The Sun. — London, England, 1868-02-12 00:00:00

THE PUBLIC HEALTH. (From the Eegistrar-Generars Weekly Return.) In the week that ended on Saturday, February 8, 4,831 births and 3,088 deaths were registered in London and in thirteen other large towns of the United Kingdom. The annual rate of mortality was 25 per 1,000 persons living. The annual rate of mortality last week was 23 per 1,000 in London, 20 in Edinburgh, and 32 in Dublin ; 28 in Bristol, 21 in Birmingham, 20 in Liverpool, 29 in Man chester, 26 in Salford, 24 in Sheffield, 26 in Bradford, 21 in Leeds, 20 in Hull, 34 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and 29 in Glasgow. The rate in Vienna was 33 per 1,000 during the week ending the Ist instant, when the mean tempera ture was 9 . 8 deg. Fahrenheit lower than in the same week in London, where the rate was 23. In London the births of 1,162 boys and 1,235 girls, in all 2,367 children, were registered in the week. In the corre sponding weeks of ten years, 1.858-67, the average number, corrected for increase of population, is 2,301. The deaths registered in London during the week were 1,304. It was the sixth week of the year ; and the average number of deaths for that week is, with a correction for increase of population, 1,530. The deaths in the present return are less by 163 than the estimated number. The animal rate of mortality was 22 per 1,000 in West London, 23 in North London, 23 in Central London, 23 in East London, and 22 in South London. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 29'937 in. The baro metrical reading increased from 29'51in. at the beginning of the week to 30'25in. on Tuesday, 4th February. The mean temperature of the air in the week Was 41 . 2 deg., which is 2'9 deg. above the average of the corresponding week in fifty years (as determined by Mr. Glaisher). The highest day temperature was 59'0 deg., on Monday, 3rd February. The lowest night temperature was 31'1 deg., on Tuesday, 4th February. The entire range of tempe rature in the week was th -efore 19 . 8 deg. The mean of the highest temperature of the water of the Thames was 42'1 deg. ; that of the lowest was 40 . 8 dew. Mr o IV. F. Cowper, 111. P., Fifa Conainissionii of Woiks in the late Government, 'nits been speaking at the Hartley Institute, Southampton, on technical education. By this expression lie meant the teaching of those elementary prin ciples of science which were involved in the ordinary pro cesses of skill and labour, and the application of science to the work generally carried on in our manufactories. He answered various objections which had been urged against imparting this kind of education to working men, pointing, by way of example, to the numerous science schools on the Continent, and remarked that, although in this country we had two hundred science schools, unfortunately they were of an elementary character, where a smattering only of science was taught. The intelligence from Cork almost reads like that which might be expected from a city in a state of siege. Three policemen, suspecting that two men who were dodging their footsteps intended assassination, awaited their ap proach. The would-be murderers advanced to within a few yards of the constaNes, and one of the twain coolly pulled out a revolver, and discharged four barrels at the guardians of the public peace. These despicable villains arc invariably bad shots, and the policemen stood the fire unhurt, :.Ithough one ball whistled within half an i7ich of a constable's head. The police had no firearms, and the fellows escaped. Two men, named O'Brien and Eddy, wera subsequently arrested on suspicion of having formed the attacking party. Other items of Cork news are to the effect that the house of one Mr. Hugo has been attacked by three men, who demanded arms, and obtained a gun. A night or two ago, Mr. Hilliard, a book-keeper, was-returning home near Sundays-well, Cork, when he noticed a man:before him on the footpath, who, as he approached, sprang into the road and presented a revolver at his head. The night was clear. After staring into Mr. Hilliard's face, and seeing that he was not a detective, — le stranger returned the revolver into his pocket and made off. Large crowds gather outside the police-station in which the captured Fenian, Mackay, is confined. The police make occasional charges, and the consequence is that the mob become exasperated, especially if any of their number happen to get wounded. Mounted and foot police patrol the streets in companies. The Dublin grand jury having found true bills against Mr. Pigott, of the Irishman, for publishing seditious libels, the trial is to take place before Mr. Justice Fitz- Gerald. This arrangement is objected to by the Star, which says : " The processions were declared illegal by a late decree of the Privy Council of which Mr. Fitzgerald is a member. Why, then, is a case which turns entirely on the legality of his own act to be sent before Mr. Justice Fitzgerald for trial?" To this it may be replied that the offence for which Mr. Pigott is indicted has nothing whatever to do with the funeral processions, and that Mr. Justice Fitzgerald cannot individually be held responsible for the acts of the Privy Council in its col lective capacity. A Privy Councillor attends the sittings of that august body when he is summoned, and not at his sole will and pleasure. The Telegraph, while commending the " respectable enthusiasm" of Lord Ranelagh's observations on the volun teers, wants to know how he would supply the defects which he denounces. Why does not his lordship present to the country a plan for the effective organisation of the volunteers? These are very fair questions to put. A man who pulls anything to pieces ought to be prepared with a substitute. If one may judge from the letters which appear in the morning papers, public opinion in the matter of the Speke mystery seems decidedly to be to the effect that Mr. Speke was murdered. " A." writes to the Daily News: "I have read a great many hypotheses in the London newspapers attempting to solve the mystery which surrounds the disappearance of the Rev. Mr. Speke. Except the one at once suggested to Mr. Speke's own friends—viz., that he was murdered in Birdcage-walk—all the others appear to me to be quite untenable. . . The only chance of obtaining a clue to the murder, if it be a murder, is through one of the actors in it. It was thus that Thuggee in India was ultimately discovered and suppressed. A free pardon to one of the accomplices who may inform should be offered, not merely fur this murder, but for all previous murders in which he may have taken part with the gang." " Penang Lawyer," in the Times, tells how his son was jostled by a rough-looking fellow in Victoria-street, Westminster, about four o'clock on one of the dark days last week. He (the writer's son) took at first no notice, but had not gone far when two other low-looking fellows came out of one of the bye-streets, and were about to surround him, when he planted his back against the railings, and, raising a stout stick, declared that he would strike anyone who laid a hand on him. This cowed the rascals, who thereupon allowed him to pass. - - - Captain Sherard Osborn, RN.,read a paper on Monday evening to the Royal Geographical Society on the explora tion of the North Polar region. He commenced by maintaining that it was desirable in a national and naval point of view to explore the area around the North Pole. because such explorations were schools of enterprise am adventure for our seamen. There were three routes 1) which the polar area could be reached — by SpiLzbergen, by Behring's Straits, and by Baffin's Bay. lle supported the last-na,me3. Though it was important to follow up the Gulf Stream, " that mystt:rious, warm river of water flowing through the wastes of ocean to which we owed our immunity from the paralysing rigour of a Labrador winter," yet he submitted that wherever we penetrated the polar area we should strike upon the G ulf Stream in some shape or other ; and our object being t , explore, not, as yet, to perfect scientific knowledge, we might leave it until we were sure of the success of the expedition. German and French geographers, too, had bad their attention called to the matter, and in the spring of 1869 we should see the French exploring Behring's Straits on the one hand, and the Germans trying to find I a Pular Sea somewhere between Nova Zembla and Green land on the