The Sun. — London, England, 1845-04-21 00:00:00

SUMMARY OF NEWS AND Pubitt ptutou. " Who runs may read." FOREIGN. Louis Philippe returned to Paris from En on Friday night. The King and Queen of the Belgians were expected at Paris on occasion of his fete, the Ist of May. The Duke de Montpensier on arriving at Marseilles alighted at the Hotel d'Orient, where he gave a greed dinner to the public functionaries, &c., and embarked on Wednesday for Algiers in the Asmodee. Intelligence from Bourges states that the health of the wife of Don Carlos is gravely affected. Physicians have been sent for from Paris. " We are positively informed," says the Courrier de la Gironde," that the King is to proceed in September next to the Chateau of Pau, which he has had repaired. It is even affirmed that the young Queen of Spain will, at the same period, pay a visit to the King of the French at Pau." The Moniteur publishes two royal ordinances, dated Eu, the 15th instant. The first regulates the promotions in the Civil service in French Africa ; the second divides Algeria into three provinces (Algiers, Constantina, and Oron), and in stitutes a superior Council of Administration, a Director- General of Civil Affairs, and other functionaries, in addition o the Governor-General. The Presse states that the number of Peers to be created by the Ministry will, added to the nominations which have already taken place, make a total of forty-five. M. de Mouchy, Honorary President of the Royal Court of Amiens, died on the 15th instant, in the eighty - fifth year of his age. He was the last member of the Parliament of Paris. The committee of the Strasburg and Basle railroad sub mitted on Friday to the shareholders a report on the opera tions of the company during the year 1844. The whole of th e receipts was 2,486,868 f., or 340,116 f. more than in 1843 ; and the expenditure, 1,578,118 f., showing an increase of 3 ' 117 C, as compared with the prec edin g y ear. Taking the i nterest of the loan and 10 per cent. for the reserve fund, there was only a dividend of Bf. 25c. per share. We learn from Lucerne, April 15, that Dr. Muller, one of the leaders of the insurgents, and who was taken prisoner, has erected his escape. COURT—FASHIONABLE. The Duke de Broglie and Prince A lbert de Broglie will h ave the ho no ur of dining with her Majesty and the Prince c °,lkrkdrt this evening, at Buckingham P alace. IA Duke and Duchess of Beaufo rt and the Ladies So. Menet have arrived at Beaufort Hou se for the season, from Badminton. at Me Duke of Somerset, who has been sufferi n g from an tack of influenza, is recovered. Earl Fit zw illi am and the Ladies Fitzwilliam intend l e avin g tlilton Park, near Peterborough, in a few days for Mortimer 41° nne, for the season. „„ ne Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry and the 'rem Alexandrine Vane have return ed to Holderness House 'rem Paris. , The Marquis and Marchioness of Aberc orn and famil y have left town for the Priory, where they p ur p ose to make a stay of some few weeks' duration. The Marchioness of Douglas, who has been slightly indis posed from the effects of a cold, is, we are happy to say, con valescent. 'The precise period of the christening of the infant Earl of Angus is not yet definitively settled, but it is under- Stood that the ceremony will take place previous to the de parture of th e M arc hioness's mother, the Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden, on her return to Manheim. The Duke and Duchess of Bedford arrived in Belgrave square on Friday evening, from Newmarket. The Duke of Rutland left town on Saturday for Bel voir Castle. His Grace is expected to return to London on Thursday next. The French Ambassador's grand entertainment, in celebra tion of the birthday of his Majesty the King of the French, will take place on Wednesday, the 30th instant, instead of May Ist, Holy Thursday falling this year upon the latter day. Viscount and 'Viscountess Palmerston entertained at dinner, on Saturday, the Prussian Minister and Madame Bunsen, the Baron and Baroness Arnim, the Belgian Mi nister, Lord William Russell, Lord and Lady Ashley, &c. ; a select circle joined the party in the evening. The Earl of Ellenborough had a grand dinner party on Saturday, at his mansion, in Charles-street, Grosvenor- Square. The following formed the circle :—The Earl and Countess Delawarr, Earl of St. Germans, the Earl of Devon, Earl Nelson, Viscount and Viscountess Mahon, Viscount and Lady Sarah Ingestre, Lord Redesdale, Lord and Lady Ernest Bruce, Lord and Lady Colchester, Hon. G. R. Rice Trevor, SIX., and Colonel Love. XVIISCEI.I.ANEOUS. The followins return " of the number of apprentices who have attended at each of the schools established in her Ma jesty's dockyards. during the year ending the 31st of De cember, 1844," has been issued by order of the House of Commons :—Dockyard at DepttOrd, nil (no school has as yet been opened at Deptford, which was not re-esta blished as a building-yard until the Ist of April, 1844); dockyard at Woolwich, 94 ; dockyard at Sheerness, 110 ; dockyard at Chatham, 136 ; dockyard at Portsmouth, 219 ; dockyard ,: at Devonpe r t, 232 ; d oc ky ar d at Pembroke, 76. Saturday, at the w ee kly mee ti ng o f the Marylebone Vestry, the annual election t oo k pl ace f or th e c h urc hwardens and sidesmen, &c. for the year ensuing,the Rev. Dr. Spry, - the rector, in the C r hair ; a letter was received from Lord . Lin adn, stating that h er M a j es t y had been pleasedto re-appeals; the Hon. George Lord Kenyon as churchwarden on the part of the Crown, and George Spencer Smith, Esq., a s his sides man for the ensuing year. The nominations dother church wardens for the parish were made, and the auditors' report Was brought up and read. It was stated by.SirPeter Laurie that there was every probability of the affairs of this pari s h becoming an object of inquiry bef ore a Committee of te 11 Rouse of Commons. After some other business of trifling importance the vestry separated. The Society for teaching the blind to read are to have a Public dinner in aid of t he funds of this philanthropic society tal the 29th instant, and with a view of raising the amount necessary for the purchase of a building more suitable to the ' W ants of the institution. It is to be hoped that it will be well attended for the sake of the benevolent objects proposed. We learn that the statement that the requisition for the ,condemnation of Tract 90 had been either p resented to the hebdomadal Board at Oxford, or was under their considera tiono • s not correct. , In the small colliery village of Philadelphia, near Sunder land, the typh us fever is prevailing to a serious extent. In tkhe street alone, Wellington-row, it is said seventy-two in dividuals are now lying dangerously ill. Messrs. Lee and Co., chemical manu f ac turers, at the Fel ling, near Gateshead, with a laudable desire to promote the comfort and welfare of their workmen, have laid out a field in garden allotments for occupation by their workmen, and to encourage these bumble amateur gardeners in the cul tivation of their plots of grou nd they have offere d a number of Prizes for the best specimens of produce, and also for g ood e`utivation. DREADFUL ACCIDENT. wre'N-UNDER-LYNE, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 19.- It •-s our painful duty to record one of the m ost distressing, ZIIIII we fear exteasively fatal. accidents that ever occurred in neighbourhood. At present all is speculation a s to the „ i z nlit of the mischief and the amount of human life sacri e'‘l. We are, however, enabled to say that at least from ten to twelve persons have been sacrificed , and a g reat many more severely injured. A bout twelve months ago the contractors for the Ashton under-Lyne branch railway co mmenced: operations, and pro `:eeded with the works to the entire satisfaction of the Com pany The line, which is only a bout two miles long , was i,„ — r tl Y completed, and was expected to have been opened • summer. It was a double branch line, connecting the I mportant towns of Ashton and Staleybridge with Man .eilesler, and passing over a portion of Ashton upon twe nt y ar ches, crossing the Ashton and Hud dersfield Canal, and the river Tame on its way. The arch es were built with atone, and appeared to be very substantial and well con- I t Meted, every one of which have bee n finished for some Pc, and the wor kmen were levelling the line , with a view of having the rails laid down almost immediatel y . About thirty men were engaged in this work , and their labours a cre fast drawing to ag a close. This afternoon , however, l ont three o'clock, nine the arches gave way with a most lutremendous crash, carrying with them the whole of the men ,m ployed upon the line, and som e buildin g s contiguous. The arat arch which gave way was the one over the river Tame, le l Which several men were employed. The shrieks of the kufortunate men were painful in the extreme, and in another Pao_ raent it was followed by eight other arches, every one Which became a mass of ruins , bury in g beneath the l abourers materials a large number of navi g ators and other employed. The scene at this mom ent was most listressingalsonoonly on account of the sacrifice of human life, but also on account of the perilous situation of those WllO were p rec ipitated into the river , over which the arch rafted. The fal?en materials having gorged up the river, It shortly began w roll over the sto nes, &c., which had fallen, and threatened final destruction to those unfortunate _creatures who were par tially buried in the ruins. The news the accident spread rapidly in all directions, and nu- Mere" rted exaggerated reports were circulated. It was cur rently reP° that from foftY to fifty persons bad been Port "d that others were seriOusly wounded. This re an • B °° ll brought together a large concourse of persons, xleusly inquiring the particulars, amongst whom were the friends and relations of those persons employed on the works. t e seene at this moment was, indeed, laaintable and dis ressing beyond description—women looking for their hus bands,children for their parents, and parents for their chil dren, of whom