The Sun. — London, England, 1853-11-16 00:00:00

the directors were trying to force it upon them. (No, no.) It was impossible for the directors or the House of Commons to bind ,the shareholders to such a pledge, as, by law, they had full power to refuse their permission to any bill going on, under the Wharncliffe order of the House of Lords. (Hear.) It was not concealed that it was intended hereafter to carry out the central line, which would destroy the coast line. In fact, one line destroyed another, and, in time, these extension lines would entirely destroy the company. (Cheers and laughter.) The chairman, as an honourable man, wished to know how he was to get out of his pledge to the House of Commons—why, he might tell them that he was steering the ship on a reef of rocks, but the crew mutinied and prevented him. (Cheers.) Mr. Sergeant GASELEE, a director, supported the amendment, and pledged himself that in any future com mittee of the House of Commons he would be examined himself, and show up the whole secrets of the charnel house. (Cheers and hisses.) He was accustomed to be hissed, whilst the most extraordinary trash was listened to from the old directors. The contractors, the lawyers, and the engineers had already given in their proxies in favour of the directors, and therefore they might leave the room. (Laughter and ap plause.) Parliament was not told before the pledge was given that these parties overbore the real opinion of the shareholders. (Applause and hisses.) He wondered that the House of Commons could ever have thought a large company could be bound by such a pledge, did he not know that a man who was fit for nothing else al ways considered himself qualified for a legislator, and talked the most arrant nonsense in the committee rooms. (Cheers and hisses.) He had hit the right nail on the head. (Laughter.) The railway companies must be no longer under the power of the lawyers—lawyers must be got rid of altogether. It was a lawyer who originally pledged the company to this scheme, and if they were, to allow lawyers to pledge them to do anything they liked, their property would be entirely ruined. (Cheers and laughter.) He did not wish to sit at the board if they did not think it for the interest of the company. (Laughter.) He did not disagree with the directors on the management of the line, but upon the question of ex' ensioni he must oppose the rest of the board, as he found they were always running their heads into diffi culties. (Cheers and laughter.) He did not know much about figures, but he felt that the cost of the working stock had been left out of the Southampton and Dor chester accounts, though he had no doubt that account ants, like lawyers, would be able to make out a good case on either side. (Laughter.) He held in his hands the proxies of a noble lord who had been Chancellor of England, and of two judges. Were they men who would support anything like repudiation ? He contended they would not ; and yet these persons opposed, with him, the extension. (Hear, hear.) He accused the directors of issuing reports by which proxies were ob tained to support the board, without telling the share holders that himself and Mr. Mortimer were opposed to the extension policy of the board. (Hear, hear.) He was not bound by any pledge to Parliament ; and he should like to know, when they talked so much of the House of Commons, where was the House of Lords ? (Hear, hear.) If the directors won to-day by a small majority, did they think they would ever obtain the three-fourths majority at the Wharncliffe meeting, which was to be held before the bill was passed ? But suppose the bill was agreed to, where were they to get the money from ? The directors were afraid to test the market ; they would not take up a large number of shares them selves, but they offered to sign the subscription deed on behalf of the shareholders, and hereafter their shares might be issued so as to destroy their original property. (Hear, hear.) A more disreputable proceeding he had never heard of. (Cheers.) He believed his party were the victors, and be called for the number of proxies ; and said if there was only a small majority in favour of the extensions, be hoped there would be at once an end put to lawyers' bills, to engineers' bills, and to con tractors' bills. (Loud cheers.) They must form asso ciations with the shareholders of other lines, and close the capital accounts, in order to protect the property of the whole from destruction. (Hear, hear.) The CHAIRMAN said the number of proxies returned was 1,700 representing 25,000 votes, and a capital of 4,201,304/. Captain MOORSOM said the condnct of Mr. Sergeant Gaselee appeared to him to be perfectly inconsistent, for he found his name and the name of Mr. Mortimer attached to a declaration " that the line from Dor chester to Exeter cannot fail to add materially to the value of our property." (Loud cheers). He (Cap tain Moorsom) entirely concurred in that opinion, for there were at present sixteen public conveyances on the road in question. (Cheers.) All these would come into connection with the projected line. The population of the Exeter districts amounted to 206,778. The population between Southampton and Dorchester was 2,650 per mile. The population between Dorchester and Exeter was about 3,660 per mile—the difference between 'the numbers being as two to three. (Hear, hear.) Beatles these numbers, there were 110,168 per sons connected with the Basingstoke and Great Western railway who would come upon the South Western line. The total capital of the company was 8,820,0001. and the receipt s 647,0001 . , an d i f the capital of the Dorchester line was taken at 800,0001., it ought, in the same pro portion, to produce 55,0001. ; but it actually produced 58,0001.—a larger amount than was produced by any other part of the line. (Hear, hear.) Mr. BAKER, after a p ersona l attack on Captain Moor som, whom he charged with advocating the extension of the line because he had a personal interest in it—adduc ing as a proof of his assertion the fact that Captain Moorsom had employed a person to canvass at Chelten ham—proceeded to state at some length his objections to the proposed line, and expressed a hope that the proprietors would, in spite of engineers and lawyers, deal with their own property in their own way. Mr. SNELL here rose and declared that of the 1,7 r proxies that had been returned he held 090, and Mr. Mortimer and Mr. Sergeant Gaselee held as many as would make up 1,000. A SHAREHOLDER suggested the propriety of passing a resolution declaring their want of confidence in the directors. Mr. HELPS strongly objected to the raising of the proposed capital, and wished to know out of what fund the deposit of 10 per cent., amounting to 82,0001., was to be paid, in compliance with the standine , orders, be cause a bill had b ee n p asse d d ec l ar i ng that deposits for future bills shall not be paid out of the company's capital. (Loud cheers.) In justice to the holders of trust property and the poorer shareholders, he hoped the proposition would be rejected by an overwhelming majority. (Loud cheers.) The CHAIRMAN said the sum necessary to be raised was 60.0001., and that sum the directors proposed to borrow on their own responsibility, in the same way that the Great Western Company borrowed their deposit last year to carry out their project in the same direction. (Cheers.) _ _ Mr. Alderman WIRE cautioned the shareholders to beware of being led away by the predominating in fluence of the Great Western Company, whose interests were totally adverse to the interests of the shareholders of this company. (Cheers and oh, oh.) He contended that the pledge which had been so solemnly given ought to be redeemed. (No, no, and cheers.) But indepen dent of that pledge, he thonght the line merited the support of the proprietors, inasmuch as it was perfectly clear that it would prove sufficiently remunerative. A SHAREHOLDER, in reply to the last speaker, said the shareholders had much more reason to be afraid of the North-Western than the Great Western interest. (Cheers.) Mr. MAT INS said there could be no doubt that the extension was most important in a military point of view ; but in that case the Government ought to under take the construction of the line. (Cheers.) H e did not see how it was likely they could get over the Wharncliffe order, and thought the better course would be to go to the Government and ask for the money. (Cheers and laughter, and cries of "divide.") The CHAIRMAN said, as there were two distinct issues there ought to be two divisions. (Cries of " No, no.") Re wished the shareholders first to decide on their own project. The amendment was then put and carried amidst cheers. A poll was then demanded, and fixed to take place on Wednesday and Thursday between the hours of ten and five, at the offices of the company in York-road. Mr. HELPS gave notice that, in the event of the divi sion being against the amendment, he should submit to the meeting a resolution declaring that the principle of the Wharncliffe order is applicable, and that the direc tors are bound not to proceed any further with the mea sure. The meeting was then adjourned until Saturday, at 12 o'clock, when the result of the poll is to be declared. _ A SIMPLETON.