other. Surely Englishmen (urged Captain Osborn) would feel with him that we should not be behindhand in Baffin's Bay and Davis's Straits. The gallant captain concluded with a history of the explora tions of the bay brought up to the present time. Sir Roderick Murchison, who presided at this meeting, mentioned incidentally that it was the intention of tile Admiralty to reward Mr. Young for having so successfully conducted the Livingstone search expedition. He would be advanced to the rank of first gunner, and be presented with a life appointment in the coastguard, worth £2OO a year. He would further receive a present of £5OO. . N. very noisy meeting has just been held at Manchester, convened in the usualmanner by the Mayor, on replisition, to consider the subject of the Irish Church. A resolution was moved to the effect that the lamentable disaffection now existing in Ireland made it incumbent upon Parlia ment to give its immediate attention to the subject of the Irish Church. Dr. Garrett moved as an amendment that the meeting declined to pronounce an opinion on the subject. Mr. Jacob Bright, M.P., amidst considerable interruption, supported the resolution. He was of opinion that if the majority of the people of the United Kingdom had their will, the Irish Church, as a political institution, would not be allowed to exist. The Mayor put the amendment, and it was carried by about two to one ; the resolution was therefore lost. TWO PERSONS SUFFOCATED BY CHARcOAL. —A shocking case of suffocation by charcoal lately occurred at the village of Newstead, near Nottingham. A man named Wm. Green, of Blidworth, and Herbert Godfrey, a youth of 16, belonging to the same village, were engaged in the manufacture of charcoal in a small hut on the estate. Two men, named Green and Phillips, entered the hut and found the two quite dead. They bad ventured to sleep while the charcoal was burning, and had been suffocated. THE PROPERTY OF MARRIED WOMEN. -A report nay been presented to the weekly meeting of the Social Science Ass,ciation on the laws relating to the property and maintenance of married women. The chair was taken by Sir Erskine Perry. A memorial was some time ago presented to the council upon the subject, and it was referred to the committee for consideration. Mr. Frederic Hill now read the report, which, after referring to the labours of a former committee, recommended, with two or three slight alterations, the introduction into Parlia ment of the bill formerly brought before the House of Commons by Sir Erskine Perry. The chief provisions of this measure were that the act of marriage shall not confer any title to real or personal estate ; that a mar ried woman shall be capable of holding, alienating, and bequeathing property, and of suing and being sued as if she were a femme sole; that the earnings of a married woman in any occupation carried on by her separately from that of her husband shall beleng to herself ; that when a mar ried woman dies intestate, her husband shall have the game share of her personal estate as such married w unan would have of th e p erson al estate of her husband if he died intestate enrtoenrhienrtoowl i ; and that a married woman shall be liable u contracts, and upon those which she may faertieonwas jointly tt nwnittih,inh..e in r the a Act husband. Another stipu l i with ante-impti a l ' settleiwnts and a ,, re,m cuts The memorial which the committee had considered c tilled to compel a husband to assist in the support of hi , T:v a i n fe: al.tention also to the frequent want of and cliiLlren and upon ~ 1 1 11 1 1 ..1 1;.c e .v. N l a u l g u i a ta b n l e by his own exertion:-±, d evidence had been given by Mr. 'l'raill r t e h l e )or L t, on a d d oi v i o r c n a a te g ( i i str it a a tes v . iew .A .a lr. ai l id lill t , ,ec a o f in t emr recommendations the t _ _ some length, and then concluded by moving a resolution, the effect of which was a general concurrence of the meeting in the report. A discussion followed, in which Mr. G. W. Hastings, the secretary of the association, Mr. Davy, Mr. Rutson, Mr. Shaw Lefevre, M.P., Mr. Chisholm Anstey, and Sir Erskine Perry took part. The resolution was passed, and also a vote of thanks to the chairman, .311?. LOTVE ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS: In a letter to Mr. Julian Goldsmid, m.r., and . 250 graduates of the University of London who had presented him with a requisition, Mr. Lowe accepts the position of a candidate for the honour of representing the University of London in Parliament. Mr. Lowe holds that as the university was founded on liberal principles by liberal men, and is the truest and fullest expression yet attained of all that is free, progressive, and unsectarian in educa tion, the person who aspires to represent it ought to hold thoroughly liberal opinions, and be a member of the party to which the university owes its existence. He refers to his votes and speeches during the fifteen years which comprise his parliamentary life, and to his labours on many royal commissions and on select committees, and then proceeds to speak of the present and future. After a reference to the course he took upon the Reform Bill, he siys that the question is decided ; he hopes events may prove him to be wrong, and has no wish to revive the con troversy:—" Our duty is, without loss of time, to adapt ourselves to the great change that has taken place. We Must expect a much greater demand for equality than heretofore, and ought to pass our institutions in review, Modifying such things as seem likely to wound this feel ing, and founding ourselves upon principles which will bear the test of discussion in a democratic assembly. The redistribution of seats is forced upon us by the change in the franchise, since what has been already done is quite inadequate to bring these two parts of the measure into harmony with each other. I voted last year for a larger disfranchisement of small boroughs, and shall be prepared to do so again. I dissent from the destructive conservatism which would keep the House of Lords just as it is, and would gladly see that House enabled better to resist pressure, by being placed more on the footing of a senate where distinguished merit might find a place beside rank and wealth. It is not safe to stake every thing on the vote of a single chamber. I view the revenues of the so-called Church of Ireland as the property of the State, the appropriation of which may properly be changed with a due respect for vested interests ; and the Church itself as an unjust institution, irritating to Ireland, and discreditable to us in the eyes of foreign nations. I wish to preserve mixed education in Ireland intact, and for all other students than those in the Queen's Colleges to found a university in Ireland similar to our own. Several parliamentary investigations of the state of Ireland in which I have been engaged, while they have thoroughly impressed upon me the vast imperial importance of appeasing her discontent and promoting her prosperity, have also taught me that the evils of Ireland are mainly social, theological, and economical. They cannot be remedied, and may easily be aggravated by legislative interference wish contracts between private parties acting with full knowledge. The Univereities of Oxford and Cambridge ought, I think, to be governed by such graduates as are concerned with their teaching and discipline. The universities and all collegiate endowments should be open to all persons without religious test, and without requiring theta to be members of any college or hall. The colleges should enjoy full powers of legis!ation and self-government, and should contribute from their revenues whatever may be required to give the universi ties more teaching power, and a more complete and efli tient staff of professors. The time has come when, if we wish to be well governed at home or respected abroad, we must make education accessible to all. This can be done without any immediate destruction of the existing system, by establishing secular schools, supported by rates wher ever voluntary exertion fails." He believes that it is both possible and expedient to reduce the law of 'England to a code, that the distinction between law and equity ought to be abolished, and that the law of real property ought, allowance being made for the difference in the subject-matter, to be assimilated to the law of personal property. As a part of this position he supported the bill for the division of the estates of intestate owners iu fee simple according to the statute of distributions, not as wishing to make this measure a stepping-stone to a com pulsory division of land, or to any restriction of the free dom of the owner to sell or settle it, but because the law `when it makes a will for a man should make a just will, and it is not just to give all to one child, and leave the others, especially the female children, to starve. He is sincerely anxious for peace, and therefore opposed to a meddling diplomacy, and to the delusive idea that the real strength of England can be increased -by the forcible acquisition of territories imposing 1D avy burdens on her people, without giving men to her armies or taxes to her exchequer. Economy is little regarded in these days, but he believes extravagance to be doubly an evil, as a needless waste of the money of the people, and as the sure sign of inefficiency. The true way to save is not the cutting down of single items, but a more complete • organisation of our departuietes, and the determination that for whatever the country spends it shall have fill value in labour, talent, or materials. The Revised Co de has saved us half a million a year, but it 1.