The Sun. — London, England, 1853-12-21 00:00:00

R K " AL V ON E Y M AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were eetimated at from 5,000 t 9 6,000 bales, of which 000 American and 1,500 Surat were taken on spe culation. The market closed steadily without alter kit% in prices. The sales comprised 3,000 Ameri can, 100 Pernam and Maranham, at 6/d. to 7id., 150 Egyptian, at 6d. to 'rid., 2,500 Surat, at lid, to 4,}d. per lb. Railway shares were firm. The Tartar, from Sydney, brings dates of only August 28, but 7,050 ounces of gold. The following suggestions are from a corms- Pundent " Perceiving that there is a movement in the City to concert means in accordance with the Commissioner of Ba nkruptcy's remarks in re Openheim, to effect an dalteration in the present stamp law as applied to seign bills o f exc h ange d rawn i n E ng l an d , b ut ted from abroad, I send the following case as an illustration of ano th er o f th e many ill s that the Mercantile community has had to bear in consequence of the existence of these laws in their present form :—A bill for 9001 . sterling was p resen t e d tme for discount in February last, having a few days ent n, which I did' at the current r a t e — v i z ., 4 p er per annum. This document (in the present con struction of the law not a bill of exchange) purported to have been drawn by a house in Sierra Leone, on its Parent establishment in London. The acceptors refused to y at maturity, and not being on a stamp, I could not sue them. I had, therefore, to bring an action through the broker who brought me the bill, against the Party from whom he received it, for 'money paid,' and, co nsequently, the name of the former had to be on the record as plaintiff. The verdict was obtained for the araOunt, but the 'law' s d e l a y' j us t gave time for the broker (plaintiff) to stop payment, and defendant having a claim of upwards of 9001. against his estate, the amount Was set off against the judgment. " I am, yours truly, _ _ " MINUS NINE HUNDRED POUNDS." At a meeting of the Proprietors of the Canada Governo r held to-day, Charles F ran k s , E sq ., th e Movernor in the chair; a dividend of 2/. per share • as declared, free of income-tax, and payable on the 10th proximo. We extract the , following state tient Aereq. Average. Land sold 3,861 at 255. Od. Leases converted to sales 45,580 at 14s. 6d. Land leased 15,925 at 245. 10d. Total 6 5 4366 teeeipts in Canada to Dee. 2, 1853 £98,836 7 2 Ditto ditto 1852 51,149 7 8 Increase in 1853 £47,686 19 6 The English funds are still rising. Consols have been done as high as 95 for money, and have been 94 i I for account, but are now 94i f. The intelli gence' from Paris strengthening the belief enter tained in some quarters, that there will be a difficAlty in maintaining peace between the great .Pewers. The New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. have realised 96k to 968, and the Three per Cents. Reduced, 94i to 95. Bank Stock is at 219 to 220. xchequer-bills are 2s. to ss. premium, and India Ilelida at par. The foreign market has been inactive as regards speculative transactions. Peruvian Bonds have been at 674, continuing rather heavy. Equador llonds have been at si. There has been a bargain ill the Greek Red Bonds at 7. Russia* Bonds are steady at 113 k to 4. There have been bargains ill Dutch 24 per Cents. at 64k, and since at 65. In the Gold Mine Shares there have been a few bargains at barely former quotations. The meet ing of the Lake Bathurst Company we find is for to-morrow, being convened by the Gold Mine Shareholders. The Australian Consols shares have been as high as i'and par. The other Land Companies' shares are arm, though not very active. The Australasia Bank shares have declined 11., and the others are not quite so good. There has been a rising market again for the English Railway Shares, although the business done has been extremely limited. The Great Northern remains at about the previous rates, but the Lancashire and Yorkshire are about 10s., North-Western 10s., and the Midland ss. to 10s. higher ; and the North Stafford, and some of the smaller lines, in proportion. In French Shares there has been scarcely a bargain, but the Belgian .re higher. The Luxembourg are fto better, and Sambre and Meuse have advanced BRITISk FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK ( From the Official List.) Business don Rank Stock 219 20 3 s _per Cent. Reduced Annuities 94 5 dew 3i per Cent. Annuites 96 a a Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 India Bonds, 1000 ....... 'Ditto, under £lO3O par Consols for Opening 18th Jan. 94 Exchequer Bills, ld. £lOOO .E. 500 Small 5 2 6 p PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK Equador Bonds • Ore sic Bonds, Red Ditto, Blue Peruvian Bonds, 4a per Cent. 67 Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £St ll3k Dividends on the above payable in London. Dutch Exchange, 24 per Cent. 12 Guil 641 5 4 Ditto 4 per Cent. Certifieates.. HALF-PAST TWO. Consols for Opening 18th January 94j x d PRICE OF GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Paris is about Z per mile discount (according to the last tariff), which, at the English Mint price of 31. 17s. 10d. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 25.091 ; and the exchange at Paris on London at short being 25.00, it follows that gold is about 0.38 per cent. dearer in Paris than in London. By advices from Hamburg th e price of gold is 4211 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 10d. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 13.31 • and, the exchange at Ham burg on London at short being 13.11, it follows that i gold s 0.78 dearer in Hamburg than in London. The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at SO days' sight is 110 per cent., and, the par of exchange between England and America being 109 23-40 per cent., vit follows that the exchange is nominally 0.42 per cent. in favour of England ; and, after making allowances for charges of transport and difference of interest, the pre sent rate leaves a profit on the importation of gold from the United States. SHOCKING ACCIDENT THROUGH THE FROST.—Yester day a frightful accident happened to a young man named Charles Jones, whilst engaged cleaning the windows of the Ship Tavern, at the corner of Marylebone and Charl ton -streets. Owing to the state of the pavement caused 'bY the severe frost, the ladder on which he was standing slipp e d from under him, and he fell on the iron spikes surrounding the area. Some persons immediately has tened to the poor fellow's assistance, but not being aware that the spikes had entered his leg, they occasioned, it is feared, additional laceration to the wound, in their anxiety to disengage him from his frightful position. , 4 'ite was conveyed with all speed to Middlesex Hospital, ant he is still in a dangerous condition. - PALL FROM BUlLDlNGS.—Yesterday Mr. Pltyne held lin inquest at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, on the body of James Dobner, a bricklayer, aged 21, who had been killed by a fall from a building in New-street-square, Whilst he was fixing a chimney-pot. His master, Mr. Clarke, of Gough-square, deposed that he had asked !lira whether he thought it would be safe to attempt the Job without an assistant, and he replied that he thought it would. Mr. Wood, foreman of bricklayers at a build ing opposite, saw the accident, and considered it not ° WY rash in the deceased to attempt such a job. but ex ceedingly imprudent in any master to permit a work than to go out on a roof in such weather without an assistant. He would not have done so in fine weather; Indeed, there ought to have been two or three men to su ch • a job. The Coroner addressed the jury at some l ength on the imprudence of Mr. Clarke, in not exer cising the authority of a master to compel the deceased ,(,) have an assistant. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death," and several expressed a wish that Mr• Clarke should be admonished. That gentleman was called in, and was cautioned in strong terms by the coroner. SUP POSED MURDER AT EAST ACTON. Yesterday much exciteme n t p reva il e d i n the village of East Acton, fcmsequence of a rumour being circulated that a most i!anolical murder had been committed in the locality. 