens my resolutions. The legislative corps has been just now renewed for the third time since the foundation of the Em pire, and for the third time, in spite of certain local contentions, I have had no reason to do otherwise than congratulate myself upon the result of the elections. You have each of you taken the same oath of allegiance. I rely implicitly upon your concurrence. Our duty is to conduct promptly and well the affairs of the country, remaining faithful to the constitution which has given us eleven years of prosperity, and that you have sworn to maintain. The exposition of the interior situation will show you that, in spite of the compulsory stagnation of work in certain branched, the general progress has not been relaxed. Our industry has contended with success against foreign competition, and before indisputable facts; the fears excited by the Treaty of Commerce with England have vanished. Our exportations in the eight first months of the year 1863, compared with those of the corresponding months of the year. 1662, have increased to the extent of 233,000,000 f. During the same period the development of maritime navigation has surpassed that of the preceding epoch to the extent of 175,000 tons, of which 136,000 are under the banners of France. The abundant harvest of this year is a benefaction of Divine Providence, which ought to give assurance of cheaper sustenance to the population at large. It evidences also the pros. perity of our agriculture. Public Works, meanwhile, have been followed up with activity. About 1,000 new kilometres of railway have opened up communication between our outports and interior. Our rivers, our canals, our highways continued to be improved. The session now taking place a little later than ordinary, the report of Use Ministers of Finance has not yet been published, it will be so, however, almost immediately. You will there see that if our hopes have not been completely realised, the re venues of the country have steadily continued to ad vance and increase, and that without our extraordi nary resources we have met the expenses occasioned by the war in Mexico and in Cochin China. I ought to notify several reforms deemed to be opportune, amongst others the de crees relative to the freedom of bread making (de la Boulangerie) one which renders maritime inscription less onerous to the coast population. The project which modifies the law upon coalitions and that which suppress exclusive privileges of the theatres. I direct your attention to a law destined to augment the pre rogatives of the general and communal councils, and to modify somewhat the excessive application of the principle of centralisat;on. In effect to simplify administrative formalities, to soften the legis lation applicable to the crisis worthy 01 all our solicitude. That such will be a Congress with you will surely rejoice to associate yourselves. You will have also to occupy yourselves with the sugar question now requiring to be finally solved by more stable legislation. The projects submitted to the Council of State, tends to accord to unworthy produce that facility of exportation wl 1211 the sugars of better quality possess. A law will cause the double decime to disappear and to replace this overcharge by a more just arrange ment. In Algeria, in spite of the anomaly which places the same population, the one under the civil power, the other under the military power, the Arabs have understood how well the French domination was the equitable prctector and repairer, withou the Europeans having less confidence in the pro. tection of the Government. Our ancient colonies have seen gigantic barriers disappear which formerly impeded their progress, but circumstances have not been favourable to the development of commerce. The recent establishment of the institution of credit will tend, I hope, to ameliorate the general condition. In the midst of these natural cares, nothing that touches or relates to religion, to the spirit, to morality, has been neglected. The religions works of benevolence, the arts, the sciences, and public instruction have received numerous encouragements. Since 1848 the multitude of young students have increased by one-fourth. To-day ne ar ly 5 , 000 ,000 children (a third of them gratuitously) have been received into the primary schools, but our efforts should not be relaxed, seeing that 600,000 y e t re main deprived of instruction. The higher st u di es have been reanimated in the The school to the end of a more especial re-organisation. Such measures is an outline of what we have already done, and of what we still wish to do. Certainly, the prosperity of our country will take a still more rapid flight of political Preoccupations should trouble them less. But in life of nations unforeseen and inevitable events arise that one ought to look in the face without fear, and to sustain with out yielding. Of this number are the war in *A4let ica, the unavoidable occupation of Mexico an d c °c hin China, the Polish insurrection, and neigh of °Bri ng expeditions which have been the object i ,• 80 much criti c i sm h ave not b een t h e execu o:yeer ever,' ea eli a pre-meditated plan—the fo r ce of ev ents • Ar e 7 lng necessitated them _and so far they r rh be negl e ct e d. aaet tc, Well , 'n elusion of the Speech will b e g i ven , as translation, in our next edition.] HR STAT UE OF NAPOLEON I.—A letter from - ari s , d at folded, le°4 I. in .d ned y , esterday, says :—The Emperor descendNapo ,ed to-day, at one p.m., from his '",dangerous el evatio n) , as I write this, is standing, with arms improv ements of flpace Vendome, apparently staring at the The descent frotn Paris, The figure is about 13 feet high. column attracted a large crowd of gc "nins, and was ver easily effected.- I suppose the raising the crowned and robed successor will be the occasion of some demonstration, and which to be taken by his Itn- Perial heir as the text on Av y hi sermons which Napoleon 111, addressessoinePticieaecsh' one of t those otsoe hiel a faithful people of Paris. THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN QoUE. STlON.—After sinittion a Catho considerable disc uss i on and o lie chaplain h as a t l ength been a P p P po to W a l ton gaol, near Li verpoo l, a t a salary of £3OO d a ground upon which the appointment was made Y:aa:.thatTtilli: number of Catholic prisoners was so large that it nece ' tatod the exclusive services of a Catholic priest. The inBBai. jority in favour of the appointment was 13 to 3. The Rev - i l James Nugent is the gentleman who has been voted to the . office, ~ The course of exc h ange a t N ew Y or k on London for bills at " days' sight is 1633 to 161 per cent., and the premium on gold is 491 per cent. At these rates there is very little profit on the importation of gold from the United States. THE POLISH INSURRECTION. THORN, Nov. 5. It is stated on reliable authority that the Grand Duke Constantine will be relieved from his func tions as Governor of Poland, and will travel abroad. Gen. Berg is to be definitively appointed his successor. LEMBERG, Nov. 4. The insurgent corps, numbering it is said 600 infantry and 230 cavalry, which advanced on Sun day into Volbynia, having been pressed by the Russians, laid down their arms yesterday in the district of Z3lkieu, in Galicia. 