The Sun. — London, England, 1850-03-27 00:00:00

and heavy yr qaest, at la3t week's prices. The quantity of Engiirh ()Lys on sale was small, that of foreign good. All kiods :tiled inactive. Beans, Yea;:, ludian Corr, and Four, very duly. No market will be held hcre on Friday iacx.. ARRIVALS THIS WEEK. Malt. I Flour. Barley. Wheat. Oats. _ Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Sacks English •••• • • 4 10 650 1,710 1,670 1,550 Scotch— •• • • • • Irish •••• • • — 4 Fore i gn .. • ...1 2,290 1,570 10,310 — WEXTECEAPEL. Our market was very inactive to-day. In prices no material change took place. Beef from 23 4d to 3s 2d ; Mutton, 23 8d to 33 6d; Lamb, 45 10d to 5s 10d; - Veal, 3s to 3s 10d; and Pork, 2s 10d to 4s per Sibs. 1.3 OU. 0 TGB UOP MARKET. Only a limi'ed business is doing in our marke Holders, hog ever, will not sell exeept at full prices. SECONDARIES.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Secondary POTTER ) BILL V. COLLINS. This was an actiet, to recover 91. 15i. on an I 0 U. There was no defence to the action. WHITECHURCLI V. GILLENT. This was an action to recover the sum of 481. premium for the lease of a house, granted by plaintiff to de fendant. It appeared by the evidence that the defendant had obtained the house on the understanding that he should perform certain repairs, in lieu of paying the premium, but he had negle.:ted to do so. The jury gave a verdict for the amount. BANKRUPTCY.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Commissioner GOITLRURN.) IN RE WOODIIAM. This was an insole ency case under the old Act. The insolvent had carried on business as a chinaman in Lam be tl. - walk. Mr. Beard, from the office of Mr. Buchanan, appeared with proofs preparatory to a dividend, the creditors, wbo were chiefly of the Hebrew persuasion, having declined to sign the proofs on Saturday from religious scruples, and it became necessary to adjourn the case till this day. The proofs were now admitted. BOW-STREET.—(THIS DAY.) A showily-dressed young woman, whose name did not transpire, was charged on suspicion with stealing a gold watch, the property of a professor of music, named Ken clay, residing in Euston-place, Euston-square. The prosecutor stated, that on the evening of the Bth instant, he paid a visit to the Holborn Casino, and re mained there till about half - past eleven o'clock. On leaving the dancing saloon he accidently ran against the prisoner, who enticed him up a court, and after fumbling with him for a few minutes, she darted off, and then he discovered that she had taken with her his valu able gold watch. No sooner had she disappeared, than a couple of suspicious-looking fellows blocked up the entrance of the court, and he was therefore afraid to leave the spot at the moment. Mr. HENRY—Then you did not follow the female ? The prosecutor replied that he did not. Mr. HENRY—How do you know that the female took your watch ? The prosecutor said, when be entered the court he examined his waistcoat-pocket, and found that bis watch was quite safe. Directly the prisoner ran from him he felt that there was something wrong, and then, to his dismay, he ascertained that the prisoner had managed to detach his watch from the guard-chain, leaving the chain dangling from the pocket. Mr. HENRY—Are you satisfied tt, at the prisoner is the party? The prosecutor was confident she was. He had not seen her since till last night, when he met her again near to the same spot in Holborn, and gave her into custody. The prisoner, in her defence, said the prosecutor was mistaken. She had neva seen him till last night, when he came up to her and said " Ali, my dear, how do you do?" She told him that she was quite well, and asked him to treat her, but, instead.of doing so, he said " What have you done with my watch? I shall give you into custody, " and shortly afterwards they came up with a policeman, and he did so accordingly. Mr. HENRY—What are you? Prisoner—An unfor tunate woman. Mr. HENRY—Has the watch been found ?—The pro secutor replied in the negative, adding that the police man who was on duty near to the Casino on the night , of the Bth instant remembered having observed the pri soner loitering about. Mr. HENRY remanded the prisoner for a week, to enable that officer to attend, and to allow time for in quiries at the pawnbrokers. The prisoner was therefore detained in custody. The five men, Bennet, Tiddyman, Laidler, Jones, and Sullivan. who were remanded from last Wednesday, were again placed at the bar on the charge of obtaining sums of money from Mr. Wyatt, an aged and infirm man, carrying on the business of tobacconist in Great Queen-street, by threatening to give publicity to an un natural crime with which they charged him. The whole of the prisoners were most respectably at tired, and were upon this occasion represented by Mr. Games. Mr. Wontner, as usual, attended on the part of the prosecution. It will be remembered that the prisoners had by their threats succeeded in extorting money from Mr. Wyatt to the sum of 501. hard cash, an 1.0. U. for 501., and a promissory note for 40/. The note was, however, partly cancelled before the present proceeding were instituted, but the 1.0. U. was to have been met and paid by the prosecutor on the very day that the prisoners were en trapped. Sergeant Thompson, F 11, deposed that on the 12th instant, by previous appointment, he attended at the prosecutor's house, about nine o'clock at night, and was concealed behind a curtain. Soon afterwards Laidler and Jones came into the shop, and saw Mrs. Lake, the 'prosecutor's niece. She asked where the others were, and Laidler replied that they were at a neighbouring public-house. She directed one of them to go for them, and Jones left for that purpose. In the meantime Laidler began talking to Mrs. Lake as though he were a professional man, remarking that Mr. Watts, of the Olympic Theatre, had been arrested for forgery; but, he continued, " we have got Clarkson for him, and as 6,000/. have been raised on the lease of the theatre, we shall do everything to get him off." By this time the other prisoner bad come in, and they were in vited into a back parlour by Mrs. Lake. He heard Mrs. Lake ask them, " Well, gentlemen, what is your demand upon Mr. Wyatt ? " Laidler replied " 240 She asked him if all of them were to have the money, and one or two of them said " Yes, certainly." Some conversation then took place about an agreement, Mrs. Lake asking where Mr. Laidler, who represented himsell to be a solicitor, lived. Laidler replied " You have got it," but Mrs. Lake said she had lost it, and Laidler exclaimed " Well, never mind, you will find it in the agreement here." Mrs. Lake then asked " Who shall I pay the money to ?" Laidler said "To me, I will make it all right with the rest." Sullivan was then about to leave the room, when witness thought it high time to come from his hiding place. He did so, and said, " Which is the solicitor?" Laidler said, "Oh, that is no matter now," and as witness thought so too, he simply took him into custody, and told the other prisoners that they were his prisoners. On the way to the station-house, Laidler said, sneering, "Is that b—y old fox Sullivan taken?" Witness replied that he believed he was. " Ah," added the prisoner," I'm glad of that. He was the general, you know, but with all his generalship Ido not care. Mrs. Lake can clear me." At the station-house he found on him an agree ment, and an I. 0. U. for 501., which he now produced. Laidler gave his address as 5, Cecil-court, St. Martin's lane; and in searching his room, witness found the fly sheet of a brief; the draft of an agreement, and some other papers, which he also produced. He had known all the prisoners for some time. Bennett ho bad fre quently seen dressed as one of the Horse Guards Blue, and as an Hungarian. Sullivan was frequently with women, and upon different occasions ho had seen all the prisoners together. Laidler said the brief sheet found at his premises was not in his handwriting. Sullivan said that all that had been stated about him was false. The police-constable deposed to having waited out side the shop, while Sergeant Thompson went in, and to seeing all the prisoners, with the exception of Laidler and Jones, loitering about the street; After which the depositions of Mr. Wyatt and Mrs. Lake were read over. It will be remembered that one of the prisoners first introduced himself to the prosecutor by purchasing a cigar at his shop, and finding that be was a man of nervous temperament, he enlisted the services of the other prisoners, and commenced the system of extortion which has led to this prosecution. Mrs. Lake, who is neice of the prosecutor, plsnned the meeting with Sergeant Thompson, her sus picion having been aroused by the mysterious communi cations which were passing between the prisoners and her uncle, and to-her sagacity is due the credit of having brought the conspiracy to light. This was the case for the prosecution. Mr. HENRY asked each of the prisoners if they had anything to say, giving them the usual caution, that what they did say would be taken down in writing and used against them. Laidler denied that he had ever been guilty of such an offence. He had been an innocent tool in the bands of others; and it was mainly at the request of Mrs. Lake herself that he attended to see the matter settled. The other prisoners said nothing, but Sullivan wished to know if ho was charged with extorting money from the prosecutor? Mr. lIENny said he was. Sullivan then replied that he was innocent. lie had understood that the matter arose out of a gambling transaction, and he had never spoken to or made any de mand on the prosecutor. Mr. HENRY reminded him that he was present when the demand of 24/. was made. Sullivan said he was there entirely by accident; ho was induced to go in by a boy conm cted with a permon named Holland, and when he heard Mrs. Lake a,k what demands they had upon Ler uncle he said distinctly that he did not expect anything. Mrs. Lake stated that the prisoner could hear all that passed, but it was true that ho disclaimed having any demands upon her uncle, and said that "ho did not ex pect anything." Sullivan having again protested his innocence, Mr. HENRY said it was his duty to commit them for trial. An attorney, who said he was instructed to watch the case for Bennett by his uncle, a captain in the navy, ap plied to have his client admitted to bail, but his applica tion was refused. Tho parties were then bound over to prosecute, and the prisoners removed in custody. THE RAILWAY ColumnsloN.