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

THE FASTEST SHIP IN THE WORLD IN THE THAMES. The celebrated " Black Ball" slipper " .IGH TNING,' A Belonging to Messrs. JAMES BAINES and Co., of Liverpool, and sister ship to the " JAMES BAixEs" and the " CIIAMNON OF nra SaAS," recently inspected and so highly eulogised by her Majesty the Queen and Court at Portsmouth, is expected to arrive in the Thames, to embark Troops for India, on or about the 21st instant. While lying off Gravesend, the " LmurNise" will be thrown open to public inspection f or a few days, and a charge of one shilling admission will be made, the receipts to be given to the wives and families of the soldiers who sail in her. The " LIGHTNING" t 2,093 tons register, fee 3,500 widens to burthen, 243 feet long and 44 t . She is TaE FASTEST SHIP IN THE WORLD, having 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 the 27th of February, 1855, she ran 19 mires per hour for 24 consecutive hours, and from the 28th June to the 4th J u ly, 1856, h 3r h our ly consecutive speed averaged 15 miles. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Two Extra Performances only, at Reduced Prices, on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19. with Pi cco lomini, Spezia, Ortolani, Giuglini, Violetti, Rossi, Beneventano, and Belletti, when will be presented LA TRAVIATA and IL DON GIOVANNI. PRICES : Boxes to accommodate four persons, Grand Tier, Pit Tier, and One Pair £2 2 0 Two Pair... 1 1 0 Three Pair 0 15 0 Pit Stalls 0 le 6 Pit 0 3 6 Gallery Stall 3 0 3 6 Gallery ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. — ITALIAN OPERA, at Playhouse Prices, EVERY EVENING. GRIST, ALBONI, GASSIER, MARIO, FORMES, REICHARDT, DRAG ONE, And other Eminent Artistes. On Wednesday—RlGOLETTO. Thursday—LUCßEZlA BORGIA. Friday—LA TRAVIATA. Saturday—lL TROVATORE. The Operas for next week will be duly announced. R OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING will be performed NORM A Norma, Madame Grisi ; Adalgisa, Madame Gassier ; Oroveso, Sig. Baillou; Polllo, Herr Reichardt. T HEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. MIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock, with the new and greatly successful original Comedy, entitled VICTIMS, in which Mr, Buckstone, Mr. Howe, Mr. William Farren, Miss Reynolds, Miss Emma King, (Sze., will appear. After which, Douglas Jerrold's drama of BLACK-EYED USAN. William, Mr. T. P. Cooke. Followed by ACTRESS OF ALL WORK, in which Miss nna Maria Quinn (from the principal theatres in Australia) will 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. ess Boxes 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0 Upper Boxes .. 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0 Pit ower Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6 Upper Gallery 0 6No half-price to Upper Gallery. T HEATRE ROYAL, AD EL PHI. Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING, will be performed THE GREEN BUSHES. Mr. B. Webster, Mr. Wright, Mr. Paul Bedford, and Madame Celeste. Followed by MY PRECIOUS BETSEY. Mr. Wright, P. Bedford; Mary Keeley, &c. To conclude with SLASHER AND CRASHER. S TRA ND THEATRE.—Lessee, Mr. T. Payne. —THIS EVENING will be performed HOW IS IT TO BE DONE. THE MAID OF MILAN. Miss Harriet Gordo❑ and Mr. Denvil. To conclude with AN IRISH ENGAGEIIENT. Mr. and Mrs. Foster. Commence at half-past Seven. Stalls, 35.; Boxes, 25.; Pit, Is. ; Gallery, 6d. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessees. Messrs. F. Robßon and Emden. THIS EVENING, will be performed the new drama of THE LIGHTHOUSE. After which, the comedietta, entitled A SUBTERFUGE Mrs. Stirling, Mr. G. Vining, awl Mr. G. Murray. To conclude with the original Extravaganza, by Robert B. Brongh,. Esq., called MASANIELLO. Messrs. Rob son, Cooke, Danvers, &c. ; Misses Swanborough, Thirlwall, Hughes, Bromley, and Mrs. Melfont. Commence at half-past ;Seven. OYAL SURRIY THEATRE. 11110 Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Crnswiek. THIS EVENING, will be performed EXTREMELY PECULIAR. Mr. Shepherd. After whteh, 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 HYOER. Mr. Wm. Cooke announces with great satisfaction another Triumph. The intensely interest ing and thrilling Equestrian and Dramatic situations with which this splendid Hippodrama abounds have been nightly received 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 loway. Introducing Mr. W. Cooko's magnificently Trained Horses, 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. went, including To conclude with Sbakspear's kATHARINE AND PETRI:W - IHO, with Equestrian Illustrations. Commence at seven o'clock. Dress Boxes, 4s. ; Upper Boxes, 3s. ' • Private Boxes, from 21s. no charge for booking; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, ; Upper Gallery, 6d. Half-price at baif-past Eight. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun. CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.— OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow in; company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of .'elections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Choruses, Goes, Duets, &c., viz.: Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. Palmyre, Miss E. Scott, Hiss Brunel], Mrs. Le Jenne, Miss Leslie, and Madame Marietta; Herr F. Jonghmans, R. Grover, T. Far rant, S. Tonne, J. Barker, W. Melling, P. Corti, Senor An tonio, E. L. Hime, and Sir St. A , byn ; Master Corti; Messrs. Sam. Collins, and E. Mackney. piannfortc, Mr Cecil Hicks; harmonium, Master Wiilitms ; Director, Herr F. JonglimAns. Commence at Seven o'clock procisoly. Sap pers, /sc., until twelve o'clock HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAY— Morn., 7 min. aft. s —Even., 22 min aft. 5 To-MORROW—Morn., 37 min. aft. 5-- Even., 54 min. aft. 5 THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, AUGUST 25. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHLDE. 80—highest since noon yesterday. F7---lowest this morning and during the night. 79 —this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30.09—rising rapidly. WrNr, Southerly; light, with fine weather, but very sultry. It wa3 very close yesterday evening. ; 6, , L sit LONDON, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1857. The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill has had a narrow escape. The Chairman of Commit tees, Lord REEDESDALE, was its inveterate oppo nent. He very nearly succeeded in causing its rejection on Friday evening, by forcing on an irregular discussion and division, for which the Government were wholly unprepared. He was, however, fortunately persuaded against pursuing this factious course, and induced to act in a more becomin g ma nner. .A. considerable time was wasted last night in w rangling about the original wrangle, before the real business of the evening was entered on ! At length the Noble Lord had a legitimate op portunity of moving his proposition, wh i ch was that the amendments adopted in the Souse of Commons should be taken int) consideration. that day six months—or, in other words, that the entire matter should be shelved during the pro. sent session. The pretext resorted to for this purpose was that there was no time to give proper consideration' to the alterations. Never, however, was an excuse more frivolous and vexatious. The question had already been thoroughly in the i nve stigated Upper House, and there was not a single Peer in attendance who ' had not thoroughly made up his mind on every point. There was, how ever, a close struggle, and Lord REDESDALE'S at tempted obstruction was only defeated by a majority of two ! Some few of the Commons' Amendments were THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, 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 initio, 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 consent to the use of their churches by their more submissive brethren. This day the matter will be finally disposed of. Although the 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 be 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. Wo 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 indeed to show for the labours of the I 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 aro greatly preferred to gold. You seldom see a sovereign in circu lation in either country unless one that h as bee I received from some wandering tourist, and tkle" possessor invariably hastens to exchange it for paper at the first favourable opportunity. Not only is the use of bullion thereby econo inaised, but a very considerable loss in "wear and tear" is averted. According to the returns from the Scotch Banks wa find that notes under 51. 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 ? 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 ethers from ascending to the same level as themselves. Lord OVERSTONE, 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, arid the six or seven per cent. which brings ruin to 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 distress and difficulty to gratify his crotchets ? It is hard, indeed, to judge of the grounds that has led to suck selfish legislation. 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. Aud 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, whi c h w ill 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 all that we could desire, if it gives France —it us small no t es —f o ll ow i ng t h e examp l e of debt to the tage to the nation. the et Back k td o l_ f )e E w : e lg ll ian t d to get rid to pay incubus from. the n a ti ona l a great improvement— something that will afford t o th e s hould that not b e accom plished, there may naion that g rea t desideratum, a ci r c ulatin g medium adequateto it s wants and exigencies, and sufficient to d eve l op , its resources, an d give employment to it s working population. THE EX-KING OF OUDE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SHAT. SIR, —I beg to enclose a copy of a letter addressed by me this day to the Morning Post, and 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. LATEST NE W FRANCE. PARIS, AUGUST 24. _ _ _ 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 rup - ture between Sardinia and Naples. Lord Howden has left Paris for London. Senor de Lafragua, whose approaching departure from France 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 on 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 granted 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 cutta by the East India Company, waiting for them. AocorJing 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 oc casion." The Debte, in an article on Indian events, dis cusses the probability of the rumoured intrigues of 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 