The Sun. — London, England, 1853-07-19 00:00:00

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, JULY 19, Will be performed THE DAY AFTER THE WEDDING. Sup ported by Mr. and Mrs. W. Lacy. After which, will be presented Lord Byron's Tragedy of SAR DANAPALti. Principal characters by Mr. and Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with TURNING THE TABLES. Characters by Meson. Harley, J. Vining, Chester, and Everett ; Mrs. W. Lacy, Mimes Daly and C. Leclercq. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Jury 19, Will be performed GENEVIEVE. Characters by Messrs. Ben. Webster, A. Wigan, Leigh Murray, Keeley, Parsee, Paul Bedford, Cullenford, Woolgar, 0. Smith, and C. J. Smith; Madame Celeste and Mrs. Keeley. To be followed by THE CAMP AT CHOBHAM. After which, NORMA. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farren. First Week of a New Drama. THIS EVEN T ING, JULY 19, Will be performed a New Drama entitled THE TIMES, Charac ters by Messrs. Farren, T. Mead, H. Marston, William Farren, G. Cooke, and Shalders ; Mesdames Anderton, H. Gordon, E. Tur ner, and Bartlett. After which, an entirely New Burlesque, by Francis Talfourd, Esq., entitled SHYLOCK, or, THE MERCHANT OF "VENICE PRESERVED." Shylock, Mr. F. Robson. To conclude with (by desire) THE WANDERING MINSTREL. Jem Bags, Mr. F. Robson. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Now nnder the Direction and Management of Mr. W. Cooke. The tide of success flows into this popular Establishment, to witness the present attractive entertainments. The Battle of Waterloo continues Its triumphant career. 59th NIGHT OF THE CHASE. NOTlCE.—Parties desirous of Witnessing the World's Wonder, Miss Emily Cooke, in her astounding Leaps, are requested to em brace the present opportunity as her engagement will shortly termi nate, when she immediately departs fbr the Continent. New Intro duction in the Circle—The Turin Perrots, Masters Alfred and Harry Cooke on One Horse. First Night of the:Grand Cabalistic Pyramids. THIS EVENING, JuLY 19, And during the week, the National Spectacle of THE BATTLE OF WATBRLOO. Mr. W. Cooke's Scenes in the "CIRCLE," by artistes of celebrity, Introducing Miss Emily Cooke, the Star of the Arena, who Leaps Forwards and Backwards through 16 balloons. Also, the Twin Perrots, whose Whimsical Feats must be seen to be appreciated. To conclude with the successful Hippo Drama of THE CHASE ; or, LIFE ON THE TURF, in which a real Fox Chase will take place. Doors open at Half-past Six. Box-office open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager. Mr. W. West. ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. Engagement of Mr. Distin and Sons (the original Sax-horn players; and Mrs. Theodore Distill for One Week Only. To-day, Panoramic View of CHUSAN, Splendid and Interesting MENAGERIE, GODFREY'S unrivalled MILITARY BAND. Vocal and Instrumental Concert. Two favourite Songs by Miss Cicely Nott. A selection of c( ncerted pieces. Glees and Madrigals, by the celebrated Distin Family. Various amusing novelties, concluding with the extraordinary spectacle of THE FEAST OF LANTERNS, with grand display of Fireworks, and Explosion of Chinese Fire Rafts. Admission is. DA JLY WEATHER TABLE. TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1853. State of the wind and weather at each of the following places at nine o'clock on yesterday morning. The stations a-e arranged in order of latitude. PORTSMOUTH—S. P., strong breeze—rain. SOUTHAMPTON—S.IV., strong breeze—rain. FOLKESTONE--S.W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. ~T T INBRIDGE— S .W.. strong breeze—partially cloudy. BASINGSTOKE—N.E., gentle breeze—heavy rain. GREENWICH—S.W., strong breeze—overcast. SmooD—S.W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. SWINDON—S.W., fresh breeze—cloudy. CAMBRIDGE—S., fresh breeze—partially cloudy. YARMOUTH—S., gentle breeze—cloudless. lIIGH WAWA?, AT LONDON BRIDGE. TaT DAT —Morning 9 min. after 12 l Evening 41 min.aft. 12 To-M ,ako\..—Morning 10 min. after 1 Evening 37 min.aft. 1 THE WEATHER.-SUN OFFICI, JULY 19. THEIIMOSIETER, IN THE SEADE. 68 —highest sines noon yesterday. 57—lowest this morning and during the night. 68—this day at noon. BAnomETER, 30 . 02—rising. WIND, N.W. to W.N.W.—Variable, and cloudy, with sunshine. TAt , It a . ar „„ r. - 14,2 X, LONDON, TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1853, No topic is more familiar to readers and writers on the state of Ireland than the ascen dancy and the abuse of priestly influence. English Liberalism, which a community of interest had for a time associated with ultramontane policy, now recoils from, and rejects, the unnatural alliance. Yet common observers rarely perceive the full extent of the mischief which this power has wrought. It has kept open, and even en larged, the breach which difference of origin had produced between the possessors and cultivators of the soil. It has alienated, by coarse in vective and undistinguishing violence, the in tellectual, the rational, and the calm-minded advocates of Irish progress. It has kept alive the old intolerant Orange spirit, which, but for this irritating antagonism, would before now, in the nature of things, have died out. It has produced that peculiar symptom of a morbid state in the body politic which the Greek historian noted as indicative of a ¶liseased and distracted community—the branding of political moderation as a crime, and the substitution of party ties for genuine patriotism. It has driven from Parlia ment independent statesmen, and filled their places with servile and noisy ,agitators. Above all, it has postponed, perhaps prevented, the settlement, on equitable terms, of the great ecclesiastical con troversy. For, in religious questions, passion is stronger than reason ; and many persons who, on abstract principles, disapprove the mo nopoly of endowment in Protestant hands, yet shrink from taking any step of which the immediate, though temporary, effect must be to give a triumph to the enemies of civil freedom. In private life, again, the same results are wit nessed. Many an Anglo-Irish landlord, who in England would disclaim, even indignantly, the idea of exercising over his tenants what is euphemistically termed " influence" at an election contest, loses his scruples when he, finds wielded against him a power quite as tyrannical in its operation, less amenable to Parliamentary or legal control, and equally destructive of electoral liberty. Thus the mischief spreads and perpetuates itself. Spiritual intimidation produces material intimida tion ; the Priest covers his own wrong by de nouncing that of the Proprietor ; the rights of the elector are disregarded on both sides ; feuds, riots, evictions,* d enuncia . tions from the altar follow in rapid sac ceft io n while the con sciousness of being i n fault makes each party less tolerant of the barns of their opponents.. this an overcharged picture Is We fear every man who has experience of Irish society ca attest its truth. But what, it may b e asked, is Ile remedy? Political remedies in ple n t y are suggested—the ballot for one equality of religious endowment for another—into the merit s o f which we have too often entered to discuss th em now. nut th e root of the evil lies deeper. While Protestants of the poorer class are exclusively taught by p ro testant clergy—while the education of the R oman Catholic masses is left, virtually, in the hand s of the priesthood, Ireland will continue to to be divided into two hostile camps, whose neutrality can at best be but a hollow truce. Lord DEBBY in 1832 saw this, and framed a plan which to this day is never mentioned wit&u. praise, even by those who are secretly plotting its overthrow. For a system of purely secular edu cation neither the time nor country were fit. But the regulations of the National Board were such, that, while freedom of conscience was in no wise violated, it became impossible for the patron of any school receiving aid from Government to exclude therefrom children of a different sect from his own. In this spirit the published Letter to the Duke of LEINSTER—the charter of the Board — was conceived. Its author recommended " that a portion of the Board should be composed of men of high personal character and exalted station in the Church ;" and " that it should consist, in part, of persons possessing different religious opinions." Priority was t o b e given, an d peculia r f avour shown, to applications proceeding Jointly f rom ab ttants of the same town or district ; and exclusive ap p ii tions from a single sect w ere no t to be 'anted without minute inquiry. During four or five days of the week the schools were to be kept open a certain number of hours for moral and literary instruction only—religious teach- cub: ing being relegated to the remaining day or days, and to the period before and after school hours. In vested schools-- 4.e., those founded by Ministers are at length beginning to shake off their apathy and insouceance on the Turko- Russian question, when the French Cabinet is assuming so bold an attitude, and so promptly and decisively answering the onslaught of the Russian Chancellor, and