The Sun. — London, England, 1871-01-05 00:00:00

MONETARY REPORTS. -YESTERDAY. There was no feature of particular interest to notice in the Stock Markets to-day. The attendance of members was under the average, and, in the absence of anti political news of importance, ... there was _ little to influence prices. The leading feature is the recovery which has taken place in Spansh Stock which shews a reaction of from the recent decline. This is so far satisfactory as chewing that it is not generally apprehended that political disturbances will follow the murder of General Prim. Altogether the tone of the markets betokens a feeling of greater confidence, which uugurs well for the commercial success of the new year. Consols are quoted at 92, 921 for money ; and 92/, 92i for the account; Re luced and New Three per Cents are 91k, 92 ; India Five per Cents, 110, 110 k ; India Four' per Cents, 100, 101; India Bonds, 225. to 275. prem.; Exchequer Bills, 10s. to 14s. prem.; Metropolitan Three and a-Half per Cents left off at 92, 92i. Colonial Government securities have sold quietly, but chiefly for permanent investment. New South Wales Five per Cent., 100 ex div. ; New Zealand Consols, 100, noi ; Victoria Five per Cents, 101, 102 ex div. The demand for home railway stocks has been steady throughout the day, and the general tendency of the quo . tations has been upwards. Prices remain about stationary, with the exception of Metropolitan stock, which is 1 higher, at 634, 63/. Caledonian has been dealt in at 87/ ; Great Northern A, 1364, 4 ; Great Western, 73, 2/ ; London and North-Western, 1294, ; North Eastern, 1461 ; South-Eastern, 754. Although the movements in the foreign market have not been extensive, a steady tone has prevailed. The leading feature is a rise of 4 in Spanish, which closed at 291, 294 ex div. Turkish Five per Cents. also advanced 4, to 431, 4. The scrip of the North German Loan was last quoted at 1 prem., and that of the French National. Defence 14, 1 discount. The prices current after official hours were as follows : Peruvian, 90, 904; Egyptian (1868), - 1 774, 781 ; Italian, 551, 554; Spanish (1867), 294, 291, ex div.; ditto (1869), 291 to 294 ; Turkish Five per Cents., 434, 433 ; ditto (1869), 49/, 501 ; Mexican shews a rise of 4 at 14. There has been a fair inquiry for United States' Bonds which has resulted in a rise of 4. The 1862 issue left off at 894, 893, and the 1865 at 894, 894 f Ten-Forties closed at 87/, 881; Erie shares are unaltered at 194, 194, and Illinois Central at 113, 114. The dealings in Joint Stock Bank shares have not been extensive, but prices have ruled firm throughout the day. Alliance, 12/ to 131; Anglo-Hungarian, 64 ; Bank of Australasia, 51; English Bank of Rio, 161 ; Impevial Ottoman, 114, 4 ; Union of London, 384. Telegraph shares shew no change of importance, the demand having ruled quiet. Anglo-American, 761 ; British Indian Extension, 6/ to 6 13-16 ; Falmouth and Gibraltar, 8 15-16 to 83 ; French Cables, 134. In Mines, East Lovells have continued to fluctuate, and have been done today at 32i to 32g. Tin Croft shares have sold at 481. Don Pedro shares have been dealt in at 2& to 2 1-16 pm. xd. ; Taquaril at 1 13-16. Sweetland Creek Gold Mining shares closed with firmness, at 4i to 4i. Money remains very firm, at 2#, 2i per cent. for good short paper. The rates for bills having long periods to rim are unaltered. The Elbe has taken out the sum of £9,600 for the Nest Indies. The bullion operations at the Bank of England to-day consisted of the withdrawal of ten thousand pounds for France. The periodical sale of bills on India was held at the Bank of England to-day. The amount allotted was 370,000 to Calcutta, and £30,000 to Bombay. The minimum was fixed at ls. 10d. per rupee. Tenders at is. 10/d. on Calcutta will receive about 61 per cent., and on Bombay at that price in full. There was considerable animation on the corn market to-day, and extreme prices were paid for both English and foreign produce. The liquidation of the Joint Stock Discount Company (Limited) is proceeding favourably, and it is announced that the liquidators will be in a position during March next, and without having realised any important securitie, to satisfy all the admitted claims against the company. It is hoped that a favourable realisation of the large railway and other securities held by the company will allow the return of a considerable portion of the in vestment to the shareholders. A final dividend, amounting with previous payments to 20s. in the pound and interest, is now payable on the debts of the Financial Corporation (Limited), at the office of the official liquidator, Mr. L. 11 Evans. A dividend of is. in the pound (making 155.) is payable to the creditors of the Orienta Commercial Bank (Limited), at the offices of Messis. Cooper Brothers and Co. The Levant Herald of December 21, contains the follow ing :—A Galata telegram in the Standard of December 2 reports the early issue of a new Turkish loan. We have authority for saying that the statement is wholly without present foundation. In the event of a Russian war, such an operation would no doubt be probable ; but except on such a contingency, it would be neither necessary nor thought of. The sender of the telegram evidently misread our own allusion in the Levant Heratd of November 30 to the small local loan, the details of which were men tioned in our weekly issue of Wednesday last and hence his mistake. The Master of the Rolls has appointed Mr. R. Everett, of the firm of Copeman, Everett, and Co., St. Swithin's• lane, to be official liquidator of the Royal Hotel Com pany, of Great Yarmouth, in the place of Mr. Copeman, deceased. The traffic return of the Midland Railway shews an in crease of £7,152 ; that of the North-Eastern of 27,523. The total traffic of the latter line for the half year shews an increase of not less than one-tenth upon the whole amount of the corresponding half of 1869. LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE,- WEDNESDAY, LATEST PRICES.-AFTER OFFICIAL HOURS. The prices under the lines indicate the business done. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. rbree per Cent Consols 921 921 Vict 6p c Jan &JulylB9l 113 114 921, 2, 1 x d DoApril &()....t 1883-85.. 111,i 112 i Do for Account 921, 1 x d Viet 5p a Jan & JulylB9l. 101 102 Three per Ce 9 nt Reduced 92 921 Brazilian.lB6s, 5p o .... 92 93 52 1 29 1, i New 3 pitent 91 , 21 Donna Deben 7p c .. 99 100 March 10 15pm Exchequer bills, 932, 91 x d 10s pm Italian, 18.35. 5 p a Do, June lO 15pm Peruvian, 1865, 5p c . ... 90 91 14s pm M. i, 90 a d Bank Stock India 5 per y enta C 110 f 81 India Bonds — Do Nicolas 4p c pm 661 Can 6pa Jan Eaulyp77-84 10311041 Spanish_ _ _ 29 29; 1041, 31 x - d - - 29, I, i. I x d Do March St Sept. 104 106 Turkish, 1854, 6p c 7B 80 Do 5p c Jan .t July .. 978 981 80 971 x d Do, 1835, 5 p c Do Inscribed Stook .. 96 98 431, /, i D om of Cali 5 p 1903 .. 98 100 Do, 1865 6p 0 Ceylon 6 1, c May and 581 x d November 1878 lO6 108 U. 13.5-20 Bouds,6 p c 1382 891 891 Mauritius 6 p c Jan and 891, 1. B July 1873 lOl 103 Do a. 1885 891 89i New SWales 5 p 01871-76 991 1001 891, 1 New Zealand 6p a 1891 lO6 108 Do 10-10 Buda, spo rjai 871 88; Do 5 p 0 ICrieSha 10u dots, all , paid Do 5 p C onso lidated 99/1001 100 Illinois Central sharea .. 113 114 Do6p c Mar &Set 1891 109 111 A tlautic aud OW It con Do June 84 DepclB9l 108 110 Mortgage Bonds — RAILWAYS. Bristol and Exeter OB 10 Do Ist Pref 80nd5.... 