available means. Our con temporary thus expresses itself on the supposed 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 Cantos, 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 reigns 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 her in fluence, such as Bulgaria, Servia, or Montenegro ? But if we in Europe are aware of the reality, peo ple in India are not so far advanced. That Russia possesses 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 Vicowitch, 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 iu India, it employs a host of emissaries recruited amongst the traders, travel ling fakirs, caravan drivers, &c., 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 intrigues of the latter would speedily be disclosed teethe Bri tish authorities. In reality, the theatre of the struggle between the two countries is still confined to Central Asia, and we should be very much sur prised to learn that the intrigues of Russia in India oxtend beyond the more or less authentic commu nications she may receive with regard to the finan ces, the army, the condition of the country, (Sec., from Greek or Armenian merchants est sbli-hed at Calcutta or Bombay. . . . It is therefore nei ther iu 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 were the las quota , ions : Cash. fr. c. End of Month. 44 per Cents 3 per Cents 67 10 t,7 5 Bank Shares 2,800 Credit Foncier — Credit Mobilier 957 GO Roman Do. Account — Austrian Belgian 11 Fiodmontese (5) B9i— Home Debt RAILWAYS-FOR CASH. Ir. C. ft. c. Orleans 1,150 Western Northern Lyons and Med 9021,— New Ditto Ne w Ditto BBl— Grand Central Geneva - Midi 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- Admiral Count de Gourdon, the Maritime Prefect, went on board to pay his respects to her Majesty, and had the honour of being invited to dinner. The news of the Queen's arrival was not known until the following morning, when the whole town was in movement, expecting the landing of the Royal party. 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-du-Roule, 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. Dureigne, the Sub Preffot, and M. Lude, the Mayor of Cherboug, went on board, and pre, sented an address to her Majesty expressive of the inhabitants at being honoured with her 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 realisation 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.l may be permitted to lay at your feet the respectful homage of my fellow citizens. 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 Cherbourg, 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 fresh 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 Leiningen, were present by special invi tation—Admiral Count de Gourdon, General d'Her billon, Inspector General of Infantry, General the Marquis de la Place, General Borel de Bretizel, Captain the Hon. J. Denman, and Mr. Horace Hamond, Her Majesty's Consul at Cherbourg. In the evening the field-officers and staff of the garri son went on board and were received by Her Majesty. TO THE EDITOR OF THE 3IORNING POST. Sir, —ln a leading article in your paper of to-day, in noticing the annual political payments 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, Colonel, Chief Agent to the King of Oude. Junior United Service Club, Aug. 24, 1857. TIEE 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'Shanuassy's) sat on the Ministerial benches. The new men did not appear, though they have not been sworn in. I suNose they must have been so advised by their law officers. Mr. Sargood, a member unconnected with the Ministry, got up and announced that he had been requested to make 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 Combermere, Viscountess Combermere, and the Hon. Mrs. Hunter have returned to Combermere Abbey, from Manchester. A matrimonial alliance will shortly take place between Mr. Robert J. O'Reilly, of Baltrasna and Mill Castle, country of Meatb, Ireland, and Miss Eleanor Knatch bull, second daughter of Sir Norton and Lady Knatch bull, of Mersham Hatch, Kent. We regret to report the death of the lady of Vice Admiral Edward Rarvey, commander-in-chief at Shea:- ness, at his official residence at that place, which took 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 fui ther amount, and the Persia, which may bo looked for on Saturday, is sure to have a large tota'. RAILWAY COLLISION—On Saturday e vening 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 macbine has been invented and patented for imitating in paint the geain of the most beautiful woods, such as roQewocd, oak, &e. rile machine when seen appears to the eye simplicity itself, and the mode of using it is perfectly ea-y; the saving of time and labour also ace astonishing. THE DEANERY 01' LLANDAFF.—The Monmouth paper stater that this valuably piece of ecclesiastical per ferment, which became vacant a few gays since by the death of the Very Rev. W. D. Cony beare, has been conferred up3n the Venerable A.redeacon T. Williams, M.A., examining chaplain to the Bishop of Llandaff, and rector of I.4lanvaply, Monmouthshire. THE QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR —News is said to have arrived from the island of Madagascar to the effect that the Queen Ind recommended the persecution of Euro pean. The French governor cf the Island of Bourbon, and the English governor of the IsLind of Mauritius, hal addressed communications on the sulject to their ra- pecti ve governments. RUMOURED DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CANADA.