The Sun. — London, England, 1847-06-01 00:00:00

t° say, that he had received a letter from Lord Bere haven, contradicting that statement. The Right lion. Gentleman havires read the letter said, he deeply regretted the alteration which the Lords had made, and he feared it would greatly prejudice the good working of the measure. But it was understood that the Lords had given way in a great many things, and he therefore was of opinion they ought not to peril the safety of the measure. Mr. POULETT SCROPE explained. His object in making the statements referred to, was merely to s now the unwillingness of many landlords to bring the Relief Act into operation, and in doing so, he instanced the case of the workhouse of Bantry, to show the mis management which had taken place. He begged how ever to say, that the statement he made in reference to Lord Berehaven was completely confirmed by six gen tlemen of Bant r y, including the Catholia clergymen of t hat place, a nd it was not upon newspaper authority he made it. Sir B. HALL called attention to a printed paper ordered by the other House of Parliament, where 600 eiectments were issued at Ballina sessions. He would ask the Hon. Gentleman was this the romance which he sttid was indulged in with respect to the Irish landlords ? looked with great jealously on the conduct of some Noble L or d s in the other House w i th regar d t o this I 1.5 . 11, and he thought it right to say that the Noble Lord °Y whom the leadership was assumed had net taken a 1 6 °Y disinterested part with regard to it. — (Hear , ear ' ) He would ask that Noble Lord (Lord i tlo nteagle) if h e hi mse lf would be inclined to have the principle of no out-door relief applied to him self ?— (Laughter.) He was Comptroller of the Ex ch• equer, a n d rece i ve d a l arge sum y e arly for that office. e snld he be inclined to have that relief limited to a year end a half's duration?—(Laughter.) There was other Noble Lord also (Lord Abinger) who stated that e Principle of out-door relief would lead to great im niOra I; tY; that he looked upon such assertions with great ansPicion.—(Hear, hear.) As long as the poor added to the „ i mportance o f th e Irish landlords at the polling tic' they were f ostere d an d l oo ked after, but now 4 t this state of things no longer existed, and that the 40s. freeholders were disfranchised, they were nn nsigned to death in Liverpool.—(Hear, hear.) At the resent moment the English towns were crowded with s rish ur , Paupers—all of whom should be at home , and aerted by Irish landlords.—(Elear, hear.) The 435 0 e rates to the poor in Ireland during last year, was sat th/ e l .l or about 7d. to the pound. Now, it was ed that this annual vulue of the rental of Ireland twenty millions, and he would ask, in the words of Randolph Routh with such resources, ought such p st ate of things to exist ?—Hear, hear.) The Eng ai People w ere obliged to forego many relaxations, in s e hn of taxation, to which they were ent itled, an d lure-e tbeY would have obtined, but for te exnd'. r equired to meet the distress in Ireland h , and w pe hich 1 311 ght to have been provided for by the landlords of the inhabitants hear.) He thought the conduct of 0 e inhabitants of the metropolis had been most getter .; ti t l i s s an d worthy of all praise.—(lronical cheers.) H d e - ught the effect of this clause would lead to a great _ s r „, O f ejectment, and to a great deal of immigration of that dupers Paupers into this country. He hoped, therefore, su re ne xt year the Government would introduce a mea si to facilitate th e removal of the Irish poor. e ep - f a r i W ne a . Barron, Mr. B. Osborne, and Mr. Callaghan r ' F. FRENCH did not mean to enter into the sub- L. !n atter under di scu ssion, but be thought he had a owgnuet to complain of the way' in which the Irish land the r s were treated, and he did for them complain of Is ta unts throw n out by the Right Hon. Baronet, the iie e na na ter f or Dorchester (Sir J. Graham), and the Hon. lord l er for St rou d (M r . P. S cro pe). The Irish and - tau a , h ad in time s past acted in a way to repulse all the which had been thrown out against them. shr' STUART said he was surprised that the Hon. oalet the Member for Marylebone (Sir B. Hall), 1 have converted some language used in another pl e d arguments on a public subject urged on public th ands, into a personal attack, and should have abused attPrivileges of the House, the freedom of speech to sns ite s.. k , , that person being absent at the time. Such a so cn, that seemed to have been written for the occa b-ut", and addressed, not to the Speaker or the House, p r i a Public ou t o f d oors , w as a g ross abuse of the !lie ges of the Ho us e. He even named a Noble Lord, Rroti ta unted him upon receiving a pension on t he n tid of holding a public office under the Crown. h a d named another Noble and Learned Lord who neith"ee occupied a seat in that House, and said he was Weller remarkable for his eloquence or his wisdom. wisdom that Noble Lord, no doubt, would be quite a match eouid s i l i nt a or in eloquence for the Hon. Baronet, if he Th e L a ve had the opportunity of defending himself. ground ear ned Gentleman then read a paper, on the lio n . °f which he called the accusation made by the urßaronet against the Mayor of Wexford unfound ed. were i NV 't SON" said the question was whether t he y th ey v ° e nact a uni on ra t e or an e lectoral rate ; whether free th :uld th row the whole b ur d en on t h e t o wns and for the country. H e spo k e not t o his constituents but to na ; becau se t h e town w hi c h he had the honour tr ns r teePrcsent was overwhelmed with destitutio n. He t he pr e a s t e h n a t t they would reinstate the original c lause, for T he system was full of tyranny. and iltlestion was then put, amid cries of "Divide," yr Can't," w h en a tetal wh `teARTHY rose and said he could not under and sh e ,. 3 ' f the House should secede from . their opinion,. The dousee°r he should press the question to a division. Per the then divided, when there appeared — A s motion BO Against it • 16 Majority for Government, and the Lords' amendments Mr. D. NORREYS contended that the clause would be altogether inoperative, because, by its present con struction, it contradicted itself. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that with a view to reconcile the discrepancies which existed between one part and another, he had altered some of the tenses in the clause. Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL said another difficulty would arise from the difficulty of knowing where the applicants for relief had been residing. Sir R. FERGUSON said that a third, and perhaps the greatest evil would arise from the derangement to the workhouse account, occasioned by the introduction of this clause. He thought that some little time should be given them for preparation. Sir GEORGE GREY said that ample opportunity Would be given to arrange means to meet the change which would be rendered necessary. Clauses up to 17, were agreed to. Clause 17 was negatived. After a few words from Sir J. D. Norreys, Sir G. C lerk, and Lord Hamilton, The ATTORNEY GENERAL objected to the P o wers, given under the present English poor-law, of tanv itlg such cases into the Queen's Bench, by writ of !eortior ar i ; and he would rather take from, than give tlreland the same power. The House then divided, when there appeared, For the amendment For the original motion 73 Majority The amendments were then agreed to. LANDED PROPERTY (IRELAND) BILL. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that the Lord's amendments on this Bill be read. Mr. VITZSTEPHEN FRENCH said that the 135 IL f ' it at present stood, would be inapplicable to t hree. e arths of Ireland. T he r ,, amendments were then read. thr:',4o CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved 1 ; ,, , the first amendment of the Lords be disagreed to. o rd G. BENTINCK hoped the House would not sent to the course proposed, but agree to the Lords' .7 amen dments, as they had d one to t h e Lords' amend• vnents to the English Poor-law on a former occasion. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER sa id he co uld not agree to the su ggest i on o f t h e Noble Lord. to recommended the amend ments to b e disagreed to b ecause they affected the pecuni ary qua lifi ca tions of the Bill, and were therefore an infringement of the privileges of that House.—(Hear, hear.) As a question of privilege. he considered this as a matter of great importance ; and, notwithstanding what had fallen from the Noble Lord opposite, he trusted the House would not depart from the usage of all former Houses of Parliament in cases of this nature. Mr. NEWDEGATE said the Right Hon. Gentleman had based the privileges of the House upon a very narrow foundation. The Lords were allowed to inter fere in matters connected with local rates, and as he considered the funds to be raised under this Bill were to be applied to local and not gene ral purposes, he could not see why any questions of privilege should interfere to defeat the amendments of the Lords. Mr. GOULBURN must resist the amendments of the Lords upon the grounds stated by the Right Honourable Gentleman. The peculiar privilege of appropriating the public money was vested in the House of Com mons, and the House ought to be cantious that it was not infringed. Suppose they were to agree to these amendments, what might it not ulti mately lead to ? Why, it might happen that ,nen this House voted 5,0 0 0/. to the navy, and ;'° o l. to the army, the Lords might give this as an in stance for their reversing or altering that appropriation, -- (Rear, hear.) He must, thefore, decline to be a party to allowing the House to agree to these amendments. After a few words from Lord John Manners, Sir G G rey. the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Lefroy, .