The Sun. — London, England, 1853-01-24 00:00:00

aps be able to selact from it the names of those among them who, in my opinion, have been influenced by the press privilege. I have already caught one alive and nailed him against my wall, and 1. have set my trap for another, whom I hope shortly to pin by the side of Mm. --I am, sir, your obedient servant, C. J. IVIATHEws." The demand upon us for the names of the indi viduals—whose names Mr. Mathews ought him self to have known before he libelled them—is simply shirking. Let him state the names of the newspapers, as we have already urged upon him, and we daresay the names of the persons will not long remain a secret. THE PRESS AND THE THEATRES. (From the Sunday Times.) We have hitherto forborne to make any comment upon the subject of press admissions to the theatres or to the circulars addressed by Mr. Charles Mathews and Mr. Albert Smith to several editors of the London newspapers, withdrawing the cus tomary privilege at their respective places of enter tainment, because, in the first place, it was a matter of perfect indifference to us whether such privilege were abolished or not ; and, in the next, we con ceived it to be an affair entirely between the press and those two gentlemen, in which the public could have no interest. As, however, some of our con temporaries have given to the question an impor tance it does not deserve, and have taken views of it with which we do not entirely concur, we will as briefly as possible state our opinions in relation. thereto. • Strange as it may seem, when Mr. Al bert Smith, from the summit of his Mont Blanc, launched at his quondam friends his famous Press- Pri vilege-Abolition Circular we were not in the slightest degree disturbed—" we slept the next night well, were free and merry," and enjoyed our breakfast the following morning with our usual appetite ; nor were we a whit more discomposed when, shortly after Mr. Charles Mathews, with a capful of prosperity in his sail, politely requested us to abstain from exercising our privilege of writing orders for the Lyceum Theatre. Indeed, such is our insensibility upon the point, that were every theatrical manager and exhibitor in London to follow the example set by these gentlemen, it would. not cause us a moment's uneasiness or embarrassment. As we do not, however, con sider either Mr. Mathews or Mr. Smith the mouth-piece of their respective classes of caterers for the public amusement some of whom have formally requested us to continue the privilege of sending our admissions as usual into their houses, it would be most ungracious in us to fling back a courtesy that has, on the one side, been spontaneously offered, and accepted without the compromise of any principle of independence on the other. The editors of established journals do not solicit the " privilege" of which Mr. Mathews complaiis ; it has been in all cases the voluntary act of managers, whose interest it is that every no velty and striking feature in the performances at their theatres should receive all possible publicity through the press. These are clearly the grounds upon which the " press privilege," as it is called stands ; and each manager or exhibitor is the best judge whether it be for his interest to withhold or continue it. It is, as we have said, a matter of perfect indifference to us which way they may de cide ; we have never sought for the " privilege," nor will we retain it a moment longer than a free and unrestricted use of it is accorded to us ; but we will not, because Mr. Smith or Mr. Mathews chooses to act illiberally and ungraciously towards the press, fling our " privilege" in the face of all the other managers in the metropolis. If the proprietor of. a theatre, lecture or concert room, formally in vites or gives permission to a number of newspaper editors to write admissions, he does' so with the full knowledge of the number he can accommodate, and the subsequent withdrawal of the privilege because his house or room fills, proves that it would never have been granted had they been of any value to the generous donor. Mr. Albert Smith, who, by the way, is more than any other man we know in debted to the public press for its earnest and ge nerous support, when he commenced his public en tertainment, takes credit to himself for having " thrown the first stone" at what he calls a " great evil, which he hopes will soon be knocked to pieces ." but he forgets that he did not disdain to avail himself of this " great evil" at the outset of his career, and that, with commendable prudence, he refrained from kicking down the ladder by which he had risen until he had no longer use for it. If he has fallen into the error of admitting " a nick of common orders" to his entertainment, he has but himself to blame, and. should rather have restrained and corrected the abuse than have involved respect able journals in the implied censure which his abo lition of press admissions implies. With re g ard to th e astounding statistics of Mr. Charles Mathews, they would b quite conclusive for his argument if he had n o t, as Sh er id an re marked of some person, drawn on his imagination for his facts. He tells the world that press orders representing 1501. in money are presented per week at the theatre, and that no fewer than one hundred thousand individuals with press orders had been admitted to the Lyceum during his five seasons of tenancy, whose money, "had they paid for ad mission," would. have amounted to the monstrous sum of 25,0001. Now, the whole value of this formidable array of figures rests upon the hypo thesis "if they had paid." There is a 'great virtue in a " but" or an " if," as Mr. Mathews knows ; and when he reckons up his nightly press paper as so much cash out of pocket, he should also supply us with some data for this assertion. Our experience of a greater number of years than we care to name enables us to say that, with the exception of the Christmas holiday time, the press admissions, so far from keeping money out of the theatres, are frequently the means ofadclingto the theatrical exchequer, for no thingis more common than one, two, or more persons paying to make up a party where a press order has been given away. The persons to whom they are given are not, as Mr. Mathews asserts, such as would otherwise pay to the theatres :—men con nected in one way or another with literary or artistic pursuits, who have not too much money to expend at theatres, are the principal recipients of these admissions. When we consider, too, that the boxes in almost every theatre are for a great por tion of the year so thinly attended that managers are compelled, in addition to the press orders, to circulate a large amount of " house paper" to give their otherwise vacant benches a respectable ap pearance--when this fact is taken into consider ation, and, further, that there are no press admis sions for the pit and galleries--the really paying parts of the house ---„it seems to us that the dreadful loss Mr. Mathews represents himself to have sustained exists mainly in his own lively imagina tion. The subject might be discussed more largely if it were necessary ; we might ask why publish ers send books for review to newspapers when the editors might if they pleased purchase every work they intended to notice • or why any pec u li ar privi lege should be granted io the representatives of the press by those persons who are anxious to gain publicity for whatever they may have for public exhibition. Do they complain of " a shower of newspaper admissions ?" No ; they are too deeply sensible of the assistance which the press can ren der them, not to endeavour to secure it ; and we are satisfied if all the journals were to throw up their privilege, that the managers would be the first to solicit their re-acceptance of it. Since the foregoing was written we have received from Mr. Webster, the lessee of the Haymarket and Adelphi Theatres, the following communication, which, however, requires no comment beyond what we h a mathe Z made upon the c i rcu l ars o f Messrs. C. and Albert Smith. We cannot afford the ed for the insertion of the tabular state 'nem% to which Mr. Webster's letter refers : "theatres Royal Haymarket and Adelphi, Jan. 20th, 1853. " Sir,—The exur s e e s y s e i r on l of opinion and the voluntary renunciation, by` journals, of the privilege of writing theatrical admisasi t tduces me to abolish the system, and at the same = W e a repeat an offer made by me five years since which sfavourably