The Sun. — London, England, 1853-03-16 00:00:00

BRIGHTON SHAREHOLDERS.—Before the South Eastern Railway Meeting to-morrow, reflect, and you will then withdraw your assent to the partnership proposed with that Company in a line from Lewisham to Croydon and Bromley (to tap, no doubt, by further branches, &c., by-and-bye, our Hastings and Crystal Palace traffic) ; for would not many travellers on the North Kent Line, srom points below Lewisham, use this line if only setting them down near Anerley, rather than go round by London bridge in order to pay the Br:ghton Company toll ? as to Hastings through traffic the present agreement to halve it is determinable at short notice, and the moment it suited them the South Eastern would give it. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, MARCH 16, Will' be presented the Drama of THE GREEN BUSHES; or, a Hundred Years Ago. Supported by Messrs. Paul Bedford, Honey, 0. Smith, and Parselle ; Madame Celeste, Miss Woolgar, and Miss F. Maskell, &c. To conclude with (po*itively the last time but three) SLAVE LIFE ; or, Uncle Tem's Cabin. Doors open at half-past eix o'clock. RoyAi, PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. C. Kean. THIS EVENING, MARCH 16, Will be produced Shakspere's Tragedy of MACRETFI (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, ➢lr. Farren. FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. COMPTON. THIS EVENING, MARCH .16, Will be presented THE POOR GENTLEMAN. After which, THE ETON BOY. To conclude with THE ILLUSTRIOUS STRANGER. Sun ported by Messrs Leigh Murray, Cumpton, W. Farren, jun.. Hos kins, Cooke, Shalders, Edgar, and Bender ; Mesdames Anderton, H. Gordon, and E. Turner. Box-office open from Eleven till Five, under the superintendence of Mr. E. Chatterton. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tim DAY ---Morning 39 min. after 5 Evening 56 min.aft. 6 To-3foaaow--Morning 13 min. after 6 Evening 31 min.aft. 5 THE WEATHER.—Sort OFFIcz, MARCH 16. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 4T—highest since noon yesterday. 32--lowest this morning and during the night. 38— this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29.69. WIND, N.E.—Dull, cloudy weather. THE PUBLICATION OF ‘, THE SUN" COMMENCES EVERY AFTERNOON AT THREE O'CLOCK, AND THS LATE OR THIRD EDITION, CONTAINING THE DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT THE SAME EVENING, With all other .24'ezvs arriving up to the hour of Post, AT SEVEN O'CLOCK. EXPRESS EDITIONS will be forwarded after the Post is closed by the Latest Trains. - . LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1853. An interesting discussion took place in the House of Lords on Monday evening, respecting one of the most important, as it is confessedly one of the most arduous, of the duties connected with the measures of Legal Reform now under con sideration. It arose on a question asked of the Lord Chancellor by the veteran Lord LYNDHURST respecting the contemplated consolidation of the Statutes. The Noble and Learned Lord alluded to a subject which had long been painfully noto rious, and which had but too frequently elicited such grave censures from the most eminent mem bers of the Bench and the Bar, and something still stronger from unfortunate litigants, who had been subjected to heavy and almost ruinous costs through the obscurities and contradictions contained in enactments sanctioned by the collective wisdom. The evils arising from this crude and hasty legis lation have, indeed, attained such a height as to render it essential that something should be done, and that without a moment's unnecessary delay. There may yet be found ridiculous absurdities reflecting disgrace and odium on those by whom such follies were perpetrated or sanctioned. The case alluded to by Lord LYNDHURST, of the statute which provided that one moiety of the penalty incurred for a certain offence (viz., 14 years' tran sportation), should go to the informer, and the other moiety to the parish, is by no means a solitary instance cf such oversights and anomalies. Many similar absurdities were pointed out by Lord BROUGHAM, in his admirable speech in the House of Peers in 1848, and subsequently in his letter to Sir JAMES GRAHAM, he cited many other acts that ex hibited gross negligence on the part of those by whom they had been carried through both branches of the Legislature, and at the same time explained some of the causes to which the acknowledged evils were ascribable. But glaring as were these errors, ridiculous as they appeared even to the most superficial observer, they occasioned far less mischief than the adoption of words of doubtful construction, which arrayed Judge against Judge, and even one of the Superior Courts against another, to the perplexity and confusion of the unfortunate suitor, who felt the hardship of being compelled to pay for settling the law, and de ciding by the judgment of the highest appellate tribunal the serious differpnce between the Courts of Common Pleas and Exchequer as to whether the word ." may" in the County Courts Act had been used in a discretionary or imperative sense. Simple as the matter may now be regarded, the law has been, we believe, in an unsettled state for many years ; and it is not yet, we believe, definitively disposed of as to whether words of permission, as " may," or "it shall be lawful," tC:c., are to be so construed as affording, any option to the Judge, or allowing him to de termine as lie thought most in accordance with the justice and equity of the case. The difficulty could, with a very little care, be most easily avoided ; but, as it was, it led to the greatest an noyance and vexation, inducing " sharp practi tioners" to bring actions in the Superior Courts, on the chance of receiving costs far exceeding the amount of the original debt, through the obscurity occasioned by the wording of the statute. While, then, it is most desirable that adequate means should be adopted to prevent a repetition of such ludicrous and injurious mistakes, it must be obvious that the intended digest or consolida tion of the statutes . would be of comparatively little utility, unless the existing contradictions and obscurities were removed, and the law stated in a more intelligible manner. We must at all times receive any observation of Lord ST. LEONARDS with respect ; but with great deference to the Learned Lord, we submit that a mere alteration of the language, so as to remove existing doubt, could not be considered as so far altering the nature and character of the work as to render it a new code, rather than a consolidation of previous enact ments; but even were it the case, it could scarcely afford a sufficient re ason for avoiding the oppor tunities for amendment, and permitting such gross blots much longer to deface th e national statute book. Extraordinary credit, we cannot help er , er is due, we conceive, to the Honourable . jj ea ,, "ng, the Member for the borough of Lewes, inn"ree aern lre ene,e to that bill, which he has now obtained v to introduce, for the better prevention and punish _ ment of aggravated assaults upon women and children. It was time, indeed, for some such in terference on the part of the Legislature. Th e columns of the public journals had been too fre quently polluted, especially of late years, by the record of these lamentable acts of brutality, for the expiation of which the law hitherto allowed but very inadequate and restricted power to the provincial or metropolitan magistracy. According to the existing system, as explained in the House of Commons on'Thursday evening by Mr. FITZROY, all the punishment that can be inflicted upon the offenders here especially referred to, is limited to a fine of 51., or, in default of payment, two months' imprisonment. It must be remembered, moreover, that this i m p r i sonment must be without hard la.bur,. evenn though th e crue lt y compla i ned of be o f th most inhuman description, e and heighten e d - eta 14ces. somethl.Zth.e most revolting circum ;therefore, in the way of im mediate alteration., aa imperatively demanded from the humanity and justice of Parliament. It is gratifying to reflect that measures have at length been taken by the Hon. Representative of Lewes for the improvement of the law in this particular, and the course adopted by him has already re ceived the approval of the popular branch of the