—On Tuesday last a man na med But ler, a servant out of place, residing at Wirksworth, was on the platform of the Derby Station, and seeing a per :Z.l. whom he thought he knew, he entered into conver sation Nyith him. The reply which he made to inquiries belief his name and residence confirmed Butler in his 3 havoefatlni man, and they went to Melancthon's Head Shortly af it e ass of ale together for " Auld Lang Syne." a fourth, and a third party joined them, and then m course of conversation one of the new comet s stated that he was about to invest some money i icPteople s Insurance Society, which had an office' n iu th- v e five per cent. for i'tria-street, alleging that he should get it, and that would pay far better than house property. he advised Butler t:..111g some sovereigns on the table, 10s. with him, he di d s oow his example, and having M. in the hat of Butl er ' s ac The mo ney was t h en p l ace d i . uaintance, and he was requ es t e d to take care of it whilst the street, party and Butler went to the office in Victoria made the necessary aiannnyidoesting it. On getting inquiries and arrangements for'p into the town, Butler's com in n suggested that he not know, at leaving began to feel rather uneasy his money with a person he did hisn 113 now, a.dding, " I suppose, Butler, your brothe r tim e him not my it ?" " My - brother !' exclaimed Butle y r e . ,t i7 stei ' Ai h brother." Whereupon his companion urged e re turn immediately to the Melancthon's Head, takeannl,'o care of the money, until he returned from the office is needlesq to add, that on reaching the ldelancilmit, the birds had flown with the money, and that on his re turning into the town to acquaint his companion, that worthy was wo;/ est inventus ; and so, the too credulous Butler had to return home minus his money.—Derby Reporter. THE FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE SOUTH WESTERN RanwAy.—Yesterday Mr. Carter held an inquest on the platelayer who was run over on Saturday last. After a lengthened inquiry the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," accompanied with a recom mendation that the company should consider the prac ticability of giving further notice not only to the per sons employed on the line, but to those waiting to travel by the trains, of the approach of the various trains after leaving the ticket platform. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 16, 1853. WREXHAM AND RIITHIN RAILWAY. INCORPORATION of COMPANY for CONSTRUCTING a RAILWAY from WREXHAM. In the COUNTY of DENBIGH, to BUTHIN, in the SAME COUNTY, WITH a BRANCH to COED POETH COLLIERY—POWERS to USE PORTIONS of the SHREWSBURY and CHESTER RAILWAY. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That application is intended to be made to Parliament in the ensuing sekion for an act or acts to authorise the construction and maintenance of a railway or railways with all proper and necessary works, stations, and conveniences con nected therewith or necessary thereto, commencing by a junction with the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway at or near to a gate keeper's lodge or cottage on or adjoining the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway, in the occupation of Edward Kenrick, situate in the township of Wrexham Abbot, in the parish of Wrexham, in the county of Denbigh, and terminating at or near to a certain field called.or known by the name of Coppy bacb, near to the town of Ruthin, in the parish of Llanrhydd, in the borough of Ruthin, in the said county, which said intended Railway er Railways and Works will be made in and pass from, in, or through, or into the several parishes. townships, townlands, and extra-parochial and other places following, or some or one of them (that is to say), Wrex ham, Wrexham Regis, Wrexham Abbott, Bersham, Broughton, gumbo, Minera, Llardegla, Trefyd (otherwise Trevyd), Bychan, Trer Ran (otherwise Trellan), Lianarmon yn-yale, Lianarmon, Bodidris, and Bodidristrian, in the county of Denbigh; Bed dris, and Bodidristrian, in the county of Flint ; Gel lygynnnn, Eryrys, Trerllan, Chwyleiriog, Bodigree yarl (other wise lap and Bodigree Abbott, Tallibidwell, Gwethrenie, BodynyvY dog, Trerlian, Bryn-Eglwys, Lllanelidan, Llanfair-dytfryn - ciwyd , Faenol-quarter, Derwen-quarter (otherwise Derwen Lianerch), Garthynan-quarter, Eyarth-quarter, Llanrhydd, Ruthin, Llanrhydcl ucha, and Liastrhydd-im, in the said county of Denbigh. And also to authorte the constructi on an d ma i n tenance of a branch railway or railways, with all necessary and proper works, stations, and con veniences connected therewit h or necessary thereto, commencing by a junction se,th the !einem Branch Railway of the Shrewsbury and Chester RaiLvay at a point or points in a fled, situate near the (leggin, In the township o f Minera, in the said parish of Wrex i ham, in the sa id coun ty o f Denbigh, and terminating at of tin t g at or near to the Coed Poeth Colliery, situate in the sa id through, Bersham, in the said parish of Wrexham , in the said count y of eDoehintheicgthe,dwhie therewithskld willintended bema de nranch tt raanildwthaypoarur airlont, i ways nd works n or into the parishes, townships. and townlands of Minera and Ber sham aforesaid, in the said county of Denbigh. And it is further proposed in and by the said act to take powers to incorporate a company for carrying into effect the objects aforesaid, with MR power to purchase and take lands, houses, tenements, and hereditaments by compulsion or agreement for the purposes thereof, and for varying or extinguishing all righti and privileges in any manner connected with such lands, houses, tenements, and here ditaments, and also to levy tolls, rates, and duties for the use of the said intended railway or railways, branch railway or railways, and works, and to raise money on the credit of the said railway or rail ways, branch railway er railways, and works, and of the said tolls, rates, and duties, for the purposes of the said intended act. And it is also proposed by the said intended act to take power to deviate in the construction of the said railway or railways, branch railway or railways, and works connected therewith respectively, to such extent as will be shown or defined on the plans hereinafter re ferred to, and to break up, alter, divert, and stop up, either perma nently or temporarily, all such highways, turnpike aid other roads, railways, ways, banks, bridges, drains, streams, rivers, and water courses, within the before -mentioned several parishes, townships, townlands, and extra-parochial places, or any of them, as it may be necessary to break up, alter, divert. or stop up for the purposes of the said intended railway or railways, branch railway or railways, and works, or otherwise, for effecting the objects of the said in tended act. And it is further proposed in and by the said act to empower the, company to be thereby incorporated, or any other company orperso n lawfully using the said intended railway or railways, branch railway or railways, to use with their own engines and carriages, or with the engines and carriages of such other company or person using, or u P r ass r i a l w ov ay er s, th t e h s e aid st i a n t t i e e n us de , d wraiatiewrianygorplrsaieelsw,ayws,stberc and d raik,vay B con veniencesrymbo aforesaid,o f the Shrewsburyaiid also t 0 anduse aCultde passs t overßailway w ith C e o u n Company and carriages as aforesaid, so much of the railway of I , a r sbury arid Chester Railway Company as may be the necessary theecess hre a B ry :e .. use, by the said intended company or such other company o r person as aforesaid , of the said stations, and to fix and determine thr • amount of rate, toll, or charge, which shall be paid by the said intended or such other company or person as aforesaid, for the use ny them of the before-mentioned stations, railways, works, and conveniences, ' or any of them, and also, if deemed expedient, to alter a'ad limit the tolls, rates, and charges, now authorised to be levied by the Shrews bury and Chester Railway Company in respect thereof. And Notice is Hereby Further Given, That plans and sections s howing the lines, situations. and levels of the said intended new works, and the lands, houses, and other property to be taken for the purposes thereof, together 'with a book of refe rence to such plans, and also a copy of this notice as published in the' London Gazette, will, on or before the 30th day of Novem ber instant, be deposited for public inspection with the Clerk of the t'eace for the county of Denbigh, at his office in Ruthin aforesaid, and with the Clerk of the Peace for the county of Flint, at