The Sun. — London, England, 1857-01-16 00:00:00

T HEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LA N E.— Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. Acting Manager, Mr. C. Mathews, Stage Manager, Mr. R. Roxhy.. Scenic Artist, Mr. W. Beverley. Great Success of the Grand Christmas Pantomime, the lost magnificent ever produced on the English stage. THIS EVENING, to commence with the new and original symbolical, hyperbolical, parabolical, and extra-physiog nomical grotesque, statuesque, and picturesque Grand Comic Christmas Pantomime, which for some time past has employed the unrivalled resources of this extensive establishment, gad which will be called or entitled, as it is entitled to be called, SEE, SAW, MARGERY DAW• Or, Harlequin Holiday, and the Island of Ups and Downs. The scenery entirely new, painted by and under the direc tion of Mr. William Beverley and numerous assistants. The machinery by J. Tucker and assistants. The properties, de corations, tricks, changes, and transformations by Messrs. Needham, Glindon, &c. The masks, models, and physiog nomical devices designed and executed by the celebrated Dykwynkyn. The overture and music composed and arranged by Herr Anschnes. The choregraphic arrangements under the personal supervision of M. Petit. The comic scenes con ttructed by and under the direction of Harry Boleno. The peculiar grotesque opening invented and written by E. L. Blanchard, author of " Harlequin and the Seven Ages of Man," " Jack and " Humming Top," "Hudibras," and the whole arranged and produced under.the direction of Yr. Robert Roxby. Ye anclente and truthful legend on ye which ye pantomime ti 104 is founded : " See, saw, Margery Daw, " Sold her bed, and laid upon straw." MSS. of Nursery Rhymes in British Museum. Itlion of Reverses, in the Island of Ups and Downs. .g Yea, the Great Globe itself." " Here we go up, up, up, " Here we go down, down, down " Here we go backwards and forwards, " And here we go round and round." Juvenile Chorus of the earliest period, supposed to belong to the One. Up, Mr. Topham ; Down, Mr. Low; Opera. bog, Kid Glove, Tiger and Brougham, and Porte-monnaie (attendants upon Up), Signor Lorgnette. Herr Tightfitt, Master Sancebox, and Monsieur Chinque ; Hard Up, Dupli cate, Distraint, and Rags (attendants upon Down), Mr. Friz hard, Mr. Popall, Mr. Quodham, and Mr. Patchwell. An nual appearance of Holyday iu her Emblematic Car. Holyday (the Genius of the Season), Miss Marian Stanley ; Sport and Pastime (her attendants), Misses Lovelaugh and Lightheart ; Dame Necessity (who is on this occasion made a virtue of by particular desire), Mrs. Selby. How Invention, the Daughter of Necessity, is called upon to assist the development of the story, while Holyday invites both Up and Down to enjoy themselves. Holyday's Home in the Green Bower of Mistletoe and Winter Garden of the Fairies.—Mistletoe (the Fairy Queen), Miss E. Wadham ; Fairy Spirits of the Kisses that have bee* given under the Mistletoe, by upwards of 100 Ladies of the Corps de Ballet. Grand Ballet.—Miss Rosina Wright, Mdlles. J. and E. Osmont, and the Co. ryphees. The Golden Gates leading to the Palace of .Huggamugga.