The Sun. — London, England, 1857-04-29 00:00:00

ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. A very numerously attended meeting of this society was held on Monday evening, at their rooms, No. 15, Whitehall-place—the president, Sir R. Murchison, in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, a number of net: members were elected, among whom were Sir G. Simpson, Major-Gene- j ral Sir R. Alexander, and Mr. Layard. The CHAIRMAN opened . the proceedings by announc- ' ing that a subscription list was about to be opened to the . public on behalf of the private search which Lady Frank- lin is about to undertake at her own cost. Without at all questioning the decisions that had been come to as to the desirability of the Government taking upon itself this , expedition, be would only remark that it was with re- , gret her Majesty's Government had come to the determi- ' nation they had arrived at. As men of science, that society had always advocated those Arctic researches, and they still hoped that some relics of the much lamented traveller, Sir John Franklin, might yet be • found, although they knew that the area to be searched was extremely limited. They, however, knew that it was easily approachable, that ships had gone to it and returned from it without the loss of a man. He then proceeded to read an address, which it was intended to place before the public through the medium of the press in furtherance of the object in view, adding that before the appeal was actually made very nearly 8001. bad been lready received. Sir J. F. DAVIS then read a lengthy paper on Canton and its forts. He was aware that he could offer very little that was new on the subject of China to the en lightened audience before him. He would, however, say a few words on the scene'of the late operations, and the probable place of our future ones. All our troubles since the late war had been at Canton, which, however, had escaped chastisement. It was,.in his opinion, the best policy towards the Cantonese, and justice and humanity towards the population of the north-east coast of the Canton River, that if a lesson is to be ministered to the Chinese at . all, it should be in the right quarter, Canton, the source of all our grievances. If we were to leave anton to itself, as we had done before the other provinces which were really unoffending would with jus tice complain of our not addressing ourselves to thoea who had offended ns—the Cantonese being really the source of all the insolences practised towards the British people. Moreover, there was nothing to lose in the cap ture and occupation of Canton, Hong Kong being capable of supplying us with all we require from the natives. The whole distance from Canton to Hong Kong was about 77 nautical miles s Whampoa was about 10 miles below the provincial city, which was a great drawback to the trade. The principal defences on the Canton river were the Bogue forts, which, in ap pearance, were very formidable, though in reality they had been three times taken by the British. A little higher on the left of the river was a long battery, on the Tiger Island, and no other defence occurred until the first Bar battery was reached, also on the left bank, erected in 1841. The principal defences towards Canton were at the point called the barrier, where there were about six batteries, and where the two divided channels of the river unite, and this position would be impregoable were it not for the absurd plan npoa which the defences were built. The remaining defences on actually reaching Canton were—first, the French Folly fort, formerly on the east of the city, but which had been blown up and destroyed by Sir M. Seymour • next, the Red Fort, and another called the Shah-min It'ort. Nearer to Canton, in the same passage, is the .Macon Fort and the Bird's Nest battery, a little higher on the left bank. Sir M. Seymour on temporarily leaving the south position had wisely occupied Cow Fort, and had placed his ships within signal distances of each other all down the de fensible portion of the river, so as to avail himself of their co-operation in case of need. Considerable diffi culty was occasioned by the numerous creeks and inlets existing along the river, from whence the Chinese pirates, of whom there were a considerable number, might send oet fire rafts with impunity. The species of vessels most ' wanted a; cording to the last accounts were i l gnn oats to follow these men to their retreats, and deet oy their means of carrying on these practices. Al ost every Chinese afloat near Canton was a pi rate, and perhaps one of the most beneficial results of destroying Canton would be the ridding the river of these pirates. The excuse for these man arming their vessels is that of self defence against pirates. Both the internal and external troubles of Chita seemed to have conspired to favour the progress of our own colony, Hong Kong, 'which now contains 70 . 000 Chinese in- Chinese inhabitants, having occasionally 100 European ships in the harbour, which was one of the finest in the world. Leaving Hong Kong, at a dieter ce of 247 miles was Amoy, the harbour of which, and the approaches to it, were conducive to trade ; the chief, objection to the part being the small trading capital possessed by the native merchants. Then came Kin-tchou, Ning-po, the h•land of Chnsen and Shanghai, which is'9oo miles from Canton, and two-thirds only of the whole distaece along the coast to Pectin. Shanghai as a ;lace of trade had far exceeded all Expectation, havine outstripped Canton, notwithstanding the troubles that had ensued there in consequence of its having been taken by a party of rebels some years ago. The p 'sition there of tee British was very different from that at Caiten, having obtained far more than our treaty right.. In fact, the British sub . _ jects had been allowed - to fortify the plice, and in his (Sir .T. Davis'.) opinion, the beat way of showing the Chixese that it was not their territory, but their trade, that we wanted, would be to reduce tho , e fortiiicatioos at the earliest possiLL, opportunity. nit in order came. Nankin, which affirded the greatest facility for trading. With regard to the great rebellion which distracts the Chinese Empire, he said there could be no doubt that 'th'e existing insurrection in China was the result of our oAn vear with that country. The number of robbers and criminal associations were very great, the army never having recovered from the want of success in " the barbarian business"--as they call the late war. The condition of the Cbinteos as a military people had but littleeif anything, improved during the last 21 years- Mr. CRAWFORD said, though he had never been in China he had lived for a considerable period amongst the Chinese people. They knew that China was a very popu lous country, but there had been some mistakes about the extent of its population. It was not, as was supposed, the most densely popnlated in the world—not so much so, indeed, as Great Britain 'and Ireland. With regard to the emigration from China, it was cansei mainly by the protection afforded' to Chinese emigrants by the Eure pis in governmeits, and especial'y by our own govern ment, which had encouraged them to settle. They wore composed of men in the prime of life, not a boy nor an old man was to be seen among them. Chinese women never emigrated ; and, as it was not good for man to be alone, it was supposed that this absence of their own country-women was a great cause of the turbulence and ill conduet of the men. Every Chinese expects to return home at some time or other, although the majority never did so. They were in the Eastern Islands an exceed ingly industrious, and well doing people s and he bad never experienced the slightest inconvenience from their mideonduct—in fact, he had received assistance from them in cases of emergency. It had been said the, Chi nese were conspiring against us wherever they were found, in our posisea,ions er other xise, but this he be lieved to be entirely without foundation. He then pro ceeded to refer at some length to the import and expert trade of China. He said there was one great article of import into China—viz., opium —about which much had been said, but he considered it was far less injurious than ardent spirits, either British or Chinese. He had good authority for this statsuient—that of Sir Benjarn - ii Brodie. His words were to the eff that opium soothes the nervous system, and brandy cr alcoholic spirits irritate it' exceredinely ; the one is compara tively innocuous, the other is very ncxlous. Both were, eo doubt, liable to abuse, hut he believed opium more rarely abused than ardent spirits. Three millions of the revenue of India was 'derived from opium, owing to the great stupidity of the Chinese, for :f they were a people of sense they would endeavour to regulate sad control that which they cannot stop. It was not our busine to put, a stop to that which the Chinese themselves would not set their face against. In conclusion he said the only point upon which be ventured to differ with his friend Sir F. Davis was as to the mode of carrying on the operations in China; be seemed to think that the capture and occupation of Canton would ha all-sufficient. It had not been sufficient before. It was 1.200 miles distant from the seat