The Sun. — London, England, 1871-02-09 00:00:00

MONETARY REXORTS.-YESTERDAY. There has been little doing in the Stock markets to-day, this being the first carrying over day, in preparation for the settlement. The account is not a heavy one, trans actions having been restricted during the past fortnight, in consequence of the uncertainty attending the German demands, and the probable consequences resulting from them. In some stocks a slight fall has taken place, some considerable saleshaving been effected by largebanking and financial houses in view of the increased demand for money, in connection with the New French and other loans. Consols left off at a decline .of 1, the last price being 91k, 92, both for money and account ; Reduced and New Three per Cents. were 921, 921; Bank Stock, 244, 246; India Stock, 205, 207 ; India Five per Cents., 110, 110 A : India Bonds, 225. to 275. prem. ; Exchequer Bills, Bs. to 13s. prem. In colonial Government securities there is no change worthy of notice, the market having been quiet through out the day. The dealings in home railway stock have been restricted, and have been confined for the most part to transactions with reference to the pending account. Prices are without important alteration, but where any change has taken place it has been unfavourable as a rule. Great,Eastern and London and North Western are about 1 lower, but Great Northern A stock has risen to a similar extent. Other wise the market is without feature. Indian and Colonial lines are without material change. Among foreign rails, Central Argentine shares have been done at 201; Great Luxembourg, 121, 121 ; and, San Paulo A 21g. Erie shares closed at 17C 181 ; and Illinois Central at 108/, 1091. The foreign market closed with comparative flatness, the leading feature being the dulness in Turkish Bonds, in consequence of the uncertainty attending the decision of the Conference. The Five per Cents. opened at 42, 421, and subsequently receded to 412, 42. Spanish left off at a decline of 1, the best price being 301, aog. After official hours the leading quotations were : —Egyptian (1868)74, 741; Peruvian, 89 C 90 ; 541,542; Spanish, 301 to 303; Turkish Five per Cents., 411 to 42. French Scrip left off at 861 to 87 ; North G er man, at 2i to 2 i prem. ; and the New Issue, 3to 11 prem. United States Fi v e-Twenty Bonds have ruled steady in value and de mand. The 18 62 issue c losed at 902 to 91 ; and the 1865 at 901 to 90a. Ten Forty Bonds left off at 891 to 891. Scarcely any change is apparent in the value of Joint Stock Bank shares. Only a few transactions have been reported, principally for bona fide investment. Central of London has sold at 41; Consolidated, 4 7-16, 9-16 ; Im perial Ottoman, 111, 1; London Joint Stock, 37 1 1 ; Lon don and Westminster, 62, 1; Standard of South Africa, 12 ; Union of London, 391, A steady tone has prevailed in the market for telegraph shares, and values have been well supported, Anglo- American have sold at 75 ; Anglo-Mediterranean, 120 ; and Falmouth and Gibraltar at 9 3-16. Telegraph Con struction closed at 26i to 27 ; Silver's Indiarubber Com pany at 51 to 511; and Hooper's Telegraph Works at 1 to discount. There were no bullion operations at the Bank of England to-day. The Argyleshire has brought £20,000 in gold from Auckland, New Zealand. The directors of the Waterford and Limerick Railway Company have resolved on a dividend of 3 per cent. on the ordinary shares. £465 will be transferred to reserve, and £1,153 to new profit and loss account. The report of the Groat Eastern Railway, shows an increase of 3?-, per cent in the gross revenue of the half year, while the working expenses have been about £48165. per cent, against £49 17s. The net revenue has been £588,752, an increase of £22,833; which, after pay ment of interest upon debentures, and other obligations, will leave £90,042, available for distribution. The direc tors accordingly propose a dividend of 1 per cent, leaving £16,977 to be carried forward. . The report of the Estate Company recommends a divi dend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, together with a bonus of 10s. per share, leaving £2,057 to be earried forward. The Directors of the Staines, Wokingham, and Woking Railway have announced a dividend of 4s. 3d. per share, or 2} per cent. for the half-year ended December 31st, last. At the meeting of the sharehoklers of the Home -and Colonial Marine Insurance Company (Limited) the deport of the directors was adopted, the dividend agreed to being 3s. per shave, or at the rate. of 6 per gent. per annum. The following are the prices for continuation of the leading stocks at to-day's carrying over :—Metropolitan, 65 ; Caledonian, 87i ; London and Brighton, 43i ; South Eastern, 772 ; Great Northern A, 1321 ; North-Eastern, 1461; Great Eastern, 38i ; Midland, 127 ; London and North-Western, 129 ; Great Western, 72 ; Erie, 17 1 1 ; Don Pedro, 1 prem. ; Peruvian, 89t ; Egyptian (1868), 74 ; Mexican, 13k ; Turkish Five per Cents., 42 ; ditto (1869), 52} ; Italian. 54i ; Spanish, 30i ; Lombardo- Venetian, 15 : Anglo-American Telegraph, 74 ; Telegraph Construction, 262 ; Silver's India Rubber, 51. The Midland Railway traffic return shews an increase of £2,058; and the North-Eastern Railway an increase of £5,091. LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE.-WEDNESDAY, LATEST PRICES.—AFTER OFFICIAL HOURS, The prices under the lines indicate the business done. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Three per Cent Consols 911 92 V ict 6p c Jan &July 1801 113 114 921, 11, 21, 11 DoAnrii&oct 1883-85.. 112 113 Do for Account 9ll 52 Viol 5 p Jan& JalylB9l. 10111 u% 92 102 Tiller) F el Cent Reduced 92 1 921 Brazilian. 1865, 5p o .... 9 3 1 9 ( 929, 1 949 New 3 per Cent 921, 2, i Do Rail Deben 7p c .. 991 100 1 E xc h eq uer Bills, March 8 13 pm 100 pm Italian, 1865, 5 p a Do, June .............. 8 13pm Peruvian, 1865, 5p c -99 9 12s 0 : 90- 1 7s pm Bank Stock ............ Portuguese 1869 3p c 245 Russian. 1862. 5 p c.. India 5 per Cents ...... 851, 1 1101, 9, 1 Do Nicolas 4 p o India Londs — Spanish piu 3 0 9, 1, t i Can 6 po JanScJulylB77-8 4 104 105 Turkish. 1854, 6p o 79 81 1041, 9 801 Do March & Sept. 104 1 06 Do , 1865 . 5 p c Do 5p c Jan & July .. 98 99 421, 2, 11 981. 9 Do , 1865 6 p c Do Inscribed Stock .. 97 99 601 Dom of Can 5p c 1903 .. 99 100 17.13.5-20 Itonds.g n o 1333 902 91 Colon 6 p c May and 903, 1, 901 November 1878 lO6 103 Do do 1885 901 Hi Mauritius 6 pc Jan and 901 July 1873 lO2 104 Do 10-10 Buds, 5001311 89 891 New 1311 , ales 5 p clB7l-76 lOO 101 891, 1 New Zealand Gl, 01801 lOB 110 11 rieSlia„ loOdols, all paid Do 5p c Do 5p c Consolidated 98 1 99 1 109, 8Z On 1 Atlantic and 0w R you Do 6 p cMar &Sept 1891 109 111 Mortgage Bonds — Do Juno & Deo 1891 108 110 • RAILWAYS. Bristol and Exeter 9l 93 Do 3rd Prof Stock .... 31 33 Caledonian Great Eastern 393, 1. 1 ii, 3 4th Fref Stock Great Northern 1.)o A 13231335 Greatlndian Pau g 5.1 o 10411053 1321, 33 1041, 3 1 Great Western 72 723 Great Western of Canada 153 151 72 15 Lancashire 6r Yorkshire 13411251 Do il p a Bonds. 1873.. 9951001 1341, 5 Do 53 do. 1877-8 95 97 Lon, 800, and S Coast 433 44 433 1)o 5 p c pref. issued 80 par tom Lou. Chat, and Dover .. 