clearly and unequivocally exposing the misapprehensions and erroneous statements—wilful and deliberate falsehoods they might be termed by a plain speaker—contained in his circular. Our Government could no longer remain quiescent. They were excited to action, for very shame sake, to say nothing of the convincing proofs that have been afforded of the state of public opinion ; and the knowledge of the danger to their official characters and official situations, if they should continue to run counter to the general feeling. They have then spoken at last ; and, if the answer be " in entire conformity with that of the French Government," if it be equally determined as well as temperate, vigorous and energetic as well as calm and dispassionate, we may hope that, albeit r at the eleventh hour, it will produce its fruits in due season. During the brief discussion, or rather conversa tion, that took place last night in the House of Lords, Lord CLARENDON stated that the whole of the papers relating to the subject will be forthwith laid before the House. He also voluntarily de clared that it is the intention of the Government to place before Parliament the fullest information on the subject ; that there is no wish for any un necessary delay ; and that he thought 44 a very few days indeed will be sufficient to show whether the negotiations will succeed or not ; but whether they do succeed or not, the fullest' informa tion shall be given to Parliament and to the country !" This is indeed satisfactory, and our gratification would be unalloyed but for a mis statement (doubtless unintentional) made by the Noble Lord. He stated that all the proceedings connected with the question have been in confor mity with those of the French Government. Now, u nfortunately, in a preceding part of his address, he acknowledged that there had been "no regular answer sent to the first of the two circular notes of Count NESSELRODE." He stated that such an answer was unnecess ar y, greater i c h part of it s contents alluded inasmuchtonea as the which were were origi nated by the French Ambassador at Constantinople, and forestalled by the progress e s t s h e which remainder the com munication to g en the ca This naght havereferte ei se ue:t ec io o rird according g d m o a t et e . Government. But Ministry took a judgment of the E ng li s h it is notorious that the French very different view of th e ex i gency, and that M. DROUYN DE LHUYS considered it his duty to reply a very, able and elaborate note to the first cir note alluded to by Lord CLanr.agnox, eek since, in the House of Lords, when acknow .ed; g the great ability and skill displayed in tieletme ns d it er expedient to forward If, then, the French Governm ent d a formal and re gular reply, while the English considered that that nothing of the kind was required, w e cannot say that the proceedings of the two Governments have been in entire conformity on the question. We may now refer to the admirable document which has been dispatched by the French Minister t o the second circular, a translation of which ap peared in our impression of yesterday. Nothing c an be more clear and conclusive than the argu ment contained therein, which completely over turned the allegations contained in the NESSEL RODE circular, not merely showing that they were the help of the Board, and not merely placed in connection with it byprivate founders or patrons— the teacher was under the sole control of the Commissioners, neither patron, priest, nor clergy man having authority over him. No system could have been framed more cal culated than this to reconcile moderate men of all opinions. It united for ordinary purposes of in struction those whom religious diversity kept aloof. It admitted the just claim of the clergy to educate within theirown province; but excluded them from interference with the general discipline of the school. It gave them the right of supervision, but not the power of control. It held the balance with strict impartiality between the two contending creeds; and it fared accordingly. Statesmen of both parties applauded the project, which agitators of both parties reviled. The WHALES and the TRESHAM GREGGS met to oppose it on the common ground of resistance to latitudinarianism ; while Lord GREY and Sir R. PEW, united in its support. Though attacked on every side, it succeeded beyond dis pute, and almost without a reverse. The follow ing brief statistics will prove our words. The number of schools and pupils respectively, as given in the Reports of the Commissioners, were— In 1834 In 1839 In 1844 In 1849 and they may now be reckoned at about 5,000 and 550,000 respectively, notwithstanding emi gration and famine. Nor is this all. In no single year, except 1847 and 1849, do the re turns exhibit a falling-off from those of the year immediately preceding. The progress has not only been rapid—it has been steady and con tinued. Nor is it true that the Protestants of Ireland have been excluded from , their fair par ticipation in this national work. For, in 1851, the number of schools under the Board esta blished in Ulster, the head-quarters of Protes tantism, was 1,878 ; while Munster had only 1,089, Leinster only 1,154, Connaught only, 583. And thiS result is witnessed, notwith standing the secession, or at best the neutrality of a large majority of the Protestant clergy, backed by the whole strength of the Orange party, and by not a few of the resident landowners and gentry. All attempts, therefore, to prove that the system has broken down in practice are refuted by the fact. It has worked only too well for those who dislike its principle and fear its results. So long as there seemed a chance that Protestant fanatics I might succeed in accomplishing its subversion, the priesthood kept in the background, well satis fied to leave to their natural enemies the un popular office of criticism and destruction. But this expectation has gradually died out. Lord DERBY'S announced adhesion, in 1852, to the system which he had inaugurated in 1832, effected the final discomfiture of their ingeniously-conceived policy. Thenceforth it became apparent to the ultramontanists that whatever was to be done must be done by themselves. And, doubtless, the present opportunity is favourable. They have now to deal with a Cabinet containing, indeed, many members sincerely opposed to their designs, and many whose professions of Liberalism are not less warm than genuine. But it may be questioned whether these, in point of influence, form a majority. It is well known that Sir R. PEEL at one time entertained the idea of largely subsidising the Roman Catholic priesthood, and that the present Colonial Secretary, then Lord LiNooLIN, was put forward as the exponent of this policy. Mr. GLADSTONE, now de facto leader of the Commons, is deeply imbued with hierarchical principles. He, at least, regards with no friendly feeling an institution whose tendency is to place the civil above the ecclesiastical power—the school master over the priest. The nominal Prime Minister follows the lead of his subordinate. Sir JAMES GRAHAM has always been regarded by the "Brigade" as their chosen champion and friend. The Whole Irish Administration is in the hands of this sec tion ; for it would be folly to suppose that the amiable cypher who replaces Lord EGLTNTON as Viceroy possesses any power over such men as BREWSTER, YOUNG, and KEOGH, his superiors in ability, and having, moreover, the advantage of a fixed and well-defined purpose. It is full time, therefore, not merely for zealous Protestants, but for Liberals of whatever creed, to watch the pro ceedings of a Government whose designs in this matter are not free from suspicion. Already Archbishop WIIATELEY has resigned his seat at the Board. Within our own knowledge, the rec acts of the Commissioners have driven more one Protestnnt patron to withdraw his school from their control. Mr. IVALPoLn's queries in Parlia ment have elicited only vague and unsatisfactory replies. These are omens not without signifi cance ; and again we say—let the friends of civil freedom be on their guard. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 19, 1853. totally inaccurate, but that it was utterly impos sible that the/ e could be the slightest foundation, in fact, for the pretext, put forward, that the occu pation of the Principalities was in any degree ascribable to the position of the combined fleets in the vicinity of the Dardanelles. A simple comparison of dates removes the veil from this flimsy pretext, which, even if true, would by no means justify the movement of the Russian troops across the Pruth, and the deliberate violation of the treaties into which the CZAR had previously entered with the other great Powers. It was on the 31st of May, eighteen days before the resolu tion of the Western Powers to send their fleets to Besika Bay, was known at St. Petersburgh, that the 'ultimatum of the EMPEROR of Russia was dispatched in the form of a note to RESCHID PASHA, containing a very clearly expressed inti mation of the approaching occupation of the Danubian Provinces. This resolution was an nounced to all the European Powers by the mani festo of the 11th of June, at which time the French fleet was at Salamis and the English fleet at Malta. Here, then, is the Power so chary of its honour and dignity that will not brook the slightest interference with its arrogant assump tions convicted, on the most conclusive and un answerable testimony, of wilful and deliberate mendacity, such as would banish a private indi vidual from society—of putting forward as an exciting cause of action that which did not, and could not, in any way have influenced the ques tion one way or other. It will be difficult for the Russian diplomatist to extricate himself from the difficulty in which he is involved by his own want of caution, and to which he has been so firmly held by the French Minister. But, were it otherwise—had the combined fleets indeed taken up the position which they now occupy—what justification would that have afforded for the step taken by Russia ? There was the difference of objects of the two forces. The military force was in the neighbourhood of the Turkish dominions, without the consent of the Porte, as a hostile demonstration for the purpose of aggression —the naval 'one, at its request, or, at all events, with its full concurrence, for the purpose of protection if any occasion should un fortunately arise for their interference. The Russians deliberately disregarded existing treaties, the French and English respected those very treaties ; in fact, to their presence outside the Dardanelles, no objection could be offered by the most zealous opponent. From the moment of the passage of the Pruth, without the sha dow of a justification, except, indeed, the right of war—"a war derived front a new principle, fraught with disastrous consequences- 7 -a principle leading to nothing less than the oppression in time of peace of weak States by their powerful neigh bours"—the Allied Fleets were justified —on the invitation of the SULTAN—on entering the Dar danelles and the Bosphorus—of being, as Count NESSELRODE manifestly supposed them to be at the time when he penned his specious missive " within sight of the Turkish Capital." Russia cannot, then, by any means shake the responsibi lity of having taken the initiative in proceedings which led to very dangerous consequences, and may possibly produce the most calamitous results to herself as well as to the rest of Europe. STAMFORD RACES. (THIS DAY.) ORDER OF RUNNING. Sweepstakes-2.45. St. Leger-3.15. . Burghley Stakes-4.0, Handicap Plate -4.30. ARRIVALS.-Sister to Ring of Troy and Nelly, BANKRUPTCY COURT.-(THIS DAY. (Before Mr. Commissioner Holroyd.) IN RE GIIRR. FAILURE Or A GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR.—This bankrupt was described as of Chatham, carcase butcher, &c., &c. To-day was appointed for consideration of his certificate. The balance-sheet, prepared by Messrs. Robinson and Knowles, Basinghall-street, commences Jan. 7, 1852, with a deficiency of 1071., the bankrupt having been a loser on Government contracts. The bankrupt had made purchases to the extent of nearly 15,0001. between January and December, and had lost 7161. The present debts amount to 1,0341. 35. ld. ; and to creditors, fully secured 1,876/. 4s. 6d. The assets are small. There was no opposition. His Honour granted a certificate of the second class. DECIMAL CURRENCY. TO THE EDITOR OE THE BUN. Snz,—With reference to some remarks upon a decimal currency in your money article of yesterday, I beg to remind your correspondent that the object of a coinage is not to express with exactness any arbitrarily given fraction ; but rather, to express fractions sufficiently small for the convenient transaction of the monetary concerns of life. This condition would be fulfilled by some such scheme as the following, for instance :—Let the present two shilling piece be the unit, composed of twenty (not twenty-four pence), each such penny to con sist of five farthings. To suit such a plan, no alteration in our existing coinage would be needed, excepting in the copper coins, while the derangement in existing mone tary contracts would be infinitesimally small. I say nothing, of course, upon the general question of the merits of any decimal system, as compared with our present one ; because upon this point no man who has ever thought five minutes on the subject can entertain a doubt.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant, H. W. MEAbE KING, Liverpool, 16th July, 1853. LOLA MONlES.—Letters from San Francisco state that Lola Mentes had arrived in California, and had appeared on the stage there, in her favourite character in Lola Ilfontes en Baviere. Her success is described as immense. THE YELLOW FEVER,—SOUTHAMPTON, July 18.—The total number of cases of yellow fever on board the Orinoco, which arrived from the West Indies on Sunday evening, was 48, of which 14 proved fatal. The first case made its appearance on the day after the ship ar rived at St. Thomas, in the person of a seaman, and during the remainder of her stay, while waiting for the intercolonial steamers, no less than 33 cases occurred. These were confined to the seamen and stokers, with the exception of a midshipman, Mr. Hey, and three engi neers. After leaving St. Thomas there were 15 fresh cases, among whom was the servant of a French gentle man. The fore peak of the steamer was fitted up and used as an hospital during the time the ship was in har bour at St. Thomas ; but on her leaving, the heat being excessive from the closing of the porta, the medical officer of the ship, Dr. Finlay, suggested the removal of the sick on deck, and Captain Hast immediately ordered a double awning to be spread on the fore part of the spar deck, where, after their removal, the sufferers soon felt the benefit of the change, which was attended by a diminution of the sickness. The passengers and ship's company, feeling that they were greatly indebted to Dr. Finlay for his kindness and humanity, presented that gentleman with a very flattering address. It appears that Dr. Finlay performed not only the immediate duties of his office, but also those of nurse and constant attend ant on the sick, night and day, during the awful ravages of the scourge. The Rev. John Freeman, of British Guiana (a passenger by the Orinoco), was most assiduous in affording spiritual consolation to the sick and dying, and performing the last sad offices of committing the re mains of the departed to the deep. He also suggested, after his sermon on Sunday, July 10, that a collection should be made for the relief of the widows and families of those who had died of the fever. The sum of 471. Is. 6d. was accordingly subscribed, and placed in the hands of Captain Hest for distribution among the sur vivors. AMSTERDAM AND ROTTERDAM PRODUCE MARKETS.-- The weekly reviews from the Amsterdam and Rotter dam produce markets state, that no material change had occurred in business. Coffee was steady, but the trans actions had been limited ; and sugar, raw and refined, was in greater demand, with a tendency to improve ment. Indigo was maintained at firm prices ; dried fruits were well supported; and the transactions in rice had been more animated. ROUEN.—The letters from Rouen speak of dullness in the market for manufactures, the unfavourable state of the weather having generally checked business. GREAT LUXEMBOURG COMPANY.—The seventh annual report of this company, which is to hold its meeting in Brussels, on the 22d inst., and in London on the 20th, states that all difficulties have been surmounted and nothing hinders the conclusion of the undertaking within the time stipulated in the last convention made with the Belgian Government. The whole of the land required for the line from Brussels to Namur has been purchased at fair prices. The men employed on the line are work ing in double brigades, and the works are pronounced to be well executed. The directors make it appear that they have saved the company 36,0001. in the purchasing of rails, comparing the price with the present market rates. A new trace from Namur to Arlon has been de termined on in conjunction with the authorities ; the distance is now reduced to 84 miles without a single tunnel. Upon this trace the contractors are now at work. The directors propose making another call of 1/. in the course of the year, upon the 101. six per cent. guaranteed new shares. CROMER PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETY.—The tenth anni versary of this society was celebrated yesterday, when upwards of 30 gentlemen sat down to dinner, at the New Inn, Gravesend ; Mr. John Moore in the chair. It appears that since the last report was published 1141. has been distributed among a number of deserving per sons, many of whom have thus been saved the humilia tion of appealing to the parish for relief. The fund is raised by means of small weekly contributions from the members, who hold periodical meetings at the Boot, which, in " Barnaby Rudge" (1775), is described as "a lone house of public entertainment in the fields at the back of the Foundling Hospital." SOCIETY FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF VICE.