The Sun. — London, England, 1847-01-02 00:00:00

eal, 4$ y, and ; Yee], mesuS, at but re troth oaf. '2lb, 3d lb, 3%d b, 5d to ; Polled 4s 10d $ -er ditto, • Both er ditto, A oclo' Clovet per load. ;ou .) rt of norning• alreadl les could positions ily cony LY line) ith English, yards hie ) met the ;-glass 111 goner put saed hid what 51 1 1 t she bfi? Le shop I ran after off. 06 ) that sbe it as b et e windoir ,portunitl (which 10 know the Ter at the ':ic•n Co e 4 . a large r rough ifice, said r, who at searcho l & ncil-osegi had 01°1j tbrol le pi.5 9 ,, e 1 (Eng ing t o Luantity. d On 111/113' ;togl exani— d o round t" Batt °/1 ,; sated the ev y- ,1 men tion v nand— iod ) A I f *) argea 1 5 a bout ances. A °the an— - d r WAS f 0 , ntiOrt , an d o ther ° ttempte ` lO lad 1 31°° 14 nmediste im up 613 .0 .tomtue l t l ost utt".7o h., eo"..r mt. fisible, 1.1 - ;re sever'', his bead tiled bout! . Barth ellr bad state' ,• : was coo he prisol: leave t., imrucc li sr " aPPe- 5 4 D AB ...-• .de, before ole o )usly 9 t %e f 69014, to og in sill r 4ife AO ist. 1014 ?rly a c. OO , s situ: W oo Lary °f joi ista3aa' d cash-b,°4 abscona:A, tlandlay's force, 0 4 ° , Read• s hand-bl'oi ng Ba° lc „pi ,t differ be E-1 whet found 69"- dr a `1: atten for the to the 13.°L. isoner we. n priiro; W itrl e • silver, t o 1 box. 24th P e e c i ng teis g p cas h -be 0 but ° afterwefj t" a irenuPff u itelswl ° el be, "" o o Leeds, be which eoneti l i drees` bage'n. C oe :ribed 4,1) f re sto o . ' and of iith based W at 1.,eel Ind f° ll° c l i c h °pone Life i tg : at Messro, in F ay e b which a itself, so nd 0 16 f th e key ° i be II cow", pier, wh l et ie a tbe non t he rittl o26 to / aye : _ jo iurturg; • tbol l oner - ou id no ti° ce. r be ing 'ne on $/ttir; „01 7- 11?1, AtTTIt TT - ViA iRIiTk. INDIA. (From the Times.) We have been favoured with a, copy of the Bombay Times, of the 2d of December, from which we make the following extracts : The past fortnight has proved an unusually barren one in intelligence. The insurrection in Cashmere is now fairly over ; the Sheik Etnaun-ood-Deen sur rendered himself into our hands on the 31st of Octo ber, and the troops advancing on the lately dis turbed country were immediately ordered to return to quarters. Sir John Littler's forces commenced their retrograde movement on the 4th, and ree elled Laho re on th e 12th; th e G en eral himself having quitted them on the march and proceeded to Loodiana. The troops sent from Ferozepore to occupy for a time the Seikh capital moved out on theo 9 th, and took th e i r wa y i n the direction of the ' e tle..l. The brigade of Colonel Wheeler were at Seculkote, in the Jullundur Doab, on the 10th. The liloult cn misunderstandings seem fully arranged, and there appears every reason to believe that the provi sions of the Treaty of Umritsir will be satisfactorily carried out, and our army within our own dominions by January, 1847—a triumphant answer to the cen surers of the pacific policy now for the first time tried in India, and likely to be gloriously successful. Singe continues quiet; Rumours are rife of the immediate retirement of Sir C. Napier from office. According 12 his stay to one account he will quit Kurrachee on the 12th of December; ecember ; according to another he will extend till March ; no one expects that he will remain till the approach of the hot season. The rumour znenticned in our last, that the messengers bearing letters to her son from the mother of Meer Shandad had been pursued, arrested, and stripped of their dispatches, by order of the Governor, after he had given them a safe conduct to Surat, proves authen tic. This most extraordinary proceeding is supposed to have been resorted to with a view of discovering some matters in the letters of a parent Which might criminate the son and help to eke out that singular species of justification of the conquest of %tide supposed to be contained in the blackening of the c h arac t er o f th e Ameers ! The climate within the Delta continued cool and healthy, but at Sukkur considerable sickness prevailed. Three companies of artillery, one regiment of cavalry, and five of in fantry, are about to be withdrawn from the country, leaving still behind a force of about 15,000 men. When the expedition, 13,000 strong, moved on Ba bawulpore in February, 9,000 were sent from 13ombay to join them or supply their places : none of these have hitherto been withdrawn. The Bengal forces which returned to Upper India were about 6 ,500 strong. The local corps having been doubled , left a f orce , w hi c h s till rema i ns on th e I n d us, of nearly 24,000 men. By the proposed re duction of betwixt 7,000 and 8,000, it will still remain 16,000 strong. At this it stood when the Parliamentary returns showing that the country cost us nearly 1,000,000/. a year were made 11 P ; from November, 1845, to November, 1846, the military charges must have been nearly doubled : the balance required to be drawn from India will now once more fall back to about 1,0001. a year. The Five per Cent. Loan, which this fearful drain has created, is filling up slowly, and one of six per cent, is talked of. The late Ministry are said to have been f avourable to the restoration of the Ameers. The Whi gs are restrained from this by the order of the Duke of Wellington, who backs out Lord unlessnnborough and the Napiers in all things ; and, _nless Parliam en t i nterfere, a few years hence the finances of I n di a may furnish an excuse for the in crease, as th e y di d in 1842 for the imposition of the income-tax. The Governor-General had by latest accounts reach e d L oodiana on his way to the Jullun dur Doab. The C ommander-in-Chief had not yet quitted Simla. The Governor of Madras was on his Way b ac k f rom Bangalore to the Neilgherry Hills. The Governor of Bombay has returned to the presidency ; as also h as Si r T. M`Mahon. At the recommenda tionG o f the Court of Nizamut Adawlut, the Deputy so o vernor of B enga l h as remitted the fine and impri _ Moulmein ordered t o b e i n fli cted on the editor of the Aftasosueirhn mein Chr on i c l e b y t h e Comm i ss i on of the Te- Provi nces . The new Minister at Hyder abad, in th e Nizam's dominions, has given much satis faction by the manner in which he has commenced his career. His salary is 30,0001. a year, independent of as much more in the shape of perquisites of office ! India generally is quiet and contented ; trade is dull, and money scarce. Up to the hour of going to press the steamer with the London mails of the 24th of October, due since the 27th ult., had not arrived, and her absence had begun to create considerable uneasiness. serious interruption to business. The Marwarrce dealers am donni th,St' mblinz trAnsactions, and ,•‘• ti.;:lalr largo PA - beta , , Metals—A lair amount of business has been done in these during the past fortnight. Sales have taken place in Swedish bar of 300 tons at 49ir., and of 200 tons ditto at 50ir. per candy, which prices exhibit a slight decline on our last quotation. British bar has not fluctuated in value. Hoop and nails are also without change. Square nail rod has been disposed of at 47r. per candy, which is an 21.iVIVCe on former rates of 2r. to 3r. per candy. For round nail rod 45r. per candy are now offered. In Spelter, we are informed of a sale of 3 000 cwt. at 11r. per cwt., being Ir. below last quotation. The stocks of copper on band are very light, but this article attracts little or no attention, and prices may be said to have undergone a slight decline. The offers for Soul h American (select parcels) are not above 48r. to 49r. per cwt., and for inferior slabs considerably less ; but we hear of no sales. Cotton Manufactures—The prices for piece goods have generally ruled lower than they were, but the firmness on the part of holders has prevented any great decline. No demand ci.n be said to exist for any particular kind of fabrics in the present depressed state of the market. Grey domestics 45 to 50 in. continue to be saleable, but do not more than realise cost, Low grey jaconets and madapollams have been sold to some extent, but at mi serable prices. We also hear of a large sale of 45 in. grey shirtings at sr. 7a. to 6r. 6a. Lappets, and in deed almost every description of fancy goods, are quite neglected. Cotton Yarns—The market for Twist is extremely dull. Nos. 20 and 30 mule are inquired for, but at a re duction of to a anna per lb. upon the prices quoted in our last. The higher numbers of mule are quite neg. lected. No. 40 may be valued at Ba., No. 50 at No. 60 at 10a., No. 70 at 101 a. A large sale of No. 20 water twist haS been made during, the fortnight of very inferior quality, at 6ist. per lb. Woollens—Sales are reported to us of 475 yards drab cloth, 56 in., at 2r. 2a.; and 1,170 yards fine blue and drab cloth, 62 in., at 4r. Ba. We also hear that large sales have been effected in inferior qualities of scarlet, and At extremely low prices. Marine Stores—No change has taken place in the prices of these, nor have we heard of any transactions. Beer—A sale of Allsopp's has been made at 65r. per hogshead, andls hogsheads of Hodgson's have been dis posed of at 60r. per hogshead. Spirits—Sales have taken place in French Brandy (in wood) at rs. 3-2-0 to 3-4-0 per gallon ; in English Brandy of good quality (in wood) at 3 rs. per gallon ; and also in Gin at 2 rs. to 2i rs. per gallon. Saffron—A sale is reported to us of 7001 b. (inferior) at 8 rs. per lb., and some of this article damaged has been disposed of at 5 rs. per lb. Good quality is scarce. Cochineal—This article continues in good demand, and stock on hand is very light. Prices have an upward tendency, and we now quote an advance an former prices. A sale has taken place of silver at 4 rs. per lb. LITERATURE. p.ivor s corm.w4l. EMPIRE, on its Coionies and Dependencies. B' Charles Pridh,int. _Esq., 8.A., ER.G.S. Vol. I. The Mauritius and its Dependencies. The author of this volume has undertaken a gigan tic task. He proposes to give the history of past and present of all the British Colonies, to enter minutely into the statistics of each Colony, and by bringing together from every available