The Sun. — London, England, 1857-02-20 00:00:00

To THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY COMPANY. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, —The Report issued to the Pro prietary, for the six months last passed, presents a gratifying contrast to those issued of late years at the semi-Annual Meeting. iThe sections relating to Locomotives, Season Tickets, and Free Passes evince a spirit of determined economy ; there. solution to increase Locomotive and Rolling Stock out of Re venue,' instead of charging them to Capital Account, being p ar ti cu l a rly deserving of yourcommendation. In like manner it has been resolved to rescind, or to renew, the agreement with the North of Europe Company relative to cattle, by which our company was bound to convey that description of Property at ruinously low rates. The report, after alluding to certain expensive law suits am i ca bl y an d reasona bly se ttl e d, an d certain minor .points of cab discipline left to their own proper development, expresses the very proper resolution of entering into no arrangements except of a remunerative kind. This very proper business-like way of managing the company is, however, applied in reference to another company, of which I hopejto know somewhat — viz., the London, Harwich, and Continental Steam-Packet Company, 44, Moorgate-street. lam given to understand that, unlike the grasping policy of the North of Europe, the Directors of this Company only seek to aid, and be aided by, the great Eastern Counties Railway proprietary, upon the usual fair basis of pro-ratio division of expenses and profits. The natural capabilities of Harwich are such that under a dne development it must become the Southampton or Liver pool of the East Coast, a distinction which only one port in that extensive seaboard can claim with her, viz., Grimsby. Surely the apathy which a long course of mismanagement has produced will cease to paralyse our energies to the ex tent of letting slip this glorious prize from our grasp. Steam. ship Companies have no expensive land to purchase the right of way through, no expense of rails, no long bills for sur veys, and other preliminary phlebotomy. Hence one hun dred thousand pounds is even a large capital for a Company, though it only expresses one hundred share holders of 1,0001. each, or 500 of 2001. each. Such an amount might readily be raised out of our own pro prietary, thereby enabling the marine company to contract, or at least tender, for the conveyance of the mails for the whole of the North of Europe and India (via Trieste), in preference to the present tempestuous routes by Calais and Dover, with their concomitant drawbacks of sands, and breaks of rail whenever they reach the Rhine. For these services the Post-office pay the South-Eastern Steam-packet Company 10,500/. per annum. Suppose 7,0001. or 8,0001. thereof directed into this new route ? This implies not only a dividend to that amount per cent. on the Steam-ship Com pany's shares, but the carriage of the mail matter on the Eastern Counties Railway. Apart from this, the comparative smoothness of the sea passage from Harwich, owing to its being above the various currents that beset the straits, the ready communication from Harwich to all England without passing through London, and the direct and unbroken lines of rail from Rotterdam to Cologne and the Rhine, indicate this as the certain route for at least a fair proportion of the autumnal tourists, while all travellers to places east of the Rhine, and all the overland mails and passengers to India must eventually adopt this line, wherever time and comfort of unbroken rail communication are an object. With respect to the commercial prospects of the Company my information is not so certain, for the facts enumerated above are patent to any man who will take up a map of Europe, on which the Railways opened since last October are properly marked. The steady increase, however, of the trade of this country with Northern Germany and Denmark, through the ports of Harlin gen, Embden, Bremen, Hamburg, and Terming, point to a pro bably great increase of remuneration to the Eastern Counties proprietary, if a properly remunerative scale be fixed as be tween the two Companies. Let each and all of us, therefore, aid as far as we can in the development of this great feeder of our line, and we may hope, without being at all accused of being too sanguine, to see our shares once again at par or premium, as so noble a property ought to be. A SHAREHOLDER IN BOTH COMPANIES. T HEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LA NE, Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. Acting Manager, Mr. C. Mathews. Stage Manager, Mr. R Roxby. Scenic Artist, Mr. W. Beverley. The eminent Comedian, Mr. Charles Mathews, every evening. Great Success of the Grand Christmas Pantomime, the most magnificent ever produced on the English stage. THIS EVENING, her Majesty's Servants will perform an entirely new three-act Drama, entitled THE BLACK BOOK. Characters by Mr. C. Mathews, A. Younge, G. Honey, Mr. Vincent, Mr. Tilbury, Mr. Lingham ; Misses Cleveland and U. Oliver, and Mrs. Selby. After which will be produced SEE, SAW, MARGERY DAW ; Or, Harlequin Holiday, and tho,lsland of Ups and Downs, The reduced prices as follows, varying throughout the house to suit every one :—Galleries, ed. and ls. ; Second Circle of Boxes, Is. ed. ; Pit, 2s. ; First Circle of Boxes, 2s. 6d. ; Dress Boxes, 3s. ; Stalls, Es. ; Private Boxes, 10s. 6d., I'. Is., 1/. lls. 6d., and 2/. 2s. pO.YAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. THIS EVENING will be performed A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. After which, a now grand Christmas Pantomime, called ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP; or, Harlequin and the Genii of the Ring, Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; Co lumbine, Miss C. Adams, ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. C. Dillon. THIS EVENING, will bo performed a new play, in five acts, by Westl an d M ars t on, Esq., entitled A LIE'S RANSOM. Lord Reyesdale,• Mr. C. Dillon ; Bancroft, Mr. Stuart ; Itevesdale, Mrs. C. Dillon, To be followed by CONRAD AND MEDORA; or, Harlequin Corsair and the Little Fairy at the Bottom of the Sea; The burlesque opening by W. Brough, Esq., ounded upon the ballet of Le Corsair, as produced at Her Majesty's Theatre. The harlequinade upon things in gene ral. The new and magnificent scenery painted by Mr. F. Fenton. Conrail (the Corsair) Birbarto (his lieutenant) Med ora Clowns Miss Woo7gar Mr. J. L. Toole \lrs. Charles Dillon Mr. Tom Matthews and .111 . r. IT. Marshall The box-ofnee open datly, from 11 to 5, under the super ntendence of Mr.. Chatterton, jun. Carriages conveying parties 13 the Private Boxes to set down at the State entrance in Buileigh-street. HEA TRE ROYAL, ADELPIII. Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING, will be performed OUR GAL, Caro. Inc: Morton, Mrs, Barney Williams, After which, A NIGHT AT NOTTING-HILL, in which Mr. Wright and Pal Bedford will appear. Followed by the new and original comic drama, called BARNEY THE BARON. Barney O'Toole, Mr. Barney Williams. To conclude with MOTHER SITIPTON ; or, harlequin Knight of Love, and the Enchanted Whistle. Harlequin and Columbine (h la Watteau), Madame Celeste and Miss Wyndham ; Clown, Mr. Garden ; Pantaloon, Mr. Moreland; Scaramouch, Mr. Lo Barr. Chacaeters in the bur lesque by Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. J. Bland, Mr. R. Romer, Madame Celeste, Miss Wyndham, Miss Mary Keeley, Miss Kate Kelly, Miss Arden, die. OYAL SURREY THEATRE, Lesiees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick. THIS EVENING, an original play, in three acts, entitled A BIRD IN THE HAND WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. Roderick Praiseworthy, Mr. Shepherd. After which, HARLEQUIN AND THE SUMMER QUEEN. Harlequin, Mr F. Clover ; Clown, Mr. Buck ; Pantaloon, Mr. Bradbury; the Your Sprites, the Fillis Columbines, Mesdames Mine and Agnes. THEATRE ROYAL, SADLER'S-WELLS. - Under the Management of Mr. Phelps. THIS EVENING, Shakespere's play of T rIE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. Supported by Thssrs. H. Marston, F. Robinson, L. Ball, &c. ; Miss M. Eburne, Miss J. Marston, and Miss E. Travers. To conclude with THE SENTINEL. TRA_ND T HEAT RE.