581 591 Caledonian 873, 2 Grand Trunk of Canada Great Eastern 391. i 41} Great Northern 125, 1, } Grand Trunk of Canada Do A 13531363 4th Prof Stock 1361 } 171 Great Western 721 73 Greatlndian Pen g 5. , o 105 106 73, 23, 3 1053, 3, 3 Lancashire & Yorkshire 115 131 Great Western ofCanada 15 15} Lou, Brlgh, and S Coast 41 } 41 3 15, 3 41! Do Op c Bonds, 1873.. 98 100 Lon, Chat, and Dover 14} Do 5 p c pref. issued 80 Nis Inin Lon and North-Western 1291130 Madras guar 5p a 129 i, 4,3, 1 N. Railway of Canada, Lou and South-Western 901 913 6p a Ist Pref Bonds 913, 1, 1 Gude and Rohilkund g Man, Fi11 453 1003 et, and Lincoln 45} 451 5p c Metropolitan 63 3, 4, 4 Delhi guar 5 p c Midland l3O 1303 101} 1303 Bahia and San Francisco North British N orth-Eastern Consols.. 14511463 19} 1461 53 Belgian Fl Junction .... 2} South-Eastern 76 763 23 759 Buenos Ayres Gt Sthrn.. 01 Atlantic and St T.awrnce 75 77 2 51, 3, 3, 3 753 Dunaburg and Witepak 183 Bombay, liaroda, and 181 Central India, g 5 p c 10231033 Dutch-Rhenish 2ll Buff and Lake liuron .. 4 4} Eastern of France — 43 Great Luxembourg Do 51 pc 80nd5.1872-3-4 79 81 Lemberg Czeriiowitzgua Cape guar 6p c East Bengal guar 5 p 0.. 10251033 Northern of France East Indian, g 5 p a .... 1(1751035 Ottom (Smyrna. to Aidin) 41 107 f, 8 Recife and Man Francisco Grand Trunk Canada .. 121 13 (Limited) guar 7p o 12}, 3 141 Do Egnip Mort Bud 1 San Paulo 114 guar 7p a 211 charge 6y e Do 2nd do Scrip Loo 143 Sof France .... ... 191 BANKING COMPANIES. Pd ... 1 Agra Rank (L) A 7) 8) 17) Imperial Ottoman .. 111/pm 81 11), 1 x 25 Alliance (L) 131, 121 24, 3) 10 Anglo-Aust,rian 20 Anglo-Egyptian It) 21 211_ 15 London Joint-stock 34 55 50 British N American 52 24 341. 1 20 Ch of India, Austrlia 13.. 14; 20 Lou and Westmuster 63 64 25 Char Mere of India 22) 231 631 10 City 25 Colonial 4 Consolidated IL .... i 11pm 20 New South Wales 33 36 20 Eng. Scot. and Aus 0 15) 161 25 Orntal BankCorporu 40 41 161 25 TTnion of Austrilla 411 121 20 Imperial 1L) 381 TELEGP.APII COMPANIES. Pd Pd 100 Anglo-American L) 76 78 10 Great Northern .... 111 11; 761, 7 6 Great N. China, and 10 Anglo-Meditrn (L) 100 Atlantic — 5 Indo-European IL).. 10 12 100 Do 8p c — 10 Marseilles. Algiers, 13 British Austral') (Li.. 51 4)dis and Malta (L) ... 51 51 10 British Ind Exton (L). 51 61 10 Mediterrn Ex (L) . .. 4) 5 61 21 Prima and S. PefelL 4 3‘.li. 10 British Indian Sub- dis marine. (L) 61, 13-16, 1x d 20 Soo Trans France (L) 131 13 China Submarine (L) 6 51 , 110 131, 1 10 Falmouth, Gibraltar, 100 Submarine 237 242 and Malta (L 1 815-16, L 9 10 W India &Panarna(L) 4. 5f 1 MISCELLANEOUS SECURITIES Pd Pd Anglo-Austrian Bnd- 20 It Irrig Can Cavour 11 4 holders' Certificate 2 4 100 Do 6p c Bonds. re -10 BerlinWMerworks(Ll 141 151 deenial;:e 1870 . 62 61 30 Bolekow-Vaughan L) 23 33pm 70 London Fin Assoe(L)l7ll6ldis 100 Boston City (U.S. 4 Lon Gen Omnibus .. 21 3 p c Sterng Loan.. 93 95 / 4 Brit & Fgn li Marine( L) 3 31prn 2 Lon 2 & Prov Marine L) 1 1 pm 15 Canada Company. 71 73 2 11-1 6 10 Ceylon Company L 1 31 31dis 100 Madraslrrig. &Canal 35 City Offices (L) .... 25)24) dis gsp c by Ind Gov. 100 102 20 Colonial (L) 5 Com Union Assuruce 41 4.lpm 5 NatnlDiscbComp I.) 11 111 9). 1 111, 1, 1 10 Crdt Pone of Eng (1.1 2 21 2) N Zealand Loan and 2) Mere Agency IL) . • 11 pm 100 Crystal Palace 181 x d trust (L) 100 Do Frei 100 Do 6p c Porn Deb_ 109 114 5 OceanMarinelnsur ..13) 14pw 271 Ebbw Vale Steel L).. 9) 9dis 1.:,), 1 18) x d 50 P and 0 Steam 45 47 100 Viceroy of Egypt 7p c 47, 61 Mortgage Loan.... 79 81 10 Do do New. 1807 4 2 dli 80f 50 Rhymney Iron 100 ir:gyp 9 p cV'roy 'Loan. 15 I)o New Bl 91 guar by Egyp Gas.. 94 96 60 Royal Mail Steam 951 12 Tel Con and Main Ll 24 241 _l3 Fore-stlVarphopfe IL) 8 9pm _ 241. 1,1, 0.._ 100 Fgn and Colonial Gov - _. and 2 Thames Mersey Trust 6p c Bonds.. 98 100 Marine Insur (L .. 31 31 PM 7& Gen Credt gtDis4 (L) A 1 dis St. Tobacco 6 p o Loan. 14 Gen Stm Navigation 271 281 guar by Italian Gov 86 88 7 Hoover's Tel Works I /Ms 5 Trust and Loan Co of 68 Upper Canada .... / Ipm 17 Hudson's Bay 7l 8 5 U Marine, Lvpool (L 44 Spin 45 Indrbbr,OutPer,and 20 Union steamship (L) 23 25 Tel Works L) .... 44 45 6 United Dis Corprn (L ldis par 414, 5 5 UnivMariue lnsur (14% 7 Vt Pm 5 InternlFinan Soc(L) 1/ Ifdis 12 Warrant Finance.... 9 7 dis MINING SHARE LIST.—JANUARY 4. Mears. WATSON BROTHERS. Mining 'ollicet, 1, St. Michael's Alley, Cornhill, London Active demand for Prince of Wales, Grenville, East Grenville East Lovell, New Lovell, South Condnrrow, Great Vor, Tincrof Rosewall Hill, and Mary Ann. Australian United, , Chiverton Moor, Chivertou Valley, Chontales (Gold), Cook's Kitchen, 19, 20 Devon Great Consols, Drakewalls, 235, 25s Dolcoath, Don Pedro North Del Rey, 23, 22 East Caradon, 51, 6 East Lovell, 321, 331 East Seton, East Wheal Grenville, 22, 31 Frontino and Bolivia ((Iola). —s., —B. General Brazilian, Great Emmy, 17, 18 Great Betalinck, Great Wheal Vor. 31, 32 Hingston Down, Marke Valley, 61, 7 New Beldon, 2, New Lovell, 355, 403 Pary's Mountain, Perran Wheal Virgin, 30s, 32s 6d Plynlimmon. Prince of IVales, 345, 36s Providence Mines, 31, 38 Rosewall Hill and Ransome United, 235, 26s South Condurrow, 3i, 4 South Frances. Sweetland Creek, Tankerville, 13), 14 Taquaril (Gold), 495, 50s Tincroft, 47, 49 Trumpet Consols. Van, Van Consols, West Caradou, West Chiverton, 52, 52 West Maria and Fortescus, 265, 28s West Tankervillo, 32, 4 Wheal Crebor, Wheal Grenville. 3L 33 Wheal Kitty. St. coem. Wheal Mary Ann, 10. 11 Wheal Beton. DylA RKETS. MARK-LANE. WEDNESDAY.—The grain trade to-day was characterised by an increased amount of steadiness throughout. Business was transacted more freely, and prices tended towards further im provement. There was a short supply of English wheat on offer, and the receipts from abroad were only moderate. Pur chases in all descriptions were effected more rapidly; and the advance realised on Monday was sustained. There was a small show of barley on sale. The inquiry was moderately active, and prices ruled firm. Malt was inactive, on former terms. There was only a limited supply of oats on the stands, which were purchased to a liberal extent, at slightly enhanced rates. Beaus, peas, and maize were disposed of with activity, at extreme quo- tations. The flour trade ruled firm, especially for American barrels, which experienced an advance of Gd. per barrel. Arrivals : English and Scotchßarley, 220 qrs. ; malt, 100 qrs. Foreign—Wheat, 4,150 qrs.; malt; 6,900 qrs.; and flour, 5.100 barrels, LONDON COLONIAL. WEDNESDAY.—Sugar has ruled firm, and yesterday's ad vance has been well supported. Jamaica has sold at 28s. to 825.; Demerara, 295. to 81s. ; Trinidad, 245. to 255. per cwt. Stocks of refined goods are light, and values still tend upwards. Com mon titlers, 455. Coffee is in demand, both on the spot and N afloat, and prices are again higher. ative Ceylon afloat has sold at 645. 6d. Tea has ruled quiet, but steady in value. The rice market is unaltered. Rum has changed hands to a fair average extent, at late rates. TRADE REPORTS. LONDON, WEDNESDAY.—TaIIow is firm, at 455. 6d. spot, 455. 6d. to 455. 9d. January to March. Linseed oil is quoted 305. to 30s. 3d. on the spot, Hull 295. to 295. 6d. English brown rape, 475. to 475. 6d.; January to April, 475. to 475. 3d. per cwt. Fish oils unchanged. saltpetre held at extreme rates. MANCHESTER, WEDNESDAY.