The Sun. — London, England, 1857-11-19 00:00:00

After which, BOY AND COX. Box, Mr. Buckstone ; Cox, Mr. Compton. To conclude with THE SWISS COTTAGE. Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the evening), 6s. each. (No charge for booking.) First Price, s. 01. Second price. s. d Dross 80xe5...... Upper Boxes ... 3 0 Upper Boxes P t L Aver Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6 Upper Gallery 0 6Ne half-price to Upper Gallery. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean. LAST WEM BUT TWO OF THE TEMPEST. THIS EVENING, will be performed Slialtspere's Play of THE TEMPEST. Preceded by a new farce, in one act, entitled A CASE OF CONSCIENCE. THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI. Lemqae—Mr. Ban. Webster. THIS EVENING, will be performed BETTY MARTIN. After which, a new romar.tic drama, cal ed THE LEGEND OF THE HEADLESS MAN, and in which Mr. Benjamin Webster and Madame Celeste will perform. Pollowed by the original Apropos Sketch, entitled THE DRAPERY QUESTION ; or, Who's for India I Messrs. Wright, P. Bedford, C. Selby; Miss M. Wilton and Miss Mary Keeley. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.—Lessee, Mr. Dillon.—Under the joint management of Miss LOUISA. FYNE and Mr. W. HARRISON. THIS EVENING, will be pe formed Balfe's new opera, T FIE ROSE OF CA STILLE. Characters by Miss Louisa Pyno, Miss Susan Pyne, Miss Marian Prescott, Mr. Weiss, Mr. A. St. Albyn, Mr. G. Honey, Nfr. Wallworth, and Mr. W. Harrison. Conductor, M.r. Alfred Mellon. To conclude with the new Farce, entitled A PAIR OF PIGEONS. Mr. G. Honey and Miss Cuthbert. Private Boxes, £2 12s. 6d., £2 25., and £1 ns. 6d. ; Stalls, 6s. ; Dross Circle, ss. ; Upper Boxes, 4s. ; Pit, 25.; Gallery, ls.—The BRIE Office is now open daily, from 11 to 5, under the direction of Mr. Chatterton, jun. OPAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessees. Messrs. Rob - ion. and Emden. THIS EVENING, will be performed THE LIGHT HOUSE. Mr. Robson, &c. Followed by the new comedy, called LEADING STRINGS. Messrs. Addison, G. Vining, H. Wigan ; Miss Marston and Mrs. Emden (late Miss Somers). • Commence at half-past Seven. STRAND THEATRE.—THIS EVENING, will be performed THE GENTLEMAN OPPOSITE. After which, THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. John Peerybingle, Mr. Emery; Dot, Miss M. A, Victor; Bertha, Miss Herbert. To conclude with TAKE THAT GIRL AWAY. Mr. Tilbury, Mr. Leicester Buckingham, and Miss Herbert Commence at Seven. Stalls, 3s. ; Boxes, 25.; Pit, Is.; Gallery 6d. ; Private Boxes, 1/. ls. OYAL SURREY THEATRE. t Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick. THIS EVENING, will be performed a new and powerful drama, entitled INDIA. IN 1857. Messrs. Shepherd, Cres wick, W. Smith, Vollaire, B. Potter, Widdicomb, Belmore, Tapping. ; Miss M. Eburee, Miss Webster, Miss Chalmers, Miss J.linstone. After which, THE BARRISTER. Followed by OUR TRAVIATA. The Blighted One, Mr. Widdicomb. CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road. — OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow _n; company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of ..el:tctions from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS, CHORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, dm., via.:—Miss Russell, Mrs. Badzey, Madlle. Marietta, Mrs. Palmyra, Vass Brn nell, and Madame Marietta.; Herr F. Jonghmans, Mr. Renshaw, It. Grover, T. Farmnt, S. Jonec, J. Barker, W. Melling, Senor Antonio. E. L. Him, and Mr St. Albyn; Messrs. S. Collins, W. T. Critch9eld, and E. Mack ney. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, Master Williams; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Comments at Seven o'clock precisely. Suppers, &c., until twelve o'clock. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAY —Morn., 8 min. aft. 3—Even., 25 /lift' aft. 3 To-MORROW—Morn., 41 min. aft. 3—Even., 0 min. aft. 4 THE WEATHER-SUN OFFICE, NOVEMBER 19. TEIRKONIZTHR, lii THZ SLIDE. 54—highest sines noon yesterday. 44—lowest this morning and during the night. 47—this day at noon. Bartomrriß, 30.33. WIND, S.S.E.; light, with cold hazy weather. `. it D.- ` c • - 4 LONDON, THIIRSDA.Y, NOV. 19, 1857. Day after day it is our painful duty to record failures of first-class firms, whose solvency was never suspected, whose credit was never impaired, until they were crushed by the baleful operation of the iniquitous monetary code of 1844. The proceedings already taken have proved, beyond the possibility of doubt, the general soundness of trade, and that the misfortunes of these eminent firms have been occasioned, mainly, if not en• tirely, by the famine of currency occasioned by the restrictions established by Sir R. Pzicr, on the circulating medium. We may, in fact, speak of it nearly in the terms adopted by the Committee of the House of Lords, in their valuable report on the monetary crisis of 1847. We assert that " the recent (and we regret to say still existing) panic was materially aggravated by the operation of the statute, and the proceedings of the Bank itself. This effect may be traced directly to the Act of 1844, in the legislative restriction im posed on the means of accommodation, whilst a large amount of bullion was held in the coffers of the Bank. * * * And it may be traced to the same cause indirectly, as a consequence of great fluctuations in the rate of discount." It is true that on the present occasion the foreign Exchange, in place of being favourable, have been quite the other way, and that capital has not been recently advanced at an unusually low rate of interest ; but these facts prove not only the inapplicability of the act of 1844 to the internal trade of the country, but al,o of that of 1819, on which it was foundqd, and of which it wax described to be " the necessary complement." Trade an d manu f ac t ures canno t b e ma intained with a minimum rate of 10 per cant. for discount to the most favoured classes, and perhaps double that amount to those who, though no less solvent, in proportion to their liabilities, iyAsess inferior influence. We therefore hear of suspensions, where we are assured by the bullionist organ that " no ultimate loss need be apprehended," although it may easily be conceived that the credit of the parties who have been unable to weather the stirin has been completely destroyed, and that the capital) invested will be annihilated—and all this, that the tnoneyceracy may be enabled to purchase 40s. worth of goods for 20 , ., or, as we have already at ited, that " prudent (i. e. overreaching) credi tors should be empowered to ruin their unfortu nito debtors," or, as the Times recently stated, "to face one portion of the community, wLo allow themselves to be drawn into a panic, to part with their p roperty at a sacrifice, to another and a more clear-headed portion, who find Mansell, s in a condition to buy it." That is the sole end and object of the Bank Charter Act, viz., to create an artificial scarcity cf.' money, so that numerous long as they had confidence in their leaders would brave any dangers, endure any suffering., but, when those dangers and sufferings were to be directly traced to the imbecility, or worse than imbecility, to the dishonesty of those placed in command, we could not feel greatly surprised if disaffection should prevail, and a mutinous spirit be manifested. So will it be with the people, un less immediate steps be adopted to remove the serious grievance to which they are subjected. The great question at issue—that of gold D. labour—must speedily be decided, one way or the other, or the people may feel disposod to take the law into their own hands, and to force immediate judgment. The Government, in pursuance of the OvEa• STONE theory, permitted matters to go on " to the last extremity, when the danger of general confusion had become imminent." This cannot now be stopped by the very inadequate relief they have thought proper to afford. We explained some weeks since that the mere suspension of the Act of 1844 would not now suffice. That of 1819 must share a similar fate, or at all events there must be an extensive issue of 11.