400 men, with arms and munitions, and upwards of 100 horses, surrendered to the Austrians. SWEDEN. STOCKHOLM, Nov. 5. :he official Gazette, in a leading article upon the Dano-German conflict, says :—" It is now by no means the fault of Denmark if peace should be disturbed." SPAIN. MADRID, Nov. 4. The opening of the Spanish Cortes took place The Queen's speech states that friendly relations continue with foreign nations, and that the project of constitutional reform is definitively resolved upon. The position of Senators will, in future, be hereditary. The speech announces that no diminution will be made in the budget. Her Niljescy deplores the insurrection which has broken out at St. Domingo, and hopes for the assistance of the Spanish nation in its repression. FRANCE. BOURSE, Nov. 4.—The arrival of the English funds with lower quotations has had rather a de pressing effect on this market, and Threes for the Account have receded to 67f. 15c. Mobilier is now quoted at 1,097 f. 50c. Railway shares heavy The market closed as follows ; it per Cent 5....... 95 25 Do. end month.... 3 per Cents ...... 67 20 Do. end month..., 67 30 Credit Mobilier....llls Do. end m0nth....1116 50 Bank Shares ...... 3360 Credit lioncier ....1300 Roman .......... Italian Loan 73 20 Do. end month 73 20 New ditto — 72 90 Do. end month.... Russian Austrian _ ___ Spanish Threes.,, 53 50 Rome Debt Deferred - RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. 978 75 .. 987 50 986 25 .. Orleans Northern .... New ditto Lyons and Mediterranean 956 25 .. 960 New ditto Geneva 497 50 .. Southern 695 .. 697 50 Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa 632 50 .. 633 75 Ditto to Barcelona THE HURRICANE IN FRANCE, The late hurricane has caused several fatal acci• dents both in Paris and the provinces. Between 6 and 7on Saturday evening, while slates and tiles were flying from the roofs of houses, Baron de S—, 75 years of age, Colonel on half-pay, was walking on the flag way of the Quai de Louvre, on his return to his residence in the Rue de Bee. As he passed the baths on the river one of the large poplar trees in front of them was blown down by the violence of the wind, and knocked him down, inflicting a severe wound on his head. In falling the Baron unfortunately fractured one of his legs, and it became necessary to carry him to the nearest apothecary, and thence to his residence. From his great age it is feared that ho may not recover. A letter from Nimes gives the details of another fatal accident during the late storm. On Thursday after noon last two farmers who were returning home were overtaken by the rain, which was falling in torrents, and sought shelter at a neighbour's house. They were hospitably entertained by the mistress, who pressed them strongly to remain the night. They obstinately refused, and their neighbour placed at their disposal a cart and the best mule in the farm to convey them home. Two of the farm ser vants offered to accompany them and to assist them in case of accident, as the roads were completely flooded. Five persons set out in the cart—the two farmers, the son of one of them, and the two farm servants. When they arrived at the high road from Nimes to Montpellier they were met by a rush of water which upset the cart. The driver held by the seat, but the others were carried away by the tor rent. At this moment the farmer Roux thought only of his son, who sank in the waters. He made desperate efforts to recover him, but in vain, and, having become exhausted, he was drowned. The other farmer and the farm servanta were so fortunate as to lay hold of the branches of a tree. After hav ing remained for four hours in this perilous position their cries were heard by some persons in the neigh bourhood, and they were saved. The body of the son was found the following day, 'out the search for that of the father, who leaves a widow and four children, was ineffectual. THE LOCAL TAXATION OF ENGLAND.—According to the annual summary, published this week, the total amount thus raised appears to be £3,462,685, of which the principal items are—church rates, £232,907—t0115, £lO5, 116—drainage and embankment, £l42,os3—district and highway rates, &c., £ 436 , oo o—improvement, £290,779 —burial rates, £9B,4os—harbour dues, £1,042,967. The ratepayers ewe no less than 11 millions. The amount raised for church rates is increased by £50,000 a year derived from property, and the whole sum expended, £129,245, was for public worship, the rest for repairs. FRIENDLY SOCIETY FEASTING.—The Registrar of Friendly Societies announces that he shall feel it to be his duty to compel the restoration of any funds ap plied in payment for feasting, whether charged openly or as " incidentals." His report just issued shows how prevails. d:w management of one society iet e y xp wri te s s of our ex tensively thi s m i sapplication of the funds still The secretary Touhre sick c l k 8 1 and6s ,lbduril put a society was spent in drink, music, &0., and those who do not come to the Whit -Monday the dinner they do not have, th di nner are made to pay for shall not come." An Odd ell th ough they give notice they vr.rites— liquor upwards of 308 every lo dge " We spend in the box, and on the feast-day afo ti r tgh t ; this comes out ber (we are above 205 ), the band 3s, l iquor for each mem• pubic houses in walking round the towainnLers, 6 8 —spent at and l m any other expenses besides. I think tlii3irsocession, 12e, is too much, as many of our members are out of employ , and when a t work, which is chiefly handlo om weavinga m wife in our town with both worki ng cannot average and his little more than ss ; I love oddfellowahip, b ut Canno rg td e o t spendthrifts." A secretary writes...." Our society Was h established in 1837, and we have spent in drink since then £568." Another says—" Each member may receive from two to four pints of beer at our meetings every month, and order or good behaviour is quite an exception." One ac count runs thus :—" These two last Easters £6 have been taken out of our funds for feasting and drink—a few oppose it, but one or two of the officers, with one trustee, have gone with the majority, and the laws have been set at nought. This day week feast they would have 25s out for drink; the chairman opposed it with all his might. They demanded his key of the box, and threatened to turn him out of the room. Charles Buswell, a trustee, taken pos session of the key, and with two more taken the money out of the box, and before the day was over they got drunk, and fighting took place, and some of the landlord's furniture was broken, and all was confusion and uproar." Careful and prudent men will rejoice if every one is made to pay out of his own pocket for what he drinks, and not out of the funds subscribed for making some provision for members and their families in sickness, misfortune, and age. WHO WAS THE INVENTOR OF LUCIFER MATCHES P —A Question for .Notes and Queries.—The man who invented lucifer matches was doubtless one of the greatest benefactors to humanity. What labour was lost, what tempers were tried, what nuckles were made sore in the hundred thoueand households of England, every morn ing, as Betty the h,usemaid, with flint and steel, endea voured to strike a light on the damp tender I—what a minor misery of life was abolished by the immortal genius who schemed, and made, and struck a light with, the first Con greve I The invention might have been a very small one, but how stupendous its results appear, multiplied by the daily convenience it affords to the entire population! Pro• ozptheus stole fire from heaven only to animate one man. The i nventor of the lucif er ma t c h ca ll s i nto life one of the four element s t o d o our b idding in our domestic and Indus trial homes every day, and vet even his name i s un k nown to the p u b l ic, —once a Week.. THE SON. LONDON, THtTIISDAY EVENMG, NOVEMBER 5, 1863. SHARE MARKETS.