—Herald (with a Proclamation), Mr. Hornogold ; Guards, Messrs. Stiffneck, Headsup, Eyesright, Shoulderarms, Stand-at-ease, and March well ; Tailor, Mr. Broadcloth ; Cobbler, Mr. Waxend ; Black smith, Mr. Anvil; the Princess Margery Daw (afterwards Columbine), Madame Boleno ; Shilly and Shelly (her Maids of Honour), Misses Ditbery and Dothery. How Margery Daw has no notion of work herself, and the contempt she shows towards those who do work. Interior of the Palace of King Huggamugga. King Huggamugga (Sovereign of the Land of Sixes and Sevens), Mr. Dawking ; (Lord Chancellor), Mr. Bigwig; Niminy-Piminy (the Lord Chan- ' b erlain) , Mr. Noodledom ; Higgledy-Piggledy (Goldstick in Waiting),Mr. Muddle ; other Members of the Court, Messrs. Bow, Scrape, Cringe, Crouch, Tagzag, Merrywag, Perriwig, and Hatband; Court Milliner, Madame Crinoline ; Drawing Master, Professor Crayon ; Governess, Miss Frump ; Music- Master, Signor Hurdigurdi ; Maid in Waiting, Miss Sweet tlmper ; Chef de Cuisine, Mr. Cook ; Prince Popinjay (of the Land of Prettistory), Mr. Finefeather ; his Retinue, alessrs. Glare, Dazzle, Gleam, Glitter, and Catashine. How the Princess is taught a wholesome lesson by Necessity, and of the change that takes place in consequence. Cottage of Necessity, with a Prospect of Hard Work in the Distance. The Enchanted Workbox—The Sampler and the Exemplar, and the pretty piece of work that Margery Daw makes of it. Inhabitants of the Workbox :—Row of Pius, Messrs. Sharp, Bent, Crooked, Pinaday, Groatayear, &c. ; Regiment of Needles (ready drilled), Messrs. Largeeye, Smalleye, Longsix, Snlitup, Snapoff, &c. ; Thimble, Master Tom Thumb ; Worsted, Mr. Bawlaway ; Bodkin, Mr. Pierce ; Tape Men mire, Mr. Inchbald; Hook and Eye, Messrs. How and Some bodyelse ; Shirt Buttons, Mr. Earlypurly ; Scissors, Mr. ShearsteeL How Margery Daw makes an important discovery and the audience also, and how, led by Necessity, she is com pelled to alter her opinions and change her position. The Mine of Labour, leading to the Mine of Wealth.—Labour (the Parent of Health, Wealth, and Happiness), Mr. Strong'i'th'arm. What Margery Dew goes to see, what she saw, and the re ward that Holyday bestows. Grand Scenic and Mechanical Efibets, exhibiting (in pzocessof construction) the Fairy Fac tory of Fancy, completed with th e assistance of Labour and Imagination. Brilliant Tableau. The Transformation :—Two Harlequins, Herr Denlin and Sign or Veroni ; two Sprites, the Brothers Elliott; two Pantaloor s, Mr. Barnes and Mr. G. Tanner; two Clowns, Messrs. Harry Boleno and Flexmore ; the Gent, Mr. Halford ; two Columbines, Madame Boleno and Miss Honey. The Ups and Downs of the Harlequinade, showing the Ins and Outs and Turns About of the Pantomime Rally; Toy Warehouse, Butcher's and Baker's Shop (Bolenos, Deulin, Tanner, and Halford).— A pink of polite ness—Clown very toyish—Getting a nutcracker, which turns out a nobby toy—First and last toys for gambling—Marbles versus dice—Despatches, loaded, and off they go—Harlequin takes a private box—Clown takes Chatterton's situation as bozkeeper Kite-flying—A game of Cricket, by which some of the players get bowled out, and afterwards stumped, Which tams out a long stop—The uses and abuses of the crin oline—A Jack in the box—A box of regular British toys and a basket of French bread (bricks)--Aldershott a size smaller —Grand review of infantry—A military ball—Going in for a baster—Coming out with a roll—Clown make a peel to baker's feelings—List, oh, List—Squaring a round of beef— Clown takes a steak and gets a chop in return—Pantaloon tries his hand at a game and loses by it Cnt and come again —Clown takes a butcher's shop, which Harlequin makes too hot to heldhim. Tailor's Shop and Perfumery Warehouse (Ta rsal, Barnes, and Honey). A gentleman in search of a tailor — A snit that is quite the ticket The Oude wrapper —Railway wrappers—Transfer depot--Washing machine—extraordinary — Somethingthat won't wash--Cleaned out--Seentin and sent out- Foreign versus English toothpowder —Hungary water—A Fgangipani bouquet Wonderful effects of the Pistachio nut powder—A case of real distress—Pantaloon in a fix—Fur nished Apartments for Single Men (Bolenos, Deulin, and Tanner).