-notes, which by economising the use of gold may still render it adequate to the purposes for which it is used—and which, if issued to the extent of twenty millions, would, as Mr. JAS. WILSON, the enthusiastic ad vocate of bullionism, declared, " immediately add to the effective capital of the country, to our stock of commodities, or, which is the same thing, our command over them, just as much as if we dug that amount of bullion out of the centre of England." We have repeatedly pointed out the absurdity of the prohibition of these useful in struments of exchange, which in 1825 saved the Bank of England and the Nation, and would do so again if properly introduced. The Times alludes to the American difficulty as conclusive against the use of a virtually unlimited paper currency, but this is a fallacy. The failure and panic in America are attributable to the con duct of the Government, that refused to receive a single note in payment of tames or duties, and thus so far as practicable cast discredit on the entire system. If there was a really national note receivable in payment of taxes in every State in the Union—such as we demand for Eng land, there would have been no difficulty. The smart Yankees, who refused the totes of the neighbouring States, for the purpose of extracting heavy discounts from the holders, occa sioned the mischief, and both the Government and the sharp practitioners have well merited the severe lesson they have received. There could be no danger of the depreciation of really national notes, of small denominations, receivable by every Government department in this country ; and the issue thereof will alone suffice to meet the existing difficulty. At length we know the value at which the Government estimates the services of those gal= lant men by whom the Sepoy Mutiny has been crushed, and our Indian Empire preserved to the United Kingdom. The honours have, unques tionably, been tardily bestowed, and are by no means unreasonable in account. Sir JOHN Law • RENCE has been made a G.C.B. of the Civi Division, for his extraordinary and most efficient efforts in the Punjaub, which may to a certain extent be said tohave saved India. WILSON and HAVELOCK are each raised to the secondary dignity of K.C.B. I The capture of Delhi, the relief of Cawnporeand Lucknow, and the series of brilliant victories achieved by the truly gallant HAVELOCK are thus lightly estintated by the Government. Why, if they had destroyed their brigades and totally failed in all they were bound to accom plish they would, judging from precedent, have received just the same distinctions . It is scarcely worth while, so far as stars, and ribands, and titles are concerned, to tike much trouble to earn them. The capture of Delhi has enabled the General in command to add a handle to his name, but no other person has obtained an equal reward. It is true that it is stated that if the deeply lamented NICHOLSON had survived his wounds, he also would have been added to the list ; but what of Brigadier JONES, of Colonel CAMPBELL, and the other survivors, who so nobly headed the columns in that terrible onslaught They have not been even deemed worthy of the third rank of the order—VAN CORTLANDT, and CHAMBERLAIN, are the only two who have received even so trifling a recognition of their services. Again, Cawnpore and Lucknow together, are only good for a single Sir-ship, just what a Civic tailor might obtain for presenting a toadying address to the PRINCE CONSORT. Nor is there a single officer made a GB. for these noble feats of desperate courage. INGLIS, the commander of the devoted garrison, was not deemed sufficiently worthy. Verily, the Government are indeed chary of the rewards, which they have dealt forth with niggard hands to their faithful and truly meritorious servants. This is simply because these real heroes are men of the middle class ; because they have not so called noble blood In their veins. If they could trace their origin to a libertine Monarch, or even an influential Peer, albeit their escutcheons might be obscured by the bar sinister, they would have more suitable recompenses. But their virtues are concealed by " the cold shade of aristocracy," and anything is good enough for those who have not near relatives in either branch of the Legislature. But u the they ePeople will not so judge their heroes ; with will exclaim—Honour be to all who have so nobly vindicated the supremacy of our arms against the traitorous and bloodthirsty villains who have frantically endeavoured to subvert our rightful domination ! Honour to the energetic LA.WP.CE, to WILSON of Delhi, to NrcsoLsoN the prompt, to NEILL, the avenger ! But dou le honour be to the bravest of the brave —" the noblest Briton of them daunt less warrior, who, if the national will receive a fitting exposition, will speedily be enrolled It seems the Italians are openly expressing their wonder at the supineness of England in re gard to the two British prisoners of the King of NAPLES. It is universally known that they are detained untried in defiance of the law of Naples as well as of the law and courtesy of nations. On the last point, indeed, little could be expected from the bully whom we suffer to exist as mo narch of subjects who want but a hint from us to throw him into the crater of Mount Vesuvius, or to employ him in examining the depths of ' Scylla and Charydis. But his refusal to allow the prisoners the benefit of Neapolitan laws is an in su.lt to England in the person of these poor men at Nvhich it is no wonder that all Italy is asto nishod. It is openly said, as indeed we have said here, that if France or America had prisoners in the same position, but four-and-twenty-hours' notice \you'd be given from the state cabin of a commander's frigate, and, failing attention to it, tl a notice of another kind would immediately follow. Of the latter notice there would certainly be no need. FERDINAND'S subjects would not submit to a bom bardment to gratify the infatuated obstinacy of the Virgin's chief petticoat maker. Then, an indem nity for their sufferings and losses, too, would be immediately forthcoming. It seems that even the harsh Neapolitan laws do permit the accused to see his advisers after what may be called " a true bill" has been found. This process has been completed some time ; yet the accused are kept at Salerno awaiting a trial which never commences, and, notwith standing all Lord CLARENDON and our Consul can do, the latter is not permitted even to see them. We feel ourseives disgraced as Eng lishmen by this. We feel, as Mr. BUCHANAN or 'L•IIIs NAPOLEON would assuredly feel, that this is not a case to palter with, if we are to retain a shadow of self-respect. We have Lord LYONS close at hand ; why not put the business in his hands. Instruct him to bring away the prisoners —leave the process to him—and we will answer for it, he will redeem English reputation in the Mediterranean in a few hours. We write delibe rately. We have no notion of lowering ourselves for ever before every despot of England. If we can not enforce justice against diplomacy and red tape, on behalf of British citizens in the hands of crackbrained and contemptible despots, then let our Admiral strike his flag at once, and return to Spithead. THB BANK CHARTER ACT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE 8171 C. SlR,—The suspension of the Bank Charter Act of I 1844 sooner or later was clearly to be foreseen. In a letter I published last November I remarked that its knell was tolling, and that in all probability it might again have to be suspended before the meeting of Par liament ; that events were rolling on which, resistless as the ocean's tide, would sweep away all legal obstructions to natural laws. Our trade was increasing under the influence of free-trade principles at an enormous rate, and mast continue to increase at the same rate when confidence is restored. The wholesale portion of that trade is carried on by credit money, by bills, which are engagements to pay legal tender money at distant periods. When shocks to credit take place, and come they will sooner or later from one cause or another—and this time the shock,has come with avengeancefrom Ame rica—the issuers of these promises to provide legal ten der money have to look out sharply for the means of fulfilling their engagements failing which, bask ruptcy is their fate. The