—lt is understood that Captain Simmons, the Government Inspector of Railway;, succeeds Captain Harness, as Secretary tc , tin C911111114§1011. ATTEMPT TO BURN DOWN THE SURREY THEATRE. At a few ni'.nuts after one e'cleck thii morning the vicinity of the Surrey Theatre, in the Blacks riars-roeci, was thrown into a state of considerable alarm by the outbreAk of a file (suhsevently discovered to be the work (dun incendiary) in that favourite theatrical estab -IMiment, the dr structien rf which for some time v.'as threatened. The circumstances are these:—At the close last night of the Lenten musical entertainments of Mr. Henry Phillips (who has taken the theatre for the week) the fireman and watchmen, who are expressly employed to secure the safety of the bulling from fire, went over the various departments as was their customary duty, and saw to the proper extinguishing of the gas and fires. At cne o'clock they resumed their rounds and bad completed them, when one observed a strong smell of something burning, and upon searching the various rooms feund that it emanated from the ward room, and on the door being opened so dense was the rush of smoke anal heat as to prevent the exact locality of the fire being detected. The men promptly gave ae alarm to the police, who started (if for the aid of the engines, and in a short time tho e belonging to the bri gade, under the superintendence of Mr. Henderson, ar rived. Most fortunately their services; eventually were not required, the firemen connected with the theatre, aided by the police, succeeding in confining the mischief to the apartment where it had been discovered. It at once excited suspicions as to the origin, no light having, it was said, been admit.e I into the wardroom since the close of the theatrical entertainments on Saturday night last; and an investigation being made, sufficient proof was established to show that it had been wilfully kindled, and no dout t by some party who possessed a perfect knowledge of the interior of the theatre. A basket filled with pieces of canvas, saturated with oil and turpentine, had been placed in one corner of the ward-room, and its contents fired through a hole in the wall of the building from the out side. Whether the hole had purposely been made doss Not transpire. It is evident the destruction of the theatre was the intention of the miscreant. Had the discovery taken place later, and the ward-room " wed alight" (the phrase of the firemen) it would have been impossible, from the peculiar construction of the building, to have obtained assistance in time to check its career, and the destruction of the whole house would have been inevitable. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. NEWCASTLE RACES. The following are the declarations of forfeit at New castle up to seven o'clock P.M. on Monday, and to the close i❑ town . The Northumberland Plate—Chanticleer, Inheritress, Uriel, Defaulter, Legerdemain, Vanguard, Langton, Strychnine, Quiz, Ada Mary, Alp, Priestess, Backbiter, The Cocktail, Champion, Robert de Brus, Primrose, Lady I em off, Clincher, Burghley, St. Valentine, Sir Philip, Probity, Mulgrave, Seneca, Equiria, Timothy, Luxury. The Members' Plate—Lady Hyda, Ribaldry, Van guard, Strychnine, Robert de Brus (sold to go abroad), Timothy, Baroness. BETTING AT MANCHESTER—TUESDAY. THE NORTHASIPTONSHIRE STAKES.-7 to 2 agst Os terley (take 4 to 1), 7 to 1 agst Harriott (t), 8 to 1 agst Mahratta (t freely), 2 to 1 agst Mounseer (t), 11 to 1 agst Chantrey (t), 15 to 1 egst Belus (t), 16;to 1 agst Ballinafad (t), 25 to 1 agst Sylvan (t), 25 to 1 agst Grief (t), 25 to 1 agst Bastinado (t 30 to 1). THE ALTHORP PARK STAKES.-2 to 1 agst Prestige (t freely). 7 to 2 agst Buckhound (t). CHESTER CUP.-15 to 1 agst Miss Ann (t 16 to 1), 16,t0 1 agst Glauca, 18 to 1 agst Peep-o'-Day Boy (t), 20 to 1 agst Cossack (t), 20 to 1 agst Roland (t 22 to 1), 22 to 1 agst Fogleman, 25 to 1 agst Ellerdale (t 30 to 1), 30 to 1 agst Horn of Chase (t), 40 to 1 agst Mounseer (50 to 1 taken freely). METROPOLITAN HANDICAP-2 to 1 agst Cheerful (t), 25 to 1 egst any other. DERBY.-6 to 1 agst Ghillie Callum (t 13 to 2), 7to 1 agst Bolingbroke, 12 to 2 agst the Nigger, 12 to 1 agst Knignt of Avenel, 15 to 1 agst Itslian, 15 to 1 agst Vol tigeur. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, To ESDAY. The Queen and Prince Albert walked this morning in the Slopes and Windsor Park. The Royal Family took walking and pony exercise in the grounds around the Castle. His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on horseback this forenoon, attended by Colonel Bouverie. The royal dinner party at the Castle this evening included ber Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Lady Fanny Howard, and Baroness de Speth. There was no addition to the royal dinner party en Monday evening. The guard of honour of the Scots Fusilier Guards on duty yesterday on the arrival of her Majesty at the Great Western Railway station was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Micklethwait. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester received their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cam • bridge and the Princess Mary and a select party at dinner yesterday evening, at her residence, Gloucester House. A deputation, including Mr. Gurney, Mr. Foster, and Mr. Dunn, had an interview with Lord John Russell yesterday. Mr. Christopher, M.P., transacted business yester day at the Railway Board. .. _ . . The Committee on Machinery of the Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 met yesterday in the New Palace of Westminster. The members present were Sir John Rennie, Mr. Pusey, M P., Professor Walker, Professor Willis, and Mr. Brunel. Colonel Reid, R.E. (chairman), and Mr. Dilke, attended on the part of the Executive Committee. Mr. S. Russell, secretary to the Commission, was in attendance. The Committee on Sculpture of the Commission Exhibition of 1851 met yesterday in the New Palace of Westminster. The meeting was attended by Vis count Canning, Lord Ashburton, Sir Richard West macott, Mr. Baring Wall, M.P., Mr. William Wyon, and Mr. D. N. Maclise. Mr. Cole attended on be half of the Executive Committee. Mr. Stafford Northcote, secretary to the Commission, attended. The Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Carlisle, the Countess of Carlisle, and Lady Mary Howard, and Lord Eddisbury, visited the Museum of Practical Geology, in Jermyn-street, yesterday. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a committee meeting yesterday. Earl Grey left town yesterday for his seat, Howick Hall, Northumberland. Sir George Grey left town yesterday for his seat, Fallsdon, Northumberland. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lady Mary Wood left town yesterday, for their residence, Mickle ton Hall, near Doncaster. Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office from the Governors of South Australia, the Cape of Good Hope, and Gibraltar. WESTERN LITERARY INSTITUTION, LEICESTER-SQUARE. PROUT'S DIORAIIIC VIEWS OF AUSTRALIA.—We were on Monday evening pre sen t a t t h e pr i va t e v iew of the exhibition of Prout's Di oram i c Vi ews o f Aus tralia, which is to be opened to the public to-day, in the theatre of the Western Literary Institution, ei cester-square. These views are painted by Mr. J. Skinner Prout from sketches made by himself on the spot, and their accuracy may be therefore depended on. These dioramic (or, to speak more properly, dis solving views) are twenty-four in number, and illus trate every phase of emigrant, convict, and aborigi nal life, a hile they, at the same time, convey a much more lively, and a much more accurate idea of the splendid scenery of these magnificent colonies than can possibly be conveyed by any ver bal description. The scenery of Van Die men's Land is of a very grand and sublime character, consisting of bold headlands, lofty, mountains, and towering precipices ; that of Norfolk Island is beautiful exceedingly—it is a paradise, of which man has made a hell—while that of new South \Vales, combining the sublimity of that of Van Diemen's Land with the beauty of that of Norfolk Island, possesses greater variety than either. Mr. Prout was present, and explained the different points of interest in each view as it was exhibited, im parting in a pleasing manner, a variety of useful and entertaining information on colonial matters, manners, and people. All who intend to emigrate—all who have friends in the Australian colonies—all who take an interest in our colonial empire, or on the subject of should,pay_a visit to this very inte restingp ena l discipline, exhibition. THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. From the establiAment of the Messrs. Ackermann and Company there has very recently issued a series of most exquisite sketches, lithographed from original drawings taken by Lieutenant IV. H. Browne, R.N., Enterprise, representing late of h e r Majesty's ship the sublime and extraordinary scenery witnessed by himself and his brother navigators in their recent voyage to the north in search of the Arctic expedition. In noticing the admirable panorama now exhibiting at Mr. Bu r f o rd 's Gallery, in Leicester -s qu are, we in cidentally mentioned that the painting s had been copied from drawings made by Lieutenant Browne; consequently, it only remains for us to announce series the fact of the pr e s e nt interesting pub l i cation. .f he seei consists of te n b eau tif u lly coloured engrav ings, the illusion of which is wonderfully successful. BOLTON'S PENNY OMNIBUS GUIDE FOR LONDON LND THE Suaunas.