12, `,_aPPears that the naked body of a youth, with a nuin-' fe v_r_ of marks and bruises on various parts of it, was b_un a d at half-past seven o'clock on Monday morning last labouringr-Yrtna man passing down Irvin's-lane. In the body to was at once given to the police, who caused to be removed to the Goldsmiths' Arms pub ' n ein the village , where it now lies awaiting the Th e investigation, and, if possible, to be identified. e deceased appearAo be about sixteen years of age, 'stout full features, with light brown hair, and of rather Proportions. Thepolice have been ! most actively engaged in endeavouring to discover the friends oft e iZetesas_e_d, and to find out in whose company he was re .eti alive, but at present this extraordinary affair remains shrouded in mystery. It is expected that the inquest will be held to-morrow morning. / Itichard Efarington, D.D., l a t e P r i nc i pa l o f B rasenose , 4 v Z third SOU of th e e i g h t h b aronet o f that name, not born April th e 26 t h , 1800. He had, therefore, " I nPleted his 54th year. His loss is dee and c sincer el.Y deplored b o th i n the University and pl in y the ity of Oxford. ,1:1E SUN, L4ONDON, WEDNESDAY BliAit, , i : -MARKET6'-(TLIIS DAY). PREFERENCE SHARES. BRITISH 'RAILWAYS. PROPOSED DRAINAGE OF THE MARSHES OF-I THE THAMES-(THIS DAY.) A meeting of gentlemen favourable to the movement for draining the marshes on both sides of the Thames, from London as far as the Nore, was held to-day at the Bridge-house Hotel, London Bridge, to receive the re port of the committee appointed on the Ist November to consider the propriety of calling a public meeting in the City of London, or to take such steps upon that re port as might be thought advisable. Sir Culling Eardley, Bart., presided. The following is the report of the committee : "The committee appointed to inquire into the sanitary and agricultural state of the marshes on the sides of the Thames, the means for their improvement, the existing legal powers for this purpose, and the propriety of ap plying to Parliament for an extension of such powers, beg to state " That the marshes on both sides„of the Thames con tain about 32,000 acres of land. " That the portion of this extensive tract, of which the fullest information has been obtained, is the,distric, be tween Woolwich and Erith, , and which may be fairly taken as representing the whole. " Of the district between Woolwich and Erith aliiout 1-18th part of the marsh consists of open ditches, which, in many cases, have not been cleaned out for a great length of time, and they are rank with rotten anal de-' caying vegetation. " Ague and allied disorders prevail throughout to Gravesend and Southend, and occasionally extend to the adjoining high grounds. " Attention has been specially directed to the sanitary state of the district between Woolwich and Erith, und, taking into account the natural advantages of its situa tion, and that its population includes a large portion of soldiers—picked men in the prime of life—the rate of mortality in Woolwich is high, and the amount of tiick ness excessive ; the proportion of cases of sickne:?.s to deaths being calculated as nearly double the ordiiiary rate (40 : 1 instead of 26 : 1) ; and that the excess of sickness and mortality is greatest in the parts of Wool wich nearest to the marshes, viz., the Arsenal district, where the rate of mortality considerably exceeds that of London, and that in the last six years there have been 1,749 recorded cases of sickness amongst the work men of a single department of the royal works—men neces sarily in the prime of life. "That the general character of disease in WoolWich and its neighbourhood is indicative of malarious influ ence : ague and allied disorders being notoriously preva lent ; the cases and relapses of ague in a single year (1847) being estimated at no fewer than 8,000 ; and that such diseases are especially prevalent in the Arsenal dis trict and in Plumstea,d ; in illustration of which, the fact may be referred to, that in the year 1847 there were 405 cases and relapses of ague among 420 convicts in the Justitia hulk, near the marshes, whilst in the same period there were but 69 cases among nearly the same number of convicts in the hulk, stationed at the dock yard ' • that between April, 1848, and April, 1849, there were 112 registered cases and relapses of ague (or nearly 28 per cent.) among the 402 workmen of the carriage department of the Royal Arsenal ; that the crews of vessels detained above two or three weeks near Plum stead invariably suffer ague and allied disorders ; and that last year, when, owing to the coolness of the pre vious summers, the malaria was confessedly less intense than usual, one-sixth of the population of the hamlet of Piccardy was affected with ague. " It should be added that the medical men on both sides of the Thames—from Woolwich to Gravesend— bear a strong and uniform testimony of the baneful in fluence of the marshes in their respective neighbour hoods, and their testimony is Confirmed by the most eminent physicians of London. "The committee have also to state that, in the opinion of Professor Airey, supported in some degree by that of Professor Babbage, the marsh lands are in a great mea sure the cause of the London fogs; and that in the opinion of many of the most eminent physicians of the metropolis, they exercise a most injurious influence on, the health of its inhabitants ; an opinion which is con firmed by the occurrence of malarious affections in many parts, but especially In the eastern districts ; and by the remarkable correspondence . between the increase of cases of ague on board the Justitia, and that of deaths from fever in London. " With respect to the condition of the marsh lands as affecting agriculture, Mr. Russell and Mr. Dickson, two large occupiers of land in the Piumstead and Erith marshes, have given in evidence that they are losers to a large amount annually in consequence of the present system of penning up private ditches ; while Mr. Wm. Cotton, a gentleman universally known in the city of London, and owning large property in Essex, has proved that the measures which he has adopted in lowering his ditches, and for improving their outfall, have mate rially improved the value of his land. "As to the means of improvinc , the drainage of the marshes, with a view to remedy the evils alluded to, the committee have to report- - " That, in regard to the Essex -side of the Thames, and the district between Woolwich and Erith, the com mittee have been in communication with the eminent engineers, Messrs. Walker and Burgess, and Messrs. Easton and Amos, who report that in both there is a natural drainage. 'With regard to the Plumstead and Erith marshes, Messrs. Easton and Amos state that the drainage can be accomplished by new sluices (through the banks), and by sinking the whole of the ditches to one common level, or nearly so ; and that the fresh drinking-places required in some of the lands would be furnished at a little expense. " With respect to the legal powers for such purposes, the committee are not yet in a condition to say posi tively whether it will be necessary to apply to Parlia ment for their extension. The committee have, how ever, been in communication with two courts of com missioners of sewers on the Essex and the Kentish sides of the river, the clerks of the two courts being them selves members of the committee. The Essex commis sioners of the Havering-atte-Bower Court, whose com mission includes 8,000 acres of marsh land, intend to apply to Parliament in the ensuing session for new powers. The commissioners of the Plumstead and Erith lands on the Kentish side have, at the committee's request, taken counsel's opinion as to their powers, and have called together at Dartmouth a /nesting of the owners and occupiers of the Plumstead and Erith marshes, to ascertain what can be effected in the pre sent state of the law. " It is obvious to the committee that, whether an im proved system of drainage of the Plumstead and Erith and other marshes be carried out under the provisions of the present law or some new act, the voice of the public, when attention has once been directed. to this matter, will condemn the continuing existence of the present state of things. The committee have received very gene ral assurances of support to any well-organised system of better