The Sun. — London, England, 1857-03-02 00:00:00

MEETING AT LORD DERBY'S. (Front the Press of Satul'clay.) The Conservative members of the House of Com mons assembled on Friday morning at the mansion of Lord Derby, in St. James's-square, to hear a statement from the noble earl on the present aspect (:) f political affairs, and especially on th e p o sition of the Conservative party. About 160 of the mem bers of the House of Commons were present. Th e Noble Earl commenced his address by an allu sion ihe course which a few members of the oppo sition had thought it consistent with their duty to adopt on occasion of the recent division in the House of Commons upon the budget. Lord'Derby stated that the course pursued by Mr. Disraeli had been concerted with him, and had met with his entire approval. Lord DERBY said be had heard it stated that the amendment moved by the bon. member for West Norfolk' originated in feeling of disappro bation at the report which had been circulated of a coalition between the party which the noble earl was proud to lead and the right hon. member for the University of Oxford. That report was false. He had no compact or understanding with Mr. Glad tone as to any political union. He and Mr. Gladstone were each perfectly free to act on any ques tion without reference to the opinions of the other. At a later period, the noble earl expressed a hope that what he had said might not be misunderstood. He had had more than one occasion with Mr. Gladstone on political matters ; but, as he said be fore, there was no political arrangenmit or under standing between them. But the noble earl, in the most dignified and emphatic manner, declared that should any member of the Conservative connection atterapt to dictate to him the course he should pur sue with regard to any political personages what ever, he would regard such dictation as an insult, and ito longer recognise that member as attached to his party. This declaration was received with long conti cued cheering, The Noble Earl said that no one could be more oppcsed to coalitions effected in defiance of political principle than himself ; but that when members from identity of sentiment were frequently drawn toge' her to the same lobby, it was impossible to doubt that a bond of political union was estab lished which no party could refuse to acknowedge. We pause here for a moment to say, that no public man in our history has more un-quivocally expressed his disapproval of factious coalitions than Lord Derby. The proof is before us in the volume of the late Sir R. Peel's "Memoirs," just published. When requested by Sir R. Peel to join his adminis tration in 183 t, he replied : "The reputation of those who take part in public affair a is a matter of national importance ; and confidence in public mes has been more shaken by coalitions than by ail other acts of personal misconduct taken together. Any reasons which may be urged in vindica tion of the present junction would be powerless as op pose.l to the public sentiment, which revolts against all polii 'cal coalitions, especially when they are made the immediate stepping-stone to power" (page 40). That is the best answer to those insolent insinua tioni which suppose that Lord Derby would ever sanction any political combination which was not based upon principle, and dicta!el by the highest and pure,t regard for permanent public interests. It is this honourable feeling among our greatest statesmen which has preserved England from those factious coalitions to overthrow existing govern meats which have constantly proved the ruin of constitutional freed ~m in other coup , rice. To resume. Lord Derby said that an impresSion app-;.tired to prevail in some quarters that the in terests of Protestantism might suffer in his hands. The noble earl referred to his past career, no less than to his welt-known principles, in refutation of such a supposition. A slight and graceful allusion to his devotion to the Established Church of those realms in times past, was received with vehement pla . ;dits. We must not emit to state that Lord Derby ex pre,.sed high admiration of the talents and chq ract , r of Mr. Gladstone. He noticel emphatically the fact that the Conservative party was at pre sent in a minority in the House of Commons, and insisted that nothing could possibly be more unwise than to decline such accessions of strength as would place it in a position to undertake the government of the country. In reference to the important subject then be fore the House of Commons, Lorda:rby expressed his entire approval of the resolution moved by Mr. Cob len. It was substantially the same as the mo tion he had introduced in the House of Lords, and had supported with all the .earnestness of convic tion all the ability he possessed. It would be impossible to describe the enthu siasm with which this allusion to the speech deli veriAl by the noble earl on Tuesday was received. That speech is in every circle the tAem,l of admira timi, and has produced, we believe, a more power ful impression on the mind of the country than any ad.cliess delivered for years pas 1. After Lord Derby resumed his seat, the meeting war addressed by several " ropresentative men" of the House of Commons. 1 1 , fr. SPOONER was received with the respect due to the consistency of his po'itical clreer, and the sin cerity of his religious convictions. He spoke with gerhrous warmth, denouncing the pretended z, , al of Lord Palmerston for Protestantism, and ex pressing his entire confidence in Lord Derby at the head of the Conservative patty. Mr. NEWDEGATE expressed equal loyal senti ments, and with equal warmth.; Lord MAReff, as the head in the Lower Houle of the great home of Lennox, and a representative of the luided interest, was listened to with great attemtion. lie declared that his confidence iu Lord Derby was so complete, that whatever Colll'3o he mitt ht deem it expedient to pursue, would receive his cordial, earnest, and disinterested support. This declaration was I..ceived rounds of cheering. (I,lonel GILPIN, an in& - ,pandent member of the apposition, not only declared his confidence in Lord Derby, but expressed his high sense of the services of Mr. Disraeli as leader of the opposition in the _House of Commons. The manner iu which the right hon. gent!erian's name was received must hat e been no less gratifying to him than to all the members present, as showing that the opposition, not,7ithsta,nding all the efforts to weaken it, and all rumours of division, in its ranks, was never mole cor hally united in devotion to its leaders than at the present t;me. We do not cone-al our regret at the course which a few member s, like Sir John Ty - r,ll and Mr. am tine k, have thought prober io adop - b - . They have no rfoub' acted from conscientious ay.tives of pub lic duty. It is quite cear that if they prefer the le ),k1 of Lord Parmerstion to that of Lord Derby, they cannot too soon change their places. in the ho ise. The meeting was Fo cordial and so unanimous that we feel justified in warmly congratulating the Conservative public ou the result. It is impossible to foretel the politic d changf.s which are in store for mt. We know only that the administration of Lcr.l Pahnersten cannot lash, and that from i - s constitution it is impossible that it can fulfil the wB4 , -, of the country, cr even sati s f ac t or il y. cAi d uct ne ;essary public business. Hence it is the iinn! im ,ortant that the Conservative connection should continuo united, as it is the primary a n d hi g h est use of a constitutional uppomitton to bo wit Al called upon to undertake the responsibilities of government. THE CASUAL WARD OF ME WEST LO,NDON In consequence of public attention having been di, ected to the unsatisfactory condition of the casual ward of this Union, situa• e at Battle-bridge, by th 3 recent evening visit of the Lord Mayor, and also from the strong remarks on its present state which subsequently appeared in the columns of the newspapers,_ Mr. Farnell, the inspector for the r!o to r-Law Board, made it his dutTpromptly and carefully Tuesday examine the ward in question, and on last he reported the result at a meeting of th) Board ofcoutirmed txcehe Guardians of the - Union (which mainly previous statements, with the . im pc rtant e pti o notdheutedrradleicEe (1 that to the sexes were kept sep ara t e , and determi ne d It was at once unani mougly to o ld a special meeting of th e guardians to proceedz h i com plained of, and to ascertain the building r and managemen'til what alteratio ns i n it s to re move the public stigna,n at were re deirable, in order their - body. The meeting (y the resent resting upon ingly took place on Thursd board accJrd- Y ; and after a - ry vlrolul and lengthenod investigwion, a / e v useful prOposals, principally in. aco,ra za i riety of Nr. F a rnell's report, which had b ;en previously s with m tde, were ordere d to be at once carr ied Out. the Guardians of this Union are strong advo,:ate, fur the esta6lishment of public baths and 'wash houses, they very appropriately considered the pro priety of administering a warm bath to each appli , c ,nt for casual in-door relief, as an important aid to the promotion of vagrant cleanliness. It ae pared to be - generally felt that, although the Board or' Guardians, from motives of prudence and policy, did not seek in dealing with the casual po or to rival the city alderm en in their comparative luxurious arrangements for criminals at Holloway Prisor), 1 evertheless it was their • sincere desire as conside r itely as possible to regard the Claims of those whose poverty was - their only crime, and whose vagrant, and indeed almost irreclaimble, wretch edness, to deal with completely, remains b/' at —es.. but a diffictilt problem. Thq st-ttement to the Lord Mayor at the Man-ion-house, io justifi,ation of rho emidition of the casual ward he