source, every species of information relating to the subject of which he treats, to produce a work that shall "accurately describe the components of an Empire, that considered in any point of view is as unrivalled for its grandeur and its fame as for the spirit of wisdom and justice, by which its affairs are administered." Such a work has long been a desidera tum, and judging from the manner in which Mr. Pridham has performed that portion of his task, which relates to the Mauritius and dependencies, treated of in the volume now under consideration, we are inclined to the opinion that the task eould not have been undertaken by any one more able or more willing to do full justice to the subject. He opens with a description of the geographical position and extent of the Mauritius, and then gives a minute account of its history down to the close of 1845 ; the last incident narrated being the joint attack upon Tamatave by the French and English. From Mr. Pridham's account, it would appear, that for the hostility of the Ovahs, we are indebted to the entente cordiale the Ovahs finding the English so constantly aiding, or, at all events permitting, French aggression, naturally confounded the commerce loving English with the conquest-loving French, and we have suffered accordingly from keep ing bad company. Sir W. Gomm, after the at tack on Tamatave, ordered a survey of the whole coast to be made : _ _ " In one of his descents, the English officer was met in a deprecatory tone by the Ovahs, who assured him that it was far from their intention to insult or oppress the English, and that they would never have experienced such treatment had they not conceived that his country men bad combined with the French, who had always sought to overthrow their independence, in a design fur the subjugation of the island." It would, perhaps, be as well :that the disposition of the Ovahs towards England should be tested, and that, if found friendly, a treaty should be entered into with them, and, if necessary, British protection extended to them. This is the more necessary when we bear in mind the disposition to aggression which the French have constantly exhibited ever since the Island of Bourbon was restored to them. An in stance of this spirit of encroachment is given by Mr. Pridham. The Island of Amsterdam and St. Paul's have always been considered as dependencies of the Mauritius : " Recently, however, some merchants of Bourbon, sensible of their value as fishing stations, and knowing that the surrounding seas abo un d e d i n cod of the best quality (they having caught, with a limited supply of labour, 1,200 fish daily, and expecting, with their pre sent means, to increase their catch to 2,000, and thus supply the Bourbon market with salt cod, the principal food of the negroes in that colony), induced the Go vernor of Bourbon to declare these isles dependencies of that island, and have occupied them with a number of negroes, who are superintended by Europeans, that are, in their turn, directed by a Pole. This person has had the effrontery to forbid British and American vessels from fishing in the neighbourhood, and assumed the protection of French colours. The conduct of the Go. vernor of Bourbon has, it is true, been censured by the Minister of Marine, and the permission to use the na tionel flag has been withdrawn, the style being changed, and a blue edging been substituted; but those who are familiar with the history of French aggression, from the time of their intrigues in Acadia to the present day, will not fail to remember that they ever make the acts of in dividuals the cloak of national aggrandisement, for the quasi claim of the former being permitted to become prescriptive by lapse of time, is presently superseded by that of the nation, which cannot so well be resisted. The design of the Governor of Bourbon in seizing on an island of so little importance would be incomprehensible, did not the recent movements of France to recover her lost ground in this ocean furnish a key to the mystery. I apprehend also that the honour of Great Britain is as much compromised by this intrusion, trivial as it may appear, as it would be in a case where the stake was greater, nor is it a mark of foresight to permit any other than her own people to occupy islands which will be come yearly of greater importance, as the trade with our Australian possessions is augmented." Having given the history of the island, Mr. Prid ham next proceeds to treat of the manners and cus toms of the inhabitants. He then enters minutely into the physical history of the island, its Zoology, Botany, Geology, and climate and diseases. He then treats at great length of its agricul ture and its commerce, of its ports and har harbours, and lastly of its government and literature. The concluding chapter is devoted to the history of the Dependencies of the Mauritius, including the Seychelles group, Rodriguez and several other smaller islands, of the importance of the possession of the Mauritius to the English, and of the value set upon it by the French to re-possess it, some idea may be formed from the following passage from the great work of Abbe Raynal, who says " policy foresees that if the Isle of France (the Mauritius) were aban doned (by the French), the English would drive all foreign nations out of the seas of Asia, and would possess themselves of all the riches of those vast countries. " That the French ardently desire to re-possess themselves of this island is openly avowed by many of their political writers, and that some of the old French colonists bear but an unwilling allegiance to England cannot be denied. But these colonists are utterly powerless. A noble act of justice has secured to us the possession of the Mauritius. The emancipated negro and Indian population, are to a man, thoroughly and completely loyal to England, because it is only by the maintenance of English supremacy, that negro and Indian liberty can be secured. With the follow ing extract, in which this subject is fully discussed, we must conclude our notice of this work. One of the few published during the course of 1846, which must become a stock work of reference and authority— " If there be any external cause of alarm from any power in the world, as respects the tenure of our Indian empire (which may reasonably admit of doubt) it must arise from France alone. If she were in possession of this island, and her squadrons could escape from blockade in Europe, or from an intercepting fleet on the passage and further elude the observation of the Cape squadron, or overpower it by its superior force and reach the Mau ritius, the fleet might be here recruited, and be detached on predatory excursions (as before) against British com merce, or eluding the Indian squadrons, burst on some part of the extensive coasts of the peninsula, and landing troops unite with the disaffected Mussulman. But this hypothesis being reversed, and the obstacles we have mentioned being only in part removed, while the advan tage to be derived from the possession of the Isle of France should be in the hands of a rival, such an at tempt would be indeed hopeless; for granting that Bour bon might prove commodious enough (supposing the difficulties above mentioned to have been overcome) for the purpose of temporary refreshment, yet it possesses no port of refuge in tempestuous weather, and could afford no adequate protection to a fleet which would be soon attacked by the divisions of several squadrons. There is little difficulty, moreover, in perceiving that even these advantages would be denied it ; for the Bri tish Government, from its possessing a monopoly of the earliest channels of intelligence, would immediately dis pose of the question in the event of a war by assuming the offensive, for which they would be greatly favoured by their occupation of the Mauritius, and direct an at tack against the remaining possessions of France in these seas, and against such an attack the French have no effectual means of resistance. Under such circumstances the situation of a French fleet from Europe (again as suming that it would escape the dangers of the passage) would excite mingled contempt and pity rather than ap prehension. Bereft of all means for refitment, where such means could be readily obtained, without a port, from which it could derive protection against the ele ments, or defend itself in case of an attack, after a steam or sailing voyage of several thousand miles, such a fleet, with its weary and despairing crews, would become the prey rather than the assailant of the first British squa dron it might encounter. " It has been lately urged, that, in the event of an at tack on this island by France, no dependence can be placed on the loyalty and fidelity of the French popula tion ; but, assuming this to be correct, that population, compared with the other inhabitants, is only as MO twelfth, and of that a considerable portion has been de tached from any connexion with the chimerical views entertained by an insatiable clique, of the prospect of this island ever reverting to France in the event of a war, by the judicious and conciliatory conduct of the Govern ment. Of late years British-born subject, both as planters and merchants, have been gradually increasing in wealth, numbers, and influence ; while the negro and Indian population are to a man in favour of a govern ment on whom alone they are dependent for protection ; the slightest semblance, therefore, of treason, from what quarter soever originating, would meet with the most condign punishment. Perhaps in none of the British colonies can any class or section of a community be found more in the power of a government, for good or evil, than the French population of the Mauritius. " Admitting, then, that many parts of the coast are assailable, yet the difficulties of a march in such a coun try, coupled with the impediments arising from the at tacks of the vast irregular army that might be almost instantly assembled, would prove next to insuperable ; while an effectual resistance could be offered by the capi tal, till such time as assistance could arrive. But fur ther, assuming that by