The Sun. — London, England, 1857-11-19 00:00:00

_ . H ER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. JULL [EN'S CONCERTS. MDLLI. JETTY TREFFZ. The highly Successful INDIAN QUADRILLE, and IRNERAL HAVELOCK'S GRAND TRIUMPHAL MARCH The Last Night but Eight. THIS EVENING (Thursday, Nov. 19), will be pro duced (for the 7th time) the New Grand Descriptive Composi tion, by M. Jnllien, entitled THE INDIAN QUADRILLE, and GENERAL 11.1. V E LOCK'S TRIUMPHAL MARCH, performed by M. Jullien's O rchestra, assisted by the drums and fifes of the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Gua Rulerds, and the Scots Fusilier Guard s ; and a Grand Chorus, Britannia," and " God Save the Queen." rites of Admission—Promenade, is ; Upper Roxes, s. ; Gallery, Is. ; Dress Circle, 2s. 6d. ; Private Boxes, 10s. 61. and upwards. Prospectuses, with full particulars, may be had at the Box *lce of the Theatre ; of all the principal libraries ; and at dallies and Co.'s, 214, Regent-street. HEr. MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The GRAND BAL MASQUE, which will *lose M. Jullien's Nineteenth Season of Concerts (1857), will take place on MONDAY, Nov. 30. Applications tip be made at the Box-office of the Theatre. ------- , THEATRE ROYAL, HA.YMARKET. Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. _MIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock. with a new Comedy, entitled AN UNEQUAL M LTCH. Princi pal characters by Messrs. Buckstone, Compton, Chippendale, W. Farren, Miss Amy Sedgwick, Mrs. Buckingham White, an Mrs. E. Fitzwilliana. After which, BOX AND COX. Box, Mr. Buckstone ; Cox, Mr. Compton. To conclude with THE SWISS COTTAGE. Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the evening), 6s. each. (No charge for booking.) • First Price. s. d. Second price. s. d Dress Boxes 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0 Upper Boxes .. 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0 Pit 1, ,wer Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6 Upper Gallery 0 6No half-price to Upper Gallery. R OY AL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean. LAST WE' 4 .IC BUT TWO OF THE TEMPEST. THIS BTENING, will be performed Skakspere's Play of TEE TEMPEST. Preceded by a new farce, in one act, entitled A CASE OF CONSCIENCE. T HEATRE ROYAL, ADEL.PHI. Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS ETENING, will be performed BETTY MARTIN. After which, a new romantic drama, called THE LEGEND OF THE HEADLESS MAN, and in which Mr. Benjamin Webster and Madame Celeste will perform. Pollowed by the original Apropos Sketch, entitled THE DRAPERY' QUESTION ; or, Who's for India ? Messrs. Wright, P. Bedford, C. Selby; Miss M. Wilton and Miss Mary Keeley. ROYAL LYCEUM THE A.T RE.—Lessee, Mr. Dillon. —llnd er the joint management of Miss LOUISA PYNK and Mr. W. HARRISON. THIS EVENING, will be pe formed Balfe's new opera, THE ROSE OF C NSTILLE. Characters by MlB3 Lon'sa Pyne, Miss Susan Pyne, Miss Marian Prescott, Mr. Weiss, Mr. A_ St. Albyn, Mr. G. Honey, \lr. Wallworth, and Mr. W. Harrison. Conductor, M-. Alfred Mellon. lo conclude with the new Farce, entitled A PAIR OF PIG EONS. Mr. G. Honey and Miss Cuthbert. Private Boxes, £2 12s. 6d., £2 25., and £l. lls. 6d. ; Stalls, 6e. ; Dress Circle, ss. ; Upper Boxes, 4s. ; Pit, 25.; Gallery . , ls.—The Box ()face is now open daily, from 11 to t, under the direction of Mr. Chatterton, jun. d'ap. 0Y AL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessees, Messrs. Robson and Emden. TIIIS! EVENING, will be performed THE LIGHT. HOUSE. Mr. Robson, , Sic. Followed by the new comedy, called LEADING STRINGS. Messrs. Addison, G. Vining, H. Wigan ; Miss Marston and Mrs. Emden (late Miss Somers). Commence at half-past Seven. TRAND THEATRE.—THIS EVENING, will he performed THE GENTLEMAN OPPOSITE. After which, THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. John Peerybingle, Mr. Emery; Dot, Miss M. A. Victor; Bertha, Miss Herbert. To conclude with TAKE THAT GIRL AWAY. Mr. Tilbury, Mr. Leicester Buckingham, and Miss Herbert Commence at Seven. Stalls. 35.; Boxes, 25.; Pit, Is.; Gallery 6d. ; Private Boxes, 1/. ls. OYAL SURREY THEATRE. Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswiek. THIS EVENING, will be performed a new and powerful drama, entitle I INDIA. IN 1857. Messrs. Shepherd, Cres wick, W. Smith, Vollaire, B. Potter, Widdicomb, Belmore, Tapping ; Miss M. Eburne, Miss Webster, Miss Chalmers, Miss Johnstone. After which, THE BARRISTER. Followed by OUR TRAVIATA. The Blighted One, Mr. Widdicomb. C&INTER BU RY HALL, Westminster-road.— OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow- nz, , company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of selections from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS, CHORUSES, GLEES, D UETS, mac., via. :—Miss Russell, Mrs. Badzey, Madlle. Marietta, Mrs. Palmyre, Hiss Bru nel], and Madame Marietta; Herr P. Jonghmans, Mr. Renshaw, R. Grover, T. Farcant. S. Toner,, J. Barker, W. Melling, Senor Anionio, E. L. Himo, and Mr. St. Aibyn; Messrs. 3. Collins, W. 'I. CritclOeld, and E. Mack ney. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks: harmonium, Master Williams; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at Seven o'clock precisely. Suppers, dre., until twelve o'clock. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tam DAY—Morn., 8 min. aft. 3—Even., 25 min aft. 3 To.MORBOW—Morn., 41 min. aft. 3—Even., 0 min. aft. 4 THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, NOVEMBER 19. THERMOMETER, IN THE SSA.DE. 54—highest since noon yesterday. 44—lowest this morning and during the night. 47—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30.33. WIND, S.S.E. ; light, with cold hazy weather. 4v& ;tun, 4,t,,k money lenders may increase their already exorbi tant wealth at the expense of the smaller fry, and of those who are striving to earn their doily bread by their daily labour. The evil is now rapidly spreading, both id England and America, to the working populations. Thousands and tens of thousands of men, able and willing to work, are reduced to idleness, or compelled to go on half-time. They are thus de graded from their normal condition, as the crea tors and producers of national wealth, to that of unprofitable consumers. But will they submit patiently to such an untoward state of affairs for the exclusive benefit of usurious blood-suckers? We fear that all the blandishments of the Times and its sycophantic disciples will not persuade them to do so, and that serious riots may occur. The artisans and operatives may not understand the causes that have led to such deplorable re sults, but they feel the effects intensely, and cAla scarcely see their wives and children sub jected to severe privations with that pro- I ( found equanimity which the Times inculcates, with rather a bad grace. Our soldiers, so long as they had confidence in their leaders would brave any dangers, endure any sufferings, but, when those dangers and sufferings were to be directly traced to the imbecility, or worse than imbecility, to the dishonesty of those placed in command, we could not feel greatly surprised if disaffection should prevail, and a mutinous spirit be manifested. So will it be with the people, un less immediate steps be adopted to remove the serious grievance to which they are subjected. The great question at issue—that of gold v. labour—must speedily be decided, one way or the other, or the people may feel disposed to take the aw into their own hands, and to force immediate judgment. The Government, in pursuance of the OVER. STONE theory, permitted matters to go on " to the last extremity, when the danger of general confusion had become imminent." This cannot now be stopped by the very inadequate relief they have thought proper to afford. We explained some weeks since that the mere suspension of the Act of 1844 would not now suffice. That of 1819 must share a similar fate, or at all events there must be an extensive issue of 11.