The Sun. — London, England, 1850-03-29 00:00:00

EXIT] RITION OF THE WORKS OF IND - U:3l'llX OF ALL NATIONS IN 1851. NOTICk: REGARDING 'sues. Fier Majesty's Counnissioners for promoting the Exhibition of 1851, have had under their considera tion the subject of the prizes to he awarded to exhi bitors, and have resolved to take immediate steps for having medals struck of various sizes and different designs, it being their opinion that this is the form in which it will, generally speaking, be most de..ir able that the rewards should be distributed. They will endeavour to secure the assistance of the most eminent artists of all countries in producing the medals, which will, they hope, be valuable as works of art of the highest class, besides serving as records of distinction in connexion with the Exhibition. They have decided to select bronze for the material iu which the medals are to be executed, considering that metal to be better calculated than any other for the development of superior skill and ingenuity in the medallic art, and at the same tine the most likely to constitute a lasting memorial of the Exhi bition. A notice, statin , the conditions of cotnpe tition, will be issued without m delay. With regard to the mode in which the prizes are to be awarded, the Commissioners think it inexpedient to establish beforehand, rules so precise as to fetter the discretion of the juries, upon which the task will ultimately devolve. It will be sufficient for the pre sent to indicate the general principles to which it will probably be advisable to conform, in the award of prizes for successful competition in the several de partments of the Exhibition. In the department of raw materials and produce, for instance, prizes will be awarded upon a considera tion of the value and importance of the article, and the superior excellence of the particular specimens exhibited ; and in the case of prepared materials, coming under this head of the exhibition, the juries will take into account the novelty and importance of the prepared product, and the superior skill and inge nuity manifested in the process of preparation. In the department of machinery, the prizes will be given with reference to novelty in the invention, su periority in the execution, increased efficiency, or increased economy, in the use of the article exhibited. The importance, in a social or other point of view, of the purposes to which the article is to be applied will also be taken into consideration, as will also the amount of the difficulties overcome in bringing the in vention to perfection. In the department of manufactures, those articles will be rewarded which fulfil in the highest degree the conditions specified in the sectional list already pub lished, viz : Increased usefulness, such as permanency in dyes, improved forms and arrangements in articles of utility, &c. Superior quality or superior skill in workmanship. New use of known materials. Use of new materials. New combinations of materials, as in metal and pottery. Beauty of design in form, or colour, or both, with reference to utility. Cheap ness, relatively to excellence of production. In the department of sculpture, models, and the plastic art, the rewards will have reference to the beauty and originality of the specimens exhibited, to improvements in the processes of production, to the application of art to manufactures, and in the case of models, to the interest attaching to the subject they represent. These general indications are sufficient to show that it is the wish of the Commissioners, as fir as possible, to reward all articles in any department of the exhibition which may appear to competent judges to possess any decided superiority, of whatever nature that superiority may be, in their own kind. In se lecting the juries who are ultimately to guide them in making their reward, the Commissioners will take the greatest pains to secure the services of men of known ability to form a judgment, above the suspi cion of either national or individual partiality (for which purpose they will be composed partly of Eng lish and partly of foreigners) ; and who may be ex pected to recognise and appreciate merit wherever it may be found, and in whatever way it may show it self. The names of persons selected to act on these juries will be published when decided upon. A question having been put to the Commissioners as to the parties who will be allowed to exhibit, and who will be considered to be entitled to the prizes, they avail themselves of this opportunity to state, that All persons, whether being the designers or inventors, the manufacturers or the proprietors, of any articles, will be allowed to exhibit, and that it will not be essential that they should state the character in which they do so. In awarding the prizes, however, it will be for the juries to consider in each individual case how far the various elements of merit should be re cognised, and to decide whether the prize should be handed to the exhibitor without previous inquiry as to the character in which he exhibits. Lastly, the Commissioners have to state that, in an pouncing their intention of giving medal prizes, they do not propose altogether to exclude pecuniary grants, either as prizes for succesful competition, or as awards under special circumstances, accom panying and in addition to the honorary dis tinction of the medal. Tnere may be cases in which, on account of the condition of life of the successful com petitors (as, for instance, in the case of workmen), the grant of a sum of money may be the most ap propriate reward of superior excellence ; and there may be other cases of a special and exceptional na ture, in which, from a consideration of the expense incurred in the preparation or transmission of with a par a - ticular article entit led to a prize, combined due regard to the condition and pecuniary circum stances of the party exhibiting, a special grant may, with propriety, be added to the honorary distinction. The Commissioners are not prepared, for the present at least, to establish any regulations on these heads. They consider it probable that a wide discretion must be left to the juries t o be hereafter appointed in re spect to the award of money prizes, or the grant of money in aid of honorary distinctions; it being un derstood that such discretion is to he exercised under the superintendence and control of the Com mission. The Commissioners will resume the consideration of this subject as soon as they shall be able to cal culate the cost of the dies and the execution of the medals, on the preparation of which they have decided. (Signed) J. SCOT T RUSSELL, Secretaries. STAFFORD 11. NoRTnCOTE, NOTICE REGARDING DESIGNS FOR MEDAL& Her Majesty's Commissioners for promoting the works of industry of all nations hereby give notice— That it is their intention to give medals as rewards in the forthcoming exhibition ; and they hereby invite the artists of all countries to enter into competition for the production of such medals, subject to the fol lowing conditions :- 1. It is intended to strike three bronz3 medals, of different sizes and of different designs. 2. The obverses of these medals, for which no de signs are required, will contain portraits of her Ma jesty and of his Royal Highness Prinoe Albert, and will be executed in this country. 3. Three prizes of 1001. each will be given for the three designs for the reverses which may appear the most meritorious, and the most suitable to the purpose of the Commissioners. 4. Three prizes of 501. each will be given for the three best designs which are not accepted. .5. The reverses should be illustrative of the objects of the exhibition, or appropriate as the rewards of successful competition. 6. The designs are to be sent to the secretaries of the Commission on or before the Ist of June, 1850, addressed to No. 1, Old Palace-yard. They must be nine inches in diameter, executed in basso-relievo, in plaster of Paris 7. sp A ace must be reserved for a short inscription. 8. The same artist may compete for all the three medals. 9. The name of the designer is to be sent in a sealed paper attached to the design. This paper will not be opened till the Commissioners have decided to whom the prize should be awarded. 10. The Commissioners postpone consideration of the execution of the dies, reserving to themselves the right of making such arrangements for executing the auccesful designs as may appear to them the best. (Signed) J SCOTT RUSSELL, S T AFFORD 11. NoRTIICOTE, Secretaries. Her Majesty's Commissioners have addressed the following communication to the local committees for promoting the Exhibition of Industry ot' all Nations in 1851 : Her isfsjesty's Commissioners think it desirable in this stage of their proceedings to advert to their an nouncement of the 21st of February last, in which they .