The Sun. — London, England, 1850-03-20 00:00:00

NEW, ENLARGED, AND CHEAPER EDITION. With the Omitted Passages Restored, numerous additonal Notes, and a General Index. Now ready, complete in 5 vols., with Illas trations. 10s. 6d. each bound, pEPYS' DIARY and CORRESPONDENCE. Edited by LORD IiRAYBROOKE. A work of standard importance in English literature." " —Athe- nmum. " Pepys' Diary Is In a very high degree historically valuable."— Times. " The most remarkable production of its kind which has ever been given to the world." —Edinburgh Review. " These volumes are unique in literature."—Blackwooirs 3fag. Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street. THE RU YAL VISIT to IRELAND.—Messrs. LLOYD (BROTHERS) and CO. have the honour to announce that, in consequence of the great desire evinced to view her Majesty's PICTURE of the Departure of the Royal Squadron from Kings town Harbour. they will, by her Majesty's permission, retain it until the end of the week, at their Gallery, 22, Ludgate-hill. Cards of admission may be ob ained on application to J. Cundall, 21, Old Bond-street ; E. Churton, 26, Holles-street, Cavendish square; Ackermann and Co., 96, Strand; Clark and Melton, Regent street; and at the Publishers. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE, The First Appearance of Mr. Sims Reeves. The Nobility, Subscribers to the Opera, and the Public-are respect fully informed that A GRAND EXTRA NIGHT Will take placa TO-3101:110W EVENING I: being the Last Night but One before Easter, on which occasion MR. SIMS REEVES Will make hls first appearance in Verdi's Opera, EIINANI. Ernant, Mr. Sims Reeves ; Ray Gomez, Sig. Delletti ; Carlo V., 81g. Lorenzo ; Elvira, Madlle. Parodi. After which will be presented an entirely new and original Grand Ballet, by M. caul Taglioni, entitled LES MET A3lO R.PHOSES. The Music composed by Signor Pug:li ; the Scenery (entirely new) by Mr. Marshall : the Appointments by Mr. Bralwell ; the Cos. tames by Miss Bradley and Mr. C.;ombes, ander the superintendence of Madame Cupere. The Sprite (under the forms of 1, a Page-2, a Rustic Coquette-3, WIII-of-the-Wisp--4, a Folie-5, a Domino-6, a Cavalier), 3ldlle. Carlotta Grist ; Karl (a Student), M. Paul Taglioni Ida (his be trothed), Madlle. Rosa ; Momus, M. Charles ; lives, 3fadlles. Rosa, Ausandon, Julienne, Lamoureux, E. Pascales, and F. Pascales. Subscribers des'rous to attend this extra performance will have the option of takin; it in lien of a subscription night, by intimating their intention in the course of This Day. Applications for Boxes, Stalls, and Ticket& to be made at the Opera lie IL-office, Colonnade, Haymarket. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA,. COVENT-GARDEN. The Directors of the Royal Italian Opera beg most respectfully to inform the Nobility, Gentry, Subscribers, and the Public that A GRAND EXTRA NIGHT will take place TO-MORROW, When will be presented Weber's Grand Opera of DER FEEISCHUTZ, With entirely new Scenery, Costumes, and Appointments. Agata, Madame Castelian ; Annetta, Mdlle. Vera ; Una Paraninfa, Mdlle. Cotti ; Giulio, Signor Enrico Maralti ; Chiliano, Mons. Massol; Cuno, Signor Rommi ; Ego, Signor Luigi Mei ; Eresnita, Signor Gregorie; Zarniel, M. Doering; Gaspar, De:r Formes. Composer, Director of the Music, and Conductor, Mr. Costa. The Scenery I y Messrs. Grieve and Telbin : the Dresses by lire. Bailey and Mme. Marzio ; the Appointments by Mr. Bla mire ; ;he Mac:diary by Mr. Allen ; the Spectacle arranged by Mr. A. Harris. The Doors will be opened at Half-past Seven. and the performances commence at Eight o'clock precisely. Tickets for Boxes, Stalls, or the Pit, may be taken for the night •r season. Sabscribers for the Season will have the option of paying their Subscriptions in advance (as heretofore), or by monthly in stalments. The terms may be obtained at the Boz-office of the Theatre (cor ner of Hart-street and Bow-street), which is open Irwin Etc Ten till F lv e o'clock. THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. JAMES ANDERSON. TO-MORROW, Will be presented, by her Majesty's Servants, The Comedy of THE ELDER BROIFIFR ; or, Love at First Sight. Lerd Lewis, Mr. Diddear ; Miramount, Mr. Emery : Brisac, Mr. Davidge ; Charles, Mr. James Anderson ; Eustace, Mr. Mon tague ; Angelina, Miss V andenhoff ; Sylvia, Miss A. Lonsdale. To be tollowed by A DITERTISSEMENT, in which Madlle. I'alsar and Madame Louise will appear. To conclade with MARY STUART. PrivatA boxes, ii. ss., 2/. 12s. Gd., 27. 25., 11. 115. 6d., and U. 15. Stalls, bs. each. 5 s. d. . d. FIRST PRICE. SECOND PRICE. Boxes - - 4 0 Boxes - - 2 0 Fit - - - 2 0 Plt - - - 1 0 Lower Gallery - 1 0 Lower Gallery - 0 6 Upper Gallery - 0 6 .I,sro half-price to Upper Gallery Box-book-keeper, Mr. J. rovey. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Mr. B. Webster, ...11,. i,,ssee and Manager. Old Brompton. THIS EVENING, Will be performed MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Benedick, Mr. C. Kean; Beatrice, Mrs. C. Kean. After which THE THREE CUCKOOS. To conclude with BOX AND COX. The Box-offise Is under the direction of Mr. I. T. Archer. THEATRE ROYAL, Ji.DELPHL I Twier tee jirection Mad,:.me Colon*. THIS EVENING, Wlll be performed a new domestic Drama, called THE MOTHER'S DREAM. Principal characters by Messrs. Hughes, Wright, P. Had t d. 0. Smith. Worrell; Madame ,Celeste, and Miss Woo!gar. After which MY PRECIOUS BETSY. Characters by Messrs. Wright, Bedford, Worrell; Miss Harding, and Mrs. F. Matthews. To be followed by GOING "TO THE DERBY. To conclude with THE DANCING BARBER. ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. FRENCH PLAYS AND OPERA COMIQUE. Last Night bat One of the Operatic Performances. Mr. MITCHELL begs respectfully to announce that the French Performances at the St. James's Theatre will commence P. EVENING. at Half-past Seven, precisely, with LE DOMINO NOIR. Lord Blfort, M. Chateaufert ; Ju'iano, M. Soyer ; Horace, 3f. Lac ; Gil Perez. 111. Buguet ; Angele, If adile. Charton ; Brigitte, 31adlle, Cotti ; Ursule, Madile. Danhausser ; Jacinthe, Madame Mancini ; Gertrude, Madile. Vigny. To conclude with NicoWs Opera, entitled LES RENDEZVOUS BOURGEOIS. The Lox-office of the Theatre is open daily from Eleven till rive Rotes and stalls at Mr. Mitchell's Royal Library, 33, Old Bond. street. Mr. .1. M. Maedox, • , •010 Lessee and manager. TIII3 EVENING. Will he performed a new comic Opera, entitled THE VALLEY 0 ANDOURE. Alter which THE SPITALFIELDS WEAVER. To conclude with HOT AND COLD. AVTAL LYCEUM THEATILE. t'aclttr the At anaKonleat of Mmiainz VestrlA„ , 4,10 Lefliee. Mr. Cnarle4 Mahe THIS EVENING, Will be performeil WHY DID YOU DIE? To be fotlowed by THE ISLAND OF JEWELS. To r.onclude with A PRACTICAL MAN. Dress Boxes N... Copor 4s. ; Yit, 2s. ; Gallery, la. ; No halt-price to any part of the house. Alt applications for private Boxes must be made to Mr. Aileron, 15 New Bond-street. ASTLE AL A-dr ti l't r. A , rciarietor, Mr. W. Batty An entire change in the Scenes of the Arena. • New Grand Spectacle. THIS EVENING The performance will commence at a Quarter to Seven, with a new Grand Spectacle of TILE COME DE LEON; or, the Brigand of Savoy. To be followed by a brilliant display of Batty's peerless scenes of the Circle, supported by the accomplished artistes of the establish ment. To conclude with a favourite Afte piece. Mx-or:ice iron. rtievot• till Fpor. • ace Manager. Mr. W 0.• NM DAY —Moraine, 56 min. after 5 I Evea ng, 18 min. after 6 To-Ntosaow—M 42 ann. alter 6 Even na, 12 min. after 7 THE WEATHER.—SuN OFFICE, MARCH 20 THERMOMETER, Lowest, 31. Highest, 39. Noon. 41 BAROMETER. 30.2. WIND N.N.E.—dull cloudy weather. ! 7 ? ':Vi J '''?.l pi '. ,4 ..*:t ! . 1 4; 8 ", 1 . , ,, , *.,4 , . - t ,. . - ,- . 4 770, .L * s `. ma y ,,. ' tt , ."''-4 1 4E L 41165 7. !""-,. ~ _ • , ~.‘„jmi..c) _ • '2 ,--- Roi ---15 -1 :i''...