•a3 been by making the department of education more efficient. Mr. Lowe hopes that these opinlons will appear on the whole not 'unsuited to one who aspires to the high honour of repre . scnting the University of London in Parliament. The first number of a new journal, entitled the Chamber of Agr if; UltUre, has just been issued. The Secretary of State for the }Tome Depart ment has been pleased to order a free and unconditional pardon to Mr. James `Master, who was convicted at the last Manchester Assizes, along with two others, for an alleged conspiracy. - - THE lIUj CHURCH. --We (Be/;as` Yews/WO are informed on the best authority that there is no founda tion in fact for the statement of the Weedy Regleer as to Mr. Gla,dstone's motion respecting the Iris:l Church. Mn. THEODORE MARTIN.—It iS stated that Mr. Theodore Martin is sufficiently recovered from the acci dent which he lately sustained to leave Osborne. The 'Queen presented Mrs. Martin (Helen Fadeit) with a mag nificent ruby diamond bracelet, as a souvenir of their visit 'to her marine residence. EXTRAORDINARY VARIATIONS OF TEMPERATURE D IN AUSTRALIA. — The Me/bourne Argu n of D ecember 27 says : " The weather during the past month has been remarkable for the extreme range of its changes. The 12th instant was a day o f cold and vi olent wind and drain, with every characteristic of winter, a nd the 1 9th a a bright sunshine and intense h eat, with a s trong hot day blowing, and the thermometer at the Observatory standi ng at 104 deg. in the shade, and 137 de g . in t h e sun. The ' severity of the storm and the rain on the 12th vas such as to recall to mind the weather of the middle of December 1863, which occasioned UK! memorable and destructive floods in the Yarra, and the gloomy and threatening appearance of the atmosphere gave rise to serious apprehensions of a similar inundation. However, the rain relaxed during the night and ccasA on the following morning, and the weather gradually brightened and im proved till a week afterwards. On the 19th the thermo meter reached the height above mentioned. Such extreme heat at this early period of the season indicates the proba bility of a very hot summer, and if such ensues, the grass iu almost all parts of the country being very long from the long-continued rains of spring, some serious and wide spread bush fires may be apprehended. An instance of the extreme variability of temperature characteristic of our climate is afforded by the fact that at Grant, on the Crooked River, on the 10th inst., the heat was very great, the glass standing at 88 deg. in the shade—an altitude un common in that alpine locality. On the 12th—only two days afterwards—the temperature was at freezing point, and snow irfas 1 7ing six *llea deep op, the p 14410,0 311SCE. NEWS. omnibus and an artillery -waggon were buried under the mass of rubbish, at least sixty feet high. An American traveller, Mr. T. W. Nunns, of New York, had a very narrow escape, and lies in hospital with internal injuries. A number of persons are believed to be buried in some vaulted stores in the lower part of the houses, but the still overhanging cliff is in such a dangerous position that it has not been considered prudent to set a large number of men at work. Prudence, how ever, does not appear to be quite the right thing in such a case, and severe strictures are made on the authorities, whether rightly or wrongly only pro fessional persons can judge. Vesuvius continues most complaisant for travellers ; of the many erup tions we have seen, none has lasted so long, been so interesting, and, we are glad to add, has done so little damage. From the Anglo-American Times.) PARIS, Feb. 6. It is still early February, but the winter and its wrath appear to have passed away in Paris, and the balmy breath of spring called to the face of Nature her most brilliant and vivid hues ; the days have lengthened considerably, and on the evening of Sunday last the Boulevards were thronged with promenaders, whom the soft evening breeze and bright moonlight had tempted from their domiciles. Nevertheless, the swallows have not yet arrived, nor have their winter representatives the pftfferari, who at the approach of winter cover France like locusts, yet disappeared, whilst the stranger and foreigner in Paris knows not what to think in meeting at every street crossing small groups of both sexes, frequently not exceeding six years of age, or seeing them lying coiled up in corners, shivering under the sharp sleet or thick falling snow, clasping with their tiny blue hands a-little fiddle as diminutive as themselves. Vainly have the French police attempted to contend with these beggars, for the braves sergens de ville are soft hearted as regards women and children, and the Admiral Farragut and officers of the United States steam frigate the Franklin left Nice yes• terday morning at dawn,. The noble ship sailed out of the beautiful little port of Villa Franca, and their departure is felt as a loss. On their arrival, two or three weeks ago, a splendid ball was given to them by the Americans at Nice. Invitations were most liberally bestowed, and to so great a number of English as to Dave much added to the cordiality existing between these two nations, so largely represented here. The sumptuous saloons of the new casino were thronged. A cloud less sky, calm atmosphere, a necessity for sun shades, agreeable society, balls, concerts, theatres, clubs, are among the attractions of Nice. There are two clubs to which strangers are ad mitted. At ono, the AlassOna, gambling is carried on, and opportunities afforded of losing as much as one pleases inthe shortest space of time. " Ecarte," and an Italian or Spanish game, " Bacara," are chiefly adoptea as means for this recreation. It goes on all night. Thus, unfortunately, many who have come in quest of health, to enjoy the bright sun and the genial air, see less of the for mer, and breathe more foul air than if they had remained far away. _ _ sight of a little cherub face (for these children are exceedingly beautiful), pinched and shivering be neath a temperature more inclement than that of their own beautiful Savoy, pictures to him in strong contrast his own cheerful fireside, with children o the same age sitting around it ; and it is against the patron who farms the earnings of these mendicants that his indignation is directed, and who, by the bye, takes good care to keep out of his way. Yet even lie is not so bad as would at first appear, for it seems to be a national custom in Savoy amongst the lower class of peasantry, to avail themselves of this method of of sending their children into the world, to inure them to its difficulties and priva tions, and to commence life and education in a very ' similar way to that boasted of by Mr. Weller wheh his father turned him out into the streets " werry young to shift for himself." The children, too are remarkable for their honesty as well as for na tural acuteness, an instance of which was strikingly afforded last week in the case of an infant of some eight years, who, plying his vocation one evening, near the entrance of one of the principal theatres, happened to pick up the bracelet of a countess, noted