The Sun. — London, England, 1853-03-15 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Direetress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Mattes 15, Will be presented GOOD IC TWIT, SIGNOR PANTALON'. Sup ported by Messrs. Paul Bedford and G. Honey; Mhses Woolgar, Laura Honey, Collins, &c. After which, A LUCKY FRIDAY. To conclude with (only time at second price) the Drama of THE REEN BUSHES ; or, a Hundred Years Ago. Doors open at half past Eli o'clock. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. C. Kean. THIS EVENING, MAaca 15, Will be performed Shakspere's Play of KING JOHN. Principal harocters by Messrs. C. Kean, W. Lacy, Ryder, Addison, Baker, J. VininK , Terry, Graham, F. Cooke, Everett, Vezin, and Cathcart; Misses Desborough, Murray, K. Terry, Mrs. Winstanley, Mrs. Daly, and Mrs. C. Kean. To conc.lude with A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farren. THIS EVENLNG, MARCH 15, Will be presented THE FARMER'S STORY. Supported by Messrs. Compton, W. Farren, jun., Hoskins, Cooke, Shalders, Edgar, Bender, and Clifton ; Misses Anderton and H. Gordon. After which, THE LOAN OF A LOVER. To conclude with THE SERGEANT'S WIFE. Boa-office open from Eleven till Five, under the superintendence of Mr. E. Chatterton. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS Der —Morning 8 min. after 5 Evening 24 min.aft. 5 I o-MORROW—Morning 39 min. after 5 Evening 56 min.aft. 5 THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, NlAucu 15. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 42—highest since noon yesterday. 31—lowest this morning and during the night. 46 this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29.69—going up. WIND, S.W.—Fine breeze, and sunshiny weather. THE PUBLICATION OF ‘, THE SUN" COMMENCES EVERY AFTERNOON AT THREE O'CLOCK, AND TEM LATE OR THIRD EDITION, CONTAINING THE DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT THE SAME EVENING, TVith 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 th® Latest Trains. , b If , •,, , ~,, . _ aw A. . 4 . 4 ,n - -:, - 0 LONDON, TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1853. India bids fair to become a ministerial difficulty of no ordinary magnitude. The just complaints of the native inhabitants of the - Eastern empire, corroborated and confirmed by European residents of high respectability and unimpeachable charac ters, have excited feelings of deep sympathy and compassion among the people of the United King dom. • The clear and convincing statements con tained in the petitions from the three Presidencies, exposing such deplorable instances of misgovern ment, exemplified as well in acts of omission as commission, have attracted the public attention too forcibly to permit the renewal of the East India Charter for a further period of ten or twenty years without any material change or modification. It is naturally asked, why should.the destinies of 150,000,000 of British subjects be handed over to the tender mercies of 24 elderly gentlemen not possessing any peculiar qualifications for the arduous and important duty ? Or why should the possessors of certain stock, to the amount of 6,000,0001. sterling, with interest guaranteed by the British Government at the very liberal rate of 10i per cent. per annum, and then only redeem .able on payment of 2001. for every 1001. stock, he alone entitled to interfere in the government of our Oriental dominions, by electing the Directors who govern, or are supposed to govern, the wide spread territory, and who certainly exercise the valuable patronage appertaining thereto 7 It must be quite clear that the proprietor of last India Stock has no real interest in the prosperity of India. No matter how ample may be its revenue or large the surplus in its exchequer, he will receive only his 101. 108. on every 100/. ; and if Hindostan completely passed from our hands—if the British standard no longer floated over a single fortress or an acre in its soil—the same 101. 10s. should be paid from the British revenue to the fortunate stockholder. The English tax-payer has an ade quate motive to increase the Indian revenue, inas much as the surplus will go in aid of the other demands on him, while he must make up the de ficiency, whatever it may be. But the East India proprietor, as such, has none whatsoever. He is secured, under any circumstances. His bond must be liquidated to the last farthing. There can be no refusal to pay, or even procrastination as to payment. The divided Administration is notoriously in jurious, leading to postponement of beneficial legis lation, while the matter under consideration is ban died backward and forward from Leadenhall-street to Cannon-row, and from Cannon-row to Leadenhall street, from the Court of Directors to the Board of Control, and back again to the honourable court. It creates a division of responsibility that is very injudicious and impolitic, permitting, as it does, the real. Autocrat of the Anglo-Indian empire, the de facto successor to the GRAND Mocnm, to escape the censure to which he would otherwise be liable by transferring the odium to the twenty-four pup pets east of Cornhill. We are, perhaps, wrong in terming them "puppets," for, although power less for good, they are still potent for evil. We have seen the effects of their work in occasioning the recal of perhaps the most able Governor- General of the present century, and in crippling the operations of one of England's most distin guished generals. A sincere and zealous determi nation to remove prevailing abuses, and to improve the condition of the native population, was the head and front of the offending of these two eminent men. They would not truckle to the prejudices of the Honourable Board, or pursue the beaten course which was fraught with so much danger to the welfare and happiness of myriads of human beings—they dared to think for them selves, and were therefore selected as objects of the petty vindictiveness of some of the Directors. The conduct pursued towards the Earl of ELLEN BOROUGH and Sir CHARLES NAPIER, should suffice to prevent the renewal of the Charter, even if there were no other cause. It may be said—and we believe it has been as serted—that the Directors are efficient and ex perienced councillors, whose sage advice is cheaply P urcha sed by the transfer of the enormous pa tronage to their hands. They may certainly have some amount of experience —many of their number have, We believe, served in India—but it is a mere accident whether the most efficient candidate be selected ; the present system of elec tion affords n o gua i rante et. what soever as t o th e fact. The only q tia ma ions re ired are the possession of a certain amount of India Stock, and a fawning canvass of three or fo ur years, and an expenditure of some 3,000 t. or 4,00 01 • . committee rooms and other canvassing and ing t expenses, with perhaps some aignifielectio neer is as can , hints to the mode in which the future Patro nage will be exercised. The possessor of the Parliamentary franchise will be severely censured if he accept a promise of a situation for some friend or relative as the condition on which he will bestow his s u s_ fraqe on the obsequious candidate ; but there i s nothing to prevent the wealthy possessor of Ea s t India Stock, with one, two, or three stars to his name, from stipulating for a cadetship or writer acquainship for some promising youth of his ante. The very conditions essential to success in such a contest would prevent many of the most eligible persons, those who could suggest useful reforms, who would really be beneficial councillors, from coming forward. Nothing, indeed, could be more fatal to success than the exhibition of any sym pathy with the natives, or any desire to improve \ 0.. their condition. 194.. s the patronage there t be no mistale about the matter. It the ge w alone that is cared for. . For that tronag e , thee Directordegradation histo p the ro.. ~..