The Sun. — London, England, 1871-01-06 00:00:00

MONETARY REPORTS.-YEBTEBDAY. In the Stock Exchange to day a quiet feeling has been prevalent. At the commencement of business a fair amount of animation was apparent, and prices exhibited a hardening. Subsequently the markets became de pressed, and although prices do not close at their worst, with but few exceptions they are lower. In the railway market Great Northern A, Great Eastern, Midland, North Western, and Great Western are each easier. In the foreign bond, Italian and Spanish have experienced a fractional improvement, but Turkish have given way in value, The Consols market has been flat. Prices have fallen if per cent., or 92, 92* for delivery, and 92* for February. Reduced and New Three per Cents. 92, 92*; Bank stock, 232, 234 ; Exchequer bills 10s. to 15s pm.; India Five per Cents. have been done at 110, 1101; and India Bonds at 225. to 275. pm. In English railway stocks the demand has been inac tive, and the movements in prices have been indicative of depression. Great Northern A has fallen I ; Great Eastern, f ; Midland, 1 ; North Western, 1 ; and Great Western, 1. Caledonian is quoted at 87,871 ; Brightou, 411, 41/ ; South-Eastern, 76, 761 ; Great Northern A, 1351, 1364 ; Metropolitan, 631, 64 ; Great Eastern, 391, 391 ; North-Eastern, 146, 1461 ; Midland, 1291, 130 ; North-Western, 129 f, 1291 ; Great Western, 74, 721. Indian railway stocks have been quietly dealt in. East Indian, 1081, and Scinde,lool, 101. Canadian shares have sold slowly. Great Western, 15, 15*, Foreign shares have been quiet. Lombards have been if better, at 141, 141. Great Luxemburg have marked 111. In the Foreign Bond market Italian (1861) have been firm, and if better, at 54, 544 ex div. ; and Spanish if, at 291, 291. On the other hand, Tnrkish Five per Cents. have fallen if, or to 43/, 43.2, and ditto (1869) if, or to 50, 504 ; Egyptian (1868) are quoted at 78, 781 ; Peruvian (1865) 901, 901 ex div. ; Mexican, 13i, 14* ; United States Five-Twenty (1882) Bonds, 891, 891 ; ditto (1885) 891, 891; French Scrip, 11 to 1 dis. ; German, Ito 11 prem. Bank shares have been quiet but firm. London and Westminster have been 1 better, at 631, 641 ; Imperial Ottoman have marked ng, ft ex div. ; London and County, 50, 504 ; London Joint Stock, 341, 341. In the telegraph market not much business has been doing. Anglo-Mediterranean have been 1 better. British- Indian Extension have marked 6, British-Indian Sub marine 6 1 1 ex div., and Falmouths 9. Silver's India Rubber, 45, 46 ; Constructions, 24i, Miscellaneous securities have sold slowly. Credit Fon cier of Mauritius, 91; National Discount, 111 1. The Clearing House return for the week ending January 4, chews a total of £93,041,000. No bullion operations have been reported at the Bank to-day. At a special meeting of the Midland Railway Company, held at Derby, a resolution was passed increasing the capital stock of the company by the sum of £2,922,000, to be raised by the creation and issue of £2O five per cent preference shares. The traffic return of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway chews an increase of £397 ; the Great Northern has increased £689 ; the Caledonian, £3,086 ; the London and North-Western, £2,939 ; the Bristol and Exeter, £872; and the Lancashire and York shire, £3,834. The Great Western return records ade crease of £4,789. The returns of the Bank of England shew the follow ing results when compared with the previous week :—An increase in circulation of £1,131,813 ; a decrease in public deposits of £815,062 ; an increase in other deposits of £2,037,803 ; a decrease in Government Securities of £lB4 ; an increase in other securities of £1,733,877 ; a decrease in bullion of £320,602 ; an increase in rest of £58,537 ; a decrease in reserve of £1,418,272. The circula tion (including post-bills), is now £24,942,962 ; public deposits amount to £6,286,109 ; and private deposits to £20,283,268. The securities held represent £32,274,967 ; and the stock of bullion is £22,382,293. The rest stands for £3,145,562. In the discount market to- day the business doing has been on a very moderate scale. Capital has been more plentiful, and three months' paper has been taken at 21 to 24 per cent. The dividend to be declared by the Union Bank of London at a meeting on the 11th inst. will be at the rate of 15 per cent. per annum, the usual rate for the half year ending the 31st of December, carrying forward £30,125 for appropriation at the end of the financial year in June next. The directors of the National Discount Company will, at the meeting of the shareholders on the 25th inst., re commend a dividend at the rate of 17 per cent. per annum. At the corresponding period of last year the distribution was at the rate of 161 per cent. per annum. At a meeting of the Colonial Bank, a dividend and bonus of 8 per cent. for the half-year was declared. LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE.-THURSDAY. LATEST PRICES.-AFTER OFFICIAL HOURS. The prices under the lines indicate the business done. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. rinee per Cent Consols 92 921 DoApril &Oct 1883-85.. 111/1121 921, 1, 1 x d 1121 Do for Account 9 2 /1 Viet 59 0 Jan& .Tuly 1891. 101 102 921 x d 1011 x d Three per Cent Reduced MI 92 Brazilian. 1865, 5p o .... 92 93 921, 2 921, ; New 3 per Cent 921, 1 1./o Rail Deben 7p c .. 99 100 Exchequer Bills, March 10 15pin 991, 1. 1, 1 x d Italian, 1865. 5 p o pm 10 15pm June Peruvian, 1865, 5p o .... 90 91 Do, 100 pm 90t. 1, A. 1 x d Sauk Stock India 5 per Cents 1101 x d 84 1 udia Bonds 26s pm 64 0 Can 6 poJantaulyll77-84 10311041 Spanish 1041, 31 x d 29 1. 1, 1. 1, lx d Do March & Sept. 104 106 Turkish. 1854, 6p o Do 5p c Jan & July .. 97 98 79. 1. 9 Do Inscribed Stock .. 96 98 D o, 1865. 5p o Dom of Can 5p c 1903 .. 98 100 4 3 1, 4, 30. 1, i Ceylon 6 p c May and Do , 1865 6 p c November 1878 lO6 108 581 x d Mauritius 6p c Jan and U.S. 5-20 Bouds,6 o o 1882 891 891 July 1873 lOl 103 891, 1. 1. i 1885 891 89i New SW ales 5p 01871-76 990 1 00 1 Do do New Zealand 6 pc 1891 lO6 108 891. it, 1 Do 5p c Do 5p c Consolidated 9911001 88, 1 1001, 8. A ErieSha,loo dots, all paid Do 6p c Mar &SeptlB9l 109 111 Illinois Central Shares .. 114 115 Do June & DeclB9l 108 110 1141 8 1081 Atlantic an d GW R Cou Viet 61' Jan J uly 1891 113 114 Mortgage Bonds 1131, 14 d 29i 30 RAILWAYS. Bristol and Exeter BB 10 Grand Trunk of Canada Caledonian 87, 1, 7 41, 401, 1 Great Eastern 392, 1.4 Grand Trunk of Canada Great Northern 1242, 1 171 Do A 13511361 Greatlndian Pen g 5 .., c 105 106 Great Western 72/ 721 Great Western of Canada 15 151 722. 1, 1 151, 15 Lancashire & Yorkshire 13411351 Do Op c Bonds. 1873.. 98 100 1351, 5 Do 5i do, 1877-8 9 97 Lou, Brigh. and S Coast 41 411 Do 5p c pref. Issued 80 IdisBnm Lon, Chat, a nd Dover .. 14 141 Madras guar 5p c 14/, 14 N. Railway of Canada, Lon and North-Western 12911292 6p c let Fret Bonds 1291, 2 Oude and Rohtlkund g Lon and South-Western 9051 911 5p 0 Mau, She!, and Lincoln 4 451 1011 x d 451,1 Sclude, Punjaub, and Metropolitan 632, i 1002, 1, 1 x d Midland .. .. . . .... 12921301 Bahia and San Francisco 134, 2 92, 301 g 7 pc __ North British - .... . ... ?4 35 19i North-EasternConsols.. 14511461 Belgian E Junction 146 Buenos Ayres Gt Sthrn 251 251 76 761 South-Eastern 2si 761, 1 Ditnaburg and Witepsk 181 19 ktlantic and St Lawmen 75 77 Dutch-Rhenish 22 22j 3ombay, Baroda, and Eastern of/ranee - - Central India, g 5 p c.. 10211031 Great Luxembourg Buff and Lake Huron .. 