The Sun. — London, England, 1857-12-24 00:00:00

1858 -Fail not to begin the NEW YEAR • with a DIARY. LETTS'S are kept by every bookseller in the kingdom. Catalogues gratis. Those generally adopted by LADIES are Nos. 10, 12, 18, 20, ARMY and NAVY, 8,9, 10, 11, 22, plain or elegantly bound. in perpetual sprg. lock cases, GENTLEMEN, 8,9, 10, 11, etc. MERCHANTS, BANKERS, in perpetual peg- lock cases. ENGINEERS, etc. 51, 52, 53, CLERGYMEN, 9, 10, 12, 12 enl. 1,2, 3,6, 8,9, 11, with Dr. and Tablet, Sermon books, etc. Cr. form., 3a, 48, 118, etc. MEDICAL MEN, 1,2, 8,9, 10, TRADESMEN, 4,5, 11, 13, 15, Medical, Professional, etc. Dr. and Cr. ferrr s, 3a, 118, etc. LAWYERS, 51, 52, 1,2, 8,9, the FARMERS, 4, 5,6, 7, 11, 13, etc. Scribbling, plain or interlvd. ]TECH A.NICS, Is. 6d., is 9d , 6d. LETTS, SON, and Co., Stationers & Mapsellers,B, Royal Exchange. CONTRACT FOR SUET. Department of the Comptroller for Victualling, Somerset House, 23d December, 1857. T" Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland do Hereby Give Notice, that on MosiDAT the 4th January nest, at half-past One o'clock, they will be ready to' treat with such persons as may be willing to contract for supplying and delivering into her Majesty's Victualling Stores at Deptford the undermentioned article, viz.:— SUET . ...... • • In Fifteen equal weekly deliveries, the first of such deliveries to be made by the 16th January, 1858. Tenders may be made for the whole or any portion of the Suet. Their Lordships reserve to themselves the power, when the Ten ders are opened, of contracting either for the whole, or for such part thereof only as they may deem fit, or for a greater quantity, or of et contracting for any. No tender will be received unless made on the printed form pro vided for the purpose, and which may be obtained on application at the said Office, or to Commander Bevis, conducting the Packet Service at Liverpool, or to the Collector of Customs at Bristol. The conditions of the revised contracts, to which particular atten t:on is called, may be seen at the said office, and at Liverpool and Bristol. No tender will be received after half-put one o'clock on the day of treaty, and it will not be required that the party tendering, or an agent on his behalf, should attend at the office on the day of contract, as the result of the offer received from ea.:h person will be communicated to him and his proposed sureties in writing. Every tender must be addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty, and bear In the left-hand corner the words " Tender for Suet," and must also be delivered at Somerset-house. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. THREE EXTRA NIGHTS. Piccolomini, Spezia, Ginglini, Bellotti, Rossi, Vialetti, and Aldighieri. Tuesday, Dec. 29—Thursday, Dec. 31—Saturday Jan, 2. The following favourite operas will be given : Tuesday—lL TROVATORE. Thursday—LA TRAVIATA. Saturday—LUClA DI LA.M.NIERMOOR. Prices :—Pit Stalls, 12s 6d; boxes (to hold four persons), pit and one pair, 2/. 2s ; grand tier, 31. 3s ; two pair, 11. 55.; three pair, 15s ; gallery boxes, 10s ; gallery stalls, 3s ; pit, 3s 6d; gallery, 2s. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. - SATURDAY EVENING, to commence at Seven, with SPEED THE PLOUGH. Characters by Messrs. W. Farren, Compton, Chippendale, Mrs. Poynter, Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam, and Miss E. Tertian. - After which, a new comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD; or, Harle quin and the Spiteful Fairy. Harlequin, Mr. A. Leclercq ; Columbine, Miss Fanny Wright; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ; Clown, Mr. Charles Leclercq. Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the evening), 6s. each. (No charge for booking.) First Price. s. d. Second price. s. d Dress Boxes 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0 Upper Boxes 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0 P.t Lower Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6 Upper Gallery 0 6No half-price to Upper Gallery. R OY AL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean. On SATURDAY EVENING, will be presented THE CORSICAN BROTHERS. After which, a new grand comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN WHITE CAT ; or, The Princess Blanche Flower and her Fairy Godmothers. The Princess Blanche (White Cat), Miss Kate Terry ; Hitrlequin, Mr. Cor. rnack ; Clown, Mr. Huline; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo; and Columbine, Miss C. Adams. THEATRE ROYAL, A DEL PHI. Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. On SATURDAY EVENING, Dec. 26, THE WEPT OF THE WISH-TON-WISH, Mr. Wright and Madame Celeste. After which, a Mythological Extravaganza, entitled HARLEQUIN, OR THE LOVES OF CUPID AND PSYCHE. Jupiter, Mr. 'Paul Bedford ; Mars, Mr. Frank Hall ; Venus, Mrs. ; Cupid, Miss Marie Wilton ; Psyche, Miss Mary Keeley. R OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.—SoIe Lessee and Manager, Mr. C. Dillon.— THIS EVENING, the Gorgeous Burlesque and Panto mime, LALLAH ROOKH. Morning Performance on Boxing Day. First appearance of Mr. CHARLES DILLON on Monday next. CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.— OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow s t company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of S lections from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS, C lIORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, &c., viz.:—Miss Russell, Mrs. Badzey, Madlle. Marietta, Mrs. Palmyra, Miss Bru nel', and Madame Marietta; Herr F. Jonghmans Mr. Renshaw, R. G rover, T . Farrant, S. Jones, J. iarker, W. Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L. Hime, and Mr. St. Albyn; Messrs. S. Collins W. 1. Critchfield, and E. Mack fey. Pia no f or t e, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, Master Williams ; Director; Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at Seven o'clock precisely. Suppers, &c., until twelve o'clock. SAM COWELL'S RETURN to his Old Quarters, the CANTERBURY-HALL, for One Night only, THIS EVENING (CHRISTMAS EVE), Dee. 24, 1857. CA NTERBURY-HALL, Westminst e r- roa d.— GRAND MORNING CONCERT. BOXING DAY, December 26, 1857, commencing at half past One o'clock. Programme, consisting of Solos, Comic and Sentimental, and selections from the following Operai Ernani, I! Trovitore, and La Traviata. Comic talent—Messrs. S. Collins, W. J. Critchfield, and E, W. 3fackney. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. This DAY—Morn. 53 min. aft. 6—Even., 19 min. aft. 7 T -31ounow —Morn., 46 min. aft. 7—Even., 17 min aft. THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, DECEMBER 24. IHERMOMETER, IN THE &RADE. . r ib--highest since noon yesterday. 50—lowest this morning and during the night. 