no tidings could be obtained, and whose cries rendered the already melancholy scen e distressing in the ex treme. In the present state of confusion it is quite impossible to give any accurate details of the accident, of the number of persons killed or wounded, and still more difficult to say what is the cause of the catastrophe. Those, however, who are best acquainted with the works, say that the arches were very substantially built. Oa inquiring we find that close o the arch which first gave way, there is an "eye" of an 4.,1d coal mine which has long since been abandoned by the miners. It is also stated that some time ago (ten or twelve days) the earth near this coal-pit " eye" was seen to Link, and that it was then stated that the foundation of the arches were unsound. Hew true these statements may be, we cannot at present say, but we shall make every possible inquiry into the whole of the circumstances as soon as the confusion subsides, and send them in our next account. It is right to state that at the time of the accident, Mr. Joseph Fowler, one of the principal con tractors, was on the centre arch, and was pre ci p itated into the river, a distance of eighteen feet, and had a ver y narrow *scape of being killed. SUNDAY MORNING, NINE O'CLOCK. —During the whole of the night large numbers of men have been employed in re moving the whole of the fallen materials, and extricating from the ruins the bodies of the unfortunate sufferers, under the direction of the engineers of the works and the con tractors, who hare been unremitting in their exertions to re cover the bodies of their workmen and in administering to the wants of those who have been taken out of the ruins alive. Large numliers of persons remained on the spot, Pressing so closely on the workmen, that it was found neces sary to call in the aid of the military, the police force being totally inadequate to keep order. Up to this time ei g ht bodies have been taken from the ruins. ACCELERATION OF THE MAIL FROM LONDON TO I<TivcA sTLE .—A rrang erilents are nearly completed by the Right Hon. the Postmaster,General, at the instance of J. H. nuade, Esq., the Member for 3C,lwcastle-upon-Tyne, by which newspapers and letters from London to Newcastle will be conveyed the whole distance (303 miles) iu 13 hours. The night mail train leaving the General post-office at the ordi nary period of dispatch (eight o'clock) will arrive in New castle by nine next morning, from which town it will return at three in the afternoon, leaving plenty of time for a reply to letters received by the morning post. After the Ist of May it is intended to accelerate the day mail from London, Which then will reach Newcastle at eight in the evening. TELEGRAPH Disrvrcu..—The division which took place on the Maynooth grant, in the House of Commons, at three o'cloc kwithin on 'Saturday morning, was know n and in print one half hour at 6outtanapton, by means of the elec -1444 telegraph. TIIE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 21 1845. Sugar—The discouraging advices received by the mail, and the uncertainty that must prevail until the question of duties is finally settled by the home Government, have re stricted operations in this important staple. The better descriptions of Benares have been saleable to a moderate extent at about previous prices, but in all middling and inferior kinds a decline of 4 a 6 annas per maund must be ',toted. Even with this disposition on the part of holders to meet the market, buyers seem very unwilling to operate, and we believe that no business of any importance has been effected in these descriptions. Date sugar of the new crop, which at this time last month was selling freely at 10-4 a 10-8 Company's rs., is now down to 9 a 9-4 Company's rs., at which rate a fair amount of transactions are in progress. Saltpetre—There has been rather more doing in this arti cle, and, were freights obtainable on easier terms, there would probably be a much better deman d, the prospects of the home market being not unfavourable. Meanwhile, ship ments to that quarter have been a good deal curtailed, and last month exhibit a considerable falling off, being only 25,561 maunds, against 43,253 iu January, 52,478 in Decem ber, and 58,536 maunds in November last. For France and America very little was done during February, but within the last day or two a few sales have been effected for the latter quarter. The stock in the bazaar is a fair average one for OR season. Raw Silk—Our last reported a fair inquiry for this staple, but, since the arrival of the mail, the demand has fallen off, and the business transacted has been extremely moderate. Holders evince little inclination to submit to lower rates, and, as well as purchasers, seem quite disposed to await the issue of another mail. Silk Piece Goods (Corahs)_ Accounts by the last mail con tinuing in all respects favourable for these goods, demand has been active, and prices well maintained. All parcels brought to market find a ready sale, and though shipments during the last four months have been large, there appears every confidence in the consumption of the home market being fully adequate to the increased supplies going forward. The quantity shipped during the last ten months exceeds the whole consumption of 18 44 by abou t 1,10,000 pieces. Rice—A continuance of the high rates of freightage has kept transactions in this article for home and shipment on a very moderate scale. In prices there is little alteration, the few sales of Table since made having been at our previous quotations. For Mauritius a fair amount of business has been done, but as the season is now advanced, shipments to most of the other eastern markets have been less extensive than during the two previous months. Shell Lac—There has been little doing in this article of late, and prices are rather lower. Lac Dye—Has been in better request, chiefly for the Eng lish market, to which quarter shipments are becoming in creased. Of the finest kinds there is very little or none at market, and quotations for these are, therefore, nominal. • Hides—There has not been much doing in these goods, and sales have been chiefly confined to a few s mall parcels of superior quality. Jute—This article is very dull of sale, and prices have fallen considerably, the best cleaned being now procurable at Company's rs. 8 per bale, and at this reduction there is no general demand. Oil Seeds—ln these we have little alteration to make either as regards demand or prices. For England shipments con tinue moderate, and must remain so until they can be sent forward at more reasonable freights. During the latter part of February there was no vessel on the berth for the United States, but during the last few days the arrival of two ships from that quarter has caused a little more to be done in linseed. Horns and Horn Tips in moderate inquiry, the former at 12 a 11 Company's rs. per 100 ; the latter 7-12 a 8 Company's rs. per mauud. Cotton continues quite neglected, and for shipment we have not heard of a single transaction since our last. Prices of the new cotton in the Upper Provinces have fallen con siderably during the last month. Accounts of the China market are still unfavourable, though the absence of further supplies was beginning to tell upon the stock held by im- porters. Opium—A few days after our last the receipt of advices from China to Jan. 15, per Audax and Water Witch, had the effect of raising prices of the drug. Freights—The available tonnage continuing limited the rates of homeward freightage have undergone no reduction. IMPORTS. Cotton Piece Goods—We are still unable to report any amendment in the state of our markets for Cottons gene rally, and with a continuance of the present low exchange there are few articles that can be realised to any profit. Though prices have undergone no change worthy of men tion, there has been rather more inquiry for some descrip tions of . goods during the last ten days. Shipments on the way are moderate compared to what has recently been the case, and though we cannot look for much demand until the season is further advanced, we think we are justified in ex pressing an opinion that prices have seen their lowest. Shirtings—Grey have been in better request, and sales to a considerable extent have taken place, though at no advance in prices worthy of record. White remain depressed, and transactions have been very limited. Jaconets, White—The common and medium descriptions of these goods being moderate in stock, have continued sale able at fair prices, but for the finer kinds, of which supplies aro proportionately larger, there is a very limited demand. Grey of all kinds are extremely dull of sale, and in these little has been done. Lappets... Under this head we have also to notice a fair demand for the cheapest description; while all fine kinds are only saleable at a decline on the prices lately current. Lappet Scarfs--There is no improvement to notice in the demand for these goods, which is of the most limite d nature, and sales only effected by submitting to a considerable re duction Book Muslins—But little has been done in these goods; obtainable prices continuing extremely low. Mull Mulls—The finest descriptions of these fabrics are saleable at fair prices, but for medium and common qualities demand has fallen off. Arrivals have lately been rather large, and during the past ten months are nearly double those of the previous year. Check Spots and Stripes, 12 yards—There is a fair demand for suitable descriptions of these goods ; 2,640 pieces have brought 2rs. 5 a 6rs. per piece. Dhooties—Being out of season remain without the leas& inquiry. Twills—White are a saleable article, but prices have de clined considerably, arrivals having been very large; 1,900 pieces have sold from Co.'s rs. 7 8 a 7 8 3 per piece. Printed Goods—There is seldom much doing in these goods at this season, and transactions since our last have been very moderate. Coloured Goods —Turkey Rod Twills are only in moderate request, and in all fabrics under this head little of any im portance has been done. Printed Handkerchiefs—A few small parcels have found buyers, but stock is much in excess of the probable demand