whole commercial world was, therefore, for legal tender money, and where is it ? —it is but a drop coinpared to the ocean of credit money. In this country (thanks to the wisdom of Lerd Overstone) there is a law, the Bank Charter Aot of 1844, which prohibits the increase of legal tender paper money under any circumstances whatsoever Now the apprehension of a deficiency of legal tender money was the cause of the panio in Oct. 1847. The London bankers waited on the Chancellor of the Exchequer and said, "let us have notes, charge 10 or 12 per cent. for them, we don't care what the rate of interest is." By note, they meant legal tender money wherewith to discharge legally their debts, they did net want them as °Grimy, for in a panio where trade is paralysed less currency is needed, but, as the one thing needful, legal tender money. Tee same apprehension of a deficiency of legal tender money has now again occurred, and a panic is the natural consequence— a I run for it to protect themselves against all possible con tinges° ee. Sauce qui pout, is the general cry, for it is will known that the Act of 1844 limits the supply, and now, and in Oct., 1847, the panic is again stopped by the suspension of the Act. The very essence of the Act is the prohibition to issue more legal tender paper money, and yet when the prohibition—the cause of the panic-4 removed, and the panic cured, it is contended, that unless an actual increase of issues takes place, the Act itself will not have been infringed. Has not the position I have endeavoured to establish, that the rate of discount de• ponds fundamentally on the demand and supply of the legal tender, been verified by the suspension of the Act. The rate in the City before the issue of the Government letter was 15 per cent., immediately afterwards it fell to 8 per cent. So far the Government has taken the right to remove the panic, the unlimited issue of legal tender paper money on approved securities, still another step is necessary to revive trade, to setourAmerican customers on their legs again, and enable them to pay their debts to us, and buy our goods. This may be done by letting them have in exchange for their cotton and corn the gold we can spare from our retail trade, by the issue of one pound notes as the substitute for sovereigns, The gold used in the retail trade is a distinct stock, as Adam Smith says, to that employed in the wholesale trade— evidenced by the stock in the Bank of England being reduced to less than 7,000,0001., not withstanding all the efforts to increase it, whilst the whole stock in ; the country is 70,000,0001., chiefly used for shopping. Spare a few millions of this by substilatiog one pound notes, and let them go to America, and con fidence w;11 be restored and trade revived. Nay, the very anticipation of the supply will produce these effects in a groat degree. I will conclude by repeating my prediction that the knell of the Bank Charter Act of 1844 is tolling. The chief mourners at the iotermeat will be Lord Overstone and the Bank directors— the former representing the moneyocracy, for the exclusive benefit of which class the act operates, and the latter as deploring the loss of their monopoly. These friends of the act were the sole sup porters of its character before the late Parliamentary in quest. The funeral dirge will be chaunted by the writer of the City Money Article in the Time.; whom rumour with its thousand tongues proclaims to be a paid and faithful servant of the Bank of Eegland.—l am, Sir, yours sincerely, HAMER STA NSFELD. The Grange, Burly, near Otley, Nov. 17, 1857. TO TUE EDITOR Or THE SUN. SIB,—It is evident that the public must he prepared for a series of such articles as that in the l'intes of this day ; but I conceive that there are few amongst its readers who will not consider that its illustrations in the money article are unfortunate—as not applicable to the cause they are intended to support. Instead of the in terference of Government affecting the value of every article of commerce, it has prevented the ♦alue of every article being effected. It has sot yet appeared, with re spect to any of thefirms which have become embarrassed, that the stoppages have been caused by reckless trading ; for the same paper has pretty generally intimated that the firms were so substantial, that no ultimate loss need be apprehended ; that even the golf, which has beeu supplied to some establishments, will speedily be re turned into the coffers of the Bank. Tae real defect has been proved to be the want of a sufficiently circulating medium, in proof of which, it has also been stated, that the bills, whiole have been offered fur discount, have, by the same means, been passed with as much facility as they c mold have been in the easiest times. With regard to the rate of discount, that must be treated by those who now require accommodation, as they would a bad debt ; but wbat wool ] have been the c insequences, no one can foretell, if, as the Times intimatee, the rate might have been 20 or 30 per cent., without this con cession, independent of the universal panic, which they also admit might have taken place, if no exten sion of the Bank issues had been advised. How the trade of a country, which has been increased fourfold since the Act of '4l, can be/maintained with ut serue better regulet . ons with regard to the currency, le a matter which will, no doubt, receive the serious con sideration of Parliament.—l am, &l, A CONSTANT READER. Nov. 17, 187. Prince Demiduff, the envoy of Russia to the Curt of Tu,,cany, has left V;enna for Florence. Marshal B3squet is at present at Pau, and intends to pass part of the winter there. The Duchess of Nassau has just given birth to a daughter at Wiesbsden. The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk are passing the season at Arundel Castle, surrounded by a select circle of friends. The Eal of Yarborough has arrived in town, after a s(je , tr of some weeks in Italy. The noble earl and tl e counters go in a few days to Maul)) , Halt, Lincolnshire. The Earl and Countess of Lanesborough have returned to Swithland Hall, Leicestershire, where they intend to pass the winter, irmt Lanesborough Lodge, county Cavan. E 8 U LONDON, TTT IT SI) 11. V' r, .t INT 7' 171 LA a x, 7 7 !I 1 i U, .1 t ;) ITER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. JULL[EN'S CONCERTS. MDLLE. JETTY TREFFZ, The highly Successful INDIAN QUADRILLE, and GENERAL HAVELOCK'S GRAND TRIUMPHAL MARCH The Last Night but Eight. THIS EVENING (Thursday, Nov. 19), will be pro duced (for the 7th time) the New Grand Descriptive Composi tion, by M. Jailien, entitled THE INDIAN QUADRILLE, and GENERAL HAVELOCK'S TRIUMPHAL MARCH, performed by M. Jullien's Orchestra, ass isted by the drums and fifes of the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards, and the Scots Fusilier Guards ; and a Grand Chorus, " Rule Britannia," and " God Save the Queen." rues of Adm i ss i on —P rome nade, 1s • Upper Dozes, 10. ; Gallery, ls. ; Dress Circle, 2 s. 6d.; 'Private Boxes, 10s. 6d. and upwards. Prospectuses with full p ar ticulars, may be had at the Box *tee of the Theatre ; of all the principal libraries ; and at Jallien and Co.'s, 214, Regent-street. MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The GRAND BAL MASQUE, which will elose 3f. Jullien's Nineteenth Season of Concerts (1857), will take place on MONDAY, Nov. 30. Applications ts be made at the Box-office of the Theatre. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. MIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock. with a new Comedy, entitled AN UNEQUAL H ITCH. Princi pal characters by Messrs. Backstone, Compton, Chippendale, W. Farren, Miss Amy Sedgwick, Mrs. Buckingham White, an Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam. _ . . money lenders raay increase their already exorbi tlnt wealth at the expense of the smaller fry, and of those who are striving to earn their daily bread by their daily labour. The evil is now rapidly spreading, both in I England and America, to the working populations. Thousands and tens of thousands of men, able and willing to work, are reduced to idleness, or compelled to go on half-time. They are thus de graded from their normal condition, as the crea tors and producers of national wealth, to that of unprofitable consumers. But will they submit patiently to such an untoward state of affairs for the exclusive benefit of usurious blood-suckers? We fear that all the blandishments of the Times and its sycophantic disciples will not persuade them to do so, and that serious riots may occur. The artisans and operatives may not understand ,he causes that have led to such deplorably re- sults, but they feel the effects intensely, and can scarcely see their wives and children sub- jected to severe privations with that pro- found equanimity which the Times inculcates, with rather a bad grace. Our soldiers, so amongst the Imperial Peers, reflecting honour .upon that august assembly, by the style and title o HENRY, Baron HAVELOCK, of Lucknow. LATEST NEWS. financial crisis under which several countries of Europe are labouring will affect Spain, and that the situation of the bank of that country is highly satisfactory. Several of the journals speak of the probability of taking off the state of siege in the provinces of Valence, Aragon, and Andalusia. The price of wheat continued to give way. The Madrid journals coNtinue the publication of the defence of Queen Christina ; they have now arrived at the chapters which refer to the share her Majesty had in the affair of the Aranjuez railway. The Chamber of Accusation of Genoa closed the inquiry on the disturbances of June last on the 13th inst. Of the accused, 42 are to stand their trial before the Court of A , size ; seven, including Miss White, are set a . ; liberty, and orders of arrest have been issued against 20 more who have ab sconded. M. Savi, the editor of the Italiane Popolo, is among those who are to be tried. The reduction of the Austrian army has been sanctioned. The Marquis of Normanhy, British minister to the courts of Florence and Parma, ar. ived at the latter city on the 9th, with Lady Normanby. On the following day, they received an invitation to the royal villa of Sala, whence they returned on the 12th and sot out immediately after for Modena. ARRIVAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN AND BOMBAY MAILS. that the capital required for the cot of construction, &c., be raised by loan, on the issue of government debentures for 1001. each, to the amount of 6,000,0001., payable (principal and interest) in Loudon, and of other deben tures for 161. each, payable in ➢ielbourne, both bearing 6 per cent. interest to be paid out of the consolidated revenue, and redeemable in twenty-five years, that the debentures, if not taken up by the contractors, shoold not be at once thrown upon the London Stock Exchange, but should be first brought to the notice of the great London capitalists, with a view to getting them to tender for the loan ; that a detailed statement of in come and expenditure be published quarterly in connexion with the usual qoaiterly abstracts published of the colo nial revenue and Expenditur 3 ; that the Board of Works, consisting of the President, the Chief Commissioner of Public Works, the Surveyor-General, and two paid members, have the superintendence of the construction of the lines under their control ; and that on the corn pletion of the lines, the management of the railways should not be vested in the government. Such were the recommendations of the committee ; bet, after a long and careful deliberation, the Parliament has decided upon a direct line to Castlemaine also. MEDITERRANEAN TELEGRAPH. The directors of the Mediterranean Extension Telegraph Company have this day received the following telegraphic despatch, dated Cagliari, Wednesday, Nov. 18 : " We yesterday completed successfully the submarine cable between Cagliari and Malta in seventy hours. We intend to start on Saturday for Corfu. (Signed) "R. S. NEWALL. " CHARLES LEDDELL." The Paris correspondent of the Times (second edition) says : "A telegraphic despatch from Constantinople announces that, pursuant to instructions received from Paris, M. Thouvenel had consented to be reconciled with Redschid Pasha, and that the reconciliation will take place without the honour of either party suffering in the least. " A difference is said to have arisen between England and Turkey on the one hand, and Russia on the other, on the subject of the trade and navigation of the Black Sea. This difference threatened to assume some importance, but it appears that the French and Prussian Govern ments have interposed between the parties, and suggested that the solution should be left to the Congress." A St. Petersburg letter says :—According to the latest intelligence, the relations betwee❑ Russia and China have taken a hostile turn. At all events, tho Court of Pekin has refused to re ceive the Russian ambassador. It is evident that the generally hostile attitude of the Chinese Go vernment towards foreigners has become still more so since the suspengion of military operations against it in consequence of the rebellion in India. The interior troubles of the country are to be ap peased, and the Chinese Government now flatters itself that it is able to make head against Europe. Since China shuts her ears to all pacific negotia- tion, we shall at last be compelled to adopt the most energetic measures. There is one important circumstance which we must always keep in mind, viz., that Russia and China are close neighbours along a great extent of common frontier, and that our new establishments on the Amour river must be protected." FRANCE. PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING. The following telegraphic despatches have been received here : "BERLIN, Nov. 18.—The committee of the Germanic Diet will make its report to-morrow on the Holstein affair. Bavaria, as the moot considerable of the States of the Confederation not having possessions other than German, has been charged with the task of drawing up the report, in order to preserve to the Holstein affair its purely German character." "BERNE, Nov 17.—Tne Federal Council has decided that it will net appoint diplomatic or consular agents in Turkey ; also that it will not treat with any power for the purpose of placing under its protection the Swiss residing in the Turkish dominions." "TURIN, Nov. 17.—The elections definitively known np to this time are 65 in number, and may be divided as follows ;—Ministerial, 42 ; doubtful, 3 ; clerical, 20." BOURSE, Nov. 18.—The market was very buoy ant at the opening, from the fact that important remittances had been received yesterday from New York by several commercial firms. The following were the last quotations Cub. fr. End of Month. Ili per Cents 3 per Cents 67 67 10 Bank Shares 2900 Credit Fonder 5OO Credit Mabilier 757 50 Roman 1 — Do. Account 752 50 Austrian , Belgian lt (x.d) 95/— Spanish Threes 9o— 4 riedmontsse (5) 9O Eionae - Delst RAJ:LW AT Es-3 . ort. CA.611. tr. 0. fr C. Orleans A — Northern 3 — New Ditto Lyons and Med 8174— Grand Central New Ditto... .. ..... 8024 Sardinian 4 — Geneva 575 Austrian C0rn. ....„ G 524— BELGIUM. The Telegraphe of Brussels says :—" It is posi tive that M. _Meer, the new minister, has hid a conference with the Prince de Ligne, president of the Senate, and that the result is that nothing op poses the establishment of good relations between the ministry and that body. M. Frere intends to mark his return to office by the presentation of a bill on the revision of the present system of taxation, on which he has employed his leisure since kis re tirement from the cabinet in 1852." PRUSSIA. The Bourse Gazette of Berlin says :—" The Bank of Prussia, in accordance with a deci s i on o f its go vernors, has given notice to a certain number of its depositors to withdraw . their money o r to leave it at a reduced rate of interest. It has not, however, discontinued to discount . commercial bills, but it refuses any loan which It conceives to be of a nature to lead to an exportation of the precious metals to foreign countries." SARDINIA. The Piedniontese Gazette announces that Count Camillo Cavour has been elected at Turin by the first college. The members ele c t e d by th e o ther colleges are —Marquis Pallavicimo, Commanders Galvagno and Nolla, and Colonel Cavilli. In the seventh college, the election was doubtful, and a second c rntest was to take place between Count Leval and Advocate Brofferio. General Alfonso Lainarmora has been elected at Biella ; Count Solaro della Marghenta (extreme right) has been elected at Varese, Borgomanero, and Carru. NAPLES. NAPLES, Nov. 10.