„, M. J. O'Connell, the amendments of the Lords were rejected. Upon clause 29 being read, Mr. FITZSTEPHEN FRENCH objected to the amendment, on the ground of its interference with the privileges of the House, it being a money clause. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he would move that that clause should be agreed to by the House. The clau se was then agree d to. Clauseamendedwas then read, Th -e CHANCELLOR H of the EXCHEQUER moved tha T t h t e amendment h • amendme n t e be .disagreed to. was rejected accordingly. The followi n gto. two clauses, as amended , we re agreed Clause 55, with amendments, was also agreed to. Several other amendments were agreed to, and seve ral rejected. The Bill, as amended, was agreed to, and the report ordered to be brought up The House resumed. * DESTITUTE POOR (IRELAND BILL.) On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EX CLISQUEIt, the H ouse went i n to Committee upon this Bit The CHANCELLOR of th e EXCHEQUER said that what he now proposed with reference to this Bill was, that a further advance should be made on the security of the rates. Since August last 4,700,000/. was ex pended, b ut he wag happy to say the olds y s t e m, under which this money was distributed, had been nearly entirely discontinued. The reduction which had been made, was greatly complained of, but it was attended with great success, for it was effected when it was de sirable that the cultivation of the soil should be attended to. Great indisposition was shown to this proceeding. They had every reason to believe that the resident pro prietary had endeavoured to keep the expenses within the strictest limits, for the ration system brought the conviction home to their minds, that they should either employ the people upon their estates and farms, or feed them in idleness upon the produce of them. The system which had been pursued was to encourage the volunt try principle ; and so far had it succeeded that in many districts the wealthy had volunteered payments to prevent the levy upon the poorer classes, with the exception of some twenty• eight or thirty electoral over seers, the new system had been introduced throughout Ireland, and it was progressing with the happiest result. The Right Hon. Baronet then read statements from the reports of Mr. Fox and others to show that there were abuses when the food was given in kind, and that a considerable change for the better might be anticipated from the new plans of relief. He believed the course adopted by the Government was the best that could have been resorted to under the circumstances, and he hoped the result would realise their expectations. The sum he now applied for was 600,0001., and if it would be necessary to have a larger sum before Parliament rose, he would come down and ask it. The Hon. Baronet concluded by proposing the resolution. Sir J. GRAHAM said there were two points to which he wished to call the attention of the Noble Ba ronet. Since August last it appeared that the sum of 4,700,0001. was expended in relief, one moiety of which was to be repaid. Did he understand that the half of this was to be repaid in ten years ? He wished to know, also, as the Relief Act was in operation in 1,900 electoral divisions, and that the public works were in operation in 68, and that 2,200,000 rations were daily distributed, what was the estimate of the cost of all this? Whether in every one of the 1,900 divisions the rate would be struck, and whether it would be met? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the estimate was 2id. per ration, and the total esti mated charges 2,651,0001. He had already stated that 4,700,0001. had been spent in the department of public works, and would be payable in twenty instalments, the first by next summer assizes. He believed that the rate was already struck in every union, but they had no in formation as to whether it was being met. Sir JAMES GRAHAM asked whether Government could come again to Parliament for a second rate, until the rate for the previous instalment was in the course of being raised ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had not made any statement to that effect. Mr. AG LIONBY regretted when so great sums were voted away for Ireland, that Members should not under stand how these sums were applied. The Government had no idea what was doing in Ireland. Statements were coming out accidentally in the Committee in which he acted, and the schism it would seem which had oc curred in that country between the officers and the employed were quite appalling. He assured the Go- vernment that it would be absolutely necessary for them to obtain more immediate and accurate information than could be obtained by the ordinary printed reports. He thought the most serious evils and abuses prevailed, and thought that it would be incumbent on the Government to adopt some such measures as he had recommended. Mr. LABOUCHERE said that the abuse spoken of by the Hon. Member was the necessary concomitant of the extraordinary measures which were adopted for the amelioration of the miseries which had afflicted Ireland. At one time the Government employed 750,000 persons upon public works—a gigantic undertaking, such as no Government had hitherto attempted. These great mea sures had been carried out without disorder, and the people were kept at peace and in constant employment. He believed that it was no matter of surprise that some abuses had prevailed, for the operations carried on by the Government were, he believed, altogether out of the ordinary pale of legislative acts. He believed that no Government could undertake to employ or to feed a whole people, nor even such a portion of the population as they had aided without much trouble and evil arising from the measures which they adopted. He wished also to correct the practice which existed of making sweeping observations against the Irish gentry, for he knew very many instances in which great personal trouble was un dergone, and great pecuniary sacrifices sustained for the alleviation of the miseries of the starving peasantry. In 1846 there were 100,6001. subscribed by private in dividuals, and from September, 1846, to May, 1847, they amounted to 200,0001., so that there was not, therefore, any want of public spirit on the part of individuals. After a few words from Mr. AGLIONBY, Mr. ROEBUCK said, that when he had heard the landlords of Ireland spoken of as a class, he had heard them described as not informed as to their duties; but let that matter be as it was, he conceived that the Govern ment were departing from their legitimate functions in their interference on the present question. Sir J. GRAHAM differed somewhat from the Hon. and Learned Member for Bath in his general statement of the affairs of Ireland, and he fully sympathised with the Government in the fearful emergency in which they were called on to act. Still he thought it was time that they reviewed their position, as he looked on the state ment of the Right Hon. Gentleman (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) as anything but cheering. There should especially be no misunderstanding about the 600,0001. row spent monthly in Ireland in various works. Steps should be taken to get it paid back, and rates in all cases where practicable under the present law should be levied towards liquidating these advances.—(Hear.) Mr. ROEBUCK wished to know whether the Go vernment were determined to enforce the payment of ir t t h a etroaar appeared,l t dr a e s ja?d. successfully y p s o e s er . a casesopposed gentlemen h. . c .collection t lreland on of had, the RUSSELL said that the rates would be enforced as far as possible. With re gar d t o t h e ge neral subject, it ought to be recollected byl the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Dorcheker that the time at which the Government i lv e a e s called to act was one of great emesg enc y. ( The case of Ireland was one of 5,000,000 of r, depending on regular wages, but on the food Tra p h e ti l i l e e t th e mselves cultivated ; when that food f a il e d, t h e state y of society did not afford a remedy—society was dis organised. They had not to do with granite, but with a loose, friable sandstone. The proprietors had no hold on the affections of the people, the landlords were not respected by the ecclesiastics, the loner classes were excited by speeches which appealed to their imagina tions ; they were not affected by measures which were directed for their benefit ; and however much the House might admire the patience and constancy with which they bore the calamity with which Providence had afflicted them, they could not disguise the fact that that evil had been considerably heightened by their own want of energy an l f resight. It was urged against the Government that they ought not to interfere in a calamity like this ; it was urged that the Govern ment were travelling out of their way by introducing measures to alleviate the sufferings which were daily ex perienced ; but when they found that these works were successful in alleviating that distress—when they found that much misery and much wretchedness had been combated, he thought that the Government had so far proved their wisdom in bringing forward such measures. The abases attending the system adopted by Government for the alleviation of this distress, had at last the effect of inducing a better state of things, and be trusted that the calamity which had already visited that country, would, in conjunction with the poor-laws, lay the foundation for a state of great and happier ex istence. He was still of opinion, that it was right for them to adopt such measures as might meet the calamity, and afterwards elevate the people in the scale of nations. He hoped the House would grant its consent to those