—At the annual meeting of this society held at the offices, No. 57, Lincoln's-inn-fields, Lord Robert Grosvenor in the chair, the report of the committee, detailing the opera tions of the society for the past year, was read by the secretary, Mr. Pritchard. It commenced by a state ment of the efforts made to obtain the introduction of a bill for the suppression of betting-offices, a subject which engaged the attention of the committee at the begin ning of the year. Several interviews took place with Mr. Walpole and Lord Palmerston, with a view to promote this object, and it was with great satisfaction that the committee now saw the subject taken up by the Government, and a bill brought in to suppress the nuisance. During the past year there have been seven prosecutions of persons for selling obscene and licen tious books, and several seizures have been made on the premises of parties trading in these infamous pub lications. In proof of the good results of the society's exertions, it may be mentioned that since the year 1838, seizures of immoral works to the following extent have been made, viz. :-117,509 obscene prints and pic tures, 12,919 books filled with abominable engravings, five tons of letterpress of the same character, besides a quantity of blasphemous publications ; 4,594 sheets of obscene songs and handbills; 3,398 cards, snuff-boxes, and other articles ; 816 copper plates, 80 wood blocks, 11 printing presses, with type and stereotype. The re port further stated that the periodical inspections, from which so much good has resulted, have been continued, and all the shops believed to engage in the traffic are now under the notice of the society ; these are not more than 21 in number, although nearly 300 have been under the surveillance of the society since 1833. The receipts for the year from donations and subscriptions, and in cluding a legacy of 5451., have been 1,0031. 4s. 3d. ; and deducting the expenditure for the same period, there re mains a balance in hand of 351. 13s. 9d. Much satis faction was expressed at the tenour of the report, which was unanimously adopted. The officers for the year were then re-elected, and, after some routine business, the proceedings terminated. COUNTY OF 'THE TOWN OF DROGHEDA.—The sub joined notice of motion has been given in the House of Commons by the member for Drogheda. Through a non-repres member entationof in the w l i B s 3 h 2, es it o was ftahse considered s tb f a o t r an additional the commercial, manufacturing, and maritime interests of the populous borough were unjustly overlooked. In consequence, petitions emanating from late meetings of the corporation and the inhabitants at large have been presented to Parliament. It would, however, we con ceive, be expedient for the hon. member to defer this question until next session, when the introduction of a new Reform Bill will afford a fair opportunity for a con sideration of the claims of Drogheda, as it is not pro bable that any local arrangements with regard to seats will be made during the present session :—" That one of the existing vacancies in the Imperial Representation be given to the county of the town of Drogheda, so that it may exercise the privilege of returning an additional member, and thereby obtain a more adequate and just representation of its increased trade and commerce." A REFORMED CONVICT.--A few days since, a young stated wm a woman that p . excellent advice and instruction which she rac t i ved es s e h n e te w d is h b e e r d sel t f o a t t ba t n h k e E tb ir e ete e r ba c p it l y ai g n ao f l e , r and stated th at she wished to thank the chaplain for the from him when incarcerated there. It appears that the young woman was transported eight years ago fi em Exeter, and that upon her arrival in Australia, sho was allowed to enter, under certain restrictions, the family of a clergyman, as a servant, where she conducted her self so well, that, on the e xpiration of her time of trans portation, he procured her, at her desire, a free passage to England. She brought with her a letter from the clergyman in whose family she had lived, confirmatory of her statement, and testifying to her excellent con duct whilst in his servicce, and which letter the chaplain read. She had saved out of her earnings 43 guineas, which the chaplain recommended her to place in the savings bank, and which has subsequently, we believe, been done.—Pcvon Courier, LATEST FOREIGN NEWS. FRAN CE. 1 The Emperor on Sunday received iu private audience Count de Hatzfeldt, Envoy-Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the King of Prussia, who presented a letter from his sovereign notifying. the marriage of H.R.H. the Princess Maria Anne Frederica of Prussia with H.H. the Prince Frederick William George Adol phus of Hesse. The Emperor also received Baron de Seebach Envoy - Extraordinary and Minister-Plenipoten tiary of H.M. the King of Saxony, who presented a let ter from his Saxon Majesty announcing the marriage of his nephew H.R.H. the Prince Frederick Augustus Albert, Duke of Saxony, with H.H. the Princess Caro line Frederica Frances Stephanie Amelia Cecilia daughter of H.H. the Prince Gustavus Wasa. The Emperor and Empress on Sunday paid a visit to Queen Christina at Malmaison. The Minister of Marine and Colonies arrived on Saturday at Nantes, after having visited the establishments of St. Nazaire, Paimbceuf, and Indret. The whole population was on the quays, and they greeted him with enthusi astic cries of " Vive l'Empereur I" In the evening he was entertained at a grand banquet, and he delivered a speech, in reply to the mayor, which excited great en thusiasm, and repeated c r i es o f " Vive l ' Empereur !" On Sunday morning his Excellency passed the troops in review, and they raised the same cry. At midday the Minister left for St. Nazaire, where he was to embark on board the Roland for Rochefort. The Moniteur has the following on the Cherif Sidi Abd Esselam, whose arrival at Marseilles has been announced : " The city of Marseilles has just had a rare and in teresting spectacle, that of the most illustrious Cherif of the Empire of Morocco, going in pilgrimage to Mecca, with a numerous and brilliant suite. The prestige of the Cherifs in Museulman countries is well known. In Morocco they have been able to found veritable reli gious orders, and the whole population of the empire is at present divided amongst them. All the members of an order are bound to assist each other, and blindly to obey their chief. The latter represents the founder of the order, and enjoys almost unbounded power, based on the most absolute respect. Of a ll th ese orders the most power ful and the most revered is that of Moulai Faleb, the foun dation of which dates from the year 1500. Its present chief, Sidi Abd Esselam, is universally considered a saint. From all parts of the empire large presents are daily sent to him, and the Emperor himself kisses his hand with respect when the saint honours him with a visit. If any doubts had been felt as to the veneration with which he is regarded in Morocco, they would have been dispelled by the striking ovations of which he was the object from his departure from hiS re sidence at Ouezzan to Tangiers. The populations from all parts assembled on his passage in the hope of seeing him and receiving his blessing. They pro strated themselves at the feet of his horse, and spread their burnous before him, and offered him presents in proportion to their resources. No sooner was his ap proaching arrival known at Tangiers, than the Pacha, the authorities, and most of the inhabitants of the town went to meet him on horseback, and when they saw him, all alighted and prostrated themselves before • him. In the first visit which M. Cotelle, acting Consul of France at Tangiers, paid to the Cherif, most friendly relations became established between them. Abd Esselam thankfully accepted a passage in a French packet-boat which was offered him by M. Cottelle • and he arrived on th e 13th at Marseilles, on board' the Marocain. The Minister of Marine had confided to the steam-frigate the Albatros, the mission o f con d uc ti ng the Cherif to Ale xan d r i a , from whence the arnica' solici tude of the consul-general of France in Egypt will follow him to the sacred cities. During his stay at Marseilles, the local authorities, in conformity with the intentions of the Government, gave him a sum mary view of our civilisation and our power ; and it was with lively and grave interest that he appreciated the spectacle so new for him. On the 14th, he west to Arles to visit the curiosities of the town. The journey was effected in an express train on the Montpellier railway. The practical explanation of the power of our locomotives, the exhibition several times repeated of different trains of travellers and merchandise, the passage through the fine tunnel near Marseilles, and on his return a display of fireworks from the Chateau des Fleurs, the Venetian illumination of the fine gardens of the Prado, and promenades in the town, in the midst of an immense population—all these novelties interested Abd-Esselam in the highest degree. The 15th com menced by a review of the troops, which was fol lowed by a visit to the finest manufactures of Mar seilles, and it terminated-by a visit to the theatre. The interest of the Cherif manifestly increased every mo ment ; and his suite, younger and more impressionable, were in a state of perpetual ravishment. He did not embark for Alexandria without expressing sentiments of gratituie for the flattering reception given to him ; and his travelling companions did the same. They desire that the testimony of their respect for the Emperor should be conveyed by telegraph. They wished his Majesty to know before their departure how grateful they were for the reception they had received in con formity with his orders—adding that they would keep in their hearts the souvenir of his generosity, the senti ment of his power, and the conviction of the grandeur of the French nation." At the Bourse yesterday there has been considerable activity in business, combined with a further general advance in the prices of all descriptions of stock. The rise was most considerable in the Three per Cents., being lf. 20c. for the end of the month, and 85c. for money ; whilst there was an improvement of 50c. in the Four and-a-Half per Cents. for cash, and of 65c. in the same description of stock for the account. Bank of France shares advanced 10f. The final quotations were : for cash—Three per Cents. 