some fortuitous circumstance, at present out of the reach of possibility, France could snake herself master of this island, such mastery would in the very nature of things prove but temporary, from her inability (unless she continued to hold the maritime supremacy in this ocean) to subsist her troops, the island being dependent on Madagascar for the supply of the commonest necessaries. " With respect to recent French aggressions in these seas, it may be observed, that their aim, would appear to be to secure a footing (which they do not at present possess) on the main island of Madagascar, and by creating divisions among the natives to acquire a terri tory in the tropics, which may compensate them for those in which they have betn supplanted. Their pre sent possessions are Bourbon, Nossi Beh, and St. Mary's off the eastern coast of Madagascar, and Mayotta, and THE PIJ NJAUB. ?slitters connected with the arrangements of the Go vernor-General, in reference to the Punjaub, proceeded most auspiciously, and there seems every reason to hope that the peaceful policy contemplated will be carried out in the spirit of the original treaty. We had scarcely gone to press with our overland summary of the 16th ultimo when letters reached us from Sir John Littler's eamp, intimating that the troops advancing on Cashmere had received directions to retrace their steps. The in surgent leader had surrendered, and the insurrection was at an end. Colonel Lawrence, who had quitted Lahore on the 15th of October, had gone forward with the Seikh forces from Lahore and Jamoo, now united, and they were at the town of Kojote on the 30th of October. This is within the pass, and considerably ahead of the difisions under Sir J. Littler and Brigadier Wheeler. here the raja to whom the town and district belOnged came in to make his peace with us. The Sheik Emaum ood-Deen had actually quitted Cashmere on the 23d of October, the day originally named by him. Captain Edwardes, having been sent out to meet him, received him close to the Peer Punjul Pass on the 31st. The news having been immediately transmitted to Colonel Lawrence, the order already referred to was issued to the army in the rear the very day of the surrender ; it reached Lahore by express on the 2d, and was generally promulgated on the 3d. Captain Edwardes joined the Seikh camp with his charge on the Ist of November, when it was intimated that the insurgent leader was in keeping of the British agent. This is said to have con siderably displeased the Jamoo chief, who would most likely have desired to deal with his enemy, in considera tion of the trouble he had occasioned, in a manner some • What different from that considered most befitting in English eyes. The tidings of the surrender of the Sheikh reached Brigadier Wheeler at Bheembur, and here he halted on receiving them; when he retraced his steps to the right bank of the Chenab, and encamped there on the 4' la of November. The troops belonging to Sir J. Littler's force which had not crossed the river were ordered to stand fast—those that had croased were directed to re cross. On the afternoon of that day a divisional order was issued, thanking the troops for the excellent service they had done, and intimating that there was no further occasion to proceed. The march backward to Lahore immediately commenced, and the troops were once more in their old cantonments on the 12th. Sir John Littler had quitted them on the march, and gone to Loodiana. They had enjoyed uniform good health throughout, and been most abundantly provided with all sorts of supplies. The beauty of the country through which they had passed was the subject of universal admiration; and the prospect of return to the heat, dust, dirt, and imprison ment at Lahore, was regarded with anything but com placency by those w h o, before tasting the freedom and beauty of the mountains on the confines of Cashmere, had endured without a murmur the privations of which anticipation occasioned alarm. On the 9th the troops dispatched from Ferozepore temporarily to occupy the place of those sent out under Sir J. Littler began their return march to their own quarters. Colonel Wheeler's brigade proceeded to the Jullundur Doab, and had reached Seculkote on the loth, Colonel Lawrence, on the surrender of the Sheikh, detained part of the Seikh troops within the pass while he himself crossed into Cashmere to examine into the cause s of the insur rection, and see to the redress of existing grievances, if any such there were within reach of remedy, now t h at , open violence was put down. He had reached his desti nation without molestation or annoyance. Thus all proceeds sm oo thl y and sw i mm i ng ly, w i t h every prospect of the pr o ph ets of evil prov i ng evil prophets. Th e much censured Treaty of Umritsir appears likely to be worked out without interruption or trouble. The clouds have vanished from the political sky, and the winter of our discontent has become once more glorious summer to the lovers of peace and tranquillity. The great indis cretion of leaving the Lahore Durbar in possession of the countries betwixt the Sutlej, the Beeas, and the Indus, may yet come to be confessed by those who cen sured it most for India. most, a consummation as generous as desirable COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. THE BOMBAY MARKET. (From the Chamber of Commerce Overland Price Current.) BOMBAY, DEC. I.—Since the departure of last mail our market for imports has continued in a very de pressed state. The sales of the past fortnight are limited in amount, and prices generally exhibit a , considerable reduction upon those current a few weeks ago : this state of thi ngs h as b een caused entirely by the gambling bargains in opium, to which we alluded in our last issue, and until the result of the Government sale of opium, which was to take place on the 30th ult. at Calcutta, becomes known here we cannot but have commercial distrust amongst the native mercantile community, aid THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 2, 1847. some other islands of the Comoro group on the north west coast. The last possession has not, however, as yet been recognised by Great Britain, and measures are said to hav: - . demand inquiry. Though Mayotta can be of little benefit to France for the purposes of aggressive or even defensive warfare, it is useful by its position in relation to Madagascar for the conduct of intrigues, and gives her the command of the Mosambique Channel. RAIL WAYS; their Rise, Progress, and Construction. With Remarks on Railway Accidents, and Proposals for their Prevention. By Robert Ritchie, F.R.5.5.A.,6-c. This is a complete history of the art of railway making from the first rude attempts at constructing "stone wheel tracks" up to the present time. The author goes into minute details as to the construction of every variety of rail and of every species of loco. motion—discusses the merits of the different species of sleepers --enters elaborately into the comparative merits of the gauges, and comments at length on the advantages and disadvantages of the atmospheric system of propulson. His classification of railway accidents according to their causes is judicious, and his suggestions for th4ir prevention are worthy of consideration. His volume is, in fact, a resume of all that is known at present on the subject of railway construction and locomotion ; and whoever wishes to be au niveau des connoisances actuelles as regards rail way engineering should attentively peruse-Ritchie on railways. THE BRITISH ALMANAC AND COMPANION FOR 1847. This valuable annual still keeps up its high cha racter. The Companion contains a vast amount of valuable information on the Legislative statistics and public improvements of 1846. The article on the Progress of Education in England is well written and well timed ; and Mr. Knight has conferred an obligation on all those who take an interest in the subject, by his judicious condensation of such a vast amount of information in so small a compass. HER MAJESTY'S NEW YEAR'S GIFTS TO THE POOR OF WINDSOR. WINDSOR, FRIDAY.--Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert; accompanied by the Royal Family, walked from the Castle to the New Riding School, in the Home Park, this morning, between nine and ten o'clock, for the purpose of witnessing the inter esting ceremony of the presentation of the royal bounty to upwards of 700 of the poor of Windsor, and also the poor of the parish of Clewer residing within the limits of the borough. The Queen and the Prince were also ac companied by their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess, Prince George, and Princess Mary of Cam bridge, his Serene Highness the Prince Frederic of sblao Dukecl, off e somedb appearedy ot. j t Hesse, the Earl and Countess of Lincoln, Lady Caroline r Leveson Gower, and the other distinguished visitors at the Castle. The Marchioness of Douro, the Duchess of Sutherland, the Hon. Misses Kerr and Paget, the Earl of Listowel, the Hon. Colonel Phipps, C o l one l B ouver i e , Mr. G. E. Anson, Major-General Bowles, & c ., were i n attendance upon her Majesty. The D u k e o f C am b r id ge was attended by Baron Knesebeck, and h er R o y a l High ness by Lady Augusta Cadogan. Her Majesty, the Prince Consort, th e D uc h ess o f Cambridge, and other members of th e R o y a l F am il y , occupied the Queen's Gallery, at th e east en d o f t h e building, which afforded an excell en t v i ew o f t h e inter esting proceedings. plum in Hughes the d a rCambridge,to takea. c p c u om d p i nl accompanied greatnr and(giei e (manufactured interest mean b rr. uer s y ei a at Henry taftheeeu nrtthe Prince de piles . Riding-school, George, id T dai hmnegs and vhneodfl i (supplied mountains andp of ) by Mr. Tull and Mr. Phillips) which were displayed upon long tables, flanked by hundreds of quartern loaves, in the centre of the building. The blankets, flannel, and red cloaks were ranged upon tables along the north and south sides of the Riding-school. The Dowager Lady 1i) ttleton was in attendanZe upon the juvenile branches of the Royal Family. Nearly 500 families were each