—The appearance of this cheap and useful little book supplies a desideratum which has long been felt by the metropolitan public. In addition to a complete and accurate list of all the conveyances, their routes, times, places of departure and arrival, together with the various tares, there is appended a list of stage-coaches running to and from London, cab fares, Re., combined with a mass of general and interesting information, such, for instance, as a list for public and gratuitous exhibitions, a table of the racing and steeplechase fixtures fur the current year, &c. This little book cannot fail to command a most extensive circulation, and no one in London should be without a copy. GAME CERTIFICATES.—The net produce of the duty paid on game certificates of each class and on licences for the sale of game, according to a recently published re turn, amounted in 1844, to 139,592/. ; in 1t. 4 15 it amounted to 136,327/. ; in, Ig-16, to 140,6134 ; in 1847, to 145,327/. ; and is 1848, to 126,024 one. f SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. FROM THE HORNING PAPERS or THIS DAY. TlMES.—Easter is generally considered the car dinal point of the session. It may then be guessed 1 with tolerable accuracy what will he done, wh ' sit will never be attempted, and what will be introduced only to be given up. The youth of the session is past ; from this to Whitsuntide is the less imaginative, but more practical period of manhood ; and then succeeds the fag-end of the legislative life—weariness, haste, vain repentance, and inevitable decay. But Easter is rather early this year, and they who congratulate themselves on having broken the neck of their annual task may possibly find themselves deceived. There are those who " sow their wild oats " in youth, and rapidly mature into dulness; and there are those also who scarcely wake up till they are men, and then break into unsuspected activity. It may be so with this session. Hitherto it has not shown remarkable power either for good or for evil. There has been scarcely one adjourned debate. With a regularity that smacks of design the cry to " Divide ' has risen at the most critical moments, and con signed to the limbo of good intentions many a well-prepared harangue. It is true we have been spared endless reiterations, nor can it be complained that any subject has been left unex hausted. But suppressed eloquence often begets open dissatisfaction. There are murmurs of volcanic rebel lion in the foundations of the political world. On the most leading question of the session Ministers have been run very close ; on several other occasions they have found their friends rather lax in their allegiance, and lately they have had recourse to the ullima ratio, the threat of a resignation. To check the rising sedi tion it has been found necessary to preach the doc trine of blind party submission. The utmost con tempt has been expressed for inconvenient excesses of private opinion. " The beneficent whip," which an eccentric writer holds to be the fated instrument of African and Celtic civilization, has been still further glorified for its mission on the backs of the Whigs. We have a feverish, restless, and desultory House, formidable not so much for any positive error as for the slight resistance it might offer to a sudden and attractive delusion. But if this be the youth of the session, what are we to expect from its manhood ? The danger is that no man can tell what to ex pect from it, or what not to expect. Wherever there is uncertainty there is also danger. If the House of Commons showed a little more momentum, if its canvass were a little better filled, its course would be steadier, and it would answer the helm more truly. But whose fault is this ? It is the fault of circumstances—the fault of many men and of many things ; but the foremost fault of all is , that colossal blunder which has tied the bulk of the agri cultural interest to an exploded, a blasted, and a scandalous cause. A question long ago settled in our great court of arbitration and before the tribunal of national justice, with an award on its merits and a verdict on its crimes, is still kept alive in the memo ries and follies of the defeated party. A hundred ;ving questions are thrown into abeyance by one dead A fanaticism for the impossible past shuts out .cs victims from a proper interest in the possible future. In the frivolity, passion, and impotence of its pro ceedings, the Protectionist sect suffers a sentence of self-excommunication. Thus it becomes an element of disturbance rather than of activity in the political machine. It lies across the deck of the State like a broken mast, which can neither be used nor consigned to the waves. Thus a party which possesses many claims to our gratitude and respect has made itself almost incapable of good. Every question that arises is already prejudiced by its bearings on a dead and gone corn-law. If an angel from Heaven were to announce a new boon, or a messenger from below were to suggest a new crime, the novelty, from whatever source, would be judged by its protective tendencies. So long as we have such men amongst us, we must needs be liable to the extremes of stagnation and tempest, to hollow con federacies and fruitless dispersions. Ministers are said to complain of a state of things which adds fresh elements of uncertainty to a game already more de pendent on chance than on skill. It is true that they have to deal with variable winds, a treacherous cur rent, and a chopping sea ; but, u nfortunately for the state, men with the trick of power can better turn such a condition of affairs to their own convenience than to the public weal. It is easier to baffle and neutralize folly than to make it patriotic and wise. The Ministerial specific for this disorder is to keep the House of Commons well employed. A rapid succession of business has brought it through its first period with comparatively little damage. Ministers have not permitted it either to rest or to fly off into an eight days' debate. Their very errors have amused and occupied the public mind. Alcibiades lopped off his dog's tail to divert the attention of the Athenians, and Lord Palmerston has created a similar distraction by his fleet in the Pincus and his squadron on the slave coast. There is a prospective virtue in such absurdities, for every mail that arrives is expected to bring the tidings of some fresh political divertissement—some barbarous protege to be avenged or chastised—some insurrection to be encouraged or betrayed. For our domestic and colonial affairs a more blameless and appreciable policy is required. Last night the House of Com mons adjourned to meet on Monday week ; and for that week, and the week after, the work is cut out for us by a ready, if not a master-hand. The old • nance and the navy estimates, the Irish Franchise Bill, the Australian Colonies Bill, the stamp duties, and the announcement of a Select Committee to in quire into the emoluments of all public offices, pro. vide for the fortnight after Easter, and evi dently will have to fight their way against rival and contending movements from all sides of the House. Every independent legislator has his designs on this critical period of the session, as if it were now or never. The Chancellor of the Exchequer must be at his post to defend the window-tax, "taxes on knowledge," the malt tax, and we know not what taxes besides. A pro posed general revision of the salaries of our judicial offices is already anticipated by Lord John's ampler notice. Lord Palmerston will have to prove to Mr. Cobden's satisfaction that a little bullying is an ad mirable substitute or assistance to arbitration ; and either he or a colleague will have to reconcile Mr. Disraeli to our existing diplomatic arrangements. Such is the prospect as far as we are permitted to see for the present, but we do not forget that there is much to be done yet before Parliament has earned its salt for this year. Not to ask for more than was promised in the Royal Speech, there are measures of great importance and of difficult determination still in an embryo stage. There are but fifty days between Easter and Whitsuntide, after which nothing re mains but to wind up the session, to gather up the fragments, and to bury the dead. We have only seven weeks left for preliminary discussion on the general merits of such measures as may be proposed, and two weeks out of the seven are already provided for. So no time must be lost when we meet again. CHRONICLE. —That the time has come for a temperate and well-adjusted reduction of the higher class of official salaries, whether political, diplomatic, or judicial, few reasonable persons are likely to dis pute. In announcing their intention of taking the first step towards this object, the Government are certainly in no degree in advance of public opinion. To spare the highly-paid functionaries while the subordinate officers are in daily process of being cashiered or cut down, is a sort of economy against which every man's sense of justice revolts. The re trenchment which the voice of the country now demands must pervade all ranks of the public ser vice, from the highest to the lowest. That the more exalted offices of the State afford a fair scope and margin for reduction, without impairing either the efficiency of the administration or the real dignity of the occupants, none but those whose minds are sophisticated by false standards or vicious precedents will be found to question. We repudiate, indeed, the short-sighted parsimony which, in filling such appointments as those of a Chief Justice or Minister of State, would select these officers on the principle of accepting the lowest tender. The Crown is entitled to com mand for its service the highest talent and the most distinguished merit that the community affords, and those who accept its more eminent preferments should be placed above the reach of temptation, of depend ence, or of contempt. These principles, it is true, have been too much overlooked in other countries ; while, in England, not content with a just and ra tional assertion of them, we have carried our munifi cence beyond the verge of prodigality. The differ ence in the rate of judicial and political remuneration here and abroad—we allude particularly to the United States and to France—is not merely the dif ference between a niggardly and an adequate allow ance—it is a disproportion which the diversities of wealth, of prices, or of social habits in the respective countries are quite inadequate to justify. Thus the salary (as now reduced) of the Chief Justice of England is B,oool.