his office in Mold, in the said county of Flint; and that a copy of so much of the said plans, sections, and books of reference respectively, as relates to each parish, in, from, through, or into which the said proposed railway or railways, branch railway or branch railways and works connected therewith respectively, are intended to be made and maintained, and also a copy of this notice,. as published in the London Gazette, will be deposited for public inspection, on or before the said 30th day of November instant, with the parish clerk of each such parish, at his respective place of abode, and that on or before the 31st day of December, 1853, printed copies of the bill intended to be brought into Parliament in the ensuing session, upon which the said act is intended to be founded, will be deposited at the Private Bill-office of the House of Commons. Dated this fourteenth day of November, 1853. E DGWORTH & PUGH, } JAMES & OWEN, Solicitors, Wrexham. EDWARDS & FRANKISH, Parliamentary Agents. THEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE, Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. TILIS EVENING, Nov. 16. The GREAT AMERICAN EQUESTRIANS will exhibit their astonishing Feats, nnma^ched in the history of such Performances, assisted by the most renowned Gymnastic Artistes, 0. Dale and Barnes, the European and American c qtmpions. THEATRE ROYAL, HA.YMARKET. Under the management of Mr. Buekstone. THIS EVENING, Nov. 16, Will be performed THE LADY OF LYONS. Characters by essrs. Howe, U. Corr!, Chippendale, George Vandenhoff, aad Miss eynolds. To be followed by A PRETTY PIECE OF BUSINESS. Cha racters by Messrs. Howe and Buckstone ; Miss Reynolds and Mrs. Fitzwdliam. To be followed by MIDAS. Characters by Messrs. Compton and Chippendale ; Misses Featherstone and Ormonde. ItOY.kL PRINCESS'S TFIE.ATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Unger the Management of Mr. CHARLES KERN. THIS EVENING, Nov. 16, Will be performed THE CORSICAN BROTHERS. Principal character by Mr. C. Kean. To be followed by MARCO SPADA. Supported by Messrs. W. Lacy, J. Chester, Ryder, Raymond, and Everett ; Miss Heath and Miss C. Leelereq. LTC EU NI THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestria. THIS EVENING, Nov. IC, Will be perlhrmed A NICE FIR %I. Principal characters by Messrs. C. Vathews, F. Matthews, and Mrs. F. Matthews. After which, T HE COMSIEXCEMENT OF A BAD FARCE winch. however (It is hoped), w lt, in the e,id, show HOW TO MAKE HOME I'PY. Principal character by Ilefr. Wright. To be followed PATTER v. CLATTER. Captain Patter, Mr. Charles Mathews. To conclude with WRIGHT AT LAST. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPIII. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster,—Dlreetreis, Madame Celesta. THIS EVENING, Nov. 16, Will he performed THE DISCARDED SON. Characters by Leigh Murray, Paul Bedford, and Keeley; Hrs. Keeley and hiss Woolgar, &c. To be followed by WHITEBAIT AT GREENWICH. After which, THE C DIP AT CHOBHAII. To be followed by "HOTEL CHARGES!" or, How to Cook "A Biflln." ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. GRAND MILITARY SPECTACLE—THE INVASION OF RUSSIA, and THE BURLESQUE. FIFTH WEEK of the Star of the Arena, Miss KATE COOKE, who continues to be received with increased enthusiasm. THIS EVENING, Nov. 16, The Entertainments will cornmeru. e with the Grand Equestrian Military Spectacle, entitltd BONAPARTE'S INVASION OF RUS SIA ; or, The Burning of Moscow. To be followed by Mr. W. COOKE'S matchless scenes of the ARENA, in which Mr. ALFRED COOKE will appesr for the First Time since his severe indsposition. To conclude with JUPITER'S DECREE AND THE FALL OF PHAETON ; or, The Fiery Coursers of the Sun. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. A-eq. of reforming the Corporation of the City of Lon don ! There is ample room for reforming London itself—not its Corporation only, but its streets, its houses, its back lanes, and its front thoroughfares, its miserable slums, and its fashionable neighbour hoods. Room for reform ? Just ask Mr. WAL KER his opinion about the past and present con dition of the London graveyards ! Ask Dr. SMITH what he really thinks in his heart about the filthy tenements where cholera., and typhus, and all kinds of disgusting and destructive zy-uiotic diseases are perpetually being engendered ! Ask Mr. BUCKET to have the goodness some fine morning to guide you through even the better parts of Tom-ALL-ALoNE's ! Ask the Registrar- General his private views as to the possibility of diminishing the average mortality in this multi tude of 2,500,000 inhabitants ! Conspicuous, however, among the places re quiring improvement, as here intimated, is the main channel for entrance into, or exit from, the metropolis—meaning thereby, of course, the River Thames, or as the good citizens used at one time to call it, familiarly and yet poetically, the Silent Highway. The condition of the Thames may be regarded, indeed, as an apt illus tration of the now generally admitted change for the better, demanded by the spirit of the age, in the way of direct advancement. Instead of being a noble and appropriate highroad into the capital —along the current of which the traveller might be floated, on his arrival amongst us, between splendid quays, and sightly terraces, and all the customary architectural adjuncts of a great city, past the antique towers of Jumrs to the beautiful Legislative Palace at Westminster, catching glimpses as he went of the Gothic Abbey, and of the modern Basilica of St. Paul's Cathedral—the Thames actually presents to the stranger nothing better than a back view of London, no quays whatever, and not one single cluster of decent dwelling-houses, excepting, perhaps, the Adelphi terrace, and the few scattered mansions in the gardens of Whitehall. To remedy this evil has long been the anxiety of all real well wishers to the metropolis, and the ambi tion, especially of a select few, among the more intelligent advocates of improvement. Seve ral plans have, from time to time, been ad vanced, with the praiseworthy object of trans forming the river from the foul and hideous gutter of the capital into a channel worthy of conducting the vessels of the foreign mariner to the chief city of the most renowned among the maritime nations of the globe. Hitherto, un fortunately, without a token in any one instance of their proving ultimately capable of realisation, magnificent projects have been set forth in this way, at intervals, but not one to our recol- lection bearing about it even the semblance of feasibility. It must be remembered, in explana _ _ on of this, that economy has to be consulted not less than the splendour consequent upon any such undertaking. And, assuredly, if our econo mical ideas have heretofore prevented tis, and are still up to the present moment preventing us, from pulling down Middle-row, Holborn, and those abominable houses crowded together be tween St. Clement Danes and St. Mary-le-Strand, houses, the mere collective name of which (Holy well-street) sounds to our ears so disreputably —it cannot be matter of surprise that we have been deterred by considerations of prudence from carrying out alterations in regard to the river, such as must, according to the showing of their projectors, have necessitated an enormous and even scarcely calculable expenditure. Nevertheless, it is our privilege at last to refer to a scheme which actually combines (or at least appears to our impartial judgment to combine) what we might reasonably have deemed the in compatible advantages of economy and magnifi cence. Economy in the rise and development of the suggested change, and magnificence in its ulterior consummation I The originator of this design has already, if we recollect rightly, distinguished himself by his engineering researches in the Isthmus of Panama—whither he had been despatched for the purpose of conducting certain delicate and important observations. Unless his aspirations should be thwarted by an untimely display amongst our fellow-citizens of a miserable and most mistaken parsimony, we would venture to predict for the later enterprise of Mr. LIONEL GISBORNE, C.E., a success such as must inevi tably place him at the head of the practical pro moters of the great scheme of City improvements. At present it would be superfluous to do more than specify the prominent features of the remarkable design sketched out by this enterprising engineer. Foremost among its peculiarities must be mentioned the prin ciple upon which it is based, being " strictly self-supporting." According to the explicit declaration of Mr. GISBORNE in his Prospec tus, it is not intended to apply for pecuniary assistance either to the Corporation or to the Go vernment. Without entering on this occasion into the minute particulars thereupon set forth by the projector, we may remark that the design em braces—quay walls twenty-one feet over Trinity high water, and extending from London-bridge to the