The Sun. — London, England, 1853-03-30 00:00:00

PANORAMA, Leicester-square.—GRANADA and the ALHAMBRA, the City of the Moers and of Palaces, taken from the Generalife, by J. UWINS, Esq., with the aid of a daguereotype, is just OPENED at BURFORD'S PANORAMA, Leicester•square, embracing all the surrounding unequalled scenery, and the track of country presented to the late lamented Duke of Wellington. The Views of NIMROUD and of the BERNESE ALPS are also now open.—Admission Is. each circle, or 2s. 6d. to the three circles. Schools half-price. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the Management of Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, Mesca 30, Will be performed THE SHERIFF OF THE COUNTY. Cha racters by Messrs. Tilbury, William Farren, Henry Corr!, Buck stone. A. Payne, Compton, Braid, and Rogers; Mrs. Stirling, 31rs. Poynter, Miss Ellen Chaplin, and Miss Louisa Howard. After which MR. BUCKSTONE'S ASCENT OF MOUNT PAR NASSUS. To conclude with THE TWO QUEENS. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, Msacs 30, Will be performed the Tragedy of MACBETH. After which will be produced a new Drams, adapted from the the French of Mons. Scribe, by Mr. Palgrave Simpson, called MARCO SPADA. Principal characters by Messrs. W. Lacy, J. Vining, Ryder, Graham, and Everett; Miss Heath and Miss C. Leclercq. ROYAL LYCEI73I THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Veatris, THIS EVENING, MARCH 30, Will be presented A STRANGE HISTORY. Characters by by Madame Vestris, Mrs. F. Matthews, Miss Julia St. George, Miss Robertson, Miss Rosins Wright, Miss Mason, Mrs. Horn, and Miss Wadharn ; Mr. C. Mathews, Mr. F. Matthews, Mr. R. Roxby, Mr. -Cooper, Mr. J. Bland, Mr. Belton, Mr. B. Baker, Mr. Rosiere, and Mr. B. Butler. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster. —Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Mazes 30, Will be presented WEBSTER AT HOME, AN ADELPHI FARE OF THREE REMOVES AND A DESSERT. Characters by Messrs. R. Webster, L. Murray, Keeley, &c. ; Miss F. Maskell and Mrs. L. Murray, &c. After which, A NOVEL EXPEDIENT. With TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS. THE PRETTY GIRLS OF STILBERG. PEPIN() THE DUMB BOY, ♦ND PUG, HIS MONKEY. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager. Mr. Farren. Third Night of an entirely new Drama. THIS EVENING, Mutes 30, Will be presented SALITATORI ; or, the Bandit's Daughter. Supported by Messrs. H. Marston, F. Robson, and W. Morgan (their 3d appearance here), G. Cooke, Kinloch, and Clifton; Misses Anderton and H. Gordon. To be followed by the Farce of CATCHING AN HEIRESS. To conclude with the Ballet of THE DUMB RECRUIT. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. hird Night of the New Management.—New Dramatic and Eques trian Company.—New Spectacle and New Stud of Horses. THIS EVENING, 14fAxcn 30, Will be produced an entirely new grand spectacle, in three acts, by Fitzbali (founded on principal recent hostile events in Kaffraria), entitled AMAKOSA ; or, Scenes of Kafir Warfare; with new scenery, costumes, and appointments. To be followed by SCENES of the ARENA. To conclude with a POPULAR FARCE. Biz-othee open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. HIGH WATER: AT LONDON BRIDGE. TEIN DAY —Morning 18 min. after 5 I Evening 41 min.afz. 5 To-Mowtow—Morning 6 min. after 5 Evening 29 min.aft. 6 DAILY WEATHER TABLE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1853. state of the wind and weather at each of the following places at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stations are arranged in order of latitude. HASTINGS—E.N.E. gentle breeze—cloudless. Souraemp r roN—N.iV., strong breeze—cloudless. TuNßurnau—N.E., strong breeze—cloudless. BASINGSTOKE—E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. GREENWICH—E., gentle breeze— cloudless. STROOD—E., strong breeze—cloudless. SWINDON—E., gentle breeze—cloudless. CAMBRIDGE—N., gentle breeze—cloudless. YARMOUTH—E., gentle breeze—cloudless. THE WEATHER.-SUN OPTICS, MARCH 30. THERNOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 41—highest since noon yesterday. 28—lowest this morning and during tho night. 42 this day at noon. BAROMETER, 2918. Wimp, S.E.—Light airs, and fine, sunshiny weather. THE PUBLICATION OF " THE S UT N " COMMENCES EVERY AFTERNOON AT THREE O'CLOCK, AND TEI LATE OR THIRD EDITION, CONTAINING THII DEBATES IN PAB.LI AM - PINT THE SAME EVENING, With all other Hews arriving up to the hour of Post, AT SEVEN O'CLOCK. EXPRESS EDITIONS will be forwarded after the Post is closed by the Latest Trains. - , " 7- . ApP. „„,, * LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1853. There is, at length, some reason to hope that the Kafir war will no longer prove a serious drain on the British Exchequer. General CATHCART has exhibited a degree of vigour and energy, coupled with great forbearance, when anything approaching to an unequivocal submission has been made, deserving of high praise. We have at length learned, by bitter experience, the difficulty of dealing with these savages. The degree of cunning and equivocation in which they habitu ally indulge —the impossibility of yielding cre dence to their most solemn promises —greatly increase that difficulty. The most plausible pretexts may be resorted to—pledges volun tarily given in all apparent sincerity may be rendered ; but no reliance can be placed on their redemption, unless ample securities be taken against any violation of the contract. This part of the case proves the necessity of stringent regulations and a strict enforcement of all agree ments on the part of the local authorities ; while, on the other hand, much mischief might be occa sioned by driving our adversaries into a corner, and compelling them to stand at bay—to fight to the last extremity rather than to submit to con ditions too humiliating and too onerous. There is always danger in reducing, brave men to a state of desperation. Even a coward will fight when no alternative remains, and there has certainly been no indications of pusillanimity on the part of the Kafir tribes. They have, on the contrary, exhibited considerable skill and cunning, coupled with much physical power and resolute courage, and as formidable opponents have entitled them selves to respect and consideration. General CATHCART appears to have judiciously Pursued a middle course. His acts have been ener getic and decisive, while his counsels have been moderate and conciliating. He has alike avoided the Scylla and chary , odus . of undue lenity or undue severity. With an armed foe he has refused to treat. Before any applications for pardon or amnesty would be attended to, or even received, there must have been an unconditional surrender — an unqualified sub ra i„ ion to British authority. But when the enemy had withdrawn, and even an paid, showing if there was the power, to com plyinstalment of the penalty h ad been an inclination, requisitio n , with every the greatest kindness and indulgen ce has been s h own, the vigour in the field more than compensating for, and and preventing anyinferen ces from being drawn from the forbearance in the Cabinet. But the happy termination of the war — so f ar as there can be any confidence placed in any truce ' or treaty with the restless neighbours of ou r African colonists—is not all that Governor OAT H _ CART has accomplished. He has a dopted the most judicious precautions against future disturbance, exacting the most solemn pledges from the defeated Chiefs not only for their own conduct, but for the good behaviour of all others under t'ieir control or influence. They are made practically to in sure the cattle of the settlers from the depredations of friends and foes, and also to bring the delin quents to justice—being bound " to recover and restore the stolen property, and to punish the offenders." Besides these stringent provisions, they are cautioned against encroac hi ng u p on the British territories, being bound to restrain and punish all attempts to disturb the peace of her MAJESTY'S people. And, also, to be responsible for the lives and properties of the British subjects whom they may allow to li ve within their territories. The conditions and arrangements on which such permissions may be granted are matters for special agreements between the chiefs and the intending residents. With the terms of these contracts the Colonial authorities will not in any degree interfere ; but whatever they may be, they must be strictly observed. The name of a British subject must be respected in the kraals of the Kafir chieftains, and of all who recognise their authority. Judicious measures have also been adopted