The Sun. — London, England, 1853-03-24 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the Management of Mr. Buckstone. On MONDAY NEXT, Sheridan's Comeda of THE RIVALS. Supported by Al :ears. Chippendale, Compton. William Farrell, Henry Corri, and Rc gars ; Mesdames Reynolds, Buckingham, Poynter, and Ellen Chaplin - With Mr. BITCKSTONE'S ASCENT OF MOUNT PARNA; KOS. Mr. Buckstone, by Mr. Buckstone ; Fortune, Mrs. Fitzwil ; Spirit of Mount Parnassus, Miss Louisa Howard. THE TWO QUEENS. Supported by Messrs. Compton and f Wore, and Mrs. Buckingham and Miss Louisa Howard. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean. On EASTER MONDAY, 7Straca 28, Will be performed the Tragedy of MACBETH. After which will be produced a new Drama, adapted from the the French of Mons. Scribe, by Mr. Pegrave Simpson, c died MARCO SPADA. Principal characters by Messrs. W. Lac. r, J. Vining, Ryder, Graham, and Everett; Miss Heath and Mls a C. Leclercq. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TIM DAT —Morning 18 min. after 1 Evening 40 mi n . a ft 1 To-Noaaow—Morning 1 min• after 2 Evening 20 min.aft 4 2 DAILY WEATHER TABLE. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1853 ;.. State of the wind and weather at each of the follow ing places at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stati ons are arranged in order of latitude. HASTINGS—N., f fresh breeze— overcast. SOUTHAMPTON—N., strong breeze—overcast. FOLKESTONE—N., fresh breeze—snow. GREENwTcH—N.E., strong breeze—overcast. STRISOD--N.E, gentle breeze—snow. SWINDON—N.E., fresh breeze—snow. YARMOUTH—N.E., storm—hail. HOLYHEAD--N.E., strong breeze—frosty. The returns from the following places indicate the stE of the weather on Tuesday morning at nine o'clock LENERICK-N.E., calm—cloudless, frost. MULLINGAB-N., calm—partially cloudy. LEmiIToN—N.E., gentle breeze—overcast. HOLYHEAD—N.E., hard wind—frost, hail showers. THE WEATHER.—Sus OPPICE, Mews 24. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 34—highest since noon yesterday. 25—lowest this morning and during the night. 28— this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29'88. WIND, N. Snowing heavily. THE PUBLICATION OF " THE SUN" COMMENCES EVERY AFTERNOON AT THREE O'CLOCK, AND THE LATE OR THIRD EDITION, CONTAINING THE DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT TILE SAME EVENIN With all other News arriving up to the hour of Post, AT SEVEN O'CLOCK. EXPRESS EDITIONS will be forwarded after the Post is closed by thet Latest Trains. .1 V 4 "I. ?IATIT„ tbt LONDON, THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1853. The Honourable Court of Directors should set their house in order with all convenient speed. They have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Their doom is sealed ; and if any pro mises made during the excitement of a canvass still remain unperformed, the obligees should take care to exact them with all convenient speed, or they may perchance forfeit the stipulated remu neration for their most sweet voices. Not all the combined exertion of the Joint-Stock Administra tration, supposing even that all its heterogeneous elements for the nonce, co-operated cordially toge gether, could sustain a system so impolitic and indefensible in all its details, and producing such deplorable results in its practical operation—so completely and unequivocally condemned by every disinterested and right-minded person in the entire community. The voice of public opinion may be heard throughout the length and breadth of the land. It has penetrated into the most secret recesses of Downin g-street, and made itself audible even in Cannon-row. Sir CHARLES WOOD the modern. Mogul - 2 the AUTOCRAT on whose mere will and pleasure, the welfare, prosperity, and happiness of 150,000,000 of British subjects greatly depend, must perceive that it is no longer possible " to keep things pleasant," or to renew the old abo mination with but little, if any, perceptible varia tion. The matter has, indeed, assumed an aspect that cannot be mistaken, and " justice to India," combined with "justice to the United Kingdom," so far as the Eastern Empire is ooncerned, has become an imperative necessity, that must be re cognised by men of all classes, creeds, and parties, in either branch of the Legislature. The Ministerial leaders in the Lords and Com mons have announced that there are ample mate rials for legislation, that no additional information is required. Their minds are fully made up, and a measure, not one of a temporary character, but for ten or twenty years' duration, is in preparation, and will be brought forward during the present session. Be it so. We concur in the opinion that there 'is abundant evidence to show the enor mous Amount of mischief, of irreparable mischief, occasioned by the working of the clumsy machine now in operation, of the double Government,luse less for any valuable result, and potential only for evil. What possible benefit can arise either to Great Britain or India—to QUEEN, country, or colony—from the double responsibility, enabling each party to shift, or rather attempt to shift, the blame off their own shoulders, and transfer it to others—of what practical utility can be the inter change of missives between Cannon-row and Leadenhall-street, or the occasional bespattering of each other, whether with fulsome flattery or much better-merited abuse, by the members of the India Board and of the Honourable Court ! It can only lead, at the best, to vexatious procras tination and delay. But the providing a ready " scapegoat," on whom the sins of omission or commission could be flung, whenever such an ex purgation should be deemed expedient on either side, was productive of much more injurious con sequences, retarding the march of improvement, and preventing the Asiatic subjects of our most gracious Qußsx from enjoying the advantages they would otherwise obtain from the British supremacy. It is not that twenty-four elderly gentlemen receive 4001. per annum each, or 9,6001. in all, or that they are permitted to dispense patronage to the value of, and which would readily sell in the for at least, 10,000/, per annum each in addiaun, or 240,0001. per annum in all, that constitutes the gravamen of the evil. It would be well worth while, as we - have already stated, to purch ase up these objectionable privi leges at more than twice their actual value—to give another 630,0001. per annum, redeemable with another 12 ,000,0001. sterling, if we could thereby get rid of the incubus that has so long oppressed the Anglo-Indian Empire, and para lysed the energies of its myriads of inoffen sive inhabitants. if We are to judge of any ihing by its fruits, wh at 6 a a we say to that which has not merely sa nctioned but encouraged the "Ryotwar" and the " Zar a i n d a _,, systems-- the " Moturpha," or. tax on farms and li ce nces" —the salt --- , Les and occupa tions--the " small monopoly, with the power of corporal punishment vested in the Collector, and inflicted 'without proof on any who are even suspected of infri ng i ng it , stringent provisions at his mere will and pl easure, or even at that of his " Tehsildar„ —a mon opoly, too, affecting an article of p r imary necessity, and which, through its injurious operation, compels a Hindoo to devote on an average the proceeds of ten weeks' labour in the year to providing salt for his family. It is unnecessary to expatiate on the evils arising from the " Abkary"—or sale by auction of the privileges of making and selling " Arrack"— which realises 250,000/. per annum, and di rectly tends to the demoralisation of the people, by the encouragement to the formation of habits . of intemperance, and intoxication—of the defec tive postal communication, of the "Maharatta. Defter," with its complicated and uselessly expen sive system of translation and retranslatioii—the total neglect of roads—or, worse than all, the grossly defective administration of justice, arising from the scandalous incompetency of the local Judges-4 11bn wiip do net possess a, single qualifi cation for the office—who have neither legal knowledge nor experience, but are pitchforked into ' these important and responsible situations, be cause they are related to some Director, or Proprie tor who gave valuable aid to a Director on his canvass -and who had perhaps previously utterly failed as assistant-collector. While there are o many men of learning and ability walking Westminster hall, whose services might be obtained for less than is paid to