The Sun. — London, England, 1853-05-04 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the Management of Mr. Bneketone. THIS EVENDTG, Max 4, By desire, THE LADY OF LYONS. Supported by Mr. B. Sul livan, and Mias Helen laucit. After which MR. BUCKSTONE'S ASCENT OF MOUNT PAE' NASSITS. To conclude with OUR MARY ANNE. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the management of Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, MAT 4, Will be performed the Tragedy of MACBETH. Principal cha racters by Mr. an Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with the new Drama, adapted from the French of Mons. Scribe, by Mr. Pegrave Simpson called MARCO SPADA. Principal characters by Messrs. W. Lacy, ' J. Vining, Ryder, Graham and Everett ; Misses Heath and C. Leciercq. ____-------- ROYAL LYCEUM TRZATRE. Under the Management of Madams Veetrls. THIS EVENING, MAT 4, Will be performed A.S.S. Characters by Messrs. F. Mathews, Suter, and Roslere ; Mrs. Macnamara and Miss Wyndham. After which, A FAST TRAIN—HIGII PRESSURE EXPRESS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, Baker, and Suter. To be followed by TRYING IT ON. Principal character by Mr. C. Mathews. After which, USED UP. Principal character by Mr. C. Mathews. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHL preprieter, Mr. Z. Webster.—Dtreetrese, Madame Celeste. THIS EYEICING, MAY 4, Will be presented THE ROUSED LION. Characters by Messrs. B. Webster, Porsche, Wigan, Hastings, &c. Mrs. Keeley, Miss F, Maskell, and Mrs. L. Murray. After will*, A DESPERATE GAME. To be followed by THE PRETTY GIRLS OF STILSBERG. To conclude with THE DANCING SCOTCHMAN. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager Mr. Farren. Great Hit of THE MILLER OF DERWENT WATER. THIS EVENING, NAY 4, Will be performed THE MILLER OF DERWENT WATER: Characters by Messrs. H. Farren, F. Robson, Shalders, G. Cooke, and Morgan ; Mesdames Anderton and E. Turner. After which, UNCLE CROTCHET. Supported by Messrs. Fax ren, F. Robson, and Mrs. Phillips. To be followed by MACISETiI. By Mr. Samuel Macbeth, Mr. F. Robson, Mrs. Sarah Macbeth, and Mrs. A. Phillips. To conclude with THE WATERMAN. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. Continued and brilliant success of the New Spectacle. laird Night ' .of an entirely new Drama. THIS EVENING, MAT 4, And during the week, the performances will commence with the Increasingly popular spectacle of AMAKOSA ; or, Scenes of Kafir Warfare; with all its new and beautiful scenic. interesting dramatic and astonishing Equestrian effects. The Bunting Wood, the Leap through Fire, and the terrific spring of Amakosa's Steed over the Falls of the Umtata, nightly received with enthusiastic approbation. To be followed by a novel and incomparable display of Equestrian Achievements in the Scenes of the ARENA, supported by the most accomplished Artistes of the day. Mr. Cooke will appear with his wonderful steed Raven ; also Mr. Alfred Cooke and his accomplished Family. To conclude with a new Comic Drama, entitled IN FOR A DIG; or, Life at the Diggings. Bea-adieu open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. DAILY WEATHER TABLE. WEDNESDAY, MAT 4,18 N. State of the wind and weather at each of the following places at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stations are arranged in order of latitude. R A STINGS—E., gentle breeze—rain. SOUTHAMPTON S., strong breeze—rain. TUNBRIDGE—E., stroll breeze—rain. B A SINGSTOKE—N.E. strong breeze—scud—rain. GREENWICH—E., c , eritle breeze— heavy rain. S WI NDON—E., fresh breeze—rain. CAMBRIDGE—N.E., gentle breeze—cloudy. LEIGEITON—S.E., gentle breeze—rain. YAKmouTK—S.E., gentle breeze—foggy. The returns from the following places indicate the state of the weather on Monday morning at nine o'clock : HASTINGS—E.N.E., fresh breeze—elouciless. SOUTHAMPTON— S.E., strong breeze—overcast. FOLKESTONE--N.E., gentle breeze—overcast. TUNBRIDGE—S.W., gentle breeze—cloudless. BASINGSTOKE—N.E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. GREENWICH--S.E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. STROOD—E., strong breeze—partially cloudy. SWINDON—S.E., fresh breeze—partially cloudy. CAMBRIDGE—E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. LEIGITTON—S.E., gentle breeze—cloudless. YARMOUTIT—E., gentle breeze—foggy. HOLYHEAD—S.E., strong breeze—overcast. DARLINGTON—E.. strong breeze—partially cloudy. SHAP— S.E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tao; Dar —Morning 0 min. after 0 I Evening 56 min.aft. 11 To-loanow—Morning 17 min. after 12 Evening 38 min.aft. 12 THE WEATHER.—Sus Orncs, MAT 4. THERMOMETER, TN THE SHADE. 57--highest since noon yesterday. 52 - - lowest this morning and during the night. 57 this thy at noon. 111.11.01SIETER, WIND, E. to E.N.E.—Light breeze, and dull, cloudy weather. y_ Aftv , to - :.4:" • LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1853. It is wonderfully instructive to watch the pro gress made in their inquiries by the Committee (now sitting) on Dockyard Promotions and Ap pointments. Seldom has the country, at any rate of late years, enjoyed the opportunity of any such amusing, but at the same time melancholy revela tions. For once we are admitted behind the scenes at the Admiralty. We hear for once the official whisper. We observe for once the " aside"—generally inaudible to the vulgar com munity. Confidential remarks, uttered within closed doors, are reported before Committee, and noted down verbatim et, literatim by the attendant short-hand-writers. Confidential letters have their seals broken, so to speak, in the mar ket-place, and their contents flaming in the printed columns of the newspapers. At one moment we are standing at the elbow of the late Secretary to the Admiralty, listening to his candid confession—" There's no use blinking the question ; I can't help myself, I am so pressed by the Government." At another we are watching Vice-Admiral PARKER, as he tosses behind the fire that important missive in which Sir BALDWIN WALKER, as Surveyor of the Navy, takes the liberty of respectfully tendering his resignation to the Lords Commissioners. Already we have commended the really sur prising lucidity of the evidence given by Sir B. WALKER before the Committee of Inquiry into the subject of Dockyard Promotions and Appoint ments. It is deeply to be regretted that the evidence subsequently " taken down " from the lips of Mr. AUGUSTUS STAFFORD, is by no means comparable either in coherence or explicitness. Throughout his replies there is a painful sense of hesitation, if not indeed of actual reservation. Beyond which, while there is not a link wanting in the whole chain of evidence given by the late Surveyor of the Navy, there is per ceptible here and there in the evidence given by the late Secretary to the ♦dmiralty a hiatus at once suspicious and bewildering. _ _ Another remarkable witness was examined before committee only yesterday—one Mr. Join; Bloods--who during the last twenty-seven years has been reader to the Board of Admiralty. His evidence, it must be allowed, is sufficiently enter taining from its delightful preciseness. Witness —as we learn from one part of these amusing revelations—remembered distinctly the notable interview which took place between Sir BeLnwriv WALKER and Mr. AUGUSTUS STAFFORD, in refer ence to the former olficiars memorable letter of resignation. In fact, he seems to have blundered in upon them during their conference. "On 11 entering the room," remarks the wit ness,: " the Surveyor of the Navy appeared to be labouring under great agitation of mind, as if SOrn , etiLing very unpleasant had occurred." That, at least, is the surmise of Mr. JOHN BRIGGS, reader to the Admir a lty. Thereupon his curiosity became naturally excited, more particularly when he adds, " I heardaSsonl a e wo t rds [delightful indefi niteness !], and w to BRIGGS !], thinking something had retire [bashful taken place"— m arvellous instance of astute in nation ! Can it possibly be o ur ratioci friend, Mr. BRIGGS of p,),, the dear old „ beloved Of JOHN LEECH, and " the bright particular sta r " however, of the London Charivari ? To return, from idle surmises to this delectable eviden ce , ae wit ness adds, "The Surveyor was standing at the t folding up his papers and I beard him say these words :•—‘ Very well, Sir, I ill go to Somerset house, and return by and by.' Seeing that he was much agitated, I said to Mr. STAFFORD [ we pres ume by th is ti me Sir BALDWIN WALKER had quitted the apartment], hope the Surveyor has not resigned.' He [meaning of course h e has re- Mr. STAFFORD] said 4 No : signed.' I said, What do you mean ?' " Now let it be observed that Mr. STAFFORD'S reply was simply, "No: he has resigned"--a reply to any ordinary mind as