57—this day at noon. BARomirr EL 30.40. WIND, S. W.; rather fresh, with fine weather. Taff ) r cre_ §llll, 7 .4 7 • LONDON, THURSDAY, DEC. 24, 1857. The glad tidings of the complete relief of Luck now, and the rescue of its brave garrison and helpless fugitives, has occasioned intense joy to all classes of the community. The danger in which they were placed, and the sinister auguries hazarded by Sepoy sympathisers, rwas the sole drawback to the gratification universally ex pressed at the fall of Delhi. But while Lueknow was endangered, and a repetition of atrocities similar to those at Cawnpore was still possible, the public mind could not be at rest. This dan ger is happily averted ; and there is nothing now to embitter the festivities of the season, so far as India is concerned. The rebellion is completely suppressed ; and although it may be a work of time and labour to put down and punish the scattered banditti, who, hopeless of pardon, will still strive to produce the greatest possible amount of mischief, no pos sible doubt can exist as to the ultimate result, or that the British prestige will be considerably elevated, and the British power consolidated, aid plaixd on a sounder and more enduring foundation than ever. The great, almost the sole element of danger has been eliminated, and unless our rulers are guilty of gross folly we shall be permanently exempted from similar perils. Ou the receipt of the telegram, yesterday, we were enabled to offer some brief observations, poitting out the full effect of the pleasing intelli gencejust arrived. The communication was, if possible, more slovenly than any of those pre i°ll4l3, received. There was sad confusion re -BPeeting dates. We were told that Sir COLIN C AI/ p RE LL had j o i ned the force at Alumbagh on tue 21st of November, and that active oPerations were commenced on the 23J, and that for the next six days there were a constant series of 'ever© and blood y struggles with the enemy, an d that on the 21it, their principal strongholds havie g been c a pt ured, the beleaguered garrison were relieved, and that on the 20th, the sick and wounded, wom en and children, were sent back under an escort to c aw , : _ Pore. It is manifest that these were trroneously given. For the 21st, in which it was stated that the Commander-in-Chief had arrived, we should read the 11th, and active operations must have been commenced on the 13th, not the 23d- Again, the six days' severe fighting wont] slit W that the garrison was relieved on the 19th, not th e 21st, which would be consistent with the de parture of the sick and wounded, women and children, on the 20th. Something should cer- FIE StrN,' LONDON, TritTRSDA tainly be done to ensure greater efficiency in a department of such importance under existing cir cumstances. There is also considerable doubt as to the strength of the force under Sir COLIN CAMPBELL. The telegram states that it amounts to 22,000 men, but there are abundant grounds for believing that there are but 12,000. These will, however, be amply sufficient to ensure the complete subjugation of the rebellious territory. But despite these disgraceful discrepancies, the salient points of the statement are unquestionable. The women and children are in safety, together with the sick and wounded, and the rebellion has been totally crushed in the last place where it reared its unhallowed front. INGLIs and his noble associates have been rewarded for their patient endurance during the five terrible months of suspense and agony which they had endured. Their apprehensions not being for themselves, but for the helpless parties relying on them for safety and protection. Whatever may be the political importance of the victories achieved by the ardu ous contests, protracted during six days, and which may be regarded in the same point of view as those that took place at Delhi, after the blow ing up of the Cashmere Gate, by the forlorn hope, under HOME and SALKELD, the extrication of these parties from their fearful ordeal will be welcomed even with more joyous feeling, and that not merely by anxious friends and relatives, but by the whole population of the united king dom. The 12,000 good men and true, under such com manders as CAMPBELL and HAVELOCK, OUTRAM, GRANT, and CxREATHED, and INGLIS, and others who have particularly distinguished themselves will render a good account of the mutineers, who are now caught in the. trap which they had them selves laid for others. It is needless to say that the great advantages already obtained will be energetically followed up. Neither Sir Cokur nor any of bis truly efficient lieutenants are men to permit "grass to grow under their feet," or for feit the slightest result attainable by the most in defatigable perseverence, combined with indo mitable resolution and prowess. The rebels must be reduced to despair, for fatalists, as they are, they must still see that an avenging NMIESIS has pursued them, carrying with it terrible, but well merited retribution. It his since been stated, through other sources, that our losses during these severe and sanguinary conflicts have been only four officers killed and forty wounded. We trust that this may be cor rect ; we fear, however, that we shall find that many distinguished men have sacrificed their lives in tho service of their country—such important results could not have been achieved without very serious losses. We have heard nothing of HAVELOCK or OUTR-131, Of GRAIiT or GREATHED. But in this case " no news may be considered good news." If anything serious had happened to any one of these heroes, it would unquestionably have been alluded to in the despatch—England would, in deed, mourn were she deprived of the opportunity of rewarding their invaluable services. The rebels will find themselves in a very diffi cult position, not only will they be pur 4sued by the combined forces, but they will have to encounter our allies of Nepaul, or other friendly powers, in any quarter to which they may direct their footsteps, and they cannot now look for assistance or sympathy from those who, having hitherto avoided committing themselves, will now be doubly anxious to demonstrate their fidelity and loyalty. Brigadier STUART had, as we yesterday stated, made all right at Nusseerabad ; while SHOWERS, COTTON, and TIDDEL rendered equally effi cient services at Rohilcund. We are also, it is said, relieved from all apprehensions for our garrisons and outposts, lately in much imminent peril. Our continental friends (?) need no longer feel alarm for the predicted decadence of Great Britain, or speculate on the prices which we are to pay for the assistance which we may be compelled to seek at their hands. Great Bri tain can still hold its own, without aid from foreigners. Here, then, we are, once more on the eve of Christmas—of merry Christmas—and within a week of another eve—the eve of " the Happy New Year." The universal holiday is at hand— hundreds and thousands have indeed already began it ; have darted off by afternoon trains to parents, brothers, cousins, in the country, and happy they who in this respect, like the patriarchs of Palestine, can begin their holiday in the even ing. Ah, holiday, did we say, would that we could share it ! The Sun must, however, appear every day but San-day. Well, since .it must be so, we mean to share in the holiday temper, if we cannot share its leisure. Holly and mistletoe, and turkey and roast beef, and plum-pudding too— -1 and all the many et eeteras of the day are forbid den to none. Even editors and printers must have dinners and suppers, whether the masters whom we serve will not dispense with our pens and types or not. We would rather play, we confess, as well, as the rest ; but we have learned that no good comes of grumbling, so we " Take the goods the gods provide us "—congratulate those who get the grapes that are out of cur reach, and don't " call them sour." It's enough to make any one merry to sea all the world around him merry, although he must toil on. And, verily, to look to-night, and for the last few nights, at our shop, which cater for the amusement of the young, and for the good cheer of the young and old—it is quite enough to drive our quill cheerily on Christmas eve. And then the coming family parties—they are the characteristic of Old England's Christmas, and May they ever be. Morning we leave to people's tastes. Some like church, some a walk out with their children if dry, and especially if a nice clean bright frest, not too severe for comfort. Some, not more perhaps than can help it, stay within doors. A large proportion of the ladies of creation must of necessity be there, for the dinner must be arranged, and cooked, and on table, when the dc vout or the recreationists return from their respec tive pursuits. A popular but quaint eld preacher in this our city we have heard our fathers talk of, who began his Christmas sermon with the thrice repeated exclamation, " Oh, the Roast Turkeys !" which, being