„ tr able, the expense fr cted canvas. -:. his ti .., at su ion bm o l f ts For that he devotes three years Limo to hatnitint, f h . aces, where rich inv a li ds ) •. as ionable watering , or wealthy dowagers or •~; - S spinsters, before whose names the magic stars are affixed in the list of proprietors—for that he enters into frivolities that he must, if really qualified for the duty, despise in his soul ; and fawns and flatters, and (when necessary) promises all that may be required at his hands. And how is the patronage thus acquired exer cised ? Are the most worthy selected, or those who possess, in the distinguished services of near relations, strong claims on the country ? Far from it. There are, of course, exceptions to every general rule, and there have been instances of disinterested and liberal conduct that reflected the highest credit on the parties concerned. But, as a general rule, the exercise of the patronage is just what might be anticipated, from the manner in which the privilege is obtained; that is to say for the benefit of friends and relatives, fitness for the situation, or in redemption of promises made while canvassing, or possibly for even a worse rea son—and this is the system which it is intended to continue for ten or twenty years more without awaiting the result of the pending inquiry, or hearing the evidence on the part of those chiefly concerned. This cannot be, and shall not be. The nation will not tolerate such a proceeding, nor sanction a renewal of the Charter save from year to year, until the necessary information has been obtained to warrant permanent and benefi cial legislation. A Peer's word is his oath. He swears by his honour ; every other man must swear by his GOD. What is the interpretation of this ? Is it that a Peer worships his honour as a God, or that other men worship their GOD no more than a Peer does his honour ? Is an appeal to his honour the form of oath most binding on the conscience of a Peer, and an appeal to GOD over the Bible the form most binding on all other persons ? It were singular if a patent of hereditary nobility imparted to the line of heirs male this kind of Quakerish view of oath-taking. The least, however, we can expect in any case of the House of Lords is, that they should have considerable hostility to judicial swearing; or that, like members of the Society of Friends, Separatists, &c., they should be peculiarly open to conviction on the subject of abolishing oaths. They, by constant practice, • well under stand how binding is a solemn declaration. The Noble Lords, exalted as is their position in the State, will not pretend that morally and religiously they " are not as other men are." Even the Lords Spiritual would resent the supposition that the conge d' elire and its consequences had made their word of more value than it was before ; equally, we suppose, would all the Lay Lords affirm that their word was as good as their oath till the hour that they were called to the Upper House. Why, then, should not the practice of the Peers become the universal practice ? Privi lege we will not call it; that were an insult to the veracity of all other men. As we have hinted above, nothing but deifying their honour, or cherishing the most loathsome self-righteousness, could induce Noble Lords to assert any peculiar fitness to be trusted on their word, as other men are upon their oath. We should not, therefore, regret to abolish oaths entirely, to put all men upon their honour, and, in case of their violating a solemn affirmation, to inflict the severest penal ties now appropriated to perjury. It must tend to raise every person's estimate of the importance of truth, and to increase his jealousy for the regard paid to his word, if he found his word treated as sacredly as an oath, and its violation entailing all the social consequences of oath breaking. This is, indeed, the point to which Christianity would bring us. Admitting that a literal inter pretation of its twice-repeated precept, " Swear not at all," may be an overstrained one, we must yet all perceive that the reason by which our LORD condescends to enforce His command, is substan tially, that our word should be equal to our oath ; that our yea should be yea, and our nay, nay. It is as much the genius of Christianity to abolish oaths as to abolish slavery. Few Englishmen now doubt that its principles forbid the latter ; but direct precepts apparently, as well as prin ciples, may be pleaded against taking an oath. We must think, therefore, that the highest respect, instead of bonds and imprisonment, is due to those who, on conscientious grounds, object to oaths. If but a scruple, it is one so perfectly natural. It is not a mere constructive interpre tation of Scripture. It is, indeed, the party who requires another to swear that has to construct a case to make his demand even plausible in the face of the plain prohibitions of the New Testa ment. At the present day, therefore, it is almost universally felt, that punishing persons for de clining to swear, or refusing to accept their affirma tion, is a real case of religious persecution. No Court of Justice likes to do either ; and the law is become equally at variance with the feelings of its administrators and the conscience of the wit ness. It is obvious, of course, to enlarge on the inconsistency of permitting sects to plead con . _ science in bar of oath-taking, and not permitting individuals to do so ; but we wish rather to argue the question on its merits, and we contend, and we think no one can deny it, that there is a broad prima facie case from the Bible in favour of the most conscientious scruples against taking an oath. The more simply, the more unconditionally, the more reverently a man accepts the language of the New Testament--the more likely is he to think oaths unlawful for Christian men. If, therefore, we retain oaths i n our cour t s of justice and elsewhere, we are bound by all the principles of religious toleration, and respect for the rights of conscience, to indulge the scruples of those who deem them unlawful. We are hardly less bound by the interests of justice itself. If we succeed by penalties in compelling a person to take an oath in violation of religious scruples, of what value is his evidence ? We ourselves have already sapped his conscience. We have com pelled him, as he conceives, to disobey his GOD, by compelling him to appeal to his GOD ; and, after that, are we to use his testimony as evidence ? If we do not succeed in getting him to swear, we lose his evidence, our laws not permitting us, except in the case of a few sects, to receive it on the only terms on which he feels at liberty to give it. But if, again, we give the recusant, on consci entious grounds, full scope, we gain everyadvantage. For, in the first place, we are never compelled to take his evidence for more than it is worth; it can do us no harm therefore. Next, we have the witness before us, and have every opportunity of judging from his aspect, manner, tone of voice, and every little circumstance, what kind of a wit- ness he is. Indeed, we generally, in point of fact, rely more on the bearing of a witness, under cross-examination especially, than on his oath ; but, lastly, the probability is that we obtain witness rigidly, we might almost say morbidly, truthful. It is but the dictate of common sense that a person timid about violating the letter of his LORD'S commands will be equally so about violating truth itself. The result of the most ready indulgence of religious scruples on this sub ject, therefore, is, that we can lose nothing, that we probably gain a valuable witness, and that we act consistently with English sentiments of Re ligious Liberty. s We are convinced, moreover, from numero us remarks whi c h we h ave h ear d, th a t a grea t many persons, of peculiarly d t character, cftoennm. r, haveihiv be e e h n asllo swear ing with the have t is forbidden, one, especially especially as to be led to w i s h f or exem pti on h aluno , rdry b an oath, although th e i r scru pl es from such as to wa rran t th em in declining n at the spur of the m oment. This is, w e b e li eve a l arge, and of cour se a ,conscientious,, class of men . Th e i r language would be, asalthough we do not a b so l u t e l y refuse nt in to onr swear, and floating things are, s e ld om or never m doubts, yet on religious e 0 whatsoever grounds we should prefer not a.s , t, :: , we think, will deny that, No one, of faith is sin," even this measure of doubtveT is not on grounds of Religious Freedom, be carefully inii;rse_t, spected. We are, of course, gratified with the turn taken by the debate on Mr. PELLATT'S motion ; an d after Mr. GLADSTONE'S assurance that the Law c ommies sion were "dealing with the subject .in a manner that promised to be comprehensive and effectual," we could not wish Mr..P=ATT to press - the mo- THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 16, 1853. tion to a division. And quite as gratifying was the incident on Friday evening ; more so, indeed, as a practical evidence of the feelings of Govern ment and the House on this subject. We allude to Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT'S motion for the discharge from custody without payment of fees, of BOWYER, the person who declined on theological grounds to take an oath before the Southampton Election Committee. A motion which the Recorder of London, Mr. S. WORTLEY, supported, with the suggestion that it should be optional with Courts of Justice to exempt at their discretion any from taking an oath. This would be a great step in advance. The motion was quite unopposed. DEATH OP GENERAL HA EVA U. A telegraphic dispatch, dated Vienna, 14th inst., an nounces the death of General Haynau. ELECTION COMMITTEES -(THIS DA Y HUDDERSFIELD. - At the meeting of the committee this morning, the learned counsel replied 