—This market still continues very quiet, which is usually the case during the first week of each year, unless there is some special cause for buyers operat ing, such as an advancing cotton market, but this market is barely steady, owing to the heavy imports. The prices are re markably firm, owing to the presence of stocks of all kind of goods and yarns, and the long engagements of producers. CATTLE MARKETS. SOUTHALL, WEDNESDAY.—At this market to-day there were fair average supplies, at a steady demand. Finest beasts make 65., second qualities ss. 6d., useful qualities 4s. Bd. to ss. 4d. The demand for sheep was slow, and prices quoted were equal to last week. LEEDS, WEnNEsDAY,—There was a good supply of fat cattle and sheep at this markot to-day, and prices were rather higher than last week. Beef, 71d. to 81d. per lb. ; mutton, Bd. to 9d. ; small wethers, 91d. Number of beasts at market, 594 ; sheep, 3,500. WAKEFIELD, WEDNESDAY.—There was only a small show of fat beasts of good quality at this market to-day, and dealers quickly cleared their pens, at a slight advance on late quota tions. There was an average show of mutton, but only a limited demand, and rather lower prices were submitted to. EDINBURGH, WEDNESDAY.—There was a better supply of fat cattle at this market to-day. Demand was fair for good good quality, at last week's prices. Clearance latterly difficult to make. Top price, 10s. ; secondary, 9s. to 9s. 3d. ; inferior, Bs. Store cattle of inferior description slow trade. MRch cows anything but brisk sale. To-day's was the dullest market for a long period. £22105. and £26 given for mulch cows. Sheep, ls. to 2s. up. Top price for mutton, 9d. per lb. Pigs good sale. Prices in favour of buyers. Young pigs at 10s. to 14s. LIVERPOOL, COTTON MARKET, WEDNESDAY.--This market opened dull to-day. Americans a shade easier. Probable sales 10,000 bales. Closing Report.—This market is very quiet to day. American cotton is very freely offered, and prices are -id. easier than on Friday. Other sorts are without change. CLYDE CRUSHED SUGAR MARKET, WEDNESDAY.—Offs. cial report.—The supply is improving at this market to-day, and a fair business was done, at very stiff prices. CORK BUTTER MARKET, WEDNESDAY.—Ordinary firsts 1465. ; seconds, 1375. ; thirds, 121 s. ; fourths, 107 s. ; fifths, 935. sixths, 635. 425 firkins in the market. Mildcured, firsts, 1525, seconds, 1465, ; thirds, 130 s. Five firkins in the market. SCHOOL BOARD FOIL NORTHAMPTON. —TllO list of candidates nominated for election to this Board has been issued, and contains the number of thirteen, out of which eleven are to be elected. It comprises eleven Churchmen, three clergymen of the Church of England, eight Dissenters (including the Mayor of the town), one Dissenting ;minister, three Unitarians, one Unitarian minister, two Secularists, and two, Wesleyans. The election takes place on the 13th of January. A FRUGAL WIDOW.—On Saturday last a widow, who follows the occupation of a charwoman, deposited in one of the branches of the Yorkshire Penny Savings Bank the sum of thirty-seven pounds, five shillings, and one penny. The deposit consisted of one sovereign, £32155. 6d, in 899 silver pieces, and 0 9s. 7d. in 981 copper pieces. She was induced to put her money into the bank in con-. sequence of her house having been recently broken into, when some of her hard-earned savings were stolen.— York shire Post. SCHOOL BOARD FOR NEWC STLE-UNDER-LYNE. At the monthly meeting of the Town Council at New castle-under-Lyre yesterday, a resolution was passed, unanimously in favour of making application to the edu cation department for authority to form a School Board for the borough. Mr. Edge in bringing forward the motion estimated that there were 1,600 children in the town, to whom it was necessary to apply the compulsory clause of the Act. THE WAR.—On Tuesday evening a general meeting of the Committee of Sympathiers with France was held at toe Cannon-street Hotel, for the purpose of finally arrang ing the proceedings at the meeting in the large hall of the hotel to-day. The chair was taken by Mr. Merriman. There was considerable discussion as to the selection of speakers to be invited. The resolutions and memorial prepared by the committ ee for adoption at the meeting were decided upon. On e o f the resolutions was as follows: " That a public meeting of the inhabitants of the whole metropolis, under the presidency of some eminent states man, be convened without delay at Exeter or St. James's Hall, and that the foregoing resolutions be s u b m itt e d t o it for confirmation and transmission, by a dep u t a ti on , con sisting of the chairman, members of the committee, and others, to the Bight Hon. W. E. Q-ladstone, M.P. along with the memorial." • INUNDATIONS AT. ROME:—The Turin Gazette sa ys that the inundation of Rome is an event which or dinarily takes place during the rainy seasons. It may be said that no year passes without the Tiber overflowing, and when some parts of the cit y which are lower than the bed of the river are not completely submerged. The cause of these frequent overflowings of the Tiber may be attributed to the same thing as that which gives rise to the overflowings of the Arno, with which Florence and Pisa are now threatened—the improvident thinning of the surrounding mountains and hills. When Rome is made the capital of Italy it will be necessary to take into serious consideration the replanting of the woods, and the securing of the maintenance of the new forests by laws as severe as those by which the Romans preserved from destruction the ancient woods, which were declared to be sacred. Besides this, it is evident that it will be advisable to inaugurate, without loss of time, a work similar to that which has been carried out at Florence, to excavate a canal to be drawn from the waters of the Tiber. SHE BUN. LONDON, THURSDA/ , JANUARY 5, 1871. THE LATE SIR HENRY DURAND. ,The country has lost the valuable services of one of her most distinguished soldier-statesmen in the person of Sir Henry Marion Durand, intelligence cf whose death in India on the Ist inst., from a fall from an elephant, has been received at the India Office. Not only his military but his great administrative abilities rendered him one of the foremost of the high officials in India; being a member of the Council of the Viceroy and Governor-General, a position he had held with uninterrupted approbation since the spring of 1865. The late Sir Henry Durand received his education at Addiscombe, where his high attainments procured him a commission as second lieutenant in the Bengal Engineers, the highest military branch in the East India Company's Service in June, 1828. He became lieutenant 20th April, 1835, and accompanied the army under General Sir John Keane during the Affghanistan campaign in 1239, and at the commencement of the cam paign spewed a military spirit of future eminence. He was present at Sir John Keane's capture of Ghuznee, where the commander-in-chief first encountered Prince Hyder, son of Dost Mahomed, who, with a garrison of 3,500 Affghans, defended the fortress and citadel, which were of formidable strength, and able to sustain a prolonged defence. When before the enemy it was found that the siege train was left at Candahar. To quote General St. Vincent Eyre's " Retrospect of the Affghan War," &c," recently circulated :—" At this crisis an officer of Bengal Engineers came to the rescue with the happy proposal to blow open the only accessible gate with gunpowder. This was successfully accomplished in the partial obscurity of early dawn by a party of Sappers, headed by Lieutenant Durand, of the Bengal Engineers, who volunteered for the duty, and who