14 141 Madras girtr 5p c 141, 3 1031, 9, Lou and North-Western 129 1291 N. Railway of Canada, 1281, 93. 81 6p c Ist Pref Bonds Lou and South-Western ' 931 943 Guile and Rohilkuud g 94, 31 5 p a Alan, Slid. and Lincoln 451 451 1013, 3 451 1 &tilde, Pitujanb, and Metropolitan .......... C 5 C5l Dolhi inlay 5p a ung, 1 65 1+ 5 Midland ........... 127 127 i Bahia and San Francisco 12ii, .7. i g 7 p c North British . .... .. .. 333 343 Belgian 1- 4 Julictieu , •• • • 23 23 North-Ea-sten:Consols.. 14047 Buenos Ayres at Sthrn 25126} 3., 7, 61 253, 61 1461, South-E astern 77i 78 Dunaburg and Witepsk 19 195 771 D u t c h-Rheuish .......... 22 23 Atlantic and St Lawrnce 76 78 22 France ...... 18 20 3 Bombay, B aroda,and ... 121 123 Eastern of Central India. gap e lO3 10 4 Grea t Luxembourg . 1035 121, 3 Buff and Lake Huron 41 41 Lemberg Czernowitzgua Do 53 pc 80nd5,187 2 -3 -4 10 82 7 pa 'id .............. 153 161 Cape guar 6p c East Bengal guar 5p c lO3 104 Northern of France ... 39 41 East Indian, g 5 p c log. 3, 9 Recife and San Francisco Grand Trunk Canada Do Equip Mort lin 1 1 Ban Paulo 114 guar 7p a 211 211 charge 6ii c Do 2nd do onds To Ist Prat Bonds.. 58 59 Southern of France .... 19 21 151 Do 2nd Fret Bonds BANKING COMPANIES. Pd Pd 1 Agra Bank IL) A 81 9 10 Imperi al ; ttoman .. 1,1 Urpm 81 111. 25 Alliance IL) 10 Auglo-Austrian T Bonri 20 L01141.0T1 and County 511 521 120 Anglo-Egyptian • L) 221 22:1 521 50 British N American 51 12 15 London Joint-took 37 ?8 112, 2 371 a d 20 Ch of India, Anstrlia 131 145 20 Lon and Westinnster 62 63 25 Char Mere of India 22 24 821 a d 10 City 2 Colonial 4 Consolidated (T, .... a 1 2pm 20 New South Wales .. 34 36 4 7-16, 9-16, 7-16 d 25 Orntal Bank Corpora 414 421 20 Eng. Scot. and Aus 0 165 171 25 'Union of Australia.. 395 401 2 i imperial %TA TELEGRAPH COMPANIES. I'd rt 100 An gln- American L) 73 75 10 Great Northern .... 11i 11 75 6 Great N. China, and 10 Anglo-Meditru (L) .. 11$ 120 Japan Extension.. S 81 120 3 Ingo-European (LI.. 10 12 THE SUN, LONDON THURSDAN, FEBRUARY 9, 1871. 100 Atlantic — —fl 10 Marseilles, Algiers, ,lta (L) - 52 61 (00 Do Bpc and Malta (14 .... ,4 13 British Australn(L) 3l 3idis 10 Meditorrn Ex ( 1 ( .. 41 51 10 British Ind Eaten (L). 7 n 21 Puma and S. Paoli, 4 3 dis O. 7. 1 di 8 ileute s 10 British Indian Reuters marine, (L) 71 100 Submarine 237 241 10 CliinaSubmarinelL) 5 Cala Do Scrip 2l 2 , 10 Falmouth, Gibraltar, 10 W India &Panams.(Ll 6 61 and Malta (T) 9 3-16, that I regarded her with feelings of love or affection." Is , THE IRISH SCANDAL CASE. The action brought by Mr. Leonard Ball Poynter, late captain in the 16th Regiment of Infantry, for recovery of £lO,OOO damages, for an assault and battery committed on him by Mr. John Vesey Porter, of Belle Isle, county Fermanagh, came before Chief Justice Monaghan, in Dublin, on Monday. The Solicitor-General (R. D owse, Esq., M.P.), Mr. Serjeant Armstrong, and Mr. Holmes, instructed- by Mr. John Graham, appeared for the plaintiff ; and Messrs. Butt, Q.C„ and A. M. Porte r, instructed by Mr. John Alexander, were for the defendant. The Solicitor-General stated the case, and the following evidence was then given : Captain Poynter : I am the plaintiff in this case, and at the time of the assault was captain of the Ist battalion of the 16th Regiment, stationed then at Enniskillen. Amongst others I became acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Porter, and the latter's sister. Belle Isle is about six miles from Enniskillen. I remember early in December their butler, named Oldcroft, calling to me ; he came into my bedroom, and said that Mrs. Porter was particu larly anxious to see me ; that she was on the road near the Model School. I replied to Oldcroft that I was not dressed, and could not go. He returned again in about an hour, saying again that Mrs. Porter wished to see me. I told him I could not go. He returned the third time at about two o'clock ; that time he added to his message that if I went she would not keep me five minutes. I said I was engaged, but that if I could I would go ; some time after (about half-an-hour) I went down to the school house, and saw Oldcroft on the road ; be said Mrs. Porter was in a boat on the river of Killyhevlin ; he guided me to where he said she was ; I had previously seen this man acting as a servant at Belle Isle ; going towards the bank of the river we passed some tress, from the direc tion of which five men rushed out ; one caught me by the throat, and another put a strap across my mouth ; they tied my hands, and carried me along to the boat ; when I got to the boat I saw Mr. Porter in it. They threw me at the bottom of the boat, and placed a rug over me ; they then rowed away towards Belle Isle. I succeeded in working the gag out of my mouth. As far as I could notice, Mr. Porter held the strap which served as a gag. I was not choking. When I got the gag out of my mouth I asked him what it was for, saying I never did him any harm. He replied, "Lie down s you black guard, or 111 strike you." He also said, "You know what it is, for the unfortunate woman has con fessed." I said nothing to that. He struck me with his fist repeatedly during the passage down the lake. The first time he struck me I had asked him what it was for. Both my eyes were blackened.. My hands and feet were tied. We were two hours in the boat. There were five others, I think, besides myself and Mr. Porter in the boat. I heard Porter say toone of the men, " Look in the case and you'll find a pair of scissors. Hand them to me." The man handed the scissors, and Porter said, "Now I am going to put the Belle Isle mark on you." What was your position at the time ?—He had me drawn up with my head between his legs. What did he do to you ?—He cut my hair as closely as he could, and clipped one end of my mustache. This took about three minutes. He said to me, " Perhaps you would like to send a lock of your hair to your lady friends at Enniskillen." There is a lauding-place at Belle Isle. While he cut my hair, he threw water all over me. When they untied My legs he walked me up to a terrace in front of the house. What did you perceive there ?-1 saw two upright beams with a transverse one. I was then tied to the beams, my feet just touching the ground, and Porter told some one to go and get two whips. He then commenced to lash me with one, and broke it ; he then used the second on me. He said to those around, " Now I'll show you what lam going to do to a blackguard English officer." They were about ten minutes flogging me. When he had finished I was untied, and I then gave all th 4 money I had, and they got me a glass of whiskey. I believe Mr. Porter's car brought me back to Lisbellaw. When I returned I was very unwell, and was examined by the doctor of the regiment, and by two others, Drs. Baggot and M`Kenna. It was about a month before I could appear again in society. Cross examined : I have been alone with Mrs. Porter on several occasions. I was alone with her when she was at dinner; she dined at six o'clock. I remained till half past seven. The servants were in and out. Why did you spend all this time alone with Mrs. Por ter while she was dining ?—She invited me. By letter ?—Yes, I think so. Did you bolt any of the doors ?