plain as a pike-staff. But Mr. BRIGGS'S was not an ordinary mind. He was evidently bewildered, for we find him adding— " I said, c What do you mean ?' " Fortunately, Mr. BRIGGS was b e wildered —fortunately, because his bewilderment elicited from Mr. STAFFORD the following explanation—" The Surveyor of the Navy has been to the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND, and the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND informed him that he had never seen the resignation, and that if he had seen his letter of resignation, he should immediately have taken it to Lord DERBY ; that the Surveyor had been to Admiral PARKER, who had told him that he had not thought fit to bring his letter before the Board, but that he had de stroyed it." According to witness, Mr. STAFFORD added—" In fine, cuffed by the Duke, snubbed by Admiral PARKER, with his letter of resignation in the fire, the Surveyor of the Navy not only comes to me and recites this in his own proper person, but asks me what he had better do." Mr. BRIGGS'S sensitive nature is startled by this plain speaking. "My remark was," says he [by the way he has never spoken of his remark before, any more than Mrs. GAMP, but that en passant], Mr. gTAF FORD lam astonished at you, I am.' " And so the evidence of Mr. JOHN BRIGGS was conducted throughout. Garrulous, minute, scrupulous as to the most trivial circumstance, Mr. BRIGGS de poses from first to last, as the report informs us, with " great importance and preciseness." His evidence has been about the most amusing episode in these entertaining and occasionally grotesque re velations. The whole transaction breathes rather of the age of the Merry Monarch th an of the age of Queen VICTORIA. Conning these odd exposures of the doings at the Dockyards, and reading them by ttle light of Mr. BRIGGs'S evidence, we are almost fain to imagine ourselves in the days when good cc M:r. SAMUEL PEPYS his Diary" recorded the thoughts and deeds, official and domestic, of the Secretary to the Admiralty Board of Commis sioners. Slowly, but surely—we believe—Mr. CHARLES PRIIRSON is breaking ground for the erection of his proposed City Terminus. Under any circum stances he may be said to have already prepared for the laying of its foundations. Additional pros nice of this was afforded on Monday afternoon by a, cluster of representatives, described correctly enough as "a very numerous and most influential deputation," who waited upon the Home Secretary according to special appointment. Altogether, thy; interview proved more satisfactory than such things are accustomed to do. Instead of leaving tho. Members of the deputation just about as wise on going out of the official apartment as they had helm on entering it, Viscount PALMERSTON ex pressed his views upon the subject of this pro jecded metropolitan improvement with so much energetic candour and lucidity, that it were idle to ' doubt now for a moment the opinion enter tained upon the matter in question, by one at least of the most influential members of her MA JESTY'S Government. It could scarcely have been otherwise. The feasibility of the sug gested enterprise has already long since been clearly demonstrated. The advantages certain to accrue from it to the community at large have been for some time past duly appreciated by the majority of the inhabitants of London and West minster. Besides all which, the Noble Lord, her MAJEBTY'S Principal Secretary of State for the Homo Depal (anent, was addressed in language of such peculiarly forceful appropriateness, as applied to himself personally, that it became in a manner incumbent upon him for once to break through that Ministerial reserve which is no doubt as con venient to statesmen as it is annoying and bewil dering to the general population. Viscount PAL MERSTO24, for example, had heard those closing re marks of the Hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. RAIKES CURRIE), in the course of which, speaking for himself and the gentlemen associated with him, he assured the Home Secretary—" They (the members of the deputation) believe that the pecu liar energy, the pre-eminent ability, the indefati ' gable devotion to the public service which have long signalised. your Lordship's career in one of the highest departments of the Government, way now, under PRovIDENUE, be the means of con ferring domestic benefits no less remarkable, no less deserving the labours of a great stiAesmn, on millions of your fellow-countrymen : and in this point of view, and wide - these impressions, they respectfully submit this important undertaking to your Lordship's attention and favourable conside ration." He had heard one of the Representatives of the City of Loudon (Sir JAAES DUKE) bearing witness to " the unanimous and cordial approba tion" with which, out of doors, the project is hailed and supported. He had heard another (Mr. MASTERMAN) assert that " there could be no doubt of the state of public opinion on the subject, or of the advantage which would accrue to the City from its being suppor'Led by the Go vernment." He had been reminded by the Mem ber for Lambeth (Mr. W. WILLIAMS) that " the objects of the deputation were not merely local," and by the Hon. Member for Southwark (Mr. A. PELLATT), that the execution of the intended works would, by diminishing the present crowded condition of the streets of the metropolis, and by materially promoting the cause of sanitary im provement, be received as a great boon by the inhabitants. Another of the Hon. Members, the Representative of Lambeth (Mr. W. A. WILK:N SON) had corroborated the assertions made by his colleague ; while " last, but not least " in the group of Legislators, the Representative of the Borough of Finsbury (Mr. THOMAS DUNCOMBE) had insisted, with some con siderable show of reason, that, "as upwards of a thousand houses were now in progress of removal in Fleet Valley," it became necessary that no time should be .lost in securing to the public the benefits of the projected enterprise. Listen ing to all these arguments, and remarking that they were arguments of a really authoritative character, as coming to him from the lips of Metropolitan Representatives, Lord PALMERSTON could hardly have ventured to evade something approximating to a definite explanation. Instead of doing so, in fact, he avowed that, while " re serving to himself a discretion to consider any fair objection that might be brought forward," he gave the matter his most willing consideration, and, as far as he was at present informed, believed that it was deserving the support of her Majesty's Government." Naturally, of course, he reminded the deputation that the details of the under taking fell entirely within other departments. For example, the Noble Lord observed, that "the railway portion of the measure would devolve upon the Board of Trade for consideration, and the proposed street improvements would be inquired into by the Board of Works ;" but apart from this, the Home Secretary distinctly avowed that 1 r. - ; regarded the project, as a whole, as highly de seevlng all the support that could fairly be given it by the Government and the Parliament. After this bold acknowledgment on the part of so emi nent an authority, it were frivolous to question the probabilityof that same project being speedily real ised. An interval will, of course, be required for fur ther preliminary labours before the enterprise can be commenced in earnest. Ultinudely, however, we may now count upon its completion, without any degree of extravagance. Wherefore, once in a way, at least, good may be said to have actually resulted from a deputation. Exeter-hall can create saints as well afs the Vatican, and in some respects much more efficient ones. Rome canonises the dead, but the English beatifiers confer their honours on the living, and however many of us may doubt the omnipresence of departed spirits, or their prowess in sublunary affairs, none of us disputes the occasional advan tage of fighting a political battle under the pa tronage of a fl es h- an d-bl o od saint of Exeter-hall notoriety. At elections some of these unetherial guardian g en ii o f P rotestant i sm have l a id occa sionally a large constituency under a most holy Anti-Maynooth spell, and returned the favourite candidate • in triumph of those who invoked their aid. In the H ouse of Commons , - since Mr. PER CIVAL'S exit, this race of beings has been nearly extinct ; some specimens of the cies do indeed remain, but using only the argu ments of the canonised ones of old, without the testimonials of canonisation, they pres4u_ t rather a ludicrous than an imposing appearance. In the House of Lords, however, there is still remaining a specimen of the species now extinct in the other hemisphere