The Sun. — London, England, 1853-03-11 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Farewell Season of Mr. Benjamin Webster as Lessee and Manager THIS EVENING, Macs 11, Will be performed THE SERIOUS FAMILY. Messrs. B. Web ster, Buckstone, Parselie, and Howe; Miss Ros a Bennett, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Mrs. L. S. Buckingham, &c. To conclude with the Comedy of MASKS AND FACE or, Before and Behind the Curtain—by Mesas. B Webster, L. rra Stuart. and rarselle ; Mrs. Stirling, Mrs. L. Murray, Miss F. Alas kell, and Miss Rosa Bennett. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Veatris. THIS EVENING, Meacn 11. Wlll be performed A PHENOMENON IN A SMOCK-FROCK. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Horricastle ; Miss F. Baker and Miss C. Mitchell. After which, the popular new Fairy Extravaganza entitled THE GOOD WOMAN IN THE WOOD, in which Messrs. F. Matthews, Suter, Horncastle, and Templeton ; Madame Veer's, Miss Julia St. George, Miss Robertson, Miss Martindale, Miss Ellis, Miss Wynd ham, Miss Eglinton, and Miss Rosins Wright will appear. To conclude with LITTLE TODDLEKINS. Sole Agent for the Private Boxes, Mr. W. Allcroft, 15, New Bond-street. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Mama 11, By desire, the popular Drama of THE GREEN BUSHES ; or, a Hundred Years Ago. Supported by Messrs. Paul Bedford, Honey, 0. Smith, Sm. ; Madame Celeste, Miss Woolgar, and Miss F. Maskell. To conclude with JACK SHEPPARD, by Messrs. Paul Bedford, 0. Smith, and Emery ; and Mrs. Keeley. Doors open at half-past six o'clock. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. C. Kean. THIS EVENING, Maims 11, Will be produced Shakspere's Tragedy of MACBETH (as acted at Windsor Castle, by Royal command). Principal characters by Mr. and Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER. ROYAL OLYMPIC: THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farren. THIS EVENING, MARCH 11, Will be presented THE SERGEANT'S WIFE. To be followed by the Farce of A DEED WITHOUT A NAME. After which, LILIAN GERVAIa. Supported by Messrs. Comp ton, W. Farren, G. Cooke,'-Shalders, Edgar, Bender, and Clifton ; Misses Anderton and H. Gordon..` To conclude with the Ballet of THE DUMB RECRUIT. Boa-office open from Eleven till Five, under the superintendence of Mr. E. Chatterton. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Proprietor and . Manager, Mr. W. Batty. Positively the Last Week of Mr. Batty's Management. THIS EVENING, Mutes 11, And during the week, the Entertainments will commence with for the Last Two Repsesentations, MAZEPPA AND THE WILD HORSE, with all its original, magnificent effects. To be followed by an incomparable disply of Batty's Scenes In the Arena. Supported by the first Artistes of the day. To conclude with a Laughable Farce. Doors open at gaff-past Six Yelock. To commence at Seven. Rox-orrice open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TFII9 DAT —Morning 6 min. after 3 Evening 22 min.aft. 3 To-Monow—Morning 37 min. after 3 , Evening 53 min.aft. 3 DAILY WEAIHER TABLB. FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1853. 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. HASTINGS—S.E., light air —cloudless. SOUTHAMPTON-S.E., strong breeze—overcast. FOLKESTONE—S.E., gentle breeze—overcast. TUNBRIDGE—S.W., gentle breeze—foggy. BASINGSTOBE-N.E., gentle breeze—overcast. GREENTvrrcH—Calm—overcast. STROOD—W., gentle breeee—clondless. SwINDoN—S.W., gentle breeze—cloudy. CAMBRIDGE-S. gentle breeze—partially cloudy. YARMOUTH- W., gentle breeze—foggy. The returns from the following places indicate the state of the weather on Wednesday morning at nine o'clock : LIMERICK—S., gentle breeze—overcast. MIILLINGAR— S., strong breeze—rain. HA STING S — Calm—foggy. SOUTRAMPTON—N.W., gentle breeze—foggy. FOLKESTONE—S.E., gentle breeze—foggy. T UNBR ID GE—W„ , calm—foggy. BASINGSTOKE--N.W., gentle breeze—overcast. GREENwicm—Calm-- foggy. STROOD—Calm—foggy. SWINDON—S.W., calm—foggy. CAMBRIDGE—S., gentle breeze--clondlesS. Y ARMOUTH—W . calm—foggy. THE WEATHER.—SIIN OFFICE, MARCH 11. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 51—highest since noon yesterday. 32—lowest this morning and during the night. 44 this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30.20. WIND, E.S.E.—Light breeze, and fine, sunshiny weather. THE PUBLICATION OF " THE SUN" COMMENCES EVERY AFTERNOON AT THREE O'CLOCK, AND THB LATE OR THIRD EDITION, CONTAINING THE DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT THE SAME EVENING, With all other Hem arriving up to the hour of Poet, AT SEVEN O'CLOCK. EXPRESS EDITIONS will be forwarded after the Post is closed by the Latest Trains. Ot ~`~ ` fl2te LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1853. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER has re ceived a very intelligible hint that, if he desires to save the Administration of which he is a member from defeat and dissolution, he must abandon the course in which Sir CHARLES WOOD perversely continued, until it led to the removal of Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S Cabinet from place and power. The public attention has been too forcibly directed to fiscal grievances to be contented with the stereotyped answer that a tax " produced so many thousands per annum to the Exchequer, which the Financial Minister for the time being, or his locum tenens, is not prepared to relinquish ;" or the no less hackneyed objection against " the time" at which the motion has been brought for ward, which invariably is either " too early" or " too late"—" too early" if introduced before the opening of the annual Budget; "too late" for any practical purpose if postponed until after the discussion on the financial scheme. Right Honourable Gentlemen must entertain no very flattering notions as to the reasoning powers or the integrity of the popular Representatives, if they really think that such ridiculous arguments can have any efficacy, or excite anything but con tempt in the minds of those to whom they are directed. Englishmen have not yet learned to ignore every principle of justice and equity, nor will they sanction the continuance, any more than the creation of an unfair impost. If Mr. GLAD STONE'S arguments possessed any real weight—no antiquated abuse—no " aged vice"—could ever be got rid of. It would be sufficient to show that a grievance had subsisted for some 20 or 30 years to ensur e its perpetuation. Alas for the cause of Legal or Parliamentary Reform. If such had been the case, JOHN DoE and RICHARD ROE— time-honoured phantoms—would still flourish in vigorous ju ven eaCeLICE---JOHN THRUSTOUT would still continue his removing ess and indefensible con duct, therightful ow ners from the pos session of their tenements and h ere dit amen t s with force and arms. while the Co un ty Courts earth would crumble to the sanctioned j ur i s di c ti ons w ould never have been ioned—every web would remain in the venerable h a ll s o f cob- Therms—the aphorisms respecting the vexa tious dealings and ruinous exp enses of the various tribunals—legal or equitable—...weum re main in full force and effi cacy, and the procedure and practice of the Ecclesiastical Co ur t s would be considered the perfection of human rea son. The mound at old Sarum would again be hold the returning-officer sending a burgess to Parliament, and the free and independent electors of Gatton would once more bestow their disinte rested suffrages on the most liberal candidates. There is, indeed, no end to the absuriliti es in to which a strict adhesion to the principle last night enun ciated by the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would not lead the House. The penal laws would, of course, flourish—Roman Catholics could not transmit or hold real estates, or possess a horse value more than 5/.