is believed to have originated the idea." His subsequent services with the army in India had ex tended over several of the most brilliant campaigns, and during the terrible mutiny. He served in the Gwalior campaign of 1843-44, and was present at the battle of Maharajpore. He served in the Punjaub campaign of 1845-6, including the battles of Chillianwallah and Goo jerat, for which he was made brevet-major. As agent to the Governor-General in Central India in 1857, he was present at the battle of Mundesore, siege and capture of Dhar, and several minor affairs. His conduct was reported by Earl Canning " to have been marked by great foresight and the soundest judgment as well in military as civil matters," and that " Colonel Durand saved our interests in India until support could arrive." In recognition of his gallant military services he was nominated a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1858, and made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India in February, 1867. His commissions bore date as follows :—Second lieutenant, June 12, 1828; lieutenant, April 20, 1835 ; captain, November 30, 1844 ; brevet major, June 7, 1849; brevet lieutenant-colonel, November 26, 1854 ; lieutenant colonel, August 13, 1858o;cjoeorn and colonel, ; l, February 18, 1861 ; and major-general,Maharajpore, anMarcch 1, 1867. medallle had withr received e t iwvo clasps e d th e bfroorn Chillianwallahz e star fot and also a medal for his services in Central India. NEWS FROM AMERICA. THE NEW MINISTER. Tho Philadelphia correspondent of the Times, writing on December 23rd, says : The President, according to anticipation, on the 21st of December nominated General Robert C. Schenck, M.C. from Ohio, as American Minister to London, and he was confirmed by the Senate. Gene ral Schenck has accepted the post, and will sail for England early in January, Mr. Benjamin Moran continuing as Charge until his arrival. It will require some little time for him to close up his congressional business, General Schenck having occu pied the very important and responsible post of chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means. The expectation is that the appointment of so positive a man as Schenck will bring the Alabama controversy to a focus. His circle in Washington say he will be instructed to propose the re-opening of the negotiation, and they regard the present temper of England as favourable to an amicable conclusion of the long-pending controversy. The United States In the renewed negotiation, it is announced, will require that England shall pay the owners for the vessels and other property destroyed by the Alabama and kindred vessels, with interest from the date of destruction ; that England shall reimburse the United States' Government for all Government expenses incurred by reason of the sailing of these cruisers, and that Eng land shall recognize this basis of settlement as containing the true principles of neutrality. These points are an nounced as embracing the questions on which the new Minister will be instructed, and it is added that the United States, probably, in no event will de mand constructive damages. General Schenck's friends say he is to make no extortionate demands— he is not to threaten non-intercourse or the capture of Canada, or to ask anything humiliating. The hope is that England will willingly accord what he asks, and that the negotiation will soon be brought to a favourable ter mination, The fishery trouble and the St. Lawrence navigation dispute are both to be opened, but also in a friendly way, although upon these a much firmer atti tude will be assumed than on the Alabama question, the injuries being more recent. It is believed that upon the fishery trouble Sir Edward Thornton has already re ceived such instructions from England as will lead to a discussion of the matter this winter in Washington, and probably an amicable settlement. Privateering is a question intimately connected with the Alabama controversy, and upon its good policy the. New York Chamber of Commerce has this week had an important discussion. Some time ago the matter was referred to a committee for consideration, and they brought in a report favouring the abolition of privateering, to which were ap pended two resolutions, which they recommended the Chamber to adopt. These declared " that the per fect immunity from capture of all private property upon the ocean in time of war is demanded by an en lightened sentiment of justice and the improved spirit of civilisation, not less than by a due consideration of the best interests of commerce," and recommended the Government to take measures to have this principle incor porated in the code of maritime law. There was an ani mated discussion, in which George Opdyke, A. A. Low, Samuel B. Ruggles, John A. Parker, Jonathan Sturges, S. B. Chittenden, and other prominent New Yorkers took part, and the greater number of them opposed the resolutions on the ground that privateering was one of the best defences the United States had ; that it was a bond of peace between this country and England ; and that consequently to take any action on the matter now would be inexpedient. These sentiments prevailed, and finally a motion to postpone was carried. The Ame rican President, who urges the abandonment of privateer ' ing, will find that he is exceedingly unpopular. lihe people look upon it as one of the most valuable privileges they could have in the event of a foreign war, and especially of a conflict with England. There has been another appalling accident on the Mis sissippi. During the night of the 18th of December the steamer Nick Wall struck a snag near Vicksburg, and the cabin, on which was piled a large amount of merchan dise, falling in, the escape of many of the passengers was prevented. There were 15 cabin passengers, of whom nine were lost, and 125 deck passengers, of whom 30 were lost.' They were all emigrants from the Upper Missis sippi to Texas. The wreck floated three miles down the river, and was met by the steamer Seminole, which took off the survivors. --- The well-known Boston publishing firm of Fields, Osgood, and Co. will after New Year's Day become James R. Osgood and Co., Mr. James T. Fields retiring. Mr. Fields, howeve, will continue to be the editor of their leading periodical, the Atlantic Monthly. December 21, the 250th anniversary of the landing. of the Pilgrims in 1620, was appropriately celebrated at Plymouth and other places in New England, and also by New Englanders in other parts of the country. At Plymouth the venerable Robert C. Winthrop delivered am oration. CLERKSHIP OF THE CROWN FOR LIMERICK.— Mr. Joseph Murphy, solicitor, of Limerick, has been ap pointed to the vacant situation of Clerk of the Crown for the county. Mr. Murphy has been long known iu the south of Ireland for his attachment to popular principles. DISEASED lISH IN THE LONDON MARKETS.— During last month the officers of the Fishmongers' Company seized 19 tons 15 cwt. of diseased fish as unfit for human food, of which 17 tons 10 cwt. came from Billingsgate, and 2 tons 5 cwt. from Columbia Market. The fish numbered 54,101, and included 47,200 smelts, 4,979 plaice, 1,024 haddocks, 2 brill, 43 cod, 13 lobsters, - 38 mullets, 9 skate, 335 thornbacks, 8 turbot, and 450 whiting. There were also condemned 20 bushels of cockles, 60 of sprats, 4 of whelks, and 1,936 gallons of shrimps; THE FRENCH PRISONERS' PROTEST.