—that of the President of the Court of Cessation in France is 800/. a year. The salary of the English Ambassador to the French Re public (exclusive of residence and outfit) is 10,0001. —that of the American Minister to the same country is 2,0001. per annum. We should be sorry, indeed, to exchange the exalted character and status of our British judges for the inferior estimation and influ ence which necessarily attach to the underpaid law yers who preside in the French courts, nor do we desire to see the representatives of Majesty in foreign capitals cut down to a bare standard of Spartan fru gality. But there is a rational medium in all things, and in the present instance there can be little doubt that, if our neighbours have pitched there estimate below the mark, we have erred, to almost the same extent, in over-shooting it. It is idle to tell those who know, as we do, the crowded numbers and the curtailed profits of the English bar, that the presi dency of the Queen's Bench, with a salary of 7,000/., o r even 6,0001. a year, is not a prize tract and satisfy the ambition of the most suffilceiaernotedtottauta- successful lawyers of the day. It is equally monstrous to assert that such a sum is insufficient to maintain unsullied the honc;:r and purity of the ermine. Again, with re spec!: to tlie higher class of diplomatic situations, which are usually held by men of rank and property in this country, the State is undoubtedly bound to supply its servants with the means of main taining the just dignity of their station, and of meet ing the extraordinary expenses which appertain to it. The honour of the British Crown ought to suffer no disparagement in the persons of its representatives abroad ; but neither, on the other hand, ought such appointments to be made subservient to the purpose of repairing dilapidated fortunes, or of in dulging a taste for ostentatious magnificence. With regard to the salaries paid to members of the Cabinet, and to the holders of high political offices at home, it is undoubtedly true that a public career in this country, if it be viewed in a merely professional light, is anything but a lucrative one. As a pecuniary speculation, no prudent man, however great his ad vantages, or however fair his prospects of success, would dream of investing his capital in politics. The Secretary of State, who, after a long apprenticeship to his harassing vocation, draws at last a precarious 5,000/. a year from the Exchequer, would find the public still a heavy debtor to him on an accurate ba lance of profit and loss. Nor, indeed, if we should take into account the qualifications required, the long training undergone, and the wear and tear of body and mind which the position of a leading Cabinet Minister involves, would the mere amount of salary appear extravagant. But it is not in such scales that political service is to be weighed. Accord ing to the system of government which prevails in England, statesmanship is not—nor is it desirable, in our judgment, that it should be—regarded as a remunerative profession. It is a career from which, with rare exceptions, all who do not possess an inde pendent fortune are excluded. It is the power, the influence, the patronage, the fame, the high place, the noble theatre of action —and not the emoluments —which form the attractions and the compensations of office. The Noble Lords and Right Hon. Gentlemen, who spend.and are spent in the service of the public, find, in the salaries attached to their offices, an acknow ledgment of the gratitude of the community, which is not, indeed, unacceptable in itself, but which is incapable of being measured by a com mercial standard. Reduce the scale of Ministerial salaries in due proportion to the retrenchments car ried out in other departments of the public service —and there can be no doubt that the country will be just as well served, by the same men, and from precisely the same motives, as at the present time. It is an understood principle in this country, that reductions in public salaries should have only a prospective operation. The application of this maxim, rather than rule itself, was the occasion of a somewhat keen discussion in the House of Commons on Monday apropos to the Bill for reducing the Chief Justices' salaries, and to Lord Campbell's ap pointment. The announcement made by Lord John Rnssell in the early part of the evening, that it was intended to submit the revision of judicial salaries to a Select Committee, naturally suggested the inquiry whether the emolument of the new Chief Justice—the wax of whose patent is yet scarcely cool—would not be subject to the discretion of that tribunal, and also whether the Bill by which it is proposed definitively to fix the salaries of the two Chief Justices would not be more advantageously postponed. The Premier conceded so far as to abandon that part of the Bill which related to the Chief-Justiceship of the Common Pleas, and he explained that appointments to the Queen's • Bench, subsequent to that of the new incumbent, would fall within the province of the Committee. But upon the point of the salary payable to Lord Campbell himself, Lord John Russell stood firm—alleging that there was a distinct under standing and compact made with that Learned Lord, that he was to receive not less than 8,0001. a year, and that to re-open that arrangement would be to make the revision of salaries operate retrospectively. The insensibility shown to this argument by a large and respectable section of the Members present, who persisted in dividing in favour of an amend ment moved by Mr. Henley, may probably be attri buted to two circumstances. First, to a doubt as to the complete sincerity of the Premier's allegation—a doubt not unreasonably founded upon the fact pointed out by the Member for Marylebone. " I can hardly suppose," observed Sir Benjamin Hall, " that the measure of which notice has been given this evening did not exist in the intentions of the Government as much as three weeks ago. The new Chief Justice has hardly been that time in his seat. Is it possible that his appointment can have been made without reference to the impending reductions i" The other consideration which probably made the House suspicious of some indirect manoeuvre in this case, was of a more personal character. Great as are the acquirements, and eminent as are the claims, of Lord Campbell, the reminiscences connected with his judicial preferments preferments are not, it must be owned, parti cularly fragrant. The seventeen days' Chancellor ship of Ireland—" that superior job," as Colonel Sibthorp rather happily termed it—is not yet effaced from the memory of the generation that witnessed ro intrepid a sacrifice to party obligations. We may safely assume that, if the biographer of the Chan cellors had never thrust himself into the seat of Lord Plunkett, the Home of Commons would not hive manifested so malicious a desire to cut down the emoluments of his Chief Justiceship. SUPPLEMEAT TO THE POST-OFFICE LONDON DIRECTORY for 1850. It has been an annual custom with the proprietors of the " Post-office London Directory" to publish a few weeks subsequent to the assembling of Parliament in February, a supplement to that valuable work, con taining amongst other information a Peerage and Par liamentary Directory, and a complete Postal Di rectory. This supplement is just published, and within the compass of a thick royal octavo pamphlet we have a Peerage and Parliamentary Directory corrected up to the present time, and giving the town residence during the present session, and country seat of each Peer and Member of the House of Com mons; the names and addresses of all persons who have commenced business since the publication in December last of the Post-office London Directory for 1850, and a Postal Directory furnishing all the regulations of the Post-office as affecting the receipt or dispatch of letters ; a list of the post towns in the United Kingdom arranged alphabetically, distinguishing those at which money orders can be obtained or cashed, and in other cases the exact distance from the town at which money orders can be had ; also stating the time of the delivery of London letters and the time at which the box for the receipt of London letters closes, soy, that the return of post can be always calculated. This Postal Directory contains, likewise, an alphabetical list of the 5,000 princip a l p l aces throughout the world to which mails are dispatched, with the king dom in which ea c h is situated ;_ and " Universal Rates of Postage on L etters and Newspapers to the colonies and foreign parts, with the routes of the mails and the days of their dispatch." This work is clearly and neatly printed, and so admirably arranged as to be exceedingly easy of reference. It is a fresh proof of the ability, of the energy, and of the industry of its spirited proprietors. MANCIIESTER TRADE REPORT, MARCH 96. There is no material chan ge i n the marke t t o -d ay . P ro b a bl y a little more briskness has characterised it; inquiries have been numerous, but the business done has been very limited. The prices now °tiered for yarns are such as would little more than defray the cost of the raw material, leaving a lamentably low per ventage for the spinner. These rates are insisted upon, but the producers still appear disinclined to yield, and a few bargains hare been struck. The little busi ness that has been transacted is at prices a shade lower than those of this day w ee k . F orty-inc h s hi r ti ngs st ill h o l u t h e i r price, and there i s no d i sposition to ma k e any f urt h er con cession. The good s market i s very irregular, and prices slightly receding. ABERDEEN RAILWAY.