—No ; I do -not know that they were bolted. The servants were in,and, out. Did you receive this letter from her 1 " Dear Captain Poynter,—Perhaps people might make remarks if we both appeared at Ennismore, and mother and sister are so strict. So I think you had better come here at three o'clock instead, and we can have as pleasant a walk as our last. John went to Dublin this morning, and does not return until Saturday ; so, of course, I am rather lonely, and hope you will come and give me an account of the ball, &c. If you get this document to night, you might write me a line by return of post, so that I may know it is all right ; but if I don't hear to morrow, I shall still expect you." —Yee. I think I saw her on the occasion referred to. Did she ever tell you her husband was going to Belfast, and request to see you during his absence ?—She told me he was absent on one or two occasions. I went to Belle Isle once while Mr. Porter was at Omagh. Do you remember this letter? " I have thought that you had better come later ; leave Enniskillen at a quarter to three or so, that you may be at the gate-house at four, and I will meet you. If you ride, I know a place where you can put up your horse without going up to the house. I hope the rain won't stop you, as I don't know any other place, so don't disap point the poor little woman." (Laughter).—Yes, but I cannot fix the date. You remember receiving this intimation ? " The Belfast Exhibition has come off at l a st, and I am alone in my glory—(a laugh)—and will be 'until Tuesday forenoon, so I hope you will come to-morrow, between four and five, as I want to ask you something, and we are really going away next week." —Yes ; I think that was just before one of the visits when I met her alone. Another letter was also read, from which the followiug are extracts : "My dear Leonard,—l have had a most sensational week, and really must give you an account of my adven tures. According to our compact, I went at an early hour to the parental roof, and tried to make mother " listen to my tale ;" but she said I was humbugging. My father then appeared and told me to leave the house, and ac taally locked the hall door so that I 'should not enter aglin I returned home at midnight. My husband came into my apartment and said, " Has Captain Poynter been here since I left ?" to which ques tion—l being nearly asleep—l did not respond, and was left by myself for the remainder of the night. . . . I only wish last Monday were coining again. What shall I do now ? They won't let me into Enniskillen, and you cannot come out here, though of course, 'you don't care; but I shall like the prospect of some more pleasure, having been in an agreeable state of anticipation for the last seven weeks. J. says he will toke me to London the week after next—cannot you turn up there, too? It would be so nice, and it will give me something to look forward to. Ah do promise. No one will know, as lam going to be as good as gold for a long time, and should like to see you again. J. does not blame you one bit ;of course he knows it was all my fault. I even told him I wrote to you to come. I did not, however, give him any further Particulars, and there will be no more said on the subject. I can't know what you mean to do if you won't send some kind of answer. If you are afraid to write, can't you send some kind of answer. If you are afraid to write, can't you (who are so clever) think of some plan? I have got an idea on the subject which will do. Can't you get a piece of music or anything else—they will think it is something I have ordered—and so will John—you will be safe—at some shop in Enniskillen, and let them direct it to me, and you write a few lines to me and put them inside, telling me what you think of the London plan. I mean if we do go how am Ito know where you are? I think it would be very unkind of you if you don't let me hear from you again in some way lt seems such a long time since last Monday. Every one has been angry with me, but I don't mind (and they don't know all my affairs) if I shall see you again. ELLIE, "Don't tell of me.—Hallow Eve." After the receipt of that letter,• did you ever go to Ennismore Hall?—Yes. Did you dine with her there ?—Yes. And do you think it a gentlemanly thing to visit and dine at a gentleman's house during his absence, knowing well that if he were at home he would forbid your pre. Bence ?—lt was not. ---- • Tell me, when Mr. Porter called you a " blackguard of an English officer," did he not add, You are a disgrace to the British army ?"-11e did. I visited Mrs. Porter and SAW her alone for three or four hours after. I knew Mr. Porter had accused her of levity with me. Your affidavit says, " I never on the occasion of any of my several visits, spoke to Mrs. Porter in an improper manner, and never gave her the least occasion to suppose that so, sir ?—Most assuredly. You are in the habit of calling on married women, and sitting with them for four hours in the evening?— Yes. Re-examined by Mr. Serjeant Armstrong; It was the last time that I was at Belle Isle that I remained so long. I never committed any act of impropriety with Mrs. Porter ; I never kissed her ; I never said an indelicate word to her, nor anything that could be so construed. I never was in Mrs. Porter's bedroom with her. lam about twenty-nine years of age. Mrs. Porter is about three or four and twenty. I should say Mr. Porter is about fifty. I have told her the clubs I belong to in London. Dr. M`Kenna, examined by Mr. Holmes : I was in charge of the 16th Regiment, stationed at Fermanagh. Saw Captain Poynter on the 3rd of December. His cheeks were swollen, and his eyes black. The angles of his mouth were marked with what he said was a " gag." His hair was cut, and he was ill for about ten days. Cross-examined by M. Falkiner, Q.C. : I saw him stripped, but he had no marks of being whipped. Lotions were applied to him. His lip was cut inside, and it wso very much swollen. His cheeks were a regular jelly, I treated him before for an epileptic fit brought on by &ink. Dr. Edward Begot, examined by Serjeant Armstrong, said he was a medical man, practising in Enniskillen. He attended Captain Poynter in December last. Saw the injuries described by Dr. BPlCenna, and approved of the treatment followed. The plaintiff's case having closed, Mr. Butt proceeded to address the Court and jury for the defendant. It was certainly, he said, a very serious case, and furnished an instance of the madness of human passion, and of the consequences of human weakness. This case was a record of woman's folly and man's ter rible passion—a record of man's heartless cruelty. His client committed the assault. He admitted it; but it was not an assault committed in barbarity. They had heard the doctor state that he was not badly beaten. There were circumstances of indignity the deepest that one man could heap upon another. No doubt Mr. Porter had acted wrongly in taking the administration of the law into his own hands ; but there were two things to be considered by them in assessing the damages in a case of this kind, namely, what amount ought the dant to pay, and what ought the plaintiff to receive ? It was the lowest of these two things that should be the measure of the damages they should give. The case, as they had heard, would come before a criminal tribunal, and he was quite sure it was not at the instigation of the plaintiff that such proceedings had been instituted. His client would be convicted of the assault in that criminal court. No jury could return a verdict of " Not Guilty" in the case ; but he had no doubt the judge who would go clown to try it would temper justice with mercy. He would not forget that passion betrayed Mr. Porter into a breach of the law for which he was now sorry ; he mourned for the ouurrence now himself. The duty, however, which they had to discharge was to say what damages Captain Poynter was entitled to under the cir cumstances. The learned counsel then reviewed the evi dence, and reverted to the correspondence, and concluded by expressing the confidence he felt that, in the hands of the jury he addressed, the case would receive a calm and a air consideration. A REMARKABLE DIVORCE CAE. In the Court for Di.