4 41 112. i Do 51 pc 80nd5,1872-3 - 4 79 81 Lemberg lizernowitzgua Cape guar 6p c 621 151 East Bengal guar 5 p c.. 10 2 1 103 1 Nort hern of France ... • - - 103 . x d Ottona(Smyrna to Aidin) 42 51 East Indian, g 5 p o .... 10751082 5 1-16th 108, 1 x d Recife and San Francisco Grand Trunk Canada .. 125 121 (Limited) guar 7p o 22 14 / Do Equip Mort Bad 1 San Paulo IL) guar 7p a 211 91 93 211 charge 6 P a Do 2nd do Scrip Do Ist I'ref Bonds 5B 59 141, 5 Southern of France .... - 81. 1 191 19 BANKING COMPANIES. Pd Pd 1 Agra Bank IL) A 7l 81 20 Lon Char of Austrlia 23 24 SSL 8 23i 25 Alliance IL) 13 501, 50 10 Anglo-Austrian .. t . 57 pm 15 London Joint-Stock U 35 20 Auglo-Egyptian (L) 21 211 341, i 50 British N American 51 52 20 Lon anti Weatinnster 631 641 20 Ch of India, Austrlia 131 14 1 6 , 3 131 10 Metropolitan St 91 25 Char Mere of India 221 j 231 20 Midland (L) 10 City 25 Colonial 4 Consolidated IL .. 20 Eng. Scot. and Ans . () 151 16) 25 Union of Australia.. 411 42! 20 Imperial %1.1 10 ImperialOttornan : , 8 39 'IILIALixd TELEGRAPH COMPANIES. Pd Pd 100 Angl62o-American L) 76 78 10 Great Northern ... 111 11/ 7 . 6 Great N. China, and 10 Anglo-Meditra (L) ll6 119 Japan Extension.. 21 li die 118 i 5 Indo-European (L).. 10 12 100 Atlantic — 10 Marseilles, Algiers, 100 Do 8p c — and Malta (L) .... 51 51 13 British Australt) ILI 5l 42dis 10 Mediterrn Ex ILL .. 4i 5 10 British Ind Been (L). 51 61 2i Puma and S. Pcfc(L 4 3db 6 die 10 British Indian S ub- 8 Reuter's marine, IL) 61 x d 132 China Submarine IL) 6 52(14 100 Submarine 237 242 10 Falmouth, Gibraltar, Do Scrip And Malta ILI 9, 7-16, 81 MISCELLANEOUS SECURITIES Pd Pd Anglo-Austrian Bnd- 20 It Irrig Can Cavour 33 4 holders' Certificate 3 5 100 Do 6p c Bonds. re -10 BerlinWaterworkslL) 141 153 deemalee 1870 62 64 15, 1 30 London Fin Assoc(L) 18 17dis 30 Bolckow-Vaughan L) 28 33pm 123 100 Boston City (U.S. 4 Lon Gen Omnibus .. 2 1 3 p c Sterling Loan 93 95 2; 4 Brit & Fgn Manuel 25 Canada Company. Ll 3 33nm 3 2 Lou t 11-16, & Prov Marine L) 3 1 pm 71 71 10 Ceylon Company L 1 31 31dis 100 Madraslrrig. &Canal 35 City Offices (L) 251241 dis g 5 n c by Ind Gov. 100 102 20 Colonial (L) 5 Corn Union Assurnce 0 41pm 5 NatnlDiset Comp L) 11 113 91,1, 3.1 111. 3 10 Crdt Fonc of Eng (L) 2 21 23 N Zealand Loan and 100 Crystal Palace 100 Do Pref 100 Do 6p c Perp Deb lO9 114 trust ( L) 273 Ebbw Vale Steel Li.. 91 91dis 63 N Britsh and Mere (L) 283 283 183 x (1 283 100 Viceroy of Egypt 7p 0 5 OceauMarinelnsur 133 14pin Mortgage Loan.... 79 81 50 P and 0 Steam 46 43 803.8 10 Do do New. 1867 3 2 ills 100 Fgyp 9 p cV'roy Loan, 50 Rhymney Iron guar by Egyp Gov.. 94 96 15 Do New B3 9) 953, 42 60 Royal Mail Steam 13 Fore-st Warehouse IL) 8 9pm 523 211,1 . 12 Tel Con and Main L) 241 241 100 Fgn and Colonial Gov 241, 3, 1 Trust 6p c Bonds.. 98 100 2 Thames and Mersey 981 Marine Insur IL 7/ Gen Credt &Disnt (L) I 3 dis St. Tobacco 6 p o Loan. 73 guar by Italian Gov 96 88 14 Gen Stm Navigation 273 283 873 a d 7 Hooper's Tel Works 3 Nis 5 Trust and Loan Co of 6 9-16, 3 Upper Canada .. 3 Ipm 17 Hudson's Bay 5 G Marine. Lvp IL 43 sprn 45 Indrbbr,Gut Per, and 73 8 20 Union Steamship (L) 23 25 Tel Works L) .... 45 46 6 United Dis Corpru (L 1418 par 46, 5 5 UnivMariue lnsur (14% 61 71nm 5 IntenilFinan Soc(L) 1; 11dis 12 Warrant Finance.... 9 7 dig MINING SHARE LIST.—JANUARY 5. Messrs. WATSON BROTHERS. Mining Officee, 1, St. Michael's Alley, Cornhill, London. Market active for Grenville, East Grenville, Prince of Wales, Uny, East Lovell, Great Vor, Sweetland Creek, West Chiverton, and Tincroft. Australian United. Chiverton Moor, Chiverton Valley. Chontales (Gold), Cook's Kitchen, 19, 20 Devon Great Consols , Drakewalls, 235 , 25s Dolcoath, Don Pedro North Del Rey, 21, 21 East Caradon, 51, 5# East Lovell, 321, 331 East Seton, East Wheal Grenville. 21, 3 Frontino and Bolivia (Gold). General Brazilian, Great Limy, 17, 18 Great Retallack. Great Wheal Vor. 31, 31 Hingston Down. Marke Valley, 6i, 7 New Beldon, 1 New Lovell, 2 racier. 11, 11 Pary's Mountain, Perran Wheal Virgin, 3)s, 32s 6d Plynlimmon, Prince of Wales, 345, 36s R r o o s v e i w dve p i f i rs, 37, and Ransoms (Jutted, 11, 11 South Condurrow, 3L 31 South Frances. Sweetland Creek, 4i, 4i Tankerville. 13k. 14 Taquaril (Gold). 48s, 503 Tincroft, 47, 49 Trumpet Consols. Van. 56, 58 Van Consols, If, li West Caradon. • West Chiverton, 52. 52 West Maria and Fortescue, 265, 28s West Tankerville, 3L 4 Wheal Crebor, 10s. 155 Wheal Grenville. 3f, 3a \Wheal Kitty, St. Agnes. \Vheal Mary Ann. 10, 11 Wheal Beton, 24, 25 MARKETS. METROPOLITAN CATTLE. TiltritsDAy.-A quiet feeling pervaded the catle market to-day, and although the business tranacted was limited, quotations ruled firm. There was a fair supply of beasts on sale. The tt ade was inactive, but prices were inclined to be rather higher. The best Scots and crosses were disposed of at ss. 10d. to 6d. per 81bs. The show of sheep in the pens was again small, neverthe less sales were effected cautiously, at the extreme quotations current on Monday last, the best Downs and halfbreds selling at 6s. to 6s. 4d. per 81bs. Calves and pigs were nominally unaltered. Per Blbs. to sink the offal.-Coarse and inferior beasts, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 4d. ; second quality do„ 4s. 6d. to 4s. 10d. ; prime large oxen, ss. 4d. to ss. Bd. ; prime Scots, &c., ss. 10d. to 6s. ; coarse and inferior sheep, 3s. 6d. to 3s. 10d. ; second quality do., 4s. to 4s. Bd.: prime coarse woolled sheep, ss. 2d. to ss. 10d. ; prime South Down do., 6s. to 6s. 4d. ; large coarse calves, 3s. Bd. to 4s. 4d. ; prime small ditto, ss. to 65.• 2d. ; large hogs, 4s. 4(1. to ss. 2d. ; neat small porkers, ss. 6d. to 6s. 4 Quarter old store pigs, 225. to 265. each. Arrivals.-English : Beasts, 1,000 ; sheep, 6,120 ; calves, 44. LONDON HAY AND STRAW. THURSDAY.—There were fair average supplies on sale at the market to-day. The trade ruled quiet, but prices were without alteration. Prime meadow hay, 130 s. to 140 s. ; inferior ditto, 110 s. to 120 s. ; prime first-cut clover, 130 s. to 140 s. ; inferior ditto, 115 s. to 1255. ; prime second-cut clover, 1265. to 1355. ; inferior ditto, 105 s. to 1155.; and straw, 335. to 425. per load. COLONIAL AND FOREIGN PRODUCE. LONDON, THTIRSDAY.—Sugar : There is a good business pass ing, and prices are firm. Manilla clayed, 245, 6d. to 255. ; Madras common (4s. duty), 18s. to 195.6 d. per cwt. Refined is very firm. Common English loaves, 455., tillers, 465. per cwt. Coffee : The market is active, and prices tend upwards. Ceylon, 535. 6d. to 555. ; Plantation. fine ordinary to good colony, 60s. to 755; Jamaica, pale, 535. to 555. ; Rio, 565. 6d. to 61s. Tea : The market is quiet, but rates are maintained. Cotton : The market is dull and drooping. Metal : English tin has risen £3 per ton, making block £137, bar £l3B, and refined £141; Straits firm at £133 10s. to £134 cash. Copper firm; but quiet. Oils : Linseed fiat ; London 305., Hull 295. 6d. to 295. 9d. spot, 295. 9d. to 30s. month, 30s. 3d. to 30s. 6d. first four. Rape inactive ; English brown 475. spot. Tallow : The market is flat at 455. spot and spring. , TRADE REPORT. MANCHESTER, THURsDAY. 2 -This inaket continues pretty steady to-day, bnt the demand for both yarns and goods still remain dull. Quotations are nominally unchanged since this day week, but producers here and there are more willing to sell than they have been for the last fortnight, and also en couraged to concede a little, owing to the dull tone of the Liverpool cotton market, which enables them to sell at an ad vantage in the raw material. CORN MARKETS. METROPOLITAN GOSSIP.