received, but could not be adopted in consequence of want of unani mity. " The proposition is, that the names of the proprietor or manager, dramat ic cr i t i cs, and such other officers of the jo urna l as may be designated 17ePteible the pro prietors, shall b e i nscr ib e d on the free list foyrpeornsotn:l admissions on all occasi ons , except benefits • and first production of new pi eces , a p l ace shall' be r eserved for the representative of the journal, who, if he cannot use it on that evening, shall have it exchanged for a more convenient opportunity. " You are not, perhaps, aware of the extent to which the system of distributing press orders has been carried, nor that it has been a constant complaint among the theatrical reporters for journals that the orders are given away in channels which preclude their employ ment for the legitimate use of the critics, and who have been thus obliged to have special admissions granted them, or to have their names inserted on the free list. The enclosed tabular statement, extracted from the ;lightly books, exhibits the number of persons admitted by Press orders only, during the years 1850, 1851, and 18 52, at these two theatres, with the equivalent amount l a v ul e r r and it is fair to presume, that as these orders atta c h ed t h.eoietve, scarcely ever been used by gentlemen su m the ol he journals, a considerable portion of the into the treasue7. would otherwise have found its way "In full confidence a this, proposition meeting transmit to the re Y I trust, very reasonable our views, I will request you to d ?.sorer of each of my theatres the list of names you esire to be i (haattended to. and it shall be immediatel tiscribed on the free list, "I need scarcely add a will afford me pleasure to offer to you, for yourF sonal attentions that may be e ' l n i i y m an y • n d o fr i en ds, any per your obedient servant, -er.--I am, sir, 1;13. WEBSTER." THEATRE ROYAL. HAY MARKET. Farewell Seassu of Mr. Benjamin Webster as Lessee and Manager. THIS EVENING, Jars. 24, Will be performed the popular and highly successful Conudy of MASKS AID FACES; or, Before and Behind the Curtain—by Messrs. Benjamin Webster, Leigh Murray, and Stuart ; Mrs. Stir ling. Mrs. Leigh Murray, Miss F. Maskell, and Miss Ross Bennett. After which, the gorgeous Extravaganza, entitled LEO THE TERRIBLE. To conclude with the Farce of BOX and COX MARRIED and SETTLED. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestris. THIS EVENING, JAN. 24, Will be performed the Comic Drama called A PHENOMENON IN A SMOCK-FROCK. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Horncastle ; Miss F. Baker and Miss C. Mitchell. After which, the new and popular original Fairy Extravaganza, entitled THE GOOD WOMAN IN THE WOOD, in which Me s srs. F. Matthews, Suter, Horncastle, and Templeton; Madame Vestris, Miss Julia St. George, Miss Robertson, Miss Martindale, Miss Ellis, Miss Wyndham, Miss Eglinton, and Miss Rosina Wright Ns ill appear. To conclude with LITTLE TODDLEKLNS. Sole Agent for the Private Boxes, Mr. W. Aileron, 15, New Bond -street. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, JAN. 24, Will be presented the powerful new Drama of SLAVE LIFE ; or, Uncle Tom's Cabin—by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, Cullenford, 0. Smith, and Einery ; Madame Celeste, Miss Woolgar, Miss Laura Honey, and Mrs. Keeley. After whin, the gloriously successful Comic Pantomime, called NELL GWYNNE ; or, Harle,min Merrie Monarch. Principal Danseuse, Mdlle. Auriol ; Clown, Mr. Flexmore. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. C. Kean. THIS EVENING, JAN. 24, • Will be performed the new and original Comedy, in three acts, by Doug'as Jerrold, entitled ST. CUPID; or, Dorothy's Foi tone (as played at Windsor Castle, by Royal Command). Principal charac ters by Messrs. W right, W. Lacy, Harley, J. Vining, Ryder, F. Cooke, Everett, and Chester; Mrs. W. Lacy and Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with the new and original Grand Comic Christ mas Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN CHERRY AND FAIR STAR ; or, The Green Bird, the Dancing Waters, and the Singing Tree. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pan taloon, Mr. Paulo ; Columbine, Miss Carlotta Leelercq. ROYAL OLYMPIC: THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farren. THIS EVENING, JAN. 24, - , Will be presented LILIAN GERVAIS. Supported by Messrs. Compton, W. Farren, jun., Hoskins, Cooke, Edgar, Bender, and Clifton; Miss Anderton and Miss H. Gordon. After which, ROMEO AND JULIET; or, Harlequin Queen Mab and the World of Dreams. Clown, Mr. Edwin Edwardes, with his highly-trained dogs. Box-ufflce open from Eleven till Five, under the superintendence of Mr. Edward Chatterton. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Proprietor and Manager, Mr. W. Batty. Crowded Nightly to witness the Extraordinary Holiday Attractions. THIS EVENING, Jaw. 24, And during the Week. the Performances will commence with UNCLE TOM'S CABIN ( 55th time). After which, Batty's peerless Scenes in the Arena. To conclude with the successful Pantomime of FORTUNIO AND HIS HORSE COMRADE ; or, Harlequin and the Seven Gifted Men. On THURSDAY, January 27th, another Grand JUVENILE NIGHT, when the Pantomime will be played Drat—followed by brilliant Scenes in the Cirole, rnd concluding with a Laughable FARCE. Doors open at Half-past Six o'clock. To commence at Seven. Box-ottice open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager. Mr. W. West. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tans DAY —Morning 22 min. after 1 I Evening 45 min.aft. 1 To-Moaaow—Morning 4 min. after 2 I Evening 33 min.aft. 2 DAILY WEAZHER TABLE. MONDAY, JAN. 24, 1853. State of the wind and weather at each of the following places a:, nine o'clock on Saturday morning. The stations are arranged in order of latitude. LIMERICK—N.W., gentle breeze—cloudless. MULLINGAR—W., strong breeze—partially cloudy. SOUTHAMPTON—W., strong breeze—rain. BASINGSTOKE—N.W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. GREENWICH--W., gentle breeze--partially cloudy. SWINDoN—N.W., gentle breeze—cloudy. CAMBRIDGE—N.W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. YARMOUTH— N.W., gentle breeze—cloudless. THE WEATHER.—STN OFFICE, Jew. 23. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 40—highest since noon on Saturday. 33—lowest yesterday morning, and during Sat. night. 38—yesterday at noon. BAROMETER, 30 05. WIND, N.—Fine, sunshiny weather. JANUARY 24. 39—highest since noon yesterday. 32—lowest this morning and during the night. 38—this day, at noon. BAROMETER,' 30'19. WIND, N.—Dull, cold weather. . 0 ng c§m. LONDON, MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 1853. Henceforth, his marriage will be ranked amongst the wisest and noblest acts illustrating the reign of the Third NAPOLEON. No choice could be more appropriate to the " situation"—as the phrase is—the " situation" both in regard to the age and in regard to the Empire, in reference to the nineteenth century, and in reference to the French population. Everything is suitable. As a great historical occurrence, the event indicates that his Imperial MAJESTY has rightly appreci ated all that is due to his own dignity, and to the dignity of the illustrious land of which he has recently become the elected Sovereign. Ab horring as we have long abhorred with the force of reflection ripened into conviction, the folly of that inexorable code which has hitherto influenced every royal alliance in Christendom-- we cannot but exult over an occasion which at once sets at defiance that o'd and now obsolete system, and which does this, moreover, under circumstances so splendid and extraordinary. The oration in which the EMPEROR, on Saturday . afternoon, an nounced his intended nuptials to the dignitaries of the State, assembled round the steps of his throne in the Palace of the Tuileries, infallibly constitutes for the course adopted by his MAJESTY its boldest and manliest vindication. In that speech NAPO LEON 111, acknowledges at once that the alliance he is about to contract is not in ac cordance with the traditions of ancient policy, but he adds immediately thereupon that in that very fact lies its advantage. Yes, it is true. Let the history of the century last gone by answer in characters of blood, in accents of pathos, woe, and desolation. Let France witness the attestation of the truth in those annals of her career which have surpassed the figments of romance, and