The Sun. — London, England, 1871-01-02 00:00:00

MONETARY REPORTS.-SATTIRDAY. The tone of the stock markets to-day has on the whole decidedly improved. Exception must be taken, however, to Spanish, which, owing to sinister rumours afloat with reference to the payments of the dividends, and which, so far as can be at present ascertoined, are without foundation, have experienced a heavy reduction. It appears that the financial agents for the Spanish Government have, in consequence of the large supplies of stock in this country, the result of the investment of Paris, had so many coupons lodged with them to-day that they have been compelled to decline receiving any more until Monday, and this has been construed by some Stock Exchange speculators into a refusal to meet the coupons, At the same time it is very evident that owing to the interrupted communication with thiSpanish capital some delay will occur in arranging matters. As regards other foreign bonds, Italian have been better, but Peruvian and Turkish have been rather easier. In the railway market, Metropolitan, Great Northern A, Great Eastern, and Great Western have been higher in value, but Brighton has slightly receded in price. Consols have been firm, and * per cent. higher, at 91 1 1, 92 ex div. for delivery and the January account, and 92, 92i for February, Reduced and New Three per Cents., 91, 91i ; Bank stock, 232, 233; Exchequer bills, 10s. to 15s. prem.; India Five per Cents. have bsen done at 110, 110*, and India Bonds, 225. to 275. prem.; Colonial Government securities have been steady in value, with a limited in quiry. English railway stocks have been firm. Metropolitan at 63, 63*; Great Northern A at 135/, 1361; and Great Western at 72k, 73 have been / better ; whilst Great Eastern at 391, 391 shews a rise of *. On the other hand Brighton has receded *, being quoted at 41, 41ft ; Caledonian, 86}, 87 ; South-Eastern, 75, 75* ; Great- Northern, 124, 125 ; North-Eastern, 145, 1451 ; Midland, 130, 130 k; North-Eastern, 129/, 1291. Indian railway stocks have been quiet. East Indian, 108 ; Great Indian Peninsula, 105 k. Canadian shares have sold slowly. Grand Trunk , 12 * , ; Great Western, 151,1. Foreign shares have been flat. Great Luxem burg, 11f, ; and San Paulo, 21g. With reference to foreign bonds, the principal alteration has been in Spanish, which have fallen per cent, being quoted at 282, 29 ex div., after being dealt in as low as 28, 281; Peruvian (1865), at 92k, 922 ex drawing, and Turkish Five per Cents, at 432, 44, are respectively / and * per cent. lower. French Scrip has been firmer at IL, dis. ; and the North German, at par.; Egyptian (1868) are quoted at 77i, 78 ; Turkish (1865), 61*, 62 ; ditto (1869), 50, 50* : United States Five -Twenty (1882), Bonds, 891, 891; ditto (1885), 88i, 89. The telegraph market has been firmer. Anglo-Ameri can have been 1* better, at 75, 76 ; and British Indian Submarine *, at 6}, 6 ex-div. Telegraph Construction, at 24/, 24k, shew a rise of I. Bank shares have been steady in value, but the demand for them has not been active. Imperial Ottoman have marked 11k, *; London and County, 501; London Joint Stock, 34. Miscellaneous securities have been cautiously dealt in, and the fluctuations have been trifling. The discount market has been sparingly supplied with capital. There has been a good demand for accommoda tion, and three months' paper has been charged 2* per cent The Delhi has taken out £5,195 for Bombay. Monday next will be kept as a close holiday at the Stock Evchange, and in the city generally there will be little business. LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE.-SATURDAY LATEST PRICES.—AFTER OFFICIAL HOURS. The prices under the lines indicate the business done. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Three per Cent Consols 911 92 Via 5p o Jan& JulylB9l. 10381018 911, 2, 2 x d 104 Do fo 9ll r Account d , 2 x Three per Centlteduced 912 911 Egyptian 1862. 7po .. .. 79 81 91f, I, 1 1)o Rail Debeu 7 p o .. 101 103 New 3 per Cent 91f, I. 1 Italian, 1865, 5p o Exchequer Dills, March 10 15pin Peruvian. 1865, 5p o pm 92 3 Do. June lO 15pm Portuguese 1869 3Do .. 32 33 Pin 321, i Bank Stock 232 Do Nicolaa 4D o India 5 per Cents India Bonds — 298, f, 2z d pm Do. 1869. 3 p o Can 6 po Jantatilyll77-84 10681078 291, 8 a d Do March & Sept. 103 105 Turkish, 1854, 6p o 7B 80 Do 5p o Jan & July .. 9981008 Do, 1865, 5p 0 Do Inscribed Stock .. 98 100 44 Dorn of Can 5p a 1903 .. 98 100 Do, 1865 6p 0 Ceylon 6 p c May and 62, 8 November 1878 lO6 108 U. 8.5-20 Bouds,6 I) o 1882 898 89j Mauritius 6 p c Jan and 89, 2. it July 1873 lO3 105 Do do 1885 882 89 New /3 Wales 5 p clB7l-76 102 103 88k, 2 New Zealand 6p c 1891 lO9 111 Do 10-40 Buds, 51)01901 878 88 Do spo Do 5p o Consolidated 9981008 Illinois Central Shares .. 113 114 Do 6 p c Mar &Sept 1891 109 111 1138 Do June & DeclB9l 108 110 Atlantic and GW R Con Via 6p c Jan &July 1891 115 117 Mortgage Bonds — DoApril &Oct 1883-85.. 11111128 RAILWAYS. Bristol an 8959, d Exeter BB 90 Do Ist Prof 2 80nd5.... 581 591 Caledonian 86 1, 1, 7 2ud Prof Stock Great Eastern 391, 1, 1 Do 3rd Prat Stock . • . 31 33 Great Northern Do A 1251, 5 4th Pref Stook 136 1361 171, 2, 1 1361 Greatlndian Pen g 5 , N a 105 106 Great Western 721 721 1051 721, 1 Great Western of Canada 151 151 Lancashire & Yorkshire 13411351 151, 1 135 Do 6p o Bonds, 1873.. 98 100 4 Lou, Brir, and S Coast 411 411 Do 51 do. 1877-8 95 97 1 951 Lou, c aud Dover .. 14 14; Do 5p c pre f. issued 80 Idls inm 14, 1 Madras guar 5 p o Lou and North-Western 12911291 N. Railway of Canada, 1291, 1 6p 0 Ist Pref Bonds Lon and South-Western 901 91i Oude and Rohilkund g Man, Shot, and Lincoln 45/ 45/ 50 0 451 &hide, Punjaub. and Metropolitan 631, 3 Bahia and San Francisco Midl an d l3O 1301 g 7 p a 134 1 19 North British North-Eastern Consols 145 146 Buenos Ayres Gt Sthrn.. 24i 251 1451, k, 1. 5, 1 Duuaburg and Witepsk 181 19 South-Eastern 75 75 1 Du tch-Rhenish 2l/ 221 75 Eastern of France — &tlantio and St Lawrnce 75 77 Great Luxembourg Bombay, Baroda, and 111, 1 Central India. g 5 p 0.. 10211031 Lemberg Ozernowitzgua Buff and Lake Huron 4 41 7pa 151 15, Do 51 pc 80nd5.1872-3-4 79 81 151 Cape guar 6 itc East Bengal guar 5p o 10211031 OttomlSmyrna to Aidin; 41 5 i East Indian, g 5 p o 108 (Limited) guar 7p o .. 141 142 Grand Trunk Canada 121, 1 211 Do Equip Mort Bnd 1 South &man & Lorn-Ven 141 141 charge 6p c Do 2ud do Scrip BANKING COMPANIES. I'd Pd 1 Agra Bank IL) A 74 84 10 Imperial Ottoman .. 112} 1 m 25 Alliance (L) 10 Angio-Austrian 20 Anglo-Egyptian (L) 202 211 231 21, 1 20 London and County 491 501 50 British N American 62 54 501 20 Ch of India, Austrlia 131 141 15 London Joint-Stock 331 Al 25 Char Mere of India 221 231 34 10 City 25 Colonial 52 20 Midland (L) 4 Consolidated IL •• 1 1 11pm 20 New South Wales .. 33 36 t2O Eng. Sco .andAus 0 151 161 25 Orntal 4ol Bankoorporn 391 401 61 20 i m perial iLI ........ 174 184 25 Union of Australia.. 411 421 15 Union of London .. Z 8 39 TELEGRAPH COMPANIES. Pd rd 100 An nglo-5 A me rican L) 75 76 10 Great d Northern .... 111 11/ 7 10 Anglo-Madam (L) ll3 116 6 Great N. China, and 114, 131 Japan Extension.. 21 2Ms 100 Atlantic — 5 Indo-European (Li.. 10 12 100 Do 8p c — 10 Marseilles, Algiers. 10 Britiah A ustralu (L) 5l 41dis and Malta (L) .... 5} 51 x m 10 Mediterru Ex IL) .. 4 5 10 British Ind Exten (L). 5 / 61 21 rilinialid S. refe( l, 4 3 di. 6, 1-16 dis 10 British Indian Sub- 8 Rente r's marine, (L) ad 100 t.4ubinariue 237 242 China Submarine (L) 6 51d la Do Scrip 2l 21 10 Falmouth, Gibraltar, 10 W India &PanamalL) 41 51 and Malta (1.1 81, 11-16, 13-16 MISCELLANEOUS SECURITIES Pd Pd Anglo-Austrian Bnd- 20 It Irrie Can Cavour 31 4 holders' Certificate 2 4 100 Do 6p c Bonds. re -3 deemable 1870 . 