sums; he did not ask the House to grant that consent in•the expectation that no abuse would be exhibited in the expenditure of them, but he could assure them that the fullest attention of the servants of the Government would be given to the proper distribution. Sir D4NORREYS expressed himself satis e fi eu e n d ouu li; as t tu b lyd e statement of the Noble Lord, but still he could not help s nd in ha tta b t f ee ling that the landlords Hon m o e f m lr b e e l r a treated by many particularly by t h e llon r . e a a n t d h L od e y arn o e f d t M he em le b r e d r ed for g ß en a t t r h ; Th e truth was, the g hilt t n t e h their best ere h t e o s e t m e i mitigate all g sides s sufferings dfa . they yheir efforts had not been so oceuff Irelandttheiesp,eand npdl had ep, suc cessful as they h t in all they did Govern tained no doubt whatever t a ment was actuated by the be . st feelings and intentions might otherwise have been. He perhaps their t . was . s i p n e g e speech c o o f m the lt Hon. oftowardsthing things Ireland tha t; unfortunatebu t t hei their ignorancecountry hado t the le d them real stateinto many errors. a nd the throughout modeee con.ththeat Gentleman Afr ROEBUCK who ha j said ust stal do ot down firmation of what he had been , to the distress of that whole was ad s o e p s t s e i d o n i n i n and ordered to be country. The resolution was then t reported to the House to-morro. Ir e i a nd) Bill was read The Punishment of Vagrants ( a third time. ht gr aiia Brnllry , t to elto regulate electors. the Lord payment of rates and taxes b y limiting the time of Mr. WARD brought in a Bill for i enaee Lord J. RUSSELL br ou g service in the Royal Marines. o T u h s a e a o d r j d o e u r r s n e o d f the at a day qua r w t e e two O'clock. H and I rretothen disposed of, and the The marked of a ' . -her clia ._____----- wb Z ic E b is b o a li s has induced him to put forth a productionnig the fortunes of racter, in the shape of a narrative, illustrating.b ' att T en li d E ed th l e A w ß o T r i ks ß. o — ith T e the reign of the Zenon, a Christian martyr, who livedtdurei w g hen so much at tention Emperor Domitian. At the present rnßairckheatc•ld Csuobebeeelsds, Church, such a production cannot the author gives an narrating the advertures of his hero Lourt, as well a 3 of is being paid to the early hfailismltoiey beof wtheelceernht;i.stialnn animated picture of the Emperor's C many details of classical Rome during ecially the the habits and manners of his principal ntobbelesirasntdedinytarbodeeusceesf Christianity. To the general reader, and esP , . his attention far superior to those which obtaine , _ Christian reader, " Zenon" must therefore presentd cotatitanrsgeona share of the public patronage to the histories of Catchpole," and of' " Mary Anne Wellington." EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GIBRALTAR DATED t MAY 21.—" The appearance of the Straits for the as " Margaret three days forcibly reminds me of the return from Epsom on th e d ay o f the Der b y . I scarcely think it an exaggeration to estimate the vessels pressing on at 1,000 ; upwards of 200 had been long anchored at Frogerola, in sight of the Rock, distressed for provisions and water. The French steamers were extremely active in seeking out and taking through the Straits all vessels in which Frenchmen were into • rested, while England, with her boasted fleet of steamers, • had only one lying here, with three leaky boilers, so that if authorized to act she is compelled to be motion less. I fear a large portion of the English cargoes must be heated, some of them arrived here having been loaded 130 days,' el° e r f° r witb to ofi g3 estY ° well o °l3a h he in t° , 11 0 )pr e i i to s o a nee rar ,501 TilE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 1, 1847. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) MONDAY, MAY 31. POOR RELIEF (IRELAND) BILL. - - Lords Amendments agreed to, as far as pr. 10, I. 9:— Amendment, to leave out from "Register" to " And," in line 26 :—Motion made, and Question put, " That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment." The House divided : __ BIA.TORITY-AYES, 80. Aglionby, H. A. Ferguson, Sir R. Martin, John Arkwright, George Forster, Mathew Masterman, John Bailey, Joseph French, F. Mitcalfe, H. Baine, Walter Gore, Montague Monahan, J. H. Bannerman, A. Goulburn, Henry Morris, David Barclay, David Granby, Marquis of Morison, General Baring,lF. T. Granger, T. C. O'Brien, A. Stafford Barnard, Edward G. Greene, Thomas Parker, John Bell, John Grey, Sir G. Reid, Colonel Bellew, R. M. Hamilton, Lord C. Rice, E. R. Benett, J. Harris,:Captain Russell, Lord John Bentinck, Lord G. Hayes, Sir E. Russell, Lord C. Berkeley, Captain Heathcoat, John Rutherfurd, A. Bernal, Ralph Henley, J. W. Shell, R. L. Bodkin, J. J. lJildyard, T. B. Stanfield, W. R. C. Brooke, Lord Hobhouse, Sir J. Staunton, Sir G. Brotherton, Joseph Hodgson, Richard Stuart, J. Burke, T. J. Hope, Sir J. Strutt, Edward Chaplin, W. J. Hudson, G. Thornely, T. Chichester, Lord J. Humphery, Ald. Trelawny, J. S. Colvile, C. R. Inglis, Sir R. Wilehere, W. Copeland, Alderman James, William Wood, Sir Charles Craig, W. G. Jervis, Sir John Yorke, Henry R. Crawford, W. S. JoUM, Sir W G. H. Young, John Denison, W. J. Jones, Captain Divett, Edward Labouchere, Henry TXLLERA. Duncan, George Macaulay, T. B. Tufnell, H. Duudas, Sir David Mangles, R.D. Hill, Lord Marcus MINORITY-NOES, 16. Boyd, John Howard, Sir R. Watson, Henry Browne, R. D. Layard, Major Williams, W. Browne, W. M'Carthy, Alexander Curteis, H. B. O'Connell, M. J. Duke, Sir J. Perfect, Hobart Escott, Bickham Roebuck, J. A. Hail, Sir Benjamin Tancred, H. W. TELLERS. Norreys, Sir 1). Callaghan, D. Clause D read a second time :—Amendment proposed to levve out from " Balances," in folio 2, line 11, to the end of the Clause :--Question put, " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Amendment." The House divided : MAJORITY-AYES, 73. Aglionlay, H. A. Fox, C. R. Ord, W. Arkwright, G. Gardner, J. D. Owen, Sir John Barclay, David Gladstone, Captain Parker, John Baring, F. T. Goulburn, Henry Pechell, Captain Barnard, E. G. Graham, Sir James Rice, E. R. Bellew, S. M. Greene, Thomas Rutherfurd, A. Bentinck, Lord G. Grey, Sir G. Seymour, Lord Berkeley, Captain Hall, Sir B. Sheil, R. L. Bodkin, J. J. Hanmer, Sir J. Shelburne, Earl of Bretherton, J. Basile, Archibald Somerville, Sir W. Buller, Charles Hobhou.se, Sir John Stansflold, W. R. Burke, T. J. Hodgson, F. Staunton, Sir G. Byng, G. S. Hope, Sir J. Stuart, Lord J. Cavendish, G. 11. Howard, P. H.' Strutt, Edward Clay, Sir W. Inglis, Sir R. Tancred, H. W. Clerk Sir G. Jervis, Sir John Thornely, T. Colvile, C. R. Labouchere, Henry Vivian, J. H. Cowper, W. F. Lockhart, W. Ward, H. G. Craig, W. G. Mangles, R. D. Winnington, Sir T. Crawford, W. S. Martin, J. Wood, Sir Charles D'Eyncourt, C. T. Maule, Fox Young, John Divett, E. Mitcalfe, Henry Duncan, George Monahan, J. 11. MI MS. Dundas, Sir David Morris, David Tufnell, Henry Farnham, E. Newry, Viscount Hill, Dad Marcus Forbes, W. Northland, Viscount MINORITY—NOES, 19. Barron, Sir H. W. Hamilton, Lord C. Norreys, Sir D. Boyd, John Harris, Hon. Capt. O'Connell, M. J. Callaghan, D. Hayes, Sir E. Watson, W. H. Collett, John Henley, J. W. Copeland, Ald. Hussey, Thomas Dickinson, F. H. Jolliffe, Sir W. H. Evans, Sir Do Lacy Jones, Captain Hamilton, G. A. M'Carthy, Alex. TELLERS. Ferguson, Sir R. French, F. CITY OF LONDON GENERAL PENSION SOCIETY. The anniversary festival of this institution was held last evening, at the London Tavern. His Royal High ness the Duke of Cambridge in the chair. Amongst those present were Viscount Lake, Sir George Larpent, Sir T. Wilson, Luke James Hansard, Es - q., George Cruikshank, Esq., J. T. Bedford, Esq., &c. The usual loyal and constitutional toasts having been unanimously responded to, The CHAIRMAN proposed " Prosperity to the fund, and may it flourish for ever." In doing so, he said that the society was commenced in 1818, under the auspices of his late Noble Relative the Duke of Kent. In 1828 the funds were so great that the institution was en abled to pay 1/. 1 ls. a month to the male and 11. 2s. to the female pensioners. The subscriptions at that period amounted to 9,2761. 10s.; but in 1828, the funds began to diminish; and in 1833, the managers were obliged to reduce the pensions of the men to 45., and the females to 3s. He did not say that the subscrip tions, which had brought about this reduction, had been withdrawn, because he believed that they had been given to other institutions which had been formed for a similar object, the initiative having been given by the institution m t e o t celebrate.to improve, owing However to the f w ro h m ose lB a 3 n 6 n , iv th er e sa f r o y n t d h s e exertions which were made by the friends of the insti tution, and they were now e n abled to pay the males they began had 1/. 75., and the females 18s.—(Cheers)—and their great ambition was to restore the pensions to their former state.—(Cheers.) Another argument in favour of that institution was this—that each male candidate should introduce, at the time of his admission, three new subscribers, and each female candidate two sub scribers, who should continue to contribute to the funds during the whole period they received aid from them. The half of the receipts were devoted to present emergencies, and the other half was invested for future contingencies. His object in taking the chair was to promote the object which the managers bad in view, and he trusted that they would induce their friends and others to join the Institution.