for the formation of a hardy race of borderers—men who will be at all times able and willing to defend the frontiers, and to retaliate upon their restless neigh bours for any aggression. A sort of military tenure has been created, by which grants of land are to be given on condition of residence and military servitude. The Amatolas and other lands formerly occupied by the rebellious Gaika tribes are to be thus parcelled out, but a preference to those " deserving applicants" who " have fought nobly in the ranks of the Colonial levies and other corps during the rebel lion now happily suppressed." So many advan tages are attached to the possession of these erven, that we may reasonably anticipate a considerable demand from men ready to bear the brunt of any contest, and to protect themselves and all settlers more distant from the Kafir territories by their own-unaided efforts. We may then confidently anticipate that the financial statement in the next budget will be the last in which a Kafir war will constitute a formida ble item. And even under the present circum stances, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will not be warranted in withholding any relief from the fear of heavy demands for the pacification of our African colonies, or the protection of our settle ment at the Cape of Good Hope. It seldom happens that a political pamphlet survives beyond the particular season which may have witnessed its publication. It has been de clared, moreover, upon competent authority, that scarcely half-a-dozen brochures of this kind have ever been known to pay even the expense of paper and printing. Scarcely a quarter of the new year, however, has elapsed—and already 1853 has been productive of two very striking and remarkable proofs to the contrary. Mr. COBDEN'S masterly argument in Three Letters runs through edition after edition, and—what is much more extraor dinary—it elicits a rejoinder so very singular and remarkable of its kind as to be, we feel assured, altogether without any precedent. That rejoinder, in fact, appears in the shape of a pamphlet* which was originally published in 1802, and which has now in 1853 been re-published. Never was there a more startling instance of political resuscitation. It may be said to constitute, in fact, an unparalleled example, politically speak ing, of suspended animation. It is printed in 1802 as from the hand of ROBERT ADAIR, Esq., M.P. for Appleby, and is re-printed in 1853 as from the hand of Sir ROBERT ADAIR, G.C.B. Like Ensign Beverley and Captain Absolute, they are simply " two gentlemen in one," or, in other words, are identical. It is the same pamphleteer who, after the lapse of more than half a century, " revisits thus the glimpses of the moon," not less anxious than the clever fellow in the Arabian story to sell old lamps for new ; or, in other words, to answer " 1793 and 1853" by " The Letter of the Hon. CHARLES JAMES Fox to the Electors of Westminster, with an Application of its Principles to Subsequent Events." We ques tion very much whether the evidently sanguine anticipations of Sir ROBERT ADAIR will, in this matter, be fully realised. We doubt very much whether the triple shotted " great gun" of Mr. COBDEN can be knocked over quite so easily by an ingenious little pop-gun which had been thrown aside fifty-one years ago, and ever since then for gotten. As well might a carrier pigeon attempt to compete with the electric telegraph--or a cross bow with a Cords revolver--or a pack-horse with a steam-engine—or a canoe with a screw-propeller. We don't wish, in speaking thus, to be regarded as gratuitously uncomplimentary. We make no allusimi to the pamphleteers—referring only to the pamphlets in Our comparison. Sir ROBERT ADAIR is about the last man to whom we should feel disposed to direct the language of imperti nence—supposing that we were capable of treating, in this manner, any public writer whomsoever. His " antecedents," as the cant phrase of the day has it, would effectually preclude us from the attempt under any circumstance, while even the most splenetic and spiteful of his opponents would be disarmed by a correct appreciation of his character. Nevertheless, with all our respect for his career, and all our admira tion for his abilities, we must still acknowledge that we find it difficult to admit the force of his reasoning as opposed to the simple, and, to our minds, wholly incontrovertible, logic of his anta gonist. Cordially as we may applaud the skill of the diplomatist, we cannot remain blind to the obtuseness of the pamphleteer. We recognise the tact displayed by him in 1806, upon the oc casion of his mission to the Court of Vienna ; we readily bear witness to the skill with which he participated, in 1808-9, in the negotiations for the Peace of the Dardanelles ; but we behold, as clearly as any elementary truth that could be named, the very singular misapprehension to which we are indebted for this inapt revival of commen taries, first made in 1802, upon Mr. Fox's cele brated Letter to the Electors of Westminster. We speak as impartial witnesses in this argu ment. We regard Mr. COBDEN as decidedly in the right, and Sir RORERT ADAIR as decidedly in the wrong ; and we think thus, moreover, let it he remembered, although we still view in the light of a fantastic day-dream the peace policy of the Honourable Gentleman the Member for the West Riding of Yorkshire. Whatever the merit of that policy, it cannot affect, we conceive, in any material respect the bearing of the present con troversy—we mean that, be the promoters of this benevolent but high-flying project of Arbitration right or be they wrong, that cannot alter by one tittle in regard to the treatment of France dur ing twenty-three years, the innocence or guilt of the English Government. During the course of the introduction to the present reprint of his pamphlet, Sir ROBERT ADAIR says, we cannot bir; think rather too flippantly—" Mr. COBDEN must make a coalition with Mr. BURKE and Mr. PITT, before he can persuade the world that Mr. Fox by his opposition to the war of 1793 was advo cating either French principles at home, or French ascendancy abroad." Surely never was there—quite unintentionally we believe—more flagrant prevarication. " Persuade the world that Mr. Fox by his opposition to the war of 1793 was advocating either French principles at home or French ascendency abroad 1" Why the thing is preposterous. Mr. COBDEN from ti. c; first page of his admirable pamphlet down to the very last never once attempts to " persuade the world" of anything at all of that description. Instead of arguingthat Mr. Foxadvocated " either French principles at home or French ascendancy abroad," all that Mr. COBDEN endeavours to prove is, that Mr. Fox was opposed to those who would not allow to France the inalienable rights of all nations, those of choosing her own principles, securing her own independence, and selecting her own form of government. Perhaps no one will be more surprised at this accusation than the Hon. Member for the West Riding himself—if he can nb e supposed to experience anything like !Au - prise nowadays at any am oun t o f misappre hensionsand misrepresentations. It is insisted, in another part, by Sir ROBERT ADAIR, that the failure of the negotiations for peace in 1806 was attributable to NAPOLEON'S exorbitant demands for the concession of Sicily, and this, too, after hi s acceptance of the principle of Uti possedetis. That is a very old story. We shall expect now to witness all kinds of odd revivals s l ft this—a n d a o nci t the th poisoning the pamphlet o f the siJaffa,i Wes hebe told againe r thai i a, although it has bee n proved, as clearly as at anything ever was proved, that not a single grain medicine chests of poic.irin was at the time in the * The Letter of the lion. Charles J ames Fox to the Electors of Westm inster, dated Januar y 23 d, 1 703 ' with an Application o f its Principles to suloequent E ven t s. By Robert Adair, Esq., M.P. for Appleby. Publi s h e d in 1802, and now Republished with an Introduction by Sir Robert Adair, G.C.B. Bvo. pp. 89. Ridgway. Landon; 1853. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 30, 1853, of the army. We shall be told again of the heinous atrocity of seizing all the English travellers in France on- the sudden rupture of the Treaty of Amiens, although the previous seizure of all French merchant vessels in our ports had, in reality, provoked that retaliation. We shall hear again of the violation of good faith shown by the memorable escape from Elba, although not a syl lable, of course, will be whispered of the previous violation of good faith by the Councils of the Allied Sovereigns ! No. We shall be stunned again, and again, and again with all those dear old fables which are the delight of Mr. LANDOR, and the solace of Colonel MITCHELL, and the facts of M. BOURRIENNE. In illustration of this, as it were one of the shadows cast before by these " coming events," we have one of those favourite crotchets of the elder generation rejuvinated for the purpose of convincing the public, contrary to all the state ments of Mr. COBDEN, that during the last pro longed war with France, England was not the ag gressor. We az e perfectly aware that the Hon. Member for the West Riding has been charged with something very like shuffling, in restricting his argument on this point to the time of the correspondence of our Ministers with M. CHATIVELTN. That he did so we, for our part, attribute solely to his wish to secure his statements the advantages of simplicity and con centration. For we consider the subsequent events of that unhappy history as no less clearly pointing out the crime of England as the trans gressor, than those by which was first commenced that odious war of coalition after coalition. Mr. COBDEN, we repeat, is charged with evading the real difficulties of his argument—namely, those of its regular development. He may be goaded into the most formidable and effectual of all replies to the accusation—namely, into the accumulation of proof upon proof, all leaning undeniably in the one direction. It were very far from difficult. If he should—why—then—Good-bye to all the sophistries of his antagonists. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, MARCH 29. The following had the honour of dining with the Queen yesterday :—The Duchess of Kent, the Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, the Duke of Newcastle, the Lady in Waiting to the Duchess of Kent, the Baroness de Speth, Lieut.-Colonel F. H. and Lady Emily Sey mour, and Mr. Gibbs. Her Majesty and the younger portion of the royal children walked in the park this morning. Prince Albert rode out on horseback this forenoon, at tended by Captain the Hon. Dudley de Ros. The Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred also rode out, attended by Mr. Gibbs. The Duke of Newcastle left the Castle to-day for London. The Earl of Granville has been invited, and is ex• petted this afternoon. Her Majesty will hold a Privy Council on Friday next, the Ist April, at Buckingham Palace. Summonses were issued yesterday to the Ministers and Officers of State. Earl Granville, Lord President, left town yesterday afternoon for Windsor Castle. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mrs. Gladstone left town yesterday on a visit to the Right Hon. Sidney and Mrs. Herbert, at Wilton House, Wilts. The Duke of Newcastle arrived in town yesterday afternoon from Windsor Castle. Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office from the Governors of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The Council of Education will meet at the Privy Council-office, on Saturday, the 2nd, at half-past twelve o'clock. PRICE OF GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Paris is about at par (according to the last tariff), which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 104 d. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 25.17 ; and, the ex change at Paris on London at short being 25.071, it follows that gold is about 0.38 per cent. dearer in Paris than in London. By advices from Hamburgh the price of gold is 429 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 10d. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 13.7 ; and, the exchange at Ham burgh on London at short being 13.6 k, it follows that gold is 0.35 per cent. dearer in Hamburgh than in Landon. BUCKINGHAM PALACE IMPROVEMENTS.— The extensive works which have been going on for some time past at the rear of Buckingham Palace, Arabella-row, Pimlico, have so far progressed towards completion, that the whole of the massive scaffolding erected for the purpose, with the exception of a small portion on the western side, has been entirely removed, and this is also in course of being cleared away, as the new building, so far as the outer portion is concerned, is entirely finished. Two handsome entrance lodges have been built separate, for the convenience of ingress and egress to this new portion of the palace, and the whole will decidedly improve the appearance of the building as well as add to the internal comfort of the illustrious occupants. • We understand that it is in contemplation to get up a show of Cochin-China and other poultry at the Royal Surrey Zoologie•a1 Gardens. A Letter place cannot be selected; and, from the spirit and liberality of the pro prietors associated with the various breeders, whose names we have heard mentioned, we have little doubt of its proving eminently successful. THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY.—It is stated, in the West-end, that the Conservatives are about to make some strenuous efforts to regain the power which they have lost ; and certainly the following circular, which has been addressed to each of the members of the House of Commons, who acknowledge Lord Derby as their chief, gives countenance to the impression :—"lmpor tant. Your attendance is particularly requested at a meeting of the Conservative party, at the Earl of Derby's house, in St. James's-square, on Monday, the 4th of April, at twelve o'clock." It is to be presumed that Lord Aberdeen, after this circular meets his eye, will forthwith summon all the supporters of his Government from the country to town. ANOTHER STOPPAGE TO THE AUSTRALIAN MAILS.— Yesterday notice was issued at the General Post-office, St. Martin's-le-Grand, that the mails for the Cape of Good Hope, Adelaide, Port Philip, Melbourne, Sydney, New South Wales, and Van Diemen's Land, which should be made up and forwarded in due course on Saturday next, thp 2d proximo, would not be able to be dispatched, in consequence of the mishaps to the Austra lian mail packet. The Postmaster-General is, however, endeavouring to effect arrangements for their conveyance, of which due notice is to be given. In the meantime the following vessels have been taken up for the convey ance of ship-letter mails. The Tasmania steamer, to sail the 20th of April from London for Melbourne and Hobart Town ; the Osmanli steamer, on the 7th of April, from Liverpool for the Cape de Verdlslands, St. Helena, Cape of Good Hope, and Port Philip ; and the Argo steamer, for Port Philip, on the 4th of May. MYSTERIOUS AND SUDDEN DEATH.—On Sunday night last, about half-past ten o'clock, a tall and well-dressed young man, who was apparently enjoying th e b es t o f health, entered a beer-house known by the sign of th e Newcastle and Sunderland Arms, at the corner of Glass house-street and Broad-street, Ratcliff. He was accom panied by a woman of the town. The man called for a pint of ale, and remained in earnest conversation with his female companion for a. considerable time, when he suddenly leant forward, and fell to the ground a lifeless corpse. Three medical men were called in immediately, but their skill was of no avail ' • death appea re d t o b e instantaneous. Mr. Pemble, the beadle and summoning officer of the Hamlet of Ratcliff, caused the body of the deceased - to be removed to the dead-house, and forwarded information of the occurrence to Mr. Baker, the coroner, who, in consequence of the bad character of the beer house, where the death took place, ordered a post mortem examination of 'the body, previous to the inquest to be held this day. The deceased was about 26 years of age, his name was Brown, and he was the mate of a ship lying in the river. A few weeks since a Captain Pen nington was found dead in Glasshouse-street, under the window of the Newcastle and Sunderland Arms beer shop, and he had either been flung out of the bed-room on the top of the house, or thrown himself from the window, while labouring under delirium tremens. The house is frequented by the worst of characters. The matter has been taken up by the parochial authorities, and the propriety of indicting the keeper of the house will be discussed by the Board of Trustees of the hamlet on Tuesday next. FREE TRADE—GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE.—With reference to an impression, derived from a recent remark of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that the free trade negotiations between Great Britain and Franco had not advanced so far as the public had been led by some writers to believe, the Dundee Advertiser gives a state ment of the manner in which the linen trade has been affected by the French tariffs. In 1830 the whole value of linen yarns and manufactures exported to France from Great Britain was only 11,340/. Between that period and 1835 the duties imposed, although very high, were not absolutely prohibitory, and the value con sequently advanced to 260,4351. This appears to have been regarded with satisfaction by the French Government, and towards the end of 1836 they effected a great reduction of the existing duties, which led to an increase of the trade that denoted to a re markable extent the eagerness of the mass of the people to avail themselves of its benefits. From 260,4351., in 1835, the value of our linen exportations taken by the French population steadily advanced until, in six years, it was more than quadrupled—the total in 1841 being 1,088,3181., constituting considerably more than a third of the amount of our shipments of all kinds to that country. The infatuated policy, however, was then adopted by Louis Philippe of checking in this re spect all that had been done, and in 1842 the rates were largely increased, and ,ultimately made almost prohi bitory. A rapid decline in the traffic thenceforth com menced, which seems almost to threaten its extinction —the total in 1851 having fallen to 141,3771. These facts, it is added, have been strongly pressed upon the attention of the Board of Trade by the Chambers of Commerce of Dundee, Belfast, and Leeds, with the hope that they may be kept in view during the progress of arrangements between the two Governments for a freeer commercial intercourse.—Times. MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITI, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 10,000 bales, of which 2,500 American were taken on speculation. - The market closed with much animation—compared with Saturday's rates, prices of American were 1-16th to per lb. dearer. Other sorts without alteration. The sales comprised 8,500 American, 450 Pernam and Ma ranham, at 6d. to lid. ; 250 Egyptian, at 6d. to 81d. ; 500 Surat, at nd. to 411 ; and 80 Sea Island, at ls. Bd. to 2s per lb. The Railway Shares opened heavily, but closed with a better tone. It appears that the Great Britain steamer left Melbourne as early as the 4th January, conse quently her advices may not be more than a day later than those previously to hand. This is a dis appointment to most parties, and it is much to be regretted that the steamer had left so nearly at the same time, because the commercial public lose to a great extent the advantage which such rapid com munication would otherwise give. In the present instance, however, the overland mail is the cause of the dates being thrown out. No doubt, a large number of letters will come by her, and the general details, so far, will be ampler and more interesting. The Cape news is very satisfactory, and it is hoped this time the statement concerning the pre servation of peace may prove well founded. The accounts received yesterday from Nova Scotia state that the Opposition in the Assembly were still working against the Government Rail way Bills, and it was apprehended that a postpone ment might in consequence occur for another twelve months. If the bills were defeated, a new election it is said must follow. Some official docu ments had been published upon the Fishery ques tion, having reference to the obtainment of British registers for American vessels by British subjects residing in the United States. These appear to have been called forth by the detention of the Creole by H.M.S. Devastation, on the ground of irregularity of transfer. In one communication from Halifax the follow ing observations are made : "The railroad scheme seems to have come to a dead lock,' Mr. Howe having moved, on Wednesday, that when the railroad shall have progressed as far as where the branch lines should diverge, they be built simultane ously with the remainder, unless the trunk line in New Brunswick to the boundary would be finished sooner than that of Nova Scotia, which was carried by the casting vote of the chairman—a factious amendment pro posed by Mr. Johnson having been negatived--but after wards lost in the house by a vote of 27 to 25. On the following morning this was rescinded by the casting vote of the Speaker—. one of the opposition having changed sides. With a state of the House so nearly balanced, it is not probable the Government will proceed with the measure; and a petition at this juncture having been presented in favour of the passage of bills constituting railroad companies, Mr. Howe intimated that no further steps would be taken until the moneyed men had been afforded an opportunity of showing what they are really disposed to do—their real object, as he conceived, being to obstruct the Government." Bills upon the principal cities of the continent were taken yesterday afternoon at fuller rates ge nerally, for 30 days' paper. Paris, 25 27f, to 30 ; Amsterdam, 11 19 to ; Hamburgh, 13 84-, to 82 ; and Trieste, 11 3 to 8. The English Funds are again very buoyant, and the scarcity of stock continues to be felt. Consols have bees done at 99k, and since as high as 100* for Transfer, while for Account they realise 100 to 1. The decline on the Bourse at Paris has, thus far, no effect, nor ought it to have, seeing that it is no doubt attributable to local speculation and the leaning of the Account. March Exchequer Bills are ss. to 98., and East India Bonds 40s. to 455. premium. South Sea Stock is at 1101, and East India Stock for account at 264. In the Foreign Market there, is nothing doing. Spanish New Deferred Stock is firm at 244 to 25. Greek Bonds are maintained at 81. Sardinian 5 per Cents. are worth 971, about the previous value. The Swedish Loan is worth only 2 discount, and 1 the Turkish Loan is atpremium. Dutch 21 per Cents. have been dull at 66. The Railway Share Market has been flat again. This is " ticket" day, and to-morrow the account will be adjusted. Apparently the speculation for a rise must have been rather in excess of late, otherwise there is nothing that should cause prices to decline at the time when stocks are advancing. The re-action is about to 4 per cent. on North- Western, Midland, and Lancashire and Yorkshire. Others about the same as yesterday. French Shares are quite neglected, and are a shade lower. The Gold Mine Share Market has been rather firmer, the principal dealings being in Colonial Great Nugget Vein and Nouveau Monde. The Land Companies' Shares have been higher. The Agricultural is up 21. to 31., and the Peel River Ito 4. _ The Joint Stock Bank Shares have been lower, as regards the English, Scottish, and Australian, and the Oriental. BRITISH FUNDS ArT QAT O'CLOCK THIS DAY. (From the Official List.) _ _ _ BuOnva done. 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 — Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 6 3-16 India Bonds, £lOOO — Ditto, under £lOOO 4O 5 South Sea Stock ; lloi Consols for Account India Stock for Account 264 Exchequer Bills, lid. June. March. £lOOO £5OO 6 5 Small — 5 PRICE OF POI:SIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Greek ex over-clue Coupons Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent.... ..... . . Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent 248 5 Swedish Loan 2 d Turkish Loan, 6 per Cent., 1852. l/ p Dutch Exchange 2k per Cent 66 HALF-PAST TWO. Consols lOOB Ditto April Account MURDERS IN CALIFORNIA. The Sacramento papers have long accounts of a warm and exciting chase after the famous robber Joaquin. On Friday last, the citizens of Jacksonville b - _-ought in the dead body of Mr. Lake, a butcher of that place, and the body of a Chinaman, who was wounded by a pistol ball. It was not then known who had committed these outrages. On the next day, Saturday, three Chinamen were killed between Sutter and Jackson, a distance of some four miles. The driver of the Stockton stage and two passengers were killed on th• same day by Joaquin and two others, supposed to be Mexicans. The three men were shot, and the horses taken from the stage. On the same day, the same parties drove some fifty Chinese from a camp in the neighbourhood, and carried away or destroyed their tents. On the Thursday pre vious Joaquin rode through the village of St. Andres at a quick gallop, and shot thiee Americans as he passed through the streets. Joaquin is a young man, of about 19 years of age, and must be one of the best shots with a revolver in this or any other country, as nearly all these men were shot through- - the neck. The whole band, it is supposed, consists of about 60 men, all of whom are thought to be Mexicans. A letter froni - Jacksonville, dated 13th Feb., says : " The town is under the greatest excitement. A- large meeting of the citizens was held this evening, at which measures were taken that must lead to the eventual cap ture of the murderer. Nearly our whole population has volunteered to turn out in pursuit to-morrow. Woe to the Mexicans if they are caught." _ _ The party of Americans who started in pursuit, found at Cook's Gulch, on Sutter Creek, the dead body of a Chinaman. They traced the robbers to Jackson Creek, a few miles below this village, and there found more of their work—one Chinaman mortally wounded. Mr. Lake was living, but speechless, and died in a few minutes after the arrival of the Americans. He had been shot twice, and stabbed in the neck, and his mule taken. The American party followed on, and soon overtook the Mexicans who had committed all these murders. The villains managed to escape, with the loss of their horses, blankets, &c., and one, or perhaps two, of them were wounded. One of the p ar ty, worn ou t by fatigue, having been in hot pursuit of the robbers for six days, returned to Sacramento with three horses captured from a portion of Joaquin's throughous the m i nes . party. The utmost excitement prevails SHERIFF'S COURT-(THIS DAY) (Before Mr. Ogle, Q.C.) BUCHANAN V. THORLEY.