for some time to come ; 1,094 dozen have brought from Co.'s re. 1 1 to 2 6 per dozen. Mule Twist—Demand for this staple has been brisk since our last, and prices have advanced fully 2 pies per morals for almost all counts, though No. 40 continues relatively in the greatest request. The reported sales are upwards of 1,500 bales, and the stock in importers hands has been much re duced, being now about 1,500 to 1,800 bales, inclusive of one or two recent arrivals. It will be seen by the annexed list of imports that supplies during the last ten months are upwards of 50 per cent. in advance of those during the same period of last year. Turkey Red Twist also continues in good demand, and prices are well maintained. Orange Twist has been somewhat dull, and the sales made have been at rather lower rates. Woollens—Transactions under this head have been quite unimportant, demand being almost suspended, and stocks of all descriptions extremely large. Metals—Though demand continues of a very limited nature, there has been rather more firmness on the art cf holders, and prices are a little in advance of those obtainable at the date of our last. Copper—Sheathing, to the extent of about 2,000 mds. has been sold from 33 5 a 33 8 Co.'s rs., the latter being the present market value; 400 mds. Brazier have also realised 33 12 Co.'s rs. In Tile there have been no transac tions, but about 700 mds. Old Copper has brought 34 12 a 35 Co.'s rs. Spelter—This metal is still much depreciated in value; about 8,000 mds. have been sold from Ct. Rs. 10-6 a 10 8, but few holders will submit to realise at such low rates. Iron—The better feeling noticed in our last has continued to be manifested in demand for this article, and though transactions have not been extensive, prices remain steady. About 4,000 mds. English bar have sold from Co.'s Rs. a 2-2 3 per md., 1,000 mds. Swedish, Ct. Rs. 4 5 per md., and 300 mds. Boiled Plate, at Co.'s Rs. 3-2 per md. Lead-1,000 mds Pig have sold at the low price of Se. Rs. 5-12 per fy. md. In other metals nothing worthy of notice has been done. Beer—There has been nothing done by wholesale of late, sales having been confined to several parcels of second-rate brands by public auction. MONEY MARKET. Bengal Hurkaru-office, Calcutta, March 7, 1845. The market has, upon the whole, been steady since the issue of our last summary ; and there is not so great a demand for accommodation, as there was a week or two ago—nor do we look forward to much change in existing rates of interest, before the next opium sale, when there may be some activity. Government Securities are not quite so buoyant, the in creased rates of interest at the banks for loans on deposit having slightly affected the current value. Exchange remains nearly stationary, with a small tendency upwards, say 1-10 i to 1-108, at 10 months' date. Bank Stock is inquired after, but there seems little disposi tion to sell at present quotations. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Transfer Stock Paper, Five per Cent., prem. 21 0a 22 9 Bombay, Five per Ce nt. Old Sicca, Five do., acco rdin g to Nos ,+s 0 a 7 2 New Company ' s Five p er cent. Thirds, Four ditto New Cy, Four ditto BANK SHARES. Bengal Bank Co.'s Rs. (4,000) Prem. 2,750 a 2,800 Union Bank Agra Bank ,, (500) ~ 275 a 280 Mussoorie Bank .. „ (50 0 ) ~ 190 a 200 Bank of Western India „ (400) ~ 240 a 250 RATE OF INTEREST AND DISCOUNT. Discount BANK OF BENGAL. I on Government Acceptanc. (within 3 m.) 4 per ct. on Private Bills and Notes on deposit of Company ' s Paper / 6 'I 5 I n terest on deposit of Opium and Salt on Loans on deposit of Metals and Indigo on deposit of other goods ....... UNION BANK. on Government Acceptances ... 4 ~ Discount on approved Private Bills (at 2 months) 7 ~ on ditto from 2to 4 months 8 ~ on Government Paper 6 I, Loans & on B en g al and A g ra Bank Shares, &c 7 ~ Credits on Metals and Indigo, in bonded wareh 6 „ on other goods, ditto 7 7, PRICE OF BULLION, &C. Sycee Silver Co.'s Rs. 104 12 0 a 105 00 p. 100 sa. wt. China Gold Bars ......... 15 8 0 a 16 2 01 per sa. wt. Gold Dust..• ............... 15 8 0 a 16 8 0 . 1 Spanish Dollars .......... 221 10 0 a 221 I‘ , 01 per 100 Mexican ditto ............ 221 2 0 a 221 405 Sovereigns ............•••••• 11 20 a 11 4 0 Madras Mohurs 1 -each New Gold M0hur5........ 0 00 a 0 0 0 REMOVAL OF THE STONE ALTAR FROM THE ROUND CHURCH, CythßlDGF.—These innovations, which have for so long a time occasioned great pain and dissension among the friends of our Protestant Church have at length been removed by the churchwardens, who received a moni tion to that effect from the Archdeacon of Ely. The church will, therefore, very shortly be e• opened for divine service, and peace and harmony restored. A.IINISTERIAL CHANGES.—Mr. Alexander Pringle, M.P. for Selkirkshire., one Sir Robert Lords of the Treasury, tendered his resignation to Sir Robert Peel previously to voting against the Government on the proposed grant to the college of Maynooth. The Right H . on. Baronet having ac cepted the resignation, Mr. Pringle is of course no longer in office ; and we believe we may state . that he will be succeeded by Mr. William Forbes Mackenzie, M.P. for Peebleshire. Air. Mackenzie voted in the majority on Saturday morning. --Post. OVERLAND MAIL. INDIA. Accounts have been received by the half-monthly mail from Calcutta to the Bth of March, Madras the 14th, and Hong-Kong to the 4th of February. We have no intelligence from Bombay by this mail. The news from Sinde is favourable. Sir C. Napier had been completely successful in his expedition against the tribes in Upper Sinde, and their leader, Bejar Khan, had offered to surrender on condition that his life was spared, and he was allowed a maintenance. Nothing is said respecting sickness in the army, and we therefore presume that it has nearly disappeared. The following extracts from the Bengal Hurkaru of the 7th of March, give a summary of the latest in telligence:— The foreign relations of India have not, as far as we know, undergone any change since the date of our last dispatch—namely, the 17th ultimo. Nor in domestic matters have we anything remarkable to report. The most interesting subject which has engaged the attention of the Anglo-Indian public is one of British manufac ture and imported by the last mail—no other than Major General William Napier's conquest of Sinde, which has created a considerable sensation in this coun try, and has, as might have been antic i p ated, brou g ht down the Indian press in great force on its very unscru pulous author. We give in another column a few speci mens of the various complimentary notices with which this literary curiosity has been honoured. We are still at peace with the Punjaub, though that country is yet as far as ever from being at peace within itself. The Khalsa army is still the dominant power there, and now holds in its sordid hands the scales in which Goolab Sing is poised against the nominal Go vernment. If it thinks it will gain, let it be ever so little, by the destruction of the Jumboo Itaja more than by giving him a share in the Government, it will do its utmost to work his downfal. If its calculations point to an opposite result, we shall probably soon hear of Goo lab Singh as Prime Minister and virtual ruler of the country, subject of course to the control of the Khalsa king-makers. Meantime our Government has made no sign of an intention to interfere, beyond the quiet concentration of a considerable part of its available forces in the north west frontier, which may indeed signify either an ag gressive or simply a precautionary design. It is, how ever, hardly likely that we shall willingly rush into a war at the beginning of the hot season, and the general impression seems to be that the Sutlej frontier is being strenthened on the chance of the Seiks crossing the river, g and that in the next cold season we shall pluck "the pear." The Governor-General yet remains at the Presidency, and still lends the full light of his countenance to the cause of education and internal improvement. He has since our last presided at two scholastic anniversaries, those of the College, and the Calcutta Madrissa or Ma homedan College. On each occasion he made a speech strongly indicative of a desire for the amelioration of the country, and the moral and intellectual advancement of the people. But it is evide nt that these pacific em ployments do not engross his attention or divert his mind from the peculiar external relations of the coun try at the present crisis ; and nobody would be taken by surprise were the next Calcutta Gazette to contain a proclamation of war with the Punjaub, or were the Go vernor-General next to be heard of on his way to Feroze- pore. Affghanistan is seemingly as quiet as it ever has been or is, for a long time to come, likely to be. Possibly the hope of a descent on the Punjaub may be the oil te which has smoothed its trouble d waters, and effe a mpo rary coalescence of its discordant elements. The Dust has taken to himself another wife, a young lady to whose ha:d one of his own sons aspired. This event has, as might be supposed, bred some dissension in his family. Akbar Khan and his father, between whom some cool ness exi.;ted, probably from the above affair, because of the jilted youth being the former's full brother, and their mother being a party aggrieved by the old man's new alliance, have been reconciled. Akbar is still at Jella labad. Ile has not as yet made any hostile demonstra tion n ths side of the Khyber, though it a pears to have o been his father's wish that he should imme p diately attack the Seikhs in Peshawur. Our latest news from Sinde is that Sir Charles Na pier's expedition against " the Pindarees of the Indus" had been so far successful that he had straitened and dispersed the robber tribes and reduced their leader, Bejar Khan, to the necessity of proposing to surrender himself on condition of his life being spared. In all probability our western contemporaries will be able to send home accounts of the manner in which he has been disposed of. The insurrectionary movements in the southern Concan seem to have been almost entirely suppressed, and the captured