The Sun. — London, England, 1857-12-23 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23, 1857. A telegram has just been received of the most satisfactory description. It brings intelligence from Bombay to the 4th instant, giving us the pleasing intelligence of the relief of Lucknow and the rescue of its gallant garrison, and of the helpless fugitives whom they so nobly protected against their treacherous assailants. We heard by the last mail that Sir COLIN Calussia, had rrived at Cawnpore on the 2d November, and: he had crossed the Ganges en route for the scene of action. We now learn that he joined the forca at Alum bagh On the 21st—manifestly a mistake for the That on the 23d (13th) active operations com menced, and that for the next six days there was a constant series of severe and bloody struggles with the enemy ; and on the 21st their principal strongholds were being captured, THE BELEAGUERED GARRISON WERE RELIEVED, and ON THE 20th THE SICK AND WOUNDED LADTES AND CHILDREN WERE SENT BACK UNDER AN ESCORT TO CAWNPORE. These are, indeed, glad tidings. A weight will be removed from the public mind. Intense anxiety was felt for HAVELOCK and his gallant companions, but even more for the fugitives. The latter are now in safdty-, and the former, relieved from their interesting charge, can take care of themselves. What more etn we desire f Sir CoLur was in command of 22,000 men. With such a following. he can render a good account of the rebels. In fact there is no possible force that could resist him.. Of cours, it will take time, but we can now patiently abide the certain result, The fugitives being safe, wehave nothing else to trouble the public mind. In addition, we hear that the Male a hell force, tinder BrigadierSTuAßT, has relieved Nus3cerabad, dispersed the Efriahibpore and Mundesore rebels, lila is now clearing Malwa of the insurgents. ?,111 k! - c)bamns under Brigadier Ssoweas, Oust Co:no; and Colonel TIDDEL are scour• lag , complete success attending their operations every where. Lirge masses of European troop s are reac hing India wee kl y, an d we an (relieved?) fro m ea alarm for our varrf aOns and outposts lately in e . , imminent peril. On the whole it is the beat despatch that has been received since the c .) in 9 l3acs mant of the mutiny, and it will rjlieve many anxiou s h o , rts, anti enabl e th e m t o et, j.)y their Christma s featiti ties without allay or drawback. A very severe onslaught is contempl.ttod on the Joint-stock banking system. All the calamities Which the Ration has recently sustained, and is still sustaining, are unhesitatingly ascribed to the facilities afforded by those institutions to reckless traders, and their allowing interest fur money placed at call in their hands. Phis is particu larly objectionable to certain "hard calculating bankers," who find that depositors prefer receiv-; ing fair remuneration for the use of their money, 1858 -Fail not to be ;in the NEW YEAR • with a DIARY. LETTS'S are kept by every bookseller in the kingdom. Catalogues gratis. Those generally adopted by LADIES are Nos. 10, 12, 18, 20d ARMY and NAVY, 8,9, 10, 1!, 22, plain or elegantly bound, in perpetual sprg. lock cases, GENTLEMEN, 8,9, 13, 11, etc. MERCHANTS, BANKERS, in perpetual sprg- lock cases. ENGINEERS, etc. 31, 32, 53, CLERGY 4fEN, 9, 10, 12, 12 enl. 1,2, 3,6, 8,9, 11, with Dr. and Tablet, Sermon books, etc. Cr. forme, 3a, 4a, 11a, etc. MEDICAL MEN, 1,2, 8,9, 10, TRADESMEN, 4,5, 11, 13, 15, Medical, Professional, etc. Dr. and Cr. forms, 3a, 11 a, etc. LAWYERS, 51, 52, 1,2, 8,9, the FARMERS. 4, 5,6,7, 11,13, etc. Scribbling, plain or intertvd. MF.CII AN ICS, Is. 6d., 1s 9d., 6d. LETTS, SON, and Co., Stationers & Mapsellers,B, Royal Exchange. 1858 —LETTS'S DIARIES ? WH AT ARE • THEY ; In above 100 varieties, at from C pence to 14 shillings, sold by Booksel'ers In the Kingdo n. Catalogues gratis. Also Cellar Books, Game Books, Stable Books, Library Catalogues and many other valuable Forms for MSS. pur poses, LETT3, SON & Co., Stationers & 31apsellers, 8, Royal Exchange. HER, MAJESTY'S THEATRE. THREE EXTRA NIGHTS. Piecolomini, Spezia, Ginglini, Belletti, Rossi, Vialetti, and Aldighieri. Tuesday, Dec. 29—Thursday, Dec. 31—Saturday Jan. 2. The following favourite operas will be given : Tuesday—lL TROVATORE. Thursday—LA TR AV I ATA. Saturday—LUClA DI LAMMERMOOR. Prices :—Pit Stalls, 12s 6d; boxes (to hold four persons), pit and one pair, 21. 2s; grand tier, 31. 3s ; two pair, 1/. 55.; three pair, 15s ; gallery boxes, lUs ; gallery stalls, 3s 6,1; pit, 3s 6d; gallery, 2s. T IIEA.TRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. For the Benefit of Miss Amy Sedgwick. THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock, with TIIE REIGNING FAVOURITE. Adrienne Lecouvreur, by Miss Amy Sedgwick. Followed by THE DOWAGER. After which, a new farce, by the author of Box and Cox, entitled TAKE CARE OF DOWB, in which Mr. Bucksteno will sustain an original ch tracter. 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 Pt... T. wer Gallery... 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6 Upper Gallery 0 6No half-price to Upper Gallery. T HEATRE ROYAL, AD EL PHI, Les:me—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING, will be performed THE GREEN BUSIIPS, in which Madame Celeste, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Paul Bedford will perform. Followed by the original Apropos Sketch, entit:ed THE DRAPERY QUESTION ; or, Who's for India l Messrs. Wright, P. Bedford, C. Selby; Miss M. Wilton and Miss Mary Keeley. R OYAL LYCEILM THE A.TRE. —Sole Lessee awl Manager, Mr. C. Dillon.— This Theatre will OPEN for the Winter Season en THURS DAY NEXT (Christmas Eva), t ) commence with 2.1 Y FRIEND FROM LEA.THERHEAD. After which, the Grand Combination of Burlesque and Pantomime, LALLA.H ROOKII, and the PERI, the PRIN CESS, and the TROUBADOUR; or, Harlequin and the Ohobers of the Desert. Supported by Mesdames, Woolgar, Buckingham White, Eliz. Webb, Maria Ternan, Esther Ja cob, and Charles Dillon ; Messrs. Barrett, Calhaem, Holston, Fitzhonry, Poynter, Simpson, and J. L. T.)ole. Gorgeous Feast of Lanterns.—Fenton's Grand Transformation, Morning Performance on Boxi❑g Day. First apwarance of Mr. CHARLES DILLON on Monday next. Box.ofFice open from 11 to 5 daily. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE Lessees, Messrs. Robion and Emden. THIS EVENING, will be performed the new and original o modietta, by Sterling Coyne, Rig., called WHAT WILL THEY SAY AT BROMPrON I Mr. Robson, (Sze. After which, LEADING STRINGS. To conclude with BO )TS AT THE SWAN. Mr. Robson, Mr. H. Wigan, and Mrs. Emden. Commence at half-past Seven. ANTERBURY HALL, Westrnimter-road.— OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow i iz company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance o S , lections from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS, CaORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, &c., viz. :—Aliss Russell, Mrs. Badzey, Madlle. Marietta, Mrs. Palmyre, Miss Bru nel!, and Madame Marietta ; Herr F. Jonglimans, Mr. lienahaw. R. Grover, T. Fareant, S. Jones, J. Barker, W: Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L. Hime, and Mr. St. Albyu; Messrs. S. Collins, W. T. Critchleld, and E. Mack ney. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, Master ; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at Seven o'clock precisely. Suppers, dec., until twelve o'clock. AM COWELL'S RETURN to his Old Quarters, the CANTERBURY-HALL, for One Night only, CHRISTMAS EVE, Dee. '24, 1857. CA. NTERBURY-11ALL, West minst er-roa d. GRAND MORNING CONCERT. BOXING DAY, December 26, 1857, commencing at half past One o'clock. Programme, consisting of Solos, Comic and Sentimental, and selections from the following Operas Ernani, It Troy ttoro, and L . Traviata. Comic talent—Messrs. S. Collins, W. J. Critchfleld, and B. W. Mackney. HIGH WITER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAY—Morn., 5 min. aft. 6—Even., 30 min aft. 6 T -MORROW--Morn. 53 min. aft. 6 —Even., 19 min. aft. 7 THE WEATHER —Su ()FMB, DECZUBICH 23. 