‘ reserve to themselves ample powers of rejection and selection" of objects intended for exhibiton. It is the wish of the Commissioners to limit, as far as possible, the necessity for the exercise of those powers ; and for that purpose, to call to their assistance the local knowledge and discretion of the several local com mittees. They consider that it would be desirable that the local committees should, without delay, enter into per sonal communication with those persons resident within their district who aro likely to be exhibitors ; and that they should ascertain the character and number of the objects which it would be their wish to send to the Exhibition. They are desirous of receiving, at as early a period as possible, on or before the 10th of May, the general re sult of the inquiries instituted by the committees, and u general estimate of the articles likely to be supplied, which, in the opinion of the committee, may be fitly ex hibited, supposing there were ample space. Before a final determination be adopted in respect to the selection of objects to be transmitted, the Commis• ,loners hope to be enabled to depute one or two well qualified persons to visit the several districts from which articles of the same general character are likely to be s upplied; and enter into personal communication with each of the local committees, for the purpose of giving them information on any points on which they may be enabled to afford it; and for the purpose also of enabling the Commissioners to judge from the collective reports of the persons employed by them, iu what manner the power of' selection and rejection reserved to the Com rabalaera cn be tillimately exercised most conoisteutiy with justice to nil parties, and with the alvan'a4eous a pp!ie,tion of the space for the purpose of exhibition, which they will have at their cummind. The first uhj et, however, of the CommisiionQrF, is to receive from the local committee such general informa tion as to the character of the objects to be suppliO, and such general estimate of their number, and Om room they would occupy, at, may enable the Commissioners to form some judgment as to the probable demands upon the space applicable to the purposes of the exhibition. A prin . ed term this been prepared, which might, it is sugg , sted, be convenkutly employed by the committees in preparing their return, and it would be of consider able importance if the committee could make such a return to the Commissioners at the time specified. (Signed) J. SCOTT RUSSELL. STAFFORD H. NORTIICOTE. At the New Palace of Westminster, 23d M4rcb, 1850. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. TIMES.-Mr. George Sandars replies to our re marks upon his memorable speech of the 15th inst. by deo) big that he ever uttered the speech, as reported in this and the other metrop Aden journals. By an extraordinary coincidence, probably owing, as Mr. Sandars suggests, to the lateness of the hour, all the reporters in the gallery missed what he actually said on that remarkable occasion. In our report we found the Hon. Member saying, " Atpresent, the House to which he belonged could bring the finest quality of wheat from Stettin and Rostock for 335. per quarter." It is difficult to imagine so circumstantial a state ment palming itself in the lump on the treacherous ear of a drowsy reporter; but the Hon. Gentleman now affirms that every part of the sentence, the quality of wheat, the places, the price, the time, and the mood, and the very nature of the transaction, are all pure inventions, bearing scarcely any resemblance whatever to what was actually stated. Instead of it being "the finest quality of wheat," Mr. Sanders says that he particularly named "red wheat," to which un fortunately we cannot find the least allusion in our report. Instead of Stettin and Rostock, Mr. Sandars now lays indefinitely somewhere or other in Pome rania-that is, nearly the whole southern coast of the Baltic-the locality of this marvellous purchase. The wheat was merely equal to fine Stettin and Rostock; just as the three Books of the Fates opened by Jupiter, in Swift's " Battle of the Books," were of fine Bath post, so good that it might be mistaken for vellum. Instead of being 335., the price was more loosely expressed as 335. to 343. Instead of Mr. Sanders and his partners bringing the wheat to this country at that total cost, it merely represented the sum paid to the foreign merchant, without, however, franking the wheat to the doors, or even the quays, or even the latitude and longitude of the British con sumer. Instead of saying that he could at present, viz., on the 15th instant, bring the aforesaid wheat, he only mentioned the fact that they had recently made some extensive purchases at or about the price in question. The reader must excuse our pro lixity. It never was our fate before to notice so many ani such important errata in so very short a sentence. But we grieve to add that, after all, our labour is in vain. The elaborately amended statement suggests even more suspicion, and requires even more emen dation than that with which Queen Mab tickled the ears of our reporters ; nor is the matter at all cleared, but rather the contrary, by the various ex planatory statements now added by Mr. Sandars. These statements we will take, and endeavour to ascertain their value. " The last post brought an invoice and bill of lading of 1,200 quarters of fine yellow Stettin wheat, 611 b. to 621 b. per bushel, at 344. cost and freight to Hull, including commission for buy ing." This statement is good for nothing without the date of the contract. For anything that appears, Messrs. Sanders may possibly have engaged these 1,200 quarters half a year since, or a much longer period, in anticipation. Nay, the motley may have been paid before the seed was sown, in which case 345. would fall far short of the actual cost to the pur chaser. We say this because the price is absolutely irreconcileable with the quotations of the open mar ket at Stettin brought by, "the last post." It is hardly necessary to observe that the statement, inade quate as it is as regards the date and circumstances of the transaction, is quite as incomplete as respects the competition with the British agriculturist. The 3'> s. includes not insurance, or duty, or Sound dues, but freight to Hull and commission. Does it also include port dues at Stettin and Hull, the cost of putting the wheat on board, of transferring to the warehouse or the railway at Hull, Ste. ? But we are happy to pass on to a state ment with a date, which put us on terra firma with Mr. Sandars at last. "My correspondent," he con tinues, " writes on the 12th instant, fine (6l Ib.) yellow wheats are now 333. cost and freight.'" Oa referring to our old friend the Mark-lane Express, we find the following, under Stettin, March 11 :- " During the last week our market has been without much animation, and we have only heard of a few transactions being made in red Silesian wheat, weigh ing Glib. per bushel, at prices equal to 335. 61. per quarter free on board; 61. Db. red Uckermark wheat we quote 345. 6d. ; and 621 b. Pomeranian, 35-. G:1. per quarter free on board." Under Rostock, March 10, we find-" We have been scantily supplied with wheat of late, and some purchases having been made for English account at 355. per quar ter, our prices have been fully supported during the week." U the reader will run his eye over the above quotations, he will understand the diffi culty we feel in reconciling with them the quota tion of Mr. Sanders' private correspondent, viz, 33;. cost and freight to the port of Hull. But we will pass on to the next date. Mr. Sandars' correspon dent writes to him again on the 22d inst , " I thank you for your further order for 1,000 quarters of yellow wheat, Glib. to 621 b., if at 325. cost on board and freight to England, but from present aspect there is little chance of its execution, as 345. cost and freight is the figure to-day, and reports from the British market firm." We can only say there is an immense discrepancy between Mr. Sanders' quota tion and that of the Mark lane Express of nearly the same date. In the latter, under the head of Rostock, Msrch 17, we read-" Our supplies of wheat being very short, prices have been fully maintained as yet, and 621 b. to 631 b. is not to be had below 355. per quarter ;" and under Stettin, 11,1 arch 18- 4, rrices IN h a ve not given way much e quote for 621 b. new P om eranian wheat, 354. ; 614,1 b. Uckermark, 375. 6d. ; Glib. new Stettin, 335. 