rebels are being brought to punish ment. Colonel Outram has again distinguished himself for zeal and activity in the pursuit of the arch-rebel Phond Sawant, who, however with many of his fol lowers, has found a sanctuary in the Goa territories. The Gallant Colonel has been appointed resident at Sattara. The brilliant feat of Colonel Wallace in send ing his force down a precipice into the enemy's position has led to his arrest on a charge of having thereby marred the arrangements of the general commanding. In Calcutta things go on as monotonously as usual. The great event of the past fortnight has been a nume rously attended town-hall meeting, to thank her Ma jesty for the gift of her portrait and that of her consort, which she has presented to her loyal subjects of the Ditch at the instance of Dwarkanauth Tagore. An ad dress was voted,- which is to be signed by the sheriff for the inhabitants, and to be presented by Dwarkanauth, who leaves India by the Bentinck. By the same oppor tunity Dr. Goodeve returns to England in charge of four Hindoo medical students, who are to complete their pro fessional education in the London hospitals, two of them at Dwarkanauth's expense. Railroads for India seem to be attracting the atten tion of the public both in England and in this country. As yet the only definite project before the public here is for a short line on the Bombay side, the patrons of which, however, seem to be waiting for the countenance and assistance of Government. But the last mail brought hints of gigantic undertakings in contemplation at home, for a series of railways, whose ramifications shall reach from coast to coast, and lay open the centre of the penin sula. The same mail also brought one of our contem poraries a printed scheme of a railway from Calcutta to Burdwan, which the said contemporary, erroneously as we think, has been led to attribute to Mr. It. Macdonald Stephenson. The impression here seems to be that a line which should do n othing more than connect Burd wan with Calcutt a would not pay. Our latest news from China is to the 14th of January, but is not of much importance. The Chamber ) f Commerce at Singapore has been exerting itself in the way of memorialising to obtain a steam communication between that settleme nt been antic and ip Point de Galle. The ir wishes have, hoated at home, for the Peninsular and Oriental Company will have two steamers on the line between Ceylon and China in August next, and they will, of course, touch at Singa pore, and perhaps also at Penang. The Singapore papers bring accounts of the death of Dr. Griffith, late acting superintendent of the Calcutta Botanic Gardens, and an eminent botanist. He died at Malacca on the Bth February. Captain Bethune, R.N., and Mr. H. Wise, had gone on a secret mission to Borneo. (From the Delhi Gazette of March 1.) Sirdar Jowahir Singh, the Prime Minister, seems to have become exceedingly unpopular with the soldiery, and has done himself much damage in their opinion by ill-t re ating and muti latin g a favourite leader, Mirsa Judha Rum, who had been driven to suicide by the cruel indignities heaped upon him by Jowahir Singh. It was reported, on good authority, that negotiations between Goolab Singh and Peshwa Singh had been concluded, and that they had ended in an agreement to afford mutual aid to each other. The troops have also determined on placing Peshwa Singh at the head of affairs, and will, it is expected, bring him to Lahore within the next ten or twelve days. It was yet doubtful whether the army would destroy Goolab Singh or make him vizier. Jowahir Singh was preparing for a struggle w ith Goolab and Peshwa, and, says the news writer, everything has the appearance of a battle being about to be fought at Lahore. It was reported that Akbar Khan was in the Khyber, and Dost Mahommed at Jel lalahad, whence he had written to the Governor of Peshawur, intimating his intention to reclaim that place. (From the Friend of Chino, Jan. 18.) It is currently reported and believed in China that Fowchowfoo and Ningpo are to be given up as trading ports, and that Chusan is to be retained in their stead, and made a consular port. The Chinese are b u ilding extensively there, both for th reigners. Her Majesty's ship Vestal had received at Whampon. another instalment of the indemnity money, amounting to three millions of dollars. It was paid in Sycee, which is at a premium of five or six per cent. It is thought that half of this will be sent to England, and the other half to India, to be coined into rupees, and returned to China. (From the Hong-Kong Register, Feb. 4.) Accounts from Shanghai are to the 22d ult. What trade was carried on was chiefly by barter for raw silk, and teas, principally green. It was believed that during last year transactions to the extent of nplace.earl one million sterling (includiny COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. (From the Overland Bengal Hurkaru Price Cu, rent , of March 7.); EXPORTS. In our last issue we noticed that the demand fur country produce was then less active than it had been during the earlier part of the month. The express of the January mail arrived on the 21st ultimo, and the accounts of the home market being considered generally unfavourable have to inues nded still further to discourage sh i p ments. Tonnage cont scarce and dear, and those articles most affected by it show a considerable falling off in our monthly statement of exports. Indigo—The quantity available for sale at the date of our last was so limited, that the business since transacted has of course been somewhat unimportant. By apt sale there have been offered 1,156 chests, the chief pr of which fo und buye 3;at prices showing an advance of 5 to 10 Co.'s rs. per maund upon the rates previously current. This rise was chiefly owing to the competition of the Moguls, in com pleting their orders for a ship on the point of sailing. The market must now be considered as having closed for the season ; the extent of the crop is now found to be very nearly 1,40,000 maunds. From Tirhoot and the upper provinces we have accounters ts of a good deal of rain having fa llen, and that the plan progress with their sowings. The lower districts have not been 60 furtunate, t the only rain experienced having been very partial, and quite suffident for the purpose. ARTISTS' BENEVOLENT INS 11- tural grounds, in the course of which he said, that TUTION. at first he had some doubts, notwithstanding his ap royal of the objects of the Association, whether as a to occupy his The usual anniversary dinner of the Artists ' General P Benevolent Institution was held on Satu rda y last at Christian minister he had not sufficient a the Freemasons'-hall, Great Queen - street. About attention in matters of, as he imagined, a more eighty persons sat down to the dinner wh ich was laid strictly religious character, but upon examination on the table at half-past six o'clock. he found that this question of earlier hours bore so strongly upon the moral and religious interests The Right Hon. H. Labouchere, M.P., presided. of those concerned, that he unhesitatingly came f or - On his right were Lloyd Jones, Esq., and Mr. Baring ward at once upon religious grounds to support it. Wall, M.P. ; and on his left Mr. Th omas Barin g , The resolution was seconded by the Rev. J. PAT- M.P. Great credit is due to Mr. Bacon for the style and elegance with which the dinner wa s served. The TESON, in a short but effective speech , a nd unani wines were of excellent flavour, and the promptitude mously adopted. and zeal manifested on the part of Mr. Bacon, and COOKE EVANS, ESQ. moved, and the Rev. W . H. HOWARD seconded the third resolution , whi ch those under him, to meet the wishes of t he g uests, de- was also carried unanimously, and was as follows : serve our highest commendation. After the cloth was removed and gra ce said, " It appearing very evident that if persons would ab - The CHAIRMAN gave as the firs t toast—" Her stain from visiting shops in the evening, the chief, and indeed the only inducement to keep them open until a Most Gracious Majesty the Queen," which was drunk late hour would be removed, those composing this meet with enthusiasm. „ ing now pledge themselves that henceforwa• d they will " Prince Albert, the Patron of the Institution, purchase no article unnecessarily after six o'clock in the " The Queen Dowager," " The Prince of Wa les, and eveni n g , a nd tha t th. y will do all in their power to pre the other members of the Royal Family," "The vail upon others to act upon the same determination." Army and Navy," were given in succes.ion. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, for his able The Guam:oast then gave as the next toast— conduct in the chair, was then moved by Mr. LH,- " Prosperity to the Artists' General Benevolent Insti- WALL and seconded by Mr. RENNIE, which was car tion." He sail he was sure that was a toast which ried by acclamation. scarcely needed any remarks from him to recommend The REv. GENTLEMAN briefly acknowledged the it to an assembly of artists wh.ise very presence, in- compliment, and the meeting, which was numerously deed, showed the interest they felt in it.—(Hear, and respectably attended, separated. hear.) He was glad to find that a society like that which had such sacred and benevolent objects in view was in a state of prosperity, and in a condition to carry out, to a considerable extent, its beneficent purposes. That was a society founded by persons who were artists themselves, and they could not devote themselves to a nabler purpose than that of relieving the wants of their brother artists, who might, from ill health or caprice in the public taste, or some other cause, not have been as success ful as themselves.—(Hear, hear.) Though they might not see the cases in their details, there could be no doubt that the funds of the Society had alle viated the distress and mitigated the sorrows of many an artist, whom ill-health or ill-fortune had struck down. But it was not alone upon artists and the patrons of art that this Society had claims. This Society had strong claims upon the public at large, for the arts were intimately connected with the na tional prosperity, and there were many important branches of manufacture in which a knowledge of art was indispensable.