--._--e.t,'" •:..;-z, allt ‘.'slillill P:11,11, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1850. Detesting as we do from our innermost heart of hearts, the abomination of slavery, nevertheless we cannot but feel cruelly disappointed in the victory achieved last evening by her MAJEATY'S Government. England, it is true, has pledged herself—by the costly magnanimity of twenty millions sterling—to the dis countenancing of that most hideous of all trades, the traffic in men. Yet, pledged though she be to the consistent pursuance of this humane course' of proceeding, we do protest against the no tion that to this end England is required to squander thousands upon thousands annually upon a supplementary project of generosity, which has proved to be alt oget h er useless—a experience project, moreover, which, while effecting no com pensative benefit, enervates our maritime energies, and decimates our gallant seamen, besides, as we have already intimated, lavishing no less an amount yearly than one millien of the national income. Recognising the intolerable nature of this grievance, a grievance, be it observed, rendered doubly irksome and onerous from its occurring at a period when financial retrenchment proves to be re quisite for the welfare of the empire —the Liberal representatives in the Commons Hous e of P ar li ame nt were nevertheless compelled, in spite of their own conscientious convictions, to vote in direct support of a iystem which in their souls they abhorred, com pelled, be it said, to the shame of British statesman ship, compelled to this violation of their belief by the ungenernua intimidation of her MAJESTY'S Minis terial advisers. Under all circumstances the number of Cabinet questions is sufficiently large; but, if the po li c y adapted yesterday forenoon by the Prime Minister be regarded henceforth as a precedent by himself and his successors, that number will be liable to a perpetual and incalculable enhancement. The legislativa supporters of the Government, ac cording to this plan, would be subject to the inter minable domination of the Lord of the Trea sury. Threatened with the resignation of the Cabi net, they would be compelled to obey the inj unc ti ons of the' Premier upon every subject that in his petu lance or dogmatism he might choose to designate a Ministerial question. Anything more tyrannous than this mode of proceeding we cannot conceive, anything more subversive of good legislation) anything more detrimental to the character and repute of the popular branch of the Parliament. It is as if the science of statemanship, sad the philosophy of political administration were to be reduced to a system of mere personal opinion, of merely individual sentiment. Than this we cannot imagine anything more calculated to abase the genius of the Constitution. Believing this, we protest against the conduct of the ruling Govern ment, again and again, with all the earnestness of our indignation. That there was a real and imperative necessity for some such motion as the one brought forward yester day by the Hon. Gentleman the Representative of Gateshead, we take to be clearly and irrefragably proven by the records of the reconnoiter ing squadron along the coasts of Africa during the last few years of its calamitous and ineffectual existence. When we observe among those records nothing but testimonies of the futility of the entire enterprise—testimonies rendered . doubly melancholy by their association with the details of sickness and mortality among the gallant but unfortunate mariners employed in that idle attempt at suppressing the slave trade—we re quire no further assurances of the folly of the under taking. If we could possibly blockade the whole of the extended shores of the African continent, so as to render it absolutely impossible for the wretched children of that land of barbarism to be kidnapped and expatriated in a state of deplorable and accursed servitude —if this ineffable ad vantage could be secured without laying our brave sailors under the destroying scourge of pestilence, and without draining away to no pur pose one million of pounds annually from an ex hausted Exchequer—then, and then only, we should regard the motion of Mr. HUTT as cruel and inju dicious. But when we see clearly, alas ! too clearly, that the navy is marred, and the revenue robbed, and the slave trade as capable of continuance as ever, under the prevailing system, we regard the interposition of the Honourable Gentleman the Member for Gateshead as a noble ♦indication of the national prudence, we view the peremptory con duct of Lord JOHN RUSSELL with the most intense repugnance, we consider the character of the House of Commons to be, under his auspices and authority, very materially jeopardized. So gross, in truth, is the despotism of the late Ministerial policy, that the most strenuous vindicator of the Government has found itself compelled to utter a few brief but emphatic words of indignation. So extravagant is the decision arrived at in the Commons, under the intimidating direction of the First Lord of the Trea sury, that the organ most opposed to financial re trenchment feels obliged to pronounce its dismay at this most profligate expenditure. While the nation is yearning for, at least, some moderate reduction in the amount of its annual disbursements, it is driven to the necessity of beholding 1,000,0001. yearly squandered upon a futile scheme of Quixotic philan thropy. The only redeeming feature in the " Brick-dust Budget," the modification of certain stamp duties on " transfers, mortgages, and bonds," was brought forward on Monday night in the House of Commons. Although the change is undoubtedly a move in the right direction—although the gross inequality and injustice of the existing Kale have been long made subjects of complaint on the part of the community— and although the attention of financial Ministers has been directed to' the matter for the last fifteen years, the measure of relief is of the most meagre and paltry description. It is, indeed, highly characteristic of the littleness and evasions for which the Whig Ministry have rendered themselves so remarkable on all fiscal questions. There is no large or comprehensive view taken on the question of stamp duties. There is no effort to correct the gross anomalies by which the stamps on fire insurances amount to double the premiums paid for insurance. There is no desire to modify the enormous duties on marine insurances, the effect of which is to send business to other coun tries, to give to Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amster dam, ilamburgh, or the United States, the rprofits that would otherwise be realised in London or Liverpool. There is no removal of the taxes on knowledge—no revision of the advertisement duties —no reduction of the stamps on attorneys' and solici tors' certificates—no change in the stamps or bills of exchange, that operate so injuriously to small traders. Nothing of the kind. The gross abuses on all these points so loudly complained of and universally ac knowledged are still suffered to prevail and to flourish in rank luxuriance. The system is to be continued which imposes infinitely heavier burdens on the less wealthy classes than on their more fortunate neighbours. The proposed alterations only extend to "transfers, leases, mortgages, and bonds." The change may in some respects prove beneficial to agriculturists, but it will scarcely be perceptible to any other class or section in the community. An addi tional evidence is thus afforded, that the sole end and object of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his new financial scheme, is to conciliate the Pro tectionists, the inveterate opponents of the Govern ment of which he is a member, and that he is in different to the opinions and wishes of those who have heretofore lent an honourable and disinterested support to the Whig Ministry. He may, however, too late discover that it is easier to disgust and alienate friends than to win over enemies, and that in the fruitless attempt to gain Protectionist support he may deprive his colleagues of the friendly regards of the Liberal electors throughout the entire country. Parturiunt modes, n-tscitur ridicules mks. For fifteen tedious years the consideration of successive Chancellors of the Exchequer has been anxiously directed to the subject. In 1835, the late Earl SPENCER, then Lord ALTIIOBP, had actually pre pared a scheme, and laid it before the House. That lamented nobleman did not, however, restrict himself to the points that might be pleasing to the bucolic palate. Although his agricultural tastes and predi- lections were openly avowed, he did not con sider himself justified in legislating for the benefit of a particular class. lie, accord- ingly, contemplated a general revision of the entire stamp duties, with a view to an equitable ad justment thereof. The same subject attracted the attention of his successors in office. Under Lord MELBOURNE and Sir ROBERT PEEL, Sir FRANCIS BARING and Mr. GOULRURN in turn investigated the matter, but shrunk from the difficulty of the details. The magnitude of the conception astonished their weak minds. What ! undertake a task that would take a tolerably skilful accountant two or three days to master ! The expectation was ridiculous. Besides there was no great pressure from without, and the !