youths fresh from Haleybury, there can be no argument in favour of the per manence, or even the continuance for a single hour of the present objectionable system. The East India Company's Charter will expire on the 30th of April, 1854. There must be no vestige of it remaining on the Ist of May en suing. It is too late to hope that the Company can re form itself. Such suggestions as those offered by Mr. LEwIN at the Quarterly General Court, held yesterday, for the infusion of new and more vigorous blood into the effete body, might some years since have been beneficial ; but it is now too late. The hour has long since elapsed when such partial remedies could be beneficial. Like many other decadent institutions, the Board remained insensible of its impending fate, and protestations that they would. now be willing to elect at once such men as Mr. SULLIVAN or Mr. HOLT MAC KENZIE, whose co-operation would be alike bene ficial and honourable, whenever either of them should intimate a desire of becoming a candi date, and that without the degrading canvassing so humiliating' to those who submit to the ordeal, are no longer available. The days of the Board are, as we have stated, numbered. It must be destroyed root and branch, and a really energetic government, responsible to the Crown and the Legislature, as well as to the people of England, established on its ruins. It is not the least striking symptom of the impend ing downfall of the magnates of Leadenhall-street, that the men of Manchester have taken up the question, and that they have determined to test it in its commercial bearings. The same ma chinery that abolished the iniquitous Corn-Laws will be brought into operation to insure a reform in the Anglo-Indian Government. And in such a cause, and with such materials, its speedy and triumphant success is inevitable. Another and very graceful incident has recently completed that charming episode of contemporary history which has been recounted in the narrative of ABD-EL-KADER'S release from imprisonment. Immediately on his arrival at Broussa, that illus trious Arab hastened, as will be perceived, earnestly and spontaneously to reiterate the ex pressions of his gratitude to the veteran Marquis of LONDONDERRY. The manner in which ABD-EL KADER has thus volunteered to renew his assu rances of a profound and respectful sense of obli gation cannot but elevate him, we conceive, in the estimation of our fellow-countrymen, while it serves at the same time to illustrate afresh the importance of the Noble Lord's intercession in behalf of the unfortunate prisoner of the Chateau d'Amboise—that humane and magnanimous appeal which was addressed, the year before last, to his Imperial Liberator. Noble evidence has not been wanting before now to reveal those loftier quali ties in the character of the Hero of Algeria, which may be said to constitute in a great measure the secret of its irresistible fascination. It cannot be forgotten how touchingly the Emperor NAPOLEON himself—in the very act of striking off the fetters of captivity—offered the tribute of his admira tion, not simply to ABD-EL-KADER'S valour in the field, but also, and in a peculiar manner, to his resignation under misfortune. Neither can it be lost to recollection how the last of the Green Tur ban Chieftains, on the occasion of his visit to the French capital, by the courtly and winning amenity of his address, won " golden opinions" even in that fastidious centre of the arena of Euro pean • civilisation. It will now be admitted, moreover, we rest assured, that the descen dant of the PROPHET has displayed how well a gentle nature may be united with a lion heart, and how readily the value of gratitude may be enhanced by the mere adjuncts, as we may term them, or circumstances of its acknowledg ment. Already the brave leader of the Arabians had avowed his recognition of the benevolent efforts made in his behalf by the Gallant Marquis of LONDONDERRY. That avowal, however, was uttered in the first flush of joy ,on ABD-EL-KADER finding himself suddenly released from his pro longed incarceration. It seemed apparently to his generous temperament that no adequate thanks could be expressed from the midst of the crowded and gorgeous Court of the Tuileries. He has, therefore, hastened to repeat those words of re membrance and of recognition from the tranquil lity of his new place of retirement. Distance, instead of diminishing his regard for his friend during the days of his calamity, would seem on the contrary only to have increased its fervour, if that were possible, and to have called forth its more earnest and spontaneous reiteration. Elsewhere will be found in our impression of this evening transcripts from the original documents of this exceedingly interesting correspondence, preceded by a most gratifying communication addressed to ourselves by the Gal lant and veteran Marquis of LONDONDERRY. Couched as those documents are in French, we cannot but conjecture that there may be some amongst our readers who might not be indisposed to welcome a hasty translation. Conceiving this to be just possible, we are here induced to repeat the letters in our own tongue—letters exchanged in the first instance between the EMIR and the Marquis, the one in Arabic, the other in the lan guage of our polite neighbours. ABD-EL-KADER'S epistle, therefore, may be described as conveyed somewhat in the terms here following—the orien tal aroma of its eloquence evaporating doubtless, as usual, in the " decanting" process of transla tion:— "Thanks be to the only GOD ! And to his Lordship, the magnificent, the very distinguished, the Man of Heart, the key of Happy Releases, before whom mis fortune vanishes, Monsieur the General VANE LONDON DERRY. Health to you and to your spouse—one not less amiable than illustrious. "We have'arrived at Broussa—in health and happi ness. It is impossible we can ever forget you, and your friendship is so much the more precious to us in propor tion as you are a man of honour, doing good to all men —because, likewise, you have loved us and have treated us with compassion ; and, thirdly, because you are allied by an ancient friendship to our well-beloved, and our be nefactor, his Majesty the Emperor NAPOLEON 111. "We think you always. Receive this sincere expres sion of our acknowledgments. May we not be lost to your recollection ! Write to us. "The greeting of " ABD-EL-KADER, BEN-MAHHI-EDDIN. " 29th February, 1853." The subjoined may be regarded as a sufficiently literal version of the reply transmitted to the Emir, within the last day or two, by Lord LoN DONDERRY : . "MOST ILLUSTRIOUS, HEROIC, AND NOBLE CHIEFTAIN. "It is impossible for me to express the sentiments which I experience in receiving from you a testimony of a friendship so flattering, and of an acknowledgment so honourable to me, such as your autographic letter an nounces. " I am rejoiced that your health is good, and that you are now happy after so many sufferings and misfortunes occasioned by injustice. And if I have by my efforts in the slightest degree contributed towards your restora tion to liberty, I exult in my good fortune. "My wife is sensible of your kind remembrance, and we recall with lively interest your cordial reception of us in the Chateau d'Amboise. It will not be easily obliterated from our remembrance. "You call me ' a man of heart.' I am proud of that title. " You call me a man of honour,' and add that you set value on my friendship. "These words and this character, pronounced by the Emir ABD-EL-KADER, will spread throughout my own country, throughout France, and throughout Europe, and will constitute my passport as having served the cause at once of justice and humanity. And they will never be consigned to indifference, or to oblivion. " If, unhappily, we should but seldom meet in this world, at least this Man of Heart and of Honour' will a lways remain devoted to the good cause, and to the Emir Ann-EL-KADER. " VANE LONDONDERRY, "General in her B r i tannic Majesty's Army." Bar mind the in c id ents which have illustratedeialg in the correspondence thus gracefully ter minated—it would be difficult not to be impressed with the generous qualities revealed by each of the four eminent personages associated together by these transactions. For the SULTAN, we cannot but rememb er th at he who gave shelter to Kosstrrir, and bestowed an estate on LAMARTINE, is now according the hospitalities of a home to Ann-m-KADER. For the EMIR, we cannot but remember that he who approved himself