64 66 10 BerlinWaterworks(L) 141 155 30 London Fin Assoc(L) 17 1611 s 30 Bolckow-Vaughan L) 23 33pm 4 Lon Gen Omnibus .. 21 3 100 Boston City (U.S. 2 Lou & Prov Marine L) 1 1 pm p c Sterling Loan.. 93 95 100 Madraslrrig. & Canal 4 Brit & Feu Marine( L 1 3 31pm gsu c by Ind Gov. 99 101 25 Canada Company. 71 73 2 Mauritius Land (L) 1 1 dis. 10 Ceylon Company L) 31 33dis 5 Nat'l' DisctComp L 1 11 115 35 City Offices IL) 255241 die 2 5 N Zealand Lon a a 10 Mere Agency IL) n .. d ig pm 20 Colonial (L) 5 Com Union Aseurnce 31 43pm trust (L) 10 Crdt Fonc of Eng (L) 2 21 65 N Britsh and Mere (LI 285 285 2 1-16, 1 5 OceauMarinelnsur 135 14pn , 100 Crystal Palace 100 Do Pref 100 Do 6p c Pern Deb lO9 114 50 Rhyinney Iron 275 Ebbw Vale Steel L).. 95 9dis 15 Do New B5 91 100 Viceroy of Egypt 7p o 60 Royal Mail Steam Mortgage Loan.... 79 81 12 Tel Con and Main Ll 235 7 41 805, 80 241, 33, 43 100 Egyp 9 p cV'roy Loan. 2 Thames and Mersey guar by Egyp Gov.. 94 96 Marine Incur IL 13 Fore-stWaretouse(L) 7 Bpm St. Tobacco 6p o Loan 100 Fgn and Colonial Gov guar by Italian Gov 89 91 Trust 6p c Bonds.. 98 100 90 75 Gen Credt&Diwit (L) 5 5 die 5 Trust and Loan Co of 7 Upper Canada .. _ 1 Ipm 14 Gen Stm Navigation 271 285 5 G Marine. Lvpool (L 45 spm 7 Hooper's Tel Works 5 Nis 20 Union Steamship (L) 23 25 6 5-16 6 United Dis Corprn IL ldispar 17 Hudson's Bay 73 8 5 UnivMarinelnisur iLI 63 75pm 15 Indrbbr,Gut Per, and 12, 5 Tel Works L ) ... 431 441 12 Wanant Finance.... 9 7 die 5 Inte 3 rn' Finn BoolL) ~2 liclus 3-18 MARKETS. NORWICH CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—There was a good supply of wheat at this market to-day. Trade opened firmly, at an advance of is. per quarter in most descriptions. Barley, which was in fair supply, brought former rates. NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—This market was very firm, and considerable activity prevailed. Several considerable sales were effected by factors and farmers, at Is. advance. Oats were 6d. in favour of the sellers. Fleur was is. dearer. The market was generally firmer. DONCASTER CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—There was a a moderate supply of wheat at this market to-day, with a slow sale at late rates. There was a poor show of barley, and all kinds were ls. per qr. higher. There was a poor trade in oats and beans. GLOUCESTER CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—There was a fair supply of English wheat at this market to-day, but farmers were careless sellers at is. per quarter advance, which was all millers would concede. American wheat ls. per qr. dearer. Other descriptions of foreign unchanged. Barley and maize rather higher. Oats held for an advance of t3d. per quarter, which checked sales. READING CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—This market chews signs of improvement to-day, and prices have slightly advanced. English wheat in good condition realised an advance of is per qr., while foreign wheat is a little dearer. There is no altera tion to note in barley, but in some instances oats have fetched more money. The severe weather tends to produce firmness in trade. LEITH CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.-Wheat continues rising ; ls. per qr. dearer at thinnarket to-day. Flour, 6d. per sack higher. Barley, 6d. per qr. up. Oats firm, at full prices. Peas and beans steady. Arrivals for the week amount to 2,706 qrs. wheat, 511 qrs. barley, 104 qrs. oats, 724 qrs. beans, 41 qrs. peas, 18 qrs. rye, 368 qrs. tares; and 3,724 sacks of flour. KIRKCALDY CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.-There were good supplies of all kinds of grain at this market to-day, and the prices of the different articles were fully in advance of last week's rates. Prices per qr. are as follow :-Wheat, 445. 641. to 535.; barley, 31s. to 375. 6d.; oats, 21s. 9d. to 275. 3d. DONCASTER CATTLE MARKET, SATURDAY.-There was a poor show of all kinds of stock at this market to-day. A moderate business in cattle was done. Nothing doing in sheep, but a brisk trade in pigs. Prices unchanged for cattle and sheep. Pigs, Is. per head higher. METROPOLITAN HAY AND STRAW MARKET, SATURDAY; -Mr. Charles James Easton thus reports On the state of the hay market : Our market has beenscantily supplied with hay and clover to-pay, in conseqXence of the frost. The inquiry was slow, but prices Were without important variation. Prime mea dow hay, 130 s. to 140 s. ; inferior ditto, 110 s. to 120 s. ; prime first-cut clover, 130 s. to 140 s. ; inferior ditto, 115 s. to 1258. ; prime second-cut clover, 1265. to 1355. ; inferior ditto, 105 s. to 1155.; and straw, 335. to 38s. per load. METROPOLITAN HIDE AND SKIN MARKET, SATURDAY. -Market hides : Nibs. to 641b5., 314.1 to na. 641bs. to 721bs. 31d. ; 721bs. to 801bs., 3id. to Rd. ; 801bs. to 881bs., Rd. to Id. ; 881bs. to 961b5., 4d. to 41}d ; 961bs. to 1041b5., 40. to 41d. ; 1041bs. to 1121b5., -to - . Horse hides, 10s. Od. to 12s. calf skins-light, 2s. to 4s. ; full, 7s. 6d. Sheep skins polled, 7s. Od. to Bs. 6d. ; half-breds, 6s. Od. to 6s. 6d. ; Downs, 4s. to ss. 3d. CORK BUTTER MARKET, SATURDAY.-Ordinary firsts, 1465., seconds 1385., thirds 1205., fourths 1128., fifths 985., sixths 675. 200 firkins in the market. Mild cured, firsts 1525., seconds 1465., thirds 130 s. 15 firkins in the market. THE FROST. THE GOVERNMENT IN POWER. The London correspondent of the Birmingham Gazette, a Conservative journal, says :—" Speculation is busy as to the probable fate of Mr. Gladstone and his Ministry 0 this session, some going so far as to say that there will be a break-up, and that we shall see a Conservative Ad ministration holding the reins of Government. There can be no doubt that a somewhat uneasy feeling exists among Liberals themselves as to what the forthcoming session may have in store fur them. Last sess ion symptoms were not wanting of a Lack of cohesion among them, and now the feeling grows that there will be changes. It is also even admitted by many of the party that the progress made last session was anything but satisfactory, in short, that considerable incapacity was shewn by members of the Government, and that there was a good deal of bungling. One needs only to look upon the legislation of last session, as well as upon unsuccessful attempts thereat, to find that there is some reason for dissatisfaction. Mr. Ayrton failed to achieve any decided success in his department, and it is pretty well known that he was anything but a popular minister in the House ; nay, the feeling rising at times strongly against him. Mr. Cardwell, too, was not in high esteem, and his army legislation was far from being approved of by the members on the Liberal side who knew anything of army affairs. And, perhaps, the greatest failure of all was Mr. Bruce, the Home Secre tary. Scarcely anything attempted by him came to a good end. In fact, of all the members of the Government, he shewed the greatest amount of bungling—the measures brought in by him being, in almost all cases, at least in the majority, withdrawn. Failing to pass measures, he was most liberal in promises, and never failed, when pressed, to comfort the dissatisfied with the promise that something won id be cobs nest session to redeem past • failures. Judging from the numerous obli gations under which the right hon. gentle man laid himself, a heavy session lies before him, and if he carries through half the measures he pro mised