The Sun. — London, England, 1857-08-25 00:00:00

TIIT: FASTEST IN THE WORLD IN THE THAMES. The celebrated " Black Ball" clipper " I.IGH TNING,' Belonging to Messrs. JAMES BAINES and Co., of Liverpool, and sister ship to the "JAmnsauxEs" and the " CHAMPION OF THE SEAS," recently inspected and so highly eulogised by her Majesty the Queen and Court at Portsmouth is expected to arrive i u the Thames, to embark Tr 00,3 for India, on or about the 21st instant. While lying off Gravesend, the " LIGHTNING" will be thrown open to public inspection for a few days, and a charge of one shill!ng admission will be made, the receipts to bo given to the wives and tmailies of the soldiers who sail in her. The " LIGHTNING" is 2,003 tons register, fe 3,et 500 tons bur She then, 243 feet long and 44 wide. is T 1E FASTEST SHIP IN THE WORLD, h a ving made the passage from Melbourne to Liverpool in 63 days, when her speed during the whole voyage (round Cape Horn), a distance of 15,000 miles as the crow flies, averaged 10 miles an hour. On tho 27th of February, 1855, she ran 19 nil es p . ..r hour for 24 consecutive hours, and from the 28th Tune to the 4th J.ily, 1856, h3r hourly consecutive speed averaged 15 miles. lIER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Two Extra Performances only, at Reduced Prices, on Friday, September IS, and Saturday, September 19. wAit Piceolomini, Spezia, Ortolani, Giuglini, Violetti, Rotii, Beneyentavo, and Belletti, when will be presented LA TRAVIATA and IL DON GIOVANNI. PRICES: Poxes to aceprnmodat.3 four persons, Grand Tier, Pit Tier, and One Pair.. £2 2 0 Two Pair Three Pair 0 15 0 Pit Stalls 0 10 6 Pit Gallery Stall 4 Gallery 0 2 0 ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. — ITALIAN OPERA, at Playhouse Prices, EVERY EVENING. GRI ALBONI, GASSIER, M ARIO, FORMES, REICFIARDT, DRA(ONE, And other Eminent Artistes. On Wednesday—RlGOLETTO. 'Thursday—LUCREZIA BORGIA. Friday—LA TRAVIATA. S:tturday—lL TROVATORE. The Operas for next week will be duly announced. j ) OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING will be performed NORM A Norma, Madame Grisi ; Adalgisa, Madame Gassier ; Oroveso, Sig. Baillon; Polllo, Herr Reichardt. rivIIEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. f HIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock, with the new and greatly successful original Comedy, entitled VIt.,TIMS in which Mr. Backstone, Mr. Howe, Mr. William Farren, Miss Reynolds, Miss Emma King, 'Sze., will appear. After which, Douglas Jerrold's drama of BLACK-EYED SUS I.N. William, Mr. T. P. Cooke. Followed by ACTRESS OF ALL WORK, iu which Miss Anna Maria Quinn (from the principal theatres in Australia) w.ll sustain six characters. 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. D:lss Boxes 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0 Upi,er Boxes 3 0 Upper Boxes Plt 2 0 Pit 1 0 T., wer Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6 Upper Gallery 0 ti No half-price to Upper Gallery. TVIIEATRE ROYAL, ADELPIII. Les4ee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING, will be performed THE GREEN BUSHES. Mr. B. Webster, Mr. Wright, Mr. Paul Bedford, ai. I Madame Celeste. Fol'owed by MY PRECIOUS BETSEY. Mr. Wright, P. Bedford, Mary Keeley, &e. To conclude with SLASHER AND CRASHER. TRA ND THEATRE.—Legsee, Mr. T. Payne. 1:7 —THIS EVENING will be performed 110 W IS IT TO BE DONE. Followed by CLARI, THE MAID OF MILAN. Mies Harriet Cordon and Mr. Denvil. To conclude with AN IRISH ENGAGMIENT. Mr, and Mrs. Foster. Commence at half-past Seven. Stalls, 35.; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, ls. ; Gallery, 6d. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessees. Messrs. F. Robson and Emden. TILES EVENING, will be performed the new drama of TIIE LICHT HOUSE. After which, the comedietta, entitled A SUBTERFUGE Mrs. Stirling, Mr. G. Vining, and Mr. G. Murray. To conclude with the original Extravaganza, by Robert B. Brough, Esq., called MASANIELLO. Messrs. Rob soa, Cooke, Danvers, Ste. ; Misses Swanborongb, Thirlwall, Sughes, Bromley, and Mrs. Meifont. Commence at half-past !Seven. OYAL SURREY THEATRE. tt.) L 053803, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswiek. THIS EVENING, will be performed EXTREMELY PECU LIAR. Mr. Shepherd. After which, CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS will appear. With other attractive novelties. A STLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. Under the patronage of Her Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Albert. Complete and unexampled success of the Grand o.iental Spectacle of EL HYDER, Mr. Wm. Cooke announces with great satisfaction another Triumph. The intensely interest inx and thrilling Equestrian and Dramatic situations with which this splendid Hippodrama abounds have been nightly Deceived with increased delight and enthusiasm. THIS EVENING, and during the week, the entertainments will commence with the Grand Equestrian and Oriental Spec tacle, in 2 Acts, entitled EL HYDER ; or, THE CHIEF OF THE GHAUT MOUNTAINS. El Hyder, Mr. James Hol lo vay. Introducing Mr. W. Cooke's magnificently Trained E arses. After which an unapproachably brilliant series of Mr. William Cooke's inimitable SCENES IN THE ARENA, sup ported by the popular and talented Artistes of the establish 1113a, including Madile. Mililos. To conclude with Shakspeles KATHARINE AND PETRUCHIO, with Equestrian Illustrations. Commence at seven o'clock. Dress Boxes, 4s. ; Upper Mixes, 3s. ' • Private Boxes, from 215., no charge forbooking; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, is. ; Upper Gallery, 6d. Half-price at half-past Eight. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooks, jun. el ANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road. — OPEN EVERY EVENING,—The follow in - company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of Qe!tctions from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Choruses, 011, s, Duets, (Ste., viz.: Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. Palmyre, Miss E. Scott, Miss Brunch, Mrs. Le Jenne, Miss Leslie, and 3i:idarne Marietta ; Herr F. Jonghmans, R. Grover, T. Far mat, S. fovea. Barker, W. Melling, P. Corri, Senor An tonio, E. L. Hime, and !kir St. Albyn ; Master Corri; Messrs. S , Tn. Collins, and E. Mackney. Pianoforte, Mr Cecil Ricks: harmonium, Master Williams ; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans Commence at Seven o'clock prozisely„ Sap writ, 40., until twelve o'clock HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tills DAY—Morn., 7 min. aft. s —Even., 22 min aft. 5 To-MORROW—Morn., 37 min. aft. s —Even., 54 min. aft. 5 - - - - THE WEATHER—Sux OFFICE, AUGUST 25. THERMOMETER, IN TEIE SHADE. SO- highest since noon yesterday. I'll—lowest this morning and during the night. 79 --this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30.09—rising rapidly. Wrap, Southerly; light, with fine weather, but very sultry. It way very close yesterday evening. ta! „ al l 7 f 1. 1 : , §:MT , LONDON, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 18b7. 