draining the marshes on both sides of the Thames from highly influential quarters, besides a general assur ance from her Majesty's Government of ' concurrence in the ob;ect. " The committee have not ventured to print the valu able and interesting evidence which they have collected until the sense of the meeting has been expressed. " The question is a large one. It seems to the com mietee to be proved that the health of the inhabitants of the metropolis is much affected by the state of the marshes, and the committee venture to recommend that means be'provided and measures taken to insure a more extended knowledge of the facts, in the hope that the interests of the owners and occupiers of the marshes will thereby be promoted, and that what is due to the public welfare will be secured. _ ~ a E. EABDLBY, Chairman." The CHAIRMAN, after briefly detailing the circum stances which gave rise to the appointment of the com mittee, stated that they had now sat two months, and had collected a great deal of information as to the agricultural value of the land . proposed to be, drained, and as to the effect of the present bad state of the drainage on the health of the imme diate localities as well as upon the health of the me tropolis. The important subject had been entertained by Lord Palmerston in a cordial and business-like man ner. Mr. Macgregor, the chairman of the South-East ern Railway, and himself, had two opportunities of communicating with his lordship, who showed a tho rough acquaintance with the matter, and was able to tell them as much about it as they were able to tell him. On the second occasion, his lordship entered very largely into the remedy which he thought might be applied, stating that he had a bill in preparation for the drain age of the whole metropolis, and that he felt very much disposed to attach to it provisions for the drainage of the suburban districts, which affected the health of the metropolis, and particularly those be tween London and the mouth of the Thames. The first question to •be considered was whether the drain age of the marshes would conduce to their agricul tural value. Upon that point the committee had ascertained that they were the most valuable lands in the neighbourhood of London- -so valuable that they did not require the use of manure, and no doubt if they were cleared from water, they would turn out to be as valuable gardens for the supplying the metropolis with vegetable productions as those at Battersea. There was another important fact which ought to be mentioned. Between London and Gravesend there were no less than 700 acres of ditches ; and if only 300 of these were dis pensed with, the value of the land reclaimed would be sufficient to accomplish the entire works necessary for the drainage of the marshes. A 9 to the engineering . question, they had the testimony of several eminent men, that the object could be carried out by means of natu ral drainage, and without either steam-engines or wind mills to pump up the water to a higher level. (Hear.) Several other gentlemen then addressed the meeting strongly in favour of the project, and resolutions were passed pledging its support, and directing steps to be taken for an early application to Parliament for a bill to carry it into effect. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. THE LATE SUSPECTED MURDER IN SCOTLAND.—A few weeks ago we reported a case of suspected murder which had occurred, under rather extraordinary circumstances, in the parish of St. Fergus, near Peterhead, Scotland, the victim being a respectal)le labouring man, on whose life the alleged murderer, Dr. Smith, had effected insu• rauces to the amount of 2,000/. Dr. Smith having been apprehended, a full investigation has been made, the result of which has just been made known to the Lord AdvoCate for Sc o otland, upon whom it lies to determine whether t or not the accused shall take his trial for the deed. Meantime, Dr. Smith continues in close confine ment in the gaol of Peterhead. RAILWAYS. Closing Prices yesterday. 22 -- 24 5,1 - 9 - 10 U-- 9 di 17 - 19 5 - 97 - 99 56i - 57 1G -17 i 14 - 16 - 5i -- 5i 3t 4 131-- 13i 42 -- 44 30 -- 32 65 - 67 64 66 2i* = ii 85i -86 i 60 - 62 130 - 132 104 - 106 84 - -84 ii 95 100 1 14 —l5 p 68 684 6g 6id 131 -- 14 § - ..!3i t - -- 16 icat lott, Pax -- 6 P I P 78 79 12 11 d 10 9 d 24i - 251 64 - 64 37 39 54 56 4 d par, 6 8 52 54 3i —38 d 34 35 8 10 64 - 51 ... 53 5i WI 11 - i P 39 - 40 91 -. 93 60 # - 6 572 55 60 21 . lidis 15 - 17 1 ..74.- 8i 11 12 16. -- 18 64 G 5 33i 34 4 -- 2 d 4 -- 5 1 - 30 . n 3A 15 - 16 6 - 7 28 - 30 8 • 8i 64i 8 - Bid 4 3ict 48A —49 i Basiness done this day. Aberdeen • Do., No. 2, 7 p. Blyth & Tyne 10 per ct. pref. (iss. at£so) Bristol & Exeter 4 pr cent., stock. .... 'Do. Do., shares !Caledonian £lO Chester it Holyhead Guar. 5 percent... Cork &Bandon 5A p.c. Dundee Perth& Aber deeu Junction....... EastAnglian (£3los) G per cent. Do'. (£5) 7 per cent.. Do. (£7l7s) 7 p. ct.. Eastern Counties Ex tension, 5 p. c. No.l Do., No. 2. Do., New 6 p. c. St.. Eastern Union, Scrip Guar. 6 per cent.... Do. £lO Deben. EastLancash. 6 p. (Its East & West Yorksh Junction Fifths Edinb.Prth.&Dundee 4 per cent. Glasgow & S.Western guar. 5 per cent Great Northr 5 p.c Do. 5 p. c.,Redeem., at 10 p. c. pram Do. 4 percent. Scripl Gt.N. of Scot. ,Ist Pref Gt. Southn. &Westn. (Ireland) Eighths Do. 4 per et. pref. St Gt. Westn. (Becks & Hants. Ex. 5 p. c.) i Do. con. & red. 44 p c Do. do. 4 per cent Do. irredeem. 4 p. c. Lan. & York. F. £2O, Do., 6 p. 0., Stock... Leeds Nn. 6p. e. No.l Do. Quarters, 1848... London and Brighton Guaranteed 5 p. c... Do. Pref., 5 p. 0. St. Do. Convertible, sp. c., 1852 . Do. New Guar. 6 p.c Lond. & N. W., Coy & Nun., 5 per cent London & S. Western, Con. Thirds Londonderry& Coler. Shares bandy. & Ennis. Sh Li fanch.,Shef., & n., Shares, No. 1 Do. New, £lO Do., £6. Marypt.&Carl. 4p. c. Do. 4 per cent Do Kid.Consol. 6 p.c. St. Do. Consol. Bristol & Birm. 6 per cent Do. Pref. 4i per cent Norfolk Debent. Sh Norfolk Extension Do. Pref. 5i per ct Do. Way. Val. 5 p c North British North Staffordshire Oxford Worcester & Wolverh. £15,6p. c Do Scot. Con., New Pref. Shrews& Birm. N. G. Shrewsby. & Chester (Nor. W. Min),B p. c. Do. 5 per cent..., South Devon Do. New S. Eastern (Reading Ann.,) of 21 03.6 d. S. Yorksh.4p.c.Ginar. Waterfd. &Kilk.6p. c. York Newcastle and Berwick ,4 p.c.Pref Do York& N. Midland H. k S. Parch. Agua Fria ..... Anglo Austrlu. Gold Anglo Californian Australasian Australian Australian Cordillera Australian Freehold Ave Maria Baden (Gd.Dachy of) Blienarvon Iron and Coal British Austrin. Gold i British Iron Brazilianlmp.(issued at £5 pm Do. Cocaes & Cuiada Do. St. John Del Rey Carsons's Creek Cobre Copper Colonial Gold Copiapo . Copper Min. of Eng. Do. Pref. 7i p. cent. English an Austin. Copper Smeltg. Co General Gt. NuggetVeinScrp Do. Registered. Great Polgooth' Lake Bathurst Liberty Linares Loud. &Californ. Gold Quartz Crush. Co Mariquita Mexican&S.Americn. Now Granada. New Linares Mining and Smelting Co Nouveau Monde Pontgiband Silver Lead Min. & Port Philip Quartz Rock Rhymney Iron Do. New Santiago do Cuba 'South Australian Tin Croft United Mexican Waller West Granada ;West Mariposa 'Worthing Mining of Australia ;Yuba JOINT-STOI Australasia I British Colonial Bank] and Loan Company British N. American Chrtd. Bnk.of India, Austral. and China Chrtd. 131 k. of Asia Colonial Commercial of Lend English Scottish and Australian Chrtd London Chrtd. Bnk of Australia London and County London Joint Stock Lond.andWestminst National Provincial of England Do. New National of Ireland.,, New South Wales Oriental Bauk Cor poration Provincial of Ireland Do, New Royal Australn. Bkg "and Gold Imp. Co 1 South Australia Union of Australia Do. New Union of London Union of Madrid MISCELL. Aubin aul Iron Australian Agricult. Australsn.Pcifie Ma-I Australn. Royal Mail Berlin Water Works Brit. American Land Brit. & Cain. aueltg. and Reduction Co c aua da CompaaY Crystal Palace Do. New Crystal Pal. of France E as t er n Steals Electric Telegnph (A) Do. (B) Electric Tel. of Irel Gen. Steam Navigat General Screw Steam Irish Beetrom Sugar Magdalena St. Navig. Nat. Pt. Stean Fuel Netherlands land._ N. S. W. Coal k Inter. Stem. Nay. i)o N. B. Australasian,,, Do. New ........ Nrth.of Euror e St eam Peel Rr. Ld. & Minrl. Peninsular & Oriental Do. do. Portland Iron Co Royal Mail Steam.... Scot. Australdnyest. South Austral. Land Submarine Telegraph Van Diemon's Land ioo 77 li-h 6* -- 6i 4i -- 4i 5t -- 04 - 1 I) 1* -- lip 131 -- 14# 20i -- 21 2i - 3i 1:2 . a 1,109 -111 I i - BP 8 - 8i 6 7 101 - 103 95 - 100 98 - 100 - 142 -14444 2 -- 3 12} - 13 7 - 8 10 -10 i P 140 142 a id 106 110 U 2 116 2i . : 25 - 106 - 108 , - 9i - 10; - 16 - IGA 10 - 104. 13 - 15 i d— T4P 24 —24 i 17 19 d 96 99 4 4i id part 1p d. . . par d P 3 -- 3A d 6 d (di 10, - 12 d 8 10 29 2 6 1 36 x id par 45 47 IP 13 70 -80 6 - 8p 4 3 d 14 —l6 1 * • IP 1R d - - 1 ... 12in id -- par 7 8 par— i p .. - ... i . - ip A - P 31 - 33 5 9 - 10 6i - 713 4e 4i dd id i— k d BANKS. 80 - 82 - 1 - it _ is i 1p ii ---- ii 47 - '49 d— par 74 - 76 :O us. 'in --: *i ii - '7B 2 - Zi p 2 i -- 2i p - - 4.7 - 19 ... it - iP t - 40 l 42ip par p 15 16 Aberdeen ....... ► Ambg. Nottng. Bost & Eastn. June Belfast & Ballymena Birmng. Wolverh. & Stour Valley Birkenhd. Lancs b. & Cheshire Juliet.- Do. Chesh. & Birk., £5O & £25 Came Do., £20. ... Blyth & Tyne original £25 (iss. at .C 45) Bristol & Exeter Caledonian.. . Chester & Holyhead Cork and Bandon Cork, Black. & Pass Cornwall Dublin&BelfastJunt Dundee Perth &Aber deen Junction Do. New East Anglian (x 25 L. & E. & L. & D.) Do., (XlB E. & H.) Eastern Counties EasternUnion,A. stk. IDo., do. B. Do.NewA(lateThirds) East Lancashire ...... 'Edinburgh & Glasgow Edinb. and Peebles_ Edinb.Prth.&Dundeo 'Forth and ClydeJunc. 'Glasgow & S.Western Great Northern Stk.. Do., A. Stock IDo., B. Stock iGt. Sth. &West. (Ire. ) Great Western Irish South-Easterm. Lancaster &Carlisle Do., Thirds Lancash. &Yorkshire Do., Fifths Do., Wst. Riding Un Leeds Northern Liv. Crsby. &So uthpt London & Blackwall Lond. Tilb. & Sthond. Lond. Bright. & S. Cst. London & N. Western Do. Fifths Do. ,16/.5h.,M&8...0 Do. Eighths London & S.Western Do. .E4O Lndndrry.&Coleraine Lndudrry. & Ennisk. Manch.Shef.&Lincln. Do., Man. & Lin. Un. Midland . w Do. Birming. &Derby Midland G. West. (Ir. ) Do. A Shares Newcastle &Carlisle Newmarket. ..... Do. Bniy Extensions Newpt.Aberg.dtHtfd Newry & Enniskillen Newry Warrenpoint & Rostrevor Norfolk.. Northn. Counties Un North British North Devon, No.l Do., No. 2....... .. . . . Dc., A Deferred Do., B Guaranteed ,North London N. & S. Wstn. , Hamp stead, and City Jn North Staffordshire North Western. . N. d; S. Westrn. June Nuneaton, Hinckley, and Leicester Oxford Worcester & Wolverhampton Portsmouth Scottish Central Scottish Midland_ _ Shrewsbury &Birmg. Do., L. & N. Westn Guaranteed Stock Shrewsby. & Herefd Shrewsby. & Chester (Nor. W. Min.) Do. Halves, do. I Do. Oswestry Shropshire Union Do. A, B,C, &D, fully paid up at per cent. 'South Devon South Eastern. ... Scull Wales S. Yorksh. River Dun Do. . . Staines,Wok.,&Wok. Stockton & Darling Stockton & Hartlepl Taff Vale Do. £lO shades Do. Pref., No. 1 Thames Haven Dock Vale of Neath Waterfd. & Kilkenny Waterford&Limerick West C0rnwa11.,..... West End of London and Crystal Palace West London Wimbledon &Croydon York Newctl. &Berw. Do. Extensions....... Do. G.N.E. Purchase York & N. Midland.. FOREIGN. 10 6 Antwrp &Rotterdam 2 —1.4 d 5 3 Belgian East. Junct. 1 20 8 Beziers to Graissessac 3 - 2 d . . Central of Italy — 20 all Charleroi & Erquelin 13 15 174 all Demerara — 20 10 Dijon and Besagon 2 -33 p 20 8 Dutch Rhenish 20 all East Indian 3 4}? 20 2 Do. Extension p P 5 all Gt. Indian Peninsula 1 e p 20 10 Gd. Junct. of France 24 3 p ... 10 Gd. Trunk. of Canada Shrs. and Bonds 24 2 d 711 20 8 Gt. Central of France 4 1 p 204 204 Gt. Westn. of Canada Shares id I P Do. bonds(l i55.)1857 Do. bonds (2 i55.)1862 20 104 Hamilton & Toronto par 1 P 11''0 all Do. 6 per cent — 20 5 Lake .Const. & Basle ... 5 4 Lucca and Pistoja, 5 per cent. pref. 20 15 Luexembourg 10 10 Do. (Railway) 7f -7174 d 5 2 Do. 5 3 Do. (Canal) 1 2 24 10 5 Do. 6p. cent. pref. id *p 54 20 12 Lyons & Mediterran 20 104 Madras — I .}P 11 1 '33i 29 Maria Antonia 10 10 Do. New 20 2 Melbourne Dk. &Ry — 20 all Namur & liege (with interest 20 all Do. (ex interest) — 16 all Northern of France 354 353 20 all Do. 201.3 p. c. Bds [fmy.B.&Ams.Shs ] - 10 all NorwegianTrnk.Pref 74 84 • 1' 20 10 Paris and Lyons 164 —l7 p, 40 40 Do. bonds 20 all Paris and Orleans 20, all Paris and Rouen, 42 43 20 all Paris and Strasbourg 33$ —3 3 i 20 4 ParisCaen&Cherbrg. 3. 104 104 Quebec & Richmond a dt 20 all Rouen and Havre 20 9 Royal Danish par 1p! 5 2 Royal Swedish 1 4cl 20 all Sambre and Meuse.. 94 10 91 10 6 • ' .1 )o. 54 per cent. pref . 20 2 S.E. of France - . 20 6 Southern of France 5 6 p 20 6 St. Andrews &Quebec 20 2s. Upper India Scrip _ • gi all West Flanders 45 5 20 10 Do. 54 per c. Pref d 20 10 Western of France 7 8 p ic 4 West. of Switzerland 16 ld 20 2 Wiesbaden 20 l2 Zealana ......... LINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS. Sbr. Paid RAILWAYS. Leasing closing Prices Business Compans. yesterday. this tisY. 50 all Bedford and Ln.&N. W. Bletchley • •• ••• St. 1.00 Buckghamsh. L. dtN.W. 101 103 50 all Clydesdale Je. Caledon... 51 52 St. 100 E. Lincoln. gr 6p. cent .. . Gtliorthn 142 145 .25 all Ghia. Barr. & Caldonian. Neils. Direct. ••• ••• 25 all Do. New Do — •• • 25 all Glstr.&Dn.Fr.Gt. l'estn 3O 32 100 all Hrtlpl. Dk. & I Yk. New Railway & Berw.. ••• 50 all Hull & Selby Y.&N.Md. 109 111 25 all Do. 4 Shares Do 544 —5 5 i 124 all Do. Shares. Do 27 28 121 all Lon.d/Greenw S.Eastern 134 144 20 all Do. Preference Do 244 254 St. 100 Lowestoft gr. 4 per cent... Norfolk S, . 100 Do. 6 per ct... Do . . . 54 all Manch.Baton. Ln•&N.W and Matlock & Midld 2 l- 3 3 50 all Middlosbro' & Stckton & Bedew. Darlingt 100 all Midld.Bradfd. Midland 99 101 1004 50 all. Northern and Eastern sp.e. E. Count— 60 62 5 all Do. 6 per et.. Do all Do. Fixed sp.c Do . . . 2 6 all Prest. & Wyre L. &IS. W • &Lndak 1 12 Do. 4 Shares. Do S 100 Roystn.&Hit. Gt.Northn 143 146 100 Do.Shepth.St. Do • 143 146 2 188 Shef. Roth. & Lancash.& Goole g.5.p.c Yorksh — •12 94'8. Stailordsh MrMClean 2 -14 d 50 all WearValleygr Stockt. & 6 per cent _ Darling . 25 all Do.. Do 3O. 34 31 St. 100 Wilts4Somrst Gt.Westn 99 100 8i - 84 i i 5 68 1 i 9 1041 5 12k 12 68i xd & b Purrs.---Yesterday morning about three o'clock the extensive range of premises belonging to Messrs. Bor wick and Priestley, Nos. 24 and 25, London-wall, were discovered to be on fire. A powerful force of engines and men soon.hastened to the spot, but the flames raged unchecked until very considerable loss had been occa sioned. The cause of the accident is unknown ; but the firm were fortunately insured. Shortly before eight last evening another serious fire took place at Mr. Baker's, bookbinder, No. 15, Bath-s,treet, Newgate street. The shop, containing a valuable stock of books, was completely burned out, and the lower part of the premises much damaged by water. The cause of the fire is unknown. A third accident occurred at Mr. G. Hitchcock's, 17, Ratcliffe-street, Ratcliffe-highway. A spark from the fire ignited some wearing apparel, and Mr. Hitchcock in attempting to put out the flames was dangerously injured. The damage was considerable. 