Legislature. It was scarcely necessary that the details of so many acts of appalling ferocity as were brought forward by Mr. FITZROY in evidence of the need of the proposed alteration, should have been re counted to the national representatives. Unhappily, the existence of the evil was already sufficiently notorious. Scarcely any one can find it difficult to recal a variety of similar atrocities to remem brance, for unfortunately there is scarcely any one but must have read accounts like these again and again in our own columns, and in those of our contemporaries. Nevertheless, it was, perhaps, after all, quite as well, everything considered, that the Member for Lewes should at once make out the strongest case that was possible, in order that there might not remain among our legislators the slightest chance of mis apprehension. After the speech delivered by Mr. FITZROY upon this subject, we cannot imagine for a single instant, that any of those who listened to his statements, could hesitate to acknowledge that the bill proposed by him was otherwise than abso lutely requisite. Enough was said on Thursday to show in the clearest light, that there has long been a very grievous want of some such resolute effort to suppress the continuance of those execra ble abominations. Outrages of the most inhuman nature are repeatedly occurring, the people know but too well by this time, committed on members of the weaker sex by persons whom, as Mr. FITZ ROY justly remarked, we must all blush to regard as Englishmen. Outrages, moreover, very many of them, not confined to members of the weaker sex, but perpetrated, we might almost say, in the majority of instances upon helpless chil dren. All that is now asked from Parliament, in this matter, by the originator of the suggested measure, is, as he himself observed, the same pro tection for unfortunate females and children, al ready afforded to dogs, and cats, and donkeys. At least, it is reasonable to hope that the preven tion of cruelty may at length not be witnessed only in regard to animals, but in regard likewise to our hitherto almost wholly undefended fellow creatures. We may then perchance hear some what less frequently of women being left insen sible on the floor of their home, their " clothes saturated with blood," and the rings on their fingers " beaten into the flesh to the very bone"— according to those painful descriptions which Mr. FITZROY conceived it to be his duty to submit to the consideration of his brother representatives. Agreeing though we do very cordially with the Hon. Member for Bath, in regretting that the bill introduced by the Member for Lewes could not go farther than is actually intended, we cannot coincide with him or with the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Leominster, in aspiring to witness the application to these ruffianly offenders of the degrading pen alty of corporal punishment. In reference to that punishment, we conceive that the Hon. Gentle man the Representative of Berwick-upon-Tweed, was fully justified in questioning its efficacy. Sup posing its efficacy to be demonstrable, we should exult in its application to the assailants of women and children, for none could more richly deserve to fall under the weight of that punishment. But experience has proved plainly enough before now, in a countless variety of instances, that evil, in stead of good, is invariably the result of corporal chastisement. It was the recognition of this fact that called forth the clamour several years since against its continuance in the army and in our public schools. It was seen that the ill disposed who fell Under the lash, were only rendered thereby more stubborn and incor rigible. Instead of correcting offences, it only multiplied them ; and, in the case of the military, no soldier who ever bared his back to the thongs of the cat was ever known afterwards to reflect credit on his profession. His position among his comrades became altered, and he was never known fully to recover from the degradation. Ho either fell into worse habits, and was ultimately drunnned out of his regiment for some more flagrant repeti tion of his offences, or, falling into a state of des pondency, quietly left the service at the earliest available opportunity. Equally ineffectual, we doubt not, would prove the application of this punishment to the unmanly assailants of unfortu nate females and helpless children. The fear of it would not be enough, in the first instance, to frighten them from the luxury of giving way to their ferocious bursts of passion, and application of the lash afterwards would only reader them, if pos sible, still more lamentably brutalised. We cannot but think, therefore, that the bill introduced by the Member for Lewes goes quite as far as was advis able under the circumstances ; and we say this advisedly, even while coinciding most cordially with Mr. PHINN and Mr. PHILLIMORE, that the class of offenders about to be dealt with by the new measure should be brought under the pressure of the heaviest penalties and the most degrading punishments. It is lamentable to reflect, that as matters have hitherto stood in reference to acts of cruelty to our fellow-creatures, a man might brutally as sault a woman or a child, with only the danger of having to pay W. penalty or be imprisoned for two months, whereas, for stealing a lady's lap dog he is liable to be mulcted of 201., or be re quired to undergo six months' imprisonment. Hitherto, indeed, there has in all this been a dis graceful disproportion in the distribution of pe nalties and punishments. Fortunately there is now fair prospect, as we have shown, of at least one great error in this disproportion being very speedily rectified —namely, by means of the hu mane bill introduced by the member for Lewes for the prevention of aggravated assaults upon women and children. THE COIIRT.—It is now determined that the Court will prolong its stay at Buckingham Palace until Satur day next, when it will take its departure for Windsor Castle. Preparations are making at Frogmore Lodge for the reception of her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, who is expected to arrive there on Friday next. PRICE OF GoLo.---The quotation of gold at Paris is about at par (according to the last tariff), which, at the English Mint price of 31. 17s. 100. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 25.17 ; and, the exchange at Paris on London at short being 25.071, it follows that gold is about 0.38 per cent. dearer in Paris than in English. By advices from Hamburgh the price of gold is 429 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. lOid. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 13.7 ; and, the exchange at Hamburgh ' on London at short being 13.6, it follows that gold is 0.47 per cent. dearer in Hamburgh than in London. BURFORD'S PANORAMA ROYAL, LEICESTTR-SQUARR.— The public will be glad to find that on Saturday next Mr. Burford opens a View of Granada and the Alham bra---that ancient city of the Moors. This has been long a desideratum, not only on account of its un rivalled beauty, but of its historical interest, and as a spot pronounced by the late Lord Dudley and Sir David Wilkie to be the finest they had ever met with during their extended travels. THE REFORMATION.—At St. Matthew's, Great Peter street, Westminster, the Rev. R. Malone, incumbent, received into the Protestant Church six males and two females, who publicly and formally renounced the errors of the Church of Rome. This solemn and impressive ceremony took place during Sunday evening service. The six male converts were the inmates of the London Colonial Training Institution for the Reformation of Adult Male Criminals , but the fe males were from th e district i n which the ohurch is situated. The rev. gen tleman also , during the evening, baptised an adult Jew. from the boolt of ei If Altogether, the 2 evening service was of the most impres sive .-.1, - -..aracter The text th e occasion . b -Erie text was not selected expressly for beenthe text in his course of lectures giving forsomaniel, which the rev. gentleman has —Again we have to KILLED BY A COLLIERY Ex PLOSION. titne—Daniel iii., 16, 17, 18. SEVEN PERSO NS K . 