in the fashionable world, which she had dropped upon entering her carriage. The little man ran after the carriage for some time, guided by its lights, as fast as his infantile limbs would carry him, until, perfectly exhausted, he sunk on a door step just in time to see it disappear beneath the Porte cochere of its owner's aristocratic mansion. It was in vain for him to attempt to procure admission at that hour, and the child, having nothing better 1 to do, coiled himself up to sleep in the street, with the bracelet—a most valuable specimen of gold and emerald—tightly clutched in his grasp. It was not long before he was joined by a policeman, who at first thought he had stolen the jewel, but the child's story was sb susceptible of corroboration, that his innocence and good motive were at once apparent, and, as a reward for his integrity, he has since been taken into the countess's household and remains under her protection. In another instance, two of these small heroes, armed with a harp and violin, entered the establishment of a marchand de vins, and commenced to amuse the company present ; but, alas ! the marchand was inexorable, and gave them an immediate congj. The children were in a fix ; their hour for return to the establishment of the patron was rapidly approaching, and the har vest of sous ruefully small. What was to be done? " Faint heart never won fair lady ;" and the little wanderers boldly re-entered the establishment, and demanded deux cerises (two small glasses of preserved cherries). Mine host looked rather sternly at them, but they were within their right, as the French say. No sooner had he turned his back than they struck up their interrupted concert amidst the laughter and under the protection of the com pany, to whose goodwill and pleasure mine host (not unwillingly, be it said) was compelled to sub mit. A splendid ball was given at the Tuileries last night, and while the receptions of General Dix and Lord Lyons continue to attract the leading celebrities ce rts a nd of s 0 i t r h e e e s f a have h a i v o e n ab alsol e world taken at p l ae Paris, e a o t Mrs. Downing's, Mrs. Gowan's, &c. ; and a billet d, of friendsa l r i r e I p , 0 have ad i ye n en g before c.at,l as last su cceeded su me amidst a heap of varied 0 remindseeemeded in inducingethatourmeirri.caJn. E !wards Hauer, whose rising reputation as a pianiste is daily extending through this mighty city, to give a concert, which will take place on the 25th instant at the Salle Erard in the Rue de Mail, and will be attended, not only by the elite of American society, but by most of the distinguished mu sical amateurs in Paris. Mr. Hamer will be assisted distinguished a r ti s t es , b u t the prin cipalssis attraction t tb ra y ction will be his own magnificent a execution. lam not what is technically termed a musical man, and the endorsing of " full evening costume" on a sharp February night, appears at first sight somewhat trying. Reflecting, however, on the duty I owe my readers in making known Ame rican native talent, as well as upon my double milled overcoat, I shall endeavour to avail myself o ee f n a c n es op o p f ort ll un a i nws ty of playing gng in n he peloenansaencttiornemwiniitsh the Universal Exposition. The Legislature of France is at this moment deeply engaged in considering the proposed Government mea sure relative to the law of the Press, and speeches of the most brilliant character have been delivered on both sides of the House, especially one of great xeither my byhis Excellency M. nor.paPinaud, inclination popoferwtmhee Interior.rit me to express any decided opinion upon a measure which, as referring exclusively to France, the ho cemo most a s oe i d sn t e t, r i omn t p h . o a rt But a only nntt I ini n a tuh F s et r e bl n n i el c l n h_ t m i ao a un n t that h h o ar a s ti s Ai n a rg t right to 1 one — to establish a newspaper in France without permis sion of the authorities, has been carried by the enor mous majority of 217 to 7. Her Imperial Majesty the .Empress, pe , wit n li si l o ie u r s u o s f oulalo francsthoug each, htful upon charity 4,h0 blind asbe setad es of the institution of the QuinzeVingts, whilst the soup kitchens of the Prince Imperial are in full operation. I observe that in addition to the gold and other medals conferred upon our friend Mr. Walter A. Wood, of Hoosick Falls, Reunselaer county, his Majesty has honoured this distin guished agricultural implement maker with the decoration of the Legion. Who will say that America does not come well out of the Interna tional Exhibition ? The fineness of the weather has tempted a large number of persons to visit the Champ de Mars, and though at a distance one would imagine no change has taken place, as the immense iron cupola of the Palace still continues to raise its head ; nevertheless, on reaching the Pont d'Jena, you soon perceive that the interior is little else than a mass of rubbish. The French Phare, or Lighthouse, is half dismounted, the Church three parts demolished, the ground every where strewed with planks and stones, whilst in almost every direction the earth has resumed its natural level, and it is very evident that the Champ de Mars of 1867 will speedily return to the condition of the Champ de Mars of three years back. The sale of the materials commenced on MOnday last, at one o'clock, and will be continued every successive week on the sameday and hour. Public improvements continue to be " legion" in Paris. Advantage has been taken of the winter to thin out and beautify the trees in the gardens of the Champs Elysees, whilst a new and extensive pottery for the fabrication of the celebrated Sevres china has been erected in the Park of St. Cloud. His Majesty the Emperor is constantly to be seen driving through Paris in his phaeton, during every interval of leisure, in the most unostentatious manner, noting the various alterations which he proposes to carry out. "The Empire is Peace," once sail his Majesty. 'Truly he himself may be said to personify Progress. Hotels are full, and two weeks ago not a single room was vacant in some half-a-dozen of the chief ones. Many pleasant excursions can be made from Nice. A steamer runs daily in about an hour to Monaco, which is the Homburg and Baden Baden of the South, in so far as roulette and rouge et noir have there their licensed votaries. Mention must not be forgotten of two excellent operatic companies at Nice—French and Italian. The latter performs at the Theatre Imperial. Among its eminent artistes, is a Mademoiselle Schalchi, who has just appeared for the first time on the stage, and is only 17 years of age. Her voice is one of the richest and most perfect con traltos, and admirably trained. It is clear and faultless in every shade of intonation, extremely flexible, and poured forth without strain or effort. Congress has passed, and President Johnson has signed, the bill repealing the Internal Cotton Tax immediately, and the import duty on foreign cotton from the first of next November ; and the Presi sident has also signed the bill authorizing the sale of the surplus ironclads. The Anti-Contraction Bill has been agreed to by both Houses of Con gress. The word which the Cable brings is" sus pending," not "repealing," Mr. M‘Culloch's autho rity to contract the currency ; and this, however, small, is still a concession to the party the Secretary represents. The most important New York telegram this week is the confirmation of the report that Charles Francis Adams has resigned. He was appointed Minister to St. James's on the outbreak of the civil war, and the seven years he has laeld the post em braced a most critical neriod. The qualities he pos sessed for his diplomatic duties rendered him an admirable selection. He carried into the aristo cratic circle where his work lay the personal stamp of high culture and the prestige of a descent which few he met could equal. To the shrewdness and intelligence characteristic of his countrymen, he added those advantages of birth and breeding so appreciated by the highest classes of English society. The proudest British Duke could not sneer at a name associated with the birth of the United States, and au ancestry that included two dis tinguished Presidents. Both nations seemed bent on a misunderstanding, and determined to exas perate each other to the point of a collision when he came on the stage. The rowdyism of America made England its target, and the very