° and Matrimonial Causes Lord Penzance had before him the cause of " De Gendre v. Do Gendre," which was a wife's petition for a dissolution of her marriage, on the ground of her husband's adul tery and cruelty. The petitioner is a lady posses sing some £40,000, and the respondent, the Count De Gendre was formerly an officer in the Neapolitan army, and the petitioner met him whilst at Rome, and an ac quaintance soon sprung up. The Countess de Gendre said that she was after the marriage desirous of annulling her marriage settlement, so as not to have the money settled on her; but found she could not. She was m arried at St. Mary's, Dover, and the honeymoon was passed at Tunbridge Wells. The respondent made some assertions tending to doubt the witness's virtue, and she saw that she could at once leave him. The Count, however, said that if she did he would commit suicide. He soon afterwards began to illtreat witness, and frequently pinched her. In August, 1866, they had been at Brighton,and on their return they were going to a party At Henley when he tore witness's dress from top to bottom, and on another occasion when witness was dressing her hair he came into her room and asked her to kiss him. She replied that she would in a moment as soon as she had finishedher. hair. He then without any for ewarn ing clinched his fist and struck her on the breast, and from injuries then sustained witnessAuffered for severalmonths. His conduct was so bad that witness ultimately deter mined to go and live at her trustees at Blackheath. Whilst walking out at that place a carriage drove up, and the respondent got out. He attempted to thrust witness in ; but she resisted very much, and the Count called in a servant, named Hull, to assist him; but for some time she resisted successfully, and made an appeal to Hull for mercy. He, however, took no notice. A crowd had by this time collected, and witness appealed to them for help, but before, that could be rendered she was forced into the carriage with her legs hanging out. Some one in the crowd said, " Put the poor woman's legs in," and her legs were then pushed inside. Her husband then drove her to his house. She there stayed an hour and a-half, and promised to see the Count the next day, and did so ; but had not been with him since.—Ellen Whittker, the lady's maid, gave corroborative evidence.—There was really no defence, and the learned judge pronounced a decree nisi 'or a dissolution of the marriage. "TUB MILK JOURNAL."—A. suitable motto for this new periodical would no doubt be found in " LAc- TANTIus." (We are requested to contradict the statement that the office of this publication is in Pump-court.)— Punch. The accounts from the South African diamond fields by the mail just arrived are still of a favourable character, and several valuable gems are brought by the steamer. Intelligence also eomes of the murder by natives of Captain Faulkner, the chief of the small expe• dition sent in search of Dr. Livingstone. No news of the great traveller had been received at the Cape when the mail left. SOCIAL BRIGANDAGE.—In a room in a by-stree near a fashionable square, sits a close-shaven man with grisly hair, expressionless eyes, and bushy whiskers. Books about the peerage and the landed gentry are his Bible and his Testament. He has made it his careful study to know the habits of the young men about town with expectations, taking peculiar interest in those who promise to outrun the constable; judiciously and oppor tunely he issues letters, containing the most philanthropic offers. Temporpry embarrassments are to be cleared away, ready money is to be supplied for a mere formality, a nothing—a few scrawls on a bit of paper. Assistance is supplied from time to time on the same easy terms, until the benevolent gentleman thinks it right to stop. When the young debtor is fairly caught, the strings of the net are drawn tightly round him. If he do not pay what is asked he is ruined for life ; and of course it was known that he could not pay. But what does that matter? By means unknown his paterfamilias is made acquainted with the state of things ; also a wealthy maiden aunt, supposed to have been fond of the curly-headed boy. A family council is held, assisted, perhaps, by the family legal adviser. It turns out that measures have been cleverly taken ; resistance would only cause unavailing scandal; purses are clubbed, funds are somewhow raised, and the captive is ransomed from the brigand's--I beg the smooth-shaied gentleman's pardon—from the money lender's clutches. —All the Yeas• Bound. AN ALLEGED CORRUPT OFFICIAL LIQUIDATOR.—In the Rolls Court Mr. George Scott, an accountant of the City of London, was summoned to shew cause why he should not. be discharged from the position of official liquidator to the Rhos Hall Iron Company, and stand committed to Holywell Prison fur contempt, in presenting Mr. liftman, Secretary of the Birmingham Iron Company, who were the principal creditors of the company being wound-up, with .a cheque of £lO, with the view of influencing him to report favourably upon the liquidator's claim for compensation. The com plaint was made by a clerk named Roberts, who had been discharged from Mr. Scott's service. The liquidator did not refute the charge of presenting the cheque, but strenuously denied having been influenced by corrupt or imprDper motives. Lord Romilly said he could not but bear in mind that that was not the first complaint of the kind made against officers of the court. The present transaction would not have been known were it not for a quarrel between the accused and his clerk, and it would now be highly culpable in him if he (lid not endeavour to put an effectual stop to a system which would have so injurious, an effect upon•the reputation of the court. He would not commit Mr. Scott to prison, but would discharge him from his present position, and order all his chief clerks never to employ him as official-liquidator again. A copy of the order would be transmitted to the chambers of the three vice • chancellors. MISCELLANEOUS SECURITIES rd A uglo-Anstrian 13nd- 100 Po 6p c Bonds. re- holders' Certificate 1 3 deenrl.l:le 1870 62 64 10 Berliii‘VMerworks(L) 151 163 30 London Fin Asso c(L) 19 18 in 15i it L i 70 Rolckow-Vaughan L) 32 3?pm 4 Lon Gen Omnibus .. 