—The Inde peudance Beige makes a statement with regard to the French prisoners in Germany, and says that, notwith standing the orders to the contrary by the German authorities, many French officers persist in sending their signatures to the protest against the Bonapartist restora tion. The Independance has resolved not to publish these, in the interests of those who sent them, because the Prussian military authorities would be certain to resent such a violation of their commands. The list must be looked upon as finished. Incomplete though it is, its three thousand signatures afford sufficient proof of the feeling of the captive French army on the question of the Bonapartist restoration. THE ATTACK ON MARSHAL PRIM MADRID, December 30. The public indignation is in no degree diminished, though the latest accounts of the condition of the wounded marshal are most reassuring. The rumour that amputa tion of the arm would be necessary, is contradicted, and Senor Losada, the surgeon in attendance on Prim, is so well satisfied with the state of his illustrious patient that he has not thought it necessary to call in other advice. If all goes well, he anticipates that in a fortnight the marshal will be able to rise. The condition of Senor Nandin, the aide-de-camp who was so seriously wounded at the same time as his chief, was thought yesterday to be alarming. To-day it is somewhat improved, and a con sultation of surgeons was held at his house, at which Losada, Marshal Prim's medical adviser, attended. His opinion was more favourable than that of the other ad visers, who held that their favourite remedy of ampu tating, the arm would Le insufficient. The at tack in the. carriage must have been a desperate one. The vest of Marshal Prim has twelve holes made by the shots he received, and in the carriage were marks of fifteen more. The windows of both doors were destroyed. At the spot where the crime was com mitted, which was between the houses Nos. 1 and 3 in the Calle del Turco, the marks of the discharge are also visible. On the left hand building are marks of bullets, and on the right the door posts bear traces of seven or eight notches, produced apparently by eight or ten weapons. Great numbers of curi ous spectators have investigated the spot, and the car riage of the Marshal, in which were found pieces of flesh which the bullets tore from the hand of Senor Nandin, who it appears, on seeing the attack upon the Marshal, raised his arm to protect him if possible. The night before last an Italian presented himself at the house of a road labourer in the suburbs, and asked for a shelter. The man, who knew what had happened, suspected his guest, and gave information to the authorities, who ordered his arrest. It is rumoured that he has confessed his complicity with the assassination, and has promised to make important revelations, and per son was arrested in the Calle de Quintana, who II as since confessed that he was one of the six who fired the fatal shots. This, how . ever, is merely a rumour, and the rumours are innumerable. The driver of one of the intercepting coaches hired the coach for the day, it seems, and has disappeared, no one knows where. The tavern keeper at the corner where the Calle del Turco passes into the Calle de Alcala has been arrested. The suspicions of the authorities are very active, and the inspector of the district has been imprisoned by order of the Governor for not communicating officially until midnight the intelligence of the attack in the Calle del Turco at six. The Epoca protests against this proceeding as arbitrary, and asks what the Iberia would have said if a governor of the opposite party had given such an order. The Governor of the Province, Senor Arias, has issued a proclamation calling on all the people to assist him in discovering the criminals who threaten to overthrow public security and social order. Immediately on the receipt of the news Victor Emmanuel directed the Spanish Ambassador at Florence to express his deep regret to the Condesa de Rens (Marshal Prim's wife), and desired him to keep him constantly informed of the state of the illustrious patient. It is said the friends of Prim are much chagrined that he will not be able to dispense the favours of the new monarch. The Duke de la Torre is spoken of as the probable framer of the first Minis try, and it is likely he will also be President of the Cham ber. It was the duke who, at the council held immediately after the catastrophe, appealed to the patriotism of Senor Topete to accept temporarily the Presidency of the Council, and the Ministry of War and State. Senor Rios 13 osas, by whose advice Topete yielded his own wishes, has been indisposed ever since the Council, and has been unable to see his friends or visitors of any kind. A Ministerial Council was held yesterday, at which the only questions discussed were those affecting the mainte nance of public order and the measures rendered necessary by Topete's absence. While he is away Don Jose San chez Bregua, Under -Secretary at the War Office, will act as Minister of War. It is to be hoped there will be no `special demands on the resources of this office, but the notice of the disarmament of the Republican Volunteer Battalions has created some uneasiness. The battalions to be dissolved are seven in number, .and the comman dants complain that they cannot comply with the order in the time specified, not having time to give notice to all the individual members of their corps. Some organs of the press think the authorities are justified in the most severe measures by the outrage committed on Marshal Prim. Others stoutly maintain that such conduct is likely to produce a rebellion in the provinces of Valencia, Catalonia and Andalusia, and that the country will resent Ldignantly the interference with its liberal aspirations by me Federal party. NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. Experiments are to be made at Shooter's-hill, Wool wich, in order to test the utility of Thomson's road steamer in drawing guns and other heavy loads up hill, over bad roads or land where there is no road at all, with a view to its introduction into the Army Service Corps. One of the smaller engines has already been purchased, and is in use at the Royal Arsenal, where an instructor is daily em ployed teaching soldier artisans how to handle it. The 35-ton gun, which is still blocking the tramway leading to the proof butts, Woolwich, will be tried with the new pebble powder recently approved by the com mittee on explosives ; this description of powder, which resembles small black pebbles, being manufactured as fast as the resources of the establishment at Waltham will allow. This powder, as already reported, gives a greater velocity to the projectile, with less strain upon the gun, than the ordinary powder in use ; and it is understood that the maximum charges have been fixed by the com mittee as follows :-35-ton gun, 1201bs. ; 25-ton gun, 851bs. ; 10-inch gun, 701bs. ; 9-inch gun, 501bs. ; and 7-inch gun, 301bs. The Flying Squadron will in all probability call at Lisbon. The following are the probable dates of depar ture :—Plymouth Sound, January 4 ; arriving at Barba does February 4, after visiting Madeira for one or two days. Barbadoes, February 18, arriving at port of Spain, Trini dad, Feb. 23, calling at Tobago ; port of Spain, Trinidad, March 3, arriving at Jamaica March 23, visiting between Trinidad and Jamaica the ports of Granada, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia • Jamaica April 7, arriving at Bermuda May 1, probably visiting Havana on the way ; and they will await orders from England at Bermuda. It is rumoured at Chatham that the Sultan, which cannot be ready to leave by the day fixed, will be detained there till the opening of the first basin of the dockyard extension works, and will be utilised in the ceremony. H.M.S. Grasshopper, which has been appointed to protect British residents at Newchwang (luring the winter, reached that port on the Bth November, to the great satisfaction of foreigners and the immediate improve meat of trade. An amateur entertainment was given on Tuesday night - - • at Reading, in aid of the sufferers by the loss of her Majesty's ship Captain. The entertainment was highly successful, and a handsome sum of money was realised. • THE FENIAN PRISONERS.