of the Chinese Government, and he (Kr. Crawford) thought the most effectual way to brir•g the Chinese Government to its senses would be to cut off the csnamuvications, by means of the canals, with the capital. Mr:DEVITT wished to know whether the same sort of piracy that existed i❑ the Canton %Alen existed on the other portions of the Chinese seas, as if so it would have a most important bearing upon the proposed extended trade. Sir F. Davis said the piney which prevailed was very much the result of the physical construction of that part of the coast, which ha ,- 1 a number of small islands and creeks—extensive fishing also created those maritime habits so essential to the profession of a pirate. This piracy did not, however, extend far along the coast, and he thought that the possession of the gunboats to be taken out would afford an opportunity to our authorities of disarming every armed boat they came iu contact with. With reference to Mr. Crawforci's sug.zestion that the capture and occupation of Canton would not have the desired effect, he must 'remind that gentliman that on the former oceasion alluded to the fine levied upon Can ton did not in reality punish the Cantonese, as it was paid by the Government. He thought that if our troops were garrisoned there, and they were put to some of the other inconveniences of capture, it would effect the ob ject desired. In reference to the opium trade, he quite agreed with Mr. Crawford as to the physical effect of opium. Since the war the Chinese had virtually abandoned the prohibition of its use, and it was publicly used and traded in. It would be an act of intrusion on our part to interfere with that which was sanctioned and permitted in open day ; bas no more business t o iu terfere with the use of opium in Cnina than the Coinese had to interfere with our consumption of spirits, which were far more baneful in their consequences. The SECZETARY tben read a brief paper by Mr. Gre gory, "On the Completion of the North Australian Ex. peditio n ," i n w hi c h th a t gentleman described the re sults of his investigatienia in that territory in the most favourable terms, stating that the country, as respects climate, fertility of soil, and extent of it, and its capabili. ties, far surpassed Western Australia. He was prepar ing a map of the route which he bad travelled from Victoria to Moreton Bay, and which would doubtless be' published as soon as possible. Some discussion then took place upon the paper ; after which The CHAIRMAN announced that one of the society's gold medals bad been awarded to Mr. Gregory, to whom the society was greatly indebted for the great and valuable information he had so frequently bestowed on it, arising from his explorations. The proceedings terminated at a late boar; LEE SUN, LONTiON, WEDNESDAY: POLICE INTELLIGENCE-April 28. MANSION-HOUSE.---Mr. Wm. Cockburn, a newspaper proprietor, appeared before the Lord Mayor, in answer to a summons which charged him with having unlawfully and maliciously written, printed, and published, a certain false and defama tory libel of and concerning divers persons trading in the City under the firm and title of " The Bank of London." Mr. Bodkin, instructed by Messrs. Tyrrell, Paine, and Co., solicitors to the Bank of London, appeared for the prosecution. The defendant had no legal adviser present, and the hearing of the case was adjourned for half. an hour, for the purpose of enabling him to procure the attendance of his solicitor, who, however, did not make his appearance during the proceedings. Mr. Bodkin, in opening the case for the prosecu tion, said—My Lord Mayor, I appear before you, instructed by the Bank of London, to make an ap plication that has been almost too long delayed. This is a question not affecting the particular bank in queat'on. But your lordship, and subsequently a jury of the City of London, will have to say whe ther a system, base and unfounded in its nature, carried on with peitinacity, the object of which is to extort money from gentemen of character and station, engaged in commercial enterprises of great moment, is longer to be tolerated in a city like London. It is known to 3 our lordship that this case ccmes before you in consequence of the taking into custody by one of your officers ofa lad, a child, who was carrying about the City a placard similar to these now before you. The lad could only be considered an innocent instrument in the hands of other persons, of some of whom we have informa tion which will induce me on this occasion to con fine the evidence that I shall lay before you to just enough to justify the remand of the defendant, be cause we shall apply for process which will secure the attendance here of another person, against whom we have a charge of conspiracy to make, and the charge then will be against that other person, whose name is —, and the defendant, of wickedly conspiring by the publication of false, defamatory, and malicious mat ters, to injure the credit of the Bank of London, on behalf of the directors of which I to-day appear. In order that you may understand this matter, it is necessary that I should remind you of a case that occurred just before you came into office, which was inquired into by your predecessor, and in the course of which it appeared that this person, of the name of claimed to have some right or title to the appellation =of "The Bank of London;" that he had firet thought of the advisability of a bank in Lon- Jon, to be called " The Bank of London," without any knowledge at all that such an idea had occur red to any other individual. The gentlemen with whom this bank originated formed and established it, and I am happy to say that it is enjoying the confidence of the public, and doing an amount of business exceeding that of any other joint stock bank during the time it has been in existence. It haS been established ; but still, if a system of this sort be permitted to go on uncontrolled, there is no establishment of a commercial kind, where credit is so importint, that can hope to outlive attacks of this kind. , The person whose name I have men tioned imagined that he had some claim upon the score of this pretended or real fancy of his own of calling an institution the Bank of London, and he brought an action against the directors of that bank upon the subject of this claim. That action entirely faded, the court holding that he showed no rightor title whatever to maintain it. Ever since that time attacks have been made upon this bank, and a per son was brought here who was considered by the directors to have been an agent or an instrument in the hands of these parties, and he was commi ted by your lordship's predecessor to the Central Criminal Cum t, where he was indicted for attempt ing to extort money by threatening to make dis closurE a supposed to be capable of affecting the cre dit-of the bank. Upon the occasion of the trial a course ofiproceeding was t ken of which, whether right or wrong, I must take the so'e responsib:lity, because the directors were no party to it ; but it appearing to me th it lie was a young man who had probably been mislel by other?, and he, through his counsel, expressing contrition f.>r his m;scon duct, and promising not to repeat it, I did nut press the charge against him, And he was permitted to go at large. From the time of that trial those annoyances have commenced and continued, and at !ast they have arrive 1 at such a pitch that it is necessary to put a stop to them. In a publication, called the Joint Stock Companies Journal, articles have appeared from time to time, with the sole object of attacking and maligning this bank and the individua'a who compose its di•erthon. I will not trouble your lordship by going through them, but will call your attention to one dated. the 18th inst., which 'was being hawked about the City when this lad was taken into custody. It appears that there had been an article in a newspaper called the Atlas, observing upon th's bank, and upon an ap plication being Made to the publisher of that paper by letter, t•ig-tied by Mr. Frith, a gentleman who holds the oflice.of vice-chairman of the bank, that paper very prory.rly inserted his letter, and made a recantation awl apology for the errar that they had beau led into in the obJervationq they had made. Od the suns day appears the Joint Stock Com panies Journa!, dated the 18th April, and in which this article :—" An article which appeared in the last numict: of our excellent contemporary, the Atlas, has, it seeing, raised the bile of the Board of Directors of the Bank of London. The Vice- Chairman, as he calls John Griffith Frith, Esq., has addressed a letter to the Times in defence of the moral charact , ,r of his colleagues in the direction, and of the chairtman, Sir John Villiers Shelley, in particular. In our impression of the 4th inst., we gave it as cur opinion that the Bank of Loudon could not much longer afford to treat milli° opinion with contempt; the letter above referred to, which will be found in another column, is a clear proof that our opinion was sound. Those who are familiar with the circumstances attending the antecedents of the Bank of London, which have from time to time appeared in this journal, can now form an opinion whether the parties whose moral conduct has been denounced in our