interpreted, meant that he looked down on a congregation of men's heads only—the bonnet-wearers were engaged as good wives should be on Christmas Day. Engaged how ? Engaged in taking good care that the family party, when it assembled, should see a family table that would make all smile, all feel themselves welcome, all have some not-to-be-despised gratification, and all remember the good cheer of Papa's or Grandpapa's 'family party. Yes ! a Holy-day is Christmas still In England—holy to that best of instincts, that most sacred of sen ti ments, an d that firmest basis °i '"L'itY) t,he Family feeling. What untold good has n ot fisAved from the affection which in so many thousands English hOmes has led to the gathering o f all pos s ibl e around the family hearth ! This year, it is true, some thoughts of sadness will arise. We do not w i s h to be untruthful to ourselves, a nd we_eannot, if w e would, forget that the cup of Christmas joy is dashed with bitter in many a family, and that a few will almost refuse to be comforted. Fiendish and vengeful Asiatics have inflicted on many a circle wounds which are not yet healed, or wounds even which nothing but death can heal. We shall have to drink, amongst other toasts, Success to the avengers of innocent blood and of insulted purity and honour ! Suc cess to our HAYELOCKS and CAMPBELLS, and their brave followers ! Many a care we can, with an easy conscience, bid begone at festive times like these ; but sacred sorrow for the noble, the brave, the pure, may not be rudely driven away. It must have the sacrifice of a becoming recognition, or it will self-accuse us amidst the joys of the feast. Not even during the Crimean war had our Christmas greater claims on the memory of na tional victims. Then we felt the cause in which they died to be, in part, an alleviation of the mourning. Now, our sorrow for thousands is that they have died to gratify malignant treachery, fiendish cruelty, and the most savage lust. Let our family meetings pledge themselves that our Government shall atone for all by sweeping the mutineers from the soil of India to death or slavery ; and then may we resume the cheerful ness of the family party. And, again, we cannot forget that hundreds in the better walks of life, and thousands dependent on them for employment, will find it no easy matter to enjoy a " Merry Christmas." We can not forget them also. The commercial cloud which has destroyed the prospects of so many, has shaded deeply, too, those of yet more. Heavy, but not ruined losers, at such a time, may indeed feel thankful that they have not lost their all ; but what numbers have to begin life again: what num bers to toil for a living who obtained it pleasantly before; and, worst of all, what still greater num bers have lost the daily work on which their daily bread itself depended, and must resort to the parish, or, what is still worse, to the pawnbroker. For all these we must indulge our sympathy for a moment, even on the eve of Christmas merriment, and it may be that, for some of us can do some thing more than sympathise. It is JOHN BULL'S humour, neither to yield to sadness, nor to succumb to it. Determination to avenge the murdered, and to help, as far as we can, the unfortunate, is the feeling which natu rally draws away useless grief by useful resolve. And then the clouds are breaking. Ten per cent. is to give way in Threadneedle-street, as it has already done inFrance and Hamburg, and even in Lombard-street itself ; and in India, too, the blue sky is reappearing, and growing larger and larger. The storm is rolling away ; very black, indeed, are the clouds yet, but they have passed over us, and continue to recede. We see their lightning and hear their thunder, but we hardly have a fear that they can return and strike us again. Wednesday's telegram will cheer the nation, though many an anxious heart will painfully long to see the returns of killed and wounded in " the six days' severe and bloody struggles." But, oh ! after all our annieties, how cheering that line—" The sick and wounded ladies and children were sent back under an escort to Cawnpore !" Thank GOD for that. The Christ• mas of us all will be merrier for that. Sad, indeed, that our soldiers should die to deliver them from traitorous villains, but where is the British soldier who would not exclaim, "It is ours to fight and die when we are wanted—better that hundreds, aye, thousands of us die, than a company of English women and babes should furnish another Cawnpore. We should be ashamed to survive their dishonour and murder." Yes, we can rejoice that our soldiers could die with such sentiments, and rejoice that by their death they have not only honoured the name of the British soldier, but saved the nation's honour too, We are proud before all civilisation and before ali posterity, that the only question at Lueknow was, not how many soldiers' lives will it cost—but, can the deliverance be effected at any c )st Altogether, though sadder thoughts might easily enter, and we would not altogether exclude them, we yet can surely with lowered prices and return ing employment for the poor, with better hopes for commercial men, and with a triumphant tele gram from Lucknow—we can wish all our readers a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. HAYMARKET TITEATRE. Last night Miss Amy Sedgwick, vvhose dant has been the great event of Mr. Buckstone's season, took her first who in a very s h or t benefit. The house was thronged at first price, a just force of her artistic tribute f t o t i the t a s e l e d n t h o y f tthheemerelady, talents, has taken rank among the first favourites of the metropolitan audiences. Her success may be ascribed to her pleasant appearancc., great vivacity, excellent elocu tion, and conscientious rendering of every character she undertakes. For her benefit she played the prin cipal character in the "Reigning Favourite," which is Mr. Oxenford's adaptation of Adrienne Lecouvreur, and played it with much force and, energy. It is a trying thing for a young English actress to attempt an Anglicised version of one of Rachel's greatest parts, but Miss Sedgwick's performance must have been agreeable even to those who bad seen the grant French tragedienne —while those persons who had not yet had this opportunity were enraptured, and testified their admiration by thunders of applause and showers of bouquets. The fair beneficiarie again appeared in the little comedy of the "Dowager," and was greatly suc cessful. Miss Sedgwick'a engagement has now terminated, and she is on the point of quittin g London. We hope, how ever, in a very short time to have her again among us, and then for a permanency. In her line she is unques tionably the most promising actress that we have seen for the last few years. POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION. This institution, which has for 20 years amused and instructed the public, produces for the entertainment of the holiday folk a list of novelties of much attraction. A private view of the Christmas entertainments was given last evening, and elicited the most unqualifi e d approba tion. In addition to the dissolving 'iews of scenes in India during the mutiny, a new musical entertainment, one of considerable merit, by Mr. Cooper, entitled " Home for the Holidays," was given, which was fol. lowed by some very remarkable phantasmagorical illusions. Mr. Malcolm's experiments in natural magic and legerdemain were much almired, and had this advantage, that while wonder was excited in the first stance, a clear explanation followed which almost qoali fied the audience to become future conjuror on their own account. In additioi to these attractions, an interest ing lecture was given by Mr. Pepper on several recent inventions amongst which perhaps the most generally generally interesting and useful were M. Soyer's Scutari teapot, and Mr. Stephen's machine for making bread. Our young friends will be delighted to hear that a grand Christmas tree has been prepared for their especial enjoyment, of the varied contents of which they will be allowed to partake, on the morning and evening of the 31st inst. Upon the whole, we can with confidence say that the entertainments at the Poly• technic are of a description to uphold the popular character of the institution, and to challenge for it its full share of public patronage. WILLIB's Rdoms.