The Sun. — London, England, 1853-05-04 00:00:00

THE WEATHER.—Sum Orna, MAY 4. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADS. • 57—highest since noon yesterday. 52-lowest this morning and during the night. 57 this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30'14. WIND, E. to E.N.E.—Light breeze, and dull, cloudy weather. b ....„..,‘,...,,..,_,......_......,, ,_:7,,Attli, • ...__ _vjporaik ..- ... Z' •. ‘ 44 ‘4'izs,..:-.V,!-1,-,,•- , LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1853. It is wonderfully instructive to watch the pro gress made in their inquiries by the Committee (now sitting) on Dockyard Promotions and Ap pointments. Seldom has the country, at any rate of late years, enjoyed the opportunity of any such amusing, but at the same time melancholy revela tions. For once we are admitted behind the scenes at the Admiralty. We hear for once the official whisper. We observe for once the " aside"—generally inaudible to the vulgar com munity. Confidential remarks, uttered within closed doors, are reported before Committee, and noted down verbatim et literatim by the attendant short-hand-writers. Confidential letters have their seals broken, so to speak, in the mar ket-place, and their contents flaming in the printed columns of the newspapers. At one moment we are standing at the elbow of the late Secretary to the Admiralty, listening to his candid confession—" There's no use blinking the question ; I can't help myself, I am so pressed by the Government." At another we are watching Vice-Admiral PARKER, as he tosses behind the fire that important missive in which Sir BALDWIN WALKER, as Surveyor of the Navy, takes the liberty of respectfully tendering his resignation to the Lords Commissioners. Already we have commended the really sur prising lucidity of the evidence given by Sir B. WALKER before the Committee of Inquiry into the subject of Dockyard Promotions and Appoint ments. It is deeply to be regretted that the evidence subsequently " taken down " from the lips of Mr. AUGUSTUS STAFFORD, is by no means comparable either in coherence or explicitness. Throughout his replies there is a painful sense of hesitation, if not indeed of actual reservation. Beyond which, while there is not a link wanting in the whole chain of evidence given by the late Surveyor of the Navy, there is per ceptible here and there in the evidence given by the late Secretary to the Admiralty a hiatus at once suspicious and bewildering. Another remarkable witness was examined before committee only yesterday—one Mr. JOHN BRIGGS—who during the last twenty-seven years has been reader to the Board of Admiralty. His evidence, it must be allowed, is sufficiently enter taining from its delightful preciseness. Witness —as we learn from one part of these amusing revelations—remembered distinctly the notable interview which took place between Sir BALDWIN WALKER and Mr. AUGUSTUS STAFFORD, in refer ence to the former official's memorable letter of resignation. Tu fact, he seems to have blundered in upon them during their conference. "On my entering the room," remarks the wit ness, " the Surveyor of the Navy appeared to be labouring under great agitation of mind, as if something very unpleasant had occurred." That, at least, is the surmise of Mr. JOHN BRIGGS, reader to the Admiralty. Thereupon his curiosity r'ecame naturally excited, more particularly when he adds, " I heard some words [delightful indefi niteness t], and was about to retire [bashful BRIGGS t], thinking something had taken place"— marvellous instance of astuteness in ratioci nation ! Can i t possiblybe our dear old friend, Mr. BRw or s of Punch—the beloved of Josix LEECH, and " the bright particular star" of the London Charivarilr b e i turn, however, from idle surmises to this delectabl e evidence, wit ness adds, "The Surveyor Was standing t the table him folding up his papers and I beardsay these words Very well, Sir, I will gzetoin: that horaerset_ Somerset house, and return by and by , ' w as much agitated, I said to Mr. STAFFORD [ we e presume by this time Sir BALDWIN WALKER had quieted the apartment], I hope the Surveyor has not resigned.' He [meaning of course Mr. STAFFORD] said No :ho has re signed.' I said, What do you mean ?' " Now let it be observed that Mr. STAFFORD'S reply was s imply, "No : lie has resigned"—a reply to any ordinary mind as plain as a pike-staff. But - - Mr. BRIGGS'S was not an ordinary mind. He was evidently bewildered, for we find him adding— " I said, What do you mean V " Fortunately, Mr. BRIGGS was bewildered —fortunately, because his bewilderment elicited from Mr. STAFFORD the following explanation—" The Surveyor of the Navy has been to the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND, and the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND informed him that he had never seen the resignation, and that if he had seen his letter of resignation, he should immediately have taken it to Lord DERBY ; that the Surveyor had been to Admiral PARKER, who had told him that he had not thought fit to bring his letter before the Board, but that he had de stroyed it." According to witness, Mr. STAFFORD added—" In fine, cuffed by the Duke, snubbed by Admiral PARKER, with his letter of resignation in the fire, the Surveyor of the Navy not only comes to me and recites this in his own proper person, but asks me what he had better do." Mr. BRIGGS'S sensitive nature is startled by this plain speaking. "My remark was," says he [by the way he has never spoken of his remark before, any more than Mrs. GAMF, but that ea passant], Mr. STAF FORD lam astonished at you, I am."' And so the evidence of Mr. JOHN BRIGGS was conducted throughout. Garrulous, minute, scrupulous as to the most trivial circumstance, Mr. BRIGGS de poses from first to last, as the report informs us, with " great importance and preciseness." His evidence has been about the most amusing episode in these entertaining and occasionally grotesque re velations. The whole transaction breathes rather of the age of the Merry Monarch than of the age of Queen VICTORIA. Conning these odd exposures of the doings at the Dockyards, and reading them by the light of Mr. BRIGGS'S evidence, we are almost fain to imagine ourselves in the days when good " Mr. SAMUEL PEPYS his Diary" recorded the thoughts and deeds, official and domestic, of the Secretary to the Admiralty Board of Commis sioners. Slowly, but surely—we believe—Mr. CHARLES PEARSON is breaking ground for the erection of his proposed City Terminus. Under any circum stances he may be said to have already prepared for the laying of its foundations. 'Additional promise of this was afforded on Monday afternoon by a cluster of representatives, described correctly enough as " a very numerous and most influential deputation," who waited upon the Home Secretary according to special appointment. Altogether, the interview proved more satisfactory than such things are accustomed to do. Instead of leaving the Members of the deputation just about as wise on going out of the official apartment as they had been on entering it, Viscount PALMERSTON ex pressed his views upon the subject of this pro jected metropolitan improvement with so much energetic candour and lucidity, that it were idle to doubt now for a moment the opinion enter tained upon the matter in question, by one at least of the most influential members of her MA JESTY'S Government. It could scarcely have been otherwise. The feasibility of the sug gested enterprise has already long since been clearly demonstrated. The advantages certain to accrue from it to the community at large have been for some time past duly appreciated by the majority of the inhabitants of London and West ' minster. Besides all which, the Noble Lord, her MAJESTY'S Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, was addressed in language of such peculiarly forceful appropriateness, as applied to himself personally, that it became in a manner incumbent upon him for once to break through that Minisebrial reserve which is no doubt as con venient to statesmen as it is annoying and bewil dering to the general population. Viscount PAL MERSTON, for example, had heard those closing re marks of the Hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. ,RAIKES CURRIE), in the course of which, speaking for himself and the gentlemen associated with him, he assured the Home Secretary—" They, (the members of the deputation) believe that the pecu liar energy, the pre-eminent ability, the indefati gable devotion to the public service which hare long signalised your Lordship's career in one of r the highest departments of the Government, may now, under PROVIDENCE, be the means of con ferring domestic benefits no less remarkable, no less deserving the