—(Hear, hear.) The arts were then a matter of national concernment, and as such ought to receive national encouragement—(Cheers) —and he was glad to see that they were every day assuming a higher consideration in the national mind. It was a mistake to suppose that the man of much education and of much leisure—the man of cultivated taste or the experienced connoisseur could alone ap preciate the beauty of art. The sphere of art had a far wider extension—the sympathies of art reach from the highest to the lowest in rank, for the love of art had its existence in human nature itself. — (Cheers.) Its vocation was to delight, to elevate, and refine, not one class, but every class.—(Hear, hear.) But, as he said before, it had also its more material uses, and he was glad that from the situation he once had the honour of filling . he was enabled to contribute something to its extension in regard to manufactures. The Right Hon. Gentleman then alluded to the School of Design, and the benefits which were likely to accrue from it, and concluded by proposing " The Prosperity of the Society." Mr. P. LLOYD JONES then proposed the health of the Chairman, who had, after a week of arduous and harassing duties in the House, consented to pre side on the present occasion. The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, said that it was a repose to him, after listening for the previous portion of the week to the dull debates, and the ex hibition of angry an d acrimonio us feelings, to be called on to preside on such festive occasions as the present. " The Royal Academy," to which toast Mr. Etty, R.A., spoke, "The Royal Commission for the Pro motion of the Fine Arts," " The British Institution and the other Societies for the Promotion of the Fine Arts," to which Mr. Baring Wall, M.P., spoke, were then proposed from the chair. Mr. THOMAS BARING, M.P., proposed the health the Treasurer, C. R. Cockerell, R.A. Several other toasts were then proposed, after which the party broke up. In the course of the evening the following sub• scriptions were announced : The Queen .............. .£so 0 0 Right Hon. Henry Labouchere 2O 0 0 Duke of Northumberland (13th don.) lO 10 0 Duke of Norfolk ( 4 th don.) Right lion. W. E. Gladstone lO 10 0 Lady Chantry (4th don.) Miss Burdett Coutts Duke of Sutherland (9th don.) lO 10 0 Lord Francis Egerton, M.P. (Bth dun.) lO 0 0 George Jones, Esq., R.A. (23d don.) Thomas Phillips, Esq., R.A. (27th don.) 5 5 () Robert Vernon, Esq. (18th don.) 5 0 0 Miss Higham Charles Barry, Esq., R.A. (7th don.) New Society of Painters in Water Colours (2d don.) E. R. Turner, Esq. (sth don.) Sir W. C. Ross, R.A. (14th don.) - 0 J. H. Mann, Esq. (16th don.) A. R. Cockerell, Esq., R.A. (20th don.) 5 5 0 Lord Ashburton (13th don.) B. Bond Cabbell, Esq. (18th don.) Sir Richd. Smith, R.A. (13th don.) David Roberts, Esq ,R A. (6th don.) Lewis Loyd, Esq. Jones Lloyd (3d don.) E. M. Eddis, Esq. (2d don.) Baring Wall, Esq., M.P. Messrs. Graves and Co. (6th don.) Thos. M‘Lean, Esq. Thos. Baring, Esq., M.P. ............... W. Etty, R.A. (7th don.) Thomas Unwins, Esq., R.A. (10th do n.) ..•••• 5 5 0 The total amount of contributions was 4731. ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITU- TION. MR. RUSSELL'S LECTURE. The directors of this most useful institution, ever anxious to cater for the public, have engaged Mr. J. Russell to give a series of lectures on " Character," illustrated by music. He commenced by alluding to the great prevalence and popularity of song-sing ing in England, so early as the Saxon time, and that no gentleman was thought of unless gifted with this accomplishment, and also it was quite as much in vogue among the lower class; he then satirically described the affectation and absurdities so often met with in singing ladies and gentlemen in private par ties of our present day, when he most humorously described a lady who sings a leetle fiat, she who sings a little sharp, the gentleman who gargles his song, and another who sings "Oh no, we never mention her" with a bad cough. One man sings through his teeth, another through his nose, a small gentleman with a small voice volunteers "Mad Tom of Bedlam," and a hero with a stentorian voice warbles " Oh, listen to the voice of kve." Mr. Russell was accom panied by Dr. Wallis, musical director of the Poly technic Institution, in a most admirable manner. The great object Mr. Russell wishes to gain is to point out these absurdities of the would-be singers, and he advises them to choose the words of the song that may be worth hearing as their music is a railway for this pleasant conveyance. Both are requisite for complete pleasure. Mr. Russell concluded his lec ture with one of his hints to those who keep all the words to thomselYes, which is so often the case, which he illustrated with the Pasticcio, a mock Italian Bravura, which elicited roars of laughter from a very large audience, which quite filled the theatre of the Royal Polytechnic Institution. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert, the Queen Dowager, the Duchess of Kent, the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, and the domestic household, attended Divine Ser vice yesterday morning in the Chapel Royal, Bucking ham Palace. Archdeacon Wilberforce preached the Sermon. The Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay read the Prayers. The Queen Dowager was attended by the Countess Brownlow and the Hon. William Ashley. The Duchess of Kent was attended by Lady Anna Maria Dawson and the Countess Wratislaw. Her Majesty and Prince Albert walked yesterday in the Royal Gardens of Buckingham Palace. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice were taken their accustomed airings yesterday. Sir Robert Peel had an audience of the Queen on Saturday. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the Queen on Saturday. His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on horse back on Saturday, attended by Col. Bouverie, Equerry in Waiting. The Queen and Prince Albert honoured the Italian Opera with their presence on Saturday evening. The Royal suite included the Marchioness of Douro, Lady Caroline Cocks, Viscount Hawarden, Sir Fred. Stovin, Colonel Arbuthnot and Colonel Bouverie. The Queen Dowager, the Duchess of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, and the Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden, also honoured the Opera with their presence. The Queen Dowager was accom panied by Prince Ernest of Hesse Philippstahl and Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, and was attended by the Countess Brownlow, Hon. Miss Mitchell, ion. Miss Eden, and the Hon. William Ashley. The Duchess of Kent was attended by Lady Anna Maria Dawson and the Countess Wratislaw. The Grand Duchess of Baden was accompanied by the Countess of Lincoln, and was attended by the Baroness de Strumfeder and Baron Roth de Schreckenstein. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, attended by the Hon. Misses Mitchell and Eden, visited her Royal High ness the Duchess of Kent on Saturday, at Clarence House, St. James's. Her Majesty also visited the Duchess of Gloucester, at Gloucester House. _ _ Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, attended Divine ser vice yesterday morning in Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley-street. The Duke of Cambridge attended Divine service in the afternoon in Kew Church. The Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by the Princess Mary and the Hereditary Grand Duchess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, visited the Grand Duchess of Baden yesterday. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday. The Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden visited the Duchess of Gloucester on Saturday. Her Royal High ness honoured Sir Robert Peel and Lady Peel with a visit on Saturday, at their residence in Whitehall Gardens. ----- The Duke of Cambridge visited the Duchess of Glou cester yesterday. The Grand Duchess Stephanie bt Baden attended METROPOLITAN DRAPERS' ASSOCIATION. A public meeting of this Association which had been previously announced was held on Friday evening in the National School -room, Marlborough road, Chelsea, for the purpose of appealing to the in habitants of that neighbourhood for assistance in the object the Association has in view, vis., the earlier closing of shops. The Rev. Richard Burgess, 8.D., rector of the parish, took the chair, s upported bye th most influential clergy of the district, and other gen tlemen favourable to the cause. Mr. Owen, Mr. Peters, of Sloanesquare, Mr. Young, and other eminent employers were also present. The Rev. CHAIRMAN op th e business of the en ed meeting with an address of much eloquence and feel ing, explaining the objects of the Association, whic nt h he characterised as a branch of that great moveme for the amelioration of the condition of the industrious classes of this country, which is now exciting so much attention among humane and reflecting men. He dwelt in terms of commendation upon the mild and conciliatory manner in which out their of this Association sought to carry, out their views, an d spoke earnestly of the necessty, and the duty of co operation - on the part of a Christian public in laudable efforts of th ese young men tano procure t im. hem selves more time for mental,of his speech , he stated moral, d ligious that he should be happy to afford them all the assist provement. In the cou r s e assist ance in his power, and would gladly de vote a portion of his time to giving lectures upon interesting and instructive subjects during the winter evenings, which might be one mode of spending the additional hours of leisure they were struggling for.