—"lt never rains but it pours,' says the old proverb ; and the adage seems to be as true of magical of meteorology. Scarcely has the public had time to recover from its amazement at the marvellous achievements of Professor Frikell, when a new magician arises in the person of the Cavaliers Antonio Poletti, who, " having performed with the greatest success at the principal courts of Europe," gave last night a private representation of wonderful effects, with and without apparatus. His feats of legerdemain, of which we shall probably speak at greater length on a future occasion, are done with rapidity and expertness, and claim adin!* ration not only by neatness of execution, but also by novelty and ingenuity of conception. His Excellency Ferukh Khan, Persian Envoy Extra. ordinary, paid farewell visits yesterday to their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary, the French Ambassador, and the Turkish Ambas sador. Later in the afternoon his excellency went to see the exhibition of the GUbe in Leicester-square, returning afterwards to 'Claridge's Hotel to dinner. The Duke and Duchess of Wellington have returned to Apsley House from Strathfieldsaye, where they have been entertaining company for some time past. They will pass the Christmas holidays at Hatfield House. The Duchess Dowager of Norfolk comes to town to-day from a tour of visits. The Earl and Countess of Mulgrave leave town to-day for Newton House, Bedale, Yorkshire, on a visit to the Dowager Duchess of Cleveland. The noble earl will Lave E❑gland on the 29th of next month for the seat of his new Government. The Earl of Gifford and Lord John Hay have left Strathfieldsaye, and are now staying on a visit with Lady Dufferin, at Dufferin Lodge, Highgate. The Earl Beauchamp and Lord and Lady Raglan are passing the season at Madresfield Court, Worcestershire. Lord and Lady Harry Vane have left town on a visit to the Earl and Countess Stanhope, at Chevening Park, Kent. Lori and Lady Arthur Hay have returned to town 'min visiting the Duke and Duchess of Wellington at Strathfieldsaye. The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, M.P., and Mrs. Herbert are entertaining a succession of company at Wilton House. The following have been among the guests :—The Marquis and Marchioness of Ailesbury, Maria Marchioness of Ailesbury, the Earl and Countess'of Granville, Viscount and Viscountess Somerton, , the Right Hon. Henry Fitzroy, M.P., the Right Hon. H. T. L. Corry, M.P. Sir Geo. Bowleg, Count Strzelecki, Mr. Gerard Sturt, Mr. Sneyd, &e. 'She dircotors of the Lyons railway have phoed in the •tation of Perrache in that city a clock which indicates the time both at l'eris and Lyons, that in the latter city 'mini , 6 minutes and a fraction in advance. It is sug gested that the same might be adopted with advantage at the extremity of all the great railways, the time at Marseilles, Turin, Cologne, &c., being of course diffe rent from that of Paris. In all the great railway stations f the United States there are clocks which indicate the time in all the great cities of the United States. COLLIERS' WAGES IN SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE.—A meeting of miners took place in a club-room, in Hall street, Willenhall, on Tuesday afternoon, to enable the deputation who had waited upon the ironmasters at Wolverhampton on the previous day to report to the men the result of their interview. William Case e I was in the chair. William Dodd, one of the deputation, read a report of what took place between the deputation and Messrs. Williams and Hartley and the Earl of Dart mouth, on Monday. The chairman then recommended the miners, under the circumstances, to return to work. Iron, he said, had been reduced in price, and the miners mu.t submit to occurrences. The masters had met the deputation fairly, and had promised that if their men laboured under any grievance, they would try to redress it. A miner, named Platt, moved the appointment of a committee who should sit permanently and receive all complaints from their fellow-workmen ; that a room should be taken where the newspapers could be read, and the price of iron and the value of labour ascertained ; and that if the masters attempted to reduce them until a reduction took place in the price of iron they should strike. The meeting seemed disposed to meet the masters fairly ; but wished to have the opportunity of Inewing at all times when wages might be EK pected to be reduced and when they might fairly demand higher prices. The motion was adopted, and thirteen colliers were nominated members of the com mittee. A second resolution was passed that the miners should quietly return to work. A vote of thanks having been passed to the deputation and also to the masters, the meeting then separated in a quiet manner. Yesterday morning numerous groups of the turn-outs lounged about the streets at Bilston and at Willeehall, and some fears were entertained that ere the close of the day some disturbance might be attempted. But such does not appear to have been the purpose of the men. About midday they began to congregate at Willenhall. As many as could obtain admission to the room in which the meeting was held attended it; the others patiently waited outside, and on hearing the result (that the meet ing decided to adopt the recommendation of the deputa tion, and return to work at the reduced rate of wages), quietly dispersed. It may, therefore, be presumed that toe threatened " strike" is at an end ; and for the sake of the men, as well as the welfare of the district, we rejoice that it, is so, feeling satisfied that if in the present state of affairs they had determined on "standing out," as it is called, they would have had to endure much suffering, without in any way improving their position. IVolverltampton Chronicle, of yesterday. WAGES OF COLLIERS.—On Monday, in pursuance of a resolution passed at a colliers' meeting at Willenhall, List week, a deputation of four colliers met the chair man and secretary, Mr. Philip Wil!iams and Mr. John Hartley, of the iron trade, respecting the ques tion of wages, at the Swan Rotel, Wolverhampton. The E irl of Dartmouth, Colonel Hogg, chief constable of Staffordshire, and Mr. Southern, ground bailiff to Mr. Williams, were also present. The chairman said he believed the masters were as willing as himself to meet a deputation of the men, and hear their statements as to any grievance or supposed griev ance. Tile note had been addressed to him alone, but he had invited the E srl of Dattetiouth and the other gentle nt-n to he present. The deputation said they wished to invite three other employers, Messrs. Blackwell, Bag nall, and Thorney croft, but they did not know their ad lreasee. William Crises well, one o f the deputation, alter some exelaeations, and o ff er i ng t o p os tpone the interview, so as to have more masters present, handed a note to the Chairman, which was read aloud. It stated that the colliers considered the present reduc tion of wages an unjust one, looking at the prices of provieione. They complained of the oppression of the " butties" in adding to their itents, and working them from 6 a tn. to 2 p.m. fur half a day, and other things. A. fertuight ago, they received notice of a reduction of 61. a da and they w i s h e d t hi s re d uc ti o n not ,to b made. They also meplained of the but ties compelling them to spend p ar t o f th e