of Legislation ; one, more over, of such sterling worth, that we much regret the unworthy purposes for which his aid has been invoked. As the patron saint of Sabbatarian movements, Protestant Alliances, Stafford-house Addresses, baths and washhouses, model lodging houses, ragged schools, and of everything indeed which bears the stamp of benevolence or anti- Popery, the Earl of SHAFTESBURY has enjoyed the long and just admiration of all the Protestant MACHALEs and LUCASES, and of all who delight ------- ___ _ in benefiting the humbler classes of society by direct charity. The sincerity of his charity, more over, has never been called in question. The most rabid curs on the other side of St. George's Channel would not venture to denounce him as guilty of " soup-ticket proselytism." His Lord ship is, however, but one of too many instances in which the narrowest interpretation of a meek and expansive faith is combined with a high de gree of religious and social excellence. This, no doubt, was the reason why he was selected as the standard-bearer of mediaeval bigotry and intoler ance on Friday night. Had Lord DERBY been put forward, it would have been held all pretty fair as a political opposition in his peculiar position, but it would have been accounted a purely political opposition. Had the Bishop of EX.ETER moved the amendment, all his resistance ' would, by worldly and malicious minds, have been ascribed to views and habits so uncourteously described the other night by Sir WM. MOLESWORTH. But, if Lord SHAFTESBURY, whose motives none ever ventured to impugn— Lord SuArrEssuny, who has such a constituency of the benevolent on his right hand, and the zeal ous Protestants on his loft—if he will but head the ill-omened phalanx of civil and religious des potism, his name would be an answer at once to many a taunt, and an authority with thousands of followers. Nothing harsh could come from the noble patron of factory operatives and ragged schools ; nothing contemptuous to th© Jews from one who vies with BENJAMIN DISRAELI in extolling " the Hebrew mind," as destined to make them " the future sovereigns of the earth." Lord SHAF TESBURY'S name is sufficient to prove that it is both Christian and benevolent to do to the Jews as we would not that they should do unto us—to prove that it must unchristianise the kingdom since he thinks it would. Lords who, at bottom, chiefly desired to give Lord JOHN RUSSELL a well-deserved snubbing, since he chose to try his hand at " lead ing" their Lordships, as well as the House of Com mons, where he ought to have settled the whole business ; Lords who wished to tantalise the Coalition a little ; Lords who wanted to take breath after such a mighty liberal effort as passing the Canada Clergy Reserves Bill ; Lords who really believed that there was such a thing as unchristianising a Legis lature by permitting Christian electors to choose a Jewish Representative—and there really are a few such Lords—chiefly those, no doubt, who have personally retired' from public life and com mitted themselves to the care of their wife and the chaplain ; but chiefly the far greater number of Lords who delight, in any safe contest, to nail the good old Tosy colours to the mast, and show that they are Tory Lords still, and not the foot ball of a Reformed (?) House of Commons—all these various classes of Lords could play their part in this annual sham-fight to the very best advantage under a leader far too good a man to be a party politician. " I voted with the Earl of SHAFTESBURY." That's answer enough to all" the gentler sex assuredly, and more than answer enough to all who care for " our Protestant insti tutions." His Lordship performed the office of a legislative CALCRA.FT, of course, with his wonted blandness. He strangled the last offspring of Religious Liberty with a silken cord, but it was strangling of the noblest kind of freedom still, and gave a Bishop the opportunity to remind the House of the " grievous wrong they had done the Church in admitting Catholics and Dissenters into the Legislature, and that admitting the Jews would be but to perpetuate a greater wrong." Lord SHAFTESBURY himself partly adopted the same argu ment, and ought, logically, to have adopted the whole when lie urged that a Christian Chinch oiight only to be legislated for by Christians. Lord SHAETESBUR I" and the Dishopr::, however, must take care. Ti:ey may find that the sentiment of :Religious Liberty is becoming hourly much stronger, and the policy of State Endowments and State Churches more and more extensively questioned. We regard it as perfectly certain that if the two should come of necessity into conflict, Religious Liberty would gain the victory, and speedily too. If the greater part of our politicians at all believed that a system of exclusions from civil privileges and offices were necessary to the preservation of English Episcopacy, they would neither dare, nor probably wish, to take their stand on the ground o f exclusiveness. On the debate generally we have already expressed our opinion. We suppose it is hopeless to expect the House of Commons under a Coalition to assert the rights of Electors, or Lord JOHN RUSSELL to kick at the House which snubs him at pleasure. To us the People's Representa tives appear unendurably degraded when they suffer the Upper House to hold the keys of the Lower one—when, year after year, they invite Baron ROTHSCHILD to take his seat among them. But the Lords see fit to bar the door, not of their own, but of the People's House, in his face. Surely the day must be at hand when the good old motto, that " Every Englishman's house is his castle," will be adopted in good earnest by the Englishmen who compose the House of Commons. We want a " House of Commons Reserves Bill," of which the first clause should enact " that the settlement of qualifications for a Representative of the People should be determined by the Repre sentatives of the People ; and a second, that all matters pertaining to the right of suffrage, the mode of collecting votes, and the arrangement of electoral divisions, should also belong exclusively to the People's House." THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 4, 1853. COURT CIRCULAR. OSBORNE, TUESDAY. The Queen drove out into the grounds this morning. Prince Albert and the royal children walked as usual in the park. The Countess of Mount Edgcumbe will arrive to-day as Lady in Waiting to her Majesty. It is understood that the Court will return to London on the 27th May. As her Majesty's birthday will be celebrated on the 24th of May no drawing-room will be held upon that occasion. It is also understood to be her Majesty's intention that State Balls shall take place on Wednesday, the 15th of June, and on Wednesday, the 29th of June ; and that Concerts shall be given on Friday, the 3d of June ; Monday, the 20th of June, and on Monday, the 4th of July ; and further, that the christening of the Infant Prince shall take place on Monday, the 27th of June nest. Sir A Perrier had an interview with the Duke of Newcastle yesterday at the Colonial-office. Maj or- General Sir R. Nickle had also an interview with his grace yesterday. A deputation from the London Dock Company had an interview with the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, yesterday, at the office of the Board of Trade. The deputation consisted of Messrs. Cattley, Cave, Powles, Chandler, and Weston. Mr. Ross and Mr. Jackson, M.P., had yesterday an interview with the Duke of Newcastle. Dispatches from the Governors of Hong Kong, Ceylon, and Malta, and also from the Lord High Com missioner of the lonian Islands, were received yesterday at the Colonial-office. NEW SUBMARINE TELEGRAM—On the first fine day after this date the cable is to be laid down for the new submarine telegraph from Dover to Ostend, where, in dependently of the French lines, it will connect with the g•eneral continental system. The length of the cable will b e 76 miles, and it will comprise six distinct wires. SPOITE.—The shipment of specie by the Peninsular and Oriental steamer Ripon, amount to 151,6001., of which 43,i;00/. is gold for Alexandria, and 103,400/. silver for Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, and Singapore. The remainder consists of small quantities of gold for Port Philip, Adelaide, and Madras. SOUTH WALES RAILWAY.