'on the whole case. The room was then cleared, and on the re-admission of the parties, the chairman read the following resolutions : " That C. Stanfield, Esq., was not duly elected to serve in the present Parliament for the borough of Huddersfield. " That the last election was a void election. " That the said C. Stanfield, Esq., had, by his agents, been guilty of bribery and treating, but that it was not proved to the committee that it was with the knowledge of the said C. Stanfield, Esq." vtitrti Zbition WARWICK RACES. (THIS DAY.) (Br ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) THE TRIAL STAKES. Defiance .., Poodle Five ran. SWEEPSTAKES. Sheriff filly Gip 2 fourtbWbitto WARWICK RACES. (THIS DAY.) (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) The Woodcote Stakes. John o'Gaunt colt Oleaster Three ran. The Willoughby Handicap was won by Hero, beating seven others. MOITEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 500 American were taken on speculation. The market closed flatly. The sales comprised 5,000 American, 180 Pernam and Maranham at 6141. to 6id., 250 Egyp tian at 6d. to .1.1 d., 400 Surat at 3id. to 4Jd., and 100 Sea Island at ls. 9d. to 2s. 9d. per lb. In Railway Shares only a limited business was done at previous rates. The letters by the steamer from the United States notice the usual indications of the opening Spring business. In the three weeks to February 19, the trade of New York showed a balance of 8,311,000 dollars of imports over exports. The shipments of breadstuffs were very large at the latest date, especially to Australia. It is in the papers that several of the American Coal Companies were doing badly. The Cumber land yield was particularly small. Several mines had been purchased in other parts of the United States, and we fear there is an intention of raising the capital in London so as to sell them at an en hanced value. The North Carolina Copper Company were to sell at auction on the Ist of March, at the Mer chants' Exchange, one hundred tons of pyrites, of about 30,per cent. in richness. The recent great and rapid rise in the market value of copper, would no doubt attract a large number of purchasers to this sale, and prices considerably above offers made would without doubt be realised. The North Caro lina Copper Company has not been in operation many weeks, and upwards of 200 tons of ore have been marketed. If the product continues at this rate—the dividends of the company must be enor mous. It was reported that the bill passed by the Legis , lature of Pennsylvania, authorising a settlement of the account between the State and the United States Bank, would be vetoed by the Governor. The British barque Larne arrived at Panama on the 14th inst., with advices from Melbourne, Aus tralia, to the 27th of November. Several Ameri cans have returned from those auriferous regions—. none of them with less than 3,000 dollars, and some of them with upwards of 20 pounds in weight of the fine metal. 'Several of these gentleman were passengers on board the United States. Accounts of Feb. 13, from Panama, state that business had become duller again. The Directors of the Royal West India Mining Company are compelled to dissolve the company, and will return the deposits in full, for the following alleged reasons " When the charter *al? conceded, in May last, the terms upon which it was to be issued were endorsed upon the draft copy, by Mr. Booth, one of the principal secretaries of the Board of Trade, and by him forwarded to Mr. Bellenden Ker , for his guidance. Pursuant t o these instructions, Mr. B. Ker approved of the draft in the month of November last. In February, the direc tors having fulfilled the terms required of them, as to the amount of subscribed capital, &c., applied for the issue of the charter, under the concession of May, when to their astonishment, they were told that the same had been cancelled in November last, two months before the settlement of the draft by Mr. Bellenden Ker, the Board of Trade's own counsel, and this without any notice or intimation of any kind, direct or indirect, to any par ties connected with the undertaking. After using every eiertion to induce the present Government to waive official routine in favour of substantial justice, and to grant the charter conceded by the late Board of Trade, but without success, the directors have no other alterna tive than to return the proprietors the amounts of their several subscriptions." Very late accounts have been received from Aus tralia, by the Overland Mail, viz., to the 28th December from Sydney, and 10th January from Adelaide. These entirely dispel the idea of a con tinued falling off in the yield of gold, the quantity obtained when these accounts left being reported to be larger than ever, and nearly 100,000 diggers were stated to be on the various gold fields, whose average earnings were estimated at one ounce per man per week. Trade was brisk, and prices of most articles, with the exception of flour, were supported. The letters by the Overland Mail from India are expected to be delivered this afternoon. The lonian Bank has declared a half-year's divi dend, to Dec. 31, at the rate of five per cent. per annum. • The Funds have been very firm this morning, with limited transactions. Consols are 100 to k for Money, and 100 f for Account. Exchequer Bills of June are steady at 10s. to 145., and those of March at Bs. to 12s. premium. India Bonds are 455. to 475. premium. Foreign Securities have been affected by the ar rangements for settling the half-monthly account to-morrow. The new Spanish Loan, it is said, will be for 600,0001., and be contracted by Messrs. Rothschilds and Barings jointly. The price for a 3 per cent. stock is said to be about that now cur rent at Madrid, and the certificates will probably be received at 10k. It does not look as though railway purposes were contemplated for, 600,0001. would go a very small way. The Certificates are quoted 8 to f, being higher, the 3 per Cents. 49, and the New Deferred 241. Buenos Ayres Bonds are 64, and Danish 85. Mexican are better, being 251 to 26, and Portuguese 4 per Cents. are 381. Dutch 2i per Cents. are marked 664. Railway Shares have been firm generally, with a fair business. The Mining and Land Companies are withou any particular variation. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY. (Prom the Official List.) _ - - 3 per Cent. Cons o l s Business done. Annuities India Bonds, £lOOO 45 Ditto, under £lOOO 5O South Sea. New Annuities Consols for Account 13th April Exchequer Bills, lid. June. March. £lOOO .................................... 10 14 812 S£soo ....................................... 812 mall ....................................... 8 12 PRICE . OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent 64 3 Danish 3 per Cent. Ditto 5 per Cent lO5 Greek ex over -due Coupons Mexican 3 per Cent,.....,.... ..... . .... . ..... Ditto for the Amount 26 8 8 Portuguese 4 r Cent. Ditto for th e e Account 3 BB 9 Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. . . Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cant . ......... .........: 4O Ditto for the Account . Spanish Now Deferred, 3 per Cent 248 Ditto for the Account 24 58 Spanish Passive (Converted) 5, . Spanish Committee C er t. o f C o up. not fun 8 8 8 pa Swedish Loan . ....... . ... .... . . ...... . .... ... Turkish Lo an , 6 per bent., 1852 1 P Venezuela Bonds 3a per Cent. — Ditto Deterred, 1 per Cent l6 6q Dutch Exchange 2i per Cent Consols . Ditto April Account ... THREE O'CLOCK. 100 4 1004 I MARKET HEWS-(THIS DAY.) HAY MARKETS. rather il dull. - BERLAND.— F s l B EL t l , l l ) . sl —M ss 7clow hay, 3/ 58 to 41 12s ; clover ditto, 41 Os to Si Os ; and straw, 1/ 8s to 11 16s per load. Trade(litcStol CUMBERLAND.—Meadow straw, , 3 1 1 1 5s e s to to 1 4 / 1 1 1 5 5 s e p:r oi l o o v ad er . A moderate supply, and a sluggish demand. WHITECHAPEL.--Meadow hay, 315 s to 4/ 12s ; clover ditto, 4/ 5s to 5t 5s ;, and straw,..l/ 7s to 1/ 15s _ per i load. Supply good, and trade dull. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, ac companied by her Serene Highness the Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, and attended by the Countess of Charle mont, the Hon. Eleanor Stanley, the Marquis of Ormonde, Colonel Bouverie, and the Hon. Captain de Ros, honoured the performance of the French Plays at St. Jame7s Theatre with their presence last evening. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, and attended by the Hon. Captain de Ros, and Mr. Gibbs, went yesterday after noon to the Bank of England. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday even ing at Gloucester-house. The Education Committee of the Queen's most hon ourable Privy Council had a meeting yesterday at the Ceancil-office, Whitehall. Present : the Lord President, the Duke of Argyll, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord John Russell, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. A deputation, consisting of the Marquis of Breadalbane, the Rev. Dr. Mackellar, the Rev. Dr. Buchanan, and the Rev. Dr. Candlish, had an interview yesterday with Vis count Palmerston at the Home-office. A deputation of the Kennington-common Improvement Committee, consisting of the Rev. Charlton Lane, Mr. J. B. Walker (treasurer), Dr. Pursell, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Hodg son, and Mr. 0. H. Davis, had an interview with Sir Wm. Molesworth yesterday at the office of Works and Public Buildings in Whitehall-place. The Count L. Corti, secretary of the Sardinian legation, has returned to town from the Continent. A deputation on the subject of tenant right, consisting of James Manight, L.L.D., and the Rev. John Rogers, had an interview with Viscount Palmerston at the Home office yesterday. The Finance Committee of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 had a meeting yesterday at the Privy Council-office, Whitehall. Present : Earl Granville (chair man), Lord Overstone, Sir Alexander Spearman, Bart., Sir William Cnbitt, Mr. T. F. Gibson, and Mr. Edgar A. Bowring (secretary). Captain Owen, R.E., attended. Dispatches were sent from the Colonial-office yesterday to the Governors of the Mauritius, the Cape of Good Hope, Port Natal, and Ceylon. THE ARMY IN INDIA.—The senior lieutenant of each of the five regiments of cavalry, and the two senior lieu• tenants of each of the 24 regiments of infantry, serving in the East Indies, will be promoted to the regimental rank of captain in this night's Gazette. INFLUX OF GOLD IN PARIS.—It is stated from Paris that the influx of gold has latterly been resumed, and that consequently an interval of 14 days again takes place between the delivery of the metal at the Mint and its re-issue in the shape of coin. NEW PRUSSIAN LOAN.—Letters from Berlin mention that the new Prussian loan of 5,000,000 thalers (750,0001. sterling) will be brought out in that city as a four per cent. stock, and that the issuing price is expected to be as high as par. RATE OF EXCHANGE AT ST. PETERSBURGH.--The St, Petersburgh advices quote the rate of exchange 38d. to id., which is rather less favourable for England. From Odessa the dates are to the 28th of February, and busi ness was then generally quiet, with the exception of large purchases of wool. BANK OF PORTUGAL.—The Bank of Portugal has pre sented a petition to the Chamber of Deputies, protesting against the assertions by which the Ministry have en deavoured to justify their attacks upon the establishment, and praying that a commission of inquiry may be no minated to examine into its condition and management. CONVEYANCE OF MAILS IN GREAT BRITAIN.—The Post-office authorities have, at the present time to pay for mails being conveyed over nearly 20,000 miles of railways in Great Britain daily ; and in addition to this they have to pay for the conveyance of mails over com mon roads in mail coaches and mail carts a distance of nearly 4,000 miles daily. ROYAL WEST INDIA MINING COMPANT.—This com pany, which was proposed to be established a few months back, have notified a return, without deduction, of the subscriptions received, in consequence of their having failed in obtaining a charter. The negotiations on the matter seem to have been attended with misun derstanding and disappointment, owing to the absence of those definite principles which alone can enable the public to escape uncertainty as to the course that will be pursued by the Board of Trade in any given case. DEPARTURES FOR AUSTRALIA.--The departures from the port of London for the Australian colonies during the past week have been more numerous than ever. They consisted of nine vessels to Port Philip, with an aggregate burden of 3,251 tons ; three to Sydney, with an aggregate burden of 974 tons ; one tl Port Stephen, of 511 tons, and one to Launceston, of 208 tons. Their total capacity was consequently 4,944 tons. Consider able shipments are still made of manufactured goods and general merchandise, but the decline in the rates of freight continues. CONVERSIONS FROM JUDAISM.—On Sunday week 8 Jews were baptised at the Jews' Episcopal Church, Pa lestine-place. WOMEN'S ADDRESS ON SLAVERY.—We are informed that the final meeting of the ladies' committee for the promotion of this address is arranged to be held during this week at Stafford-house, when the 24 volumes con taining more than 500,000 si gn atur es , w ill b e laid out for inspection previous to their immediate transmission to A merica. It is stated that an extensive movement will speedily be set on foot to raise a considerable sum of money for the purpose of advancing the cause of liberty amongst the coloured race in America, by promoting education and assisting the free blacks in other ways. The administration of this fund will be entrusted to Mrs. Beecher Stowe, as a tribute to her well-known exertions on behalf of the slave ; and the Earl of Shaftesbury, the Earl of Carlisle, and Mr. Samuel Gurney have agreed to act as trustees. THE CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY IN YORKSHIRE.— This society having been invited to extend their opera tions to Yorkshire, a deputation, consisting of the Re v . Dr. Worthingt on , Mr. Harrison, one of the solicitors, and Mr. Gruneisen, the secretary, visited Leeds, Wake field, and Bradford, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Fri day, and attended large and respectable meetings of the inhabitants of these towns. The deputation at each place was cordially received, and the statements with respect to the advantages of the movement, morally and socially, were listened to with attention and general ap proval, It was intimated that immediate steps would be taken to purchase eligible Yorkshire estates, and that the committee were prepared to undertake, if de sired, land purchases in almost every county in Eng land. In the course of their tour the committee made a large addition to the list of members of the society. A MAN DECAPITATED AT LEEDS.—On Friday morning a shocking and fatal accident occurred at the Kirkstall Forge Ironworks, near Leeds. A workman named Wm. Merritt, aged 28, was employed in a room where a revolving shaft, moved by steam power, is fixed, and at the top of this shaft is a circular pieoe of thin metal used for some purpose. The shaft is fixed in a corner of the room, and behind it is kept a stock of iron reffits used in making engine boilers. It is supposed that whilst Merritt was taking something out of this corner his clothes caught the revolving shaft, and whirled him round it, and if so it would be with most fearful velocity. However this may be, he was soon after the accident found in the room without head and minus one arm—the head being in one part and the trunk of the body in another part of the room. The poor fellow was most probably drawn up the shaft, and his neck coming in contact with the piece of circular metal before men tioned, it would be severed from his body instantane ously. A coroner's jury has been summoned to inquire into the circumstances, but the inquest stands adjourned until Wednesday next. EMIGRATION FROM SLIGO.—The Sligo Journal states that " hundreds " are preparing to leave that county. Large sums of money have been sent home by emigrants, and two or three of almost every labouring family in and about Sligo have had their passage paid for by their friends. • • THE GOVERNMENT BILL ON " AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS.' —Yesterday, the bill by Mr. Fitzroy and Viscount Pal merston, for the better prevention and punishment of aggravated assaults upon women and children, and for preventing delay and expense in the administration of certain parts of the criminal law, was printed. One clause relates to aggravated assaults; giving power to two justices, or to a magistrate of one of the metropo litan police courts, to adjudge an offender to an im prisonment with or without hard labour, for a period not exceeding six calendar months, or to fine an offender in a sum,not exceeding 201. with costs, or to commit him until it is paid. The other provisions have reference to other matters. Indictments for misdemeanour are no to be removed by certiorari, except on affidavit that a fair trial cannot be bad. A court of general or quarter session may, upon proof of conviction and notice to par ties, declare a recognisance to keep the peace or to be of good behaviour to be forfeited. The Secretary of State may issue his warrant for bringing up a prisoner (not in custody under civil process) to give evidence. The act is only to extend to England and Wales. ELOPEMENT.—We regret to hear that the beautiful and accomplished wife of a wealthy gentleman resident in this neighbourhood, and well known in sporting circles, left her home on 'Wednesday evening last, in _ - - company with a gallant captain in ono of the regiments stationed here.