to undertake he will have done something to redeem his character in the eyes of the Liberal party. It is no wonder, therefore, that something like impatience should have crept into the party who follow the leading of such men. But perhaps the greatest element of disquiet has been afforded by the Liberal leader himself. Famed as a skilful strategist it is just possible that his skill may overreach itself. It is because Mr. Glad stone dreads the future that lie curries favour with the Irish at the present time. In seeking to conci liate the Irish he ought to take care that he offend not his Scottish followers, as a defection of the Scotch Liberals may cause some embarrassment to him. Putting every thing together, Mr. Gladstone's party is not the strong and confiding phalanx of the beginning of last session. and skilful generalship will be needed to cement together . he somewhat fragmentary and suspicious body of his followers into a strong and united body. The weather on Saturday in London was more severe than on any day since Christmas Day. At eight o'clock the thermometer stood at 19 degrees. Intermittent falls of snow occurred on Friday afternoon, a good deal inter fering with the skaters in the parks, of whom, as on previous days, there were many thousands. No serious accident occurred. In the Regent's Park some venture some youths got immersed, but were extricated without difficulty. LITERARY, SCIENCE, AND THE STAGE, The Atheneum says :—ln our next issue we shall give an article on the Literature of the United States during the present year, by Mr. Moncure D. Conway. The number will also contain an essay on Sir Walter Scott's writings, 1871 being the centenary of his birth.—Mr. Thomas Landseer, A.E., will shortly publish the " Life and Letters of William Bewick.' The book will be accompanied by portraits by Sir Edwin Landseer, R.A.—Messrs. Hurst and Blackett promise "Recollections of Society in France and Eng _ ---- - land," by the Lady Clementina Davies; "The Life and Adventures' of Count Beugnot, Minister of State under Napoleon 1.," edited from the French by the author of "The Heir of Reddyffe ;" " Impressions of Greece," by the Right Hon. Sir Thomas Wyse, K.C.B. ; and " Turkish Harems and Circassian Homes," by Mrs. Harvey, of Ickwell Bury.—The Rev. J. C. Young (Rector of Ilmington) has now ready for the press a sketch of the Life of Charles Mayne Young, the Trage dian, with scraps from his journal. The book contains a rich collection of annecdotes, with portraits and sketches.—Mr. Blanchard Jerrold will shortly bring out a new book called "At Home in Paris, in Peace and in War."— The second report of the Library Committee upon the un indexed and unarranged archives of the Corporation of the city of London will be presented to the Common Council at the beginning of the new year.—New works of fiction, by the author of " John Halifax," Mrs. Oliphant, Miss Amelia B. Edwards, Mr. Anthony Trollope, Mr. George Macdonald, Mr. J. Sheridan Le Fanu, &c., will be issued during the season byMessrs. Hurst and Blackett.— A new German paper paper will be published, at Berlin, on the Ist of January, entitled ' Germania,' edited by F. von Kehler, Edmond Eirund, and Johann Strobel.—Dr. N. Hooker, the author of a ' History of the War of 1866,' which has reached its sixth edition, is now writing a History of the Franco-German War of 1870,' which will be completed at the end of the present war, and will be published by A. Badeker, of Cologne. A new sect is to be recorded in the East, that of Oriental Catholics. A considerable body of the Armenians, from political motives, left the Gregorian Communion, and put themselves under the Pope. His legate, thinking his dominion safe, has pressed his rule too severely, and the consequence is, a large portion of the Catholic Armenians have separated, and demanded from the Porte a distinct jurisdiction, and a distribution of the communal property. One effelt will be, still closer political and social rela tions with the Gregorian and Protestant Armenians. A new monthly review of medical practice and literature will be commenced at the beginning of the year, under the title of •` The Doctor."—Colonel Stuart Wortley, whose Art-photographs have been praised on all hands, has been moved by the terrible distress in France, to open, at the rooms of the Architectural Union Company, 9, Conduit-street, Regent-street, an exhibition of all his productions, copies of which are thus on sale, in order that the profits may be devoted to relieve the victims of the invasion of our neighbours' country. The exhibition will continue for a limited time : Colonel Stuart Wortley offers every facility to those who, not being able to visit the gallery, may wish to aid his purpose by volunteering to select examples if he is informed what classes of photographs are desired, such as sea and sky pictures, heads and the like. M. Gauthier-Villars, the scientific publisher, has com pleted the publication Father Secchi's work on the Sun. It comprises more than four hundred octavo pages, and will certainly be largely circulated when Paris is open. Father Secchi has written it in French, having secured the assistance of some learned Jesuits. It is not, however, merely a translation of his former Italian work on the same subject.—Nature. A discussion having been carried on in the French Institute on "Winds," M. de Fonvielle sent to the secre taries a quotation from the works of the celebrated philo sopher, M. Mariotte, the author of the "Law for the Expansion of Gases," explaining the fall of pressure noticed during the south-western winds by the direction of the aerial stream which blows from the lower part of the atmosphere to the higher. He says, moreover, that winds coming from the northern quarters descend instead of ascend, and he accounts in this manner for the augmen tation of pressure.—Nature. It is said that a volume of memorials of the late Mr. Charles Boner, author of " Chamois Hunting in the Mountains of Bavaria, Pennsylvania, &c., edited by Miss Rosa Mackenzie Kettle, is in preparation, and will pro bably be published early in the ensuing year. Amongst other interesting matters, it will contain a series of letters written to Mr. Boner by Miss Mitford. Dr. Brewer, M.P., will preside to-day over a meeting of the Victoria Discussion Society, at the Cavendish Rooms, when a paper will be read by Mr. Hoskins, 8.A., on " Female Education." The English Churchman understands that the Rev. R. H. Baynes, vicar of St. Michael's, Coventry, and Bishop-Designate of Madagascar, will, after all, not occupy the bishopric. The Musical World states that Mercadante died at Naples at 7 a.m. on the 17th of December, after a short illness, having been struck by apoplexy on the 25th of November. He was born on the 4th of December, 1796, at Altamura. He lost his sight in 1861. He was the author of nearly a hundred pieces for the theatre, and produced a large number of sacred pieces and much chamber music. SUDDEN DEATH OF A NEWSPAPER PROPRIETOR. —Mr, William Penn Cox, the proprietor of the Leicester Advertiser, Leicester Guardian, Loughborough Monitor and News, and the Hinckley News, died suddenly at midnight on Friday night, while writing at his desk. The deceased was much respected. He was a Conservative member of the Leicester Town Council. He was fifty years of age. ARBITRATION IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND IRON TRADE. —A meeting of the Board of Arbitration of the North of England iron Trade was held on Friday at Dar lington. The employers reported that they accepted the reduction of 5 per cent. in wages proposed by the Standing Committee of the last meeting for three months of next year. The workmen reported that they had decided, at a meeting held that day, that the reduction claimed by the employers shOuld be laidbefore an arbitrator, whose award should date to July next only. It was accordingly agreed that Mr. Thomas Hughes, M.P., should be requested to act as arbitrator. CAN I AFFORD IT ?