—(Cheers). The toast was drunk in a bumper. Sir GEORGE LARPENT then proposed the health of his Royal Highness, which was warmly responded to. The CHAIRMAN felt the utmost interest in the prosperity of the Institution, and should feel happy to do all in his power to promote its prosperity. It was seven years ago since he presided over one of the anniversaries and he trusted that the effect of his taking the chair on that occasion would be the means of restoring the pen sions to their former amount. Mr. RICHARDSON, the Secretary, said in 1818, when the society was honoured with the presidency of his late Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, that benevolence had not taken so wide a range as it had at the present moment ; nevertheless, th e soc i ety ga i ned rap idl y i n public esteem, and the payments at one period amounted to 10,0001. a year ; in fact, their coffers were so full that they came to a resolution to elect 100 pensioners twice a year, and the excitement at the elections was not unlike that which prevailed at a contested election ; but since that period, Lambeth, Southwark, and other large locali ties, had established similar societies, and those who had supported the parent society were profligate enough to forget that they had rendered themselves responsibl e for the pension of nearly 700 individuals, and that the directors, by their withdrawal, were unable to pay them their stipends. His Royal Highness bad said that there had been a transfer of charity, and that it had been diverted into other channels, but there should have been no transfer of charity whilst the pensioners who had been elected lived.—(Cheers.) In 1828 their means were so crippled, that they were obliged to re duce the payments to 3s. for the men, and 2s. to the women. They could better imagine the feelings of those who had been led to believe that their pensions would be permanent, than he could describe them when they found that their small means of subsistence bad been thus reduced. Many thought that they ought to sell out, and abolish the institution altogether ; but still a great number were of opinion that they ought to pro ceed.—(Loud cheers.) And as a great step in that direction, they had solicited his Royal Highness to take the chair. One important feature in this society was this, that the votes given to unsuccessful can didates were kept as a ledger account, and registered in their favour at any future election.—(Hear, hear.) His Royal Highness might return to his palace with i the sa tisfaction of knowing that the institution was n a fair way of being restored to the state it was in in 1818. The subscriptions in the course of the evening 101.50 T 1. ; 11 ;e s . the j Dukeloyfd C ambridge, , J . Duke L o amounted to up war d s o f 1,000/ . ; amongst t h em were th e following don ors ; Eostqu.uieocl eiu 2 oe o sh / ; Mrs. Brandford, 2001. ; L. J. H ansar d , Esq , 201. ; F. Cobb, L IL?' sq ., o?. Ashburton, of Margate, Law, Esq., 21/. ; N. J. P resco tt, 1 0 / . 10s. ; Sir G. Lar pent, 10/. 10s. The object of the institution is to gi ve p ermanen t re lief without distinction of religion, sect, or country, t o decayed artisans, mechanics, manufacturers, and trades men of good character by allowing them pensions, not to exceed 318. per month to the men ; and also to poor deserving widows, not to exceed at any time 225. per month, such pensions to be payable monthly. None to be admitted candidates under sixty years of ago, eases of total incapacity only excepted, and the female pen sioners to be elected never to exceed half the number of males. Mr. Toole was the toastmaster. FLANDERS MAIL. BRUSSELS, MAY 29.—Our market to-day was better supplied with corn than heretofore. There were above 100 sacks of native wheat and 60 of rye, both fell in price. At noon the price of wheat was 31f. 10c. to 33f. 10c., and 22f. to 25f. for rye. There is every ap pearance that the price will continue to fall, and this is the more evident from there not having been any foreign loan in the market. Our populace still continues their senseless exasperaticn against the bakers. The market at Louvain to-day was equally marked by a fall in the prices. The report of the governor of the province of Antwerp relative to the agricultural pros pects of the country, is highly satisfactory. BRUSSELS, MAY 28.—0 n the night of the 20th, a collision took place on the Northern Austrian Railway, between the two trains which met near the village of Pousrain. Three men of the company were killed, and another severely injured; none of the passengers received any injury. The loss occasioned by the collision is estimated at 30,000 to 40,000 florins. BERLIN, MAY 27.—A considerable sensation is excited here by a circumstance which has happened to M. Von K., a deputy of the Diet. He was invited to the office of the President of Police, where he was shown a copy of a letter which he is said to have written home to Prussia immediately after the speech from the throne. M. Von K. was asked whether he recognised this letter as having been written by him, but he refused to give any answer. This affair has excited much sensation in the Assembly, and perhaps, called forth the declaration of the Minister Von Bodelschwing, that the Government solemnlyst edtothe Estates and t o th e peop l e, that the secrecy of th e P ost - off i ce again was violated, and let ters of the de p uties o pened. this p rot calumnyest Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office from the Governor-General of Canada and also from the Governor of the other North American Pro vinces. THE PROVIDENT CLERKS' MU- TUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION AND BENE - VOLENT FUND. A special general meeting of the donors, subscribers, and members to the benevolent fund of this excellent in stitution, was held at twelve o'clock on Monday, May 31, at the London Tavern, for the purpose of electing two additional annuitants. Thomas Baring, Esq., M.P., one of the trustees, occupied the chair. The following gentlemen connected with the manage ment of the institution were present:—Mr. Richard Henry Jones, Mr. John White Welch, Mr. John Clarke, Mr. A. Dawson, Mr. John James Iselin, Mr. S. Jepps Mr. W. J. Jordan, Mr. J. Lintott, Mr. W. Maitland' Mr. Richard Price, and Mr. W. S. Sawtell. Dr. MULLINDER, the secretary, then read the resolu tion agreed to at the annual general meeting held on the 25th of February last, recommending the election of two additional annuitants, which was to the following effect:— " That on the 31st May next, or such other day as the board may appoint, due notice of the same being given to the members, a special meeting be held for the purpose of electing two additional annuitants, one being a member, the other the widow of a member, duly quali fied according to the rules." Having also read the advertisement convening the meeting, The CHAIRMAN said—We have met here to-day for the purpose of electing as annuitants one clerk and one widow, the first to an annuity of 251., and the latter to one of 15/. Four candidates offered themselves in the first instance—two clerks and two widows, but one clerk has since withdrawn his name, so that there are now but three candidates. With regard to the two widows, I am authorised to state that both are deserving of your sympathy and support, as both are deprived of their husbands suddenly—both were fearfully sudden deaths, as each left his home in perfect health in the morning, for the purpose of pursuing his usual occupation. Each widow was left with four children, and each was in the family way, but one has since been confined. There can, therefore, be no doubt of the strong claim which both those unhappy persons have to the votes and sup port of the subscribers and donors to the fund. I have nothing more to say, except that the poll will be opened at once, and carried forward, in accordance with the rules of the society, until three o'clock, when it will close, and when the result will be announced to you. Mr. RICHARD HENRY JONES, the chairman of the board of management, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Baring for his kindness in taking the chair. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. W. WELCH, the deputy•chairman of the board, and carried unani mously. The CHAIRMAN felt much obliged to the meeting for the compliment, and stated that it would always afford him the utmost gratification to be of service to the insti tution.—(Cheers.) The chair was then taken by Mr. JONES, who pro posed that the following gentlemen should act as scru tineers:—Mr. Jepps, Mr. Lintott, Mr. Maitland, Mr. Price, Mr. Iselin, Mr. Dawson, Mr. Sawtell, Mr. Clarke, and Mr. Welch. The polling was then proceeded with. The poll was closed at three o'clock. The CHAIRMAN (Mr. B. H. Jones), said—Gentle men, before I declare the result of the poll, I "wish to make one or two observations with respect to this election of additional annuitants. When the ma nagers determined to recommend, at the last meet ing, the election of two new annuitants, they laboured under the impression that no one would come for ward to offer themselves as candidates. They, however, went to the extent they felt the funds would then allow, and the result has shown how acceptable this resolution will be to those who may become reci pients of this additional aid. They, however, feel very deep regret that one of the candidates must be disap pointed on the present occasion ; that is inevitable—in fact all must have been prepared for this result before they proceeded to the poll ; but I can assure you that in all our proceedings we are influenced by the same feelings which prompted the managers in the first instance to establish this assonation.