-notes, which by economising the use of gold may still render it adequate to the purposes for which it is used—and which, if issued to the extent of twenty millions, would, as Mr. JAS. WILSON, the enthusiastic ad vocate of bullionism, declared, " immediately add to the effective capital of the country, to our stock of commodities, or, which is the same thing, our command over them, just as much as if we dug that amount of bullion out of the centre of England." We have repeatedly pointed out the absurdity of the prohibition of these useful in struments of exchange, which in 1825 saved the Bank of England and the Nation, and would do so again if properly introduced. The Times alludes to the American difficulty as conclusive against the use of a virtually unlimited paper currency, but this is a fallaoy. The failure and panic in America are attributable to the con duct of the Government, that refused to receive a single note in payment of taxes or duties, and thus so far as practicable cast discredit on the entire system. If there was a really national note receivable in payment of taxes in every State in the Union—such as we demand for Eng land, there would have been no difficulty. The smart Yankees, who refused the totes of the neighbouring • States, for the purpose of extracting heavy discounts from the holders, occa sioned the mischief, and both the Government and the sharp practitioners have well merited the severe lesson they have received. There could be no danger of the depreciation of really national notes, of small denominations, receivable by every Government department in this country ; and the issue thereof will alone suffice to meet the existing difficulty. At length we know the value at which the Government estimates the services of those gal lant men by whom the Sepoy Mutiny has been crushed, and our Indian Empire preserved to the United Kingdom. The honours have, unques tionably, been tardily bestowed, and are by no means unreasonable in account. Sir Joni LAW • RENCE has been made a G.C.B. of the Civil Division, for his extraordinary and most efficient efforts in the Punjaub, which may to a certain extent be said tohave saved India. WILSON and HAVELOCK are each raised to the secondary dignity of K.C.B. I The capture of Delhi, the relief of CawnporeindLucknow, and the series of brilliant victories achieved by the truly gallant HAVELOCK are thus lightly estimated by the Government. Why, if they had destroyed their brigades and totally failed in all they were bound to accom plish they would, judging from precedent, have received just the same distinctions . It is scarcely worth while, so far as stars, and riband,l, and titles are concerned, to take much trouble to earn them. The capture of Delhi has enabled the General in command to add a handle to his name, but no other person has obtained an equal reward. It is tree that it is stated that if the deeply lamented NICHOLSON had survived his wounds, he also would have been added to the list ; but what of Brigadier JONES, of Colonel CAMPBELL, and the other survivors, who so nobly headed the columns in that terrible onslaught ? They have not been even deemed worthy of the third rank of the order—VAN CORTLA.NDT, and CHAMBERLAIN, are the only two who have received even so trifling a recognition of their services. Again, Cawnpore and Lucknow together, are only good for a single Sir-ship, just what a Civic tailor might obtaia for presenting a toadying address to the PRINCE CONSORT. Nor is there a single officer made a C.B. for these noble feats of desperate courage. INGLIS, the commander of the devoted garrison, was not deemed sufficieutly worthy. Verily, the Government are indeed chary of the rewards, which they have dealt forth with niggard hands to their faithful and truly meritorious servants. This is simply because these real heroes are men of the middle class ; because they have not so called noble blood in their veins. If they could trace their origin to a libertine Mon Arch, or even an influential Peer, albeit their escutcheons might be obscured by the bar sinister, they would have more suitable recompences. But their virtues are concealed by " the cold shade of aristocracy," and anything is good enough for those who have not near relatives in either branch of the Legislature. But the People will nct so judge their heroes ; with us they will exclaim—Houour 13 to all who have so nobly vindicated the supremacy of our arms against the traitorous and bloodthirsty villains who have frantically endeavoured to subvert our rightful domination ! Honour to the energetic LAWRENCE, to WILSON of Delhi, to NICHOLSON the prompt, to NEILL, the avenger ! But dotyle honour be to the bravest of the brave —"the noblest Briton of them all"--the daunt less warrior, who, if the national will receive a fitting exposition, will speedily be enrolled LONDON, THURSDAY, NOT. It, 1857. Day after day it is our painful duty to record failures of first-class firm; whose solvency was never suspected, whose credit was never impaired, until they were crushed by the baleful operation of the iniquitous monetary cede of 1844. The proceedings already taken have proved, beyond the possibility of doubt, the general soundness of trade, and that the misfortunes of these eminent firms have been occasioned, mainly, if not en tirely, by the famine of currency occasioned by the restrictions established by Sir R. PEEL on the circulating medium. We may, in fact, speak of it nearly in the terms adopted by the Committee of the House of Lords, in their valuable report on the monetary crisis of 1847. We assert that " the recent (and we regret to say still existing) panic was materially aggravated by the operation cf the statute, and the proceedings of the Bank itself. This effect may be traced directly to the Act of 1844, in the legislative restriction im posed on the means of accommodation, whilst a large amount of bullion was held in the coffers of the Bank. * * * * And it may be traced to the same cause indirectly, as a consequence of great fluctuations in the rate of discount." It is true that on the present occasion the foreign Exchanges, in place of being favourable, have been quite the other way, and that capital has not been recently advanced at an unusually low rate of interest; but these facts prove not only the inapplicability of the act of 1844 to the internal trade of the country, but aIFO of that of 1819, on which it was fouud2d, and of which it was described to be " the necessary complement." Trade and manufactures cannot be maintained with a minimum rate of 10 per cent. for discount to the most favoured classes, and perhaps double that amount to those who, though no less solvent, in proportion to their liabilities, possess inferior influence. We therefore hear of suspensions, where we are assured by the bullionist organ that " no ultimate loss need be apprehended," although it may easily be conceived that the credit of the parties who have been unable to weather the storm has been completely destroyed, and that the capital invested will be annihilated—and all this, that the' MODeyocracy may be enabled to purchase 40 s . worth of goods for 203., or, as we have alr ea d y • cited, that " prudent (i. e. overreaching) credi tors should be empowered to ruin their unfortu n-Aci debtors," or, as the Times recently gated, "t• face one portion of the community, wLo 'allow themselves to be drawn ict3 a panic, to part with their property at a sacrifice, to another ainci a more dear-headed portion, who find theinselv. 