—Plymouth Times. WONDERFUL ESOAPE.—A few days since a young woman named Greenoff jumped off a place called Ford Rock (near Bideford in Devonshire), at low water, into the river Torridge below. Fortunately, however, her clothes acted as a balloon in her descent, and she fell gently into the water. Mr. Middleton, who happened t° be passing at the time, entered the river and con veyed her safely on shore. The cause oftlaifi. rash act is said to be a love affair. CIRENCESTER. The committee resumed this morning at 11 o'clock. Mr. Merewether stated that, in consequence of the opi. nion yesterday expressed by the committee with regard to the agency of Cousins, and from the difficulty there would be in establishing the other cases, from the fact of their depending upon the evidence of hostile witnesses, he had adopted the course of recommending to his client the with drawal of the petition. That recommendation had been accepted, and he now, therefore, withdrew from further supporting the petition. The sitting members, therefore, retain their scats. No application was made with regard to costs. BANKRUPTCY CPURT-(THIS DA Y). (Before Mr. Commissioner Evans.) IN RE CLARKE. This bankrupt had carried on business as a nurseryman at Chelsea, and to-day was appointed for consideration of his certificate. Mr. Lucas appeared as counsel to oppose on behalf of creditors. Mr. R. Chidley Gresham-street, appeared as solicitor to the assignees, and said ho was taken by surprise at the op position, for he had not had any notice. Mr. Lucas then applied for an adjournment, that the ' proper notice might be given, and quoted cases in support of his application. His Honour granted the application at the costs of the creditors. IMPORTANT CASE UNDER THE DEBTOR AND CREDITOR ARRANGEMENT ACT. An application of a very novel kind was made in the case of a rev, gentleman in difficulties, whose name is omitted in consequence of a hint dropped from the learned Commissioner that, although the case was heard publicly, it was not strictly before the court. It appears that the reverend debtor had filed a petition under the Debtor and Creditor Arrangement Act, but only one creditor proved ; the matter was referred in due course to the official assig new; but a question arose as to the truthfulness of the ac counts, many of the debts being alleged to be fictitious— ; the authority of the official assignee never questioned, and the jurisdiction of the Court disputed; but his Honour held the Court had power, and the matter was referred back to the official assignee. Mr. Gilliam now applied for an order to rescind the pro tection, on the ground that it had been obtained on accounts containing wilful and false misrepresentations. Mr. Lewis submitted that it was for the opposing cre ditor to prove that ; but by the 10th section of the act no such application can be entertained, except on the applica tion of two creditors. His Honour said it was quite clear that unless the trus tee or two creditors applied he could not interfere in the present stage of the proceedings ; but if another, or other creditors, chose to join in the application, then he (his Honour) should hear the case. Mr. Lewis applied for costs, which were refused. HAYMARKBT THEATRE. Mr. Webster's farewell benefit last night attracted an audience which filled every crevice of the house. At the end of the Pretty Girls of Stilberg, which was the third piece of the evening, he came forward and delivered the following address : " Ladies and Gentlemen,—No words can express to you how honoured and flattered I feel at this numerous assem blage of friends around me on this, my last appearance in the character of lessee and manager of the little theatre in the Haymarket. My final official duty is to offer you a grateful farewell. Having grown in good opinion as an actor, it em boldened me to task your patience as a manager, and in cater ing for your amusement your patronage has given me no cause to regret this experiment, though I began without the assist ance of a single farthing beyond what I had saved by rigid economy out of a very small income. I found this theatre in the lowest possible state when compared with other establish ments, and incapable of being kept open more than the four summer months, when the leviathans Drury-lane and Covent-garden—closed; but, feeling that patronage was not confined to period or place, I endeavoured to take John Bull by the horns, and persevered till the leviathans gave way and this favoured spot became the only constant home of the drama for three years, once without closing a night, and I should have continued to pursue that course had not tho principal performers complained of want of relaxation ; con sequently I have since made what are termed seasons ave raging about 10 months each. During the 16 years I have held power here, the longest lesseeship in London on record, I have had many very trying political and other not dramatic influences to contend with, but no person employed by me has ever felt them in manner or money ; and I can con scientiously state iu all my transactions as man and manager, I can leave an honourable and honest name to my chil dren. lam sure you will excuse this warmth of egotism on a point so dear to me. A manager's life, ladies and gentlemen, is not a bed of roses. With the mind ever on the stretch for your pleasure, and his physical powers endlessly employed in carrying out the mental efforts of others, who would induce the thoughless to laugh at scars who never felt the wound of such a position, though they have assisted to barb the arrow, and to authors I find I have paid near 30,0001., if not more. 'Tis said, Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown ;' but far more uneasy lies his head begirt with the tinsel crown of theatrical sovereignty, where every popular favourite is a vice roy over him, and where the ways and means are not compul sory, but solely dependent on the will and pleasure of our so vereign, the public. However, if my labour in the cause of the drama, which has been a labour of love, has met with the approval of you, my tried and valued friends, it will not have been love's labour lost.' Those who remember this theatre when I first took it, sixteen years ago (of course I exclude the ladies from so long a remembrance), must perceive the exteu- sivo alterations, and I think I may venture to say improve milts, that I have accomplished during my tenancy ; abrupt angles have given way to curves, and my circles, especially from their present occupancy, appear graceful in the extreme. I have backed the pit, and could, in another sense, for respec tability, against any pit in London. I have stalled off what was originally the orchestra, sometimes discoursing swee t sounds, though sweeter music to my ear has supplied its pl ace in the audible approbation of my exertions, as, to quot e th e words of Triplet, author, manager, and actor too.' Th e pro scenium I have widened 11 feet, and entirely remodell e d it , and introduced gas for the fee of 500/. a-year, and the presen tation th of e nthnertaceinn,trementannydhealisein• not t o h th e e en p s i p •o n p r r e i d toetoi render the s ; and, be stage as perfect for dramatic representation as its limited means will furnish. In fact, I have expended, with no ulti mate advantage to myself, on this property over 12 ,000/., be sides paying more than 60,0001. in rent , yet I have met with anything but a generous consideration in return by the party most interested in the result. I trust my successor, John Bald win Buckstone, my old friend and brother actor, will, as a brother manager, experience a kindlier treatment ; at all events, I am sure he will deserve it, as honestly as he will zea lously endeavour to merit your encouragement. Having passed from the past to the future, you will perhaps pardon me if I inform you that I have not turned my back on the Haymarket without knowing with more certainty than Coriolanus did that there is a world elsewhere—namely, the Theatre Roy a l Adelphi, peopled with imaginative passages of life, serious and comic, where I hope the exclusive devotion of my ener gies before and behind the curtain will insure me the gratifi cation of seeing many of the old familiar faces that have so often gladdened my eyesight and heart here. I will, at least, with the blessing of health, deserve the favour, both in the quantity and quality of the material I shall present for your inspection. lam bound to say that that successful establish ment has been the mainstay of my management, and, with my previous successes here, 'placed me independent of the world. Ladies and gentlemen, I fear I have been too diffuse, but we are about to part suddenly from old friends. To the performers who have served under my banner I publicly ten der my warmest thanks for their cordial co-operation at all times and