-Tuuß SDAY The changes in the Ministry are not satisfactory, except perhaps to the Opposition. The Radicals complain that they have been robbed of their due. Mr. Bright has left the Cabinet, and though Mr. Forster is the real substitute for him, yet a powerful party may reasonably object to a representa tion of only one is a Cabinet of fifteen. It cannot be doubted that the Government will meet Parliament with a weaker hold upon the advanced Liberals than it retained during the Sessions of 1870 and 1869, though even then the Radicals were often rebellious enough. Discontent at the " Conservative " proclivities of the Government prevailed then. It is much more rife now. The party battles of the next Session will possess an interest which was not to be found in the more one-sided combats of the two preceding years. Meanwhile, I believe the Govern ment are making an effort to keep their Irish supporters in good humour. There is no doubt that the " interme diate and university education" question of Ireland will be made the subject of serious controversy in Parlia ment next session by the Irish Roman Catholic and Liberal members. One Irish newspaper this . week has begun a " special " series of articles written by " a com mittee of Catholics," with a view to impressing upon legis lators the designs which would be most acceptable in the sister island. Sir John Gray, M.P., Mr. O'Reilly Dease, M.P., Mr. Sherlock, M.P., and others of the energetic Irish representatives, are very anxious in the matter, and it is believed Mr. Gladstone, by his nomination of Mr. Monsell to the Postmaster -Generalship, and by his sup posed wish to have the Irish commander-in-chief in one of the now most responsible positions in the kingdom, is desirous of securing for his government the support of the Irish votes. Probably the Irish education question will involve one of the most trying discussions of the year's business, and consequently Irish support might be most valuable. These changes in the Government, and the black look of foreign politics, have given the Ministry's adversa ries an opportunity of which they most unscrupulously avail themselves. The so-called petition at Greenwich is a discreditable instrument of party warfare. If all the Conservatives in the borough had signed it, their signa tures would have demonstrated nothing more than did their votes at the election. The petition, however, did not rest even upon this basis—it was a mere instrument for conveying an insult: It is said the prosperity of Greenwich has disappeared through the measures of Mr. Gladstone's Govern ment : if it be so, credit should be given to the moral courage which preferred the interest of the whole nation to the interest of one locality. Too often it happens that measures for the benefit of the whole community are opposed on purely local grounds. The Standard has made up its mind that the Ministry is about to go to pieces. It is not so strong as it was, un doubtedly, but between loss of some force and dissolu tion there is a great gulf. If Mr. Gladstone resigned, who would succeed him ? Could the Conservatives take office conscientiously with such a House of Commons as the present one? If they can, why did they resign ? En passant the story goes that Mr. Gladstone will not again trouble the Greenwich electors. Arrangements are made for his securing a seat elsewhere. Is the Conference likely to prove a fiasco? It looks very like it. After postponing the meeting in order that M. Jules Favre may leave Paris, it now transpires that the French Foreign Minister will not come. The disap pointment must be a sore one, for the English Govern ment cannot but be aware that a decision on the Eastern Question, without the co-operation of France, would be a wretchedly lame mode of settling the present diffi culty. Surely our diplomacy has been grieviously at fault in these matters. Surely it would not have been too much for the Government to have ascertained whether France would join the Conference or not, and to have determined whether it was prepared to proceed to business without her help. It seems to have settled neither one question nor the other. - - - One of the strangest reports ever circulated about the war is now obtaining so much credence as to deserve notice. It is to the effect that when the Germans have taken Paris, and got fairly inside, the French provincial forces will come up and besiege them in turn ! This pro ject is much discussed in London circles, and it is even said that M. Gambetta has declared it to to be the fixed plan of the French leaders. Gambetta has not yet shewn any liability to disclose his plans ; but if this scheme be really entertained, the French cause has sunk low indeed. Before the provincial armies could reach Paris they must defeat the German forces on the Loire and in the North ; and if they can effect this, then the capital will not be taken. In order to besiege a force the besiegers must be stronger in numbers or efficiency, and if the French field armies prove themselves superior to their adversaries, the siege will thereupon come to an end. Besides what would the inhabitants of Paris do if they were shut up with King William and his legions, after all the food stores were exhausted, for it is to be supposed that hunger will bring about the capitulation ? Lastly, it is not at all probable that the bulk of the German army will enter Paris. I hear that ere long there will probably be a " clean sweep" of the newspaper correspondents with the German armies. These gentlemen's services were highly appreciated at first, but now the case is altered. From Weissenburg to Sedan all that the representatives of the press had to do was to extol the virtues of the bravest, most successful, most amiable soldiers that ever existed ; and this task, to do them justice, the journalists performed with a servility which would have reflected credit upon the narrators of Oko Jumbo's wars in East Africa. Now, however, no such astounding victories present themselves. The Ger mans win, but only by most painful exertions, and none of their triumphs resemble those of the first two months. They are frequently in diffi culties, and have occasionally escaped only by the skin of their teeth. No wonder that the correspondents are be coming a nuisance. They sing no more paeans of victory. They prefer to tell of the German soldier's desire for peace, of the devastation wrought in the com munes of France by the most pious of kings, of the superfluous brutality which the victorious troops now display in their onward course. Some awkward facts have crept out. Hence one writer, a German, has been sent back to his native land. An Englishman is "wanted" for talking about the German siege train. Another is in disgrace for mentioning the strength of Prince Frederick Charles's force, after he had recaptured Orleans. Should nothing of moment happen during the next fortnight the correspondents will certainly be weeded, if not alto gether abolished. Should Paris fall, however, this evil will be averted, for doubtless our friends will become as slavish as ever. As it is, the poor men seem in a terrible fright—as witness the conversations about invading Eng land which the Times correspondents delight to retail. Speaking of correspondents, I may advert to the inferiority of the news supply respecting the war and foreign affairs generally. The intelligence from the Con tinent is remarkably poor just at present. I will give an example. On Saturday last the death of Marshal Prim was known in London between