—It appears the directors ntend to open the rema i n i ng port i on of thi s li ne t o Ab er d een in the course of next week, prov ided urov ided they obtain th e sanct i on of the Government officer. On the line being opened for traffic it will complete the communication between Aberdeen r or London by railway'. LOANS TO IRISII RAILWAY COMPANIES.—It ap pears from a return just issued that the Public Works Loan Comtnissioners lent to the Dublin and Drogheda Railway Company, at various periods, from the 26th of December, 1842, to the 20th of March, 1848, sums amounting in the aggregate to 156,0001. at 5 per cent. The interest paid amounted to 30,0504 and the principal repaid to '51,1791., , leaving 105,8211 . d ue. They l en t to the G rea t S out h ern and y Western Comp any, b etween the 20th of S e pt em b er, 1 847, and the 29th o f Januar 1849, 495,000/., at 5 per cen t. Th e interest paid amounted to 36,012 1 . They lent to the Water ford and Kilkennv, between the 20th of September, 1847, and the 26th of November, 1849, 83,000/. The interest paid amounted to 6,130/. They lent on the 3d of November, 1849, to the Midland Great Western (first advance) 100,0001. at 3% per cent. Total of all moneys lent 834,000/., of which 51,179/. was repa id . Th e i n t e rest paid amou n t e d to 72,1931. I ; he and Kingstown Commissioners o f Public Works in Irel an d l en t t o th e Dublin Company 75,000/. on the sth of No vember, 1832, and 37,200/. on the 29th of November, 1836, at 4 per cent., together 112,200/., of which 54,5961. was re paid. 51,016. was the amount of interest paid, and 1,875/. was the amount of interest due. The principal outstanding amounts to 57,604/., which is in course of repayment by halt yearly instalments of 3,0001. The sum lent to the Ulster Company, on the 18th of July, 1840, was 20,0001., at 5 per cent., which has been repaid. The amount of interest paid was 3,813!. On the Dublin and Kingstown branch to Dal key 25,000/. was lent on the 2 Ith of November. 1842, which has been repaid with interest amounting to 1,535/. The total amount advanced was 157,2001., of which 99,5961. was repaid, leaving 57,6041. due, which is in course of p a yment. The amount of intere s t paid was 56,367/. and the amount due 1,875/. ENCUMBDRED ESTATES.--A return has just been made, pursuant to an order of the House of Lords, dated 15th February, 1850, from the Commissioners of the Court of Encumbered Estates, Ireland, stating the number of pe titions lodged in their court, the total rental of the property proposed to be sold, and the gross amount of encumbrances stated to be chargeable thereon. By this return it appears that the number of petitions lodged to the 15th day of Feb ruary (inclusive) is 481 ; the total rental of the property, 608,327/. Bs. 7d. ; and the gross amount of the encumbrances stated to be chargeable thereon, 12,671,059/.135. 6d. Of the 481 petitions, 14 hate been dismissed, and 27 are duplicates. If these dismissed and duplicate petitions, and the rental and encumbrances stated therein, are deducted from the fore going, the result will be, as shown if the return :—l'eti tions, 440; rental, 531,4091. IGs.; encumbrances, 10,219,7721. 108. Bd. SOUTH AUSTRALTA.—The Alpha arrived yesterday from Adelaide. She is the first wool ship of the season from Australia. hier dates are not co late as those per overland mail; they, however, supply papers of intermediate date, which allude to the arrival of several emigrant ships from England. Villages and rural townships were rapidly springing up, which would form a considerable advantage to future emigrants seeking to locate themselves in a less scat tered society than the previous settlements afforded. Tke discovery of gold in the colony is spoken of with interest, and some lately found is stated to be of exquisitely pure metal. TILE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION OF 1851.—The Lord Mayor has had the high gratification to receive a com munication from Prince Albert, of which the following is a copy : " Buckingham Palace, March 23. "My dear Lord,— His Royal highness cannot allow the splendid dinner given by your Lord s hip o n Th urs d a y l as t to have passed over without endeavouring to express the grati tication which he derived from it. He commands me to thank you very much for the kindness of the motives which prompted you to give that entertainment, and at the same time to con gratulate your Lordship on the complete success which bids lair to attend this endeavour to unite all parties and classes throughout the united kingdom in the support of the Exhi bition of 1851. "For hitaself, his Royal Highness desires me to add, that he shall ever look back with true pleasure on an evening which was to him personally one of unmixed satisfaction and gratification. " C. GREY." HIGHGATE SCHOOL.—The annual prizes of this school were adjudged on the 23d inst., as follows :—Exhibi tion of 50/ per annurn—J. Martineau Fletcher; Governors' Gold Medal for Latin Hexameters—Charles Griffith; Latin Prose—J. Martineau Fletcher; Greek lambics—W. IL Ilan kin; History—R. Goodhall Smith. MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE.—An event has just occurred in the town of Reading which has caused a painful sensation among the inhabitants. Mr. John Weedon, late mayor of the town, on Tuesday evening last, after transacting the business of the day, went out to take his usual walk. As he did not return, and no tidings were heard of him, a diligent search was made, and on Tuesday morning his body was found in the River Kennett, about fifty yards below the Basingstoke railway bridge. His gold watch, purse, pencil-case, and papers were found upon his person. Mr. Weedon practised as a solicitor for many years, and only a few months ago retired from business. NATIONAL GALLERY FOR SCOTLAND.—A Bill has been introduced into Parliament for the erection of a national gallery for Scotland at Edinburgh. The buildings (which are to be on the Mound) are to contain apartments " for other purposes connected with the promotion of the fine arts." BANK or ENGLAND.—Yesterday a ballot com menced at eleven o'clock in the morning, for the puipose of taking the determination by vote, in print or writilig, on the resolution proposed at the court of proprietors last Thursday, viz. :—" That a dividend be made of 4 per cent. interest and profits for the half-year ending the 28th of February last, without any deduction on account of the income-tax." At four o'clock the ballot closed, and it appeared that the reso lution was unanimously confirmed. DREADFUL COLLIERY EXPLOSION NEAR WIGAN.— Between six and seven o'clock on Saturday morning an ex plosion of firedamp took place at Messrs. Evans and Tur ner's colliery, in Haydock, situated about a mile and a half from Newton raceground. The explosion occurred in what is called the Rock-pit," and thirteen persons were either smothered or burnt to death, some of them being literally burnt to a cinder. It appears that eleven of the persons were working in a drift 1,000 yards from the pit's eye, with out any conductor,when this explosion took place, all of whom were burnt to death. Two others were working about 120 yards nearer the pit's eye, and they, on hearing the explosion, rushed into the face of the fire, instead of making to the pit's eye. There were five other persons in the workings at the time, but they being employed considerably nearer the pit's eye did not receive much inj ur y. Th e pony-driver sustained, however, a slight scorching; and one of the ponies was killed by a loaded waggon being blown against him. The pit is about 140 yards deep. The majority of the sufferers have left wives and families. The men were allowed safety-lamps, if they thought proper to use them ; but there does not appear to have been any restriction against working with naked candles, although the men had to run away from the fire the day before the fatal occurrence took place. An inquest was held upon the bodies of the sufferers on Monday, when the jury, after examining several witnesses, returned the following verdict:—" It so happened that the foul and inflammable air in the said coal mine, by some means unknown to the jury, took fire accidently and casually, and by misfortune exploded, whereby the said above-named unfortunate men and boys were grievously scorched and burnt upon the body and limbs, whereby they instantly died." —Halifax Guardian. THE CATTLE TRADE.