‘ squeezable" Ministers gladly postponed the topic until there should be a greater agitation on the point, when a concession might be regarded as a boon, and might help to sustain a falling Cabinet. The end may easily be conceived. Nothing whatso ever was done, and an admitted grievance, affecting the interests of the great body of the people, was suffered to continuo without any attempt at a practi cal remedy. At length the brilliant thought flashed upon the bewildered mind of our present Minister of Finance, that he might be enabled to carry out the project by instalments. We know not whether he rushed through the precincts of Downing-street, shouting like a second Ancumenns, "supxec, Etlr d xx." Some slight extravagances might certainly be allowed at the happy solution of the difficulty. We shall not, how ever, attempt to speculate upon tehe,ceodbiolutuil doubts i tu t s i e o ;d n s s tuhffi o r f ocu j eg o i y ht to which Sir CHARLES WooD ga ve expression when at length relieved fromhisp t u h z r z o lii s ls to say, that after the painful so many years, he was at length happily delivered of this legislative bantling, amid the cordial felicitations of hiy astonished toadies. He proposed, in place of hat he himselfj ustly termed "the present exceedingly unequal and unjust rates, to adopt as nearly as might be the principle of an ad valorem duty." Not, be it remembered, on every description of stamps, but simply on " bonds, mortgages, and transfers." Here was an exertion of genius! a master-stroke of financial ! ! a discovery that would render the name of Woon distinguished through all future ITN!!! No wonder that the Whigs stood astonished at the capa city of their Minister of Finance, that they congra tulated themselves on the services of so transcen dent a genius. The very language must be altered to signalise an achievement so miraculous, and " Woodhead " or " Blockhead " will hencefor ward be regarded as a term of admiration and respect, in place of being one of reproach and contumely. Other changes are, it appears, also promised at some future period. The Right Honourable Gentle- I Mail declared " that he thought it right to take up the matter piecemeal, to see how much they could carry out." We cannot, however, recommend the public to indulge in too delightful anticipations, or to hope for very speedy ameliorations. A simple problem may show them at what points the expected reforms may be looked for. If it takes fifteen years' consideration to bring for ward a reform such as we have described, how long will it require to mature a project for the equitable adjustment of all the stamp duties? Those who may take the trouble to work out the above question will moderate their expectations, and learn how infinitesi mal are the chances of obtaining any large or com prehensive measures of fiscal or financial reform at the hands of the Right Hon. Baronet the Chancellor of her MAJESTY'S Exchequer. THE FRENCH REPUBLIC. We have received the Paris journals of yesterday. The Moniteur has officially announced the appoint ment of M. ROTER as Procureur-General of the Re public. It is said that MM. TRIERS, MONTALEMBERT, and Co., have become so exalgeant that the PRESIDENT of the Republic has been compelled to refuse many of their demands. They desire to reduce him to a mere non-entity. There is, it appears, therefore, no probability of the permanent establishment of an entente cordiale be tween the Elytee and the reactionary majority of the Assembly. Indeed, that majority is splitting up into fractions, M. ODILON BARROT and several of his supporters having expressed their disap proval of the adoption of such measures as for instance those proposed for increasing the caution money to be deposited by journals, as mea sures calculated only to irritate, without leading to any definite result. It is said that M. VIDAL, who has been elected both for Paris and for the Lower Rhine, will choose to sit for Paris. M. LAMARTINE has written to M. CHARLES LA GRANGE, declaring his conviction that the accusation brought against M. CHARLES LAGRANGE of having wantonly fired a pistol shot at the troops on the Boulevard des Capucines, on the 23d Feb., 1848, and of having thus intentionally produced the collision which brought about the revolution, is a calumny totally destitute of foundation. It appears that no pistol shot at all was fired, and that the story so long current is a fabrication con cocted by the reactionaries for the purpose of endea vouring to cast odium on their opponents. The lie was, we believe, first published in an English reac tionary journal as from a correspondent. The Bourse was agitated, and the price of Go vernment securities declined. The Five per Cents. opened at 92f. 10c., fell to 91f. 65c., and closed at 91f. 80c. ; the Three per Cents. closed at 56f 75c. ; Orleans Railroad Shares, 762 f. 50c.; Rouen, 535 f. ; Havre, 235 f. ; Great Northern, 433 f. 75c. ;* Avignon, 1951. ; Basle, 116 f. 25c.; Bordeaux, 400 f.; Paris and Strasburgh, 343 f. 15.; Tours and Nantes, 2451.; the New Roman Loan at 77k. BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE LONDON STOCK-EXCHANGE, MARCH 19. Northern of France, 131x—Sambre and Meuse, VA. SPAIN. The Spanish clergy are actively engaged in re cruiting a Spanish legion for the service of the PorE. A pecuniary subsidy is also to be furnished by the Government, which subsidy would, however, be more honestly devoted if it were appropriated to the pay ment of the unfortunate bondholders. GERIIIAN Y. The King of WIRTEMnunG opened the States on the 15th. In the Speech from the Throne his MA JESTY pronounces an unitarian state of Germany to be a chimers, and the most dangerous of all chimeras, both as regards Germany and Europe. All the at tempts made to realise so foolish a project must only lead to the opposite result, by causing the separation and dissolution pf Germany itself. The real force and union, his MAJESTY goes on to say—the true civilization and liberty of the nation—depend on the maintenance and development of the individuality and independence of its principal races. All, at tempt at violent fusion of these races—all sub ordination of one race to :another—would be the beginning of internal dissolution, and the tomb of national existence. The KING declares one single form of constitution to be possible, namely, a fede rative constitution, which is more capable of conso lidation than the one hitherto in existence. It was because this truth, says his MAJESTY, was first mis understood at Frankfort, and afterwards at B'rlin, that the disunion and danger of the present situation has arisen. History would reveal the objects and passions which gave rise to the alliance of May 26:h. With such alliance, the greatness and union of the nation have nothing in common. It was a clever attempt at a Sonderbund, intended to cause the political suicide of the confederation, and this league being placed in the midst of those of the greatest Continental powers could not maintain itself in the moment of danger. To realise suck an alliance without ( pen violation of the federal compact would be impossible, and would amount to a deliberate infringing upon the solemn treaties, upon which are based the indepen dence of their position, as well as the political equili brium of Europe. The Speech then goes on to de scribe the character of the negotiation with Bavaria and Saxony in the following terms : " In the just appreciation a the dangers, as well at home as abroad, to which the alliance of the 26th f f Alay must infallibly lead, in case the interested parties should maintain it, and also to preserve on my part as much as possible to the whole nation the most pre cious pledge of its grandeur and its future tranquil lity (I mean to say, the union of all the races), I opened negotiations with Bavaria and Saxony, for the purpose of coming, to an understanding:on the project of a constitution comprising the common country. These negotiations have attained the object in view, and the Government of the Emperor of Austria has declared that it wil laccept the result. As soon as the projected con • dilution of the three Royal Governments shall be made known to the Prussian Cabinet and the other federal Governments who have taken part in the alliance of the 26th of May, my Ministry will communicate them to you. lam willing to hope that the trial which we have made in the interest of political and material union, and to satisfy your just and opportune pretensions, will obtain the success I ardently desire. But whatever may be the designs of Providence with regard to us relative to future generations in this difficult question, I can testily to myself that I have always seen in the perfect concord of Austria and Prussia the true condition of our com mon prosperity, and the sole guarantee of our internal tranquillity, and of our national independence ; and consequently I have, in the present crisis of our com mon country, regulated all my steps and those of my Government