6d. per quarter." A' for the prices Mr. Sanders assigns for English wheat, we can only say that, on compar ing them with other lists of prices before us, we are forcibly impressed with the conviction that Mr. Sanders must be a very hard buye r. A p assage in Mr. Sandars' Baltic correspondence suggests a word of advice to the Hon. Member. Mr. Sandars has two capacities; he is a merchant and an M.P. In the former capacity it is very natural that he should buy in the cheapest market, and use such cus tomary arts as are consistent with truth for beating down those he has to deal with. It is evident that Mr. Sanders acts as his brethren do in this respect. When, according to his own statement, the last quo tation at Stettin had been 335. cost and freight, he sends an order for 1, 000 quarter s at 32 5. his c,:rre.. spondent replies, " there 13 little chance of its execu tion" at that price, "as 3-Is. is the figure to-day, and reports from the British market firm." So, here Mr. S soars finds himself baffled at Stettin, and his orders made impracticable, by the firmness of the British market, at the very time that he is persuading his own countrymen that their market has no firmness whatever. Now, we must say that there is a species of impropriety, approaching to indecency, in a corn-merchant who is daily transmitting large orders to the Baltic, the markets of which depend on the British, standing up in the House of Commons to make what would be called in the Stock Exchange a very "bearing" speech, and trying to convince the British public that he can import any quantity from the Baltic at almost any price he pleases. We know nothing at all about Mr. Senders' intentions. Of course he is an honourable man ; but when we look at his speeches in the House and his dealings in the Baltic, we find him apparently playing off the British against the Baltic farmers, and vice versa. In Eng land his game is to assure us of a cheap and inex haustible supply from the Baltic ; in the Baltic his game is to represent the British markets as yielding, which he does by systematically reducing the terms on which he sends out his order:. Mr. Sandars may think there is no im p ro p riety in this. He may think what he likes , but he must permit us to have our own thoughts about it too. When next he gets up to persu ade the British agriculturist that he can buy as many thousand quarters of wheat as he pleases on his o w n terms in the Baltic, we . shall remember that he is an interested man. It naught, naught,' saith the buyer, but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth." TO T _ lnyou ll r E Sir, leEaDdliTngit a°rFticTlellEofTnyieEsSterday you comment rather freely, and I think unfairly, on a speech I made in the House of Commons on the 15th instant; but, Sir, as you add you are anxious to give me an opportunity (though rather late) of authenti cating or explaining the statement I then made, I at once accept your offer, and doubt not I shall be able to authenticate every fact I then brought forward. First, Sir, I deny the premises upon which you r stric tures are based. I never offered "to supply anybody with the best wheat at 335. per quarter, nor did I say " 1 could bring the finest quAlity of wheat from Stettin and Rostock at a total cost of 333. to the im porters." But I did say, and lam prepared to prove, that the house to which I belong has recently made some extensive purchases of wheat in Pomerania, equal to fine Stettin or Rostock, at 335. to 345. per quarter, including freight to this country. The last post brought me invoice and bill of lading of 1,200 quarters of fine yellow Stettin wheat, 611 b. to 621 b. per bushel, at 345. cost and freight to Hull, in cluding commission for buying. My correspondent writes on the 12th inst., " fine (611 b ) yellow wheats are now 335. cost and freight." He again writes on the 22d inst.—" thank you for your further order for THE SUN, 1,000 quarters yellow wheat, Glib. to 621 b., if at 325. cot on hoard and freight to Ei.gland ; but front the press-nt aspect there is little chance of its execution, as 344. cost and freight is the figure to-day, and reports from the British market firm." He further adds, " with an average crop there is no doubt our farmers can afford to sell at prices to ship at 30s. per quarter put on board ship here, and, it is my belief, even at less. Some years back they sold at 18s. to 2.05. • per quarter first cost." Now, Sir, I could give you plenty of extracts from other letters to the same effect, but I think I have said enough to prove that the statements I made are fully borne out by facts and documents in my pos session. lam aware that Rostock wheat brings in the London market a relative higher price (owing to its greater strength) than Stettin, hut not so in ‘Vakefield ; there the colour of the latter fully com pensates for the strength of the former, and is equal, as I state 1, to the best Rostock, Pomeranian, Nor folk, or Suffolk red wheat. Sir, in my remarks I particularly named red wheat, yet you refer to the prices of whine wheat at the variou4 markets of ALirk- lane, Wakefield, Leeds, Boston, Doncaster, Nottingham, ikc., whereas any one in the trade knows that fine white wheat brings 4s. to 55. per quarter over red ; but what are the facts? The best FINIS of red wheat are now selling at Wisbeach, Boston, Sze., 621 b. to 63;b. per bushel, at 325. to 345. per quarter, in Yorkshire even still lower, and at Wakefield, on S iturday last, the finest Essex red 375. to 384. per quarter. Norfolk and Suffolk 355. to 3(ig., Lincoln snire and Cambridgeshire 334. to 355., and Yorkshire 324. to 345.; whilst at the same time the finest white Wheat, both English and foreign, brought 4444. per quarter. Within the last few days we have pur chased fine Rhine wheat, delivered in Liverpool, at 335., and to-day we have offers of fine Polish red at 355. cost, freight, and insurance. The following will show some of the misstatements made of my speech in the public press : The Times. Chronicle. At present he (Mr. Ssn- Only this week the house darn) could bring the finest to which he belonged had quality of wheat from Stet- m idc extensive contracts tin or Rostock for 33?. per of wheat from Stettin and quarter. Rostock, at a cost includ ing freight, at 38e. per quarter. Standird and herald. Mr. Wilson had stated Mr. Wilson had said the the cost of bringing corn cost of bringing corn from from Dantzic at 16s. per Dantzic was 6s. per quer quarter, less 3s. 9d. cost, ter; he (11r. Sandars) did from the interior—leaving not dispute it was 3e. 9d. 12s. 3d. as the expense of per quarter. bringing corn from Dantzic to this country. Daily Nevis. At the present moment The freights from tram he cost of bringing wheat burgh, Dunkirk, &e.. to 'rum Hamburgh, Dunkirk, the East Coast of England and Antwerp to the port were at present 4s. to 4s. f London was Is. 6 , 1. to 6d., whilst the cost from 2s. per quarter; and the Bost.)n and Grimsby was freight from Boston, Wis- about the same. beach, &c., would amount to about a similar sum. Now, Sir, alter these specimens of reporting, I think 1 am justified in declining any further com ments upon arguments founded on premises so incor rect as the reports of a speech delivered at a late hour in the House of Commons; and if you wish, Sir, to to do me justice, you will insert along with this in the Times the enclosed, which is, I believe, an authentic report of what I did say, and a copy of which I sent to the editor of the Economist, that he, at least, might not make use of the garbled statements of my speech which appeared in the various papers on that occasion.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant, G. SANDARS. 27, Sussex-square, Ilyde-park, March 27. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir,—Your article in yesterday's paper has con firmed me in the opinion which I had formed that huiiness might be done satisfactorily with the house of S indars and Co., after the declaration made in the lime of Commons by Mr. George Sandars, M.P. for Wakefield, and I have in consequence given an order by this post to Mr. George Sandars, begging him to supply me with wheat, to be of the finest quality, at 335. per quarter. Having already made some trifling speculation i❑ wheat at a much higher figure than that at which Mr. Sandars appears to be ready to supply customers, I have no hesitation in extending my transactions where the margin for loss is so small as at Mr. San dar's price. It being in the highest degree important to the whole agricultural body that the position in which we stand as regards the future should be clearly seen, and that the price at which we may anticipate com petition from the foreign grower should be truly defined, I shall take the liberty of informing you and the public of the result of my speculation. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, JOHN VILLIERS SHELLEY. Maresfield-park, Sussex, March 27, 1850. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. APPOINTMENTS. Woor.wrcir, MARCH 2S.—Second Mager Frederick J. Krabbe (1845), to the Assistance, fitting out for the Arctic expedition. Midshipman J. K. E. Baird, to the Phwton, 50, at Portsmouth. Tne Megwra steam-sloop, having taken her ballast on hoard, went down the river at 10 40, A.m., to-day on an experimental trial, under the charge of Lieute nant Robertson. DOCK ACCOMMODATION AT DIWONPORT AND Ex- PENSIVE Stites —lt will be remembered that at the time the Vanguard, 80, was about to be docked fir repair there was only one dock which was capable of receiving her; but as this was the only working dock fur large ships belonging to the establishment, and it was estimated that the Vanguard would occupy it six months, it was ❑ot deemed advisable to reduce the establishment to so lamentable a condition as to be obliged to send all the other large ships that re quired docking to Portsmouth. The notable plan was consequently resorted to of taking the Vanguard into No. 5 dock first, to have her bends taken off, and then, being reduced in size, she was taken out and transferred to dock No. 4, where she has been since the 22d of May last, running► up a precious bill for the navy estimates. She is, however, now ready to come out, and will have to be taken again into No. 5 dock to receive her bends before she will be ready to be placed in ordinary. What a silly affair this presents to the world. We actually build ships too large far the docks, and we then pull them to pieces in one dock before we can take them into an other to give them the necessary repairs. The re newing