—(Hear, hear.) The same feeling of kindness and benevolence with which we set out has been kept up by us through out, who, uip a f r r i o n m g afflic tion,ou t, sandtan aidstand n h u e a h s b i n e e n n e ended x d te o n f d e t d , t v, o ,i t t h h o a s Thus a vast amount of suffering and sorrow has been assuaged. The utmost delicacy is exercised in dispens ing relief, so that the feelings of the applicants for as sistance in the hour of need, and of candidates for pen sions, are never wounded. The fact of their requiring aid is kept as secret as possible, as their names are never divulged, and their condition is confined to the knowledge of the board, who carefully investigate into the circumstances of the parties seeking assistance ; and I hope that the course taken on the present occasion in giving the initials only, with the condition of the can didate, will secure - the approval of the members in general, as it has done of those who are now present. Aid in the shape of gratuities is afforded in the same manner, and with one or two ex ceptions the names of the parties relieved have never been revealed. I have now nothing more to do than to announce the poll—J. M., the male candidate, is elected as a matter of course. The numbers polled for the :females are—S. M. C., 584 ; E. L., 1,128 ; conse quently J. M. and E. L. have been elected—the former to an annuity of 25/., and the latter to one of 151. Dr. MIILLINDER said—Mr. Chairman and brother members, before you leave, perhaps it may not be the least consolatory circumstance in the day's proceedings for you to know something of our past and present pro gress. It is true you met to-day to elect but two out of four candidates ; but I hope the time is not far distant when there will not be two to four, but four to four— (Cheers)—or, in other words, that we shall be able to afford pensions out of the permanent i an nuity fund to every member who may be n a condition to need one. As an evidence that we are pro gressing, or rather reaching that point when we . shall be enabled to afford all the aid which may be required, I may state, that in the year 1846 we effected 376 policies; our income was then 4,841/. Now 1847 has been very un we p h ro a p ve iti h o a us d ; a w d e e p h r a e v s e s o h n a d i n aphs the iv moneya stat or market; in a h r k t e t e ; w e potatoes; have had provisions at an extravagant rate, and I was told not many nights ago, by a brother actuary, that no applica tions had been made to his office for poli c i es d ur ing the previous six weeks. Besides these, we have had to deal with public health; but, notwithstanding all these drawbacks, what is the Pr ov id en t Cl er k s ' A s s o ciation now doing? Up to the end of April this year we had received 183 pol ic i es , amoun ti ng a lt oge th e r to 38,6001., but since that period they have increased to 208 policies, amounting to an aggregate of 43,0001., and before the end of the present year, if even we go on at the same slow drag pace as at present, and I am sure you will agree with me that our progress has been hitherto most satisfactory, the income of the assurance :department will be very little short of 10,000 L a year—(Cheers). Now, when it is recollected that a certain portion of the subscriptions is carried to the benevolent fund, and when the benefits derived from the fund are also duly estimated, I t hink it is incumbent upon every individual, whether successful or unsuccessful in life, to subscribe to the perm anent annuity fund, and also to put his shoulder to the wheel , in order that the fund may be still further enhanced. This is to be done by your recommending your friends and others to par ticipate in the advantages which it offers, and conse quently to place themselves beyond the reach of abso lute want in the season of adversity, and when old age comes upon them. In the temporary department we have no difficulties to contend with —every case is met ; but still it is a matter of congratulation to you to know that you are in a position to go and tell your friends that we are progressing, and progressing well—that we are going on and flourishing, and that we only require your active co-operation and assistance to enable the board to meet every case directly it comes be fore them, and to have the satisfaction of saying that they have no disappointed candidates.—(Cheers.) Mr. HARKER thought, before the meeting broke up, that some one should express the satisfaction with which the society viewed the labours of the directors, and of the way in which they had conducted the election. He, therefore, begged to propose that the thanks of the meeting be given to the Chairman and directors for their exertions at all times on behalf of the institu tion.—(Cheers.) Mr. FREED seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. It. 11. JONES, the chairman, was extremely happy to find, from the motion which they had adopted, that his conduct and that of the directors had given satisfaction to all present. He concluded, therefore, that those not pre sent participated in the same feelings. He could assure the meeting that they would endeavour in all their pro ceedings to meet the wishes of the members .of the in stitution as they had hitherto done—(Cheers.) Nothin.r could give them greater pleasure than to know ' that their endeavours led to such results as they had witnessed that day, and that their general proceedings met with the approbation of the members at large. The proceedings then terminated. NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—I am informed that arrangements are on the way to lease or purchase the North-Western Railway, by some parties unknown to the body of the share: holders; will you be pleased to give insertion to this trickery, in order that the shareholders may not be duped. Why not call a meeting in a proper business way, and then the proprietors are aware what is going on with their property? Those parties are buying up all the shares at a very low price, and the holders of shares are duped out of half of the money paid up. By inserting this iu your valuable paper, you will oblige, yours, A CONSTANT SUBSCRIBER. Leeds, May 31, 1847. EAST SURSET.—Mr. Kemble retires from the re presentation, but Mr. Antrobus will again come forward. Mr. Alcock will, we are informed, supply Mr. Kemble's place without opposition, and the county will thus be spared the trouble, and the candidates the expens e , o f a con t es t w hi c h would probably have only the same result that is attained by this easy compromise, [ ADVERTISEMENT.] Mercan til e Life.—lt has been re marked by intelligent foreigners, that cases of baldness prevail greatly in this country, and as a cause, that the unwearied application to com mercial pursuits contributes largely to this result. Be tins as it may, nowhere is a protective and restorative preparation more needed ; and probably there is tio European people to whom artificial appli antes have been so eminently serviceable. The numerous cases of reco very of the hair a fter having falle n off , or partial baldness, are truly astonishing. The testimonials of t he efficacy of Oldridgc's Balm and 11x, per bottle. No other prices are genuine. oidridge,, halm, 1, Wellington -lareet, the second house from the 3 o of . Columbia6d,asplace its power and virtues beyond all doubt or cavil Strand. VER LAND MAIL INDIA. (From the Times.) We have received, by express from Marseilles, our dispatches in anticipation of the Overland Mail from In dia, which left Bombay on the Ist of May. The news they bring, though not of great political im portance, is of interest to many, particularly the intelli gence of a fearful hurricane which ravaged the coast of India from Ceylon to Kurrachee. This appears to be one of those progressive atmos pherical commotions which are periodical in the East. Its beginning is `described as moderate on the 7th of April at Ceylon; it gradually increased in violence along the Malabar coast until the 22d of April, when it was comparatively calm to the southward while raging at the mouth of the Indus. The extent of its ravages was not known at the time of the departure of the mails. The barque Mermaid, 389 tons, Rodgers, which left Bombay for China on the 11th of April, with a cargo sot cotton and opium, met the gale to the southward, and having suffered very much, was run ashore near Vin gorla. A. part of the cargo was saved, but the vessel will become a wreck. The Buckinghamshire, a large teak-built ship, which left London in January, fell in with the gale, was obliged to have her mast cut by the board, and was drifted into the bay at Vingorla, where she anchored. A requisi tion to the Indian naval authorities for a steamer to tow her to Bombay was presented by the owners and under writers; but there are no large steamers to spare in the harbour of Bombay, and their want is very much felt. There are several ships named, respecting the fate of which great apprehension is felt. Amongst them was the Hon. Company's steamer Sesostris, which left Aden on the 2d of April, bound for the Malabar coast, but has not since been heard of. The colonial steamer Seaforth, which left Bombay on the Bth, is said to have experienced rough weather in the Gulf of Mannar, but to have reached Colombo. The Bombay Steam Navi gation Company's steamer Victoria, which left Bombay on the 12th, and reached Cannanore on the 17th, was obliged to take to the sea, as well_as the steamer Hugh Lindsay, and was driven back to Mungalore, from which place, although she had suffered considerably, she was able to pursue her voyage to the southward on the 20th. There were many rumours in circulation respecting different merchant ships, and amongst them of two Por- uguese vessels which were forced from their anchorage at Goa. A number of passenger and other boats were missing at the departure of the mails. The politieal news is scanty. Lahore, Jamoo, and Sinde are quiet. The British troops in Lahore were making preparations for the rainy season. Ghoolab Singh was said to be squeezing his new subjects by every means in his power. In Sinde the people ap pear contented. Sir C. Napier was in