The Sun. — London, England, 1853-07-19 00:00:00

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, JOLT 19, Will be performed THE DAY AFTER THE WEDDING. Sup ported by Mr. and Mrs. W. Lacy. After which, will be presented Lord Byron's Tragedy of SAR DANAPALUS. Principal characters by Mr. and Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with TURNING THE TABLES. Characters by Messrs, Harley, J. Vining, Chester, and Everett ; Mrs. W. Lacy, Misses Daly and C. Leclercq. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, JULY 19, Will be performed GENEVIEVE. Characters by Messrs. Ben. Webster, A. Wigan, Leigh Murray, Keeley, Parselle, Pats] Bedford, Cullenford, Woolgar, 0. Smith, and C. J. Smith; Madame celeste and Mrs. Keeley. To be followed by THE CAMP AT CHOBFIAM. After which. NORMA. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farren. First Week of a New Drama. THIS EVENING, JOLT 19, Will be performed a New Drama entitled THE TIMES, Charac ters by Messrs. Farren, T. Mead, H. Marston, William Farren, G. Cooke, and Shalders ; Mesdames Anderton, H. Gordon, E. Tur ner, and Bartlett. After which, an entirely New Burlesque, by Francis Talfourd, Esq., entitled SHYLOCK, or, THE MERCK A.NT OF " VENICE PRESERVED." Shylock, Mr. F. Robson. To conclude with (by desire) THE WANDERING MINSTREL. Jem Bags, Mr. F. Robson. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Now under the Direction and Management of Mr. W. Cooke. The tide of success flows into this popular Establishment, to witness the present attractive entertainments.. The Battle of Waterloo continues its triumphant career. 59th NIGHT OF THE CHASE. NOTlCE.—Parties desirous of witnessing the World's Wonder, Miss Emily Cooke, in her astounding Leaps, are requested to em brace the present opportunity as her engagement will shortly termi nate, when she immediately departs for the Continent. New Intro duction in the Circle—The Turin Perrots, Masters Alfred and Harry Cooke on One Horse. First Night of the:Grand Cabalistic Pyramids. THIS EVENING, JULY 19, And during the week, the National Spectacle of THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. Mr. W. Cooke's Scenes in the "CIRCLE," by artistes of celebrity, introducing Miss Emily Cooke, the Star of the Arena, who Leaps Forwards and Backwards through 16 balloons. Also, the Twin Perrots, whose Whimsical Feats must be seen to be appreciated. To conclude with the successful Hippo Drama of TIM CHASE ; or, LIFE ON THE TURF, in which a real Fox Chase will take place. Doors open at Iralf-past Six. Box-oftlee open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. Engagement of Mr. Di stin and Sons (the original Sax-horn players and Dies. ThcOcioreDistin for One Week Only. To-day, Panoramic View of CHUSAN, Splendid and interesting MENAGERIE, GODFREY'S unrivalled MILITAILT Ram Vocal and Instrumental Concert. Two favourite Songt by Miss Cicely Nott. A selection or concerted pieces, Glees and Madrigals, by the celebrated Distiri Family. Various amusing novelties, concluding with the extraordinary spectacle of THE FEAST OF LANTERNS, with grand display of Fireworks, and Explosion of Chinese Fire Rafts. Admission Is. DAILY WEATHER TABLE. TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1853. State of the wind and weather at each of the following 'tacos at nine o'clock on yesterday morning. The stations a e arranged in ordur of latitude. PORTSMOUTH-S.W., strong breeze—rain. SOUTHAMPTON-3.11, strong breeze—rain. FOLKESTONE-S. W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. TUNBRIDGE-S.I"V., strong breeze—partially cloudy. BASINGSTOKE-1' gentle breeze—heavy rain. GREENWICH-S.'W., strong breeze—overcast. STROOD-S.W., ;;entle breeze—partially cloudy. SWINDON-S.W. fresh breeze—cloudy. CAMBRIDGE-S., breeze—partially cloudy. YARMOUTH-S., gentle breeze—cloudless. BICH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tat. DAT —Morning 9 min. after 12 I Evening 41 min.aft. 12 TOM :k ROW—Morning. 10 min. after 1 I Evening 37 min.aft. 1 THE WEATHER.—Sus OPFICE, JULY 19. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 68—highest sin;:o noon yesterday. 57—lowest this morning and during the night. 68 —this day at noon. BAROMETER, 3002—rising. Warn, N.W. to W.N.W.—Variable, and cloudy, with ennshine. 4. 4 c,irp. .„.. if Iv , LONDON, TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1853, No topic is more familiar to readers and writers on the state of Ireland than the ascen dancy and the abuse of priestly influence. English Liberalism, which a community of interest had for a time associated with ultramontane policy, now recoils from, and rejects, the unnatural alliance. Yet common observers rarely perceive the full extent of the mischief which this power has wrought. It has kept open, and even en larged, the breach which difference of origin had produced between the possessors and cultivators of the soil. It has alienated, by/ Coarse in vective and =distinguishing violence, the in tellectual, the rational, and the calm-minded advocates of Irish progress. It has kept alive the old intolerant Orange spirit, which, but for this irritating - antagonism, would before now, in the nature of things; have diet out. It has produced that peculiar symptom of a morbid state in the body politic which the Greek historian noted as indicative of a diseased and distracted community—the branding of political moderation as a crime, and the substitution of party ties for genuine patriotism. It has driven from Parlia ment independent statesmen, and filled their places with servile and noisy agitators. Above all, it has postponed, perhaps prevented, the settlement, on equitable terms, of the great ecclesiastical con troversy. For, in religious questions, passion is stronger than reason ; and many persons who, on abstract principles, disapprove the mo nopoly of endowment in Protestant hands, yet shrink from taking any step of which the immediate, though temporary, effect must be to give a triumph to the enemies of civil freedom. In private life, again, the same results are wit nessed. Many an Anglo-Irish landlord, who in England would disclaim, even indignantly, the idea of exercising over his tenants what is euphemistically termed " influence" at an election contest, loses his scruples when he finds wielded against him a power quite as tyrannical in its operation, less amenable to Parliamentary or legal control, and equally destructive of electoral liberty. Thus the mischief spreads and perpetuates itself. Spiritual intimidation produces material intimida tion ; the Priest covers his own wrong by de nouncing that of the Proprietor ; the rights of the elector are disregarded on both sides ; feuds, riots, evictions, denunciations from the altar follow in rapid succession ; while the con sciousness of being in fault makes each party less tolerant of the faults of their opponents. Is this an overcharged picture ? We fear every man who has experience of Irish society can attest its truth. But what, it may be asked, is the remedy? Political remedies in plenty are suggested—the ballot for one—equality of religions endowment for another—into the merits of which we have too often entered to discuss them now. But the root of the evil :lies deeper. While Protestants of the poorer class are exclusively taught by Pro testant clergy—while the education of the Roman Catholic masses is left, virtually, in th e hands of the priesthood, Ireland will continue t o to be divided into two hostile camps, Whose neutrality can at best be but a hollow truce. Lord DERBY in 1832 saw this, and framed a plan which to this day is never mentioned withou praise, ev en by those who are secretly plotting it s overthrow. For a system of purely secular edu cation neither the time nor country were fit. But the regulations of the National Board were such, that, while freedom of conscience was in no wise violated, it became impossible for the patron of any school receiving aid from Government to exclude therefrom children of a different sect from Isis own. In this spirit the published Letter to the Duke of LEINSTER—the charter of the Board— was conceived. Its author recommended " that a portion of the. Board should be composed of men of high personal character and exalted station in the Church ;" and " that it should consist, in part, of persons possessing different religious opinions." Priority was to be given, and peculiar favour shown, to applications proceeding jointly from Protestants and Roman Catholic inhabitants o f the same town or dist r i c t ; and exclusive appi i tions from a single sect were not to be granted five without minute inquiry. D ur i ng four gran days of the week the scho o l s were to be kept open a certain number of hou rs for moral an d literary instruction only—religious teach ing being relegated to the remaining day or days, and to the period before and after sclool hours. In vested schools-4,e., those founded by the help of the Board, and not merely placed connection with it byprivate founders or patrons the teacher was under the sole control of ti Commissioners, neither