supplied with meat, bread, and plum .pudding, and one cwt. of coals, the article of fuel having been obtained by them by means of tickets issued on the preceding day. 140 pairs of blankets were also given away, besides a liberal quantity' of warm winter cloaks and flannel. Several sacks of potatoes were likewise included in the royal gifts to the poor. The recipients of her Majesty's bounty (the distribu tion of which was superintended by Mr. J. J. Bed borough, the mayor ; the clergy, magistrates, parochial authorities, and the ladies of the Windsor Visiting So ciety) entered by the western door of the Biding-school, proceeding along the centre, where the supplies were handed to them, and retired at the eastern entrance, be neath the Queen's Gallery ; each, as they walked up the building laden with their gifts, respectfully acknow ledging to the Queen her Majesty's kind benevolence. Her Majesty appeared to be much pleased with the gratifying scene. The Prince Consort and several members of the Royal Family tasted the plum-pudding, and declared it to be excellent. The tables (containing the provisions), the chandeliers, and the side gas branches, were profusely decorated with laurel and evergreens from the royal gardens ; the whole having been arranged under the superintendence of Mr. Norton, the clerk of the kitchen, agreeably to the sug gestions of Major-General Bowles, the ntster of the Household. The interior of the Queen's gallery was tastefully ornamented with laurel and holly displayed in various emblematical devices. Two flags, one embla zoned with the royal arms, and the other with the armorial bearings of the Prince Consort, were displayed from the Leaping-bar, nearly in the centre of the riding school. The issuing of tickets for ale upon this occasion, as upon the last, was dispensed with, it having been con sidered politic by her Majesty's domestic chaplain and the Rev. Mr. Gould, that ale should not again be given away to the objects of the Queen's bounty. At the conclusion of the interesting proceeilings, which P occupied c a o b n o s u o t r w h i o t h u r t a h n e d i r a ro h y a a lf l ; a t h o e Queen ddi a tin g a o n i d s h t he e d visitors and their attendants, returned to the Castle. FOUR YOUNG MEN DROWNED. An inquest was taken before Mr, Whitmarsh on Tuesday last, at Allcannings, on view of the bodies of ry r , , _1 ; :11iata Page, 19 j .1 a of age; Francis Cowdry, 18 years of age; and Stephan Green, 18 years of age, who came by their death under the following circumstances:—these young men were of fine stature, and averaged nearly six feet Each. It appeared from the statement of Stephen Shipman (the survivor), who is between 17 and 18 years of age, that on Sunday last, about six o'clock, he and the above unfortunate individuals left Allcannings for a walk, when they went to Stanton St. Bernard, which is a mile and a half off. They proceeded by the Kenneth and Avon Canal, and at times walked on the ice, till they reached Stanton, where they remained a while, and left at half-past eight to return home. About a quarter of' a mile from Stanton, on their way back, as they were all walking upon the canal, the ice broke, when they fell into the water. All was silence directly, and witness saw no more of his companions. In sinking, he caught hold of the edge of some old ice, and remained for some time in this position, till at last with much difficulty he raised one leg on the ice, and after much delay and great effort he was enabled to get up the other, and then he crawled to the bank ; but it was some time before he could stand, being so cold and weak. Afterwards he went to Allcannings, which he reached about 10 o'clock, and gave information of what had taken place. Their friends and relations immediately went to the spot, where they saw the hats of the deceased on the water, and re turned for the morning, when the bodies were taken out of the canal. Henry Withers was found in an uprighi position, and his hair was frozen to the top of the ice. Verdict, " Accidentally drowned." All were unmarried men. They had, we understand, been to the house of Thomas Broomham, at Stanton, where they drank six quarts of beer between them, but it is stated that they left sober. The following is from a correspondent:— On Sunday night last, five young men, of the parish of Allcannings, returning from Stanton, were rash enough to venture on the canal, the ice of which is daily broken by the barges. Still they went upon it, whether to slide or merely to cross the water is not known, and were instantly immersed, and soon sank to rise no more. One of the party, however, escaped, through the mercy of God, after struggling for about an hour, and by the help of the masses of ice around him, finally reached the shore. What overwhelming sorrow to the families of these deceased youths this fearful visitation has occa sioned may too easily be conceived. Nor should the voice of God, here admonishing the young, both of the uncertainty of life and of the value of each returning Sabbath, be speedily forgotten.—Devizes Gazette. COURT CIRCULAR WINDSOR, FRIDAY.—Sir John Hobhouse took his departure from the Castle to-day. The Queen had a dinner party to-day :wt the Castle. The company included her Royal Highness. the Duchess of Kent, their Royal Highnesses the Duke sand Duchess of Cambridge, their Royal Highnesses I' since George and the Princess Mary, his Serene Iligi'Lness Prince Frederic of Hesse, the Duchess of Sutb erland, and Lady Caroline Leveson Gower, the Lady in Waiting of the Duchess of Kent, the Lady in W.ai ting of the Duchess of Cambridge, the Baroness de Speth, the Earl and Countess of Lincoln, the lion. Ladly Lytteltun, Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, Ca pts tin Francis Seymour, and Baron Knesebeck. The band of the Soots Fusilier Guards att SI ided during Vis countess Forbes and Mr. Vaughan , dinner. Her Majesty had an evening party. 113 e following had the honour of receiving invitations —The Colonel and Lady Emily Lady' Waterpark, Lord James Murray, General and Lady Isab e Ila Wemyss, Henry Ashley, Mr. G. E. and the Hon. Mi Anson, the the two Misses Neville, Mr. S ton, Sir George and Lady Coupes, Miss Dean of Windsor, and Lady Charlotte Neville Grenville, Couper, Hon. ea)nndoLur,adyHGone.o Mri;ri.nstanEduM ll arrsi Miss Lyttelton, Miss Pole Carew, Mr. and Ors. Harcourt (of St. Leonard's), Mr. Ralph Neville, 1,4 LP., Rev. Dr. Hawtrey (Provost of Eton), and Mrs. I I odgson, Mr. Glover, the Commanding Officer of the First Life Guards, and the Commanding Officer of the Scots Fu sillier Guards. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness the 4 , Prince Con sort, and their illustrious guests, were on t ,his, the first, evening of the new year, entertained with Itacine's tra gedy of Athalie, which was recited in a vei ry impressive manner by Mons. Brosseur, the Professor 0 f Literature and the French Language at the King's iColltge and the Charter House. The lyric portion of lls is fine com position was most effectively performed b y the gentle men of her Majesty's band, directed by 1 1.3 Anderson, and aided by a chorus selected from the G .era, E xe t ei Hall, and the Ancient Concert performers. Three ladies, (the Misses Kirkham, Moe g an, and Du val), sang the solo portions of this very bt mutiful music, which Dr. Mendelssohn Bartholdy has i T ndered in a style that enhances his reputation as thegrt 3e.test of living classical composers. 'Grey yester day Pi ❑g from the the West India The Right Hon, ?Milner Gibson, a fl, l Mr. Mark e s ter d o a f y Phill e ip t s t,hheatioaninni.notifierevei.ew with Sir George wereipasityohffieose for thesen t colonies. Colonial•office Governor so. --AC CIDENTS IN ', THE P ARKS. shortly after eleva o'clock, th e E extremely severe frost, which has conti led without intermission since Thursday week, wa s t 'ro k en b y a slight thaw, almost immediately followed b ' f a consider -YesterdayTHE ‘ WEATHER, A morning,TE R, consider able fall of snow and sleet. Notwithstr al ding the un favourable state of the weather for this h id of amuse ment the several parks were during the entire day thronged by individuals of all classes of s o ciety anxious to participate in the enjoyment and exerc it ;es of skating and sliding. Numerous accidents of avi y serious na ture occurred on the ornamental water c,f St. James's Park, in consequence of the weather ha . ring relaxed its extreme severity. The prompt attention't of the icemen of the Royal Humane Society, the park re .ngers police, &c., however, prevented any los s o f life The other parks were also much frequented , but, from a similar attention, no accidents (which were nvontli 'ous) resulted fatally. A CONVERT TO TEETOTALISII..--At an inquest held at Leamiugton last week, on the to iy of a man whose death, it appeared, was hastened b 1 r habits of in temperance, the coroner (G. a . Greenw sy, Esq. took occasion to remark that such repeated instances of death, attributable mainly to excesse s o f t b le ki n d , oug h t to restrain men from " lifting thei r h ands t ioo frequently to their mouths." He bad himself, at the age of sixty one years, commenced water. drinking, and . was now well satisfied with the refreshing qualities of that beverage being much superior to those of champag me, hermitage, or any of the choice wines in which he om :e indulged.— Coventry Herald. VERY INNOCENT FOR A TRIEF.—A . lad named Thomas Johnson, a regular thief, being c hat .ged at the Borough Court, on Wednesday, with ste,alini -; a box of cigars from the shop of A.lr, Goodma n , c o n per street, made the following "innoce nt " statrent to the magis trate in defence:—" am I was cornin g up Tib-strew t, Sir. and I heard a cry of ' Stop thief I' a a nd boy as net Lr my size and as like me as could be threw down this box of cigars and I took them u p, and then th at man (Nli .. Go odman) took me into custody!" The prosecutor st ated that he saw the prisoner t a k e the ci gars, and he ne rer lost sight of him till he was taken.