heroic in battle and re signed in captivity, is now showing himself true to the dictates of gratitude and friendship in his honourable banishment. For the Marquis, we cannot forget that he who once pleaded vainly for the prisoner of Ham, afterwards interceded successfully for the prisoner of A.mboise. For the EMPEROR, we cannot forget that his reign was in a manner inaugurated by this act of beneficence towards the victim of ORLEANS turpi tude, any more than we can lose a recollection of these noble, and truthful, and appropriate words of TACITIIS (Lib. i. cap. 22), " Nemo enim un quam imperium, flagitio quaasitum bonis artibus exercuit." And so closes this romantic chapter in the his• tory of modern civilisation. There are " monuments more durable than brass," more permanent and far more honourable than Parian marble. Statues may, and, in the course of events, will necessarily be overturned —mausoleums crumble to the earth—but the me mory of testimonials which benefit mankind, which enlighten and improve the rising genera tion, provide a dignified repose during helpless old age, for those whose former services merit such distinctions, or alleviate the sorrows of the afflicted widow—whose protector and provider has been removed—is of a more enduring quality. The name of WELLINGTON will long live in the hearts of his countrymen. It requires no gorgeous or elaborate tablet in St. Paul's to retain his virtues and his services, his stern adhesion to the path of duty, as well as his more than meritorious exertions for the protection and the well-being of his native land—fresh within our recollections. More graceful tributes will be paid by the establishment of institutions of great utility founded in his hon our and sacred to his memory. Where youthful hearts will think of the great and good man to whose posthumous fame, recognised by his grate ful countrymen, they are indebted for such train ing and education as may enable them to discharge their respective duties in the stations to which it has pleased GOD to call them." And to think that they too are soldiers children and have thus hereditary claims upon their country claims that have been recognised not by the com munity, but by the veteran, friends and companions of the " Iron Duke," by men who participated in his labours and in his glories, together with others who desired to show their just appreciation of his character—where, too, veterans will bless the name of the brilliant general under whom they achieved their laurels, and widows, saved from the tender mercies of the workhouses, will find shelter and comfort in their age and decrepitude. It scarcely requires the name of WELLINGTON to enlist public sympathy on behalf of " The WELLINGTON and United Service Institution," a notice whereof will be found in another part of this day's impression—to smooth the pillow of declining age, to render the much-required aid to veterans who have well and faithfully discharged their duties in every clime and under the most arduous circumstances, and to soothe the mind of the dying soldier with the con solatory reflection that his bereaved widow and helpless children will be looked to after his decease, are surely objects that re quire no additional inducements to en sure a general subscription worthy of the ob ject. But coupled with the name of the de parted hero—of WELLINGTON, so highly prized when amongst us—so deeply lamented when removed in the fulness of years, it possesses irre sistible claims, not merely on the public gene rosity, but on the public justice. From the leiter of the great DUKE, an extract whereof appears in the advertisement, it will be seen that the object had received his warm sup port nearly seven years since. It is scarcely necessary, then, to do more than entreat an attentive perusal of the advertisement to insure the liberal contributions of those who were never found wanting in a good cause. And who will now lend them aid to endow, as it deserves, an Institution " founded for the relief of the veteran non-commissioned and petty officers, soldiers, sea men, and marines, of Her Majesty's and the Hon. East India Company's services, as a grateful and lasting tribute of the British nation of the great and distinguished services of the late Duke of WELLINGTON, and to give effect to the benevolent wishes and intentions expressed in his letter of October 10th, 1846." THE AUSTRALIAN STEAM-SHlP.—Yesterday morning the Australian steam.ship was towed into the eastern basin of the East India Docks, Blackwell, to be cleared, and for the purpose of undergoing a thorough repair, by order of the Government inspectors. A great number of persons went on board of her during the day. The ill-fated vessel has brought back a large quantity of pro perty belonging to the passengers, and a cargo of vari ous kinds of merchandise. This vessel, which has a splendid appearance, will be repaired by Messrs. Ditch burn and Mare, the extensive shipbuilders, of the Orchard-house, Blackwell. BILLS, &c., DUE ON GOOD FRIDAY.—It should be borne in mind that all bills, rent, &c., falling due to-morrow, Good Friday, the 25th inst., are payable this day, Thursday. To-morrow will be observed as a strict holi day in all the Government offices, the India and South Sea Houses, the Bank of England, the private banking houses, law offices, and police courts. In the Custom and Excise-office, no business will be transacted ; pro vision, however, has been made for the examination of the baggage of persons arriving by the foreign steamers, so that they may not be inconvenienced by delay. By the act of William IV., the public docks will all be shut, and no business whatever transacted. EXTRAORDINARY DISCOVERY OF Two CHILDREN IN A JAR.—Yesterday afternoon, Mr. William Baker, the coroner, held an inquest at the King and Queen Tavern, Three Colt-street, Limehouse, on view of the bodies of two newly-born male and female children, found under the following circumstances :—John laggis, of 2, Adam's-place, Limehouse, stated, that on the morning of Saturday last, about nine o'clock, while standing on the towing path near the Britannia Bridge, Limehouse, he had his attention directed to an earthenware jar, which was floating on the surface of the water. Wit ness got it on shore, and found that it was tied round the top with brown paper and cord, which he took off, and to his great astonishment he discovered the dead bodies of two small children. The jar was similar to those used for pickling, and was marked on the side with the figure 2. The bodies were quite naked, and there did not appear to be any marks of violence on them. The jar and contents were subsequently handed to the constable of the district, who had them conveyed in a shell to the dead-house at Limehouse Church. The Coroner having remarked on the singular nature of the case, the jury returned an open verdict of—" Found dead in a jar floating in the River Lea, but how or by what means they came there they had no evidence to show." CAPTURE OF A GANG OF COINERS.—.On Saturday last, as Mr. M. J. O'Cohnor, surgeon, of Morpeth, was going his rounds of professional duty, he captured a gang of coiners at Clifton, within two miles of the town, marched them to Morpeth, and lodged them in the county prison. Mr. O'Connor was enabled to take some of the counter feit coin from them. On the 21st inst. they were taken before the visiting justices, and remanded for further in vestigation. After being remanded, one of the gang (a women) confessed to the police-officer of Morpeth that they had hid some more base coin near where they were captured, and on repairing to the spot the officer found several unfinished specimens. GEOGRAPHY.—Sir Roderick Murchison, as President of the Royal Geographical Society, gave his first soiree of this season, on Monday evening, at his house in Belgrave-square. It was numerously at tended by the diplomatic body, members of both Houses of Parliament, and of the scientific societies of the metropolis, as well as by travellers from va rious parts of the world. Among the works exhibited were maps of Central America, and plans of the pro jected canal across the isthmus of Darien, the new work of Tchihatcheff, on Asia Minor, the great new geological publication of Dale Owen, on the territories of lowa, Minesota, and Wisconsin ; new charts of the currents in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, by Mr. Findlay ; plans of the newly-discovered Serapeum in Upper Egypt, by Col. Fred. Hamilton ; the last volume of the Hakluyt Society ; the three voyages by the north-east, by Barentz and the early Dutch navigators, edited by Dr. Beke, &c. Dr. Rae, the adventurous arctic explorer, who received a gold medal of the Geographical Society last year, was present, and took leave of his friends on the occasion of his departure to complete the survey of the vast terri tories, over large portions of which he has so success fully travelled. To RESTORE FROZEN PLANTS TO LIFE.