'the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill has l 'a• a narrow escape. The Chairman of Commit tees' Lord REDESDLLE, was its inveterate oppo elit. TT very nearly succeeded in causing its i(jection on Friday evening, by forcing ou an i rreguh r 4 ieenssio n and division, for which the Government W ere wholly unprepared. He was, b Avever, fortunately persuaded against pursuing this factious course, and induced to act in a more I,, com i n g manner. A, • considerabl e time was wn.sted last night in Nlrangling about the original u rtng ie, before the real business of the evening Was entered ou ! At length the Noble Lord had a legitimate o p_ portunity of moving his proposition, which was that the amendments adopted in the House o f Coniums should be taken int) consideration that d six months—or, in other words, that the entire matter should be shelved during the pr—. sent session. The pretext resorted to for this trpose was that there was no time ti give prorr consideration to the alterations. Never, however, was an excuse more frivolous and vex ttious. question had already been thoroughly investigated hi the Upper House, and there was not a single Peer in attendance who had not thoroughly made lip his mind on every point. There was, how ever, a close struggle, and Lord REDESDALE'S tempted obstruction was only defeated by a Thhjority of two Some few of the Commons' Amendments weie rejected ; the majority, however, were agreed to. The change, giving jurisdiction to the Court of Quarter Sessions, was unhesitatingly flung out. The commission of adultery in the conjugal resi dence was, by a majority of 17, rejected as a cause of divorce to an aggrieved wife. it being possible that it might not be of a very aggravated character ; the possibility of giving relief where it was so, was prevented. As we have stated, ab ini!io, the wise policy would be to allow ample discretion, so that the court could decide whether the provocation had been so great as to remove any reasonable prospect of reconciliation. The adultery clause, which provided that the petition of any person not coming into court with clean hands should be rejected, was reinserted, on the motion of the Bishop of OXFORD. There were energetic contests on the clause which entitled the husband to claim damages from the seducer of his wife, and that which gave clergymen exemption from acting in accordance with the law of the land. The Commons' altera tions were, however, carried in both instances, and the dissenting clergymen must cement to the use of their churches by their more submissive brethren. This day the matter will be finally disposed of. Although tho Act is not altogether what we could have desired—not giving fair play to women--it is still a great improvement on the system now in operation. At present everything is excep tional. A man who has plenty of money, and can spare a couple of thousand pounds, may ob tain complete redress ; but poverty is a fatal ob jection, the matrimonial chain cannot be severed, no matter how gross the provocation he may have received. There has hitherto been practically one law for the rich, and another for the poor ; and although the area of relief has been extended from the owners of thousands to the owners of hundreds, the really poor man is still excluded. Divorce is a luxury which cannot possibly he obtained by a pauper. The present Bill may possibly be improved after some experience of its working. It may now be regarded as the introduction of the sharp end of the wedge. The required changes will be greatly facilitated by what has already taken place. We shall not now discuss them at greater length. Our views have already been clearly and unequivocally expressed. We have seen no adequate reason to change them, and shall look forward to their ultimate adoption. The passing of the Divorce Bill. redeems the session from the charge of inanity ; without it there would be !little indaeci to show for the labours of the 1 hereditary and elected legislators. It is stated that the Bank of France will shortly issue the notes for 50 francs, or 21. each, accord ing to its recently extended charter. Some years since the smallest notes issued were for 500 francs, or 201., and it has only been since the accession of the Emperor NAPOLEON that 100 franc notes were circulated. This, be it remembered, only applies to the Bank of France, for notes of 20 francs, or 16s. each were extensively circulated by local establishments, and were of great value in the districts where they were in use. The effect of the new circulating medium will unquestion ably be to economise the use of bullion, and to give a much larger reserve to the Bank than it would otherwise possess. The long experience of Scotland and Ireland proves beyond possibility that notes of small and ' convenient denominations are greatly preferred to gold. You seldom see a soveteign in circu lation in either country unlaza one th a t h as bee received from some wandering tourist,. and tile possessor invariably hastens to exchange it for paper at the first favourable opportunity. Not only is the use of bullion thereby econo mised, but a very considerable loss in "wear and tear" is averted. According to the returns from the Scotch Banks we find that notes under Si. amount to nearly two-thirds of the entire cir culation. The proportion in Ireland is not so high, but still they exceed the larger denomina tions. Judging from these data, and the best estimates that have been formed by competent persons, there is at least from forty to fifty millions of sovereigns in use in England that might be brought into the Bank in exchange for small notes. The wear and tear on that would, at 3 per cent., by no means a high estimate, alone amount to 1,200,0001. per annum ; while the other advantages derived from the change would be far greater. It would, as Mr. JAMES WILSON declared, before he became connected with the Ministry, give us a purchasing power or command over the necessaries and comforts of life, just as much as if an equal amount of gold had been dis covered in the centre of England. Why then should we reject this useful instru ment 7 Why should we prohibit that which in 1825 prevented a national bankruptcy ? It is all the work of the moneyocracy I Those who have large fortunes realised desire to prevent others from ascending to the same level as themselves. Lord OYERSTONE, whose fortune was in the first instance acquired by the system known in Lancashire as " pig upon bacon"—would not allow any others to adopt a similar course. His object is to make money dear and scarce. His fortune is ample, but he wants to increase it by artificial means, and the six or seven per cent, which brings ruin t 3 the small trader, or manufacturer, enhances his profits. But why should he be permitted to dictate in monetary affairs ? Why should the industrial community be reduced to distre*s and difficulty to gratify his crotchets ? It is hard, indeed, to judge of the grounds that has led to such selfish legislation. THE EX-KING OF OUDE. TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE StIN. SIR, —I beg to enclose a copy of a letter addressed by me this day to the Morning Post, tt al shall feel much obliged by your giving it insertion. I am, Sir, yours obediently, R. OUSELEY, Colonel, Chief Agent to the King of Oude. Junior United Service Club, Aug. 24, 1857. The first Sir ROBERT PEEL, who realised an ample fortune by honest industry, earnestly protested against the provisions of this bill. He expressly told his son that he had doubled his own fortune, but had ruined the country. And that is really what Lord OVERSTONE has accomplished by the measure of which he is the putative parent, and on which a committee of the House of Commons is now sitting in judgment ! That judgment cannot be pronounced during the present session, which will terminate within a very few days. We must submit for six months more to the evils incidental to the present system. If, however, the currency reformers are only true to themselves—if they adopt the necessary means for eliciting the opinion of the nation, and producing the agitation which is essential on such a point a better law will be enacted next year. And although we do not anticipate that it wilt be 11 Frac ea—it will tage to the n a ti o a that we could desire, if it gives us small notes following the example of : i t ( to get rid of that incubus fro t b o e th a e wonderful advan_ n. It would b e we ll to pay off the debt n o o f t be England' tro m the national shoulders. But even should accom plished, there may still be a great improvement something that will afford to the nation that peat desideratum, a circulating medium adequate to its wants and exigencies, and sufficient to develop e its resources, and give employment to its working population. THE SUN, LONDON,_ TUESDAY EV.ENING, AUGUST 25, 1857 LATEST NEWS. THE QUEEN AT 611E1:BOURG. FRANCE. PARIS, AUGUST 24. The Cherbourg journals give some details of the late visit of Queen Victoria to that port :—Her Majesty and