excellent health and spirits. In October next the retirement of Lord Hardinge is, according to report, to take place, and the command of Lord Gough will expire after his term of five years. Lord Hardinge was, it has been asserted, provided with a commission to succeed Lord Gough; but, as he is not inclined to remain in India, Sir Charles Napier will, it is now said, succeed in that highest of all the military dignities of the East. There was some confusion in Oude, the Prime Mi nister of which country, who, as well as his master, is far from being popular, was seized by half a dozen Aff gbans, and kept prisoner under their daggers, until li berated by the British Resident, who, as well as the Wuzeer, promised pardon to them, and the latter paid them their arrears as soldiers. They were conveyed fur protection to the British residency, but have since been given up to the Wuzeer. The local news from Bombay mentions that Colonel Outram has been appointed Resident at Baroda—the best appointment in the gift of the Governor of Bom bay. Mr. Frere, the son-in-law of Sir George Arthur, has been named to succeed the gallant Colonel at Sattara. The Bishop of Madras has proceeded to Europe on account of his health, and the Bishop of Calcutta has been advised to quit India. The Bishop of Bombay is now the only one of the Established Church re maining in that coubtry. He was about to go to Calcutta. The Governor-General and the Commander-in-Chief were at Simlah, where they were to remain during the hot season. Our correspondent in a postscript mentions, that letters had been received from Cannanore, announcing the arrival there of the steamer Sesostris on the 21st of April. She had expended her coal, and was three days under sail during the gale. The steam-vessel Victoria which had reached Cannanore a second time on the 21st' took in coal, and started for Ceylon. A brig was wrecked off Mount Dilly, and a large barque off Calicut. The disasters on all parts of the coast are said to have been very great. The following casualties by death in the armies of India are reported since the departure of the mail of the 15th of April:— Her Majesty's Troops.—Captain Lord J. Browne, 9th Lancers, on board the Precursor, on her voyage to Suez. Bombay.—Ensign J. M. Gow, 15th Regiment, at Ahmed nuggur, on the 10th of April. Madras—Lieutenant R. C. Buckle, artillery, en ronte to Tranquebar, on the 17th of April; Captain E. Green, 2d Regiment, at sea on board the Lady Fiore, on the 31st of May, 1846. Bengal—Lieutenant H. C. Griffiths, 3d Native Infantry at Allahabad, on the Ist of April, of injuries received by a fall from his horse ; Lieutenant-Colonel J. Rawlins, artillery near Calcutta, on the 4th of April. Indian Navy—Mr. Midshipman E. H. Williams, at Boir?- bay, on the 15th of April , kil l e d b y being knocked from his horse by a collision with a buggy. The following is a list of the names of the passengers proceeding from Bambay to Suez by the steamer Atalanta, which carried the mail just received:-- Mrs. J. E. G. Morris and two children, Mrs. Cooper and two children, Mrs. Rawlinson, Mrs. G. W. Leech, Mrs. Hughes and four children, Mrs. Elsam and a child, Mrs. Harrison and a child, Mrs. Wahab and an infant, Mrs. E. M'Neil, Miss Lindsay, Mrs. Ward and three children, Mrs. Hume and three children, Mrs. Kane, Captain J. Cooper, Mr. N. Montefiore, the Rev. J. H. Hughes, Mr. W. H. Har • rison, Major-General R. M'Meil, Mr. Ward, Major Hume, Captain J. H. Sale, Mr. S. D. Murray, Mr. W. H. Gray, Major R. D. White, Lieutenant-Colonel W. L. G. Williams, Mr. John Tanner, Captain H. Creed, Mr. E. H. Leight, Mr. William Elsam, Mr. W. R. Mercer, Mr. Q. N. Hawley, Mr. John M. Blount, Captain E. Dunbar, her Majesty's 22d Re giment ; Mr. A. Aganoor, Mr. G. W. Leech, Sir R. K. Arbuthnot, Captain Higginbotham, Lieutenant Bell, her Majesty's 63d Re gi ment; Mr. T. R. Richmond, and Lieu tenant the Hon. R. Handcock, her Majesty's 24th Foot. Second Class—Mr. and Mrs. J. Marshall and an infant. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. (From the Bombay Times.) BOMBAY, MAY Since the publication of our report, of the 15th ult., very little change has taken place in our import market. The business of the last fortnight is about equal in amount to that of the preceding one, but we must now expect trans actions to decrease considerably until we approach the next season for sales, the operations for the present one, of the Arab and Persian exporters, as well as of the In land and Coast Traders, having been brought nearly to a close. Cotton Manufactures —There has been a fair amount of business done in "Grey Jacconets " in consequence of an in quiry from the bazaar dealers, whose stocks were exhausted, and from exporters, but without any improvement in prices. The rates previously ruling have however been fully main • tained. A few sales have also been made in "bleached jac conets" at former prices. The transactions effected in other descriptions of goods partake of the same character described in our last report—that is to say, importers have continued to show a great desire to realise, while the dealers have evinced a perfect indifference to purchase except on their own terms, and a further concession in prices has conse. quently been made to them. The bulk of the sales consist, as before, of 40-inch grey shirtings. Cotton Yarn—ln Grey the sales amount to about 295 bales of both Mule and water of the undermentioned num bers, and at the following prices, viz.,Mule, No. 20, . 50. 6 1 / 2 to 6% annas ; No. 30, 7 1 4 to 7%; No. 40, 7% to 8 ; No 9% • No. 60, 10 per lb. Water, 7*, 8, and 10, for Nos. 20, 30, and 40. It will be ohserved that the sales of water show a slight decline in prices. The extreme rates obtained for Mule are some what above the present market value, excepting No. 20, which is well supported; the other numbers are now dull of sale. In " dyed," orange has also fallen in price, and the only transactions reported are 10,0001 b. No. 20 to 30 at 8% annas per lb., and 12,8001 b. average 40 sold at 10 annas per lb. In " Turkey red" no sales have transpired, but superior quality continues in very good request. We refer to the subjoined price current for the market prices of the day for all descriptions of cotton twist. About 2,0001 b. of sewing cotton in balls, have been sold at 15 annas per lb. Woollens—Continue neglected. Metals—lron appears to be neglected ; the only sale re ported is 300 candies of English bar, disposed of on the day of the) departure of the last steamer, at 31% rupees per candy. Swedish bar remains nominally as last quoted, but we reduce the quotation for nail road, sheet, and hoop. Copper has been in some demand, and the sales reported of Braziers and Sheathing since our last report show improved prices. They consist of 1,060 cwt. of Bra ziers at from 59% rupees to 60 3 / 4 rupees per cwt., rupees per to sizes ; 980 ditto Sheathing 5836 rupees to s t 9 rMe h j igher p in r cwt. ditto. Raised copper bottoms- are also a price, but tiles and other descriptions are without change. In lead we quote pig lower. In other meta swe observe no al terations, nor have any transactions in them transpired; and as the season is so nearly closing, dealers show no disposition to purchase. Cochineal —This article had continued in good demand for the interior, and two recent importations found ready pur hasers at 4% rupees per lb. for 2,7001b5., and 4r. 14a. for 2,8001b5. of silver. Saffron—Without change. Beer's have had arrivals of about 670 hogsheads of Allsopp's and Bass's last October brew, the greatest part of wh i c h i s required to fulfil contracts previously entered in , to b a u t t 75 rupees per hogshead. 100 hogsheads of Bass were sold a short time ago, to arrive. at 62 V I rupees per hogshead the present market price for this brand, as well as for All- sopp's, is very firm at 75 rupees. We have heard of a sale of 50 hogsheads of Tennant's at 52% rupees per hogshead. Spirits—For gin of good quality there is a better in quiry ; but I.rand)"i is without change, and the stock of this spirit in cask is still large. The sales of the fortnight consist of about _ _ 522 gallons of Pale Brandy at Rs. 3-4 per gallon. 682 „ Brown ditto, „ „ 3-2 „ Marine Stores continue without any improvement. EXTORTS. Cotton Wool—A steadi1;;;;;; has been doing, both for England and China, with very little change in prices ex cepting in Broach description, which in consequence of in ferior quality has declined about 3r. per candy upon our last quotations. The following are the rates of the day : Broach and Sarat Rs. 93 per candy. Dhollera „ 82 at 86 Oomrawatty... „ 84 „ 85 Barsee „ 80 „ 82 Compta (old) „ 64 And they will certainly be maintained, if net increased, by very favourable accounts just to hand from China, via Cab cutta, to the 14th of March. Sheep's Wool—Buyers are deterred from operating in this article by the still high rates of freight, and the inferior qua lity of what is at market, at present prices. What shipments are being made are consequently on owners account. The present rates demanded are for— Khorassan Marwar Mekran BO to 90 ff Cutch lOO to 110 ft Persian Opium—There is very little doing in this drug, owing to the difficulty of procuring good quality, but for the best Malwa to be had 1,075 rupees to 1,100 rupees per chest is being paid. Tonnage—We had several arrivals of vessels shortly after the departure of the last mail, which caused an immediate decline in the rates of freight from 6/. 