111/11M03fETER, IY THE SLOE. 55—highest since noon yesterday. 52—lowest this morning and daring the night. 55 —this day at noon. BAROMETER. 30.39. WIND, Westerly; rather fresh, with fine weather. CIC '_f E SUN, LONDO N, rather than permitting it to lie idle and unpro ductive where no interest is paid on. balances. There is a double motive for this attack. It may, in the first place, serve to divert attention from the Act of 1844, by offering the Joint-stock banks as a vicarious sacrifice in place of the teal offenders, and, by so doing, reduce the competi tion, and thereby materially enhance the profits of the aforesaid " hard calculators." It would, therefore, combine the useful with the agreeable—would " put money in the purse," and also bolster up an impugned theory ! This is too good a chance not to be eagerly grasped. at. We ac cordingly find a series of articles all systematically attacking these establishments, and striving to transfer all the odium from the monetary code, to their mode of transacting business. The real cry is for " protection" to hard calculators, al though it is put forward by those who, in all other respects, profess to be free-traders or advo cates for unrestricted competition. Now, really, the class is about the last entitled to any degree of sympathy. We should think the trading, manufacturing, and other industrial interests far better entitled to support It was always believed that a large amount of banking capital, affording every reasonable facility to legitimate traders, was the greatest element in creating national prosperity. It was the admirable system established in Scotland, affording a healthy stimulus both to trade and agriculture, that mainly produced the welfare of its hardy and intelligent inhabitants. It was probably the in ferior supply that redacad Ireland to such a de plorable position, for, be it remembered, that comparing banking capital with population, Scot land had more than 4/. per head, while Ireland had scarcely 15s. There being, in the former, 13,000,000/. invested in banking operations, while Ireland had virtually but 5,000,000/., as a large portion of the Bank of Ireland stock was lent to the Government, and therefore diverted from its legitimate use, and yet the population of Ireland once numbered nearly eight millions, while that of Scotland was but three millions. It is against these invaluable institutions that the attempt is now mainly directed, and two or three cases of imprudence are made the grounds for the attack. We believe, however, that the people of Scotland will not permit any further tampering with the syst3m which has proved so beneficial, ind under which there have been fewer failures than under any ever practised in any country or under any code ! We wish to warn our brethren " agent the l' weed" of the intention while there is yet time to avert it. They are a clear-headed, ener getic, persevering, and resolute people, more fully alive to their own interests, and not quite so easily bamboozled as Joan BULL. They are not dazzled by the glitter of the sovereign, and find that the 11. notes are far more convenient than sovereigns. As we have repeatedly stated, the latter are only seen in the hands of wandering tourists, and whenever received by a true Scots man, are forthwith exchanged for " the worthless raga" against which the Jupiter Tonans of Printing• house-square so loudly bellows. No matter what Jilr. GLADSTONE, or the Times, may please to say against the cheap system of currency, it has been fully tested in Scotland, and will not be aban doned without sufficient cause. Let an inquiry —if demanded—proceed by all means. The most stringent investigation will only establish the superiority of the Scottish system, and show that any legislation,should be towards giving to England a share of the benefits which the sister kingdom has so long enjoyed. What, may we ask, have been the pro portion of the failures of banks in Eng land and in Scot!and during the pre sent, and, we may add, the last century. They have not been the tenth part, we believe we might say the hundredth part, in Scotl ind of what they have been in this country. The re cent stoppages have only been occasioned by the impolitic and uncalled-for Act of 1845, and not a single creditor will lose a shilling in either case. The shareholders may suffer, but not the deposi tors or noteholders. What, then, is the ground of complaint t Simply, that there is too much credit to please those who would grind the work ing classes to the utmost, and seek to transfer the whole profits cf trade to their own pockets. We, however, recollect when the " credit," en joyed by English traders, and the cheapness of money in England was considered the groat foundation of national prosperity. Now, all that has been changed, and according to the new school, or rather am old one under a new mask—the object is to keep money scarce and dear, so that " the hard calculators" may obtain for themselves the property of less prudent men. It is for the people to say which principle fs best calculated to promote the welfare, prosperity, and happiness of our Sovereign Lady the QUEEN, and of her loyal and devoted subjects. We must expect a plentiful crop of crotchets on the eve of a new Reform Bill, and by all means let us have them out. They can do no harm. Even some proposals ludicrous in themselves will suggest practical thoughts to men of sounder minds. One of the chief uses, also, of a daily press is to give free scope to the thoughts of all ; and it is with pleasure that we always do so—that is, if there be int e lli gence enoug h i n any commu nication to make it worth printing—however op posed it may be to our own views. One of these impracticable crotchets we tike to be the memorial just forwarded to 14)1.1 PA.LMER STON on behalf of a separate territorial represen t ttion of the classes who have received a " liberal education." A memorial signed by hereditary peers of the realm and by spiritual peers, by archbishops and bishops, by doctors of divinity and doctors of medicine, by judges and lawyers of all grades, by distinguished naval and military men, by professors of every art and science, by authors of all kinds, by clergymen of the Church of England and by dissenting ministers ; such a memorial, from men of all political views, claims, of course, a polite notice. But, however great the names attached to it, its proposals must be discussed on their merits. We, of course, cannot be suspected of wishing to undervalue the class to which we belong. We should personally share in the proposed privileges and advantages, if such they be ; and our opinion may, therefore, be pre sumed to be an impartial one. We, however, are inclined to view the very proposal itself as a proof that the " liberally-educatzd class" had better be isingled in representation with the other classes than firm a separate one, The very habits of thought which could suggest such a scheme as that befo re u . , show that its promoters appreciate rightly neither themselves nor the English public. "It will never do," would be the first remark of Ay r Li po l4i all the Joan BULL S o f Old E ngland. I A. deprecat e hundred and f ort y / cians— we s h ou ld d ec id e dl y handin g over seventy seats, that i 3, ono votes on a division, to the I Conservative or stand -still party.. N o cn e can