Prince Albert were accompanied by Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Prin cesses Alice, Helena, and Louisa. Immediately after the royal yacht entered the roadstead, Rear- Admital Count de Gourdon, the Maritime Prefect, went on board to pay his respec's to her Majesty, and had the honour of being invited to dinner. The news of the Qiie - ifs arrival was not known until the following morning, when the whole town was in movemen., expecting the landing of the Royal parly. The vessels in the roadstead, the public buildings, and a number of private houses were ornamented with flags. At a rather early hour the Queen, Prince Albert, and the royal children landed under a salute from the ships in the harbour and the forts, and, having visited the different parts of the dockyard, entered carriages prepared for them, and proceeded to Montague-dueßoule, whence Her Majesty and party were able to enjoy an extensive panoramic view of the town, the port, and the surrounding country. After the return of the Royal party to the Victoria and Albert to lunch, M. Dnreigne, the Sub Pref c, and M. Lade, the Mayor of Cherboug, went on board, and pre_ seated an address to her Majesty expressive of the inhabitants at being honoured with h. .r visit. The Mayor said, "Madam, and most gracious Sove reign, the town of Cherbourg, of which I have the honour to be mayor, is happy this day to see the realiation of the hope which it for a moment cherished last year. I avail myself of the great honour of being presented to your Majesty to ex press a hope that I may be permitted to lay at your feet the respectful hotnrge of my fellow ci.izens. The 18th of August will ever be in their remem brance a precious and memorable day." The Queen replied in the most gracious manner, telling • the Mayor " that she was last' year on the point of visiting Cherbour!, and that she now congratulated herself on having been able to realise her intention, since she had seen the magnificent works accom plished at that port, with a perseverance which did honour to the engineering skill of France." In the afternoon Her Majesty again landed, and visited the breakwater, after which she paid a second visit to the dockyard under flesh salutes from the bat teries. After a rather long examination of dif ferent parts of the establishment, the royal party returned on board the royal yacht to dinner, at which, in addition to the royal family and the Prince de Leiuingen, were present by special invi tation—Admiral Count de Gourdon, General d'Hei billon, Inspector General of Infantry, General the Marquis de la Place, General Borel de Bretizel, Captain the Hon. J. Demu and Mr. Horace Hamond, Her Majesty's Consul at Cherbourg. Iu the evening the field-officers and staff of the garri son went on board and were received by Her Majesty. The Emperor arrived from Bordeaux this morn ing, and immediately presided at a_ council of Ministers. His Majesty will set out the day after to-morrow for the camp at Chalons. Intelligence is expected every moment of a nip lure between Sardinia and Naples. Lord Howclen has left Paris for London. Senor de Lafragua, whose approaching departure from Fiance has been announced by several foreign. papers, has not yet arrived here, but is daily ex pected at the Mexican Legation. The Minister of Switzerland, M. Barmann, has just quitted Paris. Mr. Kern is expected. " It is affirmed en good authority," says the Courrier de Marseille, that Admiral Trehouart has been ordered to proceed with the experimental squadron to Tunis." The Pays says :—" We learn, by a letter from London, that permission has been definitively giant::d for the passage of English troops across the Isthmus of Suez. These troops will take the rail way, and will find at Suez boats, taken up at Cal cut' a by the East Incln Company, waiting for them. According to arrangement made by agents of the company, these ships were to be in the Red Sea by the end of August at the latest. The authorisation granted by the Viceroy of Egypt does not extend to the future ; it is only temporary, and special for the existing occasion." The Dels, in an article on Indian events, dis cusses the probability of the rumoured intrigues cf Russia in British India, and comes to the conclu sion that the Government of St. Petersburg is inno- ' cent of the charge, less perhaps from want of will than from absence of availible means. Our con temporary thus expresses itself on ihe sui posed in trigues of Russia : " The opinion is widely spread in India that the long train of poWder which has burst under the feet of the British at Teheran, Delhi, and Canton, proceeds from a concerted plan prepared by Russia during the late war, and not abandoned by her after the conclusion of peace. In India, a sincere belief 'aligns with respect to the power of intrigue and the diplomatic skill of Russia, notwithstand ing that the events of the last few years ought to have proved to the most prejudiced that this skill has been vastly exaggerated, and that the power of intrigue chiefly exists in the' credulity of the public. Did we not, in fact, witness during the late war the utter impotency of Russia to produce an explosion in countries undermined by Ler in fluence, such as Bulgaria, Servia, or Montenegro ? But if we in Europe are aware of the rsality, peo ple in India are not so far advanced. That Russia pcssesses agents in Central Asia is a matter of cer tainty, and doubtless their mission is to raise ene mies to England. Some of these agents, and no tably the unhappy Vicowiteli, who disappeared so suddenly with his papers at St. Petersburg, have created too much noise in the world to permit any doubt with regard to their existence. But it is not so certain that these agents penetrate into British India. The presence there of a European is diffi cult to conceal, and it would be almost impossible for a stranger to circulate amongst populations speaking an infinity of languages and dialects with out being detected and denounced to the police. It may be retorted that if Russian policy does not possess direct agents in India, it employs a host of emissaries recruited amongst the traders, travel ling fakirs, caravan drivers, stsc., of Asia. Now the slightest knowledge of the East teaches that nothing serious could be obtained from such instruments, even if they were employed ; for Asiatics placed between two Christian powers would betray both. Now England pays better and more willingly than Russia ; consequently any intri g ues of the latter would speedily be disclosed to theßri tish authorities. In reality, the theatre of the stru g gle between the two countries is still confined to Central Asia, and we should be very innch sur prised to learn that the intrigues of Russia iu India extend beyond the more or less authentic commu nications she may receive with regard ts the finan ces, the army, the condition of the country, &a, from Greek or Armenian merchants estabWhed at Calcutta or Bombay. . . . It is therefore nei ther in foreign intrigues nor in the faults of the - officers of the Bengal army that must be sought the causes of the sepoy revolt." BOURSE, Aug. 24.—The following ware the last quota ions Cash. fr. c. End of 3ronth. 44 per Conta 3 per Cents 67 10 67 5 Bank Shares 2,800 Credit Fonder ...... - - Credit Mobilier 057 50 Roman Do. Account - Austrian Belgian 4i ... Spanish Throes — -- Fiutimontese (5) B9,H Homo .Dc.bL - -- TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING POST. Sir,—ln a leading article in your paper of to-day, in noticing the annual political payniefit3 to native Princes in India, mention is made of Oude in the following words : " To the double dealing King of Oude, for in stance, who is now in custody, we paid an income of 150,0001. sterling money, a portion of which he evidently used to foment discontent against us." I deem it my duty to correct this statement, and to inform you that the King of Oude has never accepted any pension from the East India Com pany. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) R. OUSELEY, Calonel Chief Agent to the King of 011ie. Junior United Service Club, Aug. 24, 1857. THE MINISTRY OF VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, APRIL 28. At the assembling of the house this afternoon the formation of a new Ministry was announced in a very unusual way. The old Ministry (O'Shannassy's) sat on the Ministerial benches. The new men did not appear, though they have not been sworn in. I sup rose they must have been so adv'secl by their law officers. Mr. Sargood, a member unconnected with the Ministry, got up and announced that he hid beeu requested to mike a communication to the effect that his Excellency had appointed the follow ing gentlemen to the following offices : Mr. Haines, Chief Secretary. Mr. Ebden, Treasurer. Mr. M'Culloch, Commissioner of Trade. Mr. Michie, Attorney-General. Mr. Fellows, Solicitor-General. Mr. Moore, President of the Board of Crown Lands and Works. This last is a consolidation of two offices. Captain Pasley, formerly Commissioner of Public Works and a Minister, takes the professional head ship of Survey and Works under Mr. Moore, a merchant. The Postmaster-General, Mr. Mitchell, to have a seat in the Upper House. Her Majesty held a Council this day, at Osborne, to settle the Royal Speech. A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury in Downing street. All the Ministers were present. His Excellency the Greek Minister and Madame and Madlle. Tricoupi have returned to their residence in Bryanstone-square, from a tour in Germany. Field-Marshal Viscount Combertnere, Viscountess Combermere, and the Hon. Mrs. Hunter have returned to Cumbermere Abbey, from Manchester. A matrimonial alliance will shortly take place between Mr. Robert J. O'Reilly, of Baltrasna and Mill Castle, country of Meath, Ireland, and Mims Eleanor Knatch bull, second daughter of Sir Norton and Lady Knatch- Oil, of Mersham Hatch, Kent. We regret to report the death of the lady of Vice Admiral Edward Harvey, commander-in-chief at Sheer ness, at his official residence at that place, which Lock place on Sunday night. The deceased was about 60 years of age, and much respected by rich and poor. Mr. Alderman Phillips entertained on Thursday last, a large number of the inhabitants of the ward of Far ringdon Within, at the Brunswick Tavern, B!ackwall. The specie from New York by the Europa via Boston, is 100,0001. The Baltic on Thursday will probably bring a further amount, and the Persia, which may be looked for on Saturday, is sure to have a large total. RAILWAY COLLISION—On Saturday evening a dreadful accident, evidently the result of gross carelessness, oc curred on the West Somerset Mineral Railway at Watchet, by which several men were killed and a num ber frightfully crushed and mutilated. A machine has been invented and patented for imitating in paint the grain of the most beautiful woods, such as maple, rosewood, oak, ecc. The machine when seen appears to the eye simplicity itself, and the mode of using it is perfectly easy; the saving of time and labour also are astonishing. THE DEANERY OF LLASDAFF.—The Monmouth paper states that this valuabla piece of ecclesiastical per ferment, which became vacant a few clays since by the death of the Very Rev. W. D. Conybeare, has been conferred up :n the Venerable A.redeacon T. Wi.liarne, M.A., examining chaplain to the Bishop of Llandaff, and rector of Llanvaply, Mernmittathshire. THE QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR.—News is said t: - ) have arrived from the island of Madagascar to the effect that (the Queen had recommended the persecution of Euro. peans. The French governor of the Island of Bourbon, and the English governor of the Island of Mauritius, bad addressed communic..tions on the subject to their re-pective governments. RUMOURED DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CANADA.—The rumours of gold discoveries in Canada are again revived. The Quebec Mercury says that an old Californian tx plorer has been exhibiting at Quebec specimens of gold found in one of the tributaries of the Chaudiere. He re• ports the prospects of gold digging to exceed anything he ever saw in California. Three hours work yielded in nuggets and grains over an ounce. EARLY IMPORTATION OF COTTON.—A correspondent informs us that cotton was brought to Sunderland, in the parish of Lancaster, before its use was known to the manufacturers, and before it was imported into Liver pool . The inhabitants of the district came many miles to inspect it as a curiosity, but no one knew Its use. It lay in the warehouse of the person who imported it, Mr. Robert Lawson, upwards of a year, before he could find a purchaser.—Bury Times. REPRESENTATION OE MIDDLESEX.—It was currently rumoured yesterday that, iu the event of a vacancy occurring in the representation of the metropolitan county by the elevation of Lord Robert Grosvenor to the peerage, Mr. Wakley, who so long represented Finsbury, may be induced to become a candidate on the Liberal interest. In some other quarters S;r Wm. Clay, Bart., the late representative of the Tower Hamlets, is said to be a likely person to present himself as a candi date. GOVERN3IENT CONTRACTS AND THE DOCKYARD Ar• THORITIES,— It is not generally known that a govern ment inquiry is now being instituted into the manage ment of contracts. The following facts have already transpired :—One of the leading navy contractors, it appears, supplied a large quantity of cloth, which was declared by the authorities of her Majesty's dockyard at Deptford not to be equal to pattern. The whole was consequ ently refused, and a heavy fine levied. A new contract was then accepted by Government for another house for a similar artiste. The two contracting houses being friendly, the second firm re-delivered to the store department the cloth recent'y rejected, which was by the officers received and passed. At present one of the officials is under suspension, —Skipping Gazette. ANOTHER CASE OF STABBlNG.—Yesterday evening, between six and seven o'clock, in Queen-street, Sever,- dials, a woman named Wit'enbury was stabbed by another woman, named Knightsbridge. It appearr that the two females quarrelled in a public-house, and it came to blows, when Knightsbridge rushed upon her opponent with a clasp knife, and refficted a dreadful wound on the side of the wretched young woman's head. She fell weltering in her blood, aed was conveyed to Charing-cross Hospital, and but little hopes are enter tained of her recovery. The woman Knightsbridge was taken into custody and conveyed to the Bow-street station, where she underwent an ex trnination this morning. The wounded woman being unal le to attend, the prisoner was remanded for a week. On Thursday, Aug. 4, a fet:. , in aid of the Great Wes tern Railway Widows and Orphans Fund took place in Nuneham park, the scat of Mr. G. V. Harcourt, M.P., for Oxfordshire, who kindly allowed his flue park and gardens to be used upon the occasion. The fete was numerouoly attended, and the profit arising from it leaves a balance in favour of the society of ti IR 'I his sum will be exceedinOs acceptable, as the fund has to support 78 widows and 122 children. The disbursements of the Great We: ern Railway Widows and Orphans Society amount to 1,0001. annually, and arise from the subscriptions of the servants of the company, assisted by au annual donation of 1001. given by the directors, and by assistance from a few constant travellers on the line, who give a donation to the Widows and Orphans Society instead of a gratuity to the servants—a custom highly to be commended, as it affords assistance to an excellent fund. Tan WORCESTER MUSICA.L FEsrwAL.