2 near re p V a frightful colliery explosion in the Risca Vale, mouth, by which seveete Young PLOSION. men and boys were Bud d thirteen more or less Newport, in the county of Mon denly hurried into injured, so that four of they'unfortu nate men are not ex s from which they pected to survive the frightful h o u rt which this ex are now suffering. The seam of rn co ln af ill known sßussell,up)Blitd is shs the west the plosion took place on Saturday evenin that as the Black Vein, from which John proprietor, has for some time past India mail-boats. It was in this same seam that ago, a great explosion took place, when about seven years ce, when be tween 30 and 40 persons were a k m ille m d or ; and since or two lives each period, occasional explos ions character h ave taken place, by which o ne tim e b ay , been sacrificed . It is to the neg ligence of a collier, who fortunately survives to admit the truth, that the present frightful catastrophe is to be attributed. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 16, 1853. MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 8,000 bales, of which 1,000 American were taken for export, and 2,000 on speculation. The market closed steadily. The sales comprised 7,000 American, 400 Pernam and M aran h am a t SA-d. to 6-id., 50 Bahia at 6d., 300 Egyptian at 6d. to 'rid., 400 Surat at 3id. to 40., and 50 Sea Island. Railway Shares were dull, at rather lower prices. Owing to the Chusan steamer whichibrought the mails from Sydney and Adelaide being only on an experimental trip, scarcely any one connected with Australia appears to have received letters by her. The few items obtained, however, show that the gold yield was fully equal to the former average, and that there may probably be great discoveries yet made. Stocks are rather lower to-day for special transfer only, in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining names corresponding to those in which the seller has been entered in the Bank books. Consols also have been down to 994- to 100 k for Money, and to 100 k to k for Account, cash being in demand. The New 3f per Cents, have been 1031, including the dividend. Exchequer Bills of June are at 10s. premium, and those of March 12s. Bank Stock for account has been at 2281. In the Foreign Market the dealings have been limited, except in Spanish Stock, which is still rising. The New Loan, it is now said, will be for about about nine millions sterling, but of which two millions will be merely in the nature of a con version or redemption of the existing debt, the coupons being taken at 10i. The market price this mornin g for the Certificate w as 8-11 to ; and 25 for the - ew Deferred. Mexican are higher, having been done at 26g. The allusion in the message of President Pierce to his desire to increase the terri tory of the United States wherever it can be done by peaceable means, gives rise to the impression that ultimately Mexico may become annexed. Brazilian 4 per Cents, have been marked 98g. Russian Bonds have been at 103 to 104 for the per Cents., and Dutch 4 per Cents. at 994- to The Railway Share Market has been governed mainly by the settlement of the account, and prices are slightly lower. French Shares have been im proving, and there is more d o i ng i n P ar i s and . Lyons, orthern, and Luxembourg. The Gold Mine Shares have been fluctuating, owing to the adjustment of the account. The Port Philip have declined, because of the conflagration at the company's stores. Australian Freehold are higher, and also Australasian, Australian, the Cor dillera, the Colonial, and the Great Nugget Vein. The Brazilian Imperial Cocaes are buoyant. The Land Companies' Shares are scarcely so good, but Van Diemen's Land have risen, and also North British Australasian. The Australian Bank shares are firm, and are quoted with the extra call paid upon the English and Scottish and the London Chartered. BRITISH FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK THIS DAY, (Front the Official List.) Rumness done. 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities New 34 per Cent. Annuities .. Bank Stock for Account 228. Consols for Account 13th April Exchequer Bills, lid. June. March. £l000 £5OO lO Small — 19 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. BrazMan Bonds, 5 per Cent. — Ditto New, 1852, 43 per Cent 9B Mexican 3 per Cent 26i Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto, 4 per cent IO3B 4 Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent 2si i Ditto for the Account 2SA i Spanish Passive (Converted) 6 4 -6 Spanish Committee Cert. of C oup. no t f un, 8$ i P e Dutch Exchange 23 per Cent — Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates HALF-PAST TWO. 991 1001 1004 i Consols . Ditto April Account ... SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. SPORTING NOTES.—No. CCCXCI. WARWICK AND LEAMINGTON SPRING MEETING. A useful little filly of Mr. Watson's, by the Sheriff out of Faintaway, ridden excellently well by Wells, opened the ball yesterday in a five-furlong scurry, beat ing the Gip, Exchange, and Sophia filly in such easy style as to give great promise of accomplishing a good thing in the time to come. The Trial Stakes furnished an interesting race be tween Defiance and Poodle ; but, as might be expected, the former, with Wells up, won cleverly, with something to spare. The favourite for the Woodcote Stakes—the colt, by Hercules, out of Sister to Dexterous—was beaten with the greatest ease by Mr. Wauchope's colt by John o'Gaunt, who cantered home three lengths in front of Oleaster, the favourite being the same distance in the rear of the latter. The Epsom horse for the Willoughby, the Hero, won, as they said he would, in a common canter. I, how ever, could not fancy him ; but had I seen him a few days ago, his condition, backed by his being ridden by Dockeray, would have made me hold his chance in some esteem. The Free Handicap was considered, at the last mo ment, a first-rate thing for Conmore; and therwires were worked to some purpose, for all the money that could be got on in town was taken off the lists in an hour or two, and as little as 7t04 on the course. He won very cleverly, with nothing to spare, by a short length. It was, however, a good performance, as he conceded loads of weight to everything in the race, giving the second favourite—Black Jack—no less than fifty-four pounds for the year. His owner, it is said, has backed him for the double event—the Free and Great Warwickshire Handicaps ; and it looks very likely to come off suc cessfully. Directly that Defiance had won the Trial Stakes there was a rush upon Trifle for the Chester Cup ; he ad vanced in the course of twenty minutes, upon a mode rate outlay, to 10 to 1. _.. - - Conmore , s victory brought Ninnyhammer into notice for the Derby, and 22 and 25 to 1 was taken to some money. The Grand Military Steeple Chases to-morrow, in all likelihood, will furnish some excellent sport, as full two thirds of the horses engaged are on the spot. By a few bets made at Leamington yesterday morning, it would seem that Lieut. Probyn's ROUTH and Lieut. Sartoris's ch. g. YOUNG SIR EDWARD are pretty nearly certain, one or other, to carry off the Gold Cup, value 100 sovs., added to a Sweepstakes of 10 sovs, each, h. ft., &c. &c. The Sweepstakes of 5 sovs. each is said to be a good thing for ESCULAPIUS or AMBER WITCH. The former is the property of Captain Lane Fox, and the latter of Captain Rowley. For the Welter Stakes Clipstone has been talked about, but not, so far as I am aware of, backed. Mr. J. D. Hewitt's two years' old b. c., by Sir Her cules out of Sister to Dexterous, received the name of Sampson yesterday. THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF. RACING FIXTURES FOR 1853. The figures within parenthesis denote the number 0: days' racing. MARCH. Warwick Spring (2) 15 Catterick Bridge (2) ...... 29 Kiplin Coates (11 .17 Northampton (2) ........ 