labours of a great statesman, on millions of your fellow-countrymen : and in this point of view, and under these impressions, they respectfully submit this important undertaking to your Lordship's attention and favourable conside ration." He had heard one of the Representatives of the City of London (Sir JAMES DUKE) bearing witness to " the unanimous and cordial approba tion " with which, out of doors, the project is hailed and supported. He had heard another (Mr. MASTERMAN) assert that " there could be no doubt of the state of public opinion on the subject, or of the advantage which would accrue to the City from its being supported by the Go verntnent." He had been reminded by the Mem ber for Lambeth (Mr. W. WILLIAMS) that " the objects of the deputation were not merely local," and by the Hon. Member for Southwark (Mr. A. PELLA TT), that the execution of the intended works would, by diminishing the present crowded condition of the streets of the metropolis, and by materially promoting the cause of sanitary im provement, be received as a great boon by the inhabitants. Another of the Hon. Members, the Representative of Lambeth (Mr. W. A. WILKIN SON) had corroborated the assertions made by his colleague ; while " last, but not least " in the group of Legislators, the Representative of the Borough of Finsbury (Mr. THOMAS DUNCOMBE) had insisted, with some con siderable show of reason, that, "as upwards of a thousand houses were now in progress of removal in Fleet Valley," it became necessary that no time should be lost in securing to the public the benefits of the projected enterprise. Listen ing to all these arguments, and remarking that they were arguments of a really authoritative character, as coming to him from the lips of Metropolitan Representatives, Lord PALMERSTON could hardly have ventured to evade something approximating to a definite explanation. Instead of doing so, in fact, he avowed that, while " re serving to himself a discretion to consider any fair objection that might be brought forward," he gave the matter his most willing consideration, and, as far as he was at present informed, believed that it was deserving the support of her Majesty's Government." Naturally, of course, he reminded the deputation that- the details of the under taking fell entirely within other departments. For example, the Noble Lord observed, that "the railway portion of the measure would devolve upon the Board of Trade for consideration, and the proposed street improvements would be inquired into by the Board of Works ;" but apart from this, the Home Secretary distinctly avowed that he regarded the project, as a whole, as highly de serving all the support that could fairly be given it by the Government and the Parliament. After this bold acknowledgment on the part of so emi nent an authority, it were frivolous to question the probability of that same project being speedily real ised. An interval will, of course, be required for fur ther preliminary labours before the enterprise can be commenced in earnest. Ultimately, however, we may now count upon its completion, without any degree of extravagance. Wherefore, once in a way, at least, good may be said to have actually resulted from a deputation. Exeter-hall can create saints as well as the Vatican, and in some respects much more efficient ones. Rome canonises the dead, but the English beatifiers confer their honours on the living, and however many of us may doubt the omnipresence of departed spirits, or their prowess in sublunary affairs, none of us disputes the occasional advan tage of fighting a political battle under the pa tronage of a flesh-and-blood saint of Exeter-hall notoriety. At elections some of these unetherial guardian genii of Protestantism have laid occa sionally a large constituency under a most holy Anti-Maynooth spell, and returned in triumph the favourite candidate of those who invoked their aid. In the House of Commons, since Mr. PER CIVAL's exit, this race of beings has been nearly e ci x e t s in d c o t indeed re s e Penim . ens of the extijict spe canonised ones of old, without the main, but using only the argu ments of the testimonials of canontion) they present rather a ludicrous than an imposing appearance. In the House of Lords, however, there is still remaining a specimen of the species now extinct in the other hemisphere of Legislation ; one, more over, of such sterling worth, that we much regret the unworthy purposes for which his aid has been invoked. As the patron saint of Sabbatarian movements, Protestant Alliances, Stafford-house Addresses, baths and washhouses, model lodging houses, ragged schools, and of everything indeed which bears the stamp of benevolence or anti- Popery, the Earl of SHAFTESBURY has enjoyed the long and just admiration of all the Protestant MACHALES and LUCASES, and of all who delight in benefiting the humbler classes of society by direct charity. The sincerity of his charity, more over, has never been called in question. The most rabid curs on the other side of St. George's Channel would not venture to denounce him as guilty of " soup-ticket proselytism." His Lord ship is, however, but one of " too many instances in which the narrowest interpretation of a meek and expansive faith is combined with a high de gree of religious and social excellence. This, no doubt, was the reason why he was selected as the standard-bearer of mediaeval bigotry and intoler ance on Friday night. Had Lord DERBY been put forward, it would have been held all pretty fair as a political opposition in his peculiar position, but it would have been accounted a purely political opposition. Had the Bishop of EXETER moved the amendment, all his resistance would, by worldly and malicious minds, have been ascribed to views and habits so uncourteously described the other night by Sir WM. MOLBSWORTH. But, if Lord SHAFTESBURY, whose motives none ever ventured to impugn— Lord SHAFTESBURY, who has such a constituency of the benevolent on his right hand, and the zeal ous Protestants on his left---4f he will but head the ill-omened phalanx of civil and religious des potism, his name would be an answer at once to many a taunt, and an authority with thousands of followers. Nothing harsh could come from the noble patron of factory operatives and ragged schools ; nothing contemptuous to the Jews from one who vies with BENJAMIN DISRAELI in extolling "the Hebrew mind," as destined to make them " the future sovereigns of the earth." Lord SHAF TESBURY'S name is sufficient to prove that it is both Christian and benevolent to do to the Jews as we would not that they should do unto us—to prove that it must unchristianise the kingdom since he thinks it would. Lords who, at bottom, chiefly desired to give Lord JOHN RUSSELL a well-deserved snubbing, since he chose to try his hand at " lead ing" their Lordships, as well as the House of Com mons, where he ought to have settled the whole business; Lords who wished to tantalise the Coalition a little; Lords who wanted to take breath after such a mighty liberal effort as passing the Canada Clergy Reserves Bill ; Lords who really believed that there was such a thing as unchristianising a Legis lature by permitting Christian electors to choose a Jewish Representative—and there really are a few such Lords—chiefly those, no doubt, who have personally retired from public life and com mitted themselves to the care of their wife and the chaplain ; but chiefly the far greater number of Lords who delight, in any safe contest, to nail the good old Tory colours to the mast, and show that they are Tory Lords still, and not the foot ball of a Reformed (1) House of Commons—all these various classes of Lords could play their part in this annual sham-fight to the very best advantage under a leader far too good a man to be a party politician. " I voted with the Earl of SHAFTESBURY." That's answer enough to all the gentler sex assuredly, and more than answer enough to all who care for " our Protestant insti tutions." His Lordship performed the office of a legislative CALCRAFT, of course, with his wonted blandness. He strangled the last offspring of Religious Liberty with a silken cord, but it was strangling of the noblest kind of freedom still, and gave a Bishop the opportunity to remind the House of the " grievous wrong they had done the Church in admitting Catholics and Dissenters into the Legislature, and that admitting the Jews would be but to perpetuate a greater wrong." Lord SHA.FrEsnußvhimself partly adopteil the same argu ment, and ought, logically, to have adopted the whole when he urged that a Christian Church ought only to be legislated for by Christians. Lord SHAFTESBURY and the Bishops, however, must take care. They may find that the sentiment of Religious Liberty is