—The great meet"ng of the three choirs of Worcester, Gloucester, and Hereford commences to-Jay, in the first-named city, when full cathedral service will be performed, with Handel's Dettingen Te Dona, and anthems by Mend:l 80bn and Dr. G. ER-eye Oa Wednesday morning Mendelssobn'a " Elijah ;" on Thursday, Mendel eohn'e " Hymn of Praise," and selections from Costa's " " and Handel's "Israel in Egypt ;" and on Friday, Handel's " Messiah," form the programiee of facrsd music. Among the selections for the Iniscallaneens concerts in the evenings are Macfarrcn's cantenta, " May Day," and Hutton's "Robin Hood," with choice pieces of Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and other great composers. Madame Clara Novello, Mrs. Clara Hepworth, Madame Weiss, Mies Dolby, Miss Vinni , ,g, Miss Palmer, Gardoni. Sims Rceets, M. Smith, Weise, Thomas, and Herr Formes] are the principal vocalists, The Worcester Herald states that hitherto the demand for tickets has been unprecedented, aed when we con sider that the managers of the Festival have most liberally reduced the prices of admission to the aisles of the Cathedral and the gallery of the Concert Hail, so as to place the very highest class of music within the reach of nearly every grade of society, there can be to doubt that their efforts will be most exten sively appreciated. The restorations and cleanr i g of the interior of the Cathedral choir and Lady Ctapel, togther with the erection of the great east win (ll,aoiytahlaksv fail e tow beblere as n m completed, mtt pleasing to e n t d goe u t t h ehr e es l e iv ff yi t t o i r s a a U t e hthaes RAILWAYS-FOR CA3II. rt. c. tr. c. Orleans 1,450 Western Northorn Lyons and Med OO2A— New Ditto 7 — New Ditto BBq— Grand Central Genova - Midi - - TUNIS. Letters from Tunis, of the 1611, quoted by the Corriere Mercantile of Genoa, say that the state ments published about the late disturbances in the rcaltpeita. Afterl of tlie there g tteytleic upon the Jew, some 'g yhavirebean ge jgreatly exafur ther violences wire committed against other Jews and Christians in the streets, who had to defend themselves with sticks and even arms against the sabres of s.r.tae fanatics ; but no ono was killed, and only a few slight wounds and contusions were given and received. There was some alarm iu t'!e town'on account of a rumour to the effect that two powerful tribes of Arabs had revolted, refus: ing to pay tribute to the Bey, and fears were en tertained that they might take advantage of the di-tuibanee to attack the ; but the riot having been put down by, the Bey's t- o o p s , th ere was nothing further to be reared fur the resident,. RUSSIA. The RuAsian Government, after the war , pub lished an order for the organisation of the filet in the Pacific Ocean, which was to arsurne the title of the Squadron of Si bona. Tile Gove rnmen t appears i now to have decided on ncrea , dog the strength of this fleet, a ukase of the 20th July h av i ng added 14 superior officers to it, who have already left for their destination, and a similar number will, from Ist January, 1858, be added annually. This mea sure is connected with the efforts which Itu sit), is using to strengthen her position on the Pacific. THE BRAZILIAN MAILS. (BY ELECTRIC! TELEGRAPH.) SOUTHAMPTON, TUESDAY MORNING. The European and American Company's steamer Ilydaspeg, Captain Brown, arrivel this morning from the Brazil 4. She left Rio July 17th ; Bahia, 221 ; Pernam bucl, 25th ; St. Vinceat, August sth ; Madeira, 12th ; and Lisbon, 18th. She has 47 passengers, 8,987 bags of coffee, and 30 packages of sundries. Strong head kinds from Lisbon. The Calcutta, belonging to the same company, arrived at Peruatubuco from Southampton about nooa.on the 2,5. th July. All well. The steam ship On Ada was at St. Vincent on her return fiom Australia, waiting for coal. Exchanged signals Ju'y 28 with her Majesty's ship Melville, steering S.S. \V., in lat. 11 S., 1)n;. 29 3 W. ; Aug. 18, with English steamer Aloa in lat. 27 15, long 28 W. The Genoc e steamer Conto di Cavoer had arrived at Bahia from Genoa, July 22. Tier Majesty's ship Indefatigable was at Rio ; the Riflein ui had left for England ; the at Bahia, about . 5 proceed to Ilia. The llyd:ispeLi brings no later advises than the Avon. Being engaged f. r transport service, the HydAspes will proceed to Woolwich to embark troops. Lisbon ad.vic.'s are anticipated by the Euxine. EPISODE IN THIS HOUSE OP LORDS LAST NIGHT.— As, proxies wn:e being taken in one of the divisions on the Divorce 111', which ev;:ntually ,gavo the government a nothjority of ten, a curious scene occurred. Seeking, perhaps, only a ccol seat on this, one nf the hottest nights in this the hotte4 of summers, the Earl of Suff lk bad betaken hiinselF to one of the back ro as of the epi - copal bent;;, now renthred almost vacant by reason of the bishops bei ng required elsewhere on di. , eeso , n duty. On his occlarin g himself the holder of the proxy of a lay peer, Lis ex , rei,e of it was pronounced by the opposition to be informal, inasmuch as ft standing order of the /ruse, declared that no by peer should speak or vote from the episcop a l b enc h . Th e g overnment maintained the validity of th e proxy so t en l ere ,l, whereupon a bri,t- discus ion viang up, which had a dash of the lu dicrous in it trim the circiiinsta7lce that the peers, in obedience t ) .:mother standing order, remained seated all the time. Further to compile:lo matters, the venerable Marquis of Lan downy, hilm , elf the pattern of punctilio, and setter of precedents, " rose" to dispute the supposed s:auding, order, and was good hutnouredly told to sit down aga . .n. The c,ntention about this single vote was as fierce as if the voices of a hunched peers were in dis. pute, and the committee actually divided as to whether the pr( xy should be admitted or not. It happened that just as many voted for the admission of the proxy as fi,r its rejection ; and, in accordance with another standing eider provided in such a case, the proxy was recorded, and the government and their supporters pine.' their print. IRELAND. DUBLIN, AUGUST 24. EXAMINATION OF SPOLLEN AT CAPEL-STREET POLICE- COURT THIS DAY. James Spollen was brought before Mr. Porter, the sitting magistrate, on a charge of stealing money, the property of the Midland Great Western Railway Company, over the value of 5/ , on the 13th of Nov., 1856. The prisoner presented the Kum calm and collected appearance, though not to the extent of unconcern and indifference which marked his demeanour on former occasions. A marked change waF, however, visible in his per sonal aspect, and the whole visage has been so changed that recognition from the portraits which were exhibited on the trial would be rather difficult. Mr. Corballis briefly stated the case, and called some of the witnesses, who were examined at the late tr:al, but no new evidence was produced. Mr. Porter having decided on committing the prisoner, asking him the usual question, if he had anything to say— Spollen—l decline for the present to say any thing till I have an opportunity of consulting counsel. Mr. , Porter—l unders'and Inspector Ryan found 101. on the person of the prisoner, and he should have that sum to enable him to procure profes sional assistance. Spolien—Thn.t won't be sufficient for my pur pose. The gentlemen who conducted my defence complained that they lest by defending me. ,Mr K.:lnnis explained that the Crown acted m-st generously with the prisoner ; they gave him 201., although he had furniture worth 141. On the application of the prisoner, his watch and chain and other matters found on his person when apprehended were delivered to him by direction of the magistrate. The prisoner was then removed. ADMIRALTY LIBERALITY. The follow•in; letter has been addressed ta a con temporary : Sir,--fn the spring of the present year the Ex mouth, an Engii-h 90-gun screw-ship, with a crew of 700 or 800 souls, on her way to SPilhead, got some tea or twelve miles out of her course in a fog, and was seen by a fisherman, when about three-quarters of a mile off the shore to the north west of the Lizard, proceeding under a press of canvas directly f r the coast ; he immediately ap prised the officers of their imminent danger ; the vessel was put about, and in doing so struck on a ridge of rucks ; she then tailed off and an anchor was let go with 15 fathoms of chain, win chbronght her up, when her stern was less than ten feet from some rocks at the foot of an almost perpendicular cliff about 200 feet high. She was here embayed in one of the many little eaves on that cast ; the fog was very thick at the tim9, and a heavy ground swell running in f ..An the south-west. In this cri tical position she was hoarded by a fisherman, named Bitchens, at the risk of his life, and under his direction the steam was got up, the anchor slipped, and the vessel piloted out in safety. This poor fisherman was thus the means of saving very many live=, and national prope-ty worth probably 100,0001. The tide was at ebb at the time, and had the ship remained there two hours longer nothing could have saved her, as a very heavy gale from the south-west arose in the evening, when a great: loss of life must have occurred. For this very important service the Admiralty have rewarded this po , r fisherman with the pa'try sum of five pounds ! Cannot you, through the power possessed by the leaders of the London daily press, get the claims of this poor fisherman justly attended to, and the natioa spared such a disgra;:e ? LONDON AND EASTERN CORPORATION.