30 Newcastle Spring (2)....23 Abergavenny (1) 31 Leamington (1) 29 ____ APRIL. Croxton Park (2) 5 York Spring (2) 19 Epsom Spring (1) 7 Malton (2) 21 Newmarket Craven (5)...11 Newmarket F. S. (5) 25 MAY. Chester (4) 3 Redditch. (2) is Newmarket Sec Sp (3)...10 Bath (2) 17 Liverpool Hunt (2) 11 Manchester (3) 18 Shrewsbury (2) 11 1 Epsom (4) 24 Edinburgh (2) l2 1 Newton (3) 2 Ascot (4) 7 Hampton (2) 15 Beverley, Hull, &c. (2) 15 Bibury (1) 22 Stockbridge (1) 23 Winchester (1) 24 Newcastle (3) 28 X. Stamford (2) 19 Nottingham (2) 21 Goodwood (4) 26 Newmarket (3) 5 Worcester (2) 5 Carlisle (3)... Liverpool (3) 13 AUG' Brighton (2) 3 Brighton Club (1) 5 Wolverhampton (3) 8 North Staffordshire (2) 9 Yarmouth (2) 9 Reading (2) lO SEPTE! York (3) 17 Radcliffe (3) 22 Egham (2) 23 Derby (2) 24 Eccles (3) ' 29 Lichfield (2) 30 TIBER. Warwick (2) 6 Pontefract (2) 8 Doncaster (4) 13 Bedford (2) 20 Leicester (2) 21 Lanark (2) 22 ManchesterAutumn(2) 22 Newmarket F. 0. (3) 27 Northallerton (2) 29 . . OCTOBER. Chester Autumn (2) 4 t i ßichmond (2) 19 Newmarket S. 0. (5) 10 Newmarket H. (6) 24 NOVE BER. Worcester (2) 1 Warwick Autumn (2)...16 Epsom Autumn (2) 3 Shrewsbury (2) 23 Cowbridge Hunt (2) 9 Aberystwith (3).. Last week Liverpool Autumn (2) 9 ROUTES TO CALIFORNIA,—Our enterprising transat lantic brethren have just made the achievement of abridging by nearly one-half the time spent in the jour ney to California. It was a month. It was then re duced by several days. It has now been reduced a week more, having been accomplished in 18 days. A specula tive firm has just entered into a contract to convey the mails in 16 days. The prospect is held out of further reducing it to 12 days. Thus, every few months some new progress is made, and the two coasts of the Ameri can continent are brought together. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF COMMONS-(THIS DAY. The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock. Mr. CHEETHAM presented a petition from Bowden against the opening of the Crystal Palace on Sunday. Mr. GIBSON presented a petition from Aylesbury in favour of the County Rates Expenditure Bill. Mr. MIALL presented a petition from Rochester praying for the adoption of an ocean penny postage. A number of petitions were presented against the ad mission of Jews into Parliament, and against the May nooth grant. RYE It LECTION COMMITTEE. Sir .1. PAKINGTON intimated to the house that two members of this committee, which had met in pursuance of the act, reassembled to make further inquiries into the election at Rye, had absented themselves, and as the act required that the committee should reassemble for further inquiry within 14 days, and as the holidays were coming on, the consequence would be that the com mittee would lapse entirely. Under these circumstances he had to move that three be a quorum of this com mittee. Sir G. GREY thought it would be a hazardous course to excuse the absence of two members without reasonable cause. The best mode would have been for the com mittee to have reported to the house that two members were absent, and then it would have rested with the house whether they would excuse those members or not. Mr. HUME agreed with the right hon. gentleman that members ought not be allowed to absent them selves. Sir J. PAKINGTON said that he had the highest authority for stating that the committee was no longer an election committee, but merely a select committee. After a few words from Mr. E. DENNISON and Mr. BOUVEIIIE, The SPEAKER said that, having consulted the coun sel to the Speaker, he was of opinion that after it had once made its report the committee ceased to be an elec tion committee, but was reduced, in all respects, to a common select committee. It must, therefore, proceed according to the ordinary rules. It was evident that it was the intention of the act that the committee should consist of the same members, and he thought it would be very dangerous if the house were to inter fere to reduce its number. It appeared to him that the only mode was to order the attendance in their places on Friday next. Sir J. PAKINGTON then withdrew his motion, and the two absent members were ordered to attend in their places on Friday next. COUNTY RATES AND EXPENDITURE BILL. On the motion for going into committee on this bill, Sir J. PAKINGTON moved as an amendment, that it be committed on the 13th of April next, with a view, as he explained, of giving the county magistrates time to consider it at the quarter sessions, which were shortly about to be held over all the counties. Mr. M. GIBSON objected to the amendment, on the ground that the quarter sessions had had sufficient time and opportunities to consider the measure. Mr. EGERTON supported the amendment. Mr. R. PALMER pointed out that there were many alterations in the bill since it had last been before the country, which the county magistracy had had no oppor tunity of considering. He did not think that any time would be lost. Lord PALMERSTON objected to the postponement, on the ground that it was neither a new bill, nor were they now at the last stage of the bill. (LEFT, SITTINCI.) ELECTION COMMITTEES-(THIS DAY) SOUTHAMPTON-DECISION. The committee assembled this morning, at eleven o'clock ; Mr. Henry Herbert in the chair. The Chairman intimated that, after ten days' inquiry, the committee felt competent to come to a decision upon the case without further evidence; but they had no wish to prevent the sittin g mem b ers being called as wit nesses if they desired to be examined. Mr. E. James said as some personal charges had been made against them they were desirous of clearing them selves from an imputation in reference to their conduct at the election. Sir Alexander Cockburn and Mr. Wilcox were then called, and they both positively denied having been guilty of any corrupt practices, asserting that their posi tive instructions to their agents were that the election should be contested upon the fairest principles. The room was then cleared, and on the readmission of the reporters, The Chairman said, the committee h a d unan i mous l y come to the resolution—that Sir Alexander Cockburn and Mr. Wilcox were duly elected for the borough and county of Southampton at the election in July, 1852, and that they were of opinion that there were strong grounds for believing that George Warren and Samuel Mastern, in giving evidence before the committee, had been guilty of wilful and corrupt perjury, and that the chairman be directed to move in the house that the Attor ney-General be ordered to prosecute those persons for the said offence. Mr. Sergeant Kinglake applied for costs on the part of the sitting members, on the ground that the allega tions in the petition were vexatious and frivolous. The Chairman intimated that the committee enter tained a strong opinion against allowing costs. Mr. Alexander opposed the application. The room was cleared, and after a few minutes deli beration, the committee said they had come to the reso lution that there was no reason for giving costs in any matter arising out of the present case. The committee then broke up. MALDON. Mr. Hawkins this morning proceeded to sum up the case on behalf of the petitioners. NEW WINDSOR. Mr. Power summed up the case for the petitioners, and the committee then adjourned until to-morrow. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mrs. Gladstone had a dinner party on Monday at the official residence of the Right Hon. Gentleman in Downing -street. The guests included Lord Robert Grosvenor ' M.P., Lady Fanny Hope, Lord Courten a y, th e Hon. R. Cavendish, Sir Stephen R. Glynne, and Mr. W. Harcourt, M.P. In the evening Mrs. Gladstone had a soiree, at which were present Viscountess Canning, Lord and Lady Lyttleton, Mr. H. H er b er t, M . P., an d M rs. Her bert, Sir John and Lady Young, the Right Hon. J. and Mrs. Stuart Wortley, the Hori. Mr. and Mrs. J. Percy, the Duke of Argyle, Earl Granville, Col one l and Mrs. Malcolm, C o l one l and Miss Mure, Sir Edward Dering, M.P., Mr. G. Vernon ' M.P., Lord and Lady Alferd Hervey, M r . H enry A. Court, M.P., Mr. R. Phillimore, M.P., and Mrs. Phillimore, Lord de Tabley, Sir John Johnstone, M.P., Miss Johnstone, the Right Hon. E. and Mrs. Cardwell, Mr. Bruce, M.P., Mrs. and Miss Milnes Gaskell, Mr. and Miss Brigstock, Mr. Chichester Fortescue, M.P., and Miss Seymour. PRESENTATION OF A SNUFF-BOX TO MR. SANDS.