-HEAVY EXPENSES OF COUNTY PUBLIC DINNER AND PRESENTATION TO SIR GEORGE GREY, M.P., AT ALNWIOK. On Monday a public dinner was given at Alnwick to the Right Hon. Sir G. Grey, M.P., for the purpose of presenting him with a testimonial, subscribed for prin cipally by the working men of the district, to show their appreciation of the right hon. baronet's eminent services to the Liberal cause, particularly during the recent con test for the northern division of the county of Northum berland, when he was defeated by a small majority by the Conservative coalition. Upwards of a month ago 1,000 dinner tickets were issued at three shillings each, in order to give the working classes an opportunity of being present ; but these were all disposed of in less than a week, and ever since, though a considerable number of after-dinner tickets were issued at the same price, large premiums have been offered for them. The dinner was held in a spacious pavilion erected in the market place. Nearly 1,500 persons sat down to dinner at one o'clock. Two galleries, running the whole length of the pavilion, were appropriated for ladies, and were well filled. The chair was filled by Sir W. Trevelyan, Bart., who was supported by Sir George Grey, M.P., the Earl of Carlisle, W. B. Beaumont, Esq., M.P., Earl Grey, Lord Panmure, R. Ingham, Esq., M.P., J. B. Blackett, Esq : , M.P., &c. The usual loyal toasts having been duly honoured, Mr. MICHAEL YOUNG, of Bedlington, presented the testimonial to Sir George Grey. It was an elegant siver candelabrum, supported by the figures of working men —a miner, a blacksmith, a ploughman, and a sailor. It bore the following inscription Presented to the Right Hon. Sir George Grey, Bart., M.P., from mor e than 13,000 workina men of Northumber land, in testimony of their gratitude for his support of the wise, just, and beneficial measure of free trade, their re spect for his private worth, and for the eminent integrity and ability which have distinguished his public career. Alnwick, 28th March, 1853." Mr. YOUNG in the course of his address said--They were met to do honour to a distinguished statesman— one who is admired by his friends and respected by his opponents —one who adorns and ennobles the order to which he belongs —a friend of civil and religious liberty —and an able advocate of a policy which has conferred great and innumerable blessings on the people of this country. Sir G. GREY was received with loud applause when he presented himself to reply. I stand here (he said) to re ceive a testimonial that, in your judgment, and in the judg ment of 13,000 of the working classes, those measures which in my place in Parliament I felt it my duty, while one of the representatives of this division, to promote and advocate by my vote and influence—and especially those measures which relate to the financial and commer cial policy of the country —were measures dictated by sound policy, and measures conducive to the permanent welfare and interest of the great body of the people of this country. (Applause.) I accept that testimonial, valuable in itself, representing as it does the varied industry of this great country. To me, however, it pos sesses something infinitely beyond its intrinsic value, as it will be a permanent record to me—and I hope also to my children's children—that I have been fortunate enough to obtain what I must consider the highest prize in political life—the warm, generous, and sincere regard, and the good wishes and attachment, of that large and important industrial class of my fellow countrymen who possess as yet no direct voice themselves in the choice of members of Parliament (loud cheers)— but whose interests, whose daily comforts, whose happiness and permanent welfare are intimately concerned in the good government of the country and the acts of the Legis lature, and in whose moral and social well-being the prosperity of this country is so intimately bound up. In another part of his speech, he said : " There can, I think, be no doubt now entertained—though a slight attempt was made at the time to disguise it—that the real question at issue, the question submitted for the decision of the constituencies at the last election was, whether the . ;ree-trade policy should or should not be maintained -whether the commercial system which has been recently adopted by successive Parliaments should be upheld as conducive to the best and permanent inte rests of the country, or whether—as some strenuously contended—it should be reversed as prejudicial to those interests. (Hear.) I felt the difficulties and disadvan tages which I, as a candidate, would have to encounter, avowing myself as an advocate for the maintenance and extension of that system of free trade, and addressing myself to a constituency in a great part of agriculturists. Under these circumstances, asking, as I did, for a re newal of the trust which in 1847 was reposed in me, I felt it my duty to make a clear, unequivocal, and expli cit avowal of the opinions I entertained—(cheers)—and having made that avowal, I was willing to abide what ever might be the issue of the contest. (Applause.) Of the result of that contest I have not the slightest reason to complain. The result was the defeat, by a small majority, of the free-trade candidate, followed, as soon as Parliament met, by the complete, unambiguous, and unequivocal triumph of the free-trade policy. (Loud cheers.) An attempt, it is true, was made by the leaders of that party once called Protectionists, to avoid an express recantation of the opinions they had long and strenuously urged on Parliament and the country, but ultimately a resolution was passed by such a majority of the new House of Commons as to amount almost to unanimity— a resolution by which stands recorded on their journals their verdict that the present commercial system of free trade ought to be maintained, and on the especial ground that it was conducive—eminently conducive—to the wel fare and comforts of the industrious classes. (Applause.) The verdict of the House of Commons is ratified by the free and spontaneous expression of opinion on the part of the working classes of this country. (Cheers.) Their conviction is founded- on their own personal experience - founded on that comparison which they themselves are best able to institute, and which they cannot help instituting between their present and former condition." The right honourable baronet concluded by declaring his resolution to promote, with all his ability, the poli tical, social, and physical welfare of the whole body of the people. The VICE-CHANCELLOR then proposed the " Health of the Lord-Lieutenant of the County, Earl Grey." (Cheers.) . _ _ _ Earl GREY said he had with the greatest pleasure joined in paying this compliment to one with whom he had been so long connected in the closest manner, both by unrivalled friendship and by complete agreement on public questions. The testimonial which had been pre sented to Sir George Grey was honourable to them as it was honourable to him. The noble earl then proposed the " Health of the Chairman." The CHAIRMAN acknowledged the toast. " The Earl of Carlisle and the House of Lords " was next given, and replied to by the Earl of Carlisle. The " Health of Lord Panmure and the other illus trious guests," as well as a variety of other toasts fol lowed, and the proceedings terminated. NEW COPPER AND DECIMAL COINAGE. The notification that