--Committed to tl le sessionN. Manchester Times, GUN COTTON. BY MR. MONTAGUE L. PHILLIPS. As gun -cotton is now. soon likely to he offered for sale as substitute for powder, st.rne remarks upon its pre paration, properties, and use may not be altogether 1111- acceptable. Nobody need trouble themselves to make it, as Schonbein's gun -cotton can be purchased shortly from the makers ; but perhaps the following observations will be interesting to those who may use it:— Upon the first mention of this discovery, I commenced a variety of experiments, with the object of discovering its mode of preparation, properties, use, and theory. It has been long known to chemists that paper, if steeped in strong nitric acid for a short time, becomes converted into a tough parchment-like substance, which is so inflammable that it may he used for tinder. This seems to have suggested the idea of gun-cotton. It is possible to prepare gun cotton by steeping the cotton for a few minutes in very strong nitric acid ; but so much of the cotton is converted into a tough felty matter, like the paper spoken of, that very little explo sive cotton is obtained by the process. I have tried nitric acid of all strengths without good results. Suspecting that the partial success was owing to the presence of sulphuric acid in the nitric acid distilled, I made experiments by adding sulphuric acid gradually. I found the cotton more and more explosive, and at last came to the conclusion, which was afterwards arrived at by others, that the best gun-cotton was obtained by using a mixture of equal measures of strong sulphuric acid and nitric acid of about 1500 specific gravity. The cotton is immersed in the mixed acids for half a minute, and then immediately thrown into a large earthen pan of clean water. Whenever the action has been right, a large quantity of red fumes escape from the cotton. To get rid of the acid which would prevent the cotton from exploding, and would rust the gun, I wash it four times in four fresh quantities of clean water. After this I immerse it for about two or three minutes in water to which ammonia has been added—about a table spoonful to half a gallon of water. This neutralises any acid left in the cotton, and then, after washing th? cotton twice in clean water and drying it, it is ready for use. _ In this way we obtain a perfect gun. cotton. It does not heat the barrel ; it does not rust it ; and has eight times the force of powder. The cotton increases one fourth in weight by the process. It increases more if not washed in ammonia, but then it is not good, and rusts the gun ; for it always contains acid, from which water alone cannot free it. My experiments have been made with quantities of cotton weighing from one to three ounces at a time. Prepared with acid alone, the gun-cotton frequently misses fire with the copper cap. Prepared as I described it, it never misses fire with a copper cap—has more force and suits the patent breach as well as powder. I can state this from having fired it more than a hundred times in charges varing from 2 to 100 grains. To try the force and range of this gun-cotton, I have tried a variety of experiments—using equal weights of cotton and powder against each other—and find the cotton eight times as strong as the powder. 20 grains of cotton fired 11 oz. of shot, at 44 yards, and buried them out of sight in a wooden target. The same weight of fine powder only just stuck the shot in the surface. I made a number of experiments with the assistance of the chief boatman of the Hove Coast Guard Station. We used one of their large heavy muskets, firing with charges of 60 grains, the balls weighing between one and two ounces. The range, as nearly as we could mea sure it, was one mile—how much farther the ball went we could not tell. We fired over the sea, which was smooth and calm alon!. ; shore, and found the range by knowing the distances of various objects along shore. co try the force of the cotton, we fired at targets of various thickness, our distance being 44 yards, that being as far as any accurate aim could be taken with the musket, so as to ensure the target being hit. At that distance the ball passed quite through a target five inches in thickness, and then flew about a quarter of a mile out to sea, when we lost sight of it. At 44 yards, the ball would have passed through two such tar gets. It will easily go through an oaken log six inches thick. In these experiments, a great deal of force was lost owing to the balls being rather loose, and the vent of the musket large. The musket was a flint and steel one. We primed with a grain or two of powder, as the explosion was too rapid in the pan to fire that in the barrel when cotton was used for priming. The musket which had been first cleaned with warm water and dried, was quite bright and clean inside at the end of a week, and a gun which I have used now constantly for a month with gun cotton is quite clean inside. My next experiments were in its use for shooting ; but having no license for game, I have only shot small birds like starlings and fieldfares. I used charges va rying from 10 to 20 grains ; 15 grains make a good charge for a range of from 70 to 100 yards, at which distance it kills readily, using 11 oz. of shot. In loading the gun, the cotton should be put in loosely, a little at a time, and gently rammed down, not hard, or else it does not go off well. Then a wad is to be rammed down as usual, not too hard ; then shot ; then another wad, which may be rammed down rather harder upon the shot. Put on a cap as usual, and then it will ex plode just as certainly as powder in the patent breach, without any trouble. When no ammonia has been used in the preparation, the cotton frequently misses fire in the patent breach. s IT 14 - - N' . pAst t , e> zt - Jo‘' THE FRENCH IN OTA We have been fav:lA-od with a copy ok-.4„,•,....7„---.4„," letter, dated her Majesty's szcam- sloop a ... Otaheitc, June 1, 1846: %IVA " The natives here and at iluahine halo Fr t_ selves better men than the French, having beaten them out of the field at that island, added to which they re pulsed La Uranie, a heavy frigate of 60 guns, and she returned 'to Otaheite without having effected a single advantage out of the many which they anticipated by the attack and capture 'of the island. The natives here, ,no doubt stimulated by - the example of, the Ituahineans, made a smart and very effective attack on the town; they came in, burned the houses of the French officers who had made themselves most obnoxious, killed and wounded a great many soldiers,' and retreated without losing a single man. This put the French in a most awful flut ter; they stationed outposts on all the hills surrounding the town, and these unfortunate wretches afforded prime sport for the natives, who picked them off every day. Upon the arrival of the French Admiral in a 60-gun frigate, they marched out to attack Papend with 1,400 men; they were beaten, and returned :without having done anything but burnt a church and stolen a few horses. They.returned after nine days' absence, and the soldiers were allowed two days to recruit their exhausted strength before marching upon Bonnalia, which they did last Friday. They attacked the native fort at six o'clock A.M. on Saturday, and were cut up dreadfully. The steamer Phaeton came up on Saturday afternoon with 54 wounded, amongst whom were several officers, in cluding the commander-in-chief of the forces and the governor's aide-de-camp: they are expected back to-day (Monday). There is no other news of consequence, ex cept that her Majesty's brig Osprey has suffered total shipwreck at New Zealand. a P. S.—The Phaeton has just arrived with another cargo of wounded and dying; they are taking them on shore as fast as possible; there are, I believe, about 50. There is not at present the least possible prospect of our getting out of this, let alone coming home." DESTRUCTION OF QUEEN ANNE'S BOUNTY-OFFICE BY FIRE.—(THIS DAY.)—We have to record the de struction of this office, situated in Dean's-yard, West minster, by fire. It appears that the first cause of alarm took place about three o'clock this morning, at a lower room on the south side of the premises. Information was sent to the different fire-engine stations, and but a short time elapsed before the Chandos-street brigade engine was at the spot, very quickly followed. by the County, West of England, Watling-street, and other stations. There was a good supply of water from the Chelsea mains, and although the utmost exertions were used by the firemen, by five o'clock the whole of the building was destroyed ; but through the , excellent management of the officers of the fire depart ments, by their well-directed exertions, the valuable documents were preserved from that destruction which for some time was considered inevitable. Through the excellent management also of Inspector Lowry and In spector Forbes, of the B division of police, the surround ing property was protected from a gang who infest the neighbourhood. As to the cause of the fire, nothing authentic could be ascertained; but the loss of furniture and other property must amount to a very heavy sum. PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—This elegant place of amusement has been nightly crowded to witness the attractive entertainments that have been selected for the holidays. The pleasing and wonderful drawing-room performances of Professor Hemming and his sons must be seen to be appreciated—they' have all the talent of the Risley's, but being five in number makes the tout en semble more complete ; some of their groupes are the most classsical we ever beheld. The magnificent comic pantomime of [he Enchanted Beauties of the Golden castle ; or, Harlequin and the One-Eyed Genii (written by Mr. Medea), is decidedly the best of the season. The scenery and splendid costumes in the opening are of the most costly description, and elicits shouts of admiration. The Isle of Parrots and the Golden Apartment are per feet gems. Too much praise cannot be lavished on the liberal manager, Mr. Maddox, for the manner in which this pantomime has been put on the stage ; nor must we omit Mr. Emden, under whose superintendence it has been produced, for the great care he has bestowed in get ting it up. We should advise those who wish to visit this house to go early, as money has actually been refused at the doors, the theatre having been mole than crammed nightly. POLICE.