—Manager, Mr. T. Payne. —This Evening* will be per;orreed a power Realful new of dram don.a, THE PRIDE OF POV ERTY ; or, The Poor Lon Affer which, DON'T LEND YOUR UMBRELLA. To exclude with the immensely successful novel Burlesque Pantomime of THE MAGIC MISTLETOE ; or, Harlequin Humbug and the Shams of London. The Fairy Christmas, Miss E. Wilton ; Good Humour, Miss Norbury; Aiercury, Hiss Cameron ; Humbug, Mr. Herbert; Cant, Mr. Bolton ; Baron, Mr. J. B. Johnstone ; Sir Roland, Mr. Clarke; Lord Lovel., Miss Craven ; Addelp Ate, Miss Cuthbert ; Crambo, Master W. Edotiin ; Lady Ames, Miss E. Jacobs ; Baroness, >lr. G. Lee ; Furbilosl, Mr. J. Howard. Novel Harle qnivade : Clown, Miss Cuthbert ; Little Clown, Master W Edonin ; Pantaloon, Mr. J. Clarke ; Harlequin, Miss Craven ; Columbines. Miss E. Jacobs and Mlle. Collison ; Premier Danseuse, Mdle. Marie Charles. Commence at Seven. Stalls, 3s. ; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, Is. ; Caliery, 6d. A morning performance of the Pantomime every Monday at two o'clock LOYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee, Mr, Alfred Wigan. IF d THIS EVF4NING, a n ew d rama, b y Tom Taylor, Esq., cane A SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING . Followed by the new farce, by Bale Bernard, Esq., called A SPLENDID INVESTMENT. A new Fairy Extravaganza, by J. R. PLanclie, Esq.. called YOUNG AND HANDSOME. Messrs. F. Robson, Rogers, eton, st. Leslie, G. asse, Castl Cooke, Dan vers. Misses S wanborougb, Thirlwall, c Bromley, Maskell, 2to Mrs. Melfort. Commence at ha'f-past Seven. A STLEY'S ROYAL Am ------- -- Illustrated . I .A._, Lessee awl Manager, M r . w, THIS ! EVENING —A Performance Crew' Cooke. pneeesa —The operatic drama of ROB it' wit h Pig'nal _ll►'• J. H• Cooke's Great by Mr. Wm. Cooke 's Trained Horses, and acted original music, with V ri 7 i ith th e Aftei, which, the Equestrian SCENES in the CIRCLEg° Act• To conclude with the equestrian comic pantomime * " f PAUL PRY ON HORSEBACK. _ . Commei ft at seven o'clock. Dress Boxes, 4s. ; Upper P ; '?xes, 35.; Private Boxes, from 1 /., no charge for bookin g it, 2s. ; Gallery, Is. ; Upper Gallery, 6d. 1 , ;)x-oPiles open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West, Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun. CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road. — OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow ing company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of Pelections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Chdruses, Glees, Duets, &c., viz.: Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield, Miss Brunel], Miss Summera, and Madame Marietta; Mr. J. Caulfield, Herr 1. Jong'Huang, R. Grover, T. Farrant, S. Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling, P. Corn, Senor Autonio M. de Solla, and E. L. Him(); Masters A ustin, Dennett, and Corri; Messrs. SAM COMM, E. Mackney, and C. J. Wilkins. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, J. Caulfield, jun.; Se director, Mr. J. Caulfield. Commeruco at w n iae l 7. suppers, 4c., until tWelYe o'clock, o'clock pre ?THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. I_ THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven, with the successful new Comedy, in three acts, entitled, DOUBLE-FACED PEOPLE. Characters by Mr. Buckstone, Mr. Chippendale, Mr. Compton, Mr. W. Farren, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Clark, Miss Reynolds, Mrs. Poynter, and Mrs. E. Fitz will jam. Followed by (sth time) a new drama, called A WICKED WIFE. . . After which (54th time) the new comic pantomime, entitled niE BABES IN THE WOOD, or Harlequin and the Cruel Uncle. The scenery of the opening story painted by Mr. NV. Callcott. The pantomime produced under the direction of M. Milano. Harlequin, M. Milano ; Columbine, Fanny Wright ; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ; and Clown, Mr. Driver THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY E'VENING, FEBRUARY 20, 1857 MOH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TRIO DAY—Morn. 7 min. aft. 10—Evening 50 mid. aft. 10 ro-Moßßow—Morn. 37 min. aft. 11—Evening 0 min.aft. 0 THE WEATHER_SUN OFFICE, FEBRUARY 20. THERMOMETER, IN THH SHADE. 50—highest singe noon yesterday. 43—lowest this morning and during the night. 51-this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30.21. WIND, S.W. - -Light, with fine weather, but hazy ; rather foggy in the morning. kj.l) r - • • , ‘,7531.11, 4W3 LONDON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1857. The discussion on the leading point of the "Precious Budget" will unquestionably come on this evening. The Arena is prepared, the Knights are armed, and Asquires in attendance for the Parliamentary passage at arms. The old and worn-out dodges are resorted to. Liberal and independent members are emphatically cau tioned against giving their votes in favour of any proposition emanating from the Opposition. The new coalition is held up as a bugbear "to fright the Isle from its propriety," and even ominous hints of a dissolution in the event of an adverse division are whispered in the clubs. These " dodges" cannot, however, always prove success ful. The most obnoxious measures have been carried, the most salutary ameliorations procras tinated, or eltogether rejected, by means thereof. "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes" has been the motto of the waiters on PROVIDENCE, at all times, the plausible pretext by which tergiversa tion of every description has been justified, pledges violated, and the most sol emn obligations set at nought. Ministers have been thereby encouraged, to disregard the voice of public opinion —to display a perverse obstinacy on matters where graceful concession would be of vital im portance to the best interests of the country. It is the very essence of "red-tapism" which renders men liable to the imputation of thinking more of the triumph of a clique than the welfare or happiness of the community. The Statesman who "To party gave up what was meant for mankind " has many imitators at the present day—and we fear that such will be the case to the end of the chapter, unless more salutary opinions are incul cated, and the sound principle of " measures, not men," be more generally acted en. Should the nation refuse an acceptable and valuable boon because it is tendered from a wrong direction ? Should we establish a despotic Go vernment whose wishes in every point must be obeyed with cringing servility ? Because we ap prove of Lord PALMERSTON as Prime Minister are we therefore bound to follow all the crotchets of Sir G. C. LEWIS ? To see the national cur rency fettered and restricted, faith violated, so far as the importers and dealers in tea are concerned, and the hardly-acquired earnings of industrious men subjected to the same charges as the perma nent and certain incomes arising from accu mulated and realised property ? Must we sanction Tory measures because proposed by professing Liberals —or reject comprehensive reforms if tendered by Derbyites and Aberdeenites ? Far from it ! No delusion r e has led to more fatal results. It has produced maladministration and misgovernment—the con tinuance of old sores that might otherwise be sub• jected to adequate remedies. It has made the Whigs in office very different from the same party in opposition, rendering them to all intents and purposes " more Tory than the Tories themselves." This impolitic, this indefensible