--The Apollo, screw steam vessel, arrived at Blackwell on Monday, with a cargo of oxen from Holland. On her passage she experienced a heavy gale from the north, which caused loss or serious injury to nearly 50 fine oxen. Of these, abort 20 that were on deck were thrown overboard; the remainder, about 30 in number, were landed at Blackwall, many of them dead, and others dread fully mangled. It is believed that all this meat finds its way into the London market. ACCOUNTS OF THE COAL WHIPPERS' OFPICE.— From statements of the accounts of the Coal W'hipper's office for the past year, and of the branch office at IS , ool wich, which have just been ordered to be printed, it appears that the receipts of the fund amounted, in the half-year ending June 30, 1849, to 42,893/. ; and in the half-year end ing Dec. 31, to 42,748/. 19s. All expenses having been paid, there remained, at the end of each of the six mouths, a balance respectively of 2;2811. and of 2,376/. The receipts at the Woolwich branch office amounted in the year to 1,026/., and the expenses to 9831., leaving a balance in hand of about 401. VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.—There are accounts from Tasmania, which report the arrival of the six Irish political offenders—Messrs. Smith O'Brien, Meagher, O'Dogherty, Martin, Donaghue, and 111`111anus--in the brig of war Swift, on the 27th October. His Excellency the Governor, by the same vessel, had received instructions from the Home Go vernment to issue tickets of leave to them, on condition that the indulgence thus afforded them should not be made a means of escape. They all, with the exception of the first, accepted the offer, and were located as follows :—M`Manus, at Norfolk; Meagher, at Campbell Town; O'Dogherty, at Oatlande; Martin, at Bothwell; and Donaghue, at Hobart Town. They are all stated to have sufficient funds for their support, with the exception of the latter, who represented to the Governor that he was without funds, and requested, therefore, that he might be permitted to reside at llobart Town, in order that be might follow his profession of a law writer. This was granted to him. Smith O'Brien obstinately refused to accept a ticket of leave, and was therefore, on the following Wednesday, the 31st of October, dispatched to Maria Island, where he will be under strict surveillance. lie had, however, an opportunity of first speaking with Martin and O'Dogherty. TIIH ASYLUM FOIL IDIOTS.—This truly valuable institution held its anniversary last evening, at the London Tavern. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge pre sided. Asout 150 gentlemen were present. In proposing the toast of "The Queen," the illustrious chairman men tioned that her Majesty had been graciously pleased to present a donation of 250 guineas to the institution, and which entitled her to a bed for one inmate during life. Mr. C. Lushington passed a glowing eulogium upon the merits of the institution, and the services that the chairman had rendered it by his patronage and munificent benefactions. It was afterwards mentioned that the illustrious chairman had left a party who were assembled to celebrate the birthday of his son, the Prince George, of Cambridge, in order to be pre. sent at the anniversary of the institution. The claims of the society having been warmly advocated by Sir George Carroll, Mr. Cubitt, M.P., Mr. Spring Rice, and other gentlemen, it was announced that the subscriptions of the festival amounted to the munificent sum of 2,600/. His Royal Highness then vacated the chair, and the company separated, highly gra tified with the results of the festival. ASTURIAN MINING COMPANY.—A special general meeting of the proprietors of this company was held yester day at the offices, 9, Austinfriars, for the purpose of consider ing a report and the proceedings of the board of directors and liquidators; also the report of the committee on recon stitution, appointed on the 27th November last, with the proposed deed of reconstitution, and counsel's opinion thereon, kc. Mr. Charles Cunningham occupied the chair, and, after the reading of the advertisement convening the meeting, proposed an adjournment to the 16th of April, in consequence of the illness of Mr. Moore, who had had the preparation of the deeds of the company in hand. After some discussien the proposition was agreed to. A few questions were put to the chairman, which elicited the facts that the actual amount owing at present to bankers, directors, kc., was 17,011/. 10s. 4d., and that they had been paying 2,000!. a month off ever since August. 200,000/. had been spent altogether in the concern, in which, the chairman stated, that at present he, himself, his friends, and family, had about 15,000!. A letter from Mr. Kelly, Vice-consul of Spain, was read, who augured extremely favourably of the increasing value attached to the property of the company. The meet ing then adjourned. DEATH OP THE DEAN OF SALISBURT.—The Very Rev. Francis Lear, D.D., expired at the Deanery, in the Close, Salisbury, at a late hour on Saturday evening last. He was appointed to the deanery about the close of Sir R. Peel's Ministry, through the influence of the Right lion. Sidney Herbert, M.P., to whom he had been tutor. Tee deceased also held the rectory of Eishopstone, near Salisbury, worth about 1,0001. per annum. The benefice is in the gift of the Pembroke family. VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.—The draft of a Bill, pre pared by Mr. Wyld, M.P., has been privately circulated, having for its object the establishment of an executive coun cil for the management of the convicts, and for the formation of a Legislative Assembly for the free colonists of the island of Van Dieinen's Land. It is proposed that the Legislative Council shall consist of seven members, to be appointed by or with the consent of her Majesty. The executive are to be invested with the power to make laws for punishment and discipline of convicts. It is proposed to appoint a Legisla tive Assembly, consisting of twenty-four members, seven of whom shall be app' inted by her ➢lajesty. The assembly are to be empowered to make laws, appropriate taxes, and to impose duties, and also to make provision for the better ad ministration of justice. GREAT FLOOD IN CALIFORNIA.—A letter just from Philadelphia contains the following passage :—" Those tremendous scourges—fire and water—have recently proved very destructive is California. By the last arrival we were informed of the burning of one-half of the city of San Fran cisco. And now we have, by the arrival of the Alabama at New Orleans, news from San Francisco 14 days later, to January Is—the principal item of which is, the submergence by a flood of the city of Sacramento. Only one house, and that built on raised poles, was above the water, which was three or four feet deep. Immense herds of cattle have been drowned—the inundation extending over the entire valley of Sacramento, and varying from 20 to 50 miles in breadth, from the Sierra Nevado to the coast range of mountains. Much misery, starvation, sickness, and death must be the natural results of this great overflow. The loss of property at Sacramento city is estimated at 1,000,000 dollars. The safferings of the inhabit a nt s t h ere are described as dreadful. But one writer consoles himself by stating that this great flood, while it destroys much property "will wash out the gold in immense quantities." The Alabama has brought 500,0,20 dollars worth of gold dust on freight. Her mails will not reach in time for the English steamer, all our news from her being per telegraph from New Orleans. At Stockton the Americans at the mines had been at tacked by large b an d s o f Chili ans. S evera l were killed on both sides, and a number of Americans, who had been taken prisoners, were afterwards released. The excite ment at San Francisco even was great on this subject, and all the accounts s a y th at th e Chili ans w ill b e attac k e d in their turn, and expelled from the country. Such a course would probably lead also to the expulsion of other foreign (Spanish race) gold diggers. [The following appeared in our Third Edition of last night :—] FRANCE A number of Legitimist operatives, amounting to about 3,000, presented on Monday, through a deputa tion maned by them, a memorial to the represen(a fives of the Eight, calling upon them to vote against the law on the press. The address was expected to appear in the papers of that evening. A considerable number of the editors of the pro vincial journals have arrived in Paris, to impress in person on the representatives of their respective de partments the necessity of also voting against the law. One in particular, who has great influence iu his department, and who contributed powerfully to the success of the Moderate candidate, has declared that if the law be persevered in by the Government he will use that influence against its candidates in any future re-elections. GERMAN Y. The Munich Gazette, the official organ of the Bavarian Government, publishes a reply of the Aus trian Cabinet, dated Vienna the 13th, to the collec tive note of Bavaria, Saxony, and AVertemburg, for the constitution of a new federal state in Germany in opposition to that of Prussia. After some preliminary observations, the note says :—" These three Govern ments propose to form a federal organ, which, by the simplification of its composition, and the sphere of its attributes, shall answer its intended purpose, at the same time that its organization shall remove all fear of an abuse on the part of any power ; whilst the convocation of an Assembly of Deputies would sati.fy the wish for the suitable participation in the settlement of common affairs." After some remarks on the nature of the proposition, the note continues—" The possibility offered to Austria and to Prussia to accede with all their States to an Austro-German Federation on such bases, places the Imperial Government in a position to recon cile the political unity of the monarchy, called for by preponderating reasons, with the obli gations which it