78f. 30c. ; Four-and-a-Half per Cents. ditto, 102 f. 60c. ; for the account--Three per Cents., 78f. 55c. ; Fonr-and-a-Half per Cents., 102 f. 70c. Bank Stock, 2670 f. No change occurred in shares of the Mortgage Bank, which still remain at 665 f. ; there was a rise, however, of 32f. in those of the Socidt6 Mobilibre, which closed at 792 f. The Railway Share Market was also active, and shares in the principal lines experienced a -considerable improvement in prices. Paris and Lyons shares rose 20f. ; Paris and Orleans, 15f. ; and Paris and Strasbourg, 17f. Closing prices : Northern, 957 f. ; Paris and Strasbourg, 927 f. ; Paris and Lyons, 930 f. TURKEY AND RUSSIA. The question of peace or war seems now to be defi nitively settled by the public, of course in favour of the former. It may, perhaps, be going too far to assert that the matter is definitively settled, but it is certain that it is in a fair way of being so ; and there is a fixed conviction that, whatever be the exact nature of the propositions submitted by England and France collec tively, or by the other Powers, the peace/of Europe will not be disturbed. Of course each individual has his own version as to the note which will be accepted by Turkey, acting on the advice" of the Powers, but there is nothing new in any of them. The propo sitions agreed on by the English and French Govern ments were sent for approval to Constantinople, returned to Paris approved, and then transmitted to St. Peters burg. They are agreed to by Austria and Prussia, and though we cannot yet know whether Russia bas assented, little or no doubt is entertained on that point. Indeed it was rumoured in Paris yesterday that a telegraphic despatch had been received in London announcing the assent of the Emperor of Russia, but though that an nouncement be premature, it is anticipated as certain, solmuch so, that the question is no w b eg i nn i ng to be discussed as to whether the Russian troops will quit the Danubian provinces first, or the fleets Besika Bay. This question will probably give rise to further negotia tion, but fortunately the more important one will have been first settled. Private letters from Constantinople, of the sth, have been received. The steamer from Odessa had arrived on the evening of the 4th, with the official intelligence that the Russian troops were to ..enter - ' the Principalities the same day. The occupation was to be effected by the 4th corps, composed of 55,000 men, commanded by General Dannenberg. It was thought that some regi ments only of the Luders division would pass the Pruth. As soon as the fact became known at Constantinople, the Ministers met in council, and a most animated discus sion followed, but no resolution was adopted at the first sitting. Ministers met a second time the same day at the residence of the Seraskier, while, in the meantime, the Divan consulted the representatives of the Powers who signed the Treaty of 1841. The opinion of the latter was, that the invasion of the Principalities should not be considered as a casus belli, and the Council so decided. Considerable agitation existed at Constanti nople when the courier left, but public tranquillity had not been disturbed. Moreover, the Government had taken everyprecaution against disturbances. The Turks, never theless, continued to act as if war was certain to be the re sult, and preparations were going on on every side ; the redifs were arriving from every part of the empire, and were successively incorporated in regiments, and drilled. The heights of Scutari were covered with tents. The redifs manifested much ardour; and many of them whose 10 years' service had expired demanded to be again re ceived in the ranks of their comrades. The English and French fleets maintained the same position as before in Besika Bay. The former had been reinforced by the screw ship the Sanspareil, of 84 guns and 350-horse power. A telegraphic despatch from Constantinople of the 9th states that a Ministerial crisis, occasioned by the entry , of the Russians in the Danubian Principalities, was for tunately preuented. The general opinion there as else where was that a pacific solution was certain. Neverthe less the military preparations were still going on. The Governor of the forts of the Dardanelles had received orders to allow the French and English steamers to pass night or day.. Negotiations were going on relative to the affair of the Hungarian refugee Kossta. The same despatch adds that the Commander of the American frigate having given to the Captain of the Austrian brig only a delay of four hours to deliver up his prisoner, this last decided on handing him over to the French Consul until the de cision of the Austrian and American Ministers at Con• stantinople was made known. A private letter from Syra of the Bth mentions a fact which, if true, would be important. It is to the effect that letters from Constantinople state that the American Legation in that capital had addressed a note to the Porte to inform it that the Government of the United States associated itself with the other great Powers, with the object of enforcing respect.for the integrity and independence of the Ottoman Porte ; and also of giving notice that it intended, in future, taking an active part in the important affairs of Europe. A gentleman, who has just arrived in Parii from Moldavia, states that lie left Bucharest on the Bth inst., and that up to that date the Russians had not arrived at that place. He 'says that the Russians have suc ceeded in gaining over, by cajolery or intimidation, the l3oyards, who pretend now to be quite as Russian as the subjects of the Czar themselves; that they feted tla HER MAJESTY'S HEALTII. We are sorry to learn that her Majesty has at length sickened with the measles. Before the Court left town on Saturday, latent symptoms of the malady were ob served, and it was for some time doubtful whether the Queen would venture to make the journey to the Isle of Wight. Her Majesty, however, determined on reaching Osborne, and happily she did so without inconvenience. Subsequently to the Royal arrival the malady became apparent, and her Majesty is now passing through the complaint, it is hoped, very favourably. COURT CIRCULAR. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited their Royal Highnesses the Princess Royal and the Princess Alice yesterday at Buckingham Palace, and also paid a visit to the Duchess of Gloucester at Gloucester-house. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary, and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg Strelitz, visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent yesterday at Clarence-house, St. James's. • The Duchess of Cambridge and, the Princess Mary (at ,ended by Baron Knesebeck), and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg Strelitz (at tended by their Equerry in Waiting►) honoured the per formance of the German plays with their presence last n I evening. A deputation from St. John's, Southwark, consisting of the Rev. J. Rolph (rector), Mr. J. N. Viner, Mr. S. M. Astell, Mr. John Abrahams, and Mr. W. G-. Jack son (churchwardens), accompanied by Mr. Robert Slee (vestry clerk), had an interview with Viscount Palmer ston yesterday at the Home-office. A - deputation, on the subject of a public park at Hampstead-heath, had an interview with Sir Win. Moles worth yesterday at the Office of Public Works, in Whitehall-place. The deputation consisted of Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P., Sir Benjamin Hall, M.P.. Rev. Thomas Ainger, Mr. John Gurney Hoare, Mr. Thomas Turner, Mr. C. R. Cockerell, RA., Mr. Ed ward M. Browell, Mr. Edwin Field, and Mr. Thos. Toiler (vestry clerk). The Bishop of Oxford and the Bishop of Salisbury had an interview with the Duke of Newcastle yesterday at the Colonial-office. The Cathedral Commission had a meeting yesterday. Present—the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Marquis of Blandford, the Earl of Harrowby, the Bishop of Lon don, the Bishop of Oxford, the Rev. Dr. Wordsworth, the Rev. Canon Selwyn, and Rev. Richard Jones (secretary). Sir Glinne Welby and Lord Wm. Graham, the mem. hers for Grantham, had an interview yesterday with Vis• count Palmerston at the Home-office. Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial. office from the Governors of the North American pro• vinces and tho West India colonies. A deputation, consisting of Lord Wrottesley, the Earl of Rosse, the Earl of Harrowby, the Bishop o f O x f or d, Sir Robert Inglis, M.P., and Mr. J. Heywood, M.P., on the part of the Parliamentary Com mittee of the British Association, assisted by Col. Sabine, R.A., President of the British Associa tion, and Sir Roderick Murchison, late President of the Royal Geographical Society, had an interview yestesday with Sir James Graham, First Lord of the Admiralty, at Whitehall, on the subject. of Lieutenant Maury's scheme for improving navigation. Lieutenant Maury is an officer of the American navy who has dis covered a plan of navigating vessels which considerably shortens the distance they have to traverse to reach their destination. DEATH OF THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTH.—This vener able nobleman, who many years since was declared of of unsound mind, died at the family seat, Hurstbourne park, Hants, on Thursday last, in his 84th year. His lordship dying without issue, is succeeded in the earldom and family estates by his brother, the Hon. Newton Fellowes, married to a sister of the present Earl For tescue, whose eldest son, Mr. Henry Fellowes, now be comes Lord Lymington. KENSINGTON GARDENS.—Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary of Cam bridge, with their attendants, were among the company attracted to the fashionable promenade in Kensington gardens on Sunday afternoon, by the unexpected fine ness of the weather. This delightful place, which, in consequence of the continued rains lately, presents an unusually fresh and verdant appearance for the season of the year, was thronged with the most respectable com pany on Sunday, and presented a very gay appearance. MANSION-HOUSE. —It is understood that the Lord Mayor has issued invitations for a dinner on Saturday next, the 23d instant, to her Majesty's ministers and a distinguished party of the nobility, members of the House of Commons, and other gentlemen and their ladies. And his lordship gives a second civic entertainment on the 2d of August next. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTORS. —Wednesday next is the last day for paying rates and taxes due on or before the sth of January last, to qualify Parliamentary electors for the present year. The quarter's house-tax due at Christmas, although not demanded, should be paid. DISTRESSING AND DETERMINED SUICIDE BY A GEN TLEMAN.—Yesterday morning Mr. James Leech, a highly-respectable surgeon, residing at 13, New Dorset. place, Clapham-road, committed a most determined act of self-destruction. At about ten o'clock the maid-ser vant of the deceased entered the back drawing-room, and was much shocked at finding her master lying on the ailt razor n : ! ) rrigifilerohi firmly s l floor, and an appearance of blood about him. She gave an instant alarm, and a sergeant belonging to the L division was called in. On going into the back drawing room the officer found the unfortunate gentleman wel tering blood, l clenchedood r , s v sam i os t ° l ei dun e a uldeq l iarns e . il e star p oni woundpgeh prison, h an i . h is throat, and wi M io r l . iv H e a s r b ri u s t , few doors off, was promptly in attendance, and epaar a tei t ec o mu n lea c dr e pronounced causenoo observed :a r e v s d s e i dgt thati ' e d d for e the desperate and rash act, but it w somewhat depressed in spirits, an ad d setat s 'll O e m d e e w Nc h el at different from his usual habits. NEW OPEs.t.—lti s said th at the Opera-Comique is ( actually in possession of a new opera by M. Meyerbeer —a high honour for that theatre as well as a certain source of prosperity, should it pro ve correct. The opera alluded to is not, it is positively asserted, "Le Camp de Silesie," of which there was some talk for this theatre last year. A short time, however will enable us t o g i ve our readers more precise information on the subject. -- officers of the Russian army, and that they believed in an approaching incorporation with Russia. In fact, they appeared to regard it as inevitable • and they con sidered th a t th ey ought to keep themselves on as good terms as possible with their new masters. Russian gold was flying about in all direetiou. A letter from Vienna of July 15, in the Lloyd's, says: —"Mehemed Lafttalage arrived here yesterday direct from Constantinople with dispatches, and is to return to-morrow. He brings, it is said, the circular of the Porte relative to the occupation of the Danubian principalities by the Russian troops. A dispatch which arrived here to-day from Hermaunstadt an nounces that, on the 9th, Omer Pacha concentrated the nucleus of his troops between Nicopoli and Rastschuck. On the bank beyond Giurgevo there are 8,000 Russians. Letters from St Petersburg state that the Emperor of Russia left that city on the 11th for Warsaw, where he is to arrive on the 15th." A letter from St. Petersburg of the 7th announces the arrival in that city of the Austrian Field Marshal Baron Guilay, on beard the Wladimir. He was accompanied by a major and three captains. The letter adds that more than ten thousand men were already assembled in the camp of Krasnoe•Selo, and that manoeuvres were about to commence. The German Journal of Frankfort contains a letter from Constantinople of the 10th, which says :--" M. de Bruck, the internuncio of Austria, has communi cated to the Divan a note from the Cabinet of Vienna containing an offer of mediation and intervention in the Turco-Russian difference. ' The Divan has informed Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, M. Dela cour, and M. de Weildenbreich of the offers of Austria, and has declared that the Western Powers having the first testified their sympathy to the Sul tan, it could not come to any resolution before having consulted all their representatives. Thus the Turco-Russian difference cannot be arranged in a satisfactory manner, except by a protocol signed by the five great Powers. The Russian diplomatists now at Odessa, will not have been pleased with this resolution of the Porte, . It is proposed that the five great powers shall enter into a collective treaty of the privileges and immunities of the Christian creeds, but the policy hitherto followed by Russia does not allow any hopes to be entertained of such an arrangement being accepted by her. NI. de Bruck has had an' attack of fever, but he is now reco vered. Provisions are exceedingly cheap, the harvest having been most abundant" SPAIN. The Madrid journals of the 13th contain nothing im portant. The Heraldo says that there is no truth in the report that M. Moyano, Minister of Public Works, is about to resign. But, on the other hand, M. A. Castro, who is spoken of as likely to be his successor, had left for La Granja with the President of the Council. The last renewal of the bonds of the floating debt had been effected with great facility ; the whole of the bonds were taken immediately, and there was a demand for more to the amount of about 14,000,000 reals. The Queen had signed the decree for a new organisation of the Ministry of the Interior. "If," says a letter, "the Ministry should resolve to declare the concession of the Northern Railway valid, M. Salamanca will immediately leave for Paris to organise a company to be charged with the execu tion of the enterprise." It was believed that the official Gazette would announce the interesting position of the Queen on the 20th inst. M. Llorente, lately appointed Ambassador in Turkey, left on the 13th for Constantinople. The Three per Cents. were done at 42i ; the New Three per Cents. at 23f ; the Debt of the First Class at 10i ; and that of the Second at sa. AUSTRALIA. By the Woolloomooloo we have received advices from Sydney to the 21st of April, The position of the colony of New South Wales is described by the papers as being most satisfactory. The yield of gold was steady, and the aVerage earnings of each man are quoted at an ounce a day. With regard to agriculture the prospects of the farmers were excllent. The steamer Cleopatra had arrived at Sydney with advices from Melbourne of the 16th of April, at which time neither the Harbinger nor the Adelaide steamer had arrived. 14,000 ounces of gold dust was brought into Melbourne by escort on the 13th of April. Gold had fallen rapidly in price at Melbourne, and was quoted by the Argus, on the 16th April, at 3/. 