system, must be brought to a speedy termination, and never will a better or more suitable opportunity arise than that offered this evening by the motions of Mr. Ms- RAELI and Mr. GLADSTONE. There is still a locus penitentice for the Govern ment. The unfair and oppressive assessment of the so-called Income Lix is the rack that threatens their destruction. As we have repeatedly ex plained, the impost must be repealed or modified. There is no other alternative. Its total repeal either now or in 1860 will render a retrograde policy inevitable. Alt hopes of further fiscal improvement must be abandoned. Indirect im posts must gradually be introduced, and the further development of British trade and com merce relinquished. Bub so repulsive is the existing system, so repugnant to every principle of natural equity, that any risk will be encoun tered rather than endure it much longer. All that is necessary is that the Financial Minister should recognise the distinction between promi nent and precarious incomes, and on behalf of the Government make some temporary ameliora tion, pledging himself to introduce even during the present session an adequate modi fication. The whole fiscal system requires speedy revision. But, unfortunately, Sir G. C. LEwrs has proved a total want of capa city for the arduous and important task. But why should Lord PA LMERSTON, therefore, aban don his position ? An efficient Commander-in- Chief will not sacrifice his army because one of his Generals of Division is known to be incap able ! Nor should a great Statesman yield because one of his subordinates is incompetent for the duties that devolve on him. Oa the course adopted this night the fate of the Ministry de pends. If timely concession be made, well ! None will rejoice more than ourselves at any symptom of returning reason. If not, the course for the liberal and independent members is plain and straightforward. They must not sacrifice the interests of the community, and their own cherished convictions, to the crotchets of Sir G. C. LEWIS, Or to Lord PALMERSTO.N' S determination to sup port that unfortunate financier through thick and thin. The lesson may be painful, but it will be salutary, and it will teach men of all parties that the wishes and opinions of the nation must be respected, and that " the People are the true and only source of legitimate power." Lord C AMPBELL h as a l rea d y announce d hi s in tention of b r i ng i ng th e " L aw of Libel," as exhi bited in the case of DAVISON V. DUNCAN, under the consideration of Parliament. The Noble and Learned L ord last night gave notice that on Thurs day next, the 26th instant,She will move for "a. . v Select Committee to consider whether the pri ile in ges LOVf enjoy e d b y the reports of proceed ings Courts of Justice may be safely and properly extended to reports of proceedings in the two Houses of Parliament, and to any and what other assemblies or public meetings,.under an y and what conditions and restrictions." This i s as it should be, and we only hope that the Committee, which will unquestionably be ap may prove itself fully qua lifi e d for the pointed, important duties confided to its charge. Wo have recently pointed out that no mischief can arise from this Ifair and moderate concession. Speeches in Parliament are properly privileged, because it is for the " benefit of the community at large" that the most unlimited freedom of speech should be obtained. It is just as essential that the publication of the debates should be pro tected. There would be but little practical utility if the discussions were confined within the walls of Parliament, and not " wafted on the wings of the press" ithroughout the length and breadth of the land. It is by means of that general publicity that the various constituencies know how their chosen re presentatives discharge the important trusts con fided to their charge, and whether they merit a renewal of that confidence. The duty of the public journalist is very simple. It is merely to insure a faithful and strictly accurate report of what has taken place. If anything prejudical to the character of an individual is uttered, the bane carries with it an efficient antidote. If an answer be given on the spot, that also will be reported. if not, it is known not to be the charge of the journal, but of the member by whom it has been put forward. It rests solely on his authority, and is taken for exactly what it is worth, and no more. The same may be said of the proceedings at public meetings. More especially those of con stituted bodies which have the disposal of public funds. The proceedings at such assemblies fre quently possess a local interest superior even to those of Parliament itself. The journal that ne glected or abstained from reporting them would be guilty of a gross dereliction of duty, for which it would forfeit blao good opluiou of its sub scribers. It is merely the conduit pipe that con veys through a wider space that which has al ready been delivered, and the last importance of the diffusion is universally recognised. Why then should any impediment be interposed ? Why should a formidable weapon be left exposed, which any person can direct against the journal or the in dividual who is fairly exercising his vocation without malice or vindictive feeling. If any im proper motive can be established, let the offender still be subjected to all the penalties of the law. But when he can prove that the publication has been without malice, and for the public benefit, he should be exonerated from all responsibility. We have not impeached the decision of the Court of Queen's Bench. We respect too highly the learning and impartiality of our judges. But we may surely question the policy of the law which has been recently introduced by a series of judgments opposed to the old constitutional prin ciples. The ancient law exempted thoss who made the statement, not from themselves, but giving at the same time the authority, and on much better grounds than this innovation rests. At all events let the question be fairly discussed, and that which is right be adopted. This is all we ask, and this we earnestly hope we may obtain from Parliament. Truth must, at all events, be promoted by the ventilation of the question. It is the misfortune of some applicants to be " too late," and others to be " too soon ;" a third class are lucky enough to hit the right medium, while a fourth can never come right, in the opinion of some people, come at what period they may. To which class does Mr. L. KING belong ? As Lord PALMERSTON would have us believe, to the second—as Lord PALMERSTON may be supposed to believe, to the last. Come when Mr. KING may he is never ready for him, but always meets him ou arrival with an objection as to the time of his application. The country is at war. The Hon: member is " too soon." He should wait till we are at peace. The war is over well-nigh a twelve month, and still the Hon. Member is " too soon." Can Mr. KING hit the happy medium and come at the right time according to the judgment of the Premier ? Reformers are very strongly disposed to believe he can't. There are certainly weighty grounds fur such belief. If the Bill of the Hon. Member were of an unreasonable character, the ill-luck he meets with would call for little or no remark. Its provisions, however, are characterised by moderation, and based on the most obvious grounds of justice and expediency. AU he asks for is, that the occupiers of tenements of the annual value of 101., in Eng lish and Welsh counties, shall have the same right of voting as the occupiers of such tenements in boroughs. As matters now are large bodies of respectable tax payers are wholly shut out from representation. Unless they have a county qua lification the ten pound occupiers of many towns, and most of our villages and hamlets, have no vote at all—have nothing whatever to do with the taxation or general government of the