7 i-i 61 DECEMBER 21, 1855. M.IRYLEBONE POOR-LAW INQUIRY. Yest erday Mr. T. W. Austin, the Inspector from the Poor-law Board, resumed his official inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of the infant son of Garret Walsh. Walsh was again under examination for several hours, and gave his evidence very much in the manner he had done on the Saturday previous. He flatly refused to answer the questions of Mr. Russell, Mr. Poland, Mr. Carr, and other gentlemen. He said too, that he would answer no more questions about meal tickets. He was there to give evidence about the death of his child, which Mr. Messer and the poor-law board had been the cause of. The witness was supported by Mr. Peter M`Dougal, the chartist lecturer, who insisted upon Walsh's having fair play, and upon his own right, as a ratepayer, to in terfere. Walsh finished his evidence by declaring that no one had prompted him at any time what to say. He knew his own course and could hear what was said as well as other people. He saw the newspapers, although he did live in the workhouse. Mr. James John Messer was next examined, and stated that he had the general superintendence of the out-door poor relief, and the first application of 'Walsh for relief was on the Ist of September, when he had an order for a 41b. loaf on that day. It was an "emergent" order, given on the instant and without any inquiry whatever. The relief was also to be immediate. On the 9th of September the wife applied fur a midwife's order and relief at 14, Gee's -court. It then came under Mr. Beautron, the superintending inspector, who in quired into the case, and relief was granted. (Mr. Messer here produced the usual entries in the books.) Witness gave his verbal approbation. Such things never came before the board unless in an abstract form. Walsh had relief in food on the 2nd, 9th, 16th, IStb, and2lst of September, which was the last he had in that way. _ _ Mr. b eautron said that on the ISth of November he was applied to by Walsh for bread, and took him down to the baker's, where it was ascertained that he had already received his allowance up to the following Mon day. They both then came away, but witness called afterwards the same day at the shop, and told the young woman if Walsh called again to let him have some bread, as witness thought he might want it. Walsh called, and had two loaves. By Mr. Austin—Witness has the power to order bread on his own authority, and when he does so he always makes a memorandum, but does not enter it an any book. The two loaves were nothing more than what the guardians had already ordered, but Walsh's name had not been put on the renewed list for them. The inquiry was then adjourned until this morning. 317:. ALBERT SMITH. ( Front the Weekly Dispatch. ) Mr. Albert Sinith and the Editor of The Sun.—Mr. Albert Smith, who daily exhibits his monster picture of Mont Blanc at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, has re ceived such a castigation at the hands of the Editor of The Sun, that a long time must elapse ere he can get rid of the - soreness it has caused. Some time ago, it will be remembered, Mr. Charles Mathews, of the Lyceum Theatre, finding that a piece which had been produced at his house nightly attracted large audiences, felt, for the first tim e , th e i nconven i ence o f a ll ow i ng th e press to write orders, and, without much ceremony, cut off the ancient privilege, to the great dissatisfaction of order hunters. Mr. Albert Smith, whose name, of course, must be obtruded upon the public in some shape or other, interfered in the matter, wrote letters to .the journals approving and applauding Mr. Mathews's re solve, and, of course, announcing his determination to pursue the same course. The press cared as much for Albert Smith as Charles Mathews, and left th e t wo gen tlemen to act as they pleased. Mr. Webster then with drew the privilege from the Haymarket, and published a list of the journals to whom it had b een accor d ed, with the number of "orders" that had been presented within a given period. The nines, finding the privilege had not been abused by the editor, printed Mr. Webster's list, omitting to mention that, although the edit or h a d not trespassed upon the order system, others connected with the establishment had applied for and obtained, at the hands of Mr. Webster, more "private boxes" than all the rest of the newspapers together. It is a well known fact that many individuals on tie Times were favoured to as extraordinary degree. It was here thought that the whole affair would have ended ; but a trifling snarl from the Editor of The Sun last week drew down upon him the well-known Albert, who expressed his indignation that he should have been accused of discourtesy to the press, seeing that he had always been largely indebted to it. The Sun was not to be drawn away from its game by any palaver, and dis tinctly told Albert Smith that the press had been the means of calling attention to his exhibition, and exalting it in public estimation ; that, when Mr. Smith found his room inconveniently crow ded,l i i n e g c pu uti ) o li ff c ; th a e nd " f l ozr r t e h . estate" to make room for th e pay over, The Sun introduced an a ff a i r b y no means:credit able to Mr. Smith. It was this , that one of M r. Smith ' s employes tempted a clerk at The Sun office, without the knowledge of the* editor or proprietor, to insert a puff paragraph respecting the picture of Mont Blanc, for the paltry bribe of a few advertisements. This charge prov e d too much for Mr. Smith, who flew int o a violent rag e , and bounding at a leap to his writing-desk, at the further end of the room, penned al otter to The Sun, in which he gave an indignant denial to the statement. Rushing to the glass, brushing up his moustache, and thrusting his fingers through and through his flowing beard, to make himself look as wild as possible, he next examined his duelling-pistols, his conical and spherical bullets, and made every preparation for a hostile combat. Then he supervised his note, conned over the word " indignant," and not deeming it too harsh an expression, folded the missive, and forthwith sent it away. The editor of The Sun looked calmly upon it, and instead of sending a challenge, published it in his journal, leaving the pubic to draw their own conclusions in the matter. We, as journalists, have calmly reviewed the question at issue, and our opinion is, that the editor of The Sun has got by far the best of it. Of all men, Mr. Smith should have been the last to attack the press. He has been honoured by it, praised by it ad nauseurn, when he ought to have been attacked, and has been hallooed on sometimes in a course which, if it had been pursued by another indi vidual, might have been his downfall. Who is there who does not recollect his "Ballet Girl" and other similar rubbish, which the booksellers in Holywell-street found it to their advantage to retail ? .NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 20. Sir James Graham, Bart., M.P., First Lord of the Admiralty, arrived at this port this morning i❑ the steam yacht Fire Queen, Master-Commander Paul, from an official visit to her Majesty at Osborne. Re was re ceived on lauding at the King's-stairs, by Captain Lord Clarence Paget, Captain Crispin, Master-Attendant Un derwood, Mr. Murray, Superintendent Engineer, and other officers of the dockyard. After a glance at the progress made in preparing for sea the Princess Royal, screw, 91, Sir James proceeded to the Admiral Superin tendent's office, where Rear-Admiral Berkeley, Sir Bald win Walker, Mr. Watts, and other Admiralty represen tatives were present. A discussion with the chief officers of the dockyard took place here, which lasted until a quarter to three o'clock (Sir James arrived about 11), when the First Lord returned in the Fire Queen to Os borne, en, route to London. The Princess Charlotte, 104, advanced ship, having been overhauled, caulked, and painted, came out of dock into the fitting basin this afternoon. The Princess Royal, 91, screw, Captain Lord Clarence Paget, is well forward in her rig. She has topgallant masts up and fidded, topsailyards crossed, and lower yards in course of slinging. She has picked up a good number of able seamen, too, her noble commander having a good name in the service. The Esho tug, Master and Pilot, Harding, shipped up wards of 60 convicts this morning from the depots here, and put them on board the Seapark prison ship, at Spit head, for transportation to Freemantle. The Fairy and the Elfin, Royal yachts, run alternately to Cowes in attendance upon the Court, who will remove to Windsor on Thursday, via Southampton if the weather is foul, and via Gosport if fair. The Victory, Captain Sir Thomas Maitland, C.B will be paid off on the 30th inst., and re-commissioned. If the vacancy we spoke of lately is made Captain Chads will leave the Excell en t on a tt a i n i ng his flag, and Sir Thomas Maitland will take his place, when, we believe, Captain John Charles Dalrymple Hay will be appointed Flag-Captain to the Victory. The Tyne, store-ship, Master Commander Tucker, came into harbour this morning from Spithead, and hauled alongside the dockyard jetty to land three boats for the dockyard, and take in stores for Ascension and Rio. The Sinbad lighter arrived today with stores for this dockyard. In making her way•for the harbour channel in the thick haze, she got ashore on the Noman Sand, when her rudder unshipped. The Echo towed her into port. PLYMOUTH, DEC. 20. The Berpiada Royal Gazette of the 22d