—Pay your Stationer 6d. for a reply. Map of the World gratis in all Letts's Office Diaries. Letts's 6d, and is. Diaries give most value for your money. Letts's Housekeepers' and Ladies' Diaries are much improved. Letts's Invisible Ink for Postal Cards, 6d. per bottle. IRE S U.N, LOIN DO.N, MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 1871. MURDER IN IRELAND. A man named Thomas Waters, a civil bill process server, was shot dead between 9 and 10 o'clock on Thurs day night on his way from Mullingar to Portnashangan, where he resides with his widowed mother. The body of the deceased was found by the constabulary on patrol near the workhouse, about half a mile outside the town- of Mullingar. , They first found his coat and hat, which they recognised, they being in the habit of escorting him. He was known to be a marked man. The body was warm when found. The wound was in the left breast. Three men have been arrested. The Dowager Marchioness of Westminster has sent £5OO to the corps of Commissionaires, being her third donation and the second of that amount. The amount required for the purchase of the barracks is £5,262 6s. 4d. ; towards this sum £4,079 6s. sd. has been received up to the present date. WILLS AND BEQUESTS.—The will of General 0. G. J. Arbuthnot, Colonel of the 91st Foot, of Woodford House, near Thrapston, Northamptonshire, who died on October 21. last, at Folkestone, at the age of 69, was proved in London, on the sth ult., under £14,000 per sonalty. The gallant general was formerly equerry to her Majesty, and at one time represented Tre gony in Parliament.—The will of Captain John Trotter, formerly of Her Majesty's 2nd Regi ment of Life Guards, late of Dryham Park, near Barnett, Herts, was proved in London under £ 70,000. The will of S ebastian Garrard, Esq.,late of Colebrooke Lodge, Putney-heath, of the fi rm of R. and S. Garrard, goldsmiths and silversmiths to the Crown, was proved in London, on the 14th ult., under £120,000. He has left to the Silver Trade Protection Society and the Goldsmiths' Benevolent Institution each a legacy of £soo.—The will of Miss Frances Maria Silvert, of College-green, Worcester, was proved in London under £35,000. Among other bequests are the following :—To the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and the Home Mission for Increasing the Number of Curates, £2,000 each, free of duty.—lllustrated London News, WINTER IN NEW YORK.—The number of unem ployed in this city was probably never much greater than it is at present. Every business man could tell us that his office is besieged by clerks, book-keepers, and others, anxious to find some sort of occupation. People who fill prominent positions are almost weary of replying to these distressing applications. An advertisement for an assis tant in almost any branch of business will bring hundreds of answers. Very few of us can form any idea of the real extent of destitution which now prevails among the classes which depend for daily bread upon their daily labour. The war has injured some departments of com merce ; local causes have depressed others. In monetary and banking circles, " Rings" of one kind or another have thrown cold water on all speculation and enterprise. The smaller class of storekeepers say that never have they known so dull a Christmas season. As the winter sets in with greater intensity the melancholy ranks of the un employed will inevitably receive many additions. Various kinds of out-door occupation will be closed to mechanics and artisans. The prospect of a hard winter is before us ; and we shall not improve mattersby closing our eyes to the plain truth.—New York Times, Dec. 12. THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.—In noticing the changes which have taken place in the House of Commons during the past year, the remarkable manner in which certain interests maintain their representation in that assembly is not unworthy of comment. While the legal profession has lost Serjeant Kinglake, the removal of the learned gentleman is more than counterbalanced by the re turn of Mr. Waters, Mr. Bristowe, and Mr. Heron on the Liberal side, and of Sir R. Baggallay, Mr. Plunket, and Mr. Straight on the side of the Conservatives. The Attorney-General for England has been re-elected at Plymouth, and the Solicitor-General for Ireland at Londondesry, while the Judge-Advocate- General is now seeking re-election at Durham. The volunteer interest has lost Colonel Ichabod Wright, and has gained Colonel Marcus Beresford. The medical pro fession, although deprived of the services of Mr. Clements, finding an eminent substitute in Sir Dominic Corrigan. Of the connections of the peerage who have been returned, Lord Bowmont, Mr. Auberon Herbert, and Mr. Greville-Nugent are Liberals, and Lord Mahon is a Conservative. Of those who are no longer members of the House of Commons, Mr. Berkeley, Mr. Denison, and Lord Hyde were Liberals, and Lord Beef ive, Lord Cour tenay, Lord Curzon, Mr. Brodrick, and Mr. Henniker- Major were Conservatives. The parliamentary resurrec tions of the year have included Mr. Bernal Osborne, Mr. Hey ate , Mr. Baillie Cochrane, Mr. K. D. Hod g son, Mr. Julian Goldsmid, Sir R. Baggallay, and Mr. Caven dish Clifford. And although the name of Robinson has disappeared from the House through the unseating of the late member for Bristol, there are seven Smiths, two 'Browns, one Jones, two Whites, and one Greene. —Daily News. THE MONT CENIS TIINNEL.—The completion of the Mont Cenis Tunnel is a great triumph of engineering art. It is the longest tunnel, so far as we know, that has been driven from the opposite ends with the two borings meeting with precision. From the great height of superincumbent matter over the tunnel, it was impossible to sink shafts according to the ordinary mode, so that the ventilation had to be effected from the two ends of the tunnel. The boring machines were put to work in 1861. The tunnel is over 13,000 yards, or about 7i miles in length, and is twenty-six feet three inches wide by nine teen feet nine inches high, which affords space for two lines of rails. The excavations were for nearly.two-thirds of the distance through schist, the remainder being through limestone and very hard quartz, which caused great trouble, and occupied a comparatively long period, particularly during the latter portion of the time employed. The perforating machinery was skilfully contrived, and very beautiful in opera tion, being a combination of hydraulic and pneumatic power. Large reservoirs, considerably higher than the entrances to the tunnel, collected water from the stream lets and from rainfall on the Italian side. The water was sent down to a lower level by large iron pipes, supplying in the descent the power required for the boring operations ; the water pressure was equal to 26ft. perpendicular. At Fourneaux we have seen the beautifully-contrived air-compressing machines, the aerometers and receivers. The action of the water (pumped up from the arc) upon the aerometers set the compressers to work. These compressed the air so that it exercised a pressure of 961 b. on the square inch. The compressed air worked the excavating machines, to