—The collections made at the different churches in this city on Sunday, December 25th, to aid the released prisoners, amounted to over £so.—Cork Examiner. THE BEVERLEY ELECTION PETITION. The Beverley Guardian announces that the committee for con-, ducting the presentation of the testimonial to Sir Henry Edwards, b Bart., have decided upon inviting him to Beverley on the 28th inst., to receive an address con gratulatineabim on his acquittal. The gallant colonel will be entertained at a banquet in Beverley on Monday, the 30th, and another at Halifax on the Ist of February. MELANCHOLY ICE ACCIDENT AT ROTHERHAM, — n accident of a very melancholy character occurred at Rotherham on Tuesday afternoon, by which two boys met their deaths. About half-past three o'clock a number of boys were amusing themselves by sliling on a pond in a field on the Wickersley road, at tit. top of Wellgate ; and as they were following ono another down the slide, one of thom--Albert Edward Middleton, eight years of age, the son of James Middle ton, fitter, of Weligate — fell down, and a companion. Edward Smith Hurst, aged 12, who lived with his uncle, a milkman, in Hollowgate, fell over him. Immediately the other boys heard a loud crack, and, lookinc , round, saw tint the two who had fallen hid disappeared beneath the ice. One of the boys was quite dead when picked out, but the other breathed several times when rescued, expiring, however, in a few seconds.— Sheffield Indepen dent. lICUELESS CHILDREN.—An interesting ceremony took place at the Institution for Homeless and Destitute Children, at Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields, on the occasion of celebrating the New Year's festivities. The children assembled from the different establishments of the Model Farm, Surrey, the Training Ships, and the Ealing Refuge, together with the London Refuges. Some young women were there who were placed out at service by the committee, and had given satisfaction in their different situations. Among those present were Miss Burdett Coutts and Sir R. W. Carden, and Mr. Mac gregor of ''Rob Roy " celebrity. The latter presented a banner representing the four Refuges of the society, with the training ship in the middle. The secretary gave an account of the rise and progress of the society, which was very interesting. It commenced fourteen years ago with twelve children, boys and girls, the average numbr now being, in the Refuge's ship and farm, as many as five hundred and fifty. The Refuge work is the largest in London, but it could accomplish much more if sufficient funds were forthcoming for its support. The committees of the different branches of the society have distinct spheres of operations. The Chichester Training Shiphas attracted the notice of the Admiralty, and hopes are entertained that the boys trained there may be drafted into the Royal Navy, and the committee receive remune ration in consequence. Owing to the large subscriptions for the sick and wounded, the funds of the Refuge have suffered diminution, and the committee have been forced • to borrow money at Michaelmas, but of late the prospect has been rather more encouraging. THE WAR. THE SIEGE OF PARIS. NEW YEAR'S GIFTS. New Year's gifts are a great institution in Paris. "The' custom is for every gentleman to make a call upon all the ladies of his acTraintance, and to leave them a box of sugarplums. This is a heavy tax upon those who have more friends than money. 1.5 is a common sam to expend in this way. There are no sugar plums this year, and the men were delighted at the thought of getting off their annual tax.. A correspondent, writing before New Year's Day, was far from sanguine of their success. The ladies are not to be done out of their permissive rights in this way, and they throw out very strong hints that if sugarplums are out of season, anything solid is very much in season. A dandy who is known to have a stock of sausages is overwhelmed with compliments by his fair friends. A good leg of mutton would, lam sure, win the heart of the proudest beauty, and by the gift of half-a dozen potatoes you might make a friend for life." This writer tells us something about the sort of Christ mas the English residents expected to spend :—" In an English restaurant two turkeys had been treasured up for the important occasion, , but unfortunately a few days ago they anticipated their fate, and most ill naturedly insisted upon dying. One fortunate Briton has got 10Ibs. of camel, and has invited about twenty of his countrymen to aid him in devouring this singular substi tute for turkey. Another gives himself airs because he has some potted turkey, which is solemnly to be consumed to-day spread on bread. lam myself going to dine with the correspondent of one of your contemporaries. On the same floor as himself lived a family who left Paris before the commencement of the siege. Necessity knows no law ; so the other day he opened their door with a certain amount of gentle violence, and after a diligent search, discovered in the larder two onions, some potatoes, and a ham. These with a fowl, which I believe has been procured honestly, are to constitute our Christmas dinner." IMPORTANT ABOUT THE BOMBARDMENT. The correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette at Versailles, writing on the 28th, sends some noteworthy information respecting the chances of a bombardment. He says : There is no doubt that the Germans intend to make a feigned attack on the north and east, hoping to draw away all the best French artillerists from Fort Issy, and then they expect to be able to pour in a destructive fire on that fort without an adequate reply being made for some hours, in which time they are confident they can dismount many of the French guns. That the Prussians can pour in a very heavy cross fire on Fort Issy a glance at the map will convince your readers, but whether they can silence or dismount the French guns is another matter. As to the chances of their own bat, teries being roughly handled, the Germans affirm that these are all so well masked that the French will not know where to aim. That the batteries are now well masked is a fact that no one who has been over the ground will deny ; but why the French should ignore their whereabouts when they have opened fire one is at a loss to understand. In spite of all the talk that we hear daily of a bombard ment which is to phew the other benighted nations of the rest of the world what a bombardment really is, I cannot help thinking that Von Moltke yields to the universa wishes of Germany rather than to his own judgment in ordering active operations to be undertaken. Who ever else may make light of the defences of Paris and its powers of resistance, it is clear that Count Von Moltke, at all events, has never had any illusions