15s. an ounce. The markets both at Sydney and Melbourne were almost bare of goods, and enormous profits were being realised on some articles of import. The Woolloomooloo has upwards of 50,000 ounces of gold on freight. The following is from the Sydney Empire of April 20 :-- The commercial rcondition of Sydney is, as it has been for some considerable time past, characterised by uncertainty, high prices, and exhausted stocks. The circumstance of so few arrivals with supplies, either from Great Britain or from foreign ports, is very re markable ; and this untoward circumstance—so contrary to general expectation---has given to transactions an excited character, which, in many instances, has the appearance of unwarranted extravagance. - Goods are run up to prices which are scarcely justified by any state of the import market at which we have yet arrived, the competition being stimulated by the immediate urgency of particular demands, rather than produced by anything like permanent scarcity. But if business were conducted in the most sober spirit, high prices for all manufactured goods would ( still range, in consequence of the positive insufficiency of present imports. This state of things is experienced without any rapid augmentation of our po pulation as was anticipated—for during the last few weeks, the passenger traffic inwards has barely kept even with our outward drain. Since the Ist of April 57 vessels have arrived from various ports, inclusive of Moreton-bay, bringing 1,186 passengers ; and the departures have been 60, with 1,191 passeno•ers. Of the arrivals, 3 vessels and 39 passengers were from London ; 2 vessels and 45 passengers were from Liverpool • 1 vessel and 32 passengers were f rom Bristol ; 1 vessel was from Scotland ; 4 vessels and 242 passengers were from California ; 1 vessel and 8 passen gers were from China; 1 vessel, a man-of-war, was from King George's Sound ; 2 vessels and 7 passen gers were from a whaling voyage ; 1 vessel was from the South Sea Islands ; 1 vessel was from New Zealand; 3 vessels and 11 passsengers were from Van Diemen's Land ; 3 vessels and 53 passengers were from Moreton-bay ; 2 vessels were from Newcastle; and 32 vessels and 724 passengers were from Victoria. The departures were-3 vessels and 19 passengers to London ; 1 vessel and 57 passengers to California ; 2 vessels to Singapore ; 2 vessels to India ; 2 vessels and 3 passengers to South Sea Islands ; 1 vessel and 16 pas sengers to Van Diemen's Land ; 1 vessel and 10 passen gers-to South Australia ; 4 vessels and 7 passengers to Guam ; 8 vessels and 52 passengers to New Zealand ; 9 vessels and 87 passengers to Moreton-bay, Newcastle, and Twofold-bay ; and 27 vessels and 940 passengers to Victoria. In the last item the steamer Chusan is in cluded, though many of her passengers would proceed on from Melbourne (the first port of call) to Adelaide and to Singapore. By these figures—which, however, must be regarded only as approximations--it appears that for the last twenty days the excess of depart ing passengers over arrivals has been 5, of which the number of departures for Victoria has exceeded the ar rivals from that colony by 216. Besides this flowing and counter-flowing of population, by water, between the two gold colonies, there is a constant intermigration overland, which to a large extent confounds any calcu lations as to the fluctuations of the social stream in either colony. In the present estimate some reduction has to be made i n the case of the Chusan some the passengers proceeding to other ports, and it may also be mention e d that the steam-ship Cleopatra is hourly expected from Melbourne, with probably 200 passengers, which will about balance the account. In Sydney a strong disposition prevails to speculate in the formation of companies for working the mineral lands of the colony ; but these projects are at present almost wholly confined to men of substantial means and established character ; and with the facts before the pub lic which have already been disclosed as to the undoubted richness of many districts in copper, lead, and iron, as well as the precious metals, and with the shares of our only copper mining company at 190 - per cent. premium, it is not surprising that the att en ti on of close thinking' and observant men should be directed to more important developments of these yet concealed sources of our natural wealth. Among the remarkable changes which the present year will bring about none will be greater or more valuable to society than the extended results of in dustrial enterprise. By the escorts from the Ovens and the Northern Diggings to-day about 8,000 ounces of gold were re ceived in Sydney. It is expected that the Woolloomoo loo, sailing for London to-morrow morning, will take away nearly 50,000 ounces. The price now rules at 775. 3d. to 6d. for Victoria, and 745. 3d. to 6d. for New South Wales. Our latest 'date from England is December 24, brought by the steamer Chusan, which arrived on the 19th of March, just a month ago. The sailing ships to leave London and Liverpool in all December and Janu ary have all to arrive. By an American schooner on the 10th inst. , we received intelligence from' San Fran cisco to February 16 ; Valparaiso, January 30 ; New York, January 6. The following brief report will present the latest prices Which can be safely quoted for leading articles : Teas--llyson skins and Congous may be quoted re spectively at 102 s 6d to 110 s, and 92s 6d to 100 s. Sugar—Pampanga, 20/ to 3 01 10s . SdP ; B.P. R bon Spirits—Marutmel,rlso o. b r an r d . y :3 l s 6s io 6 d d . to 178 per gallon, i n Bottled Ale—A sale of 500 dozen (Bass's) was mad e to-day at 18s 3d, which may, boweVer, be cons id ered an extreme rate. Wines—Stocks very low, and in good demand. Oilman's Stores—ln demand, at 50 per cent. on Eng lish cost. Cheese—A parcel of good Dutch sold to-day at Is per lb ; English 25 per cent. higher. Earthenware—A large sale this morning realised on good assortments 120 per cent. Canvass—White and brown navy, is to is 3d all Nos., and rising. Boots and Shoes—Mr.' Newton sold this morning an American invoice, very superior, averaging about 50 per cent. ;^ common English assortments, 150 per cent, on invoice. Drapery, of all descriptions, commands high prices. Salt—Liverpool, 5/. 15s to 6/. per ton. atr...lriue, 2n, ; stomas, 251. MON BANS OF AUSTRALIA. Yesterday the annual general meeting of the share holders of this bank was held at the offices, Old Broad street—Mr. J. J. Cummins in the chair. The SECRETARY read a report, which contained the following passages : " The letters received from the branches come down to the beginning of April, and are without exception of the most satisfactory character. " The agricultural districts of New South Wales and Victoria, as well as the colonies of South Australia, Val! Diemen's Land, and Ne w Z ea l an d , i n which no important discoveries of gold have yet been made, have all largely participated in the advantages arising out of the newly' obtained wealth of the other districts, and the increased demand for all the produce of labour at very remunerative prices cannot fail to result in their permanent prosperity and advancement. That under such circumstances there should have been a great expansion of banking transac' tions, was fairly to be expected, and th 3 directors 9,re happy to say that this bank has enjoyed its full proportion of tue increase. " The inspector, acting upon the discretion vested in him, and under a conviction of its increased importance, has opened a branch at Goulbourn, in New South Wales, 120 miles south of Sydney, to which Mr. George Ferguson has been appointed manager. This gentleman has been for many years in the bank's service, and has fully entitled himself to the confidence of the directors. " The accounts present an amount of profit for the oil months now reported on of 165,233/. 9s. 11d. This profit admits of 164,0001. being appropriated for the purpose of dividend, which the directors have determined to apply as interest on the paid-up capital. This amount will furnish a dividend by way of interest at the rate of 20 per cent. (for the half-year) on the amount paid up in respect of each share in the capital of the company, payable in Lon' don, free of income tax, on Tuesday, the 2d. of August, and in the colonies, with the addition of 7d. in the pound, e s , soon as the inspe c t or s h a ll fi x a f ter the receipt of advice& , The CHAIRMAN observed that after the report which had been read he need only call their attention to one or two circumstances of a supplemental character, which would not be unpleasing to them. Early in October last the directors, considering the operations arising from so large an amount of coin being shipped from this country, anticipated the probability of a very consider able change in the rate of exchanges abroad, and had therefore determined to ship only so much as was abso lutely necessary to ipeet the requirements of the time- The state of things in the colony had naturally led to very large expenses, and there was a claim of nearly, 14,0001. to be provid e d f or as t h e cost of freight an d insurance upon all the gold shipped out after the date of the last advices from the branches. Towards that, however, the directors had made a reserve of 13,0001., and had since cleared off all 'claims upon that account. But there was another point of still greater importance, viz., the discount allowed on their bills