--The tubular suspension bridge, 300 feet span, on t his line of railwa y , constructed by - r. Brunel, over the Wye, at Chepstow, was in spected by the Government Inspector of Railways, who has certified that it is fit for traffic, and accordingly it is now open. A single line of rails over one side of the bridge was opened last year for traffic, but now both lines are open, and the bridge which is 610 feet in length is completed. The electric telegraph on this line is now nearly completed to Swansea, and preparations are being made to carry it to Carmarthen. It is already in use from Gloucester to Cardiff, and a few days will corn ' plate the communication to Swansea. MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL, INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY.) CITY, TWO 0 CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 500 Surat were taken for export, and 1,000 American on specula tion. The market closed very firmly, with prices of American rather against the buyers. The sales comprised 4,500 American, 50 Pernam and Maran- ' ham at 6id., 50 Bahia at 61d. to 61d., 300 Egyptian at 62d. to 7d., 800 Surat at 31d. to c u d., and 30 Sea Island at ls. 10d. to 2s. 7d. per lb. Railway Shares were dull. The ship Statesman brings Melbourne advices of Jan. 30, and 10,339 ounces of gold. The steamer Ripon has taken o u t 151,680/. to Egypt and India, principally in silver. The Magdalena steamer, with the West India mail, has over 3,000,000 dollars on board. Trade at Jamaica was very dull. In regard to mining operations in Jamaica, which have of late been of so m uc h i n t eres t, th e a d v i ces are very satisfactory. Discoveries of gold are al leged to have been made in St. Lucia, though the specimens found had to be submitted to analysis before this could be confirmed. The analysis of copper found on Moreland estate, Westmoreland, had given great satisfaction, and copper ore had actually been found in one of the streets in King ston of an exceedingly rich nature. The remittance for the Mexican dividends is stated at 27,000 dols., with 70,000 dols. for the cotton licenses, to be placed t o the old account. Mr. Falconnet had been imprisoned by the autho rities, on account of the charges of corruption he is alleged to have made against members of the Congress. The Trade and Navigation returns for the month, and three months ended Ap r il 5, h ave b een i ssue d. In the importations into the United Kingdom during the month, there was an increase in live animals, cocoa, coffee, wheat, barley, rye, Indian cora, flour, cotton manufactures, cotton yarn, flax, hemp, !ace manufactures, linen manufactures, metals, opium, rice, saltpetre, silk, silk manu factures, nutmegs, pepper,!spirits, unrefined sugar, refined ditto, tea, tobacco, wine, cotton wool, and I sheep's wool. There was a falling off in the im portations of oats, guano, bacon, eggs, cassia lignea, mace, and pimento. In the exporta tions, there was an increase fa butter, cotton thrown 7c y o, a Brr r B n e7 , 4,2o3ia3ili, in silk, soap, and woollen yarn ; but a diminution in coals and culm, cotton manu factures, linen yarn, refined sugar, woollen manu factures and woollen yarn. The total exports o f B r iti s h a n d Irish produce and manufactures from the United Kingdom in the month ended April 5 were to the amount of g an mo ir n ie t r h ea o s f e is o s. f 21,486,8181. over the t The tonnage of vessels employed in the foreign, rade of the United Kingdom during the month -1;o the sth April was 548,531 tons inwards against 406,784 tons at the like date of 1852. English Stocks have been rather flatter this morning, and there is still an absence of speculative dealing. Consols have been done at 1001, and since at 100 for transfer, and at 1031 for Account. New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. were 103* to and the 3 per Cents. 100 to *. Bank Stock is firm at 228, and India Stock at 261 and 262 k. Exchequer Bills of March are ls. to to par and . South Sea Old Annuities are ss.wo premium,rth Foreign Stocks general l y have be en firm, with a at fair business doing. Mexican Bonds have been 27* to 4, being firm. Equador Bonds are at 0,, and Brazilian Small at 101. Portuguese Four per Cents. have realized 42 4. P eruvian Scrip is 34 premium. Spanish Certificates have been heavy, and the Swedish Loan is at 2 discount. French Four-and-a-Half per Cents. have been quoted 104 50, with the Exchange at 25. Dutch Two and-a-Half per Cents. are worth 60,', I. Railway Shares are rather flatter, and with less doing, but the Caledonian has improved to 68, and the York and Berwick to 70 i. L ancashire and Yorkshire are fairly supported. The others are scarcely so good. French shares keep steady, but with very little doing. Gold Mine Shares have been less dealt in, but remain at about the previous rates. The Copiapo have been in request. The Land Companies' Shares are heavy, with the exception of the Scottish Australian, which has risen. British American Land are declining. The Joint-Stock Bank shares are generally dull. BRITISH FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK THIS DAY. ' ( From, the Oiftict/ List.) Business done. Bank Stock 3 per Cent. ReclucectlAnnuitios lo3k 100 3 per Cont. Consols Aunuities, 100& New 31 per Ccut. Annhities Long ihuniLies, Expiro s',;h Jan., 1860 Ditto 30 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 100 5 1146 Ditto 30 Years, Expire ah-Jan., IS6O 6 3-16 India Stock India Bonds, £l6OO South Sea oil Consols for Account Exchequer Bills 12,1 £lOOO.. ...... .......... £5OO Small 9:q 100 . 1004 Jun c. March. . 41 5 41 5 . 41 5 41 5 . 41 5 41 5 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Brazilian Bonds; 5 per Cent. Ditto Small Chi ;.9.11807d5, 6 per Cent Equador Bonds Mexican 3 per Cent. Ditto for the Account Peruvian Scrip Portusuese Bonds, 5 bier Cent. Russian Bonds, '5 per Cent. Ditto 4 per Cent lO4l Spanish 3 per Cent., New Deterred 24e Ditto Passlye (Courertecl) Spanish Committee Cert. of Coun. not fun 6 p c Swedish Loan 2 101 1011 64 274 27-4- 34 P 42/ Dividends on the above payable in London. French Rentes, 4} per Cent. Belgian , q per Ceat. . ... 98 Dutch Exchange, 2A per Cent. 12 Guil. 6.04 / Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates Consols.... Ditto Mai Account PAYMENT OF WAGES BILL. Mr. BIGGS said he was a manufacturer in the Mid'. land Counties, and identified with the trade to which the bill referred, and though he thought the bill would be useless, and in some of its provisions mischievoup, should not vote at all upon the second reqling, lest it should ,be thought he did so fr4l` i interested motives. (LEFT SPEAETISC .) BANKRUPTCY COURT.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.) IN RE LACY.—IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMERCIAL BANK OF LONDON. The bankrupt formerly carried on business as a mer chant in Great St. Helen's, and to-day was appointed for hearing a claim made against the estate by the Com mercial Bank of London. Mr. Pearson appeared as counsel for the Bank, and Mr. Aspland as counsel for the assignees. Mr. Pearson said that he proposed, in the first in stance, to enter a claim, on behalf of the Commercial Bank of London, on a bill of exchange for 2,500/., drawn by Lackerstein and Co., on the bankrupt. The bill was dated the Ist of December, 1851, and professed to be accepted for "value received on shipments." The ob ject of the present claim was to follow the shipments, and ascertain what they realised. Mr. Aspland submitted that if the bank sought to prove a claim on the bill, they must waive any col lateral security, or else realise the security, and prove for the difference. _ Mr. Pearson on the contrary, urged that both the bankrupt and Laokersteins had distinctly vouched to the cashier of the bankrupt that the bill was on the ship ments, and he hoped his clients would not be pressed to make an election now. His Honour concurred that the general rule was to either prove for the debt, and abandon the collateral security, or to realise the security and prove for the differ ence, and he did not see why it should be departed from in the present case. The only effect of admitting the claim would be to shut up a large sum of money from being made available for a dividend amongst the gene ral body of creditors. The bankrupt could not be pre judiced by a delay, as there would be an abundance of assets to meet their dividend, in the event of the right of lien on the shipments not being supported. The claim was then withdrawn, and it was agreed that theright of lien should be argued before a Court of Com missioners, whose decision was to be final. Commis sioners Goulburn, Holroyd, and Fonblanque will be the commissioners on the occasion. CITY COMMISSIONERS Or SEWERS.