ot' this bad ship likewise affords us one of the worst specimens of dockyard trickery. It was doubtful whether she was worth repairing at all ; but as with the Vernon so with the Vanguard ; the ship was too notorious to be forgotten in a coal hulk, or to be sunk as the breakwater at Harwich. A low esti mate was therefore given in for her repairs, and it was calculated that she would be completed in six months, but, as usual, she has been ten months in dock, at a fearful cost to the country. We cannot help being reminded of the case of the Dublin, 50-sun frigate, at this same dockyard. Having no friends, it was proposed to appropriate the Dublin to the service of a coal-hulk at Liverpool, as the dockyard estimate for her repairs was 40,0001. From certain facts, however, which had reached us, we were induced to expose the attempt thus to get rid of a good ship, and the result was, a committee was appointed to survey her, and she was repaired for 8,0001., there being a difference of only 32,000/. between the unfavourable and faithful estimate. In the case of the Vanguard, however, the estimate is on the other side. By giving in her defects as comparatively very small, the Admiralty ordered her to be repaired; but having expended the money granted upon her, it was discovered that she had ad ditional defects, which would take the men four ad ditional months to repair. The Admiralty were by this manoeuvre placed in a fix. It was impossible to condemn the ship after so many thousand pounds had been expended upon her, and they were compelled to finish her at a great additional cost. Surely this is a sort of dockyard economy which will never more be tolerated. This is the ship, be it remembered, of which it was stated in evidence before the Select Committee of the House of Commons that a portion of the cost of former repairs was charged to other ships. We trust that on this occasion, when Parliament calls for the bill, we shall have no more such " cooking" of accounts.—. Herald. IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR MEN-OF-WAR, TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING HERALD. Sir,—From the strong way in which you ever ad vocate the cause of economy and improvement in the navy, I think you will deem the following remarks worthy of insertion. We have lately launched several splendid first class frigates, Phaeton, Arethusa, Nankin, and others. I take the present opportunity of calling attention to their construction, as an admirable drawing of the latter is in the Illustrated London News of the week before last, which will materially assist my explana tion. It will be seen in this drawing that they still con tinue in the Government yards to build ships with waists, or in other words that the upper deck battery is cut down between the fore and main masts. Every other nation has discontinued this old fashioned method of constructing ships, for the fol lowing obvious reasons : Frigates were formerly light ships, varying from 500 to 1,100 tons; they were long, narrow vessels, and therefore could not conveniently carry guns in the centre of the upper deck, where the boats and spare spars were stowed. An entire change has taken place in naval archi tecture. Oar frigates, as well as those of other nations, are powerful ships of 2,000 tons, actually larger, and buying greatg belga than the 74-gun LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, ship (and, I may add, of greater beam than foreign frigates) ; they have, therefore, ample room for one continuous battery on the upper deck. The disadvantages in cutting in two the frame of a heavy ship arL , the following:—lt considerably weakens her, and carrying the guns at the extremi ties causes her to pitch heavily in a sea, and thus tends to break her back. We lose (without any saving in expense) the force of 10 guns, and that in the part of the upper deck where they are most available, as there only are the muzzles of the guns clear of the fore, main, and miieri riggen ; arid, last of all, the beauty and symmetry of a ship is destroyed. For these reasons, the French, Americans, and other nations have discontinued a practice only desir able or rather unavoidable under the old system of naval architecture. It is difficult to account far the Government designers having omitted this accompa niment of the improvements of the new system. Tee French and American ships have now one un broken bulwark and battery on the upper deck, from •tern to stern. From the breadth of the new ships the main tack is now hauled aboard halfway amid ships on the deck, the hauling part as well as the block is toggled to a strap or shackle, clenched to the deck beam ; therefore the tack is no longer a lumber to the deck, and does not interfere with the fighting of the gun-, and moreover gives a clear lead to run aft with the tack. They also stow their spare spars entirely amidships, with two large boats—one on each side. Thus have they re moved all the former objections to a perfect bat tery on the upper deck, and have a ship of 100 or of GO guns where we have one of 90 or 50. And be it remembered that if you would produce a given force, it is efficient and economical in proportion as it is concentrated. Thus, if you would send to sea a force of 1,000 guns and 10,000 men, in ten ships, it is more powerful and more economical than if you produce a similar number of guns and men in eleven ships. _ _ I must add, that the time is fast approaching when the screw will be appliei to every ship of war, of which I shall speak pres en tly. It would, therefore, be prudent and economical never to construct another sailing ship of war without a view to her some day having a screw, and being available for steam tactics, if I may use the expression. To this end I should recommend that two -decked ships and frigates should have no waiste (id. est , a perfect upper-deck bat tery), and no poop. What a noble and magnificent sight would the upper deck of a 100-gun ship then Is?,—ships of the Rodney and Albion class would carry 100 guns—but the more substantial advantages of having no poop are, that, having one unbroken deck, you have a clear run of the ropes, the men at the atter part of the ship can lend their power to the braces and halliards as they come aft ; the men would not have to leave their guns and run up a ladder to trim the sails; the ship is more available altogether for warlike purposes, and much top-hamper is saved. In close action, also, men stationed on the poop are terribly exposed to grape and musketry ' - the only disadva n t age i s that some accommodati on i s lost, but this will be snore than compensated by the advan tages for warlike purposes. And, moreover, there is clearly a growing opinion in the navy that all commissioned officers should mess together, in which case room should be gained, and, by a re-arrange ment of the cockpit exactly double the accom modation could be found there. For instance, let a wing or shot-plug passage run round the entire orlop deck. We might then have a double tier of cabins where we now have a single ; one set of cabins could open into the wing, and another into the cockpit. With reference to applying the steam-screw, a method has been discovered by which it can be applied to sailing-ships of any size at a twentieth part of the ex penses we have hitherto gone to, and that without weakening or touching the frame or dead wood. Thus it appears that steam is destined to make more rapid strides than it has hitherto done, and it would be well fur us to keep our eyes open and neglect no modern improvement in our dockyards. I write this letter with a hearty desire to render service to the naval profession. Hoping I have not conveyed cen sure on any, _ . . I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, London, March 25, 1850. JASON. EXPORTS AND IMPORTS IN 1848. According to a return of exports and imports during the year 1848, which has just been issued, the total declared value of our exports to the British West India colonies in that year amounted to 1,546,862/. The chief items furnishing this total are —cotton manufactures and yarn, 401,2341.; apparel slops and haberdashery, 145,655/. ; linen manufac tures and yarn, 128,733/. ; soap and candles, 112,701/. ; wrought and unwrought leather, 74,654/. ; wrought and unwrought iron and steel, 69,2341.; butter and cheese, 62,2841. ; coals, cinders, and cultn, 53,5531.; machinery and mill-work, 18,1681. Our principal imports from our West India colonies were coffee, of which 5,075,1281 b. were imported, and .5,704,3991b._ entered for home cunsump- tion, at a duty of 4 1-sd. per lb.; cocoa, of which 2,602,3091 b. were imported, and 2,715,5601 b. en tered for home consumption, at a duty of 1 1-203. per lb. ; rum, of which 5,653,867 gallons were imported, the quantity entered for home consumption being 2,623,109 gallons of West India rum, and 147,321 of East and West India ratted together, at a duty, up to July 19, of Bs. 7d. for England, 4s. 5,1. for Scotlind, and 3s. sd. for Ireland, which was subsequently reduced respectively to Bs. 21 , 4i., and 3'. ; un refined sugar, of which 2,794,987 cwt. were im ported, and 2,770,830 cwt. admitted for home con sumption, at a duty which, up to July 12, was 16s. 41., when equal to white clayed, arid 14s. other wise, and was reduced subsequently to 155. 