—We understand that the Commissioners of Police have promoted sergeant James Fraser, of the C division, to an Inspector in the K division, stationed at Bow. This appointment was conferred on Mr. Fraser entirely from his general good conduct, and is alike honourable to both parties. We have no doubt that this appointment will act as a stimulus to steady and deserv ing young men. DEATH OF MR. JOSEPH CALKIN.—We regret to announce the decease of this accomplished musician, at his residence in Pall-mall, yesterday afternoon, after a short _but severe ,illness. Mr: Calkin was born in 1781. He was a pupil of Mr. Lyon, and afterwards was arti cled for two years to Spagneletti, so many years leader of the Opera band. Mr. Calkin was a violin player in the Drury-lane orchestra in - 1798, and was one of the few survivors present at the first performance of the Iron Chest, which was condemned, as Colman attributed, to John Kemble's bad acting. Mr. Calkin assisted in the arrest of Hatfield when he fired at George the Third. Mr. Calkin was a tenor player in the Philhar monic band, of which society he was a member and honorary librarian. In 1821 Mr. Calkin was appointed one of the King's state band by George the Fourth. For many years Mr. Calkin was an active member of the Roi al Society of Musicians. He was much re spected in the profession. The Emperor and Empress of Austria have this year, as they did the last, made donations from their privy purses of 10,000 florins for the relief of the poor of Vienna. The other members of the Imperial Family have contributed towards the same benevolent purpose different sums, amounting to upwards of 14,000 florins. THE CONDE DE MoparßmoLlN.—The Conde de Montemolin, attended by his Excellency the Marquis of Villa Franca and Colonel Merry, and by Mr. Sheriff Kennard, proceeded at an early hour to the Model Prison at Pentonville. The Conde de. Montemolin and the party were received at the prison by the governor, Mr. Husking, the secretary, Mr. Weaver, and the assis tant chaplain,. the Rev. J. P. Bust, by whom they were conducted over the various departments of the establish ment. The Conde de Montemolin expressed the very highest interest in the system of discipline and in all the arrangements adopted in the prison. The Conde re peatedly observed that he had seen nothing so complete or so likely to be effectual for the 'treat moral and social The gun may be loaded with perfect safety directly after firing, as I have proved this by firing a dozen times rapidly, loading as fast as I had fired. The cotton occupies about a finger's breadth in the gun when there is the proper charge. During my experiments, I found that grease, particu larly palm oil, entirely destroys the explosive property of the cotton, so that it will not explode, or even fire, in a greasy gun-barrel. This has led me to propose its use for making snuffless candles ; and having made se veral candles with gun-cotton wicks, I find them answer perfectly. Palm• oil makes the best. The various explanations given of the explosive pro perty of gun-cotton are not at all satisfactory, owing to the presence of nitric acid in all the specimens operated upon. My explanation of the explosive property is derived from the results of my experiments. Cotton fibre, when pure, is chemically nothing but lignine. Lignine con sists of equal weights of water and carbon combined. The sulphuric acid has the property of removing water from organic bodies. Its use, therefore, in the prepara tion is to remove water from the cotton. The loss of water is immediately replaced by an equivalent quantity of oxygen gas, derived from the nitric acid, which under goes decomposition. The gun cotton is thus only oxidized carbon, or nearly so, or idized cotton from which the greater part of the constituent water has been removed by the sulphuric acid. It undergoes a change in the shape of its fibre, which from vesicular becomes cylin drical and plump. The lignine of the cotton, thus chemically and physi cally changed, is easily exploded, because it contains nearly enough oxygen to convert all its carbon into car bonic acid gas in the open air, or into carbonic oxide gas in the gun-barrel. As the result of its rapid combus' tion is entirely gaseous, its explosion can be nu mystery. What this is the true explanation is proved by the decom position of the nitric acid during the preparation of the gun cotton ; for no good cotton is obtained unless orange coloured fumes escape during the process. Indeed, the cotton is, when taken out of the acid and opened under water for the first time, saturated with nitrous gas. Good gun cotton produces only carbonic acid and a very little steam during its explosion. When the cotton is loosely rammed, as I have said, its fibres_ are mixed with air, which improves the explosion. Some time ago I proposed it as a motive-power instead of steam, for which I think in many cases it might be substituted. I certainly was the first to try it and to pro pose it publicly for this purpose. During the experiments with the muskets, the reports was insignificant, and the recoil almost nothing. The expense on the small scale, using the best sea-island cotton, would be about 7s. Gd. to prepare a pound of the cotton; but the prepared cotton would weigh furnishing 1,000 charges. So that, in practice, it will be nearly four times as cheap as the best gunpowder, while it is much cleaner, safer, and leaves the gun clean and nice. Any vegetable fibre or matter containing lignine, such as tow, flax, or paper, will do; but nothing excels the best sea-island cotton. purposes intended. The Conde was pleased to express his great obligation to the governor and officers for their polite attei.tion, and for the trouble they took to afford the fullest information 'upon the numerous and minute points into which he inquired, in order that his idea of the whole might be complete. ADVANCE IN TUE PRICE OF GRAIN.—In the Corn market at Wakefield yesterday, wheat advanced 4s. per quarter . . A corresponding advance took place in the price of other grain, as will be seen from our Wakefield corn letter. In the Liverpool corn market, on Tuesday, the business done was unusually large, and the orders were very considerable. On wheat, the advance since that day week was equal to 6d. the bushel of 701b5., or, about 3s. Gd. the quarter. On flour the advance was equal to Is. 6d., or 2s. a barrel. Indian corn sold freely at 70s. to 725. per quarter ; and on oats the advance was equal to 2,1. or 3d, per bushel.—Leeds Mercury. _ THE GREAT SEA EAGLE.—One of the most perfect and full grown specimens of this splendid bird was shot lately at Glengarry. Its dimensions were full three feet in length, and weighing fifteen pounds. The great size and muscular strength of its legs and talons showed at once bow easy it could destroy beast, bird, or fish, equal in bulk with isself. No wonder that the sea eagle has long been multiplied into several varieties, for even among scientific naturalists each stage of the bird's pro gress to maturity had its synonyme as a separate, species. The confusion did not end here ; for the remarkable similarity or the full grown sea eagle to the white headed or bald eagle — the symbol of the American States—incuced some ornithologists to consider them the same. Clever observation disclosed a remarkable change iu the plumage of the latter, which, when full grown, assumts a beautiful white over all the head and neck. It is a fourth less in weight than the European eagle.— Inverness Courier. THE GREATEST STAND EVER MADE I OR CIVILISA TION.—The ink stand.—The Man in the Moon. We see by the Belgian papers that a magnificent banquet was given on Tuesday, the 29th, by the English resident at Brussels, to his Excellency Sir Hamilton Seymour, G.C.H. ' who is upon the eve of quitting that city for Lisbon. The chair was taken by the Marquis of Westmeath, Sir E. Haggerston acting as Vice-Presi dent. A more well-merited tribute of esteem and re spect was never offered to any British diplomatist than was thus proffered to the talented and amiable gentle man whose departure from Brussels will be long and deeply deplored.—Morning Paper. FEARFUL DEATH OF A BRIDE.—On Saturday, as Mr. and Mrs. Jacques, of Jarrow, who had been married only five days, were procee din g alon g a coat railway, should u i nclinedi dride plane, upon the u p n w e h a i r e to h liNre. Jacques p th r tz p scameed they e t ) o . waggons. His wife assented, and on attempting to get into the waggons, she fell, and seven of them passed over her. She was immediately taken up and conveyed to the Newcastle Infirmary, where she died shortly after. Mr. Jacques had conducted a school in Jarrow, and he and his wife were on the eve of going to a more extensive field of labour when this fearful accident hap pened.—Sunderland Herald. LAND SLIP AT FLAG HEAD.--On Tuesday se'n• night one of those earth slips for which the coast of this county has of late years been remarkable took place at the Coast-guard station, Flag Head, about three-and-a half miles from this town. The summit of the cliff rises a considerable height above the British Channel, and is quite exposed to the winds and waves. It had been re marked that the edge appeared unsettled for sonic days previously, and it was expected that in the next high wind a small portion might fall. On the afternoon of the day in question, however, nearly 30 feet of the cliff gave way, falling to the shore, leaving but about the same width of surface between the precipice and the station-house. So imminent had immediate further danger become, that Lieutenant Aldrich and his family, residing in the house, were compelled to vacate, and re move their furniture to an adjacent residence. No further fall taking place, this officer has returned to his old abode. It is not improbable, however, that if heavy weather makes its appearance, a further disruption will happen.—Poole Herald. BRAZILIAN SUGAR.