—The Commis sioners met yesterday at the Guildhall. There was the usual routine of business disposed of, and tenders , were received for the Cleansing of the streets and removal of dust, &c., for the year commencing at Midsummer next. , The Commissioners directed the Medical officer of Health to examine the business premises of Messrs. Cuthbert, in Paternoster-row, • which have obtained notoriety from the frequent complaints made of nui sances from the fat-melting process carried on there ; and he was directed to report at length as to any means that can be devised to get rid of the nuisance. The Court also agreed with a committee who had had under consideration the widening of Birchin-lane, at the pre mises of Messrs. Waterlow, but found that the cost re quisite to carry it , out, even to the extent of six feet, would be so great as to render it unadvisable to adopt such a course. It was rumoured that the sum asked amounted to several thousand pounds, so great is the value' of ground in that part the city. SAVINGS' BANKS. —lt has been announced that the' Government intend to propose a measure with regard to the management of Savings' Banks. A similar promise, it will be remembered, was' repeatedly made by Sir Charles Wood a few years ago, when heavy losses were being sustained almost daily by the poor from defalca tions in all parts of the united kingdom. Nothing, however, was done after the immediate excitement had passed away, and hence, as the connexion of these in stitutions with the Government was allowed to continue without the slightest protection being afforded to de positors, who were' deluded by it into the belief of perfect security, the remedy still remains to be applied. If the Government are to have anything to do with these establishments, it is unquestionably desirable that they should assume a real instead-of a deceptive respon sibility. At the same time, it would be more in ac cordance with sound principle if they were to leave such matters entirely to private 'enterprise, and in place of assuming, after the Continental fashion, that the humbler classes are too helpless to conduct their own banking transactions without State assistance, were to enconrage them to exercise their discretion, and to acquire by experience the advantages of self-reliance. LITERARY ASSOOIAY'ION OF THE FRIENDS OF POLAND. Yesterday the twenty-first annual general meeting of this association was held at the Sussex Chambers, Duke street, St. James's. Lord D. Stuart, M.P., the Presi dent of the Association, presided—supported by the Earls of Harrington and Zetland, Lord Robert Gros venor, M.P., Captain Townshend, R.N., M.P., Georp Trail, Esq., M.P., R. Monckton Milnes, Esq., M.P., Thomas Alcock, M.P., W. Scholefield, Esq., M.P., Sir B. Hall, Bart, M.P., Digby Seymour, Esq., M.P. W. Pritchard, Esq., High Bailiff of Southwark, Thomas Hankey, jun., Esq., Frederick Pigeon, Esq., the Rev. Dr. Worthington, &c. The Noble CHAIRMAN said, it was his duty as Presi dent to preside on this occasion, and he had to tell them it would that day be a part of their duty to elect a Pre sident for the ensuing year. The noble lord stated that he had received letters from the Rev. Richard Macdon- nell, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin • Mr. Alder man Salomons, T. Mowatt, Esq., late M . P."• T. Daniel, Esq. ; E. Romily, Esq. ; and James Silk Buckingham, Esq., apologising for their inability to attend the meet ing from various causes, and all expressing their anxiety to render every support to the association. His lordship concluded by calling on the secretary to read the annual report. WM. LLOYD BIRKBECK, Esq., the honorary secretary, proceeded accordingly to read the report, of which the following is an abstract :—The repo' t commenced with expressing the regret o the council that, after twenty two years, the exertions of the association, either to diffuse information respecting Poland, or to afford as sistance to Polish political exiles, should be still required. It explained the causes of the latter, by the augmen tation of the number of refugees, caused by the conti nued persecutions of Poles by the Russian Government, and' the unjust severity of that of P russ i a . It entered at some length into the case of Leopold de Rose, and re ferred to the just, handsome, and honourable manner in which the late Home Secretary, Mr. Walpole, had made the amende honourable to the sufferer by declaring in the House of Commons that, had the magistrates pos sessed the information which he had received, they would have come to a different conclusion, and have honourably acquitted him. Reference was made to the arrival of a large number of Polish refugees a - ter the conclusion of the war in Hungary, and the valuable aid afforded by Lord Malmesbury in consent:rig to furnish a free passage to America for 200 ; to the kindness of the Common Coun cil in granting the use of the Guildhall for the ball and con cert ; and of the performers who lent their gratuitous aid. The report further stated, that many Poles residing iii the Continent have contributed to their funds, either directly, or through the zealous and most efficient resident secre tary ; and that among the refugees in this country, the Polish Fraternal Aid Society has been established. In conclusion, the council expressed their faith in the ulti mate re-establishment of Poland, a nation whose in terests are identical with our own in eastern Europe. The income of the association was 8761., and the relief granted to refugees was 7201., and other expenses amounted to 3431., leaving a balance of 1861. excess over income. The number of refugees. now in England is 769, being 36 less than last year. In the course of the year there were 954, most of them having been expelled from the duchy of Posen. 172 left this country, and 13 died. The reading of the report having been concluded, The Noble CHAIRMAN called on The Rev. Dr. WORTHINGTON, who said it was some matter of regret that the report was not more satis factory, although, all' things considered, they could hardly expect it to be more favourable. He thought it must be apparent that a change was rapidly ap proaching which would better the condition of the Sclavonian race. He considered it was matter of deep regret that the present ruler of France had adopted such an illiberal policy as regarded the Poles. But when they remembered that the French Emperor had formed such a close alliance with the Jesuits, the deadly enemies of Poland, and had bound himself up with the most intolerant portion of the Roman Catholic Church, they could not wonder at the hostile policy he had adopted towards the unfortunate Poles. (Hear, hear.) He was proud to say that England still stood forth as the refuge of the oppressed ; and he regretted that Lord Malmes bury had, as they would remember, acted in a manner which was not creditable 'to the character of England. He was, however, proud to refer to the policy which had uniformly been pursued by Lord Palmerston in counte nancing the struggles for national independence in every part of the world. (Hear, hear.) After eulogising the conduct and general character of the Poles, the rev. doctor referred to the policy which Austria had recently adopted, and the grovelling sycophancy which the Aus trian. Government had exhibited towards Russia. He saw no reason why the refugees should not make every exertion to recover their independence, and he trusted, that when the attempt was made, it would be under such circumstances as would insure success. (Hear, hear.) He concluded by moving the adoption of the report. Lord R. GROSVENOR rose to second the resolution, and said he did it at the request of his noble friend the chairman, whose wishes he was at all ti mes rea d y t o assent to in forwarding any good work. (Hear, hear.) He hoped the report would be printed and widely circu lated, as he thought it contained matter which should be extensively known. One portion of the report had given him much pain—he alluded to the treatment of that much ill-used gentleman—Mr. Leopold de Rose— (hear) —and he thought that no one could have ren dered more service to that unfortunate gentleman than the noble lord had done, in placing Mr. de Rose in a proper light before the public. (Hear, hear.) While he stated that he was deeply interested in the fate of Poland, that distinguished but unfortunate and brave nation, he must at the same time say that he certainly would not express any encouragement to insurrection. The time would con=e he hoped when Poland would be again a nation, but ill-advised and premature attempts to recover the independence of Poland would only result in the discomfiture of those engaged, and 'add to the suffering of Poland. He, hoped the association would be the means of rendering much service to the refugees and the cause of Poland, and he had much pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report. The motion was then agreed to. The Earl of HARRINGTON moved the second resolu tion, and said he was delighted to meet the association at the present moment, and especially in the presence of the noble lord in the chair, who was the