—If, ladies. your plants should by any mishap chance to get touched with frost, don't get in a passion hot enough to thaw I them ; if you do, you will kill them. And that is not all that is killed by passion either, in many a family. Order a tub of water deep enough to immerse the whole plant ; bring the pots out of the cold, one at a time, and put them in the water about five minutes. Take them out and drain off the water, and dry them in a dark room, and keep the temperature at 50 or 60 de grees for a few days, and your sick patients will re cover. —4Mertcan paper. THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 24, 1853. MONNY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 8,000 bales, of which 3,000 American were taken for export and on speculation. The market was quiet, and closed tamely, without alte ration in prices. The sales comprised 6,500 Ame rican, 850 Pernam and Maranham at 6id. to 7fd. ; 200 Egyptian, at 7d. to 121 d. ; 400 Surat, at 31d. to 4id. ; and 80 Sea Islay I, at is. Bd. to 2s. sd. per rb. Railway Shares were rather firmer. There are no colonial or other arrivals with news of interest. The English Funds have been very dull, and there is but a thin attendance of members, owing to the departure from town of several of the mem bers with the view of passing the holidays. Con sols have been 994 to / for transfer, and 9911 / for Account. Exchequer Bills are 13s. premium for those of June, and 7s. to 11s. for the dated. The premium on India Bonds is 40s. The latest ac counts from Paris read well as to the Turkish question. Foreign Securities have been generally very firm. Spanish Certificates are 81 to I, being an advance of . The Deferred Bonds are 24i- to 25. Portu guese 4 per Cents. are worth 39. Mexican Stock is 251 Equador Bonds are at si, and Brazilian Old Stock is at 103. The Turkish Loan is at 14 premium. Dutch 4 per Cents. are 98/ to 99k. The last week's railway receipts ascertained up to this day, are in . round figures as under:— 1853. 1852. Great Western £17,150 £15,043 North Western 45,641 41,185 South Western 10,073 9,358 Brighton 8,729 8,079 Midland 22,636 21,311 South Eastern 10,921 10,516 Caledonian Great Northern Lancashire and Yorkshire York and North Midland Newcastle and Berwick The Railway Share Market has been rather bettei, but with scarcely anything doing. The Gold Mine Shares are rather firmer in some instances, especially the Port Philip. The Land: Companies' Shares droop a little, chiefly from paucity of dealings. Joint Stock Banks arp very firm, and Oriental rising. BRITISH TUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK THIS DAY, (Pram, the Official List.) _ _ Business done. 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities India Bonds, £lOOO — Ditto, under £lOOO 4O Consols for Account 13th April Exchequer Bills, lid. June. March. £l000 £5OO l3 7 11 Small l3 7 11 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Equador Bonds si Greek ex over-duo Coupons - 84 Mexican 3 per Cent.. Portuguese 4 per Cent. Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto for the Account .. . ........... „ 96 6 Spanish Bonds,, 3 per Cent .... .. . . .... Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent 24 5 Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun, si B p c Turkish Loan, ,6 per Cent., 1852 — p Ditto for the Account l4 p Venezuela Bonds 3i per Cent. Dutch Exchange 24 per Cent — Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates... - si HALF-PAST TWO. Consols Ditto April Account COMPLETION OF THE OUTLAWRY OF THE DUKE OF B.RUNSWICK.-( THIS DAY.) THE QUEEN ON THE PROSECUTION OF THE PROPRIETORS OF THE "WEEKLY DISPATCH" NEWSPAPER, AGAINST THE DUKE OF BRUNSWICK AND OTHERS. The indictment in this case arose out of an action re cently brought by the Duke of Brunswick against Mr.- Harmer, in which the Duke obtained a verdict, with 5001. damages, upon the oath of one Charles Casimir Reinhold, that a number of the Weekly Di,spatch, of the 19th September, 1830, containing an article respecting the Duke, had been sold to him at th e Di s p a t c h o ffi ce shortly before the commencement of the action, thereby taking the case out of the Statute of Limitations, which Mr. Harmer had pleaded. It was afterwards clearly established that Reinhold had committed perjury, and upon a new trial of the action the verdict was in favour of Mr. Harmer. The Duke and Reinhold having ab sconded, and refused to appear to the indictment, pro ceedings of outlawry were taken, and the fifth procla mation of outlawry was made this day in the Sheriff's County Court of Middlesex, against the Duke, by the name and description of Charles Frederick: Augustus William Guelph, late of the parish of St. Marylebone, in the county of Middlesex, Esq. ; and also against Reinhold. Neither the Duke or Reimbold appeared, and each of them was thereupon adjudged an outlaw. MAI7NDAY THURSDAY. —This being Maunday Thursday, the Royal charities, known as Maunday Gifts, were dis tributed to 34 aged men and 34 aged women, being as many of each sex respectively as the age of the Queen. The procession to the Chapel Royal, Whitehall, where the distribution took place, consisted of the Sub-almoner, J. Hanby, Esq., Secretary to the Lord High Almoner, a Yeoman Usher, and twelve Yeomen of the Guard, by one of whom the alms was carried on a gold salver ; the Assistant-Secretary, with six children belonging to Westminster National Schools, closed the procession, which was met at the entrance of the chapel by the Bishop of Oxford, Lord High Almoner, the Sub-dean, six priests, eight gentlemen, and the choristers of the Chapel Royal. The clergy and officers having taken their seats, the appointed church service commenced ; and after the first anthem, 21. 15s. was presented to each woman, and to the men shoes and stockings. After the second anthem flannels, &c., were distributed ; and after the third anthem, red and white purses were distributed, the former containing 21. 10s. in gold, and in each white purse silver pennies equal in number to the years of her Majesty, viz., 34. The interesting ceremony concluded with the two special prayers ap pointed to be read on all similar occasions—" 0 Lord, the Sovereign of the world, we acknowledge," &c., &c. ; and " Most blessed God, who art good, and dolt good, and takest pleasure in those that fear thee," &c., &c. THE FIRE AT WINDSOR CASTLE.—Another day has passed, and in spite of the minute surveys made by the brigade authorities, and upwards of a dozen other per sons, the origin of the fire has not yet been satisfactorily explained. The whole of the flooring of the room over the dining-room has been stripped, but up to the present time without the seat of the fire being discovered. By this evening (Thursday) it is considered that the men employed in the Royal Palace will be enabled, with the assistance of Mr. Braidwood, to arrive at a conclusion as to whether or not the hot air flue was the cause of the disaster ; on that point, however, it is but right to say there is little doubt entertained by the firemen. His Royal Highness Prince Albert is most anxious that the mystery overhanging the case should be satisfactorily cleared up, and until that is done the men will be con stantly employed. LINARES MINING COMPANY.