—The rumours of gold discoveries in Canada are acain revived. The Quebec Mercury says that an old Californian ex plorer has been exhibiting at Quebec specimens of gold found in ore of the tributaries of the Chaudiere. He re ports the prospects of gold digging to exceed anything he ever saw in Califoinia. Three hours work yielded in nuggets and grains over an ounce. EARLY IMPORTATION OP COTTON.—A correspondent informs us that cotton was brought to Sunderland, in the parish of Lancaster, beforeits use was known to the manufacturers, and before it was imported into Liver pool . The inhabitants of the district came many milts to inspect it as a curi,sity, 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 limes. REPRESENTATION OE MIDDLESEX.-It was currently rumoured yesterday tha iu the event of a vacancy occurring in the representation of the ruutropolit4n county by the elevation of Lord Robert Grosvenor to the peerage, Mr. Waklay, who so long represented Finsbury, may be induced to become a cindidate on thy Liberal interest. In some other quarters Sir Wm. Clay, Bart., the late representative of the Tower Hamlets, is said to be a likely person to present himself as a candi date. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND THE DOCKYARD A I'4 monrrics.--It is not generally known that a govern ment ir spiry is now being instituted into the manage ment ot contracts. The fel:owing facts have already transpired :—One of the leading navy contractors, it appears, suppled 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 consequently refused, and a heavy fine levied. A new contract was then accepted by Government for another house for a similar artie!e. The two contracting houses being friendly, the eecond firm re-delivered to the store department the cloth recently rejected, which was by the officers received and passed. At present one of the otficia's is under suspension. —Shipping Gazette. ANOTHER CASE OF STABRlNG.—Yesterday evening, between six and seven o'clock, in Queen-street, Seven dials, a woman named Witrenbury was stabbed by another woman, caned Knightsbridge. It appears 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 iefficted a dreadful wound on the side of the wretched young woman's head. She fell weltering in her blood, and was conveyed to Charing-cross Hospital, and but little hopes are enters tamed of her recovery. The woman Knightsbridge was taken into custody and conveyed to the Bow-street station, where she underwent an examination this morning. The wounded woman being unahis to attend, the prisoner was remanded for a week. On Thursday, Aug. 4, a fete in aid of the Great Wes tern Railway Widows and Orphans Fund took place in Nuneham park, the seat of Mr. G. V. Harcourt, M.P., for Oxfordshire, who kindly allowed his fine park and gardens to be used upon the occasion. The fete was numerously attended, and the profit arising from it leaves a balance in favour of the society of 5101. This sum will be exceedingly acceptable, as the fund has to support 78 widows and 122 children. The disbursements of the Great Western Railway Widows and Orphaas Society amount to 1,000/. annually, and arise from the subscriptions of the servants of the company, assisted by an annual donation of 100/. 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. THE WORCESTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL.—The great meet:ntr, of the three cjoirs of Worcester, Gloucester, and Hereford commences to - day, in the first-named city, when full cathedral service will lee performed, with Lfandel's Dettingen Te Deurn, and anthems by Mendels sohn and Dr. G. Eivey. On Wednesday morning. Mendelssohn's " Elijah ;" on Thursday, Mendel:sohn's " Hymn of Praise," and selections from Costa's " Eli " and Handers " Israel in Egypt ;" and on Friday, Handel's "Messiah," -form the programme of sacred music. Among the selections for the miscellaneous concerts in the evenings are i'dacfarren's cantanta, " May Day," and Button's "Robin Hood," with choice pieces of Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and other great composers. Madame Clara Novello, Mrs. Clara Hepwortb, Madame Weiss, Miss Dolby, Miss Vinning, Miss Palmer, Gardoni. Sims Reeves, M. Smith, Weisa, Thomas, and Herr Former 'are the principal vocalists. The Worcester Herald states that hitherto the demand for tickets has been unprecedented, and when we con sider that the managers of the Festival have mop liberally reduced the prices of admission to the aisles tar the Cathedral and the gallery of the Concert Hall, so an to place the very highest class of music within the reach of nearly every grade of society, there can be no doubt that their efforts will be most exten sively appreciated. The restorations and cleans i• g of the interior of the Cathedral choir and Lady Chapel, tegther with the erection of the great east wi dow, have been completed, and the effect is such as cannot fail to be most pleasing to the visitors at Vie Festival as well as to the citizens generally. TUNIS. Letters from Tunis, of the WI, quoted by the Corriere Mercantile of Genoa, say that the state ments published. about the late disturbances in the capital of the vgeacy have Lean greatly exagge rate 3. After the attack upon the Jew, some fur ther violences