ir waves in y i drink. Mr. Williams and M r . H ar tl e y said it was impossible if the masters were to pay their way and c nipete with other di str i cts, f or tbem to gave previ •us rates of wages. Mr. Williams read a letter be had received that morning from London, as follows : " As regards a reduction, I wish with all my heart that you could remain as you are, but with Welsh bars at 61 . and no buyers, I do not see ho w i t i s p os sible for Staf fordshire t ) remain stationary. I can aes uro you that a reduction of 2/. per ton is mere widely advocated and ex iected than I could have believed if I bad not heard ie. For mys .If, lam utterly opposed to it, as it would lead to the wildest speculation, which would punish ns herea3er. I repeat my regret that even a 2054 reduction appears to be inevitable. There is nothing doing ; people will not buy at any price, even though we offer (as we have doe., for weeks pact) subject to quarter day." Lard Dartineuth and these two gentlemen, however, reprobated the butties interfe r i ng w ith th e colliers in spending their money, and promi se d that all should be d The one to put an end to this.strongly deputation then received is. each, and withdrew. —Matchejeci• augraian. CHRISTMAS. 'Twas the eve-tide of Christmas, and Christmas put on The most old-fashioned garments that Christmas could don Ihere was snow in the valley, and snow on the hill, There was snow on the roof-top, and snow on the sill ; The voice of the swift-running brooklet was still, The frost-keys had locked up the wheels of the mill, And the birds were so tame, that the wildest ones came To peep in at the casement with crumb-seeking bill. All was white en the earth—all was blue in the sky, The north wind was muffled too closely to sigh, The ice pearls glanced back to the sun's ruddy eye, And the rook thought it better to roost than to fly. King Christmas strode on in his slippers of glass, With a grasp and a word for each one that might pass ; His blessing was kind, though his greeting was bold, And this plain carol ditty he lustily trolled : " Room forme, room for me, High or low born though you :be, I'm very cold and very old, But very strong, as ye may see. Yonder stand the" turrets tall, With holly in the banquet-ball, Dainty fare is smoking there, While the minstrel echoes fall. Town and hamlet, foul or fair, Christmas looks in everywhere " Hark ! the flushed and shouting lip Laughs to see the red wine drip, Warm hands fill up the wassail cup, And busy fingers toss the flip. Here, the hovel roof is low, And the casement lets in snow, Bat the green aid red are seen Hanging in the wood-fire glow. 'Mid poor and many —great and raro, Christmas looks in everywhere. " See yon circle—gaily proud— Wait mere friends to join the crowd ; More friends still come—and list the hum-- In my name's welcome—blytho awl loud. Further ou, a woman's sigh Breathes through salt of weeping eye, Since I came last a cloud has past, And she has seen the dearest die. 'Mid Mirth and Mourning, Pomp and Prayer, Christmas looks in everywhere, Sacred ceilings, dark and gray, Bear the mistletoe and bay, And anthem hymn, through cloisters dim, Peals along the close highway. Farmer's boys fetch in Yule logs, To pile upon the chimney dogs ; And laugh to find I'm just behind, To trip them up with icy clogs, Church and homestead—here and there -x Christmas looks in everywhere. I mix the cake, and broach the beer, I toll long talcs of fun and fear, I bring choice flasks, and tap hugo casks, And load the board with revel cheer. I call back wander_rs to tho hearth, Where Home's undying love had birth. I fling a gleam of memory's beam, On those far off— 'mid Death and Dearth— By night-watch flame, and lire-side glare, Christmas looks in everywhere. "Roast the beef, and drain the but; Let no human heart be shut; Let i Goodwill' be reigning still, Awl the Castle help the Hut. Room fur me ! room for me ! High or low born though ye be, very cold, and very old, But ever welcome as ye see." His Highness the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, accom panied by Sir John Login, left claridge's Hotel, yester day afternoon, for Castle Menzies, N.B. y r 4 1 / 4 7 DEUEM EI? c, city. In addition io tie 200 men who have been thrown out of employment by the closing of his marble works, the charity-school for 300 young girls, which he maintained, has been also shut up, a fact which has given rise to a strong feeling of discontent among the people. The law advisers of the marquis have succeeded in getting rid of the criminal question, and the affair will now come under civil jurisdiction only. The Government has seized, as has already been stated, on the pro perty of M. Campana for the 570,000 crowns, tl e amount of his deficit, but it remains to be sem whether the marquis, in his quality of director of the Mont de Piete, could not make a loan to him self, as he did to several commercial houses, this establishment at Rome doing the office of a com mercial bank. An interesting episode conneced with this affair, is the following :—Madame Cam pana, the daughter of Madame Powells, whose in terference aided in the liberation of the prisoner of Ham, is to leave for Paris immediately, to request the interference of the Emperor in favour of her husband. Doctor Palacci, the physician of the family, during one of his visits to the marquis, took charge of a letter from him to his wife relative to his intended journey. Unfortunately the doctor was searched and the letter found, and he was put under arrest for conveying it." SWEDEN. A letter from Stockholm, - of the 16th, in the Constitutionnel, says :—" It has been stated at the Exchange that the Minister of Finance has received offers from a banking house in Paris to furnish the Swedish government with three millions of thalers banco (6,000,000 fr.) as a loan, to be paid within six weeks from the day the agreement is signed. The conditions on which this sum is to be lent have not yet transpired, but it is said in financial circles that the terms are such as may be accepted, particularly in the situation in which Sweden is now placed. The number of failures which have taken place up to this time amounts to twenty-two. Among them the most to be deplored are some large saw-mill establishments founded by shares, and having a very large capital. Timber was exported by them to England in enormous quantities, and the nulls drawn for these supplies having been returned un paid, the directors found it necessary to declare themselves insolvent, and consequently to discharge more than, 2,000 men who are now out of employ ment." LATEST NEWS RELIEF OF LUCKNOW. The following telegraphic despatch has been received from Malta, dated Dec. 23, 4 a.m. : ALEXANDRIA, DEC. 19. The telegraph announces the arrival at Suez of the Pekin, with dates from Bombay to the 4th .