3 in a condition, to buy it." That is the sole end and object of the Bank Charter Act, viz., to create an artificial scarcity of money, so that numerous I 11E S u - ',- LONDON, THU !Is Dicir EVPNI -n \37 amongst the Imperial Peers, reflecting honour upon that august assembly, by the style and title of HENRY, Baron HAVELOCK, of Lucknow. It seems the Italians are openly expressing their wonder at the supineness of England in re gard to the two British prisoners of the King of NAPLES. It is universally known that they are detained untried in defiance of the law of Naples as well as of the law and courtesy of nations. On the last point, indeed, little could be expected from the bully whom we suffer to exist as mo narch of subjects who want but a hint from us to throw him into the crater of Mount Vesuvius, or to employ him in examining the depths of Scylla and Charydis. But his refusal to allow the prisoners the benefit of Neapolitan laws is an in sult to England in the person of these poor men at which it is no wonder that all Italy is asto nished. It is openly said, as indeed we have said here, that if France or America had prisoners in the same position, but four-and-twenty-hours' notice would be given from the state cabin of a commander's frigate, and, failing attention to it, a notice of another kind would immediately follow. Of the latter notice there would certainly be no need. FERDINAND'S subjects would not submit to a bom bardment to gratify the infatuated obstinacy of the Virgin's chief petticoat maker. Then, an indem nity for their sufferings and losses, too, would be immediately forthcoming. It seems that even the harsh Neapolitan laws do permit the accused to see his advisers after what may be called " a true bill" has been found. This process has been completed some time ; yet the accused are kept at Salerno awaiting a trial which never commences, and, notwith standing all Lord CLARENDON and our Consul can do, the latter is not permitted even to see them. We feel ourseives disgraced as Eng lishmen by this. We feel, as Mr. BUCHANAN or LOUIS NAPOLEON would assuredly feel, that this is not a case to palter with, if we are to retain a shadow of self-respect. We have Lord LYONS close at hand ; why not put the _business in his hands. Instruct him to bring away the prisoners —leave the process to him—and we will answer for it, he will redeem English reputation in the Mediterranean in a few hours. We write delibe rately. We have no notion of lowering ourselves for ever before every despot of England. If we can not enforce justice against diplomacy and red tape, on behalf of British citizens in the hands of crackbrained and contemptible despots, then let our Admiral strike his flag at once, and return to Spithead. THE BANK CHARTER ACT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SlR,—The suspension of the Bank Charter Act of 1844 sooner or later was clearly to be foreseen. In a letter I published last November I remarked that its knell was tolling, and that in all probability it might again have to be suspended before the meeting of Par liament ; that events were rolling on which, re)istless as the ocean's tide, would sweep away all legal obstructions to natural laws. Our trade was increasing under the influence of free-trade piinciples at an enormous rate, and must continue to increase at the same rate when confidence is restored. The wholesale portion if that trade is carried on by credit money, by bills, which are engagements to pay legal tender money at distant periods. When shooks to credit take place, and come they will sooner or later from one cause or another—and this time the shock bas come with avengeance from Ame rica—the issuers of these promises to provide legal ten der money have to look out sharply for the means of fulfilling their engagements failing which, bank ruptcy is their fate. The whole commercial world was, therefore, for legal tender money, and where is it ? —it is but a drop compared to the ocean of credit money. In this country (thanks to the wisdom of Lord" Overstone) there is a law, the Bank Charter Act. of 1844, which prohibits the increase of legal tender paper money under any circumstances whatsoever. Now the apprehension of a deficiency of legal tender money was the cause of the panic in Oct. 1847. The London bankers waited on the Chancellor of the Exchequer and said, " let us have notes, charge 10 or 12 per cent. for them, we don't cart what the rate of interest is." By notes, they meant legal tender money wherewith to discharge legally their debts, they did net want them lie mummy, for in a panic where trade is paralysed less currency is needed, but, as the one ihing nestle], legal tender money. The same apprehension of a deficiency of legal tender money has now again occurred, and a panic is the natural conJequence—al run for it to protect themselves against all possille ccntingeec es. Sauve qui pout, is the general cry, for it is well known that the Act of 1844 limits the supply, and now, and in Oct., 1847, the panic is again stopped by the suspension of the Act. The ♦ery essence of the Act is the prohibition to issue more legal tender paper money, and yet when the prohibition—the cause of the panic —'s removed, and the panic cured, it is contended, that unless an actual increase of issues takes place, the Act itself will not have been infringed. Has not the position I have endeavoured to establish, that the rate of discount de. pends fundamentally on the demand and supply of the legal tender, been verified by the suspension of the Act. The rate in the City before the issue of the Government letter was 15 per cent., immediately afterwards it fell to 8 per cent. So far the Government has taken the right to remove the panic, the unlimited issue of legal tender paper money on approved securities, still another step is necessary to revive trade, to setourAmerican customers on their legs again, and enable them to pay their debts to us, and buy our goods. This may be done by letting them have in exchange for their cotton and corn the gold we can spare from our retail trade, by the issue of one pound notes as the substitute for sovereigns. The gold used in the retail trade is a distinct stock, as Adam Smith says, to that employed in the wholesale trade— evidenced by the stock in the Bank of England being reduced to less than 7,000,0001., notwithstanding all the efforts to increase it, whilst the whole stock : the country is 70,000,0001., chiefly use 1 for shopping. Spare a few millions of this by substiintieg one pound notes, and let them go to America, and con fidence will be restored and trade revived. Nay, the very anticipation of the supply wilt produce these effects in a great degree. I will conclude by repeating my prediction that the knell of the Bank Charter Act of 1844 is tolling. The chief mourners at the interment will be Lord O•erstone and the Bank directors— the former representing the moneyocracy, for the exclusive benefit of which class the act operates, and the latter as deploring the loss of their monopoly. These friends of the act were the sole sup porters of its character before the late Parliamentary in quest. The funeral dirge will be channted by the writer of the City Money Article in the Times, whom rumour with its thousand tongues proclaims to be a paid and faithful servant of the Bank of England.—l am, Sir, yours sincerely, HA.ME ft STA NSFELD. The Grange, Burly, near 0:ley, Nov. 17, 18.57. TO TUB EDITOS OF THE SUN. SIB,—It is evident that the public must he prepared for a series of such articles as that in the Times of ttais day ; but I conceive that there are few amongst its readers who will not consider that its illustrations in the money article are unfortunate—as not applicable to the cause they ars intended to support. Instead of the in terference of Government affecting the value of every article of commerce, it has prevented the ♦alue of every article being effected. It has not yet appeared, with re spect to any of the firms which have become embarrassed, that the stoppages have been caused by reckless trading ; for the same paper has pretty generally intimated that the firms were so substantial, that no ultimate loss need be apprehended ; that even the gull, which has been supplied to some establishments, will speedily be re turned into the coffers of the Bank. The real defect has been proved to be the want of a sufficiently circulating medium, in proof of which, it has also been stated, that the bill, which have been offered for discount, have, by the same means, been passed with as much facility as they c )uld have been in the easiest times. With regard to the rate of discount, that must be treated by those who now require accommodation, as they would a bad deb' ; but what would have been the conseqaences, no one can foretell, if, as the Times intimates, the rate might have been 20 or 30 per cent., without this con cession, independent of the universal panic, which they also adroit might have taken place, if no extea sion of the ILnk issues had been advised. flow the trade of a country, which has been ioc-eas , i fourfold since the Act of '44, can beimaintained with ut some hatter /T o -rt.:La:ons v 4 ith regard to the currency, is a matter which will, no doubt, receive the serious con sideration of Parliament.