—while the " pilniwinks" and " thumbikins," the " iron boots," or possibly the fires of Smithfield, might teach stubborn Dissenters th e expediency of conformity, and of assimilating their religious opinions to those of th e_mominaut Ch urc h . m • GLADSTONE'S arguments did tho wever, prevail , pruvail last night. He was left in a ver y d ec i s i ve and unequivocal mi n c‘ Attorneys, on th e ques ti on o f t h e repeal of the and. n .v posed the gr oss 7e alp s' at a la n v d Solicito rs ' A nnua l Certificat e Duties." e ini .se ini s u o st f i r ce eq o u f e t n hi tly eg quitous impost, tha p t it almost a work of supererogation to adduce a single argument on the subject. Suffice it to say, that while no less than 1501. must be paid in stamp duties on the articles and admission, a further sum of 121. is charged every year to Metropolitan Attorneys, while 81., or two-thirds of the former amount, is levied on country practitioners. Thus, assuming that the actual outlay for stamps were converted into an annuity, for which 10 per cent. or 151. per annum could easily be obtained, we would find that each resident in London of the profession con tributes 27t. per annum to the Exchequer before he is enabled to exercise his industry, or gain a single shilling by his own exertions. After that he must pay income tax on his earnings at as high a rate as the proprietor of 3 per Cent. Consols, or of well-circumstanced real estate. So that if we consider 3001. per annum as about the average professional earnings of Solicitors—and we believe that the amount is by no means over rated, we find that each man pays nearly 391. per annum, or 13 per cent. on his precarious and transitory income, while the more fortunate pos sessor of accumulated and realised property, which he can transmit to his children and his children's children, pays less than one-fourth of the amount in proportion to his actual receipts. It is no answer to state that Solicitors are not worse off than others who are in like man lier compelled to take out licences—more or less expensJve—for liberty to pursue their trade or calling. Every one of those charges on industry are indefensible. They are -worse than acts of confiscation ; and can no more be justified than the assault of the highwayman who rifles his vic tim's pocket because he has the power to do so. Why should we complain if some Attorneys be sharp practitioners. They merely reciprocate the dealings towards themselves by which they are treated with gross and palpable injustice. Naturally enough—in regard to the gold diggings—something like serious reflection is beginning to grow up at last out of our prolonged excitement. People are becoming conscious by little and little Chat it may be just as well to cal culate rather more than they have done hitherto before yielding themselves up entirely to the prevalent enthusiasm. There were several old adages which were repeated with a sort of parrot cry monotony by the more wary, or less cre dulous, at the first outbreak of this mania, in reference to the sand-washing of the Musray and the Sacramento. Among these sayings, one in particular was very often repeated, to the effect that " all is not gold that glitters "—it being imagined, we suppose, by the prophets of evil, that there was exaggeration in the accounts re ceived both from Australia and California. Ex perience has shown in a rather magnificent way that the insinuation was signally erroneous. So little of exaggeration was there in the intelli gence received in Europe almost simultaneously from Melbourne and San Francisco, that it ap peared before long as though the riches opened up to the world at once in both hemispheres were as vast as they were accessible. Nuggets of solid and pure gold weighing many pounds were proved to have been actually discovered by some among the more fortunate or more persevering adven turers. But in addition to these occasional God sends to the few—there was manifestly a continual opportunity for the many commanding a steady advance of good-fortune by an ordinary amount of pertinacity in their researches. The precious metal was found to be really abundant in quartz, and in the slaty rocks of elder antiquity, but par ticularly in those known among geologists as the Silurian. Besides this, it was seen to be un expectedly attainable in minute grains drifted down in the current of the water-courses together with the debris or gravel sucked down into the valleys from the ancient veins or lodes upon the mountains. Aware of all this, the unemployed citizens of the old world made a sud den, but undoubtedly a very accountable, move- ment in the way of rapid immigration. Thou sands upon thousands were shipped off in this manner within the space of a few months—here to Australia, there to California. ,Some of the earliest adventurers actually commenced their labours in washing for gold-dust with no better implements than a clasp-knife and a basin ! Afterwards came others with shovels and wheel barrows ! Lastly came the more intelligent work men, with portable cradles, very ingeniously con structed ! Meanwhile, the mass of emigrants being thus absorbed in the methodical toil of dry-digging and wet-sifting—various others of either a more sang,uine or amore impatient tempera ment were roving over the higher and less fre quented tracks, prying here and there for a species of windfall in the shape of golden lumps, such as have actually been sometimes lit upon, some of them . weighing above a hundred pounds, and having a value of even so much as four thousand sovereigns. The chance of this abrupt leap Into wealth, seemed better than the certainty of a slower ascent into compkence. It presented the luxurious prospect of a royal road to profusion— being a method altogether independent of the aid of rocking by means of the cradle, or of securing the desired treasure by its amalgamation through the employment of quicksilver. In this manner the crowd of diggers was forsaken at intervals by little parties bent en the pleasant task of nugget ting ! Enhanced by all these different methods adopted for its acquisition, the gold through out the whole world has increased in its yearly yield, comparing 1840 with 1853, by the enormous sum of 40,000,000/ ! The graduation of this increase during the last thirteen years is in sober truth something realll astonishing. Alto gether, the yield of gold in 1840 was not more than 5,000,000/. In 1848 it had only increased to 7,000,0001. But in the spring of that (for many reasons) ever-memorable year, the Califor nian discovery had been made quite accidentally by Mr. MARSHALL, in the construction of a saw-mill on the American Fork, one of-the numerous feed ers of the River Sacramento. And the effect of this discovery was soon rendered visible by the increase of the gold-yield in 1850 to 17,500,000/. During the following year—another among the more me morable years of our generation—during 1851, the total yield had increased yet more, reach ing the splendid sum of 22,500,000/. But a still more wonderful discovery than that made by Mr. MARSHALL, on the American Fcrk in California, had been made on the 12th of Febru ary, in 1851, by Mr. HARGRAVES, in New South Wales, in the discovery (not by accident, but by systematic investigation) of gold dig gings in the districts of Bathurst and Welling ton. By a curious coincidence, the news of this discovery became known in Sydney on the very day, the Ist of May, when her MAJESTY was open ing the Crystal Palace by a solemn and a stately ceremony of inauguration. The consequence was not very long in rendering itself apparent. By 1852 the yield of gold had reached the magnifi cent total of 40,000,0001., and by 1853 the glorious aggregate of 45,000,0001., exceeding the yield of only thirteen years before, as already intimated, by a clear sum of 40,000,0001. Everything, in deed, has helped to prove that the depreciators of the accounts first received from - the gold diggings of California and Australia were slightly mistaken in their application of the proverb, " All is not gold that glitters" —more, in fact, having turned out to be gold in both directions than at the outset could have been at all anticipated. Nevertheless, there is another adage fraught with wisdom, which is g radually coming to be recognised as worthy at this period, of being seriously ca ll ed to l the bef ore you ea'p." popular t i sa shrew recollection— Look r e oo 11 mendation enough At all times , but one actnall humane in its t en d ency when juncture to the s remembrance or.tnamhe y e g n e d n e e d ral at co thi rn_ s 41 [Dignity. With this object it was put forward rather prominently, only the other day, ins ENs' 8 Household the Briti s h id intelligent pages of Mr. D im( W or d & An eye-witness, addr ess i ng multitude from Melbourne, spoke thus plainly, ral whom it arduous may and an d we cannot help thinking, sorrowfully t oo, as from the deject ion of ex p erience _ ,, once for all, diggi