patron, priest, nor cler man having authority over him. No system could have been framed more ca culated than this to reconcile moderate men of a opinions. It united for ordinary purposes of • struction those whom religious diversity kept aloo It admitted the just claim of the clergy to educat within their own province; but excluded them fro interference with the general discipline of the schoo It gave them the right of supervision, but not th power of control. It held the balance with stric impartiality between the two contending creeds; an it fared accordingly. Statesmen of both partie applauded the project, which agitators of bot parties reviled. The WHALP.s and the TRESHA. GREOGS met to oppose it on the common group' resistance to latitudinarianism ; while Lord C ffs and Sir R. PEEL united in its support. Tb attacked on every side, it succeeded beyon s. pute, and almost without a reverse. The follow• ing brief statistics will prove our words. The number of schools and pupils respectively, as giver in the Reports of the Commissioners, were— 1n.1834 In 1839 In 1844 In 1849 and they may now be reckoned at about 5,00 and 550,000 respectively, notwithstanding emi gration and famine. Nor is this all. In no single year, except 1847 and 1849, do the re turns exhibit a falling-off from those of the year immediately preceding. The progress has not only been rapid—it has been steady aud con tinued. Nor is it true that the Protestants of Ireland have been excluded from their fair par ticipation in this national work. For, in 1851. the number of schools under the Board esta blished in Ulster, the head-quarters of Protes tantism, was 1,878 ; while Munster had only 1,089, Leinster only 1,154, Connaught only 583. And this result is witnessed, notwith standing the secession, or at best the neutrality of a large majority of the Protestant clergy, backed 1) 2 7, the whole strength of the Orange party, and by not a few of the resident landowners and gentry. All attempts, therefore, to prove that the system has broken ,down in practice are refuted by the fact. It has worked only too well for those who dislike its principle and fear its results. So long as there seemed a chance that Protestant fanatics might succeed in accomplishing its subversion, the priesthood kept in the background, well 886.4- fled to leave to their natural enemies the un popular office of criticism and destruction. But this expectation has gradually died out. Lord DERBY'S announced adhesion, in 1852, to the; system which he had inaugurated in 1832, effected the final discomfiture of their ingeniously-conceiver policy. Thenceforth it became apparent to the ultramontanists that whatever was to be done must be done by themselves. And, doubtless, the present opportunity is favourable. They have now to deal with a Cabinet containing indeed, many members sincerely opposed to their designs, and many whose professions of Liberalism are not less warm than genuine. But it may be questioned whether these, in point of influence, form a majority. It is well known that Sir R. PE EL at one time entertained the idea of largely subsidising the Roman Catholic priesthood ; and that the present Colonial Secretary, then Lord LINCOLN, -was put forward as the exponent of thii: policy. Mr. GLADSTONE, 110 W de facto leader oi the Commons, is deeply imbued with hierarchical principles. He, at least, regards with no friendly feeling an institution whose tendency is to pl:ce the civil above the ecclesiastical power—the school master over the priest. The nominal Prime Ministel follows the lead of his subordinate. Sir JAMEB GRAHAM has always been regarded by the "Brigade' . as their chosen champion and friend. The whole Irish Administration is in the hands of this sec tion ; for it would be folly to suppose that the amiable cypher who replaces Lord EGLINTON Viceroy possesses any power over such men as BREWSTER, YOUNG, and KEOGH, his superiors in ability, and having, moreover, the advantage of a fixed and well-defined purpose. It is full time, therefore, not merely for zealous Protestants, but for Liberals of whatever creed, to watch the pro ceedings of a Government whose designs in this matter are not free from suspicion. Already Archbishop WIIATELEY has resigned his seat at the Board. Within our own knowledge, the recent acts of the Commissioners have driven more than one Protestnnt patron to withdraw his school from their control. Mr. WALPOLE'S queries in Parlia ment have elicited only vague and .unsatisfactory replies. These are omens not without signifi cance ; and again we say—let the friends of civil freedom be on their guard. Ministers are at length beginning to shake off their apathy and insouceance on the Turko- Russian question, when the French Cabinet is assuming so bold an attitude, and so promptly and decisively answering the onslaught of the Russian Chancellor, and clearly and unequivocally exposing the misapprehensions and erroneous statements—wilful and deliberate falsehoods they might be termed by, a plain speaker—contained in his circular. Our Government could no longer remain quiescent. They were excited to action, for very shame sake, to say nothing of the convincing proofs that have been afforded of the state of public opinion ; and the knowledge of the danger to their official characters and official situations, if they should continue to run counter to the general feeling. They have then spoken at last ; and, if the answer be "in entire conformity with that of the French Government," if it be equally determined as well as temperate, vigorous and energetic as well as calm and dispassionate, we may hope that, albeit at the eleventh hour, it will produce its LI uits in due season. During the brief discussion, or rather conversa tion, that took place last night in the House of Lords, Lord CLARENDON stat ed that the whole of the papers relating to the subject will be forthwith laid before the House. He also voluntarily d-- clared that it is the intention of the Government to place before Parliament the fullest informatiol on the subject ; that there is no wish for any un necessary delay ; and that he thought "a ve:7 few days indeed will be sufficient to show whether the negotiations will succeed or not ; but whether they do succeed or not, the fullest informa- ion shall be given to Parliament and to the country !" This is indeed satisfactory; and our gratification would be unalloyed but for a mis statement (doubtless unintentional) made by the Noble Lord. He stated that all the proceedings connected with the question have been in confor mity with those of the French Government: Now, unfortunately, in a preceding part or his address, he acknowledged that there had been "no regular answer sent to the first of the two circular notes of Count NESSELRODE." He stated that such an answer was unnecessary, inasmuch as the greater part of its contents alluded to negotiations which were originated by the French Ambassador at Constantinople, and that the remainder was forestalled by the p rogress w hi c h t h e com munication r e f err i ng to the question had made. This might have been the case according to the judgment .of the English Government. But it is notorious that the French Ministry took a very different view of the exigency, and that M. DROITYN DE LHUYS considered it his duty to reply by a very able and elaborate note to the first cular—a note alluded to by L or d CLARENDoN, a week since, in the House of Lords, w h en acknow ledging the great ability and skill display e d i n that answer. If, then, the French Government deemed it expedient to forward a formal and re gular reply, while the Engl;sh considered that nothing of the kind was required, we cannot say that the proceedings of the two Governments have been in entire conformity on the question. We may now refer to the admirable documeAt which has been dispatched by the French Minister to the second circular, a translation of which ap peared in our impression of yesterday. .Nothing can be more - clear and conclusive theli the Inept contained therein, which complete l .y turned the allegations contained in the NE;;sEL uobt circular, not merely showing that - they were totally inaccurate, but that it was ut'zarly impos sible that thole could be the slightest foundation, in fact, for the pretext put forward, that the occu palicn of tl'e Principalities was in any degree ascribable to the pc:,Kion of the combined fleets' in the vicinity of the Dardan?iles. A simple comparison of dates removes the veil from th - 's flimsy pretext, which, even if tile, would by no means justify the movement of the Russian troops across the 1 3 : - Ilth, and the deliberate violation of the treaties into which the CZAR had previously entered with the other great Powers. Tt was on the 31st of May, eighteen days before the resolu tion of the Western Powers to send their fleets to Besika Bay, was known at St. Petersburgh, that the ultimatum, of the RUMOR of Russia was dispatched in the form of a note to RESCHID PASHA, containing a very clearly expressed inti mation of the approaching occupation of the