10s. down to 61. for Great Britain; this latter is the present rate of London, but freight far that port is very scarce, and the vessels on the berth And great difficulty in getting cargo. The same rate has been refused for Liverpool, and 61. ss. is asked. To China the rate has been steady at 18 rupees per candy, but great excitement has been produced by the very favourable ac counts just received from China for cotton, and engagements have been done in country ships at the greatly advanced rate of 22 rupees per candy. EXCHANGE. The range of quotations for six months' sight bills on London is 2s. to 2s. 0 1 ,4 d., the former being for China bills with local endorsement, and the latter for local bills. There is a good inquiry for paper, and the tendency of the exchange is downward. On Calcutta 97 1 rupees for 100 rupees, sixty days' sight, and the same at Madras. On China 207 to 208 rupees for 100 dolls. Money Market—Money is rather scarce, though not suffi ciently as to embarrass commercial operations. To London, per ton, 61. nominal. To Liverpool, per ton, 6/. 55. To China, per candy, 22r. EXCHANGES. London at 6 months' sight, per rupee, 2s. to 2s. o*d. China, at 6 months' sight, per 100 Spanish dollars, 207 to 208 r. Calcutta, at 60 days' sight, per 100 r., 97i to 974. Calcutta, at 30 days' sight, per 100 r., 98*. Madras, at 30 days sight, per 100 r., 98k. PRICES OF BULLION. Sovereigns, each 11r. Ba. Ditto, Dragons, each 11r. 4a. Bank of England notes, per £, 10r. Ba. Spanish dollars, per 100, 220 r. German crowns, per 100, 215 r. Sycee silver, per 100 tolas, 103 r. Gold leaf, per tola (range of quality), 16r. to 17r. Gold bar, 97 standard, per tola, 17r. Gold mohurs, Bombay, each, 16r. Gold mohurs, Calcutta, old, 20r • new, 17r. Gold tomauns, 16 wals in weig ht, each, 6r. 14a. Gold gubber, 12 wals in weight, each, sr. 3a. BANK SHARES. Bombay Bank, 35r. per cent. premium. Orientil Bank, I,ooor. each (500 paid up), 20} per cent. premium. Commercial Bank, 2r. per cent. premium. Agra Bank (500 r.), 50r. per cent. premium nominal. Bank of Madras (1,000 r.), 25r. ditto. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. 5 per Cent. Transfer Loan, 110 r. per 100 Sicca r. 5 per Cent. Loan, 1825-26, 103 r. to 103ir. per 100 Sicca r. 5 per Cent. Loan, 1829-30, 103 r. per 100 Sicca r. 4 per Cent. Loan, 1832-33, 89r. per 100 Sicca r. 4 per Cent. Loan, 1835-36, 86r. per 100 Company's r. 5 per Cent. Loan, 1841-42, 99*r. per 100 Company's r. 4 per Cent. Loan, 1842-43, 86r. per 100 Company's r. ELECTION MOVEMENTS. LIVERPOOL. Lord Sandon and Sir Howard Douglas both retire, and Liverpool has as yet no candidate for its representation. NORTH CHESHIRE.—The Conservatives have offered to divide the representation of this division of the county, and to return Mr. Egerton and the Right Hon. E. J. Stanley without opposition. _ _ SOUTH Lexcisnum—The address of Lord Brackley, although not so radical as many of the Liberal party might have wished, is still so satisfactory that he will have the support of a vast majority of the free-traders, and any opposition to him by the embers of the League is out of the ques tion. To oppose the junction of the aristocratic with the democratic party in South Lancashire, is felt to be little short of madness. HuLL.—This town is without candidates; Sir W. James and Sir J. Hanmer both retire, and no successors are yet named. SCARBOROUGH. - Sir Frederick Trench retires from the representation of this borough, and has published his address announcing the retirement. Lord Mulgrave will be returned in his place. SOUTHAMPTON.-Mr. Wilcox and Mr. Cockburn, Q.C., stand for this place, and with every prospect of success. NEWCASTLE-lINDEE-LYMS. - -Mr. W. Jackson wil no doubt be returned for this borough. Lord Ed. ward Howard also stands on the Liberal interest. WINDSOR.—Lord John Hay will come forward fur this borough. A better candidate could not have been announced. SIR ROBERT PEEL AND THE REPRESENTATION OF BIRDIINGHAM.—Some of the extreme Liberal party, who were instrumental in getting up a requisition to Sir Robert Peel to become a candidate for the representation of the borough of Birmingham, wrote to the Honourable Baronet, requesting to be informed i f he would accepti t if satisfactorily signed. An answer has been received from the Right Honourable Baronet, in which, as we an ticipated, he firmly declines the intended honour, re quests that further canvassing should not be attempted. and that the requisition should not be proceeded with. We may mention that at the high bailiffs annual enter tainment, Mr. M . untz reiterated his intention of again becoming a candidate, but disclaimed any coalition with Mr. William Scholefield, who the Liberals wished to as sociate with him in the representation. Mr. Spooner also declared his intention again to offer himself. BRIGHTON.—This borough will in all probability be contested at the forthcoming election, the Brighton Liberal Association having, at a meeting held on Friday evening, resolved to bring forward W. Cunningham, Esq., of Kemp Town, as the second Liberal candidate. Mr. Cunningham has consented to stand, provided a requisition be presented to him signed by a sufficient number of electors to justify him in doing so. A requi sition is now in course of signature. The contest will be between him and Lord Alfred Hervey, Capt. Pechell's re-election being by all parties considered certain. EAST SIISSEX.—Mr. J. V. Shelley, of Maresfield Park, a Liberal and free trader, is to contest this division of Sussex at the forthcoming election, with Mr. Fuller and Mr. Frewen, the present Conservative Members. I(ENDAL.—Mr. Gregson has issued an address in con tradiction of the report that he intended to retire from the representation of Kendal at the approaching disso IlltiOD: NORTH CHESHIRE.—Ittr. Tatton Egerton has, it is understood, consented to stand again for the northern division of the county of Chester. WEsle NORFOLK.-Mr. Baggo comes forward on the Tory interest, to contest the representation with Mr. Coke said Mr. Hammond. AYLESBURY.—Mr. C. J. Hamilton has written from Florence to say that he does not intend to offer himselt again at the next election. HERTFORDSHIRE.—Mr. Brand has consented to be. come a candidate in the Liberal interest. It is reported that KT. Abel Smith and the Hon G. D. Ryder will re tire from Parliament, and Sir H. Meux is to come for ward on.the Conservative interest. The Conservatives will be content to secure his election in conjunction with Mr. H:asley, one of the sitting Members, and it is bg , ' lieved that no Liberal candid ate will app ear in the ' field except Mr. Brand. The election is therefore likely to be a mere matter of form.—Buc ks Gazette. STOCKPORT.—Up to last night (Friday), no regular address had been issued by Mr. Alderman Kershaw, who, it is generally known, is absent in Wales. He is, how ever, expected in town to-day (Saturday). Mr. Ker• Shaw's. canvass is said to be going on very satisfactorily, and his committee seem very confident of his ultimate success. Meantime, the friends of Mr. Heald have been very naive and energetic; they have commenced a csre plete canvass of the borough, and are using t i b l e po c s an T i. legitimate means to secure his return,avAenn Another son of date has been announced, Mr. 'D. Davenport, Hall, who the la to Sir Sainsbury Dave.np. havenot at beena It hparosbias s tl y e ed th a a n t abdedrwesius; go toitther‘proeighardTedheraes Gibb, o f Manchester, but we rumours of a fourth candidate i b n el t i h ev e e pe t r h s e o ) n . aorfeAl destituter . W m . of fou ndation.—Manchester Guardian, A ND F A LMOUTH.—T he bustle e of war has cotn Gwyn to has published visit the intention P EIR ItTN statinghis e lectors, to solicit their suffrages : a n d M r. M owatt, a aa m did e n r c e e s s d i nthe borough. gen thonan connected with railway m a t ters an d C orn i sh co pper affairs, has arrived, and commenced his canvass. On Wednesday evening, pursuant to an advertisement, he ad dressed the electors at the Assembly-room, Fal mouth.. We hear that Mr. Freshfield intends coming, also tile Honour a bl e M r. Carnegie, and the present re prese etative • Captain Plumridge.—Cornivall Royal Gazette. BaLTON.—An address to the electors has been issued by tile Reform Association, stating the reasons why that body cannot support Mr. P. Ainsworth as one of their candisdates at the approaching general election. The address concludes by stating that the association " ar,• now ningaged in making certain inquires regarding suita!aile candidate in conjunction mith Dr. Bowring, the result of which will, in due time, be submitted to a public meeting of the electors, for their approval."—Manchester Guardian. LE KIDS.—The Liberal electors of Leeds are still in correifEondence with Joseph Sturge, Esq., who has taken time to deliberate on the proposal made to him. The hope is entertained, that in about a week Mr. Sturge may visit the town , for the purpose of addressing the inhabitants.—Leed;Mercury. KNARESBOROUGEE.—On Tuesday last the electors were addressed by the lion. W. S. Laseciks, and J. P. West head, Esq., of Manchester. Bo:n the candidates wire well received, and their addreiscs on the whole appeared to be satisfactory to the constituency. Mr. Westhead said he was averse to rapid transitions and hasty legislation, but was convinced that the course pointed cut to While legislators was onward. Mr. Busfield Ferrand, after being the first to publish an address to the electors,—de clines meeting them personally at present, as be is con vinced that it will be some months before an election cin take place.—Manchester Guardian. SOUTH SHIELDS.—It has been currently reported in South Shields, this week, that George Stephenson, Esq., the eminent engineer, and an intimate friend of G. Hudson, Esq., M.P., (who, as one of the proprietors of the extensive glass works in that town, has some local influence,) will offer himself to the constituents in op position to Mr. Wawn. lie will, of course, come forward in the railway interest; and, we understand, his politics are Conservative.