- This day. ORDINARY SHARES AND STOOLS. Share/ Railways. Paicl.! C p l ri os ee ia . g Budsoinne.ess Wol., and Str. Val. Blythe and Tyne. Bristol and Exeter Caledonian Cork and Bandon Cornwall Do A A gets no div ti ll 6p c.p Do ' B lbeen paid Ito B. Dublin & Belfast June. Dun,,Perth,&Ab. June. Edinburgh & Glasgow. Glasg. and S. Western. Great Eastern, Ord. silt Ditto A stock Ditto East Anglian st GreatNorthof Scotland Great Northern.. Do A stock Do B do Gt. S. anl W. of Irelan, Great Western ...... Do Str Val gua. stock Lancashire & Yorkshir, London and Blackwal Lon., Bright.,& S. Coast Lon., Chat., and Dover Lon. & North Western Lon. & So*.th Western Sian., Shef., & Lincoln. Maryport and Carlisle. Do * 5hare5...,,... Metropolitan ........ . Midland . .............. Do New ........ Do Birming.,4 Derby %lid. Gt. W. of Ireland Do. 4 shares .. M.. id Kent ........ .... ... Do Cray Line ...... North British . . ...... Edin., Perth, & Dundet Nth. Eastern—Berwick Do, G.N.E. purchase Do Leed5........ .... Do York ....... Do Car1i51e.....,.,:: North London ........ Do New ........... North Staffordshire N. and S. W. Junction. Scottish Central ...... Scot N. E. ' Aber. stock Do Scot. Mid. stock.. Shrews, and Welohpool Shropshire Union .... South Devon South Eastern . ... South Wales S. York. and River Dun l stai nes,Wok.,andWok. Stockton & Darlington Do ............. Do New, 186 C Taff Vale.. Do B ..... Do C ........ Ulster Do ...... ............. Vale of Ne a th . Victoria sta. and Pim I Waterford & Kilkenny 1 Nest Cornwall W. Hartlepool Har.&R West Midland -Oxford Do Newport I Do Hereford 11 B Sj - - 81 81 82 8. 120 J2l 7 7i ag 10 16 17 97 99 108 110 50 61 47 48 7 9 128 12) 133 134 134 136 100 102 C5l G 6 1101 111; 71 73 111 112 4$ 0 103& 104 101 IC2 49 50 128 130 1294 ;30 11 88 luo 54 65 25 17 1011 102 BRITISH POSSE • Railways Ntlantie & St Lawrenct B om.,Baroda&Cent Ina Gu. 5 per cent— Do. New ....... • Do. E. Shares.. Buffalo and LaxeLturon Do. Preference Bufralo,Brant,&Godriell p. et. bds. Aug. 1, 1872 00. do. July 1, 1872 Do. do. June 1, 1871 Clcutta.kS.Eastn. Cape Town t Dock Scril Nastn. Bengal gu. 5 p. c East Indian. gu. 5. c. Do. do. G Ext ..... Do. do. H do. .• Grand Trunk of Canada Do. Ist Pref. Bonds.. Do. no. deferred...... Do. 2d Pref. Bonds.. Do. do. deferred...... Do. 3d Pi ef. stock . Do. do. deferred.... Do. 4th Pref. stock... Do. do. deferred...... t.lndtarentn.gua.sp.o Do. New gua. 5 p. 0... Do. January, 1862 .. Gt. South.of India (Lim; guaranteed 5 per cent. Gt. W. of Canada Sharer Do. New . Do. 6 p.c. '73 with't opt. Uo. 54 p. o. do. '77-8.. Indian Branch Limited Madras• guar., 5 p. a. .. D 0.4 p. c. Extension Dc. 44 d 0........ Do. Fifth Melb.Corp. 6 p. o. Bnds. & Hobson's Bay. Do. 7 p. c. Kong. Bds. Newßrunswick Canda Chun; A and B .. N. 6pc let bde Soinde Do. Delhi • • 4' Do. do . f 0,9 Do. Punjaub .... e, Do. Do. ........ , Do. Indus. St. Flo.) Paxt all 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 1 2 all 1 101) 1011 ;SIONS. Closing Price. 63 65 1061 1071 1 “ p i li p 6 1 63 8 a pi 1(5 107 1(4 106 108 109 108 109 lt 1i lop l 2t 22i 76 18 62 64 70 72 54 57 5! 54 41 43 31 33 25 27 108 k 1091 11 Itp 11 Itv 106 107 101 10 101 91 96 98 87 89 I lc6l 1074 101 102 98 100 58 60 S 5 82 84 106 i 1071 106 107 i IP - -P 106 107 102 104 491 50 1271 1319 30 1 655} 1101 7 lilf 452 1031 10'4 491 9 1281 8 891 81 95 1 971 Business done 62 10(4 lost 8 i 71 51} 30} 109 } 106 5 61 COLONIAL GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. u.n.uov. 6 p.c.J a. &J u 1) Do. tp. c. Feb. & Aug. 100 1(2 101 Do. op. c. Mar. & Sept. 100 102 104 ! Do. Sp. o. Jan.&July. 100 93 34 Do. 5 Inscribed s t ock 100 92 94 ;Cape G./lope, 6p 0,187,^ 100 108 110 Do.Ap & Oct. 1880 , 100 109 11 1 Do. 189 t 100 109 111 Do. Jan. & July, 1891.. 100 113 115 Ceylon, N0v.1878, 6p c 100 113 11i Mauritius 0 per cent .. 100 107 108 108 Natal Gov. 6 per cont.. 100 iv 109 N..l3.Gov.tsp.o.da.&July 100 kO4 1(6 _ I Do. 6p. o.Ap. & Oot. 100 - - IN. S. W. G ov. 5 p 3.,18;;, 100 1011 1021 _ Dv. sp. e.,18,i. to .1i( 100 102 103 Do. d0.,1888 &upwds 100 1024 103 1021 4 New Zealand 6 p cent. 100 109 111 ;Nova Scotia Gov. 6p. e, I sterling, 1875 .. . ..... 100 104 106 Queensland Gev. 6p. C. 100 11l 113 IS. Aus G-6p.c.1878.& up.. 100 112 114 I VictGov. 6 p.c. Ja.&.July 100 108 110 Do. to 6 c.o. AnAtOot... 100 1104 1114 1 1101 4 .._____ BRITISH MINES. 2 ;Cambrian Consol. Gold 1 4 id chflord Amalgamated.. 371 384 Devon G. Con.. (Tavist., 1 545 055 550 East Bassett (Illogan). 30 65 ;0 1 East Clogau Gold Ltd . . 53. *d par d East Caradon ...... . I.IC t 261 274 264 East Cam Brea ,: 3.4.0 774 E. W'lllussel (Tavistk.; 8.6.6 444 41 i Gam.&St.Aubyn(G wen.) ;82 13 15 Great South Tolgus „ 37 8 44 54 -- G. Wheal Vor(liel s t on 40 10 11 Grenville ... ........... 0.16. t 54 6 11er:4'8-Foot ... 8.12 33 35 Elingston Dovins ...... 4:8,0 14 24 Lady Bertha .......... 2 . 8 .6 4 i Margaret (Ony Lelant9* 20 22 II arke Va11ey.......... 4.3.0 64 64 4 Myndy Iron Oro (Lim.; 21 14 1 d New Setun •• i 141 95 105 —• North Downs --24 24 14 2 N.Wh'l Basset(Ill o ;au, 3 1.0 3 North Wheal Crotty ['am Consols (St. Blazey) 20 E'rovidenoe(UnyLelnt.) 10.0.7 14 46 South Caradon(St.Cleer: 14 415 425 3. Cam Brea (Illogan) _ S. Wheal Fran. (Illogan, 18.1R.9 60 65 Stray Park 5 ramar Silv.& Lead Min 4 * 1 4 Lin Cron West Basset (Illogan) l4 94 104 WCr radon (Liskeard) 5 19 21 West Seton Wheal Basset (Mogan) 54 776 824 • Wheal Bulleratedruth) 5 224 274 , Wheal Kittcy(ltlLebtnt) 2.0.6 ine c al l ira d rgrin ., ,lfen . ..) :2.0.8 111 24 14 Wheal lleton ......... . 584 175 185 - Wheal Treiawney (L l B.l 7 20 22 _ Wheal Union ....... .. . 3.17 24 3 PREFERENCE SHARES. West Midland, Oxford, Ist guaranteed stock, 129 Midland 4i per cent. pf. stk. rd., 103} Midland, Leicester and Ilitchin 4 per ct.. 95 PREFEttENCE SHARES ANDSTOCK& Kent Coast, 6 per cent. pref. B, 7f LINES LEASED Al' FIXED RENTALS. Buckinghamshire, 97 London, Tilbury, and Southend, 101 100 t Nottingham and Grantham R. &Q, 96 • FOREIGN RAILWAYS. Recife and San Francisco (lim), guy,. 7 per cent., I7i Sambre and Meuse, 9i San Paulo (lim.), gua. 7 per cent., 9 Ditto (ail), 221 2 FOREIGN MINER. United Mexican (11m;, 61 JOINT-STOCK RANgs. Alliance Bank of London and Liverpool (Um.) , 4/ Ditto, new, 24f I English. Scotch, and Australian Chartered. 