twelve and one o'clock. Operations on the Stock Exchange were commenced immediately, and the result was a very considerable fall in Spanish securities. Anxious to counteract this tendency and to prevent the startling news from g o i ng further, some dealers attempted to explain the fall by a statement that the bankers charged with paying the interest on the Spanish debt had deferred, through mere pressure of business, a portion of the payment until the Monday. Thus a serious event was covered by the report of a merely trivial occurrence. It was not until after four o'clock, when operations on the Stock Exchange were no longer possible, that the news of Prim's' death was sent to the papers. Some large carrying firms at the East-end of London are very busy just now. It is not because of the season, but because of the circumstances of France, that they dis play this activity. With some trouble I have discovered that these firms are doing a great deal in the way of secret export. I am quite certain that much more assist ance in the way of arms and ammunition is being given to France than is commonly supposed, though the total of our secret trade is far smaller than the open business done by America. The fact seems to me conclusive against the proposal to forbid the export of arms. It is impossible to prevent such export. These East End carriers laugh at the notion of the Government interfering with them. Supposing that, by an immense expenditure of labour and money, a surveil lance was set up, some exportations would be effected all the same, and these exceptions would produce greater animosity than does the present system of carte blanche. The plain truth is that the more complicated international law becomes, the greater is the risk of difficulties arising from its operation. Governments do not consider these MANCHESTER, THURSDAY.—At this market to-day the change in the weather caused great inactivity. English wheat was dif ficult to move, and the tendency of prices was slightly in favour of buyers. Foreign wheat was sold at an advance of about 2 per cent. over the rates of to-day se'nnight, but there was little business practicable. Flour was scarcely inquired for, and its value was nominally unchanged. Oats, beans, andlndian corn were each sparingly dealt in. at last week's rates. - - - BIRMINGHAM, THIIRSDAY.—There was a good supply of English wheat at this market to-day, which was a turn cheaper, Barley was dull and no cheaper. Oats only retail. Beans more plentiful. Peas, less demand. `I RE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1871. CATTLE MARKET. BRISTOL CATTLE, THURSDAY.—There was a fair supply of stock at tnis market to-day. Prime beef in good demand. Middling quality dull. Top price 80s., secondary and inferior, 655. to 755. Mutton good supply. Sid. to 9d. per lb. was the top figure. Store cattle dull. LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, TIIIIRSDAY.—Opening re port : Sales, probably 10,000 bales. There is rather more de mand. Still pressure to sell. Prices steady. Closing Report : This market closed to-day with continued large arrivals and only a small demand. The tone of the market is very dull. Prices are a quarter in American and an eighth in other descrip tions lower than on this day week. Sales 10,000, including 1,000 speculation and export. CLYDE CRUSHED SUGAR, THIIRSDAY.—Business to a fair extent, at previous rates. GLASGOW PIG IRON MARKET, THIIRSDAY.—Steady business done, at 51s. 40. cash. Prompt buyers at this. Sellers at a slight advance. CORK BUTTER MARKET, THIIRSDAY.—Ordinary firsts, 1465., seconds 1375., thirds 1205., fourths 1065., fifths 08s., sixths 635. 500 firkins in the market. Mild cured, firsts 1525., seconds 1465., thirds not quoted. 10 firkins in the market. OUR GUNPOWDER. The Pall Mall Gazette says :—" Unless we are totally misinformed, if all the powder mills in the country were set to work to make the powder of which we are in abso lute need, not one month or two, not one year but two, or even a longer time, would pass before our present deficiency could be made good. For az ne corrobora tion we refer to the report of the Mag p i Committee, o f which Mr. Ashworth was re,ii dent. That we are in instant need of this powder the authorities have themselves declared in the most emphatic manner. The y are paying private manufacturers £6los. a barrel for what, had the Admin istration been less economical and more provident, might have been got long ago at '4O or 45 per cent. less. If the powder is not needed, why this prodigious waste ? If it is so badly wanted, why was it not provided before ?" OUR N ATIONAL MILITARY DEFENCES.—This WAS the title of a paper read on Wednesday evening at the Dialectical Society by Mr. Rigby Smith. The chair was occupied by Dr. J. Thompson Dickson. Mr. Smith, in his opening remarks, said that he intended to confine his paper simply to our military defences. The three prob lems with which he should deal were—lit. The present facilities for communication and expert concentration ; 2d. The improved state of arms, rendering a higher state of intelligence indispensable to the soldier ; and 3d. Our peculiar insular position. The national defence should be entrusted to properly disciplined citizen soldiers, and the professional forces should only exist as a permanent staff. For home service we wanted an army of 50,000 men, in a high state of efficiency, ready to go at any moment to any part of the world. Next we wanted a second line of 100,000 men available for im mediate defensive services, and a third line consisting of 200,000 or 300,000 men, equal in efficiency to the present militia or volunteer regiments. None of these men should be deteriorated by an idle life in barracks, but should all follow civil pursuits. The whole of the youth of the country should receive a short military trvainin generally about six weeks' drill would he sufficient— given at such a time as would least interfere with other studies or pursuits ; but a selected body destined to recruit the first and second lines, say from 30,000 to 50,000, should. annually receive a six months' training. The saving of expense by this system would enable liberal provision to be made for the wives and mothers of those who fell in battle, and also for those severely wounded. The present system of officering our artillery and engineer forces should on a some what modified basis, be extended to the new system throughout. The non-professional officers should only be appointed after a certain period of service and passing a strict examination. Yearly manoeuvres on a large scale should b e organised to keep the troops practically acquainted with fi eld movemen t s . The first line should be filled solely by volunteers, and the second and third lines in the same way if possible, if not by ballot. The troops for colonial and foreign service would of course become permanent soldiers, and should be em bodied out of the system sketched, Compulsory training and volunteer foreign service should be the two pillars of a sound military system in a free country. An interesting discussion followed in which varied shades of opinion found expression both pro and con, with regard to standing armies under any regime. A general agreement, however, predominated in favour of abolishing the purchase system, the abolition of the overpowering aristocratic element in army government, and constituting our military organisa tion on a more effective and democratic basis. CAN I AFFORD IT ?