class in England with whom Mr. Adams came in contact—shamefully ignorant of the Great Republic —falsified its every act, and gave far more reason, by the venom of its attacks, for irritation in Ame rica than the mud -throwing process, of which Great Britain was the object. The difficulties that met Mr. Adams may be easily imagined, for he was little aided either by Mr. Seward or Lord Russell, and both nations owe him a deep debt of gratitude. If worth and intelligence really ruled in America, Charles Francis Adams might step from Portland place into the White House ; and so high does his name stand amongst his countrymen, that, if no minated for the Presidency, he would be strongly backed, and it is not unlikely that this may be prac tically tested. The bill prohibiting the Supreme Court from trying appeals which raise the constitutionality of the Reconstructton Act, was adopted by the committee by a vote of 6to 3. Mr. Ilurlburd, though a Republican, voted against it, as he believed, if passed, it would largely increase the Democratic majority in his State of New York. The bill re garding naturalized citizens was adopted by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, after an angry dis cussion, and an examination of testimony, petitions, and resolutions of public meeting. Col. O'Neill tendered evidence regarding the imprisonment of Irish Americans in England. We give both both bills elsewhere. The Mexican Congress has refused even to count the votes on the Juarez Convocatoria, by which he hoped to amend the Constitution, so that the veto power shouldbe given to the President. Although a majority of the people voted for the amendment, Con gress deeming it a usurpation has thrown it aside with contempt. Diaz closely contests with Tejada the Supreme Judgeship. Several members of the Court that condemned the Emperor and his Gene rals have narrowly escaped assassination, and Col. Sanahez, the President, who was murdered, has been avenged by the execution some say of 40 of the assassins. In the State of San Luis Potosi twenty robbers were shot in one day, and fifteen in Morelia —the diligence was robbed on the 20th Dec., two hundred yards from the garita of Mexico City. The Revolution in Durengo was suppressed after three days' hard fighting. Also that at Jalapa and Colima, where one general and two colonels have been killed. At Mazatlan and at Guadaljara the difficulties asbaruesitnercsrehaasviengla,nadsewdeflrlom H at Yucatan, and 20,000 mus , where 400 filli kets. Yucatan has been declared in a state of siege, and Sisal was closely blockaded. Since the departure of the English consulate in the Jason, and the re moval of the archives, diplomatic intercourse has ceased with European nations. A bill for the erec Lion of a penitentiary has passed Congress, and a poll-tax has been substituted for toll upon the roads. The Jason arrived from Vera Cruz at New York on the 19th January. The Imperialist Con sul in New York has circulated a report showing how the New York Herald undertook to support the Empire for a consideration. Letters are said to have been brought to light which expose the ar rangement. But such reports are always in circu lation against the leading journals of every country. The steamship Island City has been fitted up with Foote's apparatus for generating steam by petro leum. She will leave Boston with a large supply of the liquid fuel in iron tanks, and will visit New York,, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other American ports, when the great experiment will be tried of crossing the ocean. This fuel has also been intro duced in some large establishments, and notably by Messrs. Chickering and Sons in their pianoforte manufactory. General Napier is pushing on the British expe dition in Abyssinia. He has been entertained by an Egyptian Pasha on board his frigate, and was about to pay a flying visit to Senafe. The weather was delightful up there—a cold east wind cutting keenly, the plain whitened in, the Daornin by hoar- This the editor interpreted as follows : NAPLES, Jan. 31, 1868 A sad disaster has befallen our city. A portion of the cliff of Pizzofalcone, which forms a pro minent part in the scenery of Naples, dividing the city in two parts, suddenly fell down, crushing the houses at the corner of Santa Lucia opposite the Castello dell Avo. The number of victims is not yet and will not be known for florae time. An THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 12, 1868. "(Special Telegram to the " World.") frost, and the tents wet with the heavy dew. King Theodore, it is believed, had not been informed of the arrival of the expedition, as his people were afraid to tell him. The pri soners had been heard from December 23, and were all well. Lieutenant Prideaux, whose letter is published in the Pall Mall, says Theodore is not favourably disposed towards the Europeans with him, and has chained the son of the late Mr. Bell, who saved the King's life and lost his own. The peasants flee before him, so he has been deprived of much of his amusement in burning people ; but he has varied the entertainment by impaling men with sharp tent pegs, and driving his gun-carriage over them. The writer thinks that Count Du Boisson should be sent out as comic correspondent to the Force. . Mr. Chanler ; a Democratic Representative from New York, must have been refreshing himself at the bar before entering the House on the 22d January. His conduct on any other construction is inexplicable, and deserves the severe censure of all Americans who desire to uphold the dignity of the Great Republic. Those who read our reports of Congress will know to what we allude. A most extraordinary story is told by " Brick" Pomeroy, editor of the La Crosse (Wisconsin), De mocrat. He was acquainted witha Mr. Powell, who, in 1862, married Miss Ellen Burnham, of Broadhead, Wisconsin, the daughter of highly re spectable parents. She was attractive and accom plished, but at the age of 21, two years after her marriage, an extraordinary change occurred. Mrs. Powell's voice grew hoarse, light whiskers ap peared, and she developed into a man ! Under such circumstances a separation was unavoid able, and the changeling assuming male attire, took the name of Edgar Burnham, and ob tained the post of clerk in Chicago. Edgar fell in love with the niece of Senator Mor gan, of New York, whom he failed to obtain. But he did marry Miss Gerta Everett, a young lady of Broadhead, formerly his pupil, when as a woman he taught music. Soon after the pair removed to Waterloo, lowa, where they now reside. A letter to the Springfield Republican certi fies to the truth of the story as we have given it, though Mr. Pomeroy had added a baby by the first marriage, a circumstance which rendered the tale in the highest degree improbable. The writer of the letter states that a surgical operation was per formed, and the supposed woman became a man. Mr. Pomeroysays that truth is stranger than fiction, the former girl being now a man—the former wife now a husband. We give these circumstances for Miss Braddon's benefit. Why should we not have sensational changes of nature as well as sensational effects of vice? Imagine the horror of the devoted husband as day by day he perceived the wife of his bosom changing her sex. Let any dramatic writer dwell on this for a few hours, and he will see what a frenzy may with ease be produced. On January 22 one of the most influential meet ings ever held in America assembled at Worcester (Massachusetts). A thousand New England manu facturers were there gathered to memorialize Con gress on the industrial state of the country. The meeting was called to endorse the proceedings of the National Convention held at Cleveland, Dec. 18, 1867, and it was resolved : "That as the sole purpose - of this Convention is to ob tain from Congress the immediate removal of all taxes upon manufactures and productions, except luxuries, and to change the mode of assessment and collection of the revenue, and the appointment and removal of revenue officers, we will striotly confine the action of this Conven tion to such purposes." F. H. Walker, of Worcester, succeeded in inducing the Convention to pass a resolution remonstrating against the publication of income returns in the newspapers. Of the delegation to Washington, four represent woollen manufactories, six cotton, seven paper, one machine card clothing, two calico printing, fifteen shoes and leather, three watches, six furniture, nine iron and its products, and two cutlery. That idiotic proceeding of the Cork police—the arrest of Mr. Train, has been received in America with incredulity. Those who believed it scarcely knew whether to be angry or to be amused. Many newspapers openly announced their conviction that he must have bribed the myrmidons of the law to commit the act. The original despatch from Mr. Train to the New York World was sufficiently in coherent to throw great doubt on the intelligence, and considering that the victim had i.100;000 in anticipation, he might have expended something more upon the telegram Queenstown, 18th, 9.45 a.m. "Editor World. "Arrested. Scotia. Laid pay claims, release American citizens, or war. "G. F. TRAIN." gi Queenstown, Jan. 18, 9.4s.