ng is so very a work that very few excepting labouring men assurance, c orroborative of this, is profitably." concern precarious A melancholy ;cancontinue it given in the course of those very a( niirable " Notes" on the distribution of Gold throughout the world, * published some time back (with maps) by Mr. WYLD, and a third edition of which, we are gratified to see, has recently appeared, enhanced in value by the addition of a copious Gazeteer to upwards of five hundred of the Gold Diggings of Australia. In those notes it is distinctly stated (p. 19), that the description of operations required from those who go in quest of the precious metals "is only suited to canal diggers, excavators, and miners." After these somewhat startling and authoritative declarations, we may, without culpable timidity, afford that warning —Look befqre you leap---the advantage of an earnest repetition. * " Gold Fields of Australia : Notes on the Distribu tion of Gold throughout the World, &c." By JAMES WYLD. Third edition. To which is added, a Gazeteer to the Gold Diggings of Australia. Bvo. Pp. 83. WYLD. London, 1853. We can but laugh and mourn alternately while we read the reports of evidence taken before the Election Committees. Like the cleverness- of some swindlers and thieves, so the schemes of q,droit old bribers, their technical slang and ma sonic signs, will sometimes compel more than a smile. We cannot keep grave while we read of the darkened room at Derby, the sentinel on the stairs, the voter putting his right finger to his nose, and adding, " All right—l come from RAD FORD," as the pass word, then turning round his back in the room " because he feels authorised to do so," putting his hands behind him, and " feel ing two sovereigns drop into them." The Cam bridge ladies leaving Mr. Litrna's arm to drop 51. and 101. notes in envelopes, or sovereigns in par cels, into the hands of unwitting, but happy, electors ; the injunction at the same place to the upright voters to go and " just do the thing that's right," i.e., poll, and that the agent " will make all right," i.e., pay them ; the reluctance at Hull to pay " a duberous" toter, who eventually " doubled," that is, took in his bribers ; the thirty voters carousing in an upper room un seen, but huckstering their votes by one of their number, from 101. to 21. 10s. These little incidents, and a hundred more, will continually keep provoking our risibility. And yet we feel almost as if we were laughing at some odd occurrence in a trial for murder. The thing is as bad and as base as it can be. We blush for ourselves, and blush still more that foreigners should read such accounts of the working q f ,‘ our free English institutions." Sometimes we have really tried to put the best face upon it, and to see what could be said for it. We have asked ourselves whether a man conscious of qualifications to serve the country in Parlia ment—certain, moreover, that in every constitu ency he has access to, he must appeal to part of the electors through the power of their landlords, or the power of beer and sovereigns—whether he may not regard it as a necessary though deplor able evil, and " knowing nothing whatever" of the purposes to which his hundreds or thousands may be applied, whether he may not just put his money in the hands of the ordinary agents and leave it to them to use it as they think needful ? If this be morally very bad, its bearing will be painful upon too many cases already. Yet that it is, on the very best estimate a man can put on his services, " doing evil that good may come," is but too plain. We can only regard such " Honourable Members" as having been guilty of the crime universal, that of fixing their moral standard by the habits of their time and age, rather than by the higher dictates of their own consciences. We must, however, think it one of the most painful features in these inquiries, that so many gentlemen of unimpeachable character could declare, in one way and another, that they knew nothing of the bribery carried on with their money, or with their promises of situations and places. It is time for the House of Com- mons to deliver candidates for the honour of a seat in it from temptation to dishonourable evasion. We laugh at the simplicity and inno cence of the " Sitting Member" under cross examination ; but there is another and a more serious phase of the matter. Sometimes we have wondered how a house of such really respectable gentlemen can be collected by such means. No one doubts that the return of the larger part of it is clue, more or less, to bribery or intimidation. The Members petitioned against on the ground of bribery can be but a small part of those who owe their seats to something of the kind—" How, then, can a clean thing come out of an unclean ? " We take it be much in this way. The respectable but rival portions of the consti tuency amount to pretty nearly equal num bers, in a great many places. Of course, any can didate to have a chance with them, must be a re spectable man also. Party zeal, indeed, is proud of fighting under the banner of a man of both character and ability. Hence, whichever candi dates win, the general result will be political rather than moral and intellectual, since both par ties get the latter qualities if they can, the quarrel being generally about their politics. The venal electors, therefore, turn the scale politically only. Of no politics themselves, they arbitrate for pay between the earnest party politicians. Though the most worthless of judges, they have to select from a list of their betters only. Could these venal wretches really return members—could they, we mean, return their own class—the result must be appalling indeed, and the intelligence of the country would rise against it as one man ; it would even prefer. a despotism. As it is, intelli gence and character nominate, ignorance and cor ruption merely cast the dice. If theee facts, however, explain a curious pro blem, Heaven forbid that they should be deemed the slightest apology for so vile a system. The briber and the bribed ought to hold in society the place of the seducer and of the female who has sold her virtue. No prescription, not even from the time of HOGARTH to the election of 184 can whitewash so mean a thing as selling and buying the vote with which a man is intrusted for his country's good, especially when the price beer and money, or even Situations and places. The only case we must commiserate is that of the afflicted man, whom a tyrant compels, at the peril of starving himself and family, to vote against his conscience. Such cases are so numerous that we have never varied from our demand of the Bal- lot for all, to protect this justly to be pitied class. But the remedy—this is now the universal in quiry. Decided advocates as we are of the Ballot, we should still wish to unite with it every possible co-operating means. The disease, principally we think through the pretty equal balance of parties, not only in the House, but in constituencies also, is arrived at such a height, that it may be fairly supposed to have reached a crisis. Dealt with it must be. Large constituencies and the Ballot every honest Reformer will name as the first things. But we need not stop there. Bribery and personation might still exist. It is thought by many that they could not be de tected under the Ballot. Why not ? A large part of the facts now disclosed before Election Committees could be come at quite ,irre spectively of knowing for whom the party voted. Still, as the Member could not well be unseated on a scrutiny, some think the Petitioners would have no object. Their object and means would be the same as at present. If the Members or their agents were provekl to have employed bri bery or intimidation, or if the bribery were ex tensive and systematic, we could have them un seated even as now ; also if their agents had brought forward the personater of a dead or ab sent man. This, combined with the uncertainty of securing the vote paid for, must almost ex tinguish bribery. In any case, Ballot or no Bal lot, we would visit every borough where bribery had occurred with a Parliamentary Commission, and inflict upon all who had given bribes, Mem bers and agents, as well as upon those who had taken them, the penalty of forfeiting their vote for life. The whole genus of bribers, from W_ef. all ß the B. downwards to the FLEWKERS, FRAILS, and Monotre