IDanubian Provinces. This resolution was an nounced to all the European Powers by the mani festo of the 11th of June, at which time the IFrench fleet was at Salamis and the English fleet at Malta. Here, then, is the Power so chary of its honour and dignity that will not brook the slightest interference with its arrogant assump tions convicted, on the most conclusive and un answerable testimony, of wilful and deliberate mendacity, such as would banish a private indi vidual from society—of putting forward as an exciting cause of action that which did not, and could not, in any way have influenced the ques tion one way or other. It will be difficult for the Russian diplomatist to extricate himself from the difficulty in which he is involved by his own want of caution, and to which he has been so thinly held by the French Minister. But, were it otherwise—had the combined fleets indeed taken up the position which they now occupy,what justification would that hive afforded for the step taken by Russia ? There was the difference of objects of the two forces. The military force was in the neighbourhood of the Turkish dominions, without the consent of the Porte, as a hostile demonstration for the purpose of aggression—the naval one, at its request, or, at all events, with its full concurrence, for the purpose of protection if any occasion should un fortunately arise for their interference. The Russians deliberately disregarded existing treaties, the French and English respected those very treaties ; in fact, to their presence . outside the Dardanelles, no objection could be offered by the most zealous opponent.. From the moment of the passage of the Pruth, without the sha dow of a justification, except, indeed, the right of war—"a war derived from a new principle, fraught with disastrous consequences—a principle leading to nothing less than the oppression in time of peace of weak States by their powerful neigh- bours"—tlie Allied Fleets were justified —o': invitation of the SULTAN--:-011 entering the Da: dandies and the Bosphorus—of being, as Coai NESSELRODE manifestly supposed them to be at the time when be penned his specious missive " within right of the Turkish Capital." Russia cannot, the:), by any means shake the responsibi lity- o f having taken the initiative in proceedings which led to very dangerous consequences, and may possibly produce the most calamitous results to herself as well as to the rest of Europe. HER MAJESTY'S HEATH We are sorry to learn that her Majesty has at length sickened with the measles. Before the Court left town o 2 Sat urday, !atent symptoms of the malady were ob served, and it was for some time doubtful whether the Queen would venture to make the journey to the Isle of Wight. Her Majesty, however, determined on reaching Osborne, and happily she did so without inconvenience. Subsequently to the Royal arrival the malady became apparent, and her Majesty is now passing through the complaint, it is hoped, very favourably. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 19, 1658. IMPERIAL PARLIA_MEN T. HOUSE OF COMMONS—(THIS DAY.) The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Lords' amendments to the South-Eastern Rail way (Canterbury and Whitstable, Stc.), and Great Western (Henley) B lls were considered and agreed to. The Hall Dare's Estate, Castlemaine Estuary Recla mation, and Poulnasherry Inclosure Bills were read a third time and passed. The Jesus College Estate and Sergison's Estate Bills were read a second time. A great number of petitions were presented by vari ous hon. members in favour of the inspection of nunneries. [urn SATING.] STAMFORD RACES, (THIS DAY.) ORDER OF RUNNING. Sweepstakes-2.45. St. Leger-3.15. Burghley* Stakes-4. O. Handicap Plate-4.30. ARRIVALS.—Sister to King of Troy and Nelly. BANKRUPTCY COURT.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Commissioner Holroyd.) IN BE GIME. FAILURE OF A GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR.—This bankrupt was described as of Chatham, carcase butcher, &c., &c. To-day was appoint f.ar consideration of his certificate. sr The balance-sheet, prepared !).y lerssarS: Robinson and Knowles, Ba.singhall-street, commences Jan. 7, 1852, with a deficiency of 1071., the bankrupt having been a loser on Government contraas. The bankrupt had made purchases to the extent of nearly 15,0001. between Janitaty and December, and had lost 7161. The present debts amount to 1,034/. 3s. id. ; and to creditors fully secured 1,8761. 4s. 6d. The assets are small. There was no opposition. His Honour granted a cextifica,te of the second class. DECIMAL CURRENCY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SlR,—With reference to some remarks upon a decimal currency in your money article of yesterday, I beg to remind your correspondent that the object of a coinage is n o t to express with exactness any arbitrarily given fraction ; but rather, to expreis fractions sufficiently small for tbe convenient transaction of the monetary concerns of life. This condition would be fulfilled by some such scheme as the following, for instance :—Let the present two shilling piece be the unit, composed of tFent:,' (not twenty-four pence), each such penny to con lest of five farthings. To suit such a plan, no alteration in our existing coinage would be needed, excepting in the copper coins, while the derangement in existing mone tary contracts would be infinits;inally small. I say nothing, of course, upon the general question of the merits of c ay decimal system, as compared with our present one ; because upon this point no man who has ever thought five minutes on the subject can entertain a doubt.--I am, Sir, your obedient servant, H. W. MEA.bE KING. liverpool, 16th July, 1853. Loss,. MONIES.— Letters from San Francisco state that Cola Montea bad arrived in California, and had appeared on the stage there, in her favourite character in Lot, c M 011165 rn Bacit',.e. Her success is described as immense. THE YELLOW FEVER.—SOUTHAMPTON, Ju)7 18.—The total number of cases of yellow fever on board the Orinoco,. which arrived from the West Indies on Sunday evening, was 48, of which 14 proved fatal. The firs case made its appearance on the day a:ter the ship N.- rived at. St. Thomas, in the person of a seaman, and. during the remainder of her stay, while waiting for the intercolonial steamers, no less than 33 cases occurred. These were confined to the seamen and stokers, with the exception of a midshipman, Mr. Hey, and three engi neers. .fter leaving St. Thomas there were 15 fresh cases, among whom was the servant of a French gentle man. The fore peak of the steamer was fitted up and used as an hospital during the time the ship was in har bour at St. Thomas ; but on her leaving, the heat being excessive from the closing of the porta, the medical officer of the ship, Dr. Finlay, suggested the removal of the sick on deck, and Captain Hast immediately ordered a double awning to be spread on the fore part of the spar deck, where, after their removal, the sufferers soon felt the benefit of the change, which was attended by a diminution of the sickness. The passengers and ship's company, feeling that they were greatly indebted - to Dr. Finlay for his kindness and humanity, presented that gentleman with a very flattering address. It appears that Dr. Finlay performed not only the immediate duties of his office, but also those of nurse and constant attend ant on the sick, night and day, during the awful ravages of the scourge. The Rev. John Freeman, of British Guiana (a passenger by the Orinoco), was most assiduous in affording spiritual consolation to the sick and dying, and performin g the last sad offices of committin g the re mains of the departed to the deep. He also suggested, after his sermon on Sunday, July 10, that a collection should be made for the relief of the widows and families of those who had died of the fever. The sum of 47/. is. 6d. was accordingly subscribed, and placed in the hands of Captain East for distribution among the sun vivors. 4MSTERDAM AND ROTTERDAM PRODUCE MARKETS,— The weekly reviews from the Amsterdam and Rotter dam produce markets state, that no material change had occurred in business. Coffee was steady, but the trans actions bad been limited ; and sugar, raw and refined, was in greater demand, with a tendency to improve ment. Indigo was maintained at firm prices ; dried fruits were well supported; and the transactions in rice had been more animated. ROUEN.,—The letters from Rouen speak of dullness i n the market for manufactures, the unfavourable state of the weather having generally checked business. GREAT LUXEMBOURG COMPANY.