—At the meeting of the Linares Mining Company, held yesterday, a dividend of 102. per share was declared, and the report and accounts were unanimously adopted. A lengthened statement was made by Mr. J. Taylor, jun., who has lately visited the company's property in Spain, and who, having satis fied himself of its value, recommends a further outlay of about 10,0001. or 11,0001. to increase the works and general transport accommodation. The principal point discussed was the manner in which 12,000/. should be raised to meet this proposal and leave a small floating balance. It was, apparently, the opinion of the majority that 1,000 shares remaining unissued should be offered for sale in such a way as the directors may think best, and from this source it is anticipated the whole amount may be obtained. SINGULAR ERROR IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF A BODY. —Yesterday Mr. Wakley held an inquest in Maryle bone Workhouse, on Edward Prew, aged 25, a coster monger. Deceased, who was in a destitute condition, was suddenly seized with illness, and immediately taken to the workhouse, where he died soon after his admission, from, as the autopsy proved, disease of the heart. Some delay having occurred in the appearance of the person who identified the body, the coroner observed that in all inquests the identification of the body should, in the first instance, be proved, as, through its omission, the most serious, and, indeed, the most ludicrous mistakes had taken place. In one instance, continued the learned coroner), Mr. Baker's predecessor held an inquest upon an old woman, the jury having previously viewed the body ; but; strange to say, before the jury separated, the summoning officer rushed in breathless haste into the room, exclaiming, " Oh, gentlemen ! oh, gentlemen ! come and see the old woman upon whom you have been sitting, for she is sitting up in her bed and eating oysters." The fact was, the beadle sent in a wrong description of the deceased woman and the error was not detected until the jury had returned their verdict. THE WEATHER IN SCOTLAND.—The weather, which at the end of last week left us revelling in westerly breezes, bright sunshine, and a fine genial thaw, most propitious to agricultural pursuits, has again veered round, and now desolates the country with bitter winter blasts, nip ping frosts, and heavy showers of snow. On Tuesday night snow fell very heavily over the whole neighbour hood, and even in the streets lay to the depth of about three inches. The effect of the change upon the roads was at once tested by the mails, and the experience of yesterday morning is a further confirmation of what we said last week in favour of the Perth road against that by Aberdeen in cases of snow storm. The Perth mail arrived very little behind the usual time ; that from Aberdeen was more than six hours too late. The weather has become bitterly cold, and last night a severe frost prevailed, with a pretty strong wind from the north-east.---Inverness Courier. SHOOTING EXTRAORDINARY.— Apigeon shooting match lately came off on Ab ar d are m ountain, when 70 birds were killed out of 72. The club has been lately formed and meets at Mr. Morgan's, Bellevue, Glebeland. The most successful were Messrs. Gay, Hall,.Newbury, and Edwards. These men have no reason to dread the land- ing of the French. We are told a few of the amateurs were "shaky," but on the whole most successful. — Cambrian. SHERIFFS COURT-(THIS DA (Before Mr- Burchell.) SHAW V. LOEWE. The plaintiff in this action is a pocket-book manufac turer at Birmingham, and defendant is a fancy stationer in Basinghall-chambers, London, and the action was brought to recover the sum of 5/. 9s. 6d. for goods sold and delivered. Defendant pleaded a set 'off to the full amount. Mr. Metcalfe, for the plaintiff, said that the sum now claimed was only for a balance, as plaintiff admitted a set off to the amount of IL 10s. which had been claimed by defendant for loss sustained in consequence of plaintiff having countermanded an order for printing some fancy labels ; that was all that the plaintiff admitted, and by the pleas he was not even bound to do that. As far as he had to show was the order by, and delivery of, the goods to the defendant. The plaintiff was called, and proved that goods were sold to the amount of 61. 19s. 6d., and plaintiff had been applied to by letter and personally. On the last occasion defendant promised to his brother to pay plaintiff 31. ss. which he struck as a balance of the account. The money was not paid at the moment, but a promise was made that a Post-office order should be forwarded for the amount, but the promise was not kept. Cross-examined by Mr. Stammers—There was no agreement that the dealings were to be on the principle of barter. Defendant was to pay for all the goods he had, and he plaintiff was to give defendant the preference for any goods in his way. By the Under-Sheriff—Had bought several quantities of goods and had paid for them, Mr. Stammers addressed the jury for the defendant, and contended that the transaction was one entirely of barter, and claimed the sympathy of the jury, as Eng lishmen, on behalf of defendant, as being a "poor fo reigner," and called defendant, who took quite a conti nental mode of giving‘his evidence. Nr. Medealfe objected to anything but the law and sound sense being applied to the case. The Under-Sheriff said that he could not allow more latitude to a foreigner than an Englishman. Mr. Stammers contended his client might be heard. The Under-Sheriff repeatedly called on defendant to confine himself to giving answers to questions, and not disputing. Defendant, in the course of a very desultory examina tion, and cross-examination by the learned counsel, the Under-Sheriff, and the jury, admitted that plaintiff had paid him several sums of money, and that the amount now claimed was strictly due, but insisted that plaintiff was to take the amount out in goods. Mr. Medcalfe submitted that even had there been a con tract of that sort, the plea of set off could not be main tained, for the breach onlycreated unliquidated damages. He did not think - that the question of Englishman or foreigner was brought into the case, except to create a prejudice, and it might be thought we were in a ticklish state with Austria, and a good many other countries, and that it would be better to propitiate them by send ing a foreigner back with a high notion that by the English law any foreigner might obtain English goods from an Englishman, and was not bound to pay for them. The learned counsel commented on the fact that de fendant had not produced his ledger, although he had been personally served with notice to do so, and in that ledger was the entry of the 3/. ss. as paid. The Under-Sheriff said the case was very straight forward on the part of the plaintiff, and the case now rested, as far as the jury were concerned, whether there had or had not been a contract on the principle of barter ; if there had defendant was entitled to a verdict— on the other hand, as the delivery of the goods had been admitted, then it would be for the plaintiff. The ad mitted fact that the money had been promised, was a strong fact, coupled with the other payments by plain tiff, that no such contract existed, but that was entirely a question for the jury. The jury, without hesitation, gave an immediate verdict for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed. BOW-STREET-( THIS DAY.) CHARGE AGAINST A BARRISTER.---Mr. T. H. Daley, who described himself as a barrister, was brought before Mr. Hall, charged with being drunk, and obstructing the police when in the execution of their duty. Police Serjeant 17 F, stated that about one o'clock this morning he was in Chandos-street with two con stables, who were taking a drunken man to the station, when the defendant came up and asked him why they were maltreating the woman in that way, and desired him to let her go. Witness seeing that defendant was intoxicated, told him to go away, as it was no business of his. The defendant then put up his arm and pushed witness on one side, saying, " How dare you speak to me in that rude manner." He then came up to witness for the purpose of taking his number, and although he afforded him every facility for his doing so, he (defendant) dragged him by the collar to an adjoining lamp-post, and, as he persisted in his annoyance, witness took him into custody. Defendant denied the charge of drunkenness, and said he was in Chandos-street this morning, when he saw the sergeant and two other men dragging a woman along the street, and using -more violence to her than was neces sary, and because he remonstrated with them on such cruel conduct, the sergeant took him in charge. Inspector Mackenzie proved that defendant was very drunk when brought to the station, and that his conduct was exceedingly wrong while there. Mr. Hall considered the charge proved, and fined de fendant 205., which he at once paid. MARLBOROUGH-STREET.