23 21 100 Boston City (U.S. 2 13-16, 1 p c Sterling Loan 93 95 2 Lou & Prov Marine 1) 3 11pm 4 Brit & 'Ego Marine Ll4l 43pm 100 Madraslrrict. &Canal 25 Canada Company. 72 75 glna by Ind Gov. 100 102 10 Ceylon Company Ll 33 31dis 101 k 35 City 9l Offices (L) 251241 dis 2 Mauritius l3 Land (L) Ids par 20 Colonial (L) 5 Corn Union Assumes 41 41pm 21 N Zelll x d aland Loan and 1 . a 10 Crdt Fone of Eng (L) 23 3 Mere Agency 11.1 .. 1i Pm 2 15-16, 3 5 N Zealand Loan and 100 Crystal Palace 100 Do Prat 100 Do 6p co Pero Deb llO 115 68 N Britsli and Marc (L) 281 293 271 Ebbw Vale Steel 1.) lO %dig 5 OceanMarinelnsur —l4llslpm 100 Viceroy of Egypt 7p 0 50 P and Steam 44 46 Mortgage Loan.... 77 79 10 Do do New. 1867 31 0 1 dis 100 Egyp 9 p eV'roy Loan. 50 Rhyniney Iron 7 n guar by Egyp Oar.. 97 09 3C 3 973 15 Do New 9 91 13 Fore-st Warehouse IL) 73 9:Pm 60 Royal Mail Steam 73 pm x all 12 Tel Con nnd Main L) 27 272 100 Fun and Colonial Gov 263, 7,1, 63.73 Trust 6p c Bonds.. 98 100 2 Themes and Mersey 993 Marine Incur (L 71 Gen Credt&Dis4(l,)3-16 5-I6Pm 5 11-Ig, 3 7 13-16. 23 Tobacco 6 n 0 Loam 14 GeirStm Navigation 28 29 guar by Italian Gov 88 90 7 Hooper's Tel Works 4 3dis 5 Trust and Loan Co of 6 7-16 Upper Canada .... 9 1 pm 17 Hudson's Rai B3 81 50 - Marine. Lvnool IL 53 6,n 45 hidrhbr,GutPer.and 20 Union Steamship (L) 23 25 Tel Works L 1 .... 51 52 6 IlnitedDis Corpru IT. Wig par 511. 1. 4 5 U n ivAlarinelnsur (I? 7 71ills nm 5 lin ternlFinan Soctl.) 21 lidla 12 Warrant Finance.... 9 7 20 It Irrig Can Cavour 73 39 MINING SHARE LIST.—FEBRUARY 8. Messrs, WATSON BROTHBItS. Dlining 01lieu., 1, St. Michael's Alley, Cornhill, London. Good demand for Tankerville, Roman Gravels, Van Consols, Uny, and Eberhardt. laquaril, East Lovell, New Lovell, and West Chiverton flatter. Cam Brea. 41, 43 Chivertou Valley, Chontales (Gold), Cook's Kitchen, 19. 20 Devon Great Consols, Drakewalls, 1, 111 Don Pedro North Del Rey, 28. 21 East Caradon. East Lovell, 31}, 321 East Wheal Grenville, Eberhardt end Aurora, 15, 16 Frontino and Bolivia tUold), General Brazilian, Great taxey. 171, 181 Great Retail:ldr. Great Wheal Vor 51, 51 Hingston Down. Marke Valley, 61, 71 New Beldon, New Lovell. 11. 11 North Crotty. 21, 21 Pary's Mountain, 3, 31 Perran Wheal Virgin, Plynlimmon, 2, 21 Prince of Wales, 345, Ns Providence Minot, Roman Gravels, Oh 10 Rosewall Hill and Ransom United. South Condurrow. 41. 5 South Frances, 29, SO r Sweetland Creek, Tanker Ville. ]21.131 Tagnairi 1 (Gold). 373, 39s Tincroft, Trumpet Consols. Van Consols. 2j, 3 West Chiverton. 46. 47 West Maria and Fortoscue, 31s, 33s West Seton, West Tankerville, Wheal Crebor, Wheal Grenville, 31, 4 Wheal Kitty. St. Agnes, 9,9 i Wheal Margaret, Wheal Mary Ann, Wheal Seton. Wheal 1311.4, 4/ MARKETS. LONDON CORN EXCHANGE, WEDNESDAY.-The arrivals of wheat from Essex and Kent to this market to-day were mode rate, and generally in superior condition. Trade ruled quiet, but prices were firmly maintained for all descriptions. Foreign wheat, of which the supply was extensive, changed hands to a fair extent at last Monday's currencies. The export demands for flour continued, and barrels were again 6d. to ls. higher, the quotation being now 305.6 d. to 31s. Sacks were proportionably dearer. The barley trade was dull, but values were well sup ported for both grinding and distilling sorts. Malt was dull, at nominal currencies. There was a good show of oats, which ruled steady in value and demand. Maize was in request on former terms. Beans and peas were held at extreme prices. Linseed and rapeseed were fully as dear as on Monday. Arrivals -English and Scotch-Wheat, 270 ; barley , 290 ; malt, 400; beans, 140; peas, 40 qrs. Foreign-Wheat, 3,600, beans, 6,480 qrs.; and flour, 960 sacks and 2,960 barrels. COLONIAL AND FOREIGN PRODUCE MARKET, WEDNES DAY.-Sugar : The market continues inactive, and prices are with difficulty sustained. Crystalized Demerara bought in at 38s. Mauritius crystalised (duty 68.) fbie white bought in at 40s. 6d. to 41s. Refined titlers sold at 475., f.o.b. Coffee : A steady de mand prevails, and full prices are realised. Plantation Ceylon gnoblings, 21s. 6d. to 305. ; torage, 455. to 575. 6d. ; small gray, 575. 6d. to 585. ; low middling gray, 625. 60. to 655. ; bold ditto, 675. to 725.: small colony, 608. to 625. 6d.; middling, 665. to 71s. 6d.; good middling and good bold, 725. to 81s.; peaberry, 755. to 80s. Cocoa was moderately active, and prices ruled steady. Trinidad gray, 555. to 695.; mixed and middling red, 625. to 705.; line, n 85s. to 90s. Oils : Linseed firmer. Rape steady. English brow on the spot, £46 ss. toOther oils steady in value. Metals: Copper steady. Tin quiet, or £132 10s. to £133 for Straits on the spot. Iron inactive. Tallow : The market is dull. Y.C. on the spot, 455. 6d.; March, 458. 6d.; June, 455. 6d.; October and December, 465. 6d. MANCHESTER TRADE REPORT, WEDNESDAY. - The tone of this market to-day is very flat, with a moderate business, which of late has been much under the production. But this email business, with the existing engagements of producers, has prevented the accumulating of stocks, and maintained great steadiness in values, even in the face of a falling cotton market, Prises to-day are the same as yesterday, but spinners are more Sellers and manufacturers are firmer, having tieavier engagements than spinners. GLASGOW CORN MARKET, WEDNESDAY.-There was a thin attendance at this market to-day. Wheat was dull, and ls. per quarter lower on the week. Flour was a turn cheaper. Barley, oats, oatmeal, and beans met with a slow sale, at prices in favour of buyers. Maize receded 3d. to fid. per 2801bs. LEEDS CATTLE MARKET, WEDNESDAY. - At this market to-day there were 627 fat cattle, and 3,6005heep. There was a steady demand, and prices are about the same as last week. Beef from 71d. to 8101. per lb. Mutton Bd. to 91d. per lb. SOUTIIALL CATTLE MARKET, WEDNESDAY.-The supplies of beasts and sheep at this market to-day were considerably shorter, without any advance on last week's rates. The demand for beasts ruled very slack. WAKEFIELD CATTLE MARKET, WEDNESDAY. -At this market the stock on offer this morning consisted of about 850 fat beasts of fair quality, and nearly 4,500 sheep, Beof of the best quality sold at from 9s. to 9s. 6d. per stone ; mutton, 'lid. to 9d. per lb. LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, WEDNESDAY. -Opening Report.-This market opened to-day quietly, with a steady demand. Sales probably 10,000 bales. Closing Report.-In the absence of demand, there is very little confidence in the position of the market, and holders are willing to make further conces sions to induce business. Sales 10,000 bales, including 2,000 bales for speculation and export. CLYDE CRUSHED SUGAR MARKET, WEDNESDAY. - At this market to-day there was a small business done with no change in value. GLASGOW PIG-IRON MARKET, WEDNESDAY.-This market opened strong to-day at 525. to 525. 111 d. cash ; 525. 40. to 525. sd. paid in a month ; closing 525. nid. cash for buyers, and 525. 2d. for sellers. CORK BUTTER MARKET,WEDNEsDAY.-Ordinary firsts,l4Bs., seconds 1485., thirds 1305., fourths 1145., fifths 965., sixths 665. 