2d. and 134.; molasses, of whieh 385,484 cwt. were imported, and 402,276 cwt. entered for home consumption, at a duty of ss. 3i. per cwt. up to July 12, and 43. 101. subsequently ; mahogany, of which 22,618 tons were imported from Honduras, and 282 from other parts. Our exports to the East India Company's territories and Ceylon amounted in declared value to a total of 5,077,1461., the principal items being 2,344,763/ for cotton manufactures,693,loB/. for cotton yarn, 326,8081. for brass and copper manufactures, 234,812/. for arms and ammunition, 219,0361. for woollen manufactures and yarn, 212,042/. for iron and steel wrought and unwrought, 137,351/. for ale and beer, 92,435/. for hardware and cutlery, 30,4631. for coals, r l / 4 .c., and 26,9771. for machinery and mill-work. Oar princi pal imports front those territories were coffee, of which 30,851,4651 b. were imported, and 24,440,7751 b. entered for home con s u m ption at a duty of 4 1-51. per lb. ; cotton manufactures of which 114,306 pieces were imported, the declared value of the quantity entered being 1201. for made-up goods, and 2181. for those not made up, at a duty for the latter of 5 per cent. when from British pos sessions ; indigo, of which 6,393,0891 b. were im ported ; undressed hemp and other substances of the same nature, the imports of which amounted to 258,238 cwt. ; pepper, 7,487,33116. of which were imported, and 3,058,0311 b. entered for borne consumption at a duty of 6 3-16 d. per lb.; silk handkerchiefs, of which 298,458 pieces were im ported, and 147,260 entered for home consumption at a duty of 5 per cent. ad valorem; unsweetened spirits, of which 882,483 gallons were imported, and 205,816 (exclusive of quantities vatted with West India rum), entered for home consumption ; sugar, unrefined, of which 1,332,745 cwt. were imported, and 1,352,004 cwt. entered for home consumption ; cotton wool imported to the amount of 84,101,9611 b., and lamb's and sheep's wool to the amount of 3,997,4351 b. The total declared value of exports to China amounted to 1,445,9 5 9 1 . The principal items are cotton manufactures to the amount of 808,822/. ; cotton yarn, 142,4231; woollen manufactures,379,9l2/ ; iron and steel wrought and unwrought, 19,520/. ; linen manufactures, 24,5021. Our imports from China consisted chiefly in tea, of which 47,346,8171 b. were imported, and 48,301,9431 b. entered for home consumption at a duty of 24. 21d. per lb.; raw silk imported to the amount of 2,200,1821 b.; thrown silk to the amount of 40,8291 b.; and nankeen cloths, of which 64,463 pieces were imported. The total de clared value of exports to the Mauritius amounted to 169,3081. The principal articles were cotton manu factures to the amount of 63,7621.; wrought and un wrought iron and steel, 9,220/. ; beer and ale, 9,261/. ; hardwares and cutlery, 8,273/. ; brass and copper ma nufactures, 6,6241.; woollen manufactures, 6,030/. The chief imports from the Mauritius were unrefined sugar, of which 886,282 cwt. were imported, and 813,199 entered for home consumption; rum imported to the amount of 114,807 gallons, the quantity entered for home consumption being 9,642 gallons ; and pepper, of which 154,9601 b. were imported, and 20,10516. en tered for home consumption. The total declared value of exports to the British North American colonies was 1,990,659/., the chief items being cotton manu factures and yarn, 394,8381. ; woollen manufactures and yarn, 355,5911.; apparel, slops, and haberdashery, 211,889/. ; wrought and unwrought iron and steel, 206,7721.; hardwares and cutlery, 95,9671.; linen manufactures, 80,094 / . ; silk manufactures, 54,9551.; leather, wrought and un wrought, 58,619/. ; coals, cin ders, and culm, 34,467/. ; cordage, 42,067/. ; refined sugar, 48,220/. The principal imports from these colo nies were—wheat, 27,120 qrs.; wheat flour, 554,475 cwt.; train oil and spermacetti, 11,237 tuns; un dressed skins and furs of various kinds, 1,079,078 ; timber, not sawn or split, of which 695,235 loads were imported, and 598,327 entered for home con sumption at a duty of Is. 0 3 51. per load; deals and split or sawn timber, of which 496,081 loads were imported, and 486,103 entered for home consumption, at 2s. 1 1-sd. duty ; and staves, 30,340 loads. The total declared value of exports to New South Wales and the Australian colonies amounted to 1,463,8371. The chief articles were, apparel, &c., 308,7651.; woollen manufactures and yarn, 142,7451. ; cot ton manufactures, 140,4871.; wrought and un wrought iron and steel, 89,8791.; beer and ale, 77,691/, ; linen manufactures, 62,5471. MARCH 29, 1850_ tinue good, there is a very large stock and much greater than in the past season. SPIRITS.—There is scarcely any variation to notice in prices of Jamaica Rum this week, yet few parcels have been taken for the Continent and home dealers have made purchases with caution. Prices vary from 28 3d to 2s 93 for 20 to 29 per cent over proof, 2s 9d to 33 5d for 30 to 36, and 3s 6d to 4s 2d for fine marks. Leeward Island has been operated in with caution, and Is 4d to is 4kci proof is the value. East India is held fur is 4d, but few buyers are to be met with. Demerara is not much wanted, yet strong qualities are held for 2s 2d to 2s 6d. For Brandy the market has presented a dull aspect during the week, and sellers are willing to sell Cognac best brands of the vintage of 1848 at 4s 7d to 4s 9d, 1849 ditto 4s 6d to 4s Bd, and interior sorts 2s 10d to 4s 4d per gallon. For British made Spirit prices are the same as last week. Gtneva is offered at Is 8d to Is 9d for ord, and 2s 31 to 3s for fine, still only small orders have been completed. INnwo.—Holders of East India remain firm, and last sales' rates are supported, still there are few export or ders and home dealers do bthiness with caution. 'There are sclera! buyers for all purposes at a slight reduction. Spanish is not to be obtained at any further decline, add the market is less freely suppliel OILS.—In consequence of the small stock of Col Oil there are no sellers under 25/, but only limited sales have been made. Southern met with little attention, and the value is from 30/ to 331. for low to fine quality; there is also a fair supply at market. Seal has bees purchased with caution, and prices are drooping, pale selling at 361 lOs to 371, straw and tinged 331 to 361, yellow and brown 30/ to 32/ 10 , ; the better sorts are still least in demand. A good trade has been concluded in Linseed Oil fur home consumption, and several shipping orders have been executed; price; are firm, and rule at 32s to 33s per cwt on the spot. There are several buyers for delivery at similar terms, but not many sellers are to be met with. There is a lair supply of Oil at market but consumption is much larger than a few weeks back. In Olive the sales concluded have been less than injhe former week, and on the part of holders a desire is evinced to sell Galli poli and Spanish at 471 to 48/, Barbary, Levant, and Portugal 44/ lOs to 45/10s. per tun. Palm of good and fine quality is offered at 31/ to 324 still few buyers are to be met with. Opinion is still unfavourable towards Cocoa Nut Oil; there is no decrease of supply, and the value is from 30s to 34s for fair to ord qaality. Rape Seed Oil is further depressed in value. British refined selling at 39s to 40s, brown 37s to 38s, pale foreign 40s 6d to 41s, and brown 39s to 40s—at these rates only limited purchases have been made. For Sperm Oil prices have further declined, land buyers are not much disposed to sell. At public sale 50 tons of British went at 80/ to 811 for good and fine quality. TALLow.—This afternoon at public sale 700 pkgs South American Tallow were nearly all sold, but at rather lower rates, and went at from 32s 9d to 365, grease 30s, and 400 casks New South Wales at 33s 6d to 36s 3d per cwt; these are also easier prices. METROPOLITAN OMNIBUS SER VANTS' PROVIDENT SOCIETY. The first annual meeting of the members and friends of this society was held last evening at Exeter-hall; James Wyld, Esq., M.P., in the chair. Among those present were the Rev. Dr. Burn, Mr. Francis Gell, Mr. J. Payne, Mr. M. A. Garvey, Mr. C. Cochrane, Mr. Reynolds, and others. The society has been established for the benefit of that large body of men who are connected with omnibuses, either as drivers, conductor., time-keepers, or clerks, numbering in all 10,000. The CHAIRMAN congratulated the members upon the presence of several ladies, whom he most cordially thanked for taking an interest in the society. When he considered what large bodies of the middle and working classes—not excluding the ladies who be longed to those classes —were in the habit of travel ling by omnibuses, and enjoying the facilities which they afforded, he did not wonder at their taking an interest in a meeting of that kind. This was the first annual meeting of a society which he felt was calcu lated to do a great amount of good. The society had three objects in view. First, the formation of a fund to assist the disabled and infirm, their widows and orphans; secondly, the erec tion of an asylum for the aged and feeble ; Thirdly, the establishment of a school for the child ren of members, and to adopt some measures by which the members might be enabled to improve themselves mentally, morally, and religiously. There was also a fourth, or a subsidiary object, which was not mentioned in the prospectus—that of exercising a control, individually and collectively, over the whole body of omnibus conductors and drivers. It was not quite a year since the society was established, but during the short time it had been in existence, he was happy to say, that a very large body of omnibus conductors and drivers bad responded to the call which bad been made upon them by the promoters.