the Government have resolved upon the issue of 500 tons of a new copper coinage has caused misgivings among the advocates of a decimal currency, lest by adding this large amount to the exist ing circulation the desired reform may be indefinitely retarded. In the most simple and approved plans for the introduction of a decimal system, the penny, half penny, and farthing are the only coins that would have to undergo alteration, and the prospect of a change being proposed just after they had received an addition to the extent now said to be contemplated would seem hopeless. It is desirable, therefore, that attention should be aroused to the case at once, and that if the new issue be perse vered in, its consequences should be fully recognized. There is nothing that would create greater vexation on the part of every intelligent member of the trading com munity than to find that at the very period when expectations had been held out that the Govern ment would have the vigour to accomplish this task, which is demanded nearly on all sides and opposed on none, a step is to be adopted that will not only interpose a difficulty, but operate as a vir tual announcement that there is no intention of consi dering the subject. Fifteen years have already passed since the Commission on the Standard of Weight and Measure, consisting of the Astronomer-Royal and eight other members of scientific bodies, urged the advantage and facility of establishing the decimal plan. •" In Our opinion," they said, "no single change which it is in the power of a Government to effect in our monetary system would be felt by all classes as equally beneficial with this ;" and they pointed out that all that was re quisite was "to create a new coin equivalent to two shillings, to be called by a distinctive name, and to con sider the farthing as the thousandth part of a pound, in stead of the nine-hundred-and•sixtieth part as at p resent. " The florin has supplied th e fi rst of these wants, and th e only point that now remai ns i s to alter the copper coins. This might be done with a degre e of ease whi c h, w h en the vast national and general interests involved in the measure are considered, seems to render indiff erence actually culpabl e ; and the current coinage of the coun try would then stand as follows, taking th e sovere i gn as divisGibolledin.t.o. thousandsaovereign p .. a . rts! 1.000 money of account Half ditto .500 Silver ... Five Shillings .. • .250 Two and sixpence .125 .100.5 .15 Shillingmoney of acoo un t R S zp f e ditto c t • Copper ......2501 Dim e 0 money of account NEW BILL ON MERCHANT SHIPPING.--A bill, brought forward by the Government, has just been printed, to amend various laws relating to merchant shipping. There are 63 clauses in the measure and a schedule. The bill, which stands for the second reading on Monday in the House of Commons, it is proposed shall come in 'zo operation on the Ist of August next, and is to be cited as " The Merchant Shipping Law Amendment Act, 1853." The bill has reference to l'ght and other dues on shipping, and placing the accounts unds:: the. Board of Trade. After a number of provisions with respect to manning, volunteering, and deseztion, there is a clause refpecting Lascars for Australia. It is declared to be expe dient to give facilities for obtlinirg seamen in the Aus tralian colonies for which p ur p ose it i s propose d t o enact that contr ac t s may be made w ith na ti ves i n I n dia under certain conditi ons , bi n di ng them to go to Australia and thence to serer i n o th er s hi ps i n the Un i te d Kingd_42m e; to l 6x Certain con k , a A sioners mentioned are to form the _- cantile Maiine F un d. Th e Q ueen i n counc il is the tolls to be taken for new lighthouses. To the present —as in rece n t' G overnment bi lls—there i s an an alysis of the contents. We understand that his Majesty the Emperor of Aus tria has granted the golden medal, for literary and artis tic merits, to Mr. Leone Levi, for his Work on " The Commercial Law of the World." RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS. LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST RAILWAY.— Traffics return for the week ending March 26, 1853 £ 9 ,791 2 10 Corresponding week last year 8,013 7 9 Total of the half-year to this date, 1853. Total of the half-year to this date, 1852 101,000 9 8 LONDON AND SOUTH-EASTERN ItAlLWAY.—Traffic re turn for the week ending March 26, 1853 _212,269 15 11 Corresponding week last year 10,441 19 2 Increase in 1853 . £1,827 16 9 OPPOSITION TO THE THAMES RAILWAY BILL. —The parish of St. Clement Danes, Strand, in vestry assem bled, have resolved to oppose the proposed Thames Em bankment Railway Bill, on the grounds that it will di vert the traffic of the public through the parish, and, consequently, seriously affect the trade thereof, and de teriorate the value of property therein. A committee has been appointed to watch the progress of the bill and to take the necessary steps to protect the interests of the ratepayers. POST-OPFICS ALTERATION.—We understand that after the Ist April the London day mail, which now reaches Edinburgh, rid York and Newcastle, at 5 a m., will reach Edinburgh at 10.30 p.m. This change will not make any alteration in the time of the delivery of the letters in Edinburgh ; but an acceleration of the night mail, vid York and Newcastle, which is also in contem plation, will enable' the Post-office here to deliver the letters by that mail at two o'clock p.m., instead of at six in the evening- - Nortle British Daily Mail. COURTS This was a judgment summons calling upon defendant to show cause why he did not pay the sum of 101. 7s. 6d., or in default committed for 40 days. • Mr. Buchanan, solicitor, of Basinghall-street, ap peared in person, and submitted that this was a case strictly within the meaning of the 89th section of the act, which gives power to the Court to commit tor 40 days in' cases where the defendant was contumacious, or had vexatiously put the plaintiff to unnecessary costs. In this case they had been run up to nearly three times the amount of the original debt. In 1847, he, (plaintiff) was engaged to conduct the proceedings to enable the defendant to pass the Insolvent Debtors' Court, and the bill amounted to between 41. and 51. Proceedings were, after a long del a y, t a k en i n th e Shore ditch and other ounty Courts ; but all the proceedings were evaded by defendant.till plaintiff sued him in this court. Defendant then gave a promissory note to pay the debt at 10s, a month ; but, failing in doing so, plaintiff took out a judgment summons, which at th e earnest solicitation of the defe n d an t he abandoned, on his faithful promise to pay 2s. 6d. per week. In this also defendant failed. Another judgment was then taken out, defendant having only paid 75. 6d. during the whole of the time. The debt and court fees out of pocket amounted to 101. 7s. 6d., and a further sum had been expended to recover this amount, through the vex atious course adopted by the defendant. Defendant had been imprisoned for seven days, but that had not made the slightest impression. Defendant was in the receipt of 255. a week, and in the same situation he was when he took the benefit of the act. Mr. Buchanan said he had no desire to press harshly, and he believed that creditors as a body were more willing to act kindly where the debtor was honest but could not pay ; yet when there was a gross deception,t it became their duy to press for the greatest punishment the law allowed. His Honour said the plaintiff mad acted very leniently. He should commit the defendant on the present occasion for 20 days, which might make some improvement. Defendant was at once taken into custody. THE AUSTRALIAN GOLD DISCOVERIES. Some further papers just presented to Parliament on the Australian gold discoveries bring the correspondencD which has taken place between the authorities of the respective colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia and the Home Government down to the latest period. With regard to New South Wales, the most interesting point to be noticed in these docu ments is the general concurrence of opinion as to the ex traordinary extent of the deposits in that colony, and the complete way in which it will cause all mere ru mours that may hereafter be circulated of a failing supply to be disregarded. The 'reports are from Mr. Hargraves, Mr. Hardy, the Rev. W. B. Clarke, and others. Mr. Hargraves, after an experience of seven months in the western portion of the colony, concludes his description by saying, that " no part of California which he has seen has produced gold so generally, and to such