24 Hindustan, china, and Japan (lim.), 261 7i Imperial Bank (11m.), 23f 34 Imperial Ottoman, 17f London Chartered Bank of Australia, 301 London and County, 541 London Joint Stock, 36/ London and Northern (lint), 1 04 National Provincial of England. Ditto, new, 27f Scinde, Punjaub, and Delhi (lim. l , 51 Union of London, MI DOCKS. PUNCH. (From the !temple Bar Magazine.) Comic Literature, if we may judge from the abundance of the supply, is at the present time in great demand. In deed, comic publications have become almost as great a nuisance as the organs, They stare you in the face from every stationer's window; they are fluttered about you at every street-corner : they are pushed under your nose in every public vehicle; and even when you take train, and leave London hundreds of miles behind you, their names are bawled at you through the carriage window at every stoppage on the way. They are everywhere; plentiful as blackberries, and cheap as--dirt. This was not wont to be. There were happier times a very few years ago. Until the lively sixties came in, re peated trials proved the fact that there was no room for more than one comic publication. Rivals to Punch sprang up one after another, but only to sink into an early grave after a few,weeks or months of feeble existence. Some of them were not so clever but that they might have lived; but in their swaddling days the nourishment of public support was denied to them, and so they pined and died before they got a grasp of life. It was said that they were not wanted ; that there were not readers for them ; that one comic paper was enough for the public requirement; and there seemed to be valid evidence in support of this conclusion. Of every other kind of publication there was a variety of the comic, but one single permanent example. This certainly seemed to argue that the public which sup ported the purely comic was a very limited one. Bat, presto I we have changed all this in a twinkling. It is only two or three years since comic literature was at a discount, and now it is at a high premium. Punch has now two rivals, Fun and the Comic News ; and there seems to be ample room for all three. As the price of the two latter is " only a penny," they must, if they pay expenses, count their purchasers by tens of thousands. How comes this ? The distinguished theologian Barrow, who discoursed of wit and humour in his sermons, laid it down as a dictum that witty and humorous writing could only flourish in a refined and highly educated community. Are we to con clude then that the march of intellect has done it—that three comic papers are the natural results of education-grants, the repeal of the taxes on knowledge, and middle-class exami nations ? From a weekly acquaintance with these publications— which I have been unable to avoid—l am compelled to answer this question in the negative. Indeed I should be inclined to say quite the contrary. I can conscientiously l a y my hand on my heart and declare that, for many weeks past, I have not met with anything in Punch, Fun, or the Comic News which could in any way be supposed to appeal either to education or refinement. The wit, humour, and pointed sarcasm of former years—that golden age of comic literature when Hood, Jerrold, and Thackeray contributed to it-have degenerated into nonsense—sheer, wilful non sense. This sort of nonsense which consists of wild exag geration, vulgar anti-climax, and outrageous punning, or rather word-twisting, is now the prevailing form of comic literature. It is utterly without idea or purpose ; it has no subtlety of meaning —often no meaning at all; it has no foundation in thought or reflection ; and it appeals only to the sense of humour which takes delight in upsetting an old barrow-woman, or sending a poor dog scudding along with a tin-kettle tied to its tail. To a man of thought, intellect, and refinement, it is an insult and an offence, Before I proceed to make good these words by an exami nation of the publications in question, I must charge the degradation into which this species of literature has fallen ma i n ly upon the head of the conductors of Punch. For man y years that publication enjoyed a well-deserved repu tation for humorous and witty writing of the highest class. m an y of the pieces contributed to its pages by the three writers above named are now enrolled among the English classics. Mr. Hood is known by nothing so widely as by his "Song of the Shirt," which he contributed to Punch. Mr. Jerrold and Mr. Thackeray might. well be content to rest their reputation solely ou their con tributions to the Seale periodical. In the whole range of humorous writing there is, perhaps, nothing equal to the latter gentleman's " Jeamee's Diary," " Imitations of Eng lishis as familiar i n every memory as the " Needy Authors," and "Iri s h B allads. " The " Battle of der." But a tim e came w h en Punch, bereft of aninindifederesgeekrri'it'led by these brilliant contributors, became insuf ferably dull and stupid, and elected to remain so. It lived upon its past reputation, and the attraction of Mr. Leech and Mr. Doyle's incomparable sketches. But destitute as Punchwit that was ri s i ng aroun d hi m. H e he resol u t e ly s h u t hi s d oor a gainst now th wealth found of himself , s h u t his door, and t he ponderous weight o f d u ll ness th a t was left him firmly net his back agai ns t it. "N o smart young man wanted here" wa s th e notice permanently Poste d over the office in Fleet -str ee t . Th e j oke-loving public might starve first. So the smart young men, who might have recovered and sustained the reputation of the paper, were driven to start organs for themselves. Readers of this class of literature will remember the illan in ti zttoon, Diogenes, and the Comic Times. In everything but the pictorial department these publications were superior to Punch. Had the young wits, whose lively fancy sparkled in their columns, been associated with Mr. Leech, Mr. Doyle, and Mr. Tenniel, comic literature might have been saved from sinking into the slough of degradation in which it now wallows. Punch, however, held his citadel of dulness against all comers, and the smart young men—they ought to be thankful now—found a healthier outlet for their talent in the cheap magazines and newspapers which sprang up on the repeal of the paper duty. Comic lit erature had now b eco me so con temptible that it was u n i versally despised. No young of any talent cared to enrol hi mself in the ranks of man a set of writers who inspired no f ee li ng save that of pity and contempt. The very name of the comic writer had become synonymous with weakness and imbecility. Thus comic writing drivelled on in a narrow channel until a great revival took place —a revival originated and fostered by the degradation of the public taste. The two great agents that had been at work in this direc tion were the theatres and the music -halls. The theatres popularised burlesques, and the music halls comics songs. These new agents of civilisation had hard work at first ; but they succeeded in the end. Puns and parodies and the ct Cure's dance" awoke a dull and sluggish generation to the appreciation of true wit and humour. With th e assistance of gin and pipes and saucy female legs, the leaven worked, until even grave and solemn judges on the bench began to talk of the fascinating Nancy who resided in a second floor in the Strand. The author of ,4 /si n "- f, Nancy achieved a popularity exceeding oven that of the Laureate; and it is said that "Nancy" brought him a horse and gig, and that he rode while the author of the " Idylls of the King " walked on foot. Th e public, thus educated, demanded an addition to its comic literature, and the demand was sup plied. Appreciation was so widely awakened, that one addition was not enough—there was roo m f or two; and poor old Punch, to keep pace with the progress of the age, was obliged to unbolt his door, and take a smart young man of the time into partnership to save the firm from bankruptcy, That must have been a bitter day for the remnant of the old crew—the poor battered veterans with one eye and one arm and one leg—the Von Joels, who, on account of their long services • , w ere always to be retained on the es t a bli shment so long as they eould give farmyard imitations and play times upon a walking-stick. Punch's en vy and covetousness were excited by a new and highly successful kind of wit, which 'was first intro duced in the columns of Fun. It was downright nonsense; but lively nonsense is better than dull nonsense, and Tune; was glad to take a leaf out of the new book. This was the style of thing which Punch was driven to substitute for the rich humour of Hood, the keen wit of Jerrold, and the brilliant sarcasm of Thackeray 61 A FACT NOT GENERALLY KNOWN.