—The seventh annual report of this company, which is to hold its meeting in Brussels, on the 22d inst., and in London on the 20th, st des that all difficulties have been surmounted - and nothing hinders the conclusion of the undertaking within the time stipulated in the last convention made with the Belgian Covesnment. The whole of the land required for the line from Bruss e l s t o N amur h as been purchase'at fair pieces. The men employed on the line are work ing in double bfgadee, and the works are pronounced to be well executed. The directors make it appear that they have saved the company 36,000/. in the purchasing of rails, comparing the price with the present market rates. A new ; ace from Namur to Arlon lias been de termined on in conjunction with the authorities ; the distance is now reduced to 84 miles without a single tunnel. Upon this trace the contractors are now at work. The directors propose making another call of 11. in the course of the year, upon the 10/. s'x per cent. guaranteed new shares. CnomEu PHILANTHROP I C SOCIETY,—The tenth anni versary of this society was celebrated yesterday, when upwards of 30 gentlemen sat down to dinner, at the New Inn, Geavesend ' • Mr. John Moore in the char. It appears that since the last report was published 1142. has been distributed among a number of deserving per sons, many of whom have thus been saved the humilia tion of appealing to the parish for relief. The :and raised by means of small weekly contributions from thc members, who hold periodical meetings at the Boot, which, in " Barnaby Rudge" (1775), is described as "a lone house of public entertainment in the fields at the back of the Foundling Hospital." S OCI ETY FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF VICE.—At the annual meeting of this society held at the offices, No. 57, Lincoln's-inn-fields, Lord Robert Grosvenor in the Chair, the report of the committee, detailing the opera- Vons of the society for the past year, was read by the secretary, Mr. Pritchard. It commenced by a state ment of the efforts made to obtain the introduction of a bill for the suppression of betting-offices, a subject which engaged the attention of the committee at the begle ning of the year. Several interviews took place with Mr. Walpole and Lord Palmerston, with a view to promote this object, and it was with great satisfaction that the committee now saw the si'bject taken up by the Government, and a bill brought in to suppress the nuisance. During the past year there have been seven prosecufons of persons for selling obscene and licen tious books, and several seizures have been made on the premises of parties trading in these infamous pub lications. In proof of the good reevlts of the society's exei Lions, it may be mentioned that since the year 1838, seizurea of immoral works to the following extent have been made, viz.:--117,509 obscene prints and pic tures, 12,919 hooka filled with abominable engravings, five tons of letterpress of the same character, besides a quantity of blasphemous publications ;" 4,594 sheets of obscene songs and handbills; 3,398 cards, snuff-boxes, and other articles ; 816 copper plates, 80 wood blocks, 11 printing presses, with type and stereotype. The re port further stated that the periodical inspections, from which co much good has resulted, have been continued, and all the shops believed to engage in the traffic are now under the notice of: . the society ; there are not more than 21 in number, although nerly . 300 have been uncle; the surveillance of the scciety since 1833. The receipts for the year from donations and subscriptions, and in cluding a legacy of 5451., have been 1, 0031 . 4s. 3d.; and deducting the e.upendUrre for the same peviod, there re mains a balance iz hand of 351. 13s. 9d. Mrch satis faction was expressel at the tenour of tie repo: which was unan . mously adopted. The officers for the yer? were then re-elected, and, after some routine business, ' the proceed . ngs terminated. _ COUNTY OF THE TOWN OF DROGHEDA.—The joined notice of motion has been given in the House of Commons by the member for Diogheda. Through a _ _ non-representation of the wish-'s of the inhabitant; for an additional member in 1832, it was considered that the commercial, manufacturing, and maritime interests of the populous borough were unjustly overlooked. In consequence, petitions emanating from late meetings of the corporation and the inhabitants at large have been presented to Parliament. It would, however, we con ceive, be expedient for the hon. member to defer this question unt:l next session, when the introduction of a new Reform Bill will aftbrd a fair opportunity for a con sideration of the cla'nis of Drogheda, as it is not pro bable that any local arrangements with regard to seats will be made during the preJent session :—" That one of the existing vacancies in the Imperial Representation be given to the county of the town of Drogheda, so that it may exercise the privilege of returning an additional member, and thereby obtain a more adequate and just representation of its increased trade and commerce." COUBT CIRCULAR. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited their Royal Highnesses the Princess Royal and the Princess Alice yesterday at Buckingham Palace, and also paid a visit to the Duchess of Gloucester at Gloucester-house. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary, and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg Strelitz, visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent yesterday at Clarence-house, St. James's. The Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary (at tended by Baron Knesebeck), and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg Strelitz (at tended by their Equerry in Waiting) honoured the per formance of the German plays with their presence last evening. A deputation from St. John's, Southwark, consisting of the Rev. J. Rolph (rector), Mr. J. N. Viner, Mr. S. M. Artell, Mr. John Abrahams, and Mr. W. G. Jack son (churchwardens), accompanied by Mr. Robert Slee (vestry clerk). had an interview with Viscount Palmer ston yesterday at the Horne-cffice. A deputation, on the subject of a public park at Hampstead-heath, had an interview with Sir Wm. Moles worth yesterday at the Office of Public Works, in Whitehall-place. The deputation consisted of Lord Robert Gro,venor, M.P., S'r Benjamin Hall, M.P.. Rev. Thomas Ainger, Mr. John Gurney Hoare, Mr. Thomas Turner, Mr. C. R. Cockerel], R.A., Mr. Ed ward M. Browell, My. Edwin Field, and Mr. Thos. Toiler (vestry clerk). The Bishop of OXford and the Bishop of Salisbury had an interview with the Duke of Newcastle yesterday at the Colonial-office. The Cathedral Commission bad a meeting yesterday. Present—the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Marquis of Blandford, the Earl of Haarowhy, the Bishop of Lon don, the Bishop of Ox:ord, the Rev. Dr. Wordsworth, the R. Canon Selwyn, and Rev. Wehard Jones (secretary). Sir Gliime Welby and Lord Wm. Graham, the mem bers for Grantham, had an interview yesterday with Via. count Palmerston at the Home-office. Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office from the Governors of the North American pro rinses and the West India colczyc9. A depute ;ion, consisting of Loi 1 Wrottesley, 'the Earl of Rosso, the Earl of Harrowby, the B:shop of Oxford, Sir Robert Inglis, M.P., and Mr. J. H.eywood, M.P., on the part of the Parliamentary Com mittee of British Association, assisted by Col. Sabine, R.A., President of the British Associa tion, and Sir Roderick Murchison, l a t e P res id en t of the Royal Geographical Society, bad an interview yestesday with Sir James Graham, First Lord of the Admiralty, at Whitehall, on the subject or Lieutenant Maury's scheme for improving navigation. Lieutenant Maury is an officer of the American navy who has dis covered a plan of navigating vessels which considerably shortens the distance they have to traverse to reach their destination: DEATH OF THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTH.--This vener able nobleman, who many years since was declared of of unsound mind, died at the family seat, Hurstbourne park, Hants, on Thursday last, in his 84th year. His lordship dying without issue, is succeeded in the earldom and family estates by his brother, the Hon. Newton Fellowes, married to a sister of the present Earl For tescue, whose eldest son, Mr. Henry Fellowes, now be comes Lord Lymington. KENSINGTON GARDENS.—Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambr:dge and the Pencess Mary of Cam bridge, with their attendants, were among the company attracted to the fashionable promenade in Kensington gardens on Sunday afternoon, by the unexpected fine ness of the weather. This delightful place, which, in consequence of the continued rains lately, presents an unusually fresh and verdant appearance for the season of the year, was thronged with the most respectable com pany on Sunday, and presented a very gay appearance. MANSION-HOUSE.—It is understood that the Lord Mayor has issued invitations for a dinner on Saturday next, the 23d instant, to her Majesty's ministers and a distinguished party of the nobility, members of the House of Commons, and other gentlemen and their ladies. And his lordship gives .a second civic entertainment on the 2d of August next. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTORS.—Wednesday next is the last day for paying rates and taxes due on or before the sth of January last, to qualify Parliamentary electors for the present year. The quarter's house-tax due at Christmas, although not demanded, should be paid. DISTRESSING AND DETERMINED SUICIDE BY A GEN TLEMAN.