—Newcastle Guardian. COURT CIRCULAR. Lord John Russell had an audience of the Queen yes terday at Buckingham Palaee. The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Royal children, and his Serene Highness the Prinee of Leiningen, left town yesterday afternoon for Windsor Castle, attended by the royal suite. The auguit party occu pied five carriages and four. In the first open landau and four were the Queen and Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, the Princes Royal, and the Prince of Leiningen. The Equerries in Waiting were Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, and Captain the Honourable A. H. Gordon ; and the Groom in Waiting, Sir Fre derick Stovin, followed in a carriage and four. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred, the Princess Alice, and the Princess Helena, and also the Viscountess Canning, Dowager Lady Lyttelton, Hon. Miss Dawson, Hon. Miss Stanley, and the Marquis of Ormonde folloived in three open landaus and four. Her Majesty and her Royal Consort were conducted to their carriage by the Lord Chamberlain, the Master of the Horse, and Vis count Clifden, Lord in Waiting to Prince Albert. The august party left the Palace at ten minutes before three o'clock, proceeding to the Paddington terminus of the Great Western Railway, and left town by a special train for the Slough station. A party of the 12th Lancers formed the escort from the Palace to the terminus. WINDSOR, MONDAY.— Her Majesty and Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princesi Royal, the Princess Alice, and the Princess Helena, and the Prince of Leiningen attended by the Viscountess Can ning, Dowager Lady Lyttelton, Hon. Miss Dawson, Hon. Miss Stanley, the Marquis of Ormonde, Sir Frederic Stovin, Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, Captain the Hon. A. H. Gordon and Doctor Meyer arrived at the Castle at eight minutes before four ()'clock this afterno3n from the Slough station of the Great Western Railway, escorted by a party of the Ist ' regiment of Life Guards under the command of Lieu tenant Lowther. _ _ Her Majesty and the Prince Consort were received on alighting from their carriage by the Master of the House hold. _ _ His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia, their Royal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar, and his Royal Highness the Prince of Lucca, arrived at the Castle on a visit to her Majesty, at twenty minutes past six o'clock this afternoon. The Grand Duke Constantine was attended by Vice-Admiral Lutke (Aide-de Camp General of the Emperor of Russia), Le Conseiller d'Etat Haurowiz, and Baron de Freedericksz. The Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were attended by the Countess of Assenburg, Count de Beust, and Baron Zigesar. The Prince of Lucca was attended by the Marquis Provenzali. His Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar accompanied the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess; his Excellency Baron de Brunnow, the Russian Minister, accompanied the Grand Duke Constantine ; Ind Count Adrien de Revel, the Sardinian Chargi d'Affaires, accompanied the Prince of Lucca. The illustrious party travelled from town by a special train in the Great Western Railway, and were conveyed from Slough in the Queen's carriages. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, arrived at her residence, Frognaore House, today, from town. Her Royal Highness was attended by Lady Augusta Bruce, Baroness de Speth, and Sir George Couper. His Royal Highness Prince George arrived at the Castle this afternoon on a visit to her Majesty. The Duchess of Sutherland and Lady Caroline Leve son Gower, the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, the Marquis of Abercorn, the Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby, the Earl Fortescue, the Earl Spencer, Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, and Lord George Lennox arrived in the course of the af ternoon on a visit to the Queen. The Queen gave a grand banquet in the evening in St. George's Hall. The dinner table was splendidly orna mented with gold plate, a very fine epergne, called " The Prince of Wales," forming the central ornament of the plateau. Numerous candelabra of silver gilt, filled with wax lights, were placed down the middle. At the west end of the hall was a buffet of gold plate, having in the middle a trophy captured at the storming of Seringa patam, the large head and paws of a royal tiger, couchant, covered with plates of pure gold. This figure formerly supported the throne of the Sultan of Mysore. On either side were displayed a State standard of Tippoo Sultan, the head of the staff of each standard being composed of a large amethyst, encircled with diamonds. The company included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia, their Royal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Saxe Weimar, his Royal Highness the Prince of Lucca, his Royal Highness Prince George, his Serene High ness the Prince of Leiningen, his Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, his Excellency the Baron de Brunnow, the Duchess of Sutherland and Lady Caroline Leveson Gower, Count de Revel, the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, Lady 3.iar Augus e a r c thee e iti ß a a r r q o u n i e s ss an D d Speth, the f Normanby, the Earl Fortescue, the Earl Spencer, Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, Lord George Lennox, Vice-Admiral Lutke, Lo Conseill er d'Etat Haurowiz Baron de Freedericksy , Countess of Asseu burg, Count de Beust, Baron Zigesar, Marquis Pro venzali, and Sir George Couper. Her Majesty's private Band attended after dinner in the Castle, and under the direction of Mr. Anderson, performed the following pieces : Overture, " Le Cheval de Bronze,"—Auber. Finale, first Act, "II flauto magico,"—Mozart. Selection, " Silvana,"—Weber. Seeleuspeigl Waltzes—Labitzky. The Queen Dowager took an airing yesterday after noon in a pony phaeton. The Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess of Saxe Weimar left Marlborough House yesterday afternoon on a visit to her Majesty at Windsor Castle. The Duke of Cambridge presided at the dinner of the City of London General Pension Society, at the London Tavern, yesterday. Sir Colin Campbell hat' an interview with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonial-office. A deputation consisting of Lord Brooke, Mr. Shirley, M.P. for South Warwickshire, Sir Charles Douglas, M.P. for Warwick, Mr. Bracebridge, Lord Lifford, and Mr. Lee, had an interview with Sir George Grey yes terday at the Home-office. Lord Howard de Walden and the Earl of Suffolk had interviews with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colonial office. Mr. S. Robinson and Mr. Balk had an interview with the Right Hon. E. Strutt yesterday, at the office of the Commissioners of Railways. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S.—MoNDAr. The betting commenced late, left off early, was ex tremely limited, and with very little influence on the prices. THE ASCOT STAKES. 6 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Humdrum—take 7 to 1. Bto 1 agst Mr. Herberts Odessa filly—t. aft. off. 8 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Vampyre—taken and afterwards offered 9to 1 agst Mr. Gregory's Clermont—t. and aft. off. 10 to 1 agst Lord Exeter's Hydrangea—taken 12 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Plaudit—taken 12 to 1 agst Lord Sandwich's Plantagenet—taken 14 to 1 agst Mr. A. Johnstone's Annandale THE EMPEROR'S VASE. 6 to 5 agst :dr. Gully's blendicant—taken 6 to 1 agst Mr. Isaac Day's Sir Tattou Sykes—t. - '7 to 1-agst Lord Lansdale's Jericho—t. and aft. off. 8 to 1 agst Mr. G. H. Moore's Wolf-dog—taken • - and afterwards offered 8 to I agst Mr. Meiklam's Poynton—taken Several bets were laid at evens on Mendicant, and 5 to 1 agst Sir Tatton Sykes. ST. LEGER. i l d s ie jeg Swallow—taker' 257 t t o o 2 1 agst at air. l,i. 's Cossack—taken to 1001. submittedla—W e t o the understand 25 to 1 agst Mr. stephenson's Black Dwarf—of. to t. t S o E b T e z 40 to 1 agst Mr. Td9rry's Limenoue—taken ab A oift s claim ants on Lord Charles Fitzroy, and that there is every prospect of the ultimate settlement of his account. thaTtE:prpopEol'sniYtioAnNipts A soldier, named William Atter, of the Royal Artillery, has been committed for trial at the Hertford as sizes, for a brutal assault and highway robbery, committed in the open day on a butcher named John Salmons. The out rage was committed on the road between Barkway and Barley; and the life of the wounded man is still considered n danger. A letter from Vienna states that as the Russians have fortified an important point on the Vistula, the Austrian Council of War has proposed to fortify Cracow and a point of the Bukowine close to the Russian fron tier. These works are expected to be commenced next year. A site of ground, two miles square, has been chosen for these fortifications. CANINE SAGACITY.—A short time since a favour ite dog belonging to a person residing at the Lye, near this town (Stourbridge), had its ear severely hurt, and was taken for two or three days to a chemist's shop, to have it dressed. On the fourth morning, however, the sagacious a nimal went to the shop by itself, and resting its head on the counter, patiently awaited the usual dressing of the car. It continued to do this every morn ing till the ear was well.—Local Paper. " BELL'S LlFE."—There was sold of "Bell's Life in London," during the past month of May—five publica tions only—namely, May 2,9, 16, 23, 30-141,561 copies, making an average weekly sale of 28,312.. On Sunday next " Beira Life" will contain faithful details of Ascot Races, and their brilliant accompaniments, with engravings of the Emperor's Vase, Queen's Vase, and Runt Cup, wit the usual sporting varieties. Price of "Belts Lffet 6d. Office, 170, Strand. ,00 tht 4 •st".o t hey l 'pea' age ° opll