h a d comp l a i ne d o f , was az.; rtaitied to have heeS made without the auk aut ~gity of t4e board. , ;~ AUSTRIA AND SARDINIA. allow the law to have its course ; but, when it declares its willingness to app'y the full rigour of the law, should the Government of the Emperor require it, such an ac cusation appears totally devoid of foundation. " In listening to the bitter complaints of Count Buol against the Sardinian press, it might be supposed that the Austrian press is very reserved as regards foreign Sovereigns and governments, that it never exceeds the limits traced by moderation and politeness. This is not however, the case ; far from it. The Austrian journals, more especially those published in Lombardy, are fug of insults and attacks upon the Sardinian Government, and they do not spare the person of the King and the mem bers of his August family. I can easily support this assertion by numerous proofs ; I shall confine myself to calling your attention t) the language of the journals of Milan and Verona respecting an august Princess, a near relation 'of the Emperor of Austria—language which, if I am rightly informed, led to energetic remonstrances at Vienna from the Court of Saxony. "If Count Buol is justified in complaining of the vio lence of a perfectly free press, which is not admitted into the Austrian States, what must be said respecting a press submitted to a severe censorship, which spares neither the institutions nor the political men of our country, and which circulates freely among us ? In Piedmont, if the attack is free, so is also the defence. Austria, attacked by a portion of the press, is defended not only by the journals which come to us from the other side of the Tessin, but also by a certain number of jour nals published in the States of the King. "In Lombardy, on the contrary, only the attack is allowed ; the journals there reproduce with impunity the most odious articles of the journals opposed to the Government of the King, and contain frequently per sonal insults and insinuations against the statesmen of Piedmont, and create as much disgust as certain Sar dinian journals cause to Count Buol. The following official correspondence has passed bAween the Anitritn and Sardinian Govern ments : DESPATCH FROM COUNT BUOL, THE AUSTRIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TO COUNT PAAR, AUSTRIAN ENVOI AT TURIN. " MILAN, FEB. 10. "Monsieur le Comte—During your sojourn here you bad opportunities of closely observing the marks of re spect with which the Emperor, our august master, was received at Milan, and the satisfaction which the pre sence of their Imperial Majesties gave to all classes of the population. " The numerous acts of clemency which emanated from the Emperor were received with sentiments of sin cere gratitude, which more than once displayed them selves in warm demonstrations. If his Majesty in his clemency has deiened to throw a veil over the past, the behaviour of his Lombard subjects authorizes us to ex pect that the future will not deceive his generous confi dence. There can be no doubt that every impartial ob server of what has occurred at Milan during the last few weeks must share these impressions. Confidence is esta blishing itself everywhere, and, if there are still a few spirits who hesitate to join in that confidence without reserve, their doubts originate less in the internal condi tion of the country than in an unceasing provocating action from without. " It is especially, I will not conceal it from you, M. le Comte, the attitude of the Piedmontese Government which has hurt the Emperor's feelincs. In fact, the Piedmontese press, faithful to its abject habits, and to its systematic hatred against Austria, has endeavoured to present recent events at Milan in a light diametrically opposled to the truth. The domination of Austria in the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom, represented as devoid of all legititrate right, and as the sole source of all the evils of the peninsula ; calumny and insult; hurled against every act of the Imperial Government, against the au gust person of the Emperor as well as against his de voted servants; insurrection, and even regicide, repre sented as the means to liberate Italy from what they please to call a foreign yoke,—such are the many themes which the Piedmontese journals unceasingly dwell upon in every tome, and which latterly they have turned to account with increased bile and violence. In truth, my pen refuses to relate all the vileness with which those journa's teem ; it suffices to open them at haphazard to find abundant convicting articles. " Considering these attacks, directed with unusual vio lence against a friendly and neighbouring Power, the Sardinian Government, by remaining perfectly passive, has, at the very least, laid itself open to the suspicion of not having wished to discountenance them. This is not all. Appeals adi7ressed to foreigners, with aview to induce them to join subscriptions publicly opened to strengthen the defensive system of Piedmont, which is not menaced by any Power ; the official reception of pretended depu tations from our Italian pi ovinces to express their admi ration for a po;icy disapproved by their own Govern. went; finally, the acceptance of a monument, offered, it is said, by subjects of the Emperor to commemorate deeds of the Sardinian army,—all these are so many offensive demonstrations, which, however calculated upon tho too easy credulity of the public, nevertheless have their serious aspect. " how is it in fact to he explained that a Government which really wishes to keep up relations of friendship and good neighbourhood with us should not have regarded it as concerning its own dignity to prevent demonstra tions which impart to the peculiar circumstances attend ing them a bearing so palpable and so directly host'le to a neighbour lois ' Power ? Is it, then, by allowing the reminiscences of the war and the revolutionary passions which it engendered to he, continually, publicly pro claimed and perpetuated that the Sardinian Govern ment pretends to fulfil the stipulations of the treaty of peace—the first of which establishes that there shall be henceforth and for ever peace, friendship,-and good fel lowship between the two Sovereigns, their respective States and subjects I It may be replied to us that the lsws of the country are powerless to prevent acts of this description ; but we cannot on that plea absolve the Turin Cabinet from having had the appearance of asso ciating itself by its toleration with the hopes of a party whose rallying cry is the abolition of the treaties which have fixed the territorial limits now existing in Italy. " It is true the Sardinian Government has more than once confidentially expressed to us its regret and its dis approval of the excesses of journalists. Moreover, declsr ing itself incapable of taking the initiative in a prosecu tion, it has often referred us to the c iurts of law to obtain justice for the insults of a libellous press. But if were to bring an action for every libellous article, we might at once establish ourselves as public prosecutor. We do not think such an office is in keeping with the dignity of our Government. Apart from this consideration the objects of the attacks of the revolutionary press of Piedmont are not only the acts of the Imperial Government but the very principle of monarchy itself ; they even strike at the roots of all social order. Should not, then, the Turin Cabinet be the first to defend such important interests, and to avert an evil which threa,'ens as much the quiet and security of its own country as those of other States towards which it has international duties to fulfil E However this may be, M. le Comte, the Em peror owes it to his own dignity not to leave the Sardi nian Government in ignorance of the displeasure which its proceedings generally have caused him. It will be for Count Cavour to inform you what measures he pur poses to take to efface these painful impressions, and what guarantees he can offer us against the indefinite prolongation of a state of things so diametrically op posed to the desire by which we are animated of enter taining such relations with Piedmont as best suit the interests of the two countries. Intending to shape our line of conduct in future accerlingly, I request you, M. le Comte, by order of the Emperor, to read this despatch to the President of the Council, and to inform me of the explanations you may receive in reply.