columns are, or are no, capable of helping themselves t - ) the funds of the bank in the Manner announced by the Aras, namely, Tilett the direc tors received advance, and were debtors to the Bank of London, and the free ,11.';i2 of the names to whom such advances' have been made at once at tests the public opinion that such a practice is radi cally unour:d.' The article from whence we quote the ab.,ve goes on to ass-rt what we have over and over again asserted—' That the men who se k t become directors, in order to avail themselves of their position to secure facilities of credit, denied to them on their owu intrinsic meths, are not the men to be retained in posi..iens of such command ing influence ;' and further, that confidence would be felt, in fact, greater confidence cannot exist whilst a baronet and a country gentl-man holds the post,' and that it is time ' that a man of com mercial position was sought and a cared as chair man.' " It then goes on—" The worthy vice-chair man of the Bank of London r,pudiates and utterly denies the above assertion respecting his col leagues." That is, that they help themselves to the funds of this bank,. "but we belong to that'un sophisticated class of individuals who cling to the old-fashioned axiom, that where, there is smoke there must be fire.' Does any one in his senses suppose that the respectable parties connected with the Atlas newspaper would gratuitously have in serted so damaging an accusation with - cut having good and solid grounds to justify them in drawing public attention to the circums ances alluded to I The public will do well to place in juxtaposition the two assertions—tha one emanating from a pub lic journal, the dire::tors of which have a duty to perform and an interest to maintain, and on that account no doubt feel themselves justified in holding up to scorn and contempt the conduct of such as would endeavour t) impose on pub lic credulity. On the other hand, we have the denial of an interested party, one whose, public conduct and moral character is on trial, and whose interest it is to prevent by every means in his power the transactions of the board of direc-. tors becoming known to the public." That is, in reference to Mr. Frith's letter, which is in the same paper, and which I will now read. This is ad dressed to the editor of the Times:— " Bank of London, Threadneedle-street, Aug. 16. " Sir,—A statement having appeared in the columns of one of your weekly contemporaries (the Atlas) to the effect that the directors of this bank are debtors to the back, that they became directors in order to avail them selves of their position to secure facilities of credit denied to them on their intrinsic merits, and connecting the name of Sir J. Shelley with the statement, with the evi dent intention of leading the public to infer that he is indebted to thia bank, I beg the favour of your afford ing ins the 'opportunity for the instant contradiction of so false and injurious a statement. " Sir J. Shelley is not indebted one shilling to this bank ; on the contrary, the bank has a considerable balance standing to the credit of his account ; and, with respect to the unworthy motive attributed to the other directors in joining the board, the beat reply will be that no director of this bank has or 6ri have an advance upon anything but first-class bills of exchange, or upon such convertible security as would be readily taken by the Bank of England or by any London banker. " Sir John is not in town to-day, but I have felt it due to him as a gentleman, arid also to the bank over which he presides, to lee no time in contradicting so unwarrantable a statement.—l have the honour to be, sir, your very obedient servant, (Signed) " JOHN GRIFFITH FRITH, Vice-Chairman." No man living, I apprehend, can doubt that the ex tracts which I have read from the article are libel!ous in the highest degree, and that no comm.ereill estab lish nicht can carry on business with ordinary safety, if such publications - can be for a moment tolerated. Now this affects to be the criticism of a person who is one of those public instructors that claim the right, I suppose, of expressing their opinion upon everything and upon everybody. We go to Somer set-house to find out who is registered as the pro prietor of this publication. There is no entry what ever there of any owner at all, or of any proprietor. We go the place where it is described as being printed, and we there find a carpenter's shop, and no account of the printer and publisher. Wo then find that the defendant, who appears to be the most active person in the dissemination of these libels, has bean himself often to the bank in ques tion, soliciting, begging, and entreating that they would give him the employment of inserting adver tisements in his newspaper, as he termed it, on ac count of the bank, and to pay him whatever was usual for such insertions. His applications were re jected ; the bank would have no connexion at all with either him or his publication. He has then in serted, without any authority from them, their ad vertisements, and that they could not help. When he found Lis attempts to obtain money from them unsuccessful he descended to the meanness of try ing to bribe the clerks at the bank by offering to give them tickets for the theatres. Defendant (interrupting)—l must call the gen tleman to order ; that is not so. Mr. Bodkin—l am not stating a single circum stance that I am not in a condition fully to prove. They afterwards resorted to the mode of getting this paper printed and brought into the City, where they employed these wretched toys to offer them for sale to all the banks and mercantile houses in Lombard..street. Boys were also sant with placards similar to the one I hold in my hand, to stand at the door of the bank, and to infest the public streets and thoroughfares of the metropolis. A great many people (and I was one of them) thought that this con duct might betreated withcontempt, but public credit is so remarkably delicate a subject, and there are so many persons who unhappily at the present day in con sequence of thefa;lureofbanking establishments, are alive to the most contemptible suggestions against tl.e credit of any 'such establishment, that it has • been endeavoured at last to put down by the strong arm of the law a system which is infamous, and which it would be a disgrace to any civilised coun try if their laws for a moment permitted it to con tinue. That is the case which I now propose to establish. With respect to Mr. —, -as our evi dence against him has only just reached us, I can not go into the charge of conspiracy, but I shall prove sufficient to justify your lordship in calling upon the defendant to find bail fir his appearance on a future day, and then I hope to have Mr. here for conspiring with the defendant to extort money from the back. Frederick Simms was then sworn, and said—l reside with my father, at 25, Holler-street, Clare market. lam 13 years old, and have been in the employment of the defendant from 9 to 12 months. My wages were 3s. per week. The defendant lives at 38, Clarendon-street, Kent-street, Borough. Yesterday I was carrying a placard swung over my neck, when I was taken iuto custody. Tne defen dant met me by appointment at the Royal Ex. change d and told me to walk up and down Thread needle-street till he saw me again. He gave me at tke same time about a hundred copies of the Joied Stock Companies Journal, and told me to go into all the banks in Lombard street, and try to sell them ; but I did not go into the banks, not liking to do so. I gave the defendant ss. 10d. that I had received from the sale of the papers. They were dated the 18th instant. The journal is printed s.t Mr. Muir's, 274, Strand. I used to take proofs from the compositors to Mr. Lawson's at 51, St. Mary-axe. Mr. Graham, in New-street-square, was the printer of the journal at one time. Mr. Lawson, after correcting the proofs gave theta to me to return to the printer. The defendant, whom I used to sea at Mr. Graham's, gave me orders to take the proofs to Mr. Lawson. I was La the habit of delivering copies of the paper at the different ba'iks and insurance offices. I told the defendant that the London Joint Stock Bank did not want any more papers, and would not pay for them ; and the following morning he toll me to leave them without being paid for them, and I did so. I have seen the defendant speaking to Mr. Lawson in the street, but I have not seen them a good deal together. Joseph Rogers—l live at No. 0, Plough-court, Whitechapel. The defendant came up to me at the corer of Threadneedle street, and offered me a quantity of the numbers of the Joint-Stock Corn panics Journal of the 18th inst. to sell, and told me he would give me a halfpenny for each copy .1 sold. I objected to a halfpenny as being too small a remuneration, upon which he agreed to give Die a penny. I 801 l copies in Gracechurcla street, Fen church-sitreet, and round the Bank. I was selling the papers when an officer took me into custody. Mr. Bodkiu here asked for a remand. The defendant said he was neither the printer nor the publisher of the newspaper, and that a great deal that Mr. Bodkin hafstated had nothing whatever to do with the ease. He was a news paper went and a canvas;er for advertisements, and had been in the habit of sJuding the news papers out for sale by regular newsvendo. s. The Lord Mayor reminded the defendant that the time had not arrived for his defence, and ad vised him to consult his solicitor before making any further statement. The defendant was then called upon to enter into his own recognisances in the sum of 1001. to a.ppeis ou a future day, which he did and left the court. GUILDHALL.