—A call of 151. per share has been tnado on the unfortu❑ate shareholders of the London and Eastern Corporation. At first it was stated the assets would nearly suffice to pay the out standing debts, and that probably all that would be re quired of the shareholders after the total loss of their paid-up capital would be that they should give their promissory-notes for an additional 501. per share as a guarantee to enable the corporation to obtain assistance from the Oriental Bank. Too parties engaged in wind ing up the concern now stote that the assets will yield consiJerably less than had baen anticipated, and will take a long time for their realisation ; and that unless the cal! of 15/ i 4 promptly met, the whole affair may have to pass into bankruptcy. For the public good the latter consummation is greatly to be desired, i❑ order • that a full exposure may be effected of a series of acts which are believed to surpass any that have been revealed in the case of the Royal British 13 Tax TRAFFIC OF THE CLYDE STOPPED.—GLASGOW, Sunday.—An obstruction has just occurred here which has created a degree of excitement, alarm, stud inconve nience such as has rately been paralleled in our local annals. • On Friday afternoon the great screw steamer Australasian left the Broomislaw for Southampton, thence to take her maiden trip in the service of the European and Australian Cornpaey, for which she had I just been built. She proceeded to Govan, about two I miles down, and grounded. She floated by the night tide, and moved down two or three miles Maher, but again grounded about a mils above Renfrew ferry. It, the efforts trade by the toga to gat her off the Austra lasian swung right across the river, and as the•tide was receding she was left firmly fixed in this poiition. As this happens to Le the narrowest point in the course of the navigation between Glasgow and Green ck, the ship cccupied the whole channel of the river, and put a st )11 to the entire traffic. In the morning the wharfs were as usual crowded with intending passengers, including several thousands of both 'texts, who bad, as - is fre quently the case at this season, hired steamers for Plea sure trips, but not a single keel °cull get either up or down, for the same inconvenience was felt below as above. At the afternoon's tide a most earnest effort was made to get the ship off, but she remained fast ; and as the height of the tide was now decr,asing, serious fears began to be entertaieed that the traffic of the river alight be shut up till text springs, a fortnight hence, and that the ship herelf might be destroyed on Jam ' event of a serious fresh settiree in, as she lay broadside on to the full sweep of the river. Teo only hope of removing her lay with the night tide of this morning, and meanwhile everything wai done that could be done to lighten her by removing sterns and ballast, and striking the' masts. At half-past three ‘Lis morning the ship moved, to the great joy of al. She was gradually swung round, and get down about four mils to Dshnuir, when she again grounded; but hers the channel of the Clyde is quite wide; and no in convenience can resu!t except to the Australasian herself. The inhabitants of Glasgow were rescued from gloom to aanktulness when they learned this forenoon that ti e Clyde was again open. One cause of the accident was that the tides have been much reducrd in volume by, tl prevalence of easterly winds. It so happens that the Clyde Trustees obtained an Act in the session about to .close for deepening and widening the river at the very p lot where this fine ship grounded. THE FALL OF CAWNPORE. Our hope is strong that the report of the fall of Cawnpore, in the Telegraphic Message received by Government, via Cagliari, is utterly groundless. The statoment in the message is as follows :—" The news given in the Bombay Times of the 14th July, by the last mail, respecting the taking of Cawnpore by the rebels, and the massacre of the Europeans there, is confirmed." On referring to the Bombay Times of the 14th of July, we find no mention whatever pf the taking of Cawnpore by the rebels, or of the slaughter of the Europeans there. We find, indeed, an account of the murder of 139 fugitives from Futteyghur—men, women, and children—all of them non- military--hy Nena Sahib, of Bhitore, which is said to have taken place on the parade ground at Cawnpore ; but we know that the parade ground and the greater part of the Cantonments were in the possession of the muti neers. Sir H. Wheeler, with the Europeans, had found refuge in some barrack or field fort. The account of the massacre of the Futteyghur fugitives appeared in the Englishman of 29th of June ; and the story is there spoken of as a "rumour," which was current at Ailahabed on the 23d. The Phoenix, of the 30th of June, at tributes the.report to a Gomashta who left Cawn pore on the 18th, and who is said to have stated that at the time of his departure, " Sir Hugh Wheeler was not only holding his ground, but would probably continuo to do so.' The Phoenix of the 30th also gives, as news received by Government the previous evening,—" Allahabad, Juno 28. Intelligence from Cawnpore that Sir H. Wheeler holds out, and moves out frequently to attack." Since, therefore,• the Bombay Times .of the 14th of July, which is referred to as authority for the tak ing of Cawnpore by the rebel, says nothing what ever of such a capture, we may fairly presume that the story is nothing more than a blunder, originat ing in the stupidity of " Consul Craig," who aims the Telegraph Message. It is consoling to find that there is no better ground for the report of the massacre of the Europeans who had found an asylum in the entrenchment at Cawnpore defended by Sir H. Wheeler ; and it is scarcely less matter of congratulation that we have reason to hope that that gallant soldier has been spared to fight' his country's battles. The general aspect of affairs in Rohilcund and Oude—as we attempted to delineate it yesterday— is not, however, materially altered by this gleam of hope. It still remains true that 1,500 of the troops intercepted in their way to China, which had ar rived at Calcutta, and 300 more which were ex pected there, were all the additional European rein forcements that our countrymen waging the unequal contest in the insurgent districts could expect for several months. For months to come the heroic baud will be left to the reiterated attacks of an enemy who far outnumbers them, and to the more insidious hut equally fatal attacks of disease. In domitable though their spirits be, they may, one after another, be swept away, as fragments of rock are by the ceaseless sapping of the tide. Such a prospect might be expected to move the most callous and indolent to exertion, but it seems to have no effect upon Lord Palmerston. When asked yester day,. by Mr. Griffith, whether the Pacha of Egypt had consented to the passage of troops across the Isthmus of Suez, Lord Palmerston replied that no communication with the Pacha of Egypt has taken place on the subject. Lord