—Yesterday morning Mr. James Leech, a highly-respectable surgeon, residing at 13, New Doraet place, Clapham-road, committed a most determined act, of self-deetrnct At about ten o'clock the maid-ser vant of the deceased entered the back drawing-room, and was much shocked at finding her master lying on the floor, and an a,ppea-auc:.: of blood about him. She gave an instant alarm, and a sergeant belong ing to the L division was called in. On going into the back drawing room the officer found the unfortunate geuilemen wet tering in his blood,, with a deep wound in his throat, and a razor firmly clenched in hii light hand. Mr. Harr;s, the surg eon to Horsemonger-lane pi ;sun, who lives but a few d oors off, was promptly in attendance, and at once pronouuced the deceased quite dead. No particular N C 2 .oas u Nm s E e oh i is s sec l a ruv s ps s eEu i —d a( al a l tb f lfi o otti r s. the olw y s desperate pti s n h c e l die•a‘_seha eased seemed e b e u m t e i d t somewhat, depressed in spirits, e nd somewhat 'different actually in possession s of said ane t ‘ he y a o t p t e i g b O y p4; s a-C m o e tn y i e ne ee i r s —a high honour for that theatre as well as a ce:tan source of prosperity, should it p ;we correct. The opera alluded to is not, it is positively asserted, "Le Camp de Silesie," of,wlr:ch there was some talk for this theatre last year. 'A short time, however will enable us to give our readers more precise information on the subject. LATEST FOREIGN NEWS. FRAN CE. The Emperor on Sunday received in private audience Count de Hatzfeldt, Envoy-Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the King of Prussia, who presented a letter from his sovereign notifying the marriage of H.R.H. the Princess Maria Anne Frederica of Prussia with H.R. the Prince Frederick William George Adol phus of Hesse. The Emperor also received Baron de eebach Envoy-Extraordinary and Minister-Plenipoten iary of H.M. the Bing of Saxony, who presented a let ter from his Saxon Majesty announcing the marriage of his nephew H.R.H. the Prince Frederick Augustus Albert, Duke of Saxony, with H.H. the Princess Caro line Frederica Frances Stephanie Amelia Cecilia daughter of H.H. the Prince Gustavus Wasa. The Emperor and Empress on Sunday paid a visit to Queen Christina at Malmaison. The Minister of Marine and Colonies arrived on Saturday at Nantes, after having visited the establishments of St. Nazaire, Paimbceuf, and Indret. The whole population was on the quays, and they greeted him with enthusi astic cries of " Vive l'Empereur !" In the evening he was entertained at a grand banquet, and he delivered a speech, in reply to the mayor, which excited great en thusiasm, and repeated cries of "Vive l'Empereur !" On Sunday morning his Excellency passed the troops in review, and they raised the same cry. At midday the Minister left for St. Nazaire, where he was to embark on board the Roland for Rochefort. The Moniteur has the following on the Cherif Sidi Abd Esselam, whose arrival at Marseilles has been announced : " The city of Marseilles has just had a rare and in teresting spectacle, that of the most illustrious Cherif of the Empire of Morocco, going in pilgrimage to Mecca, with a numerous and brilliant suite. The prestige of the Cherifs in Mussulman countries is well known. In Morocco they have been able to found veritable reli gious orders, and the whole population of the empire is at present divided amongst them. All the members of an order are bound to assist each other, and blindly to obey their chief. The latter represents the founder of the order, and enjoys almost unbounded power, based on the most absolute respect. Of all these orders the most power ful and the most revered is that of Monlai Faleb, the foun dation of which dates from the year 1500. Its present chief, Sidi Abd Esselam, is universally considered a saint. From all parts of the empire large presents are daily sent to him, and the Emperor himself kisses his hand with respect when the saint honours him with a visit. If any doubts had been felt as to the veneration with which he is regarded in Morocco, they would have been dispelled by the striking ovations of which he was the object from his departure from his re sidence at Ouezzan to Tangiers. The populations P . m all parts assembled on his passage in the hope of seeing him and receiving his blessing. They pro strated themselves at the feet of his horse, and spread their burnous before him, and offered him presents in proportion to their resources. No sooner was his ap proaching arrival known at Tangiers, than the Pacha, the authorities, and most of the inhabitants of the town went to meet him on horseback, and when they saw him, all alighted and pros rated themselves before him. In ;lie first visit which M. Cotelle, acting Consul of France at Tangiers, paid to the Cherif, most friendly relations became established between them. Abd Esselam thankfully accepted a passage in a French pLake::-boat which was offered him by M. Cottelle ; and he arrived on the 13th at Marseilles, on board the Marocain. The Minister of Marine had confided to the steam-frigate the Albatros, the mission of conducting the Cherif to Aleirandria, from whence the amical solici tude of the consul-general of France in Egypt will follow him to the sacred cities. During his stay at llarseilles, the local authorities, in conformity with the 4 ntentions of the Government, gave him a sum mary view of our civilisation and our power ; and it was w:t h lively and grave interest that he appreciated Vie spectacle so new for him. On the 14th, he went to Arles to visit the curiosities of the town. The journey was effected in an express _ S train on th e Montpellier railway. Th e practical explanation of the power of our locomotives, the exhibition several times repeated oe different trains of travellers and merch an di se , the passage through the fine tunnel near Marseilles, and on his return a display of fireworks from the Chateau des Fleurs, the Venetian illumination of the fine gardens of the Prado, and promenades in the town, in the midst of an immense population—all these novelties interested Abd-Essehm in the highest degree. The 15th com menced by a review of the troops, which was fol. lowsd by a visit to the finest manufactures of Mar seilles, and it terminated by a visit to the theatre. The interest of the Cherif manifestly increased every mo ment ; and his suite, younger and more impressionable, were in a state of perpetual ravishment. He did not embark for Alexandria without expressing sentiments of gratitude for the flattering reception given to him ; and his travelling companions did the same. They desire that the testimony of their respect for the Emperor should be conveyed by telegraph. They wished his Majesty to know before their departure how grateful they were for the reception they had received in con formity with his orders—adding that they would keep in their hearts the souvenir of his generosity, the senti ment of his power, and the conviction of the grandeur of the French nation." At the Bourse yesterday there has been considerable activity in business, combined with a further general advance :n the prices of all descriptions of stock. The ;se was most considerable in the Three per Cents., being if. 20c. for the end of the month, and 85c. for money ; whilst there was an improvement of 50c. in the Four and-a-Half per Cents. for cash, and of 65c. in the same description of stock for the account. Bank of France shares advanced 10f. The final quotations were : for cash—Three per Cents. 78f. 30c. ; Four-and-a-Half per Cents. ditto, 102 f. 60c. ; for the account—Three per Cents., 78f. 55c. • Four -and-a-Half p er Cents., 102 f. 70c. Bank Stock, 26701 No change occurred in stares of the Mortgage Bank, which still remain at 665 f. ; there was a rise, however, of 32f. in those of the Soci6t4 Mobilihre, which closed at 792 f. The Railway Share Market was also active, and shares in the principal linos experienced a considerable improvement in prices. Paris and Lyons shares rose 20f. 2 • Paris and O r l eans , 15f. ; and Parrs and Strasbou rg , 17f. Closing p r i ces Northern, 957 f. ; Paris and Strasbourg, 927 f. ; Paris and Lyons, 930 f. TURKEY AND RUSSIA. The question of peace or war seems now to be defi nitively settled by the public, of course in favour of the former. It may, perhaps, be going too far to assert that the matter is definitively settled, but it is certain that it is in a fair way of being so ; and there is a fixed conviction that, whatever be the exact nature of the propositions submitted by England and France collec tively, or by the other Powers, the peace/of Europe will not be disturbed. Of course each individual has his own version as to the note which will be accepted by Turkey, acting on the advice ; of the Powers, but there is nothing new in any o f them. The propo sitions agreed on by the English and French Govern ments were sent for