190 firkbas in the market. Mild, cured-No change. Two firkins. A COTTON MILL DESTROYED BY FIRE. A most destructive fire broke out at five o'clock on Tues day morning at the cotton mill of Messrs. Ermine and Engles, at Eccles, about three miles from Manchester. Before the fire could be got under, the mill was completely destroyed. The damage is estimated at upwards of £30,000. Nine hundred hands will be thrown out of employment. Part of the loss is covered by insurance. FATAL ACCIDENT AT KING'S CROSS. About 11 o'clock on Wednesday, whilst a number of labourers were pulling down some brickworks at the Imperial Gasworks, York-road. King's-cross, a portion of the structure gave way, burying three of them in the ruins. Within fifteen minutes all three were extricated. One was already dead ; the other two were at once con veyed to the hospital in Grays-inn-road, but died on their way there. Two other men fell with the brickwork, but only sustained a few bruises. Of the killed one was married. His name was Martin. The others were named Andrews and Buckland. PETROLEUM EXPLOSION AT BIRMINGHAM. A Birmingham correspondent telegraphs :—A serious petroleum explosion, resulting in injuries to thirty men, occurred in Birmingham about ten o'clock,on Wednes day morning, at the works of the Midland Railway Car riage Company. A number of workmen were engaged in repairing a large wrought-iron tank used for the carriage of oil and petroleum on the railway, when in some unaccountable manner the bottom of the ves sel took fire. The company's fire brigade was at once brought into requisition, and all available hands were brought to the spot to aid in ex tinguishing the fire. This had been all but accomplished when suddenly, without the least warning, a terrible explosion took place, bursting the tank, and blowing the manager and some thirty of the men a considerable distance from the spot, besides burning them severely on various parts of their bodies. The suf ferers were promptly removed to the hospital. They are progresSing favourably. The origin of the fire and explosion is not clearly known, but it is supposed that the petroleum contained in the tank had not been entirely removed when the men commenced repairs. In reference to the banquet which took place in Dublin on Monday night to celebrate the triumph of Mr. Martin in Meath, one correspondent states that when the toast of "The Queen' was proposed, about one-half of the company showed their regard for the " golden link of the crown," which they purpose shall be the only one between the two countries, by remaining seated and silent. The best of the company honoured the toast with loyal manifestations. The seventh annual meeting of the Manchester Governesses' Institution and Home was held on Tuesday at the Town Hall. The honorary secretary read the report of the committee which shewed that during the past year seventy-one ladies had been inmates of the home. The names of 217 governesses had been registered, and 104 ladies had applied for governesses, whilst eighty-two governesses had obtained situations through the medium of the society. THE WAR. THE FRENCH PROVINCIAL PRESS ON THE ARMISTICE. The Journal de Marseille urges the separation of the Bordeaux Delegation from the Paris Government. It says :—" If we only consult the impulses of patriotism we shall see in the armed protest of Bordeaux against Paris nothing but the expression of the national feeling. But if the citizen may suffer himself to be thus carried away by the love of country, the publicist and the politician has an imperative duty to fulfil, and that is to point out the immense danger which would arise from the struggle between the Central Government o Paris and the Delegation at Bordeaux. It is difficult to believe that a legist, a statesman so eminent as Mr. Gambetta, would wish to incur such a responsibility, and we are confident that when details and explanations are given, his ardent patriotism and the good sense of the people, will spare France the evil re sult. ThePerigord thinks the best consolation for the troubles of the present is to be found in the firm reso lution to spare no exertion to recover from this fall, and to labour unceasingly to resume France's position in the world. The Government has an arduous task before it, but will find a powerful assistant in the Assembly which is to meet at Bordeaux on the 15th. It may fairly be supposed that if the Government had fore seen that the popular representatives would so soon be assembled it would have been less hasty in dealing with the important question of the im movability of the magistrates. The Perigord adds, "We do not share in any degree the apprehensions of those who fear, or who affect to fear, that the national honour will be in danger in the hands of an Assembly. In every age aud in every country the represent atives chosen by popular talf frage have in the great national crises risen to the height of their task. Ours will not derogate from this law. They will have to preserve them alike from weakness and from blind passion, that feeling for the dignity and the interests of the country, which a time of public misfortune has at least the privilege of restoring to full strength. Tho Breton Union says : We are ignorant of the condi tions of this armistice, and we cannot consequently criticise them. But the fact of a suspension of hostilities is important, as putting a stop to the abnormal situation createdby the Delegation of Bordeaux, from which extrica tion seemed difficult. M. Gambetta, whose dic tatorship has been so oppressive and so pain ful, finds himself doubly disowned. _He decreed " War h outrance ;" and peace is in contemplation. He protested against any appeal t o the country, and the electors are convoked to choose a National Assembly. The necessary work of restoration begins. The great nation could not be always on the verge of anarchy. She is now to decide on her own fate, and to avenge her self on those who, under the pretext of saving her from the Prussians, have kept her for more than four months under the yoke of incapacity, presumption, and terror. The Journal de Saone-et-Loire exhorts the people above all things to be dignified. " Let us not ex hibit either a passion for peace, which would be cowardly, and would weaken our negotiators, nor a passion for war which would be blustering, and would alienate the sympathies of Europe. At this moment they will be ours if we continue to deserve them. Let our attitude be firm, calm, courageous, and without provoca tion. Let it be understood that we hope to put an end to the horrible slaughter which is decimating our adver saries as well as ourselves, but that if we are forced to go on, we have yet blood and gold ready to be spent for France. The Message) . de Toulouse exclaims, "No humiliating peace ! War until we can obtain honourable conditions or victory ; but also no dictatorships and no revolutionary measures. This is what France wants, and M. Gambetta, we are certain, will decline the overwhelming respon sihility which it is sought to put on him. The formidable inheritance of Denton does not suit his honesty, and France will not at any price have parodies of '93. The Journal de la Vienne says : For our part we do not doubt that a peace as honourable, and