—The present lessee and manager of the Theatre Royal Drury lane has more than once evinced his gratitude to various members of his company in a very substantial manner ; and we have now to record another instance of his liberality. A few days ago we noticed the appearance of Mr. Sands, "the man who walks upon the ceiling." This gentleman is not only a wonderful performer in his way, but "a very good fellow" to boot ; and his generous conduct towards the theatre has induced Mr. Smith, the manager, to present him with an elegant though slight testimonial of esteem, in the shape of a chased silver snuff-box. The presentation took place in the presence of the company, and both the bestower and the receiver were warmly applauded during the few brief remarks they made on the occasion. The box bore the following truthful inscription :—" Presented to R. Sands, Esq., by E. T. Smith, lessee of the Theatre Royal Drury-lane, in token of friendship for his liberal conduct and astonish ing performance during the season 1853." The chasing of the box represents " Mazeppa on the Wild Horse; and since Mr. Sands is the proprietor of an extensive equestrian establishment in New York, perhaps no more appropriate design could have been selected. THE MAIL SCREW PACKET AUSTRALIAN.—It is im possible to describe the chagrin and disappointment of the passengers at the delay and annoyance, to say nothing of failing of confidence, from these repeated mishaps. One gentleman, an American, has come 3,000 miles out of his way to take passage in an English mail packet, the fame of which, for comfort and punctuality, had reached the centre of the Continent of America. His expressions of disappointment are most lamentable, as are, in fact, those of the majority of the passengers, numbers of whom have called at our office to-day re questing that their grievances might have publicity, as they allege their complaints are received by the officials of the company with an indifference and hauteur which is very much like adding insult to injury. An electric message was received at the dockyard yesterday after noon, granting permission for the Australian to be taken into dock for examination and repairs, and for which purpose she will go up harbour this day. —Plymouth Mail. HOLYHEAD HARBOUR.—Another of those melancholy • accidents which have of late been so frequent at the new harbour works, Holyhead, has just occurred, by which two lives have been sacrificed. In consequence of the damage done during the late gale, an old "tipping " had been adopted instead of the usual one, which had been rendered ineffectual. Two loaded waggons and an engine were proceeding on this line with the usual num ber of men; when the stage gave way, and all were precipitated into the sea. Boats from the harbour were instantly sent to to their assistance. All but the stoker were rescued ; of these one breaksman, named Peter Wynne, was taken up insensible, and died soon after. The stoker is supposed to have been buried beneath the staging. A diver was sent in search of the body, and drags were employed, but they have hitherto employed, but they have hitherto proved of no avail. ELOPEMENT. —We regret to hear that the beautiful and accomplished wife of a wealthy gentleman resident in this neighbourhood, and well known in sporting ircles, left her home on Wednesday e vening last, in company with a ga ll an t ca pt a i n i n one of the regiments stationed here.—P/rnowth. TiOte4. The following bills were considered and agreed to : Blackburn Gas, Dudley Gas, Sunderland Gas, and Whittle Dean Waterworks. The Staines, Wokingham, and Woking Junction Rail way Bill was read a second time. Mr. ELLIOT presented a petition from Selkirk against tests imposed upon Scotch professors in universities of Scotland. AMERICA. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. (nT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, MARCH 16. The United States mail steam-ship Arctic, Luce commander, which has just arrived in our river, brings three days' later dates from New York than those previously to hand per the America. The condition of business was not quite so favour able as at the last accounts, and money was de cidedly more difficult to obtain. The stock market was also depressed, though the depression was ex pected to be only temporary. In the market for bread stuffs prices had given way, owing to the advices by the previous steamer from England, and there was little disposition t 9 purchase at the following prices :—Western Canal flour, $5 to $5 121 c. per barrel, barely supported ; Genesse prime wheat, $1 22c. to $1 24c. per 601b5.; Indian cern, round yellow, 62c. to 64c. per bushel, steady. The cotton market at New York is reported brisk, with a good average amount of business doing. Prices have slightly advanced, as will be seen by the following quotations :—New Orleans and Mobile, mid. fair to fair, 11c. to 12c. per lb.; Uplands ditto, 10g c. to 11±c., showing a rise in each of gc. The provision market was dull, and prices lower. Freights also were lower. Flour to Liverpool, 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. per barrel ; grain to ditto, Bd. to ; cotton to ditto, 3-16 d. to id. per lb. ; cotton to Havre, 2c. to ie. per lb. Exchange on London ruled at 109 to 110, with a very quiet market ; on Paris, 5 12-1 ; Hamburg, 36i to 36/ ; Bremen, 80 to 80k. Congress had passed the necessary appropriation bills, and adjourned. The Senate, however, con tinued in executive se ss i on , t o confirm the Cabinet and other appointments. The Arctic brings 80 passengers—she entered the Mersey at 3 a.m. On the 6th passed the Baltic, outward bound. The Cambria arrived at Boston on the sth. On the 4th inst., General Pierce was formally inaugurated as President, and delivered an address, the substance of which was as follows : One-third of the address is occupied in a review of the progress of the United States since the revo lution, and the increase of power and territory acquired by the federation since that period. It then proceeds :—" And yet this vast increase of people and territory has not only shown itself com patible with the harmonious action of the States and Federal Government, in their respective con stitutional spheres, but has afforded an additional guarantee of the strength and integrity of both. With experience thus suggestive and cheering, the policy of my administration will not be controlled by any timid forebodings of evils from expansion. It is not to be disguised that our attitude as a nation, and position on the globe, render the ac quisition of certain possessions not without our jurisdiction eminently important for our protection, if not in the future essential for the preservation of the rights of commerce and the peace of the world." The Message then proceeds to say that if these "possessions" (no doubt Cuba and Mexico) should be obtained, it shall be by fair means, and consis tently with the strictest observance of national faith ; and gives an assurance that no act within the legitimate scope of constitutional control will be tolerated on the part of any citizens which can not challenge ready justification before the tribunal of the civilised world. The President then proceeds to say that the great objects of their pursuit as a people are to be obtained by peace, and urgently exhorts to the cultivation of friendly relations with neighburing nations on the American continent. Of the com plex systems of European policy the United States are independent, and their wars, tumults, and anxieties cannot affect the American people, except as appealing to their sympathies in the cause of human freedom and advancement. The rights of American citizens are to be vigi lantly watched and maintained at home and abroad; and " it can hardly be necessary to re-affirm a prin ciple which should now be regarded as fundamental, namely, that the rights, security, and repose of this confederacy reject the idea of interference or colonisation on this side of the ocean by any foreign power beyond the present jurisdiction, as utterly unadvisable." The document continues to say that a large army is undesirable in the United States, and should be the nucleus only for a national militia to rally round ; but recommends thorough efficiency in the army. The fugitive slave law and compro mise measures occupy the remainder of the Mes sage. These measures are fully endorsed by General. Pierce as desirable and necessary for the preserva tion of the Union, which must be maintai ne d a t a ll hazards ; and the President expresses his hope that the question is at rest, and that no sectional, ambi tious, or fanatical excitement may threaten the durability of the federal institutions, or obscure the light of their prosperity. The Message con cludes by praying that the kind Providence which smiled upon their patriot fathers may enable their children to preserve the blessings they have inherited. THE FRENCH EMPIRE. The Marquis de Valdegamas, Envoy Extraordi