doubt that the vast majority of Church clergy men, military an d naval universiti es belonc, t o th e officers, law an y d e T g s r , a d m u e a d t iecsa ofl glorious ones, of Exceptions, and Tory party. course abound ; but at the poll we believe the Conservatives, in the classes mentioned, would outnumber the Liberals three to one. Even if " Dissenting teachers not carrying on trade," were included, they are but a small part of the ninety-two thousand who are to form the new con stituencies ; and they would include the numerous Wesleyan travelling preachers, who are perhaps among the bitterest enemies iu the kingdom of popular liberties. Sir JOHN PAKINGTON, as a Conservative and professed educationist, ought to hail the proposal, hut real Liberals should reject it at once if they think it of any consequence not to throw seventy seats, beyond rocal perhaps, into the hands of their opponents. We are by no means satisfied, however, that Sir JOHN PAKINOTON or any one else can regard the proposal as one favourable to education. Were it a scheme to require of every voter a minimum amount of education, as a sine qnct non to a vote, it might be regarded fairly as a stimulus to na tional education. Many of the bet Liberals and ardent friends of education have wished that such a suffrage test could be devised. The only diffi culty seems to be unfortunately an insuperable ono —that of finding a simple and efficient test of edu cation itself. In Australia where the suffrage is very extended, it is to be required, four years hence, that the voter should sign his name at some stage of the polling. Even this would have its use, andiif the suffrage were as largely extended here as we should desire, we should perhaps like to in clude the signature of the voter amongst the qualifications for a vote. Of course it must be affixed to the register, not to the ballot papers, whenever we get them. The proposal of the memorialists is altogether of an opposite tendency. It is to separate the educated men from the masses. It selects classes which no working man or ordinary tradesman can possibly enter, and says to every one else, — "Stand by, I am more educated than thee." This is, we think, to put special education, such as that enjoyed by the gentlemen in question, in the most invidious light possible. It would create prejudice against it rather than respect for it, if its possessors thus seemed to disclaim association with their lass fortunate fellow-men. The wealthy would be seen voting contentedly with the poor, but the "liberally educated" superciliously with drawing themselves from contact with the many. Everywhere the educated would form one consti tuency, and the presumedly uneducated another. Great numbers among the latter would often think themselves as goad as the select, and with reason too, for there is much self-education in England of a most valuable kind. Such a kind of elect )ral peerage would indeed, we are per suaded, be very distasteful to the excluded classes. We, however, decidedly object to the main principle of the plan. We think that the educated should, ou the contrary, at an election, mingle with the uneducated, just as the lord on these oc casions shakes hands with the blacksmith. The freedom, in this sense, and warm discussions of our English elections are amongst their best and most useful features. If the educated in any con stituency have really better knowledge and judg ment than their fellow-voters, let them use their knowledge, not put its light under a bushel. Lot them diffuse it by public meetings, by personal con ference, and by the press, among the masses. If they have it not, they have no claim at all to form a select constituency; but if they have, then let them patriotically try to raise the consti tuencies to their own standard. It is surely best that such mea shouli depend for political success on imparting their knowledge, than on keeping it to themselves and their clique. The real sdvance of the country consists in the advance of the masses. We are, also, by no means satisfied that these intellectual constituencies would be the best qualified to close representatives for our very practical country. Nearly all the classes referred to have received not merely a liberal, but also a professional and technical education. The pur suits of the greater part of them train them one sided to habits of thought, and their ideas flow in channels, apart to a great extent from those of ordinary life. No men on earth will fight more tenaciously for some visionary fancy, than some professional men, clergymen especially ; and lawyers, too, are generally very apt to regard everything from their peculiar point of view, and that not the most genial one. Of the lawyer class, moreover, we have always had an ample supply in the House of Commons. Speaking generally, we should say that voters of no class more need to have their angularities and rigidities rubbed off and softened by the social collisions of our public elections, than just those men who have received a " Liberal education." Indeed both classes of electors are the better for their amlagamation into one body. All agree that if any of the liberally educated classes are excluded by the present franchise, it would be well to include them in any extension of it, as far as practicable—but it is a totally dif ferent thing to create a new set of educationally aristocratic constituencies by parcelling out the kingdom amongst the learned and other profes sions, and thus creating professional constituen cies, professional franchise, and professional sena tors. No--in elections, at least, Englishmen will demand that all should " row in one boat." A ilossTics Causs.—The Dublin Freeman says that the long-expected affidavits in the case of " Kingston and Sadleir" have been filed on both sides, and that they exceed in extent any that have ever been filed in Ireland in any one case. The affidavits, it is computed cover 7,000 folios. The Duchess of Parma has issued a decree, dated the 11th, authorising the establishment of a joint-stock company for working the lignite mines of Soriano, re cently discovered. Since the imposition of a stamp duty en journals in Austria, measures have been taken for affixing the stamps to each sheet while going through the press, by which the trouble of sending the paper to the stamp office will be avoided. The Pope has contributed 500 scudi towards the re lief of the sufferers from the inundation of the Po in the provinces of Lodi and Pavia. (The scudi is sfr. The Chamber of Commerce of Trieste has approved of a project founding a caisse de secours for the silk trade, and has sanctioned its statutes. A subacrip tinn was immeclately opened for raising the capital, amounting to three millions of francs. 'Doe Esperance of Athens says :—" The excavations being made at the Theatre of Bacchus continue to be carried on with great activity. The Minister of Public Worship visits the spot every day, and the conservator of antiquities himself directs all the works. Among the foreigners who show the greatest interest in these txc:- vations is Mr. Wyse, the English minster, who is a great amateur of archaeology." The appointment of an Ambassador to this Court from the Emperor of Russia in the parson of Baron Brunow may be regarded as a political fact of some si,guificanc.. The rank of ambassador has not been c mferred on a Rus sian Envoy since 1839, when Count P, z 2) di B sego was succeeded by Baron Brunow. No public man was, perhaps, m re,anxions to preserve the long con inued amity betw..,En England and Itu , sla than Baron Brunow, Ma, $ t lot it was to be compelled to return from his post on lb: eve of hostiliti.s. The return of Baron Brunow with the highest rank that can be hsid by the envoy of one county to another may be regarded as strong ovidvnc t of the filet:di/ disposition of the present Ernpr ror, and of his just appreciation of the interests of the co an tr ies. PRICE OF GOLD.