were committed against other Jews and. Christians in the streets, who had to defend themselves with sticks and even arms against the sabres of some fanatics ; but no one was killed, and. only a few slight wounds and contusions were given and received. There was some alarm in Vie 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 tercained that they might take advantage of the disturbanco to attack the town ; but the riot having been put down by the Bey's t•oops, there was nothing further to be feared for the resident 3. RUSSIA. The Russian Government, after the war, pub lished an order for the organisation of the fleet in the Pacific Ocean, which was to assume th e ti t l e o f the Squadron of SO:eria. . Tile Government appears tnowhis fleet,to have the strength of of . the 20th July having added b . e added annually. This inea -14 superio a ro ll( ffi lke i l°C r ie s d t o" lt, 1::::::::: already left for their destination, and a similar number will, from 3 1 t 8 ec 5 1 8 ;vith the efforts which Russia is s l o s t , i l l - i a s n c u o a t iz e , using to strengthen her position on the Pacific. THE BRAZILIAN MAILS. (BY ELECTRIC/ TELEGRAPH. SOUTHAMPTON, TUESDAY MORNING. The European .and America n C om p an y' s s t eam er Flyrlaspes, Captain Brown, arrive? this morning from the Brazil 4. She left Rio July 17th ; Bahia, 22d ; Pernam buco, 25th ; St. Vincent, August sth ; Madeira, 12th ; and Lisbon, 18th. She has 47 passengers, 8,987 box's of coffee, and 36 packages of sundries. Strong head winds from Lisbon. The Calcutta, belonging to the same company, arrived at Pernambuco from Southampton about neon on the 25th July. All well. The steam ship Oneida was at St. Vincent on her return from Australia, waiting for coal. "Exchanged signals July 28 with her Majesty's" ship Melville, steering S.S. W., in lat. 11 S., lon. 29 3 W. ; Aug. 18, with English steamer Aloe in lat. 27 15, long. 28 W. The Genoeze steamer Conte di Cavour had arrived at Bahia from Genoa, July 22. Her Majesty's ship Indefatigable was at Rio ; the Rifleman had left for England ; the Harrier at Bahia, about to proceed to Rio. The, Hydaspes brings no later advices than the Avon. Being engaged for the transport service, the Hydaspes will proceed to Woolwich to embark troops. Lisbon advices are anticipated by the Euxine. EPISODE IN THE HOUSE OP LORDS LAST NIGHT.-- .A.fg proxies were being taken in one of the divisions on the Divorce Bill, which eventually gave the government a ,majority of ten, a curious scene occurred. Seeking, perhaps, only a cool seat on this, one of the hottest nights in this the hottest of summers, the Earl of Suffolk had betaken himself to one of the back rows of the epicopal bench, now rendered almost vacant by reason of the bishops being required elsewhere on diocesan duty. On his declaring himself the holder of the proxy of a lay peer, his exercise of it was pronounced by the opposition to be informal, inasmuch as a standing order of the house declared that no lay peer should speak or vote from the episcopal bench. The government maintained the validity of the proxy so tendered, whereupon a brist• king discussion sprang up, which had a dash of the lu aicrcus in it, from the circumstance that the peers, in obedience to another standing order, remained seated all the time. Further to complicate matters, the venerable Marquis of Lansdowne, bimeelf the pattern of punctilio, and setter of precedents, " rose" to dispute the supposed standing order, and was good humouredly told to sit down again. The contention about this single vote was as fierce as if the voices of a hundred peers were in dis- pute, and the committee actually divided as to whether the proxy should be admitted or net. It happened that just as many voted for the admission of the proxy as for its rejection ; and, in accordance with another standing order provided in such a case, the proxy was recorded, and the government and their supporters gaine their point. 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 same calm and collected appearance, though not to the extent of unconcern and indifference which marked his demeanour on former occasions. A marked change was, 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 trial, but no new evidence was produced. • Mr. Porter having decided oh 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 understand Inspector Ryan found 101. on the person of the prisoner, and he should have that sum to enable him to procure profes sional assistance. • Spollen—That won't be sufficient for my pur pose. The gentlemen who conducted my defence complained that they lost by defending mg. Mr Kemmis explained that the Crown acted mnst 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 following letter has been addressed to a con temporary : Sir,—fn the spring of the present year the Ex ' mouth, an English 90-gun screw-ship, with a crew of 700 or 800 souls, on her way to Spithead, got some ten 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 for the coast ; he immediately ap pred the -officers of their imminent danger ; the vessel was put about; and in doing 'so struck on a ridge of rocks • she then tailed off and an anchor was let go with 15 fathoms of chain, whichbrought 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 coves on that coast ; the fog was very thick at the time, and a heavy ground swell running in from the south-west. In this cri tical position she was boarded by a fisherman, named Ilitchens, 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 liveg, and national property 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 poor fisherman with the paltry 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 nation spared such a disgrace ? LONDON AND EASTERN CORPORATION.