—Mr. Abbott, a fruiterer, in Gracechurch-street, applied t 3 Alderman Hum.- phery for his advice. He complained that, having inves;te.l about 30i. in the Metropolitan and Gene ral Benefit Building society, whose office is in Fenchurch-street he gave notice about eighteen months ago to withdraw it, and notwithstanding repeated applications since, he had not been able to get his money back. Alderman Ifumghery directed Mr. Roe, the summoning officer of the court, to inquire into the matter, and in consequence of an application made by him to the society, Mr. White, the secretary, atttnded yesterday, with the view of explaining the cause of the delay in paying Mr. Abbott's cla;m. Alderman. Humphery—Now, Mr. Abbott, just sta'e your complaint in the presence of Mr. White. Mr. Abbott—l deposited about 301. with, the Metropolitan and General Benefit Building Society, and upon apply.ng to withdraw that amount about seventeen or eighteen months ago, I was told by the secretary that 1 a0u.141 have it in a few weeks ; but I have not yet been able to get it. • Alderman Humphery—Well, Mr. White, what is the reason you did not pay Mr. Abbott's claim ? Mr. White—This is an enrolled mutual society, and the rule , , which have been certified by Mr. Tidd Pratt, do not allow any one member to claim any advantage over the others. The complainant wants his money out of his turn, against the rules Which have been made for tho guidance of the members ; and his •claim cannot, therefore, be entertained until there are funds to enable us to pay him off. This society is in the same position as many others that have been suddenly called upon to repay money that had been advanced by depositors. A' chrman Humphery—What is the total amount of subscriptions you have received iu this society ? Mr. White—About 20,0001., and during the last twelve months the society has paid out about 2,0001. td members, and Mr. Abbott will receive lus money, withinterest, in due time ; but there aro 84 on the list before 'him, and that number will require about 1,1001. to pay off. Alderman numphery—What interest do you pay ? Mr. White-51. Be. 6d. per cent., which is equal to 5 per cent. for 13 months instead of 12. Some of the claims lately paid off amount to 3001. and 4001. each. Alderman Humphery—Can the members with drat when they like Mr. White—Yes, sir, but when so many mem bers withdraw at one time they must take the funds at hand as far as they will go, for it would not do for us to borrow money while the rate is so high, and pay 7 or 8 per cent, for it to repay money for which we are only getting 5 per cent. Alderman Humphery—Well, Mr. Abbott, if you bare to wait for your principal, you get your inte rest upon it. Mr: Abbot—l have never had any interest yet. Mr. White—Th e i n t eres t i s a dd e d t o the princi pal, so that when the funds will permit it he will be paid in full. Mr. Abbott's claim is only about 331., inclu'ling interest, and as soon as the rate of money is easier we shall borrow money and pay him off. Alderman Humphory_What security have you to offer in borrowing money ? Mr. White—Mortgages and title deeds held as security for loans to members in the shape of ad vanced shares. Alderman Humphery—l do not understand this balance-sheet you have produced. Perhaps you will explain the items. How much do you owe ? Mr. White—Our liabilities on the Ist of January were about 4,0001., and we have security by mort gage to the amount of 13,0001. representing the shares advanced. We only owe 4,0001. to mem bers, and 6,0001. to bankers, solicitors, and others for loans. Alderman Humphery—But do you part with your mortgages for these loans, or what security do you give, for bankers will not lend money without 7 • Mr. White—We retain all the mortgage deeds in our own possession, and our directors borrow money upon their notes, joint and severa 1, for which they are 41 personally responsible. Alderman Hu mphery—Ho w raw • members have withdrawn from the society? _ _ Mr. Wh;te—About 306, and v. To have paid as much as 6,0001. in that way. Alderman Humphery—Have you. money enough to pay off all the members ? Mr. White—Certainly not, sir, rowing. Mr. Martin (the chief clerk)—Are y ou in a posi tion to realise your securities mad . pay all the members ? - without bor Mr. White—No sir. The money is i all let out and well invested, but we cannot at pi .esent 0311 it in because it is lent to members for a b arm of years and we cannot coerce them•into paym e nt, and that is the reason we are obliged to borr , ) w to pay off these claims. Alderman Humphery—Well, Mr. A.bbott, I am afaid I cannot assist you in getting your money. Mr. White says you shill be pai I with. interest, but you must wait patiently until your tura comes round and they have the funds. Mr. White- 1 31r. Abbott knows th rules have been sanctioned by the 'members, 4I: ad this case ought never to have been brought here ..—The par ties then withdrew. MARLBOROUGH- STREET.—Ja: a Les Harriso described as a gentleman, was charged / rith ringing, bells iu Jermyn-street. The constable on duty saw the do. *fondant and four other gentlemen ringing the d,i ferent door bells in Jermyn-street. He succeeded I; a taking the defendant, who was ordered to enter it 'to his own recognisance to keep the peace for oue i nonth. Frederick Thompson was chargel w tth embezzl ing considerable sums of money lad): nging to the Ottoman Club, 14, Regent-street. The prisoner was olerk to the dal 3, and he was charged with receiving ono amount f from the mar kers of the billiard rooms, and payin g over to the manager a less sum than he received. Remanded till Tuesday. From Mr. Peter Pickwick, the half of a 51. note has been received for the poor-box. , LAMBETH. —Alfred Strickland, a chemist, 'No. 13, BolinAroke-rosy, Walwort; h-rofid, and who is a married man with a family, was brought befora Mr. Elliott on a charge of i e .decently. as saulting William Rider, a boy of 14 y oars. Remanded. WANDSWORTH.—Miss Susam Lah Phillips, the daughter of a declared lunatic, ws a i summoned before Mr. Ingham, as the owner 4: f a field in Wandsworth in which a fair is ususl/ y holden on Whit-Monday and the two following d ays, without lawful authority. An attorney attended on behalf of .TV liss PhiMO, as the committee of her father's propel •ty. Mr. S. Fenn, the superintendent of the V divi sion, said he was directed by Sir Richa rd Mayne to proceed against the defendant, for tl e purpose of obtaining his worship's order against the holding of the annual fair on Whit-Monday and the two following days. The fair was held in a field ad joining the ralway station, and the occupier was the defendant. The attorney said Miss Phillips ' was not the occupier. The field was let to a mat named Cox for the whole of the year, with the ex ;eption of the t;lrae days durin g the holding of th e fair. The occupation ceased at that time, and /vas again re let when the fair was over. Mr. Fenn said he had seen Miss Phillips, and she had told him that she did not it itend to offer any opposition to the fair now bein g held. She also said that an offer had been made to her for the holding of the fair, and she was glad . that she had received the information in time. S 1 to further said her father Wit 3 a lunatic, and that las' t year the fair was conducted by one of their own au .en. Mr. Ingham asked the attorney t i he had any proof to show that the fair was lit d.d by lawful authority? The attorney said he wished to el :plain that a commibsion of lunacy had been he ld upon Mr. Phillip, who had been declared a :lunatic. The daughter had been appointed by tb o committee, and the question would ,arisa whetht :r his worship had the power of making the order„ without the consent of the Lord Chancellor. Mr. Ingham said that would c,el:tainlv raise a doubt as to the legality of an order The attorney begged to be uncr( trstood that he did not oppose the suppression of the fair. The committee was placed in an awkwayi I position. She had rendered one account in whi' i appeared the sum of 551. for the holding of this fair. If it was now abolished, that sum would be deficient in the next year's accounts, • and the Lord Chancellor would say that she ought not to :hi ave disposed of the property without his cousen';.. The luna'ic might recover and would say that I L's property had not been disposed of to the best „a , ivantage. He (the attorney) had books to show t h at the fair had beeti held for the last 100 years, artCt . was formerly held in the High-street. Mr. Ingham said he should dismi st r the summons, and the police could apply to the La rd Chancellor. Mr. Fenn was afraidthere was not sufficient time. The summons was accordingly dis. missed. • TEE OCEANIC COPA.RTNE.RSHIP. In a few weeks it is hoped that a combined Bri tish and North American squadron n tay leave these shows upon such 4 mission as was 1 lever yet con• ceived, and that the Terrible, the Ni agara, and the Agamemnon may find themselves in the centre of the great Atlantic Ocean with tt,e c barge and the power of coupling the Old and New Worlds toge ther. Of the material machinery by which this extraordinary feat is to be accompi ished we have already given the public some idt a, but there are other circumstances connected wit h the project which well deserve notice. A single glance at the map of the world will ex plain the selection of the two points. through which Europe and America are to be lat:‘ ought into con tact. Ireland on the one side of tllhe Ocean, and Newfoundland on the other, lie like outworks of the continenta, and diminish c o nsiderably ,the breadth of waters otherwise rote r posed between them. Across the bed of the Ocer ix t, too, in these very parts, is to be found a kind e f raised bank or plateau thrown up by the rush of - ,11 se Gulf Stream, and on this the telegraphicwires are: to be deposited. No conditions, in short, could app a tr more f svour able, more opportune, or more pull holy available, and yet it actually happened thai 1; the power of bargaining for the use of them wet lodged in the hands of a commercial company. 