eclipsed the wildest dreams of the most distraught and untrammelled imagination. Everywhere in those annals she will find the verification of that remark uttered but a few hours since in the palace of her kings by the repre sentative of a house more wonderful than that of PEPIN or of CHARLEMAGNE—that " for seventy years foreign princesses have not mounted the throne but to behold their race dispersed and pro scribed by war or by revolution." A glimpse into that great camera obscura which is recognised already as authoritative in the distinct and accu rate reproduction of comparatively recent occur rences—the camera obscura of modern literature —will sufficiently indicate the correctness of this assertion in there most solemn and most moving incidents. It will reveal to the recollection of the more meditative that guillotine erected towards the close of the last century, on the now gorgeous Place de la Concorde, where a Queen, born of a foreign dynasty, perished by the axe not long after the death of her royal husband under auspices equally ignominious. It will disclose the flight from Paris, some years afterwards, of anEmpress, chosen also in compliance with the laws of that evil policy, from a foreign, and, therefore, an alien stock. It will disclose her escaping from the trrito ries of her adopted country in one direction, while the armies of her house were invading those dominions at another, with the rest of the banded soldiers of the European continent. It will display, yet later on, in our own times, that mother of the claimant of a Crown, herself selected in obedience to the same ancient and disastrous traditions— flYing from the pikes of insurrection into the bosom of the national chamber of the Legislature, Seeking refuge from a people under the shelter of their representatives. Are not those incidents, snrely most solemn and most moving, as we have already remarked —are not those incidents suffi ciently corroborative of the truth proclaimed on Saturday by the Emperer NAPOLEON 111 that— " for seventy years foreign Princesse s h ave no t mounted the th rone but to behold th e i r race dispersed an d proscribed by war or by revolution." V ery l ogical ~ very bea u tif u l and v was the allusion then made by his MAJESTY, in con trast with occurrences like these, to that mo dest and good wife of General BONAPARTE, who, not the issue of Royal blood, alone of all the women who have sat upon that throne seem s t o have brought happiness with her, and to have limi more than any other in the memory of th e p ens) l e—i he amiable and beloved JOSEPHINE. Speaking, then, of the personage selected by him self to share with him the throne of NAPOLEON and ei I A Bum A Gli; his Imperial MAJESTY avowed THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 24, 1853. in terms. of befitting pride, that, in choosing her, he had remembered his own origin —he had pre served his own character—he had adopted frankly in the presence of Europe the position of parvenu— ' a glorious title," he exclaimed, "when one obtains it by the free suffrages of a great people "—a title conferred thrice by those free suffrages, by 6,000,000, by 7,000,000, and lastly by 8,000,000 of the adult male population. Nevertheless, continued NAPOLEON 111 ., " She who has been the object of my preference, is of distinguished birth." He reminded the army of the " blood shed by her father in the cause of the empire"— the educated classes that " endowed by all the qualities of the mind, she would be the ornament of the throne"—the middle ranks that being a Spaniard, she possesses " the advantage of not having in France a family to whom it might be necessary to give honours and fortune"—the patriots, that " in the day of danger she would be one of the State's courageous supporters." Having avowedly from the outset founded his Empire upon the broad and holy basis of religion, NAPOLEON 111. closed his panegyric upon his future wife in language thus impressive and elevated :—" A Ca tholic, she will address to Heaven the same prayers with me for the happiness of France : in fine, by her grace and her good ness she will, I have the firm hope, en deavour to revive, in the same position, the vir tues of the Empress JOSEPHlNE"—language surely wise and politic, not to say eloquent and persua sive. " Soon proceeding to Notre Dame," said his MAJESTY, " I shall present the EMPRESS to my people and to my army," when, let us hope, let England hope, let Europe hope, with NAPO LEON 111., that, " on this occasion also," he has been inspired by PROVIDENCE ! all sufferers would refuse to compromise in such cases, and exhibit a similar determination to that evinced by Mr. ARDEN, a heavy blow and great discouragement would be inflicted on the iniqui tous system, and persons would no longer find it worth their while to attempt to entrap the unwary by the promise of pecuniary aid to the embarrassed. ABERDEEN, ought to hold the scales. He quite believes, too , that justice ought to be blind to everything but the actual proportions of things at the present day ; and if Lord Anybody will bring in a Reform Bill, or any kind of reform on this plan, he will hurrah for the honest PREMIER, and dare anybody to touch him. Lord JOHN must well remember how when he did offer the old gentleman a good Reform, as he thought, and the House of Lords attempted to get rid of it, JOHN (like the Dutchman buying skins of the Indians) soon clapt his own heavy foot into the scale, and made all noble opposition quickly kick the beam. " Independent members " are also warned against " amateur legislation," and " the ill conditioned and malicious of the Opposition" against appealing to " Hansard." Now, certainly, the country does loathe the " Hansard " debates, and the waste of time over them. It cannot afford however to overlook "Hansard" in its calculations. Ministers come to us with a political passport from their own sayings and doings, and we cannot compel ourselves altogether to ignore the past. It will rise up to our minds. If, therefore, a large proportion of the present Ministry are known to us only as the twenty years' opponents or evaders of reform in Church and State, how can they expect we should not want to see clear proofs of their conversion ? Loud enough were they in demanding that the late Ministry should read an open recantation on Free Trade, that it should at least avow itself a practically Free trading Ministry ; with equal justice may the present Government be asked by all sound Re formers to show their faith by their works, and by some bold and popular measures to take at once their new position. It is known, we are told, that the Ministry differ on some points, and the country will support the Government in boldly refusing to discuss and split upon them. We do not think so. The points in question are, some of them, just those most dear to the country—th i ose, namely, on which time for consideration is especially asked. The country suspects that it is begged to be forbearing because Ministers will quarrel about them, not because of their inherent difficulty ; and it will not long en dure to sacrifice its wishes to the thirty-three Peelites, and the somewhat more numerous Whigs. If they wish to put Manchester into power, they cannot do better than palter with the question of " amending our institutions ;"—in plain words, the question whether we are to have a House of Commons really chosen by the com mons of England. " Trust in GOD, my lads, and keep your powder dry," was the condensation into a sentence of the religious confidence and practical wisdom of one of England's greatest generals. We all knot/ the result. And if we may, without profanity, ad dress sincere Reformers with an adaptation of CROMWELL'S eloquence, we should say, "Be generous to the Ministry, but keep your agitation alive." We have already noticed symptoms which compelled us, in honesty to the Reform cause, to warn our friends, and those symptoms multiply rather than lessen. The press in the interest of the Ministry are following the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary at War, in the cry for time. The organ of the Peelites, indeed, bids its readers not to tremble for our time-hallowed institutions in the hands of ABERDEEN and GLADSTONE. The evening Whig journal exhorts Liberals, however, to trust the undoubtedly hearty Reformer, Lord JOHN ; first, the vane turns to Conservatism, then to Liberalism. But, curiously enough, a weekly journal of high respectability, which ought to know the