—Have just been arrested by the British Government. Was seized on the Scotia immediately upon arrival out. Have told the Derby Cabi net that the American ultimatum is—Paymeat of Alabama claims and release of American citizens, or war. " GEORGE FRANCIS TRAIN." The legality of the arrest has been much discussed, and Koszta's case cited as an example. The Nation contends that there is neither in the law of nations nor in the municipal law of England any reason why Mr. "'rain should not be arrested in a British port, if he was fool enough to go there. It points out that Koszta's arrest is not applicable. It shows that, after denouncing the Government, Mr. Train went to the portion of the United Kingdom in which arbitrary arrest was legal, and the same law was applied to him as to the natives. It adds that it became the duty of the American Minister to insist on his trial or liberation ; but in the mere arrest itself, there was absolutely nothing to get up a fuss about. We have transferred to our columns an article from the Round Table, which gives, in a humorous way, American opinion on this incident. The Washington correspondent of a Boston paper asserted that in the ordinary course of busi ness the M'Ardle case, testing the constitutionality of the reconstruction laws, could not be heard by the Supreme Court in less than two years. Wil liam H. M'Ardle's attorneys filed a motion that the case be advanced on the Supreme Court docket to give it precedence of the civil suits pending. The petitioner was represented by Jeremiah S. Black and ex-Governor Sharkey, of Mississippi ; the military authorities by Senator Trumbull, of Illinois, and Judge Hughes, of Washington, as the opinions pronounced by the Attorney-General on the unconstitutionality of the Reconstruction Laws incapacitated him from taking any part. The motion was heard January 17, when the petitioner's counsel urged that it had always been the custom of the Supreme Court to hear first those cases in volving personal action in which liberty was restrained, because the adtninistration of crimi nal justice was of the greatest importance to the people, for if a man were guilty he should be punished at once, and if he had suffered a wrong he should as quickly be relieved. Further, there were many in the South similarly placed as the petitioner, and there existed grave doubts as to the constitu tionality of the Reconstruction laws, which were strong reasons for granting the motion that the case should be heard on an early day. Against this, the military authorities argued that there was no necessity for haste ; that it was not a principal cause ; that the prisoner was not restrained, being admitted to hail in the sum of $2,000, and would not therefore suffer if the case were postponed for a year. Passing on to the argument used by those who favour the Congressional measures for Recon struction, the advocates asserted, that the Supreme Court did not sit to decide political questions, or to go outside its legitimate functions to bring consti4 tutional subjects within its grasp. The fact that it involved a constitutional question was also a reason why it should be calmly and deliberately, not has tily, considered. The speeches of the petitioner's counsel showed that such questions could not be brought forward without stirring up passion. On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Court gave its decision to advance the case, naming for the thy of trial the first Monday of March. The struggle on this point will be fierce, as the Democrats are determined to test the constitutionality of the Reconstruction laws, and feel confident of obtaining the decision which they desire, either in M'Ardle's, or in some other case ; while Congress is equally de termined to checkmate that party at all risks. The Reconstruction Committee have even agreed to report a bill to deprive the Supreme Court of jurisdiction over cases arising from the execu tion of the Reconstruction Act. The Democratic party openly accuse General Grant of duplicity towards the President in the Stanton affair. He is said to have promised either to retain the office or to tender his resignation in time for Mr. Johnson to appoint a successor. On the 14th of January, after Mr. Stanton took possession of the War Office, the General was present at a Council of the Cabinet, when the President asked him why he had not redeemed his promise. Grant became confused, and deprecat ingly urged that late on Monday, after examining the Civil Tenure Act, he saw he would become liable to a fine of $lO,OOO and two years' imprison ment. The President observed, " You knew this before, and cannot have forgotten my assurance that I would assume all the penalties ;" but the General very properly replied, that one man could not assume the penalties which another incurred by a breach of the I.tw. The National Intelligencer next day published the agreement said to have been entered into between the General and the President; but it was contradicted by the friends of the former. At a subsequent meeting of the Cabinet, Mr. John son asked the secretaries to state what took place on the 14th. Messrs. M'Culloch, Browning, Welles, and Randall, certified to the correctness of the Intelligencer's report. Last week we gave a sketch of the new line pro posed for the Kansas Pacific Railroad, branching from Pond Creek, through New Mexico, Arizona, and California. We regret to learn that the peti tions in the Missouri Legislature for a memorial to Congress in aid of this project are opposed by the interests in the south-western portion of the State, on the ground that it will hinder the development of railroads in that section. News was received at Hong Kong, Jan. 15, that the ports of Hiogo and Osaka, in Japan, had been opened to foreign trade without difficulty. NEW YORK MARKETS. (From the Correspondent of the Anglo- American Times.) NEW YoRK, Jan. 25, 1868. Our Money Market here continues much the same as that reported from London—an immense amount of unem- ployed capital, low rates of interest, and difficulty in ob taining accommodation, except on the best security. Four to five per cent is the rate on Governments, five to six on stocks, and six to seven on discounts of first-class paper. Nor is there much prospect of immediate change, though the spring trade may be expected to create a demand and raise the present low figures. At Boston the rates are as easy as at New York. Gold has been steady at about 140, closing yesterday at 1401 having touched 1401. Only $150,000 have been exported this week, while the Cali fornian steamer brought in $958,615 in bullion. The ex ports since the Ist July amounted to $33,498,217, against $18,493,312 ; the imports at New York within the same period were $17,413,017 against $26,027,368. ' The Customs received at New York in gold during that period were $60,467,133 against $68,011,505, while the gold interest paid out was $44,530,019 against $33,436,463. The exports, exclusive of specie, from New York for the week and year were $3,678,601 against $2,724,291, and $10,091,381 against $10,697,573. The imports for the week were $3,587,491 against $3,456,063 in the previous week, and $3,095,642 in the week before that, and for the year $7,043,551 against $11,291,547. While the exports for the six and a half months since the Ist of July last have fallen off in currency value only $4,665,000, as compared with the same six and a half months last year, the imports for the same time have fallen off $25,168,000, specie value—a decided change for the better. In December the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railroad earned $139,652 against $83,420, and