Palmerston volunteered the additional observation that the crossing of the Isthmus duling the Crimean war had been "at tended with much inconvenience and expense." And this his lordship deems conclusive. Every day that the contest in India is pro!racted threatens to allow anarchy to spread wider, and strike deeper root. Every day unnecessarily wasted in the transmission of troops to India adds to the perils of from 15,000 to 20,000 English soldiers, with a number of civi lians, women, and children. Yet the Premi e r of England—the spoiled child of the English people —when urged to accelerate the despatch of rein forcements to India, thinks it a sufficient excuse for remaining idle, that to give himself any addi tional trouble in the matter would be "attended with much inconvenience and expense !" And a number of gentlemen who call themselves the Representatives of the people of England have listened to this heartless speech without expressing —we do not say indignation, but even—sur prise. Unless the public and the press bestir themselves, the scandalous mismanagement of the Crimea will be re-enacted in India, with deeper disgrace to the character of the English Govern ment and with more lasting injury to the interests of the English nation. We believe that th- re is not a family in the country that has not friends and relations in India. Will they all stand tamely by and see the murdered left unavenged, and the survivors left to perish for want of timely aid, be causs Ministers and the House of Commons, who can find ample, funds to throw away on the inno cent hobbies of a Prince Consort, shrink from incurring considerable expense and inconvenience to save the lives of some of England's best and bravbst ?—Daily News. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. EASTERN UNION; The report of the directors of this company for the half-year ending June 30 states that the rec ipts amounted to 42,9251., and for the corresponding period of 1856 to 41,2191., showing an increase of 1,0761. The debenture interest, rents, and othfr prefe.entill charges for the half-year amount to 38,660/. JX.ducting these from the income receiv able from the joint traffic account there will remain 4,2651. To this is wide(' 1,2501., the balance from last account, and 6461., refits and other recaipts, making a total of 6,161/. This sum will admit of dividends for the last half-year, at the rate of 30s. per cent. per annum upon the like amount of B stock, leaving a small balance to the credit of next account. The directots are taking the "necessary steps for the issue of the 5 per cent, guaranteed stock sanctioned on the 17th ult. EPSOM AND LEATHERHEAD. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday at the offices, Great George-street, West. minster—Mr. R. T. Remington in the chair. Mr. HORNE, the secretary, read the report, which stated that the contract with Messrs. Brassey and Ogilvie provides for the completion of the railway and works by the Ist Jan. next, and - hat the direc tors are satisfied that the capitil will bo sufficient to complete the undertaking. The report . was a , lopted. The meeting was made special, and the directors were authorised to raise 10,0001. on debentures or bonds of the company. WIMBLEDON AND DORKING. The first ordinary meeting of this company was held yesterday at the office, Great George street, Westminster—Mr. Hackblock in the chair. Mr. Horne, the secretary, read the report, which stated that the Royal assent was given to the Act of Incorporation on the 27th of July last. The directors have received a tender from contractors of undoubted respornibllity stipulating the completion of the line, by the Ist of May' next, and the com pany are already negotiating for the purchase of land, with a view to the immediate commencement of the works. • Report adopted. NORTH YORKSHIRE AND CLEVELAND, The half-yearly m6eting of tl , is company was held at Yerk on Friday, Lord de Lisle and Dudley pre4ding. The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption and the re part, and 'congratulated tha shareholders that a dividend at the rate of 21 per cent. had bean earned during the past half-year upan that portion of the line which had been open).—Agreed to. WIIITEHAVEN AND FURNESS JUNCTION. The gross traffic receipts of this company for tue half-year ended the 30th June last amounted to 10,4271., and the Expenditure to 5,1231. On comparing the figures with those of the corresponding period of 1856, the in come shows an increase of 1,9291., and the expenditure a decline of 3371. The balance from revenue for the ball-year- is sufficient to pay the interest on the loans, and will admit of a full dividend at the rate of 5x per cent. -per annum on the preference shares, leaving a balance on band of 311/. WHITE lIAVEN JUNCTION. - The capital account of. this company, to which 3,000/. has been added during the past six months, is now closed, the total amount expended up to the present time being 193,0001., including 48,0001. raised by loans on mort,;age, For the half-year ended the 30th of June laq, the income on revenue account amounted to 11,8851, and the expenditure, in ciuding Government duty and taxes, to 6 5811. Under t' o heads " maintenance of way' and "locomotive charges" the expenditure has been heavy. Tce balance to the oredit of the company on revenue account, amounting to 5,304/ , is reduced by payment of hitt; rest on loans and pref e renc e shares and the purchase of new roiling stock, &c., to 1,741/ , which will yt , i a dividend of 3.} per cant. per annum on the original shares. THE ATLANTIC TCLEGRAPH CATILE.—On the Bth and 12ch inst. 496 fathotes•aud 450 fathoms of the cable of the Atlantic Telegraph Cimpany were picked up. The director-, as we have been given to understand, have re solved to renew/ the attempt in October. That month is m e the pt. next I f e x . a favourable one for the p ur p ose, and we really see no reason, if they profit by their recent experi ence , w h y they should rto c t lo succeed i m n the it e s l e a c p o s n e d b a e t f t o e r dur ing the few we peritnent means can be devised for repairing any damage wh i c h may occur , aEe of that is any means of recovering the e n d of the cable in c accident, and of knitting it on aptin to the owl, we should almost I koo upon the work as done. DIE BLACK BALL CLIPPER SHIP LIGHTNIBG. Since the introduction of steam -machinery as a maritime propulsive power, wo have been ac customed to look to and depend upon it as the only means of making rapid and safe voyages. Sailing ve ,, sels were looked down upon as means of transit miserably below the progress and spirit of the age. But the improvements which have of late years been made in the construction of sailing ships has forced them again into notice, and in many in-' stances has enabled them to compete successfully, both in speed and safety, with some of the best steamers. The Lightning, clipper ship, belonging to Messrs James Baines and Co., which is at present embark ing troops for India, is a very fine specimen of th 3 latter class of vessels, and though entirely depen dent for her motive power upon the caprice of the winds and waves, has nevertheless contrived on several occasions to outstrip in speed some of our best steamers engaged in the same trade and run ninc, the same track between this and the anti podes. The Lightning was built in the spring of 1854 by Mr. Donald Mackay, of Boston, and is there fore comparatively speaking, quite a new ship. Though large she is by no means one of those monsters of the deep which, like mountain scenery, are only interesting and. me rth seeing on account of their vastness and bulk. She is but 1,468 tons office register; and yet for speed, elegance of build, and general tiiances.s she is probably unequalled by any sailing ship afloat. Her, length from stem to sternlis but 246 feet and her extreme breadth but 44; but from the great height of her slender spars, and. the yacht-like trim of her'hull, the impression con veyed on appoaching her is that of a vessel at least