rank of s, ought vuontqeurse.stionnabeyly areto btehedegaded fro m authors wickedness. They have solicited and corrupted the virtue of the electors, and electoral THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 11, 1853. emasculation is their befitting punishment. We trust that Sir JOHN SHELLEY and Mr. LOCKE KING will stand firmly to their respective points. Inquiry in every case, both into withdrawments by compromise, of which there are several, and into the extent of corruption in boroughs, where even a single case is proved, is a most desirable object. COURT CIRCULAR. Her Majesty had a dinner party on Wednesday at Buckingham Palace. The company included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, her Serene Highness the Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, the Duchess of Inverness, his Excellency the Swedish and Norwegian Minister, his Excellency the Greek Minister and Madame Tricoupi, Lady Fanny Howard, Baroness de Speth, Lord and Lady Foley, Lord Redesdale and the Hon. Miss Mit ford, the Right Hon. Sir Henry and Lady Bulwer, Lord James Murray, Major the Hon. James Macdonald, and Mr. Gibbs. The Queen's private band attended in the Palace after dinner, and played the following compositions : Overture (op. 143) Kalliwoda. Selection " Postilion" Adam. Her Majesty and Prince Albert took a drive yester day afternoon in an open landau and four. The Equerries in Waiting, Colonel Bouverie and Captain the Hon. Dudley de Ro ,s attended on horseback. His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on horse back yesterday morning, attended by Captain the Hon. Ditiley de Ros. The Right Hon. Sir William Molesworth was present at the levee held by Prince Albert on the part of her Majesty, on Wednesday, at St. James's Palace. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, Prince Alfred, and the Princess Alice, and attended by the Countess of Charle mont, the Hon. Eleanor Stanley, the Hon. Beatrice Byng, the Marquis of Ormonde, Colonel Bouverie, Cap tain the Hon. Dudley de Ros, and Mr. Gibbs, honoured the Princess's Theatre with their presence last evening. The Countess de Neuilly and the Duc de Nemours visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent,yestar day at her residence, iClarence-house, St. James's. A deputation on the subject of the application of the Public Health Act to Worcester, had an interview with Sir William Molesworth yesterday, at the office of Works and Public Buildings, Whitehall-place. The deputation consisted of Messrs. Edward Evans, J. W. Lea, and Peter Hardy, and Aldermen Lewis, Helm, Elgie, and Webb. The deputation were introduced by Mr. Osman Ricardo, M.p., and Mr. William Laslett, M.P. Colonel Myddleton Biddulph had an interview with the Duke of Newcastle yesterday at the Colonial-office. A deputation from Egbaston, Birmingham, on the subject of parish vestries, consisting of Mr. Alderman Martineau and Mr. Arthur Ryland, accompanied by Mr. Muntz, M.P., and Mr. Scholefield, M.P., had an interview with Viscount Palmerston yesterday. DEATH OP GENERAL SIR E. KERRISON, BART., G.C.H. Sir Edward Kerrison, the Colonel of the 14th Light Dragoons, died on the 9th inst.,' aged 79. He entered the army in 1796,- as a cornet in the 6th Dragoons ; became a lieutenant in 1798, a captain the same year, a major in 1803, a lieutenant-colonel in 1805, a colonel in 1813, a major-general in 1819, a lieutenant-general in 1837, and a general in 1851. He served at the Helder in 1799, in cluding the battles in September and October of that year. In 1808-9 he served in Spain under Sir John Moore, and was present at the battle of Corunna. In 1813, 14, and 15, then Colonel Kerrison, he commanded the 7th Hussars, and was present at the battles of Orthes and Waterloo. He was severely wounded at Orthes, and slightly at Water loo, where he had a horse shot under him. He received the gold medal for Orthes, and the silver medal with two clasps for Sahagun, Benevente, and Toulouse. Sir Edward Kerrison was for nearly 40 years a member of Parliament, and from 1824 to 1852 sat for Eye, Suffolk. Ho was created a baronet in 1821, nominated a K.C.B. in 1840, and a G.C.H. in 1831. In 1830 he was appointed Colonel of the 14th Light Dragoons, which colonelcy is thus vacant by his decease. He is succeeded in his title and large estates by his son, now Sir Edward Clarence Kerri son, who was first returned for Eye in July, 1852, and was a supporter generally of the late Derby Ministry. In 1844 the present Sir Edward Kerrison married the youngest daughter of the Earl of Hchesters Viscount Mahon mar ried a daughter of the deceased. HAYMARKET THEATRE.—We understand that her Majesty intends honouring the Haymarket Theatre this evening, being her second visit to see " Masks and Faces." IMPORTATION OF SPROUL—The importation of specie will be very large this week at Southampton. 800,000 dollars were landed on Monday from the West India steamer Thames ; 80,0001. sterling was landed on Tues day from the Alexandrian packet Ripon ; a million and a half of dollars were landed on Wednesday from the West India steamer Orinoco ; and 80,000/. sterling is expected hourly by the Constantinople steamer the City of Norwich. The whole amount of specie which will be landed at Southampton this week will be about 600,0001. sterling. _ _ COST OF SEABORNE MAlLS.—According to the last Admiralty Packet List just publishel, the following is the present annual cost of conveying Seaborne mails by the. contract vessels of steam navigation companies, viz. :—To and from the West Indies and Brazils, 276;000/. ; the East Indies, China, and Australia, via Singapore, 199,600/. ; the Peninsula, 20,500/. ; America, 173,340/. ; Chili and Peru, 25,000/. ; Cape of Good Hope and Calcutta, 56,400/. ; Australia via the Cape of Good Hope, 26,0001. ; West Coast of Africa, 23,250/. ; Hamburg and Rotterdam, 17,000/. ; between Bermuda and Newfoundland, 10,600/. ; Bermuda and St. Thomas, 4,100/. ; Holyhead and Kingstown, 25,000/. ; Liverpool and Isle of Man, 8501. ; Aberdeen and Lerwick, 9001. ; Alexandria and Beyrout, 1,560/. ; Southampton and Channel Isles, 4,000/. THE SCREW STEAMER CLEOPATRA.--A private letter has been received at Liverpool from Valparaiso, dated January 14, stating that the screw steam-ship Cleopatra was hourly expected at that port from Sydney, and would sail in a few days after arrival for that port via Brazil. FRENCH INVASION.—ARRIVAL OF A FRENCH FLEET AT PLYMOUTH. — On Saturday morning last, ten French ships arrived, almost simultaneously, at Plymouth ; not, however, with a hostile intentio n , but, thanks to free trade, laden with the good things f this life, which are 'law being distributed among the inhabitants of that. populous neighbourhood. EMIGRANT SHlPS.—Complaints are received from many of the emigrants to Australia by private ships of a gross disregard of the promises held out by the owners previously to their departure. These letters are dated from the Cape and other places, wherever the unfortu nate passengers could find opportunities of transmitting them, and it seems to denote much neglect at the offices of the Commissioners for Emigration that the sufferers in such cases should be unaware of any mode of stating their grievances, except through the Times. It can be of little avail that the Government inspectors examine vessels before they proceed to sea, if the emigrants are not instructed at the same time as to where they may obtain summary redress in the event of the laws which provide for their proper treatment being infringed during the voyage. There are said to be methods which may be adopted in the colonies upon landing, but only at the expense of much time and trouble. Such as they are, however, they should be fully made known, and, mean while, some more simple contrivances for the purpose should be brought about. —Times. Hors.