—l am, &c , A CONSTANT READER. Nov. 17, 1857. Prince Deinidoff, the envoy of Russia to the Curt of Tu*c.tny, has left Vienna for Floreece. Marshal Thsquet is at present at Pau, and intends to pass part •f the winter there. The Duchess of Nassau has just given birth to a daughter at Wtesbadtn. The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk are passing the season at Arundel Castle, surrounded by a select circle of friends. The Earl of Yarborough has arrived in town, after a se:lour of some weeks in Italy. The noble earl and tl couiiteis go in a few days to Manby Hall, Lincolnshire. The Earl and Countess of Lanesborough have returned to Swithland Hall, Leicestershire, where they intend to pass the winter, from Laneeborough Lodge, county Cavan. LATEST NEWS. MEDITERRANEAN TELEGRAPH. The directors of the Mediterranean Extension Telegraph Company have this day received the following telegraphic despatch, dated Cagliari, Wednesday, Nov. 18 : " We yesterday completed successfully the submarine cable between Cagliari and Malta in seventy hours. We intend to start on Saturday for Corfu. (Signed) " R. S. NEWALL. " CHARLES LEDDELL." The Paris correspondent of the Times (second edition) says : " A telegraphic despatch from Constantinople announces that, pursuant to instructions received from Paris, M. Thouvenel had consented to be reconciled with Redschid Pasha, and that the reconciliation will take place without the honour of either party suffering in the least. " A difference is said to have arisen between England and Turkey on the one hand, and Russia on the other, on the subject of the trade and navigation of the Black Sea. This difference threatened to assume some importance, but it appears that the French and Prussian Govern ments have interposed between the parties, and suggested that the solution should be left to the Congress." A St. Petersburg letter says :—According to the latest intelligence, the relations between Russia and China have taken a hostile turn. At all events, the Court of Pekin has refused to re ceive the Russian ambassador. It is evident that the generally hostile attitude of the Chinese Go vernment towards foreigners has become still more so since the suspension of military operations against it in consequence of the rebellion iu India. The interior troubles of the country are to be ap peased, and the Chinese Government now flatters itself that it is able to make head against Europe. Since Cbina shuts her ears to all pacific negotia tion, we shall at last be compelled to adopt the most energetic measures. There is one important circumstance which we must always keep in mind, viz., that Russia and China are close neighbours along a great extent of common frontier, and that our new establishments on the Amour river must be protected." FRANCE. PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING. The following telegraphic despatches have been received here : " BERLIN, Nov. 18.—The committee of the Germanic Diet will make its report te-morrow on the Holstein affair. Bavaria, as the most considerable of the States of the Confederation not having possessions other than German, has been charged with the task of drawing up the report, in order to preserve to the Holstein affair its purely German character." "BERNE, Nov 17.—The Federal Council has decided that it will not appoint diplomatic or consular agents in Turkey ; also that it will not treat with any power for the purpose of placing under its protection the Swiss residing in the Turkish dominions." "Teal; Nov. 17.—The elections definitively known up to this time are 65 in number, and may be divided as follows :—Ministerial, 42 ; doubtful, 3 ; clerical, 20." BOUB,SE, Nov. 18.—The market was very buoy ant at the opening, from the fact that important remittances had been received yesterday from New York by several commercial firms. The following were the last quotations : Cash. fr. End of Month. 4. per Cents 3 per Cents 67 67 10 Bank Shares 2900 Credit Fonder 5OO Credit Mobilier 757 50 Roman 1 — Do. Account 752 50 Austrian • BB Belgian 14 (xd)...... 95t— Spanish Threes 4o— ) Fiedmoutese (5) 9O Home Debt RAILW A."/ 13--, 0 B CASH. tr. c. .tr c. Orleans 1270 Midi 4 — Northern - Western New Ditto 1 — Lyons and Med Bl7l— Grand Central New Ditto... ....... 8024 Sardinian 4 — Geneva BELGIUM. The Telegraphe of Brussels says :—" It is posi tive that M. Rosier, the new minister, has hid a conference with the Prince de Ligne, president of the Senate, and that the result is that nothing op poses the establishment of good relations between the ministry and that body. M. Frere intends to mark his return to office by the presentation of a bill on the revision of the prevent system of taxation, on which he has employed his leisure since his re tirement from the cabinet in 1852." PRUSSIA. The Bourse Gazette of Berlin says :—" The Bank of Prussia, in accordance with a decision of its go- vernors, has given notice to a certai n number of its depositors to withdraw their money or to leave it at a reduced rate of interest. It has not, however, discontinued to discount commercial bills, but it refuses any loan which it conceives to be of a nature to lead to an exportation of the precious metals to foreign countries." SARDINIA. The Piedmontese Gazette announces that Count Camillo Cavour has been elected at Turin by the first college. The members elected by the other colleges are :—Marquis Pallavicitio, Commanders G ilvagno and Nolla, and Colonel Cavilli. In the seventh college, the election was doubtful, and a second c )ntest was to take place between Count Level and Advocate Brufferio. General Alfonso Latnarmora has been elected at Biella ; Count Solaro della Margherita (extreme right) has been elected at Varese, Borgomanero, and Carru. NAPLES. NAPLES, Nev. 10.—The following is a translation of a legal opinion as to the prohibition by this Go vernment to permit the English engineers now in prison to see their Consul, it will add to its autho rity if it is known that it is the united decision of several of the first advocates of Naples after a long and laborious discussion. " According to the law, an imputato cannot speak with his advocate until the process has been made public ; that is to say, until the instruzione of the case is completed, and it has been handed into the Chancery of the court previous to trial. In English phraseology we should say until a true bill has been found. The trial may then be proceeded with immediately ; but usually an interval of a few . days elapses, when the prisoner is per mitted to communicate with his counsel." Now, m irk, this the only prohibition set up by the Neapolitan law ; and even this has ceased to exist, as the instruzione with regard t o these men is completed, and, they have been tent down to Salerno to stand t h e i r tr i al. The law, ho wever, throws not th e s li g h tes t impediment its the way of a prisoner's h av i ng f ree communication wit h his relatives, frie n d s , or representatitee, and it is an established m ax i m th a t silence sanctions. Suc h 1)s-dug the law of N a pl es , what is the posit ion of the two British subjects now in prison at Salernos The circumstances of their arrest are well known. This is tke fifth month of their confinement without trial. Not a friend has been permitted to visit them Our energetic Acting-Consul; Mr. Barbar, has made repeated applications for permission to do so, without effect. Lord Clarendon has directed a formal demand for such a permisiion, still the doors move not. The Neapolitan law is grossly violated in the case of two British subjects, and the name of Englishman ceases to be a protection in the world, when, in the Two Sicilies ab NO all other countries, men who bear the honoured name can be treated with such indignity with impunity. Ara the social amenities, and a desire to conciliate the dear Ma jesty of the Two Sicilies, again and again to be urged as a reas for not maiuta,ining our national dignity ? Why, his Majesty laughs at us, and sets us at defiance, and we have become a byword throughout Italy ! SPAIN• The Madrid journals of the 14th give details re specting the new conspracy discovered in aim/lona, from which it appears that