--4Lowl cheers). Bodily health, however, he c onsidered to be a s essential as health of mind, and in summer time he should like to see them recreating theinselyes in t he green fields, and inhaling the pure invigorating breath of Heaven, rather than passing from the heated shop to the crowded and equally heated lecture-room. The Rev. J. C. MILLER moved the first resolution, which was as follows: " That this meeting is of opinion that the present custom of keeping shops open in the evening until a late hour, is fraught with the worst results to the health and morals, and wholly at variance with the mental discipline of those employed therein ; and that by affording them little or no opportunity for social intercourse, o r other recreation during the days of business, it is calculated to lead, in numerous instan ces, to an utter neglect of the sacred duties of the Sabbath; and this meeting . desires, moreover, to ex press the n course r ov observed, that approved nf press its deep sympathy with the young persons so situated." • ects the Metropolitan Drapers Association h tghe a eln d nt i l° l et :ti eee , and felt it so incumbent upon him to further them by every means in his power, that if tho Association thought proper to hold another meeting in that neighbourhood, he should be happy to allow their the use of his chapel, and would willingly pre side on the occasion, or take any part in the proceed ings the committee might desire, for he considered the question to be intimately connected with the religious welfare of the community. The resolution was seconded by — LEGGETT, Esq., who dwelt with much ability upon the scientific and medical details of the subject, showing the fatal effects upon the human frame of over-toil and bad ventilation, and was unanimously adopted. A al s r e p i e a r t s i On ß s, especially those Pm' Th e Rev. WILLIAM NIVEN moved the second re solution, which was to this effect : .6 That this meeting desires to express its high ap- C rda l u i p r te i y s r t so ia r n religion, to cooperate for the eh o De f the object of time Association," ap proval of the mea , sures hitherto adopted by the , and its conviction reverend speaher made a fbrcible appeal to m eeting to support the Association upon Scrip fttaehtMe- tropolitan stacit nhnigtem is the ltt Divine service yesterday morning in the chapel in George-street. The Austrian Ambassador and the Countess Dietrichstein paid their respects to her Royal highness yesterday. The Duke and Duchess of Hamilton had a dinner party yesterday at their residence in Portman-square. The company to meet her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess Stephanie of Baden consisted of his Serene highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, his Excellency the Hanoverian Minister, the Earl and Countess of Malmesbury, Lord and Lady Mahon, and the Marquis of Douglas. The Duke of Wellington and Earl Talbot attended the early service in the Chapel Royal, St. James's, yesterday. Tho prayers were read by the Rev. Dr. Wesley, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. M. Wynyard. The Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, the Marquises of .Ormonde and Salisbury, the Earl and Countess St. Ger mans, Lord and Lady Prudhoe, Lords Bandon, Mans field,Tyrcounell, Prudhoe, Belhaven, De Manley, and Polwarth, attended the daily service yesterday in the Chapel Rol al, St. James's. The prayers were read by the Rev. J. Lupton, and the lessons by the Rev. Dr. Knapp. The sermon was preached by the Rev. M. Wynyard. The anthem, " Thou, 0 God," (Greene), was sung by Messrs. Horncastle, Chapman, and Hawkins. Sir G. Smart presided at the organ. A meeting of the Commissioners for the government of Pentonville Prison was held at the Council Office on Saturday. The Commissioners present were the Lord President of the Council, the Duke of R;chmond, the Earl of Devon, Lord John Russell, Major Jebb, Mr. Craufurd, and Mr. Russell. We regret to state that Mr. Backhouse, late Under- Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, who had an attack of paralysis some time ago, still continues a great invalid. Dispatches were sent off on Saturday evening from the Colonial Office for the Governors of Ceylon and Hong-Kong, and also for the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands. PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Miss Cushman, on Saturday, appeared in the charm• ter of Julia, in Sheridan Knowles's play of the Hunch back, and a more admirable Julia has never appeared upon the boards. In the earlier scenes of the play, there was a mingled tone of warm-hearted earnestness and graceful simplicity that at once won the heart of the spectators, while in the more impassioned scenes, when having sacrificed her love to her vanity, she becomes fully aware of the fate which she has brought upon herself, and stands, as it were, on the verge of a precipice, from which she can see no escape, her agony of despair was perfectly appalling. Her Julia will certainly add much to her already high fame. Mr. Leigh Murray, from the Theatre Royal, Edin burgh, made his bow before a London audience for the first time, in the character of Sir Thomas Clif ford. Ile has a good figure, expressive features, and his carriage is graceful. It was evidei that he was suffering dreadfully from nervous. ness ; but notwithstanding his nervousness he went through the part admirably. Ills declamation was beautiful, and his action, though subdued, was appropriate and graceful. Mr. Murray is evidently a gentleman and a scholar, and he is certainly an acquisition to the metropolitan boards. Wallack's Master Waiter was very fine, arid Compton's Modus was excessively quaint. Mrs. Stirling was the Helen, and a more lively, coquettish piece of acting it is scarcely possible to imagine. At the end of the play the principal performers were all called before tie curtain, and received with the usual honours. A new farce (an adaptation from the French) entitled Who' s old the Papa ? followed, in which Compton, as a bachelor, whose comforts have been invaded by a squalling infant which some one has left in his bed, was very amusing. The house was very well attended. TRH REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY DOWN.— Lord Edwin llill, the youngest son of the late Marquis of Downshire, will offer himself to the electors of the County Down as successor to his brother, the present Marquis. IRELAND. THE QUEEN'S VISIT. DUBLIN, APRIL 1 7.—The Limerick Chronicle says :—" The Duke of Devonshire will accompany her Majesty and Prince Albert to Ireland next summer, and receive the royal visitors at Lismore Castle, which his Grace has ordered to be fitted up in superb style." A battalion of the Guards Is expected to arrive In Dublin next month, contingent upon the royal ♦isit ; also the 87th Fusiliers, from Scotland. DINNER OF THE 'B2 CLUB. The first banquet of the 'B:2 Club was held at the Rotunda last night. From an early hour of the afternoon the streets through which the Rotunda is approached were crowded. As the several members of the club, dressed in green and gold, proseeded to the banquet.hall, and were recognised by the people, they were re ceived with the warmest enthusiasm. The banquet was served in the large Pillar Rcom. Upwards o 100 members of the club dined, many of them having come from a considerable distance—from Limerick, Cork, Kilkenny, Clonmel, and various other localities. On the raised_seats sat ladies in full dress, the friends and rela tives of the brethren of the club. Over the president's chair was placed Kenny's fine picture of Grattan moving the Declaration of Irish Independence, on the floor of the Irish Mouse of Parliament, on the 16th of April, 1782. The picture contains portraits of all the celebrated Irish statesman of that day, and is the property of Mr. H. Grattan, one of the vice-presidents of the club. At the opposite extremity of the room were two banners, one the flag of the Irish marine, the other a fancy banner containing on a green ground a harp, in burnished gold, surmounted by an imperial crown, over the legend " 1782." Around the emblems were wreaths of shamrocks ; over all these were the inscription, " Dun. gannon Declaration, 15th February," and below, the words, " National Independence, 16th April." Mr. O'CoriNcu, the President, after the cloth was removed, rose to propose the health of the Sovereign—a tribute of allegiance and respect—of attachment and duty. Whatever be the colour we wear, or the name we assume, the sincerity and reality of our allegiance to the throne, and our attachment to the connexion, through the Crown of Great Britain, with that country, is not to be doubted, and never will be diminished.—(Cheers.) I call upon you, therefore, with great pleasure, to toast the health of her Ma. jesty.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) Beyond any persons of her family she has claims upon the affections as well as the duties of the people of Ireland.—(Loud cheers.) Not one portion of her public life can be considered as in the slightest degree derogatory to the rights, or inconsistent with the justice due to our country, and if she succeeded on the throne individuals who had not the same genial feelings towards this country, it only augments her claims on our gratitude, our affections, and our love.—(Hear, and cheering.) The whole tenor of her political life, so far as she has had the management of political affairs, has been replete with sentiments of liberality towards this country.—(Cheers.) " The Queen, long life and prosperity to her," was drank with enthusiasm. " God save the Queen." The PRESIDENT—Vice-presidents and brothers, I call your at. tention new to the charter toast of the '8:1 Club.—(Loud cheers.) You do well, brothers, to cheer it by anticipation. You know it is " The legislative independence of Ireland."—(Cheers.) You are quite aware that we do not meet here to.night for the mere enjoyment of the festivities of the social circle. No, we meet for another, a better, a nobler purpose—we meet to make part of the history of our native land—we meet to commence once again, in this room, that struggle which, in the neighbouring apartment, led to a great victory, and produced the independence, for a period, of the legislative authority of Ireland.—(Cheers.) We meet to. gether on the 16th of April—six ty.three years ago, on the 16th of April, Ireland for the first time was free.