• inst. Sir Colin Campbell joined tho force at the Alumbagh on the 11th. On the 13th active operations commenced, and for the next six days there was a constant series of severe and bloody struggles with the enemy. On the 19th ult., after a series of severe struggles, the garrison of Lucknow was relieved. On the following day the sick, wounded, women, and children were sent under escort to Cawnpore. The Malwa field force, under Brigadier Steuart, has relieved Nusseerabad and dispersed the Me hidpore rebels, and is clearing Malwa of the insurgents. The flying columns, under Brigadier Showers and Colonel Cotton, are scouring Rohilcund, com plete success attending their operations every- where. Reinforcements are pouring into India, and all alarm for the garrisons and outposts has ceased. Business in the import-market has been to a moderate extent. The money-market is extremely tight. Very little had been done in Government securities, quotations for which are unaltered. Freights had declined. Exchange on London, 2s. 2g-d. for credits. From another source we hear that tho relief of Lucknow was achieved with a loss of only four officers killed and 40 wounded and that Six Colin Campbell's force amounts to 12,000. The Abeona, with the 94th Regiment, arrived at Malta from Plymouth on the 20th, and left for Alexandria on the same day. The mails for Australia arrived on the 21st, and left for Alexandria on the 22d. The Desperate is under orders to relieve the Centaur at Naples. HAMBURG, DEC. 23. The Danish Chambers closed yesterday. The Supreme Council of the monarchy is to meet on the 10th January. Several resignations have taken place. Many failures continue to take place in Danmark, Sweden, and Norway. TRIAL OF THE POLITICAL PRI SONERS OF SAPRI. We read in the Independance that the process of Sapri is concluded, but the judgment will not be promulgated for a month to come. There were 128 accused ; a number of them have been condemned to death, but only one will be exe cuted. The King will either pardon or commute the sentences upon the others. FRANCE. PARIS, WEDNESDAY. Their Majesties received yesterday Prince Fre derick William of Electoral Hesse, and the Princess, his consort. BOURSE, Dec. 23.—The market has been in a better situation than yesterday, and prices have rather improved, notwithstanding large realisations of profits by the speculators for a rise. It was reported that the discount would be reduced to morrow to 8 per cent. by the Bank of England, and to 5 per cent. by the Bank of France. The market became heavy a short time before the close, when it was suddenly reported that the discount had been redUced to 8 per cent. by the Bank of Englind, and there was a sudden rally. The fol lowing were the closing quotations : Cash. tr. i per Cents End of Month. —fr. --- :. 3per Cents 67 GO 67 93 Bank Shares 3250 Credit Foncier — • Credit Mobilier 787 50 Roman Do. Account 8 7 50 Austrian Belgian 4i riedmontese (5) 9O Home Debt RAILWAYS-FOR CASH. tr. c. fr c. Orleans 1340 Midi - Northern - New Ditto 765 Strasburg - Lyons and Med 855 Grand Central - Now Ditto... Geneva 6671— Austrian Corn. ...,... 716- PRUSSIA. A Berlin letter in the Cologne Gazette says : " The Commission of the States of the banks of the Danube has completed the draft of its conven tion, and Austria is endeavouring to obtain a rati fication of it from the other States, in order that it may be presented to the Congress of Paris as an affair definitely settled. But the convention con tains clauses too much to the advantage of the States on its banks, and as soon as France learned that it was intended to get it ratified, she raised the objection that it must first be approved of by the Congress of Paris. Count de Buo! replied by a note, dated the 7th, in which it is stated that the States were only bound to communicate the convention to the Congress, but did not stand in need of its approbation. France, however, main tains the contrary affirmation, and has sent a cir cular despatch on the subject, drawn up with par ticular care, to the French diplomatic agents at the courts of all the power 3 who signed the treaty of March 30." AUSTRIA. The Hereditary Grand Duke Nicholas and the Grand Duke Alexander, sons of the Emperor of Russia, arrived at 'Vienna three days back, from St. Petersburg, on their way to Italy. They were received at the railway station by the Baron de Budberg, the Russian minister. The young princes were only to remain two days at Vienna. The morning after their arrival they received a Visit from the Archduke Louis Victor, youngest brother of the Emperor, and in the evening dined at Court. BELGIUM. The King of the Belgians came to the Palace at Brussels the day before yesterday from the Chateau , of Lacken, and received the Chamber of Represen tatives, who came to present the Address voted iu reply to the official announcement of the pregnancy of the Duchess de Brabant. M. Verga:3gen, the president, having read the Address, his Majesty replied as follows :- 6. Gentlemen—Ths Address which I have just heard read deeply aff.icts me. The event which is promised to u 4, will contribute to strengthen still more our political existence, and to tighten the bonds which time and ex. perience have formed between uR. My devotedness to the happiness of Bdlgium is justly appreciated ; the attachment which I feel to this country will always respond to its patriotism and to its affection for me and my family. I thank you, gentlemen, for the really kind manner in which you have expressed your sentiments." In the sitting of the Belgian Chamber of Repre sentatives the day before yesterday, the Minister of the Interior presented, as 'already briefly stated, a bill opening a supplementary credit of 390,189 fr. to meet the surplus of expenses on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the acceiision of the King, over and above the grant of 300,000 f. placed at the dis posal of the Government by the law of May 23, 1850. In the first instance, a supplementary eredit of 770,038 f. had been asked for by the Go vernment, but the Chamber, before deciding on tl.e whole amount of the expenses, granted a pro visional credit of 385,000 f., being nearly one-half the credit applied fir, and all the accounts of the works and articles supplied were laid before the committ e charged to examine the bill. On the 27th May last, the committee informed the Minister of the Interior that it had terminated its examina ti )n, but, in consequence of the serious discuswon which occupied the Chamber at that time, the re port was not presented. The subsequent adjourn ment of the Chambers rendered it necessary that a new bill should be now presented, the amount being in accordance with some modifications made during the examination by the committee. ITALY. A le ter from Rome of the 12th, in the Inde pendance of Brussels, says : "The affair of the Marquis of Campana eon tinues to produce an immense sensation in this SPAIN. The Madrid journals of the 19th contain no poli tical news of interest. The dismissal of General Rivero from the general direction of infantry, which, it will be remembered, nearly created a military crisis a short time ago, was considered certain, and General Aleson or General Thos de Olano was spoken of as his successor. M. Gonzalez Bravo, minister at London, had received permis sion to return to Madrid to take part in the debates of the Cortes, but the ministers had no intention of proposing him as a candidate for the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies. According to - LE Alambra, a Granada journal, some of the Moorish chiefs at Melilla have entered into friendly relations with the Spaniards, and have even expressed a wish to pass under their rule. It adds that a French agent had been in communication with one of the marabouts, and had tried to convince him that it would ,be to the advantage of the Moors to place themselves under the protection of the French. W hat the mat about precisely answered is not known, but it is said to amount to this, that " he did not fear French soldiers, for the Moors would defend their sacred territory to the last man, but what they feared was lighting by gas," meaning thereby civilisation. AMERICA. RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS. SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY NIGHT. The steam-ship Fulton has just arrived here with the American mails, and advices from New York to the 12th inst. Amongst her cargo is, specie to the value of 427,000 dots. for England, and 124,000 dole. for France. Amongst the passengers is Lola Montes, c n her way to Paris. The news from Mexico state that the position of the government had improved. The reactionary force had been defeated by the government troops. Comonfort and the Supreme Court were formally installed. The port of Navidad had been declared open to commerce. The tendency of prices in the New York stock market was downward. A