—l am, &c., "But this not all. Count Buol accuses the Govern ment of the Sing of remaining indifferent to the warm controversy of the newspapers. Truly this cannot be said of Austria. The articles of the official journals, inspired by the Imperial Government, prove that the Vienna Ca binet sanctions and directs the attacks against us. After readirg a leader in the official Milan Gazette, the source of which cannot be doubted, and in which the Ministers of the King are compared to Robespierre and Cromwell, we may well be astonished at the bitterness of feeling which the toleration of the statesmen of Piedmont causes to Count Buol. "But it is not only in the name of Austria tbat the Imperial Minister of Foreign Affairs complains of our toleration. He accuses it of encouraging the most bane ful doctrines, of undermining the foundation of the throne, and of attempting to destroy the sentiment of monarchy. " The results obtained by the policy followed by the Government of the King belie those accusations. Every honest man who examines the actual state of the country ever so superficially must admit that the mo narchical principle, shaken, perhaps, by the events of 1848-1849, has become gradually strengthened, and that it has re-acquired an immovable solidity. " The spontaneous and unanimous demonstrations which hail the King in every portion of his dominions, even in those parts where there is not a traditional link of affection and respect, are a manifest proof thereof. But what proves beyond a doubt the truth of our asser tion is tho prostration of the Republican party. That party, which was not without some influence when King Victor Emmanuel ascended the throne, has, under the rule of liberty, seen its means and strength gradually diminish, so that it has been obliged to let its sole organ in the periodical press L'ltalict 6 Popolo, die a natural death, without prosecution, and simply from the falling off of its subscribers. This fact appears to me to be the most eloquent refutation of the anti-monarchical teadec cies of which Count Budl accuses us. "After having examined the question of the press, which forms the most important portion of Count Boors despatch, I will briefly touch upon the other points it contains. "As regards the demonstrations asserted to have been pravoked in other !parts of Italy, we challenge whom soever it may be to quote a single fact emanating from the Government of the King with that object is view. The Pielmontese Government having ca'led the atten tion of the Congress of Paris to the condition of Italy, and having shown the necessity of ameliorating that condition by pacific and legal measures, its conduct ex cited, without any other provocation, marks of gratitude and sympathy from a great numbar of persons dwelling in different parts of the peninsula. There is nothing in this to entitle Austria to complain. She herse f, though not agreel upon the means, feels the necessity of modi fying the present state of things in Italy. But she does more than recognise this in words. By the acts she has jast done, by those which are announced as likely soon to take Owe, she hail proved by facts that the statements of the Sardinian Plenipotentiaries were not devoid of foundation, and that the approval which crowned their efforts cannot be imputed to them as an act directly hostile to Austria. "As regards the monument spoken of as to be erected at Turin in honour of the Sardinian army, I may first observe that the Government of the King has nothing whatever to do with it. Some persons having inquired of it whether it would accept a gift from the Milanese, it replied by a distinct and positive refusal. The offer made to the Municipal Council was accepted. The Government could not, and ought not, to have prevented it, as it was made unconditionally and anonymously. But if the Royal Government could not prevent the gift of a sum of money to erect a statue in honour of the Sardinian army, meant especially to record the expedi tion to the Crimea, it will not allow any feature in this monument to hurt the susceptibility of Austria or her army, nor an inscription to imply that it was erected by Austrian subjects. This assurance appears to me of a nature fully to satisfy any complaints of Count Buol on the subject. " Having replied to the reproaches of the Imperial Minister of Foreign Affairs, I might in my turn enume rate the annoyances caused to U 9 by the Austrian Go vernment, from the sequestration of the property of the Lombards and Venetians who bad legally become Sardi ❑ian subjects, to the violent and unwarranted expulsion from Milan of one of the most distinguished members of the Senate of the kingdom. But I prefer not following in the track of complaints of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria, so as not to envenom a dispute which we do not think would prove advantageous to either country. _ . " . 13u0i,." On the communication of the above despatch Count Cavour sent the following reply to the Mar quis Cantano, the Sardinian envoy at Vienna : " Turin, Feb. 20. "Sir,—lmmediately on his return from Milan Count Par real to me a despatch which Count Bun! had just addressed to him (of which you will find copy annexed) complaining of the attitude of the Sardinian Govern. ment, and communicating the displeasure which its pro ceedings had caused to the Emperor of Austria. ".Although I did not hesitate to give at once such explanations to Count Paar as appeared to me fully to refute the reproaches of the Imperial Government, I yet thought it as well to eend you, M. le Marquis, a categorical and formal reply to the Austrian Minister of Foreign, Affairs. _ _ _ " I cherish the hope that the explanations contained in this despatch, of which you will leave a copy with Count Buol, and such further explanations as your knowledge of the views of the Royal Government enable you to give, will convince the Imperial Minister of Fo reign Affairs that, while resolved to maintain at all risk the institutions which make the prosperity and the glory of our country, it is no less our firm intention to tulfil towards our neighbours, to their full extent, the obligations imposed upon us by international law and by treaties.—l am, &c,, " ()Tont Buol complains of the attacks of the Piedmon tese press, of the manifestations provoked, it is said, in the other provinces of Italy in favour of a policy which (keg not enjoy the approval of the Imperial Government. Finally, he dwells upon the acceptance of a monument said to have been offored by the Milanese to the Sardi nian army. Making the Sardinian Government respon sible for these fads, Ccunt Buol accuses it in some mea sure of not fulfilling the stipulations of the treaty of peace concluded at Mdan. " CAVOUR." FLOATING BATTERIES. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SlR,—Whatever the causes—whether such as justly to condemn our Government officials, or the result of accident beyond human foresight and control—it is un. deniable that the late Crimean war was marked by an amount of expenditure which, when resolved into figures, lsoke monstrously large and astounding in the eyes of many a suffering citzen of this heavily-taxed country. It need not, therefore, be matter for surprise that " economy" should now be made the catchword of party, and the order of the day. Economy is, however, a somewhat hackneyed phrase, and too often a mere hocus pocus trifling adopted by well-skilled practitioners in legislative quackery and legerdemain. Is it the best and truest economy to begin and end a scheme of re s . treuchinent with the ,citizens and labourers of cpr dock. yards and others in the more humble grades of the pub lic service, whilst the salaries of thousands per annum are untouched and held sacred ? Is it a genuine or genial species of economy to repudiate the productions of genius because originating with the lowly and unpre tending, whilst thousands again are lavished on patrician theorists, for the sake of their high conrections, or other causes, securing official patronage and support ? I write from personal experience. As a shipwright in tire dock yard, at Devonport, and from which employ I have but lately withdrawn myself, my position was of course. humble and unpretending ; but, in 1854, my attention was drawn to two subjects of admitted importance at that exigent juncture, viz., "Permanent and Floating Batteries." In whatever view considered, whether for offence or defence, the principles of construction were deemed defective and open to improvement, and be lieving those defects capable of effective remedy, I prepared a model of a permanent battery, which, after taking - the unbiassed opinions of several thoroughly cientific individuals, aril obtaining their unqualified ap proval of the improved principles introduced into its con struction, I proposed to the authorities of the War De partment to submit this model, on payment of my ex penses, to the consideration and test of any military or other scientific persons they might be pleased to depute. From Lord Palmerston's secretary I received a reply, stating that his lordship could give no guarantee for ex penses, neither could he " encourage me in the pursuit of a subject which properly belonged to the Royal lingi neers." One of two things is fairly to be inferred from this reply, either that no production, however valu able to the country or the" public service ought, in the order of Prrrvidence or other circumstance of mind or matter, to originate with any source not the offspring of the Ro'jal Engineer, or if so originating, it neither ought - nor could be worthy of official re cognition and-respect. • Subsequently on application to the Board of Adrairalty persmission was given me to submit the model of my " Floating Battery" to the investigation of• Sir Balawin Walker and his attendants. acknowledgment and w le a d n g awenatr dof o But who can describe the Qfficial jealousies, the series of puerile objections, whims ica liti es, an d I may a dd fl ag rant secured c general,oed ignorance of scientific Plinciples displayed ! In the end, principles h owever I a n however, it was not -to be ad o pt e d. W ou ld thi s have been tho case had thi s bl oo d of a patrician flowed in my veins—coull I have, proved myself the relative, depen dant,practical or protege" of some lofty aristocrat or official ? I Crow not I " I shall not undertake to justify the national press against the reproaches of Count Iluol. Ido not hesitate to admit, not only, a, that Minister says, confilen tiady,' !Jul; publicly, hone6tly, as is my custom, that it often goes to latuenahle excesses—that iy attacks the persouo of the Emperor in a manner I opeidy condemn. But what I think I have a right to maintain is that the criticini of the press of the acts of the Austrian Govern ment cannot cause it any serious embarra, , sment, and that, as regards the attacks against the Emperor, it would be easy to put a stop to them by having recourse to the means supplied by our laws for the suppre - sion of offances of this description. How can the journals which attack the Austrian policy impede the action of the Im perial Government when their admission into the pro• vinces subjected to the Empire is rigorously prohibited ? Whatever ray be their