on that basis. The maintenance of the old right and of the fidelity to historical traditions which cannot be misunderstood, and which must always prevail, can alone secure u . s strength, duratio n , and safety in the storms of' our time. I and the Go vernments who are my allies in this question wish to maintain to the nation Its natural right to the represen tation of the ensemble. We do not with to raise a new political edifice on the ruins of our old right—we wish, on tho contrary, to give a new form to the confederation which shall be in harmony with the spirit of the age; we wish to accord the just pretensions of Prussia with the general interests of Germany. But we will sacrifica our particular interests on the altar of the country, not to such or such a power in particular, but to the ensemble. We will be neither Austrians nor Prussians; Ivo will by and with Wirtemburg be and remain only Germans. My Ministers will present different measures for your consideration." ITALY. The Paris Univers has the following:—" Some journals mention disastrous news which is said to have arrived from Portici, and of letters in which an indisposition or even a malady is spoken of, which may place the life of the Sovereign PONTIFF in danger. We have received letters from Portici of the 9th instant, and we do not think that any one can have any account of a more re cent date or from a surer source. There is no men tion in these letters of any indisposition or disease of the Sovereign PONTIFF ; they on the contrary lead us to suppose that the health of the Pore continues to be very good, since they speak of the departure of Plus IX. as being irrevocably decided on. We read in them the following : —' Cardinal ANTONELLI has made known to N. DE RATNEVAL that the Holy Father had resolved to leave Rome in the beginning of April, and that that resolution was about to be communicated officially to the diplomatic corps. France has therefore satisfaction on this point. France besides demanded that the Holy Father will go to Rome by sea, in order to be escorted thither by the French fleet, but different reasons cause a preference for the land route. A middle course will 'i r o e t r i r le ac p ie re a s u en n t de ti r m th e e t e h s e co li rt o ro ly f t F h a e th F e r r en h c a h s e sh orn ip e s. perhaps b e a d op t e d , b y hi s go i ng i n t h e fi rst p l ace to to U n p o decision on the subject, and it is the only point which remains to be settled.' " A further dividend of is. was declared yesterday bait:ire Mr. Connuit;sioner 110lroyd, under the estate of Cinonburs and Sons, hankers, who idled in 18 0 4, making in gross 13s. 4d. in the pound distrib u t e d among the joint creitors. Tho debts proved have amounted to about 225,0001, and it is anticipated that a further dividend may yet be received from funds recoverable in Chancery. SLAPS-TRADE MEMORIALS. — Copies of all memo rials transmitted to her Majesty's Government from the West Indies in the years 1848 and 1849, relative to the slave trade, have recently been published. Of these Jamaica furnishes nine, Barbadoes,two, and Grenada, Antigua, Dominica, and Trinidad, each one. Their unanimous purport is to signalise the inefficacy of existing measures for the suppression of slave-trading. MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEW.t. CITY, QUARTER TO THREE. The Cotton Market at Liverpool yesterday was very heavy, the sales being only 2,500 baler, including 500 American taken fur export. Prices were withot t alteration.—ln Railway Shares a fair business was done at previous quotations. Accounts from Belgium state that the clover crops were in danger. Late frosts, after many weeks of mild temperature, has caused great damage. Many who had planted early potatoes would lose them entirely. Even corn might suffer from the rigorous cold and high winds. At Amsterdam, on the 17th, Peruvian Active Bonds were 72i to 73, the Deferred 30i to 5-16, and Spanish Three per Centi. 28 to 7-16 and animated. Peruvian Active firmer, and Deferred more offered. It is stated from St. Pet.rsbur2h that an ukase of the Senate, dated October 15, 1849, had been ex changed against a similar declaration of Prince Sehwarzenberg, according t. which the Russian and Austrian Governments engage reciprocally to surrender the Jews who may have passed from one country into the other. The Frankfo,l prices on the 16th inst. a ere 64 In the Canadian papers received yesterday afternoon, there are several allusions to the trade reciprocity plan with the United States. One party writ* s:—" We hope this measure will l ass, not because it will materially be nefit Canada, for it will do nothing cf the kind, as ae have repeatedly shown, and are prepared to show again. But it is a natural state of things to have as free a commercial intercourse with our nearest neighbours as possible. It is most insolently stated in the Annexation joureuls, that Canada is a sup pliant to Congress for admission to trade with them. This is without a particle if foundation. The United States have been far more indebted to the British Provinces hitherto than they have been to the States. We are the third largest foreign buyers frcm the United States, and have hitherto had a large balance against us, pay able in specie or bills on London. Still we hope that this Reciprocity Bill is in a fair way of being passed. Government have an agent at Washington, act ing in conjunction with the British Ambassador, in forwarding the measure. The Honourable Mal colm Cameron left Toronto on the same business on Monday. He is personally much interested in the re sult, as an exterrive merchant, and in this undertaking he ii backed by several merchants in Toronto, who desire to ace the measure carried throne.. We are happy that this active and enterprising gentleman is for a time to be so well employed. It is more honourable to him and more useful to the province than his address to the Halton electors." In the speech of the Governor of Newfoundland upon the opening of the Legislative Assembly, it is stated— " You all, I am confident, will unite with one voice in thanksgiving to Almighty God that he has been so graciously and mercifully pleased to avert from this land that grievous pestilence the cholk ra, with which other parts of this empire have been so sorely affiicted. " It is also a cause of grateful acknowledgment that a bountiful Providence has, during the past season, vouch safed an ample reward to the toils of our hardy fisher men, whose prosperity is essential to the welfare of the colony, and by the successful result of whose labours the energy of commercial enterprise is promoted. " lc is further pleasing to me to be able to inform you that the results of the agriculture of the colony for the past year have more than realised the anticipations of those favourable to the experiment ; and the pro gress made durin g that brief period has been such as to lead to the most encouraging anticipations for the future. The promotion of this branch of industry will merit your fostering care and encourage ment, whether viewed in the light of a powerful aux iliary to the staple trade of the colony, or as a means of providing some additional subsistence for our rapidly in creasing population, for who,e support the fisheries alone are becoming now inadequate." The speculators for a fall bare been tolerably indus trious again, and yesterday afternoon circulated a report that the Ministers were sure to resign, thus causing momentarily and after business hours in the Stock-Exchange a decline to 95 and 95. The values this morning for Consols have been 95} to for Money, and 958 to for Time. The premium on Exchequer bills is 594. to 615., and on Indian Bonds, 84s. to 86s. In the Foreign Market Mexican Bonds have not been dealt in, and nominally are at 29i to 294. The remar.et of the dividends will be paid on the sth of April next. Peruvian Active Stock has been marliel 721 ;;-, and the Deferred 26} to 27i. Brazil Bonds are 69. Dutch Two and-a-Half per Cents. have been 55*. Russian Scrip bas been as low as i f to I premium. Railway Shares continue dull, and the quotations have been barely supported, though we can warmly quote any positive alteration. ONE CLOSING PRIQES OF BRITISH FUNDS O'CLOCK. PRICES. 3 per Contemn:tots Annuities 95E/ 2 lAA 95% 3 per Cent. Annuities,l726 — 94% 3 per Cent. Annuities, 1751 ... ,udis bonds, 1,000/. ........ ....... Ditto under 1,0004 .. .......... B4 86 p 86 p South Sea Stock Ditto New Annuities ...... ........ 94% 94% Consols for Account 9 5A4% 95% r , xchenuer Hills. I%d. ta 2d 1,000/. June ... 6l 59 p 61 p 500/. June Small. June 6l 59 p 59 p ONE CLOSING PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS. O'CLOCK. PRICES. raztitan bone". B9 89 Ditto, New, 1813 Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent — Ditto, Account ... 