coun try but to pay their share of the one, and quietly submit to the other, however contrary to their wishes. The unreasonableness of this is apparent on the face of it, and it would seem to require some hardihood to oppose the act of simple justice Mr. L. KING contemplates. The Premier knows better than to denyan extension of the county fran chise, but the Hon. Member had better wait and see what effect his measure might have on the general system and organisation of the country. There were many little objections to the principle. of his Bill, which he Nt ould barely hint at. It would uproot distinctions which ought to exist, and lead to consequences probably not contem plated by its framer ; he himself had. no ob jection to a Bill extending the county representa tion, but must oppose this bill, and if for no other reason because it was not likely to pass, and its introduction would lead to a waste of the time of the House, already too little for all the business before it. The Hon. Member had Letter wait. Such, in brief, is the nature of the Premier's op position'to the introduction of the Bill, and, of course, it had sufficient weight with the hangers on of PROVIDENCE to ensure a majority in favour of his views. How little force there is in the ob jection as to time was sufficiently exposed by Lord J. RUSSELL, and so paltry were the other objec tions that the reader will be disposed to agree with us in thiaking had an extension of the franchise in counties been an object on which the Premier had set his heart, leave would have been given to Mr. L. KING to bring in his Bill. Last Wednesday Sir JOHN PAKINGTON pub lished in the House the bans of marriage bet seen religious and secular education, also between per missive educational rating and local rating. This time the House did not, as they did last year in the case of Lord Joux RUSSELL, forbid the banns altogether. But then Lord JOHN wanted to unite at the altar of St. Stephen's, compulsory educa tion and general rating. We can hardly doubt, however, that Sir JOHN'S match will be fatally objected to the second time of asking. This seems somewhat hard. The parents of the young couple and the young couple themselves had agreed at Manchester to the union. Whom Manchester would join t)gether why should the House of Commons keep asunder ? The terms of the marriage settlement were adjusted, the two families were said to be quite satisfied ; we almost think the wedding dresses are ready—why forbid the banns ? That they will be forbidden we have no doubt, but it does seem al first sight very hard. The truth, however, peeps on; after all, that a very numerous section of the great 'Manchester family declares that the union of the secularists and religionists in levying a rate will be the corn- , mencement of everlasting family quarrels. There is a numerous section of voluntaries in this good city of ootton spinners. The whole community has raised itself to its present wealth and import ance so exclusively by voluntary effort, not only without Government aid, but almost in spite of Government mismanagement, that Manchester may well be forgiven for having firm faith in religious as well as in commercial voluntaryism. Be the cause what it may, Mr. HADFIELD speaks for thousands who support schools by their own efforts, and who would never forgive their neigh. bours for emptying the voluntary schools by rates laid upon the voluntaries who maintained them. Like the House generally, we honour Sir JOHN PAHINGTON'S courage in re-opening the subject which last year's vote was thought to have ex ploded from the present Parliament. We believe his motives also to be as upright and patriotic as any statesman's can be, but the House will hear no more of education crotchets at pre sent. Better times may come, educationists out out of doors may talk themselves into a better agreement, but for the present Education Bills are a mere formality. The utmost that can be hoped for is to bring the votes of the irresponsible Education Committee of Privy Council more directly under the control of the House. The amount is swelling, and likely to swell so rapidly, and so large a part of the tax is spent on those wily tam .v.l6v well affora to educate thowwel,c., that it is time the Committee were relieved from the power of voting away hundreds of thousands without the precise objects of the vote having undergone full discussion iu the House. We must own that the gap seems as wide as heretofore between the object to be attained and the means proposed. Sir JOHN says that two clergymen depose that 31,000 chil dren in Manchester are neither at school nor at work ; therefore, says Sir Jorrs, do two things :---lay rates for existing schools, and forbid religious teaching, or rather teaching religion, except at certain hours. The means and the end appear to us almost wholly unconnected. School accommodation abounds already. No child is compelled, in many of the schools at least, to receive the religious doctrinal instruction, yet these 31,000 children do not come to school. • Why should we think they will come to schools supported on the system of rates and separate in struction ? Are the causes which hinder them from coming now those which this bill would remove ? It certainly is not the expense which deters the majority of parents from sending their children ; and certainly none of them would understand the difference between aid by local rate, and by Go vernment grants. Of the two, it appears that local rates would be most irritating. Neither do we think religion has anything to do with the absence of so many children from school. Parents, however irreligious, generally like their children to be brought up religiously. If they care for the education at all, they do not keep them back from religious scruples. It is in difference, sheer indifference and gross sensuality on the part of parents, and natural idleness on the part of children, that keeps the latter at play when they ought to be at school. We confess ourselves at a loss to think of any plans short of compulsion or bribery which would induce thought less or selfish parents to send their children to school who now leave them in the streets. Unless we are prepared, therefore, to pay or to compel, we must trust to the gradually improving habits of the lower classes for the further spread of edu cation among them. HER MAJESTY'S TROOP-SHIP MEG. RA. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. was much surprised when I read in The Sun the account of the statement made by Sir 0. Wood in the House of Commons last night respect ing her Majesty's troop-ship Megaera. Sir Charles states "the water came in, but in so smalr a quan tity that, with an ordinary bucket, she might have taken a voyage round the world." The following is an extract from a letter of an officer wh o h a d th e misfortune to be one of the party ordered t o pro ceed to join the head-quarters of his re g i men t i n her Majesty's shi p Megaera:—" W e l e ft P ortsmouth at 10 a.m. on Sunday, and on the evening of that day the sea was running rather high, and the wind increased until the evening of Monday, the 9th inst., when her Majesty's ship Megaera started two rivets in the bows, and the water came in so fast that the steam pump would scarcely keep the water under in the fire compartment, and when ever the pump stopped the water increased about two or three feet in 10 minutes ; therefore, at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, we went about, and re turned to Plymouth. The troops and crew have been transferred to her Majesty's hulk Vigo. It was lucky that we bad bad weather as soon as we did, so that we were enabled to find out our defects, for I firmly believe, had we been 200 miles further on our voyage, we should have gone down." If Sir C. Wood can keep a leak of this description under, with an ordinary bucket, I hope that the First Lord of the Admiralty intends to supply all her Majesty's troopships with b uc k ets of t hi s description.