as little injurous as is consistent with our misfortunes and our re verses, will result from the deliberations of the future Assembly, provided that the electors, in the choice of their representatives, and the deputies in their votes, abandon all interests all considerations, all partialities for the one exclusive object—the moral and material regeneeation of France. The journal de Maine et Loire says that Foam will be called upon to decide on peace or war, and this is the chief thing to attend to. It matters very little what opinions are-held by M. Gambetta and his friends, we want to ascertain the sentiments of France. No doubt the armistice will lead to peace, to an end of the horrors and misieries of a war which for many reasons it has become impossible to continue. It also indicates the termination of that humiliating and senseless dictatorship which pursued its hurried course detween the north and south of France, and which during four months has only exhibited its uselessness, its folly, its astounding incapacity, and its idle dreams. Tho question arises, if this projected peace will be a French one. The man who has undertaken to carry on negotiations at Versailles is Jules Favre, who formerly broke off the negotiations at Ferrieres, and who since then rejected the compromise of M. Thiers, but has he not been conquered in spite of the energy of his patriotism, and the heroic efforts of the Parisians ? Has not Paris also been discouraged by the defeats and the disasters of M. Gambetta? We must confess the truth, what pains us deeply at the present moment is the conviction that the Versailles Treaty can only be one of those Treaties which all people have had in the course of their history, but which France must sign with tears in her eyes and rage in her heart. There is such a thing as necessary sacri fices, but the heart revolts against them, while reason may urge their acceptance. Will not these sacrifices, which we hardly like to think of to-day, and which we fear to know to-morrow, make lost France forget the glory of Paris? We are, at any rate, certain that if M. Gambetta has not succeeded in preserving the integrity of our territory. Paris, at least, has saved our honour. The Gazette of Languedoc protests against the language of Gambetta's proclamation as injurious to France. Is the policy of M. Gambetta, it asks, the question of the hour ? No, it is the policy of France, the will of France, when consulted, before which all other wills must incline and be silent. M. Gambetta says France must have an Assembly which is determined' to carry on the war, and no doubt we shall have an administrative pressure worthy of the clays of the Empire. We have often said, and we must say again, that full information must be had before the national will can be expressed. France, mistress of her destinies, will decide for peace or war, and the indi vidual will of M. Gambetta will matter very little. SEVEN MONTHS' CAMPAIGNING. In the present war twenty-three battles have been fought, their order being—Weissenburg, Woerth, Spicheren, Pange, Mars-la-Tour, Gravelotte, Beaumont, Sedan, Noisseville (before Metz), the three battles of Orleans, Amiens, Champigny and Brie (before Paris), Beaugency, Bapaume, Vendome, Le Mans, Bel fort, St. Quentin, and the, great sortie against St. Cloud. At Gravelotte nearly half a million of men confronted each other—viz., 270,000 Germans against 210,000 Frenchmen. At Sedan there were 210,000 Germans against 150,000 French, and in the third battle of Orleans 100,000 or 120,000 Germans against 200,000 or 240,000 French. The disparity of numbers was greatest at Mars-la-Tour and Belfort. In the former 45,000 Prus sians fought from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m., at first against 160,000, and by noon against nearly 200,000 French. In the latter nearly 30,000 or 36,000 Prussians and Badeners confronted 90,000 to 120,000 French. The three battles before Metz—Pange, Mars-la-Tour, and Gravelotto- shew the largest losses on both sides, the loss of the Germans in the second being 600 officers and 17,000 men. Of all the battles during the past century, only the storming of Planchenoi in the battle of Waterloo, Borodino, Eylau, and Zorndorf can rank in the same category with the battles before Metz. There have been 49 engagements, some of them resembling battles, and 20 successful sieges, including Paris, the first stronghold in the world, and Metz and Strasburg, fortresses of the first rank. Only Belfort is at present besieged, while Bitche is invested and Maubeuge, Givet, and Cambrai are masked and watched. —Kid Gazette. THE QUESTION OF PEACE. It is semi-officially stated at Vienna that the Austro- Hungarian Government and those of the other neutral powers look upon the Franco-German War as now prac tically decided, and are consequently strongly averse to a prolongation of the struggle. It is their earnest wish that France may not adopt the policy of desperate resistance advocated at Bordeaux, but rather that she will show herself disposed to make peace. As for Prussia, they hope that she will in her own interest shew some consideration to her adversary, and accept such terms as may make the peace a lasting one. "It must be the desire," says Warrens' Correspondence " of all intelligent politicians that an incurable wound should not be opened in the heart of Europe. That the vanquished n such a war as this must make heavy sacrifices for the restoration of peace cannot he avoided ; but unless the conqueror will be moderate in his terms, he cannot hope that after the conclusion of peace those peaceful feelings will be mani fested which alone can secure the ultimate success of his victories. " Eastern Budget. A correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette has passed through a great part of Central France during the last few days, and he represents the state of feeling about the elections as one of utter indifference. In the country districts the Republic is much disliked, but the Republi can candidates are supported by the officials, and are likely to win. Of Nantes the writer says :—" As to or ganizing anti-Republican candidatures, very few seem to dream of it, and even those who do are apparently unable to do more than dream. ' There is no time,' is the plea put forth, and such being the case, they fold their hands with the apathy of hopelessness. The majority, I am convinced, will not vote at all." TIIE DISTRESS LN* PARIS AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. A very influential public meeting was held at the Man sion House, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, in support of the fund now being raised for the relief of the starving population of Paris and the neighbourhood. The chief magistrate ex plained what steps had been taken in the matter by the committee, who had expended over £50,000 out of the £60,000 which had been received by them. The Bishop of London urged the meeting to look at the ques tion as one of fact, the fact being that two millions of our fellow creatures were suffering from hunger, and as they were within our reach it was our duty to make an effort to relieve them. He protested against the unjust, in iquitous, and wicked war on the ground