becoming hourly much stronger, and the policy of State Endowments and State Churches more and more extensively questioned. We regard it as perfectly certain that if the two should come of necessity into conflict, Religious Liberty would gain the victory, and speedily too. If the greater part of our politicians at all believed that a system of exclusions from civil privileges and offices were necessary to the preservation of English Episcopacy, they would neither dare, nor probably wish, to take their stand on the ground of exclusiveness. On the debate generally we have already expressed our opinion. We suppose it is hopeless to expect the House of Commons under a Coalition to assert the rights of Electors, or Lord JOHN RUSSELL to kick at the House which snubs him at pleasure. To us the People's Representa tives appear unendurably degraded when they suffer the Upper House to hold the keys of the Lower one—when, year after year, they invite Baron ROTHSCHILD to take his seat among them. But the Lords see fit to bar the door, not of their own, but of the People's House, in his face. Surely the day must be at hand when the good old motto, that " Every Englishman's house is his castle," will be adopted in good earnest by the Englishmen who compose the House of Commons. We want a " House of Commons Reserves Bill," of which the first clause should enact " that the settlement of qualifications for a Representative of the People should be determined by the Repre sentatives of the People ; and a second, that all matters pertaining to the right of suffrage, the mode of collecting votes, and the arrangement of electoral divisions, should also belong exclusively to the People's House." THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the Management of Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, MAT 4, By desire, THE LADY O F LYONS. Supported by Mr. B. Sul livan, and Miss Helen Faucit. After which MR. BUCKSTONE'S ASCENT OF MOUNT PAR. EASSUS. To conclude with OUR MARY ANNE. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD -STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, MKT 4, Will be performed the Tragedy of MACBETH. Principal cha racters by Mr. and Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with the new Drama, adapted from the French of 311 on Scribe, b Mr. Pgrave iinpson, called MARCO SPADA. Principal characters by Messrs. W. Lacy, J. Yining, Ryder, Graham and Everett ; MiSiSCS Heath and C. Leclercq. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame VestriS. THIS EVENING, MAY 4, Will be performed A.S.S. Characters by Messrs F. Mathews, Suter, and 809iare; Mrs. Macnamara and Miss Wyndham. After which, A FAST TRAIN—HIGH PRESSURE EXPRESS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, Baker, and Suter. To be followed by TRYING IT ON. Principal character by Mr, C. Mathews After which, USED UP. Pr:ncipal character by Mr. C. Mathews. THEATRE ROYAL ADELFHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster. —Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, MAT 4, Will be presented THE ROUSED LION. Characters by Mess's, B. Webster, Farsede, Wigan, lia-tinv, &c.; Mrs. Keeley, 3liss F, Maskell, and Mrs. L. Murray. Atter which, A DESPERATE GAME. To be followed by THE PRET GIRLS OF To conclude with TUE SCOTCH STIL3BERG.MAN. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager Mr. Farren. Great Hit of THE MILLER OF DERWENT WATER. THIS EVENING, MAY 4, will be performed THE MILLER OF DERWENT WATER, Characters by 3fessrs. H. Farm, F. Robson, Shalders, O. Cooke, and Morgan; Mesdames Anderton and E. Turner. After which, UNCLE CROTCHET. Supported by Messrs. Far. ren, F. Robson, and Mrs. Phillips. To be followed by MACBETH. By Mr. Samuel Macbeth; Mr. F. R beon, Mrs. Sarah Macbeth, and Mrs. A. Phillips. To conclude win' THE WATERMAN. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. IT. Cooke. Continued and brilliant euccess of the New Spectacle. Third Night of an entirely new Drama. THIS EVENING, MAY 4, And during the week, the performances 'will commence with the lnereaaingly popular spectacle of AMAKOSA ; or, Scenes of Rafir tv.,rfare ; with all its new and beautiful scenic, intgresting dramatic and astonishing Equestrian effects. The Buraing Wood , the Leap through Fire, and the terrific spring of Amakosa's Steed over the Falls of the Umtata, nightly received with enthusiastic approbation. To be followed by a novel and incomparable display of Equestrian Achievements in the scenes of the ARENA, supported by the most accomplished Artistes of toe day. Mr. Cooke will appear with his wonderful steed Raven ; also Mr. Alfred Cooke and his accomplished Family. To conclude with a new Cemle Drama, entitled IN FOR A DJG; or, Life at the Diggings. 13 , x-ottice open daily from Eleven to Four. stage Manager , Mr. W. West. DAILY WEATHER TABLE. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4,18 M. State of the wind and weather at each of the following plftcer, at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stations are rrranged in order of latitude. HASTINGS--S.;-srlitle breeze—rain. SOUTHAMPTON S., strong breeze—rain. TUNBRIDGE—E.,stron breeze—rain. BAsmsToKE—N •E. strong breeze—scud—rain. G REENw icH—E., gentle breeze— heavy rain. SWINDON—N., fresh breeze—rain. CAMBRIDGE—N.E., gentle breeze—cloudy. LEiGirroN—S.E., gentle breeze—rain. YARMOUTH—S.E., gentle breeze—foggy. The returns from the following places indicate the state of the weather on Monday morning at nine o'clock HASTINGS—E.N.E., fresh breeze—cloudless. SOUTHAMPTON---S.E., strong breeze—overcast. FomnisToNE—N.E., gentle breeze—overcast. TUNBRIDGE—S.W., gentle breeze—cloudless. BASINGSTOKE—N.E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. GREENWICH—S.E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. STROOD—E., strong breeze—partially cloudy. SWINDON—S.E., fresh breeze—partially cloudy. CAMBRIDGE—E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. LEIGHTON—S.E., gentle breeze—cloudless. YARMOUTH—E., gentle breeze—foggy. HOLYHEAD-8.E., strong breeze—overcast. DARLINGTON—E strong breeze—partially cloudy. SNAP— S.E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Vs DAT —Morning 0 min. after 0 I Evening 56 min.aft. 11 TaVenow—Morning 17 min. aft er 12 1 Evening 38 min.aft. 12 THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 4, 1853. COURT CIRCULAR. OSBORNE, TUESDAY. The Queen drove out into the grounds this morning. Prince Albert and the royal children walked as usual in the park, The Countess of Mount Edgcumbo will arrive to-day as Lady in Waiting to her Majesty. It is understood that the Court will return to London on the 27th May. As her Majesty's birthday will be celebrated on the 24th of May no drawing-room will be held upon that occasion. It is also understood to be her Majesty's intention that State Balls shall take place on Wednesday, the 15th of June, and on Wednesday, the 29th of June ; and that Concerts shall be given on Friday, the 3d of June ; Monday, the 20th of and on Monday, the 4th of July ; and further, that the christening of the Infant Prince shall take place on Monday, the 27th of June next. Sir A Perrier had an interview with the Duke of Newcastle yesterday at the Colonial-office. Major- General Sir R. Nickle had also an interview with his grace yesterday. A deputation from the London Dock Company had an interview with the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, yesterday, at the office of the Board of Trade. The deputation consisted of Messrs. Cattley, Cave, Powles, Chandler, and Weston. Mr. Ross and Mr. Jackson, M.P., had yesterday an interview with the Duke of Newcastle. Dispatches from the Governors of Hong Kong, Ceylon, and Malta, and also from the Lord High Com missioner of the lonian Islands, were received yesterday at the Colonial-office. NEW SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH.—On the first fine day after this date the cable is to be laid down for the new submarine telegraph from Dover to Ostend, where, in dependently of the French lines, it will connect with the general continental system. The length of the cable will be 70 miles, and it will comprise six distinct wires. SPECIE.—The shipment of specie by the Peninsular and Oriental steamer Ripon, amount to 151,6001., of which 43,5001. is gold for Alexandria, and 103,4001. silver for Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, and Singapore. The remainder consists of small quantities of gold for Port Philip, Adelaide, and Madras. SOUTH WALES RAILWAY.