it was got up by Carlists and Republicans, and that some members of the former party, residing in France, were concerned in it. They add that a notorious Carlist, named Montserrat, who was at the head of the affair, had been arrested and condemned to death ; but that his execution had been postponed in consequence of biS having offered to make disclosures. The Queen has ordered court mourning for a fort night, for the late Duchess de Neniours. The Clamor Public° states that it is not likely that the financial crisis under which several countries of Europe are labouring will affect Spain, and that the situation of the bank of that country is highly saqsfactor3r. Several of the journals speak of the probability of taking off the state of siege in the provinces of Valence, Aragon, and Andalusia. The price of wheat continued to give way. The Madrid journals continue the publication of the defence of Queen Christina ; they have now arrived at the chapters which refer to the share her Majesty had in the affair of the A.ranjuez railway. The Chamber of Accusation of Genoa closed the inquiry on the disturbances of June last on the 13th inst. Of the accused, 42 are to stand their trial before the Court of A-,size ; seven, including Miss White, are set ai liberty, ani orders of arrest have been issued against 20 more who have ab sconded. M. Savi, the editor of the Italiane Popolo, is among those who are to be tried. The reduction of the Austrian army hag been sauctioncd. The Marquis of Normanby, British minister to the courts of Florence and Parma, ar: ived at the latter city on the 9th, with Lady Normanby. On the following day, they received an invitation to the royal villa of Sala, whence they returned on the 12th and set out immediately after for Modena. ARRIVAL OF THE AUS.PRALIAN AND BOMBAY MAILS. The Royal Mail Company's steamer Aus tralasian, Captain Jaffray Sceales, arrived at Southampton yesterday afternoon, with the heavy portion of the mails from Australia and Bombay, comprising in all 513 boxes. She left Alexandria on the 6th inst., at 8 a.m. and Malta on the 10th, at 7 a.m.; had fine weather, with fresh breezes and smooth sea, during the voyage. The Australasian brings in all 55 passengers, among whom are Captain Bird and Captain Ellison (Aide-de Camp to General Pennefather), invalided Ifrom Malta. On freight she had 149 packages of golddwst, value 525,9161. sterling; and her cargo consists of 283 casks of dates, 73 cases of gum, 31 bales of wool, 139 trusses and 10 cases of elephants' teeth, and 64 packages of sundries. At Alexandria were her Majesty's surveying steamship Tartarus, the Peninsula and Oriental Company's steamships Indus and Valetta, and a Russian frigate and brig (names unknown). At Malta were her Majesty's ships Royal Albert (flag of Admiral LordiLyons), Conqueror, Princess Royal, Centurion, Vulture, Vigilant, Coquette, Boxer, Wanderer, Harpy, Hibernian gaardship, and Supply storeship. i The Australasian did not speak any chips on the passage. The Enieu, which brought the Australian mail to Suez, ran ashore, as has already been stated, on a coral reef in the Red Sea, about 700 miles from Suez. She was going at fell speed, and ran about 30 feet on the reef. After being stuck fast for 53 hours, she was got off by cutting away the rock and backing her out. She was torn very much forward, and made water fast. She was then driven on a favourable beach, and the water pumped out of her by the crew and passengers, and patched up so that she was enabled to reach Suez. If it bad not been for her watertight compartments and the exertions of the passengers she would never have got off the rocks. She was ashore eight days re pairing. The Admiralty agent, wish two passengers and the purser, left the Emeu, and went on board a native sailing boat, carrying with them about 150 boxes of mails, containing chiefly letters. This was three weeks ago, and it is not expected that they can reach Suez oefore the latter end of this week. They are in an open boat, with a head wind, and theirsufferingsmust be dreadful. The Emeu's going ashore was the fault of the native pilot. She will be unable to proceed to Australia with the mail which left England on the 12th ult., and will have to go to Calcutta, or some other ndian port, in 1 company with another ship to be repaired. The outward Australian mail of the 12th ult. must wait at Suez for the Simla, which is expected at that port I on the 22d inst. The Australasian will prove a fast steamer ; she, however, consumes a large quantity • of coals. 1 In addition to the intelligence from New South Wales to the 10th Sept., which we published on Monday, and that from Melbourne to the 17th, which we gave on Tuesday, as received via Mar seilles, the following information about the affairs of the province of Victoria is suppliad by the completer files of the Melbourne Age and Argus which have now come to hand. In the Legislative Assembly the Government has succeeded, notwithetauding great opposition, in passing the Land Bill, the effect of which wilt be to give all the squatters a legal tenure and priority of purchase of the extensive tracts of public land occupied by them as sheep-runs. It is expected, however, that in the Upper House, or Legislative Council, the bill will undergo Caine modificatiou. The Argus says : That ?antlers, as well as squatters, have a right to enjoy the use of a portion of the unsold crown lands for depasturing purposes, has been admitted by the bill lately passed by the assembly. Whether this ever becomes law or not is still very doubtful ; but as the bill now stands, it is proposed that, on petition from the occupiers of cultivated land, the Governor in Council shall have power to set apart as agricul tural pasturage an extent of waste land in their immedi ate neighbourhood equal to tbat held by the petitioners. 'This recognition of the right of agriculturists to a share of the natural pasturage is of more value as a matter of principle than for the actual benefit that will be conferred on the present tillers of the soil by the bill, if it is finally passed in its present shape. This privilege is to be granted on terms which will prevent many of the farmers from obtaining any portion of the so-called agricultural pasturage at all, and will not allow of its being turned to the best account by those who do. All lands taken from the licensed squatting occupiers for this purpose, are to be exposed to public auction in lots of such extent as may seem best to the Land Board, ned let for one year to the highest bidder. Under this system of com petition it is not probable that the grass-land set apart for their use and benefit will be divided among the farmers in proportion to the quantity of purchased land held by each. Even though it may be put up in small lots, it is almost certain to fall into the hands of a few persons who will be able to pay a higher rent per acre for a number of these small allotments than each would be worth by itself. As these are only to be let for one year certain, it will not be worth the holders' while to feece them in, and but little use can be made of 50 or 100 acres of unfenced land. Of far more benefit will be the power proposed to be given to future purchasers of special country lots, of not more than 160 acres each, to occupy an adjoining allotment of the same size for pas toral purposes, for which he will have to pay a yearly rent at the rate of 6 per cent. on the value, with a right to complete the purchase at any time within three years if he shall have brought into cultivation two-thirds of his own allotmeet. This provision will be beneficial to the settler, not only in giving him the use of a portion of grass-land for a time at a moderate rent, but it will, in point of fact, enable him to purchase a farm of 320 acres, or less, and retain half the purchase - money for three years, for the purposes of improvement. To small capi talists this wid be a very great boon. We also find the following : A bill for amending the law relating to the management of the gold fields is passing through the Assembly, One dies principal provisions consists of the'abelition of the present local courts, and the substitution for them of two courts, one of a judicial and the other of a legislative character—the former to be hell under the presidency of judges to be appointed by the Governor. The Legisla tive Court will be elective. The two courts will maks all rules for the local management of the gold fields on which they are situated, will determine disputes, settle claims, and will severally fulfil the functions of county courts and municipal council-. After eoteiderable dither, Mr. Daffy has brought up the report of a select committee appointed many months ago to consider the question of a federal union between the Australian colonies, and the following are its princi pal recommendations :- 1. That the legislatures of New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania, be requested to select three delegates each, two of whom might be members of as sembly, and one a member of council, to meet three dele gates from this colony. 