—The qu,tation of pld at Paris is aLo it 1 pt r mils discount, and the short exchange on Loudon is 25.25 per Ti. sterling. Ou comparing these rates with the English 31int price of 3/. 17W. 10td. per Ounce for standard gold, it appears that gold is about 4-10tha per cent. dearer in London than in Paris. At Hamburg, owing to the commercial derangements, r o foNign exchange quotations have been published. The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight is 109 to 1091- per cent, for first ?lass paper. At the prevent rate of disc,unt hore there is consequently no profit on the transmission of gold rorn this country to the United Stater. VVEDNPSDA V EVEN4N His Excellency Feruish Khan, Persian E..voy iL returned to Claridge's Hotel yesterday from visiting her Majesty at Windsor Castle. His Excellency, accompanied by his suite, honoured the performances at Astley's Amphitheatre with his presence last evening. The Duchess (Dowager) of Beaufort and the Ladies Somerset Lave left town to join the family circle at Badminton Park. The Marchioness of Bath and Lady Louisa Thynne are exaected in town next week, to be present at the nup tials of Miss St. John Mildmay, niece to Sir H. St. John Mildmay and Viscount Bolingbroke, and grand-niece to the Earl of Radnor. The Marquis of Anglesey has entertained a select patty, iucludieg Sir John V. Shelley, Cept. Little, Mr. G. Payne, &c., during the past week at Beaudesert, near Lichfield. The circle separated on Saturday. The noble mar - pis will receive company during the holidays. The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury are passing the season at Hatfield House, where they will entertain company during the Christmas recess. The Earl and Countess Granville have left town on a visit to the Right Hon. Sidney and Mrs. Herbert at Wilton House, near Salisbury. The Countess of Lichfield gave birth to a son yester day at the family residence in Grosvenor-square. The countess and infant are both progressing favourably. The Earl and Countess of Westtnorelond have returned from Brighton to Apthorpe, where they intend to enter tain company during the holidays. The Earl of Shelburne left Lansdowne House yester day to join the circle assembled at Bowood. Viscount and Viscountess Combermere are entertain in,,ss a succession of visitors at Combermere Abbey. The following distinguished guests have recently left the Abbey—Lord and Lady Delamere, the Marchioness of Downshire and Lady Alice Hilll, the Earl of Hills borough, the Earl Talbot, Lord Robert Clinton, the Marquis and Marchioness of Choltnondeley, and Sir Willoughby Cotton. Viscount Althorp arrived at Althorp Park, a few days since, from Ainer:ca, where his lordship has been making a tour for some months past. The Dowager Lady Foley and the Hon. Miss Foley have returned to town from Bath. The Dowager Lady Raglan and the Hon. Miss So merset left town yesterday on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Westmoreland, at Apthorpe Park, North amptonshire. The Count and Countess d'Altone have left the Bruns wick Hotel, St. James's, for Paris. Lady and Miss Abercromiby have left the Queen's Hotel, Upper Norwood, for town. Captain and Mrs. Roebuck have arrived at the same establishment. SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY. --EXETER-HALL, To- NIGHT.—The last performance of the " Messiah" takes place this evening. CORNHILL WARD. —At the close of the poll for Com mon Councilmen for this ward yesterday the numbers were—For Mr. E. Harrison (Deputy), 64 ; Mr. J. Waterlow, 62 ; Mr. Hoppe, 59 ; Mr. D. Shrewsbury, 58 ; Mr. C. Gaimes, 57 ; Mr. A. J. Waterlow, 41 ; Mr. J. Purssell, 30. Mr. Alderman Carter therefore de clared the first six gentlemen to be duly elected. A letter from Luxembourg of the 13th says Yes terday a student of the college here was assailed by so ire Prussian sub-officers, one of whom, without any p oeocation, felled him to the ground with the cut of a sabre, and injured him so severely that be died a few hours albs-. The assailants then took to flight, pursued by some persona who came up at the time ; but on reaching the house of the military governor, the sentinf ls on duty, instead of arresting the fugitives, let them pass, and stopped those who were pursuing them." SUlClDE.—Yesterday Mr. Payne held an inquest at the Vestry-hall, Horselydown, respecting the death of Mr. Frederick Kilkiy, who, as stated in the Mansion house police report yesterday, committed suicide by cutting his throat. The particulars of the case have appeared. The deceased had been charged with having atternyed to rob Mr. Stevens, stockbrok , r ' of several hundred pounds, but the Lord Mayor after hearing the case told bins that he left the court without the slightest taint upon hie character. The deceased, however, who resided with his brother in Thornton-street, Horsely down, was very much depressed on his return home, and on Sunday morning was found in bed a ith his throat cut. The jury returned a verdict that the de ceased destroyed himself while in a fit of temporary in sanity brought on by the transaction with the broker. ANOTHER QUARRY ACCIDENT IN NORTH WALES.— FIVE LIVES LOST.—A shoctng catastrophe has occurred in the Vale of Nantile, so lately the scene of a dreadful accident of a similar character. On Monday six men were at work at the Dorothea slate-works, in a pit known as the Fire-hole, working a fresh opening, when an immense mass of rock fell as suddenly as an avalanche. About 30 or 40 tons rest,d on a gallery above, evoraang ing the opening, aed thus divided the rock in its descent into two courses, which completely cut off ail escape. The sixth man was almost miraculously preserved. He was working apart from the others on higher ground, and the projecting rock partially sheltered him. A ma of stone, about six tons weight, was seen to bound o ver his head, and though seriously injured by being struck by fragments, he ultimately succeeded in reaching the area of the quarry. Blasting had frequently to be re sorted to to recover the bodies, for which relays of workmen searched night and day, without intermission, until Friday evening. The bodies presented a frightful appearance. Some were terrlbly mutilated and nearly cut through, and one was perfectly flattened, the skull torn asunder, and the brains lying close by. All, with one exeeptiou, were married and leave families. The entire fall is estimated at several thousand tons. Toe Courrier de Paris relates .the following some what singular and not very probable anecdote :—"A few days ago a gentleman walking through the Charles Scrause at Munich, and having on hi- , arm a large cloak, happened to stop opposite the office of the Mont-de-Piete. Ho was immediately accosted by a female, one, it appears, of several who watch near those establishments at Munich for the purpose of gaining a trifling sum by pledging articles for persons who feel ashamed of entering those places themselves. A'a ! mein herr,' said the woman, you do not like to go in there yourself, and yet you perhaps wish to pledge your cloak ? Give it to me, and I will get you a good sum on it.' You will render me a service,' replied the gentle man, after a moment's hesitation, take the cloak, and I will wait here until you return.' At the end of five minutes, the woman returned, and handed to the gen- Uman 10 florins, the sum lent on the cloak. Thank you, my good woman,' said the owner of the cloak, 'and now, by way of commission, pat these ten florins in pgaiyvintg her eleven more, be interest.' The your oa o un m rd a p n roe w cdk a ee s etm' a t a a tnhde losst cloakto understand t u l n iae d ns e de tand all this, but she did as she was told, and on her return, as she w a s h an di ng a company of s o lli e r s to the gentl eman , w h om found was no o th er th an overPtha et,seads t t h boy e n,i c ,,wh i o h . e d t o k pw t r o oe ms e i an t s at e o dt h w ae n rnm e r Kin g L' nis. Oa his return to the palace, hi s M a j es ty sent for his tailor, and rated him soundly for charging 80 florins for a cloak on which he could only borrow 10 florins." INTERESTING SURGICAL OPERATION.