nary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Queen of Spain has had an audience of the Emperor, for the purpose of presenting the insignia of the Royal Order of Noble Ladies of Maria Louisa, which his Sovereign has conferred on the Empress. The Moniteur publishes another list of 38 per sons who were sentenced to various degrees of punishment by the commissions appointed to exa mine the cases of political prisoners after the affair of the 2d December, 1851, and who are now par doned by the Emperor. The Univers announces that its chief editor, M. Louis Veuillot, has appealed to the Pope against the prohibition of his journal by the Archbishop of Paris as regards the clergy of his diocese. The _Tnteret Public of the Hautes Pyrenees has just received a first warning from the Prefect of the department, for " persisting in a system of attacks and improper insinuations against the departmental authorities, a system which had drawn on it in August last a warning, from which it was relieved by the clemency of the Emperor." The sums received at the Paris Savings' Bank during the past week have amounted to 696,726 f. from 6,125 depositors, of whoin 996 were new, and the sums paid back to 422,708 f. The sums paid into the Caisse de Retraites for the aged, amounted to 334,875 f., from 604 accounts, of which 440 were new. It is said that dispatches have been received from Rome on the subject of the Pope's visit to France. Pius IX., while stating his readiness to undertake the journey, expresses a doubt if he can come be fore the month of August. The Sacred College had not yet come to any resolution as to the terms on which it would give its consent to the journey. This delay is very annoying to the Emperor, who is still anxious that the coronation should take place without delay, and it is said that in his im patience he was heard to declare that he would be crowned in the month of May, whether the Pope came or not. The general belief is that the 'Pope will certainly come, whatever time may be fixed on The account received to-day as to the state of Marshal de St. Arnaud's health is very unsatisfac tory. His recovery appears to be almost despaired of by his medical attendants. Whilst the French Government is occupied in organising the transatlantic steam-packet service, it has augmented considerably of late the steamers plying between France and Algeria. A company, with the title of Imperial, has obtained the adjudi cation of the enterprise of carrying over letters and troops to Algeria. There are to be ten screw steamers of 350-horse power, and six others of from 100 to 120-horse power, especially intended for carrying over heavy merchandise. In fact, the intention of the Government is to improve the French steam-packet service in every direction. There was a steadier feeling displayed on the Bourse yesterday, and the Three per Cents., which were quoted sc. lower than Monday for cash, im proved to that fraction for the settlement ; the last prices called being 80f. 75c. for cash, and 80f. 85c. for the account. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents. left off at a rise of 30c. on the cash prices of Monday, and of 55c. on those for the end of the month, the official call at the termination of busi ness being 104 f. 30c. for cash, and 104 f. 25c. for the account. There was not the slightest inclination to touch Bank Stock, which has not recovered any of the many heavy declines which have of late been experienced, and which ended at 2,745 nomin a ll y, but really a shade lower for sellers. Railway Stocks - not quite so active—Northern, 912 f ; Str as b ourg, 825 f. ; Lyons, 932 f. ; Western, 755 E ; and Besan con, 558 f. SPAIN. The contents of the Madrid journals of the 10th are not important. In the Senate on the preceding day, the motion of M. Lopez and other senators of the Progressist party, was rejected, after an ani mated discussion of 70 votes to 32. The committee on the affair of General Narvaez was to meet on the 10th to receive the explanations of the Presi dent of the Council of Ministers and of the Minister of War. Its report, it was believed, would not be presented for several days. The Chamber of De puties, in its sitting of that day, continued the examination of e l ec ti on re t urns. The Marquis de Pidal made a sharp attack on .the Government for its interference in certain elections, and the Minister of the interior replied. It was said that the Coun cil of Ministers had resolved to create a number of new senators. It is stated by one of the journals that an agreement has been signed between M. Grimaldi and M. Salamanca for providing funds for the execution of the Northern railway, and that the French Government is very favourable to the line. The Spanish Government has just concluded, through the firm of Salamanca, a Three per Cent. loan at 46f. for 900 millions of reals (about 230 millions of francs) with the house of Baring, of London. But of these 900 millions of reals 200 millions are destined to pay off old debts, the regu lation of the matter being entrusted to the firm of Salamanca. Nothing has as/yet been decided as to the ulterior proceedings. The following are the prices of Stocks :—Three per Cents. 431 ; ditto Deferred, 24 1-16 : Re deemable Debt, first class, 1g ; ditto, second ditto, 5k ; Coupon Certificates, 51. Exchange on London, 51. ITALY. The New Zurich Gazette of the 13th states that a dispatch had been received from Colonel Bour geois stating positively that the number of Austrian troops on the extreme frontier of Lombardy is 15,000, being double the usual number. The Ticinese journals announce that the pro prietors of the printing-office of Capolago, near the frontier of Lombardy in that canton, have resolved to remove the establishment to Piedmont, in con sequence of two refugees who are placed at the head of it having received orders to quit the canton. It appears, however, that it is not true, as asserted by the Austrian Government, that revolutionary documents Were printed in the office. The Austrian Lloyd states that the amount of the property in Lombardy placed under sequestra tion is 50 millions of francs. The Giornale di Roma of the Bth states that on the 6th the .Pope performed the ceremony of blessing the Golden Rose. On the 7th his Holiness held the Secret Consistory already announced, and created the following cardinals :—Mgr. Michele Viale Prela, apostolical_ nuncio to the Emperor of Austria ; Mgr. Giovanni Brunelli, nuncio to the Court of Spain ; Mgr. Scitowski, primate of Hungary ; Mgr. Morlot, Archbishop of Tours ; Mgr. Recanati, Bishop of Tripoli ; Mgr. Savelli, Minister of the Interior at Rome ; Mgr. Caterini, Assessor of the Roman Inquisition ; and Mgr. Santucci, secretary to the Congregation of Ecclesi astical Affairs. His Holiness then proposed several bishops and archbishops, among whom were the Very Rev. Jacques Daniel, for the see of Coutances, and the Very Rev. Joseph Ginoulhiac, for the see of Grenoble. GERMANY. A letter from Vienna ,of the 11th, in the Incle pendance of Brussels, states that the King of Prus sia was expected very shortly iu that capital, but it denies that a congress of sovereigns is to be held in that city. The interview of the King and the Emperor of Austria will, says the letter, be of an entirely private character ; that is to say, will not lead to the adoption of any official or international resolutions. A Frankfort journal states that the Germanic Diet has, on the proposition of the military com mission voted an augmentation of 50,000 men to the Federal contingents. The Plenipotentiaries of the Zollverein who are at Berlin met on the 12th, but the conferences were not opened, as the Plenipotentiary of Bavaria had not arrived. DENMARK. The session of dieVolks --- th ing of Denmark was opened on the 7th of March by M. Bluhme, the Prime Minister. He read the royal decree, but delivered no speech. M. Madwig, ex-Minister of Public Instruction, was nominated president by. 76 out of 79. In the sitting of the 9th, the Min ister of Finance presented the budget. It is in substance the same as that presented in October, 1852, but it is modified in its details, in accordance with certain votes of the Assembly. The Minister gave notice of his intentioi" to demand a provisional credit until the vote of the budget. The Flyveposten of Copenhagen of the 9th an nounces that a court-martial, sitting at Gottorp, has condemned Colonel Seyffrath to death for having, in March, 1848, given up the fortress of Rendsburg to Prince de Noer ; but it adds that it is hoped that the King will commute the sentence, and perhaps grant a complete pardon. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, MARCH 15. The London, 90, Captain G. R. Mundy, took in her powder and shell to-day at Spithead. She saluted the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Cohrane, K.C.8., the Commander-in-Chief, on his return last evening. • This ship having received about 40 hands (volunteers, picked up at Bristol and elsewhere) from the Encounter now wants about 120 to complet e h er complement, which it is expected she will be sent to Plymouth to accomplish. Lieutenant Chesshyre, of thi s sh i p, has applied to be i superseded, and t is expected other officers will follow suit, as her wardroom mess is not too harmoniously constituted. Captain Mundy is senior officer of the squadron at Spithead, but is ashore sick, and has been for some time. The Encounter, 14, Captain O'Callaghan, arrived at Spithead this afternoon fom Bristol an d Pl ymouth, bringing volunteers for the navy. The Fire Queen, iron steam-tender, Master-Com mander Paul, hauled alongside the jetty to-day to have her masts taken out, preparatory to going into No. 6 Dock to have her bottom cleansed, &c. The Menelaus lazaretto will go into No. 1 Dock for repair as soon as her Majesty's yacht Fairy comes out. The Sprightly, port steam-tender, Mr. George Allen, Acting Master, commanding, left this evening for the eastern the E ports w nt it e r.h a portio n o f the volunteers brought by ncou PLYMOUTH, M ARCH 15. S. Dac Her Majesty's steam block-ship Sanspareil, Capt a i n res, having received the Dublin's masts, was placed at her moorings yesterday. Her armament is to be reduced 10 guns, two 32- pounders, 56 cwt. each, from her lower deck, and eight 32-pounders, 25 cwt. each, from the upper deck, with a proportionate quan tity of shot and shell, and the shot at present stowed in the fore part of her orlop deck are to be removed and placed in the lower part of the vessel ; 50 tons of ballast will be put into her hold to meet the loss of weight taken from her in the reduction of the number of guns. The complement will also be reduced 100 men, thus making her a third instead of a second rate. Mr. Marshall, secretary to the Australian Royal Mail Steam Navigation Company, arrived here this morning, and two of Lloyd's surveyors came by the same train. It is not y e t k nown h ow the Austral i an steam-ship will be disposed of, but permission has been obtained for her adimssion into her former dock at the Royal Arsenal, Plymouth. In this case a large portion of her cargo will be dis c harged, for which we are informed leave has already been granted by the Custom-house au thorities. A. most discreditable act occurred last evening on board a Government emigration ship in the Sound. Se veral of the crew in female attire were found in the single women's compartment aft--one of them in the hospital of that compartment. On being remonstrated with by the surgeon, who is advanced in years, they as sumed a very hostile demeanour. The ship is the Mal vina Vidal, of Hamburgh, 859 tons, Captain Jachman, with a general cargo and 426 statute adults, bound to Sydney. She arrived here from London on the 28th of February. SHEERNESS 14. The Zephyr steam - vessel, in charge of ' L M ieut AR . CH William H. p m arrived here this day from Woolwich with Y Marines who had broken their leave from the Cyclops. They were all sent on board the Horatio as prisoners. She also brought one boy, who was left behind from the Rhadamanthus steam transport. The Zephyr has re turned again for Woolwich. The Espiegle, 12, Commander George Hancock, has this day been engaged swinging ship for the adjustment of her compasses, under the directions of Mr. John C. Barlow, Master of the Waterloo, 120 guns. The Espiegle will go to the Nore on Thursday next, when the crew will be paid their usual advance. She will afterwards be inspected, and is expected to sail on Sa turday or Sunday next for the West Indies. She is complete in her crew, except making up a few ratings of petty officers. LTA, MARCH 1. The Beng a l, screw - steamer, with A the homeward In o dia mails, arrived this morning from Alexandria. The Arethusa frigate returned from Naples on the 6th inst. Yesterday the screw propeller ship Persian, from Liverpool, arrived at Malta, and proceeded to the Levant on the same day. She made the passage in 8 days 15 hours only, as appears from the testimony of her passengers, sent to the local press—Messrs. Louis Eskell, Henry Graham, John Wilson, Robert Edward Mainwright, John Parsons, and George Philpot. This gives one more proof of the value of the screw as by no means inferior in power to the paddle as far as celerity is attained. The Maria Somes troop-ship showed her number a few days ago and passed by the island. The headquarters of her Majesty's 76th Regiment with the troops embarked on Tuesday last on board the Si moom screw steam frigate, will leave port to-say for Halifax. The officers who proceed with this division are—Lieutenant-Colonel Clarke (wife and family), Major Lloyd (wife and family), Brevet-Major Scott, Brevet- Major Fenwick (wife and family) ; Captains Smart, Dennis, Senhouse, Lacy (Adjutant), O'Donoghue, James Clarke, John Clarke, Adams, and Bland ; Ensigns Westropp, Heigham, Geddes, Robinson, Caldecott, Vincent, and Acton ; Paymaster Hearne (wife and fa mily), Quartermaster Tyler (wife and family), Dr. Scott and lady, 700 rank and file, 40 non-commissioned officers, 43 women, and 100 children. The departure of the re giment is much regretted. UST. COURT CIRCULAR. • The Queen and Prince Albert, attended by Colonel Bouverie, visited the Duchess of Gloucester, at Glou cester-house, yesterday afternoon. Her Majesty had a dinner party yesterday evening at Buckingham Palace. The company included her Boyal Highness the Duchess of Kent, their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary, her Serene Highness the Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Breadalbane, Lady Fanny Howard, the Earl and Countess of Eglinton, the Lady in Waiting to the Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl of Malmesbury, Lord and Lady Edward Howard, Via' count and Viscountess Hardinge, Lord and Lady Robert Grosvenor, the Right Hon. Sir Charles and Lady Mary Wood, and Baron Kneseback. The band of the Ist Life Guards was in attendance in the Palace during dinner, and played the following selection : March Beethoven. Symphonie, No. 2, in B flat Haydn. Selection, "Mountain Sylph" Barnett. Waltz Wittman. Selection, " Antigone" Mendelssohn. Glee, the Red Cross Knight Calcott. Lord Camoys has relieved the Marquis of Ormonde in his duties as Lord in Waiting to the Queen, and major- General Berkeley Drummond has relieved Mr• B . Ormsby Gore as Groom in Waiting to her Majesty. The Rev. Dr. Simpson, the Rev. James Macfarla ne : and the Rev. Dr. Grant, h a d an i n t erv i ew w i t h the Earl of Aberdeen yesterday, at his official residence in Dow n. ing-street. A deputation from the Town Council of Portscica lth had an interview yest er d a y w ith th e G enera l Board °f Health, at their office, Whitehall. The deputation a l c i sisted of the Mayor of .P er t smou th (M r. Stigant), an_A Messrs. Solomon and Han nam , a tt en d e d b y Mr . Sow er' the Town Clerk. A deputation consisting of Mr. F. W. Russell, Mr. Malcoimson, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Anderson, x i. ' Hodge, Mr. Hartley, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Morga n had an interview with the Right Hon. E. Cardwell Y es. terday at the Beard of Trade. Dispatches were received at the Colonial-office yesteri duy from the Governors of Ceylon, Labuan, Malta; 1111 Van Dieman's Land. THE ISTHMUS OF DARIEN. The first general meeting of the directors of the Atli' v tic and Pacific Junction Company was held yesterdafi The directors present were—Lord Wharncliffe al) Messrs. J. S. Brownrigg, T. R. Crampton, Edward CrP . per, J. C. Ewart, W. J. Hamilton, H. T. Holie, Montoya, M. Wilson, L. Haslewood, A. Wilson, Cap t. Mackinnon, and Admiral Moorsome. The s olieit 4 . r ' Mr. Charles Freshfield ; the engineer, Mr. Lionel G ir borne • and the official auditor, Mr. J. E. Colony ,* were also