— (Cheers.) They had at present more than 5001. in hand, and though they had no balance-sheet to ley before them that evening, the day was not far distant when, he had no doubt, a very detailed and a very satisfactory statement of the society's accounts would be presented to the members.—(lear.) This was one of those societies which sprang up out of the peculiar habits and feelings of Englishmen, and in speaking of its advantages he would say to the class he was addressing, as was often said to nations in a helpless condition, " If you wish Heaven to help you, you must first help yourselves." —(Cheers.) The society would bring out all the batter feelings of their common nature, elevate their condition, and by and bye afford assistance and sup port in time of infirmities, sickness, and old age. When first started it did not receive that countenance and support from proprietors of omnibuses which it deserved, but he was happy to say now that a very large portion of them had tendered their support.— (Cheers.) In that large city—the greatest in the Civilized world—every one was acquainted with the convenience cif our public carriages, but very few knew the difficulties and hardships to which those who drove and conducted them were exposed. At the present time there were nearly 2,000 omnibuses in the metropolis, and each of them travelled about 60 miles daily. Taking the average number of passen gers carried a-day at 250, that would give a total of nearly half a million for the year; but, in fact, there was more than half a million, because in that rough computation he had not included the Sunday passen gers, which he knew made a very large proportion of the whole. In round numbers there was nearly a million of passengers travelling in London every year by omnibuses ; and it was extremely gratifying to know that within the last two or three years, but especially within the last year, there had been not only an improvement in the character of the persons who managed them, but they bad shown an amount of civility and attention, and industry and perseverance, which it could not be said belonged to any other pro fession of the kind in this or any other country. —(Cheers.) It had been his lot to visit the city of New York, where there were public carriages something like our own omnibuses, but he saw no thing like the civility, care, and attention which was manifested here. • There was a very able publication which greatly delighted them by its great wit and by its careful exclusion of anything of an immoral tendency from its pages, and which supplied them weekly with a large amount of amusement. He alluded to Punch. That serial gave some curious sketches of scenes iu the life of an unprotected female, but if any of the accidents and annoyances which were encountered by that unfortunate person really did have any existence—and he must say he thought some of them were fabulous, and written only to excite a laugh—they had not arisen, he was sure, with any members of this association.—(Loud cheers.) Ever since it had been established there had been a spirit of emulation among the men to deserve praise fur their good conduct, and if the public but knew how much they,bad improved the attendance of visitors at that meeting would have been much larger.— (Hear.) Bat tneir object was not so much to call the attention of the public to the society, as to obtain the co-operation of those who were more particularly concerned in its welfare. No pursuit was attended with such a loss of health as the driving of omnibuses. The men were exposed to all weathers; they had no regular periods of rest. Sunday, when nearly every other person recruited his wasted ener gies, was perhaps the busiest of their days, and thus they were compelled, from Saturday night to Saturday night, without a n y stated intervals for meals, to pursue their occupation for the benefit of the public. The average life of drivers of public vehicles in the old stage-coach time was not 42 years ; and he might say, in spite of in creased temperance and unproved habits, there was not a higher average of life among the drivers of om nibuses. How necessary, then, was it to make some provident provision for illness or old age. This so sciety intended to offer such a provision, and the laudable purpose was to be accomplished by appeal ing to those engaged in this particular occupation, and to the public at large. Since the last meeting he had had the pleasure of an interview with Sir George Grey and Mr. Cornewall Lewis, and ho then stated that in spite of all their endeavours to make omnibus conductors and drivers a respectable body, the law, as it existed, prevented a proper control over the granting of licences, because a man had only to obtain a letter from a person to say he had employed him, and the licence was granted immediately. The consequence was that a large proportion of very bad characters, had been infused into the rank, who were unfitted to the discharge of their duties. That griev ance had now been very much remedied by an Act passed a few days ago, which placed the granting of licences in the hands of the Commissioners of Police. The worthy manager of the society and himself waited on Commissioner Mayne, with the view of stating the evils which previously existed, and sug gesting their remedy. Mr. Mayne told them that it was the intention of the Commissioners to exercise a very stringent control over the granting of licences. He (the Chairman) further observed, that it would be impossible to provide for the public security and safety unless some inquiry was made into the cha racter and good habits of the men, and Mr. Mayne said it was his intention to apply all the information possessed by the police in a way which he hoped would not only prove beneficial to the publi e, but be creditable to the body of omnibus conductors and drivers. Mr. Wyld concluded by expressing his anxious , desire that, through such superviiien, the rank might be weeded of all improper characters, and his confident expectation that the society. would go on and prosper.—(Cheers.) Mr. PROCTOR having read several letters from gentlemen who had been invited to attend tbes meet ing, but who had found themselves unable to do so, whilst they expressed their sympathy in the (muse. , Mr. Scows, the secretary, said althoigh this society had commenced in the very humblest...manner, .its friends and supporters had already, within one year from its commencement, subscribed upwards of 5001. to promote its objects. He hoped the proprie tors of omnibuses would come forward and aid in carrying out the objects of the institution; seeing that they were scarcely in a smaller degree interested in its prosperity than their servants, for whose benefit it was primarily set on foot. Though the'su.pport which the proprietors gave to the society might be trifling, yet it would show that they countenanced it, and it would result in promoting the undertaking in another way ; for men were ever ready to 'follow a good example set them by their employers.--(Hey..) The Rev. Dr. BURNS of Paddington, then moved the first resolutiion, which was, that this meeting, gra tified by the success which has already attended the efforts of the society, and encouraged by its steadily advancing progress, desires most anxiously the ex tension of its instrumentality, and to this end pledges itself in every possible way to aid in the enlarge.. ment of its funds. He was glad, that not only omni bus drivers and conductors were embraced in the ob. jects of the society, but that those employed in the stables connected with the running of omnibuses were eligible for it. Tais latter class, hetesitated not to say, were in infinitely worse condition than were the slaves in the western states of America, and he re joiced that there was now an institution in existence which had in view their improvement. He was glad to see from the public papers that delinquencies on the part of omnibus conductors and drivers were not nearly so frequent as they were three or four years ago. But, in fact, he always considered these cases as too highly coloured, for having travelled by all the omnibuses in and round London, and throughout the country, a great deal during the last 20 years, he never in the course of that time, with three exceptions, met with the slightest incivility from omnibus servants; but he must say that on some of those occasions be had seen those men so insulted and abused by people calling themselves gentlemen, that he did not wonder at their resisting such treat ment.