1 'he fact is, that a monopoly had been granted of 3legraphic com munication across the island of . Newfoundland. As long ago as 1852 exclusive r e ivileges of this description were conferred upon an association established for the purposes above nnention.ed, and the monopoly, after various m a iitications and transfers, Lecame vested at last in a company enjoy ing for a term of years the exclusi re right of tele graphing from one side of Newf . ° t Indland to the other, and indeectof establishing a.; iy telegraph in the island at all. A ccordingly the Ad antic Telegraph Company, after conquering the ocean, might have found an invincible barrier at the ye cy point where the difficulties of the enterprise we uld have been supposed to cease. The Newfound land Company were in possession of the last few I 3 tiles of the dis tance, and were therefore as compl itely masters of the hole course as a railway COW aoany would be which commanded the terminus an the half-dozen nearest miles of a rival line. The fact would have been of less importance if otlit tr: parts of the American coast had been accesstbl ta at no further cost than that of some additional miles of wire ; but it seems to be doubted, in the present state of information on the subject, whetl ter any Transat lantic communication can be es' 'a Wished except through F ome point or other of that - Territory which the Newfoundland monopoly embr: aces. Ultimately, therefore, these prici le.a ° es, though at first perhaps appearing insionifitan t, have exerted an influence over the whole arran g ements of this moat important international es. :I,;erprise. The Newfoundland Company make 3 t e rms with the Atlantic Company, the Atlantic C c )mpany makes terms with the British Governmt nt, and, if it should really be found that no other point of American territory can be read! u3d by oceanic wires, the communication between t i vo mighty con tinents of the world will have dept t nded upon the modification or purchase of a an 3 all commercial monopoly. At present we -believe the conditions arranged provide for the accomm c tdation of the public at reasonable rates. The Atli eatic Company acquire the benefit of the exclusive p tivileges exist ing iu Newfoundland, and make art angements for the transmission of messages over tb 3 whole course of the combined Telegraphs. The 13 ritish Govern ment is to have the power of fixing t he rates to be 'charged for communications, and tt enjoy a pre ferential right of using the Teleran tph, a similar privilege being. allowable to the • United States' Government on the other side. In r 3turn for these powers of control, Government fi zet aids the un dertaking with ships in the wort: I 4 . laying clown the cable, and then provides a peen n iery guarantee. The company is to receive the sun t , of 14,0001. per annum, constituting a return of 4: per cent. upon its capital, until the net profits hall amount to 6 per cent., after which 10,0001. pe r annum is to be paid for 25 years. This payment, however, is to cover, as far as it goes, the ch arges incurred by Government communications ; tl to excess, if any, of such charges over the amount of the guarantee being receivable also. Under the existing circumstance s of the mono poly, perhaps these arrangements; were as good as EV ENTINFG, APRIL 29, 1857. could b 3 made, but the story offers striking evi dence of the extent to which the greatest enter prises may be affected by even small infractions of sound commercial principles. Monopolies are just as great mistakes now as in any former age of the world. It may be undoubtedly desirable, and in some instances even imperatively necessary, to en courage undertakings of high public utility but dubious commercial promise by the support of a guarantee, but these considerations contain no warrant or the addition of a monopoly to boot. In the present instance, the ex clusive right of telegraphing across Newfound land— a privilege to .be regarded, perhap., with extreme unconcern apart from the oceanic ex [tension of the wires—actually governs the Trans atlantic communication between the two Conti nents, and the effects of a monopoly have to be overcome by a State guarantee and Government control. The Government may fix the rate of c'targe for the public, and therfare for itself, but it must make up the sum of its payments to 14,000/. at the end of each year. It may protect the public from extortion, but only at the cost of that kind of interference which must be trouble some to itself, and which we are not apt to regard as conducive to good management. Finally, if contrary b present expectation, any telegraphic communication should be found practicable be tween our own coasts and points of the opposite shore not covered by the monopoly, Government may remain committed to an unnecessary and un productive guarantee. As things stand, however, there is not much to complain of. Compared with the magnitude of the enterprise and the value of the results,' the amounts of the capital and the guarantee involved are but small ; and, if, as we trust will be the case, the experiment of next July should prove successful, and the American Conti nent be brought within a few minutes of our shores upon . reasonable terms of communication, there will be no reason to regret the concession of the guarantee. It is in principle rather that. effect that the Newfoundland monopoly is co noticeable. It may seem an inconsiderable cir cumstance, or even wear the aspect of an excellen bargain, if any company or association can be in duced to accomplish at their own cost a mos , desirable work on the sole condition that nobod. else shall be permitted to do it ever again ; but experience has taught us, and the present exam* shows, that such a surrender of general rights may eventually carry with it unexpected disabilities and serious embarrassment. Enterprise, when beyond the scope of private venture, may be fairly tent - tied to public aid, but not to aid of such a kind as may strangle for the future all similar enterprise in the same field.—Tines. lIEALTU OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK. (From the _Report of the Registrar-Gentr ) In the week that ended on Saturday 1,065 deaths were registered in London, a number which differs only in a small degree from thOse of the two previ ous weekS. In 'the ten years 1847-56 the average number of deaths in. the weeks correspondinf , with last week was 1,048. But ss the deaths. of last week occurred in an increased population, the average, to admit of comparison, should be raised in proportion to the increase, in which case it will become 1,153. - The result is that the num' e • now returned is less by 88 than the de ails that have occurred if the average rate of mortality bad _ _ - The births registered last week were 1,788 ; they were numerous enough to supply the vacancies caused by death, awl. to contribute, moreover, 723 lives to the incretzsa of population. Although the weather has lately been change able, and on some days of an ungsnial character, it does not appear as yet to have fatally aggravated hose complaints which are most subject to its in fluence. The deaths caused by diseases of the re spiratory organs were last week 205, having been in the two previous weeks 222 and 200. The cor rected average for last week is 200. From brim clais and pneumonia together 179 persons, died last week ; of these_ 83 were children less than three years old. Whooping-cough continues to be the most fatal of the diseases in the zymotic class—it numbers 57. One death from smallpox occurred in the west district, and 2 in the north ; there were none in any other part of the metropolis. The ieaths from typhus (and common fever) declined to 29, of which 14 occurred in the east districts. The west districts return n )ne from fever. A case of bronchitis and typhoid fever'which proved fatal in Somers town is sta'ed by the medical attendant to have arisen from the opening of a foul drain in he house. Scarlatina was fatal in 20 cases, 3of which 'occurred in the sub-district of Kennington (Ist part), ie houses t. at are situ tted not 100 yards irom each other. In one of these houses 6 persi.ns have been attacked with scarlatina, and 2 of them Have died. Four non igenarians, all women, died in the week ; the olde , t, a widow, in the Hornsey road, hal attained the rge of 96 years. Two cases of intemperance are recorded in the present return. Last weak the births of 904 boys and 884 girls, in all 1,788 children, were registered in London. In the ten corresponding weeks of the ye trs 1847-56 the average number was 1,583. At the Royal Obervatury, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 29 882 in. The mean readings on Monday and Tuesday were above 30 in. The highest reading was 30'14 in. :an Monday. The mean temperature of the weer was 46.6 deg., which is 0.6 deg. below the average of the same week in 43 years. On Sunday the mean temperature was 56 . 