ult. announces the arrival on the 17th of her Majesty's steamer Devas tation in four days from Halifax, with his Excellency Governor Elliott, who was met on landing by Major Oakley, 56th Regiment, Acting Governor. It is stated that on the 21st November there were no cases of yellow fever at St. George's, and the epidemic appears to be subsiding throughout the island. Miss Fanny Jervis, 14, daughter of Captain Jervis, R.N., died of yellow fever at Clarence-hill on the 21st of November. Capt. Jervis bad 'previously lost an elder daughter from the same cause. Orders for the 56th Regiment to return to England were received by the Devastation. The 44th, from Gibraltar, will proceed to Bermuda. The inhabi tants of the island take every opportunity of emigrating to Melbourne by any passenger-ships which casually touch there. Letters, dated October 30, have been received from the Portland, 50, Captain H. Chads. The Thetis, 3S, Captain Kuper, sailed on the 10th, and the Serpent, 12, Commander E. Weber, on the 13th of September, both for England. The Portland would probably sail about the middle of January, when she is expected to be re lieved by the President, 50, Captain R. Burridge. Her Majesty's screw sloop Rifleman, 8, Lieutenant- Commander H. Christian, which left Portsmouth yes terday, arrived in the Sound this morning ; she is bound to South America. his Netherlands Majesty's steam-ship Hekla, 9, Com mander P. Van Welderen, of 250-horse power and 100 men, put in this morning for coal. She left Batavia on July 16, and Simon's-bay Oct. 24, and is bound to Hel voetsluys. Her Majesty's screw-ship Rifleman, 8, Lieutenant- Commander H. Christian, which put back this morning, encountered severe weath er i n th e B ay o f Bi sca y. She has lost her cutter, and has incurred other damage. The Royal'George, 120, screw, and Sidon, 22, paddle, both from Sheerness, entered the Sound this evening. Arrived to-day—The steam-vessel Peninsula, Captain Hall, belonging to the Spanish and Portuguese Screw Company, film London, for Cadiz, with bilge pipes choked ; the Medallion, M'Clintock, from New York, with wheat and flour, for London, and the ship Palmer ston, Keay, from Moulmein, with timber, for Cowes for orders ; she reports the General Screw Company's steam ship Hydaspes going into Table Bay on the 26th of Oc tober. The merchant ship Tartar, Captain Davies, which left Sydney on the 28th of August, and rounded Cape Horn on the 7th of October, entered the Sound this afternoon ; she is laden with wool, hides, and tal low,c ld leas sg 7 Mr. , 00Ck, c o e f s P and nine passengers, the specie and 8, surveying sloop. O o o o un About the 27th of October, in lat. 30 S., long. 20 W., 1 spoke the Vernon, one of Green's ships ; Dec. 1, the Scotch ship Tamaric and the French brig Talisman, for Havre • Dec. 10, off the We s t ern I s l an d s , saw a three masteddouble-funneled steamer, bound ; Dec. 13, passed the waterlogged brig Clarence, of St. John's, New Brunswick, foremast and bowsprit standing, and decks swept ; and the brig Sobraon, from Calabar for Liver pool. WOOLWICH, DEC. 20. APPOINTMENTS. Commander—Edward B. R i ce (1850), to study steam at the factory a t W oo l w i c h d oc kyard. Masters—John J. Ball (1843), borne on the books of the Blenheim, 60, screw t e arn-guardship, for service in the Dragon paddle-wheel steam-frigate, to the Blenheim, vice Roberts, to the Cy clo p s steam-frigate ; Benjamin Renaud (1845), additional in the Horatio screw steam guardship at Sheerness, to the Dragon, vice Ball. Zioaiswteirc-hCo yesterday. The e Paymaster—Wa lter Burke (1822), to the Cressy, 80 , screw m u ship n e (from :t t stesteam-vessel, Sheerness.m.ve to et; Thee.y trueealtacri Eagle GrimsbyBBel' The Vivid, Dover Mail steam-pack t , C apt. Smithett, arrived at Woolwich to-day. GALE IN THE IRISH CHANNEL.—A very heavy gale has been blowing in the Irish Channel for the last three days, in consequence of which the mails between England and Ireland are greatly delayed. A sloop in Kingstown Harbour, laden with grain, was driven against a brig, and the latter went down from the force of the collision. A. ship's long boat was seen by one of the Dublin steamers in the Channel, and is supposed to belong to some vessel that has been wrecked during the storm. LLOYD'S SHIPPING.-(THIS DAY. LONDON, Dec. 21.—Wind this day at Noon, N.E. ; light breeze, and dull hazy weather; the thaw continues. PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 20. —Wind, E.N.E. Sailed— Sea Park, for Swan River. Off Port —Arthur, from Quebec, for London. PLYMOUTH, Dec. 20.—Wind, E. Arrived—Tartar, from Sydney, N S.W. ; Palmerston, Moulmein ; Medallion, New York ; Curlew, Newfoundland—all for L on d on . CARDIGAN, Dec. 20.—The Sincerity, of Aberystwith, has been totally lost on the rocks at Aberporth ; crow saved. MILFORD, Dec. 20.—Arrived—Jane Maria, from Mauri tius. It has been blowing a heavy gale from E.S.E., and several vessels have been driven on shore, including the Orion (brig), of and from Cork, for Newport. The King ston, of Bridgewater, drove foul of a brig, received much damage, and was run on shore to prevent her sinking. SHIELDS, Dec. 20.—Wind, S.E., strong gale. Sailed— Edward Bonstead, for Rio Janeiro ; Albion, Berbice.— The Commerce, of this port, which grounded on the Middle Sand, on the 17th inst., has come off, apparently with but trifling damage. QUEENSTOWN, Dec. 19.—The Porto. Novo (Portuguese schooner), Terceira for Cork, has been totally wrecked at Ballycotton ; crew saved. FALMOUTH, Dec. 20.—Wind, E., violent gale.—Ann Tapio Coehn, for Hamburg; J. H. Heydon, Buenos Ayres, Hamburg ; Showald, Rio Janeiro ; Fantome, Jamaica, London ; Brothers, Guernsey, Barbadoes.—The Duckets, of London, is on shore in Genanet Bay ; crew and cargo saved ; the latter partially damaged. Should the weather moderate, the vessel will be got off. TAGANROG, Dec. 3.—The Prompt, hence to England, was stranded 25th Nov., 10 miles off Eisk, and was lying on her beam ends, when she was abandoned by her crew, who have Arrived. here. Serious losses are to be expected amongst the shipping from the late gales. ZANTE, Dec. 10.—The Felier, (Australian barque), Con stantinople, for England, h as pu t i n w i th cargo heated, and part thrown overboard. (Br ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY, 10.30 A.M. Wind, E., moderato, and foggy. No arrivals or aailings. QUEENSTOWN, Dec. 19. The Pollock, from Liverpool, for Apalachicola, put in here in distress, with mainmast head and bowsprit sprung, and with loss of main and mizen topma s t s , an d eight of he crew disabled. WEXFORD, Dec. 19. The Stag, of Penzance, came ashore here this morning, and is high on the beach. A ship: reported to be the Agnes, of New York, with cargo, and about 150 passengers, came on shore on the rocks in the South Bay. If the weather should moderate, a portion of the cargo may be saved. The French ship Caravanner, from Santanda, for Liver pool, came on shore this afternoon on Black water Bank, and went to pieces in a few minutes. Crew drowned. DROGHEDA, Dec. 20. The Chatham, from Liverpool, for Savannah, struck on the bar at low water last evening, her masts were cut away, and she is breaking up fast. One man and a boy came on shore, but the latter subsequently died. The remainder of the crew and passengers are all drowned. A very large ship is reported to be at anchor, in a peril ous position inshore, about 12 miles from this. WATERFORD, DEC. 19. - Portuguese schooner Porto Novo, from Terceira, for Liverpool, ran on shora yesterday evening at Ballycotton, having mistaken the light for the Old Head of Kinsale. She soon went to pieces. Crew saved. The Caroline, from Cornwall, for Liverpool, was assisted in here in distress, and with loss of mainmast. KINGSTOWN, DEC. 20. The ship Fanny, from Liverpool, for Africa, has been in contact with the Eblana steamer, and lost stanchions, bulwarks, &c. (BY SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, WEDNESDAY, 10 A. 31. CUSTOMS RETURN. Wind E.N.E., cloudy ; tide, last hour's ebb. Arrived -1 . -Paco, from Helsingborg ; Two Brodre, Saxi kobing ; Organ, Randers ; Baron Martin, Dunkirk ; En terprise, Archangel; Trim, Maria, Nykoibing ; Tronke Egberdina Stralsund; Baron Osy (s.), Antwerp. Sailed—Panther (s.), for Ostend ; Fame (s.), Boulogne ; Menai (s.), Calais. DEAL, DEC. 21, 9 A.M. Passed—Ann Bridson, from London, for Hobart Town ; Florencia, London for Bilboa ; Fanny, London for St. Michael's ; Result, London for Calcutta ; Walvisch, Lon don for Adelaide ; Speedy, London for Sydney. Sailed—The Challenger, for river, in tow. MARKET HEWS-(THIS DAY.) CORN EXCHANGE. To-day's market was very scantily supplied with home grown wheats; yet, as the attendance of buyers was limited, the demand ruled inactive, at Monday's advance in the quotations. The imports of foreign wheat have been large—viz., upwards of 21,000 quarters. Importers were firm in their demands, but the business doing was by no means exten sive, at unaltered currencies. Floating cargoes were in good request. We were well supplied with barley ; yet the trade was firm, at full prices. Malt was held at extreme rates. We had a fair inquiry for oats, beaus, peas, and flour. In prices no change took place. ARRIVALS THIS WEER. Wheat. i Barley. I Malt. English .. 