ill the colonies between the Ist Jan. and the 18th Feb., when the exchange got up to par. The amount of dis count paid during that period was so large as to amount to 20,0001. This arose from profits accruing before the alteration in the rate of exchange, and the directors therefore thought it their duty, in order that in future each year should properly bear its own charges, to write off this amount ; so that they would see that, by the reserve made for freight and insurance, and by the discounts which had fairly accrued before the alter ation in the rate of exchange written off, future pro fits would be relieved to the extent of nearly 33,0001. (Hear, hear.) They had received accounts up to the 3a April from the various branches, and he might fairly' say that from th e character and enlargement of the business, and, in fact, the general.eharacter of the el' changes, those accounts, fairly represented the balance of trade between the mother country and the colony, and had given to the directors a degree of satisfaction which they could scarcely have anticipated. The remittances which had been sent home from parties in the colony to their families in this country had attracted his attention, and he found that since the Ist of January there had been over 1,200 bills remitted for sums not exceeding 251., and the number still continued to in crease. In the month of July the total number of bills drawn on this bank for sums not exceeding 251., amounted to 498/., and the money to 7,007/. Some of the bills bore very singular endorsements, one of then} being in these terms : " Pay this to my old mother, aS, I intend comi ng h ome i n another ship ;" and there coula, be no doubt th a t th e money remitted had been received by the mothers, the sisters, the wives, or the sweet' hearts of people in the colonies. (Hear, and laughter.) After a very brief discussion the report, upon the motion of Mr. Thos. Smith, seconded by Capt. Lawson, was unanimously adopted ; and a dividend declared of 20 per cent. for the half year. Mr. Benjamin E. Lindo and Mr. Jas. Bogle Smith were then re-elected directors, and the business termi' nated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. THE ATROCIOUS OUTRAGE AT BARNET. Yesterday morning, at 11 o'clock, Mr. W. Phillimore, chairman, and Messrs. J. Baxendale, W. J. My e r s , 0' H. Cotterell, F. A. M'G eac h y, and S. 0. Percival' magistrates for the liberty o f St . Alb an ' s and county °', Herts, assembled at the Police-court, Barnet, f or the purpose of investigating the atrocious outrage, and- 0 the unfortunate victim is now in a dying condition—n° doubt wilful murder, of Rebecca Brogsden, aged 63, 0° the night of S un d ay , t h e 10th inst., in a barn inth vicinity of Chipping Barnet. The court was densely crowded. Shortly after the magistrates took their seats, two Irish haymakers, named Patrick Farley and Brian Cunningham, were brought up from St. Alban's in custody of Inspector Billers, of the S division, charged on suspicion of being concerned in the horrible trans: action, and placed at the bar. The deposition of the dying woman (which is subjoined) had been Pre* viously taken by the chairman of the bench, at the Barnet Union to the infirmary of which the poor creature had been conveyed on her discovery. The following is the deposition of the dying woman, takes by Mr. Phillimore :—" My n ame i s R ebecca Brogsden , and I believe lamon my deathbed. lam 63 years of age, and am a native of Macclesfield. On Sunday night last, about 11 o'clock, I was journeying to see my son, Joseph Brogsden, who is a fishmonger, at Deptford, Bent. I entered Barnet late on Sunday afternoon, and at last went to a b eers h op at Underhill, kept by, Mr. Hutson. Mrs. Hutson told me to go to Mr. Bryant's barn, close by. That was about 10 o'clock. I went there and lay about an hour, without going to sleep. Four men then came along the lane and came into the shed. I could tell from their voices they were four Irishmen. Three went out again and one remained in the shed. I got up and was going out, when the man wished me to stay, and allow him to remain with me all night. I refused, and he then laid hold of me, and held me down and knelt upon me." [The unfortunate woman here related the brutality she sufered from the four men in succession, the details of which are unfit for publics. tion.] Inspector Billers asked for a remand, in conse quence of the absence of "Barry Burns," and evidence which he had reason to believe would enable the police„ to effect the capture of the other miscreants concerned. The prisoners were remanded for a week. Government have offered a reward of 1001., and there is no doubt but the capture of all the parties will be effected. The poor woman's death was hourly expected. DETERA E T NED SUICIDE OF A SPITALFIELDS WEAVER. —On Saturday morning a determined act of self-destruc tion was committed by a man named John Cordon, aged 50 years, a weaver, lately residing at 5, Chapel street, Spitalfields. I t appears that the deceased had been in a low state of mind for several weeks, through want of employment, which had reduced him to poverty. He was last seen alive on Friday evening, when he pro ceeded to his home. On Saturday morning he was not to be found, when search was made for him, and on searching his room, he was discovered suspended by a cord to his loom, apparently lifeless. A police constable ran for Mr. Meeres, the divisional surgeon, of Brick lane, who promptly attended, and used means to re store life, but the vital spark had fled. The deceased was a steady man, but was unable to bear up against his difficulties. SHOCKING MURDER OF TWO CHILDREN IN BIRMING HAM, AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF THE MURDERESS.— 'On Friday morning the neighbourhood of the Sand-pits and Spring-hill was th rown i n t o consternation by the rumour that two children had been poison e d by their m o th er, an d on visiting the locality in which the iWoman resided, the story was found to be too well authenticated. F r o m what we have gleaned, the fol lowing facts will present a r e p onf r t e l y t t t h y aeb c o o uw r r ti e c e tkh t ei rt v e y r d- s fie i o ve n ed o i fs yearstah ne u aff nm air ar : r — ie T d he fem p a e l r e p , etr a a p t p o a r of age, and the children, who are twins a little more than two years old, are the reputed offspring of a man named Brookes, whose name the un h appy woman appears to have adopted. Her Christian name is Ann, but she refuses to give up her maiden appella tion. The principal occupants of the house in which the murder was committed, situated in Eyre-street, are an old couple named Roberts, from whom Brookes rented lodging-room. The woman, who is in custody, has informed the police officers that she came from Leicestershire about 10 weeks ago, ail which period she took up her abode at the above -named house ; and her condition has since been that of a as far as we can learn , dependent upon charity vagrant, for a subsistence. The man with whom she - habited ha s b een seen to vit her, but little is known of him beyond that. On Thursday afternoon she and her children were observed by the old couple to partake of their usual meals. About five o'clock the mother undressed the twins, after which she took one upon her knee and held a jar to its mouth containing milk. The child drank with avidity The woman . then ca rr i e d t h e c h ild to bed and on descendi the st a i rcase, s h e l i fted up they other t w i n , to whomng she administered a similar dose. The children, uncon scious of their unhappy doom, were placed side by side, and soon fell into a sleep from which they were never again to wake. About six o'clock in the morning, she was heard to leave her room, open the house-door, and walk into the streets. Roberts and his wife rose soon after, and having breakfasted they became somewhat curious that the children were so silent. Mrs. Roberts went up stairs to their bedroom, when the real fact was revealed. Before the news had spread round the neighbourhood, the wretched woman re turned to her home, and almost instantly fell to the ground in a state of stupefaction. The inmates, supect ing that she also had partaken of something poisonous, immediately sent for Dr. Hine and Mr. Humphrey, who were promptly in attendance. The stornach.pump was applied, and a quantity of ale and laudai un vomited, ,:o that in a short time she began to diFpla f smyptoms of re ac ti on. After recovering her sensibility, she was accused of poisoning children, and she at once ran off towards the canal, and there is no doubt but she R w o es u e l r d vo h ir av T e av p e l r u n n , g f ed oliol i v n ed h a a f d ter n a ot nd M b r r . o P ug h h il t li h p e s, r of the Up to last evening she continued in a fair way for re covery,—.Bi7ming4am klercury of Saturday. ist, is divide "A bag " tal and 1 from t ence tome,: to tc. N: .4. 1... ,150,t1.6 1— t.D ?.... once 1 Th( hark ably liavin --<,.:__. ta S I ta k„;--- ~,, .: Fa' C,4 t 1 ty u 14 4 Cc ............t PI Brazil bit Or em ke z i e Port, ItAissi. brt !Pani qua]; b a : I, lld s 18 12 Cc Veal i lis t Sup C , ditt Ira,