—Pay your Stationer 6d. for a reply. Map of the World gratis in all Letts's Office Diaries. Letts's 6d. and is. Diaries give most value for your money. Le tts's Housekeepers' and Ladles' Diaries are much improved. Letts's Invisible Ink for Postal Cards, 6d. per bottle. things judicially. They place upon the facts the inter pretation that suits their interests, and abide by it through ick and thin. French refugees are an ordinary feature of London society now. Most of them are of course Imperialists, and furnish some interesting information. From the con- versations I have held, I find it the almost unanimous impression that the Empress was largely responsible for the abrupt declaration of war. The Emperor would have vacillated and procrastinated, as he always did before. His wife thought a final decision was necessary, and— took the wrong one. The release of the Fenian prisoners, I understand, has been delayed merely in consequence of the necessity for having the Great Seal of Ireland attached to their pardon. The number of men in English prisons to be set free is twenty two. There are two men, Davitt and Wilson, who were recently convicted of buying arms at Leeds and other places and forwarding them—for the use, it was supposed, of the Fenians—to Ireland, who will not be included in the amnesty, at all events for the present. The political offenders in A'istralia, few in number, are to be released, and an order to that effect has already been despatched to the authorities. No little consternation has been caused among the non commissioned officers and the intelligent rank and file of our regiments by the proposal of " A Staff-Ser geant" in the St. Paul's Magazine. The writer has evidently struck a vibratory chord it the service when he says that the minor situations in the civil service abroad and at home might very well be given to the vexillarii of the army, or men who had served their country well for a number of years. The suggestion that grants of land should be given in the colonies to deserving old soldiers, is not nearly so accept able, it would seem, as this last scheme. It is contended that the respectability which characterises the body of Commissionaires, and the humble, but steady-going con duct of pensioners generally, are sufficient guarantees that men who have done well in active service may safely be trusted with responsible and comfortable positions under the Civil administration. I seldom hear the slightest allusion to the great Inter national Exhibition which will shortly open at South Kensington. I deem it a duty to mention this forth coming show in order that people may remember that such a thing is to be. Partly because such a multi plicity of exciting matters have lately demanded attention, partly because international exhibitions are not the novelty they once were, the grossest ignorance prevails on this subject. When the Paris Exhibition of 1867 was in progress every newspaper served up a weekly bulletin touching the state of the great " gasometer." I have met many people in London itself who have never heard of the English Exhibition for the present year. Yet it is progressing favourably. Exhibitors are interested in the show, if the public are not, and there will certainly be no lack of objects to fill the building, The structure itself, which has been about two years on the way, is advancing rapidly. The month of February will be devoted to getting in the different classes of ob jects, beginning with machinery and finishing with paint ings. The Ist of May is the day fixed for the opening. That somebody thinks about the matter is evident from the fact that a newspaper is to be published entirely de voted to the exhibition. The asphalte pavement which has been first tried in the City in Cheapside, is to be also laid down in Moor gate-street and other places. It has proved a complete success. Needless to say that in Cheapside the pavement had to undergo the most severe trial in re spect of heavy traffic, yet it has proved satisfactory in all weathers. The company undertake to keep the asphalte in repair for twenty years at a moderate charge. Its advantages are unquestionable. It is noiseless, neces sitates less traction power for drawing vehicles, and saves the shaking to the houses caused by the old pavement. Nothing seems to be so popular as mechanical qr driving, not over-paid. The London School Board have decided upon engaging, in addition to the secretary at £BOO a year, a statistical clerk at £250, a shorthand writer at £2OO, and a junior clerk at £lOO. The applications for these posts are enormous—outrageous, even in those days of governesses and secretaries. An applicant handed in the required documents yesterday, and was informed by the messenger that about " three barrels-full "of appli cations had preceded his. A single parcel from Man chester was declared 'arge enough to hold a bust of the candidate. There is little that is reassuring either in the literary prospect or the retrospect. I cannot remember a worse year for literature than 1`,73, and the opening of 1871 is not more promising. Cast the eye over the list from last January to this, and what is there to reward the inquiry, in English books ? The completion of Mr. Morris's "Earthly Paradise," Bulwer's " Life of Lord Palmerston," a piece of " Edwin Drood," and Mr. Disraeli's " Lothair "—the last being by far the most suc cessful work. This is not a very extensive list of really noticeable books. The year's history, however, supplies one satisfactory inference. The diminution in the num ber of novels shews that the deluge of trash is beginning to produce weariness. The rage for novels has undoubtedly fallen off, and this species of literature has declined in point of profit. Of announcements for the month there is as yet positively nothing worth mentioning, unless I note the 3rd and 4th volumes of Mr. Hepworth Dixon's " Her Majesty's Tower," and a new book by 141. du Chaillu. The magazines are noticeable this month. Especially good is the Fortnightly, which has contributions from from Professor Von Sybel, Karl Blind, Mr. Fawcett, M.P., Lady Amberley, and Mr. Meredith. The first writer has produced a most extraordinary essay. He claims our sympathy and support for German supremacy, and then proceeds to describe the future Government of the Empire as someth;ng like the Government of Eliza. both in England SERIOUS CHARGE kGAINST A SHIPBROKER. Mr. W. Beach, shipbroker, was on Wednesday brought up on remand before the Gloucester magistrates, charged, in brief, with having converted £5OO to his own use and benefit. He acted as inward broker for Cap tain Copp, of the barque Torryburn. Captain Copp gave him an order to draw from Messrs. Price and Co., timber merchants (the senior partner in which firm is the member for the city), his freight, amounting in all to about £B5O. Beach disbursed £350 of this money on account of the ship. The captain went to Ireland, and wrote thence for a bank draught for £5OO to forward to his owners. Beach senthim instead a cheque for £5OO, which was dishonoured, and the amount had not since been paid. The case is of considerable importance to merchants and shipmasters, the defence being that no specific directions las to what was to be done with the balance of the money were given at the time the authorisation to draw the freight was signed. It was proved that on the day the cheque was given, Beach was overdrawn at the bank to the extent of 13s. Id. The magistrates said the case was involved in great difficulty, and sent the defendant for trial at the Assizes, so that the opinion of a judge might be taken upon it. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL.—A ball in nil of the funds of this hospital is to be held at Willis's Rooms on the 17th inst., under the potronage of her R o yal Highness the Princess Christian of Schleswig Holstein, her Serene Highness the Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar, the Duchess of Manchester, the Duchess of Sutherland, &c, - - - THE YELVERTON MARRIAGE.—Lady Avonmore has sent the following to the San Francisco Bulletin :—"ln the Bulletin there is a paragraph headed the " Yelverton Case,' in which I notice rather a serious error. Will you kindly correct it, for I think it is only fair that the public, who have taken such a deep interest in it, should have a true version of it, although when a case has lasted over eight years, and has gone through eighteen dif ferent trials, it is somewhat difficult for anyone not ac quainted with the facts to keep au courant. The decisions of the supreme courts both of Ireland and Scotland were in my favour, the one of the Irish marriage and the other of the Scotch. In the trial in England, to which yon doubtless allude, the marriage issue was never decided. I having been nonsuited on the ground of no jurisdic tion. Upon another occasion the House of Lords, having a conjoint action before them, refused, ou the one hand, the petition of Major Yelverton to be declared free of marriage with me, and on the other pronounced a judg ment "non-proven" against my marriage. This singular decision took the legal world by surprise. It was the acme of mystification of the Scotch law of marriage. Major Yelverton was not freed, but I was not bound ! Fortu nately, our real status did not depend upon the Scotch marriage, the Irish one having been finally proved in 1862, since which time the continuation of the various suits has only been litigous and vexatious, as a Scotch court could never interfere with an Irish marriage, and the liti gation was merely intended to stave off criminal proceed ings for bigamy in Scotland. We were not married athird time in England, otherwise I presume there might be a third claimant for dower on the Avonmore estate, such are Iaw.—THERESA peculiar complications of the British Iaw.I2HERESA AVONMORE." KINAHAN'S LL WHISKY.—This celebrated and most delicious old mellow spirit is the very cream of Irish Whiskies, in quality unrivalled, perfectly pure, and more wholesome than the finest Cognac Brandy. Note the red seal, pink label, and cork branded " Kinahan's LL Whisky." New NVholesole Depot, 6A, Great Titchfield street, Oxford-street, W. AFFAIRS IN MADRID, MADRID, January 1. The news of Marshal Prim's death has created as much surprise as consternation in the city. The bulletins and the newspaper accounts have continued to be favourable. The public has been assured again and again that there was nothing unfavourable or exceptional in the wounds, and that the fever attending them was in no degree serious. There is no reason to believe, however, that all were not deceived, and that the general illusion on the subject was in a measure at least unintentionally kept by us. The Pais says that the state of the invalid excited grave suspicions in the minds of the few persons who were in the secret, and that their fears were were greatly in creased when delirium set in. It seems from the account given in the Impartial that it was about four o'clock in the afternoon that the alarming symptoms declared them selves, and that they went on increasing until half-past seven, when cerebral congestion was evident. At eight the Marshal died. His widow is inconsolable. All the Ministers hurried to the Ministry of War on learning the alarming state of their friend and colleague. Throughout Madrid the news made a profound impres sion, and many persons on hearing it withdrew from the theatres and cafes. The Government immediately took active measures for the preservation of public order. An evening session of the Cortes was held, and no one was permitted to be present at it but the actual members. The ex-deputies have usually the right of entrance, but on this occasion they were rigidly excluded. A detach ment of the civil guard and of police agents was stationed L ' in the rear of the building. Afilitary precautions of great extent were also taken. The generals of division and heads of brigade received orders to have their troops in readiness for any movement, and twelve battalions of volunteers were stationed at convenient spots in the city to reinforce the garrison if necessary. The militia of the city patrolled the streets during the night, but ' there was no attempt at disturbance. To-clay Madrid bears quite a warlike aspect. The Cortes are surrounded by detachments of the Civil Guard, the artillery occupies the Plaza Mayor, volunteers occupy the Calla del Arenal and the Teatro Real, while in the palace and at the abode of the Regent there are great numbers of troops. The supply of arms and ammunition to ,the agents of public order, as they are called, is very liberal. Throughout the provinces the news of Prim's death has been • received with no disorder, which is the more fortunate, as letters from Malaga, Granada, and Badajos state that the news of his death was the first intelligence received of the disaster. In the Cortes the Minister de Hacienda (Senor Moret) announced the death in a speech of much feeling, saying that Prim, like Rossi and like Lincoln, had died in the moment of concluding his work, and of realising his aspirations, and calling upon the Cortes to support the Government at this crisis. The speeches which followed were similar in tone, and that of Senor Martos was warmly applauded. Senor Chad, as a representative of the minority, hastened to assure the Government that he and his friends shared their feelings of regret and indignation. He had often differed from Marshal Prim, but he had regarded him as an honourable opponent, and the mino rity, like the majority, would energetically condemn the crime which had closed the life of the statesman. Rios Rosas, while declaring his readiness to second in every way the efforts of the Government to preserve public order, demurred a little to the terms of the proposed vote of confidence. An explanation from Senor Chao was similar in its tone. The minority were averse to committing themselves to a sanction of arbitrary in terference with individual rights while they were anxious to uphold the Government as a body for the time being. The Epoca, referring to the request to Topete to fill Prim's vacant post, remarks that it speaks very badly for the condition of the Progressist party, that it could not find a politician who could replace Prim even for a few days. A rumour has been current of an attack on Zovilla's carriage. It possibly arose from the following circumstance :—A great alarm was excited in the eveninv in the Calle de Belen by the sound of fire arms. It seems that the civil governor, having received notice that arms were deposited at a house in this street ordered an inspection to be made by some of his officials and some soldiers. When they reached the house a shot was fired from the balcony, and after a short struggle a Carlist soldier was captured in the house. A number of arms were found concealed in the house. It is said that Prim had informed the delegates from Navarre that he intended to raise the state of siege in the four provinces and to concede an amnesty to the Carlist press. Queen Isabella is about to leave Geneva for England, on a visit to the Empress Eugdnie. NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. During