600 1,450 1,660 Irish .... I 1,150 Foreign .. 21,570 1,270 Oats Flour. 1,210 760 14,060 i 7;290 110,1 . 20 b WHITECHAPEL. Tho supplies being very lam, at this market t o -d ay , there was less activity in the' demand, as follows : Beef from 3s 2d to 4s 2s ' • m utton, 3s 4d to 4s 8d ; vea l , 3s 10d to 4s 10d; pork, 3s 4d to 4s 10d per Blbs by the carcase. BOROUGH HOP. We have to report a very inactive demand for all kinds of hops, at barely last week's quotations. The following dividends have been advertised for pay ment :—Russian Sterling Four-and-a-Half per Cent. Bonds, Canada Debentures, Maryland State Loans, South Carolina Sterling Bonds, Eastern Railroad of Massachusetts Five per Cent. Bonds, Boston City Ster ling Four-and-a-Half per Cent. Bonds, and Spanish Three per Cent. Consolidated and Deferred Stocks. THE JEWELLERY ROBBERY IN THE STRAND.—The rob bery of jewellery -from a brougham in the Strand on Monday evening was effected with a good deal of adroit ness. Directly after the brougham stopped a genteelly dressed young man accosted the driver, and made some inquiries of him respecting a street at the West-end. Immediately after he went away one of the doors of the carriage was found open, and the bag containing the property was gone. No doubt it had been removed by an accomplice. The value of the booty is unfortunately double the amount stated yesterday, for it absolutely exceeds 2,000/. In the boot of the vehicle there was similar property to the extent of several thousands of pounds more. No trace of the thief has yet been ob tained. CHEAP EDITION OF THE LIVES OF THE QUEENS. —The public will observe with much satisfaction the announce ment of a cheap edition of Miss Strickland's celebrated work "The Lives of the Queens of England." It is to be comprised in eight volumes post Bvo., of 600 to 700 pages each, and will be embellished with authentic portraits of every queen, and contain all the improvements of the late library edition. The first volume will appear on the Ist of January, and a volume will be regularly pub lished every month until completed. The price will be 7s. 6d. per volume, handsomely bound, and when the size of the volumes, the embellishments, &c., are con sidered, it will be found, we doubt not, to vie in every respect, with the cheapest publications of the day. It has been justly observed that, "In this series of biogra phies, in which the severe truth of history takes almost the wildness of romance, it is the singular merit of Miss Strickland that her research has enabled her to throw new light on many doubtful passages, to bring forth fresh facts, and to render every portion of our annals which she has described an interesting and valuable study. She has given a most valuable contribution to the his tory of England, and no one can be said to possess an accurate knowledge of the history of the country who has not studied this truly national work." SINKING OF A GRA VESEND SPEAMER. ERITH, MONDAY.—Last evening the well-known Gravesend steamer Meteor, belonging to the Star Steam packet Company, was run down by the Sylph, Dublin screw steam-ship, her passengers and crew having a nar row escape of perishing with her. The Meteor was of iron construction, built by Miller and Ravenhill, of about 200 tons, and poWer. She left th Brunswick Pier, at Blackwall,nn Sunday evening, about 20 minutes past 5 o'clock, under the charge of Mr. Hol lingsworth, the master, and with between 40 and 50 passengers. The night was rather dark, and a slight haze hung over the river ; but it was nut so dense as to offer any serious impediment to the navigation. The tide was ebbing, which was in favour of the progress of the Meteor, and the wind was blowing rather fresh from the eastward. At G o'clock she had gained Halfway Reach, and, after rounding the point above the Halfway House, she shaped a course towards the Kent or south shore, when her crew observed a large sea-going steamer coming up. As soon as possible after she was sighted, Mr. Hollingsworth, the master, directed the helm to be y closer i t a o t i t o l n i e s s . o u n t h e i side, ma g i i i i i 1 e a d c c t o h r a d t a i t i h e e e ported,. A wii e t with t or i Sylph, and that she would have gone to the northward. ' es s o lg tds l l l it t 'i s ora h gl a ot d been observed by those on board the Tile Meteor was then nearly in mid-channel, with her head inclined to the Kent side, and the master perceiv ing that the Sylph was bearing down upon him, hailed her to " port her helm." No answer was returned, when the hands for'ard shouted out, "Port your helm ; for God's sake put your helm a-port." Still she kept on, as represented by those belonging to the Meteor, and at full speed. The Meteor's engines, however, had been stopped and reversed, but immediately afterwards the Sylph struck her with tremendous force just above her larboard paddle-box, completely burying her bows in the forepart of the Meteor. A most distress ing scene immediately ensued. Every one expect ing that the vessel would momentarily go down, a des perate rush was made to the bows of the Sylph, and in consequence of her height, the darkness of the evening, and the confusion that prevailed, many must have fallen overboard but for the self. possession of the crew. Most of them were on the forecastle, and seeing the terrified state of the passengers, they leaped over to the Meteor's ' deck, and by assisting them up as well as they could, saved many who otherwise would have perished. By far the most marvellous escape, however, was that of 20 or 30 men and women who were in the forecabin at the moment of the ship coining in contact, and were not conscious of the approaching danger until the Sylph's bow actually bore in upon them, carrying away the steward's pantry, the companion ladder, and reaching more than half way across the beam of the vessel, thus shutting out all escape for them by the cabin door. The water was pouring through the small side port windows so fast that several of the passengers were up to their waists in water. Their cries attracted the attention of Mr. Hollingsworth, who at once, with the assistance of his own men and those of the Sylph, tore away the frame work of the cabin skylights, and by that means sue. ceeded iu preserving their lives. Several of them were in a most pitiable condition from the effects of fear and immersion, and it was with considerable difficulty that they could be got on board the Sylph. Had the Meteor separated from the bows of the Sylph, no human power could have saved them, as theymust have been drowned in the cabin ; for, as soon as the vessels separated, she went down head first. The ebb tide providentially had the effect of keeping her hanging, as it were to the bow of the Sylph for full ten minutes, and to that circum stance may be attributed the saving of every soul on board. In order to prevent her sinking in midchannel, and thereby in the way of the navigation of the river, the engines of the Sylph were put in motion, and the wrecked steamer, still hanging on, was driven in towards shallow water, when the Sylph backed out and the Meteor went down, and, as she settled, the light in her funnel was just observable above water. Shortly before she sank the Mars steamer belonging to the same company, came up from Graves end, and the captain hearing the fate of the Meteor, went alongside the Sylph