—l remain, sir, your obedient servant, D. H. M. ROYAL VISIT TO THE ADEL PHI THE 9 T.RE. Last evening her Majesty and Prince Albert, accom panied by the Princess Royal, the Princess of liohenlohe Langenburg, and the Princess Feodore, honoured the Adelphi Theatre with their presence last evening. The Royal smite consisted of Lady Churchill, Lord Camoys, Major-General the Hon. C. Grey, and Lieut.-Colonel Ponsonby. The pieces selected by her Majesty for re presentation were "Barney the Baron," " A Night at Notting-hill," "The Customs of the CJuntry," and the pantomime, "Mother Shipton." The Royal party seemed greatly pleased with the acting of Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams, and Mr. Wright also came in for his share of the distinguished applause. Previously to her Majesty and Prince Albert quitting the theatre, Mr. Webster received the gratifying intelligence that her Majesty had been highly pleased with the evening's entertainment. The theatre, as usual, was very full previous to the rising of the curtain, but on its becoming known that royalty was present, not a spot, from which a glimpse of the stage could be obtained, was unoccupied. LIFEBOATS FOR THE COAST. —The National Lifea boat Institution for the Preservation of Life from Ship wreck has decided to place lifeboats on every point on the coast where it can be shown, first, that one is wanted in consequence of the frequency of wrecks in the locality; secondly, that an efficient crew can be found to man the boat ; thirdly, that some local contributions will be raised to assist to pay for the erection of a boat-house, and the permanent maintenance of the lifeboat station. The cost of a lifeboat establishment, including boat, transporting carriage, 3001. been and 4001. The first,an a d nd m b oosa house, t important is between step secured by this insti tution, viz., a safe and powerful lifeboat. The next st ep now is to build a sufficient num ber of such boats, place them where required, and pro vide for their supervision and maintenance. In the accomplishment of a work of such benevolence and national importance, the National Lifeboat Institution need have no misgivings as to funds being forthcoming. THE TELEGRAPH IN CANADA.—The Montreal Tele graph Company employs 326 persons, and has 2,783 miles of telegraph line in actual operation, and 148 more in course of erection. Its main line is 1,100 miles in length, and it has an independent line of 660 miles, ex tending from Quebec to Buffalo- It throws out lateral lines to the extent of 1,019 miles, and has now four miles of submarine telegraph. In 1856, 500,000 mes sages were sent over its wires. In the month of Octe ber the average daily messages sent through the Mon treal amounted to 750. The capital it has raised is 70,0001. currency. Its stock stands at 15 per cent. premium. It has paid, b es i de bonuses, a di v id e nd of 10 per cent. t per annum w hil e constant l y en gaged in the venetruotion of new Conejo NON, LATEST N E WS. The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post (Second Edition) says : " There is every reason to suppose Russia has already offered assistanco to China. It is also declared that a new secret treaty was signed be tween Russia and Persia within the last eight weeks. It is known from despatches that have reached Paris considerable forces have been de spatched lately towards the Chinese and Persian frontiers." The Paris correspondent of the Tiared (second edition) says : " The basis of the pending negotiations may be modified by the last news from Teheran ; but, notwithstanding the delay, it is hoped that an arrangememt is still within the limits of pro bability." RUSSIA. The following ukase has been issued by the Em peror Alexander 11. of Russia relative to the con cession of the railways in Russia " In our solicitude for the interests of our coun try, whose prosperity we have at heart, we long since recognised that Russia, bounteously gifted by nature, felt especially, in consequence of her im mense extent of territory, the want of easy means of communication. " This conviction was strengthened in conse quence of the labours in which we have personally taken part since 1842, when the will of our august father, of glorious memory, called upon us to pre side over the committee on railways charge' to report upon the construction of the line from St. Petersburg to Moscow and others. _ _ _ " The Construction itself of that line, which now so justly bears the name of the Emperor Nicholas, has given additional proot of the advauimgo3 of this new means of communication for our country ; its usefulness in times of peace as well as in times of war. Railways of which the urgency was ques tioned not 10 years since, are now recognised by all classes of the population to be a necessity for the Empire, and have become a nati ona l want eagerly desired by all. " Penetrated with this deep conviction we ordered, as soon as hostilities had ceased, that the most efficacious measures should be taken to satisfy this imperious necessity. A careful investigation has shown the advantage there would be under the double aspect of facilities and promptitude to fol low the:example of other countriel and to entrust them to private enterprise, national as well as fo reign, the latter offering moreover the great experi ence already acquired by the construction of many thousand versts of railway in Western Europe. " Various offers have been tendered upon this basis, and after a careful examination by a commit tee of ministers and a discussion in our presence, the conditions unanimously declared the best and sanctioned by us are those of the company of Rus sian and foreign capitalists, at the head of whits is our banker, Baron de Stieglitz. " According to the terms of these conditions, the company engages to construct at its rik and ex pense, within the term of ten years, and t ) keep up afterwards for 85 years, a net-work of railway of 4,000 verstes ' under the sole guarantee of the Government of five per cent. on the capital laid out in the construction, and with the clause that on the expiration of the said term the whale of the lines become gratuitously the property of the State. " Avoiding the necessity of considerable and immeliate sacrifices, the Government in adopting these conditions will be enabled to effect the con struction of the first network of Russian ra;lways by the sole force of the confidence inspired by the punctual exactitude with which it has always ful filled its engagements, even during the worst pe riods of national struggles. " This network will extend from St. Petersburg, to War,aw and to the Prussian frontier, from Mos cow to Nijni-Novgorod, 'from Moscow by Koursk and the region of the Lower Danube to Thoodosia, and from Koursk or Orel by Dunaborg to Libau. Thus, by means of a continuous line of rails through 26 governments there will be connected three capitals, our principal navigable rivers, the central points of our agricultural produce, and two ports accessible nearly all the year round on the Black and Baltic Seas ; exportation will be facili tated, transport and the supply of provisions at home assured. "Undertaking, in the firm hope of the blessing of the Almighty, so vast and beneficent a national enterprise, we appeal to the zealous and conscien tious co-operation of all our faithful subjects, and order the execution of : 1. The Act, containing the fundamental condi tions of the concession of the first net-work of Rus sian railways. "2. The statutes of the Grand Society of Rus sian Railways organised for the above-mentioned constructions. "Acts and Statutes are annexed to this present ukase. " The Senate will take the necessary steps in this matter. (Signed) ALEXANDER. " St. Petersburg, Jan. 26, 1857." The Statutes consist of 51 Articles. The 7th Ar ticle fires the social