--The customary return respecting hops was issued on Thursday. In England and Wales last year there were 46,1571 acres under cultivation. The duty on hops, the growth of last year, was 447,1441. Bs. 11d. Between the sth of January, 1852, and the sth of January last 955,8551 b. weight of British hops were ex ported. The total number of hops charged with duty last year in the several collections of England and Wales was 51,102,4941 b. The return was obtained by Sir W. Molesworth. THE PROPOSED NEW BURIAL-GROUND AT NORWOOD. —Yesterday a meeting of the parishioners of Lambeth was held, in the Vestry-hall, Church-street, but owing to the crowded state of the hall, the meeting was eventuallyadjourned to the boys' school-room, Lambeth green. The Rev. Mr. Dalton, the rector, presided. The meeting was called to decide whether they would agree to the purchase of a piece of land, at Norwood, for the burial of the inhabitants, at the rate of 500/. per acre. Mr. Churchwarden Taylor proposed, that as the measure had not met with so much support from the parishioners as had been expected, he should be allowed to withdraw the proposition. From the plan which had been formed, the purchase of ground, forming roads, enclosing the ground, building chapels, law expenses, &c., would amount to 27,4361., or it might reach 30,0001. ; seeing, however, that some of the parishioners were averse to it, he did not wish to press it, but would rather that the vestry would allow him to withdraw the motion, and the burial board would look after a more suitable piece of land in the parish if possible. A vote of thanks to the rector closed the proceedings. ATTEMPTED MURDER FROM STARVATION BY A NEE DLEWOMAN.—This morning, about 10 o'clock, the neigh bourhood of Goswell-street was alarmed by the report of a woman having made an attempt to destroy her child, and on the constable on duty in the neighbourhood has tening to the house, No. 4, Apple-yard, Seward-street, he found a male infant, 14 months' old, bleedinr , from a wound in the throat, and lying in the arms of one of the lodgers, who stated that the mother had a few mi nutes previously brought it to her in that state, saying that her heart had failed her in the attempt to take its life. A table-knife stained with blood was found in her apartment, which was quite destitute of food, and exhi bited the strongest indication of extreme wretchedness. The child was taken to Doctor Dempsey in the Goswell-street-road, who ordered its immediate removal to the hospital, and on taking the miserable woman to the station-house, she admitted having purposed to, murder her infant. She gave her name Elizabeth Higgins, 39 years of age, stating that she was separated from her husband,, who had the care of her other chil dren, and that in consequence o f di s t r ess, and not having tasted food for five days past, she had on her return home after a fruitless endeavour to obtain a few half pence, resolved on killing her boy and then taking her own life, but upon seeing the blood issue from the wound remorse ensued, and she was unable to complete her pur e p ed os iwom e e .Th a e n. unfortunate woman described herself as a n REGENT GALLERY.—The proprietor has with great liberality invited the household troops quartered in London to inspect the Diorama of the Life and Exploits of Napoleon, and yesterday about a hundred of the Guards, under the command of their non-commissioned officers, attended at the representation of this highly in teresting exhibition. MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of Cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 5,000 bales. The market closed heavily. The sales comprised 4,000 bales Ameri can, 200 Pernam and Maranham at 6d. to 6Ad., 250 Egyptian at 61d. to sid., and 300 Surat at 3id. to 44d. per lb. Railway shares were rather firmer. In the Colonial Markets this week the , principal staples have been well maintained, though not brisk. Sugar has been steady, Coffee in good de mand privately, and the useful sorts of Tea much inquired after. In Cotton scarcely anything has been done. Spices have had a slow sale. In Tal low there is no particular change. Rice has been quiet. The Australian news is considered very favoura ble, and the steamer, therefore, is expected now to bring intelligence calculated to support Australian investments. The Greek Bondholders have received a promise from Earl_Clarendon that our Minister at Athens shall be instructed to use his good offices on their behalf. The English Stock Market is much more buoy ant, and the payment of differences has chiefly occupied attention. Consols have been done as high as par. The New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. have been at 1031 to ; and the traufer books are closed for many of the principal stocks, including Reduced Three per Cents., Bank Stock, Long Annuities, and South Sea Old Annuities. East India Stock is at 267. Exchequer Bills are 10s. to 14s. premium, and those dated June, Bs. to 12s. premium. Foreign Securities have been quieter. The Spanish Committee's Certificate has not been higher than 7i to #. A meeting of the Committee is to be held to-day, it is said, to determine upon the sum which it may be advisable to accept for this security, in the event of their being received in part payment of a new railway loan which M. Salamanca is said to be negotiating. The Swedish Loan is at 1- discount. Mexican Bonds have been 25 to /, being better. The Greek Bonds are quiet at 8-& to /. Equa dor Stock is worth 51, and B uenos Ayres 64. Sar dinian Bonds are firm, at 981 to 99. Dutch 2 per Cents bring 66i. Railway Shares have been brisk again, and the transactions are at advanced prices, although the improvement is not very material. The French Shares are higher, and Upper India in demand. The Land Company's Shares have risen mate rially. Australian Joint-Stock Banks are dearer. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY. (From, the Official List.) _ . - - Business done. Bank Stock 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities. ........ 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities New 31 per Cent. Annuities. Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860.., shut Ditto 80 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 1859 Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 6l India Stock India Bonds, £lOOO — Ditto, under £lOOO 45 South Sea Old Annuities shut Consols for Account 13th April India Stock for Account 267 • Exchequer Bills, 14d. March. June. £1000 Small — 8 12 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. ''Ditto New, 1852, 44 per Cent 974 Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent 64 2A Equador Bonds 54 Grenada Bonds, Deferred, Ditto Ex,; Dec., 1849, Coupon.. 'l 4l 221 Greek ex over-due Coupons Mexican 3 per Cent 2 42 i Peruvian Deferred 3 per Cent 644 , Portuguese 5 per Cent. 4l Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ditty, 44 per cent 1033, Sardinian Bonds, 5 p er C en t . 99 8i Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 484 Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent 24s 4 Spanish Passive (Converted) Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun 7 4 p c Swedish Loan 1 , d Turkish Loan, 6 per Cent., 1852. II 24 p Dutch Exchange 24,per Cent 664 Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates..._ .. ... 991 Consols Ditto April Account THREE O'CLOCK. 99 100 100 LLOYD'S SHIPPING--(THIS DAY.) LONDON, March 11.—Wind at Noon, E.S.E., fine.— Mary, which arrived in the River on - the 6th inst., was in contact, on the 3d, off Dungeuness, with an Ordnance cutter, when she lost her stern boat, and received other damage. DEAL, March 10.—Wind, S.E., light and fire. Arrived Afrika, Batavia ; James Peddie, Cuba ; Cuba, Woolley, Algoa Bay ; Galine, Breckwoldt Chesina, and Smyrna ; Queen of the Chase, St. Michael's. Arrived from the River. President Ram, for Adelaide, S.A. Sailed—Eras mus, Port Philip ; Arabella, Asansion ; Ranneys, Monte Video. Put back—Salisbury, and Kate. LIVERPOOL, March 10.—Wind, S.S.W. Arrived—Jane Glassier, Simpson, Bombay ; Providence, Rio Grande ; Elizabeth Moore, Patrickson, Bahia; Eliza Killick, St. Domingo ; Seagull, Savannah ; Alceste, Manson, Singa pore ; Australia, Campbell, Calcutta John Bull, Richard Battersby, and William Gibson, Bombay; Alle]ton, Bed ford, Mauritius ; Thomas Miller, Pernambuco • Johnston, ' ,Demerara • Britannia, Robertson, Goneives ; Midas, Devon port, and Charles Walton, New Orleans ; Jacob Gross, Cambria, and Eylla, Charleston ; John Cumming, Phila delphia ; Centurion, Harswell, St. Michael's ; Forget-me- Not, M‘Laren Alexandria ; Palermo and Georgiann (?), Smyrna ; Sphynx, Tarragona ; Eugene, Morlaix. Off Port—Princess Royal, Africa. Sailed—Lady Jocelyn, Melbourne ; N. S. de Begona, Rio Janeiro ; Oberon, New foundland • Mary Nixon, Sydney, N.S.W. ; Pytho, Africa ; Walton, Valparaiso ; Teingal, New York. FALMOUTH, March 10.