approval to Constantinople, returned to Paris approved, and then transmitted to St. Peters burg. They are agreed to by Austria and Prussia, and though we cannot yet know whether Russia has assented, little or no doubt is entertained on that point. Indeed it was rumoured in Paris yesterday that a telegraphic despatch had been received in London announcing the assent of the Emperor of Russia., but though that an nouncement be premature, it is anticipated as certain, so/much so, that the question is now beginning to be discussed as to whether the Russian troops will quit the Danubian provinces first, or the fleets Besika Bay. This question will probably give rise to further negotia tion, but fortunately the more important one will have been first settled. Private letters from Constantinople, of the sth, have been received. The steamer from Odessa had arrived on the evening of the 4th, with the official intelligence that the Russian troops were to enter the Principalities the same day. The occupation was to be effected by the 4th corps, composed of 55,000 men, commanded by General Dannenberg. It was thought that some regi ments only of the Luders division would pass the Pruth. As soon as the fact became known at Constantinople, the Ministers met in council, and a most animated discus sion followed, but no resolution was adopted at the first siting. Ministers met a second time the same day at the residence of the Seraskier, while, in the meantime, the Divan consulted the representatives of the Powers who signed the Treaty of 1841. The opinion of the latter was, that the invasion of the Principalities should not be considered as a cams belli, and the Council so decided. Considerable agitation existed at Constanti nople when the courier left, but public tranquillity had not been disturbed. Moreover, the Government had taken everyprecaution against disturbances. The Turks, never theless, continued to act as if war was certain to be the re sult, and,preparations were going on on every side ; the redifs were arriving from every part of the empire, and were successively incorporated in regiments, and drilled. The heights of Scutari were covered with tents. The redifs manifested much ardour, and many of them whose 10 years' service had expired demanded to be again re ceived in the ranks of their comrades. The English and French fleets maintained the same position as before in Besika Bay. The former had been reinforced by the screw ship the Sanspareil, of 84 guns and 35.0-horse power. A telegraphic despatch from Constantinople of the 9th states that a Ministerial crisis, occasioned by the entry of the Russians in the Danubian Principalities, was for tunately preuented. The general opimon there as else where was that a pacific solution wa s certain. Neverthe less the military preparations were still going on. The Governor of the forts of the Dardanelles hadrecei ved o r d ers to allow the French and English steamers to pass night or day. Ne7otiatlons were going on relative - to the a ff a i r of the Ha garian refugee Kossta. The same despatch adds that the Commander of the American frigate h av i ng given to the Captain of the Austrian brig only a delay of four hours to deliver up Ms prisoner, this last decided on handing him over to the French Consul until the de cision of the Austrian and American Ministers at Con, stantinople was made known. A private letter from Syra of the Bth mentions a fact which, if true, would be important. It is to the effect that letters from Constantinople state that the American Legation in that capital had addressed a note to the Porte to inform it that the Government of the United States associated itself with the other great Powers, with the object of enforcing respect for the integrity and independence of the Ottoman Porte ; and also of giving notice that it intended, in future, taking an active part in the important affairs of Europe. A gentleman, who 'has just arrived in Paris from Moldavia, states that he left Bucharest on the Bth inst., and that up to that date the Russians had not arrived at that place. lie says that the Russians Have suc ceeded in gaining over, by cajolery or intimidation, the Boyards, who pretend now to be quite as Russian as the subjects of the Czar themselves; that they feto the officers of the Russian army, and that they believed in an' approaching incorporation with Russia. In fact, they appeared to regard it as inevitable • and they con sidered that they ought to keep themselves on as good terms as possible with their new masters. Russian gold was flying about in all directions. A letter-from Vienna of July 15, in the Lloyd's; says : —"Mehemed Lafttalage arrived here yesterday direct from Constantinople with dispatches, and is to return to-morrow. He brings, it is said, the circular of the Porte relative to the occupation of the Danubian principalities by the Russian troops. A dispatch which arrived here to-day from Hermaunsta,dt an nounces that, on the 9th, Omer Pacha concentrated the nucleus of his troops between Nicopoli and Rastschuck. On the bank - beyond Giurgevo there are 8,000 Russians. Letters from St Petersburg state that the Emperor of Russia left that city on the 11th for Warsaw where he is to arrive.on th e 15th." , A letter from St. Petersburg of the 7th announces the arrival in that city of the Austrian Field Marshal Baron Guilay, on board the Wladimir. He was accompanied by a major and three captains. The letter adds that more than ten thousand men were already assembled in the camp of Krasnoe-Selo, and that manoeuvres were about to commence. The German Journal of Frankfort contains a letter from Constantinople of the 10th, which says :—" M. de Bruck, the internuncio of Austria, has communi cated to the Divan a note from the Cabinet of Vienna containing an offer of mediation and intervention in the Turco-Russian difference. The Divan - informed Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, M. Dela cour, and M. de Weildenbreich of the offers of Austria, and has declared that the Western Powers having the first testified 'their sympathy to the Sul tan, it could not come to any resolution before having consulted all their representatives. Thus the Turco-Russian difference cannot be arranged in a satisfactory manner, except by a protocol signed by the five great Powers. The Russian diplomatists now at Odessa, will not have been pleased with this resolution of the Porte, It is proposed that the five great powers shall enter into a collective treaty of the privileges and immunities of the Christian creeds, but the policy hitherto followed by Russia does not allow any hopes to be entertained of such an arrangement being accepted by her. M. de Bruck has had an attack of fever, but he is now reco vered. Provisions are exceedingly cheap, the harvest having been most abundant." SPAIN. - -- - The Madrid journals of the 13th contain nothing im portant. The Herald() says that there is no truth in the report that M. Moyano, Minister of Public Works, is about to resign. But, on the other hand, M. A. Castro, who is spoken of as likely to be his successor, had left for La Granja, with the President of the Council. The last renewal of the bonds of the floating debt had been effected with great facility ; the whole of the bonds were taken immediately, and there was a demand for more to the amount of about 14,000,000 reals. The Queen had signed the decree for a new organisation of the Ministry of the Interior. "If," says a letter, "the Ministry should resolve to declare the concession of the Northern Railway valid, M. Salamanca will immediately leave for Paris to organise a company to be charged with the execu tion of the enterprise." It was believed that the official Gazette would announce the interesting position of the Queen on the 20th inst. M. Llorente, lately appointed Ambassador in Turkey, lelt on the 13th for Constantinople. The Three per Cents, were done at 423- ; the New Three par Cents. at 231 ; the Debt of th e Fi rs t Cl ass a t ; and that of the Second at sk. AUSTRALIA. By the Woolloomooloo we have received advices from Sydney to the 21st of April. The position of the colony of New South Wales is described by the papers as being most satisfactory. The yield of gold was steady, and the average earnings of each man are quoted at an ounce a day. With regard to agriculture the prospects of the farmers wero excellent. The steamer Cleopatra had arrived at Sydney with advices from Melbourne of- the 16th of April, at which time neither the Harbinger nor the Adelaide steamer had arrived. 14,000 ounces of gold dust was brought into Melbourne by escort on the 13th of April. Gold had fallen rapidly in pride at Melbourne, and was quoted by the Argus, on the 16th April, at 3/. 