proposed new bridge at Westminster. It in cludes a covered esplanade for foot passengers, next the river, twenty feet in width—parallel with the esplanade a future railway—parallel with the railway a new street forty feet wide, with ap proaches to the Strand, &c., at intervals, accord ingly as those approaches may be found conve nient. As yet we know nothing of this novel and extraordinary design, beyond the particulars we have been enabled to glean from Mr. GISBORNE'S Prospectus. He has singularly piqued our curio sity, however ; and we shall look forward eagerly for further details (accompanied, let us hope, on the next publication, by explanatory diagrams) of this superb and imperial scheme of Thames Im provement. "What shall we do with our convicts ?" The inquiry is one of the deepest importance, not merely to the unfortunate beings referred to, but also to philanthropists—to those who desire to improve the dispositions and habits of their erring brethren, and to all who wish to protect property from the predatory attacks of the Pariahs of hu manity—known and convicted thieves. " What shall we do with our convicts ?" We have tried many experiments, but all have hitherto failed in achieving the great desideratum—the prevention of crime—or even in reforming those who are em phatically warned to " cease to do evil and to learn to do well." We have had our penal code inscribed in letters of blood upon the national statute-book—the gallows and the executioner being prescribed for every petty theft. The Draconic severity of the code, however, defeated its own object. Men who had been plundered would not prosecute, nor would juries convict in trifling cases, when the result of an adverse ver dict might prove fatal to the trembling wretch who stood before them, the issue on which his life cr death depended awaiting their decision. It was with general, indeed all but universal, satisfaction that more hu mane enactments were substituted for those, the undue stringency whereof was so frequently and loudly complained of ; and the superior effi cacy of the milder system afforded additional cause of gratification at the much-required altera tion in the law. Many systems of prison di sc i p li ne h ave been introduced since that time. We have h a d th e separate system and the silent system, accompa nied with various modifications of hard labour on the treadmill and at the crank, and bread and water diet, the refractory cell or the dark cell, the strait-jacket, handcuffs, standing in th e hall, deprivation o bed and gas, of exe rc i se an d at tendance in chapel, and of communication with friends, and erven flagellation, and the several cruelties which have been brought to light during the Birmingham investigation. Everything, in fact, but " kindness" has been tried, and all in vain—the majority of prisoners have proved irre claimable. They listen to the precept to "go forth and sin no , more," but their sufferings are speedily forgotten—the stringent discipline they have submitted to , is no longer thought of. The great majority almost immediately resume their former_ habits, while even those who appeared to be really and sincerely penitent for their trans gressions seldom maintain their struggle very long, but speedily lapse from the paths of rectitude, and again and again are called on to answer for crimes similar to those of which they had previously been guilty. What can be the cause of this almost invariable failure of the attempts at reformation ? Are the parties so thoroughly depraved that nothing can be done to rescue them from sin and shame, and induce them to lead a new life, when their former offences have been expiated by undergoing the punish ments to which they have been sentenced ? We fear that, if we are to ascertain the true causes, we must not limit our inquiries to the above. We must also ask, How far is society itself responsible for the failure of these benevolent efforts ? How does it assist the party struggling to gain an honest livelihood, to earn his daily bread by the sweat of his brow ? Is he enabled to acquire even the humblest means of supporting existence by the most energetic and incessant exertions ? Or does the one unfortunate blot on his character continually interpose to drive him from any em ployment he may obtain, and to prove an insur mountable obstacle to an honest career ? A case just tried at the Central Criminal Court affords a powerful illustration of the existing sys tem, showing the impossibility of one who has once fallen retrieving his position. We cannot vouch for its accuracy. It may be but a cunning device of the prisoner to obtain a lenient sentence. But there is a vraisemblance about it that induces us to yield a certain degree of credence until it is disproved. It is probable, and may have happened to hundreds of persons struggling to obtain a victory in the great " battle of life." It is, therefore, worthy of consideration, in order that an adequate remedy may be devised for the evil—that those desirous of abandoning depraved habits may have a chance afforded to them of doing so. WILLIAM JONES, aged 19, was found guilty of stealing a silver watch, and a previous conviction was proved against him. When called on for his defence, he put forward the following simple statement in ex tenuation, by way of showing how he was driven to crime when deprived of every other means of gaining a livelihood. He said. " that in January last he left the Westminster Bridewell, where he had been for twelve months, with the best of cha racters. For his good conduct there he received, on leaving, a suit of clothes and half-a-crown. He then got work at a house which was building near the prison, and remained employed there until a boy who had known him in prison, and happened to be assisting the workmen, told them that he (Jones) was a convicted thief. The work men told the foreman, and in consequence he was discharged. He then obtained work at the Queen's Palace, which was being repaired. It was there found out again that he had been in prison, and he was turned away. He afterwards got some work in Old-street, and a policeman came and told his master the old story, that he was a convicted thief, and he was for the third time turned away. He had wished to gain an honest living, but he found this was impossible, as, wherever he worked, as soon as it was found out, by people informing against him, that ho had been in prison, he was at once turned away." The Learned Assistant-Judge very properly re spited the sentence, in order that the truth of this story might be ascertained. Should it, on strict examination, prove to be well founded, the pri soner would be deserving of pity and sympathy for the untoward circumstances that defeated his meritorious efforts. If not, he has added to his other offences by the vile hypocrisy and audacity that induced him to concoct so plausible a tale. The mystery will, however, speedily be dispelled; but sufficient has appeared to induie us to take measures for the protection and relief of persons discharged front prison and desirous of living honestly. Many instances have transpired of parties being turned off the moment it was known that they had previously " been in trouble," and there are many more in which they are compelled to plunder their employers, for the purpose, not of gratifying their own extravagance, but of satis fying the rapacity of harpies who prey upon them, extorting every available farthing under a threat of exposure ! Something ought to be done to check this evil. Something must be done if we desire the effectual reformation of our convicts. Until a suitable remedy be devised, it is worse than useless to talk of penal discipline ; the most stringent that can be devised cannot prove effectual so long as the reclaimed crimi nal is driven from employment, and unable to obtain work wherever his antecedents are known. In the case above referred to, it appears that a policeman was the party who interfered, and thus added another to the criminal catalogue. Instructions should certainly be issued from Scot land-yard to prevent such intermeddling for the future. It is essential that something should be done speedily, as we are introducing the " ticket-of-leave system." If persons who have once been convicted cannot be permitted to earn an honest living, what can be hoped for those who have still a sentence hanging over their heads, and who may at any time be sent back to the hulks without trial, or even without being guilty of any new offence ? The matter is un questionably worthy of calm and attentive con sideration. The man who could solve the im portant and interesting problem would, indeed, be a national benefactor, entitled to the thanks and gratitude of the community. TESTIMONIAL TO LORD GODERICH AND MR. CLAY.