and took from her the crew and passengers of the unfortunate vessel, and afterwards proceeded with them to Blackwall. The account fur nished by the officers of the Sylph is somewhat different to that given by the crew of the Meteor in respect to the course she was pursuing. The Sylph was under the charge of the usual Trinity-house pilot, who, with the captain, Mr. Smith, were on the bridge at the time, having on the forecastle, on the look-out, the carpenter and the quarter-master. They saw a white light ahead, which they concluded to be a vessel riding at anchor, and great was their surprise when close upon it t o fi n d , as they saw the cabin windows, that she was a steamer attempting to cross their bows. Their engines were stopped and reversed, but the distance between the two was so limited, that it was impossible to stop the way of the vessel, and they came together as before narrated. It is quite clear that the Sylph had the lights required by the Admiralty regulations-- viz., a bright white light at the foremast head, a green light on the starboard side, and a red one on the port side, but it would seem that the rule is not applicable to what are known as river steamers, those plying from Sheerness, Gravesend, &e., as they only have a white light on the bow, and another similar light up the funnel. Vessels lying at anchor are required by the. Admiralty notice to exhibit a white light at their masthead, so that, should the white bow light of a river steamer become obscured, it is quite possible that the vessel might be mistaken for one riding at anchor. Were coloured lights shown, however, like those of sea-going steamers, the probability of such an error could not occur with ordinary care. The wreck of the Meteor lies midway between the Halfway House and the powder magazine on the Kent shore. At lov3 water her stern wheel is just visible. Arrangements have been made for raising the vessel, the Admiralty having granted the use of the dockyard chain-lighters for the purpose of making the attempt. It is feared, however, that she is so much damaged that she will break in two from the weight of the engines, ate. She is insured, but, we understand, not to the extent that will cover her loss. MARKET INTELLIGENCE. ( Front the London New Price Current of yesterday.) SUGAR.—To-day previous prices were well sustained for all descriptions of West India sugar, there being a very good home trade demand. The total sales were 920 hhds, including in auction 200 hhds Barbadoes, mid to fine yel low 35s 6d to 38s Gd, and low to mid 32s to 35s ; 20 hhds crystalised Demerara 33s Gd to 378 Gd for low to mid. REFINED.—TO-day large parcels of refined sugar were taken for home consumption, and rates closed firmly : good brown lumps at 445, and low to fine grocery 44s 6d to 47s Gd per cwt. In crushed sugar larger operations by ex porters at full terms. MAURlTlUS.—Mauritius sugar was in brisk request, and at auction 5,067 bags sold at stiff prices low to mid brown at 26s to 295, b e tt er sorts 29s Gd to 32s 6d, low to good yellow 33s to 36s Gd, and refining from 32s to 36s per cwt. EAST INDIA. —This afternoon the quantity of Bengal sugar offered at auction was 5,440 bags, and the chief part sold at very full prices —low to good white Benares 36s to 38s Gil, like Mauritius 32s to 375, grainy yellow 39s to 41s, fine white ditto 465. Madras is wanted, and 5,770 bags were offered at public sale, of which 5,000 consisted of g eh ro ie ce n ry y , 3 , 7 a s n & d i so to ld 3 a B t s s 6 t d iff , et r he rates t — re ord ise to d fine 2 35s to 3 26s to to29s for r e Gd, soft brown, and yellow 29s to 38s. none su sugar were F O R m E u l C much . —w wanted, d d a , y an fl d o a s t t i i n ff g r e ale ar g s o offered, s ffe o r f ed foreign bu t good business was concluded pri equally to last vo w ffa e te e er k lY . laAnntdthdutye public pp'. sale 38 a obtained3Bes Bahia a re sold tf fully Gd to 33s Gd for damp yellow. MOLASSES.—AIthough purchases have been on a small Porto Rico 17s to 18s 6d, Bengal and andscale, yet Barbadoesl(e a p t r are othern osto rsorts of faccepted, West rulinglnd India r i A 6 : 6 t Antigua ti t o a. Plantation Ceylon coffee was in brisk s. sale 500 casks, 52 barls and 395 bags (11:7cms Mauritiuso6anlF,d COFFEE.— E u . a i6tTs and loi,ou.dblal7 P yi were sold at fully former prices ; mid to good mid went at 59s to 62s 6d ; fine ord to low mid 56s to 58s 6d ; good ord 55s to 55s 6d ' • triage 50s t o 55 s ; pea b erry 62s to 655. Native is still much wanted, 1008 bags in auction sold at 49s for good ord, and damaged 46s 6d to 475, a further rise; good ord Rio went at 46s to 475, and washed 57s to 58s. 101 boxes Neilgherry sold at stiff rates from 65s to 71s ; but 125 bls Mocha went cheaper, ord greenish but clean at 60s 6d to 62s Gd. COCOA. --To-day at auction 125 bags Guayaquil were sold at 345, and twelve bags Trinidad at 34s for ord red. TEA.—Since the receipt of theaccounts from China r t o lie h oso a fml s d b a c e a6t e rnl n d. greater dullness in the tea markot, wl h of id to ld per lb has been accepted especially y in de sire on the part of merchants to sell. Although for reduc tionon:aou,tpurchases have been trifling for all f I: . u co rp l 4 l : l )B m es o , ntogoodord lower sorts. The currency now ° b s l d ac to ki 2 sh s &i lea! I G s r ld tA) ls to is 4W, and strong to Pekoe and demand having much Tea is in more plentiful supply' rather declined. is ltsd to is 2d rather blackiisslisloertafs diminished prices have ra previous prices. auction 3,729 bags . _fdylytranss!ctions privately in East India Rice :: : ,• me d i : L the chief part was taken in at 14s At • bein a g nd ab d o a v m e a t z l;e d uvitsluseci toAl3ssmpaelrl cwt. part I\, . w f, i) erairstdeiar good c a_ l large r. weref i g — Co e u T o a r t .02: bags low went at 18s, being cheaper. 3 __ s • T sd e-day at auction 9 cases went at 2s lld for wormy is 10d to 2s 6d per lb. gad, SpIRITS.—To-day many purchases were made in rum, an d the currency closed fi rm ; D emerara at 3s 8d to 4s 041 for 32 to 42 over-proof ; Jamaica at 4s 2d to 5s 2d for 30 to 40 over ; Leeward Island 2s 7d to 2s 7;id proof ; and E st India 2s 64d to 2s 7d. In brandy, operations have increased, and the currency is 8s 10d to 9s for Cognac best brands of the vintage of 1851. OlLS.—Prices are still on the decline for olive oil, and transactions have been limited, Gallipoli at 621., and other sorts 541. to 581. per ton. There is a decrease in de mand for linseed oil for all purposes, and prices have not been supported, ruling at 29s to 29s 3d for present, and 30$ to 30s 6d for future delivery. TALLOW.—TIie market for Russian has been iii a firmer position since our east report, and transactions are im portant for all purposes. On the spot, first sort P. Y. candle realised 57s 3d to 57s 6d, and for delivery in spring 1 months 57s 6d to 58s per cwt. In home t meltedlarger t. purchases, and the currency is 56s 6d i 57s per cwt cash. Other sorts of tallow are dealt in with increased freedom, and rates are higher. TURIN AND GENOA RAILWAY.—A Turin journal gives some details of the inauguration of this like. The train left Turin on the 6th at half-past nine, and, after stop ping at nine stations, arrived at Genoa at half-past one. The same train which left Genoa the next day with one of the locomotives of Mr. Stephenson was only nine minutes in performing 6,000 metres (nearly four English miles) on a radius of curves of 400 metres, and a rise of 35 per 1.000 from Ponte Decimo to the tunnel of the Giovi. The passage through this tunnel, which is 3,300 metres in length, with a rise of 29 per 1,000 was made in six minutes. The time ocupied from Genoa to Turin was four hours, as from Turin to Genoa, being at the rate of forty-one kilometres (about 26 English miles) per hour. ~ , St. 20 25 100 St. 64 25 50 20 20 20 10 10 St. 10 St. 25 Pall 1100 8i 1 00 100 all all all 100 - 42i 171 all 10 1 2.2 100 100 100 100 2.2 all 16i 100 8 100 20 all 51s. 100 11i 100 I 5 1 i 13i 866 60 130 1 79 8i 25i i 64i 5 35 i • 10 10 04 100 100 100 6 100 12i 12i 25 all 10 100 .1.00 100 100 100 100 all 100 St. St. St. 20 15 8i 8 10 10 all li all 25 10 L. 0.6 all 13.5 24i 1 10 1 1 all 9 all all all all all all 12s. 25 100 100 20 • 50 50 100 100 20 10 20 35 20 50 20 25 10 224 all all. 25 1 15 20 109 A 33 2b 2i if