—Many people wonder why the sun sets. Nothing, however, is more easy of explanation; when tired with its day's journey, what mo re natural than it should set ?" "DIARY :—First Sunday in the month ;teetotalers may therefore feel firsty if inclined." 6c Friday.—Grand race for the championship of light weights between Commissioner Fane and the Archbishop of York. The course will be from Colney Hatch (the private residence of C. F ) by special train to Moresley Hurst, where a few rounds will be fought on the square; after which the brave fellows will each eat fifteen slack baked apple-dumplings, and live happily ever afterwards." " If your garden is limited in extent, a good way to in crease it is as follows :—Place the four fingers of your right (by this means you can't go wrong) hand into the crack of a door; get some one—a boy just home from school is per haps best—to shut the door violently. You will then at once have four where ; and what more is wanted ?" "How TO PREPARE A FARM-YARD FOR THE REC E . P- TioN OF CATTLE,—First strew well with broken glass and rusty nails, after which chop plenty of logic (this make s e xcellent dry food for digestion), and garnish with some milk of human kindness, if you can get it, thoug h gene t; rally it is very scarce ; finally, be cheerful, and sing ha - ha The wit of this is suppposed to lie in its likeness to the utter ances of a lunatic. Is it not more like the utterance of an idiot ? " ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENTS.—' Mad Wriggle.' We don't know in what oratorios there is alchorus begin ning Whack row-de•dow fol-de riddle-i•do; but we are quite sure that the song For he's a Jolly Good Fellow is not in Judas Maccabeus." " A Lover of Order,' asks, Can I knock down and trample on my wife without fear of legal punishment?' Certainly—what else is the Stamp Act for to afford facility for amusements of this nature ?" " Mixed Pickles' wants to know how to keep his hair bright. Get some plate powder, which place carefully on the required spot, and ikon—now, attend to this— there , B the rub." Lest any one should conceive it impossible that the above could ever have been deliberately printed and offered to the public for wit, I beg to refer the reader to Fun, No. 104, p. 259. This sort of thing is now the staple of Punch's fun. The modes operand:: is to be traced in every department of the publication, so that either the young hand writes the whole of the paper, or the old hands have learnt to imitate him. But there seems to be a malignant influence in the atmosphere of that corner near St. Bride's church ; an in fluence tending to the softening of the brain and the dash wit does not k ee p i n th a t quartering. o dash of t e I s pti growsri t s . r ß a r p i i s d k l y Young The peculiar manner im ported from a region a few doors more to the west has lost much of its vitality in the new soil. Let us examine some of the choice epigrammatic morsels which are to be found scattered through a recent monthly part of Punch : T I Q U m A o r n , Ig t A iqc T most baking."AN A oest mocks s ate o d f old of their productions famous " LA.DANSE,—Among other fashionable announcements.mus for is the roll of B att l e Abbey." MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK. ANOTHER ALTERATION IN THE RATE OF DISCOUNT. 1 The directors of the Bank of England have just advanced their rate of discount 1 per cent., viz., from 5 to 6 per cent. This movement has not created very much surprise, but its vast importance has naturally had the effect of creating much disturbai.ce in almost al: de partments of business. An upward movement of 2 per cent. in the value of money in one week is of course an unusual event, and one that must necessarily exercise a very potent influence upon he current of monetary, mercantile, and Stock Exchange operations. The measure from its higoly restrictive character may be regarded with some satisfaction, inasmuch as it will remove much uncer tainty that would other wise prevail. It is always as well in cases like this that the worst should be known, and, unless affairs are in a more anomalous position than present appearances indicate, the policy adopted will probably prove instrumental in checking the outflow of gold, in alleviating the pressure for discounts resulting from the expectatio❑ of higher rates, and also restraining the impetuosity of joint-stock company promoters. The intimation that the rate of discount had been put up to 6 per cent. caused au unusual degree of commotion, especially on the Stock Exchange, where affairs for a few minutes were very much ex cited. A quieter feeling, however, has succeeded, and less depression is manifested in the quotations of many of the principal securities. There continues to be great scarcity of silver in this market, and the quotations are consequently very buoyant. The Mexican dollars brought by the West India packet were sold yesternuon for China at an advance of ss. 3d upon the price realised by the previous sale. Although there were no withdrawals of gold from the Bank of Eugiand yesterday, the total quantity sent away during the week has approached £400,000. The last week's (railway receipts ascertained up to this day are in round figures as under : 1863. 1862. Great Western £69,254 £60,527 orth- Western South- Western Brighton Midland youth-Eastern Great Northern Lancashire and Yorkshire 33,668 32,800 Bristol and Exeter North Eastern Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln 15,663 14,922 Great Southern and Western, Ireland B,IW 8,091 Midland and Great Western 4,470 4,303 These returns are in most instances of an un satisfactory character. On the Great Western there is a decrease of £1,273; on the South Western of £1,053; on the Brighton of £2,336; on the South Eastern of £1,555; and on the Great Northern of £2,852. The North Western, how ever, shows an increase of £4,026; the Midland of £3,252 ; the Lancashire and Yorkshire of £B6B ; the North Eastern of £3,849; and the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln of £741. Two O'CLOCK, Much confusion has prevailed in the market for the English Funds, the effect of the general dis turbance having been aggravated by the settlement of the account now in active progress. Consols are 92k L for money, and 92 - i i - 1 for the December set tlement, being 8 per cent. worse than they were yesterday afternoon. Since Saturday last the total fall has represented about per sent. I❑ the ether Securities the transactions have been moderate ; the New Threes and Reduced Annuities are about 901 a, being much lower, and Exchequer Bills have fallen to 7s. and ss. dis. Indian Sticks are, in some instances, a little flatter, the 5 per Cents. being 1088 Z.; the 4 per Cents., 1001 ; the 5 per Cents. Eufaced 1061 ; and the Bonds los. 20s, Considerable excitement prevailed in the Foreign Market upon the announcement of the alteration in the Bank rate, but there is a more settled ap pearance at the present moment,and affairs are much quieter. Numerous variations have occurred, but l'urkish 6 per Cents., 1862, are