—Dr. Lang worthy of this city extracted on Tuesday last an arrow from the back of a soldier, lately in the United States' service in No .v Mexico. This instrument we have examined. It is of thin iron, about an inch and a half long and three-fourths of an inch wide at the hetd, with a t •non less than one-fourth of an inch wide. The blade is tempered to a point, and the edges made sharp. The tenon is driven into the head of the shaft of the arrow, and bound with sinews. When this instrument is propelled from a bow sprung by powerful aria it is capable of doing great mischief. This soldier is a young man named DangerfieH, who was stationed at Fort Defiance. Early in September ast he was sent out from the fort with a small patty to bring in a train which was being harassed by the Apache Indians. While on this duty the Indians made an attack, approaching the soldiers on horseback at either ifee in a ercuitous way. As Dangerfield raised his musket to fire at the Indians on one side an Indian appeared on the other and huffed an arrow into the muscles of his shoulder-blade. His companions seized the shaft of the arrow and draw it out, but left the iron head to which we have referred above buried about four inch 33 deep anacng the muscles. The wound was suffi cient to disable the man, and he was soon after dis charged. Having some relations residing here he came to this city to b) operated upon. Dr. Lang worthy made an incision, and by the aid of twa d irect o rs," with which he guided the shoulders of the iron, he speedily drew out the arrow-head. The point of it was fast in the spinous process of the shoulder-blade. The patient rafu ed to take chloroform, and submitted to the opera tion with much fortitude. He is now doing well, and will soon recover the use of his arm, which had been partiaLy paralysed.—Rochester ( U.S. ) Union. . - TILE CROWN JEWRLS —We find the following iu letter from Hanover, of Dec. 19 :—" The hearts of the King and Royal Family of this country have been much rejoiced by intelligenc e w hi c h h as j us t reac hed them through the Hanoverian Minister at the Court of St. James's, that the lorg di spu t e b e t ween th e Ki ng of Ilan over and the Queen of E ng l an d respec ti ng the right to certain jewels of enormou s va l ue, i n th e posse ssion of the Sovereign of England, a n d forming no inconsiderable portion of what have been hitherto called the British Crown jewels, has been decided in favour of Hanover. Many of your readers are no doubt aware that when the kingdom of Hanover was severed from the united king dons by the accession of Queen Victoria to the throne , a claim was made by the lat e Ki ng o f H a nover, formerly the Duke of Cumberland, t o near l y the whole of the jewels usually worn on St a t e occas i ons by the English Sovereign, ou the ground th at part o f th e m, which had been taken over to Engl an d b y G eor ge 1., belonged inalienably to the Crown o f H anover ; and that the remainder had been pn rc h aee d b y G eor ge the Third out of his privy purse, an d h a d b een left by him and his Queen Charlott e t o th e Royal Family of Hanover. As the jew e l s th us c laimed are sup posed to be worth considerably more than 1,000,0001., a :ingle stone having cost nearly 20,0001., they were not to be relinquished without a struggle ; and I am assured that every possible expedient was resorted to in England to baffi ; tee claimant. Ultimately, in the lifetime of the late King, the importunity of the Hanoveri an Minister in London drove the English Alinistry of the day to consent that the rights of the two Sovereigns should be submitted to a commission composed of three English judges ; but the proceedings of the commission I were so ingeniemsly protracted that aq the commissi •nors died without arriving at any decision ; and until Lord Clarendon received the seals of the British Foreign , files all the efforts of the Court of Hanover to obtain a fr,eili commission were vain. Lord Clerendon, however, seemu to have perceived that such attempts to stifle inquiry were unworthy of his country, for he consents , ) , that fresh commission s h ou ld b e i ssue d to three Eng lish judges of the highest e m i nenc e who, after investi gation, found the Hano ver i an c l a i m t o he indisputably jest, and reported in its favour. The C curt here, sou - I p en tly, is in high glee thi s Ch r i s t mas a t the prospect I of 1-alarming the Crown and regalia, so jealously guarded in the Tower of L)ndon, almost bedly to Hanover." DECENIBER 23. 18.7. Gsvernlnent to issue tr,2asoey it is to the amount of 23,000,000 fr. Tho Government, in order to provide for the carrying on of the public services until the (budget shall be voted, has resolved to demand from the Chamber provisional votes of 1,500,000 fr. for the department of justice, 700,000 fr. for dotationl, 465,000 fr. for foreign affairs, 2,000,000 fr. for the interior, 4,122,000 fr. for public works, 5,000,000 fr. for war, and 1,923,000 fr. for finance. ITALY. A letter from Rome of the 16th gives some ac count of the ordination of Prince Lucien Bonaparte to priest's orders, as already announced :—" The Pope himself officiated in his private apartments, and all the members of the Bonaparte family now in Rome were present at the ceremony. The young prince, who is remarkable for his piety, was greatly affected. After the ceremony the Pope entertained all the Bonaparte family at breakfast, Cardinal Antonelli, Secretary of State, being present. This day Mgr. Bonaparte said his first mass, the church ho selected being that of Santa Ma ria, in the Via Lata, in which his mother, the Princess Zenaida, is interred. The church was crowded. A grand breakfast was afterwards given in the Palace Gabrielli, ia which the prince re sides, and it was attended by several personages of distinction, and amongst them Cardinals San tucci, Gaude, Gazzoli, and Barnabo." Another letter from Rome says : " The directors of the pontifical railways are actively engaged in having surveys made for the projected line between Rome and the frontier of the Papal States as far as the banks of the Po. The definitive plans of the sections from Rome to Terni and from Ancona to Bologna will very shortly be submitted to the approbation of the Minister of Public Works. The line between Rome and Terni will have a length of 106 kilometres (nearly 67 miles), divided into eight sections. The ter minus at Rome will be situated near the baths of Titus, and the line will leave the city between the Majeure and San Lorenzo gates. There will be constructed on this line seven bridges, four tun elp, and several viaducts on a small scale. The lino from Ancona to Bologna will have its first station at a short dh4ance from the Lazaretto of Ancona, and will have a terminus in common with the Pio Centrale Railway at the Galliera Gate of Bologna. The number of stations on this line will be 14, and its length nearly 80 miles. The numerous streams of water which cross the country through which this railway will have to run necessitate important works of art. A tunnel of more than 1,000 yards in length will be cut through the hill of Boneio, near La Cattolica." SPAIN. The Madrid journals of the 18th have reached us. The Queen had received the deputation from the province of the Asturias charged to present the young prince, in accordance with ancient custom, a sum in gold in a silver box. The King, it may ba remembered, received this deputation some time ago. In the mints of Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona, a sum of 14,081,400 reals had been coined in the tour e of the month of Nov.