on the subject. It is very possible that the efforts of the besiegers for the next few weeks at all events may be confined to isolated operations on a comparatively small scale, such as the recent bombard ment of Mont Avron. Now that is done, we may have an attempt to destroy the Auteuil viaduct, and then, perhaps, an attack on Fort Issy. As to any general bom bardment, I for one must own that I see no signs of such a thing. THE ARMY OF HAVRE. The slight skirmishes fought by the army which had been collected in the town were successes for the French, but they were of very small magnitude. General Peltingeas says that on Saturday he made a strong recon naisance :—"At twelve, my centre, under the command of Colonel Dornat, of the sth Battalion of Infantry, had an engagement between LanguetOt and Belleville with 300 or 400 Prussians, 200 of them foot soldiers and 190 cavalry. We have taken 11 prisoners of the enemy, who had besides 29 killed and 18 wounded. On our side we have had but one corporal killed." In a despatch dated Monday, the same officer reports :—" Our success has been more complete than had been supposed in the engagement which took place on December 31 between LanguetOt and Belleville. The losses of the Prussians are at least 80, the enemy acknowledging that number in his telegram. The eight carriages brought by the enemy in order to requisition provisions and forage left loaded with dead. The same fact occurred in the second fight under General Roy, in the neighbourhood of La Bouille, the same day. The Prussians lost at CMteau Rob ert over 300 killed and wounded, whom they carried off in requision vehicles. On our side the losses were twenty-nine or thirty killed and sixty or eighty wounded.' Of the army which performed these encouraging little feats, a letter from Havre, of Monday's date, says -- " The year opens with excessive cold, which is very disadvantageous for military operations; the Seine drifts ice, and the French gunboats have been compelled to re enter the port. The troors now between Bolbec, and Yvetot can advance but slowly. They number 16,000 men, with four batteries of artillery and six mitrailleuses. General Peltingeas, who commands them, makes frequent reconnaisances, for he has to contend not only against the strategical science of the Prussians, but also against the unpatriotic spirit of the peasants. The country mayors themselves give information to the enemy." THE PRUSSIAN OUTRAGE AT DUCLAIR. Further accounts which have come to hand, though modifying slightly the impressions conveyed by the narra tives of the sailors, are little calculated to mitigate the feeling which those narratives have excited in this coun try. The masters of the sunken vessels reached Newhaven from Dieppe on Monday night, and came to London on Tuesday, Captain Ramsdale, of the brigantine Sylph, of Sunderland, says the Sylph was moored alongside the quay at Rouen, when eighteen or twenty Prussian soldiers came alongside in a tug and boarded her. The officer in command could not speak English, and had some difficulty, by pantomimic action and bad French, in making himself understood. The skipper, however, happened to know the signification of " couler," a Frence verb which figured very prominently in the officer's communication ; and when he ascer tained that the object of taking possession of the craft was to sink her in the river, he protested vigorously, and pointed to the flag that was flying at the main peak. Finding that the officer, though perfectly calm and courteous, meant to have the ship, whether he was agreeable or not, he in turn managed to make the officer understand that he wanted a bond before parting with possession of his ship. This the officer seemed per fectly ready and willing to furnish ; and as they stepped into the cabin to fill up a form with which the officer was provided, the captain heard the soldiers cutting away his stern-rope with an axe. The sea men procured some of their effects and took them on to the quay ; but when they desired to go on board to get the remainder they were prevented. The ship was then hauled into the stream a little way, so that the master had to procure a boat to get on shore. When he had landed, he saw fr)m the quay, a Prussian soldier haul down the Sylph's flag, and, he thinks, stamp upon it. Captain Hodge, of the schooner Ann, states that his ship was seized while floating down in ballast, and thirty or forty infantry soldiers were put in charge for the night. These appear to have proceeded at once to make themselves comfortable with the ship's stores, seven pieces of beef being at once put into the copper, and everything else eatable - or drinkable appro priated without ceremony. The black smallpox is raging with great violence in the Eastern Departments of France. A•" good judge" of such matters writes from Paris that most rats are villainous eating, but a peculiar kind, not easily found, are delicious. A secret recruiting office for the French army has been discovered at Nancy. Half a dozen inhabitants of the upper class have been arrested. A quantity of sulphuric acid was found on Avron. One of the Saxon soldiers incautiously stuck a knife into a bag containing some inflammable material. It exploded, and wounded some 20 men. On the arrival of the French prisoners at Ostend the other day two exciting incidents occurred. A French fisherman who arrived at the port was mourning the loss of his two sons, whom he supposed to be dead, as he had heard nothing of them for two months, when, to his great delight, he saw them alive and well among the first prisoners who got out of the train. The other rencontre was that of a French servant at Ostend, with her brother, whom she supposed to have perished in the war. He also was among the batch of prisoners who arrived at the station. Two American steamers which arrived in Brest a few days ago brought about 240,000 finished rifles, several millions of cartridges, and numerous carbines. The flight of interned French officers continues to be daily recorded by the German papers. It seems to be especially rife at Erfurt, whence no less than 31 deserted within four days. Two of them were recaptured. The three elephants in the Paris Jarclin des Plantes have been sold to a butcher for £BlO. The most valuable animals in the collection have hitherto been spared, but their turn has now, it seems, come. At Metz the Germans are giving every indication of their intention to retain permanent possession. A strong police force has been established, and the postal and judicial arrangements are not at all of a provisional character. M. Michel Chevalier, in an article in the Journal du Havre, says that by helping France to resist, and check the overgrowth of Prussia, England would act in her own interest; and Ile adds that once France is crushed, the English home army must be raised to 350;000 men. The Journal ciu Havre gives the following as the correct list of the vessels sunk by the Germans :—The Ann, of Shields; the Alice, of Sunderland ; the Jane Tindell, of Sunderland ; the Jessamine, of Rochester. ; the Sally Gale, of Newcastle ; the Maclaren, of Sunderland ; and the Sylph, of Whitby. The " Besieged Resident," in referring to the bom bardment of Mont Avron by the Germans, says that although about . 