12. That these delegates assembled in conference be empowered to frame a plan of federation, to be after wards submitted, for approval, either to the colonial legislatures, or directly to the people, or to both, as may be determined ; and to receive such further legislative sanction as may appear necessary. 3 That the expenditure incident to the Conference enall be borne by the respective colonies, in whatever propor i ins may he fixed by the Conference itself 4. That the Conference shall hold its meeting in what ever place the m:sjority of the delegates may determine ; their decisions being interchanged in writing within a month of their elections being completed. No little interest was excited by a movement on the part of the Attorney-General for the abolition of State Ai 1. When the third readicg of the bill was called for, in the Lower Reuse, it was announced that an " ar rangement" had been made by a compromise of conflict• ing opinions, the result of which would be that of " ex tending the period of State aid being granted to clergy. men to 1860 instead of 1859, and limit the granting of stase aid for building purpieses to 1860 instead of 1861, as prici led in the bill as it at present stands." So it resulto2. The report of the railway committee has been issued. TLey recommend that the construction of railwte should be committed to the state, and not to private companies, that the structure of the works and permanent way should be strong, durable, and substantial ; and 2 trunk lines should be first farmed—one from Geelong to Bal larat, the other from Melbourne to Sandhurst—with a view to further extension to the Murray ; that they should be commenced at the same period ; that each of these should have a double, not single line of rails, that contracts for the execution of tae works are to be taken by tender, either for the whole of the lines or for sections of them ; that tee contractors, before engaging in the works, must deposits sufficient sum with the government as security for the proper performance of the contract rs y T A I p I 0, 1 `...) .1 :7) ,1) that the capital required for the coat of construction, &c., be raised by loan, on the issue of government debentures for 1001. each, to the amount of 6,000,0001., payable (principal and interest) in London, and of other deben tures for 161. each, payable in Melbourne, both bearing 6 per cent. interest to be paid ant of the consolidated revenue, and redeemable in twenty-live years, that the debentures, if not taken up by the contractors, should cot be at once thrown upon the London Stock Exchange, but should be first, brought to the notice of the great London capitalists, with a view to gettiog them to tender for the loan ; that a detailed statement of in come and expenditure be published quarterly in connexion with the usual quarterly abstracts published of the colo nial revenue and expenditura ; that the Board of Works, consisting of the President, the Chief Commissioner of Public Works, the Surveyor-General, and two paid members, have the superintendence of the construction of the lines under their control ; and that on the corn pletion of the lines, the management of the railways should not be vested in the government. Such were the recommendations of the committee ; bat, after a long and careful deliberation, the Parliament has decided upon a direct line to Castlemaine also. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. For the last two months the import markets have been characterised by an almost unrelieved stagnancy. The specu'atien which was so rife previously had transferred large stocks of all our staple articles of consumption into second hands, and as no opening for speculative operations have offered for many weeks, importers have not been able to quit at a rate commensurate with the constant arrivals, and stocks have again accumu lated on first hands. The stores, banded and free, are overcrowded with goods, a large amount of capital is kept idle, and importers generally are oomph Lang of the impossibility of realising froin the absence of a de nand pr 'portionate to the supply. This state of things must continue, unless on the one band, the reckless strippers at home can be induced to withhold consign. ments, or on the other, the consuming power of the country can be increased three or four fold. While over-produc tion is maintained at the present rate, the former will be utterly impracticable. The excessive stocks must be forced into market somewhere and shipments on speculation will continue as extensive as we now find them. Unfor tueately, while the public funds are expended freely in encouraging immigration, but little care is taken to find employment for the crowds of new arrivals constantly pouring into our ports. The average consumption of goods of all kinds is net sustained, because hardly a tithe of the 10,000 who have entered the colony during the last two months have found occupation or adequate means of support. Hence, while the population numeri cally increases at a rapid rate, the scale of consumption is declining, for with increase in numbere comes more general impoverishment. One rea,on of the non-fulfilment of the hopes which were entertained at the commencement► -F the winter, has been the lung continuance of dry weatLe. ktusiness on the diggings has been greatly depressed,`: cause. The men have been compelled to work for teeny months without realising—there being no sufficient supply of water to enable 'hem to " vra , h up." Hence they have lived very largely on credit, thus drawing upon the re sources of the storekeeper, whose limited cash means have prevented him from recruiting his stock by acces sion from town. Up-country trade has accordingly been confined for the most part to absolute necessaries, and restricted to tbo available means of the retailers and con sumers. There is, however, some prospect of improve ment in this direction. Abundance of rain has hated), fallen on the older diggings, and theprocess et" washing up," which will probably put all parties in funds, has commenced. GOLD —The new gold-field at Mount Ararat is likely to fulfil the expectations which have been formed respect ing it. The population is estimated at from 40,000 to 50,000, and the second fortnightly escort, which arrived in town on Monday last, is reported at 17,370 oz. The heavy rains which have fallen on most of the older dig gings have enabled the men more generally to realise on the stuff which has been accumulating around the puddling machines, the quartz crushers, and elsewhere, for many months past. And as they wash off it is expected that the regular returns will show a steady and continuous increase. As illustrating the permanent value of our diggings, we give the following comparative statement of the escorts for the last six weeks of the current year, and the six corresponding weeks of 1856. Week aiding 1857. 1856. August 7 „ 14 „ 21 i• 28 Sept. 4 „ 11 ... 