-12,751,800 in gold, the rest in silver. The inhabitants of the island of Porto Rico, to show their gratitude for certain concessions recently made to them, and especially for that relative to a change in their currency, had proposed to present the Queen with a very valuable bracelet : but her Majesty had caused it to be notified, with her best thanks, that she would only consent to receive a simple one in gold. The Leon Espanol had been seized. An Alexandria letter states that the Viceroy of Egypt, continuing to show a friendly disposition to Christians, had authorised the erection of several Christian churches, the admission of Chris tian officers to his army, and the grant of a large piece of ground at Cairo to the Christian brethren for the construction of a residence, also the power of opening schools in different places. Lord Stratford de Redcliffe arrived at Vienna on the evening of the 17th from Trieste, and was received at the railway terminue by Sir Hamilton Seymour. The Government of Lombardy has issued a notification, fixing the contingent of recruits for that province at 8,357 men for the year 1858. The total for the whole Austrian empire amounts to 103,115 men. AMERICA. LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY. The screw steamship Kangaroo, Jeffrey comman der, ha' arrived from Now York, with one day's later advicos than those brought by the Africa, 250,000 cols. in specie on freight, and 300 passen gers:- - - - - -- - The New York mails of the 19th, which were to have been despatched by the Baltic, would be de tained for the Adriatic ; she would coal imme diately on her arrival out, and leave about the 22d. In the - Senate Mr. Douglas had expressed his assent to the general views of the Message ; but as regarded its endorsenient of the action of the Le compton Convention he differed in tote. He con gratulated the President on the course he had pursued in the matter, and proceeded to show that Congress could not properly receive Kansas into the Union under the Lecompton Constitution. Not only the slavery question, he, said, but all others must be submitted to the whole people of Kansas, as they are guaranteed to establish all their domestic institutions for themselves ; and on that principle the whole Constitution must be submitted to as certain whether it meets with their approbation. He also compared it to the freedom of election in Paris, when Louis Napoleon was chosen, and said that the reason assigned why the people should' not be allowed to vote on its acceptance was that if they had the chance they would vote it down by an overwhelming majority. He be lieved that they would ; therefore kis objection to force an obnoxious Constitution upon theta. Upon concluding his remarks there was applause from the galleries, upon which it was moved, but ineffectually, that they be cleared. Mr. Biglee (Penusylvania) supported the Convention, and argued that to keep them out of the Union simply because the whole Constitution had not been sub mitted to them would be inconsistent with the doctrine of non-intervention. The people of Kan sas, he said, had now an opportunity of deciding whether they would have a free or a slave State. Until they made that decision he could not deter mine his course. These gentlemen continued the discussion, the former referring to a speech the President had made 20 years ago, and the latter protesting against its introduction, under the sta tue of limitation plea. Ultimately the further consideration of the Message was postponed, and the Senate adjourned. The House of Representatives having adopted a proposition of Mr. Houston, of Alabama, that it proceed to the re-election of a printer, with a pro viso, selected Mr. Steadman by a majority of 32. The members having selected their seats by lottery, then adjourned. According to the Washington correspondent of the Now York Herald the Treasury Department had suspended payment. Requisitions to the amount of nearly half a million dollars were held in the Department. " This," says the Herald, " will doubtless lead to the immediate passage of an Act authorising an issue of Treasury notes, in accordance with the suggestion of Secretary Cobb." The same correspondent states that the Govern merit had received accounts of the capture of a slaver by one of her Majesty's ships ; out of 600 slaves 200 were drowned. Advices from Kansas report that General Cal houn, Provisional Governor, had issued two pro clamations—one specifying the manner of holding the election on the 21st in -t., for submitting the Slavery clause of the Constitution to the people, and the other providing for the election of State officers ou the first Monday in January. It was understood that Secretary Stanton had issued a proclamation c tiling a special session of the Legis lature, which was to meet on the 7th inst. At a mass convention of the Free State men, at Leaven worth, on the 27th ult., it was unanimously re solved to put the Topeka Government in motion, and stand or fall by it, in case S ecre t ar y St an t on should decline to convene the Legislature. Affairs in Kansas were assuming a more complicated shape than ever. It is stated that the President has peremptorily dismissed Robert J. Walker and Frederick P. Stanton from the Governorship and Secretaryship of Kansas. Colonel Richards on ,, of Illinois, who piloted the Kansas Nebra s k a Bill through the last House of Representatives, had been appointed to succeed Governor Walker, and General Denver, Commissioner of Indian Affair?, would supersede Mr. Stanton. General Denver was in Kansas, and would enter upon the duties of his new office as soon as the special messenger despatched from Washington re a ch e d th e t err it o ry. The cause of the dismissal of Mr. Stanton was the fact the oif his_ having issu e d a p roc l ama ti on ca lling a Fpevia ses sion of the Leconipton Legislature to meet on the 7th inst. It is stated that various Indian tri bes had of fered their services to the Federalmovements Government in the suppression of the Mom Of the movements of Walker Washington correspondent of the Heraldsays erald .n :i " The steamer from Aspinwall, du e n New York next Wednesday or Thursday , wi!l bring the news that h e has entered the San Juan River by the Colorado mouth, and that in conjunction with General Martinez LATEST NEWS. THE OVERLAND MAIL GLORIOUS 'NEWS FROM INDIA. RELIEF OF LUCKNOW. SAFETY OF THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN. The following telegram was received at the Foreign-office on the 23d December, at 11.15 a.m., through Loid Lyons, at Malta : ALEXANDRIA, DEC. 19, 1857. The " Pekin" reached Suez this morning, bringing Bombay dates to the 4th of December, 1857. Sir Colin Campbell having reached Cawn- porn on the 2d of November, joined the force at Alumbagh on the 21st [llth ?] Oa the 231 [l3th ?] active operations com menced, and for the next six days there was a constant series of severe and bloody struggles with tho enemy. On the 21st, their principal strongholds having been captured, the beleagurect garrison was re- lieved. On the 20th the sick and wounded, ladies and children, were sent back under an escort to Cawupore. The army under the Commander-in-Chief