--The following is a trausl ,tion of a legal opinion as to the prohibition by this Go verament to permit the English engiueers now in prison to see their Consul, it will add to its autho rity if it is known that it is the united decision of several of the first advocates of Naples after a long and laborious discussion. " According to the law, an iniputato cannot speak with his advocate until the process has been made public ; that is to say, until the instruzione of the case is completed, and it has been handed into the Chancery of the court previous to trial. In Euglish phraseology we should say until a true bill has been found. The trial may then be proceeded with immediately ; but usually an interval of a few days elapses, when tne prisoner is per mitted to communicate with his counsel." Now, mark, this the only p ro hibition set up by the Neapolitan law ; and even this has ceased to exist, as the in s tr uz i one with retard to these m . en is completed, an d they have been ten t down to Salerno to stand their trial. The law, however, throws not the sli g h tes t i mpe di me nt in the way o . f a prisoner's having fr.* centu run i ca tion with his 'datives, friends, or rePreseutativer, and it is an established maxim that silexci sanctions. Such being the law of Naples, what is the position of the two British subjects now in prison at Saleruos The circumstances of their arrest are well known. This is the fifth month of their confinement without trial. Not a friend has been permitted to visit them Our energetic Acting-Consul, Mr. Barbar, has made repeated a ppli c ations for permission to do so, without effect. Lard Clarendon has directed a formal demand for such a permission, still the doors move nob. The Neapolitan law is grossly violated in the ease of two British subjects, and the name of Englishman ceases to be a protection in the world, Is lien, in the Two Sicilies above all other countries. men who bear the honoured name can be treated with such indignity with impunity. Are the social amenities, and a desire to couciliato the dear Ma jesty of the Two Sicilies, again and again to be urged as a reason for not maiutaining our national dignity'? Wuy, his Majesty laughs at us, and sots us at defiance, and we have become a byword throughout Italy ! SPAIN. The Madrid journals of the 141 h give details re specting the new conspiracy discovered in Barcelona, from which it appears that it was got up by Carlists and Republicans, and that some members of the former party, residing in France, were concerned in it. They add that a notorious Carlist, named .Montserrat, who was at the bead of the affair, bad been arrested and condemned to death ; but that his execution had been postponed in consequence of his having offered to make disclosures. The Queen has ordered court mourning for a fort night, fur the late Duchess de Nemours. Tho Clamor Public° states that it is not likely that the The Royal Mail Company's steamer Aus tralasian, Captain Jaffray Sceales, arrived at Southampton yesterday afternoon, with the heavy portion of the mails from Australia and Bombay, comprising in all 513 boxes. She left Alexandria on the 6th inst., at 8 a.m. and Malta on the 10th, at 7 a.m.; had fine weather, with fresh breezes and smooth sea, during the voyage. The Australasian brings in all 55 passengers, among whom are Captain Bird and Captain Ellison (Aide-le-Camp to General Pennefakher), invalided from Malta. On freight she had 149 packages of golddust, value 525,9161. sterling; and her cargo consists of 283 casks of dates, 73 cases of gum, 31 bales of wool, 139 trusses and 10 cases of elephants' teeth, and 61 packages of sundries. At Alexandria were her Majesty's surveying steamship Tartarus, the Peninsula and Oriental Company's steamships Indus and Valetta, and a Russian frigate and brig (names unknown). At Malta were her Majesty's ships Royal Albert 1 (flag of Admiral LordiLyons), Conqueror, Princess Royal, Centurion, Vulture, Vigilant, Coquette, Boxer, Wanderer, Harpy, Hibernian gaardship, and Supply storeship. I The Australasian did not speak any chips on the passage. The Emeu, which brought the Australian mail to Suez, ran ashore, as has already been stated, on a coral reef in the Red Sea, about 700 miles from Suez. She was going at full speed, and ran about 30 feet on the reef. After being stuck fast for 53 hours, she was got off by cutting away the rock and backing her out. She was torn very much forward, and made water fast. She was then driven on a favourable beach, and the water pumped out of her by the crow and passengers, and patched up so that she was enabled to reach Suez. If it had not been for her watertight compartments and the exertions of the passengers she would never have got off the rocks. She was ashore eight days re pairing. The Admiralty agent, wi , h two passengers and the purser, left the Emeu, and went on board a native sailing boat, carrying with them about 150 boxes of mails, containing chiefly letters. This was three weeks ago, and it is not expected that they can reach Suez oefore the latter end of this week. They are in an open boat, with a head wind, and their sufferingsmust be dreadful. The Emeu's going ashore was the fault of the native pilot. She will be unable to proceed to Australia with the mail which left England on the 12th ult. and will have to go to Calcutta, or some other Indian port, in company with another ship to be repaired. The outward Australian mail of the 12th ult. must wait at Suez for the Simla, which is expected at that port on the 22d inst. The Australasian will prove a fast steamer ; she, however, consumes a large quantity of coals. _ In addition to the intelligence from New South Wales to the 10th Sept., which we published on Monday, and that from Melbourne to the 17th, which we gave on Tuesday, as received via Mar seillee, the following information about the affairs of the province of Victoria is supplied by the completer files of the Melbourne Age and Argus which have now corns to hand. In the Legislative Assembly the Government has succeeded, notwithetanding great opposition, in passing the Laud Bill, the effect of which will be to give all the squatters a legal tenure and priority of purchase of the extensive tracts of public land occupied by them as sheep-runs. It is expected, however, that in the Upper House, or Legislative Council, the bill will undergo same modification. The Argus says : That tanners, as well as squatters, have a right to enjoy the use of a portion of the unsold crown lands for depasturing purposes, has been admitted by the bill lately pasael by the assembly. Whether this ever becomes law or not is still very doubtful ; but as the bill now stands, it is proposed that, on petition from the occupiers of cultivated land, the Governor in Council shall have poser to set apart as agricul tural pasturage an extent of waste land in their immedi- Lire neighbourhood equal to that held by the petitioners. This recognition of the right of agriculturists to a share of the natural pasturage is of more value as a matter of principle than for the actual benefit that will be conferred on the present tillers of the soil by the bill, if it is finally passed in its present shape. This privilege is to be granted on terms which will prevent many of the farmers from obtaining any portion of the so-ealled agricultural pasturage at all, and will not allow of its being turned to the beet account by those who do. All lands taken from the licensed squatting occupiers for this purpose, are to be exposed to public auction in lots of such extent as may seem best to the Land Board, and let for one year to the highest bidder. Under this system of com petition it is not probable that the grass-land set apart for their use and benefit will be divided among the farmers in proportion to the quantity of purchased land held by each. Even though it may be put up in small lots, it is almost certain to fall into the hands of a few persons who will be able to pay a higher rent per acre for a number of these