number of bank officers at New York had met, and resolved to resume specie payments in full on all their liabilities. This resolution was prompted by the announcement that the Bank of Arne, ica, the Bank of Commerce, the Manhattan and Na tional Banks had resolved to resume payment on the 13th instant. The total specie reserve amounts to 26,000 dole. The deposits have not increased much during the last two or three week. The suspension of specie payments is now rather nominal than actual. "The banks pay specie over their own counter for bills and small cheques, and the community gets along very well with that. When business revives it will be, a more difficult matter to carry on the op . erations of trade without a general resumption. The Secretary for the Treisury has proposed to supply an issue of treasury notes not to exceed 20,000,000 dollars. Ho also proposes the passage of a compulsory Bankrupt Act, by which insolvent banks and railway companies may be wound up, whether they like it or not. There has been a skirmish between Colonel Alexander's force and the Mormons. A large force is sent against the latter, and a protracted war is considered inevitable. The amount in the Treasury is 6,000,000 dollars. The receipts for the weak ending the 7th inst. were about half a million of dollars. Fitzpatrick had been elected President of the Senate. All the democratic candates for officers of the house were elected with great unanimity. Jas. L. Orr, of South Carolina, was e l ec t e d spea k er . The. Presidedt has dismissed St 4nton from the secretaryship of Kansas, for calling together a spe cial session of the Leconapton Legislation. General Dander has been appointed in the room of Stanton. The Senate has confirmed the appointment. The debate was looked upon as a trial of the strength of parties with reference to the Kansas-Leconapton constitution, and the position of the President thereupon. Walker, it is fully expected, will be dismissed. Owing to the mild weather the canals were not to be closed before the 15th inst. The amount and value of American produce re tained in the interior at the close of this year will be the largest ever known in the history of the country. In the New York markets, cotton sales were limited ; the dealers were waiting the arrival of foreign news. In Nights, rates were firmer for grain to Liver pool. In the New Orleans cotton market the sales were 3,000 bales at slightly lower prices. Sugar was firm and corn active. Freights were drooping. Exchange on London, 103 to 105. THE CAPE. SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY EVENING. The Dane, the first steamer despatched from England under the new contract, arrived at the Cape of Good Hope and landed her mails at noon on the 29th of October, having been 43 days 22 horns on the voyage out from Southampton. The last eight days she had to contend with a south-east gale. The Dane would leave on her return with the homeward mails on the Ist of December, and is due in England on the 12th of January. The steamer Queeu of the South arrived at the Npe of Good Hope, from Portsmouth, on the 21st of October, with 760 troops, and left eight days afterwards for India ; also, the steamer Scotia, on the 26th of October, from Portsmouth for Bombay, with 326 troops ; the steamer Iwperatriz arrived at Hong Kong on the let Nov., with 539 troops. THE OTTOMAN BANK. TO THE EDITOR OF THE BUN. Silt,—The only investment which has not taken a the in consequence of the improved general and monetary aspect of affairs, is the Ottoman Bank, with limited Lability. This arises from the directors studiously keeping secret the enormously large and productive business which the bank is doing. It is their duty, as they (ILI before, at the suggestion of . the Times news paper, when their stock was similarly depressed, to putdish to their shareholders the true and, I believe, flourishing condition of their affairs. Your obedient servant, A. W. London, 21st December, 1857. FATAL OMNIBUS ACClDENT. —Yesterday morning, between nine and ten o'clock, a lad named James Mitchell, whose parents reside in Collog,'-str.et, Chelsea, was brought into St. George's Hospital, Hyde Park-corner, having been run over by an omnibus inKnightsbridge,froin the effects of w hi c h h e was so severe l y i n jured that, not' withstanding the utallmt endeavours of tl,e Louse surgeons he expired sho r tly after hi s a d m i s sion. The po or w han, in it appears, was cross i ng near the park avoiding a carriage whi c h was coming from directione o of Piccadilly, h e r a n aga i n st the horses the driver of which pulled manner, but too late. up in the quickest possible THE INDIA MAILS VIA MARaiLLES, It is not expected that the mails with the details of the intelligence respecting the six days' hard fighting for the final capture of Lucknow will reach London before tuesday or Wednesday next. The Pekin, with the Bombay mail, arrived at Suez on the 19th inst., and H.M.'s fast despatch boat Coquette brought from Alexandria to Malta the teligram only which appeared in our later edition of yesterday. The Bombay mail may therefore wait at Alexandria the arrival of the Calcutta and China mails, and will then, with them, be conveyed to Marseilles per Peninsular and Oriental steam-ship Vectis. IRREGULARITY OF AUSTRALIAN MAILS. The European, Australian, and Royal West In dian Mail Compa n y offered their new steam-ship Australasia for the conveyance of troops to India, and the offer was accepted ; but whether the vessel has been chartered by the Admiralty or the East India Company d oes no t appear. Th e ma il service between Australia and Suez is interrupted through the want of reserve steamers, yet the Admiralty allow the Australasia to be taken up for troop ser vice to India, which will prevent her from reaching Sydney before April next, and as the Simla is with drawn from the line, and the other three vessels, Emeu, European, and Columbian, are in a very defective state, the public may expect for the next six months a continuance of the irregularities at tending the arrivals of Australian mails. The necessity of having a fortnightly mail to our gold colonies is daily becoming more apparent, and for that object we entertain no doubt that the Govern ment will adopt the Panama route, which has un disputed advantages over the Ceylon route. For the large sum of money granted for the present contract the results obtained are extremely unsatis factory, and an inquiry ought to be instituted by the House of Commons into the entire mail packet service, with a view to economy and improvement. THE PENINSULAR MAILS. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamship Alhambra, Captain J. K. Joy, arrived at Southampton yesterday evening, with mails in charge of Lieutenant Bridges, R.N., Admiralty agent, to the following dates : —Gibraltar, Dec. 15; Cadia,l6 ; Lisbon, 19; and Vigo, 20. She did not communicate with Oporto. This steamer brings 27 passengers, 21 packages of specie, value 13,0731,, and a cargo consisting of 353 half chests of oranges, 1 box of lemons, 14 barrels of raisins, 7 quarter casks of wine, 1 box of cigars, 94 boxes of tangerines, 15 packages of elephants' teeth, 5 bales of wax, 1 b)xof melons, 116 eases of eggs, and 15 packages of general merchandise. She has had fine weather throughout the voyage. Deo. 19. Off the Barlings, the 'Alhambra passed the English steamer Douro, bound to the south-west. Gibraltar advices are of the same date as those re ceived by the Sultan. The Alhambra left Lisbon on the 19th, when there were no foreign ships of war in I.A. The Lisbon exchanges by this mail for bill' at three months are quoted generally at 543 for London, although some transactions were done at 541 and 4 f and shorter bills wore in demand. Paris in demand at 515. Other places nominal, at 433 for Amsterdam ; Hamburg 48k ; and Genoa, 514. Stock-market dull, and