an extent, as Summer Hill Creek, the Turon River, and its tributaries." The Rev. Mr. Clarke states, that "his geological re searches enable him to assert that gold is distributed, although in variable quantities, over a region in the colony of New South Wales alone embracing an area of 16,000 square miles." Under date of June 3, 1852, he further states—" For nearly nine months I have been travelling from day to day over fresh evidences of the general distribution of gold." In a detailed review of the existing condition of the eight principal fields in the western and southern part of New South Wales, Mr. Hardy, the Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands, de scribes them all as offerin g am pl e remunera ti on for r la bour, and as being at present comparatively unwotked, owing to the superior attractions of the neighbouring colony at Victoria. At Ophir, he says, although there were at one time 800 persons there making U. per day, the gold has scarcely been touched. The bed of the river has never been attempted. At the Turon also, " there is no doubt th a t a mos t r i c h and 2 abundant gold field remains comparatively un disturbed." At the Meroo, where the Great Nugget Vein Company were about to commence operations, " repeated observations had convinced him that there is no creek for a great many miles about that part of the country that does not produce gold in abundance." "In fact, this district, the great basin of the Macquarie, has been only sufficiently worked to show that its produc tion is very great, and that it may almost be called un limited in extent." At Tamboroura, where there are about 800 diggers, there is "room for thousands." On the Abercrombie, at Tuena-creek, the production of gold is as great as anywhere else, but there are only a hundred persons at work, and "nowhere is the want of a population in developing a gold field more ob served." There are hundreds of spots the appear anee of which " would justify the expectation of finding a great yield of gold, but which are untouched." In the southern district, at Major's Creek, on the Araluen, " thousands of persons will at some future day find em ployment." In all cases of perseverance very large gains were invariably obtained, but from here, as else where, a large number of the diggers had emigrated to Victoria, and the place remained undeveloped from want of labourers. On the Mungarlow River, again, another instance is presented of the necessity of a large number of diggers to develope the resources ascertained to exist. " There is no reason to doubt but that that river and its tributaries, through an extent of 50 miles, will be found ultimately to produce as much gold as any other place. Rich fields for the employment of thousands lie in the neighbourhood, but little will be known of their real value until a much larger proportion is collected. Quartz veins, apparently of much promise, have likewise been found." With regard to tile northern field, comprising the Peel River &c., thereare several communications from Mr. Durbin, the com missioner in that district, but the population has yet been too limited to admit of any defined results. It had been indubitably established, however, that gold existed over a very large space,' and that at Bingara, on the Gwydir, a field is reported to have been discovered which seemed richer than any yet known in the colony. " One or two experienced diggers had said that they had never seen anything approaching to it. A man named James Watson sold 22 ounces of gold, all obtained with a tin dish and a spear blade between Saturday and Thursday ; and another scraped out a pound avoirdu pois in two days with no other tools than an iron spoon and a knife." This information is dated the 19th of July last, and looking at the remote and solitary part of the country whence it comes, some time will probably elapse before more ample particulars are received. With regard to the prospects, of the Australian Agricultural Company, there are no new details, and the only pas sages about them in the commissioner's reports, dated respectively May 14 and July 7, are as follows : " I anticipate that rich diggings will eventually be opened over the Australian Agricultural Company's grant. The geological structure of this grant appears to be schis tose slate, intersected by veins of quartz ; the slate pro trudes in all the creeks, and very generally over the whole extent of country from the dividing range to Tamworth. " The bank diggings on the River Peel, wherever tho water permits of their being worked, are highly remune rative. " The quartz ridge on the Australian Agricultural Com pany's land is, I conceive, of great richness; and I have every reason to believe that other quartz veins of equal richness will be found extending, not only over the Aus tralian Agricultural Company's grant, but also over the Crown lands on the right bank of the River Peel." THE CONVICT SPARKES.—A most unusual mode has been adopted with respect to this convicted murderer. Notice has been given in five of the churches at Exeter that Divine service will be performed every day until the execution, and that the churches will be opened half an hour before and half an hour after the service, that persons may at the altar offer up their prayers for the salvation of the unhappy convict; and a manual of prayers has been printed and circulated for that purpose. Notice has also been given that service will be performed at the hour of the execution. These matters have caused a very great sensation throughout the city of Exeter. THE GREAT BRlTAlN.—According to the intelligence from the Cape by the screw-steamer Calcutta, it appears that the Great Britain started from that port four days before her, and is consequently to be expected every hour. It was understood that upon leaving Melbourne the Great Britain would have 700,000/. on board, and that this would probably be increased by subsequent shipments from Adelaide. ANOTHER CHURCH DESTROYED BY FIRE.—On Saturday last the parish church of St. Hilary, Cornwall, situated about six miles east of Penzance, was totally destroyed by fire, its interior contents being entirely consumed, and nothing now remaining but the bare walls and the tower—a melano2oly wreck of a time-honoured and venerable structure. The church was an unpretending stone structure, with early English details, and posses sing but little attractions for the eye of the architect. There were no stained windows, and it was altogether a plain building. The exact date of its erection has not been ascertained ; but it would seem by the tombstones that burials were made in the churchyard in the year 1662. The origin of the fire is as yet matter of conjec ture ; but the generally received belief is that the stove for warming the church was the cause. It was situated at the east end, near the communion table ; and a pipe for conveying the smoke ran up perpendicularly through the open roof, and a few feet above. There was no flue of any kind—this one stove having sufficed to warm the church. Friday last being Good Friday, there was ser vice morning and afternoon, and therefore the stove was lighted on that day. Hence it is presumed the fire ori ginated. Ther© is every reason to hope that the church will be rebuilt in a style in many respects much su perior to that of the edifice which is now lying in ruins. FALL OF A CHURCH STEEPLE.—The steeple of East Keal Church—which has, for a long time past, been in a very dilapidated state, from old age and decay—has fallen, with a tremendous crash , on the north side, forcing the earth up into an embankment to the height o f three or four feet ; and, by the top alighting in a sinrgeithlaepromrtaionnnoerf in its descent, almost perpendicularly, a g it is embedded some feet in the ground the church, which is also fast decaying, has body of been con siderably shaken by the fall, and has had to be shored up, and the whole of the edifice, it is expected, to be pulled down, and divine serv i ce be entirely will have sus pended. The fine peal of b e ll s contained in the steeple, it was feared was entirely demolished, but four of the six have been extricated in a perfect state, except the loss of the fastenings on the tops of some of them. Some workmen, who were employed i n repa i ring the steeple, by inserti ng additional es to the structure, had only left the building three hours previously to the oe currence, ancgl.viezZelinaBzr:easurmoendilheir work on the day followin SPORTING , INTELLIGENCE. SPORTING NOTES.