which it was conveyed by strong 8-inch iron pipes. The excavating machine took out a drift 12 feet wide by 8 feet high • th e remainder of the work was exe cuted' by blas'ting, or hand-labour in the ordinary methods. The boring machine was mounted upon wheels, and was forwarded upon a tramway. It had ten perforators, acted upon by two flexible tubes, the one conveying compressed air and the other water. The junipers each made its own hole, and had a rapid to-and fro motion, and change of angle by the action of the power applied. The jumpers only bored for blasting, and, when the rock was ready, the boring machine was withdrawn, secured behind folding doors, and the fuse was lighted. A blast of compressed air was then sent in to clear the smoke and sweeten the tunnel, and the miners proceeded to finish, with their picks, what the boring machine had so well begun for them,—Builder. ANOTHER FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT. A shocking accident occurred near Ferryhill Junction Newcastle, on Friday afternoon, by which two breaksmen were killed, and a guard injured beyond hope of recovery. A. mineral train was proceeding down an incline on the Hartlepool and Ferryhill line. The train consisted of forty waggons, with a double break van in advance, three breaksmen being in the van. The break becoming clogged with snow would not work ; the waggons, conse quently, ran rapidly down the incline, and the van was overturned and pushed along for some distance, till it ran into a locomotive, which was standing on a siding. The detached engine was set in motion, and, striking a bridge, was thrown into a field beneath and destroyed. OUR GUNPOWDER. The English Military Committee on Explosive Com pounds, appointed to determine the description of powder whose employment in large charges is attended with least risk of overstraining the guns, have forwarded to the War Office reports as to the progress of their investigation at Woolwich. Their experiments have shewn there is no difficulty in procuring a powder much better suited for use in guns of large calibre than the present service pow der. Five descriptions have been selected from numerous samples tried, viz., rifle large grain, pellet, Russian prig - matic, Ritter prismatic, and pebble powder, and the results, so far, are in favour of the pebble powder, having a density of 1.732. The committee intend to continue the experiments, and in the meantime recommend the adop tion and manufacture of pebble powder. A few unim portant experiments have been made with gun cotton. LAW AND POLICE. FATAL LYNCHING OF A WIFE-BEATER.—An inquest has been held at the London Hospital on a man named Sees, who was set upon by a mob in the Cloniniercial-road a few days since while ill-treating his wife, and who was so be mauled by the crowd that he died from the injuries he re ceived. As no person could be identified out of the num ber of assailants, no one was implicated by the verdict. SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST A MANCHESTER HOP MERCHANT.—At the Dudley Police Court, Mr. Henry Turner, of 47, Shudehill, Manchester, was charged under the 6th section of the Hops (Prevention of Frauds) Act, 1866, ± with having sold to a publican, named Hazlehurst, two pockets of hops without having the proper name of the grower and the place and year of growth upon such pockets. Mr. Stokes prosecuted, and Mr. Young, of the midland circuit, defended. For the prosecution it was stated that the information had been laid against the defendant by the principal hop dealers of the Dudley district, who found that their business had been materially interfered with by the defendant selling foreign hops in English pockets at a price the legitimate trader could not touch. Uponthe serving of the summons, the defendant's solicitor waited upon the prosecution, and said the defendant was willing to make amends and pay a handsome sum to a local charity. He would also give a public promise that the proceedings complained of should not be repeated.—Mr. Young, addressing the bench, said the defendant was a large hop merchant, and in the hurry and press of business the hops had been sent out inadvertently. Mr. Turner had, however, made such arrangements that no irregularity would occur again. He was thankful to the prosecution for the generous spirit in which the matter had been taken up.—After a consulta tion, the magistrates said the case was a most serious one, and defendant would be fined £lO and costs, together with the value of the hops £3, and would have to pay the costs on all the prosecutions.—The sum to be given to the Dis pensary was fixed at £25. orSdak- 8 t lf e E e F t u , CRUELTY.L Portland Market,_Williamwa sOverton, charged ofb before e S and- Knox, at the IVlarlborough - st reet Police-court, with the following cruelty to a horse. Daniel Palmer, 3 C Reserve, stated that on the previous day he was in the Haymarket. when he saw the prisoner driving a horse attached to a van laden with corn. Noticing the horse shrink, he asked the prisoner if It had anything she matter with its shoul der, and he replied "Not much," but on his lifting up the collar he found a sore like a raw piece of beef, with a piece of old sock on it, covered with blood, and there were marks on the horse where pieces had been taken out of it with the whip. The prisoner said that his employer, a Mr. Thorogood, did not know the horse had a bad shoulder. George Young, officer of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said that on examining the horse, he found an old wound on its shoulder with the skin rubbed off, through the straining of the collar, and he also found marks on the flank of fresh, and severe whipping pieces cut out. The prisoner had nothing to say in answer to the charge. Mr. Knox, after remarking that there had been shameful cruelty, said he would give the prisoner the option of paying a fine, but it would be one of £5, or a month. " AN INNOCENT YouTH."—Henry Chambers, aged 14 years of age, was brought before Mr. Paget, at the Thames Police-court, on remand, charged with stealing slbs. of lead from an unoccupied house in Bromley. He was stopped by a police-constable a few night's since in the neighbourhood of Bromley with the lead-piping in his possession. He said he picked it up. On a search being instituted it was discoverel that the piping had been re moved Ifrom the roofing of an unoccupied house in Bow, and considerable damage had been caused. This descrip tion of robbery had been very prevalent in Poplar, Bow, and Bromley, and numerous were s the complaints of the landlords, who had been unable to let their houses until it had cost them a large sum of money ,to repairithem. The prisoner said he was innocent. Howlett, a detective poilce-constable, said the prisoner had been convicted of stealing rope, and sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment and hard labour. The prisoner : I was innocent of that. Howlett : And he had two months imprisonment and hard labour for steal ing lead. The prisoner : And lam innocent of that too. Mr. Paget took upon hiniself the responsibility of com mitting the innocent youth a third time, and sentenced him to three months imprisonment and hard labour. THE EDUCATION A C T.-Mr. J. P. Moody, the Town Clerk of Scarborough has received an intimation from the Education Department, in answer to the memorial of the Town Council, that an order will shortly be sent to the Mayor to form a School Board for the borough of Scarborough. - - - - - CHARITY.