the time the convicts employed on the works in connection with the construction of the additional docks and basins at Woolwich dockyard were engaged at their work on Wednesday afternoon, a sad accident occurred to one of the number named Charles Honest, who is under going a sentence of seven years' penal servitude. At the time of the occurrence the convict was engaged in attend ing the laden waggons on the tramway, when , a s he was doing so, he either fell or was knocked down between the rails, when the waggon passed over him, cutting both his legs from his body. He was immediately conveyed to the infirmary e at th convict rison ; but from the nature of the accident he is not expected to survive the shock to the system. The unfortunate man would have been sdis cohnatrogneode of on Mdear In the official Army List for t he p resent month the n ames of those officers of the reserve forces who have passed a satisfactory e xamination appear for the first time penal s y vit u de next, on the completion of his . with the letter " P ' against them, those who have passed through a course of military school instruction being indi cated by the letters " P S." The great 30-ton gun, whose trial is anticipated with so much anxiety, has at length reached the proof butts at the Royal Arsenal, but another breakdown has occurred almost at the last stage of the preparations. The gun was being lifted by a crane from its truck on to the rough "sleigh " or carriage on which it will rest while being fired with the test charges, when the gear, though it had been strengthened to bear the unaccustomed weight, gave way, and the sleigh was crushed beneath the enormous mass. The workmen from the carriage department are repairing what is hoped to be the final failure, and the gun will pro bably be tried in a few days. From the well-known effect of frost on iron, an increase in the temperature will favour the success of the experiment, but the more severe the weather the more satisfactory will the result be if the gun stands the-proof. One of the ships belonging to the new flying squadron has got her gun-room crowded s o that when she arrives at the East Indies we shall not be surprised to hear of sick ness breaking out. Her gun-room complement is 11, but she has had 10 supernumeraries appointed who will have to mess in the gun-room.—Globe. ART IN IRELAND.—The Lord-Lieutenant of Ire land visited the Royal Dublin Society's School of Art on Tuesday, and inspected the designs, drawings, paintings, &c., of the pupils attached to the school. His Excellency, having been conducted through the building, expressed himself much pleased. Dr. Steele stated that the pupils of the Royal Dublin Society's school had gained a greater number of prizes than those of any other school in the empire, with the exception of Kensington. THE NEW IRISH SECRETARY.—A London corres pondent says—Lord Hartington, Mr. Fortescue's succes sor. is a comparatively young man, but he has had a long training in politics, and considerable expe rience as an administrator. Though not endowed with any special knowledge of Irish affairs, he has considerable aptitude in acquiring details, has the recommendation of being the owner of large estates in Ireland, and is gifted with those quiet manners and that cool, phlegmatic temperament which are so essential in dealing successfully with representa tives of such demonstrative and perfervid character as those returned by the constituencies on the other side of St, George's Channel. A FRIENDLY CRITIC.—The Manchester Courier states that at the meeting of the Salford Town Council on Wednesday, Mr. Harrison opposed the election of Alder man Gendall as chairman of the Museum, Free Library, and Park Committee on the ground that it would be better to appoint some one " possessing some knowledge of literature, a little taste in art, and if some smattering of science could be added so much the better." After much observation Mr. Harrison had arrived at the conclusion that Mr. Gendall was quite innocent of these necessary qualifications, and he moved that the resolution appointing him be referred back to the committee for reconsideration. The motion was lost. APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF CONSTABLE.—At the Bedfordshire Quarter Sessions held on Tuesday last, Major Warner was elected Chief Constable of the county of Bedford, in the room of Captain Boultbee, who has retired. There were originally 118 candidates, and that number was reduced first to thirteen and then to seven. The names of the seven were Colonel Barnard. Ken sington ; Mr. E. Churcher, Notting-hill ; Captain Dyer, Cork ; Major J ones, Leicester ; Major Paton, Chester Castle ; Major Warner, Colchester ; and Major Wilkin son, Bridlington Quay. The contest really laid between Colonel Barnard and Major Warner, and at the final voting the latter had twenty-four votes and the former ten, giving the successful candidate a majoity of fourteen votes. BREAKFAST.—EPPS'S COCOA.--GRATEFUL AND COM FORTING.—The very agreeable character of this p re p a ration has rendered, it a general favourite. The Civil Service Gazette re: marks:—" By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine •praperties of well-selected cocoa. Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. Each packet is labelled—JAmES EPPS & C 0. ,. Homceo . pathie Chemists, London. Also, makers of Epps's Caca6ine, a very hin evening beverage,—Adirt. TI-TE WAR. IMPRESSIONS AT LILLE. LILLE, January 2. It is believed here that Manteuffel has moved towards Paris, leaving a small number of troops behind him to conceal his movements. The mili tary intelligence contained in both Prussian and French despatches seems to indicate Moltke's intention to precipitate matters by risking all for all. It is supposed that the Prussian generals, before beginning the bombardment of the forts, took all precautionary measures to repress the supreme effort of Paris at bay. In this case Faidherbe would only have be fore him the cavalry, supported by some few thousand foot soldiers, and the recruits obstructing. Amiens. Mean while, the Uhlans continue to ravage the country after their fashion, and such is the miserable cowardice of the villagers that the enemy is better treated by them than the French soldiers, who are risking their lives for the country. Dozens of letters from indignant Mobiles denounce the wretched inhabitants of whole villages, who have left them to starve of hunger or perish from thirst and cold ; or, worse still, have given them false directions, and led them into German ambuscades. Such is the fruit of twenty years despotism and igno rance. The Daily News correspondent at Paris says :—" There is not half the drunkenness in Paris that there is in Lon don, and it is marked here because it is so unwonted. If the London populace were in the condition of the Paris populace—reduced to such straits--let us try to imagine how they would behave, and especially how they would soak themselves in beer and gin." It is reported at Lyons that the Government are about to authorise the creation of a new auxiliary corps, which will be placed under the command of Colonel Frappoli, a deputy of the Italian Parliament. The corps will com prise infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineers, a telegraphic service, &c., and its effective strength will be about 12,000 men. A letter from Paris in the Independance Beige states that on the 26th instant the troops had been ordered back into the forts in consequence of the intense cold of the previous night, which, it was reported, had caused 600 cases of frostbite. The Official Journal had explained that this step did not at all imply the suspension of military operations, as these would be prosecuted until the final victory. One of the Christian Brethren had been killed while carrying off the wounded. General Trochu was present at the funeral, while the absence of the Arch bishop of Paris had excited some comment. A correspondent writes :—" We had three enormous salmon the other day in Paris—at least they were called salmon ; but I am not ichthyologist enough to say what they were. The fish were large, as large as the largest salmon, but mottled like trout, and the French name for them is beccard. A few days ago, in the same first rate restaurant in which I saw the supposed salmon, I was offered lamb for dinner. The proprietor declared most solemnly it was innocent lamb ; whereupon, with a trust in human nature which is worthy of the Gavin.. of Eden, I agreed to eat the innocent lamb. What do you think it was; It was the opposite of lamb—it was wolf." THE GERMAN PRESS ON PEACE.