47 1 ,4 45 494 49 Danish Bonds, 1825,3 per Cent. .. Ditto 5 per Cent. Grenada Bonds, 1 1 ,6 per Cent — Ditto Deferred Mexican. 5 per Cent. 1846, with Coupons— Ditto, Ex Jan. Coupons ..... Ditto, Account Peruvian Bonds, 4 per Cent Ditto, Account Ditto Deferred Portuguese 5 per Cents. Ditto, 4 per Cent. Ditto. Account ..... .. Russian Bonds ....., Ditto Scrip ......... 103 p 1% p Dividends on the above payable in Loudon. Dutch 2% per Cent., 12 Guild: 55% 65% 113338..44t ; 1)) PRICES OF PAID. BUSINESS DONE CLO: IN 1 RAI MAY SHARES. AT ONE O'CLOCK. PRICE; Aberdeen ••• 50 ...... _ liirming. Wolverh'ton, =dr Olen calls duly pd, or with guarantee 15 ..... 21 1 4.. ... Do.without guarantee 15 - ........ 20 LA Bristol and Exeter...... 100 Caledonian Ditto, New IC/ Prof... 10 Chester and Holyhead... 50 ...... ......... 9% Ditto, Preference ...... 15 Eastern Comities........ 20 ...... 714 .. 7% Do, New Prd.rence, -.. .... 50 LA .... 6 per Cent ........... 10 - ..... ...... 11% Ditto ditto, P Do. North. & Eastern, % P 6 per Cent. ......... 50 Ditto. 5 per Cent.... 50 ...... 57 ........ 57 Easternienion Class A No. (late E. 6. Shares) 25 ...... East Lancashire Do., Class B & C ...... 25 East Lincolnshire, guar. 6 per Cent. .. ......... 25 ...... 28 .;rest Northern ......... 22 ...... 73, si • 7 38 Do., % A Deferred ... 12 1 ,4...... 2% 78 2 Li West 10% :rest South. and Wes (Ireland) ... ............ 50 ...... 26 Do., 5 per Cent. Pref. 12,4 . ..... ..... 26 Great North of England.loo ...... _ Ditto, New, 30 1 ......••• 30 Great Western ............100 ..... .... ..... Ditto, 14 Shares...... 50 28% Ditto, 14 Shares ...... 25 ..... 14 ...„ ...... . Ditto. Fifths ...... ..- -- 20 ••• .• •• Lancaster and Carlisle... 50 Lanes/shire& Yorkshire 100 ••••• x.d..... Ditto, ditto . ......... 100 ••... 38 87 .. 3 7 Do. Quarters ..„....• 23% 7 3 /4 x.d.......... 7 3 / 4 x.d. Do. New, Gua.6 per ct. 10 ..... 12% Do. (W. Riding Union) 1 11 ,4 --- 3!.4 x.d.. Leeds and Bradford...... 50 Leeds and Thirak ..... . 50 - .0. . 7% London, Brighton, and South. Coast— .....100 London and N Western 100 ....AN% lO4 Ditto, New Quarters 12 ...... ..... ... 11 3 / 4 Ditto, Fifth............ 12 ... .. 12'4 .. . London &S.Western -100 ...... 62 % ... ............ 12% 62 3 / 4 Do., New Preference. 5 ...... 7% 7 'Ai slanchesteF, Sheffield, . . _ _ _ and Lineolnshire....loo ...... ............. Do. Quarters (No. 1) 25 ...... 7% x.i. ......... 7% x.i. Do. New 10/. Pref..... 10 ....... ........ 6T Midland ....... " " •*- ..... 39 Midland Great Western Irish - •••••••••.- . 224 Norfolk 100 ...... 28 Do. New 201. North British ........ ... 25 ..... VII 9 ..... Ditto, Halves .. ..... 124 ...... 4 !.( 4 14 Forth Staffordshire ... 174 ...... 6 fra 1 / 2 li ...... Reading, Guildford, and - zi Reigate l5 ..... --, 1574 Royston and Hitchin ... 44" ••• b i d •••••• *"•••••• 5 41 Scottish Central Shrewsbury and Birm 1 3 14 ..... 8 3 4 tbs..- ... 9 1 ,4 a dis Ditto ditto, Class B 8 . ..... 1 - ... .. ..... 1 South Eastern Do., N 0.2. ............ 331 . ..... 16 Do., Registered No. 410 ...... 51 A . .5* York. Newcastle, and Berwick....... 25 ...... 13 5 ,04 x.d...... 13% x.d Do. Newcastle Exton. 20 ...... 8 tAI % x.d...... 8,6 x.d Do. G.N.E.Preference 8 ... - ? I s 3 1 4 Dntch Rhenish ......... g „„,. „. 2 Namur and Liege ..... 20 ... . Northern of France...... 16 ...... - 13 Orleans and Bordeaux.. 7 ...... 2 3 4 % ,.. - 27 JOINT STOCK BAN KS. London Joint 5t0ck...... 10 ...... 17 l7 Provircial of Ireland ... 25 LLOYD'SSHIPPING-(THIS DAY.) LONDON, MARCH 20.—Wir.d this day at noon, N.N.W., light airs, and dull, hazy weather. DEAL, MAncu 19.—Arrd. Eleanor, Hughes, Mauri tius. Arrd. from tl.e River and ski., Ce3lon, Adelaide, South Australia; Planet, Jamaica; Lisbon, Si. John's, New Brunswick ; Jessie, St. John's, Newfoundland. Sid. Duke of Manchester, Jamaica. The Pilot, Sun derland to Marseilles, struck on the Galloper Sands, is leaky. LIVERPOOL, Mann 19.—Wind N.N.W.—Arrd. Ann Budeon, Valparaiso ; llarriet Dyer, St. John's, New Brunswick; Lina. London. with damage. from contact with I. S. de Wolf, from New Orleans. Sid. Liverpool, New Orleans, and not for Jamaica as reported yester day; Britannia and Montreal, Montreal. The Lord Seaton, from New Orleans to this port, which was taken into Keywest, am' being on shore, has been condemned and bold, SKIBBEREEN, MARCH 17.—The Affecto, Vienna to Queenstown, has been towed into Baltimore to-day, totally dismastecl, f acing been in contact with an Ame rican liner bound out, off Castle Townsend. WICK, MARCH 18.— The Exporter, of and from Leith for St. John's, New Brunswick, was in contact with the Moselle ' of and from Leith, and went on th e roc k s a t th e back of Cantag Head, and is likely to become a wreck in consequence. The latter has put back. LOWESTOFT, MARCH 19.—The Harmonic, Bremen, to London, has been brought in here, after raring been on the Corton Sand during a gale, but makes little water. CLYDE, MARCH 18.—Arrd. Henry Woolly, Winde, Mauritius. Sld. Harmonica, New York; Adam Carr, ditto; Mary Morrie, ditto; Courier, Matanzas. MARKET NE WS.-(THIS DAY.) CORN-EXCHANGE—WEDNESDAY Our market to day was very scantily supplied with all kinds of English Wheat, the arrivals of which coast wise since Saturday have been confined to 770 quarters. As the attendance of both town and country buyers was limited, the demand for all kinds of Wheat of home pro duce was inactive, yet the factors were firm, and would not sell except at fully Monday's prices. The imports of foreign Wheat have not exceeded 1,140 quarters. Fine parcels of both red and white sold at fall rates of currency. In the midEling and inferior kinds exceed ingly little was doing. The sale for Barley was slow in the extreme, but we have no change to notice in the value of that grain. All descriptions of Malt moved off slowly, at barely stationary prices. Oats, the supply of which was but moderate, sold to a fair extent, at Mon day's figures. Beans, Peas, Indian Corn and Flour were much neglected. ARRIVALS THIS WEEK. Wheat. Barley. 1 Oats. Malt. , 1 .._ ...._ I_ Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Qrs. Sacks. English • . • . • . 770 2,490 1,460 2,630 840 Scotch .. .... Irish •..• • • • • Foreign .... .. j 1,140 2,210 3,190 240 lour. NVEITECHAPEL. The demand for Mutton was steady, at very full prices. In other kinds of Meat very little doing. Beet from 2s 2d to 3s 2d ; Mutton, 2s 6d to 3s 6d; Veal, 3s to 3s 10d; and Pork, 3s to 4s per 81bs by the Carcase. BOROUGH HOP MAEZET. Our market is heavy, without alteration in prices. SECONDARIES'.—(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Secondary POTTER.) HATCH V. WALKER. This was an action brought to recover the sum of 61.195. 7d., the balance of an account for goods sold. The plaintiff is a dull-maker, in Long-lane, and defendant is a toy man, at Manchester. There was no defence to the action. and a letter was put in, which had contained a post-office order for 5!. The plaintiff's attorney said, that to prevent all doubt, he would prove that orders had been received, and in defendant's name; that the goods were sent according to the direction, and that the order was received in due course, and there had been many applications for pay ment. This would, no doubt, be tantamount to proof of the hand-writing. A verdict was given for the amount. BANKRUPTCY.