one-third larger, presenting an extraordinary con trast to the great American wonder, the Niagara, which in spite of her immense tonnage, at a short distance does not look anything larger than the Lightning. Her accommodation for passengers is very extensive ; the principal saloon is eighty six feet long, and is fitted up in the most ele gant and tasteful manner, and in order t o g i ve the appearance at l eas t of coolness, which must be very acceptable during the summer parts of the voyage, white and gold comprise almost the whole of the decorations. Her 'tween deck ac commodation for second class and intermediate passengers is 176 feet long, 40 feet braiad, afloat. and 8 feet high, beiug more lofty than any s hi p The appliance for securing an adequate supply of water to the passengers—a most necessary consideration daring a long voyage is very extensive—she carries iron tanks capable- of holding 36,000 gallons. The height of the main mast from the deck to the truck is 157 feet, while her main yard is quite equal in dimensions to that of a first rate line-of 'battle ship, being 95 feet long. The total cost of the vessel was about 30,0001., but the wonderful rapidity of her voyages out and home between this and Australia has amply repaid the enterprising owners for the great outlay which was incurred in her construction. As a sailing ship she has made some of the smartest runs on record, on one occasion accomplishing the extraordinary distance of 430 nautical miles in 24 hours, being an average speed of about 18 knots an hour. In seven consecutive days she ran 2,188 nautical miles, being about 327 miles a day—. an average speed of a little more than 14 knots an hour fur the whole time. At the beginning of the present month the Lightning completed her fifth voyage, though only built three years. The dura tion of her voyage has varied from 63 to 83 days, the average being a little over 70. She is at present in the Government employ ment, and is about- proceeding to India with the 7th Husssars, and detachments of other regiments, in all numbering about 650 men. The whole of the alterations which were rendered necessary by her transformation from a packet to a troop ship have been completed, and she is now in a fit condition Ito receive her complement, of men, who will pro ceed on board her during the course of to-day and to morrow. The extreme height of her 't ween where the men will be accommodated; render her particularly well adapted for the conveyance of troops to the burning climate, of the East Indies. Yesterday the owners, Messrs. James Baines and Co., invited a large party of ladies and gentlemen to inspect the ship previous to her departure from Gravesend (which will take place during the week), and on the occasion a grand dejeuner was given on board ) , at which some of the officers of the 7th Hus sars, who will proceed in her, were present. The entertainment passed off with groat festivity, and about five o'clock the visitors returned to town by special tram, all expressing themselves highly gratified with the arrangements made on board for the comfort and convenience of the soldiers. The owners are under contract that the ves el shall not exceed 70 days on the outward voyage. Not the least interesting episode in the proceedings of the day was the embarking o f a re giment of the Dragoon Guards on board the screw steamer City of Manchester, which was moored alongside the Lightning. The t roo p s c h eere d the visitors most heartily as they left the ship in the steam tug for the railway station, which, it is need less to say, was as heartily responded to. FLOATING COLLEGE FOR NATIVE INSTRUCTION. The following has been issued as a prospectus for the establishment of a "Floating College for Naval Instruction and Marine Engineering," for the edu cati)n of those destined to follow the mercantile marine as a profession. The project has excited much interest among the members of Lloyd's, especially those who are shipowners ; and it ap pears to be-the general opinion that an establish ment, such as that contemplated, if carried properly into effect, could not fail in eventually exercising a beneficial influence on the mercantile marine of the country. "To her naval and maritime rescurces, Great Britain has long been ind e bt e d f or h er wealth - and position as a nation; therefore everything conducive to their improvement and extension, claims support as a national benefit. The perfection to which shipping and machinery have now been brought, admits of little improvement ; but, as concerns the education of those destined to follow the mercantile marine as a profession, the above undertaking, it is hoped, will meet the approval and support of all enlightened minds, as it will enable pupils joining this college to acquire a thorough practical and scientific knowledge of their profession, under the most talented preceptors, previously to entering the service for which they are intended. - " The establibltnent of this college has been pro posed for the following reasons : " Ist. That nothing of the kind exists • and that the estlblishment of a seminary at which the quali fications of a marine engineerand thorough seaman could be obtained, would be most desirable in a great commercial and maritime nation like Britain• 2d. That while the Royal Navy has its schoolP, both floating and stationary, there exists no oppor tunity for a highly respectable and enterprising portion of the community to acquire the qualifica tions offered, unless they enter the naval service ; and as the commercial and pacific constitutes large portion of the productive and standing wealth of the country, to every well wisher of its future prosperity, such an under taking should be hailed with congratulation. 3d. That on inspection of the branches of education proposed to be taught, viz , navigation, , marine engineering, gunnery, the higher mechanics, and collateral science=,this body, our commercial marine, would be qualified to assume an important position in the event of national hostilities ;1 an arm of power, which from its intelligence, would be in vincible, arid which, at the present moment does clot exist. The undertaking having been submitted and re ceived the approval of the highest authorities, it is intended to fit out a first-class ship, with auxiliary steam power replete with every comfort and con venience, as a floating college, for a limited number of pupils who, in addition to their ordinary education, will ln,ve an opportunity of acquiring practical instruction (the vessel cruising for the purpose), in navigation, marine engineering, a branch of the service rapidly extending, gunnery, &c. ; as a l so of attending lectures on such other sciences as are likely to be of use to them in follow ing their profession ; while such as obtain certifi cates will then be qualified iu every respect to t ike an appointment with credit to themselves and satisfaction to their commanders and owners ceo.er e s ci a e r t x ; for a lthough our mercha n t serv i ce means of acquiring a knw f• o 1 ge of seamnship, affords none of the otheradvantages, tal or mor 11, whichby this co • are held out ller I t would be highly a d Valt a ; sous to many to pur,,ue thio course of study, if not even d , slined to follow it a 5 a profesion, as it would impart health and hardi ness to tl e constitution, and such information I would be ever p r e- em i nen tly use ful in any Part the globe. The officers, petty officers, and crew, as also the preceptors in their various department-, will be selected froni those possessing the Ilighes . t. testimonials and scientific attainments ; nor theirieligiou 3 or sanitary interests be.lost sight of, 'as a ch.aplaiu at d experienced surgeon will be at tached to the ship. The most perfect disci p line will be maintained, and every encouragement offered to talent and perseverance. As soon as the required number of pupils are entered the ship will be put in immedhate commission. Th activ Th e were expo: quiet te r i a Th open, 18 act stag ciall, Iterr Ao►n i 4 b3ii 141 2 Del