— On Monday evening last the working men of Hull pre sented tankards to their late members, Lord Gederich and Mr. Clay, who were unseated last session. The ex- Mayor (Mr. Blundell) presided on the occasion, over a large and respectable meeting, in the public rooms in Jarrett-street. The noble lord and Mr. Clay both de livered very long addresses in acknowledging the com pliment. _ LORD Powis.—'We have an opportunity of knowing that the Earl of Powis, at his recent rent receipts in Shrewsbury and Montgomeryshire, generously returned his tenantry ten per cent. The noble earl has also given orders to advance the workmen's wages on his several estates.—Northern Times. GENEROUS LIBERALITY.—Lady Charlotte Gust, of Dowlais, has promised to supply the whole of Dowlais with water at her own expense, involving an outlay of 3,0001. The sanitary condition of the town is ex tremely wretched. THE - KING EDWARD RAGGED AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.—We are glad to learn that the late bazaar in favour of these schools has produced the handsome sum of 5551. in aid of the funds of the institution. SALISBURY ELECTION.—The poll commenced yester day at eight a.m. Every convenience that could be employed was in actual service. The city throughout the day has been a scene of continual excitement, and at one time bordering on riot. Captain Julius Roberts withdrew from the contest shortly after two o'clock, when the final state of the poll stood thus :—Buckley, 255 ; Roberts, 88. Majority for Buckley, 167. CLERICAL APPOINTMENT.—His Majesty the Kinl of Hanover has been pleased to appoint the Rev. Daniel Charles Delafosse, A.M., rector of Shere, Surrey, on e of his domestic chaplains. ANOTHER VACANCY ON THE SCOTTISH BENCII.— Lord Fullerton, Judge of the Court of Scotland, has re signed. ARRIVALS OF GOLD.—The Roderick Dhu has .ar rived in the Clyde from Port Philip, when she sailed' an the 11th of August, with 450 ounces of gold, valued at 1,800/. STEALING RAILWAY TICKETS.—A passenger by the South Eastern Company's line at Rochester has j. ast been sentenced at Quarter Sessions to one niont: imprisonment and two weeks' solitary confinernc:nt for "stealing a railway ticket." LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY.—T his company, it is understood, have offered prizes to their workmen at Wolverton and Crewe for proficiency in mechanics and other accomplishments, to be adjud god , by the Inspectors of Schools, THE STEAM YARD AT KEYHAM. - Preparations have commenced in the police-station at this yard, for the re ception of the force. Inspector Polkitighorne of the Dockyard police, has been transferred to Keyham ; ler geant Fox has been made inspector, vice Polkinghon le ; and privates Brooking, Beale, Williams, and Has 'ke have been promoted to the rank of sergeants. GENERAL POST-OFFICE, OCT., 1853.—1 n consequen co of the great difficulty and expense attending the traris mission of heavy packets across the Isthmus of Suez, it has become necessary to rescind the resolutions u.lder which printed books, magazines, reviews, and pamphlets addressed to the East Indies, Ceylon, Mauritius, and. Now South Wales, are at present forwarded via Egypt, and to restrict the conveyance of such books, &c., to the direct mail packets proceeding to those plaices. In future, therefore, all books and other printed publica tions, addressed to India, Ceylon, or Mauritiu9, intended to be forwarded through the post, under the privileges of the colonial book post, will be conveyed by the con tract mail packets, via the Cape of Good Hope,. leaving Plymouth on the 15th of each month ; and books, &c., for New South Wales will be sent by the contract packets despatched from this country once in two mor iths, of the sailing of which notice is issued from ie to time. LATEST k J i OItEIG I E RUSSIA AND TURKEY. DEFEAT OF THE RUSSIANS The following startling despatch is from Vienna. The source whence it is derived is excellent, but at the same time the intelligence is of so extraor dinary a character that it must be received with caution. " VIENNA, WEDNESDAY MORNING. "The Turks have already passed Bucharest, which is in flames in three places. " The Russians are retreating on Cronstadt. " Fifteen thousand Turks have been despatched to intercept them through the Principality of Servia. " The Austrian Government have ordered an army corps to be immediately concentrated in Croatia." I Cron stad t, in Transylvania, is situate in the direct line of retreat from Bucharest, supposing the Rus sians to have been cut off from their communica tions with Moldavia. An official despatch from Vienna, dated yesterday • (Tuesday) evening, says " The Russians dislodged the Turks from the , island opposite Giurgevo, but it was immediately retaken by the Turks. " The Turks repulsed the attack on their position at Oltenitza on the 11th." Advices from Bucharest of the 9th inst. state that for several hours a heavy cannonade was heard, whether from Oltenitza or Giurgevo was not known. All the Russian pontoons had been sent to Giurgevo. From 5,000 to 7,000 Russians had taken up a strong position on an eminence near Frateschi (between Bucharest and Giurgevo). A despatch was received at Paris yesterday, stating that the Russians lost 3,000 men in the battle of the 4th inst. From that day to the 11th there were no military events of importance. The hostilities were confined to some skirmishing of the outposts. The Russian Government has appointed a go vernor for the two Danubian Principalities. By telegraph from the seat of war, we learn tha there were heavy rains on the 10th and 11th ; the Danube is greatly swollen ; the roads are impass able, and operations are impeded. Simultaneously with the action of Isaactcha and Dschurgia, the Turks, between the 27th October and 3d November, passed across the Danube, by way of Kalarasck, 50,000 men, who forthwith took up a position on the left bank of the river. Advices from Constantinople, of the 3d, state that the fact of the passage of the Danube, and the success in Asia, where the Turks had taken the fortress of Sohafkatil, had been announced to the troops now in the capital. The Greeks had offered to advance money to the Porte by way of loan. The Turkish forces at Oltenitza consist of 17,000 regular infantry, 3,000 Bashi Bozouks, and 4,000 artillerymen, commanded by General Prim. Re port says that Klapka will supersede - him. Ismail Pacha commands 24,000 Turks at Kalafat. The Russians have concentrated 35,000 men at Budeschti (between Bucharest and Oltenitza), and established head-quarters there. The Journal of St. Petersburg contains the fol lowing official declaration :—" No embargo will be put on Turkish ships in Russian ports until the 22d November, but after that date they will be de clared fair prizes, if even their cargoes be not wholly Turkish property. Neutral flags shall enjoy perfect liberty throughout the continuation of hostilities." The following despatch arrived at Paris yester day : " The Ottoman Ambassador at Vienna to the Ottoman Ambassador at Paris. " VIENNA, Nov. 15.—The communications from the theatre of war are to the 11th inst. At that date nothing decisive had taken place." (It n'y avait rien, de decisif.) The Paris correspondent of the Times, writing yesterday, 6 p.m. says : " Accounts have been received from the seat of war to the 11th, from, which it appears that the Turks repulsed, on that day, an attack made upon their entrenchments by Prince Gortschakoff. A despatch from Vienna states the loss of the Rus sians in the battle of Qltenitza at more than 2,000 killed and wounded, instead of 1,200 ; and another account carries it to 3,000. The accuracy of either it is impossible to guarantee. It is beyond dispute that Turkey has exhibited a decision and courage, moral and material, for which few gave her credit some few months since. Her energies only slum bered, it appears, and she herself was merely in a lethargy, but the breath of life had not passed from her. The insults of her aggressor, and the gross wrongs he was preparing for her, have given her renewed existence. In the long struggle she maintained she was, it is true, nearly thrown to the earth, but, like the hero of the fable, the moment she touched it she rose with a vigour which astonishes her friends, and, perhaps, checks the arrogance of her hereditary foe. The impor tant fact is now patent to the world, and no future ill success can affect it. Turkey still has claims to be counted among the nations of Europe in a ma terial as in a moral point of view. In her long diplomatic encounter with her enemy, she has not shown herself deficient in skill, in moderation, or in dignity. Her language suffers nothing by com parison with that of one of the most accomplished and wily statesmen of the day. Her superiority is incontestible in negotiations, as in the justice of her cause ; up to the present, at least, she has not shown herself inferior on the field of battle ; and her conduct throughout this great trial proves that she is less deserving of the pity than of the respect ful sympathies of Europe—of its intervention as an arbiter, than of its tutelage as