influence in the interior_of our country --and that influence is very small—their action is nul, _beyond time Tessin. The statement in Count Buoi'._; despatch of the reception of the Emperor at Milan is an incontestable proof of it. " Freediscussion of the lets of the Government is ono of the essential principles of the present political system A Piednannt, as it is of many other States of Europe. We boldly assert that that liberty is attended here with as many advantages and with less inconveniences than anywhere else. Toe profound peace which we enjoy, the daily increasing union between the country and the throne, proves it beyond a doubt ; and, as regards foreign Governments, we do not think it can be maintained that our journals are more violent and acrimonious than those of • England or of Belgium. The attacks of the English newspapers against the Government of the Emperor of Austria were not less violent or less bitter than those in ours ; but that did not prevent Austria from seeking, when it suited her interests, an alliance of friendship with England, and from showing her satisfaction and pride at the good relations established with that Power. "As regards the attacks against the person of the Em peror, not only do I repeat the disapprobation already expressed, but I do not hesitate to express the regret 1 feel that the Imperial Government has not put it in our power to use the means to put a stop to them by effica ciously suppressing them. " You aro aware, 'M. le Marquis, that we have intro duced special laws into our code for this species of offences by the press, making their suppression more certain, more severe; than in any other country where freedom of discussion is allowed. Let _Count Boot com pare our laws with those of England or of Belgium in this respect, and he will admit the truth of what I ad vance. " The experience, moreover, of the last few years has shown the efficacy of the suppression. All foreign Go vornineLts that have made use of the means supplied by our laws to punish attacks made against their respective chiefs have seen those attacks punished in a manner to prevent their repetition. The same would have taken place, and would a-suredly take place as regards the stated in_ Emperor of Austria,if his Government had followed, or iesults°"4Bai FAIO 4 II , 1 follow, the example of France or Spain. against t n the th ft Count Paar, to whom I addressed this observation, for - of the andE Bpero, sentencedp rosec u t t o e d a small penalty, To th is I wi ll say f i rst of all, that i n offences of th e . press much i the fact o f th e con d emna ti on o f th e journal has rao penalty infli c t e d . mor eimportance than the amount of I may, then, add that the Cou r t may have been lenient, either because it was t h e fi rst prose cution for an attack against the Emperor after a long toleration, or becaus e the of Austria mtnt allowed a very long interval tolmperial elapseGovern bltween th e publication of the offensi ve article and prosecution. Doubtless, in case of a repetiti on o f the t'e offence, and if the prosecution took place at once, the Court would be muck mor e severe, as it showed itself, ag a i ns t those ' journals which attacked the Emperor of the French. if Count Buol cannot make the Sardinian Government responsible for those attacks unless it should refuse to Desirous, howe , /er, to afford the public an opportunity of judging of tb e merits of my inventions, and deter. mining how far they deserved aaoption, I am prepared to visit our, pri,acipal towns , and naval ports, for the pur pose of exhibiting the ee:ieral models, that military and nautical men especi-,; lly, pronounce, ar,cord;,o- versed ' in such matter', may g to their unbiassed judgment, bow means of Baw far they ar e . or are not worthy of being rendered the Atik and advantage to the public purse. Soliciting, your insertion of this statement in your valuable I ber g • e j o l rbscribe myself your obedient servant, ~-JOHN TRESCOWTHICK. A'Atnar Wharf, Morice 'l%wn, Devonport, Feb. 25, 1857. THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 2, 1857. SPORTING NOTES. THE LIVERPOOL MEETING. Despite the dissatisfaction and complaints which the handicap occasioned, the Grand National Steeplechase will be contested by a large field, and will produce a race of surpassing interest. Mr. Topham may therefore regard with indifference the adverse criticism which his task received, and point with triumph to the successful result of his labours. The most indiscriminate abuse was certainly heaped upon him by those persons who, in their zeal for,the - abolition of light weight, seemed to totally forget or ignore the character of the horses with which Mr. Topham had to deal at Liverpool. Why, with half a dozen exceptions, there is not a weight carrying horse, or one capable of getting across country among the nominations, and to have adopted a heavy scale of weights would have been to handicap nearly hslf the horses out of the race. Mr. Topham unquestionably exercised a wise discretion when he disregarded the clamours of the many mouthed multitude, and worked out his own notions with respect to the distribution of the weights. He annually incurs a heavy pecuniary risk with his Spring Meeting at Liverpool, and he bad, therefore, his own interest to consult, and not the pre judices of a clique of turf reformers. When the saddling bell is rung it is estimated that about twenty-five competitors will be stripped and draw n up in battle array. Recent movements have advanced Es :ape to the " premiership," and he is likely to retain office to the end. His partisans derive their confidence m nly pin re g al q fi u r a s i t i - t c i l e a s s ' s steeplechaser and from his reputation a h tio iu the race. Yet they require something more consider ingis nw of e well being known w the n jumping the crowd of light-weight competitors Escape will encounter, and who will cut out the work at a racing pace. On examination of Escape's performances, too, I have arrived at the conclusion tbat he is not so vastly superior to certain other animals in the race as his sup porters would lead us to infer, and I think he will find it difficult to concede the weights to Minos, Little Charley, Hopeless Star, Forest Queen, Teddesley, " Hughes's lot," and one or two others. Since Minos has come into the possession of Mr. Mellish, a great improvement has certainly been worked in his form and appearance. Of his jumping powers we have had abundant proof, and if the country were a little " stiffer" at Aintree, I should select him unconditionally. The running of Westminster at Derby has caused increased attention to be directed to Hughes's lot, and which ever is the best of that lot will assuredly attain a forward position. Little Charley and Hopeless Star I have already indicated as being " well in ;" to state their special claims to attention would only occupy space to little purpose, as the reader is already familiar with them. Of the " French horses"—or rather the English horses with French names—l have no expecta tions. Emigrant has since the exhibition of First of May at Derby encountered violent hostility. Still I confess that I have to a certain extent the " fondness" of his owner. That the horse has some stuff in him we have bad frequent proofs, and I shall be both surprised and disappointed if he be not ia the first flight of com petitors at the finish. " Barring accidents,"—that very necessary proviso in dealing with steeplechases—l shall expect to see Minos, Little Charley and the best of Hughes's lot foremost at the finish. Of the outsiders I prefer Teddesley and Forest Queen. Gitana and Bashi Bazouk have monopolised nearly all the little betting that has taken place on the Spring Cup. If Ford ham can get himself down to the weight he will doubtless have the mount on Gitana, whom I shall be inclined to let do battle for me. For the Aintree Plate Assayer and "Barber and Saxon's two"—(Tom Thumb and Mies Harkaway)—seem the most attractive. On the Sefton Handicap I shall not express aniopinion, as the result of the race will depend upon the running on Tuesday. By the way I have been requested to state that the Mr. Barr who advertises to execute commissions, &c., is not the Mr. Barr the well-known and respected member of Tattersall's. March 2. A FRESH MAN. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. METROPOLITAN. At the half-yearly meeting of this company, la ld on Saturday at the office, Great George-street, Westmins ter, Mr. C. Pearson (city solicitor), in moving the re election of the directors, said that when he left the direc tion of the company it• appeared as though they were about to have the work carried into execution. The Bank rate of discount was then four per cent. It was now six per cent., a state of things widely different. At the earlier period the G.)vernment was oppos( d to the carrying out of the bill, and the corporation of London was not well affected towards it, and it was this feeling which ;had induced him to retire from the direction. Shortly after his retirement he attended a meeting at the Privy Council Office, when Lord Palmerston, the Home Secretary, Sir W. Moleswortb, Mr. Cardwell, and Lord Canning were present, where he explained his project - , after which they came to the determination that they would sanction the formation of the railroad. Then the Russian war broke out, and the difficulty of Obtaining money prevented the work from being com menced. The corporation of London were not favour able to the scheme, but they agreed to subscribe a large sum of money in public improvements arising out of this railway, such as the filling up of the Holborn valley, and the expenditure of 450,0001. in the New Cattle-market, Copenhagen-fields. He was perfectly confident that the corporation never would engage in any railway enterprise, and if any of the