now amounts to about 22,000 men, amply sufficient to reduce Oude to entire subjection--a task which will occupy them for some months to come. Malwa field force, under Brigadier Stuart, has relieved Nusseerabad, dispersed the Efriahibpore and Mundesore rebels, and is now clearing Malwa of the insurgents. The flying columns under Brigadier Showers, Colonel Cutton, and Colonel Tiddel, are scouring Rohilcund, complete success attending their ope- rations everywhere. Large masses of European troops are reaching India weekly, and wo aro (relieved ?) from all alarm for our garrisons and outposts lately In much imminent peril. The Governor-General, and tho Governors of Madras and Bombay, aro at the (seats) of Go- vernment. The above message reached Malta by her Ma jesty's ship Coquette; next mail on. the 23d December. LORD LYONS. FEARFUL EARTHQUAKE IN THE KINGDOM OF NAPLES. MARSEILLES, DEC. 22. Accounts from Naples of the 19th state that on the 17th a fearful earthquake ravaged a portion of the kingdom, principally the cities of Salerno, Potenza, and Pula (I Nola ). The buildings are seriously injured. In the Province of Basilicata, and in the Prin cipality Citorienre, half of the villages are de stroyed, and the number of victims is estimated at several thousands. The authorities bad constructed temporary sheds for the shelter of the inhabitants. At Naples three violent shocks were felt, and the population encamped outside the city during one day ; but no serious accidents occurred. Tha northern part of the kingdom of Naples has not been subjected to this visitation. BERLIN, DEC. 21. The Bank of Prussia has reduced its discount on commercial bills to GI per Cant., and its rate of interest on loans on goods to 7 per cent. We have received Constantinople journals and letters to the 12th via Trieste. Lord Stratford de Redcliffe's departure was the prin cipal subject of conversation. The general opinion was that he would not return, and Lord Lyons was spoken of as likely to succeed him. It was thought that the measure of re ducing the army of Anatolia by one half would be extended to the Turkish forces in Europe. As to the troops in Arabia, there appears t.) be no idea of diminishing their numbers at present. Cabinet councils were being held every day, and, on some occasions, twice within the last four and twenty hours, to consider the best means of ward ing off the effects of the commercial crisis; but no remedy or oven palliative had been devised. FRANCE. PARIS, TUESDAY. BOURSE, Dec. 22.—The advance in Route and shares which took place yesterday has led to sales for realisation to-day, and prices have rather re ceded. The tone of the market has been, how ever, good, owing to the great steadiness of the English Consol4. The market became rather heavy towards the close, on the announcement that an important failure had taken place at Hamburg, with liabilities amounting to five million mares banco, and prices slightly receded. The following were the closing quotations : Cast. ft. End of brontk. 43 per Cents 3 per Cents 67 60 67 40 Bank Shares 3250 Credit Foncier 530 Credit Mobilier 790 Roman B6 Do. Account 795 -.--- Austrian 1 — Belgian li — Spanish Threes — Piedmontese (5) 9O Home Debt IRAILWAYer-8011 CASFL tr. c. tr c. Orleans Northern New Ditto 775 Strasburg Lyons and Mod 85 7 1- Grand Centr a l New Ditto... Geneva 675 Austrian Corn. ...... 712 a HAMBURG. A le'ter from Hamburg of the 19th, in the Cologne Gazette, says :—" Business has resumed much activity since yesterday, and the funds and railway shares have been negotiated at improved prices. There has not been much speculation in merchandise, for most of the houses which have the largest stocks are those which are now having their accAints wound up, and thrrefcre are not at liberty to mike sale,;. It is said that the Bank of Dirmstadt has offerel to this city a loan of two millions of mares banco, and the discount bank has be.m authorised to borrow five millions more." BELGIUM. We learn from Brussels that the Ministry intend presenting, wry sh9r ly, a bill to increase the num ber of representative 3. It is thought that s;lc new ineutb?rs will be proposed—two at Brussels, and one each at Charleroy, Turnhout, Namur, and Liege. The Ministry is also preparing a bill to diminish the number of parliamentary ineorap tibilitie.3. In the Belgian Chamber of 11 - presentatives, yes terday, M. Rosier, Minister of the Interior, pre sented a bill asking for funds to meet such portion of tin: expense of the national fetes as still remained unpaid. A committee was named to examine into the m ,tier. The report on the bill fixing at 80,000 men the year's contingent was brought up, and, after a very few remark 3, the measure was adopted by 67 votes to 4. The bu !get of ways and means for 1858 presented to the 13eigiin Chambers estimates the yield of direct aud indirect t %/cos and the salea of national property. at 141, 910,700 fr., and it authorises the he 'has atLekod the Uodta Iticat.3 :eG Castillo Aim can 1 Carlos. It was stated on good authority that Walker I had a perfect understanding, before leaving, with Pre sident Martinez, of Nicaragua, and that the latter invited him back. Also that Senor Yrissarri, tae Nicaraguan Minister, was in communication with him indirectly, and made the new treaty with our Go vernment, with his knowledge of its purport. His forces will be larger than has been supposed, as other parties have left this country to join him in Nicaragua, where he will probably muster at once about 1,000 men. Besides this, a clipper, loaded with arms and munitions of war, left New York some time ago to meet him at an appointed rendezvous. Senors Molina and Escalante are also waiting with anxiety to bear from Walker, as they can do nothing here under the present state of things. They think that Yrissarri has been in communication with Walker for a long time, and that the Administration, as well as Costa Rica, has been deceived as to the true position- of the parties." The New York Times of the 10th inst. says " The meagre list of stock tales at the early board this forenoon denotes the dulness with which the business of the day opened. The same feeling—corresponding very nearly with the disagreeable character of the weather —continued throughout the dealings. Prices yielded 11 to 4 per cent, from the sales of Tuesday on the list generally, and as much as 2 to 3 per cent. on Illinois Central shares, which went down to 86 per cent. After the close of the printed list the disposition of the general market was to rather better rates, particularly on New York Central, which, after selling down to 73f, seller 10 days, closed 741 to 4 cash ; Erie, 161 per cent.; Panama, 92 per cent.; and Reading, 52. At the annual election of directors for the New York Central at Albany to-day Mr. John David Wolfe, of,this city, was substituted for Mr. E. G. Faile, who declined serving another term. The selection is one that will prove satisfactory to the great body of the stockholders. Mr. Isaac Townshend, the other city director last year, is retained. Several changes are made in the country directors. In the money-market the demand for bullion continua active, and some considerable parcels have been put up for the Kangaroo, for Liverpool, to-morrow, and the Fulton, for Southampton and Havre on Saturday. The two vessels will take out something like 750,000 dols. The shipment by the Africa to-day is 1,691;389 dole. The whole movement from New York direct for December, as in timated a few days ago, will probably reach 8,000,000 dols., or about 6,000,000 dole. after the Atlantic ship went on Saturday last. That shipment about squared the late receipts at this port from England, and we are now in a fair way of sending as much more. The ship ments may well be spared at the present time from this side, and will afford an acceptable proof on the other side that the debt-paying disposition and ability of the country are rapidly recovering from the recent blow to commercial confidence. A few packets more, it is believed, will set the exchanges all right, and add to the export movement of the great stapiseof grain and cotton —bills against which are now suffering from the tracer• tainty of the English markets, and the consequent dis trust in prices and credits. 