a protector. In any future negotiations Turkey will have earned a title to respect which was not believed to have existed. The gist of the various letters of the 31st, from Constantinople, is as follows :—The news of the successful passage of the Danube most agreeably surprised the Turks. At Turtukai, opposite Olte nitza, the Arnauts led the way, and were speedily followed by the Egyptians, who swam across the river. This, however, was merely an experiment, as both detachments soon returned to the right bank of the river, laden with booty. Mention is made of a battle near Batoum, between Selim Bey's troops and 5,000 Russians ; the latter are said to have had 230 men killed, among whom were 22 officers. The Turks, who have yet to learn how to make bulletins a la Russe„ lost 195 men, and had 380 wounded. The attack is said to have been fur- thered by some diversion made by Shamyl on-the flank of the Russians. As soon as the news of the occurrences in Bulgaria reached Constantinople, it was communicated to the representatives of France and England, and they advisedthat the war should be continued. On the 29th, M. de la Cour waited on the Sultan, and in the name of his Emperor placed the French General Bosquet at his disposal, with six other officers of rank, who would arrive on the 2d of November. During the audience mention was also made of 40,000 French soldiers, who would be landed wherever the Sultan might be pleased to direct. Lord Stratford, on his side, declared that the English fleet would enter the Black Sea and act on the coast with the Turkish vessels. A corps of from 15,000 to 20,000 men will be kept in readiness at Malta, "to occupy Greece, if that country should attempt anything against the Porte." Letters from Vienna, of the 12th inst., announce that Omar Pasha had crossed the Danube in per son, and was at the head of 35,000 men, ready to receive Prince Gortschakoff, who threatened to attack the Turks in their position. Private letters from Erzeroum, of the 25th ult., announce that the Turks had concluded an alliance _ _ offensive and defensive with Schamyl, and with the Mussulman tribes of Mingrelia, Imeritia, Gouriel, and the other independent tribes of that part of Asia. Those countries can furnish 80,000 warriors, well practised in mountain warfare. The garrison of Sebastopol had marched against the Circassians. The garrison was replaced by _ _ _ 15,000 men from the camp of Odessa, which were replaced by troops from Vocesenck. Medical advices from Giurgevo, Oltenitza, and Kalarasch, state that above 3,000 wounded men have been taken to the hospitals at Bucha rest. The fortress of Shefkatil is a few miles north of Batoum, and just m ithin the Rus sian territory. The Egyptian reinforcements of 10,000 men, and 30,000 muskets, are expected soon. The Tunis squadron of 18 sail, on its way to Con stantinople, was seen at Canea, in Candia, on the 21st October. Prince Stirbey has received a private hint that it would perhaps be better not to prolong his stay at Vienna too long. .He goes to Paris. We hear that Galatz has been declared in a state if siege. The local authorities are still left in ac tivity, but they are placed under the superintend ence of General Engelhard. Rumours were current on the 12th at Vienna, that the Turks had taken Bucharest, but there is no sufficient reason for attaching credit to this report. The Darmstadt Gazette publishes the communi cation made by its representative to the Germanic Diet on the Eastern question. It is in almost every point similar to the note which was stated by the German-journals some time ago to have been ad dressed by the Austui in Minister of Foreign Affairs to the representatives of Austria at the different Courts of Europe—namely, than Austria will take no part in the dispute between Russia and Turkey so long as her own interests shall not be affected ; that she has the most perfect conviction that the Emperor of Russia has no design against the inte grity of Turkey or the sovereign rights of the Sul tan, and that she has still hopes of a pacific solu tion, for which she will exercise her good offices. As regards the reductions in the Austrian army, it is stated that the Emperor of Austria sees nothing in the state of affairs to prevent this reduction, and that it may be regarded as a proof of the pacific attitude of her Government. The Austrian Correspondence, of the 11th, in alluding to an incorrect account, given by the Debats, of a note having been presented to the Porte by M. de Bruck, the Austrian Internuncio, states that the note in question was not in any way a diplomatic document, and consequently could not have the weight of one. The note, it says, could therefore have only b een communicated con fidentially or non-officially to an Ottoman Minister. The note contained the results of the Conference at Olmutz, and Austria and Prussia were charged to present it, but from the moment that France and England refused to assent to it, and Austria wished to act in concert with all the friendly Powers, the note did not become a diplomatic document. It was not, therefore, officially presented to the Porte, nor were the propositions therein contained, re commended in the name of the Four Powers. A rescript of the Sultan, read in a National As sembly, at which his Highness himself presided, on the 31st of October, has increased the enthusiasm of the Mussulmans at Constantinople, and their confidence in victory. This rescript expresses the Sultan's high satisfaction at the great energy dis played by the Ministers, and of the devotedness of the people to the cause of the dignity and in tegrity of the Ottoman Empire. The Sultan adds, that he will himself gird on the sword, and march in the spring, at the head of the army as far as Adrianople. The enthusiasm of the Turks, who are leaving their domestic hearths with joy to march against the Muscovite, will then be kindled up into fanaticism, and the pre sence of his Highness would alone be worth an army, should the war not ba over by spring. At the pressing request of M. de Bruck, and the assurance of strict neutrality on the part of Austria, which he has given to the Porte, the latter has consented not to employ in its European army the legions of political refugees which have been organised. A deputation had arrived at Teheran from Affghanistan, to recommend the Shah of Persia to declare himself against Russia. This recommendation was categorical, and accom panied with threats in case of refusal. Neverthe less the Shah of Persia was making every effort to appease the effervescence caused by the arrival of the deputation, and to prevent a movement against the Russians. On the 31st ult., all the Turks who were at Braila were sent from brigade to brigade into their country. The whole of the Lower Danube is under Russian sway. Russian function aries have replaced the Walla,chian ones. The navigation between Braila and Constantinople is quite free, but the Turkish, Wallachio-Moldavian, and Samiote flags are forbidden. The Ministerial Oest. Correspondenz says that at the battle of Oltenitza, the Russian corps, com manded by General Perloff, at Oltenitza, was 9,000, and not, as was erroneously stated, 3,000 strong. The following is a summary of nearer, and " perfectly credible" details given by the Copirt. Zeitungs Correspondenz :—The island op posite Oltenitza, which affords a naturally strong position, was on the 3d occupied by about 5,000 Turks, who were concealed from sight by the brush wood. Two thousand were procured to cross in boats, and from 4,000 to 5,000 more posted on the right bank of the river. D raring the night between the 3d and 4th, the smaller arm of the river was crossed to Oltenitza, and a position gained by force of arms. The Russian pickets were at Oltenitza, and the main body of troops behind that place." Here, probably, should have been introduced in formation similar to that contained in the closing paragraph of a letter of yesterday, relative to the treachery of the Polish pickets. The battle began at dawn, and both Russians and Turks fought most obstinately. The cannonade lasted 18 hours. When the conflict began, the Russian General could only dispose of 15,000 men, but a re inforcement of 4,000 men soon came up. Towards noon the Turks lost - ground, but they soon re turned to the charge with renewed vigour. At dusk the Russians were obliged to quit the field. and fell back on their entrenched position near Oltenitza. The Mussulmans immediately began to throw up entrenchments and plant batteries on the bank of the Danube. The battle is said to have been most sanguinary, and the loss on both sides very great. The Russians, who were in the minority, behaved well, but the Turks fought with a courage and fanatical resolution which will dis pel some illusions in reference to the efficiency of the Ottoman army. Five superior Russian officers, who were taken prisoners at Oltenitza, have been sent to Constantinople. A letter from