49,828 The gold ships which have left this port since the date of our last summary are the following :—July 16, Columbian for Suez, 46,171 oz. ; July 25, King Phillip, for London, 30,835 do. ; July 25, Jason, far Calcutta, 2,307 do. ; July 25, Scotia, for Calcutta, 1,603 do ; August 5, Avon, for London, 61,658 do ; August 7, Heather Ball, for London, 19,647 do ; August 7, Ocean Chief, for Calcutta, 4,088 do ' • August 7. Daniel Ross, for Hong Kong, 10,472 do ; Aug. 12, Royal Charter, for Liverpool, 83.593 do ; August 15, Seringapatam, for Liverpool, 12,180 do ; August 20, Eranee, for Calcutta, 1,696 do ' • August 22, Kitty Simpson. fur Hong Kong, 8,458 do : August 22, Texas, for Hong Kong. 5,857 do. ; Sept. 2, Essex, tat London, 105,255 do ; Sept. 5, Eleanor, for Hong Kong, 4,000 do. The total amount of gold shipped since the com mencement of 1857, including the shipments to the neighbouring colonies, has beau 79 tons 1 cwt. 3 qrs. 20 lbs., 11 oz., which at 80s. per oz , gives the value of 7,636,6021. THE LONDON OAS MONOPOLY. CONFERENCE OF THE METROPOLITAN PARISHES. Yesterday an important meeting of deputations ap pointed by the vestries and district boards of the metro politan parishes was ,held at the Court-house, St. Marylebone, for the purpose of considering the recent step taken by the Metropolitan Gas Companies, of dividing the metropolis into districts, with a view to the prevention of competition. Dr. Bachhoffner, of Marylebone, was called to the chair, and deputations were present from the vestries of Marylebone, Islington, St. Pancras, Paddington, St. James's (Westminster), St, George's (Pimlico), &c. The meeting was fully attended. The CHAIRMAN observed there could be little doubt that the effect of the recent apportionment of districts to each other by the gas companies themselves would be injury to the consumers and monopoly. (Hear, hear.) In the first place, the consumers had been handed over from our contractor to another, without their conseet even being asked; and, secondly, the consumers were so completely at the mercy of the gas companies, that already, he was informed, in some instances, they were exhibiting their power by refusing gas to in-coming tenants unless they paid the arrears of their predeces sors. This is itself was so monstrous As to justify an appeal to Parliament, if there was nothing else. The question was one of deep public importance and the committee of the vestry of Marylebone bad thought it advisable to invite a conference with the other parishes on so important a ?subject. (Hear, hear.) Mr. FREM, of Marylebone, having given instances of the evil effects of the monopoly that had already arisen, moved the first resolution, to the effect—" That this meeting views with considerable apprehension the recent division of the metropolis into districts by the various gas companies, and is of opinion that the various metropolitan vestries and district boards should co- lee rate together to prevent the operation of the gas com panies from working injuriously to the gas consumers of the metropolis." (Hear, hear.) Mr. GEESIN. St. James's, seconded the motion. Mr. HODGENS thought that, as a general principle, the supply of artificia 1 ight should be under a municipal arrangement. If such a combination were now allowed to be carried out, they might in 1862, so soon as the coa!-tax expired, have the coal merchants parcelling out the metropolis in the same way, and in furtherance of their own monopoly, deprive the patine of the benefit of the remission of the tax. To show the spirit in which the companies were prepared to act he might mention that throughout St. Marylebone, where the Imperial Company had hitherto no other cot:tipsily to contend against, they forced the consumer to purchase his own meter, and charged him for laying on , the service ; whereas in St. Pancras, where, prior to the combination they had to encounter the opposition of another com pany, they laid on the service free of all charge, and allowed the consumer to rent his meter. Mr. Eldridge, St. Penerae ; Mr. Cameron, St. Pan cras ; Mr. Elt, Islington ; Mr. Beale, St. James's ; Mr. Churchwarden Soaen, Marylebone ; Mr. Belton, Mr. Austin, Mr. Cameron, and ether gentlemen, having spoken in favour of the resolution, Mr. BEALE moved, and Mr. CAMERON seconded a re solution to adjourn the conference, to c irnmunicate with all the vestries and district boards of the me.ropolitan parishes, and to enable the deputations present to report to and obtain powers from the respective bodies they represent. Mr. Dickenson, churchwarden, Mr. Roach, of Pad dirgten, and other gentlemen having spoken, the motion was carried ; just as the meeting was concluding, an im portant letter was received from the town-clerk of Man chester, stating that the profits of gas lighting to the corporation amounted to ,between 30,0001. and 40,000/. per annum, and was applied to local improvements. (Loud applause.) Thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. THE AMERICAN MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday. The United States steam-ship Fulton, Capt. J. A. Wot ton, sailed for New York to-day with the French and English mails, 90 passengers, 21,3751. in specie from London, and 300,000 dollars from • Havre. By a tele gram received here this afternoon we are informed that the screw steamer Jason, on Iter way from New York to this port, had put into Queenstown short of coals, and would proced immediately. MR. COBDEN.—There is no probability of Mr. Cob den's return to Parliament at present. He peremptori y r3fuses to be put in nomination. A party of gentlemen, who were anxious to start him as a candidate for Reao ing, have been informed that circumstances of a family nature preclude him from seeking a seat in the Commons, and would prevent his acceptance of a seat, even it eleeed without the necessary contest. INQUEST ON THE BODY OF MR. STAFFORD, M.P.— DUBLIN, Wednesday.—Au inquest was held to-day upon the body of Mr. Stafford. The attention of the jury was directed to the question as to whether the de ceased had died in consequence of an overdose of laude num administered to him by Dr. Griffin, of Limerick. After the necessary evidence, however, they came to the conclusion that the hon. gentleman had died from natural causes, disease of the heart being sufficient to account for death. ER6 I IVC Er A SCIENCES. At the last sitting M. Babinet read a paper on the figures of the earth, in which he remarked on the uncertainty which still existed on that subject. He observed that at the Marquesas Islands the globe appears to be considerably flattened, and that it would be highly advantageous to science to measure a degree there.' In the Isle of Wight, Mr. Colby had found that, notwithstanding its flatness, there was a discrepancy of nearly 1-20th between the real profile and the measured arc. Hence M. Babinet concludes that the globe must be consider ed an ellipsoid, in which thedifference between the equatorial and polar radii is less than 1-300th, and that a commission ought to be named to study the question more thoroughly than has been done. M. Leverrier presented diagrams of Jupiter, as seen on the let of Oct. last, and of Saturn with its rings, as observed on the 7th of Feb. last. He also gave an account of a meteor observed by himself cm the 29th ult., about 6 p.m., while looking at the moon. Its brilliancy was equal to that of Jupiter, it moved eastwards parallel to the horizon, and disappeared in the course of about six or seven seconds, leaving three reddish points behind, which likewise disap peared shortly after. Marshal Vaillant observed the same phenomenon from the Bastille. M. Le verrier also presented fresh observations of the 50th planet taken at Bilk by the discoverer, M. Luther. and ephemerides of the planet calculated by M. Bruhns, of Berlin. M. Guerin-Meneville sent in a let , er on the Citonia aurata, or rose-beetle, which for some time past has engrossed the attention of naturalists as a remedy for hydrophobia. M. Mene vale stated from personal experience that in the go vernments of Voroneje and Koursk, in Russia, it is customary to give dogs half a beetle in powder from time to time mixed with bread crumbs, as apreserva tive against that disease; and that the Russians affirm that there are persons rn ho cure hydrophobiaradically by means of the fresh juice of a certain plant. He further suggested that the want of freshness may be the relsou why these juices preserved in chemists' shops do not produce the desired effect. Marshal Vaillant announced that M. Hardy, director of the Experimental Garden at Algiers, bad sent him 127,000 cocoons of the silkworm that live upon the caster-plant (Ricinus