—A cargo of 300 tons,- direct from Rio, is daily expected to arrive at this port.' This will be the first cargo brought into Liverpool, and the second into the 'United Kingdom, under the Bill of last session, imposing a differential duty upon colonial and foreign, sugars. The duty at which this cargo will come in will be 21s. per cwt. (reduced from 635.); colonial sugar of corresponding quality pays 13s.—Liverpool Mercury. The gun-cotton made asl describe may be exploded on the hand with a warm wire. It will explode on powder without firing the powder; will not rust the gun; or pro duce steam. I consider it perfect, and adapted for every purpose to which gunpowder may be applied. It leaves an almost imperceptible stain upon white paper.—Brighton Herald. FOREIGN GREEN PEAS.—A small importation, as sample, has already been received in this country, by the Royal Tar steamer, from Lisbon, consigned to Keeling and Hunt, being the precursor to a periodical supply. Those sent bear a fresh appearance,•the pods being quite green, and the peas are of good flavour, although inferior to those that are usually " forced" in our country to supply epicures at two or three guineas the quart, in the early spring months. This is a commencement of an importation which is to follow on an extended scale, to embrace early fruits, vegetables, and other luxuries which from the cold character of our climate are not obtain able until an advanced period of the year, affording another favourable evidence of the new scale of import duties aided by steam conveyance, by which the people of this country are enabled to partake of them at moderate prices. The Royal Tar brings several cases of " mandarin" or scented oranges, which are rare in this country, and which on opening throw out an aromatic flavour, and are sweet to the taste. The tree is supposed t to have been originally brought from C hina, and ran,c. planted in Malta, the Azores, and L isbon, from which places small quantities are occasionally brought to this country. D E ATH IN THE STREET AND HEARTLESS ROB BERY.—Yesterday, shortly after twelve o'clock, a man of very respectable appearance was observed to stagger and fall near the corner of Water-street and William street, Whitefriars. A female who witnessed the Occur rence immediately ran for medical assistance, and fortu nately met Dr. Hutchinson, of Bridge-street, Black friars, who hastened to the spot, and had the unfortu nate man removed into the shop of Mrs. Devonshire, a grocer, in Water-street, when it 'was ascertained that life was extinct. In the hurry of removal, some heart less ruffian decamped with a blue merino bag, which the female before alluded to had observed in the deceased's possession. As this was supposed to contain papers by which the deceased could be identified, a pursuit was instituted, but in vain—the miscreant got clear off. After Dr. Hutchinson had left, the deceased's pockets were searched by the sergeant of police, and a large sum of money in gold and silver found upon him, by which, and the blue bag, it is supposed that he was a . tovvn com mercial traveller. The body was. soon after removed in a shell to await a coroner's inquest. It is understood that the Mutine brig has been de tained at Spithead, to take oat Mr. Mandeville, who is to be charged by Government to proceed to the River . Plate to endeavour to settle affairs in that part of the world. EASTERN PRODUCE. Cotton—Late accounts, both from England and China, 'nave given a stimulus to shipments, and immediately after the arrival of the October steamer a purchase of 3,000 bales Broach was made at 86 rs. per camly; owing, however, to the inferior quality of stocks in the market there is now less disposition to purchase, and prices have slightly declined. Arrivals from the cotton ports con tinue to be very light, and it is reported that the quan tity to come forward this season will be unusually small. The following are the current rates: — Broach and Jumbooser, 80r. to 81r. per candy. Surat, 81r. to 84r. per candy. Dollera, 71r. to 74r. per candy. Compta (old), 72r. per candy. Since the departure of last mail we hear of the follow ing purchases having taken place :-3,000 bales of Broach, at 86r. per candy; 800 candies of Compta, at 72r. to 73r. per candy; 300 candies of Dollera, at 72r. per candy. QUOTATIONS OF THE BOMBAY EXCHANGE MARKET, DEc. 1. The Exchange Market has remained dull for some weeks past. Nothing particular has occurred to notice, and the following are merely nominal quotations: — BANK SHARES.—Bombay Bank, 40 per cent. pm.; Oriental ditto, old, 25 pm.; new, 21i to 22 pm.; Agra, 52 pm.; Commercial, 4 pm. Steam Navigation shares, no quotation. Government Securities.—Five per Cent. Transfer Loan, no quotation. Five ditto, for 1825-26, 103 r. per 100sa. Five ditto, for 1829 30, 103 r. per 100sa. Four ditto, for 1832-33, 91r. per 100 sa. Four ditto, for 1835-36, 87ir. per 100 Co's. Five ditto, for 1841.42, 99ir. per 100 Co.'s. Four ditto, for 1842.43, 87i-r. per 100 Co.'s. EXCHANGES. London, 6 months' sight, at 2s. Old. per rupee ; Cal cutta, 60 days' sight, 97r. per 100 rupee ; ditto, 30 days' sight, 97i per 100 rupees ; Madras, 30 days' sight, no quotation ; China, 60 days's sight, 210 r. per 100 Spanish dollars. PRICES OF BULLION. Sovereigns, each, 11r. 2as. ; Bank of England notes, per 1/. 101 r. ; Spanish dollars, per 100, 221 r. ; German crowns, per 100, 215 r. ; Sycee silver, per 100 tolas, 103 s. ; gold leaf, per tola, 16r. to 17ir., range of quality ; gold bar, 97, standard, per tola, 16r. 1 la. ; gold mokuns, Bombay, each, 16r. ; Ditto, Calcutts, old, each 20r., new 17r, ; gold tomauns, 16 wals in weight, each 6r. and 14a ; ditto, Gubber, 12 wals in weight, each sr. 4a. Freights—To London, 80s. nominal ; to Liverpool, 80s. nominal ; to Clyde, no quotation ; to China, 12r. to 15r.—rather difficult to procure. ARRIVAL from SOUTH AMERICA. PORTSMOUTH, JAN. I.—Her Majesty's ship Daphne, Captain Onslow, has arrived at Spithead. She came up about nine o'clock, after twelve days tedious passage, from Vigo, into which port she had been compelled to put to obtain water and provisions. The Daphne has on board a freight in gold, bars of silver, and dollars, amounting in value to about one million and a half sterling, which will be sent to London by the South- Western Railway. The Daphne quitted Valparaiso in August, having taken in all the merchants' money which had been collected from the intermediate ports, and brought thither by her Majesty's ship Talbot. The Daphne arrived at Rio Janeiro in October, and left for England on the 20th of that month. The Curacoa and Griffin were the only men-of-war there. The Raleigh had not arrived. The Daphne did not touch at any place except Vigo. She has brought home Commander Barrie, promoted ; Lieutenants Aldridge and Jackson, from the Sampson, invalided ; Dr. Slight, promoted ; and Lieutenant •Pennington, R.M., with a few invalids from the Brazils. The Daphne was fitted out at Chatham, and will prob'ibly be sent there to be paid off. She encountered several h eav y ga l es o f w i n d i n the Bay . of Biscay, and has lost some sails and spars. FLANDERS MAIL. BRUSSELS, DEC. '3o.—The average price of wheat during the week ending Saturday, Dec. 26, was 27f. 23c.; and that of rye, 21f. 74c. per hectolitre, which is an increase of 10 centimes on wheat, and 15 centimes on rye, above the prices of last week. The Senate, i❑ its sitting to-day, received a report of Mr. Bethrone on the budget of the interior; and that of Mr. Ribancourt on the budget of law relative to the im portation of tow. The assembly unanimously agreed to the project of law for the exemption from duty of salt intended for manure, and the budget of dotations. It then opened the general debate on the provisional vote of credit for the department of public works. The Monitcur of this day publishes a law dated Dec. 22, which fixes the budget of the marine for 1847 at the sum of 2,191,562 f., conformably to the annexed table. RUSSIA AND POLAND. We yesterday received two letters, dated Dec. Bth and Dec. 15th, by the same post. It seems that the mails have been detained longer than usual. The letters confirm the accounts of the unsuccessful endeavour of the Emperor to cross the Niemen, which is very thinly frozen over, and his Majesty return in con sequence to St. Petersburgh. The letters mention as object of the Emperor's intended visit to Warsaw an in disposition of the Grand Dike Michael, with which he was attacked in the Polish capital. The Imperial Family had left Czars aojeselo and had removed to the palace of the Emperor at St. Petersburgh. Prince Woranzow had again arrived at Tifles on the 15th of December. after an absence of six months. The Russian troops in Trans-Caucasia hope soon to go into winter quarters. The Livonian papers mention many instances of wolves attacking both men and cattle. The district of Dorpet was the most infested by those ravenous beasts. Yet, even France, the land of civilisation, has not yet been able to extirpate these animals, though there is scarcely any other kind of wild beasts to be found there. Other accounts which we have received speak of the measures continued with great rigour to propagate the Russian-Greek religion. The whole island of Ossel, they say, is already converted to the Greek church, and the Protestant churches were now frequented by the landowners and their children. Thus the nobility in the Baltic province are punished for having so long per sisted gradually to give civil liberty to the peasants, and to inspire them with attachment to themselves and their religion. BELGRADE, DEC. 17.—A few days ago Mustapha Beg, a Turkish Commissioner, arrived here, and brought the orders (about sixty in number) which were pro mised to the most deserving civil officers in the service at the meeting of the Sultan with Prince Alexander Kara georgiewitsch last spring. The most remarkable circum stance is that the Princess of Servia received from the Sultan the present of his portrait, richly set in brilliants, which the - bearer hung round her neck with great ceremony, in the presence of the racha of Belgrade. This is cer tainly the first distinction of the kind with which the Sultan has honoured a Christian lady, subject of his kingdom. All this proves both how the Turks have changed, and likewise how much the Sultan has at heart to obtain the attachment of the Servian nation. MONTE VIDEO FALMOUTH, DEC. 30.