—A brig of about 300 tons, laden with deals and staves, waterlogged and abandoned, stern completely gone ; windlass marked "Richard Flinn and Co., North Shields," with a patent purchase ; " Pow and Dawcus, No. 17," on the palls, was passed 4th M arc h, i n lat. 44, long. 12 W., by the Boachcea, Weatherley, arrived here. Arrived—Atalaga, Giguons, Rio Grande, Formi, Island Lady, and Victoria, Ibrail ; Druid, Cousins, Akyab, Rother, Morris, Paraiba, and Eliza, Bahia. Off Port— Brischboch, .Alkemada • Fame, Pernambuco. COWES March 10.—Wind , . Arrived—Adeline, MB worth, Havannah. STORNOWAY, March 3.—A bottle containing a gi p of paper, on which was written as follows, was found this afternoon by some fishermen, off the mouth of the harbour : —" The ship is sinking fast ; six feet water in the hold. We do not know where we are if we are not in the West of Ireland.—James Shearer, Captain. 1852." LETTERS FOR MELBOURNE AND HOBART TOWN.— The Post-office authorities have advertised that ship letter bags will be despatched for Hobart Town and Melbourne by the steamer Tasmania, which leaves this country for those ports on the 31st inst. WAGES IN BOHEMIA.-A report recently made by the Chamber of Commerce of Reichenberg, the prinoipall manufacturing town of Bohemia, contains some state• ments regarding the current rate of wages in that coun- try, sufficient to denote that the present scale of pay ment for labour in England can scarcely continue for any lengthened period without attracting a supply of artizans from the continent. In the Ticiner and Leip paer district the rate in the cotton and linen manufac tories is stated to be for an adult 1 to 11 kreutzer (a halfpenny sterling) per day, and the whole yearly earn ings of a family of five, as weavers, amounts a t th e ut most to 145 florins, or about 141. In some trades, such as those of tailors, smiths, carpenters, wheelwrights, and butchers, as much as 3 1-3 kreutzers (about a penny) is paid, accompanied with board, but no lodging. Shoe makers and wax-drawers, however, only receive 2 kreutzers. SCHOOL FOR TEtE INDIGENT BLlND.—Yesterday this charity, instituted in 1799, for the purpose of imparting to the indigent blind a sound moral and religious educa tion and instructing them in a trade by which they may provide wholly or partially for their future subsistence, held its annual general meeting at the London Coffee house, Ludgate-hill ; Lord Radstock took the chair. The report stated that the present number of pupils in the school was 75 males and 69 females. There were 27 candidates for admission. The receipts for the year amounted to 4,2171. ls. and the disbursements to 2,5441. 9s. 3d., leaving a:balance of 1,6721. 11s. 9d. in favour of the institution. An announcement was made by the secretary that a donation of a grand pianoforte had been made to the school by John Melhuish , Esq. , of Tooting. It was reso l ve d unanimously, that he subjoined be made a by e -law :—" That in considerationthe of an application on behalf of his Royal Highness Prince of Wales and a donation of 300 guineas to the corporation, he be entitled to the privilege of having e one be nominee always in the school, such nominee te t rules and subject equally with other pupils to the regulations of this school." Some business of a routine character having been disposed of, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the noble lord for his courtesy in the chair, and the meeting separated. SERIOUS GUN ACCIDENT AT TURNHAM-GREEN.—Yes terday afternoon, a man named James Harrington, aged 28, was brought to St. George's Hospital under the fol lowing circumstances : —Harrington is a garden labourer in the service of Dr. Lindley, the well-known botanical author, and, with his wife, resides as care-taker at a cot tage in the occupation of his master at Turnham-green. On the previous afternoon, a little before five o'clock, the doctor was amusing himself in the presence of his family by firing with a rifle and the new conical shot at a target about 120 yards distant. After having fired several shots, the doctor sent his daughter with a small square piece of board to place near the target, and when she returned be levelled his rifle to fire. Just at that instant Harrington, who was standing on one side to mark the hits. suddenly sprang up to rectify the posi tion of the small board just as the discharge took place. The shot struck him and passed through the back of his right hand, then through the left thigh, afterwards per forating a thick board, and has not since been dis covered. The distressing scene which followed may be imagined. Surgical aid was instantly obtained, and yesterday it was thought safe to remove the wounded man to the hospital. Happily the ball missed the femo ral artery, and there is reason to hope the sufferer is doing well. It is a remarkable fact, that last year another eminent botanical writer, Professor Schleiden, of Berlin, had the misfortune seriously to wound an assistant while rifle shooting. ELECTION COMMITTEES-(THIS DA V.) SOUTHAMPTON. The committee re-assembled at 11 o'clock this morning —Mr. H. Herbert in the chair, when Edward Atkins, manager of the Southampton Bank ing Company, proved that on the 20th of August last Mr. Harman had paid in 4551. to his own credit. No sums had been paid in during the year to Mr. Harman's credit by Sir Alexander Cockburn except the two cheques for 3301. and 1251., making up the 4551. The witness also proved the payment of various small sums to Bland ford and other persons. Mr. Harman was re-called, and stated that he had given 6001., the proportion of Mr. Willcox, to Messrs. Sharpe and Harrison. Sir Alexander Cockburn's pro portion was 6701., most of which he paid away himself. The examination of Mr. Atkins was proceeding when our report left. WIGTON. This committee resumed this morning at half-past 1 o'clock, when Mr. James stated that since the adjournment yester day he had felt it his duty to advise his client, Mr. Caird, to withdraw the petition against the return of Sir John M`Taggart. He was induced to take that course in consequence of the opinion yesterday offered by the committee that an offer of a bribe did not constitute bribery, and he upon probing the evidence could not hope successfully to prosecute the petition. With re gard to the scrutiny there was some doubt, and therefore he had advised his client not to go to the vast expense which would be entailed upon him by the inquiry. He could assure the committee that there bad been no compromise with the other party. Mr. Bone confirmed this statement. The room was then cleared, and when the parties were readmitted, the Chairman stated that the committee had resolved that Sir John M'Taggart was duly elected to serve in the present Parliament for the borough of Wigton. CIRENCESTER. The select committee to inquire into the petition against the return of Mr. Ponsonby for this borough sat this morning for the first time. The Hon. 0. Lascelles, chairman. The counsel for the petitioners were :—Mr. Sergeant Wrangham, Mr. Merewether, and Mr. Cripps ; for the sitting member—Mr. James, Sergeant Kinglake, and Mr. Clark. Mr. Merewether, in opening the case, stated that the petition was founded upon a system of treating which had prevailed to a considerable extent at the last elec tion. Mr. Masters was called, and stated that drunkenness had prevailed to a very considerable extent at the last election. This witness was being examined when our report left. MALDON. The committee to inquire into this petition sat this morning for the first time, Lord Grosvenor, chairman. The counsel for the petitioners were Mr. James and Mr. Hawkins; for the sitting member, Mr. Serjeant Wrang ham. Mr. James, in opening the case for the petitioners, stated that the petition was founded upon a system of treating which had extensively prevailed at the last elec tion, and that the practice of keeping open houses had been adopted. The case was proceeding when our report left. HUDDERSFIELD. This committee met again this morning at 11 o'clock, when additional witnesses were called in support of the petition, but nothing was elicited to warrant a detailed report. BANKRUPTCY COURT-(THIS DAY). ..C.