under all circumstances. To the press generally I beg to acknowledge my sense of deep obligation, and, in bidding you farewell on this stage, I do so with the most heartfelt gratitude, and with the sincerest wishes for your happiness and prosperity. Ladies and gentlemen, God bless you!" The address was frequently interrupted by applause; and at its conclusion several bouquets were thrown upon the stage. Three supplemental cheers were likewise given by the audience. Mr. Webster's management of the Haymarket has con tinued for so many years and has been di s ti ngu i s h e d b y such an earnest and unflinching struggle to maintain the literary drama, that a short recapitulation of its principil featuros will not be misplaced on this occasion. On the 12th of June, 1837, the • Haymarket Theatre opened under the management of Mr. Webster with the tragedy of Hamlet, the principal character being sustained by Mr. Macready, whose engagement formed the chief feature of the earlier part of Mr. Webster's first season. During this engagement the modified version of B eaumont and Fletcher's Maid's Trag e dy, en titl e d the Br idal, was first produced with M essrs . M acrea dy an d Elton and Mrs. Warner as the principal personages. Inthes e ame season Mr. Ranger, who is still a favourite actor in thprovinces, appeared as a delineator of French charac ter , with con siderable success. But the most important event was the production of Mr. Knowles's Lave Chas e . This is one of the few, very few, pieces of the modern rep ertoire that have attained a permanent position, an d, in the first seaso n o f its performance, admirably drew forth the talents of Mrs. Glover, Mrs. Nisbett, Mr. Webster, and Mr. Strickland. The season of 1838 was remarka ble: for the commence ment of that successful career at this house which Mr. Power, without material interruption, continued till the time of his final departure for America. The White Horse of the Peppers and the Irish Lion will long be remembered, if n ot for their intrinsic value , at any rate for th e i r u tili ty in eliciting the humour of that inimitable Hibernian, whose loss was one of the saddest events connected with the mys terious fate of the President. Mr. Macready had com menced his epoch-making management of Covent-garden in the w i n ter of 1837 ; b u t, never th e l ess, he appeared at the Haymarket in the summer of 1838, and his engagement was the occasion of producing Mr. Serjeant Talfourd's tra gedy of the Athenian Captive. The reputation which the legal poet had gained by his celebrated lon was then about two years old, and the production of another tragedy from the same pen was anticipated with curiosity. Mr. Sheri dan Knowles and Miss Elphinstone were also among the " stars" of 1838, and the Maid of Mariendorpt, a play from the pen of the former, obtained an ephemeral success. Nor would a record of - this year be complete without an allusion to the farce of Tom Noddy's Secret, which, although the subject had been previously adapted at another house, created a furore through the late Mr. Strickland's excellent ac ting. Mr. Strickland was one of those valuable actors whose death—like that of too many more—has left a gap in the profession which has never been supplied. During 1839 Mr. Charles Kean had a farewell engage ment at the Haymarket prior to his departure for America, and the same year witnessed the return from America of Miss Ellen Tree (now:=Mri..-Charles -Kean), , who' , inade a most successful debut at the same theatre in the character of Viola. In this year, too, Mr. Macready terminated his management of Covent-garden, and again accepted an en gagement at the Haymark e t, during which Sir E. B. Lyt ton s Sea Captain was produced. Single Life, a three act comedy of the old Haymarket school, written by Mr. Bnekstone as a pendant to his Married Life, was an impor tant production of this year, cast as it was with a strength which it would now-a-days be difficult to concentrate. Mr. Macready's connexion with the Haymarket extended through the year 1840, in which Mr. Sergeant Talfourd's Glencoe and Sir E. L. Bulwer's .Money were brought out. The latter of these two pieces is another of those very few works which we have to set clown when we enumerate the permanent productions of the modern stage. In 1841 Mr. C. Kean, having returned from America, re-appeared at the Haymarket, where he acted with Miss E. Tree, but otherwise the, season was not remark a bl e f or important no velty. During another engagement of Mr. Macready the tragedy of Nina Sforza was brought out, and formed one of the many transient successes of our stage. Mr. Placide, celebrated in America as an actor of " old men," appeared as Sir Peter Teazle, but his stay here was very limited. At the end of the year 1841 the prospects of the higher drama were more brilliant than they had been for many years. The chill created by Mr. Macready's resignation of the management of Covent-garden in 1839 had been in a great measure removed by Madame Vestris, who opened it in the winter of the same year, and at Christmas, 1841, Drury-lane was opened by Mr. Macready. The two " large houses" were thus at their culminating point of splendour, and sanguine were the hopes of dramatic aspirants. However, in 1842 Madame Vestris's management of Covent-garden came to its close, and her appearance at the Haymarket with Mr. Charles Mathews, after a short en gagement at Dr ur y -l ane, gave somewhat a new aspect to the theatre. The fairy spectacle, - which she had raised to such perfection both at the Olympic and Covent-garden, was transplanted to the Haymarket, and held a position there which has been continued to the present day. The Rose of Arragon of Mr. Knowles, the Alma M a t er o f M r . 13ourcicault, th e brilliant success of whose London Assur ance was still a town-talk, and Mr. Robert Bell's Marriage, were among the productions of this year. In the year fol lowing the company received an addition of some impor tance in the person of Miss Julia Bennett, who for several years was an agreeable actress in comedy, farce, and bur lesque. The prospect of a revival of the legitimate drama at a "large house" was completely cut off by Mr. Mac ready's resignation of Drury-lane in the course of 1843, and thus ended the hopes which marked the commencement of 1842. In 1844 Madame Vestris and Mr. Mathews were still among the principal performers of the Haymarket, not in burlesque, but in comedy, although the holiday entertain ments of the house were written by Mr. Planche, generally with great success. Several old pieces of the Congreve pe riod were revived about this time on account of the strength of the comic company*. -Mr. Webster's offer of a premium for a five-act comedy, made in 1843, will long be remembered as a curious incident in theatrical history, though its re sult in 1844—viz., the comedy of Quid pro Quo—proved a failure. On the other hand, Used Up, likewise produced at the Haymarket in 1844, became so universally popular that the character of Sir Charles Coldstream, played by Mr. Charles Mathews, has almost passed into a proverb. A revival of Taming of the Shrew in its complete form, with an imitation of the early style of stage decoration, was a unique experiment of this year, which also saw the production of Mr. Bourcicault's Old Heads and Young Hearts. This, too, was the epoch when a Don Cesar de Bazan was to be found nearly at every theatre, the Hay market included. An engagement of Miss Helen Faucit and Mr. And erson, who went th roug h a ser i es o f th e i r pr i nc i pa l c h aracters, and the production of a five-act comedy by Mr. Jerrold, entitled Time Works Wonders, were the chief Haymarket events of 1845 ; and in the following year Miss Cushman, who had previously made a most successful debilt at the Princess's, created a great sensation by her performance of Romeo to her sister's Juliet. It was also in 1846 that Miss Reynolds, who remained a principal comic actress at the Haymarket till within a very short period, first made her appearance. The Beggar on Horseback, by Mr. Sullivan, f was a clever though very peculiar comedy from an author , who has n o t b ur d ene d th e stage w i th his productions. 1 Mr. Bourcicault's comedy of A School for Scheming, and Mr. Marston's Heart and the World—the former a success, the latter the reverse—were among the conspicuous produc tions of 1847; but more conspicuous was the Roused Lion, which began that series of pieces in which Mr. Webster dis tinguished himself as a creator of leading parts. Previously he had usually confined himself to stock characters, or the creation of subordinate figures, such as Father Oliver in the Housekeeper, and the Dutchman in the TVhite Horse of the Peppers, but now he stepped forward with hew prominence. A numerous list of characters might be made to show how often he shone in this conspicuous position. The year 1848 was very important in modern theatrical history. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean recently returned from America, and with Mr. and Mrs. Keeley formed that strong combination of talent at the Haymarket which afterwards led to the establishment of the Princess's Theatre on a new footing. The Wife's Secret obtained a success almost unprecedented, and it is worth remarking that, of the six or seven pieces of importance which have obtained a permanent place in the repertoire, from the Lady of Lyons inclusive, three—namely, the Love Chase, Money, and the Wife's Secret, were produced at the Hay market. In 1849 began Mr. Macready's series of farewell per formances, which, interrupted by intervals, extended over a considerable period. In the autumn of 1850 Mr. Kean opened the Princess's Theatre, and when Mr. Macready h a d finally retired the Haymarket company began to assume its present shape. Tragedy was no longer the order of the day, save for the introduction of Mr. Barry Sullivan, who has proved one of the most valuable additions to a com pany, likewise strengthened by the presence of Mrs. Stir ling and Mr. Leigh Murray. As the objects become closer our arrangement may be less defined. The most prominent works during a period of rather more than four years have been, Mr. Barnett's Serious Family, which, though an adaptation from the French, is a stock English piece, Mr. Jerrold's Cat s p aw , Miss Vandenhoff's Woman's heart, Mr. Mark Lemon's Mind your own Business, Messrs. Taylor and Reade's Masks and Faces, and Sir E. B. Lytton's Not so Bad as we Seem, which brings us down to the present day. In the above recapitulation we have omitted all reference to those pieces which belong to the lighter class of enter tainment, but which, nevertheless, have always flourished at the Haymarket. Our object has been, not to give a complete or even an abridged chronicle, buemerely to fur nish a series of steppingstones for the memory, that the London playgoer may be facil'itated in estim a ti ng M r. Webster's exertions in the cause of the drama. MR. WOO.DEV'S CAZiPET BAG AND SKETCH -7300 K. has, e m m a o n ve d t h a e f te;: arenaa s o u f c c h e i s s s f r u e l r f season c a e t the mLthioswtaleenrt-eadregaednet,lre to the " Salle," to which Robin has given his name. We have already had occasion to notice in terms of praise the mimic powers and the amusing personations displayed in this entertainment. Mr. Woodin has followed the same track as the late Mr. Charles Matthews, and has acquired a reputation seldom attained by an unknown candidate for -public favour in so short a time; for before his appearance at the Gallery, in the Lowther-arcade, his name, we be lieve, was quite unknown to the public. Mr. Woodin's entertainment consists in the personation of various cha racters, among which he includes the prindpal actors of the day, with a fidelity really curious. With the eyes closed it would be difficult to imagine that we were not actually listening to Buckstone, Compton, Harley, or Wright. An imitation of Mr. Albert Smith, in which that gentleman's personal appearance, manner, and voice are hit off with wonderful fidelity, has an irresistibly comic effect. No less remarkable is an imitation of Mr. Henry Russell's style of singing, which, notwithstand ing Mr. Woodin's limited vocal power, is done in a manner which delights the audience, the former tenant of the room is also introduced, and we have before us M. Robin's second self, appearance, manner, voice, are perfect, and the celebrated " disappearance" trick is performed amid a tumult of applause. In displaying the conventional inci dents and humours of domestic life, Mr. Woodin possesses considerable skill, and it is to be regretted that some of his full length portraits are too much caricatured ; such is the case with the Yankee gentleman, and Mr. Sandy Mac Whittle. The rapidity with which the changes of dress, and even of personal appearance is effected, is remarkable, and few people after seeing it, would be willing at any time to swear to Mr. Woodin's identity. Good, however, as the entertainment is, we hope at some future period to see Mr. Woodin shine to even greater advantage. To the present entertainment, however, we cannot award any very great praise. It is very much laboured, and the pun s are introduced with a rapidity almost painful. Mr. Woo(lin to insure success, has no necessity to resort to desperate dislocations of words and exaggerated l caricatures. His own wonderful mimetic powers are quite competent to secure that end, and we hope to have to record his triumph in a more ably written entertainment. NATIONAL INSTITUTION, PORTLAND GALLERY, REGENT-STREET. This exhibition of oil paintings was on Saturday opened for private inspection, and during the day was visited by a numerous and fashionable company. The institution was years ago in con sequence of the want of space for ix r un e d x hib s ition at the Royal Academy, and we are glad to have observed that the display of pictures has annually in creased in number and advanced in merit. The exhibition of this year is certainly superior to that of last, although there are fewer subject pictures. From the rapid view of Saturday we are only a bl e to notice a few of the pictures which more particularly struck us. Among several land scapes by Mr. Hulme, all of considerable merit, a view of cattle crossing a pool (No. 269), the 'joint produc tion of this artist and Mr. Willis, is the most noticeable, the landscape and background are painted with great vigour and depth, and the drawing and modelling of the cattle is all that could be desired. In the same room a picture by Mr. Glass, " Late for the Ferry" (239), possesses considerable merit, the figures are skilfully grouped and masterly drawn, while the effect of light and shade is cle verly managed. A foreign artist, Mr. Provis, contributes some admirable little pictures. "The Village Smithy" (No. 276), is a masterpiece. " A View of Nottingham," by Mr. Dawson (No. 220), is a gem of landscape painting. Mr. E. Williams contributes a very fine picture, " The Gipsy's Return" (No. 191). The figures and land scape are well and carefully painted, and a powerful effect of light is produced. A view of " Flyn T cwm Flynnon" (No. 171) by Mr. Percy, is a well painted and effective picture. Immediately above this hangs a pretty adaptation of the French proverb, " Co n'est que le premier pas qui coute," by Mr. Pittar. Two nymphs are represented on the brink of a river about to bathe ; the figures are well drawn and modelled, and the colouring is natural and life-like. Another painting by the same artist, " Don Juan and Haydee," shows , and artistic merit. A pi c t ure , e n titl e d " Young Love (No. 302), by M r . H e l ms l e y, is an e xc essively clever_ pretty little piece. Mr. Lauder exhibits a picture entitled . th g. e b ‘ alickogproe'un' (Nd,0.177 however,), little egrheaartdcairne anditsco 101 l ski le l l ; n with painted great Mr. Rolfe's "Meeting on the Banks of the Thames " (No. 294), shows several of the finny tribe the, fidelity. t s in the c ure by W. F. Wylard, one r' (No. 23), "Anlnciden o t f in th t e h f e e L w if s e u o bje L ct u- pi others in the Art same may be said of " A Monk Instructing room, is well composed and effectively painted ; and the of Illumination " (No. 33), by Mr. Deane but its colouring Deane. " A Fruit Piece " (No. 105), by W. Duffield,possesses merit, is, perhaps, rather too gaudy. Mr. J. 81l exhibits a clev er landscape, " The Village of Benny y to defer to a Coed" (Na. 43.) Pressure on our space compels us future and we shall therefore conclude the present one b y occasion our notice of other works of merit in this exhibi tion,remarking that a lover of 'the` fine arts nidy'spend an hour or two very agreeably in the Portland -Gallery. INDIA AND CHINA. ONE MONTH LATER FROM AUSTRALIA. We have received by ectraordinary express in anticipation of the Overland Mail, our private cor respondence and journals from Bombay to the 13 111 February, Calcutta to the sth Feb., and Hong Kong to the 28th Jan. By this arrival we have received Adelaide papers (South Australia) to the 10th of January. The mail of the Bth of Januar reached Bombay on the sth of Febiasiy. BOMBAY, FEB. 12. The mail leaves this presidency two days earlier than the date announced for its departure, in con sequence of some of the usually bad arrangements concerning the departure of the Calcutta steamer, which vessel the Hon. Company's mail-packet from Bombay has to meet at Aden. During the last seven months there have been no fewer than five mistakes in the departure from or arrival at Bom bay of the English mails. The great advantages which Bombay ought to enjoy from her geograP l " cal position with regard to England are almost entirely lost, and all because the Honourable Com pany will persist in carrying the mails