—Clown and Pantaloon in high life—A domestic re volution—Turning the tables—To bed, to bed—A drop too much Clown nowbegins to reflect—The looking-glass follows his example—Two heads better than one—Clown takes a turn en the sofa, which also takes a turn on its own account— Multiplication altercation, which ends with a regular row in the house. Judkia's Gas-regulating Machine and General Patent Office and Stationer's Shop (Veroni, Barnes, and Honey.)—Clown, being iu Fleet-st ree t. goes the pace re' ther fast—The language of the eyes (1-talian of course) which everybody understands—Bath post versus London post—Re gulators 'Wanted : railway regulators, army regulators, gas regulators, smoke regulators—Sewing, cutting, washing, pressing, and ironing done by a turn—Clown makes a shift which makes Pantaloon a little shirty—A box of common scents—A. fresh supply of blacks from America —A Dred-ful scene ensues. Mechi's Model Farm (Bolenos, Deulln, and Tanner.)—Harvest-home —A rakish dance by rustic lads and lasses—The milky way—Harlequin makes a pump of himself —A strong smell of game—A farm-yard. visitor—Clown finds the pig a very great bore—Pantaloon finds the dog gets greatly attached to him —Prize Poultry—Cochin China and *ouch in England —Novel hatching—The old mail—Full in side—Clown eff by the Express and Pantaloon by the Rocket— M appin's Cutlery and Shilling Razor Warehouse, Bing William-street, City (the whole of the double company will appear in this scene )—Pantaloon proposes to take a bus—Present and future—Weight of public opinion —A change for the better—The people's own bus—When fool meets fool then comes the tug of fan—Collision, crash, smash, • and dash—Garotte preventive—Moustache move ment A pair of sharp blades—Clowns prove themselves a case for cutlery Holloway stopped by Holloway's oint ment—The duel —A cut direct—Forewarned, forearmed— Public nuisances of 1856—0 h, my Crinoline—A high wind, regular slow up, and glorious termination to Ups and Downs in Holiday's Fairy Home. To conclude with the laughable farce, TWO HEADS ARE BETTER TH AN ONE. The reduced prices as follows, varying throughout the hease to suit every one :—Galleries, 6d. and ls. ; Second Circle of Boxes, la. 6d. ; Pit, 2s. ; First Circle of Boxes, 2s. 6d. ; Dress Boxes, 3s. ; Stalls, Ss. ; Private Boxes, 10s. 6d., V. ls., lt. lls. 6d., and 22. 2s, A Morning Performance of the Great Pantomime every Wednesday, at Two o'clock. R OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. C. Dillon. THIS EVENING will be produced an entirely new and original combination of burlesque and pantomime, entitled CONRAD AND MEDORA; or, Harlequin Corsair and the Little Fairy at the Bottom of the Sea. The burlesque opening by W. Brongh, Esq., fonnded upon the ballet of Le Corsair, as produced at Her Majesty's Theatre. The harlequinade upon things in gene ral. The new and magnificent scenery painted by Mr. F. Fentkn, Characters in the opening : Conrad (the Corsair) Miss Woolgar Birbarto (his lieutenant) Mr. J. L. Toole SeYde Pasha Mr. Barrett Sing Smaul Mr. Holston Yuseiff Medora ....... Mrs. Charles Dillon Guitar ........ Mrs. B. White Znliem Mrs. Melville Submarine Miss Jessie Ryder Serene Miss Marie Wilton Clowns .............. ..... Mr. Tom Matthews and Pantalea • Mr. H. Marshall ....... Mr. Stilt' Harlequin Sprites Mr. J Marshall Columbines The Brothers Nelson. Miss Clara Morgan and Miss Ladd. To be preceded by THE KING'S MUSKETEERS. D'Ar. gnan, Mr. C. Dillon. The box-office open daily, from 11 to 5, under the super. uulence of Mr. Chatterton, jun. _larriages conveying parties to the Private Boxes to set ,cvn at the State entrance in Burleigh-street. A Morning Performance every Saturday, at 2 o'clock. TRAND THE A.T RE.- - M7.nager, Mr. T. Payne.—ThisEvenit?g will be performed THE JEW'S DAUGHTER. After which, the immensely successful novel Burlesque Pantomime of THE MAGIC MISTLETOE ; or, Harlequin Humbug and the Shams of London. The Fairy Christmas, Miss E. Wilton ; Good Humour, Miss Norbury ; Mercury, Miss Cameron ; Humbug, Mr. Herbert ; Cant, Mr. Bolton ; Baron, Mr. J. B. Johnstone ; Sir Roland, Mr. Clarke ; Lord Love)., Miss Craven ; Addelpate, Miss Cuthbert ; Crambo, Master W. Edouin ; Lady Agnes, Miss E. Jacobs ; Baroness, bfr. G. Lee ; Furbilosa, Mr. J. Howard. Novel Harlo. quisade :—Clown, Miss Cuthbert ; Little Clown, Master W Edonin ; Pantaloon, Mr. J. Clarke ; Harlequin, Miss Craven ; Columbines. Miss E. Jacobs and Mdle. Collison ; Premier Danseuse 'idle. Marie Charles. To conclude with THE INTRIGUE. Now and magnificent Scenery, dre. New Curtain. New Act Drop. Commence at Seven. Stalls, 3s. ; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, ls. ; Gallery, 6d. A morning p e rformanee of the Pantomime every Monday at two o'clock. ROYAL SURREY THEATRE. Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick. THIS EVENING, THE LIFE CHASE. After which, HARLEQUIN AND THE SUMMER QUEEN. Harlequin Mr. F. Clover ; Clown , Mr. Luck ; l';'„nt 4loo n. Mr. Brad b ury; the Four Sprites , the:FillisVa• 1411 Y ; Columbines, Mesdames Usti. and Agnes. THE WEATHER—SUN OFTICII, JANUARY 16. THRILMOMETRR, IN TUX BRADT. 45—highest sines noon yesterday. $O4 —lowest this morning and during the night. 45—this day st noon. BARON Rim, 3014. WPM, N.N.W. to N.W.—Light, with fine, sunshiny weather. It rained all day and night yesterday, and this morning it was sharp frost. ";11. , THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 16. 1857 OYAL PRINCESS'S 'I 'HEATRE. THIS EVENING will be p erformed. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S Dl I.EAM. After which, a new grand Christmas Pa utomime, called ALADDIN AND THE WONDER UL LAMP; or, Harlequin and the Genii of the R'Jaz. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantal.sen Mr. Paulo; Co lumbine, Miss C. Adams. . IrriIEATRE ROYAL, LJ AY - MARKET. 1 THIS EVENING, to co❑ nuance at Seven, THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL, wit is 11r. Murdoch as Charles Surface; Sir Peter Teazle, 31 i. Chippendale; Sir Benjamin Backbite, Mr. Buckstone ; Cra btree, Mr. Compton; Joseph Surface, Mr. Howe; Sir Oliver f. ktrfacc, Mr. Rogers; Moses, Mr. Clark; Sir Harry (with aso ag), Mr.lV. Farren ; Lady Teazle, Miss Reynolds ; Mrs. Ca n dour, Miss Talbot ; Lady Sneerwell, Mrs. Poynter ; Maria, 3 [i 3.4 E. Sabine. After which, a new comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled THE BABES IN THE WOOD, or Hart u rain and the Cruel Uncle. The scenery of the opening story• painted by Mr W. Callcott. The music composed and arran g edby Edward F itz william. The pantomime produced and r the direction of M. Milano. Harlequin, 31. Milano ; Columbine, Fanny Wright ; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ; and 4 Mown, Mr. Driver. A Morning performance of the Pant x mime will be given every Thursday : commencing at 2, cont lading at 4. T HEATRE