minds of the more advanced section of the ABERDEEN Coalition Ministry, devotes a whole article to the mighty labours be fore the Government, as a plea for the country's forbearance. Thus, after one turn north, and another turn south, the weather cock points at last midway between the two, neither to Conservatism nor to Reform, but to time. " Give such a trustworthy Cabinet time." It is discovered that the national defences are such an all-absorbing question, that the Government is to be let off reform and all that, and to betake itself bodily to the War-Office and the Admiralty. Now none have ever insisted more strenuously than we have done, on the primary duty in question, especially on the supreme importance of our Navy being kept, in regard both to number and effi ciency, far in advanee of all that could be mus tered at Cronstadt, or at Cherbourg and Toulon. We think it, however, childish to set forth this as the all-absorbing work of a Ministry at a time when we are in thorough peace with every civilised Power, and evince ourselves no disposi tion to resort to CROMWELL'S argument against the cruelties of Popery towards Protestants, even with such a powerless potentate as the Grand Duke of TUSCANY. Nor can we conceive that so sensible a journal could have committed itself to such an absurd plea for delaying reform, unless possessed of information to which we make no special pretensions. It is argued that the Ministry, though so strong in ability, has but a bare majority of numbers in the House of Commons, and that the opposition of the neutrals might easily embarrass, and, by union, thwart it ; the corollary to which is, that the country is to be trustful and forbearing, being assured that Ministers will do all they can. On the other hand, the Ministry is to rely upon the country to back it in all its reforms with zealous promptitude. Very good. But how is the country to be certified of the reforming zeal of the Ministry ? Is it by being told that while it comprises in itself, or among its supporters, all the talent of the House,- it yet can attend to but one thing at a time ? that thirteen, by the assumption first-rate, Cabinet Ministers must absorb all their first-rate abilities in coast defences alone ? Why, were the channel actually bridged over, they could hardly do more than this. The late Cabinet certainly would not have talked thus ; the question of invasion is not more urgent now than last year, and they yet found time, in a short session, to do a world of invaluable home work, and to see to the Army, Navy, and Militia too. No ; if the Government means to carry public sup port with it, it must throw itself heartily and at once upon the public. Shuffling off " the amendment of our institutions," will assuredly devolve upon another Ministry the amendment of our national defences alSo. Enrolling and organ ising the Militia, constructing fortifications and defences, training artillerymen, and such things are no subtraction from the time of the Govern ment itself. If the thing to be done be agreed on by all parties, which the writer seems to think is the case, and we think so too, then the proper Naval and Military Departments have only to receive orders ; and, after that, the less they are meddled with by civilians the better. They will leave the Cabinet pretty much at leisure for their political and legislative duties, if the Cabinet will only say tb them, lay before us your plans and your estimates for securing us thoroughly against all comers. The late Ministry has set them an example of what might be done by men who are determined to work. Attribute it to what motive you will ; be it, that, conscious of protection being a poor recommendation to the country at large, they determined to work hard for a charac ter, and to go to the constituencies with the argu ment, " see what we have done," we should say that such a motive was very sound policy, and very sound morality too ; but anyhow they did much work quickly, and did it well. Now, the Electoral Reforms needed and desired by the country, and the Income Tax Reforms also, are quite as much prepared to the hands of the new Cabinet as the Law Reforms of last Session were for the DERBY Ministry. These are two chief, two urgent things, which cannot wait ; and we affirm deliberately that it needs nothing but simple honesty to the public to present and to carry the bills for both objects in a very reason able time. " The success of the Ministry," it is said, " will depend quite as much on the country as on ourselves. We believe it ; but we also believe that its success will depend upon the confidence shown by the Ministry towards the country. If the Ministry begin first by delayi ng re f orm mea sures, under the old excuse of needing time—then go on with sneering at and snubbing every Member who proposes some clear and unmistake able liberal measure, such as the 101. franchise for the counties, the Ballot, or getting rid of the abominable rate-paying clauses ; if they will count out the House and move the previous question on topics of which all sincere Liberals have made up their minds ; if they will pursue the old, vexa tious, disheartening course of the last Whig Cabi net, we admonish them that all their talents can not save them. The country is heartily glad to have able men at the tread of its affairs ; but if they are to use their ability only to tamper with its just demands, the country will soon begin to tell them that it needs honesty quite as much as ability. If, on the contrary, the Ministry will trust the country ; if it will take counsel, not with Lords and Squires, as to the best mode of protecting electors from intimi dation and bribery, but with the electors them selves ; if it will AA not the gentlemen "of influ ence," according to DOD, in the boroughs, whether these gentlemen shall continue to return two Members to Parliament, but appeal to populatio2.3 ten or twenty times a s great, whether they do wish to be fully represented ; if they will ask the tradesmen and professions throughout the country how many years' purchase their hard-earned in comes are worth ; and babble no longer of impos sibilities, and Sir ROBERT PEEL'S infallibility ; if, in a word, they will take up the work for the manfully, why, then, they will not rely in vain people which lies at their feet, do it, and do it upon the country. They must show confidence could and would they believe the people if they wish for it. They must show that sustain them against any interested class op positionould be the result let their opponents know what w have the people of an appeal to them. When in either House ; the people w ould s oon failed a Government which offered the m an y thin g worth having ? It is the half-heartedness of so called Liberal Governments, or "Governments of steady progress," which has ruined them. JOHN hayed and trimmed, weighed and balanced be tween " the claims of prescription, and the ad- Bum, cannot understand the worth of a measure hang just as they did before. v anced state of public intelligence," till the scales He thinks that justice, and neither Lord Joini, nor Lord Will persons ever profit by experience Will the " flats " ever be warned against the wiles of the " sharps ?" We fear not. There has ever been a large amount of gullibility in human nature. And neither the improved knowledge of the nineteenth century, nor the highest education that can be afforded at the national seats of learn ing, have in any degree abated the innate cre dulity which induces us to yield ourselves up as willing victims to any pretender who chooses to seize the easy prey. We wonder at the ignorance and folly of the Irish maid-of-all-work who hands over not only her money, but her clothes to the gipsy fortune-teller, who is enabled to offer her two or three husbands, all "tail, dark spade men, with large whiskers," and other corresponding personal attractions. We smile at the ver dant softness of the " yokel," who, fresh from his native soil, hands over his money to the sagacious friend who wisely cautions him against the tricks of the swell-mob, and is desirous of securing the gold and silver, and haply the country bank notes, from the threat ened abstraction. Even the returned Australian or Californian who produces, to a casual acquaint ance formed in some gin -palace, the results of his indefatigable toil at "the diggings," does not escape our ridicule, although the undue confi dence of the moment blasts all his prospects in life, and he suffers himself to