--A call of 151. per share hA been made on the unfortunate 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. The parties engaged in wind ing up the concern now state that the assets will yield considerably less than had been anticipated, and will take a long time for their realisation ; and that unless the call of 151. is promptly met, the whole affair may have to pass into bankruptcy. For the public good the latter consummation is greatly to be desired, in 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 Bink.--Times. THE TRAFFIC OF THE CLYDE STOPPED.—GLASGOW, Sunday.—An obstruction has just occurred here which has created a degreeof excitement, alarm, and inconve nience such as has rarely been paralleled in our local annals. On Friday afternoon the great screw steamer Australasian left the Broomielaw for Southampton, thence to take her maiden trip in the service of the European and Australian Company, for which she had just been built. She proceeded to Govan, about two miles down, and grounded. She floated by the night tide, and moved down two or three miles tut ther, but again grounded about a mile above Renfrew ferry. In the efforts made by the tugs to get her off the Austra lasian swung right across the river, and as the tide was receding she was left firmly fixed in this position. As this happens to be the narrowest point in the course of the navigation between Glasgow and Greenock, the ship occupied the whole channel of the river, and put a stop to the entire traffic. In the morning the wharfs were as usual crowded with intending passengers, including several thousands of both sexes, who had, as is fre quently the case at this season, hired steamers for plea sure trips, but not a single keel could 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 decreasing, serious fears be g an to be ent er t a i ne d th a t the traffic of the river might be shut np till next springs, a fortnight hence, and that the fillip herself might be destroyed on the event of a serious fresh setting in, as she lay broadside on to the fall sweep of the river. The only hope of removing her lay with the night tide of this morning, and meanwhile everything aai done that could be done to lighten her by removing eteres and ballast, and striking the masts. At half-paet three this morning the ship moved, to the great joy of She was gradually swung round, and got' down about four miles to Dahnuir, when she again grounded; but here the channel of the Clyde is quite wide; and no in convenience can result except to the Australasian herself. The inhabitants of Glasgow were rescued from gloom to thankfulness when they learned this forenoon that the Clyde was again open. One cause of the accident was that the tides have been much reduced in volume by ti • 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 paint where this fine,ohip grounded. THE QUEEN AT CHERBOURG. 'AUGUST 25, 1857 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 statement 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 of the taking of Cavenpoi'e by the rebels, or of the slaughter of the Europeans there. We find, indeed, an account of the murder of 130 fugitives from Futteyghur—men, women, and children—all of them non-military—by Nona 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 Allahabad 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 continue to do so." The Phoenix of the 30th also gives, as news received by Government the previous evening,—" Allahabad, June 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 rebels, 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 signs 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 iu the entrenchment at Cawnpore defended by Sir . H. Wheeler .' • and it is scarcely less matt er of congratulation that we have reason to hope that that gallant soldier has been spared to fight his country's battles. The general aspect clf 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 band will be left to the reiterated attacks of an enemy who far outnumbers them, and to the more insidious but 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 during the Crimean war had been " at tendedwith much inconvenience and expense." And this his lordship deems conclusive. Every day that the contest in India is protracted 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 Premier 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 I" 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 lastin g injury to the interests of the English nation. We believe that there 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 tma,venged, and the survivors left to perish for want of timely aid, be cause Ministers and the House of Commons, who can find ample funds to throw away on the inno cent hobbies of a Prince Consort, shrinic from incurring considerab!e expense and inconvenience to eave the li' of some of England's best and bravest ?