shareholders of the company entertained any such notion the sooner they dismissed it the better. The corporation of Lon don eschewed all speculation, and would not render themselves liable to any charge of jobbing in railway matters. (Hear, hear.) He was net quite sure, how ever, but that the directors might in some other form induce the corporation to assist them. In order to ob tain this support it would be the duty of the directors to take a bold view of the question, and tell the corpora tion tbat,if they did not come forward to help them they would wind up the affair, and that for ever and aye there would be an end to it. If the directors adopted the same course towards the Great Northern, Great Western, and London and North-Western, each of those bodies would see and feel that it was their interest as wall as their duty to come forward and render what assi-tance they could. (Hear, hear.) A gentle man had spoken of what had taken place before a com mittee of the corporation. He was perfectly justified in making that statement. The fact was the corporation of London had prepared plans for the establishment of a meat market in connection with Smithfield, and in anticipation ;that this railway would be completed, and afford a means of communication between the mar ket in Smithfield and the cattle market iu Copenhagen fields. (Hear, hear.) The plan which he had originally proposed was now being carried out in Paris, and an underground railway was in course of construction from the central dead meat market to the cattle market abattoirs, which were about the same distance from Paris as our cattle market was from the centre of London. The railway was already made, and provided with turntables and other conveniences fr;r, traffic, under the cattle market, and the line will run between the Rue St. Martin and the Rue St. Denis, under the Boulevard de Sebastopol. A sum of 1,400,000/, had been already expended on the works, but at present they were partially suspended for want of funds, a further sum of 200,0001. being required to pur chase the required property. If they could only obtain the funds necessary to complete this line, there would be no difficulty as to obtaining the co-operation of the other great lines. The Great Western, which stood like a naughty little boy in the corner of London—(a laugh) would be most glad to avail themselves of the advan tages which the line would afford to them by giving them a City terminus, and the same with the other com panies. (Hear.) MID-KENT (BROMLEY TO ST. MARY CRAY.) The hal-yearly meeting of this company was held at the offices, South Sea-house, on Saturday ; Mr. W. Dent in the chair. The report stated that in the last half-yearly report they were informed that a preliminary aireement had been entered into with the South Eastern Railway Com pany for the working and maintenance of the line. Sa tisfactory arrangements had been come to by the East Kent and Cray Companies with the West-end Railway Company, for obtaining access into London totally in dependent of the South. Eastern Company to London bridge, Waterloo-bridge, and Sloane-street. By the end of the present year the West-end and St. Mary Cray lines would be completed for traffic. The capital ac count to the 31st December showed that 10,9311. had been received, aLd 4,2101. expended, leaving 5,250/. in the hands of the accountant-general, and 1,4701. at the bankers. Names of Companies. PRICES OF SHARES. From the Oficial List. rUBLISIIED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENI}P). LONDON, FRID AY, FEB. 27, 1857. CANALS. Ashtn &Mt) Birmingham Coventry.... Derby .. • • • • GrandJunctn. Do., 6 pr. Ct. I Grand Jnion Kennt & Ave Leeds &Livrp Leicester.... Leicstr &NO. Longhborogh Macclesfield. Neath • ..... 0xf0rd...... E , Dividend per cr., Annum. 98 71. p. ct. 40 4/. 100 11/. 100 Gt, 15s. 100 21. pr. ct. tO 6z. pr. ct. 100 7s. 6d 40 63. 100 251. 00 51. 83 11.55., 143 701 100 21. 10s. 1 100 161. 1100 Name of Company. Price.l Names of Companies. Peak For es LI Begot t's • • . Rochdale.. • • 3ttlrd &Won !Stoarbrldge. I Severn and Wye Rail., Warwick & Birming. Warwick & 1 Napton.. Worcstr firming. & Brio Berlin East London .. Do. 4 per Cent. Pref. Do. 5 per Cent. Pref. Grand Junction ...... Do. New ...... Lambeth. ............ New River Company.. Southwark & Vauxhall West Middlesex • • • • .. Do. Do, .. ... 51. per cnt. sit. per cnt. 4/. percent. 51. per cent. 4t. per cut. 51. per cut. Name of Company. flungerford.... •• Southwark .......... Ditto New of 7% P.C. Waterloo..,,, ........ Ditto Old Ann. of Si. Ditto Nw ditto of 71. Vauxhall British Frovinclal Brighton .. •• •• •• •• City of London Equitable European .... .•• • Great Central Imperial .. •• Ditto New 41. per cent. BRIDG Dividend per Annum. Amount of Share. Ditto Debentures Do. Continental I st Cap. Do. Do. 2d Cap. Do. Do. 3d Cap. Do. Do. 4th Cap. Independent ....... •• London Parl. Preferen. Phoenix . • • .. •• Ratcliff Surrey Consumers United General .. •• •• Westminster Chartered Ditto, New Western A. Ditto B IN per cent.' 11. 12s. Od. 11. 51 s . Od. 28s. Name of Company. [7' AND COS: Dividend . per Annum. Albion •• •• •• Allianza Brit. and For. 71. per cent 5/. per cent. 21. per cent. 21. 61. per cent. 8/. per cent LOl. per cent. 31. ss. 41. ls. 41. 10s. s. d. 10 0 0 Stock. 25 0 0 25 0 0 50 0 0 2.5 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 61 0 0 ,5 1 8 Ditto 3larine ....... ithenmum • • • • • • • • • • Atlas Argus Life ......... • • British Commercial . t Church of England .. City of London .•• • .. Clericluled.& Gen. Life C0unty.............. Crown • • .. • • Eagle.. Equity and Law...... European Life ...... Family Endowment •• Genera 1.......... Globe • •• •• •• • . Gresham Life ........ Do. D 0........ • Guardian Imperial Fire... • • .... Imperial Life Indemnity Law Fire Law Lite. • • • .... ••-• • Legal and General Life London . London & Prov. Law.. • • • • .. Med. Irvlid & Gen. Life Minerva • • .. Monarch • ..... New Equitable Pelican •• .• •• •• • .. •• Phoenix Professional Life • • .. Provident Life ........ Rock Life.. Royal Exchange .... • Sun Fire Ditto Life ..... United Kingdom .... Universal Lifi3 Victoria Life •• .... • • Amount of Share. X s. d. 25 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 60 0 0 40 0 0 70 10 3 E COMP. 61. per cent. 53. per cnt . 5/. Si. per cent. I6s Od per sh. 7. per cent. 71. per c. 71. 145.6 d. ;1. p.c. & bs, 158.0 d. & 41. per cent. 71. 10s. 71. los. 51. 5 pr ct.& bs. 11. per share I/. 18s. ss. 194 per cent.' 11. 41. per cent. 6 per cent. 51. per cent. 51. per cent 121. per cent . °l4s. 51.p. - et.&bs. 2s & 2s bons 211. per sh. 4s. per share Dividend per 18s. & bs. 4% per cent 51. per cent. 51. per cent. 6 X per cent Name of Company. gl p. ct. 51. per cent. 51. per cent. 12% per c. 7s. 8p- c. & bs p. c.& bs. 11. 14s. 41. & bonus. 51. & bonus. 51. & bonus PINT-STOCK Dividend per Annum. Instralasia.. ...... Bank of Egypt ...... Bank of London .. British North American Ch Bk. Ind. Aust & Ch. City.......... . Colonial .............. Commercial of London. Eng . Scot & Aust. Ch. Lond. Char. Bk. of Aus. Do. New .. London and County Lon. & Eastn. Brikg. C. London Joint-Stock Londn sad Westminatr sat. Provincial of Eng. Ditto, New • • • • Amount of Share. Z s. d. 20 0 0 20 0 0 LSO 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 SO 0 0 50 0 0 I Stock 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 40 0 0 25 0 0 60 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 50 0 0 50/ 0 8 50 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 'ANIES. tOl. per cent. 51. per cent. 9 per cent. 41. per cent. 51. per cent. 71. p. c. & bs. C. per cent. 51. per cent. lel. per cent.) 6!. per cent. 28 per cent. 18/. per cent. 16 pc.&bs j Ditto . ditto Natioraa Bank New z•outh Wales Orient:Li Bank Corpora. Ottoman Bank . . Frovincial of Ireland.. Ditto, New..• ...... lonian. South Australia Union of Australia.... 61. per cent. 20'. per cent. 10/. per cent. Union of Hamburg.... Union of L0nd0n...... Unity Mutual . • • Western Bank of Londn Amount of Share. £ s. d. 500 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 1 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 100 0 0 5 0 0 Stock. 43. p. ct.&bs. 83. per cent. M. per cent. 10/, per cent. Std. per cent. 151. per cent. 20 0 0 100 0 0 500 0 0 ,100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 DOCKS, Dividend per Annum. 6 5 0 100 0 0 5 0 0 Stock. Amount of Share. 5. 40 0 25 0 100 0 50 0 20 0 100 0 100 0 100 0 20 0 20 0 20 0 50 0 100 50 9 100 0 1 100 0 20 0 20 0 50 0 20 0 25 0 20 0 100 0 10 0 25 0 25 0 25 0 51. pr cent. 7f 6/. pr cent. 41. per cent. 51. pr cent. , 9 4}61. per cnt. 4 per cent. 5/. Os per c. 15 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 Amount Share: s. d. Stock. Stock. stock. 100 0 100 A 0 25 0 0 Stock. Stock. 50 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 :PANIES' Annum 51. Os. 17s Amor.at of Share. 28 , 121. 10s. 71. per cent. 81. per cent. Si. per cent. 51. per cent. /. p cent. 71. per cent. 61. per cent. 3341. p cent. 6 51 1 : pp p e e e r r t c c e ceen n nt t t 81. per cent. 71. per cent. S y4l. pr cont. 41. per cent. Io4.par cent. 61. per cent.' 51. por cent. 61. percent. 51.11ar cant. 61. par cent. 61. per cont. 71. per coat. prcent. 51. per cent. X 3. d. 100 C 0 100 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 20 0 0 500 0 0 25 0 0 5 0 Ida 0 o 20 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 MO 0 0 10 0 0 100 0 0 25 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 5000 4000 10 0 0 200 0 0 20 0 0 50 0 0 20 0 0 50 0 0 11. 16s. 7s. Od. Paid. £ a. d. 100 all Price. Price Paid. Z B. d. MB. Paid. 5 105% Price. Price. Z s. d. all 12% 8814 31 210 Paid. o 10 0 10 0 0 0 10 0 5 10 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 12 , 4 Price. L 6% 28 6N 31 , 4, 214 20!i 101% 3% 184% Paid. Z s. d. all 18 15 0 50 0 0 all 6 0 t 50 0 0 25 0 0 20 0 0 20 - 6 0 50 0 0 10 0 0 20 0 0 25 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 22 10 0 all Price. 