small allotments than each would be worth by itself. As these are only to be let fo r ens year certain, it will not be w orth the holders' wh ile to feeice them in, and but little use can be made of 50 or 100 acres of unfenced land. Of far more benefit will be the power proposed to be given to future purchasers of special country lots, of not more than 160 acres each, to occupy an adjoining allotment of the same size for pas. toral purpoSev,- for which he will have to pay a yearly rent at the rate of 6 per cent, on the va'ne, with a right to complete the purchase at any tinie within three years if be shall have brought into cultivation two-thirds of his own allottueet. This provision will be beneficial to the se ttler, not only in giving him the use of a portion of grass-land for a. time at a moderate rent, but it will, in psllllt of fact en able him to purchase a farm of 320 acres , or less, and retain half the purchase-money for three years, for the purposes of improvement. To small eapi• talists this will be a very great boon. We also find the following : A bill for amending the law relating to the management of the gold fields is passing through the Assembly. One of its principal provisions consists of the abolition of the present local courte, and the substitution for them of two courts, one of a judicial and the other of a legislative character—the former to be held under the presidency of judges to be appointed by the Governor. The Legisla tive Court will be elective. The two courts will wake all rules for the local management of the gold fields on which they are situated, will determine disputes, settle claims, and will severally fulfil the functions of county courts and municipal council". After eoioiderable delay, Mr. Daffy has brought up the report of a select committee appointed many months ago to consider the question of a federal union between the Australian colonies, and the following are its princi pal recommendation. :- 1, That the legislatures of New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania, be requested to select three delegates each, two of whom might be members of as sembly, and one a member of council, to meet three dele gates trom this colony. 2. That these delegates assembled in conference be empowered to frame a plan of federation, to be after wards submitted, for approval, either to the colonial legislatures, or directly to the people, or to both, as may be determined ; and to receive such further legislative sanction as may appear necessary. 3. That the expenditure incident to the Conference shall be borne by the respective colonies, in whatever propori ins may be fixed by the Conference itself 4. Teat the Conference shall ha I its meeting in what ever place the majority of the delegates may determine ; their decisions being interchanged in writing within a month of their elections being completed. No little interest was excited by a movement on the part of the Attorrey-general for the abolition of State Ail. When tie third reading of the bill was called for, in the Lower House, it was announced that an " ar rangement" had been made by a compromise of conflict ing opinions, the result of which would be that of " ex tending the period of State aid being granted to clergy. men to 1860 instead of 1859, and limit the granting of state aid for building purpsees to 1860 instead of 1861, as pr )%i led in the bill as it at present stands." So it resulted. The report of the railway committee has been issued, They recommend that the con,tructiou of railwa:s zocld be committed to the state, and not to private companies, that the structure of the works and permanent way should be strong, durable, and substantial ; and 2 trunk lines should be first formed—one from Geelong to Bal. larat, the other from Melbourne to Sandhurst—with a view to further extension to the Murray ; that they should be commenced at the same period ; that each of these should have a double, not single line of rails, that contracts far the execution of•the works are to be taken by tender, either for the whole of the lines or for sections of them ; that the contractors, before engaging in the works, must deposits sufficient sum with the government Its security for the proper performance of the contract , For the last two months the import markets have been characterised by an almost unrelieved stagnancy. The specu!aticn which was so rife previously bad transferred large stocks of all our staple articles of consumption into second hands, and as no opening for speculative operations have offered for many weeks, importers have not been able to quit at a rate commensurate with the constant arrivals, and stocks have again accumn latt don first hands. The stores, bonded and free, are overcrowded with goods, a large amount of capi'sl is kept idle, and importers generally are complaining of the impossibility of realising from the absence of a de nand pr-portionate to the supply. This state of things must continue, unless on the one band, the reckless shippers at home can be induced to withhold consign ments, er on the other, the consuming power of t he coun try can be increased three or four fold. While over-produc tion is maintained at the present rate, the former will be utterly impracticable. The excessive stocks must be forced into market somewhere and shipments on speculation will continue as extensive as we now find them. Unfor tunately, while the public funds are expended freely in encouraging immigration, but little care is taken to find ecoployment for the crowds of new arrivals constantly pouring into our ports. The average consumption of goods of all kinds is net sustained, because hardly a tithe of the 10,000 who have entered the colony during the last two months have found occupation er adequate means of support. Hence, while the population numeri cally increases at a rapid rate, the scale of consumption is declining, for with increase in numbers comes more general impoverishment. One reason of the non-fulfilment of the hopes which were entertained at the commencement n the winter, has been the luag continuance of dry weatit -13usiness on the diggings has been greatly depressed;:: `%is cause. The men have been compelled to work fora any months without realising—there being no sufficient supply of water to enable them to " wash up." Hence they have lived very largely on credit, thus drawing upon the re sources of the storekeeper, whose limited cash means have prevented him from recruiting his stock by acces sion from tows. Up-country trade bas accordingly been confined for the most part to absolute necessaries, and restricted to the available means of the retailers and con sumers, There is, however, some prospec'c, of improve ment in this direction. Abundance of rain has latterly fallen on the older diggings, and the process •f " washing up," which will probably put all parties in funds, has commenced. GOLD —The new gold-field at Mount Ararat is likely t• fulfil the expectations which have been formed respect ing it. The population is estimated at from 40,000 to 50,000, and the second fortnightly escort, which arrived in town on Monday last, is reported at 17,370 oz. The heavy rains which have fallen on most of the older dig gings have enabled the men more generally to realise on the stuff which has been accumulating around the puddling machines, the quartz crushers, and elsewhere, for many months past. And as they wash off it is expected that the regular returns will show a steady and continuous increase. As illustrating the permanent value of our digging., we give the following comparative statement of the escorts for the last six weeks of the current year, and the six corresponding weeks of 1856. Week • Kling 1857. 