—A. journal of Nuremberg has published a noticeable article on the question of Peace. It considers that the German leaders have made a great mistake in thinking that Paris would not hold out so long, and that throughout the whole war there has been a series of surprises. By persisting in the belief that after the surrender of Napoleon th French nation would agree to any terms, Bismarck and Moltke threw away al the advantages they had gained, and insisted on the cession of Alsace and Lorraine as the price of peace. The Re public was, however, stronger than the Empire and thus the German leaders were again at fault. It is now believed that Paris can hold out until the end of February with respect to provisions, and no military means which can be employed for its reduction can be carried out in less than three months. In order to prevent the relief of Paris the armies of Prince Frederick Charles and the Duke of Mecklenburg are opposing the progress of the armies of the French provinces, but they cannot overcome them or make them prisoners, as they did the Imperial armies. There is, therefore, a chance that Paris may obtain help before her last stores are exhausted. it is not worth while for Ger many to undergo such heavy sacrifices for the sake of carrying out to the full extent the programme which was conceived by the German authorities at a time when they were acting under a false impression regarding the resources of the enemy. Neither the German people nor the German army requires any more victories, but what the German people want is peace, and that can easily be obtained if it is sought for. THE FRIENDS OF FRANCE. The Woolwich cadet who has just been appointed an Artillery officer in the Army of the Loire revives the old days when soldiers of fortune lent their swords to any King or State ready to employ them. In modern times our Dugald Dalgettys have scruples ; they serve, not for pay and forage, but at the call of their sympathies ; and in the present war the beaten side has, naturally enough, won the greatest number of volunteers. Ameri cans, Danes, Italians, Hungarians, Poles, Englishmen, Irishmen, French Canadians, have all hastened to France to fight for her—many, no doubt, attracted by the Repub lic, but for many thousandsalso by o - f that m e n p powerful e artch atrsm ofw h t i h c h e France has . Whether it be the lea din g p that she has played so long, the attractiveness of French life and manners, or the warmth and breadth of French sym pathies, true it is, that, while the love of most men is given to their own country first, their second love is almost universally given to France. This tendency holds good even of many Englishmen, notwithstanding our ancient rivalry ; but in the case of Americans, Hungarians, Poles, Spaniards, Italians, their love of France survives all disappointments, and French words and thoughts stir them as none other can. Of Poland, in her dying struggle, it was said, " Found not a generous friend, a pitying foe ; strength in her arms, nor mercy in her woe." France, more fortunate, has had, at least, many friends in her adversity, and that strength in her arms that will make her " partition " a hard task even for the Power that originally planned and helped to execute the great political crime of the last century.—Daily Telegraph. A. Dublin correspondent writes that the, Lord- Lieutenant's first levee for the season is fixed for the 31st of January. The total number of messages forwarded from postal telegraph stations in the United Kingdom during the week ending December 31 was 144,041,. shewing decrease on the previous week of 35,411. It is officially stated that this great decrease is due to the observance of the Christmas holidays during the week. HOSPITAL SUNDAY AT LIVERPOOL.—The Mayor of Liverpool, at the Council meeting of Wednesday, an nounced his intention of marking his approval of the Hospital Sunday movement by attending the parish church of St. Nicholas in his official capacity on Sunday next, which is the day selected for the simultaneous col lections in all the churches and chapels of the town in aid of the public hospitals. THE UNIVERSITIES.—The number of matricula tions at the University of Oxford during the past year was 567, comprising 38 " unattached students," as a set off to which 393 gentlemen proceeded to their bachelor's degree. Of the other degrees conferred by that univer sity there were five bachelors and doctors in divinity, thirteen bachelors of civil law, two bachelors of medicine , 217 masters of arts, 28 students of civil law, and eight bachelors of music. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —Holloway's Ointment and Pills.- - In all sores, wounds, bad legs, and sprains of any kind this Ointment is the most efficient application. It at once gives ease by allaying inflammation and moderating the flow of blood to the part. Whenever the malady has been of long standing the Ointment should be assisted 133 T Holloway's purifying Pills, which act upon the stomacb and liver, guarding digestion against fa l ling int o that dis ordered state which the pain , restlessness , a nd feve,,r attending these ailments is apt to pro d uce , and which much retards recovery, and sometimes even makes ser ious the slightest case. No mother or nurse should be withou t these noble remedies ; they are equally applicable to al' ages and constitutions. They purify t he blood, regulate its circulation, renew diseased structu res, and vigorate m the system. BIRTHS. On the 2d inst., at 5, Dawson-place, the wife of ()harlot N. Blumberg, Esq., of a son. On the 4th inst., at 5, Royal-crescent a , Nottin-hill, mr., the wife of Edwin Bedford, Esq., of daughter. MARRIAGES. On the 3(1 inst., at Chepstow, Arthur , eldest son of the 131 tu Wm. Westropp Brereton, Q.C. , to Georgina, youngle (laughter of the late Rev. Edward Wo odhouse, of Dome House, Bognor, Sussex. we ll On the 3d inst., at Dinder , Som erset, Henr y C. MO ei'-`" 5 Lyte, only child of the late J. W. M. Lyte, Eski:t Berry Head, Devon, to Frances T o ownes, the ns e. daughter of J. C. Somerville , Esq. , of Dinder Il DEATHS. On the 4th inst., at 27, Devonshire-place, Portland-I'ls Edward Owen Pemberton, Esq., aged 75. On the 3d inst., at Stevenage, Herts, George Sil l " Esq., aged London : Printed by GIDEON ACLAND BOYOt re No. 112, Strand , Printer, and Published bY rr No.lolf2,mSitdrdalnedse, Middlesex. the Precinct of Savoy, Soy,uiN O Countyntriec e Friday, January 6, 1871.'