be defrauded, under the very stalest of stale pretexts, of the means by which he had hoped to have realised all his juve nile aspirations, to have gained the consent of the object of his early choice, and to found or purchase an extensive and prosperous busi ness in his native village. Fearful as may be the result of his error--bitterly as he must expiate the mistake—we still scarcely sym pathise with his sufferings. He should have known better"—"such folly is perfectly unaccount able, and its consequences must be endured." We find occasionally, however, that it is not the " mere vulgar " who suffer by such transac tions. There are occasionally —more frequently, we believe, than meets the public eye—dupes of a higher class, men who have graduated at one of the Universities, and who are members of " a learned profession." Of course, the bait must be suited to the quarry. Sportsmen do not go deer stalking with guns charged with small shot only. Nor is it by " ring-drapping" or ringing the changes that clergymen, country gentlemen, aye, " by'r ladye," or even barristers themselves, are taken in. The pretext of " bill-discount ing," however, still succeeds ; and notwith standing the repeated cautions given through the public journals, and in the records of our national tribunals, the advertisements of " money instantly at command," or " loans to any amount, and for any period, at the most moderate rate of interest "—something not much exceeding the minimum rate of the Bank of England, when the Directors are in a flurry—will command instant attention. It is a matter of but little moment that even the name of the party is unknown—that it is con cealed under the convenient A. B. C., or X. Y. Z., or the more classical " Alpha," or " Omega." Implicit confidence will be reposed in the un known, who is regarded as a kind of benefactor of his species, actuated by the purest motives, the most kindly and benevolent feelings, in inviting the victims of impecuniosity to avail them selves of his almost unlimited resources, whence anything not exceeding 10,0001. can be obtained on the most reasonable terms, and without a mo ment's delay.' It would be sacrilege to doubt an individual so amiable, or to hurt his sensitive feelings by a request for a reference or some cer tain information as to who he is, or what is his position in society. The latest of these cases occupied the attention of the Court of Exchequer on Saturday. A cler gyman, named ARDEN, was sued by a Mr. THO MAS CASEY, jun., of 17, Barkham-terrace, for a promissory note of 1501., made in favour of a Mr. A. GRAHAM, but for which the Rev. De fendant had received no consideration whatsoever. Whatever weakness Mr. ARDEN might have exhi bited in the first instance, was, however, amply redeemed by the zeal and energy with which he traced out and exposed the nefarious system under which he had been taken in, and by means whereof, we trust, that the parties concerned in the transac tion may be brought to condign punishment. According to the usual course, Mr. ARDEN'S attention was attracted by an advertisemnt in a Cambridge journal, requiring a temporary advance of money. He answered this to " Zeta," 12, Duke-street, Portland-place, London, and was fa vouredwith a reply in due course. "Zeta"announed himself as a Mr. GRAHAM, but it appears that he was neither more nor less than the notorious " JAMES WHALLEY GARDINER," who was not very long since tried and convicted at the Central Cri minal Court. "A. GRAHAM," however, induced Mr. ARDEN, after the usual amount of tickling, to send up his promissory note for 1501., which " should be drawn at three months," although a guarantee would be given to renew it for twelve months on receipt of the stipulated interest. Of course, the money was not returned according to promise, but in place thereof a new correspondence was opened up by a Mr. R. THOMPSON, who, "ex abundante cautela," wished to make assurance doubly sure, and to ascertain, from Mr. ARDEN, that it was a perfectly legiti mate transaction. This was drawing the bow a "ieet/e too tight, and, as it af terwa m rd r s turned out, defeated the notable project.. entire proceeding, but in answer ARDEN returned a faithful account d fr o o f m t h h i e s t p o re a cis mr e c . orr ni esp omA on s den e t As t E h y a he pa . t To oiii.climthe accordingly over rdingly s the tr reverend a nce w mre g ee en iv tl e e d man with w t r h o e te, gre b a u t t est his as r to e n m i o sh n - - ment. Mr. THOMAS CASEY could not compre hend his meaning. INCREASE IN THE ARMY.—We are informed, on good authority, that an increase of the army will be proposed soon after the meeting of Parliament by the noble Secre tary for the Home Department, Lord Palmerston.— Morning Herald. ROYAL HORSE GUARDS.—Colonel Bouverie having accepted an appointment in the Royal Household, is, we hear, about to retire from the command of the Royal Horse Guards, and will be succeeded by the Earl of Cardigan.—United Service Gazette. PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—Mr. Douglas Jerrold's new comedy of St. Cupid; or, Dorothy's Fortune, was pro duced at this theatre on Saturday evening with the most decided success. Want of space compels us to withhold our notice until to-morrow. As many as nine Chaticellors of the Exchequer are alive :—Lord Henry Petty (now Marquis of Lansdowne, and the senior Chancellor of the nine), Mr. Frederick Robinson (now Earl of Ripon), Mr. Herries, Mr. Goul burn, Mr. Spring Rice (now Lord Monteagle), Sir Francis Baring, Sir Charles Wood, Mr. Disraeli, and Mr. Gladstone. DEVONPORT DOCKYARD.—Out of the eleven candi dates for shipwrights' apprentices who have been examined, only five have been selected for entry. Four shipwrights have been entered to fill vacancies. FRAUD IN THE GENERAL POST-OFFICE.—Some con sternation has been caused at the General Post-office, owing to an official in that establishment, in the receipt of between 5001. and 690/, a year, having been detected in committing frauds on the public and the post-office department. - A SUCCESSFUL GOLD-DIGGER.—A young man named Bissett, who was incapacitated rcom serving in her Ma jesty's navy by a hurt, and for which he is allowed a small ticket of 4/. per annum, proceeded in a merchant ship to Australia, working his passage out, and on his arrival proceeded to the diggings. About four months since his aged mother was g-atified by receiving a cheque for 50/. ; and a few days since another for 501. by the Australian, and an intimation that he had 100 ounces of gold deposited In the bank in Australia, and that on his return from the diggings he should proceed to England. ROBBERY OF £l3oo.—On Saturday information was received that Bank of England notes for 13001. had been stolen from Harrison Brothers, 2, George-yard, Loin bard-street. The numbers are known, and have been stopped, but there is no clue at present to thr thief, though a large reward is offered for his discovery. DEATH OF THE EARL OF OXFORD.—We regret to an nounce the death of the Earl of Oxford aneMortimer, which took place at his seat, Eywood, near Kington, in this county, on the 19th instant. The deceased noble- man was born on the 10th January, 1809; succeeded his father, as sixth earl, in January, 1848; married, the 17th January, 1831, Miss Eliza Nugent, the daughter of Lord Westmeath, by whom he leaves no issue. This ancient and highly honoured title therefore becomes ex tinct.—Hereford Times. DEATH OF EARL BEAUCHAMT.—This venerable Peer died on Saturday morning, at his house in Portman square ; he has left no issue, and is succeeded in his title and estates by General Lygon, who has represented West Worcestershire in Parliament for many years. This, will create a vacancy in the representation of that division of the county. The new earl is the third son of the first Earl Beauchamp. In 1824, he married Lady Susan Caroline, the second daughter of the Earl of St. Germans, now dead. His lordship is a Protectionist. Has sat for West Worcestershire since 1817, with the exception of the year 1831, when he was defeated by the Hon. Captain Spencer. EXTENSIVE ROBBERY.