will have to fulfil as a member of that Confederation. The establishment of a superior Tribunal of Arbitration responds to a want which has been long and generally felt, and the reserved agreement of an Austro-German federal representation cn the new constitutional under taking fulfils the promise made by the old Federal Assembly in the name of the Government. The ad vantages of this alliance for Germany, as well as for Austria, as far as concerns material and common political interests, are too evident for it to be ne cessary to here point them out in a particular manner; but even in a European point of view, a revision of the original federal treaties, such as is proposed by the three royal Governments, and the enlargement of the Confederation resulting from that revision, does not appear to give rise to any well-founded objection, as such modifications are justified by the said treaties as well as by existing circumstances, and as they must be regarded as na tural and even favourable to the general interest." The Zara Gazette, the Breslau. Gazette, and some of the Vienna journals, mention a report that the Austrian Government intends to allow a Russian fleet to station permanently at Cattaro, in Dalmatia, or even to cede the port altogether to Russia. THE BRAZILS. his Imperial Majesty Don Pedro 11. opened the session of the Legislative Chamber on the Ist of January last at Rio de Janeiro. The Emperor, accom panied by her Imperial Majesty and suite, were re ceived by a deputation from each Chamber, and being conducted to his throne, his Majesty took his seat, and having ordered the senators and deputies to be likewise seated, delivered the following most gracious speech:— " Most Worthy and Hon. Representatives of the ation,—l should have experienced the most lively pleasure on opening this first session of the Eighth Legislature were it not su painful to me to have oc casion to allude to the unfortunate occurrences which recently took place in the province of Pernambuco. " Persons stimulated by violent passions disturbed the public tranquillity and attempted to alter the in stitutions of Brazil. " I am, however, much gratified in having to an nounce to you that such criminal proceedings were suppressed by the courage and steadiness of the Na tional Guards, the army, and the navy, with the patriotic co-operation of a very great majority of the inhabitants of that province. I thank them for the support they rendered my Government, and fur the proofs of loyalty and attachment they displayed. " The province of Pernambuco is not yet perfectly pacified. Deluded men, deaf to the voice of my im perial clemency, having retired to the woods, in order to pursue the career of their crimes, have again sought to disturb the public peace ; but my Government continues to employ energetic means for extirpating this revolutionary germ. " Peace is an essential condition of public prospe rity ; I shall consequently make every effort to main tain the pacific relations which at present exist be tween Brazil and foreign Powers, so long as it can be done without prejudice to the national honour and dignity: I claim your attention to the necessity of taking proper measures to enable my Government to increase its naval and military forces, and to secure the most rigorous and efficient organization. " The fluctuations in the value of the circulating medium paralyses mercantile transactions, and im pedes the development of the national industry; it is therefore requisite to give it greater stability, and fortunately the improvements in our revenue will enable us to commence employing the means to effect it. " I must particularly recommend that you will adopt measures for supplying our agriculturists with labour, the want of which is daily increasing. " Some proposition, regarding these and other sub jects, which the welfare of the country demand, will be submitted to your consideration. " Most Worthy and lion. Representatives of the Nation, Monarchical representative institutions, which, securing the intervention of the community in the deliberations on their dearest interests, guarantee the rights and liberties of the citizens, and protect the development of their industry and commerce, are the most secure pledge of the national prosperity; we must exert ourselves to maintain them inviolate. " Harmony amongst the political powers of the state is the most efficacious means of our attaining this end ; and will give to the country an example of that union and cordiality without which it cannot attain that grandeur and power Providence has des tined for it. " The session is opened." Their Imperial Majesties retired with the same ceremonies they entered, and the President adjourned the Chambers. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London Aew Price Current, March 26.) Sudan.—To-day holders of West India were enabled to obtain the terms of Friday, as there was no increase in the quantity on show ; still, refiners and grocers ope rated with reluctance, and the purchases amounted to only 410 hhds, &c., including at public sale 90 trcs 23 brls crystalized Demerara, which went at from 36s to 38s for brown, and at 38s 6d to 39s for better sort. The public sales of Sugar declared to take place on Thurs day at present comprise 4,000 bags Siam, all white 5,000 hags Bengal, and 200 hhds Cuba Muscovado. REFINED.—To-day there was a brisker demand for Refined goods for home-trade purposes, and better prices were obtained; sales of brown lumps wer• made at 48s 6d to 495, and fair to good grocery 49s Gd to 51s per cwt. In the ♦alue of Bonded Crushed Sugar there is no variation, and little business was concluded. MAURITIUS.—This afternoon there were six public sales of Mauritius Sugar, comprising the large quantity of 9,200 bags; the chief portion found purchasers, but in a kw cases rather luwer rates were acceded to; low and middling yellow sold at 35s to 375, good to fine 37s 6d to 40s 6d, fine brown 34s to 34s 6d, other sorts 31s to 333 6d, and refining kinds 34s to 38s 6d. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon the quantity of Bengal Sugar offered at public sale was large, and amounted to 8,860 bags ; about half sold, and grainy sorts realised steady rates, but all other kinds went 6d cheaper. White Benares sold at 37s to 39s 6d, fine 40s to 40s 6d, ord to good yellow 32s to 365, better sorts 36s to 37s 6d, good brown 30s to 30s 6d, libaur 29s to 30s, grainy white 43s to 48s, yellow 38s to 428, and like Mauritius 35s to 375. Of Madras 290 bags went at low rates; ord soft brown at 28s to 28s 6d per cwt. FOREIGN.—This afternoon there was little passing by private treaty in Foreign Sugar. At auction 16 chests Havannah sold at 38s 6d for mid yellow, and 30 bags Zanzibar at 31s for gr e yi s h brown, which are easier prices. MOLASSES.—To-day the demand was not so good for West India Molasses, and at auction 192 puns Demerara were taken in at 15s per cwt for ord quality. COFFEE.—To-day there n as firmness on the part of holders of Coffee, and none was offered at auction. The home trade demand is improving, and by private treaty a fair business was concluded. For Native Ceylon the value is nosy 47s to 48s for good ord. There is no public sale of Coffee at present declared, and the quan tity on offer by private treaty is much less than in the past week of all descriptions. COCOA.—A larger amount of Foreign is on offer, and prices have declined, as orders are yet small. At public sale 1,600 bags of Guyaquil taken in at 30s to 325. The private purchases are only 150 bags Para at 28s 6d, and 800 bags Guyaquil at 293 per cwt. TEA.—Operations in green have been upon a limited scale for all purposes, and as the market is well supplied a alight decline in the value has taken place, but the lower sorts are now least in request. In black the sales made have been to a limited extent only, and easier terms are acceded to, ai the supply is getting upon a larger scale. For ord and good common the value is 9d to 91d, medium sorts 10d to is 2d, and better sorts is lid to is 9d. Scented Teas met with little attention, and can be obtained rather under former rates. A fair quantity is also on offer. DICE.—Home dealers and shippers have made pur chases with caution in East India; holders are still desirous to realise, and the small business concluded by private treaty has been upon rather lower terms. For LOT to middling white Bengal the value is from es to 93, •ga 1 better sort 9s 6d to 10s 6d, cargo 7s to 7s 6d, Madras pinky while 8s to 8s 6d, and pearl barley 7s 6d to 8. per cwt. At public sale 1,700 bags Bengal went at es 6d for good white. In cleaned only limited sales have been made. artd there are ready seller s of fine to low Patna at from 12s to 20s, broken 104 to lls 6d, town dressed Caroline, 9 0s to 261, and American 19s to 19s 6d. SPICES.—TG-day at public sale 35 cases Cochin Ginger sold at 96 s t o 118 s f or goo d bold white; 26 brls Jamaica, ord and mid 90s to 100 s; 3 cases Nutmegs were taken in at 3s 6d for good brown. FRUIT.—To-day at public sale 250 boxes red Smyrna Raisins were taken in at 42s ; 180 pkgs Elem• 44s to 45s ; 300 pkgs Sultana 653 ; 7,000 pkgs Turkey Pulled Figs sold at 31s to 363 for inferior ; 100 pkgs Lipari Currants 38s per cwt. SPlRlTS.