4 deg., which is 9 9 deg. above the average of the same day ; it continued above the average till Wednesday ; and on the last three days it was from 7 deg. to 9 deg. below it. The highest reading was obtained on'Sunday, and was" 69 deg. ; the lowest was on Friday—viz., 28.2 deg., showing a range of temperature equal to 40 . 8 deg. in the week. The mean dew-point tempera ture was 40.1 deg., and the difference between this and the mean temperature of the air was 6 . 5 deg. The wind in the beginning of the week was for the most part in the south-west; on the last three d. iys it was generally in the north-east. Rain fell to the amount of 0.32 in., - most of which fell on Wednes day. Hail fell on Friday. The' Last three days are desciibed as very cold and bleak. MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL OAUSES REGISTERED IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, APRIL 23 Zymotic Diseases Diseases of Uncertain Seat Tubercular Diseases _ _ Diseases of the Brain, Nerves and Senses Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 56 Diseases of the Lungs and other Organs of Respiration 205 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. Diseases of the'Joints, Bones, and Muscles Diseases of the Skin ; &c. Malformations ' 5 Premature Birth and Debility 23 Atrophy 37 Old Age ;Zudden ll Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance 23 Causes not specified DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES 1,065 Population Deaths in corre- Deati s Enumerated. aponding week in the 1851. ' of 11356. Week West Districts North Districts 490,396 Central Districts 393,256 East Districts 485,522 South Districts Totals 1,043 1,065 Males Fanales BEMIS IN THE WEEK Males Females.. Total .. .. 1,788 4.1•••••• From the London Gazette of Last Night. COSIMISSION SIGNED BY THE ,QUEEN. East York Militia--James White Minchin. Esq. late Captain in the 621 Regiment of Foot, to be A. ljulant, from the 20th Feb., 1857, vice Cradock, resigned. COMMISSIONS SIGNED BY LORD-LIEUTENANTS. East York Regiment of Militia—Adjutant Jas. White Minchin to serve with the rank of Captain. 3d Regiment of the Doke of Lancaster Own Militia — Thomas Monk, Esq., M.D., to be Surgeon, vice Brandt, deceased. BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED. Thomas Owen, builder, Liverpool. BANKRUPTS. Elizabeth Silby Small, plumber, Fonthill-place, Clap ham-road, to surrender May 7, at one, and June 9, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, official assignee, Coleman-street-buildings ; Fraser and May, Dean-street, Soho. Joseph Brno, grocer, Yarmouth, Lilo of Wight, May 9, at. eleven, and June 11, at two, at the Court of B,uk ruptcy. Johnson, official assignee, Basinghall-street ; Har rison and Lewis, New Boswell-court, Lincoln's-inn ; Eldridge, ITewport, Isla of Wight. Robert M`Lean and James 111`Lean, builders, Hulme, May 15 and June 12, at twelve, at the Manchester Dis trict Court. Hernaman, official' assignee, Manchester ; Rowley, Manchester. George Alexander Hewitt, chemist and druggist, Derby, May 12, and June 9, at half-past ten, at the Shirehall, Nottingham. Harris, official assignee, Nottingham ; Robe tham Derby ; James, Birmingham. William Tasker ani John Andus, potato merchants, Selby, Yorkshire, May 8, and Juno 5, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Young, official assignee, Leeds; Hodgson, Selby ; Bond and Barwick, Leeds. Thomas Harrison, timber merchant, Maidstone May 11 and June 10, a t t we l ve , at the Court of Bankruptcy. Nicholson official assignee, Basinghall-street ; Bennett, Ludgate-hill. Wm. Yaskell Garrard, wine merchant, Little Tower street, May 13. at half-past twelve, and Jane 15, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennel, official assignee, Guildhall-chambers; Young and. Plows, Mark-lane. George l'arker,• grocer, Le?ds, May 11, at half-past eleven, and June 8, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Hope, official assignee, Leeds ; Richardson and Radler, Oil Jewry-chambers ' • Bond and Barwick, Leeds. Henry Walters awl Benjamin Walters, druggists, Al-. froton, Derby, May 16 and June 13, at ten, at the Council hall, Sheffield. Brewin, official assignee, Sheffield ; Un i n Sheffield. Henry Markin6eld Addey, bookseller and publisher, Covent.gardert, May 12, at half-past two, and June 12, at half-past eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Ba,singhall-street ; Cooper and Hodgion, Gray's-inn. Alfred Hinton, druggist and grocer, Birmingham, May 11 and June 8, at half-past ten, at the Birmingham Dis trict Court. Christie, official assignee, Birmingham ; Griffiths and Bloxham, Birmingham. , SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. William Craig, wine and spirit merchant, Glasgow. Robert arshail, farmer, Whitebill, Lanarkshire. Peter Balfour, manufacturer, Dundee. • INSOLVENT PETITIONERS. J. H. Plummer,. Bedford-street, Holborn, assistant to an oil and colourman —.J. H. Tatum, w Dorset-place, Clapham-road, attorney's clerk —J. Turner, Golden Lion, M o ney-street, Borough-market, engineer —J. H‘)okins, Mitchana-cornmon, Surrey, general shopkeeper—R. Sexton, Old,street, St. Luke's, and New-cut, furniture dealer—W- Brown, Barford-street, Liverpool-street, commercial tavel ler—S. Garrett, Dempsey-street, Stepney, labourer to a scale maker—W. Speudelow, South-street, Chelsea, brewer's labourer —G. Brown, Bushey Heath, near Wat ford, hurdle maker—J. S. Leighton, Lower-marsh, Lam beth, bat maker—E. Trent, Bridge House-place, Newing ton-causeway, auctioneer—C. Geary, Alperton, near Acton, Baptist minister. DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS. J. W. Maude, Nicholas-lane, Lombard-street ; Com mercial-road, Limebouse ; and Wharf-road, City-road -Ist div., April 28, and any subsequent Tuesday, at Pen nell's, Guildhall-chambers. R. Y. Barnes, City-road, floor cloth manufacturer--let div. of ss. 6d., April 23, anal any subsequent Tuesday, at Pennell' ,s Guildhall-chambers. J. P. Knight, Hibernia-chambers, Southwark, and York street, Pentonville,, hop and seed merchant—lst div. of 2s. 6d., April 23, and any subsequent Tuesday, at Pen nell's, Guildhall-chambers. J. Gutteridge, Elizabeth-street, Eaton•squara, hOrse dealer--let div. of Sd., April 28, and any subsequent Tuesday, at Pennell's, Guildhall-chambers. A. Campbell (separate estate), Regent-street, army agent-6th div. of 25., April 28, and any subsequent Tues day, at Pennell's, Guildhall-chambers. D. Shove, Croydon, tallow chandler —let div. of 2s. 6d., April 28, and any -subsequent Tuesday, at Pennell's, Guildhall-chambers. J. D. Stanbury, Richmond, draper—let div. of 205., any Wednesday, at Whitmore s, Basiughall-street. B. Hayne and C. Hayne, Upper Whitecross-street, and Aldersgate-street, carpenters—let div. of ls. 3d., any Wednesday, at Whitmore s, Basinghall-street, Geo. Seaton, Chapel-place, Grosvenor-square, licensed victualler--- , lst dividend of N. 11d., any Wednesday, at Whitmore's, Basingball-street. William Puddieoinbe, Bridge-street, Southwark, iron mouger---lst dividend of is 9d, any Wednesday, at Whit more's, Basinghall:street. James D Ivies, Newport, Monmouthshire, Zarrier—divi deud of ss, Msy 6, and any subsequent Wednesday, at Mil ler's, Bristol. DIVIDENDS. May 20. R. Redman (separate estate), Mark-lane, City, wharlinger—E Redman (separate estate), Mark-lane, City, wharfinger—W. Bailey, jun , Buttesland-street, Heaton, carver—W. Bardgett (separate estate), Old Broad-street, City, merchant—May 19. B. Collis, Bishops Stortford Hertfordshire, draper—A. Gibson, Great St. Helene, City, ship and insurance broker---May 20. T. Knowles, Seymour street, Euston-square, chemist —C. A. Markham, Godman chester, Huntingdonshire, cu rr i er —M ay 19 . E . C ro ft s , West-lace, 'St. Luke's, hearth rug manufacturer—C. Gaiger, Winchester, draper —O G ra y, G reat Tower-street, City, builder—May 20. L Pearson, _Rochdale Lancashire, wholesale grocer-J. Whittaker, B r id ge -E n d , near New church, Lancashire, cotton manufacturer—May 22. J. A. Jacques and L. Selig— May 21. J. A. Jacques (separate estate) —J. Mitchell, Crew's Hole and Westbury-upon- Trym, Gloucestershire, copper and lead smelter—Ana Rees, Llanelly, C lrmartheushire, grocer—R. Radnor, Presteign, Radnorshire, malteter—F. Every, Exeter, and St. Thomas the Apostle, Devonshire, scrivener.