—The tubular suspension bridge, 300 feet span, on this line of railway, constructed by Mr. Brunel, over the Wye, at Chepstow, was in spected by the Government Inspector of Railways, who has certified that it is fit for traffic, and accordingly it is now open. A single line of rails over one side of the bridge was opened last year for traffic, but now both lines are open, and the bridge which is 610 feet in length is completed. The electric telegraph on this line is now nearly completed to Swansea, and preparations are being made to carry it to Carmarthen. It is already in use from Gloucester to Cardiff, and a few days will com plete the communication to Swansea. MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL, INTELLIGENCE-(T111.5 DAY.) CITY, TWO 0 CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 500 Surat were taken for export, and 1,000 American on specula tion. The market closed very firmly, with prices of American rather against the buyers. The sales comprised 4,500 American, 50 Pernam and Maran ham at 61d., 50 Bahia at 60. to 61d., 300 Egyptian at 6id. to 7d., 80►0 Surat at 30. to and 30 Sea Island at Is. 10d. to 2s. 7d. per i lb. Railway Shares were dull. The ship Statesman brings Melbourne advices of Jan. 30, and 10,339 ounces of gold. The steamer Ripon has taken ou t 151,680/. t o Egypt and India, principally in silver. The Magdalena steamer, with the West India mail, has over 3,000,000 dollars on board. Trade at Jamaica was very dull. In regard to mining operations in Jamaica, which have of late been of so much interest, the advices are very satisfactory. Discoveries of gold are al leged to have been made in St. Lucia, though the specimens found had to be submitted to analysis before this could be confirmed. The analysis of copper found on Moreland estate, Westmoreland, had given great satisfaction, and copper ore had actually been found in one of the streets in King ston of an exceedingly rich nature. The remittance for the Mexican dividends is stated at 27,000 dols., with 70,000 dols. for the cotton licenses, to be placed to the old account. Mr. Falconnet had been imprisoned by the autho rities, on account of the charges of corruption he is alleged to have made against members of the Congress. The Trade and Navigation returns for the month, and three months ended April 5, have been issued. In the importations into the United Kingdom during the month, there was an increase in live animals, cocoa, coffee, wheat, barley, rye, Indian corn, flour, cotton manufactures, cotton yarn, flax, hemp, lace manufactures, linen manufactures, saltpetre, silk, silk manu factures,metals, nutmegs, opium,i r rice, saltpetre, spirits, unrefined sugar, refined ditto, tea, tobacco, wine, cotton wool, anal sheep's wool. There was a falling off in the im portations of oats guano, bacon, eggs, cassia lignea, mace, and pimento. In the exporta tions, there was an increase in butter, cotton yarn, thrown silk, soap, and woollen yarn ; but a diminution in coals and culm, cotton manu factures, linen yarn, refined sugar, woollen manu factures and woollen yarn. The total exports of British and Irish produce and manufactures from the United Kingdom in the month ended April 5 were to the amount of 7,887,2331., an increase of 1,486,8181. over the corresponding month of 1852. t The tonnage of vess e l s em pl o y e d i n th e f ore i gn rade of the United Kingdom during the month to the sth April was 548,531 tons inwards against 406,784 tons at the like date of 1852. English Stocks have been rather flatter this morning, and there is still an absence of speculative dealing. Consols have been done at 100 1 1, and since at 104 for transfer, and at 1031 k for Account. New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. were 103 k to and the 3 per Cents. 100 to k. Bank Stock is-firm at 228, and India Stock at 261 and 2621. Exchequer Bills of March are Is. to ou- ss. premium, a n d S ou th S ea Old Annuities are worth 99i to par. Foreign Stocks generally have been firm, with a fair business d o i ng . M ex i can Bonds have been at g -27k to , being din. Equador Bonds are at 6k, and Brazilian Sm a ll at 101. Portuguese Four per Cents. have realized 422. Peruvian Scrip is 3 4 premium. da heavy, and l thea n French F quoted 104 50, with the Exchange at 25 . Dutch ti t e 2 s discount. hhaveav e beenbe n e Two and-a-Half per Cents. are worth 60 f. SwedishSHp a a f n perhLoan Certificates eri sfi Cents.eaat Railway Shares are rather flatter, i and with less doing, but the Caledonian has improved to 68, and the York and Berwick to 704. Lancashire and Yorkshire are fairly supported. The others are scarcely so good. French shares keep steady , but with very little doing. Gold Mine Shares have been less dealt in, but remain at about the previous rates. The Copiapo have been in request. The Land Companies Shares are heavy, with the exception of the Scottish Australian, which has risen. British American Land are declining. The Joint-Stock Bank shares are generally dull. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY. (From the Official List.) Bank Stock . Business done, 228 3 per Cent. Reduced'Annuities lOOB 100 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities New 31 per Cent. Annuities Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 Ditto 30 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 1859 Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 6 3-16 India Stock India Bonds, £lOOO _ _ _ South Sea Old Annuities 994 100 Consols for Account Exchequer BillS 11d. June. March. £lOOO 4 1 5 4 1 5 £5OO 4 1 5 4 1 5 Small 4 1 5 4 1 5 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto Small Ditto New, 1852, 41 per Cent IOOI Chilian Bonds, 6 per Cent 2 Ditto 3 per Cent. Equador Bonds Grenada Bonds, Ex. Dec., 1849, Coupon 23 Grenada Bonds, Deferred Mexican 3 per Cent. - Ditto for the Account 27* Peruvian Bonds, 41 per Cent. Peruvian Scrip Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent., Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto 41 per Cent lO4l . Sardinianßonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto for the Account 9Bl Spanish 3 per Cent., New Deferred 241 Ditto Passive (Converted) Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun 6i p c Swedish Loan - Dividends on the above payable in London. French Rentes, 41 per Cent. Belgian 4 1 per Cent. Dutch Exchange, 2 per Cent. 12 Guil. Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates Consols Ditto May Account 66 1 i 96, 6 THREE O'CLOCK. 100,i 100“ SPORTING NOTES.—No. CCCCXIX. CHESTER SPRING MEETING.—The bill of fare to-mor row comprises seven items, three of which—the Scurry Handicap; Dee Stand Cup, and Selling Plate -call for no remarks from me. The Cheshire - Welter Cup of 100 sovs., the rest in specie, by subscription of 20 sovs. each, h ft, &c., over the Grosvenor course, will, I opine, be contested by Agis, Montague, Caurire, Titterstone, The Carrier, Sphynx, and perhaps by Trifle and Fairplay. My idea of the result is that Fairplay, if he runs, will win. In his absence I must place CATJAIRE first, Montague second, and Titterstone third. The starters for the Marquis of Westminster's Plate depends so much on the running for the Cup to-day that it would be absurd to attempt giving a list. My opinion points to PELION as the probable winner, April Fool perhaps occupying the second place, Indian Warrior third. The First Triennial Stakes, one mile and three-quar ters, will, I understand, terminate in a walk over for Osborne's Merry Bird. The Dee Stakes of 10 sovs. each, with 200 added, for three-year-olds, colts Bst 71b, fillies Bst 21b, Grosvenor course, will, it is said, have the following at the post: — Prince Leopold (brother to Shylock), John Bull, Eliza, Helena, Orinoco, Sylphine, and perhaps another or two. If I were to take the betting as any criterion, Orinoco would be my selection, as they lay slight odds upon him against the field ; but, as the case stands, I must look to a thorough dark one for the winner, and I expect to see PRINCE LEOPOLD first, Orinoco second, and Sylphine third. THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF. CHESTER, THIS DAY.—LATEST BETTING. (BY ELECTRIC,' TELEGRAPH). CHESTER CUP. sto 2 agst Trifle. Bto 1 agst Lord-Lieutenant. Bto 1 agst Peggy. 12 to 1 agst Talfourd. 15 to 1 agst Newminster. 20 to 1 agst any other. ADDITIONAL ARRIVALS. Truth, Koh-i-noor, Allegro, Babette, Hatchet, Content ment, Guicowar, Orinoco, Caurire, Prince Leopold (Brother to Shylock), Pelion, Effie Deans. and Kin Dawson's lot are all scratche d but Pe ggy g of of Trumps. Bardolph scratched. GOLD IN NEW ZEALAND.