counmunis), to be experi mented on with a view to test the quality of their silk. M. de Paravey wrote to remind the Academy that the two satellites belonging to the planet Ju piter had been noticed by him in the Japanese En cyclopcedia, and that he had also mentioned four small globes surrounding a larger one placed over the head of Jupiter Ammen in the Egyptian bas reliefs. His letter concluded with eetablishing an intimate relation between the science of the Egyp tians and Japanese. " A discovery of groat interest to the artistical world," says the Presse, " was lately made by M. E. About, the writer, while going tilrough the shop of a collector of curiosities in the Rue du Bac. After examining different articles, the mas ter of the place informed his visitor that he had in his possession 12 pictures by Titian ; and taking him into an inner room showed them as they hung against the wall. These pictures are four feet long by nine inches high, and represent the history of Joseph, according to Biblical tradition. In sup port of his assertion that the pictures were genuine the dealer produced letters from M. Flandrin and M. Delacreix stating that the pictures were very valuable. In a short time M. About and the dealer came to terms, and the pictures were placed in the hands of a cleaner, who, after a first operation re marked that in all the pictures Joseph bore a resem blance to Charles V., which was considered in favour of their authenticity. The clearer, in follow ing up his operations, soon afterwards discovered in a corner the signature of Titian thus worded,— ' Tizianus Vermin's da Cadore pinxit.' " WIITCHCRAFT IN STOCKPORT. A short time ago two glass bottles, filled with a purple fluid, and also containing a hard sub stance, were discovered by some workmen who were lowering the read at Holy-wood, Stockport. That they had been deposited there for some time was evident from the circumstance that long grass was growing over the spot, although there was only a depth of six inches of soil. On analysis the liquid was discovered to consist of dragon's blood and urine, the hard substance being a number of brass pins. It appears that mixtures of this de scription are furnished by fortune-tellers to their dupes for the purpose of " bewitching" their un faithful lovers. Some distance from the place where these bottles were found a canvass bag, fill e d with brass pins, was also dug up. The pins are presumed to penetrate the heart of the person be witched. These discoveries have caused consider able excitement in Edgley, and the Stockport Ad pv e a r r t t i i s c e u r l , a f r r s o , m g i v w e h s o v s a e r o e u p s o r i nt swtaenhceasveofgltehaenesudpethrsetsie. tious belief in witchcraft which prevails in the neigh bourhood. One man imagines himself to have been bewitched by his mother, and fancies that the bottle might be the spell by which he was bound, and that he would be r„ leased by its discovery. One being asked how he knew that he was bewitched, he re plied that his mother had told him so. and he con stantly felt in a state of nervous prostration and de pression of spirits, together with a sensation of fail ing respiration and approaching death. He had, however, consulted a fortune-teller and ob tained from her a charm, whereby he could at any t ime break the spell. On being pressed as to the natur e of this charm, and questioned why he had not adopted it, he stated that, he had commence d with it, but had not persevered, and hence its failure. It was as follows :—He m us t st an d over the fire , sprinkling salt upcn it, and say, "Salt, salt, I put thee into the fire. May the person who bewitched me neither eat, drink, nor sleep until this spell is broken." This must be done nine mornings in suc cession, and be repeated three times on each occa sion, Another instance is that of a professional for• tune-teller and planet-ruler. This woman declares that could the parties bo detected who deposited the bottles in the earth, the evil influences devolv ing upon the bewitched parties would recoil upon themselves. She, however, protested against the immediate destruction of the bottle by throwing away the liquid into the cesspool, on tlie ground of the injury that would be sustained by the land oa which the manure might ultimately be spread ; nor must it be shed iu the garden, or vegetation would be impaired ; and the only way was to break the phial over a run n ing stream, whereby the pernicious fluid would mingle with the purer current, and b ,: imperceptibly, but irrevocably wasted ; the b ottle being also cast into the water. A third instance of the existing belief in witchcraft is that of a woman who asserts that her sister was once bewitched. The spell, she asserts, could not be broken by ordinary means, as the agency was buried in the bed of the river Mersey, underneath the Wellington-bridge arch. Under the auspices of a " wise woman, ' however, the young woman was called upon to stand in a particular spot, at a given time, while RA incantation was pronounced. "Several spirits passed befol e her, one of which remained in front of her for some time." To this the planet-ruler addressed herself, and it soon disappeared, together with the young woman's ailments and forebodings.—.3l - an -. chester Guardian. LIEUT. SALKIILD, THE HERO Off Tin! CASHMERE GATE. Lieut. Philip Salkeld, of the Bowel Engineers, whore gallantry in attempting to fire the powder bags at the Cashmere Gate of Delhi has been so recently recorded in our colurnne, though young in years, is an officer of COn. siderable experience as well as high promise. Our reader° will remember that in the recent telegraphic dispatches he is mentioned as having been very dangerouslf wounded, and though he has received the distinction of the Victoria cross for his daring conduct, there are fearl that he may not live to eoj , y the distinction. He is a son of the Rev. Richard Salkeld, formerly resident at Servan, Ile-et-Vilaine, and was horn Oct. 13, 1830, con. sequently he is only just 27 years of age. He received his nomination to the Indian service from the late Wir e Astell, Esq., M.P., father of the present director of the East India Company, and received his early education at the Military Ccllege of Addiscombe. There he was selected by competition for an engineer appointments and obtained the highest prizes in mathematics and modern languages. On quitting Addiscombe he went t the Royal Engineer establishmeent at Chatham, where be spent nearly two years in the theoretic and practical study of fortification and other kindred subjects. 1 ! quitted that institution in January, 1850, and arrived nA. Calcutta in the following June, when, having actlnir: a perfect knowledge of the Hindostanee lauguar, joined the corps of Sappers and Miners. In Jane, 185 as be was appointed to officiate as executive engineer officer at Meerut, frurn whence again in the following year W. 01! find him transferred to the charge of a division of Grand Trunk-road, in which operation he was conll' nualle employed down to December, 1856, when he Fllei b ceeded to the office of executive engineer of the Pe!, division. In July last he joined the force before Del" and for the perilous duty which devolved upon him. " 6 " %4 that of blowing open the Cashmere gate, Ger s al War e : his already expressed his warmest thanks, together his "admiration of all who were engaged in that diw " cult operation." His commissions bear date as follotrc, Second lieutenant, June 9, 1848; first lieutenant, Aug . „1 , 1854. We can only trust that _Lieut. Selkeld's life yet be spared, and we are sure that his fellow-coun tr j; men here Kill be as p rou d o f hi m w h en he returns " t England, as Ireland justly was of her own Lieutel3ol3 Massey, the " hero of the Redan." t to DEATH OT COLONEL HIGGINS, K.H.—We regret. announce the d ea th o f C o l one l Warner Westenra Wi g gins, ICU., which took place recently at Rodney-Or; race, Choltenlnirn, in the 77th year of his ag e. Higgins served in Inland during the rebelli on in 1793' In 1806 he was at the landing and taking of Mo ldoca, in South America ; at the affair of San Car los, in wive! he was sauly wounded, and had his horse s hot ; also the siege and taking of Monte Video. Colonel. t A.