in their own vessels, instead of making over the contract to the Peninsular and Oriental, or some other private company, as is done in every other part of tu e World. Owing to the present arrangement, by which the mail is dispatched on the 12th instead of the 14th, none of the up-country letters will be in time. The notification of the change w as only made on the 10th, and to those, therefore , at a greater distance than Poonah or Aln% nugger it is perfectly useless. But even now ;t is very doubtful whether the Hon. CoraPa n ,Y, s steamer Queen, which takes the mail, will be au t e to overtake the Peninsular and Oriental Company s steamer from Calcutta at Aden ; and in snob an event, all the Bombay news by this opportanr, will be a fortnight behind its tim e when it reaeo e ' London. The latest news from Burmah is dated Jan. and can hardly be said to be of any general interes t d although more stirring events have happea. k e during the first month of peace than duringli: twelve months' war under General Godwin. , news of a revolution in Ava, a report of wiouLe b went by the last mail, is confirmed ; and a Brit' l embassy, under charge of Colonel Handscombe), the 40th Bengal Native Infantry, has been ae spatched to the capital, in order to negotiate a treaty of peace with the authorities. The Fri o° Minister of the late King was foster-brother to the latter, and seems to have usurped the throne mer e for the purpose of saving a portion of the Burnie ° empire from the British conquerors, than with s view of satisfying his own ambition. The name f the new King is Ming-de-Meny ; he is said to be one of the most influential amongst the Burmes e nobles, and to be anxious for peace on any torri The late King is said to be in prison at Ave., " ti nothing certain can. be learned until we hear fro m Colonel H an d scom b e ' s m i ss i on , now on its Way Ava. The colonel was accompanied as far a s Meaday by a force of seven hundred men' under the personal command of General Godwlli,; At this place the majority of the troops will halt until the result of the negotiations is kne wli- t A newspaper published at. Rangoon reports Oa', the force und er G en e ra l St ee l h a d met with a a e i tided repulse o n a tt ac ki ng the s t ro n g s tockade ? Sitang ; but the report is not even alluded to In the letters from the seat of war, such letters bei n g of a later date than the print referred to abo v e ' Two boat expeditions hav e been dispatched into the creeks near Donabew, in pursuit of some I rauders, with whom the whole country is infeste d ' One of these expeditions had failed in its °bin? and it found one of the creeks to be so strong l a stockaded as to be impassable for boats. The seem b expedition under Captain George Grenville Le n to ' of her Majesty's ship Winchester, was about . t start when the latest news left, and was to coll sl° of 300 soldiers, and 100 seamen, in the boats of her Majesty's ships Fox and Winchester, and her Ma jesty's steamer Sphinx. Throughout India the most profound peace reign,: The north-west frontier is no exception to this rite. The Governor-General is at Barrackpore, and ta''' es his departure for Arracan very shortly. It is give, out by a north-west paper that the Lieute nant Governor of Agra is very shortly to proceed to Lll O l, now, with the view of making all the preliminary arrangements for effecting a transfer of the King Oude's territories from that sovereign to the ,B ri tish. It is said that the above prince has actua ll y applied to our Government to relieve him of 1 '„ sovereignty, and to provide a liberal provision l a " the support of himself and family. The revenu e of the Oude state is said to by nearly a million anu' a half sterling, even under the present manage" ment ; under the East India Company it would ne doubt very shortly amount to something like double the above. Sir Henry Pottinger is at his seat of Government' Lord Falkland is at present in Bombay. The h lat ri rgeoteusrntos to o he B M o a m h b a a b y les i lra o r rd steamer of the Ist of May. His lords Herillstonext mont h , and the last few weeks of his sojourn in India " time manner as he has spent two-thirds of his tire; since he has been Governor of Bombay—awaY fr l e the proper scene of his-duties. According to um evidence lately given before the Indian committe e ! em h a:k ptrh these pleasures trips will have cost the State sour_ 39,0001. during the five years of his lordship's 34 , ministration. Every one is now anxiously waiting to see who our new Governor is to be, and all hold that some one better qualified than Lord Falhh ul for the post will be appointed. Natives and E ar ' peans—the servants of the oompany, as we ll at merchants, lawyers, &c.—are agreed in wishing tli a t some person of Indian experience should be 50 . „ 9 ", out to rule over an Indian presidency. The di sc d. upon the Baroda Blue Books is still earr i-e , a . on by the local press, and public opinion greatly against the gross mismanagement of Ba r matters as exhibited in these volumes. It is sw . gular with what avidity these Blue Books are Of; chased and read by the natives, and how the 15 ," acts of the Bombay Government, more particula r i their dismissal of Colonel Outram, are canv ass amongst the more enlightened portion of the cora munity. All cry out that a governor who under stands India is the crying want of this most le,: naged presidency. The nomination of either 0 ' G. Clerk, Sir George Anderson, or any other Of, of local experience, would certainly be looked 111 70 11 7 as a blessing of which Western India stands wile in need. - Lord Frederick Fitzclarence is suffering fr° sl ,. : severe attack of gout and fever. O ur n ew puffs judge, judge, Sir Charles Jackson, and his f am ily, arrfi here, from Calcutta, on the Ist inst. A nieetingf was held on the 31st ultimo, for the purpo,se A ° - contributing to a memorial to the Duke of v":, lington. The ship Governor Higginson was tirely destroyed by fire in the Madras roads as ll° ` " time ago. The Government Gazette Extraordinary on th© 29th ult. re-published a notification in the file' cial department by the Government of dated the 22d, intimating that the Five per emir Transfer Loan, compriLung the book debt of to e f 10th of August, 1835, th.e book debt of the 15t-hf, January, 1836, and the promissory notes of th loan, dated the 31st December, 1834, will be eiwi charged on the 23d of April, 1854. This notic° ° f payment will be considered equal to a tenderll payment on the above date, from which period a c i interest is to cease. All proprietors of the sto o kk l e the above loan will be permitted, on or before tua 22d of July next, to subscribe the amount int° r new loan, to bear interest at the rate of 4 Pet. cent. In consequence of closing the Five per Cel , Transfer Loan, the value of Government securiti and of shares in the' Bombay Bank, Orieir s Bank Corporation, Commercial and Agra Bat t ';',,,' have risen, and large profits have been secured. '4' Trad as e all the banks upon their Government paper. is brisk, and a considerable amount of business D been transacted since the last mail. The Money Market is animated, but e xchaN has a downward tendency owing to the China 11 :5_ not having brought the quantity of paper expet73l; and principal shipments going on here having for previously drawn for. The rates of the dayar° Baring's credit 2s. 1.0., and best local drafts 21: lid, per rupee at six months' sight, on Engl3l4o Exchange on China is Rs. 219 to 220 per dra.,-Ln.4 at 60 days' sight ; and on Calcutta, at Re- 99 4 L" - Rs. 100, at 60 days' sight. 4 .,, n to Freights keep up at 3/. 15s. to 4/. per --- r London and Liverpool, and a vessel has been obi'''. tared to China at Its. 201 per candy. At Calcutta the Exchange according to the a i t i e d s , acco unts is, for first-cl ass cre dit s, 2 s . Id. to 2s. l er per rupee; documents, 2 s . id. t o 2s. IV' t he rupee. The following are the freight rates of ; day at Calcutta :—T o L on d on : S uga r, 3/- 75 * saltpetre, 3/. ; rice, 3/. 17 s . 6d. ; j u te and sotto 3/. to 3/. 2s. 6d. ; hides, 3/. 10s. ; shellac, 3/. ; l ac dye, N. 15s. To Mauritius; ' 1 `5 1 9 Co.'s Rs. nominal per b ag , payable there. at cents, per r u p ee . T o Chi na : O p i u m, drs. i° 10 per chest; cotton, drs. 3 to 3 25 per bale. MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. CASUALTIES BY DEATH IN THE ARMIES OF INDIA. SI:S°S THE DEPARTURE OF THE MAIL ON THE 29T 1 1 014.. : 8 Her Majesty's Troops.—Lieut. Martin, 11.31 78th Highlanders, at Malta, on the 17th De c" 1852; Lieut. Westropp, H.M.'s 51st eg t., Poonamallee. on the Bombay.—Cadet H. G. Fraser, at Atfeh, 4th Jan. Madras.—Lieut. W. Dallas, Horse A rtiller l f , Madras, on the 28th January, of cholera; Surge° all • on effe goo gem kill ver the i on • zan ing Thi Cott Wel 80k PCO delis mar] arri, all d ar e i l 'Pelt also , Th m ark 4errel