-(THIS DAY.) EXTENSIVE ROBBERY AND CAPTURE OF THE THIEF. William Graham , a well-dressed young fellow, was brought before Mr:Bingham, charged with stealing, at No. 7. Park-street, Grosvenor-square, two dressing cases, containing jewellery of the value of 1,0001., the property of Mrs. Emma Brigdocke. Sarah Finnin, servant to the prosecutrix, deposed that about a quarter to eight last night a man knocked at the door, and asked her to give him a pocket-handkerchief which he had dropped down the area. She went to get it, and gave it to him, when he thanked her, and went away. In about a quarter of an hour afterwards she had occasion to go up to her mistress's bed-room, when she found the prisoner behind the door, and in the middle of the room on the floor she saw the two dressing-cases produced, containing jewellery worth 1,0001., lying on a black bag, ready to be carried away. She immediately called out to the man servant, who fetched a constable, into whose custody the prisoner was given. Police-constable 114 C took prisoner into custody, and on searching him found a crowbar, a box of lucifers, and a roll of wax-taper. Mr. Superintendent Otway applied for a remand, as one or two robberies had been committed lately by simi lar means, and no doubt the man who dropped the hand kerchief was a confederate of the prisoner.. He there fore wished for further. time to make inquiries. Mr. Bingham remanded him for a week. SOUTHWARK (THIS DAY.) IMPUDENT ROBBERY.—.Tames Robinson, a notorious thief was brought before Mr. A'Beckett charged with stealing six silk handkerchiefs, the property of James Hewitt, a salesman in Blackman-street, Southwark. John Husband Rowe, police constable, 110 M, said on the previous afternoon he was on duty in Blackman street in plain clothes, when he perceived the prisoner with six other thieves, loitering about Mr. Hewitt's shop. Witness watched them and saw the prisoner lifted on the ironwork in front of the shop, when he seized a quantity of silk handkerchiefs hanging there for sale, and pulled them down. He was in the act of running away with them when witness crossed over the road and caught hold of him. His companions interfered and attempted to rescue him, but another constable came to his assistance, and he was eventually secured, with the handkerchiefs in his possession. James Swift, assistant to Mr. Hewitt, identified the handkerchiefs as his master's property. He hung them out in the morning, and he saw them safe a few minutes before the prisoner was apprehended. Mr. A'Beckett fully committed him for trial. WORSHIP-STREET-(THIS DAY.) FEARFUL ASSAULTS BY A HUSBAND ON HIS WIFE. Sainted Lawrence, described as an engineer, and re siding at 3, Mary-street, Old Ford, was charged, bef ore Mr. Hammill, with assaulting his wife, Bethsheba Lawrence. Complainant, a person of delicate and interesting appearance, gave evidence at great length of repeated acts of brutality committed upon her by the defendant, such as knocking her down with his fist, beating h er with the poker, threatening her life, and destroying every article of service in the place,. Last night the assault was committed with a heavy hand-brush, proof of the violence used being visible on the poor creature's head and body. Her evidence was in every particular corroborated by a neighbour named Clark, who narrowly escaped violence at the defendant's hands. In answer to the magistrate, complainant said she had been married nine years, eight of which had been passed in slavish obedience to her husband's tyranny and ill usage. Her family .consisted of five children, the youngest two months old, whom she had in her arms at the time of the last assault. Mr. Hammill fined the defendant—who merely com plained that his wife did not do her duty-51., or two months' imprisonment, and to find bail in two sureties of 401., each, at the same time remarking that a bill was now before the Legislature, which would ena bl e th e magistrates of police-courts to deal with enlarged powers on this class of offenders ; and ho trusted that the provisions would be carefully carried out. The defendant was committed in default, ABD-EL-KADER AND LORD LONDONDERRY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SIT/T. Holderness House, March 23, 1853. SlR,—The deep interest you have ever exhibited in your able and talented journal for the brave and unfor tunate Emir, Abd-el•Kader, induces me to hope that you will not refuse me the insertion in The Sun of the enclosed correspondence, proving the gratitude and remembrance of the great Arab Chief to those who, like yourself and me, have tended to rouse the public feeling in his behalf, and attempted all in our power by sympathy and writing to assuage, shorten, and end the period of his misery and unjust imprisonment. I remain, Sir, yours very obediently, VANE LONDONDERRY. I.—ABD-EL-KADER'S LETTER. " BROUSSE, le 29 Fdvrier, 1853, "A Monsieur le Gal. Marquis de Londonderry. _ "Monsieur le Marquis, —J'ai I'honneur de vous adresser ci-joint une lettre de I'Emir Abd-el-Bader, dont voici la traduction : " ' Louange h dieu Seul ! "'A sa Seigneurie, le Magnifique, le tres 41ev4, l'homme de cceur, la clef des solutions heureuses, devant qui le malheur se dissipe, Monsieur le Gandral Van Londonderry, l'lrlandais. Salut a vous et votre epouse aussi obligeante que d'4ducation distingu4e. " 'Nous sommes arriva h Brouese heureux crt en bonne santd. Nous ne saurions vous oublier, et votre amitid nous est d'autant plus prdcieuse que vous gtes un homme d'honneur faisant le bien h tons les hommes ; ensuite parce que vous nous avez aimds et avez etd com patissant envers nous ; en troisieme lieu parce qu'une ancienne amitid vous lie h notre bien-aimd et bienfaiteur S. M. l'Empereur Napoleon 111. " 'Nous vous remercierons toujours ; recevez cette ex pression sincere de nos iemercimens. Veuillez ne pas nous oublier ; 4crivez nous. " Salut d'Abd-el-Kader Ben Mahhi-Eddin. ic 16, de Djamnad el aouel, 1269, (29 Fthrrier, 1853.)' "J'ai l'honneur d'etre, avec profond respect, Mon sieur le Marquis, votre tres ob4issant serviteur, . " GEORGIE BUDARE." IL-LORD LONDONDERRY'S REPLY. " Tres Illustre, Heroique, et Noble Chef—ll m'est impossible d'exprimer les sentimens que j'eprouve en recevant un tSmoignage de votre part d'une amitid si flattante, et d'une reconnoissance si honorable pour moi, que votre lettre autograph annonce. " Je suis charme que votre sante est bonne, et que vows soyez heureuz, apres tant de malheurs, et de souf frances, caus4 par I'injustice. "Et si j'ai eontribue le moins du monde par mes efforts h votre mise en liberte, je suis fier de ma bonne fortune. " Mon epouse sensible a votre bon souvenir, et nous nous rappellons avec un vif int6ret de notre reception affectueuses au Château d'Amboise ; elle ne ,s'effacer facilement de notre memoire. Nous m'appellez homme de cceur,Taime beaucoup ce titre. Vous m'appel lez aussi un homme d'honneur.' Et que mon amiti6 vous est precieuse. Ces paroles et ce caractere, enonces par l'Emir Abd-el-Kader parcoureront mon pays, la France et l'Europe, et seront mon passeport pour avoir servi la cause de la justice et de l'humanitd, et elles ne seront jamais consigne l'indifference ne h l'oubli. " Se nous nous rencontrerons quere dans ce monde a l'homme de cur et d'honneur resters toujouis devoue h la bonne cause, et a l'Emir Abd-el-Kader. " VANE LONDONDERRY, " Gdaral de sa Majestd Brittanique." THE WELLINGTON TESTIMONIAL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SlR,—Reference having been made to " The Welling ton and United Services Benevolent Institution," as being the second " Wellington Testimonial"—permit me to state that this institution was the first and only " Wellington Testimonial," having been publicly founded on the 21st of October, 1852, and duly advertised in all the daily journals. I think it right to add, that long previous to the idea of " The Wellington Memorial" being put forth to the public, I forwarded to the Earl of Derby a prospectus of my plan (which now stands as it did then), and by two several letters I solicited his co-operation and attendance at the public meeting held the 19th of November, 1852. I received no reply to either communication, but on the 22nd of November, the " Wellington Memorial," for the first time, appeared, by adyertisemeut, under the sanc tion of royalty, and auspices of the Earl cf Derby. Justice to myself and the institution I represent de mand that I should request the favour of your insertion of this letter in your valuable columns, to prevent the public mind being misled by the formation of an erro neous impression, or a misconception of the facts.—l have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant, HENRY TOMMEY, Junior, Secretary to " The Wellington Testimonial," under the title of "The Wellington and United Sevices Benevolent Institution." 