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. A. GARVEY seconded the resolution, which was supported by Mr. JOSEPH PAYNE in a bUMOYOES speech, and having been put to the meeting by the CHAIRMAN, was cordially agreed to. Mr. FRANCIS GELL, from Cambridge, next moved that Mr. Hoare, the banker, be appointed treasurer of the society; and that Mr. Proctor, omnibus pro prietor, be elected secretary t o th e soc i ety. Mr. CHARLES COCHRANE, in seconding the resolu tion, congratulated the meeting on the success which had attended the socioty since its commencement, and trusted it would gain strength as it proceeded. When it was borne in mind how much they were indebted to the class of omnibus servants, he thought it was a duty incumbent on them to come forward and aid them in this effort to benefit themselves. Much had been said about the incivility of this class, but al though he had travelled much by omnibuses, he had never met with such incivility; and he could with sincerity say that, had it happened he had been in the position of One of these men, he would not so quietly have put up with the treatment he had seen them receive on some occasions as they seemed to do.— (Hear, hear.) He therefore warmly recommended the objects of the society, which be was certain would be of the greatest advantage both to master and servant.—(Hear, hear.) The resolution was then put from the chair, and unanimously agreed to. A cordial vote of thanks was then passed to the Chairman, who having acknowledged the same, the proceedings terminated. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, THURSDAY. The Queen and Prince Albert walked this morning in the grounds adjacent to the Castle. The Royal Family took their usual walking and pony exercise. His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on horseback this forenoon, attended by Colonel Bouverie. There was no addition to the royal dinner party this evening. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TA rTERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY. Owing to the absence of a considerable number of the subscribers at the Frith Manor Steeplechase, the busi ness tran,axted this afternoon was very moderate; it was anti:Table, however, for the high favour in which Os terley, Mounseer, Mahratta. Belus (who, it is now said, has never been amiss or l,st a day's work), Prestige, Buckhound, and Beehunter stoo 1, the quotations in al most every instance showing a tearkon improvement. We have rt turned the highest laying prices on the Ches ter Cup ; we question, however, it any amount could have been got on Peep• o'-day B .ry. THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES. 3 to 1 agst Mr. H.ll's Osturley, 4 yrs, 7st—taken 6 to 1 agst Major Pitt's Mounseer, 4 yrs, Est 131 u—t 9 to 1 figs' Duke of Bedford's Mahratta, 4 yrs, sst 111 b—taken 10 to 1 agst Mr. Jaques's Chantrey, 4 yrs, Est 131 b 12 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Belus, 4 yrs, ist slb 16 to 1 agst Mr. Irvvin's Ballinafad, 6 yrs, 7st 71b 18 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Halo, 6 yrs, Bst 21b 30 to 1 agst Lord Clifden's Wanota, 6 yrs, Bst 71b A.LTHORP PARK STAKES. 5 to 2 agst Mr. Howard's Prestige—taken 5 to 2 agst Duke of Richmond's Buckhound—taken METROPOLITAN STAKES. 2 to 1 agat Mr. Gratwicke's Cheerful, 4 yrs, 6st TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES. 6 to 4 agst Lord H. Lennox's Beehunter—taken CHESTER CUP. 12 to 1 agst Mr. Payne's Glauca, 4 yrs, 7st 51b 15 to 1 agat Mr. Merry's Miss Ann, 4 yrs, 7st—taken 16 to 1 apt Mr. Pedley's Cossack, 6 yrs, 9st 21b 18 to 1 agst Lord Howth's Peep•o'-day Boy, 6 yrs, 9st 20 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's Roland, 4 yrs, sst 81b 25 to 1 agst Mr. Osbaldeston's Fogleman, 5 yrs, 74 —taken DERBY. 6 to 1 agst Mr. W. Edwards naßolingbroke—taken 15 to 1 agst Lord Zetland'a Voltigeur—taken to 1001. 16 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's The Italian—taken to 501. 16 to 1 agst Lord Airlie's Clincher 22 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Mavors-25 to 1 takes 25 to 1 agst Mr. J. Scott's Cyprus 50 to 1 agst Mr. Gannon'a Deicoon No others mentioned. 1,500 to 300 on Bolingbroke agst Deicoon • 9uo to 300 on Clincher agst Deicoon The Cheltenham Steeplechases are postponed to Sa turday and Monday next, in cow•equenee of the frost. THE FRITH JIIANOR STEELPLE CHASES. THURSDAY.—The Steeple Chase Free Handicap of 10 sovs. each, with 100 added; the second to receive 201., and the winner to be sold by auction for 2501. Rathet more than three miles. (17 Subs.) Mr. Anson's Johnny Oaks, Ost 131 b (Oliver) 1 Mr. Tollett'a Spangle, lOst 41b .(S. Darling) 2 Mr. Mytton's Mind-your-own-business, lOst 41b 3 The following also started, but were not placed :—Mr. Glensou's Agitation, list 101 b (carried list I . 2lb—H. Elmore); Captain Gambier's The Thrush, llst . 11b (J, Mason); Captain Knight's Leo, llst llb (carried llat 710—Mr. Green); Mr. Carew's Lausquenet, lOst 101 b (Butler); Mr. Henderson's Little Fanny, lOst 91b (Fowler); Mr. Farrance's Surprise, lost Sib (Archer); Mr. Smith's Clodhopper, lOst 61b (Frisby); Mr. George's Bayonet, 10st 41b (ltackley); Mr. Clarke's Cerberus, 9st Illb (Higgins); Mr. Seaman's Petition, 9st Illb (Nullosti); and Mr.Ritehie's Altreda, 9st 81b(Wycherley.) Betting-3 to 1 agst Little Fanny, 7to 2 agst the Thrush, 6 to 1 agst, Spangle, 6 to 1 agst Alfred*, 7 to 1 agst Johnny Oaks, 8 to 1 agst Agitation, and 8 to I agst Lansquenet. Won by two lengths; Mind-your-own-business a bad third. Sweepstakes of 5 sous. each, with 25 added; 12st each, &e. About three miles. (8 Subs.) Mr. Die we's Recruit .... (Reed) Mr. Mytton's Unlucky-one (Rackley) Mr. T s t e 's Botanist - - - - - -(` T ' Y*4°o The following also ran:—Mr. Hunt's Matilda (Owner Mr. Clark's The Stranger (Higgins), Mr. Harbridge's Kate Kearney (Catterns), and Mr. Elmore's Grey Friar (Hewitt). Betting-3 to 1 each against Recruit and Botanist, and 4 to 1 agst Unlucky-one. Recruit made all the running, and won by a length and a half. Sweepstakes cf 3 sots. each, with 15 added. A.hont three miler. (11 Subs.) Mr. Tate's Outcast, llst (J. Mason) 1 Mr. Clark's Cerberur, 9st 71b Mr. Niel4ol's Egremont, 9:4 71b (J. Sadler) 3 The following also started: —Mr. Scott's. British Hero, llst 71b (Searle)—Mr. Pileher's Ragman, lOst 71b (Reed)—Mr. M%rson's The Cob, lOst 101. b (Land)— Mr. Drewe's Renard, lOst (Hackett)—Mr. Mytton's Miss Jesse, 10st (Jesse)—and Mr. G. Clark's Emma Carey, lOst (Irwin). Betting-5 to 4 agat Outcast, 4to 1 agst Miss Jesse, aed 6to 1 agst any Wier. Won easy by a length. The laces came off on Mr. C. Lilley's farm near Hen don, over a fine grass country, with light fcrice.;, the horses being in view of the spectators from the start to the finish. The management was highly creditable to the promoters of the meeting, the weather fine, the ground in first-r.ite condition, and the sport excellent. From the success which has attended the meeting (a maiden one), we have no doubt it will be added perma nently to the steeple chase "Home Circuit." BETTING ON THE COURSE. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES.-7 to 2 agst Oaterley (t), 5 to 1 agst Mounseer, and 10 to 1 agat Bolus. COLLINS'S CHEAP EXCURSION TO CAMBRIDGE...-. We perceive by an advertisement in another column that Mr. H. 11. Collins has undertaken the management of an excursion, by the Eastern ,Counties Railway, t o C am b r id ge on Easter Monday. The train starts from the Shoreditch station at half-past seven A.M., and front the experience which Mr. Collins has had iu conducting excursions of this nature, and the great satisfaction Its bas girm, we anticipate A Tory pleasant brig. The chief imprts from these settlements were -5,226 quarters of wheat, 3,671 tuns of train and ! , permacetti oil ; 2,342 cwt. of whale fins ; 30,034,5671 b. of sheep and lambs' wool, and 21,105 cwt. of untanned hides. Our exports to the United States of America amounted in declared value to 9,564,9091., the principal items being—cotton manufactures, 1,713,0241.; woollen manufactures, 1,731,810/. ; wrought end unwrought iron and _ steel, 1,878,243/. ; linen manufactures, 925,997/. ; hardware and cutlery, 777,964/. Our princi pal imports from the United States were un manufactured tobacco, 30,989,1371 b., 25,704,447 pounds being entered for home consumption at 3s. 1 4-sd. per lb. duty ; manufactured tobacco, 1,109,0871 b., the quantity entere I for home con sumption being 5,9561 b., at 95. 5 2-sd. per lb. duty ; cotton wool, 600,247,4881 b.; sheep and lambs' woo!, 55,9921 b.; cheese, 154,659 cwt., 146,477 cwt. being entered for home consumption at a duty of ss. per cwt. ; wheat, 78,184 quarters, wheat flour, 752,712 cwt.; rice in the husk, 32,431 quarters; undressed skins and fors, 1,163,759. The total declared value of our exports to Cuba amounted to 733,169/. The principal items are cotton manufactures and yarn, 228,9861. ; linen manufactures and yarn, 220,5661.; woollen manufactures and yarn, 41,207/.; wrought and unwrought iron and steel, 83,2501. Th s articles imported from Cuba were principally copper ore, 30,670 tons entered for home con sumption at a duty of Is. per ton from April 20; ma hogany, 2,895 tons; rum, 158,817 gallons, 83 gal • lons being entered fur home consumption at a duty of 15s. per gallon; unmanufactured tobacco 374,8631 h., entered for home consumption 242,1661 b. at 3s. 1 4-sd. per pound duty; manufactured tobacco 138,118:b., 161,245 being entered for home consumption at a duty of 9s. 5 2.5 d. per pound; unrefined sugar, 694,203 cwt., the home consumption being 497,583 cwt., at a duty of 18s. 6d. when not equal to brown clayed, 1/. when equal to brown but not to white, and 11.35. 