—May 20. J. F. Reeves (separate estate), Taunton, Somersetshire, scrivener—O. Reeves (separate estate), Taunton, Sower setahire, scrivener—G. Puckria, Tunstall, Staffordshire, grocer. BRITISH EXPORTS AND ENTERPRISE. To speak of the state of the country at the present time is only to repeat continually the word " prospe rity." Both the United Kingdom and its colonies seem is be advancing in a career of material increase of which it is impossible to predict the term. The accounts relat ing to trade and navigation for the first quarter of 1857 have just been published, and show an advance suffi ciently striking even on the prosperous year 1856. The total declared value of the exports of the United King dom for the month of March was 10,456.348/. sterling, and for the first quarter of the year 28,827,4931. Both the month and the quarter show a considerable increase over the corresponding terms in 1856 and 1855 Taking the quarter, as allowing a fairer comparison, we find that the value of . the exports was, for 1855, 18,808,5171. ; for 1856, 25,149,1031 ; and for 1857, 28,827,4931.—0 r an increase of about 15 per cent. on last year.' Now, as the total amount for 1856 was nearly 116,000,0001., we may ex pect, if this advance be kept through the whole of the four quarters, that the total valcuof exports for the pre sent year will exceed 133,000,000/. This large amount is evidently the fruit of no temporary or morbidly stim ulated traffic, but represents a legitimate and progressive increase in the production and commerce of the country. Whea it is considered that the exports of 1855 ware only 98,000,0001., and. that consequently there has been an increase of more than one-third within two years, no argument is necessary to prove that the country is ad vancing at a rate which leaves all calculation behind. With regard to the details of our import and export trade some interesting facts are found in the return. Toe British people are not disposed to deny themselves the luxuries which their increasing wealth can purchase, so that it is natural to find a large advance in quan tity and value of alt kinds of imports. In spite of the apprehended murrain, 7,318 oxen, bulls, and cows were imported in the first quarter of 1857—a number much in advance of 1856, though not equalling the importation of 1355, which seems to have been particularly large. The materials for innocent beverages have been brought into the country in greatly increased quantities. Of cocoa 1,713,000ibe were imported in the first quarter of 1857 against 1,025,192 in 1856, and 734,558 in 1855. It would seem, therefore, that the consumption of this nourishing drink has doubled in two years. Coffee shows a considerable fluctuation. In 1855 the importation for the quarter was 4,107,4671 b., fur 1856 it fell off to 3,676,925:b., and fur 1857 it is 5,042,833ib. Although, of course, a single quarter, and particularly the winter quarter, does not give an average free from the influence of all disturbing causes, yet it is pretty clear that a large augmentation in the consump tton has taken place within the two years, indicating a corresponding increase in the comforts of the people, The quantity of wheat imported during the late quarter was 599,492 quarters—but little less than the importa tion for last year, and considerably greater than that for 1855, which amounted to 422,285 quarters. The wheat meal and flour imported is almost the same as last year ; it amounts to 631,328 quarters, while the importation for 1855 was 348,672. The increase in the quantity of these articles brought from the United States is truly woad-rful. In 1855 it was 142,416 quarters ; in 1857 it is 596,814 for the same term of thiee months. The importation of cotton shows a decrease compared with 1856; but still is far in advance of 1855. For the first quarter of 1855 1,559,782 cwt. were imported ; for 1856, 1,843,703 ; for 1857, 1,716,586. The quantity from the United States is, however, less than in either of the two previous years, being 1,390,058 cwt. in 1857, against 1,590,661 in 1856, and 1,431,234 in 1855. To re medy in some degree this deficiency we have an increase in the importation from India, the quantity being in the first quarter of 1855 75,222 cwt., and for the correspond ing periods of the two next years 171,110 and 191,688. The importation from Egypt has also more than doubled within the two years, while that from Brazil has in creased horn 28,4141 b. to 81,1121 b. Although the statis tics of so short a term may be delusive, yet it is to be hoped they represent in this case a growing increase in the cotton production of the globe, and that the danger, so much dreaded, of the spindles of Lancashire and New England lacking their supply of Material may never be realised. After corn and cotton all other products are of small importance. We may, however, relate, for the gra tificatien of the cutious, that 1,430,807 pairs of gloves were imported in the last three months ; that during the Fame term 26,041,600 eggs were brought into the coun try, or nearly an egg a-piece for the whole population. The quantity of wine entered for home consumption shows a steady increase. It was for the first quarter of 1855 1,454,105 gallons, and for the first quarter of the last and the present year 1,742,877 and 1,935,293 gal lons respectively. The scale on which our export trade is conducted may be conceived from the fact that in the first quarter of 1855 we supplied foreign countries and our own colonies with 772,778 tog , s of coal.; that the quantity for the same term of 1856 rose to 1,072,037 tons; and that for the present year it is 1,254,107 tons. A million and a quarter of tons of coal exported in three months gives a sufficient proof how much the world is dependent on the resources of this country, and also at what an accele rated rate we are bringing into requisition the supplies of fuel which exist in the bowels of the earth. With re eard to our greatest article of manufacture, we find that the declared value of the cotton goods exported in the last three . months was 7,267,4321., against 6,332,2691. in 1859, and 5,882,096/. in the year before. The exports of cotton amount in value to considerably more than. a third of the whole. Iron and woollens come next, and the increase has been considerable on almost every item. So that before arriv ing at the bottom of the list we are quite prepared to find that mien the vast total amount of the last year's export is likely to be largely exceeded. The account of the number and tonnage of vessels which entered inwards and cleared outwards with car goes for the first quarter of the three years shows an in crease in navigation corresponding to the progress in manufactures. For the quarter ending March the 31st, 1855-6-7, the tonnage of the shipping entered inwards was 1,118,213, 1,318,310, and 1,436,616. Of this last amount, representing the first quarter of the present year, 893,008 tons were British, and 275,262 American. We may state, for the satisfaction of the prophets who saw ruin in the repeal of the navigation laws, that we are holding our own on the seas. The British tonnage for the three quarterly terms is 687,444, 840,485, and 893,008 tons ; the American, 262,353, 254,931," and 275,262 tons. We therefore have our full share of the increase The return of vessels cleared outwards shows pretty much the same state of things. The tonnage of British ships taking out cargoes .has risen from 926,593 in the first quarter. of 1855• to 1,199,950 for the same period of 1856, and 1,363,975 for 1857,—an increase of nearly 50 per cent., forming a conclusive proof of tie vigour of our export' trade. On the whole, these returns are to the full as satisfactory as the most hopeful man could have desired. It is now evident that the sudden rise of 1856 was not merely the re action from the depression of war, but the natural, though surprising progress of an active and enterpris ing people.—Times: , ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE AT BRISTOL.— On Monday morning an Irish labourer, named John Cooney, residing in Steep-street, St. Michael's, Brie tol, got up at eight o'clock, as usual, and was observed to take a hatchet from a cupboard in the kitchen ' and carry it into the back yard. Soon afterwards his wife - sent her daughter out for some tea, when Cooney fetched the hatchet, and commenced an attack upon the poor woman, whom he attack over the bead and body, and left a'most dead. He then ran down into the cellar, and cat his throat. It is stated that the deceased was a very sober man but he has for some time been onl bad . terms with his wife, and moody and re served towards his family, and that on Sunday he said to a neighbour. " Ab, Mrs. Crawley, you will hear something one of these mornings that will frighten you ; you will hear of me soon." An inquest was held yester day, but adjourned till Wednesday. CERTIFICATES TO BE GRANTED. May 20. R H. Bollin, King's Lynn, Norfolk, carriage builder—W. T. Curtis, Great St. Helens, City, mer chant—T. Edwards, Ever3holt-street, St. Pancras, c hin a-dealer— J. lover, Thames Di tton, Surrey, dealer in wines and spirits—May 19. R. Collens, High Holborn and Talbot Inn-yard, Borough High-street, licensed victualler—W. H. Grimsdale and T. H. Grime dale, Uxbridge, Middlesex, common brewers—May 21. B. Chandler, herborne, Dorsetshire, attorney—May 20. D. M'Larty, J. Maeau, an IR. Lamont, Liverpool, mer chants—W. S. Gooding Manchester, tailor—May 2L 'J. Bishop, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, cabinetmaker—J. Walker, Walsall, Staffordshire, bridle cutter—R. Harris and R. W. Harris, birmingham, glass alkali manufacturer. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. 4 11. Jackson and T. Jopling, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, white smiths—A. T. Laport and J. Laport, Spitalfields-market, fruit salesmen—C. Webber and W. Webbsr, Totnes,Devon shire, linendrapers—T. Broctor and J. Parker, Bristol, china sdlers—G. H. Therniley and W. D. Thorniley, New Mills Deli), shire, drap ers —J. B one an d G. G ower, Wi ng , Buckinghamshire, dealers in sheep—R. M`filillen and J. Aitken, Manchester, drapers—W. Storr, T.'Welch, and G. Gelsthorp, Louth, Lincolnshire, tanners James Grover, J,,bez Grover, and W. Grover, Tring, Hertford shire, millers— -W. Morgan and H., Belcher, Cardiff, Gla morganshire, and Bristol, carriers—H. Hodgkinson and J. J, Mozard, Quadrant, Regent-street, nr,nufacturers of miners' lamp —J. Ca.low and E. Chaplin, Coventry, rib ban trranut,cturers—J. Kerby and C. Ball, Higham-on-the- Hill, Leicestershire, malsters—G. D uncan an d H. C. Kempson, Birmingham, engineers- -Susannah Norman Smith and J. B. Smith, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, lightermen—P. Wohack and C. Schloezer, Oxford-street, foreign importers—J. A. Dunkerly, W. Bailey, and W Leetham, Kingston-upor.Hull and Great Grimsby, Lin colnshire, shipping agents—A. Barron, T. W. Stevens, and A.A. Rattray, Clement's-lane, City, merchants, as far as regards T. W. Stevens—J. Watts and J. W. Iting, Bristol, ship colours makers—W. Todd, Joseph Todd, M. Todd, James Todd, JohniTodd, C. Todd, H. Todd, F. Clegg, and Jane Clegg, Butterworth, Lancashire, cotton spinney ' as far as regards James Todd, John Todd, C. Todd. H. Todd, F. Clegg and Jane Clegg—J. Tiddesley and T. Johnson, Wilenhall, Staffordshire, chemists—J. J. Jackson and N. L. Henwood, Schofield-place. West Brom.pton, and Lawrence-lane, Cheapside, dyers —T. Auchterlonie, as far as regards his connexion with the firm of J. Black and Co., Dalmonach, Dumbartonthira, Glasgow, and Manchester, calico printers—T. Auahter lonie, as far as regards his connexion with the firm of A. Drew and Co., Dalmonach, Dumbartonshire, calico printers. Country Markets. LIVERPOOL-APRIL 28. At this day's market there was only a moderate attend ance. Wheat met with a good demand, chiefly from Ire land, and , a considerable business was done at an advance of about 3d. per 7tilos on. all descriptions of American. Irish and Baltic, however, were not elove 1d per 'Nibs dearer. Flour was saleable to a moderate extent, at full prices, and in some cases 61 more money. Oats In fair request, at an advance of ld per 431bs on fins, and 2d on common and inferior. Oatmeal held at 30s 6d to 31s per lead for middle cut. Barley and peas unaltered. Beans le dearer—Egyptian bringing 41s par qr. Indian corn quite neglected at the late advance; prime mixed 33s 3d to 330 6d ; 34s for yellow ; and white, 36s to 36s 6cl per qr. LEEDS, APRIL 28. Wo have had very moderate supplies of grain. All fresh qualities of wheat are in request, and meet free sale at fully the rates of Friday, and there is a fair inquiry for other sorts. The little English barley oaering sells readily at extreme prices; foreign without alteration from last week. Beans and other articles as before. Average prices of grain —Wheat, 55s id ; bailey, 461 4d ; oats, 28s —d ; beans, 40s 10J ; peas, as 2d ; rye, —s. Od. HULL— APRIL 23. • A moderate show of wheat to-day, the condition im proved, and for such there was a good d ema nd a t is to 2s ~ vor last day. Foreign more looked after. Berley is is dearer, with a good sale. Beans is dearer, b u t scarce in dry qualities. Oats 6d dearer. , The linseed market is un changed. Cakes in goad demand, and a good selection of foreign cakes in the port. Bones in request at 2s 6d Per ton advance. S S I - 5. S. Wheat, English, red 56 to 60 Peas, grey and black to -- Ditto white 6O to 05'Linseed, Black Sea... 66 to 10 Dantzic and Konigs- (Ditto Petersburgh ... 56 to 6 6 berg 5B to 64 Ditto Riga and Arch- PoraeranianandHam- 1 angel burgh Daniell , Holstein , and 1 ktomel Friesland 4B to 50 1 "... Per Tat Russian and Odessa 50 to 60,Lins.c. Hull 9/ Os to 9/ 12 5 0 Oats, English Ditto Danish Ditto Friesland Ditto Russian 26 to 30 1 Bape cakes —s Od to 125 s Oa Barley, malting Ditto grinding 32 to 36 Ditto foreign Beans Ditto foreign Peas, white and yel. 34 to 36 Flour, per brl 30a. 329' COURSE OF EXCHANGE.--YESTBRDAY. • 11 17 otibraitar ......•••••••• Ditto, three months .. 11 19% Leghorn ..•• •• •• 29 57) Rotterdam n 19% Genoa ................26 7 5 Intvrerp , ...... ....... 25 50 Milan .... .• •••• -- Rrossels ........ 25 50 Venice ................ Elainbargh 1 3 8 tona ...• •• •• •• •••••• Ditto, three months .. 25 70 31arsoilice ............. 25 72% Boar,.leaux . • ••• • • • ••+ Frankfort.on- 1 4 gine 119% Berlin •• .• •• •• •• .• •• •• Vienna ••••• •• •••••• •• •• 10 3 5 trieste ••••••e.•• •• • • •• 10 36 NtOr3bllll i.• ••••• • • •• 37 Aadrid 49 Sk 3adiz .•• •• •• •• •• •• 49X Barcelona • • •• toe • • • • vo Seville.. • • •• • Naples • . • • .. Palermo 130% Messina . ... 130% i lAsbo'n Oporto 62% Rio Janeiro Buenos Ayros...• •• •••• Saw York ,60 days' sight Philadelphia PRICES OF BULLION, PSI oz• Foreign Cold In Bars £3 17 9 Portugal Gold Coin .. 0 0 0 Mexican Dollars .... 0 0 0 0 New Dollars 0 Silver In bars ...... 0 0 0 [AnvintrissmENT.]—We quote a few more of the extraordi nary cures without medicine effected by Du Barry's delicious health-re4toring Revalenta Arabica Food of • ludigestiod (Dyspepsia), Flatulency, Constipation, Nervous, Bilious, and. Liver Complaints, Cough, Asthma, Consumption, and Debility: Cure No. 180.—" Twenty-five years' nervousness, constipa; tion, indigestion, and debility, from which I had suffered great misery, and which no medicine could remove or relieve , have been effectually cured by Du Barry's Food in a veil short time.—W. R. Reeves, Pool Anthony, Tiverton." Cur e N. 4,208.—:" Eight years' dyspepsia, nervousness, debility, ' with cramps, spasms, and nausea, for which my servant ba d consulted the advice of many, have been effectually cured by Eu Barry's health-restoring Food.—l shall be happy t° answer any inquiries.—llev, - John W. nava, Ridlingtos Rectory, Norfolk." No. 32,83 G.—" Three years' e xcessivl nervousness, with pains ill my neck and left arm, and general debility, which rendered my life very miserable, has been radically removed' by Du Barry's health-restoril, Food.—Ales. Stuart, Archdeacon of Ross, " Skibereen. i btipported by testimonials f rom th e ce l e brated Professors ° Chemistry,. Dr. Andrew Ure ; Dr. Shorland ; Dr. Har"/ : Dr. Campbell ; Dr. Gattiker ; Dr. Wuraer ; Dr. Ingrul tt. Lord Stuart de Decies; the Dowager Countess of Castl!: Stuart; Major-Gen. Thomas King, and many other respectsb! persons, whose health has been restored by it, after all oths t : means of cure bad failed. For further particulars ro 4 l o ___, o ing this ihvahmble,food our readers are referreertoDul3alw advertisement iu another part of this paper. BIRTHS. OF A SON• On the 27th inst., a 4; 2, CrioceQtor-plaee, Portman-squ are ' the Avife of C. R. M'Gregor. On the 27th inst., at 41, Finsbury-square, the wife of 3. " Cav, ood Wordsworth. OF A DAUDITER. On the 27th inst., at Little Hothfield, Ashford, 10121' the wife of Captain Leslie. On the 27th inst., at 45, Camden road Villas, the w it.° of T. L. Atkinson, Esq. MARRIED. rge On the', 25th inst., at Cornwood, Devon, Captain Ge ° ,,„ r . Parker, R.N., second son of Admiral Sir William Par n ili Bart., G.C.8., to Anne Elizabeth, only child of i.' - Mackworth Praed, Eaq., of Delamore, near Ivy Bridge' and of Bittop House, Teignmouth. 09 7 g e s On the 28th inst., at B rom l ey, K en t , th e Rev. • no 0 Parr, jun., of Hinst oc k, S a l op, to Mary Emily. Y ee- 'de, surviving daughter of Ch ar l es Pott, Esq., of Free Kent. DIED. ' On the 26th inst., in London, Sir George Wm- Bart., aged 68. On the 27th inst., at 17, C an t er b ury - row, K e nn; „ t° Of ut Mr. Joseph Rayner Btemer, aged 72. of On the 27th inst., Thomas Waller, only child - Coemes, of Regent-street, aged 4 years. rr o oler On the lath inst., Joseph Goodchild, Esq., (1 . street, Southwark, an d Ki ngs b ury, M id d l esex , g o• , t hird On the 25th inst., a t E a li ng, J ames L. B. Sprot, 13. son of Mark Sprot, Esq., of kiddell, Roxburgh, aged tt„ On the 25th i ns t., a t 13 , Ch urc h- row . Newington bit Sarah, wife of C. Turpin, Esq:, aged 70. Ch O ar n le tsh James,th i n r s e t c . t , o u r t Torquay, of Eve no do, South Worcestershire,evn tbe R s g e e v a 52. • -.swot , / On the 25th inst., a t Erith, Kent, Mrs, Elizabeth 21L late of the Crown Inn, aged 87. ----`--- -- L- - .. LONDON : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUN6 N of No.. 112, Strand , Prin t er , at The Sun Mee, °' 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy. in the county of Middlesex, Wednesday, Aril 29, 1357. A] rate 11 cr evc prin( Colo Df disco inter CI t 9 eu Ude: Tb Th $ 4l ' Th Oftici ;i;4 4 4t • ; , racl IN( and Pol 3 bee] eess I,an Prir efei ten. gi THI Mos iPet lens 4—'l Et Mu till Lezl trli ....-- r( th e Whic '7, P "..1 51. Tll