12, Pall-mall East, March, 1853. DIRECTORS OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND FOR 1853. The following is the house list of Governors and Direc tors of the Bank of England for the year ensuing, viz.:— FOR GOVERNORS. John Gellibrand Hubbard, Esq., Governor. Thomas Matthias Weguelin, Deputy-Governor. FOR DIRECTORS. Henry Hulse Berens, Esq. Arthur Edward Campbell, Esq. Edward Henry Chapman, Esq. • Robert Wigram Crawford, Esq. William Cotton, Esq. Bonamy Dobree, Esq. Benjamin Buck Greene, Esq. George Pascoe, Grenfell, Esq. *Henry Hucks Gibbs, Esq. Thomson Hankey, Junr., Esq. John Oliver Hanson, Esq. Kirkman Daniel Hodgson, Esq. Henry Lancelot Holland, Esq. Thomas Newman Hunt, Esq. Alfred Latham, Esq. James Malcolmson, Esq. James Morris, Esq. Sheffield Neave, Esq. George Warde Norman, Esq. John Horsley Palmer, Esq. Henry James Prescott, Esq. William Thompson, Esq., and Alderman. Thomas Tooke, jun., Esq. N.B.—The gentleman against whose name an asterisk is placed is a new candidate for the direction. The election for Governor and Deputy-Governor will be held at the Bank, on Tuesday, the sth April, and for Directors on Wednesday, the 6th April, from 10 o'clock in the forenoon till 4 in the afternoon. EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE OF Two CONVICTS.—Yester day information was received by the commissioners of the metropolitan and the city police of the escape of two convicts, named William Maggs, aged 46 years, and Joseph Wilson, aged 16 years, from Wilton Gaol, Somersetshire. This they effected in a most daring and extraordinary manner, early on Monday morning last, the 21st instant, neither having taken any of their clothes, with the exception of the prison shirts which they wore, from which circumstance it is conjectured that they had some of their companions waiting in the town to assist them with clothes and other necessaries requisite in their flight. The description of Maggs is as follows :—Age 46 years, 5 feet 2 inches in height, sallow complexion, blue eyes, grey hair, has a downcast look, scar on the fore finger of the left hand, small lump on the back of the right hand, scar on the a lefttTaunton, acuhneteokn;, with hew Herdas t andriedat sp f r o i r ng th m e msizuersh helder of Sarah W atts, at F• d the Sparrow, last rome , an subsequently tried at the last Michaelmas sessions at Wells, for felony, on the 25th October, when he was sentenced to 15 years' transportation. Joseph Wilson is 16 years of age, 5 feet in height, says he was born in Herefordshire, was tried at the Epiphany adjourned sessions, on the 11th January, 1853, and sentenced to 10 years's transportation ; is of a fair complexion, with hazel eyes, light brown hair, and small scar on the fore herd. A large reward has been offered by the governor of the gaol for their apprehension. EXTENSIVE CON FLAGRATION IN SOHO. —Yesterday morning a fire, attended with a serious destruction of property, broke out in the premises belonging to Mr. E. G. Royal, cabinetmaker, Hollen-yard, Hollen-street, Soho. The flames, when first discovered, were raging in the second floor workshop, a building of considerable extent, and surrounded by several other similar erections. Owing to the inflammable nature of the contents of the place, the fire spread with great rapidity, and in the course of a few moments had seized upon the premises of Messrs. Summers and Meadows, carvers and gilders, the stables of Mr. A. T. Balderson, those of Mr. S. Walker, as well as the premises of Mr. Ray. The fol lowing is the official report :—Hollen-yard, Hollen street, Soho, Mr. E. G. Royal, cabinetmaker ; cause of fire not known ; contents not insured ; the fire was ex tinguished by firemen and engines of the A, B, and C districts of the brigade and that of the West of England office. The workshops on the second floor burned out and the greater part of roof off. Ditto, ditto, Messrs. Summers and MeadOws, carvers, &c. ; contents insured in the Gl o b e Fi re -office ; workshops on second floor and contents destroyed, and roof off. Ditto, ditto, Mr. A. T. Balderson, stable-keeper, hay and straw consumed, and building seriously damaged by fire and water ;in sured in the Imperial and Westminster Fire-offices. Ditto, ditto, Mr. S. Walker, similar damage to premises and their contents ; contents not insured ; building n. the Westminster Fire-office. Ditto, ditto, Mr. Ray, similar damage ; insured in the Westminster Fire-office.an a e No. 15, Little Chapel-street, Mr. R. Hansen, j pner premises b by breakage; damaged by insuredwater, F o_ r e workshop r v be hindß- DEPARTURE OF THE UNITED STATES MAILS.—LIVER POOL, . E Arctic,ClO this Captain ain morn ing ta oo L t , h e W u e Wednesday . —At t e e s d d & States. A tml mail s - pastt e a i ninen- h i po ' Luce, sailed from the Mersey, withs theusseungalelbsi: and awepekly mails for the western continent, 60 passengers, large and valuable cargo of general merchandise `O 4 ( board. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY. The "Improvement Committee" connected with the City of London, have presented to the Corporation a report of their proceedings during the past year. Several of the statements it contains are of considerable interest to the public ; the following being some of the leading facts presented by the Committee : The document sets forth that since the 27th day of January, 1852, the Committee had continued the line of street improvement from Queen-street to St. Paul's Churchyard. They have received numerous claims from the owners and occupiers of property in Basing lane, Bow-lane, Bread-street, St. Thomas the Apostle, Friday-street, Great and Little Distaff-lanes, Little Carter-lane, St. Mildred'k;-court, Great Trinity-lane, Old-change, and St. Paul's Churchyard, entering into and concluding treaties with several of the parties for the purchase of their interests, upon fair and equitable terms ; the claims amounting to 255,2731. 17s. 3d., which have been settled for 188,9291. 16s. The Committee state that they feel they cannot but congratulate the Court upon the extent of the improve ments thus far effected, as not only materially conducing to the convenience of the great and increasing traffic of the metropolis, but also in its adding to the character of its buildings increased import ance , w hil e it h as contri buted to the promotion of the health of its inhabitants. The whole of the works have been effected at the cost and charge of the city, from their own funds, and with out any grant, either Parliamentary or otherwise, to wards the same. With reference to the projected street from Cannon street West to Earl-street, Blackfriars, a most impor tant branch to the Blackfriars-bridge, the committee thus report:— " We certify that, on the 22d day of April List, we pre sented a report to this honourable Court, stating that the time had arrived at which it became necessary for us to contract for the formation of the vault, for the new build ings to be erected from Queen-street to the Old Change ; .but previously to finally determining thereon, were desi rous of obtaining the opinion of the Court as to the pro priety of making provision for the proposed new street from Earl-street, Blackfriars, to fall into Cannon-street West, at the point laid d own by the City's architect in his reports of the 21st day of September, and the 14th of October, 1816 ;we cons e que n tly f e lt it be our duty to report accordingly, drawing the immediate attention of the Court to the measure, should they see fit so to do ; and this honourable Court having been pleased to agree in this opinion, and to refer it back for us to carry the work inte execution, we duly contracted for the performance of the.same, which is now proceeding with." Arrangements, it also appears, are in a very forward state with regard to effecting considerable improve ments in the vicinity of Threadneedle-street, Dowgate hill, and Mark-lane, at a further charge of 40,0001. to the City, an agreement for the advance of such sum having been recently entered into with the Union Bank of London. A considerable degree of interest having been mani fested by the public for the preservation of the ancient crypt under Gerard's-hall Inn, in Basing-lane, and the same being considered by the Society of Antiquaries and other scientific bodies as desirable to be retained, if possible, in that situation, as a curious architectural remain, the Committee, after