—During the first four days of last week says the London Mirror, the charitable institutions of the , metropolis received pecuniary help, amounting in the aggregate to £5,151. Of this sum £2,109 was received in sums not exceeding £lO, £752 not exceeding £5O, seven in sums of £lOO each, three in £2OO each, and one amounting to £l,OOO. A. GiimmaN SCHEME.—The Siecle gives some de tails of the results of a family council and council of war held at Versailles, not guaranteeing their authenticity. According to this account, it has been decided that the Prussians, laving taken the whole lint of the Loire and Paris, are to stop their ravages, and take up their quarters behind Atgone, where they are to entrench themselves strongly. King William and his Ministers will employ themselves in definitely organising those French provinces which thy wish to keep and annex to Germany. Alsace will be annexed to the Grand Duchy of Baden, whose Grand Duke, son-in-law of the King of Prussia, will take the tile of King, Lorraine, erected into a German Grand Duchy will be allotted to Prince Frederick Charles, who wanted to have Champagne as well, but Bismarck opposed this, and would only have let Frederic Charles have the departments of La Meurthe, the Vosges, La Moselle , and La Meuse. The remark attributed by the Journal de Paris to General Trochu gives some colour to this scheme. " The war," said the General, " will not really begin until the month of March." RELIEF 0? THE FRENCH PEASANTRY.—The Daily News ptblishes some letters from M. Drouyen de Lhuys, respecting the assistance which is offered to the French agricuhurists who have been ruined by the war. The first is adlressed to Lord Vernon, President of the Royal Society of Agriculture, who is to preside at the meeting of the Farmer's Club, for the purpose of delibe rating upon tlo best means ofassisting the French. M. Drouyen de Lhuys expresses his gratitude for the sympathy whbh has been shewn, and says that when, in more " forturate days," lie was ambassador in England, he had many opportunities of appreciating the kindness and generoitty of Englishmen. In the second letter, addroised to the President of the Com mittee for tie Relief of the French Agriculturists, M. Drouyn 4 Lhuys thinks that it would be desirable to establish committees in France for the purpose of as certaining the wants of the various localities desolated by the war ; and the most practical way of carrying out this plan would be to form a commission in each commune. This commission might draw up an inventory of the nature and quantity of seed and other necessaries required for sowing the land. Such reports could be forwarded to a committee in the chief town of the arrondissement who would centralise the inventories and arrange the amount of distributicn to be sent to the London committee. Whenever they thought it desirable, the English consuls and the delegates of the English committee could take part in the ddiberations of the commissions. The places where the objects contributed are to be sent in France must be detetrnined by the position of the enemy's troops and the stato of communication. M. Drouyn de Lhuys adds that hehas sent these suggestions to France by the last mail. BREAKFAST.—EPPS'S COCOA.- -GRATEFUL AND COM FORTING.—TIe very agreeable character of this preparation has rendered it ageneral favourite. The Civil Service Gazette re marks :—" Br a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern' the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine ,preperties of well-selected cocoa. Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills." Each packet is labelled—JAMES EPPS & CO., Ilomceo pathic Chemists, London. Also, makers of Epps's CacaOine, very thin evening beverage. —Advt. THE WAR. THE SIEGE OF PARIS. BY BALLOON MAIL-FROM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF CENTRAL PRESS.) Puns, December 19. For some days the forces inside Paris have remained quiet, but we expect to be hard at work again immediately. The rest of above a fortnight was absolutely necessary to reorganise and recruit the army after the terrible losses in the sorties which began on November 29th. A thorough reconstitution was, in fact, required. First of all some serious differences between the generals had to be reconciled. The corps commanded by General Blanchard has been dissolved, and that under General de Malroy has been partly sent to the 3rd army. Both generals have important commands under General Vinoy. Thus the officers who could not live in harmony with Ducrot are now under the orders of a general who is a great favourite with the troops, The ultimate effect of thus settling these most disastrous disputes is that the importance of Ducrot remains unques tionably diminished. The artillery required much resuscitation, and this has at length been effected. The gaps, too, in the various battalions are now filled up. The Parisian military authorities are resolved to main tain discipline, and with reason, for the senseless panics to which individuals and companies alike are in the habit of yielding, are often productive of most mischievous results. The general commanding the National Guards of the Seine has issued an order respecting a section of the 4th company of the 214th battalion. This company was on outpost duty at Creteil, and allowed itself to be carried away by a false alarm, which nearly degenerated into a panic. After a few shots they retreated precipitately, and had to be brought back by their captain. An in quiry has been ordered Into the conduct of the lieutenant. A Franc-tireur, by birth an Alsatian, has been con demned to death for communicating with the enemy. Another battalion, the 147th, has got into trouble. The volunteers were ordered to Rosny, but only 109 men appeared on parade, and most of these were unarmed - - The battalion refused to march, because during their pre vious absence the wives of the married men had not received the Government allow ance of seventy.five centimes per day. The Government has now ordered that the volunteers of the 147th batta lion should be dissolved, and the men composing it incor porated in the battalions from which they came, the heads of such battalions having the right to admit them or refuso them. The rejected men will be disarmed, and definitively struck off the roll. The following proclamation, which has been issued by the Government, is important, as referring to food : " The notice published by the Government two days since appears to have appeased the uneasiness of the popula tion relative to the bread. It is important that no trace should remain. It is clear that if there are four loaves for four consumers, and that one of them ,purchases three, he condemned all the others to be content with one-third ration. This isthe effect of fear. We repeat that there is no ground for preoccupation, and that the bread will not be rationed. Assuredly, if it should be necessary to resizn herself to privations at a moment like the present, Paris would not hesitate. There is no sacrifice she would not be ready to made for honour and for the country. But the existing provisions permit her to be spared this necessity. The quantity of bread sold daily has not varied since the commencement of the siege , and nothing predicts that it should be diminished. There will be no difference but in the quality. The greatest interest of the nation.being to prolong as much as possible the defence of Paris, the Government, sure of responding in that respect to the desire of all the citizens, has resolved that so soon as the delay necessary for the use of the existing quantities shall expire, there shall be no