in 1867 $2,373,114 against $2,319,531. The profits of the Reading Railroad in 1867 were $2,840,062 against $4,164,072 —a falling off of $1,324,010. Railway Stocks are very active, and business is large at higher prices, particularly in Reading, New York Central, Erie, Cleveland and Toledo, Rock Island, and Ohio and Mississippi. The favourite was New York Central, which reached the highest point attained for many years —l3l. The advance of Government Securities has been satisfactory. The general idea is that the movement will be upwards, and those who have money to invest are doing so now. A letter has been published from Mr. M'Culloch, transmitting a statement of. the purchases in 1867 of Seven-thirties and the sales of United States Five twenties of 1865-1867, in reply to a resolution of inquiry on the subject by the House of Representatives. On the Ist of January, 1867, the Government's gold-bearing debt was $1,400,490,742; January 1, 1868, it was $1,890,102,092, showing an increase of $489,612,350 during the year, of which $460,011,750 are accounted for by issues of new Five-twenties. Of Seven-thirties there were outstanding —January 1, 1867, $676,856,600 ; January 1, 1868, $238,268,450, making the decrease $448,580,150. Sub tracting this sum from the increase in Five-twenties, we have $41,024,200, the excess in funding during 1867. The funding of the Seven-thirties began in April, 1866, since which time they have been decreased only $578,745,550, while the gold-bearing portion of the public debt has been increased $709,865,750. In other words, instead of an aggregate debt of $1,997,250,342, which we had April 1, 1866, we now have $2,128,370,542. The last of the Seven-thirties fall due in July, and it ought not to be long before the debt shall be so much reduced that it will be two thousand millions, all bearing gold interest, which would then amount to $118,000,000 annually. Among the investments now se lected are the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroad Companies, which promise large returns. Pacific Mail has advanced to 1111 to 111 k, and steamship stocks are active. Tyler, M'lnnes, and Co., extensive wool dealers at Boston, have suspended with liabilities reported at $200,000. The New York market for dry goods is better, showing signs of further improvement, though foreign goods remain stagnant. The sales of the leading dry goods firms of New York, for the last eight months, were as follows: -1L B. Claflin and Co., $30,700,000; A. T. Stewart and Co., $21,300,0 , 0 ; E. S. Jaffrey and Co., $3,900,00 0 ; Lathrop, Ludington, and Co., $5,000,000 ; Anthony and Hall, $4,100,000 ; George Bliss and Co., $5,600,00 0 ; George A. Wickes and Co., $3,000,000 ; S. B. Obittenden and Co., $3,000,000 ; W. J. Peake and Co., $4,600,000; Gardner, Brewer, and Co., $4,800,000; boit, Sprague, and Co., $5,200,000; Benkhard and Hutton, $3,500,000. Cotton is at present quite steady ; the re ceipts at all the ports in the . country, last week, were 70,822 bales, making the aggregate since Sept 1, 1867, 1,025,937 against 881,851, an excess this season over last of 137,086 bales. The exports were 53,539 against 49,701, and the total foreign exports from the United States since Sept. 1, 1867, now reach 542,161, against 376,834. The stocks at all the ports in this country are at present 864,074 bales against 556,150. (From the Wall-Street Journal.) NEW YORK R XTES OF EXCHANGE, Corrected by W. Aufermann, 68, Exchange-place, N.Y. Sixty Days, Three Days. London Bankers London, Prime Commercial lOB4--109fr Paris, Bankers Bremen, Bankers Hamburgh, Bankers 36 36i Frankfort, 0.11. 4oi-41 Berlin and Cologne Antwerp 5.21i-5.te4 Amsterdam, Bankers Swiss Closing Prices, Friday, Jan. 24. PUBLIC FUNDS.-Sixes, 1868, registered, 138 to 1381 ; Sixes, 1868, coupon, 110} to 111; Sixes, 1881, coupon, 110} to 111; Five-twenties 1862, coupon, 110} to 111; Five-twenties, 1864, coupons, 1081 to 1081 ; Five twenties, 1865, coupon, 1091 to 1091 ; Five-twenties, 1865, coupon, new, 107 to 107}; Five-twenties, 1867, coupon, 107 to 107/ ; Ten-forties, coupon, 1031 to 103/ ; Seven -thirties, 2d series, 107 to 107/ ; Seven-thirties, 3d series, 107 to 1071 RAILROAD MORTAGES. -N. Y. Central 6s, 1883, 921 ; do. 1887, 92/ ; do. R. Est, 87 ; do, Sub'n, 87 ; do. 6s, 1876, 103 ; do. con. 76, 128 ; do. '65-76, 1281 ; Erie Ist mort., 1867, 1021 ; do. 7s, 2d mort., 1879, 103 ; do. 3d mort., 1883, 981 ; do. 4th mort., 1880, 90 ; do. sth mort., 1888, 89 ; Long Dock Bond, 97 ; Buff. N. Y. and E. Ist M. '77, 91 ; Hud. R. 7s, Ist M.,1869, 1021 ; do. cony., 1867, 102 ; Harlem 3d mort., '6B, 100 ; Mich. C. 8 per cent., '69 '72, 1071 ; do. new Ist M. Bs, 'B2, 110 ; do. So. 7 p. ct., 2d M., 921; N. Ind. Goshen Line, '6B, 90 ; Mich. S. and N.I.S. F'd, 7 p. ct., 98 ; 111. Con., 7 p. ct., 1870, 115; Alton and T.H. Ist M., 93; do. 2d pfd, 85i; do. M. Inc., 80 ; Chi. and N. West, S. F, 87 ; do. In't B, 85 ; do. Ex'n B, 85 ; do. Ist M, 871; Del. Lack. and West'n Bds, 97 ; Tol. and Wab. Ist M, 901 ; Gt. Western 2d M. '93, 69 ; Mil. and Pr. du Ch. Ist M, 98 ; Gal. and Chic. Ext., 100 ; do. and Chic. 2d M, 97 ; Chi. and R. I. Ist M, 100 ; Cleve. and Tol. S. Fund, 100 ; N. J. Central 2d mort., 101 ; Pitts , Ft, W., and Ch. Ist M, 102 ; do. do. 2d M, 971 ; do. do. 3d M, 88 ; Cleve. and Pitts. 2d NI, 97 ; Chic. and Alton, S. F. Inc., 93 ; do. do. S. F. Ist M, 100; Mil. and St. Paul 21 NI, 79 ; Marietta and Cin. Ist M, 86 ; Joilet and Chic. Ist NI, 100 ; Chi. and Gt. East'n Ist M, 72 ; N. Y. and N. H. 6s, 96; and Dubuque and S. City, Ist M, 821. RAILROAD AND MISCELLANEOUS STOCKS.-N. Y. Cen tral, 131 i; Erie, 75 ; Hudson, 145; ; Reading, 951 ; Mich. Southern and N. 1., 89 ; Illinois Central, 1321; Cleve land and Pittsburg, 961; North-west, 601 ; North-west Preferred, 731 ; Canton, 581'; Rock Island, 961; Cleve land and Toledo, 1101; Fort Wayne, 1041 ; Pacific Mail, 1101 ; Atlantic Mail, 971; Quicksilver, 271 ;W. U. Tele graph, 371 ; Mariposa Preferred, 14 ; Ohio and Miss. Certificates, 331; Boston Water Power, .20; Cumber land, 33i. • • Elaugs pToClis.-Adnao, 781 to 79; Amorioan, 741 751 ; United States, 781 to 79 ; Wells, Fargo, and Co., 151 to 45k; Merchants' Union ($33 paid), 37/ to 37g. ;From Messrs. Belding, Keith, and Co.'s Circular.) FRIDAY, Feb. 7. Bank rate, 2 per cent. In general business, matters are still quiet, but in the Stock Exchange for the last week there has been an advance in foreign stock, those of the United States remaining steady. Five-Twenties, which left off on Friday last at 711 ; 72, have improved about k per cent., and close to-day at 72} to 721, and the Bonds of 1865 remain at the former proportion—viz., just at 1 per cent. lower. The 10-10 Bonds close exactly the same as last week, at 674 to 68i, and the price for them has scarcely been different during the last eight days. As to shares, a steady business has been going on in Illinois Central, which close to night at 861 to 864, or nearly 1 per cent. better than last week. In Eries the market remains very sensitive, and, in accordance with the quotations from New York, the business in them continues very restricted, but the supply of stock is larger, and lenders could scarcely get any hackwardation on them during this settlement. Atlantic and Great Western Preference have fluctuated somewhat this week, but close to-night better; the Debentures at 251 to 261 and the Mortgage Bonds at 25 to 26. For the Ist Mortgage Bonds the prices have advanced 6 to 8 per cent. during this week. (Front Messrs. Bowles, Drevet, and Co.'s Circular.) PARIS, Fob. 7, 1868. Under the influence of the improved tone of the general market, United States Securities, with little activity, have been quoted as high as 82 15-16ths. The improvement has not been maintained—the re newed advance in gold at New York checking the ten dency to advance. We quote the variations of the week; in 1862 : January 31 Bll February 1 B2l 82 3 B2 15-16 11-16 4 Bll 5 6 Bll 7-16 In the issues of 1881 and 1865 we hear of no trans actions of consequencO. Our advicos from New York aro to the 4th inst.:— Gold United States Bonds, 1862 (currency) ll4 The Rente closes at 6Bf. 70c. The Italian closes at Exchange on London 2sf. 15c. MUSIC AT AMATEUR PERFORMANCES. A Mnchester correspondent of the Racing Times and Amateur Dramatic Chronicle writes as follows : If there be ono infliction more than any other pain ful to endure, it is that of music badly executed. Last week I assisted