capital at 275,000,000 of silver roubles, consisting of shares of 125 silver roubles. The first issue of shares is to be 600,000, as follows : Shares. Stieglitz and Co., at St. Petersburg and Warsaw 225,000 Baring, Brothers, London Thomas Baring (for Hope and Co., Amsterdam) 70,009 Pereire and Thurneyssen (for Mendeltssohnat, Betlin) 10,000 Hottinguer and Co., 25,000 J. Pereira and Thurneyssen, as well in their own personal names as for MM. Emile Pereire, B. L. Fould, and Fould Oppen heim, Mallet Brothers and Co., Baron Seil liere, J. J. de - Uri Carren and Co., Des Arts and Mussard and Co., A. d'Etchthal, F Grieninger, and Ca2imir Salvador lOO,OOO Total AMERICA. SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY MORNING. The United States mail Weamship Arago, Capt. Lines, ar ived in Cowes Roads this morning, on her way from New York to Havre, bringing ad vices to the 7th inst., three days later than those received at Liverpool by the Persia. She bring 50 passengers, the usual mails, 250,000 doll. in specie, 6,210 bushels of wheat, and 1,500 barrels of flour—all for Havre. • She has had moderate weather for the season. February 17, at 4 p.m., in lat. 49 deg. 48 min., long. 16 deg. 29 min., exchanged signals with either the English or ;Hanoverian ship Godfrey, stand ing E. The steamer Alps, from Havre, arrived at New York on the 7th ; the Baltic, from Liverpool, ar rived on the 6th, and the Africa on the sth. The Atlantic Submarine Telegraph Bill hung fire in the house, but there appeared no doubt of its passing ultimately. The National Theatre at Washington was de stroyed by fire in the afternoon of the 6111, and only the bare wallls remained. • News from various parts state that the ice is dis appearing and the rivers gradually rising. Official accounts from the Philippine Islands state that 15,000 houses were destroyed by a hurricane. Con siderable damage was also done at Manilla. The European news by the Baltic was considered more favourable than was expected for cotton, and the sales on the 6th embraced about 2,090 bales, the market closing finn. The Africa's news came to hand too late • in the afternoon of the 6th for its effects to be developed. Flour was less buoyant, while sales were moderate and prices rather easier ; a lot of handsome amber coloured Missouri wheat sold at $1 68c. ; an d Kentucky red at $1 etc. Corn sold to a limited extent at 70c. from store, and at 72c. delivered. Pork was less active and buoyant, with light sales of new mess at $2l 60c. to $2l 75c. ; and old ditto at $2O 35c. to $2O 50c. Sugars were in fair de mand, with sales of 350 hhds. Cuba ; 300 barrels and 70 hhds. Demerara ; and in two days 1,100 hhds. Molado and 50 boxes Havannah. Coffee was quiet and steady. Freights ware without change of moment, and engagements moderate. The mo ney market at New York on the 6th was in a depressed state. Money was less active, and the recent line of rates of discount scarcely passed. Quotations were continued at 8i to 9 par cent. for prime paper, and 9 to 10 for No. 2. Stocks.-- Loans 7 per cent. The price of sterling exchange may be quoted at 1081 to 108 k, with a tendency to higher rates. On Paris, sf. 214 c. to Of. 23/c. There was considerable animation at the Stock Board, with an advance in some descriptions. In railroad shares the ma r k e t was lower than for some weeks past. Land warrants continued in active demand, with a very moderate supply. At St. Louis i n t e lli gence had been received ' from Santa Fe to December 27th. The Legislature of New Mexico organ i se d on the 3d of December Fernando Pino was re-elected President of the Council, and Rolez Speaker of the House. The corn crop was abundant. Indian depredations con tinua The Gazette, alludin to this subject, says, that the Governor is either grossly ignorant of the territory, or intends to mislead the Government. BALTIMORE, FEB. 5. The New Orleans papers, of Thursday and Fri day last, are received. The only news they con tain is a confirmation of accounts of the invasion of Tampico by Garcia, and the possible seizure at the house of the British Consul of $210,000 be longing to foreign merchants. CHARLESTON, FEB. 5. Cotton sales of the week, 13,000 bales, closed at an advance of . e. to lc. ; middling fa'r, 13c. PHILADELPHIA, FEB. 6. Stock firm ; Reading Railroad, 48 ; Long Island Railroad, 13.1 ; Morris Canal, 15i ; Pennsylvania Railroad, 481. WEST INDIA MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY. The Royal Mail Company's Eteamghip Magda lena, Captain George Abbott, arrived here to-day, with the West India and Mexican mails, in charge of Lieutenant Beddek, R. N.. Her dates are— Belize Santa Martha — 22 St. Lucia — 28 Greytown Carthagena — 25 Guadaloupe — 23 Colon —..— 23 Dominique Kingston — 26 Antigua Jacmel — 23 Montserrat — 30 San Juan — 31 Nevis Georgetown - 25 St. Kitt's — 30 Tobago Port of Spain — 26 La Guayra — 26 Grenada . —261 St. Thomas St. Vincent — 261 This steamer brings 40 passengers (among whom are Mr. Lemery, Governor-General of Porto Rico, and his secretary) and 21 distressed British subjects. On freight she has specie, received across the Isth mus from the Pacific ports, value $850,032 (of which $402,200 are in gold, and $447,832 in silver); from Jamaica, $22,737; and from other parts of the West Indies, $7,335; total, $880,104, or say about 176,0201. sterling ; precious stones, diirnonds, Azc., value $4,000 ; and a cargo, consisting of 171 serons of cochineal, 177 serons of indigo, 100 serous of merchandise, 73 cases of cigars, 16 bales of sarsa parilla, 448 packages of cocoa, 10 live turtle, and 60 packages of sundries. On the homeward voyage the Magdalena expe rienced strong breezes and heavy head seas for the first 11 days, after which strong gales from the n )rth-west, with tremendous sea and showers of hail. At Jamaica the sugar plantations were decidedly improving, on account of the steady and good prices in the English market. The health of the island was in general good. Yellow fever still continued prevalent in Kingston, though it had g reatly dis continued its visits among the white troops, who suffered so much lately. Business in general ap peared buoyant. In flour several large operations had been made. Rum—proof, British colonial, Gs. per gallon. Sugar—duty, refined, 2d. per lb. Exchanges.-90 days', per cent. ilremium ;60 days', 1 per cent. premium. ; 30 days', 11 per cent. premium. Private bills at par. ; merchants' bills on New York, 14 per cent. premium. From Demerara we learn that since the depar ture of the previous mail the cholera had spread over nearly the whole colony, but the mortality as yet was not large. A bill had been passed by the Court of Policy to regulate Indian immigration, and the payment of bounty during the seasons of 1856-7 and 1857-8. The Demerara Railway was in rather a critical position. At Barbadoes a respectable meeting of the rate payers had been held in opposition to the Corpora tion Bill before the House of Assembly. The sugar crops at Antigua were looking better. The Legislature was agitating to get a lighthouse erected at the entrance of St. John's harbour, in order to induce the Royal mail steamers to call there, and to abolish port charges on all vesels. Lieutenant-Governor Eyre had opened the an nual session of the St. Vincent Legislature. The Governor had communicated by a message to the Legislature his intension to depart for England about the end of February, on leave of absence. A bill had been brought in to make the same alter ation in the Executive Council Act of St. Vincent as had been made in that of Grenada, to empower the Government to add to the number of coun cillors from either branch of the Legislature, but the bill was not likely to pas. On the 20th of December a slight shock of an earthquake was felt in the city of Mexico, which lasted 30 seconds. On the same day a fearful storm raged at Vera Cruz, in which seven vessels were lost