15s. an ounce. The markets both at Sydney and Melbourne wen almost bare of goods, and enormous profits were bein realised on some articles of import. The Woolloomooloo has upwards of 50,000 ounces o: gold on freight. The following is from the Sydney Empire of Apri 20 : The commercial ;condition of Sydney is, as it has been for some considerable time past, characterised by uncertainty, high prices, and exhausted stocks. The circumstance of so few arrivals with supplies, either from Great Britain or from foreign ports, is very re markable ; and this untoward circumstance—so contrary to general expectation—has given to transactions an excited character, which, in many instances, has the appearance of unwarranted extravagance. Goods are run up to prices which are scarcely justified by any state of the import market at which we have yet arrived, the competition being stimulated by the immediate urgency of particular demands, rather than produced by anything like permanent scar c ity. B ut if busir E'l3 were conducted in the most sober spirit, high prices for all manufactured goods would ; still range, in consequence of the positive insufficiency of present imports. This state of things is experienced without any rapid augmentation of our po pulation as was anticipated—for during the last few weeks, the passenger traffic inwards has barely kept even with our outward drain. Since the 1s;; of April 57 vessels have arrived from various ports, inclusive of Moreton-bay, bringing 1,186 passengers ; and the departures have been 60, with 1,191 passengers. Of the arrivals, 3 vessels and 39 passengers were from London ; 2 vessels and 45 passengers were from Liverpool ; 1 vessel and 32 passengers were from Bristol ; 1 vessel was from Scotland ; 4 vessels and 242 passengers were from California ; 1 vessel and 8 passen gers were from China ; 1 vessel, a man-of-war, was from King George's Sound ; 2 vessels and 7 passen gers were from a whaling voyage ; 1 vessel was from the South Sea Islands ; 1 vessel was from New Zealand ; 3 vessels and 11 passsengers were from Van Diemen's Land ; 3 vessels and 53 passengers were from Moreton-bay ; 2 vessels were from Newcastle ; and 32 vessels and 724 passengers were from Victoria. The departures were-3 vessels and 10 - enger3 to London ; 1 vessel and 57 passengers to California ; 2 vessels to Singapore ; 2 vessels to India ; 2 vessels and 3 passengers to South Sea Islands ; 1 vessel and 16 pas sengers to Van Diemen's Land ; 1 vessel and 10 passen gers to South Australia ; 4 vessels and 7 passengers to Guam ; 8 vessels and 52 passengers to New Zealand ; 9 vessels and 87 passengers to Moreton-bay, Newcastle, and Twofold-bay ; and 27 vessels and 940 passengers to Victoria. In the last item the steamer Chusan is in cluded, .ilough many of her passengers would proceed ou from Melbourne (the first port of call) to Adelaide and to Singapore. By these figures—which, however, must be regarded only as approximations—it appears that for the last twenty days the excess of depart ing passengers over arrivals has been 5, of which the number of departures for Victoria has exceeded the ar rivals from that colony by 216. Besides this flowing and counter-flowing of population, by water, between the two gold colonies, there is a constant intermigration overland, which to a large extent confounds any calcu lations as to the fluctuations of the social stream in either colony. In the present estimate some reduction has to be made in the case of the Chusan for the passengers proceeding to other ports, and it may also be mentioned that the steam- s hip Cl eo p a t ra is hourly expected f rom Melbourne, with probably 200 pasengers, which will about balance the account. In Sydney a strong disposition prevails to speculate in the formation of companies for working the mineral lands of the colony ; but these projects are at present almost wholly confined to men of substantial means and established character ; and with the facts before the pub lic which have already been disclosed as to the undoubted richness of many districts in capper, lead, and iron, as well as the precious metals, and with the shar es o f only copper mining company at 100 per cent. premium, it is not surprising that the attention of cloie thinking and observant men should be directed to more important developments of these yet concealed sources of our natural wealth. Among the remarkable changes which the present year will bring about none will be greater or more valuable to society than the extended results of in dustrial enterprise. By . the escorts from the Ovens and the Northern Diggings to-day about 8,000 ounces of gold were re ceived in Sydney. It is expected that the Woolloomoo loo, sailing for London to-morrow morning, will take away nearly 50,000 ounces. The price now rules at 775. 3d. to 6d. for Victoria, and 745. 3d. to 6d. for New South Wales. Our latest ;date from England is December 24, brought by the'steamer Chusan, which arrived on the 19th of March, Just a month ago. The sailing ships to leave London and Liverpool in all December and Janu aryn hav e a ll to arrive. By an American sc hooner on the 10th i nst., we received intelligence from San Fran cisco to February 16 ; Valparaiso, January 30 ; New York, January 6. The following brief report will p r. esen a t r t t he le latest prices articles which can b e safely quoted for leading may be quoted re spectively skins and Congous at 102 s 6d to 110s,an Sugar—Pa m p anga , 20/ to 6d to 17s per gall on , i n and 92s Spirits—Ma r tell's brandy, 16s 6d to 100 s. 301 bond ; B.P. R um , 10 0.1 Bottled Ale—A sale of 500 3s 10d. 00 h d ow oz o e v n er ( , B b a o ss o ' o s) ns w id a e s re m d a a d ne to-day at 18s 3d, which may, extreme rate. Wines—Stocks very low, and in go)d demand. Oilman's Stores —In demand, at 50 per cent. on E9g lish cost. Ch eese —A parcel of good Dutch sold to-thy at is per lb • English 25 per cent. higher. Earthenware —A large sale this morning realised on good assortments 120 per cent. Canvass—White and brown navy, is to is 3d all Nos., and rising. Boots and Shoes-111r. Newton sold this morning an American invoice, very superior, averaging about 50 per cent. ; common English assortments, 150 per cent. on invoice. Drapery, of all descriptions, commands high prices. Salt—Liverpool. 51. 15s to 6/. per ton. Flour--Fiore, 271. • seconds , 20/. _ ; UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA. Yesterday the annual general meeting of the share' holders of this bank was held at the offices, Old Broad street—Mr. J. J. Cummins in the chair. The SECRETARY read a report, which contained the following passages : " The letters received from the branches come down te th• beginning of April, and are without exception of the most satisfactory character. " The agricultural districts of New South Wales and Victoria, as well as the colonies of South Australia, Vet' Diemen's Land, and N ew Z ea l an d , i n wh i ch no impertwl, , discoveries of gold hav e y e t b een made, have all largely participated in the a d van t ages arising out of the newly' obtained wealth of the other districts, and the increase" demand for all the prod uce o f l a b our at very remunerativ e prices cannot fail to result in their permanent prosperity and advancement. That under such circumstances there should have been a great expansion of banking transact" lions, was fairly to be expected, and the directors are happy to say that this bank has enjoyed its full proportie u of the increase. " The inspector, acting upon the discretion vested in him, and under a conviction of its increased importances has opened a branch at Goulbourn, in New South Wales, 120 miles south of Sydney, to which Mr. George Fergusson has been appointed manager. This gentleman has been for many years in the bank's servicerand has fully entitled himself to the confidence of the directors. " The accounts present an amount of profit for the sit months now reported on of 165,2331. 9 s . 11d. Thi s profit admits of 164,0001. being appropriated for the purpose ° f Las I dividend, which the directo rs h ave d e t erm i ne d to apply ' interest on the paid-up capital. Thi s amoun t w ill fannef a dividend by way of interest at the rate of 20 per cent' (for the half-year) on the amo un t pa id up i n respec t of each share in the capital of the company, payable in Lon; don, free of income tax, on Tuesday, the 2d of August, and in the colonies, with the addition of 7d. in the pound, soon as the inspector shall fix after the receipt of advicee• The CHAIRMAN observed that after the report whic‘ i had been read be need only call their attention to one or two circumstances of a supplemental character, which would not be unpleasing to them. Early in October 'ast the directors, considering the operations arising from so large an amount of coin being shipped from thi s country, anticipated the probability of a very consider able change in the rate of exchanges abroad, and ha d therefore determined to ship only so much as was aloe' lutely necessary to meet the requirements of the tire°. The state of things in the colony had naturally led to very large expenses, and there was a claim of nearli, 14,0001. to be pro v id e d f or as the cost of freight and i r insurance upon all the gold shipped out after the date of the last advices from the branch s. T o warcl s , that, however, the dire c t ors b a d made a reserve 01 13,0001., and had since cleared off all claims upon that account. But there was another point of still greater importance, viz., the discount allowed on their bills 10 the colonies between the Ist Jan. and the 18th Feb., when the exchange got up to par. The amount of di°: count paid during that period was so large as to amour' to 20,0001. This arose from profits accruing before the alteration in the rate of exchange, and the direatora therefore thought it their duty, in order that in future each year should properly bear its own charges, to write off this amount ; so that they would see that" by the reserve made for freight and insurance, and by the discounts which had fairly accrued before the a lter' ation in the rate of exchange written off, futtire pr(r fits would be relieved to the extent of nearly 33,000/- (Hear, hear.) They had received accounts up to the 3 4 April from the various branches, and he might faia say that from th e character and enlargement of th e business, and, in fact, the general character of the er changes, those accounts fairly represented the balane s of trade between the mother country and the colonfi and had given to the directors a degree of satisfactio n which they could sca rce ly have anticipated. 