longer sold nor distributed in the town any but pain bis" (brown bread ; but not under stood as in England) ; it is bread of an inferior quality. This bread is nourishing, agreeable to the taste, and without inconvenience to the health. Our peasants eat no other, even in the most favoured departments. It is unnecessary to say that the bread will be of uniform qualty for all consumers, and that no exception will be tolerated. Meat does not fail us. It will be distributed every day in the municipal butcheries, without any sort of reduction in the quantities at present distributed. At first there was some difficulty in organis ing the service , now all is in order. Bread and meat, that is to say, the double basis of alimentation, are assured. After three months of siege, one may say that it is unexpected. These results are chiefly due to the wisdom and patriotism of the population, as resigned before privations, as it is heroic in the face of peril. We have all sworn that nothing would cost us dear to save our country, and we shall succeed by force of calmness, watchfulness and courage." Many startling revelations have been made by the papers discovered at the Tuileries, but none perhaps more striking than the facts elicited from a pamphlet lately found there, which was printed at the Imperial Printing office in May, 1870, but not published. The Emperor him self is supposed to be the author, but the remark ble feature of the case is that it proves that two mo hs before the declaration of war Napoleon was fully aware of the superiority of the Prussian army. The pamphlet begins by censuring those economists who desired to reduce the military strength of France, and then proceeds to institute a comparison between the organisation of the armies of France and Prussia. At that time the army of the North German Confederation was stronger' than the French by four regiments of infantry, fifteen regiments of cavalry, and six regiments of artillery. Besides this the army of Southern Germany had to be reckoned, since the States were compelled by treaty to make common cause with Prussia. This added six divisions of infantry, two divisions of cavalry, and three and a half brigades of artillery. In addition to the active army, the North German Confederation possesses as many regiments of landwehr as there are regiments of the line. Each regiment of the line having three battalions has a corresponding regiment of Landwehr with two battalions, of the same number and bearing the same provincial title as the line regiment. There are also three regiments of Fusiliers, of three battalions, with corresponding regiments of Landwehr in reserve. The total of the Landwehr, including the reserve, is 198 battalions, without reckoning the Landwehr of the Guard, or that of the Grand Duchy of Hesse. The Landwehr is not composed of raw recruits, but of old soldiers, who have served three years under the colours, and four years in the reserve. The army of Northern Germany consists of 12 contingents, at an effective strength of 900,000. It may well be asked why the Emperor did not carry his researches a little further, and ascertain the state 'of his own army as accurately as he had learned that of the Ger mans. many bloody engagements before any of the forts can be taken, and the possibility of Paris being subjected to the full force of the bombardment can be ensured. A correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette, in the Ger man lines, who writes ou the 27th, gives some important information : "Yesterday, being at the outposts at Ville d'Avray, I saw two large trains of waggons heavily laden with shot and shell pass by. They went through Ville d'Avray into the Park of S. Cloud, into which it is not a little difficult for ordinary mortals to obtain access. The fact is that nearly the whole of that part of the park facing Paris has been converted into batteries ; hence the unwillingness of the Prussians to allow strangers to visit its precincts. A more favourable spot from which to begin the bombardment of Paris could hardly be ima gined. The plateau in the Park of St. Cloud commands the greater part of Paris, but it offers an easy mark for Mont Val6rien. To this latter danger the Prussians profess themselves fully alive, but they affirm hat they have amply provided against it. The programme of the bombardment of Paris is probably m follows. First, the batteries on the north will open. That will be merely a demonstration intended to draw the best French gunners from their guns in order to reply to the attack. 'While the French are busily employed in defending one side they will suddenly find themselves attacked from another, and when St. Cloud, Meudon, and Clamart have opened, the great artillery duel will have fairly begun. GENERAL TROCHU'S PLAN. The Correspondance Havas says that at the council of war held in Paris on December 21, the commander-in chief laid his plan before the generals and admirals assem bled at his hotel, and it received their unanimous approval. The President of the Government carried his audience with him. Growing more and more ani mated as he went on explaining his theories, Trochu defined the military and political situation with an elo quence which produced a profound impression. Even those generals most disposed to cavil and criticise were electrified, and left the council convinced of the success of the intended operations. This unanimity was of itself a victory for the general. On the same day Trochu had a narrow escape. He went with his staff to the outskirts of Drancy, and found himself under the fire of an enemy's battery, which poured shell and shots upon the little party. Happily no one was hurt, and Trochu went on unmoved. THE BOMBARDMENT OF PARIS. The Provincial Correspondence writes as follows respect ing the bombardment of Mont Avron :—" The 'impor tant news of the bombardment of Mont Avron on the 27th inst. has just reached us. The bombardment of the town is not now in question, and that of the forts even is not yet directly affected, but the introduction to both has been begun. Mont Avron is an eminence to the east of Paris, situated not far from Fort Rosny. The French have here erected batteries for the purpose of securing and strengthening the fort, and from them their sortie of the 21st was partly made. The im mediate ebject of our attack therefore is to seize this menacing position, and render it harmless. As soon as this is accomplished, not only will the further advance upon the nearest forts be facilitated, but the bombard ment of that portion of Paris in the vicinity will be ren dered possible. The preparations for effectually carrying out the immense task of bombarding Paris have been thoroughly completed, since the defeat of the Army of the Loire at the beginning of December, rendered any attempts at interruption nugatory, and at the present moment such a number of heavy siege guns is in position before Paris as was never before con centrated upon one point. The undertaking that has now been begun is one of the greatest and most difficult of the whole war. The forts in them- Selves are very strong, and have been rendered still more fgrmidable by new works ; besides which they are admir ably armed and well defended. It will, therefore, °oat THE LYONS TRAGEDY. The inquiry into the assassination of M. Arnaud at Lyons is being pushed vigorously forward. The ruge d'instr uction, has appealed, through the press, to all citi zens who are able to recognise any of the individuals who passed the sentence of death on Arnaud, or who formed part of the procession who took