1850. August 7 f) 14 „ 21 » 28 Sept. 4 „ 11 The gold ships which have left this port since the date of our last summary are the following :—July 16, Columbian for SuPz, 46,171 oz. ; July 25, - King Phillip, for London, 30,835 do. ; July 25, Jason, hor Calcutta, 2,307 do. ; July 25, Scotia, for Calcutta, 1,603 do ; August 5, Avon, for London, 61,653 do ; August 7, Heather Ball, for London, 19,647 do ; August 7, Ocean Chief, for Calcutta, 4.088 do ' • August 7. Daniel Ross, for Hong Kong, 10,472 do ; Aug. 12, Royal Charter, for Liverpool, 83.593 do ; August 15, Seringapatarn, for Liverpool, 12,180 do ; Augu.t 20, Eranee, for Calcutta, ' 1,696 do • August 22, Kitty Simpson. for Hong K ona. 8,458 do ; August 22, Texas, for Hong Kong. 5,857 do. ; Sept. 2, Essex, for London, 105,255 do ; Sept. 5, Eleanor, for Hong Kong, 4,000 do. The total amount of gold shipped since the com mencement of 1857, including the shipments to the neighbouring colonies, has been 79 tons 1 c sq. 3 qrs. 20 lI:Ft., 11 oz., which at 803. per uz , gives the value of 7,636,602/. At the last sitting M. Babinot read a paper on the figures of the earth, in which he remarked on the uncertainty which still existed on that subject. He observed that at the Marquesas Islands the globe appears to be considerably flattened, and that it would be highly advantageous to science to measure a degree there. In the Isle of Wight, Mr. Colby had found that, notwithstanding its flatness, there was a discrepancy of nearly 1-20th between the real profile and the measured arc. Hence M. Babinet concludes that the globe must be consider ed an ellipsoid, in which the difference between the equatorial and polar radii is less than 1-300th, and that a commission ought to be named to study the question more thoroughly than has been done. M. Leverrier presented diagrams of Jupiter, as seen on the Ist of Oct. last, and of Saturn with its rings, as observed on the 7th of Feb. last. He also gave an account of a meteor observed by himself on the 20th ult., about 6 p.m., while looking at the moon. Its brilliancy was equal to that of Jupiter, it moved eastwards parallel to the horizon, and disappeared in the course of about six or seven seconds, leaving three reddish points behind, which likewise disap peared shortly after. Marshal Vaillant observed the same phenomenon from the Bastille. M. Le verrier also presented fresh observations of the 50th planet taken at Bilk by the discoverer, M. Luther. and ephemerides of the planet calculated by M. Bruhns, of Berdn. M. Guerin-Meneville sent in a letter on the Citonia aurata, or rose-beetle, which for some time past has engrossed the attention of naturalists as a remedy for hydrophobia. M. Mene ville stated from personal experience that in the go vernments of Voroneje and Koursk, in Russia, it is customary to give dogs half a beetle in powder from time to time mixed with bread crumbs, as apreserva tive against that disease; and that the Russians affirm that there are persons vf ho cure hydrophobia radically by means of the fresh juice of a certain plant. He further suggested that the want of freshness may be the reason why these juices preserved in chemists' shops do not produce the desired effect. Marshal Vaillant announced that M. - Hardy, director of the Experimental Garden at Algiers, had sent him 127,000 cocoons of the silkworm that live upon the castor-plant (Ricinus communis), to be experi mented on wi►h a view to test the quality of their silk. M. de Paravey wrote to remind the Academy that the two satellites belonging to the planet Ju piter had been noticed by him in the Japanese En cyclopcedia, and that he had also mentioned four small globes surrounding a larger one placed over the head of Jupiter Ammon in the Egyptian bas reliefs. His letter concluded with establishing an intimate relation between the science of the Egyp tians and Japanese. " A discovery of great interest to the artistical world," says the Presse, " was latey made by M. E. About, the writer, while going throtsgh the shop of a collector of curiosities in the Rue du Bac. After examining different articles, the mas ter of the place informed his visitor that he had in his possession 12 pictures by Titian ; and taking him into an inner room showed them as they hung against the wall. These pictures are four feet long by nine inches high, and represent the history of Joseph, according to Biblical tradition. In sup port of his assertion that the pictures were genuine the dealer produced letters from M. Flandrin and M Delacroix stating that the pictures were very valuable. In a short time M. About and the dealer came to terms, and the pictures were placed in the hands of a cleaner, who, after a first operation re marked that in all the pictures Joseph bore a resem blance to Charles V., which was considered in favour of their authenticity. The clearer, in follow ing up his operations, soon afterwards discovered in a corner the signature of Titian thus worded,— ' Tizianus Vorcilius da Cadore pinxit.' " COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. THE LONDON GtAS MONOPOLY. CONFERENCE OF THE METROPOLITAN PARISHES. Yesterday an important meeting of deputations ap pointed"by the vestries and district boards of the metro politan parishes was held at the Court-house, St. Marylebone, for the purpose of considering the recent step taken by the Metropolitan Gas Companies, of dividing the metropolis into districts, with a view to the prevention of competition. Dr. Bachhoffner, of Marylebone, was called to the chair, and deputations were present from the vestries of Marylebone, Islington, St. Pancras, Paddington, St. James's (Westminster), S t, George's (Pimlico), &o. The meeting was fully attended. The CHAIRMAN observed there could be little doubt that the effect of the recent apportionment of districts to each other by the gas companies themselves would be injury to the consumers and monopoly. (Hear, bear.) In the first place, the consumers had been banded over from our contractor to another, without their conseet even being asked; and, secondly, the consumers were so completely at the mercy of the gas companies, that already, he was informed, in some instances, they were exhibiting their power by refusing gas to in-coming tenants unless they paid the arrears of their predeces sors. This in itself was so monstrous as to justify an appeal to Parliament, if there was nothing else. The question was one of deep public importance and the committee of the vestry of Marylehone had thought it advisable to invite a conference with the other parishes on so important a subject. (Hear, hear.) Mr. FRERTH, of Marylebone, having given instances of the evil effects of the monopoly that had already arisen, moved the first resolution, to the effect—" That this meeting views with considerable apprehension the recent division of the metropolis into districts by the various gas companies, and is of opinion that the various metropolitan vestries and district boards should co- .pe• rate together to prevent the operation of the gas com panies from working injuriously to the gas consumers of the metropolis." (Hear, bear.) _ _ Mr. GEESIN, St. James's, seconded the motion. Mr. HODOENS thought that, as a general principle, the supply of artificial ight should be under a municipal arrangement. If such a combination were now allowed to be carried out, they might in 1862, so soon as the coal-tax expired, have the coal merchants parcelling out the metropolis in the same way, and in furtherance of their own monopoly, deprive the public of the benefit of the remission of the tax. To show the spirit in which the companies were prepared to act he might mention that throughout St. Marylebone, where the Imperial Company had hitherto uo ether con piny to contend against, they forced the consumer to purchase his own meter, and charged him for laying on the service ; whereas in St. Pancras, where, prior to the combination they had to encounter the opposition of another com pany, they laid on the service free of all charge, and allowed the consumer to rent his meter. Mr. Eldridge, St. Panora,: ; Mr. Cameron, St. Pan eras ; Mr. Eft, Islington ; Mr. Beale, St. James's ; Mr. Churchwarden Socen, Marylebone ; Mr. Belton, Mr. Austin, Mr. Cameron, and ether gentlemen, having spoken in favour of th• resolution, Mr. BEALE moved, and Mr. CAMERON seconded a re solution to adjourn the conference, to c iminunicate with all the vestries and district boards of the metropolitan parishes, and to enable the deputations present to report to and obtain powers from the respective bodies they represent. Mr. Dickenson, churchwarden, Mr. Roach, of Pad dington, and other gentlemen having spoken, the motion was carried ; just as the meeting was concluding, an im portant letter was received from the town-clerk of Man chester, stating that the profits of gas lighting to the corporatio❑ amounted to between 30,0001. and 40,0001. per annum, and was applied to local improvements. (Loud applause.) Thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. THY. AMERICAN MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday. The United States steam-ship Fulton, Capt. J. A. Wet ton, sailed for New York to-day with the French and English mails, 90 passengers, 21,3751. in specie from London, and 300,000 dollars from Havre. By a tele gram received here this afternoon we nre informed that the screw steamer Jason, on her tvay from New York to this port, had put into Queenstown short of coals, and would proced immediately. MR. COBDEN.