—( Loud cheers.) The Hon. and Learned Gentleman then entered into the history of Ireland, at that and the subsequent period, and concluded by giving " The legislative independence of Ireland." The toast was drunk with enthusiasm; and, after some other speeches, the party separated. DUBLIN, APRIL 19.—The Evening Mail states that the Earl of Roden has left town for London, in order " to be in his place in the House of Lords on Monday evening, to present the various petitions against the endowment of Msynooth entrusted to his care, when his Lordship will doubtless take occasion to reiterate those sentiments of pure religion, and attachment to our sacred in stitutions, which have gained him the love, and placed him at the head of the Protestants of Ireland." The Dublin Evening Poet thus concludes an article on the speech of Sir James Graham, which has produced the bitterest mortification amongst the Orange party : " Thera is no man in the empire who will read the speech of Sir James Graham with greater delight than Mr. O'Connell. He will naturally feel that if the repeat agitation had not existed, Sir James Graham would Dever have felt it to be his duty, as a Minis. ter of the Crown, to deliver such a speech. Mr. O'Connell will find, in the avJwal of this new course, at once the vindication and the success of his own policy, is concentrating the popular discon. tent as the surest mole of redressing the grievances of Ireland. " No honest man will deny the sound policy, as well as the cou- rage of the present Ministry in adopting the advice so constantly offered them by Mr. O'Connell—to lessen his power among the Irish people by the simple expedient of doing justice. The Whigs were turned out because they had struggled, in accordance with their old and cherished principles, to carry the policy of justice into practical operation. Sir James Graham and his colleagues have, at the eleventh hour, tried back upon that policy; and if they be open to the charge of utter inconsistency, and much worse, they may claim the merit at least of now taking up good measures, and manfully maintaining them against a most besotted and ferocious No-Popery outcry." Toe SHANNON NAVIOATION.-Mr. Steele has been appointed, by the Parliamentary Committee of the Repeal Association, to report on tho improvements of the river Shannon, at present in progress, of which, by his Essay, published in London in 1828, he was the originator. jELFAST PROTESTANT PETITION IN FAVOUR OF THE MAY. NOOTR GRANT.—Wednesday afternoon this petition was placed in the Commercial News-room, and received, in the course of th• evening, about 150 signatures, including the names of four or five magistrates, several bankers, and a number of other leading inha bitants of the town. The number of signatures from such a class of people is greater than we recollect being attached, in the same place, and in so short a time, to any petition ; and, what is very gratifying, they are those of Whigs, Tories, and Radicals, and of all shades of Protestantism.—Northern Whig. COTTON FACTORY.—A company is al3out to be formed to erect a cotton factory on the Clyde River, which will be the first ever esta. blished in the county of Cork. The capital is proposed to amount to 75,0001., in 501. shares.—Cork Constitution. THE MAYNOOTH BILL. ANALYSIS OF THE DIVISION ON THE SECOND READING. Majority, including Tellers— Conservatives Liberals 165 - 325 Minority, including Tellers— Conservatives Liberals 3l - 178 Absent— Conservatives Liberals Speaker Seats vacant— Greenock West Kent Downshiro Sudbury (2) 658 SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. DURHAM RACES.—FRIDAY. The Two Years-old Stakes of 10 guineas each, with 20 sovs. added from the fund ; colts, Bst 31b, and fillies ; three quarters of a mile. (3 Subs.) Mr. Ilesseltine's Fiddlestring (Bumby) 1 Mr. Fawcett's Miss Georg? 2 The Cup Stakes of 10 guineas each ; two miles. (6 Subs.) Mr. Surtees nd Beaufront, 4 yrs, Bst 31b (Joy) 1 Mr. Shaftoe's Bashaw, 5 yrs, Bst 101 b Mr. Salwin's Pedometer, 4 yrs, Bst 31b 3 The Hunters' Stakes of 5 sovs. each ; four yrs, lOst 121 b ; five vrs, list 81b; six yrs, and aged, 12st ; half-bred allowed ; two miles. (4 Subs.) Captain Allan's Wasp, 6 yrs (Mr. Headlam) 1 Mr. Blaydon's Palamon, aged 2 Mr. Pack's Rival, aged NEW MODE OF TANNING LEATHER. Dr. Turnbull, who is well kw important discoveries in the trete who has effected the most exti douloureux, deafness, and blinds his chemical knowledge to usefu respect. The tanning of leathet persons acquainted with the subj , and expensive process, but it tip which Dr. Turnbull has obtained pensive but conducted on the mt. We cannot enter into the d e tail s o f th e p ro - ess, " c and besides they would not be generally understood by our readers, but the following outline of the discovery may be comprehended by all, and will probably induce those interested to turn their attention to the subject. The ex:raet embodies the principles for which he has obtained his patent : :‘My method of extracting the lime from hides or skins, when the hair has been removed by lime, and my inethoLl of removin g th e h a i r w i t h out the use of hme by the means before d: scribed, are such decided improve ments, that bides and skins, when so prepared, may be tanned in the common or ordinary tawnier by terra japonica purified as above,' and by other ordinary tanning matter, with much greater facilty than heretofore ; and the leather thus produced is of far greater weight, and much better quality, than any heretofore produced. The advantages to be derived by my improvements in tanning leather are—First, A great additional weight of leather, especially in calf skins. Second, Leather of a much better quality, soft and not liable to crack or stain. Third, A considerable diminution in the expense. And, Fourth, The tanning is effected in one quarter of the time consumed in the present mode of tanning. Having thus stated the nature of my improved methods of tanning hides and skins, and of separating or extracting the japonic or catechuic acid, or cat( chin, or other extractive and deleterious matter from the tannic acid, and preventing the formation of gallic or ellagic acid in the tanning liquor, and the manner of carrying them into effect, I think it essential to state, that I do not &aim the principle of tanning hides or skins by sewing them into bags, nor by simply filling them with liquor ; but I do claim, and my invention consists in the following improvements in the tanning of hides and skins. First, I claim the discovery of the means of extracting the lime with which hides and skins are impregnated in removing the hair, by the application of sugar or other saccharine matter, whether obtained from honey, sawdust, turnips, potatoes, or other substances. Se cond, I claim the discovery of the means of removing the hair or epidermis from hides and skins, without the use of lime, by the application of sugar or other saccharine matter, whether obtained from potatoes, saw dust, beet-root, turnips, or other substances. Third, I claim the discovery of the means of removing the hair or epidermis from hides and skins without the use of lime, b 1 the application of inuriate of soda, or common salt. }mirth, I claim the discovery of the means of separating the japonic or catechuic acid, or other extractive or de leterious matter, from the tannic acid in terra japonica. Fifth, I claim the discovery of the means of obtaining tannic acid from the refuse or deposit of the terra japo nica, in purifying terra japonica. Sixth, I claim the discovery of the means of preventing the formation or generation of gallic and ellagic acid, when oak bark, sumach, divi divi, valonia, and other materials are improved mode Seventh, I claim the discovery of an mode of tanning leather by means of endosmosis and exosmosis with the materials and in the manner before described, without the aid of hydrostatic pressure. Eighth, I claim the discovery of an improved mcde of tanning by means of a general and constant agitation and circulation of the tanning liquor, composed of the materials before mentioned, from top to bottom, imd from bottom to top of the pits. Ninth, I claim . the im proved method of tanning hides or skins in pits in the common and ordinary manner, by first extracting the lime from the hide, or removing the hair without the use of lime, and using terra japonica when purified, orothei: tanning liquor prepared in the manner b e fore described. ' HIGHLAND SOCIETY of LONDON. This Society held their third general meeting for the season on Saturday evening, at Freemasons' Tavern, and although the anniversary of the battle of Alexandria, on the 21st of March, is considered to be the grand gather ing of the Society,' there was a very merry and social party assembled on the present occasion. In the ab sence of the President, Lord Saltoun, the chair was filled by David Charles Gutherie, Esq., and supported by several members in full Highland costume, who, with their guests, sat down to a very sumptuous dinner at seven o'clock. Amongst the members of the Society present 'we noticed—Lord Reidhaven; Alexander Macdonald, Esq.; Captain Charles Forbes ; Charles Sutherland, Esq. ; James Tulloch, Esq. ; W. Annandale, Esq. ; A. R. Irvine, Esq. ; Mark Boyd, Esq. ; James Davidson, Esq. ; Daniel Davidson, Esq. ; John Boucher, Esq. ; James Brand, Esq. ; T. H. Conway, Esq. ; and G. Bain, Esq., the honorary Secretary. After dinner the usual loyal and patriotic toasts wars drank, and some excellent songs sung, by Mr. Boucher, one of the members of the Society, and by Mr. Moodie, a professional gentleman. Angus Mackay, her Majesty's piper, and his brother Donald, the Society's piper, played some of their best strains, and a few smart and excellent reels were danced during the evening by Lord Reidhaven, Captain Forbes, Messrs. James and Daniel Davidson, and Mr. Bain. COAL for the LONDON MARKET. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Stn,—lt is necessary that the London press and public should be informed that there is a Bill* now before Parlia ment, and gone into Committee, for the regulation of vessels loading coals in the Tyne, from which the London market is chiefly supplied, which if passed into law, with an alteration proposed by the coalowners and admitted, will enable them to restrict the supply sent to market, and thereby, at their own option, to raise the price of coals in London. The evil is in the 11th clause, which, by allowing distinct lists for loading foreign and home cargoes, gives a preference, at the will of the coalowner, to vessels loading for foreign ports, so that at any time vessels loading for the London market will have to wait for their cargoes till all the foreign-bound vessels have been supplied. When coals are low in the London market, it will be easy for the coalowners, by freighting a few vessels for foreign ports, to detain every vessel for London till the prices are at their maximum; or to send by the same means just such quan tities as may suit their own purposes. When you are ac • quainted with the fact that the restriction of the " vend," as it is called, only applies to coal sent coastwise, and not to coal exported, which encourages an unlimited supply to the foreigner, and as limited as possible to the home markets, because the best prices are obtained by rendering it thereby scarcer and dearer at home, you will easily see how an ar rangement such as is contemplated by the new Act will aid in benefiting the coalowner by further restricting the Lon don supply. We, in the north, who know the stringent nature of the combination cf the coalowners, and how easily a clause like that agreed on can be worked by them to the injury both of the London public and the British shipowner, are anxious to warn you in time of what is contemplated, that the press and the metropolitan Members may resist such a power. There cannot be a doubt that the less restricted the supply and arrangements of coal, the cheaper will be this article in the London market. Let the ships and the public of France, Russia, Germany, and other countries, take their fair turns for a supply of this important produce as ourselves. Why should they receive a preference? Why should indirect, or any means he allowed to be taken to raise the prices of coals to the people of London and this country generally, and to lower them to the people of Petersburgh, Hamburgh, Paris. Lisbon, and all the other inhabitants of foreign states? I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, April 20, 1845. A BRITISH SHIPOWNER. Called " A Bill to regulate the loading of ships with coals in the port of Newcastle-npon-Tyne." TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,-1 have observed a statement in your valuable paper, showing that Great Grimsby, when the Sheffield and Grimsby Railway is completed, will be a much cheaper port than Hull for the great manufacturing districts of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Stairordshire,.Nottinghamshire. &c.— all very useful information for railway speculators. But I wish to draw the attention of the Government to the future importance of Grimsby as a naval station. When its pro f ected dock is made, it will be accessible at all times of the tide for the largest steamers, and therefore must become the great packet station for Holland, Germany, and the north of Europe, in despite of the political jobbing, which may cause Government predilection for less suitable ports; especially when we consider that Grimsby by railway will be brought much nearer to London (as regards time) than the mo u th o f the Thames. In the event of war i t i s clear that Govern ment must have au establishment at the entrance of the ah H a u vd m ebr b ye e t rtt better ri ( fi t si h en e cgu r m cco o nl s as t l t r t i i e oG r n a r partibm‘lveshbiyl v,st t o ,hh f ee l r ''. Ge n g ri til Grimsby), maybdy) , bpaeenohdpal people rf e t; y er seeking the aid of Parliament, but which will have to be dearly purchased afterwards.—l am, Sir, your most obedient servant, PRECAUTION. ROYAL THAMES YACIIT CLUB. A match for a superb silver cup and cover, to be named the Belvidere Cup, presented by the Right Hon. Lord Saye and Sele to the Royal Thames Yacht Club, will take place on Saturday, May 3, to start from Erith, and sail round a flag boat near the Chapman Head buoy, and return to Green wich, by the following yachts, belonging to members of the club :-1. Antagonist, 25 tons, Henry Gunston, Esq. ; Prima Donna, 25 t ons , C. R. Tatham, Esq.; 3. Champion, 25 tons, T. P. Wickham, Esq.; 4. Belvidere, 25 tons, Lord A. Paget ; 5. Ino, 25 tons, T. Meesom, Esq. (Captain); 6. Enigma, 25 tons, F. I'. Jones, Esq.; 7. Blue Belle, 25 tons, Twisden Hodges. Esq. ; 8. Vixen, 25 tons, J. and J. Heigh iugton, Esqs. ; 9. Gazelle, 25 tons, Thomas Rutherford, Esq. ; 10. Leveret, :1.5 tons, William Fenwick, Esq. ; 11. Exquisite, 15 tons, Josiah Wilkinson, Esq.; 12. Mystery, 24 tons, Vis count Sealiam ; 13. Widgeon, '24 tons, I'. 11. Snook, Esq.; 14. Cygn-t, 10 tons, B. N. Williams, Esq. AGRARIAN MURDER IN FERMANAGIL—AbOIIt ten o'clock on Sunday night a young man named William Graig was shot dead in his father's house, at Killyfurt, in this county (Fermanagh), about four miles from the Holy Well police station, in the mountain between the Macklion and Garrison. A man named Leonard had been ejected from these lands for non-payment of rent, and the f a ther of the deceased redeemed the holding, and sent his son, his only child, to the house fur a few days before his own removal to it, when at the time above-mentioned, a shot was fired at him through the window as he was going to bed. The ball entered his left side and came out at his right, causing in stant death. An inquest was held on the body on Tuesday. when the jury returned a verdict of " Wilful murder against same person or persons unknown."—Erne Packet. MULLINGAR AND GALWAY RAILWAY COMPANIES. —lt gives us great pleasure to announce that the arrange ments with the above compa nies are likely to terminate satisfactorily. The effect will be to secure a line to Galway, while it will give accommodation to all the north midland counties, by me ans of M u lli n gar and Longford , besides pre serve the Royal Canal, and enable its proprietors to reap the benefit of their contract with the Mullingar Company.... Dublin Times. 2.1 V. N 'own to ate _ fitment • ' - traord . • Iness, ul p jot . ..L. er is ' Alt lea to pus' ppears o . d that it = ra t vinikt d iall Lost erronP ll ' l .. es. ils of the process, and DUTCH MAIL. THE HAGUE, APRIL 17.—The Second Chamber of the States-General. The central section made its report on the project of law, containing some legal ordinance respecting Limberg. The debate on the two projects •f law was fixed for Saturday next. ROTTERDAM, APRIL 16. We learn with great pleasure that the Government has measures in contem plation for immediately forwarding the East India let ters, which arrive at Helvcetsluys too late for the post, so that the delay to which this correspondence has been subject will be avoided. UTRECHT, APRIL 15.—1 t is generally believed here to be quite certain that the railway from the Rhine to Arnheim will be opened about the middle of next month. BERGEN-OP-ZOOM, APRIL 17.—An address from 40 inhabitants of this town has lately been sent to the Se cond Chamber of the States General, in which address, for the reasons therein stated, they approve of the pro posal made by some members for revising the funda mental law, and solicit the Chamber to adopt the propo sal as it stands, or with such modifications as shall seem to be advisable. Among the persons who have signed the address, there are seven members of the Municipal Council, which consists of fifteen members in all, and one member of the Provincial Assembly ; all the others are among the principal and wealthiest inhabitants. BERLIN, APRIL 13.—The most recent letters from his Royal highness Prince Waldemar are dated the 12th of February, from Katmanda, the capital of the kingdom of Nepaul, a few leagues from the frontiers of Thibet. They arrived here on the 10th inst., in the surprisingly short time of 57 days. The Prince and his attendant are in excellent health, and greatly delighted with all they had seen in their tour. DUTCH FUNDS.—AMSTERDAM, APRIL 18. Money. Bills. Actual Debt, 2% per Cent ••.• . • 6414 64% Ditto, 3 per Cent .• •••• • • .• ........ 78% 79 Ditto, 4 per Cent. • . Amort Syndic, 434 per Cent.... • • .... 99% 100 Ditto, 3% per Cent .. 94 94% Commercial Company, 41,E per Cant • • 152% 152% East India Loan, 4 per Cent • • • • • • • • • • 100 100% Exchange on London, at sight •••• • • • • 12 27 Two months.. ••••••• • • • • • • 12 22 On Hamburgli, at sight •. • . 35 75 Two months -Dutch Papers. April 18. AUSTRIAN FUNDS.—VIENNA, APRIL 11. 5 per Cent. Metalliques.• •. • . ~...... 1131 c, 3 p • 4 peerr Cent. ddiutttoo:: .... .. . . . 102% . 78,, Bank Shares . . . • •• • •• .. 1648 Esterhazy's Loan —Allgemelue Zeitung, April 14. ni DR U RY- LAN E TITEATRE.—rive performances, after this evening, and M. Dup ree w il l cease to deli'ht ' the habitues of this theatre, for we have ascertained, beyond any question, that his engagement cannot be extended, owing to the immediate appearance of Anna Thillon. Those who wish to hear the first of living singers have not a moment to lose. LLYN VI IRON COMPANY, PORTIICAWL.—We are I informed that this company have commenced building a new furnace, forge, and revolving mills, at their works. The number of men lately engaged at these works is large, whose wages were on th e Ist ast month advanced 5 per cent. and a further advance of 7 per cent. takes place from the sth of April.— Swansea Journal. LEICESTER BOARD Or GUARDIANS.—After some years of Tory domination, with its usual concomitants of most unfit appointments and general mismanagement, the Liberal rate payers in the Leicester Union have made a vigorous effort, and having carefully attended to the registration of owners, under the Act of last session, and to the proper filling up of the voting. papers, they have for the first time carried the parish of St. ATlahre garet, and secured an overwhelming majority on the Board. fourteen Liberals in St. Margaret's polled, variously, frozn o l,6 . l: ce t d o 1,414 ; the Tories from 1,252 to 1,146. The scrutiny commenc ed not, on Tuesday week, and has not terminated, but the T o ries at moat, have more than seven out of the thirty-five guardians.