100 19' 701 4% Paid. I Price. £ s. d. Stock. 118% too "o 0 too 0 0 0 0 Stock. 50 - 0 0 20 0 0 14 0 0 'RICES. Price. MISCELLANEOUS. • Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. --- . ---- — Z s. d. 4 s. d. Acadian Charcoal Iron • • 10 0 0 2 0 0 African Steam Ship .. 20 0 0 10 0 lit. rer • cent. 50 0 020 0 0 • Assam tea •... •..... And ien Mart........ 114 /per cent 50 0 0 Australian Azriculturl 25 0 0 19 0 0 23% Australian Trust .... 81. pr cent. tOO 0 0 25 0 0 Austraitan Royal Mail 10 0 0 all Anglo-Mexican Mint.. 1/. 10s. 10 0 0 all British American Land Si. per cent. 50 0 0 40 0 0 Canada ... •• •• ...... 61. percent. 100 0 0 82 10 0 140 Do. 5 per cent Bonds 51. pet cent Stock MO 0 0 Ditto, E. per cent bds 5/.per cent. Stock 100 0 0 Ditto, 6 per cent. .. Si. per cent. Stock 100 0 0 110% Ditto, 6p c. bds 1874 61. per cent. Stock 100 0 0 7- 2 Ditto, 6p c. bds 1876 6/. per cent Stock 100 0 0 ll Crystal Palace Ditto Preference 7l pr. cent 0 0 5 0 0 _ 2/. per cent. 50 0 all 5 0 0 all . — 2 - % 4 Crys. Palace of France City Navigation Bonds 31( 2 1. per cent Stook. 100 0 0 93 2 Electric Telegraph Eng.& Aus. Cop. Smelt — 0 o 0 Eng.&lris. ',lag. T. Co — 100 0 0 100 00 0 0 all Equitable Reversionry 51per cent. 50 0 0 22 10 0 Ditto New ...• ...• 100 0 0 100 0 . 4 0 ___ Gen. Revers. & Invest. M. p c and Ti 5 0 0 0 0- all Gen. I. Sc. Col. (Lim.) 4 0 all . per cent t. 0 4 1 A Gen•SteamNavigation Mt. per ct. &?500 14 0 0 London Gen. Omnibus 12 / Stock Stock Hudson's 8ay.... •• •• 5/. p 21er cent. se. 100 0 0 all Hungerford ...• ••• • •• * lO 0 0 all Loa. Ne. &Ns. Mauso. — all 10 0 0 all Mex. & S. American London Reversionary —2500 5 0 0 4 Nat. Discount Comp • • 7, 5/, per cent. 1 1 5 0 0 0 0 100 0 0 ' Nor. Brl. Australasian 6d. Si. per cent per cent 20 0 0 17 10 all 16 N.S.W. Gov.sp.c. Deb. North of Europe, Stm. 81. p 29 0 0 0 13 s Price's Patent Cand. Co all 5 0 0 a ll & Oriental Steam 71. per cent 50 0 o all Pen. 67% Ditto New •• • • •• . • Peel River.Land&M in. 50 0010 0 0 14N all 4,/. pr cent. 100 0 0 Reversionary Int. Soc. 4 1 1. pr cent 100 0 0 Ditto New •• • - • • • • 20 0 0 _ Royal gall Steam 4l. p. share.. 100 0 0 60 0 0 Scottish Aus. Invest l5/. per cent. 10 0 all 65 1 4 South Australian Land 71. per cent. 25 0 0 1 ?ti all 34 Trust and Loan Comp. 716 /. pr cent. (20 0 0 5 0 0 101. 100 0 0 2 I Vic. Gov. 6 per ct. Lids. 6 per cent. —.B 10 0 Van Diemen's Land lEEE Naval and Military Intelligence. Her Majesty's steam-frigate Retribution, 28, Captain Barker, arrived at Spithead on Saturday from the Medi terranean, with the Grinder, screw gunboat, Lieutenant Hamilton, in tow, 15 days from Malta. The Retribu tion reported the Dauntless, screw frigate, Captain Ryder, with the Cracker screw gunboat in tow, outside of Portsmouth, from the Mediterranean ; they have since made port. During 18 months' service the Grinder has been under steam 225 days, being, as tender to Admiral Lord Lyons' flagship Royal Albert, employed on most important duty. She went up the Danube as far as Galatz. She is now ordered to be paid off. The Urgent, steam troop-ship, Commander Phillips, left Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon with the troops before reported for Barbadoes. The new screw gunveseel Nimrod, 6, Commander Dew, left Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon on a trial cruise in the Channel. Her Majesty's new screw-frigate Diadem, 36, was un docked at Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldog, 6, steam-sloop, Commander Gordon, was brought into harbour, apparently not to pay off but to be docked for repair. She was docked on Saturday to be examined, as she bad, when towing the sailing coastguard ship Melampus, 43, round from the Nore to Portsmouth, got into collision with the Hanoverian schooner Ma thilde, from Malaga for Hamburg, on the 20th ult. Beachy Light open off the head, , bearing north-west half west, distant 11 miles. It appears she struck the schooner amidships, and cut her down below the water's edge. The commander of the Bulldog sent a lieutenant on board the schooner, and she was run ashore at high water on the beach at Eastbourne, where she remains on her starboard broadside. His Prussian Majesty's frigate Thetis,. 36, Capt. Sun dewal, was undocked at Portsmouth on Saturday, and the Lucifer, steam-vessel, taken in for repairs. Her Majesty's 4-gun store-ship Tyne, Master-Corn. James S. Hill, and the screw steam tank-vessel Wye, George Moore, master, were paid off at Woolwich on Saturday.. The Algerine gun-boat, of 300 tons burden, has arrived at Woolwich for fitment. The following vessels of a similar tonnage—namely, the Lee, Leven, and Slaney— are nearly completed, and will shortly follow the Alge rine to be fitted out at Woolwich. • The Imperador steam-yacht, under fitment for presen tation to the Emperor of Japan, is ordered to be corn leted with despatch, so as to admit of her being for warded to her destination during the latter part of th.e present month. First-Lieutenant Arthur Ondow Lake Lewis, of the Portsmouth division of Royal Marines Light Infantry, received his promotion on Saturday as Captain, and is appointed to the Woolwich division, vice Captain Mar ger, who is permitted to retire on half-pay. A considerable reduction is about to take place in the depot of the Medical Staff Corps at Chatham, the estab lishment of which is to be fixed at 630 men of all ranks, including stewards, wardinasters, and orderlies. The Renown, 91, screw steamer, just completed at Chatham dockyard, is to be furnished with the following armament : —Lower deck, 34 8-inch 65-cwt. guns, each 9 feet in length ; main deck, 34 32-pounders, 58 to 56 cwt., each 9 feet 6 inches ; upper deck, 32 pound ers, 45 cwt, each 8 feet 6 inches. In addition to these she will be furnished with a long-range pivot 68-pounder of 95 cwt. and 10 feet in length. She will be launched during the present month. The America, 59, is to be got ready for the flig of Rear-Admiral P. W. P. Wallis, appointed to the com mand-in-chief of the South-East coast of America, and when ready she will proceed to relieve the Indefatigable at Rio, with the flag of Admiral Hope Johnstone. The old Dreadnought hospital ship, now breaking up, is found to be in a very rotten condition. On Friday last, two of the men employed were on the mast of the vessel, when Second Master Jones who was near, per• ceived that it was giving way. With great presence of mind he called out, " Come down directly—l want you in the riggiug-house." The men unaware of their danger, came down quickly, and ,in less than a minute afterwards the mast tell with great force ; and it is more than probable that the lives of the men were saved by the prompt order given. A body of 120 shipwrights and labourers are engaged in the work of demolition, and the upper decks and cabins have already disap peared. The work is under contract, to be completed by the end of March, for the sum of 8491. Lieut. John Ward, of the surveying paddlewheel steam -vessel Porcupine, has left Sheerness for Woolwich, and has commissioned the new steam yacht Emperor, for the purpose of conveying her to Japan as a present from her Majesty to the Emperor of Japan. After de livering up the Emperor at Japan, Lieut. Ward will join a surveying vessel for the purpose of carrying out Admiralty orders for surveying certain parts of that coast. The Cyclops, 6 guns, paddle-wheel steam frigate, now at Sheerness, will take on board her armament of 2 10-inch and 4 8-inch guns this day, and will leave the basin to-morrow. The Cumberland, 70 guns, in No. 3 dry dock at Sheer ness, has bad her copper entirely stripped. She is to be thoroughly caulked out-board, and is to be ready fcr the pendant early in May next. The new military barracks at Sheerness for the offi cers' quarters are completed. Q a ! A te d MonAaßßl A Li t: l t t ria C l r r TI a Fl c C e a rt T i t— at A o n o f h l i r s ish i m ex hibited a hug e scar ' on his head, which looked as though it had been m a d e w i th a fi re s h ove l . Th e ev id ence was uar a r n i ag beeing satisfactory. [AnvEariszstztrr.]—Among the numerous extraorainary cures without medicine of Indigestion (Dyspepsia), Flatulency, Constipation, Nervous, Bilious, and Liver complaints, Cough, Asthma, Consumption, and Debility, effected by Du Barry's delicious health -restoring Revalenta Arabica Food, the follow ing are not the least remarkable :—Cure No. 47,121.—" Miss Elizabeth Jacobs, of Nazing Vicarage, Walthamcross, Herts : a cure of extreme nervousness, indigestion, g athering, low spirits, and nervous fancies." Cure No. 48,314. " Miss Elizabeth Yeoman, Gateacre, near Liverpool : a cure of ten y ears' dyspepsia and all the horrors of nervous irritability." Cure No. 3,903. Thirteen years' cough. indigestion, and general debility have been removed by Du Barry's excellent Revalenta Arabica Food.—JAMES PORTER, Athol-street, Perth. Supported by testimonials from the celetrated Professors of Chemistry Dr. Andrew Uro ; Dr. Shorland ; Dr. Harvey ; Dr. Campbell ; Dr. Gattiker ; Dr. Wurzer ; Dr. Ingram ; Lord Stuart de Decies; the Dowager Countess of Castle stuart ; Major-Gen. Thomas King, and many o her respectable persons, whose health has been restored by it, aftor all other means of cure had failed. For further particulars respect ing this invaluable food our readers are referred toDu Barry's advertisement in another part of this paper. EAST KENT. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Friday, at the London Tavern ; Lord Sondes in the chair. An abstract of the report has appeared in The Sun. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said that the works on the line were progressing favour. ably, and that the whole concern was in as flourishing a condition as they could expect. Mr. C. M. LUSHINGTON, M.P., seconded the motion, and called attention to the fact that the South-Eastern Company at their last half yearly meeting had admitted that the traffic on the North Kent line was so great that they intended to apply to Parliament to authorise a re lief line from Dartford to Lewisham. This, however, did not meet the requirements of the E tst Kent, nor did it give the public the accommodation of a West.end termi nus. (Hear, hear.) When the East-Kent had a West end terminus they would be independent of the South- Eastern, and be able to convey their passengers to within a quarter of an hour's ride of Buckingham Pa lace and Pali-mall. (hear, hear.) Mr. HARTRIDGE deprecated the making of any branches in the present state of the rnoney•market. Mr. CRAMPTON considered that the proposed line from Strood to St. Mary Cray would be a valuable adjunct to the East Kent line, which he considered was one of the best lines in the kingdom, and that it would pay 8 or 9 per cent. _ After Etotne observations from Sir J. TYLDEN and other proprietors, the report was unanimously adopted. The retiring directors and auditor were re-elected, the forfeiture of certain shares confirmed, and a vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. WHITEHAYEN JIINCTION.—At the half-yearly meeting of this compiny, held at Whitehaven on Friday, a divi dend at the rate of 7s. per share, less income tax, was declared, and the proceedings terainated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. WIIITEIIAVEN, CLEATOR, AND EGREMONT.-At the half yearly meeting of this company, held at Whitehaven on Friday, a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per an num, less income tax, was declared, and the proceedings terminated. BRISTOL AND EXETER.—At the half-yearly meeting of this company, held on Thursday at Bristol, a dividend of 23 per cent. for the half-year was declared. SOUTH DEVON.-At the half-yearly meeting of this company, held on Tuesday at Plymouth, a dividend of 12s. 6d. per 581. share for the half year was declared. THE LAST VICTIM OF HENRY I.—Roger of Wendover and others relate that "the corose of the dead king lay for a tong time above ground at 11•)uen, where his entrails, brain, and eyes, are buried, the rest of the body cut and seasoned with salt, to destroy the offensive smell, which was great, and annoyed all who came near it. It was wrapped in a bull's skin, and the physician, who was engaged for a large sum of money to open the head with a hatchet, and extract the brain after it was already too much corrupted, nothwithstanding that the head was wrapped up in several napkins, was poisoned by the noisome smell and the money, which he received was fatal to him." The historian adds, "This was the list of King Henry's victims, for he had killed many before.'"—Medical Times and Gazette. SURVEY OF THE THAMES.—In the leading article in the Builder of last week, you ask, " Can the statement be correct, that there has been no survey of the river since that of Telford I" Allow me to say that in 1852 the Navigation Committee of the Corporation of Lon don caused a survey to be executed, extending from Battersea-bridge Ito Woolwich. The special object they had in view was to have an authentic record of the existing state of the river, so that future corn parions, could be made, in order to ascertain the extent of the deepening of the bed of the river which is in progress from a variety of causes. This survey was exe cuted under my direction by Mr. T. Macdougall Smith ; and as the utmost attainable accuracy was required, every sounding for the longitudinal and the numerous cross sections was taken with the spirit-level ; and, by a process originated, I believe, by Mr. Smith's assistant, Mr. May, the precise position of each sounding was ob served in such a manner that it can be exactly found at any future time.—S. W. LEACH, Engineer of the Thames Navigation and Port of London.—The . Builder. ADVERTISEMENT.] SIGHT AND HEARING -- SPECTACLES, POWERFUL TELEECOPES, OPERA, RACE, AND PERSPECTIVE GLAsszs.—Messrs. S. and B. Solomons, opticians, 39, Albe marle-street, Piccadilly. Observe—opposite the York Hotel (W.) By Ler Majesty's Royal Letters Patent for valuable and extraordinary improvements in the molt powerful and brilliant Telesvpes, Camp, Racecourse, Opera, and Per spective Glasses, to know the distances. These telescopes possess such extraordinary powers that some three and a-half inches, with an extra eye-piece, will show distinctly Jupiter's moons, Saturn's ring, and the double stars. With the same telescope can be seen a person's countenance three miles and a half distant, and an object from 10 to 20 miles. They are of larger and all sizes, with increasing powers accordingly....... Tho Royal Exhibition, 1851.- Valuable, newly-invented, very small powerful waistcoat-pocket glass, the size of a walnut, by which a person can be seen and known 1 miles distant ; they answer every purpose on the race-course, and at the opera houses, country scenery, and ships are clearly seen at 8 to 10 milps. They are invaluable for shooting, deer-stalking, yachting, to sportsmen, gentlemen, gamekeepers, and tourists. Opera, race-course, camp, and perspective glasses, with wonderful power. Newly-constructed Spectacle Lenses of the great. est transparent power. The valuable advantage derived from this invention is, that vision becoming impaired is preserved and strengthened, and very aged persons are enabled to employ their sight at the most minute occu. pation—can see with these lenses of a much less magnify. ing power—and they do not require the frequent changes to the dangerous effects of further powerful assistance. Persons can be suited at tho most remote part of the world, by seeding one of the glasses out of their spectacles in a letter, and stating the distance from the eyes they can read small newspaper print with it; and those who have not made use of spectacles by stating their age. Deaf ness. New Discovery. The Organic Vibrator, an ex traordinary powerful, small, newly-invented instrument for deafness, entirely different from all others, to surpass ay. thing of the kiad that has been, or probably ever can be, produced. Being of the dame colour as the skin, is not per ceptible ; it enables deaf persons to hear distinctly at church and at public assemblies; the unpleasant sensation of singing noises in the cars is entirely removed; and it affords all the assistance that possibly could be desired.-39, Alt °malle t treet„, Piccadilly, Obs.rve—oPposite the York 11o:-0 1 . (W-) GAS-LIGIr Name of Company. Name of Company Commercial . • • • • • .... Do. Preference East and West fndia.. Grand qurry D. & Canal Po. Loan Notes .... Do. 5 per cent. Pref. London .•• . • ....... St• Katharine •e •• •• •. 'outharnpton ........ Victoria •••••• • • • • Ditto New .. WATER-WOR4S. Dividend per Annum. 'RANCE CO] Dividend per Annum. LIST OF SCOTTISH COM. Name of Company. Dividend per Aniium. hank of Scotland British Linen Company Caledonian Bank ..... City of Glasgow Bank Clydesdale Bank .... C )mmercial Bank •• Eastern Bank Edinb. & Glasgow.... National Bank North of Scotland Bank Royal Bank of 8 c0i1... Union Bank of Scot. •• Western. Bank • • • Alliance Fire and Life.. British Guarantee . . Caledonian Fire lima . City of Glasgow Lite.. Co' onial Life Edinburgh Life Insur. Eng. & Scot, Law Life Life Assoc. of Bcotland National Fire end Life North British Insur... Northern Assurance Co. Scottish Provincial .... Scottish Union Insmc. Standard Life • • • • 20 0 0 100 0 0 B ANKS. 15 0 0 25 0 0 'all 2 10 0 3 0 0 10 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 Paid. X s. d. 100 0 0 100 0 0 2 10 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 100 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 100 0 0 2 10 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 11 0 0 2 0 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 15 0 0 A 5 0 3 0 0 1 4 0 20 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 0 SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY The annual meeting of members of this important roll sical institution was held at Exeter-hall, on Tuesday evening, Feb. 24. The President, J. N. Harrison, E'cl' , occupied the chair, as usual, and after a few remarks, con• arat ula tine the members upon the recurrence of another of their annual meetings, which have now been participated in for twenty-five consecutive years by some of those Pre' sent, himself included, called upon the Hon. Secret m /' Thomas Brewer, Esq., to read the report of the proceed' ings for the past year. The report was then read, and contained allusions to the folio wing amongst other matters. As part of some statistics of the society's constitution, it was stated that of the whole number of members (in whom are vested the m anagemen t) now connected with the society, one third of them bad, been connected with the s oc i e ty at least three fourths, of the whole period of its existence some of them 110 i " taken part in its original formati on . The committee, feel ing, no doubt, the propriety of the remarks which public criticism has so frequently urged on their attention, nee distinctly announce that in the admission of practising members into their orchestra, care continues to be taken, by means of private trial and other probationary measures, to avail themselves only of that assistance which is really worth the having, and to satisfy the public requirements which the society itself has created. The report annonne, e° that between Jan. 4, 1856, and Jan. 2, 1857, the soei e has given, including repetitions, f •urteen concerts, of wh ich ,. six were performances of Handel's Oratorios. Among st these concerts are also to be reckoned four prior menee s° d Costa's "Eli," in the production of which work the talentet. composer has, no doubt, received the moat zealous soil .