—Although Leeward Island Rum can be ob tained at is 4d to is scl per gallon proof, still only trifling sales have been made, end the market is better supplied. There has been little inquiry after East India, and Is 4d is the nearerst value of proof. Demerara has been sold is a fair extent at from 2s 2d to 2s 6d fur 30 to 40 per cent over proof, but holders appear more disposed to sell at th ese terms. Fi ne Jamaica has been mor e in demand for home consump tion and exportation at fully previous terms, but for other sorts there are few buyers, and rather lower terms are acceded to. The value of 20 to 29 per cent. over proof is from 2s 3d to 2s 7d for plain and mid quality, 30 to 36 over mid and good 2s 8d to 3s 2d, fine 3s 3d to 3s 6d, and esteemed marks 35 8d to 4s 2d per gallon. Operations in Brandy have been limited, and there having been several arrivals a greater de sire is evinced to sell. Cognac, best brands of the vintage of 1848, at 43 6d to 4s Bd, 1849 ditto 4s 5d to 4s 73, and inferior sorts 2s 10d to 4s 6d per gallon, but no reduction of moment is likely to take place. Geneva is not much want e d, s e ll ers are willing to accept is 9d for ord shipping sort, and 2s 3d to 3s for fine. The value of British-made Spirit is 9s 5d to 9s 6d proof, and of Gin 7s 10d to 8s 4d for 17 to 22 per cent under proof; at these rates only limited purchases con tinue to be made. COCHINEAL.—To-day there was less desire to operate in Cochineal, and prices declined Id per lb. At auction 170 bsgs Honduras all sold at 3s 8d to 4s 4d for ord to fine silvers, and 3s 103 for low black. Of Persian yel low Berries 30 bales were taken in at 61 15s. Itinico.—The Dutch Company's public sale of Java is fixed for the 29th of April and 2d of May; the quantity declared is 611 whole 4,105 half and qr chts. Only limited purchases have been made here by shippers or home dealers in East India, holders generally insist upon last quarterly sale's rates. There has been little passing in Spanish, the supply is more plentiful, and prices are 2d lower. At auction 430 serons of Guatemala were sold, very ord Cortes at 25 3d to 2s 43, low to fine 2s 8d to 3s Gd; ord to fine Sobres 3s 6d to 3s 11d; good to fine Flores 4e to 4s 7d per lb. SALTPETRE.—Operations have been to a limited ex. tent only for all purposes, and rather lower rates have been acceded to by private treaty. At auction of 2,700 bags Calcutta a small part only sold at from 25s 6d to 27s Gd for 5- to 14: 4 ' per cent refraction. Deliveries are getting larger, still there is a much larger stock than at the corresponding period of last year. British Refined is not much wanted, the value is, how ever, still 29s 6d to 30s. Nitrate of Soda is held for 15s 3d to 15s 6d per cwt, still there are not many buyers. For British Soda the market is dull at 61 155 to 71 per ton. There are still few buyers of Ashes. Canada Pot is offered at 32s for first sort, and Pearl at 30s per ern; there are lower rates. TALLOW.—Russian on the spot has been purchased with reluctance for all purposes, and previous term• are barely sustained. Only limited sales have been con• eluded in fine Petersburgh Yellow Candle, and the rates acceded to are 36s 6d to 37s per cw t. Operations are of little moment for delivery in the last three months of the year, although a disposition is evinced to sell at 38s per cwt. Home melted is offered at 36s 6d to 37s for - prime quality nett cash, yet dealers have operated with caution, and there is no decrease of supply. Of South American 1,030 pkgs at auction were mostly sold at from 33s 9d to 37s for ordinary to fine; 20 pkgs of Grease ditto 30s to 32s 3d; 726 casks Sydney, good and fine 35s to 36i, low to middling 33s to 34s 9d, but 59 casks Petersburgh Soap Tallow were taken in at 36s per cwt. Oris.—There is a more plentiful supply of Southern Oil at market, and shippers or home dealers evincing little disposition to operate, a fall in the value has taken place. At auction a part only of 212 tuns found buyers, fice quality at 331 to 331 ss, and middling to good 311 to 32/ 10s. In conse quence of the reduced stock of Cod, holders ars enabled to obtain 34/ lOs to 354 still only limited pur chases have been made. In brown and yellow Seal the sales concluded have been upon a more extended scale, at 311 to 321 10s, but there are few buyers of other sorts. Pale is offered at 371 to 37/ 103, Straw and Tinged at 331 to 361. Sperm met with little attention, and sellers are willing to accept 81/ 10 - s to 821 per ton for fine quality, as the supply is getting more plentiful. Olive Oil is not much wanted, and prices are receding; there are sellers of Spanish and Gallipoli at 471 to 481. Barbary, Levant and Portugal 441 1O to 45/ 10s. per ton. Palm Oil has been purchased with caution, and good to fine can be bought at 31s to 32s per cwt. Cocoa Nut is offered at a further reduction, yet few buyers are to be met with. At auction a small part only of 166 pkgs Ceylon found buyers at 31s 6d to 32s per cwt for good quality. Linseed Oil has been in excellent demand for exportation, and home dealers have made purchases with more freedom. Prices are higher and rule at 32s 6d to 33s per cwt on the spot. Rape Seed Oil is offered at a further re duction, et operations have been to a limited extent. English Refined at 39s 6d to 40s, brown 378 to 38s. Foreign Pale 41s to 425, :and other sorts 39s to 40 per cwt. TO THE SECRETARY OF THE BRADFORD REFORM ASSOCIATION. Sir,—On Monday the 25th, the principal debate was in Committee on the Chief Justices' Salaries Bill. Many reasons may be advanced against the policy of beginning economy with the cutting down the salaries of the Government in general, and of the heads of the law in particular. I can perfectly conceive how it may suit the Protectionists to say, " You have made a cruel interference with our purses, and have reduced the price of corn. Now then the first thing we will do for you, shall be to cut down your own salaries, that as far as we are able you may be a warning to yourselves and to future Govern ments, how they meddle with our purses and reduce the price of corn." I can perfectly understand how and why they should say this, and how they should add (as was done with much eloquence and clear ness last night) that another object they have is to demonstrate the truth of what they always main tained, that Free Trade is a humbug and a fraud, and means cutting down every man's salary or wages, from the top of the tree down to the bottom. But the thing I cannot comprehend, or reduce to any measure of public or private reason, is why those who consider themselves Free-Traders, should hop down upon this bushel of chaff, and scratch about in it with as much glee and earnest delight, as if it really was a good thing providentially set before them for the welfare of their cause. That men longing for, and seriously calculating en the restoration of restrictions upon foreign commerce, should state that the country is in a state of undis guised pauperism in consequence of the grievous error of Free Trade, and insist on the necessity of begin ning economy in the most wounding way, by cutting down the salaries of the high offices in the law and Government, is nothing perhaps but what the Free- Traders would do if they had for thirty years had a tax on home-grown corn in favour of foreign, and were now suffering under the removal of their wrong. But that the Free-Traders at this moment should chime in with this, and present themselves as willing co-operators with their interminable enemies ;—that they should give up the opportunity of stating, that though they cannot resist voting for economy, they believe the country to be intrinsically better able to pay 1,0001. in salaries now than it was 9001. five years ago, the proof of which is in the fact that sale• ries and wages are raised in something like that pro portion in all but the classes which are justly suffering for their sins ;—that th e y s h ou ld quietly sink the opportunity of strengthening their cause against future dangers, and run their heads into every noose the ingenuity of their adversaries can frame to take advantage of their yielding moments, is what nobody is bound to explain, but everybody who understands the circumstances to resist. On Tuesday the principal debate was on requiring the Royal academy to produce accounts. It ap pears they have not had any public money ; but they have had a public house. Nevertheless, the right to demand any knowledge of their accounts was negatived by 47 against 19. The House broke up Sir, your obedi en t servan t, till the Bth of Af a ri. na l , AN OLD REFORMER. London, 27th March, 1850. It will be seen from a notice in our advertising columns that the extensive house of J. P. and E. West head and Co., of Manchester, whose warehouse and stock were entirely destroyed by fire on Friday morning List, resume business this day (Wednesday), with a coal. plete,and well assorted stock, after an interval of only four days. The accomplishment of this stupendous re sult, which will doubtless prevent the loss of their Spring trade, is, we und erstan d , .mainly owin g to the great promptitude and exerti ons of the buyers of the , house, and to the circumstance of the extensive works of the Messrs. Westhead supplying a considerable portion of their general w are h ouse stock. TAXES ON KNOWLEDGE. --MT. Milner Gibson his given notice that he will, on Thursday, April 16, submit a moti on to the House, as to the pol icy of abolishing all taxes which directly impede the diffusion of knowledge amongst the great body of the people, with a view to the repeal of the stamp on newspapers, the excise tax upon paper, the tax upon advertisements, and the duty on foreign books." Ma. JUSTICE ERLE AND THE QUAHERS.—At the opening of the Assize Court at Bodmin on Monday them were several Quakers present who refused to take off th eir hats. Mr. Justic e E r le, who presided, addressed them, and said that all spectatori in a court must take off their hats ; hereupon one of them assured the Learned Judge that they did not keep on their hats in contempt of the Court, but from a religious scruple not to show respect to man ; to which Mr. Justice Erie rejoined, " Then you had better leave the court, and if you refuse I must order you to do reamed," where upon all the Quakers left the court. TILE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 27', XB5O