that it was a war of conquest from beginning to end. The Bishop of Winchester made a powerful appeal for help. He said that all wars of conquest must be un righteous wars, but he cared not as to who was to blame, for the continental struggle. He preferred not to rest the claim for help upon that which was a weak point, but upon a ground about which there could be no difference of opinion—namely that a great evil existed, and they were capable of dealing with it. Archbishop Manning, Mr. Crawford, M.P., Mr. Kirkman Hodgson, M.P., Sir John Lubbock, M.P., and Sir Francis Goldsmid, M.P., were among the speakers, and several resolutions were adopted, an appeal to the province for help being also agreed to. NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. An order has been issued from the A rmy Medical De partment directing an examination of c,...lidates for com missions in the Medical Department of the Army, to be held in London on the 20th inst. About 36 appointments will be offered for competition. During the passage at Portland of one of the large boats belonging to H.M. ship Hercules, from the shore to the ship on Sunday afternoon, a gust of wind caused it to capsize, precipitating about 20 sailors in the water. For tunately the accident was observed from the ship close at hand, and assistance instantly sent to the scene of disaster. All were picked up, none the worse for the ducking they had had. It is understood that in the coming financial year a con siderable sum will be taken in the estimates to provide Harvey's torpedoes. Commander Frederick Harvey lately applied to the Admiralty for promotion, and has been informed that his invention gives him no claim beyond other officers. The flying squadron, under the command of Rear- Admiral Beauchamp Seymour, arrived at Funchal on the 24th ult., and after remaining there two days resumed its cruise. Two of the Indian relief troopships which have been stationed on the " Indian side" have been ordered to return to England via the Suez Canal at the end of the present troop season. Each vessel will call at Port Said and Malta, and bring time-expired men and invalids. It is reported that no officer of the Engineer Volunteer s has this session presented himself at the Chatham School of Military engineering. Last year only one went through the complete course. THE MEMBERS FOR SOUTH DURH AM.—The/ meeting of the South Durham Liberal Association I'o held at Darlington, on Tuesday, Colonel Scholfield Prs siding ;at which the members fop the division, Mr. J. • Pease and Captain Beaumont, met with au enthusiast i° reception. Earlier in the day the hon. members receivea a deputation from the Liberation Society. They both declared themselves in favour of the principle of disestw blishment, but considered the tim e had not y et come for carrying such a measure. A deputation also waited oo the hon. gentlemen to elicit their opinions on the Coir tagious Diseases Act. Both hon. members expressed theme" selves disposed to suspend their judgment until the report of the Royal Commission is issued, but in the meantioo they pledged themselves to oppose any extension o f tll° Act. THE NONCONFORMISTS AND THE BIRMINGIO3I SCHOOL BOARD.—A large meeting of Nonconform ist school managers was held at Birmingham on Y Tuesda night, Alderman M an t o n presiding, to consider Avilst course should be pursued in regard to the School Bora. It was resolved that the re s p onsibility of religious congre; Rations for the elementary education of the people 13°' n ew ceased ; that managers of Noncon formist schoolsil advised to offer school buildings to the School Board °" nominal rents for a limited period, on condition that Oil: gious teaching in those schools be confined to Bible reacl; ing without note or comment ; that the Nonconforr a l Committee endeavour to arrange for a united offer of sil e school buildings to the Board, and that a memorial to th e Board be prepared protesting against the proposal to 1. 3e1 / 1 out of the rates fees for children attending denom ination schools. PREVALENCE OF SMALLPDX.—The ~f l General's last quarterly return shews the alarnn manner in which smallpox has increased. In the f` P O quarter of 1870, 405 persons died from this disease ; in second quarter the number increased to 446 ; in the t l ' . to 500, while the last quarter there were no fe s4 , lo than 1,229 victims. Since the close of year the disease has made rapid strides, and th re t e . v e to assume still more formidable prop ortions if repreo measures be not adopted. It is wort h y of notice tbatl„ the 196 deaths from smallpox which occurred last vv 118 cases were " unvaccinated." Of the 755 deaths ff ° o smallpox which took place in London during the las t , p g weeks, 348 were among children under five, and 196 01" persons between five and twenty. THE ARTILLERY Hocus Pocus.—The 44 iners', oo , in our artillery forces turns out to be a pure de1,11)0t There are, indeed, to be twenty new field batterie s, ~0 4 eight are to be got by bringing the lst brigade of gar i tti ar tillery from North America without r elief ' te 3 garrison batteries of the 14th brigade are to be won ° it ,. and turned nto field batteries ; and it iS tended to reduce the establishment of all garrisea4t) gades from eight to seven batteries, so that the battery is to become field artillery. There is an aPP', t increase of twenty field batteries, against which 1 ,011 : 0 0, set a real reduction of almo s t the same Lnumber.---Ir` Standard' t-., • [ADVERTISEMENI.]-11oHoway, s Ointment an Indisputable Facts.—lt cannot be t oo frequently iorbe el i on the sick that the merits of these remedies 1 10 '04 and are, acknowledged in b oth hemis p heres, and feworo9 presume to impugn the experience of the who l 4o, . Testimonials from all p arts vouch for their en' i o in cura tives in overcoming abscesses , swellin g s of til e ore enlargements of the gland s, cutaneous eruptioniloooo ulcers, and in allaying infl ammation and pain in r ft tism and gout. It heals by cleansing all it come s , r e. tact with, and promotes a sound and permanent °tell' rem oves all obstructions to the fre e circulation thq,;ec minutest vessels, and repairs mischief by constant', ing pure blood. BIRTHS. fr- On the Gth inst., at Sn aresbrook, Essex, the Ni4'a ° f J Charlesworth, Esq., of a daughter. , „ rl , On the sth inst. , at 6, Lancaster-gate, 11-Y"c-'l' wife of Archd. Bullock, Esq., of a son. • MA_RRIAGE S. tr ori , On the 7th inst., at St. Mary of the Angels, 13A'cleiv,., Montague Barron, Esq., of 7, Kensington-01.0; race, Hyde-park, to Edith Adelaide, eldest clstl'lol Sydney Kennedy, Esq., of 39, Cleveland - s ( l Ore' park. s o n , : On the 4th inst., at St. Paul's, Deptford, ant P I T) Vfil William Carrell, Esq., of Southsea, Hs, o f ll' younge st daughter of Thomas Norfolk, Esq.' ford, Kent. O r ' DEATHS. On the 7th inst., Samu el Heath, Esq., The tel 1 . 1115 ' ton, near Rugby, aged 78. On the 6th inst., at Havering Grange , Charles Hope, Esq., aged 63 Roraforo, cf , 130 /1 1 a .0 5 ° London : Printed by GIDEON ACL AND by • I f • No. 112, Strand , Printer and P in the P ublis hea ° . o ot ° THE SUN Office, No. 112 Strand, re Savoy, in the County of IVliddlesex. Thursday, Fehruary 9, 1.87/.