° ance of the members of the society. The vocalists irl e have made their debut at the society's concerts dn, 1 1 11 : the past year have been Miss Sherrington ( now Maur , - Leminans), Miss Ransford, M rs . Cl are H e pworth, io Louisa Vining, and Mr. Montem Smith. Among s t; the acquisitions to the Society's Musical Collectio n, one of the moat important ever formed, are an O Wr graph letter of Handel, an article of acknowledged eariti:j ' many rare musical works and books illustrative of riansi'r history and theory, and some manuscript works of cons, , ' derable interest. The financial statement, as embodie d lP the report, states the gross receipts from subscriptions , " 1 1 ; vidends on stock, proceeds of concerts, &c., to have b ee for the past year 5,226/. Bs. 10d., which, with disbunse ments for concert and other expenses, amounting to t 5,354/. 3s. 9d., leaves a deficiency of 127/. 14s. 11d. Agmf: o this deficiency there is to be put acquired property wide n , the society's stock, valued in the report at 200 e The ''',,i . port further alludes to a matter, not strictly forming P a 't of their own proceedings, but nevertheless of some interelt to the musical public. It is well known that the autegrO scores of Handel's compositions are in the Royal Libr? at Buckingham Palace. Th ere h ave , h owever , b e en recen, i„ brought to light the manuscr ipt scores i n th e h a ndwritt n P of J. C. Smith, Handel's amanuensis, bearing internal OP deuce, which is supported by ample testimony o therwis e e ; that these were the identical volu mes f rom which the great composer conducted his oratorios and operas. The/ contain numerous einendetions and interesting memorel in Handel's autograph. They have been recently acqui red by Mr. Victor Schcelcher, who is well known to be oeet y pied in preparing a life of Handel, and to whose liberala t and courtesy in placing these invaluable manuscripts e. the disposal of the committee, for use and reference, tn: report bears testimony. The report also a cknowledg e ; the receipt of a most interesting and authentic portrai t 1` Handel, being the picture painted by Penner for Hant and by him presented to J. C. Smith, noticed l';, " Coxe , s Anecdotes of Handel, and his Amannensi'te, published in 1799, which picture has within the last fe ci : weeks been generously presented to the society . , by it b '; Rivers, who is in the line of descent from J. C. S . ,n 3 40 This interesting and valuable pi c tur e was exhibited ' the room. As a mark of the good feeling subsisting. between their talented conductor, Mr. C os t a , as tub e society, the report states that that gentleman bai ~, fared to the acceptance o f th e soc i e ty, a very- b e autife w executed bust of himself, by Mr. Oliveira. The forthe n .??; ing Handel Festival at the Crystal Palace in the enen,r; summer was briefly alluded to, and an intinie'lo afforded that it would probably be found advantagenn l r e appoint the performances some few weeks later than : 0 ginally proposed. Full information on this subject , rbe promised to public announcement within a week. , t he arrangements for the erection of the orchestra, &nue, • construction of the organ were represented as being ''''e. very forward state. The report refers to some other sq l ; jects of more private interest, and concludes by OA% to the establishment of a benevolent fund for clistrTo persons, amateur or professional, who have at anY. ee l been connected with the society, and notices the Inh support this charitable association has hitherto meta I , 3 f ite . in and out of the society. The detailed balance-sheet 'le ing been read by the treasurer, it was, with the reP ° I :• formally received and adopted by the meeting. The n eed eery elections to supply vacant offices were then pros e . with. In the course of the evening an appeal to the .4o; rectors of Exeter-hall was unanimously agreed to, 'e&t' fie . on them to give attention to the representations en or quently made by the public press and by the various a f cieties meeting in the hall, to provide additi o nal mean s - te ingress and egress, and 'expressing a strong opinion so n . the duty of the directors of E xe t er -h a ll t o yi e ld to ren,, 1 strances so frequently submitted on th e s ubject. Sev er n votes of thanks to the committ e e, officers, and others 00. had rendered service during the past year c l ose d the r ceedings. Country Market: - HADDINGTON GRAIN MARKET—FEB. 2isso 7 * „ f l WHEAT. I BARLEY f RATE. I ..,,, 0,1 First 7os Od 48 3 Od I 40s Od Dv 3 4j Second 42s 3d i 40s 7d I 29s Od 1 4 16 0 4 Third 32s Od I 3is Od 117 s 01 I 3 48 l a Total quantity of wheat in market, 848 qrs., 742 11°1,1 PO PP barley ~ 280 qrs., 209 a oats ,; 885 qrs., 644 ' ° a PP PP beans ~ 294 qrs., 266 P v. AVERAGES PER IMPERIAL QUARTER. ~, Wheat, 21. 2 3 5-12ths I Barley, ...21. 0 7 3-12th , Oats, ... 11. 9 0 3-12ths I Beans, 21. 1 4 2 •14,"" DALKEITH GRAIN MARKET—FEB Qrs. Best. Current. 598 Wheat 64s Od 37s 6d 1124 Oats 36s Od 23s 8d ..... 286 Barley 44s 6d 3ss 9id ........ 121 Peas & beans 54s Od 42s 62d......... fetill u s 3 v ji lid 25 4 a 301 ABERDEEN—FEB. 27. • Potato oats 21s Odto 22s Od i 401b s per bushel Common oats 205 Od to 21s Od I Bere 33s W to36s Oct to 36s Od } Wheat, red (spring)3ss Od to 38s Od 531bs o Barley 33sOd 1 621bs tr , white 3os Od to 45s Od Oatmeali l7s 6d to 18s 6d por boll. Flour 48s Od to 50s Od per sack. PROVISION MARKET. 21 Beef, per lb 6d to 9d I Butter, p lb. is oil to 1 101 Mutton, por lb sd to 8d Eggs, p doz. Os 8d to ''' 641 Lamb, do., Os Od to OH 0,1 I Hens, p pair 3s Oct to Veal, per lb . td to Os 91 I Chi c k ens ,d o .2 a 0d to 4: a 61 Pork, per lb—Os 5d to Os 6d Ducks, do., 2 s Od Wr ‘, 0 1 Salmon, per lb O s to Os Du c kli ngs ,d o O s Oct to u; 01 Grouse, per brace Os to Os Turkeys, each 4s Od to 5 1 01 Tallow, p stone, Os to 12s 63 P o t a t oes , p r poc k, 84 w Rabbits, each 1 9d to 10d. 10 Butter for exportatio n (p resen t cure ) per cw t. 1000 to /.I Eggs, wholesale price, p er d ozen RETAIL PRICES. n. 4 11 F10ur,141b....0s Od to 2s 9d Barley flour,l4lb.oo tor i oa I Oats- 1 .0s Oct to is 10d - • _o g t o v. _,d,tmeaL . _s Beremeal ....Os Od to 2s Od Peasemeal... Os Od to 2s 8d Cheese, per imperial stk 4-Ib. 10af...7d. ~ du5t...... - ; 7 4a per lb .......... 2 d to OA3 sig., ... „, .. , .. ".. ........ u ,ne, 4a. Od. 4s .... 2-lb, 10af...3id. LOCAL SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, FEB. 28. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market was steady, and t r6ll : actions to a fair extent at about the rates of yester tDfo Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire,_ 701 i—Eastl; i i Counties, 101, 18s. 9d. - Lancashire and Yorkshire, l' A —London and North Western , 10 4 ex d—Midla n ..7 841 c. 4—North British, 71. 6. 3. d —North Eastol Berwicks, 21i ex d— South Eastern, 23 i—G ll ; 3l Trunk of Canada, 14—Royal Bank, 108—Pacifie St . Navigation, 37—Ditto (new shares), 13 d. BIRMINGHAM, FEB. 28. STOCK EXCHANGE. This market was flatter vu- - and prices a shade lower. London and North Wert e . r :r e . 106 ex div.—Manch es t er and Sheffield, 371 33—Birn io . ham and Stour Vally, 9—Birmingham Canals, 9 2 1 noh ventry Canal, 175—Bi rm i ng h am an d St a ff or d s luro 15s. ex din. LEEDS, FEB. 28. STOOX EXOHANGE.—North Westerns, 71—Nortu .-- ern, Leeds, 20. [ADVERTISEMENT.}-:-Jane Hallett, of Whitty 111 / .1 near Netherbury, Dorset, suffered for many years =roi l a bad leg. From the knee to the ancle it had Bef el l. wounds, so that she was unable to stand or move abo the house. She tried a variety of means and aP1 )11 71 1- 1 tions, but without obtainiLg a cure. By the blessing, God and using only three pots of Poor Man's Frie s and taking three boxes of Ohl, she was perfectly cur e ,' Dr. Roberts's Poor Man's Friend , for wo unds and srer d tions of every description, is sold in p o ts , is. lid. Om 2s. 9d. each. His Piluhe Antiscropbulft, f or a ll id purities of the blood, is sold in boxes, is. lid., 20. 9d'i 4s. 6d., lls., and 225. each, by all medicine vendo o throughout the United Kingdom.. BIRTHS. OF A SON. On the 28th ult., at 4, Providonee-row, Pinsburg, the of John A. Coffey. On the 27 th ult., at 39 graven-hill-gardens, the wi f e o Henry P. WoLrige, Esq OF A DAUGHTER. On the 2Sth tilt , at Homerton, Mrs. Edward P. Boncl„% i g On the 27th ult., at Eagle L o d ge, O l d Brompton, Mo. "A" Taylor—stillborn. MARRIED. bolgr On the 26th ult., at W otton Fitzpaine, Colonel Bea u . r ., eldest son of th e l a t e J o h n B en b ow, Esq., ..„ 1 ";t 4 , , to Maria, fifth daughter o f th e R ev . A n d rew T uc ker, 0 ".„ 11 . ' z rector of Wotton Fitzpaine, and of Catherstene Lewe s ' s— Dorset. ?IP On the 28th ult ,at the parish church, Hampstea d , o f James Hall, Staiuhig-lane, city, to Helm, third daughto • . the late John Graham, Esq., Hollows, Dumfriesshire. DIED. On the 27th ult., at Clifford's-inn, William Anderson Port 4 Esq., aged 76. On the 27th ult., at Gravesend, Mr. David Scott, of Deer" ford-street, Walworth, aged 73. On the 27th ult., William Blake, Esq., of Woking aged 68. On the 28th ult. Mrs. Robert Devonshire, of East o'6ll' Middlesex, aged 90. On the 27th ult., Hannibal Dunn, Esq., of 7, Great TOO: street, and Northfleet, Kent. Oa the 26th ult at Sleaford, Lin c olnshire, the Rev. 17191` Corrio Jewett, aged 40. On the 2Sth ult., at 1, Kildare-terrace, Westbourns-P °l" the infant son of Mr. Geo. E. Tilbury. Ch On the 25th ult., at 2, Field-terrace, Wandsworth, Mr. Wood, aged 73, a 65 1 ' 2 I LO'iDON • • Printed and Pnblighed by KURD° YOU.s.„." ?c, 36 1 of No. 112, Strand, Printer , at The Sum 01Saar ( I 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the colloll of Middlegs, Monday, March 2, 38b7. 150 0 0 all 12 10 G 100 0 0 42 15 0 41 0 0 43 10 0 41 0 0 all 52 0 0 16 0 0 all 10 0 0 all 4 0 0 , , 4 ,