—Daily :News. _RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. EASTERN UNION. The report of t►he 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 other preferential charges fon the half-year amount to 38,660/. Deducting these from the income receiv able from the joint traffic account there will remain 4,265/. To this is added 1,2501., the balance from last account, and 646/., rents and other receipts, making a total of 6,1611. This sum will admit of dividends for the last half-year, at the rate of 30s. per cent. per annum upon the like ambunt of B stock, leaving a small balance to the credit of next account. The directors 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. HORNS, 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 that the direc tors are satisfied that the capital will be sufficient to complete the under;aking. The report was adopted. The meeting was mimde 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 responsibility stipulating the completion of the line by the Ist of May next, and the com pany are already negotiating for the purchase of laud, with a view to the immediate commencement of the works. Report adopted. NORTH YORKSHIRE AND CLEVELAND. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at York on FridaY, Lord de Lisle and Dudley presiding. The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption and the re port, and congratulated the shareholders that a dividend at the rate of 2i per cent. had been earned during the past half-year upon that portion of the line which bad been openei.—Agreed to. WHITEHAVEN AND FURNESS JUNCTION. The gross traffic receipts of this company for the 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 half-year is sufficient to pay the interest on the loans, and will admit of a full dividend at the rate of 53 per cent.• per annum on the preference shares, leaving a balance on hand of 3111. WHITE HAVEN JUNCTION. The capital account of this company, to which 3,0001. has been zidded during the past six months, is now closed, the total amount expended up to the present time being 193,0001., including 48,000/, raised by loans on mortgage, For the half-year ended the 30th of June last, the income on revenue account amounted to 11,8851., and the expenditure, in cluding Government duty and taxes, to 6,581/. Under tte heads ." maintenance of way" and " locomotive charges" the expenditure has been heavy. The balalce to ;he credit of the company on revenue account, amounting to 5,3041, is reduced by payment of iutc rest on loans and preference shares and the purchase of new rolling stock, &c., to •1,7411, which will yield a dividend of 31 per cent, par annum on the o ri g inal shares. THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH CABLE.—On the Bth and 12th inst. 496 fathoms and 450 fathoms of the cable of the Atlantic Telegraph Company were picked up. The direet , ,v, as we have ban given to understand, have re solved to renew the attempt in October. That month is a favourable one for the purpose, and we really see no reason, if they profit by their recent experience, why they should not succeed in the second attempt. I jag the few we which itunt elapse before th e next ex os h a o c u c l i d d accident , almost and l o o f Tool; knitting upon it the periount me ans can he devised for repairing any da f m d a n g r e . a 3 whi.th may occur, that i s an y mea ns of recovering the o en n d a o ga f i t n to the ecathblee in coil, case w 0 f work as done. T FIB BLACK BALL OLIPAR SHIP LIGHTNING. Since the introduction of steam machinery as a maritime propulsive power, we have been ac customed to look to and depend upon it as the only means of making rapid and safe voyages. Sailing vessels 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 bast steamers. The Lightning, clipper ship, belonging to Mes James Baines and Co., which is at present embark-. ing troops for India, is a very fine specimen of the 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 ning the same track between this and the anti podes. The Lightning was built in the spring of 18 54 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 worth seeing on account of their vastness and bulk. She is but 1,468 tong office register; and yet for speed, elegance of build, and general trimness she is probably unequalled by any sailing ship afloat. Her length from stem to stern;is 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 ig very extensive ; the principal saloon is eight six feet long, and i s fitt e d up in the most eed out and tasteful manner, and in order to give the appearance at least of coolness, which mush be very acceptable during the summer parts 0 1 the voyage, white and gold comprise almost the whole of the decorations. Her 'tween deck aO - for second class and intermediate passengers is 176 feet long, 40 feet broad, and 8 toet high, being more l o f ty than any ship afloat. The appliance for securing an adequate supply of water to the passengers —a most necessary considers tion during a long voyage is vat extensive—she carries iron tanks capable 05 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 rata linedof •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 horn° 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 1 11 . ,_n s on record,' on one occas i on accomplishing the extraordinary distance of 430 nautical miles in 24 hours, being au average speed of about 18 knots an hour. In seven consecutive days s he rail 2,188 nautical miles, being about 327 miles a day' an average speed of a little