Vienna, which takes a Russian view of matters, says :—The first news of the battle reached the British Embassy on the 6th, and some hours later telegraphic intelligence of the same event was received by the French and Russian Ministers. Reinforcements continually arrive at the places which are already occupied. The result of the series of battles which took place on the 3d, 4th, and sth (a heavy cannonade was heard on this last date, but no details of what had occurred have arrived) appear to be that the Russians have to tally failed in driving the Turks into the river. Some days since it was said that Giurgevo was for the Russians one of the most important points on the whole line of the Danube, and this Prince Gortschakoff probably thinks, as fresh troopi are con tinually arriving there. The strength of the Rus sians in the Principalities has been much over rated, and, as they were taken by surprise, they have until now played a losing game ; but no one can be blind to the fact that the Turks on the left bank are in imminent danger of being annihi lated when the Russian reserve corps can be brought up. Few persons have more favourable oppor tunities of learning the opinions of scientific mill. tary men than rayself, and" one and all seem to be lieve that Omer Pasha will prove himself a won derful tactician if he can manage to get back his troops to the right bank of the river without a fear ful loss. The following information is from a per fectly credible source :—Depots are forming at Varna and Shumla for the deserters from the Rus- sian army, who come over in great masses. The Turks have passed the river at Carrasole, between Silistria and Hirsova, and occupied the island of Czernanoda. The Wanderer gives the following interesting account of the Russian forces in the Principalities : " The following troops crossed the Pruth at Skuleni (near Jassy) in July : "1. The 4th army corps, under General of Infantry Danenberg, consisting of —A—The 10th, 11th, and 12th Infantry Divisions, under Lieut.-General Simonoff, Major-General Perloff, and Lieut.-General Liprandi. B—A division of light horse, under Lieut.-General Count Nirod. C —An artillery division, under Major General Sixtel. 2. A brigade of the sth army corps (Luders), belonging to the 14th Infantry division, under Lieut.- General Moller, commanded by General E nge lh ar dt. " 3. The sth division of light horse, belonging to the sth army corps, under Lieutenant General Fischback. "An infantry division has two brigades ; a b r i ga d e, two regiments ; a regiment, 4,000 men ; a cavalry regiment, 1,000. "Number of troops which entered :- 3 infantry divisions, each 16,000 men 48,000 1 cavalry division, 4th corps ... ... 4,000 1 infantry brigade ... ▪ ... 8,000 1 cavalry division, sth corps ... ... 4 000 1 battalion Chasseu rs , • ... 4,000 10 regiments of Cossacks, each 600 men 6,000 ,000 and the artillerym en . E ac h reg i ment has a 71 battery of 12 guns, so that the' artillery which accompanied the above-mentioned troops must have been 264 guns. "Of Luders' army-corps, 2i divisions, or 40,000 men, remained at Ismail, Odessa, and Sebastopool, but it is presumed that the greater part of these troops have been sent to Asia. It is probable that some 7,000 or 8,000 men passed the Pruth in August. If we suppose that the regiments are as complete as they are on paper, and make no deductions for the soldiers who have been car ried off by typhus and cholera in the Principalities dur ing the last four months, the total of the Russian army cannot be larger than 80,000 men." The Patrie of last evening says :—" Letters from Vienna, dated in the morning of the 12th, give various reports which were current on the subject of the engagements on the Danube. Ac cording to these rumours, Omer Pacha has crossed the river in person, and would be ready on the 4th, at the head of 35,000 men, to receive Prince Gortschakoff, who was advancing to attack the Turks." A letter from Constantinople of the 31st ult., in the Presse of Vienna, states that Selim Pacha had made an incursion into the Russian territory, and had driven b ac k 5,000 Russians, who had opposed him. The Russians lost 22 officers and 250 men. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS FVENING, Nov. 16, Will be performed THE CAMP AT THE OLYMPIC. Charac ters by :Messrs. A.. Wigan, Emery, F. Robson, Cooper, and 61111; Mesdames A. Wigan, Stirling, P. Horton, Chatterley, E. Turner, and Wyndham. To be followed by PLOT AND PASSION. Principal characters by Mr. F. Robson and Mrs. Stirling. DAILY WEATHER TABLE. WEDNESDAY, Nov. , 1853. State of th e w i nd and weather at each of the l6 following places at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stations are arranged in order of latitude. FOLKESTONE—N.E., calm —partially cloudy. TUNBRIDGE—E., calm —foggy. GREENWICH—caIm—foggy. STnoon—N., gentle b reeze —partially cloudy. SWINDON—E., light airs —foggy, BRIDGE—calm -foggy, BIRMINGHAM—N.W., calm —foggy, YARMOUTH—S.W., gentle breeze —cloudy. The returns from the following places indicate the state of the weather on Monday morning at nine o'clock : BIRMINGHAM—N.W., calm—foggy, HOLYHEAD—S.W.; gentle gent b gentle breeze—overcast. overcast. SNAP— SHAP— S.E., calm—overcast. HIGH ~ ,WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAY —Morning 6 min.after 2 I Evening 23 min.aft. 2 10-Monaosv Morning 39 min.after 2 Evening 54 min.aft. 2 THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, Nov. 16. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 47 —highest since noon yesterday. —lowest;this morning and during the night. 46—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29 . 75—5ti1l going down. WrND, N.W.—Light airs, and fine weather—foggy in the morning. RA:a r "" Cill) ; IT 4 444 , ONDON, WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER IG, 1853 own capital o f emulating, in regard to our An opport un ity s till o ff ers it se lf t o an y one de sirous ---in regardto o ur _glorious, gigantic, dear, de lightful, di r t y L ondon—the fame of that immortal Empero r who found Rome brick and left it marble. Not simply an opportunity, but what the excellent Mr. SETH PECKSNIFF, when quoting Dr. WATTS' S "--- 3 mans ," or wh en penn i ng an TTad vertisement, was wont to call an eligible opportu nity. We repeat it, we insist upon it, we have maintained from the beginning, and we will per sist in maintaining down to the end of the chap ter—here, within reach at any moment, is this most desirable of opportunities. Talk, forsooth, Nor The Dills had 95 men killed and 380 wounded. It is stated that Schamyl was operating on the flank of the Russians. Volunteers were every day arriving at Stamboul. Accounts from Beyrouth of the 29th ult. say that the Pacha had, on the 22d, caused to be publicly read the firman of the Sultan declaring war against Russia. This was followed by prayer for the success of the Turkish arms, and by the firing of cannon. The Consul-general of Russia in Syria and Palestine, M. Basili, who resided at Beyrouth, struck his flag on the same day, and left on the 29th ult. for Leghorn with all his family. The Chancellor had previously left with all the archives. A firman had been received from the Government demanding a force of 8,000 men ; but whether they were to go to Constantinople or to the army on the frontier of Asia was not known. The Etuir Emin, principal Kaimacan, was about to leave for Constantinople. Cannon, muskets, and military stores were being sent off to the capital. A letter from Constantinople states that Hahl Paella has been hastily recalled from Broussa, hav ing been fixed on to enter the Cabinet. FRANCE. A letter from Nantes states that considerable activity prevails in the Government establishment at Indret, in the construction of steam-engines for the Imperial navy. It was there that the engines were manufactured for the Jean Bart and Auster litz ships of the line, which have given so much satisfaction. The corvette Phlegeton is being fitted with a machine of 400-horse power from the same establishment. A machine of a similar power for the Assas will be ready in the course of a month. Machinery for the Ulm of 100 guns and 650-horse power, as likewise machinery of 1,200-horse power for the Bretagne, and of 900-horse power for the Redoubtable, Arcole, and Imperial is to be com pleted in the course of the next year. L'fLperance states that about a month since the remains of a Protestant inhabitant of Chelles, near Compiegne, were interred in the cemetery in ground purchased by the family. The religious service was performed in the presence of a number of Catholic friends who listened with the greatest respect. Three weeks afterwards the sub-prefect of the de partment gave orders to take up the coffin privately, before daybreak. The order was executed, the coffin was dragged through the mud, and buried near the place reserved for executed criminals and children who died without baptism. The church yard was afterwards