3,000 shells were fired on the 27th, only 38 French soldiers were killed and wounded. One of the shells fell into a house where eight people were dining, and killed six of them. A Paris paper of the 30th ult. states that for some little time, and particularly since the cold had set in so severely, a lively crusade was being carried on against sparraws in some parts of the city. Not only were boys, equipped with nets or pea-shooters, engaged in the foray, but grown up citizens and fathers of families were taking part in it with the most serious air ima ginable. The German engineers and military officers who have visited Avron say it was admirably fortified. The parapets were excellent, it was provided with crenellated walls, and the ambuscades were extremely ingenious. There were three or foie• series of trenches, one above tha. other; fascines in abundance, and earthworks of admir able construction. No good artillerymen would have given up such a position on one day's firing. Until the weather set in so bitterly cold, elderly sports men, who did not care to stalk the human game outside, were to be seen from morning to night pursuing the ex citing sport of gudgeon fishing along the banks of the Seine. Each one was always surrounded by a crow deeply interested in the chase. Whenever a fish was hooked there was as much excitement as when a whale is harpooned in more northern latitudes. A special correspondent in Paris says that owing to the intense severity of the weather, no fewer than fifty senti nels have been frozen to death at the outposts, and that there are more than 1,200 cases of severe frost-bite in the military hospitals, many of which cases are likely to prove fatal. The sufferings of the people are also very great. Typhoid fever is on the increase, especially among the families from the suburbs, who are huddled together in close rooms in a stifling atmosphere that breeds pestilence. From the 19th of September to the end of December the city of Versailles has paid, for bread, meat, wine, and articlei of food " required" for the army, between 1,300,000 f. aad 1,400,000 f. There are 600 officers and 5,000 soldiers quartered on the citizens, and up to. the present time 60,000 men have been lodged in the city for from three to four days each. The city has already paid to the inhabitants for the keep of the soldiery 772,000 f., and owes for various sums borrowed to meet. its wants nearly 1,000,000 f. In cases where no quarters can be found, 6f. is paid to each officer and 3f. to each soldier daily. General Amienkow, the staff-general of the Emperor Alexander's suite, has arrived at St. Petersburg from Ver sailles, and has given a long account at a military con ference of his impressions of the scene of war, of the or ganisation and equipment of the two armies, the part played by the Prussian cavalry, the concentration of the German forces by means of the railways, and other impor tant points. The lecture occupied three hours, and was attended by officers of all ranks, who listened with the greatest interest. The Invalide Busse believes the account of the General will be published. An address has been presented to the Czar from the peasantry of the canton Gloubokovsky, in the district of Opochka, in which they thank him for reclaiming the rights of the Russian nation in the Black Sea. Some States, they hear, have menaced him in return. The nation does not tolerate a menace to its sovereign. Let him give the order, and all, small and great, will arm themselves against the insolents who dare to dispute the rights acquired by the blood of their fathers. The Czar ordered that the peasants should be thanked for the senti ments expressed by them. A correspondent of the Times, speaking of the great difficulty t tholedfire t n o poured o f o none forth m an fromfi constructing inc t h he i‘eido Ge fnrtormam Avron,t I n ie b l a n t s t da e ey ri rs e t a s : —1 c i i n yn ge f . ta `they I e of haemy sang while cutting the trenches and dragging up the guns. The former were dug on the plans and under the personal supervision, of Major Klemm, of the Saxon Engineers. So complete a range of batteries has neVer, perhaps, been executed in so short a time. The effect of their arrange ment was to expose Avron to direct fire from the front, and to a powerful cannonade on each side, and partially on the rear." In a proclamation to the Parisians occurs this passage : —" Since the cold has set in the mayors of Paris have ordered that large quantities of fuel should be cut in the woods of the city—viz., in the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes, which have been set apart for that purpose. The plantations which line the national and departmental roads are sacrificed without distinction. The large trees of our boulevards have also been cut and sold. This work has placed at our disposal immense stores, and is being accomplished with all the celerity consistent with so great a work and with the necessary transport. At the same time, all the timber-yards where the wood was prepared for use have been placed at our disposal, and, despite the enormous expense, we do not hesitate to de liver for consumption sawn planks usually reserved for building purposes." The Verite of Paris censures the Provisional Govern ment, and especially General Trochu, for stilliholding out and sacrificing life to no purpose. It asks what they hope for from continued resistance, and whither it will lead , them, calls upon them to state whether they have anY . plan that they are pursuing, and advises them to treat while they are still able to insist on good terms. General', Trochu, the article says, has frankly declared that if Paris. capitulated he would shut himself up in one of the forts" and there wait to be taken prisoner. As to the stores of provisions, the Veriti jestingly tells the war party, " Yoo add the horses to. the herrings, and multiply the codfisb by the potatoes." The other Paris papers strongly con demn the article. [ADVERTISMENT.]—HoIIoway ' s Pills.—Low Tempera ture.—Cold and changeable weather is very apt to under" mine the health, unless the stomach is kept up to Its highest state of efficiency. Holloway's Pills improve thi appetite, and so promote digestion, that a large 8 111 °` strengthening supply of new materials is thrown into the blood after every meal, whereby fresh vigour and activity' are rebestowed on every organ, ability to resist disease 1 conferred upon the system. These pillsthoroughly purify the blood, when it has been tainted by fogs, unwholesorn e , vapours, or other impurities. No medicine can ecru''' . these pills for removing biliousness, suppressing n ausea , checking flatulency, and acting as mild, yet efficien t aperients, which are suitable for either sex or any age. BIRTHS. On the 2d inst., at 9, Russell-road, Kensington, VT., the wife of J. T. Way, Esq., of a son. On the Ist inst., at Esher, the wife of Stewart Gortoo , of a daughter. M ARRIAG E S. On the 31st ult., at Crum Castle, Fermanagh, Robert G . Gaussen, Esq., late of the Grenadier Guards, to Seli" f4 third daughter of Major Cole Hamilton, of Beltritn, C(‘' Tyrone. On the 3d inst., at Streatham, Wm. IVlargetson, of Stroildt Gloucestershire, third son of the late J. S. Margetsoo; of Streatham, to Mary Ann, eldest surviving daug ht, f of the late James Morrish, of Ellerslie, Clapham-psr', DEATHS. On the 2d inst., at 456, Old Kent-road, John Pay, 94. ' aged 79. On the 31st ult., at his residence, Percy-place, Do John Ormond, Esq., aged 84. o f London : Printed by GIDEON ACLAND BOYCB , No. 112, Strand, Printer, and Published by hl t he THE SUN Office , No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct al Savoy, in the County of Middlesex. Thursday, January 5, 1.871.