---The advices from Auck land, New Zealand, by the last arrival, with regard to the gold discoveries in Coromandel harbour, give the fol lowing description of the specimens brought in :—" The dust consisted of flaky gold of a pale lemon colour, largely intermixed with auriferous quartz, the separa tion having been effected only by washing in the simplest manner. No very accurate assay has yet been obtained, but it is found to be free from any alloy except silver, of which it contained a portion. The quartz is highly auriferous, and from its great friability may be separated by crushing with great fa cility. Considering the small number of diggers yet upon the ground—not more than 40 persons, scattered over an area of 10 or 12 square miles—the short time since the first specks of gold were discovered—only two months—and the large proportion of the time of each digger employed in explorin , , we hail the commence ment of the Auckland gold 'diggings as affording the most brilliant promise of ultimate productiveness." SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. CHESTER RACES-TUESDAT MCINING. During the early part of the morning the scene on the Roodee was of the usual animated and exciting charac ter. A large number of horses gallopped. The Cup candidates—Trifle, Peggy, Black Doctor, Woolwich, Newminster, Lord-Lieutenant, and Mr. I. Day's two, were particularly admired for their bloom of condition and style of going. At the betting-room the investments were again chiefly confined to the two leading favourites —Trifle and Peggy—each was backed at 9to 2. There was, however, a considerable improvement in the position of Newinster, as little as 12 to 1 being taken ; 40 to 1 agst Woolwich, .►0 to 1 agst Goldfinder, 100 to 1 agst Retail. TUESDAY. The events of the day were decided as follows : GROSVENOR STAKES of 10 sovs. each, h ft, with 30 added ; three-yr-olds, 6st 1 Olb ; four, Bst 71b ; five, 9st llb ; six and aged, 9st 31b. A winner extra. Mares and geldings allowed 31b. Grosvenor Course, about a mile and a-quarter. Eight subs. Mr. T. Dawson's Lerrywhent, by Lanercost, 4 yrs, Bst 71b (Aldcroft) 1 Mr. T. Parr's Massaroni, 3 yrs, Est 71b (Wells) 2 Mr. E. Knowles's Pearl, 3 yrs, Est 71b (Barker) 3 Mr. E. R. Clarke's Deerhound, 3 yrs, Est 101 b (F. Marson) 4 The following also ran :—Truth, Le Juif, and Sanita. PALATINE STAKES of 15 sovs. each, sft, with 100 added ; for three-year-old fillies, Bst 71b. each ; allowances for maidens; winners extra. The owner of the second horse to save his stake. From the Castle Pole once round and in, rather more than a mile and a quarter. (18 subs.) Mr. Merry's Exact, Bst 71b (W. Day) 1 Mr. Halford's Eliza, Bst (Charlton) 2 Mr. Copperthwaite's The Deformed, Bst 71b (Harrison) 3 The following also ran :—Mr.Wilson's Ann Eliza, Bst 71b (Marlow), Mr. J. M. Stanley's Bloomer, Bst 41b (J. Marson). Bumby weighed for Misletoe and her number was put up, but she did not start. The betting closed at 6to 4, on Exact, 5 to 2 agst Ann Eliza, 5 to 1 agst The De formed,'and 6to 1 agst Bloomer. Won by a length ; the third closed up with the second. SWEEPSTAKES Of 5 sovs. each, with 30 added ; three year-olds Est 121 b ; four, Bst 41b ; fi ve , B s t 131 b ; s i x and aged , 9st 21b ; allowances for maiden four-year olds ; mares and geldings allowed 31b ; the winner to be sold for 80 sovs. Once round and a. distance. 8 subs. Mr. Pedley's Sweetness, by Sweetmeat, 3 yrs, Est 91b (Wells) 1 Mr. Meiklam's Cleveland, Bst 41b (Templernan) 2 Lord Caledon's Mushroom, 3 yrs (Stairway) 3 MOSTYN STAKES of 10 SOTS. each, with 100 added, for two-year-olds ; colts; Bst Glb ; fillies and geldings, Bst 21b ; a winner extra ; the second to receive 20 sovs. out of the stakes. Three quarter of a mile. 28 subs. Mr. J. Osborne's Brown Brandy, Bst 61b (J. Osborne) 1 Mr. E. R. Clark's c by Napier, Glenhawk's dam, Bst 61b. (Bartholomew) 2 Mr. G. Taylor's Czarina, Bst 21b (Flatman) 3 The following also ran :—Happy New Year, c by Faugh-a-Ballagh, Miniature, and Bright May. Betting—The betting opened at 6 to 4 agst Brown Brandy, but closed at 2 to 1 agst Miniature filly, 3 to 1 agst Brown Brandy, 7 to 2 agst Bright May. Napier colt made the running to the half distance, when he was caught by Brown Brandy, and beaten by a neck. Half a length between the second and third— same betweeri third and fourth. CHESTERFIELD STAKES, a handicap of 10 sovs. each, with 100 added, for 3yr olds. The second to receive 25 sovs. A winner of a handicap subsequent to the publication of the weights of 100 sovs. clear to carry 51bs. extra. Once round and a distance. (27 subs.) Lord Chesterfield's Jacqueline, Est (Ashman) 1 Mr. Wilson's f by Gameboy—Maid of Monton, Est 61b (T. Cliff) 2 Lord Waterford's April Fool, Tat 61b (D. Doyle) 3 The following also ran :—The Hatchet, f by Assault— Newton Lass, Dressmaker, and Mocassin. OPTIONAL SELLING STAKES of 5 sovs. each, with 30 added, for 3-year-olds and upwards ; the winner to be sold for 150 soys. ; allowances if to be sold for less ; winners extra. One mile and a quarter. The winner to be sold by auction after the race, and any surplus to go to the fund. (5 subs.) Welsh Harper 1 MaYfly 2 Sally 3 Flying Buck Won easily. BANKRUPTCY COURT.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.) IN BE LILY.—IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMERCIAL BANK OF LONDON. The bankrupt formerly carried on business as a mer chant in Great St. Helen's, and to-day was appointed for hearing a claim made against the estate by the Com mercial Bank of London.. Mr. Pearson appeared as counsel for the Bank, and Mr. Aspland as counsel for the assignees. Mr. Pearson said that ho proposed, in the first in stance, to enter a claim, on behalf of the Commercial Bank of London, on a bill of exchange for 2,5001., drawn by Lackerstein and Co., on the bankrupt. The bill was dated the Ist, of December, 1851, and professed to be accepted for "value received on shipments." The ob ject of the present claim was to follow the shipments, and ascertain what they realised. Mr. Aspland submitted that if the bank sought to prove a claim on the bill, they must waive any col lateral security, or else' realise the security, and prove for the difference. Mr. Pearson on the contrary, urged that both the bankrupt and Lackersteins had distinctly vouched to the cashier of the bankrupt that the bill was on the ship ments, and he hoped his clients would not be pressed to make an election now. His Honour concurred that the general rule was to either prove for the debt, and abandon the collateral security, or to realise the security and prove for the differ ence, and he did not see why it should be departed from in the present case. The only effect of admitting the claim would be to shut up a large sum of money from being made available for a . dividend amongst the gene ral body of creditors. The bankrupt could not be pre judiced by a, delay, as there would be an abundance of assets to meet their dividend, in the event of the right of lien on the shipments not being supported. The claim was then withdrawn, and it was agreed th a t the right of lien should be argued before a Court of Com missioners, whose decision was to be final. Commis sioners Goulburn, Holroyd, and Fonblanque will be the commissioners On the occasion. CITY COMMISSIONERS OF SEWERS.—The Commis sioners met yesterday at the Guildhall. There was the usual routine of business disposed of, and tenders were received for the cleansing of the streets and removal of dust, &c., for the year commencing at Midsummer next. The Commissioners , directed the Medical officer of Health to examine the business premises of Messrs. Cuthbert, in Paternoster-row, which have obtained notoriety from the frequent complaints made of nui sances from the fat-melting process carried on there ; and he was directed to report at length as to any means that can be 'devised to get rid of the nuisance. The Court also agreed with a committee who had had under consideration the widening of Birchin-lane, at the pre mises of Messrs. Waterlow, but found that the cost re quisite to carry it out, even to the extent of six feet, would be so great as to render it unadvisable to adopt such a course. It was rumoured that the sum asked amounted to several thousand pounds, so great is the value of ground in that part the city. SAVINGS' BANKS. —lt has been announced that the Government intend to propose a measure with regard to the management of Savings' Banks. A similar promise, it will be remembered, was repeatedly made by Sir Charles Wood a few years ago, when heavy losses were being sustained almost daily by the poor from defalca tions in all parts of the united kingdom. Nothing, however, was done after the immediate excitement had passed away, and hence, as the connexion of these in stitutions with the Government was allowed to continue without the slightest protection being afforded to de positors, who were deluded by it into the belief of perfect security, the remedy still remains to be applied. If the Government are to have anything to do with these establishments, it is unquestionably desirable that they should assume a real instead of a deceptive respon sibility. At the same time, it would be more in ac cordance with sound principle if they were to leave such matters entirely to private enterprise, and in place of assuming, after the Continental fashion, that the humbler classes are too helpless to conduct their own banking transactions without State assistance, were to enconrage them to exercise their discretion, and to acquire by experience the advantages of self-reliance. APROPOS ON WMFES.