him to the place of execution, for assistance. A young man has been arrested, whc, it is said, gave the fatal blow. Among the women in prison is the dreadful virago Baucale, who was always the bearer of the red flag at the manifestations of the Rotunda and the Salle Valentine. One of the men arrested was a working weaver named Charvel, who resisted the guard, and received a pistol shot, of which he • died. The widow of Arnaud has with much dignity refused the subscrip tions made for her and her children by the National Guard. M. Arnaud's name is down on the list seized at the Prefecture on September 4th as " a dangerous Republican, and one to be supervised." The Arnaud affair has caused the Government great uneasiness, and has given rise to several com munications between Gambetta and his Bordeaux colleagues. On the 21st he wrote saying that he had done all he could for a prompt and striking repression of the crime committed the previous day. The repression he says must be exemplary. Gambetta will it is thought prolong his stay at Lyons. He has presided at a meeting of the municipal council, and has received the staff and officers of the National Guard. One of the Paris balloons which recently fell in Bel gium is stated by the Patric to have conveyed a lady. She is a widow, 70 years of age; her name is Madame Roussel. The Allgemeine Zeitung says that General Werder's corps is receiving considerable reinforcements of Line and Land wehr men, and several Prussian regiments are making forced marches towards it. The system of improvising field entrenchments is now being adopted by the French in Paris. It was remarked at the late sortie as a novelty that considerable bodies of men, carrying pickaxes and shovels, accompanied the troops. The German custom of celebrating copper, silver, and golden weddings is generally known, but a diamond wed ding, the 60th anniversary, is of rare occurrence. It has just, however, been observed by Field-Marshal Count Wrangel, the oldest soldier in the Prussian army. On the 26th December, 1810, the then Lieutenant Wrangel mar ried Fraulein Bulow. The age of the venerable pair is not stated. Game is to be had in Paris supplied by the Bavarians, who exchange the products of the chase for tobacCo. A kid is worth three pounds of tobacco, a hare twenty-five loudres, a pheasant one hundred small Bordeaux cigars. These exchanges took place during several days at Bour get. It is said that the Jardins des Plantes and the ‘ardin d'Acclimitation are far from being depopulated. Only such animals as there were duplicates of have been con sumed. The Journal de Lisieux remarks on the spectacle now presented by many churches in Normandy. The two at Pont Audemer are occupied by 4,000 ill-fed and ill-clad French troops. At Honfleur, 1,400 Mobiles sleep on the flagstones of St. Leonard's Church, and in St. Catherine's are 1,500 in so exhausted a state that three or four have died under the porch. At Lisieux 15,000 men, worn out with hunger and cold, have just arrived, 1,000 of whom are lodged fn the three churches. A letter from Chaumont in the Altgemeine Zeitung says : —" Before the small fortress of Langres, which is ener getically defended by 4,000 Frenchmen, mostly escaped soldiers of the former regiments of the Line, there have been warm skirmishes, in which we have always come off victorious and repulsed the sorties of the garrison, but which always caused us losses. Favoured by the moun tainous region, more numerous bands of Francs-Tireurs are in the Upper Marne department than in any other of the occupied districts, and such bands even venture into the vicinity of Chaumont, so that the garrison here has constantly to be on the qui vine. A writer in the Defense Nationale of the 19th, a copy of which was found in the balloon captured in Bavaria. states that he had been horrified at the sight of the long lines of ill-dressed women and children collected before the butchers' shops, shivering in the pelting rain and chilling wind. The tears and entreaties of the poor peo ple were heartrending, and the crowds before the national canteens appeared still more wretched, all being in rags, He contrasts their wretched diet with the comparatively sumptuous fare offered by the restaurants, and urges that in a besieged city all citizens have an equal claim to life. Lady Emily Pigot, who has lately returned from Metz, reports that the amount of suffering there is not to be described, and that men are dying of cold and hunger. r She is not desirous to check the flow of charity at home, but thinks there are those among us who can afford to give to both their own countrymen and to foreigners out of their abundanCe. She intends to return to France to establish a private ambulance in the neighbourhood of Orleans, or, if not possible in that direction, near Paris. She will be assisted by an English doctor and his wife, and asks for money, provisiOns, chloroform, and warm clothing to assist her in her charitable enterprise. A soldier of the Landwehr who has fought in thirteen battles writes from Beaugency, on the Loire, to his wife, saying that they had suffered greatly, and their fatigues and privations of late have been indescribable. They were worse than at Woerth, Sedan, and Orleans. Their artillery would not work, as the interior of the cannons was burnt from firing too much. The cold was extreme, and they were nearly frozen. The heavy work they had undergone had worn out their clothes, and they had scarcely enough to cover them. His shoes let in water, and he could not get any others. The people took refuge in the cellars with their children, as all the houses were burned. The dead were sown together as thickly as a peasant would sow peas, and the wounded were often obliged to pass the night where they fell. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —Holloway's Pills and Ointment. Unparalleled Popularity.—The wonderful cures effected by these unequalled remedies in all parts of the world have won for them their present favour. Both pills and oint ment are composed of ingredients which purify at the same time that they strengthen them. No one can deny that health depends upon pure blood, and the natural action of the animal organs. Both objects are effected without inconvenience or danger by Holldway's medica ments, which are as innocent as they are potent. Internal disorders and external blemishes surely and certainly succumb to their power without running any risk of le la as ying th t e h o e r f i o g u ii n tal dat d i is on eas o e f future weakenin gmaladies v i almost c a e s s t o e r r r o i b f desired to be extirpated. BIRTHS. On the 30th ult., at 59, Belsize-park, the wife of J. B. S. Somers, Esq., of a daughter. On the 30th ult., at 2, Lyall-street, Belgrave-square, the Countess of March, of a son and heir. MARRIAGES, On the 29th ult., at Holy Trinity, Tunbridge-wells, Ed ward Estridge, of Repton, Derbyshire, to Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of the late Rear-Admiral Sir W. E. Parry. On the 29th ult. at St. Stephen's Church, Sydenha m, Ernest Deacon, Esq., of Canton, to Marion Alice , th ird daughter of John Gregory Crace, Esq., of Springffeldl Dulwich. _ DE NTHS. On the 30th ult., at Upper Tooting, Surrey, Susannah, widow of Arthur Miller Rose, aged 75. On the 28th ult., at Weston, near Bath, Nutcombe Quicke, Esq., aged 81. London : Printed by GIDEON ACLAND BOYCE, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, and Published by him at THE SUN Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the County of Middlesex. XonclaY, January 2,18(1.