—No. COCCI. -- NORTHAMPTON MEETING. The first " legitimate" reunion of the season bids fair, by everything being in its favour, to be a decidedly bril liant passage in turf life. The weather is remarkably fine and open, the course in excellent condition, and the at tendance of both quadrupeds and bipeds likely to be greater than on any former meeting at this ancient city. Several improvements have been made by the stand com mittee since last season, the principal one being a weighing-room upon a larger scale than its predecessor, fitted with a large desk for the judge and reporters, seats carried entirely round the room for the jockeys, math all bther necessary appliances for the transaction of busi ness. A new approach has also been made, by which the jockeys can get to the course without having to force their way through the crowd. The old weighing-room has been converted into an office for the use of the offi cials of the meeting. For this we are principally indebted to the indefatigable exertions of the clerk of the course, Mr. Marshall. The Newmarket judge and starter offi ciate, and the stewards are Lords Clifden and Hopetoun and the Hon. R. Watson. Larger fields, in all probability, will start for to days races than I calculated on yesterday, in every instance but one. The races commenced at half-past one each day. her Majesty's Plate will doubtless fall to the lot pf the party who are at present at par with Weathergage. The first race on the list to-morrow is the Delapre Stakes of 5 sovs. each, but having the names of Long bow and Kingston enrolled in the entry, is entirely spoilt —one or other of course winning, if they think such - a small dish as this stake will make, is worth acceptance. The Northamptonshire Cup Stakes of 10 sovs. each over the usual course (about two miles and a furlong in length), will, I presume, be contested by about a third of the nominations, the race being confined entirely, however, to Sharavogue, Perfidious, and Game Tommy; the first and last supplying the first and second places, the other being a good third. Selina, I fancy, is much too stale and antique to have a chance. Earl Spencer's Plate of 100 sovs., added to a handi cap sweepbtakes of 15 sovi. each, &c., five furlongs, willi I understand, be contested by Ephesus, Hungerford, Heroine, Leybourne, Hothorpe, Young Norval, Katty Darling, Bridget, Whalebone, Tobolski, lonic, Aunt Phyllis, Ernestine, and Warbler. Tobolski and Hunger" ford may be abstracted from this list, and Kate, and per haps another, added ; but this is very doubtful. Ephesus, notwithstanding his immense stride and style of rattling over these scurry races, must, I think, be effectually re tarded by the weight-9st 71b. Hungerford at 21b less, is worse off than the preceding. Heroine and Ley bourne have respectable chances, especially the former ; but I am inclined to fancy that Motherpe is better than either. Young Norval is speedy, but has several pounds too much to carry. The same remark will, I think, ap ply to Katty Darling and Whalebone. Bridget will run well. Tobolski will be outpaced. lonic has a good chance. Aunt Phyllis I know nothing about. Ernes tine and Warbler, if they get off well in front, I doubt very much whether they will be caught ; and should Hothorpe miss the mark, to Ernestine and Warbler I shall look for the winner. The Althorp Park Stakes of 10 sovs. each, with 5, , added (not quite half a mile), will have the John o Gaunt colt, Napier colt, Epaminondas, Rally, Domino, Cranbourne, Nightshade, Hero colt, Lady Strut filly, Adeline, Naomi, Wi re, and perhaps John o' Bruges, and brother to M a id o f M as h am. I have not marked Spin away or Brigliadoro as starters, having been informed that the running of the former is very doubtful, and that the latter is going for the Whittlebury to-day instead. I have a very high opinion of Spinaway, and am quite certain that he is the best horse entered for either the Althorp Park or Whittlebury Stakes. Brigliadoro also know to be a tolerably good animal. In their ab sence I see nothing to beat the crack EPAMINONDA S, although Domino is strongly fancied by his stable and the public. The Innkeepers' Plate ought to fall to the lot of Ethel wolf or Ibis. ___..,. The Selling Plate of 40 sovs., added to a sweepstakes of 3 sovs. each (one mile), to name this evening, brings the meeting to a conclusion. THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF. LATEST BETTING ON TUESDAY NIGHT. THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES. 4to 1 agst Defiance. Bto 1 agst Dabchick (taken). 11 to 1 agst Nerva. 12 to 1 apt Happy Joe. OLDHAM STEEPLECHASE.-TIIESDAY. The Tally-ho Stake of 20 sovs., was won by Mr. Co burn's Flying Buck, aged, beating Mr. Fishwick's Uncle Tom. The Borough Steeplechase Handicap of 3 sovs. each, and 40 added. 17 Subs. Wild Hero Heroine .... ST. ALBAN'S STEEPLECHASE.—TUESDAY. A Handicap of 15 sous. each, 5 ft. ; four miles. Gulnare Sam Hood Rachel Won in a canter. A SweOpstakes of 3 sovs. each, with 33 added ; 3 miles. Trojan 1 Harriott Mr. Prune's Kelwick, I.ost 71b, came in first, but was disqualified, having gone on the wrong side of a flag. The Farmer's Cup was walked over for by Mr. Hay ward's Annie Laurie, after and amidst a scene 'of wrangling and confusion rarely, if ever, witnessed on a race-course. RACING FIXTURES FOR 1853. ----- The figures within parenthesis denote-the number of days' racing. MARCH. Leamington (1) 29 I Northampton (2). 30 Catterick Bridge (2) 29 ; Abergavenny (1) 31 Croxton Park (2) APRIL. 5 7 Epsom Sprin g (1) Newmark e t C raven (5)...11 Newmarket F. S. (5).-25 York Spring 2 (2) 1 21 MAY. 15 Chester (4) .. ... ~~• Redditch (2) 17 Newmarket .... .. (3)...10 Bath (2) 18 Liverpool Hunt (2) ...... 11 Manchester (3) Shrewsbury (2) ............ 11 ( Epsom (4) 2 Edinburgh (2) ............. 12 Newton (3) JII: ........... 2 Ascot (4) .. . Hampton (2) 15 Beverley, Hull, &c. (2) 15 Bibury (1) 22 Stockbridge (1) 23 Winchester (1) .......... . 24 Newcastle (3) 23 JU. Newmarket (3) 5 Worcester (2) 5 Carlisle (3) ...... 5 Liverpool (3) l3 Brighton (2) . , AUG 3 Brighton Club ( . 1) 5 Wolverhampton (3) 8 North Staffordshire (2) 9 Yarmouth (2) 9 Reading (2) ............... 10 Warwick (2) .......... Pontefract (2) 8 Doncaster (4) Bedford (2) 20 Leicester (2) 21 "LY, Stamford (2) ......... ..1 1 Nottingh am (2) ......... ... 2 Goodwood (4) ........... . .. 26 O Chester A u t umn (2) OCT 4 Newmarket S. 0. (5) 10 .-17 -.24 UST. York (3) Radcliffe (3) Egharn (2).. Derby (2).... Eccles (3).... Lichfield (2). MBER. I Lanark (2) ......... . ........ 2 2 Manchester Autumn (2)..22 Newmarket F. 0. (3).••• 27 I Northallerton (2) ......... 29 NOVE: Worcester (2) 1 Epsom Autumn (2) 3 Cowbridge Hunt (2) 9 Liverpool Autumn (2) 9 , BER. EPSOM (METROPOLIL WEIGHTs for the METRO] Acceptances to be declar .29 :.30 Richmond (2) ........... Newmarket H. (6).... st lb Sir Peter Laurie ll 7 Peter ll 7 Miss Mowbray ll 3 British Yeoman ll 1 The General lO 7 Simple Peter lO 3 Maria Day lO 3 Forest Lad Quickstep. lO 1 Shinrone lO 1 The Hero 9 13 Ringleader .... . WElGHlccSfeopr Acceptances eFs to b REBIe vIBER. Warivick Autumn (2).• 1 6 Shrewsbury (2) ............ 23 Aberystwith (3)..Last week AN) STEEPLECHASES . IPOLITAN STEEPLECHASE. .ed on or before April 5. - -- st lb The Unknown 9 13 Charlton 9 13 Fazeley 9 11 The Brewer. 9 1 1 Talisman 9 11 IGeraldus Viscount 9 9 Grey Momus 9 9 The Senator., 9 9 Janus.... 9 7 Sam Hood 9 5 Honest Tom 9 1 ANDICAP HIIRDLERACE. declared April i: [ADVERTISEMENT]. — The RACING TurEs is the only journal exclusively devoted i to the Turf, and from th e authentic sources of information w hi c h it possesses, s allowed to be the Turf organ of the country. It has a larger circulation than any class newspaper in the world. Next week Priam will go fully into the Great Metropo litan Meeting, and a thorough metropolitan paper will be published. Order of any newsman. The price of the R A CING TIMES is 3d., unstamped ; stampe d , 4d. Office, 291, Strand. Published every M on d a y a fternoon. [ADVERTISEMENT.],--Bell a Life in London of Sun da y next, April 3, will c onta i n f u ll an d exc l us ive reports o f the Northampt on an d C atter i c k B r id ge R a ces ; Bir mingham, St. Alban's ' Driffield ' and Oldham Steeple ton and Anticipat ions Chases ; Re mar k s on Nortbam p of Epsom, b y " P egasus ;" :?:'ro•Yramn ' le of Epsom, Crox ton Park, & c. , & c. ; C ours in g , H un ting, Angling; Aquatics, P e d es t r i an i sm, Pi geon Sh oo ti ng , Chess. Fu ll particulars of the mills between Bill Hayes and Jac k Grant f or 300 sovere i gns , an d :Ned Do inelly and Jone s of P or t smout h f or 100 sovere i gns ; an d other sporting and misc e ll aneous news . 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