—A remarkable feature of the times is the advanced, and still advancing, price of nearly all the necessaries of life, both in articles of food and clothing— a circumstance which, coupled with the call for labour of every description in the colonies, and the other numerous inducements to emigration, has led to a general demand for enhanced wages on the part of the workmen in different portions of the kingdom. This feeling was first exhibited to a great extent by the porters and labourers upon some of the most important of the midland and northern railways. It was followed by similar demands from other inferior railway servants, by dock labourers and ship wrights in the north, and even by the agricultural labourers in several counties. In some cases the con cessions required by the men have been yielded, and in others their claims are still under consideration. Dis putes between employers and employed are always of a most painful character. They result in injury to both parties. The master usually suffers person, for pocket, and the man not unfrequently in his for strikes and combinations arise, and he places himself within the meshes of the law. But it is the delight of a good master to let his servants share in his own prosperity; and where large masters are thriving and flourishing, the propriety cannot be too strongly urged upon them of volunteering to their men some slight additiOU to their wages. Liberal landlords reduce their rents when prices are low ; why should not liberal em ployers of labour increase- their wages when prices are high ? Prudence and kindly feeling, and also abstract justice, dictate this step. It would be a graceful and becoming act, it would strengthen the feeling and con nection which it is so desirable to cultivate between the classes ; and such a timely concession would prevent de mands of an exorbitant and outrageous character, which, if this be delayed too long, will unquestionably be made. --Edinburgh, Advertinr. LITERARY ASSOCIATION OF THE FRIENDS OF POLAND. Yesterday the twenty-first annual general meeting of this association was held at the Sussex Chambers, Duke street, St. James's. Lord D. Stuart, M.P., the Presi dent of the Association, presided—supported by the Earls of Harrington and Zetland, Lord Robert Gros venor, M.P., Captain Townshend, R.N., M.P., George Traill, Esq., M.P., R. Monckton Milnes, Esq., M.P., Thomas Alcock, M.P., W. - Scholefield, Esq., M.P., Sir B. Hall, Bart, M.P., Digby Seymour, Esq., M.P., W. Pritchard, Esq., High Bailiff of Southwark, Thomas Hankey, jun., Esq., Frederick Pigeon, Esq., the Rev. Dr. Worthington, &c. The Noble CHAIRMAN' said, it was his duty as Presi dent to preside on this occasion, and he had to tell them it would that day be a part of their duty to elect a Pre sident for the ensuing year. The noble lord stated that he had received letters from the Rev. Richard Macdon nell, Provost of Trinity College, Dublin ; Mr. Alder man Salomons, T. Mowatt, Esq., late M.P. ; T. Daniel, Esq. ; E. Romily, Esq. ; and James Silk Buckingham, Esq., apologising for their inability to attend the meet ing from various causes, and all expressing their anxiety to render every support to the association. His lordship concluded by calling on the secretary to read the annual report. WM. LLOYD BIRBBECK, Esq., the honorary secretary, proceeded accordingly to read the report, of which the following is an abstract :—The report commenced with expressing the regret of the council that, after twenty two years, the exertions of the association, either to diffuse information respecting Poland, or to afford as sistance to Polish political exiles, should be still required. It explained the causes of the latter, by the augmen tation of the number of refugees, caused by the conti nued persecutions of Poles by the Russian Government, and the unjust severity of that of Prussia, It entered at some length into the case of Leopold de Rose, and re ferred to the just, handsome, and honourable manner in which the late Home Secretary, Mr. Walpole, bad made the amende honourable to the sufferer, by declaring in the House of Com mons that, had the magistrates pos sessed the information which he had received, they would have come to a different conclusion, and have honourably acquitted him. Reference was made to the arrival of a large number of Polish refugees after the conclusion of the war in Hungary, and the valuable aid afforded by Lord Malmesbury in consenting to furnish a free passage to America for 200 ; to the kindness of the Common Coun cil in granting the use of the Guildhall for the ball and con cert ; and of the perforniers who lent their gratuitous aid. The report further stated, that many Poles residing in the Continent have contributed to their funds, either directly, or through the zealous and most efficient resident secre tary ; and that among the refugees in this country, the Polish Fraternal Aid Society has been established. In conclusion, the council expressed their faith in the ulti mate re establishment of Poland, a nation whose in are identical with our own in eastern Europe. The income of the association was 8761., and the relief granted to refugees was 7201., and other expenses amounted to 3431., leaving a balance of 1861. excess over income. The numbei 01 refugees now in England is 769, being 36 less than last year. In the course of the year there were 954, most of them having been expelled from the duchy of Posen. 172 left this country, and 13 died. The reading of the report having been concluded, The Noble CHAIRMAN called on The Rev. Dr. WORTHINGTON, who said it was some matter of regret that the report was not more satis factory, although, all things considered, they could hardly expect it to be more favourable. He thought it must be apparent that a change was rapidly ap proaching which would better the condition of the Sclavonian race. He considered it was matter of deep regret that the present ruler of France had adopted such an illiberal policy as regarded the Poles. But when they remembered that the French Emperor had formed such a close alliance with the Jesuits, the deadly enemies of Poland, and had bound himself up with the most intolerant portion of the Roman Catholic Church, they could not wonder at the hostile policy he had adopted towards the unfortunate Poles. (Hear, hear.) He was proud to say that England/still stood forth as the refuge of the oppressed ; and he regretted that Lord Malmes bury had, as they would remember, acted in a manner which was not creditable to the character of England. He was, however, proud t o re f er t o t h e policy which had uniformly; been pursued by Lord Palmerston in counte nancing the struggles, for national independence in every part of the world. - (Hear; hear.) After eulogising the conduct and general character of the Poles, the rev. doctor referred to th e po li cy wh i ch Austria had ' recently adopted, and the grovelling sycophancy which the Aus trian Government had exhibited towards Russia. He saw no reason why the refugees should not make every exertion to recover their independence, and he trusted, that when the attempt was made, it would be under such circumstances as would insure success. (Heir, hear.) He concluded by moving the adoption of the report. Lord R. • GROSVENOR rose to second the resolution, and said he did it at the request of his noble friend the chairman, whose wishes he was' at all times ready to assent, to in forwarding any good work. (Hear, hear.) He hoped the report would be printed and widely circu lated, as he _thought it contained matter which- should be extensively known. One portion -of the report had given him much pain —he alluded to the treatment of that much ill-used gentieman—Mr. Leopold de Rose— (hear) —and he thought that no one could have ren dered more service to that unfortunate gentleman than the noble lord had done, in placing Mr. de Rose in a proper light before the public. (Hear, hear.) While he stated that he was deeply interested in the fate of Poland, that distinguished but unfortunate and brave nation, he must at the same time say that he certainly would not express any encouragement to insurrection. The time would come he hoped when Poland would be again a nation, but ill-advised and premature attempts to recover the