now 701 71; do., Consolides, 481 ; Mexican, 404 ; Gieek, 288 ; ; do., Coupons, 13 I ; Spanish Passive, 331 318 ; do., Certificates, 121 13; Portuguese, 494 ; 71=1 72; Egyptian, 991 1004; and the Confederate Loan, 63 65. In the Railway Share Market the dealings have been very limited, and prices have in most instances shown increased depression. Caledonian, Midland, and North-Eastern (Berwick), have declined as., Great Western and Lancashire and Yorkshire, 10s., and Great Northern , £l. The Foreign and Colonial undertakings have con [tined inactive, but show no material variation in values. • Bank Shares have been depressed. Imperial Ottoman realise 171-1 Alliance of London and Liver pool, 44 ; London and Middlesex, 10-1 ; and Union of London, 39. In the Miscellaneous Market, International Financial shares are dealt in at 91; London Finan cial at 151 ; and National Discount Company at BRITISH. FUNDS—ONE O'CLOCK. Bank Stock 236 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities New 3 per Cent. Annuities Annuities, 30 yrs, expire sth Jan., 1880 — Ditto (Red Sea Telegraph), Aug. 1908 2l India Stock, 1874 Ditto 5 pet Cent. 1870 Ditto 4 per Cent. 1888 lOOl Ditto Enfaced Paper, 4 per Cent .. Ditto 6 per Cent Ditto Bonds £l,OOO l5 20 Ditto under £1,000.. Consols for Account, Dec. 3 9l/ ex div Exchequer Bills, £l,OOO, 2! per Cent 6 7 die Ditto 11.500 .. 2 5 die Ditto Small FOREIGN FUNDS—ONE O'CLOCK. Brazilian 5 per Cent Ditto 4} per Cent., 1852-58-60 Egyptian 7 per Cent 99i 1001 Ditto, Second Issue Greek 5 per Cent., 1824-5, ex-Coupons — Ditto Account 2Bl 7} 8 n Ditto Coupons Ditto Account l3l Mexican 3 per Cent Ditto Account New Granada Paruvian 3 per Cent. Ditto 4t per Cent., 1862 Ditto Account B6 Portuguese 3 per Cent., 1853 Ditto 3 per Cent., 1856, '7, '9, '6O, 62 — Ditto Account 491 f Sardinian 5 per Cent • • Ditto Account 9O Spanish 3 per Cent --, Ditto Passive ~ Ditto Account 34/ 31 4 Turkish 6 per Cent. 1854 — Ditto 6 per Cent. 1862 Ditto Account 7l 701 1 Venezuela 3 per Cent. Ditto Account — Ditto 6 per Cent., 1862 Ditto Account .. 57 Dividends on the a b ove paya bl e i n L on d on. Italian, 5 p er Cent ., 1861, E x 25 fr es Ditto Account.. • • .......... ' an . ... 72 1I Consols, TWO O'CLOCK. Money Ditto Account . ............. SHIPPING —This Day. LONDON, Nov. s.—Wiad this day at noon—South- Westerly; moderate breeze, and cloudy; weather much milder. (By ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday Morning. Arrived—Teutonia, steamer, from Hamburg, and sails for New York at 4 this afternoon. She has experienced very heavy weather on the passage from Hamburg. Sailed—Thomas and Mary, for Sunuerland ; Augustine, for Cowes. .(BY MAGIZI,EBCTuENLIZ GnAru.) GItAVEBEND, Thursday Morning. Arrived, Oct. s—Chaa bze, from Shanghai; Lady Grey, from Alexandria; Mystery, from Bombay. DEAL, Thursday Mo rn i ng. Anchored—The Velocity,. from London for Falkla n d Islands; Partisan, from Sul ma tor orders ; Josephine, from Shields for Naples. Passed—The Btitifh Empire, from Callao ; the Italia, from the West, both tor London; he r M ajesty's ship Gey ser, from the west for the river. BARELY CREDIBLE !—(" Why can't you leave it alone?")—It is said the Government will make another effort next session to induce Parliament to agree to the purchase of the International Exhibition Building for the nation, 1,3.14 25 10 et st 50 20 A. 4.0 9.16.4 •ih are stock stock stock 100 stook stook stock stock stock 20 stock stook et 10 to k 58 59 88 69 119 121 1 2 I, 79 80 111 11} 124 126 44 46 100 102 I 60 62 324 334 86/ rai 98 100 91 10/ 36/ 37/ 8 94 7/ 7' 155 160 /(. 4/ 61 . 21 Se p 86 90 170 180 St. Katharine, 69i MISCELLANEOUS. Crystal Palace, 6 per cent. perpetl. deb. 117 Egyptian Commercial and Trading, lim., Electric Telegraph, 105} Gen. Credit and einance of London, lirn,, 61 International Financial Society, Rm., g i London Financial Association, 11w ., 151 National Dicount Comp Any,llim., 9 Peninsula and Oriental Steam, 831} Rio de Janeiro City Improvements, 271 Ditto (£1), 5 Trust and Loan Company of Upper Canada, 51 THE EXTENSION OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN line from Nine Elms to the Waterloo -road —a distance alone mile --cost £1,000,000. It is estimated that the new lines in London will cost on an average about £600,000 per mile THE CHURCH AS A PROFESSION.—To a man entering the Church at the present time he sees himself in competition with, say, 15,000 men for two arch bishoprics, £15,000 and £lO,OOO a year and the best posi tions in rank-25 bishoprics, £lO,OOO to £4,200 a year-27 deaneries, £2,000 to £l,OOO a year-100 canonries, £l,OOO to £5OO a year-150 livings over £l,OOO a year-1,500 livings between £l,OOO and £5OO a year—nearly all the rest livings of £3OO a year and a house by the time he is ft to receive one. Compare this with the law, the army, or physic. Yer, sat, sap. we read that Count M. G. do Wexle has left Eaton-square for Norfolk. Pop goes de Wezele." One might have hoped that the weasel had gone to sleep lorg ago. The Comic Nett's, the youngest of the three jokers, jokes on a principle entirely its own. The editor, Mr. Henry Byron, may congratulate himself—and perhaps pride him self—upon having created his own public. Before the era of perennial burlesques not one in a thousand would have seen the fun of the jokes in the Comic News. That they see it now is entirely owing to Mr. Byron's successful teaching at the Strand and the Adelphi. The wit of the Comic .Nettis consists almost exclusively in the twisting and distorting of words from their ordinary and proper meaning to mean nothing at all. This is carried to such an extent in all d e _ partments of the paper, that you are not sure whether the imprint, the edvertisements, and the announcements of the publisher as to the monthly parts and the cases for binding, are intended for jokes or not, The design is to copy the features of a newspaper, and to give a comic aspect to all the affairs of life—to politics, science, literature, art, com merce, law, and crime, scarcely stopping short of comic births and deaths. One would imagine Mr. Byron to be the happiest man alive, He v . ews all things through the same medium. The politics that involves the lives of millions are to him but the occasion for a pun; the science which is destined to inaugurate a new era of civilisation, the theme for a jest; the literature:,designed to elevate and `instruct the age, the subject for a parody; the crime which makes all men else shudder, the matter for a right merry conceit. As you read, you wonder if this unsparing and non-inter !nittent joker makes puns in his prayers, if he discovers jokes i n t h e Bible, and sees fun in the Burial Service. The writers in the Comic News are not ecllectics. It never occurs to them that there are certain affairs of life which are serious and do not admit of being joked about. To adopt ono of their pet phrases, they " go the whole hog." As an earne s t th at they will tick at nothing, the heading of the paper exhibits a comic pictorial parody of the royal arms, the motto of the most honourable Order of the Garter bang facetiously rendered, " On His Walk he Madly Puns ;" and the l egend, " Dieu et mon Droit " finds its comic equivalent i n " D ue a Monday," refer ' rine• as it appears, to the day on whi c h the C • sis published.b, Royal Institute of British Arcliitects. e session of the above institute was opened on Monday evening, the 2d i ns t ant, b y an add the