111 , 8 remittances which had been sent h ome from parties 1n the colony to their families in this country bad attracte d his attention, and he found that since the Ist of January there had been over 1,200 bill s rem i tted for sums n °' exceeding 251., and the number still continued to crease. In the month of July the total number of OP drawn on this bank for sums not exceeding 2 5 / 1 amounted to 4981., an d th e money to 7,007/. Some ° f the bills boi • very s i ngu l ar endorsements, one of the° being in the se t erms : " Pay this to my old mother, ~. I intend coming home in another ship ;" and there coil be no doubt th a t t h e money remitted mothers,had been receive ,' :, by th the sisters, the w i ves , or the swee; hearts of people in the colonies. (Hear, and laughter.; After a very brief discussion the report, upon th motion of Mr. Thos. Smith, seconded by Capt. Lawson' was unanimously adopted ; an d a di v id en d declared of 20 per cent, for the half year. Mr. Benjamin E. Lindo and Mr. Jas. Bogle Slei al were then re-elected directors, and the business tern , ' nated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. TEE ATROCIOUS OUTRAGE AT BARNET. ' Yesterday morning, at 11 o'clock, Mr. W. PhiMinor' chairman, and Messrs. J. Baxendale, W. J. Myers, v . H. Cotterell, F. A. M'Geachy, and S. 0. Percivall magistrates for the liberty of St. Alban's and countyfe Herts, assembled at the Police-court, Barnet, for the purpose of investigating the atrocious outrage, and--1 the unfortunate victim is now in a dying condition---e o doubt wilful murder, of' Rebecca Brogsden, aged 63,L, the night of Sunday, the 10th inst., in a barn in _, l '; vicinity of Chipping Barnet. The court was deny crowded. Shortly after the magistrates took their Or s two Irish haymakers, named Patrick Farley and P' ? "",, Cunningham, were brought up from St. Alban's Jr, custody of Inspector Billers, of the S division, charged on suspicion of being concerned in the horrible trans' action, an d p l aced at the bar. The deposition o f the dying woman (which is subjoined) had been Pre' viously taken by the chairman of the bench, at tb e r Barnet Union to th e i n fi rmary o f w hi ch the a% creature had been conveyed on her discovery. following is the deposition of the dying woman, take by Mr. Phillimore :—" My name is Rebecca B ro gedeef and I believe lamon my deathbed. lam 63 Y eer : of age, and am a native of Macclesfield. On S u nday night habßop gs I was jo urney i ng to see Plv. son, S is a fishm onger , at Deptibl. Joseph 0 1 a s s er u o tl d 1 en o'clock, hwo Kent. I entered Barnet late on Sunday afternoon, el 3 at last went to a beershop at Underhill, kept by Hutson. Mrs. Hutson told me to go to Mr. Bryan" t barn, close by. That was about 10 o'clock. I wen there and lay about an hour, without going to sleep' Four mon then came along the lane and came into the shed. I could tell from their voices they were font Irishmen. Three went out again and one remained is going out, w h en the Paella vatheshsehdemd.o toI gstoaty,upanadnd vvalloaws him to remain with me all night. I refused, and be then laid hold of me, and be' me down and knelt upon me." [The unfortunate womb here related the brutality she suffered from the four me n in succession, the details of which are unfit for publiciv tion.] Inspector Billers asked for a remand, in eonee* quence of the absence of "Barny Burns," and evidenc e which he had reason to believe would enable the police to effect the capture of the other miscreants concerned' The prisoners were remanded for a week. Governmen t have offered a reward of 100/., and there is n o doubt but the capture of all the parties will be effected. Th e poor woman's death was hourly expected. DETERMINED SUICIDE OF A SPITALPIELDS WEAVE I —On Saturday morning a determined act of self-destrco' tion was committed by a man named John Cordon , aged 50 y ears, a weaver, lately residing at 5, Chapel' street, Spitalfields. It appears that the deceased had been in a l ow state of m i n d f or several weeks, through want of employment, which had reduced him to poverty' lie was last seen alive on Friday evening, when h e pro ceeded to his home. On Saturday morning he was not to be found, when search was made for him, and on searching his room, he was discovered suspended by a cord to his loom, apparently lifeless. A police constable ran for Mr. Meeres, the divisional surgeon, of Brick lane, who promptly attended, and used means to re' store life, but the vital spark had fled. The deceased was a steady man, but was unable to bear up ag ainst his difficulties. SHOCKING MURDER OP TWO CHILDREN IN BIRMINGP HAM, AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF THE MIIEDERESS.--' On Fridry morning the neighbourhood of the Sand-pits and Spring-hill was thrown into consternation 11 the rumour that two children had been poisoned hi their mother, and on visiting the locality in which the woman resided, the story was found to be too well authenticated. From what we have gleaned, the fol lowing facts will present a pretty corr ec t version of the affair :—The perpetrator of the wick e d deed is au unmarried female, apparently about thirty-five years of age, and the children, who are twins a little more than two years old, are the reputed offspring of a man named Brookes, whose name the unhappy woman appears to have adopted. Her Christian name is refuses e o s c et; agnitvse of the hou se i n w hi c h t he up her m a id en appella mtli°unnrdieTrbhwuetapss rhien cr committed, situated in Eyre-street, are an old couple named Roberts, from whom Brookes rented lodging-room. The woman, who is in custody, teas informed the police officers that she came from Leicestershire about 10 w ee k s ago, at which period she took con up her abode at the a b ove - name d house ; an d h er dition has Since been that of a vagrant, as far as we can learn, dependent upon charity for a subsistence. The man with whom she co habited has been seen to visit her, but little is km. W of him beyond that. On Thursday afternoon she a nd her children were observed by the old couple to partake of their usual meals. About five o'clock the mother undressed the twins, after which she took one upon her knee and held a jar to its mouth containing milk. The child drank with avidity. The woman then carried the child to bed, and on descending the staircase, she lifted up the other twin, to w hom she administered a similar dose. The children, uncon ,cious of their unhappy doom, were placed side by side, and soon fell into a sleep from which they were never again to wake. About six o'clock in the nor ning, she was heard to leave her room, open the house-door, and walk into the streets. Roberts and his wife rose soon after, and having breakfasted they became somewhat curious that the children were so silent. Mrs. Roberts went up stairs to their bedroom, when the real fact was revealed. Before the news had spread round the neighbourhood, the wretched woman re turned to her home, and almost instantly fell t o the ground in a state of stupefaction. The inmates, supect" lug that she also had paz-taken of something poisonous, immediately sent for Dr. Hine and Mr. Humphrey, who were promptly in attendance. The stomach pump was applied, and a quantity of ale and laudar u n vomited, NO that in a short time she began to di: pia; smyptoms of reaction. After recovering her sensibility, she was accused of poisoning children, and she at once ran off towards the canal, and there is no doubt but size would have plunged in had not Mr. Phillips, of the Reservoir Tavern, followed after and brought her back. Up to last evening she continued in a fair way for re coVery.--Birminglom Mercury of Saturday, tak 2O tral a fr PFic rises tern pro f Frei to of A advl den ( bow exce den( list, divil ing • and from ence ~~ ~~ tZ -- t 4,, C 4 b; tu... "------. wO.