re -consecrated with great pomp ' • and, to add to the s can d a l, a bill was pre sented to the family of 56f. for taking up the body, with a threat of law proceedings if not paid. A statement of those proceedings has been laid before the Consistory of Paris, who have had an audience of M. Fortoul, the Minister of Public Worship, on the subject. The Minister has demanded an ex planation of the Sub-Prefect, and so the matter rests for the present. It is generally rumoured, that the Bank of France, finding that the bullion in its coffers is daily diminishing, has determined at length to raise its rate of discount. It is thought that on Thursday the discount will be raised to 4 per cent. Et is rumoured that M. Balabine, late Secretary of t ie Russian Legation at Constantinople, and who remained charged with the international affairs after the departure of Prince Menschikoff, is about to be Russian Legation in Paris, and, in the event of M. de Ki sse l e ff go i ng on leave, may remain here also as Charge d'Affaires. James M'Donald, an engineer, in the employ ment of Mr. Mackenzie, has been fined 200 f. by the police court of Angouleme, for having driven an engine on the Bordeaux Railway after the switcher had hoisted the red flag. The punishment was inflicted by virtue of the 36th article of the Ordonnance of the 15th November, 1846, and the 21st article of the law of the 15th July, 1845. The Moniteur publishes a decree of the Emperor, dated the 14th, for the better regulation of the service of railroads and other modes of communi cation, &c. It is as follows :-- "Art. 1. The railroad service at the Ministry of Agriculture, Commerce, and Public Works shall form general direction, under the name of Direction Generale des Chemins de Fer. "Art. 2. The service of the roads and that of naviga tion are united, and will form one direction, under the name of Direcetion des Ponts et Chaussees. "Art. 3. Count Eugene Dubois, maitre des requetes of the Ist class at the Council of State, and ex-director of public works in Algeria, is appointed director-general of railroads. M. de Franqueville, chef de division of navigation, is appointed d director of ponts et chaussees, and M. de Boureuille, chief of the di v i s i on o f m i nes , i s ap pointed director Of mines." The circular of M. de Nesselrode is criticised by the papers. The Pays says : "M de Nesselrode has, since the commencement of the Turko-Russian difference, publis eta h sddt e ilo d nooenfut s shm e s veral cir cpsd ouuoll:va published solving them. e which d difficulties, wi h l yl h a ne v av e lef, edaatrghgetrhaasvtaa same e d i n complicated e result s s cieu t wu e l instead ns o ett o ye taehjsdi just :s g i Turkey and o f E urope. This document is a kind °`f commentary on the manifesto of the Czar addressed to the European C a bi nets. It is true that this circular' skilful in form, like everything that emanates from Russian diplomacy, frequently speaks with studied moderation of the pacified sentiments and dispositions of the Emperor Nicholas ; it affirms that the Czar will not throw any obstacle in the way of the progress of negotiations, and of the conclusion of an amicable arrangement, and in this respect the general tone of the work of M. de Nesselrode is certainly less aggressive and less violent than that of the manifesto. But, when we examine the ground-work rather than the form, we can easily recog nise the close relationship between the two documents in question ; there are the same demands, the same mis statements of fact, and the same errors of principle. The circular, like the manifesto, contains the strange assertion that Russia is provoked by Turkey. It an nounces that the troops of the Czar will not evacuate the Principalities until reparation shall have been made to the Emperor Nicholas. Reparation for what ? What is the offence with which the Turks are reproached ? Evidently all this is not serious, and it may be justly regretted that a State so considerable as Russia should wish to deceive as to the character and real signification of events which the whole world has witnessed. We can understand the Russian people being sp o k e n to in this manner for the purpose of exciting their national and religious feelings, but that these alle gations should be found in a document destined for European diplomacy, in a communication from one Power to another, and particularly when it is hoped to have them admitted as material truths, is what we cannot without difficulty conceive. There is an other passage in the circular of M. de Nesselrode which will not be read without astonishment. It will depend entirely on the other Powers,' it is therein said, 'not to extend the limits of the war.' Certainly we do not ad mit that these words contain a menace. Russia has too much wisdom and prudence to have had such an inten tion, and the European Powers would have too much dignity and energy to support it. Interpreted in its most inoffensive sense, this declaration is not less unfortunate than contrary to the state of affairs. It is not on the Powers, but on Russia alone, that the enlargement or the restrictio n of the limits of the war depends. The powers who signed the treaty of 1841 have guaranteed the inviolability of Turkey as necessary to the balance of power in Europe ; they have unanimously admitted that the present pretensions of the Czar were at once con trary to the right of nations, the right of treaties, the independence of the Ottoman Empire, and t o the interests of Europe, which they represent in all its au thority. The respect of these rights by Russia, or their definitive violation, will evidently be the only limit of European intervention. The Powers allied to Turkey will continue to protect her against any unjust aggres sion, as they will doubtless exercise their legitimate in fluence, should she ever refuse an honourable concilia tion. M. de Nesselrode affirms that this conciliation is wished for by the Czar, but it may be remarked, at the same time, that Russia concedes nothing of her pre tensions. On what point, therefore, are the bases of a pacific solution to be established ? It matters not ;if the persevering devotedness of diplomacy, at present condemned to inaction by the fatality of events, succeed in finding a formula which, while respecting incontest able rights, gives satisfaction to even the most exagger ated amours propres, it will not be the Western Powers that will render such conciliation impossible." The Constitutionnel says : " We will only make short reflections on this cir cular. First of all, we see in it an allegation which the Moniteur has already corrected ; it is that which con sists in representing the Sublime Porte as acting in 6 spirit contrary to the exhortations of the great Western Powers. That is incorrect. The four great Western Powers, and particularly France and England, have not given to the Sublime Porte any counsel con trary to the dignity, the honour, the interest, and the security of the Ottoman empire, and they cannot disapprove the S u lt an i n hi s refusal of deman ds which encroach o n hi s r i g h ts of sovereignty, an d in his resi s t ance b y f orce to acts of aggres sion which nothing ca ll s f or. A secon d p o int strikes us. Count de N esse l ro d e en d eavours t o P lace , the four great W es t ern P owers out of the case. 1311' is his lan guage mo d era t e w i t h respect to those P ow ers In no resp ec t. Th e evi d ent i nterest of Russ i a i s that they shall not meddle, either directly or indirectly, in r her difference with Turkey. It is, then, solely in favour of this interest that the Chancellor of the Czar pleads great when lie says that it will entirely depend on the Western Powers not to enlarge the limits of the war . We even see in this phrase, under the politeness ! form, an indirect request to France and England to leave Turkey to fight it out as well as she can with_ Russia. Finally, C ount d e N esselrode tells us that the declaration of the st a t e o f war made b y the Divan,. •? e in no respect chan ge d t h e pacif i c dispositions of T ,a; tl_ . Emperor Nicholas. But this assurance was only a s K plicable to the moment at which the Chancellor o eci f PZ: i g spoke, and since then many facts have occurred which , may serve the Czar as a pretext for holding differente r ber guage. As to his conduct, we have never found Emper or pacific or moderate. The pretensions of the toP act of eyes,Nicholas a n a w ct it o h f r m es o p d e e e r t at t i o on th a e n S y u n l l t o a r r e i wthilalnnethveerinbEve,net, siinonouorf the principalities can be, in the eyes of Europ e, , n this peace. Now, unfortunately, we do not see th at, _l e _ mg respect, the ideas of the Russian Cabinet have D im la of of of fr c bo fart bet shit jai Cad Pas; ver Ibei left for two p!sl Wei hio n, eUt and 1 atel 11 ! 1 1 : 4 14 l'oreiB IN e.. 0 11 "••.1 ' (d %tea Th 111313( A , e aq e '°l4; Gt i 4 la th t t ) rts Dei oci 41re41