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Commissioner FoNELANQUE.) IN RE LORD ILUNTINGTOWER. This was a meeting for proof of debts, :under the estate of this bankrupt. Mr. Cooke appeared on behalf of Messrs. Cox, Bid dulph and Co., bankers, to tender a proof for 7,7351., for money advanced, and His HONOUR admitted the proof. This was the only case before the Court this morning. SURREY SESSIONS,-(THIS DAY.) (Before Tnomes BUCKLE, Esq., and a bench of Magis- trates.) Them sessions commenced this morning at the Ses sion -house,. Newington causeway. The calendar con tained the names of 102 prisoners for trial. The grand jury, having been sworn, sere addressed by the Chair man. He said that, inasmuch as a vast number of pri soners were sent for trial at the sessions, rather than the ensuing assizes for the county, such a proceeding would Le a saving of 1,0001. to the county, and he was sure they must feel happy that such an expenditure had been saved. The crimes of the calendar were of the usual kind tried at these sessions, and he had only to remind them to be careful in finding the bills presented to them ; and should they not be satisfied with the statement of the witnesses at the back of the bills, ho should recommend them to apply to the Court fur the depositions taken before the magistrate. James Hecock, 13, for picking pockets at the Brighton Railway terminus, was sentenced to two months' impri sonment, and to be once whipped. BOW T STREET-(THIS DAY.) A respectably dressed young man, named Henry Far ren, was charged with taking indecent liberties with another young man, who bad the appearance of a "gent.," and who described himself as William Clayton, a pianoforte-key-maker, residing in Alkert-street, Tot tenham-court-road. The complainant stated, that about one o'clock this morning he met the prisoner at a coffee-house in Totten ham-court-road. He bad never teen him tefore; but a banjo player came to the door, and the prisoner entered into eunversation with him upon the vagabond life which that class of persons generally led. He agreed with the prisoner, because he had more than once been victimised by some of the fraternity, and told him if he valued his reputation, or lad any regard for the safety of his pocket, he would upon all occasions avoid them. The prisoner thanked him for this ad vice, and then eommenced the filthy behaviour which had led to the charge. He left the cofl'e::•houre, telling the prisoner that he was going home, and men tioning that he lived in Albert -street, just above. The prisoner said he was going that way and would accom• pany him, and on the way the prisoner repeat3d his indecencies. At length be reached his door when the prisoner put his arm round his neck, and having kissed him, he exclaimed "1 am so glad I met you, I do like you se." Not content with that the prisoner wished to go into the house, but he put him off by saying he would walk a little way with him, and when he came up with a policeman he gave him into custody. They were both sober. The prisoner who represented himself to be a marble mason, living in Collonade-street, Russell-square, said the charge was a fabrication from beginning to end. It was true that he mot the prisoner in the coffee-house, but he explained that the reason of his being out so late was that he had been to see a young woman, to whom he was paying his addresses, home to Augustus-street, Regent's-park. It was the complainant, he added, who began the conversation about the banjo players, telling him that he had often been victimised by some of them, and that on one cccasion he spent as much as two guineas with a banjo professor at Baron Nicholson's Judge and Jury Society. The complainant admitted that he did make that statement, and it was perfectly true. The prisoner observed that the complainant had plenty of opportunities to give him into custody before they came up with the policeman, and declared that just be fore giving him into custody the complainant invited him to a concert on Thursday night. Zar. HENRY said the fact of being in a low coffee house at one o'clock in the morning reflected no credit upon either party. The case had gone too far to allow it to be summarily disposed of at this stage, as the charac ters of both were at stake. He should, therefore, re mand the case, in order to give the police time to ascer tain who and what they were. The prisoner was accordingly remanded. titrb 92bttion WARWICK SPRING MEETING. (THIS DAY.) (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) Handicap of 5 soya. each. Christiana ... ... ... ... Miss Julia ... ... ... The Two Yrs Old Stakes. Louis Napoleon ... ... ... ... ... 1 Britannia... ... ... ... ... 2 ... 1 • Th© Warwick Handicap. Ballinafad••• ••• ••• •911 ••• ••• ••• 1 Keleakea... ••• ••• •• ••• ..• ••• 2 TERRIBLE CONFLAGRATION. GREAT LOSS OF PROPERTY. This morning a fire, attended with a destruction of several thousand pounds' worth of property, and which continued to rage for upwards of six hours, broke out in St. George's-street in the East. The premises belonged to Messrs. Wackebath and Collins, the extensive sugar-refiners. They were of great magnitude, being in some places eight and n i ne stories high, the whole covering an immense area of ground, probably a couple of acres. The flames were fi rst perceived by a policeman of the H division, whilst passing along his beat. In a very brief period two engines, from Wellclose-square Station, were taken to the spot, and instantly set to work from an abundant supply of water, but in less time than a couple of hours the building termed the " old house," nine floors high, and several hundred feet square, pre sented one tremendous sheet of flame. The sugar, which had become ignited, rushed out of the different windows in sueh immense sheets of fire as to light up the whole of the metropolis, whilst the river for miles down looked like burnished gold. Numerous other engines of the London Brigade, with Mr. Superintendent Braidwood, and that ( f the West of England Company, under the direction of Mr. Connor ton, had some previously arrived, and were all at work, but the vast bodies of water scatterel over the flames mado not the least impression upon them. Every en deavour was made to prevent any of the adjoining houses from taking fire; the heat, however, was so great, that another building of great extent, termed the " single house," also took light. After a short time . the two buildings were on fire f r om the base to the roo f . By four o'clock th e s ce n e that presented i tself was one of awful grandeur; the flames were ascending high intl the air, whilst the timbers in the two buildings were cracking with a noise like the continued discharge of musketry, and at frequent intervals, as the floors gave way, the outer walls kept dropping; tut, fortunately no further destruction of property took place, although the main body of flame continued to rage for hours. Ev,!,n at ten o'clock this fo-emoon the fire was f.r from being wholly extinguish(d, although all danger of any further extension was over. How the misfortune occurred could not be learned. The loss is very heavy, and the offices which will suffi-T by the catastrophe ate the Imperial, Scottish Union, Pl.maix, Liverpool and London, and the Sun. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT (THIS DAY.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEAKER took the Ch.ir at Twelve ck. PRIVATE BILLS. Mr. BERNAL brought up the report on th Ga 3 and Coke Cotr.pany's Bill and several ith, rs. Mr. WILSON PATIEN moved that the order of the House of the 19th day of February last, rt l‘rring the Chippenhum Water-..;orks 13111 to the Committ , e of Selection, be read, that the ittici order be disebarged, and that the said Bill be withdr.wit. PE ITLIONS. Mr. GREENE presentof a petition from the (mikes of cirtaiu municipal charities in Lancaster complaining that by a late decision in the courts of law the !t g,31 estate in those charities was not rested in the as they muceived it ought to be. Mr. CiIRISTOPLIELt preset t:d a petition signed Ly almost all the male inhabit.nts in the market wan if A!ford, in the county of Lincoln, occupieis of land, vi:cl agricu,tural Isbouters, agricultural dib tress, Mr. W. BROWN presented a iCon from Brailord in Lunew.hire, tL tav,ur uf the es:annstinicnt of count) financial boards. Mr. SHAFTO AI)AIR presented a petition from the Parliamentary and Financial Reform As3oc)ation of Cambridge, praying for the repeil of the taxes on know ledge. Mr. G. BERKELEY presented a petition from Glou cester against the slave trade. Sir RIINGLIS presented a petition from the clergy. men and other inhabitants or Camelford agaikst legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister. Mr. SPOONER presented a petition trom Sutton Colefield in Warwickshire in tavi ur of the Small Tene ments Bill. Mr. BAINES presented a petition from a place in the county of Chester complaining of the present law of settlement, and praying fur the establishment ot union rating. Mr. HUTT presented a petition from the owners of property in Australia praying that no reduction in the price ot land may take place in that colony. Mr. E. B. DENISON presented a petition from Sowerby and other places in Yorkshire, praying for the cessation of labour iu the Post-office on Sundays. Mr. SIMEON presented similar petitions from places in the Isle ot Wight. Mr. G. BERKELEY gave notice that, early after Easter, he would move, in a Committee of the whole House, the exclusion from our markets of all slave- grown produce, which was contrary to the true interests or religion and morality. He also gave notice that, soon after Easter, he would move, in a Committee of the whole House, that an Bs. duty shall be re-imposed on all foreign corn imported into this country after a certain date, and that the revenue from that source shall be ap propriated by the Government to the general reduction of taxation. Mr. HAMILTON gave notice that he would call the attention of the House on