few buyers for Three per Conte. at 45 to 46, registered ; Coupons, 45 to 45i ; and Deferred, 27 to 23. Bank of Portugal shares, 8 to 9 per cent. premium, and Oporto Bank shares, 22 to 23 per cent. premium. Our Lisbon correspondent writes on the nth:— " The weather has, fortunately, continued cool, and no check has been given to the gradual decrease of the fever. The new cases reported during the last 10 days up to 10 p.m. on the 17th are 370, and the deaths 199, instead of 892 cases and 885 deaths during the pre. vious ten days. On the 16th there were only 17 new cases, and on the following day only 11 deaths — the lowest numbers during the last three months ; but I am sorry to add that some of the few cases which now appear and end fatally are classed by the best medical authorities as the very worst type, and very unusual when an epidemic is about to cease. From what I hear in this matter, and my general know. ledge of the people, I am convinced that even the young King's energetic exertions will not suffice to get the town freed from its pestilential sewerage system before it is visited by another more serious epidemio than the one which now appears likely to be temporarily sup pressed by the cold temperature." The Deputies meet daily merely for the formality of recording the presence of some 40 to 44 members, while nothing under 54 will constitute the House, and unless 70 or 80 be present the Government cannot carry on public) business, since 40 concordant votes are required upon all questions, and the Opposition so far has bad daily as many members present as the Government. It is consequently unlikely that anything will be done in the way of legislation this year, which is, under the cir cumstances, and after the King's good example, no small discredit to the Cortes and Government. THE CASE OF TimmAs PooLET.—Mr. Coningham, M.P., has received from Sir George Grey word that Thomas Pooley, who was sentenced at the Bodmin summer assizes to one year and nine months' impri sonment for the alleged offence of blasphemy, has re ceived a free pardon, Sir G. Grey having advised her Majesty to that effect. Mr. Coningham had presented to the Home-office a memorial from Brighton on this matter. STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH THE SPANISH P BTEee— SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday.—The screw steamers Liam burgo, Captain Lagier, and Barcelona, Captain Argento, sailed hence, the former on Monday morning for Ham burg, and the latter this morning for the Spanish ports, with passengers and merchandise. THE BISHOP OF LONDON AND KENSINGTON SCHOOL.--- On Tueiday the Bishop of London presided over a numerous meeting at Keneingtou School, for the purpose of distributing the annual prizes. After the reports of the various examiners had been received and some pieces had been recited by the boys of the school, the Bishop proceeded to distribute the prizes to the success ful candidates. His lordship then, in a very impressive speech, spoke of the varied studies of the school, and the close connection of one branch of them with our Indian empire, for the service of which a large number of the boys are destined. He spoke of the career which was opening before those who were looking forward to service in India, and bestowed high praise on the generosity of Sir Henry Willock, who, for 19 successive years, had presented for public competition in the school an appointment to the East India College at Addiscombe. His lordship closed his speech by some remarks evincing an affectionate interest in the welfare pf the boys of the school. Sir H. Willock and several other gentlemen addressed the meeting, and spoke of the large number of the scholars who had distinguished themselves in India; and expressed the mingled pride and sorrow they felt for those who had fallen in that country. F. G. Willock and Quintyn Bettye, who both fell before Delhi, were at the head of this distinguished list. Allusion was also made to the successes of the scholars at the universities, and at Woolwich and Ad discombe. A vote of thanks, proposed to the bishop by Archdeacon Sinclair, concluded the proceedings of the day. PORTUGAL—The Thalia steamer, with a cargo of oranges, has arrived at Falmouth with Lisbon dates of December 16. There were no foreign ships of war in the Tagus. The Peninsular packet Alhambra landed her English mails at Lisbon on the 12th, and left the same day for Cadiz and Gibraltar. The Royal Mail packet Avon, with the outward mails for Brazil, coaled at Li.,bon, and left at 9 on the morning of the 14th for Madeira. Our Lisbon correspondent reports the con tinued gradual decease of the fever, the new cases for 24 hours up to 10 p.m. on the 84th being 30 ; deaths, 16 ; and cures, 58 • a great diminution in the aver age o f 89 cases and 38 deaths per diem for the ten days up to the Bth, the date of the last Peninsular mail report. The House of Peers had assembled in numbers sufficient to constitute itself for business; but the Deputies came for ward very slowly; the largest number which had met, being 45, was too small to open the session. THE TERMINUS OF THE WEST END OF LONDON RAIL WAY. —This commodious terminus is to be at the end of the Chelsea Suspension Bridge, affording a most conve nient station for Chelsea and Belgravia. The works of the station are now being rapidly proceeded with, and Messrs. Bidder and Fulton, the engineers, state that"the railway will be opened for public traffic about the middle of March. The terminus is within a mile of Eaton and Belgrave-squares, and a pier will be attached to the station, at which the Citizen steamboats will call. The public will be enabled from this station to reach the fol lowing places, viz. :—Brighton, Dover, Portsmouth, Southampton, Richmond, Windsor, Reading, the Crys tal Palace, &c. It is also intended to apply to Parlia ment during the next session for an act to allow the extension of the West End Railway across the •river, along the Grosvenor Canal, to near the west end of Victoriwatreet, Westminster. It is therefore intended to apply to Parliament for powers to make a loop line between Balham-hill station and West Croydon station, to avoid the Crystal Palace station, by which some distance will be saved, the heavy gradients, sharp curve', and long tunnels of the West End line will be avoided, and thereby enable the Dover and Brighton traffic, to be worked with safety and punctuality. SUPPOSED MURDER.—A few days ago some partiosuolmaree were given in Thea Sun respecting the discovery of h ght to remains at Miidleton, Norfolk, be those of Mr. John B:11, uest toek place yes wee mur,leted. Tle adjourned _i!?e kin, place ale ut eight years ago, and who it is now Euvo3ed who disapp r r e e d from that district co our, ferday Middleton, before Ac!r : w i but their evidence was Many witnesses were xae Live was ascertained. e belonged w riecipal y of a conjectuAral'picnubrieracwteari,, earl j i n io c th d hl ro.si . ch WA identified as haring formerly to Mr. Bell. A a itoe,s, named Collison, deposed that while at work at Middle on in November, 1849, he heard a great deal of scuffling and groaning near the place where Cie re ma ne have been found, and afterwards, when Mr. Bell was massed, the witness mentioned the circumstance to tee , persons, but nothing more specific arose out of tl witnees's testimony. The Coroner, in suggesting an adjournment, referred to the statement made by Colli son, which be said Wll3 Exceedingly important, and Le believed they were on t!,3 threshold of a startling in quiry. He wished it to be publicly known that at the t 7ne Mr. Bail disappeared —and there could be no doubt that 1 e had been foully murdered—bills had been issued offering a reward c f 2201. for the conviction of the guilty persons or persons. He should cause those bills to be re - issued, and adjourn the inquiry for a fortnight,