independence of Poland would only result in the discomfiture of those engaged, and add to the suffering of Poland. He hoped the association would be the means of rendering much service to the refugees and the cause of Poland, and he had much pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report. The motion was then agreed to. The Earl of HARRINGTON moved the second resolu tion, and said he was delighted to meet the association at the present moment, and especially in the presence of the noble lord in the chair, who was the untiring advo cate of the oppressed in all nations. (Hear, hear.) The partitiOn of Poland destroyed the balance of power in 'Europe, and led to the unfortunate events which sue seeded, and with which that partition was associated. (Hear, hear.) It was only in England, by means of a free press, that the wrongs of the oppressed could be made known ; but the measures adopted by foreign states prevented these statements being widely circu lated. • (Hear, hear.) He was happy, however, to say that he had that day heard that the Prussian Govern ment had come to the determination of not preventing the introduction and circulation of foreign journals throughout Prussia. (Hear, hear.) lie could • not doubt that the redemption of oppr esse d na ti ons was at hand, and he felt confident- that the day was not far distant when Poland would recover her independence. , (Hear, hear.) . He was, however, opposed to the establishment of a republic in Poland ; and he could point to this country as an instance of the happiness and liberty that prevailed under a constitutional monarchy. He intended to have been present in the House of Lords on the debate on the Jew Bill, and to have spoken against the bill, because he considered the Jews to be abettors of tyranny throughout Europe, by furnishing the despots with funds. The noble earl concluded by moving the following resolution :—" That the permissive destruction of the nationality of Poland laid the foundation, and has mainly facilitated the further development, of that sys tem of confederate despotism which has since absorbed, with those of Poland, the national rights of Italy, Hun gary, and Germany, and menaces the existence of con stitutional Government, and of any form of freedom, throughout Europe." MONCKTON MILNES, Esq., M.P., seconded the reso lution, and thought it was so worded as to merit their support. Everything that had occurred had shown hounfortunate it was for Europe that the nationality of Poland had been destroyed. Even the countries that bad benefited by the accession of territory through the Partition of Poland, had in reality gained anythin g b u t an advantage by the perpetual irritation and excitement that prevailed throlighout their territories. (Hear.) The destinies of the Solavonic nations were not yet unfolded, and he believed that the remnant of the unfortunate Poles would take the lead in righting that unfortunate race. (Hear.) He would say that in all.their struggles they had bis hearty sympathy and best wishes. (Hear.) Recollecting the position in which the Poles were placed, he conceived they were entitled to every possible consi deration. (Hear.) Were Englishmen scattered through out the world as the Poles unfortunately were, he had no doubt they would behave as the Poles had done. (Hear.) The hon. gentleman then referred to the state of Italy, Hungary, and the other oppressed countries on the Continent. The nationality of the Poles was most prominently exhibited, and he thought if the events of Europe enabled them to regain their independence, that they should not consider too particularly what form of Government should be adopted. (Hear.) In conclu sion, he complimented the noble lord in the chair on his efforts in behalf of the association. (Cheers.) The resolution was then agreed to. ' The Earl of ZETLAND proposed the next resolution, which, he said, afforded him much pleasure, as no one more deserved the hearty expressions of their regard than did the noble lord in the chair. (Hear, hear.) He begged to move that Lord Dudley Coutts Stuart be President of the Association for the ensuing year. Colonel CHESTERTON seconded the motion, and bore testimony to th e unt i r i ng zeal which the noble lord ever exhibited on behalf of the oppressed. (Hear, hear.) The motion was then unanimously agreed to. Lord DUDLEY C. STUART rose to return thanks for the honour conferred upon him in re-electing him president of the association for the ensuing year. They had for a long while to regret the condition of Poland, but he did not despair of the restoration of that unfortunate country to independence, and he trusted they would all live to witness it. (Hear.) Since the last great struggle in 1831 the condition of Poland had been indeed of a most melancholy character. The unfortunate Poles were sent to the mines in Siberia, exiled, or put to death. Those who had. been able to escape from the power of Russia had their sentences of death still recorded against them, and among the numbers were some of the mos illustrious of the people of Poland. So sure as their .of an niversary meeting came round they were quite certain notbei as ng at.a regardedlossfor h e topics proceedingso n which toof the expatiate, Emperor esp eciallyoflßi b u e s r s t i y a, in w lm Europe. was, lie rrh considered,is year he w the as u gralarmin g greate s tgivin g n,g aaenl every dE e m i on r y a to hpd o ee. f by his menacing, conduct towards. Turkey, policy pursued by Russia Austria . TurkeyTlie r There w was ntolide these despoticbt t h a t th powers w n animosity s w i tagsowing entertainedt o-thetowards no e conduct of the Sultan in giving refuge to Kossuth, Baal and the other unfortunate Hungarians. (Hear.) EDIr land, backed by the only other free country in the w orld, the United States of America, supported Turkey in re' fusing to give up these brave men to the vengeance of Russia and Austria ; and the noble conduct of the Sultanht will never be forgotten by these twin despots. T,' noble lord then referred to the Montenegro affair, on to the object of Russia, in demanding the independ ence of Montenegro. The intention of Russia in that matter was obviously to undermine and destroy the independ ene ? of Turkey. (Hear.) The object of Russia was universo! dominion, and she had her eye fixed on Consta ntinople and the Dardanelles. But Russia knew that the westerA powers were watching her movements, and she was there: fore endeavouring to do that secretly which she dared 11 °' attempt openly. The noble lord then at some length rt" ferred to other proceedings of Russia, which he said was in order to work out the infamous policy in which she had been so long engaged. He was glad to see the course w so hi f c a h r, t a h t is le c a o s u t n , t a r s y it w w as en pr it u w in a g s o sa n t t is h f e ac E th as ry te ; rn in q d u h esti esca oll ; hadespecially latepleasedly written w t i o t with the t h e town letter which of N e Newcastle -upon" ie . John upo ß n on the subject. As he had already stated, the 'wo e !, prospects of Poland were not very bright, and he W; sorry to say, neither were the prospects of the associ. t tion. He had been thinking that a public dinner wig% be made the means of giving some aid to the funds, sn he hoped their friends would turn the matter over ni their minds, mid see how it could be carried out. ( oel/r ( ; hear.) He believed the Almighty would not allovrtsia great an injustice as had been practised towards Pol a ilit to remain unredressed, and he could not .doubt Poland would yet be free and independent. (13(„ear' hear.) Let the Poles go on cherishing their national but he would not counsel them to make any efforti_.fi the fitting period arrived. Let them teach their cull to cherish their love for the white eagle of .ulysseolotl (hear, hear, hear)—and when he knew the devolli°oisinliocillat the feelings of the women of Poland, he had no fear li r their children would have deeply instilled into thero minds that love of Poland which had made their fath, patriots. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion the noble 0 : 1 g . begged again to thank them for re-electing him p re dent of the association. (Loud cheers.) Mr. ALCOCK, M.P., moved the next resolution or vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, end e d mon Council of the city of London, for their co nt nid sympathy with the misfortunes of Poland, by gr an l ot the use of their Guildhall on the 15th of Decemb er ,' • for a ball and concert, in aid of the funds of this ass, -I ; s r tion, and, in particular, to Mr. Deputy Holt, the A N, r= man, Mr. Deputy Eagleton, the treasurer, sn':for James R. Carr, the secretary of the ball comrnit te ',,' their noble and indefatigable efforts to insure the °° ,„ - t c ' e ott of that-entertainment. In recommending the resole to the meeting, the honourable gentleman said he e v,, to never forget the visit he had made some years .sg .A " Poland, and the great delight which that visit no forded him, as well as the interest it had excited ir` . .) for the restoration of Polish independenee: (Che;;Bot Mr. BEALES seconded the resolution, and, in delm,.,„,*' ea warmly advocated the cause of Poland, and denf.jls the vile conduct which Austria had recently pro' d e V Italy. He also severely censured the attempts r° s certaia parties in this country to get up another go powder plot, with which it was endeavoured to o' l° ,o, the name of the illustrious Hungarian patriot, .IC ° " " (Cheers.) The motion was then agreed to. Mr. CARR returned thanks, and concluded by a vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen tchu m b h 11 their gratuitous services to the concert at the in aid of the funds for the Polish refugees. Mr. FERGUSON seconded the resolution, which wo agreed to. Mr. PRITCHARD moved that the following noblenife; should be elected vice-presidents of the associat i o! t he the ensuing year, namely, the Duke of S u therlan a l.A Marquis of Breadalbane, and the Earls of Scarb or lol Harrowby, Harrington, Fitzwilliam, Shaftesbu r y Fortescue. if o Mr. DEERING seconded the resolution, Whic h agreed th to. oft On e motion of the Rev. Dr. Woralill' for seconded by Mr. F ERGUSON , th e counc il a nd office r " the ensuing year were next elected. or Colonel SZYRMA th en , in the name of the Polisdhir e aB torical Society, presented to the association an from the council of the society. Lord DUDLEY STUART was sure he spoke the ments of the association, when he said they were P - It gratified by the address from the Historical societY re ffr was most gratifying, he said, to see how the Polish fr o gees were employing their time during their= elci l % . 4itr their native country in collecting valuable histor' formation. (Hear.) th e Mr. W. A. SMITH proposed a vote of thanks to noble lord in the chair, for his presence that dal , t he for his unwearied and indefatigable exertions i ll cause of Poland. ao4 •M. WIERANSKI seconded the resolution, and hi the so pronounced a high eulogy on the charaCter of noble lord. The motion was unanimously agreed to. Lord DUDLEY STUART briefly returned thanks• if . of Lieut. C. SZULCZEWSKI then proposed the thanj orl i ' the association to the hon. secretary, Mr• i _ N fi rely Lloyd Birkbeck, for the valuable services he '-" dered to the association. Colonel PRZYIEMSKI seconded the resolution, Nhio was agreed to. Mr. L. BIRKBECK expressed his acknowleubP" after which the meeting separated. VOLUNTARY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION. The fifth annual meeting of the friends and supPo o r t : o 4 . of this associatio n was h e ld last ni g ht at the Freera .. „a i , Tavern, Great Queen-street—S. M. Peto, Esq., A v in the chair. f The CHAIRMAN, in opening the p r o cee di ngs fit" evening, dwelt forcibly and eloquently on th e 10 ,1%4 to be derived from the voluntary prin c ipl e i n educ li :red . matters. The hon. gentleman was loudly c' l l , during the delivery of his speech, the prinelP"i : l the following quotation furnishing the chief arrinl eP as e of " This association was formed in 1848, for the purP - to ol d promoting religious education independently of St ° ': - te tet or control. Under the present Governmental sy" though nominally religious , all classes are .taxe d 01 11 dow Judaism, Popery, Tractarianism, and other the of error, whilst just four-fifths of the fund raised ff ir o ife purpose are expended upon schools essentially exc'urd and sectarian. The new measure proposed by L i O n ttee Russell on the 4th of April, continues to the ea a-I the of council the power it now possesses, of directiageire. religious education of the country, whilst it r el ldivg from it even the semblance of responsibility, by ,Pr. for that purpose a fund beyo n d th e con t ro l o f Paru 3- il dea It also embodies the schem e o fl oca l r a ti ng , recomo ie ,q,lie by the Manchester and S a lf or d C omm itt ee , w ith ce% modifications, which render it still more obnoxW i co 'ir not practically inope'rative." The hon. ge ntleman t , eluded by calling on th e secre t ar y ,to read the rePc:rab it The SECRETARY then read the report, from vt i : h eol appeared that the principles of the Voluntary P . '„ sib te appeared so commanding that it only required t ° ,: t ioe them clearly. The committee believe that eds't,in should not only be religious, in the wide and unc er o state put upon that term by the Governmen t, .. thoroughly Christian—and that the State, ,as i t 1 :40 competent to give such an education to the people, ° prl not to interfere in the matter, but leave it to Yel u Lieg effort. The confidence of your committee has, ati of the past year, heen greatly strengthened by a var ie doir considerations ; and their own sentiments upon th e r vt. ject have fou n d an el o que n t e cho in the address .. „(1 jo e. Harris at the last assembly of the Congregational u g ij oir Although the financial statement presents an erl e fi e eiP ing aspect, th e c o mm itt ee wou ld urge u p on their P o ' s o' the importance of augmenting the resources of th e n , re; ciation, that their wishes m a y b e r e a li s ed both " - r ot ffi y of gards the enlargeme n t an d ecienc 11°- ir , establishments, and th e i ncrease o f th e funa, w ,;ete; cable to the extensio n o f sc h oo l s i n our rural a-jise° The amounts of subscriptions and donations re z, during the past y ear h ave b ot h i ncrease d , while _ . !;, - c ell, penses of the male n orma l sc h oo l h ave been re d and those of the f ema l e b ranc h h ave b een but ."" siderably augmented, no t w ith s t an di ng th e greatlft, creased attendance. From the treasurer's statenlelloC appeared that the balance in hand April, 1, 185 1 0 '. net 563/. ; annual subscriptions, 6771. 15s. 6d. ; clot t ,"" 0.; 5891. 2s. ; collections an d sa l e o f p amp hl e ts, 2 1 " "bea making a total o f 1,8521. 19 s . Th e ex penditil re , ct been 1,1901. 15s. 3d. ; l e avi ng a balance in h a 6621. 4s. id. th e , Resolutions in conformity with the objects o n u s meeting having been submitted were carrigl-- - „te mously, and the proceedings terminated with a thanks to the chairman. • 4 C O . WILLIS'S Rooms, ST. JAMES'S.—A grand evening 0 0 cert, for the benefit of some foreigners in distrt' o cr given at the above rooms on Monday, upon which thei r sion the following eminent artists generously gr: sr sier valuable services :--Mesdames Fiorentini, A -Le -4 ( llle s ' Newton, Ferrari, Taccani, Tasca, and Enderson;,„'rs„clt, Bassano, Alleyne, Cole, and Stabbach ; Signori P i i eist , Ferrari, Onorati, Li Calsi, and Herr Gans ;on Madame Bompiani. The concert opened wi' no tit? hoven's " Septuor," arranged for four perfornier ° - nap iaal pianofortes- -perfectly rendered by Madame J 3 rgoly and Herr Ganz, assisted by Signori Li Calsi an s s ls° d real. Miss Bassano sang w ith h er usu al taste, ssigsor did Madame Tasca. The duet of Madame al i A e t bi Ferrari was d e li g htf u lly sang , as was a lso the duet Miss Alleyne and Herr Brandt. Miss Stab c t seir in exquisit e vo i ce , an d sang a ver y apprerni e gg son sung for the first time, by Glover, entitled ece ivea Morning," which was charmingly given, a nd i( So' set well-deserved applause ; her other song'', fee ling' Home," was sang with much pathos a n No la A t II Signor Onorati, in a romanzi by Verdi, a s „tP duet by Donizetti, with Miss Stabbach, wa s 10 - could be wished. Mrs. Alexander Newton 'I w o& zart's " Queen of Night " with her usual „ A l° n ooro The pianoforte duo of Signori Li Calsi and "`"-° of th° for two instrument s , on therilgrim's Cho rus wad Lombardi of Verdi, arranged by Montuore, sisoeo itself a gem, and a r ti s ti ca lly p er formed. r,,le„scl 11' „• Cole, in Mendelssohn's duet, " Greeting, e d H. Smart's d ue t, " Th e G reenwoo d," r ecel Lch merited applau se f or th e ar ti s ti c man ner with w °33 i z etti 0 bi t gave their duets. Th e concer t c losed wit h D s ang • " Terzetto," from Th e L ucrez ia, beautifully ,orati. Madame Tasca, Herr Brandt, and signor 1 1014 The room was f u lly an d fashionably a ttendr 3 , l ", h O s hope the concert realised the object for wn" — r , given. Signor Li Calsi was conductor. ur il l e s t ig y f ilt o e r i t THE AUTHOR, OF " SAM loving readers will be delighted to hear is immediately forthcoming from the pen ° the a ttract in' burton. It is in two volumes, and bears moder a. title of "Sam Slick's Wise Saws na d ,...d." 4tances ; or, What he gala; Did, or Wen" that •31,.ticigwe (