more than 14 knots an hour for the whole time. At the beginning of th e present month the Lightni ng comp l ete d h er fifth voyage, though only built three years. The dery tion of her voyage has varied from 63 to 83 daisy, the average being a little over 70. She is at present in the Government em ploy - . meut, and is about p rocee di ng to I n di a w i t h t h e 7ti . `, Husssars, and detachm en t s o f other regiments, all numbering about 650 men. The whole of th e .. alterations which were r en d ere d necess a ry by 13e'• transformation from a packet to a troop ,ship har ° been completed, and she is now in 'a fit condition to receive her complement of men, who will pre," teed on boartl her duri ng th e course o f to -d ay and to morrow. The extreme height of her 'tween decks, where the men will be accommodated, render her, particularly well adapted for the conveyance e' troops to the burning climate of the East Indies. Yesterday the owners, Messrs. James Baines and Co., invited a large party of ladies and . gentleme n 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 o n . board, at which some of the offi c ers of the 7th Sus' ears, who will proceed in her, were present. The entertainment ve o,co Ipck the visitors vassedofflitlie returnedre at festivity, t ot orro an d about five by - special train, all expressing ,themselveS highly gratified with the arrangements made on t,o.ird for the comfort and convenience of the soldiers. The owners are , under' cont rac t th a t the yes-el shall not exceed 40 days on the patsy-era voyage. Not the least - interesting episode in the proceedings of the day was the embarking of a re giment of the Dragoon Guards on board the screw' steamer City of Manchester, which was moored alongside the Lightning. The troops cheered 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 IIVST_RUCTION. The following has been issued as a prospectus for the establishment of a "Floating College for Naval Instruction and Marine Engineering," for the ede" cati 'rt. of those destined to follow the mercantile marine as a profession. The project has cicited much interest among the members of Lloya'e , especially those who are shipowners ; and it er pears to be the general opinion that an establish" meat, such as that contemplated, if catriea properly into effect, could not fail in eventually exercising a beneficial influence on the mercantil e marine of the country. "To her naval and maritime resources, Great Britain has long been indebted f or h er wealth and position as a nation; therefore everything conduciv e to their improvement and extension, claims suppor t as a national benefit. The p e rf ec ti on t o w hich 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, i! _is hoped, will meet the approval and rapport of all enlightened minds, as it will enable pupils joining, this college to acquire a tho r o u gh p rac ti ca l and scientific knowledge of their profession, under the most talented preceptors, previously to entering the service for which they are intended. " The establishment of this college has been pro posed for the following reasons : " Ist. That nothing of the kind exists ; and thil‘ the ebtablishment of a seminary at which the quah fi.ations of a marine engineer and 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 schools, bothiloating 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 a 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 sciences,this body, our commercial marine, would be qualified to assume an important position in the event of national hostiliti es ; 3 an ar m of i power, which from its intelligence, would be n" vincible, and which, at the present moment does not 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 have an opportunity o f acqu i r i n g practical instruction (the vessel cruising for the purpose), in navigation, marine engineering, 11 branch of the service rapidly extending, gunnel - Y . , &c. ; as also of attending lectures on such other sciences as are likely to be of use to them in folio-W -ing their profession ic ; to,a w ra h me i r l ae e dn s di t t i e c rs l t i o a a n • t s hde o m b o t ws a en i l n evre c ss e: a t f i; cases will then be qualified hi every respect to talc? lt although is a f p a to appointment toei merchant r e e i w r i a an k t ep se w r i v e le g off f ers an excellent a m ff e o a r n d s s n of on a e cci o lli f trhinegother advantages , scientific, en r , e 0 seamenshi tal mor il, which are hold out by his college. •`" would be highly advantageous to many to pursuethi. course of study, if not even destined to follow it as a profession, as it would imparr, health and hardi ness to tl e constitution, and such information as would be ever p re - em i nen tly use f u l i n an y part °f the globe. The officev, petty officers, and crew, as also the preceptors in their various depa.rtment s l will be selected from those possessing the highes testimonials and scientific attainments ; not wil their; elioious or sanitary interests bejost sight of, as a clriplain and experienced esurgeon will be at tached to the ship. The most perfect discipline will be maintained, and every eocouragemei offered to talent and perseverance. As soon as the willrequired b e put in i number izain o ed t ja p t t 9 sp c il e s mm are is , s e i n en te . red, the' 8102 Pa ro; de pro the Ceil lio n art bee 101 Whi at t Stf e at (lit