at a private entertainment given by the * * * Amateurs. The parts in the pieces—from the leading character to that of respectable uti:itg— were very ably rendered, and frequent was the applause bestowed on the different ariistes. But the gratificatf on thus experi enced by the audience was undoubtedly more than cancelled by the performance of the amateur musicians. According to the programme Miss had kindly consented " to preside at the pianoforte," and the affability of this young lady, of c ourse, dose ryes appreciation. But Miss —'s knowledge of that instr ument proved exceedingly limited, as the first four bars of " Home, sweet Home," which constituted the Overture, had to be recommenced no less than six times before that most simple and• touching melody could be gone thrpugh. Nature has, moreover, endowed her with digits of a somewhat pondero us nature, and the result was ffj effects which could never have been conceived in the mind of the composer. Later in the evening, an amateur vio linist made his Appearance in the orchestra andendeavoured, in conjunction with his fair companion, to do his "little utmost" to please. This utmost, however, was scan ply on a par with that of the young lady ; for, although his fiddle posses3ed the required number of strings, on one alone were the sounds produced, and violin and piano re spectively scraped and thumped out what was termed a selection from Il Trovatore. At this juncture the state of nerves of the assembled guests may be easily imagined, but a sti'l greater infliction had yet to be borne. Daring the third entr'acte, the band received another addition in the person of a diminutive cornet-player. If I live to the reported age of Methuselah, to use one of Mr. Toole's favoarita expressions, "I shall never forget him ! Never !!" His evolutions to " Tootle, tootle, tootle, on the cornet" were something astounding, and his facial expressions, when en deavouring to bring forth a note which —from want of wind—had lost itself on is way downwards, were worthy the pencil of a Dore. In idifferent keys this remarkable " trio" started together in the air of Not for Joseph ! I use the word started ad visedly. Ido not know whether there was any ill feeling existing among the artistes, neither am I aware that the first gentleman was jealous of his smaller companion's reiterated attention to Miss -, and that, conse quently, the instruments received the vent of their injured feelings ; bu, certain it is they ran a race. Sometimes Fiddle was in advance, sometimes Cor net headed by a bar and once Miss --, with great digi tal exertion, managed to got the lead ; but only one could win. Palmam qui meruit ferat f—and I have to record, with a superhuman effort, and cheeks swollen with fatigue, Cornet came in victor, and—to the delight of the audience— the curtain drew up on the last piece of the evening. Col. D. E. Buel left Southampton yesterday for Now York, on a flying visit. He will proceed to Austin, Nevada, and return to London in ninety days, if possible.. If he carries out this intention he will add a chapter to New America better worth Mr. Hepworth Dixon's attention than his " Spiritual Wives." The New York Nation says :—A new party is announced as having recently been formed in the city. It is designated as the " I. P. P.," which letters stand for the words "Independent Progressive Party." The declara tion of principles is already made, and it is declared that only such candidates as can make profession of faith in them will be supported by the party in the next and future national elections. Of these principles the chief are as follows .-1. "A moderate tariff based on the principle of equalization"—that is, we suppose, a tariff of which the burdens are imposed justly on the various branches of in dustry; 2. "A progressive"—graduated, we suppose— "income tax, exempting the poor ;" 3. " Conversion of the Government loans into one debt with low rate of interest ;" 4. "No coercive or prohibitory Sunday laws ;" 5. "A general obligatory system of education ;" 6. " The establishment of an Executive to be elected by Congress, and separation of the political and military authority now vested in that office ;" 7. "Reconstruction on the base of the measures inaugurated by Congress." We are informed by a member of this new organization that it has been formed inside the North American Turnerbund ; and how important the Bund is may be judged by certain figures which he gives us : —The money invested in " Turnerhallen" amounts to $441,300; and if the debts of the one hundred and eigh teen clubs be deducted from this amount, and the value of their libraries, g 3 muastic apparatus, and other property added to it, we find that the total wealth of the Bundes- Vereine is represented by tho respectable sum of $401,761. Scattered as they are throughout the country, liked by their fellow-countrymen, of rather more than average in telligence, the political influence of the members of , the "I. P. P." is not to be despised. LADVERTISEMENT.)--AVOid Medicines: they always aggravate chronic complaints: but Du Barry's delicious health-restorirg Revalenta Arabica Food, which yields three times the nourish ment of the best meat, saves 50 times its cost in other remedies, and invariably restores perfect digestion, strong nerves, sound lungs, healthy liver, pure blood, refreshing sleep, functional regularity, and energy to the most disordered or enfeebled. We extract a few out of 68,000 cures ;—" The Pope's health restored by Du Barry's Food. Cure No. 68,413. "Rome, July 21, 1866. —The health of the Holy Father is excellent, especially since, abandoning all other remedies he has confined himself entirely to Du Barry's Revalenta Arabica Food, of 'which he consumes a plateful at every meal. It has produced a surprisingly bene ficial effect on his health, and his Holiness cannot praise this excel lent food too highly." From the "Gazette du Midi, July 25 Cure No. 58,216, of the Marchioness de Brehan, of seven years' liver complaint, wasting away, debility, nervousness, with a nervous palpitation all over, bad digestion, constant sleeplessness, and the most intolerable nervous agitation.." Cure No. 1,771; Lord Stuart de Decies, Lord Lieutenant of Waterford, of many years' dyspepsia. No. 49,832: " Fifty years' indescribable agory from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency, spasms, sickness, and vomiting.—Maria J oly."—Cure No. 46,270 :Mr. James Roberts, of Fernley, Surrey, of 30 years' diseased lungs, spitting of blood, liver derangement, and partial deafness. Important Caution.—Beware of the many unsavoury and more than sloppy imitations to which, without ut'iority, Baron Liebig's name is most audaciously attached. In tins at Is. lid.; 1 lb., 2s 9d. ; 2 lbs., 4s. 6d,; 5 lbs. lls.; 12 lbs., 225.; 24 lbs., 405.— BARRY Du BARRY and Co., No. 77, Regent-street, London; also Fortnum and Mason, 182, Piccadilly; and at 61, Gracechurch-street; 4, Cheapside; 63, 150, and 298, Oxford-street 330 Strand; and all grocers and chemists. Births. HANDcocx—On the 10th inst., at 8, Hume-street, Dublin, the Hon. Mrs. Handeock, of a daughter. MONCK—On the 24th ult., at Government House, Ottawa , Canada, the Hon. Mrs. IL Mona, of a daughter. WADDELL -On the 11th inst., at Haverstock-hill. NAV./ the wife of JamesWaddell, Esq., of New Poultry-cham bers, Poultry, of a son. Marriages. SAMS —CAwooD—On the Bth inst., at . St. Helen's, e Bishop" gate within, Frederick de Salis, fourth s on of the lat Major Joseph Salle M.T., to Elizabeth Hartley , second d a ughter of James Salis, Esq., of Manor-road, Stale" ford-bill. WHEELER --11013moN—On the Bth inst., at St. Georg e% John Thomas Wheeler, only so n of John Wheeler, Becl;' of Tollington-park, to Susannah , se cond da vg hter of " Robinson, Esq., Old Kent-road. Deaths. CHRTSTIE— On the 10th inst., at Edinburgh, Capt. ThoS; Chrystie, R.N. HILL—On the 10th inst., Mr. Wm. Hill, of Beaulah House, South Lambeth, aged 66. MACGREGOR—On the 9th inst., at Edinburg h, R. S. gac gregor, Esq., late Captain Highland Borderers. wife of S COTT —At Cannes, France, Julia Frances Laura, wi'e the Hon. Francis Scott, of Sa ndhurst Grange, Surrell aged 54 sirs London : Printed and Published atbThe y WILL IAM Stni Odic°, AND I3S 1 2, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, N -0 o f Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy , in the Count/ hltddleseL—Wedneeclay, February 12, 1868. Al I" A( 7,