untiring advo cate of the oppressed hi all nations. (Hear, hear.) The partition of Poland destroyed the balance of power in Europe, and led to the unfortunate events which suc needed, and with which that partition was associated. (Hear, hear.) It was only in England, by means of a free press, that the wrongs of the oppressed could be made known ; but the measures adopted •by foreign states prevented these statements being widely circu lated. (Hear, hear.) He was happy, however, to say that he had that day heard that the Prussian Govern ment had come to the determination of not preventing the introduction and circulation of foreign journals throughout Prussia. (Hear, hear.) Re could not doubt that the redemption of oppressed nations was at hand, and he felt confident that the day was not• far distant when Poland would recover her independence. (Hear, hear.) He was, however, opposed to the establishment of a republic in Po!and ; and he could point to this country as an instance of the happiness and liberty that prevailed under a constitutional monarchy. He intended to have been present in the House of Lords on the debate on the Jew Bill, and to have spoken against the bill, because he considered the Jews to be abettors of tyranny throughout Europe, by furnishing the despots with funds. The noble earl concluded by moving the following resolution :—" That the permissive destruction of the nationality of Poland laid the foundation, and has mainly facilitated the further development, of that sys tem of- confederate despotism which kas since absorb e d, with those of Poland, the national rights of Italy, Hun gary, and Germany, and menaces the existence of con stitutional Government, and of any form of freedom, throughout Europe." MONCKTON MILNES, Esq., M.P., seconded the reso lution, and thought it was so worded as to merit their support. Everything that had occurred had shown how unfortunate it was for Europe that the nationality of Poland had been destroyed. Even the countries that had benefited by the accession of territory through the partition of Poland, had in reality gained anything but an advantage by the perpetual irritation and excitement that prevailed throughout their territories. (Hear.) The destinies of the Sclavonic nations were not yet unfolded, and he believed that the remnant of the unfortunate Poles would take the lead in righting that unfortunate race. (Hear.) He would say that in all their struggles they had his hearty sympathy and best wishes. (Hear.) Recollecting the position in which the Poles were placed, he conceived they were entitled to every possible consi deration. (Hear.) Were Englishmen scattered through out the world as the Poles unfortunately were, he had no doubt they would behave as the Poles had done. (Hear.) The hon. gentleman then referred to the state of. Italy, Hungary, and the other oppressed countries on the Continent. The nationality of the Poles was 'most prominently exhibited, and he thought if the events of Europe enabled them to regain their independence, that they should not consider too Particularly what form of Government should be adopted. (Hear.) In conclu sion, he complimented the noble lord in the chair on his efforts in behalf of the association. (Cheers.) The resolution was then agreed to. The Earl of ZETLAND proposed the next resolution, which, he said, afforded him much pleasure, as no one more deserved the hearty expressions of their, regard than did the noble lord in the chair. (Hear, hear.) He begged to move that Lord Dudley Coutts Stuart be President of the Association for the ensuing year. Colonel CHESTERTON seconded the motion, and bore testimony to the untiring zeal which the noble lord ever exhibited on behalf of the oppressed. (Hear, hear.) The motion was then unapimously agreed to. Lord DUDLEY C. STUART lose to return thanks for the honour conferred upon him in re-electing him president of the association for the ensuing year. They bad for a long while to regret the condition of Poland, but he did not despair of the restoratiom of that unfortunate country to independence, and he trusted they would all live to witness it. (Hear.) S'_nce the last great struggle in 1831 the condition of Poland had been indeed of a most melancholy character. The unfortunate Poles were sent to the mines in Siberia, exiled, or put to death. Those who had been able to escape from the power of Russia had theii• sentences of death still recorded against them, and among the numbers were some of the most illustrious of the people of Poland. So sure as their . an niversary meeting came round they were quite certain of notbei a n e g a r t eg a ar lo d s e s d fo t r he to e ch e tof the Emperor expatiate, espe cially e f liberty in Europe. This year he Was alarming all Europe Russia, who was, he considered, the greatest . enemy of p p i r c o s c o e n e di v n h g i by his menacing conduct towards Turkey, and in the policy pursued by Russia Austria was giving every aid. There was no doubt that the animosity entertained towards Turkey by these despotic powers was owing to the noble conduct of the Sultan in giving refuge to Kossuth, Be,n and the other unfortunate Hungarians. (Hear.) Eng' land, backed by the only other free country in the world, the United States or America, supported Turkey iu ref fusing to give up these brave men to the vengeanc e P. :?ta, aud. Austria ; and the noble conduct of the Su l_ i n never Ea forgotten by these twin despots. t' 'ln . 7 rot' 3 - Mr then r:‘,3rred to the Montenegro affair, an to t"...a obj‘ct of Russia, in demanding the independeneer of Montenegro. The intention of Russia in that mattee was obviously to undermine and destroy the independeene, of Turkey. and The object of Russia was univ rs!! dominion, and she had her eye fixed on Constantinople and the Dardanelles. But Russia knew that the western powers were watching her movements, and she was there; fore endeavouring to do that; secretly which she dar ed attempt openly. The noble lord then at some length r e ; ferred to other proceedings of Russia, which he said scts n order to work out the infamous policy i n which eu had been so long engaged. He was glad to see the cour se which this country was pursuing on the Eastern quest i T s So far, at least, as it went, it was satisfactory ; and be w especially pleased with the letter which Lord John Riles e ' had lately written to the town of Newcastle-uponlYlle. on the subject. As he had already stated, the preseas prospects of Poland were not very bright, and he • sorry to say, neither were the prospects of the asen,elis; tion. He had been thinking that a pu bli c dinner reig d be made the means of giving some aid to the funds ove , 611 ._ he hoped their friends would turn the matter r their minds, and see how it could be carried out . (1 hear.) He believed the Almighty would not a,,l i n i w sp a great an injustice as had been practised towards r°'A,4 to remain unredressed, and he could not doubt TO*" Poland would yet be free and independent. e°, Ol hear.) Let the Poles go on cherishing their nationsidpi but he would not counsel them to make any the fitting period arrived. Let them teach their eililf; to cherish their love for the white eagle of relna (hear, hear, hear)—and when he knew the devotion to the feelings of the women . of Poland, he had no fesr e Z e ir their children would have deeply instilled int° ;bore minds that love of Poland which had made their feo„,.j. patriots. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion the noble I_l. begged again to thank them for re-electing him Pr''' dent of the association. (Loud cheers.) Mr. ALCOIK, M.P., moved the next resolution."' vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and , C 2,, ln e d mon Council of the city of London, for their con tw d g sympathy with the misfortunes of Poland, by g ren :Y:o the use of their Guildhall on the 15th of Decem for a ball and concert, in aid of the funds of this see;i r , tion, and, in particular, to Mr. Deputy Holt, the C l i r , man, Mr. Deputy Eagleton, the treasurer, an d for James R. Carr, the secretary of the ball committee's, their noble andindefatigable efforts to insure the slice:oo of that entertainment. In recommending the rev:411;1cl to the meeting, the honourable gentleman said ht . ! o to never forget the visit he had made some years sg: A Poland, and the great delight which that visit bilio forded him, as well as the interest it had excited in for Mr. th restoration of Polish independence. (Choereio, e BEALES seconded the resolution, and, in doing,a warmly advocated the cause of Poland, and dertoniw:o the vd. conduct which Austria had recently praet l ,,l3 l l Italy. parties also severely censured the attempts her - o w certain pn this country to get up another g powder plot, with which it was endeavoured to en 0. the name of the illustrious Hungarian patriot, (Cheers.) The The motion was then agreed to. El Mr. CARR returned thanks, and concluded by ln e d oo a vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen wh°,1411,.' their gratuitous services to the concert at the Guilu in aid of the funds for the Polish refugees. ft o Mr. FERGUSON seconded the resolution, which agreed to. Mr. PRITCHARD moved that the following neb le l should be elected vi c e-p re sidents of the association : 10 ; the ensuing year, namely, the Duke of Sutherlan d t o 4l Marquis of B rea d a lb ane , an d th e E ar l s o f Scarbor c .l;l Harrowby, Harrington, Fitzwilliam, Shaftesburi Fortescue. , 0 9 Mr. D2ERING seconded the resolution, which agreed to. o ly On the motion of the Rev. Dr. Worrrilig"" for seconded by Mr. FERGUSON, the council and officer s the ensuing year were next elected. for Colonel SZYRIIA. then, in the name of the Peu , "7, A ,.60 torical Society, presented to the association an ad from the council of the society. Lord. DUDLEY STUART was sure he spoke the ee n tic h • ments of the association, when he said they . were °l- It gratified by the address from the Historical Society fa . was most gratifying, he said, to see how the Polish rico gees were employing their time during their exi le their native country in collecting valuable historica' fbrmation. (Hear.) the Mr. W. A. SMITH proposed a vote of thanks t 0 noble lord in the chair, for his presence that dal, t o for his unwearied and indefatigable exertions in cause of Poland. do M. WIERANSKI seconded the resolution, and - t he so pronounced a high eulogy on the character of noble lord. The motion was unanimously ?greed to. Lord DUDLEY STUART briefly returned thanks. , s o f Lieut. C. SZULCZEWSKI then proposed the th,, ar an ll ." the association to the hon. secretary, he ,"Lloydtweorl agreedo B 102 ik re b tt e aul cxz c ,s, k ie f ca r es ct the in valuable services he . 11— re i„,r,rnents, econ expressed ded his the acknoww-a after which the meeting separated. resolution, which HALF-PAST TWO. 1.00-;1 1001 SPORTING NOTES.--No. CCCCXIX. CHESTER SPRING MEETING.—The bill of fare to-mor row comprises seven items, three of which—the Scurry Handicap, Dee Stand Cup, and Selling Plate --call for no remarks from me. . . The Cheshire Welter Cup of 100 sovs., the rest in specie, by subscription of 20 sovs. each, h ft, &c., over the Grosvenor course, will, I. opine, be contested by Agis, Montague, Caurire, Titterstone, The Carrier, Sphynx, and perhaps by Trifle and Fairplay. My idea of the result is that Fairplay, if he runs, will win. In his absence I mus. place CAURIRE first, Montague second, and Titterstone third. The starters for the Marquis of Westminster's Plate depends so much on the running for the Cup to-day that it would be absurd to attempt giving a list. My opinion points to PELION as the probable winner, April Fool perhaps occupying the second place, Indian Warrior third. The First Triennial Stakes, one mile and three-quar ters, will, I understand, terminate in a walk over for Osborne's Merry Bird. The Dee Stakes of 10 sovs. each, with 200 added, for three-year-olds, colts Bst 71b, fillies Bst 21b, Grosvenor course, will, it is said, have the following at the post:— Prince Leopold (brother to Shylock), John Bull, Eliza, Helena, Orinoco, Sylphine t and perhaps another or two. If I were to take the betting as any criterion, Orinoco would be my selection, as they lay slight odds upon him against the field ; but, as the case stands, I must look to a thorough dark one for the winner, and I expect to see PRINCE LEOPOLD first, Orinoco second, and Sylphine third. TSB SPIRIT OF THE TURF. CHESTER, THIS DAY.-LATEST BETTING. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH). CHESTER CUP. 5 to 2 agst Tilde. Bto 1 agst Lord-Lieutenant. Bto 1 agst Peggy 12 to 1 agst Talfourd. 15 to 1 agst isie-wminster. 20 to 1 agst any other. ADDITIONAL ARRIVALS. Truth, Koh-i-noor, Allegro, Babette, Hatchet, Content ment, Guicowar, Orinoco, Caurire, Prince Leopold (Brother to Shylock), Pelion, Effie Deans. Dawson's lot are all scratched but Peggy and King of of Trumps. Bardolph scratched. HOBART Tow-N.—The Derwent has arrived from Hobart Town, whence she sailed the 16th of January with 25,000 ounces of gold, valued at 101,2001. The advices by .this opportunity are a few days later thanno those received yesterday, b u t they communicate thing of interest. GOLD IN NEW ZEALAND.—The advices from Auck land, New Zealand, by the last arrival, with regard to the gold discoveries in Coromandel harbour, give the fol lowing description of the specimens brought in :—" The dust consisted of flaky gold of a pale lemon colour, largely intermixed with auriferous quartz, the separa tion having been effected only by washing in the simplest manner. No very accurate assay has yet been obtained, but it is found to be free from any alloy except silver, of which it co ntained a portion. The quartz is highly auriferous, and from its great friability, may be separated by crushing with great fa cility. Considering the small number of diggers yet upon the ground—not more than 1 0 8 persons, scattered over an area of 10 or 12 square me—the short time since the first specks of gold were discovered—only two months—and the large proportion of the time of each digger employed in exploring, we hail the commence ment of the Auckland gold diggings as affording the most brilliant promise of ultimate productiveness.' IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS-(THIS DAY.) The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The report upon Victoria (London) Docks Bill was considered and agreed to. PETITIONS. Mr. BLACKETT presented a petition from the com• mercial association of Gateshead, in favour of improving the administration of India. BOROUGH OF TYNEMOUTH. Sir B. HALL gave notice of his intention to move that the writ for Tynemouth be postponed until June next ; also to move for the appointment of a committee to inquire into the corrupt practices at elections for that borough. PROBATES OF WILLS AND GRANTS OF ADMINISTRATION BILL. Mr. HADFIELD moved the second reading of this bill, intimating that if the house agreed to the moCon, he would postpone going into committee until after the holidays, in order Co afford an opportunity to the Soh citor-General to bring in the larger measure of reform which he had promised on this subject. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said, in consequence .f the reception. which the announcement of his intention to bring in a bill met with in the house, he - had been encouraged to proceed with its preparation, and it was now ready to be introduced. The question o testa mentary jurisdiction was, however, under the considera tion of the law commissioners, and it had been thought de sirable to postpone his bill until it could be submitted to the house with the sanction of those commissioners. What he proposed, therefore, was, that the present bill should be read a second time on the understanding that unless the larger measure was brought in, it should receive the best attention of the Government in order to render it at all events an instalment of a much needed reform, Mr. PHILLIMORE protested against the bill, which he said was full of serious errors, and would consider ably aggravate and not dimi n i s h the evils which it was proposed to rectify. The LORD ADVOCATE intimated that the hon. mem ber had agreed, in the event of the bill going into com mittee, to introduce a clause to meet certain cases in Scotland, to which it did not now apply. Mr. B. DENISON thought it was trifling with the dignity of the house to press the second reading, aftar the Solicitor-General had given a pledge to propose a more comprehensive measure. If the hon. member did not withdraw his motion, he would move that the bill be read a second time that dry six months. Mr. FITZGERALD objected to the bill being read a second time except pro forma, because he believed that in attempting to remove a small evil it created a greater one. - Mr. HENLEY also opposed the second reading. Lord J. RUSSELL could not see 'any sufficien reason for rejecting the bill at its present stage, for he thought it was advisable that every information and sug gestion should be brought before the house previous to its coming to an ultimate decision upon the important subject of testamentary jurisdiction. He should, how ever, object to going seriously into committee upon the bill, as it only dealt with a part of that subject. Mr. COLLIER perfectly agreed with what had fallen from the noble lord. Ile did not mean to say that the measure was perfect, but it was good as far as it went, and should not be stopped in its progress. If the ques tion of testamentary jurisdiction was not dealt with during the present session, he believed that great dis satisfaction would be caused throughout the country. The bill was then read a second time pro forma, and ordered to be committed on Wednesday next. PAYMENT OF WAGES BILL. Petitions against this bill were presented by Mr. Bass, Mr.