- BILL DISCOUNTING IN HIGH LIFE-IN RE WM. MORTON. This bankrupt was described as of Belgrave-place, bill discounter, and to-day was appointed for choice of assignees. The bankrupt had carried on business on an extensive scale at the West-end, and from the prelimi nary account prepared by Mr. Drew, Coleman-street, it appears that the debts amount to about 6,000/., assets 2,500. Mr. Edwards, of Nelson-square, the petitioning cre ditor, was chosen assignee ; and Mr. 11. A. Reed, Cole• man-street, solicitor to the estate. SURREY SESSIONS.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Thomas Puckle, Esq., and a Bench of Magis trates.) MISTAKEN IDENTITY.- -ALLEGED CHARGE OE SHOPLIFTING Mary Ann Brown, 28, and Blizabeth, Smith, 18, were indicted for stealing 130 yards of ribbon, valued at Cl., from the shop of Mr. George Frost, linen-draper and silk-mercer Stockwell-terrace, Clapham-road, Lambeth. Mr. Robinson prosecuted, and Mr. Hursell, instructed by Mr. W. F. Howe, defended the prisoners. Amelia Frost, daughter of the prosecutor, said—On the evening of the 30th of January, the prisoners entered the shop and requested to be shown some ribbons for headdresses. Witness placed some pieces before them, when Brown desired to have the boxful on the counter for her to select from. After some time they purchased a trifling article and left the shop. They had not gone many minutes when she missed the ribbons. On the Bth of February, in the evening, the prisoners again visited the shop, when her father gave them into cus tody. In cross-examination, witness said it was dark on the two occasions, and that she had not a clear view of their faces. She could not distinctly swear to the prisoners, but from their voices and general appearance, she be lieved them to be the parties. Jemima Frost, another daughter of the prosecutor, shid she saw the female enter the shop on the first oc casion, and her sister served them. After they left wit ness put the box of ribbons away, and missed those men tioned in the indictment. She told her father of the circumstance, and when they came again he gave them both into custody. Witness could not distinctly swear to them, but she really believed they were the thieves, as no other females entered the shop that evening. Mr. Hursell addressed the jury at some length, and, alter a short consultation, they were acquitted. M ARLBOROUGH-STREET -(THIS DAY). E MBEZZLEMENT.—Richard Longhorn was brought be fore Mr. Hardwick, charged with embezzling various sums of money belonging to Mr. Charles Gannon, dyer, No. 6, Davies-street, Berkeley-square. The prosecutor stated that the prisoner was in his ser vice as clerk, and he now charged him with embezzling the sum of 1/. 95., which he had received from a custo mer of complainant's in 1852, and had never accounted to him for the receipt of the sum in the usual manner. James Mortimer, clerk to Mr. Bind, builder, 38, Edge ware-road, said, in January, 1852, he paid prisoner 1/. 9s. on prosecutor's account, and the prisoner gave him the receipt, now produced. The prosecutor stated that there were several other cases against the prisoner, and wished for a further remand, as he was not at present provided with suffi cient evidence. The prisoner was remanded for a week. Mr. Thomas Ewett, barrister, Essex-court, Temple, was charged, for the second time this week, with being drunk and incapable of taking care of himself. The defendant, who was in a dirty condition, and minus his coat and waistcoat, was discharged. PRIACESS'S THEATRE. The highly successful run of Mr. George Ellis's ad mirable pantomime of Harlequin Cherry and Fair Star, terminated last evening with its fifty-eighth representa tion, on the occasion of Mr. Cormack's benefit, when that deserving artist was amply patronised. The per formances, of which the pantomime was played th e second, it being a juvenile night, consisted, in addition, of Charles the Second, and A Roland for an Oliver—Mr. Addison, Mr. Walter Lacy, and Miss Carlotta Le Clercq, sustaining the principal characters in both comic pieces with their accustomed spirit and ability. The Queen's box was occupied by her Majesty, the P r i nce Consort, and four of the royal children, who app eare d to relish the pantomimic whimsicalities in common with the goodly array of the rising generation th a t th ronge d the boxes, and the joyous elders, packed from floor to ceiling. Mr. Huline and Mr. Cormack specially dis tinguished themselves, and were specially applauded, vindicating, to the last , their established positions as the mos t skilful and best-assorted Cl own and Harlequin on the stage. Mr. Paulo's Pantaloon was greatly improved Pantaloonwas orthodox, as us ual, and Miss Desborough, respect r o . f Late , Huline made a very p re tty an d pl eas i ng 's sag ac i ous poo dl e o bt a i ne d distinguished favour, and i C n ol e u v m er b y in r e e . s his master's well-known feats on chairs and stilts , drew down immense applause. We never witnessed an entertainment conducted with greater spirit from first to last ; and we rely on the ingenuity of Mr. Ellis, and thetalent of rare named troupe, for as attractive a fund of amusement next winter as Harlequin Cherry and Fair Star has proved to be, at thi s delightful theatre, for so many weeks. - - - NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCOTIA LAND COM PANY.—Yesterday, a general court of this company was held at the offices, Cepthall-court, Throgmorton-street ; Mr. Moxon in the chair. A report was read, which stated that the land sales during the year amounted to 7,899, showing a large increase as compared with the two former years. The average price per acre was 41. 7s. lid., and there remained unsold 515,057 acres, whilst the arrears due for sales amounted to 5,881/. 4s. 3d. The sales were chiefly to natives. In conse quence of the emigration from the district to Australia, wages had considerably risen, the crops were good, and the roads were in excellent order for traffic. The House of Assembly wished to impose a tax upon uncultivated land, but the Land Company had made representations to the effect that for the last 20 years they had paid in effecting purchases 60,2991., and [lliad expended in im provements 61,9271., and they therefore considered that they ought to be excepted from the imposition of the proposed tax. Since 1837 the population had increased from 136,000 to 193,000, and the revenue of the pro vince had increased from 80,0001. to 138,0001. The company's balance at the bankers had increased to 8391. 12s. Bd. Under these circumstances the directors re commended a dividend of ss. per cent. on the capital stock. The report was adopted, and the ordinary rou tine business having been transacted, the meeting se parated. SAILING OF THE GREENLAND FLEET.—The whole fleet from Peterhead, excepting one ship not quite ready for sea, left the North Harbour on Sunday and Monday week. The sailing on these days of ships bound for the Greenland fisheries, amounted to as many as 26 sail, many of them vessels of large tonnage.—Aberdeen Journal. A USTRALIA. Panama papers were received here yesterday morning, containing advices from Sydney to the 10th of December. The accounts were taken to Callao by the British ship Irene, Captain Robinson, in the short space! 30 days, and thence to Panama by the steam-ship Bogota. The Panama papers were brought to Eng land by the West India mail steamer Orinoco. The screw-steamer Sydney sailed from Sydney* on the 7th Dec., with the mails for England, rota the Cape of Good Hope. She had also a very large amount of gold-dust on freight. • The screw-steame r Great Britain was t o leave Sydney on the 20th of D ecem b er, f or Li verpoo l. The Sydney Empi re , of the Gth of December, contains the distressing intelligence that a boat be longing to her Majesty' s b r i g F antome h a d been upset at Porinia, in Cook's Straits, and the surgeon and five of the crew of the brig drowned. There was no sign of a diminution in the produce of gold, and the mania, instead of decreasing, seemed to be spreading with greater intensity. At Yarra Yarra upwards of 4,000 persons were encamped, most of them reported to be doing well. The yield of gold amounted to 1,000,0001. Per I month. Two Govern men t escorts had arr ived at Sydney just previous to the sailing of the Irene, bringing 15,000 oz. from Bendigo, and 24,000 ez• from Ballarat. • Three emigration companies had been established , with a capital of 100,0001. each, the object being that of assisting emigrant's. The Meteor, which sailed from Sydney for Lon don at the end of November, took on freight 44,704 oz. of gold dust. Gold was selling in Sydney at 3/. 