'The discountsbrokers are having a little more to do. There is some new paper mak ing outside the dates usually taken at Bank. The terms range from 7to 12 per cent. At Bank there is still a scarcity of prime short paper. A number of the banks passed up their Country Currency Six per Cent. Certi ficates to their discount line last week, which was 01 ° principal cause of the moderate increase in the aggre gate return. But even these certificates are rapidly melting away. When the country circulation Wall assorted at the close of November the amount repre sented was 7,940,000 dole. This sum total fell to 6,500,000 dols. before the 6 per cent, interest attached, and it is now below 5,000,090 dole. The Metropolitan Bank Directors have called in the remaining instalment on their new stock. The Bank of New York will make no furthur call at present. The receiver of the Mechanics Ranking Association will in a few days pay off the remainink 50 per cent, due to the creditors of the con cern." The Haarlem Railroad had issued proposals for a new loan of 75,000 dole. At a meeting of the Associated Banks held on the evening of the 9th a resolution was offered "that after the 12th inst. all balances at the clear ing-house should be paid in specie," which resolu tion, if adopted, would essentially have been a re sumption of specie payments. The banks voting in favour of the resolution were :—Commerce, America, Manhattan, Merchants', American Ex change, Phenix, National, Fulton, Chemical, Greenwich, Leather Manufacturer's, Broadway, Mercantile, Irving-14. And those voting against it were :—Mechanics', Union, City, State, Re public, Metropolitan, Continental, Tradesmen's, Merchants' Exchange, Ocean, Butchers' and Dro vers', Chatham, People's, Hanover, Citizens', Nassau, Market, St. Nicholas, Corn Exchange, Park, Common wealth, Oriental, Marine, Atlantic —24. The other city banks were not represented at the meeting. The New York Courier and Enquirer says,—. " The rates of exchange on England are such as to forbid the shipment of coin if confidence were reinstated as to the character of bill drawers, but there is a tem. • porary suspension of confidence to such an extent that coin and bullion are preferred by some as remittances. This, unfortunately, has a severe effect upon the prices of c otton and other produce at home, and some weeks must elapse before a proper level is restored. The ship ment of gold to-day by the Cunard steamer Africa, for Liverpool, was 1,691,509 dole. The balance of indebted ness to Europe is yet very large, and will require fur ther export of coin for its liquidation. The year 1858 must necessarily bring about another state of commer cial affairs. The reduced importations will be compen sated by exports of domestic produce ; and there will be less movement of precious metals between Europe and the United States. It is reasonable to suppose that the trade between Europe and India wed China, which has heretofore exhausted so largely the precious metals of the,former, will now have such a check as will insure decreased export of gold and silver, and allow England and France to recover the strong position held by them two or three years ago." Cotton was dull at 11c, for middling Upland. Flour was very depressed. Ashes were lower and dull. Spirits of turpentine continued to decline. THE MEDITERRANEAN. MALTA, DEC. 16. The despatch sent per telegraph by Lord Lyons to Lord Clarendon was three days en route. On inquiry it is found to be occasioned by some damage to the line in Corsica. His lordship applied to the 'home government to be allowed to send a steamer to Alexandria, to start from thence to Malta immediately on the news being telegraphed from Suez. This would effect a saving in time from three to four days. The home government approved of the suggestion, and on the 13th her Majesty's steamer Coquette was despatched to Alexandria for that purpose. Her Majesty's steamer Caradoc was the vessel intended to be sent, but was not ready, being in the hands of the dock yard, but wll proceed to Egypt directly she is ready. By this arrangement it is hOped telegrams will reach England with news from Bombay is 16 • days. Lord Lyons is using every exertion to shorten the time employed, and give every aid to the press. Her Majesty's steamer Vulture left on the 14th, with the Lord Bishop of Gibraltar, on a visit to Palermo. The Vulture will only be absent from Malta a few days. • The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Euxine proceeded on to Alexandria with the rest of the 69th on the 14th ; and the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamers Vectis and Indus, with the mails and passengers, early on the morn ing of the 15th. An Egyptian company, at the bead of which is the Pacha, are going to run a number of steamers in the Red Sea from Suez to India. They have purchased the Sovereign, which is now refitting in Malta, and when ready will proceed by the Cape of Good Hope to the Straits of Babelmandel. She is commanded by a young, intelligent Arab cap tain, and English engineers. They are also in treaty for the purchase of the Vanguard, at i present engaged in carrying the Australian mails from Mar seilles to Malta, and have several vessels building in England and France. They are reported to be well found in funds, and are doing everything on a most liberal scale. On the 15th Sir John Pennefather had a grand review of all the troops in the garrison on the Florian Parade. On the 14th the officers gave amateur performances at the theatre for the benefit of the Indian relief fund. • On the 12th a series of lectures were commenced for the instruction of the officers non-commissioned and soldiers stationed at Malta. .Sir John Penne father, in a telling and eloquent address to the soldiers', urged them to take advantage of these lectures to improve themselves, and assured them how happy he should be to see them there, and po tell their comrades so. He told the non-commis sioned officers that some of the best office s he had ever known. had risen from non-commoned offi cers, and he trusted they would otfrythtoomqwuaoluiflyd themselves, and he hoped many rise to be commissioned officers. THE OTTO MAN BANK. TO TIM E mnot taken a rise Slit, —The only ve i n uen ce of the improved general a n d mone t ar y s T ai TO e ß nt O whichF THE has BUN. c ' nsec i svp..ct of , • is the Ottoman Bank, w ith limited lability. This arises from the dir ec t ors s t u di ous ly keeping se cret the enormou s ly l arge and prcduct i ve bu4ines3 which the bank is doing. It is their duty, as t h e y did before, at the suggestion of the Times news paper, when their stock was similarly depressed, to publiAl to their shareholders the true and, I believe, flourishing condition of their affairs. Your obedient servant, A. W. Lonlon, 21st December, 1857. It is understood that at a meeting btld yesterday of ernoon of the Committee of Joint-Stock Banks was unanimously agreed to recommend to their respec tive boards to reduce the rate of interest on deposits to 6 per cent. per annum, and that the measure now only awaits formal confirmation on the part of each establishment to be forthwith acted upon. G,