and above 80 persons perished. The Mexican frigate Guadaloupe, war steamer Iturbide, and pilot boat Posita, were wrecked ; also the American brig Nenopur, the French brigs Fortuna and Clarita, and the Sardinian brig Rimai. The steamer Orizaba arrived at Manzanilla on the 27th of December. Lola Montes was a pas senger on board, going home for the benefit of her health. The Costa Ricans had taken possession of Vir ginia Bay and all the river steamers. General Moro had issued a proclamation to the inhabitants of Greytown, stating that he intended blockading the river San Juan, &c. California was quiet. THE MEDITERRANEAN. SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam ship Pera, Captain John Soy, arrived to-day, with the heavy portion of the India and China mails, in charge of Lieutenant Charleton, R. N., and dates from Alexandria, Feb. 7 ; Malta, 11 ; and Gibral tar, 15. The Pera on her outward passage experienced • strong winds, but generally fair, and completed h-r voyage to Alexandria in 10 days and 18 hours. Homewards she has met with fine weather .and generally fair winds, and has made a most remark ably quick run. She was 3 days 5 hours from Alexan dria to Malta, 3 days 10 hours thence to Gibraltar, and from Gibraltar to Southampton she has made tLe unprecedented passage of 3 days 221 hours ; making from Alexandria 10 days 13 Lours, and from Malt), 7 days 8 hours. Her average during the voyage has been nearly 12 knots—a rate of speed scarcely to be expected from a ship of 2,620 tons, and a propelling force of only 450 horse power. On the 16th, 20 miles south-west of the Bur lings, observed a vessel with no canvas set and apparently a wreck. Captain Soy at once shortened sail, and proceeded towards her with the view of saving any of the crew who might be yet on board. She proved to be the bark Ralph Thompson, waterlogged and abandoned ; her main mast gone six feet from the deck, fore and mizen masts standing, and all her sails gone ; so she had probably been visited before. She was a vessel of say 300 tons, and was drafting on towards the land. She was just in the track of steamers, but if the wind and set continued as it was, from the west ward, she would in a few hours be well in shore off the Burlings. Dates fioin . Gibraltar extend to the 15th. Ex changes on the 14th were quoted as follow :—Lon don, 90 days' date, 51 ; Paris, ditto, sf. 32c. ; Marseilles, ditto, sf. 33c. ; Genoa, "ditto, sf. 38c. ; Madrid, 8 day s ' s i g ht, dis. ; Cadiz, ditto, s dis. Malaga, ditti . , dis. ; Seville, ditto, ; Ali cante, ditto, /- dis. ; Valencia, ditto, dis. ; Bar ' celona,- ditto, dis. Spanish pillared dollars 91 to 10 per cent. premium. THE PACIFIC. SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY. By the Magdalena steamer, from the West Indies, we have files of Panama papers to the 23d of Jan. The British steamer Bolivia arrived at Panama on the 21st, with dates from Valparaiso to the Ist, and Callao the 11th. From Chili we receive the usual satisfactory con firmation of peace, progres4, and plenty existing throughout the country, although the past season's crops had suffered from the inclemency of the weather, so as to make many articles of consump tion inconveniently high priced for the lower classes. The Valparaiso Railway was progressing favour. ably. Business had not been so brisk as usual during the fortnight in Valparaiso, owing to the great scarcity of specie, caused by heavy exportations of that article of late to Europe. Freights—To England, per ton English, 31. 10s. ; Hamburg, ditto, 3/. 15s. to 3/. 17s. ; France, per ton French, 100 f. to 105 f. ; United States, per ton English, 20 d'oll•:rs. From Peru we learn that the revolution cop tinned, and w as d raw i ng n ear er tho capital) the possession of vessels of war giving General Vivarico a great advantage over the Government in able to move his forces from point to point . being President Castilla .had issued a de.) t cr , eL prohibit ing the supply of provisions, Ac. revolu tionists under penalty of trial b3l,nilear trtial attempt law at a . From Bolivia we hear that a nother revolution had been made, bat it was immediately suppressed. NICARAGITA.—The latest news from hence state th a t General W a lke: wss strongly fortified at Riv: s, and that he had an effective force of 1,200 men, well armed. SOLITE-EASTERN RAILWAL—The directors of this company have resolved to recommend the proprietors 'at the ensuing balf•year l y meeting to order payment of a dividend of 15s. on each 301. stock, being at the rate of per cent. per annum. -- TILE DOUBLE 3IURDE R ITV IVA LWORTH AND LINGO tssimeE roisoivf GS. EXHUMATION OF THE BODY OF BACON'S FATHER. STAMFORD, THURSDAY EVENING. It would be difficult to describe the excitement that prevails in this town. and neighbourhood at the present time, consequent upon the decision which the jury came to last evening respecting the death of Mrs. Ann Bacon, the mother of the wretch Thomas Fuller Bacon, who was committed by the magistrate at Lambeth police court yesterday, to take his trial for the murder of his t wo children. It seldom happens that, however bad a man may be, or whatever crimes he may be accused of, but that he has some few persons at least to speak somewhat in his favour; but the present instance seems to be a great ex ception. Every person with whom our reporter conversed express their entire satisfaction at the result of the in quiry, and the only surprise to them was, that the ma gistrates for the Stamford division of the county had not long since taken the initiative in bringing the man to justice, as it was not only patent to every one, but a by word in the town that Bacon was a murderer, a forger, guilv of arson, had committed a rape, defrauded his creditors, caused his wife's insanity by his brutality, and the perpetrator of numerous other crimes, more or less heinous. Had it not been for the almost superhuman exertions of Mr. Reed, the chief constable of Stamford, this most atrocious culprit would still have been at iarge. From the first moment that he heard of the murder of the two children in Walworth, he arrived. at the conviction (from his knowledge of the antece dents of Bacon) that he was the perpetrator of the crime, which fact he immediately communicated to the proper authorities, and the result was his apprehension. After he was in custody Mr. Real informed the magistrates of Stamford that he had every reason to believe that Bacon's mother had been poisoned by her son, but na steps were taken by the magistrates to arrive at a satis factory elucidation of the case. When Mr. Elliott, the magistrate at Lambeth, suggested that the body should be exhumed, the magistrates of Stamford still exhibited the same supineness, and excused themselves from inter fering on the ground that the body was interred out of their jurisdiction. Mr. Reed, however, still persevering, furnished the whale of the facts connected with the death of Mrs. Ann Bacon, and transmitted them in depositions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and air G. Grey at once sent instructions to Mr. Hough, the coroner for Rutlandshire, for the exhumation of the body. But even here there was another difficulty ; for, not withstanding the Secretary of State's letter, the coroner did not like to act without the authority of the magis trates, and those learned savants declined to interfere. The next difficulty that presented itself was the extra ordinary pertinacity with which Dr. Barber adhered to his original certificate as to Mrs. Bacon's death, and he assured Mr. Reed and Inspector Young that if the body were analysed a thousand times over they would not find a grain of arsenic. However, his evidence yester day proved he was in error. The disclosures that were taking place in the examinations at the Lambeth Police Court at length induced the authorities to bestir them 'elves and the body was exhumed, and with what result