having advised with the City's architect thereon, report " that they found from the existing levels in the neighbourhood, that its removal was absolutely necessary for the forma tion of the new street." They, however, directed correct drawings thereof to be taken previous to its removal, and also a model of the same to be prepared, which they , recommend should be placed in the City Library. They further state that, "having caused the remains to be carefully taken down, they presented them to the Directors of the Crystal Palace Company at Sydenham, in the name of th e C orpora ti on , upon t h e condition that they would remove them, and re-erect them in a suitable portion of their property, with the view of handing them down to posterity as a curious specimen of the early architecture of the City of London." It is also stated, that the Committee have recently received a communi cation from the said directors, who state they " consider the offer as a pleasing token of the interest taken by the Corporation in the great work in which they are en gaged ;" and that they have "given instructions for the speedy removal of the crypt, and 'upon which subject Mr. Wyatt, their architect, would shortly communicate with the City's Surveyor." With reference to that long existing eyesore, the blank plot of ground at the west end of Chea,pside-- which, by the way, the public should know does net belong to the city, but to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests—the Committee report that so long since as the 25th of May last, they had a conference with the then Postmaster-General, as to the improvement of the site, but that since that period " no further common - cation has taken place." It will be seen from what is stated above that the Committee have been most assiduous in the perform ance of their unpaid duties during the past year, and that certain observations which have been made during the period, of their apathy and neglect of the public , interests, are unjust and unwarrantable. This will. ,strongly appear when the fact is stated, that, within the year, not less than 183 claims have been disposed of after patient examination, and the awarding of smelt ranging from 51., in some instances, to upwards et 16,0001. in others, embracing a total of 188,9291. 165., and throwing into the public way several thousand fed of ground of enormous value, for the sole purpose of facilitating the convenience of the public traffic, and adding to the sanitary improvement of this great em porium of commercial enterprise.—Morning Advertiser. NEW APPLICATIONS OF THE PRINCIPLE OF ASSURANCE. One of the most novel, but by no means one of tj f that least of p usefurlociadpihg againstplication s ofal thel h t pri e n n ci u p m le e o ro f us assura nce ; 11* and conti ngenc i es w hi ch beset the sale and mo d r iffi tg land. It m i g ht b e questioned whether this is a ki n d of business whi c h cou ld b e l eg i t i mately or pro fi ta bly trans altiees of acted By an assurance office, were it not that the success of a society, which has been several years in existence/ and whose main feature is the assurance of imperfect titles, has placed the matter beyond all doubt. We allude to the Law Property Assurance and Trust So ciety, which occupies no mean place among the modern assurance companies of London. The object for which it has been established is carried out in various ways- For instance, it remedies defects in titles by assuring such as are good holding ones, but unmarketable in con sequence of some legal defect ; it assures the value of mortgaged property, in order to make loans perfectly secure, and to enable borrowers to obtain a larger ad vance ; and it likewise undertakes to pay off a mortgage or loan at stated periods, so that the property may go to the borrower or his family unencumbered. The so ciety also offers to confer important advantages on persons interested in leasehold, copyhold, and lif e t t old properties. When a lease expires, or a life drops, this description of property is lost to the owner. Now, the society engages, when either of these events happen, to pay the value of the property, or to put in new lives ; thus, as the prospectus states, "practi ca lly conver ting such properties into the value of freeholds for all Inv' poses of sale and mortgage." These undeniable boons, which are well worthy of being secured by the payment of a fair amount of annual premium, cannot but gre atly assist the legal profession and others in the management of property. The society also includes within the scope of its operations the ordinary business of a life assurance endowment, annuity, and guarantee association. In re gard to life assurance it has adopted certain improve ments which are calculated to render that invalu able invention for meeting the wants of society as perfect as human ingenuity can make it. Among these may be mentioned, the non-forfeiture of a policy when a party is unable from temporary difficulties to pal' his premium in time, he being allowed, on giving due notice, to charge the premium upon the policy to the extent of its then value ; the right of an assurer to ob tain a loan on his own security to the amount of the premiums he has paid, by simply depositing his policy with the society ; and also a provision by which those of precarious incomes are permitted to pay any sum they can afford, however much or little, in the year, and to have the full benefit of the sums so paid without forfeit ing their policy for non-payment. When a society of such undoubted respectability and high standing as the one in question offers such advantages, it cannot fail to obtain a very large amount of public support. BERLIN WATERWORKS COMPANY.—It was mentioned some months back that a concession had been granted by the King of Prussia for the supply of Berlin with water, and the prospectus of the enterprise, under the above name, was issued yesterday. The proposed capital is 350,000/. ' in 101. shares ; and according to an arrange ment with Sir C. Fox and Mr. Crampton, to whom the concession was granted, and by whom it has been made to be e over p l t e o t e d t h w e i c t h o i m n p t a w n o y, y t e h a e r s e f n r t o i m r e t u h n e d l e s r t t a e k f i isn j g u l y stipulated pe r een t. that be i n u g p upon paid d n fer averagethe giveat a totalthe e c e o In s t p o a f n 3 y 27 a , o m oo o / n . 0p To may yf t o e l re r r o v2y s Bs o u f c t h h e rates c o nca as may years—namely a o y, until 1881, during which they a se n e n m uar p d e i d v i i ' d en en t, d it o b f ei l n o g whole period, all between 10 per cent, and 15 per cent. shall be equally divided between the Govern ment and the company, the Government possessing the power when the profits exceed 15 per cent. to require a perrgio s vn o e n r and the calculation of revenue reduction in the charges. The population to be supplied supposition of 74,000 families being annualrate of 11., which, after deducting iesx served c b e a e s d e s ad t s u o ap O no , O n O t O b e expenses, will leave 62,0001., or capital. The water is to be Spree, two miles distant from t pal h br2 ; :cu c tju i t : r y lei , d.B fafinerodrmwtchoetrenhktei.n, company and high supply. Interest at the rate of 5 per cent. is to be paid during the construction of the works, and is to be reckoned in the capital ; while, with regard to th e position of the company at the termination of their ex elusive privilege in 1881, it is stated that the Govern ment the ai3i e option valuati o o n f . p u T r h c e h a b s o in a L t o h f e dir ir eeto entire r 5 plantco mi a ) aan r t at an ai nnog equitable composed o f L ondon merchants. THE RAPPIST S PIRITS. —Madame Palsky narra t es that , during h er v i sit to the United States, the physician ac the Hungarian refugees paid a visit to the Rappists, and asked whether his father was in heaven ? Three Raps answered " Yes," while the father of The worthy doct or li ves i n goo d h ea lth i n P o l an d. 'J. -I ' e spirits likewise were at a loss to guess how old the doc tor's l a d y was ; they added ten years to her actual age. When th e doctor began to protest against these manifest falsehoods, Mi ss Fox coolly replied that she and her sister were not responsible for anything the spirits said, as they, in fact, could not tell whether the spirits wh o manifested thems e l ves were verac i ous or lying epi ri d That there were lying ones amongst them they had icti ll out by experience. r :i s E