4d. when equal to white clayed, up to July 12, but reduced subsequently to 1/. ls. 7d.; refined sugar, 40,629 cwt., the quantity entered for home consumption being 943 cwt., at a duty of 11. 10s. when equal to double refined, and 1/. Gs. Bd. when otherwise. The total declared value of exports to Brazil amounted to 2,067,299/., the chief items being cotton manufactures, 1,057,9901. ; woollen manufactures, 220,800/., linen manufactures, 183,247/. ; wrought and unwrought iron and steel, 84,8901.; hardwares and cutlery, 73,473/.; butter, 70,512/. ; brass and copper manufactures, 57,874/. ; earthenware, 46,731/. • arms and ammunition, 31,040/. • machinery an d mill work, 29,201/. Our principal imports from Brazil were coffee, 7,633,5621 b., of which 1,056,1861 b. were entered for home consump tion, at a duty of 6 3-10 d. per lb.; cocoa, 1,265,605 lb., 55,4901 b. being entered for home consumption, at 2 1-10 d. per lb. duty; unrefined sugar, 652,024 cwt., the quantity entered for home consumption being 353,533 cwt.; rosewood, 1,931 tons; cotton wool, 19,971,3781 b. Our exports to Mexico amounted in declared value to 3,757,463/., and consisted chiefly of cotton manufactures and yarn, 2,031,795/. ; woollen manufactures and yarn, 600,834/. ; linen manu factures and yarn, 528,916/. ; hardwares and cutlery, 124,5351.; wrought .and unwrought iron and steel, 84,4321.; earthenware, 47,3981.; silk manufactures, 56,307/. ; apparel, &c., 31,942/. • musical instru ments, 10,947/. Our chief i m p or t s irom Mexico were —untnanufactured tobacco, 1,817,5721 b., the quantity entered for home consumption being 428,2401 b. ; manufactured tobacco, 1,9351 b, 1981 b. being entered for home consumption ; sheep, lambs, alpaca, and llama wools, 8,851,2111 b. ; coffee, 6,642,4131 b., 3,724,3631 b. being the quantity entered for home con sumption ; cocoa, 2,502,1501 b., the home consumption being 164,3541 b.; copper ore, 6,401 tons, 6,934 tons being entered for home consumption ; unwrought and part-wrought copper, 28,073 cwt., 3,789 cwt. being entered for home consumption at a duty of 9s. 2fd. for the former, and 10s. 6d. per cwt. for the latter previous to April 20, and subsequently at a general duty of 2s. 6d. per ton ; guano, 70,219 tons ; undressed skins, 1,057 deer, 8,425 nutrea, and 156,537 sheep. The mean average prices of sugar during 1848 were—for British plantation, 235. Bd. ; for Mauritius, 235. 3d., and for East India, 255. 4d. The net receipt of Customs' duties, after all deduc tions, amounted, in 1848, to 22,655,889/., out of which 1,304,5931. were paid for services specially connected with the collection, and 381,394/. for services not so connected, leaving a balance of 20,969,902/. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. (From the London IVew Price Current, March 28.) Sucan.—To-day former rates were required for West India Sugar, still home dealers operated with caution, and the purchases amounted to only 60, making for the week 632 hbds, &c. The market for Raw Sugar closes with a quiet aspect. The public sales of Sugar an nounced to take place next week are small of both free and slave labour sorts. REFINED.--To-day Lump Sugar was in excellent de mand for home trade purposes, and prices were still on the rise ; good brown grocery Lumps cannot be obtained under 49s per cwt. Bonded Crushed Sugar is dull of sale at former terms. MAURITIUS.—This afiernoon there was not mach de sire evinced to make purchases in Mauritius Sugar. Of 5,440 bags offered at public sale not above half sold at firmer rates ; yellow, at from 35s to 41v, and fine brown 34i to 34s 6d. EAST INDIA.—This afternoon the public sales of 3,900 bags at Bengal Sugar went off quietly, and at barely former rates. The prices obtained for white BPnares were from 37s 6d to 39s 6d, soft yellow 33s to 375, good and fine brown 31s to 325, and good strong yellow 40s per cwt ; about two-thirds found buyers. FOREIGN.—This afternoon the market was in a quiet state for Foreign Sugar. At public sale 200 hhds Cuba Muscovado were withdrawn, and the sound of 3,936 bags Siam was taken in at 40s to 43s 6d fur white, and at 39s to 39s 6d for yellow, but washed sold at 35s to 41s. MOLASSES.—Prices have not declined for West India, still the sales made have been of little moment by private treaty, and at auction 192 puns Demerara were taken in at 15s per cwt. for ord quality. The value of better sorts is from 15s 61 to 18s. East India Treacle is held for 14s to 14s 6d, still the sales made have been to a limited extent only, but the supply is not larger. COFFEE.—There are no public sales of Colonial or Foreign Coffee declared, and the amount on offer in the private market is small. To-day a fair quantity of Coffee was purchased, chiefly by home dealers, holders also displayed firmness, and further parcels were with drawn from the market. The closing price of good ord Native on the spot isl4Bl per cwt. There are large buyers rather under this rate. TEA.—In Black Tea only limited sales have been made here during the week, and on the part of holders a desire is evinced to sell; there is also a larger quantity on offer, and prices have a downward tendency. The value of ordinary and good common Congou is 9d to 911, medium kinds 10d to Is 2d, and better sort Is 3d to Is 9d per lb. Small shipping orders have been exe cuted at 9jd to 9fd. Scented Caper and Orange Pekoe have been rather more in demand this week, still holders are unable to obtain any advance. Green Tea of ordi nary quality has been sold to a fair extent at the terms previously current, but only small orders have been exe cut d for better sorts, and sellers are disposed to accept rather lower terms. An impression exists that Tea will bo cheaper. There has been no public sale this week, but parcels will be declared shortly ,and three vessels have arrived off the coast. ------ RlCE.—There has been no public sale of East India this week, and by private treaty a less amount is on offer; still shippers and home dealers have operated with caution, and the purchases are not worth enume rating; there is also still no desire on the part of specu lators to do business, low as prices are. Beagal of good and fine white quality can be purchased at 9s 6d to 103 6d, low to middling 8s to 9s, cargo 7s to is 6d, Ma dras pinky white 83 to 8s 6d, and pearl barley 7s to 8s per cwt. None has been imported this week, but some parcels are near at hand. Prices for cleaned remain as previously, with only a small demand for all purposes. A desire is evinced to sell Patna of low to fine quality at from 12s to 20s, broken 9a 6d to 11s 6d town dressed Carolina 20s to 265, and American at 193 to l9s 6d per cwt Of the latter 120 tra have arrived ,his week. Ssoo.—The rates asked for Pearl were 20s to 23s per cwt, still only small orders have been completed by pri- vat() treaty, and none has been offered at auction. For, Sago Flour.the market has a dull aspect, and 21s 6d to 223 is the value. Full terms are asked for Tapioca, still buyers operate with caution. At auction 20 brls were sold at bid per lb for good white Rio. There is no fur ther decttne in prices of Arrowroot, but the market has a quiet aspect.. At auction a part only of 200 pkgs ans 392 tins St. Vincent's of the new crop found buyers at 7d to 10i f for mid and good quality. Smcns.—There is still scarcely any demand for Pi mento, and buyers will not pay above 54d for the best, and 54d to 5d for other sorts. Black Pepper is not offered at any further decline, yet the private sales have been limited for all purposes, and none has been offered at auction. For Malabar prices rule at aid to 4d, and Sumatra 3ii to 34d per lb. Of white only small parcels have been sold at from 6d to Bd, and Pod 30s to 60s per cwt. For Cinnamon there is still a dull sale, and to sell lower rates would have to be acceded.to. Only trifling purchases have been made in Cassia Lignea at 104 s to 110 s, yet there is not a better supply at market. For Cassia Buds the value is 1105 to 115 s, with few buyers. Cloves have been purchased with caution, Amboyna at 9d to lid, Bourbon is 7d to 2s, Penang Is 3d to I s 9d, and Bourbon 7id to Bd. Of M ace a fair quantity has been sold at from 2s 3d to 2s 10d for ordinary to fine. Nutmegs are wanted, and few parcels are to be obtained, f a brown of first sort the rates paid are 3s 9d to 4s 4d, second ditto 2s 10d to 3s sd, and other kinds 2s 6d to 23 9d. Fur Ginger there is a quiet market, yet prices rule firm, and supplies are limited. At auction 35 es Cochin were sold et 96s to 1184 for good bold white, and 26 brls Jamaica at 903 to 100 s for ord to mid; the value of better sort is 5/ 10s to 101, and East India export kinds 19s to 24s per cwt. COCHINEAL.—In the market loss activity has existed this week, and as the supply is plentiful, a reduction in prices of Id per lb is apparent for inferior and mid sorts, in the value of better kinds there is, however, at present no variation. At auction 380 bags of Honduras have been offered, and a small proportion found buyers, ord and mid silvers at 3s 7d to 3s 10d, good mid and good 3s lid to 4s 3d, fine 4s 4d to 4s 6d, blacks, ord 3s tod, and good 44 5d to 44 6d per lb. Although delireries con-