—On Wednesday night a rob bery of a serious character, both as to amount and con sequences, took place at the Carriage Inn, Combe Down, near Bath. The keeper of the inn is Mr. Gaites, who for many years occupied a small farm and kept a public house at Monkton Farleigh, Wilts ; but a few weeks since he sold off the whole of his stock and came to Combe Down to take the inn above named. Instead, however, of depositing the proceeds of the sale in the bank, Mr. Gaites, who is getting an old man, appears to have kept the money by him, as he says, " with the view of setting everything right first, and then depositing the balance." Whilst the family were at supper on Wednes day evening, one of the daughters fancied she heard some one over head, and upon Mr. Gaites proceeding up stairs, a man rushed by him, striking the candle from his hand, and succeeded in gaining the street. Here he was joined by another man, and both of them ran off together. They were pursued by the neighbours for some distance across the fields, but at length lost sight of them amongst the freestone quarries that abound upon the Down. Upon a search being made, it was found that the whole proceeds of the sale—the result of a life of economy and industry—amounting to 2431. in gold and silver, had been stolen ; and unfortunately, at present, there is no clue to the thieves. EXPENSES OF THE CEYLON COMMISSION AND COM MITTEE.—A return of the House of Commons, stating the amount of money expended, first on the Commission appointed to inquire, in Ceylon, into the alleged Forgery of documents, purporting to have been those signed by Capt. Watson, of the Ceylon Rifles ; and, secondly, on the Ceylon Committee and Royal Commission on that subject, moved for respectively by Mr. Hume and Sir Joshua Walmsley, has just been printed. - From these documents we learn that 8001. was advanced by the Ceylon Government to the commissioners who conducted the inquiry in the island, and placed to the debit of the Madras Government in conformity with instructions ad dressed to the Commissioners by the chief secretary to the Government at Madras. It also appears that the sum of 3,2801. 15s. 4d. was incurred in printing the papers connected with the inquiry before the House of Commons, including paper and sewing; and that 5,5831. 13s. 9d. was paid by the Paymaster-General out of the vote of the two Rou ses o f Parliament to witnesses be- fore that committee to 30th July, 1851; viz., to Captain Watson, 6061. 7s. 4d - .; Lieut.-Col. Braybrooke, 5541. 11s. Bd.; Mr. J. Selby, 7261. 25.; Mr. S. Hanna, 171. 168.; Capt. J. K. Jolly, 81. 65.; Major Parker, 131. 35.; Mr. P. Anstruther, 211. 2s. 6d.; Mr. H. C. Selby, 6251. 95.; Sir J. E. Tennent, 1,542/. 12s. Id.; Sir A. Oli phant, 1,0771. 102. 6d.; and Lieutenant Henderson, 3901. 138. Bd. THE MADIAIS.—The report which we published last -week that death had put a period to the sufferings and incarceration of Fran cesc o Madiai, has proved incorrect —the spirit of that martyr to the cause of truth has not yet passed from earth to confront hereafter his cruel persecutors before the awful presence of the Divine Being. The rumour obtained very general credence here ; for it is well known that both Francesco Madiai, and his wife Rosa, are in such weak health that impri sonment endangers their lives. Comment upon their incarceration is almost superfluous—for surely all humane and honest minds regard it as a disgrace to Europe and to the present age. That Madiai and his wife should, three centuries after the Reformation—in spite of urgent remonstrances to the Grand Duke of Tus cany—remain immured in a dungeon for the sole crime of reading their Bibles, almost raises a doubt as to the progress, the enlightenment, and the freedom which we are apt, to boast of as characteristic of the times we live in. But of one thing there can be no doubt. No one can question the unchangeable nature and tyrannical spirit inherent in the Romish Church, in which power and persecution have ever been found co equal. We observe that a deputati on f rom the Protes tant alliance has just waited on Lo r d J . R ussell on the subject. His lordship stated that his sent i ments were "very much in accordance with those of the deputation" —that Sir H. Bilwer was still anxiously employed in the case—but with respect to any further steps which might be considered proper to take in communicating with the Grand Duke, his lordship "begged to be al "—Plymouth. Times. al lowed to reserve his opinion. It subsequently turned out that the letters of "R. TsomrsoN " were in the hand writing of "T. CASEY, " who had been a defauhing collector of the Income Tax, a discharged collector to the Lambeth Water works Company, an attorney's clerk, a bill discounteer, and a betting office keeper. Ile had been whitcwashed in the Insolvent Debtor's Court in May, 1851, and been in trouble since respecting s ome 51.. notes, which " were reported not to be over go4)(1!" The J ury, without hesitation, found a verdict for the deft , ndant, and the learned Judge !who pre sided o rdered the note to be impounded, in order to be fc)rtheoming on the promised indictment. If MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, Two o'CLoox. The sales of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday were estimated at 7,000 bales, of which 1,500 Ame rican were taken for export and on speculation. The market closed firmly. The sales comprised 6,000 American, 300 Pernam and Maranham, at 6fd. to 7d.; 300 Egyptian, at 6id. to Is.; and 500 Surat, at 3id. to 4/d. per lb. Railway shares slightly improved. The following, upon the tea trade, is furnished by Messrs. Mitchell and Beanie : " Stock, 31st December, 1852, 50,400,000 lbs., against 47,500,000 lbs. in 1851. With regard to the prospects for the present year, we think they appear promising to both the importer and dealer. The last accounts from China bring us intelligence of a falling off. in the export of fully 4,000,000 lbs.; this deficiency will most probably be much increased before the season finishes ; and al though our advanced rates may stimulate shipments, yet we must fall short in the supply of the good and useful kinds. It is also conjectured, and we think with good cans; that the new Government will propose the same, or an increased, reduction of the duty, as all the leading members of the present Administration spoke in favour of an alteration. Looking, therefore, to our future pros pects, we think that the present rates will be maintained, and that there is great probability of a future advance." The steamer from the United States and Canada has not yet arrived. The continental advices are of but little interest. The money markets generally sympathised with our own and were heavy. Even at Paris, the tone is by no means healthy yet, although it must be admitted that the speech of the Emperor to the Senate, upon the subject of his marriage, is re garded in rather a favourable light. A report has been very generally current this morning that a coup d'etat has been effected at Madrid, and this has caused a great sensation among the holders of Spanish bonds. From St. Petersburgh under date of the 11th inst., it s is stated that the weather continued very mild. The meeting of Mexican Bondholders is to be held next Wednesday, and will be not alone inte resting but important. In anticipation, a very able statement has been issued by the committee. Messrs. Baring, according to this document, have enough in hand to close the old account of arrears and leave a surplus of 16,8481., and there is a small sum in the Bank of England. Mr. Falcounet has compromised the various claims left open by Mr. W. P. Robertson, and some other demands, and the result is that, after distributing 71. 3s. per 1001. stock, settling all claims, and providing for expenses to September next, there will be for the certificate holders an eventual balance at Messrs. Barings of 3,7411. 13s. sd. ; a balance at the Bank of England, 8,7541. 4s. ; 70,000 dollars expected by the next packet, from Mr. Escandansay, 14,0001. ; together, 26,4951. 