President, Mr. T. L. D ONALDSON, when there fromhere n t was a large attendance of memb ers and associates. The learned Professor remarked th a t within the few months that had elapsed since they last met, events had occurred which were interesting to them as a body and as individuals, and he should pass in brief review some of the more important topics con nected with their profession. It was due to the great man who had recently passed away from them (the late Mr. C. R. Cockerell), the first professional President of the Institute, and to whom the first gold medal was awarded, to notice some of his (the President's) own impressions during an intimacy and personal friendship of 40 years. He then gave a graphic sketch of the professional career of Mr. Cockerell, from the early days of his travels in Greece, Italy, and Turkey, to the close of a long life of ardent devotion to his profession, and referred to the principal works with which the name of that gentleman was associated. It might truly be said that architecture was his delight. In him the young architect always found an encouraging monitor, ever ready to assist and develop latent talent. A more complete biography of their late friend was in nurse of preparation, and would be brought before the members at an early period of the session. With the gracious concurrence of the Dean of St. Paul's their esteemed friend was buried with the great and noble of the laud; and whatever might be the little jealousies of practical life, as architects they must feel proud that they had a Barry in Westminster Abbey, and a Cockerell in St. Paul's. The president then proceeded to pay a tribute of respect to the late Mr. Joseph Gwilt, though not a member of the institute at the time of his decease, and mentioned that he was consulted by the Government in the re-modelling of the Building Act of 1853-54. He then went on to re mark that one of the most important proceedings of the institute during the recess had been the steps taken by them in opposition to the proposed pur chase of the Exhibition building of 1862 by the nation. As soon as notice was given that it was the intention of the Government to apply to Parlia ment for a grant of money for the purchase of the building, and for a still larger sum for the purpose of converting it into a national museum, the council of the institute convened a special meeting of the members and fellows, at which a committee was appointed to report upon the subject. That com mittee made a thorough examination of the building and drew up a well-digested and important report, and pronounced their opinion that whilst the struc ture might have satisfactorily fulfilled the specific objects for which it was designed, it would be most unwise to attempt to convert it into a permanent structure, for which it was not designed. This judg ment of the highest professional body in the country was irresistible, and was endorsed by the House of Commons, who rejected the proposal by an over whelming majority. The learned president then touched upon the subject of architectural education, and remarked upon the absence in this country of any recognised system of education applicable to that profession. The student in architecture was for the most part left to his unguided experience, gleaned in the office of his employer, where he only became familiar with the works that were there carried out. They had not in this country as yet the atelier of the professor, as was the case in France, where also there were periodical competitions in the schools of architecture, The disadvantages under which students laboured were sought to be in some degree obviated by th is institute in the establishment of the voluntary architectural exa mination in which the branches of study were pre scribed, as also the steps to be attained to ga i n dis tinction. These examin ations, he said, afforded to young men the true idea of their power of weak nesses—if they failed, they must work to obtain the know'edge in which they were deficient ; for it was better they should be taught their weaknesses in early life than deserve them in later years by disastrous failure in their professional objects. He trusted next January to see students come to the examinations with as much zeal as was the case upon the last occasion, and in undiminished numbers. Having passed a warm eulogium upon the talents of Brunel, Stephenson, and Barry in their respective spheres, the president proceeded to take a general review of the progress of profes sional publications in this country, particularly illustrated works on architecture, during the last few years. He next referred to the scale of profes sional charges which had been drawn up by the institute, remarking that this had been done as much for the protection of the employer as the em ployed, and for the honour of their profession any question with respect to these charges ought to be liberally interpreted in favour of the employer ; and as they had founded that scale, on no other ground should it be regarded as authoritative or conclusive on such a question. The president then referred with satisfaction to the fact that the Metropolitan Board of Works had accepteda tender of over half a million of money fo r the Thames Embankment from Westminster to W aterloo-bridge, and were taking steps for the same same work from the Temple to w Blackfriars. It presumed that the same would be done with the south side ; and when that great work was carried out, it would present an aspect of magnificence worthy of the metropolis of this great empire. Referring to the railway bridges across the streets, he regretted that artistic taste had been so much sacrificed to the convenience of the public, and these bridges might be characterised as hideous masses of utilitarian skill. Alluding to street im provements, it was to be regretted that a parsimo nious spi r i t i n too many cases , b o th in —0 other large cities, prevented these improvements being bein g carr i e d out upon a commensurate ca had com e t o b e a que stion of a few thsou_seLeds of pounds whether a new stre et should be 40 or 80 feet in width. After refer rin g to the subject of the tier, learned dwellings of the poor in t he me t l.° p ° )eTor tion uon professor concluded with a glowing j a p architecture, assed A vote of thanks was p, Mr. Gilbert Scot t, seconded by on the proposal of Mr. Digby Wyatt. --- THE VINTAGES OF GERMANY AND THE PENIN- 1 SULA.—The vintage reports from Spain and Portu• gal are the most favourable that have been received for man y years—the best probably since that mysterious dis ease, the oidium, attacked the grape, about the same time as the potato crop gave wa y . Yet in the face of this - the , price of win e is steadil y risin g . This years Port is like the v intages that used to be in days of old—rich th a e r ldprceof abun dant; but it will be long before it can affect what we set upon our table. The German vintage is a tailure in quality—no bettor than that of 1860, SECOND ETATION. SUN OFFICE, HALF-PAST 4 o'CLocx. SPORTING INTELLIGE NCE.