% Hadfield, Mr. Brocklehurst ; and in favour of it by Sir J. Walmsley, from Leicester. Sir H. HALFORD, in moving the second reading of the bill, said the house. was aware that for a long series of years the payment of wages otherwise than in the coin of the realm was prohibited by law. The ancient statutes on the subject were consolidated and confirmed in the reign of Will. IV. The policy of that act was little questioned, but it was found to be imperfect and to leave room for the evasion of its provisions. One of the grievances which it failed to touch, and for the remedy of which this bill was introduced, was the sys tem existing among employers in the Midland Counties, of lending weaving machines to frame-work knitters, and charging for them exorbitant sums of money, which were regularly deducted from the wages they received. It was a curious circumstance; in connection with that system, that the part of the frames so lent had increased in proportion as their value had diminished. It was, in fact, a contrivance by which the master pro cured from his workman that interest and profit on his capital which ought to enter into the cost of production. In order to remedy the evil he asked for no new law or new principle of legislation. The bill was merely a de claratory one for the purpose of carrying out the exist ing law to its legitimate; extent. Its object was to sub ject the hiring of frames to free competition in an open market. At present the rent paid for them had no limit except the conscience of the master, and the consequence was that great distress prevailed among the frameviork knitters. What he called upon Parliament to do, was to allow workmen to get them at the best price they could, instead of having to submit to tyranni cal impositions, in the shape of deductions from their wages. The bill was universally desired by the inhabi tants of the districts which it mainly affected. The number of petitions in favour of it from the Midland Counties amounted to many thousands. He asked the house to read the bill a second time, as being necessary to that fair play which the existing competition in the country required. CANTERBURY AND HULL ELECTIONS. Lurd DRLTMLANRIG, who was attired in the uni form of Comptroller of the Household, brought up the reply of her Majesty to the' addresses of both Houses of Parliament in reference to these boroughs, staling that she had given directions for the appointment of commis sions for making the inquhks prayed for .in those addresses:- VOLUNTARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION The fifth annual meeting of the friends and su rtell ppo of this association was held last night at the FreeraLl i Tavern, Great Queen-street—S. M. Peto, Esq., in the chair. t he The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings (3- fits evening, dwelt forcibly and eloquently on the bel! e o l to be derived from the voluntary principle in educatio e d matters. The hon. gentleman was loudly Ch eer io during the delivery of his speech, the principleet the following quotation furnishing the chief arguse e „ of " This association was formed in 1848, for the pu r P ° " - ija promoting religious education independently of Stat e , ao , or control. Under the present Governmental sY s ' e s , though nominally religious, all classes are taxed °, 2 .00 dow Judaism, Popery, Tractarianism, and other ' l ' t he of error, whilst just four- fi fths of the fund raised f? r s i f e purpose are expended upon schools essentially eic ii :a and sectarian. The new measure proposed by 14° it teo Russell on the 4th of April, conti nues t o ,the am° . the of council the power it now possesses, of directingoo religions education of the country, whilst it re e ! d ivg from it even the semblance of responsibility, by Pr° in e et: for that purpose a fund beyond the control of Paru'„cle It also embodies the scheme of local ra ti n g, recomul e ' to io by the Manchester and Salford Committee, with o r s it modifications, which render it still mo r e obnosioilc;o, not practically inoperative." The hon. gentlems e , t , eluded by calling on the secretary to read the W.' h it The SECRETARY then read the report, from wh c ie bo ol appeared that the principles of the Voluntary ° e cts ,te appeared so commanding that it only required ° 'OO them clearly. The committee believe that ede c-1, 0 should not only be religiims, in the wide and uneerro state put upon that term by the Governmen t ) . s thoroughly Christian—and that the State, as i t / ti olit competent to give such an education to the people , ° t, rof not to interfere in the matter, but leave it to vul e 4ia, effort. The confidence of you r c omm itt e e has, , the past year, been greatly strengthened by a var le ' s elr considerations ; and their own sentiments upon t h e f pr. ject have found an eloque n t e ch o i n th e a deress Harris at the last assembly of the Congregational v"," g 4, Although the financial s t a t emen t presen t s an eut - 0 00 ing aspect, the committee would urge upon their P; s or the importance of augmenting the resources of th e , te, ciation, that their wi s h es may b e rea li se d both a s garde the enlargem en t an d e ffi c i ency o f its l v : v ,pir establishments, and th e i ncrease o f t h e f u n d cable to the extension o f sc h oo l s i n our rural louree;oo4 The amounts of subsc r ipti ons an d d onat i on s during the past year ha ve b o th i ncrease d , w hile _n - o est penses of the male normal sc h oo l h ave b ee n 21 7 - o olr and those of the female bra nc h h ave b een hut till ii isiderably augmented, notwith s t an di ng th e grc 3 , l3 creased attendance. From the treasu rer 's state.o"" appeared that the balance in hand April 1, 1 6 °1i 0 0 5, 563/. ; annual subscriptions, 6771. 15s. 6d. ; 5891. 2s. ; collections and sale of pamphlets, 21/ ' her making a total of 1,852/. 19s. The expendit ure a been 1,1901. 15s. 3d. ; leaving a balance in 0/I 6621. 4s. id. f the Resolutions in conformity with the objects e o rP °f meeting having been submitted were carried % , c rte mously, and the proceedings terminated with thanks to the chairman. WILLIS'S Rooms, ST. JAMES'S.—A grand even ing war cert, for the benefit of some foreigners in distrer o ce given at the above rooms on Monday, upon wit at° sion the following eminent artists generously ga —ola.•, valuable services :—Mesdames Fiorentini, 00 0 Newton, Ferrari, Taccani, Tasca, and Enderson;,rolk- Bassano, Alleyne, Cole,.and Stabbach; Signori 10 Ferrari, O4, Onorati, Li Calsi, and Herr Ganz ; P - 13ser Madame Bompiani. The concert opened wi t o ntifi hoven's " Septuor," arranged for four performa,,r s o piV iv pianofortes--perfectly rendered by Madame PI d goo' and Herr. Ganz, assisted by Signori Li Calsi an silo ° , real. Miss Bassano sang with her usual taatt i - OK; did Madame Tasca. The duet of Madame t 147 Ferrari was delightfully sang, as was also the 11 8 0 4 Miss Alleyne And Herr. Brandt. Miss St ab k a :te_,s er in exquisite voice, and sang a very approP r i 302: 1 son sung for the first time, by Glover, entitle reel/. Morning," which was charmingly given, and saves well-deserved applause ; her other song,_, f e eliog; Horne," was sang with much pathos ant%i so io Signor Onorati, in a rornanzi by Verdi, as - th * duet by Donizetti, with Mi ss Stabbach, was all could be wished. Mrs. Alexander Newton ol ni ool• zai t's• " Queen of Night " with her usual iti br o i nto orth e The pianoforte duo of Signori Li Calsi and 1 : 5 of the for two instruments, on therilim's Choru s pas -0 Lombardi of Verdi, arranged by Mon gisse itself a gem, and artistically performed• e snd Cole, in Mendelssohn's duet, "Greeting, . ve d H. Smar't's duet, " Th e G ree nwood," r ecel hich t h % merited applause for the artistic manner with 7, oo;z et gave their duets. The concert closed Nyith, 0 14 1) ; " Terzetto," from The Lucrezia, besutifunir co o ora'; Madame Tasca, Herr Brandt, and Sig n : d, And The room was fully and fashionably a ttend_ it w hope the concert realised the object for v42 l °' given. Signor Li Calsi was conductor: our lo g iv ite r i ; THE AUTHOR OF " SAM SLIME. t a n ow loving readers will be delighted to hear th: f. judge li to l e is immediately forthcoming from the pen the burton. It is in two volumes, and ben Modern title of "Sam Slick's Wise Sa ws an te d," stances; or, What he said, Did, or inven