—Her Ma jesty's packet Swift, Lieutenant Douglas, arrived to-day . from Rio de J a n e i ro , w h ence s h e sa il e d on the 6th of November. Passengers—Captain Barker and Mr. Tom linson, R.N., and Mr. Cox. She brings on freight about 1 4,5001. There is nothing of interest by this arrival. She brings no mails from the River Plate, the branch packet having signalised going into Rio as the Swift came out; but the Crane, remaining there, was expected to leave in a week after, by which the mails will arrive. As to the affairs of the River Plate, nothing would be done until Mr. Hood's return, or some one instructed as to the policy to he adopted by the Anglo-French authori ties at Mont eo Vid eo. At Buenos Ayres, the Firebrand remained blockading; and at Monte Video, the Eagle, Vernon, Alecto, Melampus, Rally, and Grecian. It was reported that some of the above were under orders for the East Indies. The Royal Princess would he chris tened in a day or two at Rio, for which much prepara tion had been made. RAILWAY RETURNS. RAILWAY TaaFeic.—The following are the Total Receipts of Rail ways for the past week—that is to say, up to the date to which the respective returns are made, together with the receipts of the same week In the previous year : Week ending Last week. 11.4 4 o t. c..,a NAME OF RAILWAY. Arbroath and Forfar ••• •• • • • Dec. 26 25 24 29 27 26 26 27 26 20 26 26 Chester and Birkenhead ••••••• • •• •• .) üblin and .............Drogheda.• Dublin and Kingstown • ..... • • • • •• " Dundee and Arbroath . • . • • • • • • • • • • • • Durham and Sunderland ..... • • • • • Edinburgh and Glasgow . •• • ••• • • • • • Eastern Counties and North Eastern• • East Laneasihre • • • • • . • • • • • • • . Eastern Union • • • • • • .. • • • • • • • • Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr • • • • • • Glasgow and Greenock • • •• • • •• • • • • . 26 27 29 26 Gravesend and Rochester • • • • • • • • • • Great Southern and Western • • • • • . . • Great Western, &c ... ....... ........ Hartlepool ...... ..... • • • . • • . • • • . • • • London and North Western, &c..•••. London and Blackwall— .... • • • • • • • . London and Brighton . .......... London and Croydon . ............ London and South Western ......... Manchester, Bolton, and Bury .... Manchester, Leeds, and Hull Assoc.. Maryport and Carlisle • ............. Midland, Bristol, and Birmingham.... Newcastle and Carlisle • • • - • • • - • ..... Newcastle and North Shields.. .... .. Newcastle and Berwick • ..... ...... North British ...................... Paris and Rouen . .... • . • ... Preston and Sheffield and Manche5ter............ Shrewsbury and Chester • ........... South Eastern and Branches ........ South Devon • • • • .... . .............. 1,037 19,558 39,281 699 6,163 5,919 7,664 452 18,861 1,896 434 1,402 1,152 5,410 5,2 1,858 310 6,789 533 ",372 7.424 1,718 681 161 17,719 709 1,241 845 33,834 681 4,900 5,740 Ulster . • • .. • • • • 867 6,649 York and Newcastle . .............. York and North Midland . •. •• • • •• •• 325 16,058 1,490 433 1,253 4,413 405 1,428 5,522 775 5,436 5,015 523 574 4,850 5,708 THE INCOME TEX.—Pleased with the zeal mani fested by you in every matter that you advocate, and im pressed with feelings of admiration of the more than ordinary talent with which your arguments are always enforced, whether speaking of O'Connell, or whatever else may be the subject of your recommendation, I would beg to suggest to you the applicability of your argument (where you allege it to be unjust to tax the affluent and the needy alike) to the question of the Income-tax ; whether, when incomes derived from pre carious trade are taxed with a burden of sevenpence in the pound, realised incomes ought not to be charged with fourteen pence. I know not whether it is likely to be of much avail, but the present is a likely time to name it to our legislators, as we shall, before the assem bling of the Parliament of 1847, be solicited for a renewal of our " favours " by the then candidates.— From a Correspondent. EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.—STRAND DISTRICT. —Last night a public meeting of the assistants of all trades was held at the rooms _of the association, _355, Strand, for the purpose of receiving a statement of the proceedings of the Strand district committee for the last quarter, and concerting measures for future operation. Mr. Sinclair having been called to the chair, Mr. Hunter, the secretary, read the report, which stated that the contributions of the assistants amounted to 71. 95., being an increase of 31. beyond the previous quarter. Evening shopping in the district had considerably diminished, and the employers were very anxious to encourage early closing. The report was adopted; and after addresses from Messrs. Fiefash, Reynolds, Way, and others, the meeting separated. THE SANATORY CONDITION OF LIVERPOOL. — Yesterday the Act of last session, respecting the sana tory condition of Liverpool, came into force. There has been so great a demand for this statute, that it is at present out of print. THE BRITISH MUSEUM.—Yesterday the institution was closed for a week, in order that the periodical cleansing might take place. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN THE SERPENTINE. About eight o'clock on Wednesday evening a young woman named Elizabeth Eddy, of 43, Molyneux-street, Edgeware-road, attempted to destroy herself by delibe rately jumping into the Serpentine, at the east end, near the aqueduct. She was promptly extricated by police constable A 175, and conveyed to the receiving house, was restored, after the usual remedies. On her recovery she immediately exclaimed, " Why did you not let me stop and die?" She was conveyed home, and was found to be a servant for some time out of place. ACCIDENT BY THE FALL OF A CHANDELIER. — Yesterday evening, between five and six o'clock, as a party of ladies and gentlemen were about to sit down to dinner at the residence of Mr. Greenhough, Dean-street, Soho-square, a lustre that was suspended over the dining room table gave way, and inflicted a severe scalp wound on a gentleman named Ambrose, which rendered him for some time insensible. In the confusion it was not ob served that the dress of one of the ladies had become ignited by one of the fallen wax lights, till it burst into a blaze, severely burning her about the neck and arms before it could be extinguished. RESUMPTION OF THE SUNDAY TRAINS ON THE EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW RAILWAY.—We stated be fore that the resumption of the Sunday trains on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway was virtually settled, and we have now the satisfaction of. stating the grounds upon which the public may rest assured that such will be the case, as soon, at least, as a general meeting of the shareholders takes place. The committee for Sunday trains, we understand, have already received answers from the proprietors of 15,000 shares favourable to the recommencement of the Sunday trains. The whole of the shares in the concern amount to 35,000 or 36,000, one-third of which are in the hands of the bankers and other parties who never vote on any question. It wt. be found likewise, on referring to the proceedin?s of the company, that the largest number ever represented in any vote, on any question, was only about 10,000 shares. It is quite evident, therefore, that the cause of the Sab batariatis is hopeless, and that they have fairly miscal culated both the feeling of the country on the subject, and the extent of their own influence, and notwith standing the extraordinary demand for single shares of late, it is confidently believed that they will not muster one share against the Sunday trains for every three or four that will be brought forward in their favour.—Glas gow Argus. WODU RN CATTLE FAIR, BEDS.—Yesterday being New Years' day, Woburn fair, according to ancient custom, was held, but the late great supply of stock at the country fairs made the cattle trade dull. Milch cows for dairying sold well, but fat cattle and store stock remained on hand, and the chief portion was turned out unsold. A lively business was done among straw plait. The best plaits were bought by London dealers at an advanced price. PIGEON SHOOTING.—The crack matches which have so long engaged the attention of sporting men, and which were between Ben Caunt, the champion pugilist, and Tom Spring, the ex-champion, against Butler, the celebrated horse jockey, and Mr. Stevenson, for 100 guineas, has been decided, and Messrs. Caunt and Spring are the winners. Caunt knocked down 24 pigeons, at 80 yards, out of 25. 41 ' PRICES OF MALT LIQUORS.—We regret to learn that the leading metropolitan brewers yesterday had a meeting, in consequence of the high prices of malt and hops, when they came to the resolution that they must raise the prices of ale and porter per barrel to the trade, which increase is to date from yesterday. We believe that there has not been any advance in the brewers' charges for malt liquors for about the last seventeen y e ars. —Advertiser. PROVISIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES.—The Finland and Talisman, from New York, and Edward Boustead, from New Orleans, were reported at the Custom house, Liverpool, on the 31st of December, with 4,670 barrels of flour, 28,421 bushels of Indian corn, 4,824 casks of lard, 474 barrels of pork, and 217 casks of beef. IRON TRADE.—At a meeting of the proprietors of Clay Cross collieries, held at Derby a few days since, it was determined to open iron-wc rks in conjunction with that colliery, without delay. The circumstance of beds of iron, lime, and coal lying contiguous to each other at Clay Cross, will, it is supposed, render the un dertaking very profitable.—SheVield Iris. hire, er (ore- s9 of from 5 cut r lb; ditto, s, 10$ Olbs; ocoli, [orse rrots, ndle; ?s per 1