present, together with the secretary, Dr. Bli„ After Sir Charles Fo x h a d g i ven an out li ne o f his Nyu,iie proceedings in re l a ti on t o thi s great undertaking, " d communications with her Majesty's Government, 1 1 1 .0 with that of th e U n it e d St ates , were l a i d b e f o re t'i t meeting and cordially received. It was announced % the 24,000/. caution-money will be duly paid to the crew of the republic of New Granada with the Bank of P i c land, and it was unanimously agreed that the azt,„ 1111 0 of 75,000/., requ i re d f or prel i m i nary expenditure, f reasonable and f u lly j us tified by the clear prospect remunerative results on the ultimate capital. The ev'" e a was also inf orme d th at a commun i cation is to be exPe °t in the course of a few days from the British Ambassa a ;/, in Paris, through the Secretary of State for Foreign a t fairs, to fi x a day o n w hi c h th e E mperor o f the Freen. would give an au di en d e t o Si r C harles Fox, an d a , tation from the company, in whose arrangementsi,,'" 0 hoped, that France and Russia, as great nism7,: ia powers, will co- o p era t e w i t h t h e B r i t i sh and A w e"— Governments. The necessary resolutions for the further proceed in , th g: of the board of di rec t ors were t h en agreed to, and 4 ,1 0 ,meeting separated, a ft er th e usua l vote of thanks t ° noble chairman. CAPTURE OF THE AENG STOCKADE. ( From the Bengal Hurkaru of Jan. 27.) : Connected with the subject of the frontier pass es of Burmah, and more particularly the formidable one en Aeng (possession of which we lately reported* had ho e r , obtained by our troops), it is with great pleasure vre,.. e ile able to communicate to the public the following der a a e of the bold and soldier-like attack upon the stockt erected upon the Nari gan -hill, w h ere b y it s ca pture ~0 effected, and the most formidable position in the Pass secured to us. In October last, it was repor t e d to the comma nding officer ih Arracan, that the Burmese had taken posse on sel of Narigan, on the summit of the Toomer Mountain fi j,, and were erecting a stockade. Captain Barry ordered to advance against them. and, if p ract i c able' attack and dislodge the enemy. From some defieien 4 of information concerning the route intended to followed • with the purpose of turnip the enemy fiwaansk,oblihgiesd ptoartryetirebe. caSnluebseqduisZdtlye,rgedp:osririairdttsivl: o m u a t d a e sotfrotuhge i r m ei p u r f a or c o ti o c m ab ou il t i , ty a e u f d t a ak s i o n p g pi t y he ir p and mortars being sent down from the Presideonfcry7 It however, since been carried by the coup de mai n _ another officer, whose dashing conduct, we think, 21 _Ty e Is c:t. deserves the marked approbation of Government. IT . _ may, perhaps, fall into slight error in detailing the transactions, because our information is indirect, but believe the general accuracy of our account may b e lied on. A chief named Nakeekay had described the eneln..3l_! position, leading our officers to suppose that T o might advance to a point commanding a flankinC j ;a ,on the stockad e . It was necessary to be cert a ' of the truth of thi s man ' s ev id ence, an d obtain rg knowledge of the nature of the ground and the gen e er , character of the enemy' s d e f ences. F or this T iers pose Captain N u th a ll was sent un d er ° i n from Major Maling (commanding the troops Arracan) to gather information previous to an attet!- I J' ie being made to fo rce th e A eng P ass, and take t h e stock; te on the Na4gan-hill by a flank movement. The duty le o accordingly undertaken, but followed with more cornp . , results than h a d b een an ti c i pate d , for within SIX dari ot Captain Nuth a ll' s en t er i ng t h e pass (having ma the one halt at Tho rowa ), h e h a d not only reconno itred enemy's position, but was in possession of the stock s ; itself. Captain Nuth a ll, accompan i e d b y Captain S n .. „ t b b e d land and a party o f th e A rracan Battalion, reThed Thorowa on the Ist of J anuary , w h ere they awaited the arrival of the Ky eng c hi e f , N akeekay, from they learned that the Governor of Meng-doors ' c i e d proceeded to attack Prome, after which he int e o % s s. to return and invad e A rracan by the Aeng P e It It had also b een s t ated that the removal nr -be head-quarters of the Arracan Battalion from re neighbourhood o f A eng had made the enemy being less in gua r di ng t h e i r post. Every available man Ice-ell collected at th e a d vanced post under Narigan, the ta7" D. was begun on the morning of the sth through the .1, 0 gle, pu rsu i ng a line parallel with the Toomar mounts' ; and so turning the enemy's left flank. At 9 s ' ilb e a halt was made withi n a b ou t 800 yards of the pass,mie the Burmah side o f the Toomar range. C 3 P'ed- Nuthall, accompanied by Nakeekay and two att e ol . ants, advanced t o r e conno it re , putt i ng these men sde bush to watch whether any communications were 013 0 between the R urmese s t oc k a d es of Tsetineng 1 , 3 0 Narigan, which a pp eare d a b out t h ree miles and a'mrt, or four miles ap ar t. J us t b e f ore dusk the men vr,se, moved up to within 200 or 300 yar d s o f t h e P'. so as to debouch upon the road and make a re e° noissance before sunrise the followi ng morn ing ; 00 the 6th they were under arms at 2a. m ., but strutted by the thickness of the jungle) did n ot fs a 'i, upon the road until after 4 a.m. Guided by Naket e t they then marched up the pass towards Narigan (di ,004 rather more than two miles), every one remaining '''' trea t perfectly silent, so that they could have beat a re-e ver had their been a necess it y , an d t h e i r advance 13 , w have been kn own t o th e enemy. Shortly before ü bar break they halted near the rear of the enemY'e re ricades. Captain Nuthall himself proceeded t 0 °r connoitre them, and bein g ena bl e d t o survey t h e in t o through the interstices of a gate, he perceived that or enemy were asleep, and capable of being taken by ato prise. He immediately ordered Captain Sutheriantiate advance in full for ce aga i ns t th e ga t e , at the same or posting a body of men on an adjoining eminence, c i d. manding the road by w hi c h a lo ne a n y enemy from b . , eh a n could approach. Sutherland with hi s men mal instant charge, and as they entered th e stockade, thee tain Nuthall fired a volley over their heads upon, vee t still sleeping inmates of the defe nces. The eP eo . was paralysing : the enemy, so completely takeLeri awares, never for an instant rallied, but fled inu n g minately, leaving Captain Nuthall i n p ossess i o n, h ay ed, captured even their muskets, which were f oun d 10t,„, e but had been left behind, together with two _ST D .. howitzers, ammunition, the chief's pony, and severTec signia of ? Burmese rank. The only accidents that curred curred were three sepeys wounded, and Captain i sl ,„ ° th igh himself rather severely, the cap of the knee and bf e d bone both being exposed, th e wound b e i ng cans bad one of the bamboo spikes with which the Burmese studded the approach. , thiS The prompt and so ldi erl i ke manner in ww;„b f the ' capture has been e ff ec t e d reminds us of some have daring deeds of th e Peninsular War. / h lr :a an ted d no doubt the serv i ces of Captains Nut Sutherland will have been properly rer e a r t hat to the Gover nment. We are very glad to “ e— r the on his return Major Maling and the officers o' 68th Native Infantry gave a public entert aieta tion to Captain Nuthall to testify their adtair:yed. for the great tact and courage he had dis lexcel . We cannot too highly praise the judgment an euen d lent tactics of this spirited officer, and we app in in military men will acknowledge it no small feathera an a man's cap to advance several days' march _ tia t, o ,lo enemy's position to generate a formidable in(f t the re Pass, and fall upon an important stockade, withos, being any suspicion of an hostile approach ; and Jul rapidity of marches, circumspection, and most cL j o y arrangements, wrest from a foe one of their 132 ° 5 , 11 0er portant p os iti ons —i n f ac t, th e mos t import: t ut u : has entrance into a country. We think many soon to earned a C.B. for smaller services ; and we hope t eon congratulate Captain Nuthall on having his gaikt rnis ed duct and most exce ll en t judgment properly re 7— and rewarded by Government.