our readers are now fully aware. EXHUMATION OF BACON'S FATHER. Whilst the foregoing inquiries were being proceeded with, certain facts came to the knowledge of the police that induced them to believe that Nathaniel Bacon, the husband of Ann Bacon, and the father of the alleged mur• derer, in whose death he had a beneficial interest, had died from poison. Mr. Bacon was possessed of house preperty in this town to the extent of about 1601. per annum, a portion of which would immediately revert to his son, Thomas Fuller Bacon, and the remainder to his wife for life. Nathaniel Bacon, the father, dined with his son on the 13th of October, 1854, was taken ill, seized with cramps, spasms, and vomiting, cied on the 17th, and was interred in Great Casterton Churchyard. As there appears no doubt now that he met his death by foul play, and in order that nothing shall be wanting to insure the conviction of the mur derer, the authorities have determined to have the body exhumed, with a view of being subjected to an analytica test. This will be proceeded with forthwith. Tue grave in which Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are interred is situate in the north-east corner of Great Casterton churchyard. It is surmounted by a very chastely-carved upright head-stone, bearing the following inscriptions, which were suggested by the alleged murderer "In memory of NATHANIEL BACON, Died Oct. 17, 1854, aged 60 years. ANN BACON, Died May 15, 1855, aged 62 years. " How still and peaceful is the grave Where life's reign tumults past, Th' appointed house by Heaven's decree Receives us all at last." It is said that the above lines were also selected by the murderer. BACON'S FIRE. The murder of the unfortunate children at Walworth would, in all human probability, not have taken p'acet • except for the extraordinary conduct of the judge before whom Bacon was tried when he was charged with arson. The case against the prisoner was the most complete in its evidence and details that could be conceived ; but because Bacon's house had been valued shortly be fore the fire, for the purposes of sale, at a few pounds more than it was insured for, the judge argued, in his summing up to the jury, hat there was no motive, as the prisoner could at any time have got more money ' by the sale of the house than it was insured for, and the consequence was the jury acquitted the prisoner. But it is now quite clear, from what has subsequently transpired, that the villain had a double object in view ; first, to get rid of his children, whose lives were insured ; and, secondly, to obtain the amount of the policy upon his house. CAUSE OF MR.9. BACON'S APPARENT MADNESS. • The medical men and others acquainted with the Bacon family slate that the cause of Mrs. Bacon's apparent aberration of intellect is the brutal treatment that for years she experienced from her husband, the principal cause being that, on one occasion when Bacon went home partially intoxicated, he kicked his wife down a high flight of stairs, and afterwards jumped upon her head, which caused a fracture of the skull, from which she has been suffering ever since ; and it is, therefore,, the be• lief of the medical men who have attended her, that although she i s no t w h at m i g h t b e termed perfectly insane, she in such a state that Bacon may have easily worked upon her to have assisted him in his diabolical transactions. TRIAL OF BACON. The course intended to be taken by the authorities with respect to the trial of this culprit is :—Under ordinary circumstances, he will be placed upon his trial for the murder of his two children at the Central Criminal Court on the 4th March next. Oa that day Mr. Hough, the °ore fter, will. have his officer present at the Old Bailey, who, in the event of Bacon not being four vi guilty of the murder of his children, will at once take him into custody and convey him to Oakum, the assize town of Rutlandshire, to which place he (Bacon) is committed on the coroner's inquisi tion, and he will be placed in the dock there on the 14th or 15th of March. In the meantime the magistrates of Stamford will have preferred a bid of indictment at Lin coln, the assizes for which county commence on the 22( 1 , of March. It is expected that when the prisoner is taken to Oakum, the judge will complain of th e wan t o f juris diction, the death of Mrs. Bacon having taken place in the county of Lincoln, where according to the law, the inquest should be held, and from which county the in dictment should emanate; but, inconsequence of the inter• ment of the unfortunate woman being in the neighbour ing county iRu land), and the magistrates of Stamford refusing to stir'in the matter in order to avoid the ex pense of the analysis and other incidental 4, the inquest was held at Casterton, these lathes takes place ; but under Sir John Jervis's Act, it is competent for the Court at the assize to send the whole of the depositions to Lincoln, where no doubt the trial will eventually take place. There is one point, however, upon which there appears to be some doubt —that is, whether or not, under Lord Campbell's recent act, which was framed to meet the case of Palaaer, the whole of the depositions in the other case s ( t h e prisoner being in custody within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court) may not be returned there, and the trial take place in London. INDIGO SALES. The result of the indigo sales, which commenced on tue 10th instant, is thus reviewed by Messrs. H.V. Jewsbury and Co, :—: "The interval between the last October sale and the - criejust terminated was not marked by any particular feature, prices remained steady at the rates then estab / Itched, but there was no disposition whatever shown to speculate, and the trade bought only for immediate re quirement, they considering that prices were too high to offer any inducement to buy in stock, particularly with the continued high rate of money, and the small profit to pa id for dyeing ; on th e • o b t e he m r a full rates, considering the position of the a r t ic l e w i t h and future supply. Th e sa l e hdaend, at importers thepresent were rates s lly justified in holding for regard to present stock opened flatly, and it soon became evident t h at orders foreign both for home use and for account were very limited. In the absence of speculation, and with a large quantity to get through , it was necessary f or i mporters to give strong support, which they did, b y withdrawing large parcels as the sale progr esse d . T h i s had the effect . of supporting prices, but did not give animation to the sale hich continued flat throughout . Prices for certain descriptions have also ruled higher t h an in October last ; of these, the new parcels of B en gal of good medium quality sold at an advance of 21 to 3d per lb. Rurpab, also, on account of the mode rate quantity in the sale, sold at 31 to 4d per lb higher, and some good Bimlapatam 4d to 6d per lb higher. Madras was neglected, and a large proportion was obliged to be withdrawn or bought in. The quantity sold above 35 per lb was very small, but towards the close of the sale there was a better demand for qualities ranging from 2s 3d to 2e lld per ib, which sold with more animation from par to 3d per lb decline upon October rates. A parcel of Bengal, mark J and RW (162 chest-) sold with fair spirit from 63 3d to 7s lld per lb, being about last sale's prices. The attendance was small, both from the country and from atm oad. Of the quantity brought forward it is estimated that 3,280 chests have been bought in, 4,658 withdrawn, and 4,971 sold, to which may be added about 500 of the bought in, mak ing the total quantity sold about 5,500 chests, of which 3,000 are estimated for export, and 2,000 for home use and re-sale." DUBLIN, Thursday.—Mr. Martley, an eminent bar rister, is appointed Chief Commissioner of the Ineum bered Estates Court, at a salary of 5,0001. a-year.