an early day to the position in which the clergymen of the Established Church in Ire land stood with respect to the Education Board in Dublin. Mr. I3ANICES presented a petition from Norfolk complaining of the operation of the present law of settle ment; also several petitions from factory workers in Glasgow and other places complaining of the relay sys tem in factories. Mr. CARDWELL presented several petitions from Liverpool against the Small Tenements' Rating Bill. _ _ SMALL TENEMENTS RATING BILL. On the motion for going into Committee on this Bill, Mr. P. SCROPE took occasion to protest against the House going into Committee on this Bill, on the ground that it was an ex post facto Bill, and would greatly tend to add to the already sufficiently heavy rentals of the dwellings of the poor. The theory of the opponents of such measures was that the populatton would be checked by want of house room, and he was surprised the Right Hon. Secretary of State, having read all the reports on this subject, should set his lace against this measure. As he was aware of the feeling opposed to him, he should not attempt to divide the House at present. Mr. ROBERT PALMER agreed with much that had fallen from the Hen. Member. As it was quite evident that a large majority of the House were in fa vour of this measure he should not oppose the Bill going into Committee, but he should reserve to himself the right of proposing any modification of it when he was in Committee. Mr. E. DENISON said he thought it was perfectly understood that all rates were puid by real prof et ty. The Hon. Gentleman who had just spoken seemed to have forgotten this. The provision was a most wholesome one, and he . should decidedly give it his support. _ _ n thr GEORGE GREY said ho could not see any in • justice or hardship in making a landowner liable for the rates of houses under 61. He was now responsible for rates of houses between 61. and 20/., and if he were to build two houses under 61. instead or one at 121. or 201, he would not be placed in a worse position. The .House bad already decided in favour of the principle, and he hoped they would go into Committee upon the Bill. Sir J. PAKINGTON said, although he er.ttrlained an objection to some part of the Bill, he did not wish to move any amendment, lest the progress of it might be endangered, because he thought it was a measure which ought to pass. The Hon. Member fir Stroud had said he opposed the Bill on behalf ( f the poor, but he (Sir J. Pakington) supported it for the same reason.—(Hear.) He was sure it would be of the greatest possible benefit to the poorer classes. Mr. BERNAL said a variety of Bills of a similar nsture had passed through his hands, and in all of them the power given for making the rate was compulsory, and no discretion was lett to the vestry.—(Hear, hear.) He thought the measure, if properly administered, would redound greatly to the benefit of the poor.—(Bear.) After an observation from Mr. HALSEY, the amend ment was withdrawn, and the House went into Com mittee. Upon the first clause being moved, Mr. HALSEY moved the intertion of words requiring that two thirds of the votes of persons present at a ve,try meeting should be necessary to make their proceedings legal. Mr. P. SCROPE objected to the alteration. Mr. LAW moved that the words, " and are hereby required," be added to the clause. lie made this motion because tie thought the Bill ought to be compulsory and not permissive. Mr. CHRISTOPHER thought it better to leave the clause as it stood. _ _ Sir G. GREY said notice ought to have been given of this important alteration in the Bill; but as no such no tice had been given, Le hoped the amendment would not be persevered in. Mr. LAW did not wish t) press it if threw any obstacle in the way of the Bill. Mr. B. - DENIS° N said there ought to be no room left for jobbing; the Bill, therefore, ought not to be op tional, but compulsory. Mr. BAINES also entertained the same opinion; but he was anxious to get the greatest amount of good from the Bill that he could. An amendment introduced at this stage, however, might prove fatal to the Bill, and he would suggest that the Hon. and Learned Recorder should propose a clause on the bringing up of the report. Captain HARRIS did not think the House was taken by surprise by the proposal of the amendment, and as the Bill, if it passed in its present shape, would lead to considerable political animosity, ho trusted the amend ment would be persevered in. SOTHERON deprecated any revival of a dis cussion on the principle of the Bill. The object of the Hon. and Learned Recorder would be better accom plished by proposing his amendment en bringing up the report. - Mr. COMPTON was ready to support the amend• ment if it would not impede the progress of the Bill. Mr. P. SCROPE should prefer the Bill being made compulsory now that the House had decided that it should pass. Mr. W. PATTEN did no► think the Bill ought to be compulsory, and the majority of the vestries be thought would agree with him. Mr. JOHN WALTER supported the amendment. Mr. W. MILES thought it was the duty of the Hon. Gentleman the President of the Poor-law Board (Mr. Baines) to have brought in.this Bill himself. He hoped the lion. Gentleman would not endanger this Bill by persisting in introducing a compulsory clause, and thily, the House would pass the Bill in it! present shape. Mr. PHILIP HOWARD thought, if the Bill wits rendered compulsory, the House would be assailed with more opposition than at present existed out of doors. He trusted the Hon. Gentleman the President of the Poor law Board would not insist on the compulsory principle. Captain HOWARD supported the Bill in its prevent shape on the ground that a compulsory clause would in crease the obstacles in collecting the rates, and press with great hardship upon the poorer classes. Mr. B. DENISON could not understand why the compulsory principle should be objected to ; he, him self, thought it would be most salutary in its operation; at all events, when the discussion was published out of doors it would be known who was for and who against the clause. Mr. SLANEY supported the compulsory clause. After a few words from Mr. CAREW and Sir GEORGE GREY, The amendment was negatived without a division. Mr. WALTER wished to know if the power of ex emption, which was given to magistrates, would be con tinued or not. Mr. BAINES said that that power would remain unaltered, Mr. HENLEY %i:hed to guard him:•AF from being conarai . .ted to the eompul:,ory part of this Bill. (r.Err SITTING.) BUNN ON TUB STAGE.— The oftener we hear this interesting dramatic monologue the more we are pleased with the intellectual treat, the variety of highly amusing anecdotes interspersed, and the judicious elec tion f some of the most beautiful passages from the p'erless poet, acted to p.n.Gction by Mr. Been. TITLES OF RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS.—A presented by Mr. Veto, has been print d, the purpose of which is to secure to the successors of trustees holding property for the UEC of religious congregations or educa tional societies., a sufficient title in that property without further conveyance yr assignment. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Alb:.rt, attended by the Viscountess Jocelyn, Hon. Matilda Paget, Hon. Flora Macdonald, the Earl of Morley, Lord Alfred Paget, and Colonel Bouverie, honoured her Majesty's iheatre with their presence yesterday evening. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Colonel Bouverie, rode out on horseback yesterday. Their Royal Highneses the Prince of Wale', Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, the Princess Alice, the Princess H?lena, and the Princess Louisa, took their usual exercise yesterday in the garden of Buck ingham Palace. The Earl of Morley has relieved Lord Dufferin in his duties as Lord in Waiting to the Queen. Mr. R. Ormsby Gore has relieved Sir Edward Bowater in his duties as Groom in Waiting w her Majesty. Her Roy 4 the Duchess of Kent, ac companied by his S-rsne Higdmeis Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, ~[td attended by Lady Fanny Howard and Sir George C )uper, honoured the Royal Italian Opera House with her presence last evening. . _ _ _ About one hundrld and fifty Members of the House of Commons assembled at twelve o'clock yes terday-, at the official residence of Lord (Tulin Russell in Downing-street, and were received by Lord John Russell, who w,is accompanied by the following Members of his Cabinet, having seats in the Lowe! House of Parliament, viz., Viscount Palmerston, Sir Georye Grey, Sir John Hobhouse, Sir Francis Baring, and the Right Hon. IT. Labouchere. The conterenc- with the Minister lasted o ne hour. Viscount de Moncorvo, the Portuguese Minister, had an interview with the Right Hon. H. Labouchere yesterday, at the office of the Board of Trade. A deputation, consisting of Messrs. M‘Lachlan, Edmund Gore Dolgetty, \V. Jack4on, J. A. Jacioon, Donaldson, Henty, J. Montefioro, and Levick, had an interview with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colo ,. nial-office. Mr. Bright, M.P., and Mr. Brown, M P., had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yes terday, at his official residence in Downing-street, upon the subject of bonding at Manchester. A depu tation upon the same subject attended at the Trea sury, consisting of Sir Elkanah Armitage, Mr. Alder man Kershaw, M.P., Mr. Alderman Watkins, Mr. William Gibb, and the Town-clerk of Manchester; Mr. James Atherton (on behalf of the Manchester Commercial Association), the Mayor of Salford, ac companied by the Right lion. T. Milner Gibson, M.P., and Mr. Brotherton, M.P. A deputation from the London, Btighton, and South Coast Railway Company, consisting of Mr. Laing, Mr. Wix, Mr. Sutton, and Mr. Hood, had an interview with the Commissioners of Railways yes terday, at their office in the Board of Trade. The Earl of icienniare and Mr. Herbert had an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday at the Home-office. Mr. Shepard had an interview with Earl Grey yesterday. Mr. Piesse also had an interview with his Lordship yesterday. The Finance Committee of the Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, consisting of Earl Granville, Lord 0 verstonr., Sir Alexander Spearman, and Mr. T. F. Gibson, met yesterday at the Board of Trade. Colonel Reid, Chairman of the Executive Committee, was also present. The Committee on Machinery, consisting of Mr. W. Cubitt, Mr. Pusey, M P. Pro fessor Willis, and Sir J o h n R enn i e , met yesterday at the New Palace of Westminster. Mr. S. Russell, secretary of the Commission, was in attendance. The Committee on the Vegetable Kingdom, ccnsist ing of Mr. Posey, M.P., Professor Royle, Professor Lindley, Professor Solly, Mr. Humphrey Brandreth• and Mr. Fisher Hobbs, met yesterday at the New Palace of Westminster. Mr. Dilke wa3 present on the part of the Executive Committee. Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office from the Governors of the North American Co- EXHIBITION OF ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL ART, SOCIETY OF ARTS, ADELPHI. Yesterday a remarkable exhibition of the above mentioned character was opened to our inspection, at the rooms of the Society of A rts,John-street, Adelplu• On visiting the collection we found it under the process of examinatior, by a very numerous and inquisitive swarm of priv a te vi s it ors —i nsomuc h so t h a t a car eful scrutiny of the different objects on view was rendered altogether impracticable. From what we were enabled recognise, h owever , it was ev id en t t h at t h e esti mates of the number of articles (9,000), and of their reported value (100,0001.), striking as they are, had not been to any material extent exaggerated. Al' though on a general and superficial glance at the ex hibition the prevailing tone of its appearance 0 sombre and sorne%s hat unattractive, on closer inspect' tion it proves to be b ot h cost ly an d i ns t ruc tive. Tapestry, both Belgian and Venetian ; armour, both chain and plate, engraved and embossed ; enamels, rosary, remonstrances, volumes curiously bound an d jewelled, Majolica-ware, and Raffdelle-ware, shrines, salt-cellars and challices, cups, candlesticks, and t; zns, Florentine genes of art and Etruscan vase , s , are all grouped together in " most admired disorder, and present a spectacle altogether eminently entitled to conteinplation. In one direction we have a design by Rubens, and in another by Palissy ; here we have a painting by Raffdelle, and here an enamel by Limousin. A visit to this singular and most valuable exhibition will be admirably preparative for the grand International Exposition of Industry, destined t o ren d er 1851 memora bl e during many subsequent generations. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. BETTING AT MANCHESTER.—TuEsmr. NORT I IAMPTONSHIRE STAKES. 8 to 1 agst Belus—taken 12 to 1 agst Chantrey—taken 100 to 5 agst Flatcatcher—taken Nothing else backed, nearly all the subscribers being at Warwick. WARWICK SPRING MEETING.—TUESDAY. 111ateb, 100, la fc ; 12st each. Hunt Ste •plechase Course. Mr. Robertson's The Ace of Trumps (Car. Broadley) Lord Lurgan's Sobriety (Capt. Little) 6t05 on Ace of Trumps. Won by two lengths. The Scurry Stakes of 5 soya. each, and 20 added, 1 231 each. Gentlemen riders. (4 Subs.) Mr. Barnard's Jack-of-all-Trades ... (Mr. Caldwell) 1 Mr. Wilson's Ven:ure, 5 yrs (Capt. Little) 2 Mr. William's Syrup, 4 yrs (Mr. Brookes) 3 Mr. A. Robertson's Catch-me-who-can ...(BroadeY) Even on Venture, and sto 2 agst Syrup. Won by head; a length between second and third. The Trial Stakes of 10 sovs. each, and 50 added. The Mile Course. (13 Subs) Mr. W. Moseley's Al onz ,, 3 yrs, Est 121 b (W. Sharp) 1 Mr. I'. Dawson na Mtirk Tapley, 3 yrs, 7 s t (Arnold) 2 3 Mr. Stevens's Knight ( f Gwyune, 3 yrs, 7a (Sabin) The following also started, but were not plsced:—M. f f' Scott's Warrick, :3 yrs, 6 i 4 121 b (ii. E vans )—Mr. n• Lucas's Eye-the-Bop, 3 yrs, 6st 121 b (G. Evans)—fi r ' B. Green's o,baldettor, 3 yrs, 7at (Basham)—Mr. , T. I:•:ailer's Woodsprite, 3 yrs, Est 121 b (G. Sharp)—M r ' Merry's Brennus, 3 y rs , 6 4t 12Ib (G . O ates) — an d Lord Clifden's Torpor, 3 yrs, Gat 121 b (Gooch). Betting-5 to 2 agst Mark Tapley-3 to 1 *P t . Knight cf Gwynne-7 to 2 ags t T orpor — an d 8 to 1 s gs° Alonzo. Won by a head; Mark Tapley beating Knight of Gwynne by half a length. Run in 1 min. 49 secs. The Willoughby Handicap of 15 sovs. each, 10 ft, and only sif dec:ared, with 30 added. Gentlemen rider' Two miles. (12 Subs., sof whom declared.) Mr. Stafford's Fugitive, aged, lOst 91b (Capt. Little) Lord Strathmore's Rat-trap, list 71b (Capt. Brooke) 'a Mr. Carew na Andalusian, lOst 71b (Mr. Osbaldeston) Mr. Lucas's Yard-arm, lOst 111 b ...(Mr. Davenport) Betting -7 to 4 agst Fugitive—and sto 2 agst Bat" trap. AA on by a length. The Free Handicap of 10 sovs. each, 5 ft, and 25 added' One mile. (9 Subs.) Mr. Mason's Doubt, 7st 81b (slb extra)...(W. Sharp) 2 Mr. Jones's Docility, 4 yrs, Est 91b .. (Thick) f, Mr. Fowler's Cosl , chia, 5 yrs,B s t 71b (G. Whit e house) ° The following also rata:—Lord Clilden's Rath:nip"' 6 yrs, Bst 111 b (Pearl)—Mr. J. Day's New Forest Deer, aged, 7st 131 b (Wakefield)—and Mr. Lawson's Eunuch , 3 yrs, 6st lib. Belting -3 to 1 each: agst Doubt and Rathmines --4 to 1 agst Docilit 3 — an d sto 1 agst Eunuch. Won by a head; a neck between the second and third. The Farmers' Plate of 501, with 101. for the second, fo r hunters, ridd en by farmers; four years, I Ist; fi le ' 1 Ist 71b ; si x an d age d, 12st, &s. Heats, the Two mac Course. Mr, Gulliver's Fazeley, aged, 12st ...(Mr. Wood) 1 1 . Mr. W. Cowper's Jerry, aged, 12st (O w ner) 5 Mr. F. Robbins's ch g by Redshank, 4 yrs, I Ist 4 '6' Mr. H. Oldh am ' s Sh ep h er d ess, 5 yrs, list 7 1b 2 Mr. 11. Ball's Little J e nny, 6 y rs , 12 s t 71b 3 0 Mr. J. Boddicgton's The Cricket, 4 yrs, list 6 L; Mr. Austin's Woodland Mary. 5 yrF, 1 Ist 71b 7 BIRTHS. On the 14th inst., at Raheen-park, Tipperary, the lady of Captain T. F. H. Alms, late of the 70th Regiment, of a daughter. On the 14th inst., at Grove House, near Leeds, the lady of J. Middleton, Esq., of a son. On the I 6th inst., at Sackville College, East Grinstead, the wife of the Rev. J. M. Neale, of a daughter. Ou the 17t h inst., at Hyde-park-gate South, Mrs. Cousen o l of twins, son and daughter. On the t7th inst., at Enfield, Middlesex, Mrs. John B 4 Hunter. of a daughter. DIED. On the 17th inst., the Countess of Scarborough, aged 85. On the 2d lest., Coote MuLoy, Esq., 1).L., of Oak-port, Roscommon, Ireland. On the 11th lust., at Bi!ston, Dorothy Ann, eldest daugh ter of Mr. E. Perkins, of Northampton.: On the 14th just, at her Majesty's Exchequer, Whitehall yard, Mr. Thomas Peak, aged 59. On the 14th ult., at Woodeote, Hants, Anne, the wife of Colonel Coles, aged s'. On the i sth inst., at Lenton, aged 41, Caroline, daughter of the late M. Needham, Esq., of Lenton, Notts. On the 16th inst., at Hillingdon-end, Uxbridge, M rs ' Elizabeth Grainge, aged 94. On the 18th inst., aged 62, Anne, the wife of James Field, Esq., of Montague -street, Russell-square. London; Printed and Published by MURDO YOIT:sTaf No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Slot Mee, Ma j l ' Strand., in th e Precinct of th e Savor. i n the CO IIII4 DV.4cileaes, Wednesday, March 20,1856. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDN'ESDAY EVENING, MARCH 20, 1850