—There is no probability of Mr. Cob den's return to Parliament at present. Ile perernotori y r3luses to be put in nomination. A party of geniletnir, who were anxious to start him as a candidate for Reat - ing, have been informed that circumstances of a family nature preclude him from seeking a seat in the Commonr, and would prevent his acceptance of a seat, even it elected without the necessary contest. INQUEST ON THE BODY OF MR. STAFFORD, M.P.— DUBLIN, Wednesday.—An inquest was held today the body of Mr. Stafford. The attention of the jury was directed to the question as to whether the de ceased had died in consequence of an overdose of lauda num administered to him by Dr. Griffin, of Limerick. After the necessary evidence, however, they came to the conclusion that the h on . g entleman had died from natural causes, disease of the heart being sufficient to account for death. FRE2cOH" A IEMY OF SeIENCV. WIITCHCRAFT IN STOCKPORT. A short time ago two glass bottles, filled with a purple fluid, and also containing a hard sub stance, were discovered by some workmen who were lowering the road at Holy-wood, Stockport. That they had been deposited there for some time was evident from the circumstance that long grass was growing over the spot, although there was only a depth of six inches of soil. On analysis the liquid was discovered to consist of dragon's blood and urine, the hard substance being a number of brass pins. It appears that mixtures of this sc u r p i p e t s i o f ft o r are t h o purpose ofby ~ bewitching" fortune-tellers t their r t their des whereun faithful theselov ers Some d . istancefrom the place bottles were found a canvass bag, filled with brass pins, was also du g u p . The p ins are presum ed to penetrate the heart of the p er son be witched. These discoveries have caused consider able excitement in Edgley, and the Stockport Ad vertiser, from whose report we have gleaned these particulars, gives various instances of the supersti tious belief in witchcraft which prevails in the neigh bourhcod. One man imagines himeelf to have been bewitched by his mother, and fancies that the bottle mig lit be the spell by which he was bound, and that he would ba rcleased by its discovery. One being asked how he knew that he was bewitched, he re plied that his mother had told him so, and he con stantly felt in a state of nervous prostration and de pression of spirits, together with a sensation of fail ing respiration and approaching death. He bad, however, consulted a fortune-teller and obtained from her a charm, whereby he could at any time break the spell. On being pressed as to the nature of this charm, and questioned why he had not adopted it, he stated that he had commenced with it, but had not persevered, and hence its failure. It was as follows :—He must stand over the fire,. sprinkling salt upcn it, and say, " Salt, salt, I put thee into the fire. May the person who bewitched me neither eat, drink, nor sleep until this spell is broken." This must be done nine mornings in suc cession, and be repeated three times OA each occa sion, Another instance is that of a professional for tune-teller and planet-ruler. This woman declares that could the parties be detected who deposited the bottles in the earth, the evil influences devolv ing upon the bewitched parties would recoil upon themselves. She, however, protested against the immediate destruction of the . bottle by throwing away the liquid into the cesspool, on the ground of the injury that would be sustained by the land pia which the manure might ultimately be spread ; nor must it be shed in the garden, or vegetation would be impaired; .and the only way was to break the phial over a running stream, whereby the pernicious fluid would mingle with the purer current, and be imperceptibly, but irrevocably wasted ; the bottle being also cast into the water. A third instance of the existing belief in witchcraft is that of a woman who asserts that her sister was once b e witched. The spell, she asserts, could not be broken by ordinary means, as the agency was buried in the b ed ofth river Mersey, the auspices of a " .wise woman," however, the Wellington-bridge arch. Under , however, the young woma n was called upon to stand in a particular spot, at a given time, while an incantation was pronounced. "Several spirits passed before her, one of which remained in front of her :or some time." To this the planet-ruler addressed herself, and it soon disappeared, together with the young woman's ailments and forebodings.—Man chester Guardian. LIEUT. SALKELD, THE HERO OF 711111 CASHMERE GATE. Lieut. Philip Salkeld, of the Bengal Engineers, who a ' gallantry in attempting to fire the powder bags at th e Cashmere in our Gate of Delhi has been so recently recorded n our columns, though young in years, is an officer of con siderable experience as well as high promise. Our readers will remember that in the recent telegraphic dispatches he is mentioned as having been very da9gorouslf wounded, and though he has received the distinction of the Victoria cross for his daring conduct, there are fears that he may not live to enj .y the distinction. He is a son of the Rev. Richard Salkeld, formerly resident at Servan, Ile-et-Vilaine, and was born Oct. 13, 1830, con sequently he is only just 27 years of age. He received his nomination to the Indian service from the late Wtre Astell, Eiq., M.P., father of the present director of tbb East India Company, and received his early education at the Military Ccllege of Addiscombe. There he was selected by competition for an engineer appointment, and obtained the highest prizes is mathematics and modern languages. On quitting Addiscombe he went t) the Royal Engineer establishment at Chatham, where he spent nearly two ytare in the theoretic and practical study .of fortification and other kindred subjects. He quitted that institution in January, 1850, and arrived at Calcutta in the following June, when, having acquired a perfect knowledge of the Hindostanee language, he joined the corps of Sappers and Miners. In June, 1853, be was appointed to officiate as executive engineer officer at Meerut, 4 from whence again in the following year we find him transferred to the charge of a division of the Urand Trunk-road, in which operation he was conti nuallv employed down to December, 1856, when be suo: caeded to the office of executive engineer of the Delhi division. In July last he joined the force before Delhi, and for the perilous du'y which devolved upon him, viz., that of blowing open the emit - mere gate, Get • .al Wilson has already i xpre,sed his warmest thanks, together with his " adnoiratiori of all who were engaged in that diffi cult operation." Hie commissions bear date as follows- - Second lieutenant, June 9, 1848; first lieutenant, Aug. le 1854. We can only trust that Lieut. Salkeld's life me 7 yet be spared, and we are sure that his fellow-countoe men here will be as proud of him when he returns to England, as Inland justly was of her own Lieutenant Massey, the " hero of the Redan." DEATH OF COLONEL HIGGINS, $.H.—We regret to announce the death of Colonel Warner Westenra Big' gins, K H., which took place recently e,t Rodney-ter race, Cheltenham, in the 77th year of his age. Colonel lligains served in Ireland during the rebellion in 179 8 - In 1806 he was at the landing and taking of liteldonado, in South Ametica - at the affair of San Carlos, he was sadly wounded, and had his horse shot ; alo° the siege and taking of Monte Video. ia whicht