9s. 6d. per oz. A correspondent of Bell's Life in Sydney, of the 10th of December, writing from the Tuena gold fields says : " I started from Goulburn at 10 a.m. last Monday week, and reached Tuena by Sundown the next day. The road is very good—better than any road I know in the colony—and the hospitality of the settlers on the way I shall never forget. Everybody here seems to he doing well. Indeed, I have not heard of one case of ill success, nor of any person grumbling. I am toll that numerous parties of four are getting 15 to 20 ounces per day • of course, there are numbers not getting so much; but I am sure I am not wrong when I say that, taking the number of diggers at present on the ground, 11 ounce each per day is the average yield. The Liverpool party are doing a good stroke of business. The parties of Reynolds, Jones, Vernon, Hawkins, and Cameron, and a score of others, are realising a ha n d some independence. We only want men; the gold is in abundance here, and only require°, labour for the p ro p er wor ki ng. A man o f the name 01 Brown, I am informed, has sold 60 ounces of gold dust, which to-day he stated was the produce of one week labour. I have never seen a more picturesque part 0 1 the country. I suppose, however, you do not Wan t poetical ideas ; but, in plain prose, every convenience is to be had ; there is plenty of delicious water, and the grass here could not be surpassed. There are large pad' docks for horses, bullocks, &c., at a mere nominal charge. Provisions are both abundant and cheap. Before I return to Goulburn I hope to make a fortune." The Spring Creek correspondent of the SyciseY Argus writes as follows : "How do yo u lik e t o h ear o f our S pr i ng C r eek diggings, eh ? Will it pay a man to obtain in one dai alb. weight of gold ? Will it satisfy a man, without much trouble, to get 2oz. per day, and cook, and eat his food, not fo rge t t i ng an occas i ona l nap i n the s h a de t Well, calculate as you will, such is the plain truth about Spring Creek. A small angle of the creek, to my cer tain knowledge, afforded four lawful claims. The clairae, were only sunk f our f ee t i n d ept h , an d t h ey pro duced 300 ounces. There are parties here (at Spring Creek) who have accumulated 2001. and 3001. in 14 days. S° now, my friends, if you are anxious to try your luck, now's the chance." The accounts of the harvest, received from various quarters, were most favourable, and the land was producing abundantly. Large crops were looked forward to with confidence. Flour had gone down in Sydney to $l2 per 2001 b., or about 231. sterling per ton. Files of papers from Wellington extend to the 30th of November. They are unusually barren of interesting intelligence. A committee of 16 gentlemen had been appointed for the purpose of taking the preliminary steps to wards the formation of a company for working the newly-discovered gold fields of Pakawau. The following extracts, with reference to a RlP posed rich copper-mine discovered at Dunn Moun tains, New Zealand, are taken from the New Zealand Independent : " Mr. Wray arrived here by the Henrietta, frail Nelson, on Thursday. The most sanguine hopes are still entertained by that gentleman of the existence of a valuable copper mine at the Dunn Mountains. Mr. Wray has brought with him a very fine specimen of the ore, which he detached from a portion of the lode that was cropping out of the earth, and which, being surface ore, is not generally supposed to be so rich and valuable as that found deeper down the lode. We understand it is Mr. Wray's intention to give, at an early peried?„ an exposition of the position and prospects of the mine. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S-THURSDAY. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES. 10 to 1 agst Postulant (taken). METROPOLITAN HANDICAP. 6to 1 agst Contentment (taken). 11 to 1 agst Lampedo (taken). 14 to 1 agst Peggy. CHESTER CUP. 30 to 1 agst Constantine. DERBY. 12 to 1 agst Orestes (taken). 18 to 1 agst Sittingbourne (taken). 20 to 1 agst Honeywood. 25 to 1 agst Ethelbert (taken). SALISBURY RACES.-THIIRSDAY. The CITY MEMBERS'S PLATE of 50 SOW., added to Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each, for 3-yr-olds, Est 101 b 4-yr-olds, Bst 41b ; 5-yr-olds, Bst 111 b ; six and aged, 2gt• The winner to be sold for 400 says. One mile and three" quarters. (4 Subs.) Mr. B. Land's Odiham, 5 yrs, Bst 81b (May) I Mr. Powney's Lamartine, 5 yrs, Bst 111 b Mr. Adney's Mazella, 3 yrs, 6st 71b Mr. Spencer's Benita, 4 y rs , B s t l ib 4 Betting-6 to 4 agst Lamartine. Won by two lengths' The QUEEN'S PLATE of 100 Guineas. 3 miles. Mr. Megson's Weathergage, 4 yrs, 9st 21b (Marlow) Mr. Parker's Joe Miller, 4 yrs, 9st 21b Sir R. Pigot's K o h- i - noor, 3 yrs, 6st 71b 3 Betting -6 to 4on Joe Miller. Won easily by alength' The TRIENNIAL S TAKES o f 10 sm. each, for 2-yr - ol d * colts, Bst 71bs ; and fillies, Bst 31b ; untried allowed OP &c. T.Y.C. (4 Subs.) Mr. Snewing's Dan Cupid ...walked over. The WILTHIRE STAKES, of 25 says. each, 15 ft, en d 5 only if declared, with 50 sovs. added. Two (44 Subs, 33 of whom declared.) 1 Mr. G. Drewe nd Defiance, 3 yrs, Est 21b.....(We115) Lord Palmerston's Buckthorn, 4 yrs, Bst 21b ........ . 3 Mr. Snow's Postulant, 3 y rs , 4st 131 b 0 Lord Bruce's Knight of the Shire, 4 yrs, 7st 121 b. 0 Mr. C. Liley's Tavistock, 3 yrs, st 91b Sir R. Pigot's Jack.the-Giant-Killer, 3 yrs, sst 51b Betting-3 to 1 each agst Knight of the Shire en' Defiance, 7 to 2 agst Postulant, 4 to 1 agst Buckthorn, and 5 to 1 agst Tavistock. Won by half a length, Tavistock a good third. The CITY Bow - L, of 18 soya., with 12 sovs. and Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each added, for 3-yr-olds an d upwards. Heats, three-quarters of a mile. (5 Sub% Mr. Snewing's Deceitful, 5 yrs (50/.).. ..Flatman 1 2 2 Mr. Sargent's Henrietta, 4 yrs (1001.) 0 3 Mr. Shrimpton's Arlette, aged (501.) Mr. S. Clements' Letterpress, 5 yrs, and Mr. Lan d Theodine, 4 yrs, also ran. Won easy. DEATH IN WESTMINSTER BRIDEWELL.—Mr. Bedfor d held an inquest yesterday, at this prison, on the bodY ° Matilda Cooper, a convict, aged only 15 y ea rs. T he deceased was convicted of felony at the Middlesex Se s. sions in October last, and sentenced to six months' Mr prisonment, with,hard labour. She was received the Westminster Bridewell on the 14th of October, an continued well up to the 6th of February, when she be came ill, and was placed in the infirmary, where she lie ' gered until the Bth instant. For three weeks after bu, reception she had been required to pick a pound 0; oakum per day, and afterwards her labour was confine°. to needlework, knitting, and straw plaiting. The di cipline of the prison had not distressed the decease" neither had she been punished or subjected to any Pri"' tion—nor did she appear to have complained at any time. The full rations had been given, and the usual dent exercise allowed her. During her illness every attention was shown to her, and her mother had he ee allowed by the Governor, though against the pris" re gulations, to remain in the prison with the deceased a. week before her death. The surgeon stated that t h e deceased died from low fever, and that it could not 11 referred to any local cause, though depression of 1 1111 2 L might have influenced it. The Coroner remarked the _ evidence showed an amount of care and kind attention on the part of the prison authorities towards the unfehre tunate . inmates, which must be very gratifying t° t jury and the public. Verdict—" Natural death." [ADVERTISEMENT.]— ROYAL EXCHANGE-BUILDINGP, possible March 9, 1853.—Sir —I have no hesitation, i n reply t n ° the requ e st o f t h e committee of the Stoc k i xc hange, l e stating that th e o b servat i ons I ma d e -yesterdah in Court of Ald erman, have been completely mi the Court sented in the public papers of this day. In no wayf i l„ I, or could I, make disparaging observations on a body of gentlemen such as the Stock Exchange is con 3 P°! s _,„. of, with whom I am, and ever have been, proud of ker.! associated. The remarks I did make applied to 5 0 ', so-called brokers who are daily haunting the doors se ' the Stock Exchancfe, and lead the public to suppos e that they are members.—l am, sir, yours faithfuV:: Ci (Signed)—ROßEßT W. CARDEN.—G eorge Webb mis Secretary, Stock Exchange. 4