---This Day, HEREFORD RACES —Tills DAY. (BY ELECTRIC TELEC;RAPII.) TRIAL STAKE;S. Buckland pact ton 13ellaciruie , ............. Five ran. lIEREFORDSHIRE Blondin Lothian' s Kin ....... ....................... g 2 Five ran. Visit of Alexandre Dumas to Sanson, the French Executioner. In the Indipendent e of Naples M. xle rad Dumas has just publish e d, under the title of Ai re moires de Monsieur de P ar i s, " which we subjoin :—" I had read,"a curiou s recital, says that writer 4. i n many narratives of the death of Louis XVI , that he refused to ascend the scaffold, that it was necessary to use force, and that a struggle took place between him and the executioner's ass i stants. The incident seemed to me so contrary to the cha. racter of the King that I was anxious to ascertain the truth, if possible, and, for that purpose, resolved to apply to Monsieur de Paris, who was the son of Sanson, who guillotined Louis XVI.; he was oz i y twelve or fourteen years old at the time, and, as he was present on the scaffold, he must certainly remember all that took place on that memorable occasion. But I wanted some excuse for call ing on him, which I soon found ; so one evening I went to Sanson's house to purchase a pot of the ointment which he sold as a cure for rheumatic pains, and which, according to popular report, was wade of human fat. I was introduced to M. Sanson's business room, and found him engaged in looking over accounts, and in an adjoining room I heard a piano played with considerable skill. M. Sanson rose on my entrance, and having heard what I wanted, he told his servant to fetch the ointment. I asked the price, and he replied that it depended on circumstances, as he gave it gratis to the poor, and sold it for 10f. to those who could afford to pay for it. I gave him the money, and was hesitating how to introduce the subject which was the real cause of my visit, when Sanson, perceiving that I you u re to t t o ake sa_ a v, se r a e tr mark l e io d : w — hic ' h l had somethin g hardly d are as k I replied that I would willingly do so, and at once sat down, and said, M. Sanson, I see that you suspect the pot of ointment to be only apre text, and that y ou w i sh me to explain what more I have to say.' You want to ask me something, I suppose, sir. If so, speak ; for the happiest days of my life arc those in which men of the world do m e the honour to converse with me.' I then told him who I was, and, after an exclamation of surprise, he eagerly requested to know what he could do to oblige me. You can clear up,' 1 said, an histori cal doubt. You were present at the execution of Louis XVI. ?" I was.' And you remember it perfectly ?" I do.' Well, sir, some historians say that, at the foot of the scaffold, Louis XVI. shrank from death; that he struggled with the executioners, and was in a manner lifted on to the scaffold. For my part, I do not believe the statement, as it was contrary to his character and temperament.' There is, nevertheless, some truth in it ;' re plied the other, as Louis XVI. did struggle violently for a moment with my father's assistants, and for the reason lam about to explain. You are aware that Louis XVI. was conveyed to the place of execution in his own carriage, and without being pinioned. Before he ascended the steps the execu tioner's assistants, fearing he might struggle at the last moment, wished to bind his hands with a cord; but this indignity roused all the pride still remain ing in the unhappy monarch, and he resisted, cx claiming " No, no, I will never submit to that The men were about to use force, when my father stepped forward, and taking from his pocket a handkerchief, said in a tremulous voice and with tearful eyes, " With this handkerchief, Sire?" Louis XVI. had not heard himself called Siro for six months before. He looked at my father, saw his tears, and at once held out his hands, which my father tied with the handkerchief. The rest passed as re lated by the historians.' Having obtained Sanson's permission to ask a few other questions, I requested to know whether it was true that the office he held was hereditary and obligatory in his family. 'No, sir,' he replied, ' but in the absence of a positive law, there is the law of proprieties. What profession but his father's can the son of an executioner follow ? I await your other questions.' My next inquiry was whether it was true that he could not have a carriage, except on condition that his name should be inscribed on the doors. ' There is no obligation,' replied he; `but such is the cus tom. Should you like to see how we elude it in practice ?' Having answered in the affirmative, he said that he would take me down to see the car riage, and accordingly ordered the servant to bring a lantern. While the man was gone, Sanson said that his daughter would never forgive him if he allowed me to leave without her seeing me, and was about to fetch her when I remarked that I would rather go to her in the drawing-room. He seemed pleased with my proposal, and we went there. On entering the room we found her seated at the piano. She was a fair girl of about 19, with blue eyes, and a rather melancholy expression of countenance. My dear,' said Sanson, here is a gentleman whom you think much of ; knowing all your admiration for him, 1 could not let him leave without doing you. the honour to embrace him.' She looked embarrassed and blushed quite red. ' First of all, father,' said she with some confusion, I wish to know t h e gen . ; tleman's name.' He replied, I You shall know afterwards, f or I to l d you f i rst, i t i s yo u that l would emb race hi m. ' Oh! father !' she exc laimed in a tone o f reproac h. I th en embraced her, at an li r e r after Which she looked inquiringly father, who said, Well, he is AL Ale a x nd ° c hair' .ra well, Dumas.' She then dropped on a looking at me as if amazed. 'Loolc I melancholy accent girl,' said the father with that lisprobal- the which was habitual to him, ' for 'or behold him !) on me that first and the last time you will ever This little scene made such w e w ent down to the novel of La Reine Alar g °t. two o r three Carriages. fifteen years later I attempta,:d coach-house, in which weredso meat, and showed me Sanson took me to the har!it itr:Preproduce it in the under it as a motto and pdresented a broken bell sou, being a pan on the were the two words Having argent eenstcuotcaheaonreocin tghresodiNnosdr, learned all I wished to know, family s at "' Ha - hanks to M. Sanson, and took I mF I now expressed t leave.' STATE OF TRADE. --- 1) uN DEE , 3 • —Holders of flat have again advanced their Nov. T prices, which keeps back buyers and restricts sales to the supply of pressing wants or of s mall parcels to keep up assortments. The business reported is at very full rates, but it is not on the whole of great extent, At last wzok's prices spin ners would have operated largely, but sellers were firm and would not y i eld. The demand for tow and cedilla, especially the finer marks, is active, but the extreme prices LOW asked fur th e m stop business. Jute, of a ll qualities, is in excellent request, and eff anything zired at a reasonable price is readily taken, but the value is not so high in proportion us .t is in London. Fully 700 bales were put up to . auction h ere to - day, and sold with good spirit at f u l price s . T he demand for all descriptions an d qu li , .: - ties of yarn was most active to-day, but spinner s ' being almost all foresold, in many cases odked so Neat a rise as to make manufacturers pause, and Wait the result of ne-4.t market. day. The inquiry for all sorts of linens, coarse and fine,hrown an d bleeehed, is aS excessive as before, end prices are now con siderably higher than at market on Friday lest high as they already are, makers anticipate a fur ther advance, and many refuse to quote, as their offers are generally accepted, whatever they may be. r ''‘