17s. 5d., or about 5 per 1001., while the claims still prosecuting on the Mexican Government, and on Messrs. Manning and Mackintosh amount to about 900,000 dols., or 355. per 1001. in addition, but may be considered very doubtful. The committee consider the revenue of Mexico even now would pay two per cent. on the entire debt ; and if the Minister of Finance could get his loan of 1,300,000 dols. upon clergy lands, (3.5 c., would cover the deficiency of the past two years. The report then states : " Your committee regret to state that, in spite of con tinual and urgent applications for accounts, none have been received as yet which would enable them to say what the produce of the revenues of the Bondholders has actually amounted to either in 1851 or in 1852, or how much of the produce of last year is now avail able for the payment of the two overdue dividends. Mr. Falconnet, from the moment of his arrival in Mexico has, in conformity with his instructions, directed his particular attention to the obtainment of accounts, and has more than once had orders to the authorities con cerned to furnish him regularly with monthly accounts of the produce of the revenues of the bondholders, but as yet without the desired result. On the 27th August last, the Ministry of Finance again issued a circular order to all the Administrators of Customs to furnish the minister at the beginning of every month, with accounts made up according to a form prescribed in the circular, and at the same time to forward to Mr. Falconnet a copy of them ; however, those which Mr. Falconnei;, up to the date of his last letter, had received in consequence, were either incorrect or unintelligible." The position of the Deferred Bondolders is thus alluded to : " Your committee, after consulting the principal holders of Deferred Bonds, protested agai ns t th e cancel ling of the E. B on d s a t the Bank of England, expressed their •regret that if the information now required was considered necessary, steps had not been taken long ago td obtain it, and stated that the Bondholders would have no objection to furnish it. The Agency in reply, said that as the cancelling of the E. Bonds had been objected to, it would be necessary to report to Government again before proceeding to a registry of the Deferred Bonds. It will thus be seen, that as regards the Deferred Bonds, which are still unconverted, as regards accounts, and as regards the custody of the funds here, the Bondholders are in a fair way of obtaining the redress which they have long struggled for, but that the prospect of obtain ing a free grant of public lands is a good deal more re mote and doubtful." The obtainment of a grant of public lands is still to be pressed, according to the following para graph in the report " Mr. Falconnet, in addressing the Chambers on the subject of the arrears, also said sufficient to place this application for a grant of lands i n the, proper p o i n t o f v i e w, but the present circumstances of the Republic are certainly unfavourable to the immediate success of your Committee's views. As, however, on a grant of lands a colonisation scheme might be engrafted, operating in the nature of a sinking fund on the bonds, the idea is deserving of th e continued attention of the Bondholders." On Wednesday several of the Committee will resign, and as other members are dead, or reside at a great distance, or have ceased to attend, a re organisation becomes imperative. The members have worked together long and zealously, and their labours deserve the fullest acknowledgment. In the following concluding paragraph of the report we cordially acquiesce : "As some evidence that your committee have been actuated by an earnest desire to deserve such confidence, they may perhaps be permitted at the close of their labours, shortly to mention, that, when the interests of their constituents have required it, they have never shrunk from incurring personal responsibility, either by entering into a bond of indemnity to the Bank of Eng land, in order to release about 250,000/. deposited there, or in advancing 6,0001. for the purpose of expediting Mr. Falconnet's mission to Mexico, or in adopting mea sures in anticipation of the sanction of the bondholders, that they have held seven general meetings, and issued as many reports,—that they have had above 200 com mittee meetings, besides numerous me e ti ngs of sub-com mittees and that during their a d m i n i s t ra ti on o f t h e affairs Of the bondholders, five millions and a h a lf o f dollars h ave b een recovered. This amount, large as it is, is certainly not all that ought to have been received, as two half-yearly dividends are now over due ; but, consi dered with reference to the deplorable state of the Mexi can finances for the last three years, they venture to think that such a result may be regarded as some proof that their labours have not been altogether in vain." The English Stock Market was looking firmer at the commencement of business, Consols having been quoted 99k to for transfer, but they have since receded to 99* to I. For account the quota tions have been 9941. The finer weather and the more satisfactory impression produced by Louis Napoleon's speech, have had some effect, but much will depend on the state of the Money Market. The value of Bank Stock has been as high as 226 to 2271. The New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. have been marked. 1031 to I, and the Three per Cents. 100 to ±. Exchequer Bills have been quiet at 58s. to 605., and East India Bonds at 675. to 71s- premium. Foreign investments have been generally del, , but some excitement has arisen in Spanish Bonds owing to the reported coup d' etdt at Madrid. The Three per Cent. Bonds have been depressed to 46i, and the Deferred to 22i and 22. The Certificate is at 4, and the Passive at si. Brazilian Old Bonds have been done at 102 i, and the New 44 per Cents. at 98k. Mexican are steadier at 23k. Sardinian Stock is at 93g. French 3 per Cents. ha'v been at 79, with the exchange at 25 20. Dutch 2j per Cents. are weak at 651- to Gold Mine Shares have been very dull and without alteration in price. The Land Companies have been also quiet, and the Australian Agricultural lower. The Union Bank of Australia Shares have risen 41. to 51. The London Chartered of Australia and India has had its settling day appointed by the com mittee of the Stock Exchange for Friday next. The dividend declared this day at the meeting of the Union Bank of Australia is equal to 26 per cent. per annum, being 3/. ss. per share for the 6 months. The railway meetings announced are the follow ing :—London and South-Western, 16th Feb., London Tavern ; London, Brighton, and South Coast, 28th Jan., Bridge-house Hotel • Maria An tonia,J4th Feb, Florence; Newry and Enniskil- len, 7th Feb.,' Guildhall-chambers ; Northern Counties Union, Bth Feb., London Tavern ; North Staffordshire, 29th Jan., Stoke-upon-Trent ; Paris and Rouen, 29th Jan., Paris ; Shrewsbury and Birmingham, 31st Jan., Shrewsbury ; Shrewsbury and Chester, 31st Jan., Shrewsbury. Railway Shares have been inactive, and have not varied much in price. Great Northern are better, and North-Western not so good. Caledonian hay been active. French shares have receded. BRITISH FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK THIS DAY. (From the Official List.) Bank Stock 3 per Cent. Reduc e d A nnu i t i es 226 7A lOOi 100 3 per Cent. C onso l s Annuities 99 4 New 34 per C en t . Annuities.. Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 6 3-16 t India Bonds, £lOOO 71 Ditto, under £lOOO 67 Consols for Account 10th February 99 Exchequer Bills lid. March. June. £1000....... £5OO ..........•....... ...................... 58 — .............................. Small... 61 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto Small cent............"""""""'.......... 102 i Ditto, 44 per Mexican 3 per Cent. ....... . Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. ..... Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent .......... Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cent 22/ 2 Spar ish Passive (Converted),_,,,, ... Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun , 4 0 p e French Rentes, 3 per Cent Dutch Exchange 2j per Cent Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates... .. .. .. 974 Consols . Ditto February Account BALI-PA:ST TWO. ............... 99A .............. LAW. INTELLIGENCE.--(THIS DAY.) COURT OF CHANCERY. (Before the Lord Chancellor and the Lords Justices.) Their Lordships this morning proceeded with the part heard appeal of Evans v. Evans. (Before Vice-Chancellor Wood.) BOYS V. BRADLEY. In this case, which arose out of the will of the late Admiral Sayer, the question t urne d upon the construc tion of the words "in a male line." The plaintiff, Mrs. Boys, claimed as a relative of the testator's father. His Honour gave judgment this morning, granting the prayer of the bill, and deciding that the testator, by using these words, had no intention of excluding females, but that his meaning was to confine the succession to his relatives by his father's side. BELSON V. BELSON. This case, which stood for judgment, and which turned upon the bona fides of a conveyance made by the del fendant, his Honour adjourned to chambers, to give an opportunity for the production of evidence with respect to the reality, "valuable consideration," alleged in the deed. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. ELECTION OF TOWN COUNCILLORS FOR ST. JOHN'S WARD, BLACKBURN, Sir F. Thesiger moved for a rule to show cause why a quo warranto should not be filed against Mr. John Thwaites, calling upon him to show by what authority he held the office of town councillor for the borough of Blackburn. The election of two councillors for St. John's ward, in the borough, took place on the Ist of November last. There were four candid a t es , i nc l u di ng Mr. Th wa it es ; and the numbers at the close of the poll, stood as follows :—Thwaites, 369 ; Briggs, 358 ; For rest, 355 ; and Hannah, 352. The two former were accordingly declared to be duly elected. The learned counsel now moved against Mr. Thwaites on several grounds : First, that he was not properly qualified t• hold the office of town councillor. The Municipal Cor porations Act provided that no person should be elected who was not entitled to be enrolled in the burgess list ; and Mr. Thwaites had no' claim to be included in the list, as he was not rated in respect of the occupation of premises within the parish. The second objection was that the presiding alderman exceeded his power in closing the poll for twenty minutes before four until a quarter after. It appeared that a good deal of rioting took place both within and without the polling-booth, and that the alderman gave directions, on his own authority, to sus pend the voting for the period mentioned. Lord Campbell--I do not think the Court would be disposed to interfere upon that point, unless it were shown that persons were prevented voting. Sir F. Thesiger said it was not so stated in the affi• dants, but no doubt the temporary suspension of the poll had the , effect of preventing persons tendering their votes. The last objection was, that on a scrutiny of the votes it would be found that Hannah, who was last on the poll, had a majority of one over Forrest, who was declared to be one of the successful candidates. No less than five voters who were dead, and as many ee six who were still living, had been personated at the election. It could also be proved that seven person. were bribed to give their votes, all of them having received tickets entitling them each to 2s. 6d. and a supply of beer. Lord Campbell said the Court would grant a rule on the first and last ground, but not on the second. Rule granted accordingly. MIDDLESEX SESSIONS-( THIS DA Y The January adjourned General Quarter Sessions for the trial of prisoners for the county of Middlesex colfl menced this morning before Mr. Sergeant Adams .th e Assistant-Judg e , M r. Wi tham, and a full bench of ma gistrates, at the Sessions-house, Clerke nwe ll -gree n.,....r,, calendar, which i s h eavier than usual, contams names of 82 prisoners for trial, 6 of which are in iSm-. mean ours. a char John Harris, wh o was found guilty last sessions upon ge m larceny, wa s thi s morning placed at the bar for jud tence of ment. The Assi s t ant - Judge said that the sell sin the C six m onths with ourt upon th e present occasion would be but if hard l a b or i n t h e House of Correction: he was ever brought to that coui;; again he would most certainly be transported. Christopher. Small, aged 23, pleaded guilty to au in; dict ment chargin g him with stealing, on the 14th of December, a silver watch of the value of 1/. 10s., th° property of Mr. Daniel Arnold, and was sentenced by the Assistant-Judge to be, imprisoned and kept to hard labour in the House orCorrection for 4 calendar months ; Jonathan Perry, aged 18, was indicted with feloniously embezzling the sum of Bs. sd. received by him for an on account of Mr. Thomas Hillworth, his master, and was sentenced to be imprisoned and kept to bard labour in the House of Correction for six calendar months. MARLBOROUGH-STREET --(THIS DA Y.) A ScouNDREL.---John Hunter was placed at the box, before Mr. Bingham, charged with indecently assaulting Marion Ryan, the daughter of a respectable builder, re' siding at 13, Hollon-street, Soho. Mr. Wolff appeared for the prosecution. The complainant, a modest-looking young woman, stated that last night, about ten o'clock, she had been out for an errand, and on her return home she saw the defendant, of whom she had no previous knowledge; standing in the passage. She asked him what' e wanted there ? when he replied that he wanted to see a young woman lodger who lived there. Complainant told kiln they had no lodgers there, and he had better be off. Defendant said, " Never mind, you will do as well ; wil l you give me a kiss ?" He then caught hold of her 131 the waist, and treated her in a very rude and indecent manner. She called out as loud as she could, and her mother and brother came to her aid, and on being hi' formed of what had transpired, a constable was sent for, and prisoner given in charge. Constable 178 C proved taking prisoner into custody; he was the worse for liquor at the time. Prisoner, in defence, pleaded that the young woman smiled upon him as he was passing the door, and this he considered as an invitation to act as he had done. ife was not aware at the time of the character of the corn' plainant, whom he thought was one of the frail s i s ter hood. Mr. Bingham said there was no doubt as to the re' spectability of the prosecutrix who appeared to be an eV ceedingly modest and well-conducted person. Defendant must be a very foolish man to think that because a young woman is in the habit, from pure good nature, of wear' ing a smile on her countenance, that she gave a general invitation to be kisse by d every tip sy f ellow ; and for the sake of her reputation, he (Mr. Bingham should fine de' fendant 205., or, in default, to be committed for seven days. FIRE IN SHOREDITCH—(TnIS DAY).—About half-past eight o'clock thi s morn i ng an unusual smoke was noticed to issue from the ground floor of the wax figure exhibition near the church, the proprietors of which were foreigners. Police constables were dispatched instantly to the en' gine-station ; but, as might be expected from the inflow mable nature of the property in flame; sad havoc was made, and for a time no h o p e was entertained of saving any f the exhibition. By continued exertion in two hours all further danger ceased, but not until the entire' levelling of kings, queens, lords, commons and Taal noted characters the ex hibiti on once contained had been totally demolished. DARING ROBBERY AT DRTIRY-LANE THEATRE.---° 11 „, Saturday, some expe r t thi ef, who is supposed to hav e contrived to conceal himself in the house after the Pr e ' vious night's performance, made his way to the dressing,: room, stealing a q uan ti ty of the performers' private wearing apparel, whilst they were on the stage acting' as well as several ar ti c l es of jewellery, including a sive gold snake chain, with 42 brilliants in the head, bl. in gold, and a s ma ll quantity of silver. The rogue, t 0 theth inten ooty.se mortification of th e losers, got clear awa y. 7, wi his b ROBBERY BY A RAILWAY OFFICIAL.—On Saturday information was rece i ved at the various City and Men, politan police s t a ti ons that Joseph Lamb, the head clero, in the goods d epartment at the Northampton station the London and North-Western Railway, had abscond after robbin g th e company to a considerable extent, 0/. de p r edations amountin g t o b etween 1 000/. and 2,0° . He had been traced to London, and it , is supposed ? I ; either sailed or is about to sail for Australia, he having expressed his intention of doing so should an opportuni: . occur. He is a single man, and is about 30 years of ag ri , The directors of the London and North aP Company have offered a reward of 501. for his the prehension only, without the recovery of any ° property, and guarantee to give the same sum to a , any to person who should give such information as may le a his capture. from SEARCH FOR SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. —Advises the Sandwich Islands, via Panama, mention that u!'}: tain Collinson, R.N., of her Majesty's ship Enterpr ise b „ who had been sent to search for Sir John Franklin_ ai d way of Behring's Straits, but who had not been heard of since he went into the ice, had been seen by som a whalers which had just arrived. Sta" Harbour SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY.—The Sutton tion for the receipt and dispatch of mileage g oods be opened on Tuesday week) the Ist of the m th on • Weste