ROYAL, .A.DELPHI. Lessee—Mr. Ben. Wcibster. Great Hit of A Night at :Not; ting-Hill. THIS EVENING will be performed DOMESTIC ECONOTIT. After which, A NIGHT AT NOTTINPG-HILL, in which Mr. Wright and Paul Bedford will appear. To conclude with the new and origii istl union of modern burlesque and old English pantomime (as originated at this theatre), by Professor Wordspinn,tr, Member of Every. thing, with entirely new scenery, drew*, transformations, to., called MOTHER SHIPTON ;' or, Harlequin Knight of Love, and the Entehauted Whistle. Harlequin and Columbine (' la Watteau), Madame Celeste and Miss Wyndham ; Clown, Mr. Garden ; Pantaloon, Mr. Moreland; Scaramouch, Mr. Le Barr. Characters in the bur lesque by Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr, J. Bland, Mr. R. Romer, Madame Celeste, Miss Wyndham, Miss Mary Keeley, Miss Kate Kelly, Miss Arden, ac. THEATRE ROYAL, SADLER'S-WELLS. Under the Management of Mr. Phelps. THIS EVENING, TWELFTH NIGIrIT. Malvolio, Mr. Phelps ; Viola, Miss M. Eburne. To conclude with the pantomime, THE GENIE AND THE FISHERMAN. R OYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. Alfred Wigan. THIS EVENING, DELICATE GROIS.ND. M essrs . G. Vining and Leslie ; Mrs. Stirling. A new Fairy Extravaganza, by J. R. Planch6, Esq., called YOUNG AND HANDSOME. Messrs. F. Robson, Rogers, Leslie, G. Cooke, Danvers. Misses Swanborough, Thirlwall, St. Casse, Castleton, Bromley, Maskell, and Mrs. Melfort. After which, CRINOLINE. Commence at half-past Seven. A STLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. THIS EVENING, Shakspeare's Tragedy of RICHARD THE THIRD, with Mr. W. Cooke's Splendid Equestrian Illustrations. Richard, Mr. James Holloway. After which, the choice SCENES of Equestrian Skill in the ARENA. To conclude with the irresistibly funny equestrian comic pantomime, called PAUL PRY ON HORSEBACK ; or, ifarlequin and the Magic Horseshoe, in which Mr. W. Cooke will drive Eight Golden-footed Steeds attached to the re splendent Chariot of Gold. Doors open at half-past six ; commence at a quarter be- fore seven o'clock. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun. A Morning Performance every Saturday, at Two o'clock. CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.— OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow. ing company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance o: Selections from all the popttla.: Operas, Madrigals, Choruses, Glees, Duets, &c., viz. : —Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield, Miss Brunell, and Miss Summers ; Mr. J. Caulfield, Herr F. Jonghmans, R. Grover, T. Rain°, T. Farrant, S. Jones, J, Barker, W. Melling, and P. Corrie ; Masters Austin, Ben nett, and Corri ; Mr. Sam Cowell and E. Hackney. Piano forte„T. Tiarroway, R.A. ; harmonium, J. Caulfield, jun. ; director, Mr. J. Caulfield. Commence at Seven o'clock pre cisely. Suppers, &c., until twelve o'clock. In addition to the uqual Vocal Entertainment, the celebrated SPANISH MINSTRELS will appear in costume at Nine and Eleven o'clock Every Evening, and sing some of their favourite selec tions. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. MIS DAT—Morn. 43 min. aft. 5 —Evening 1 min. aft. 6 To-Moitßow—Morn. 18 min. aft. 6—Evening 38 min. aft. 6 L)NDON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 18b7. Very nearly twelve years have elapsed since the departure from this country, in 1845, of the good ships " Erebus" and " Terror," under the command of Sir JOT IN FRANIKLIN. On Sunday, the 26th of July, 1857, it will be fully twelve years since the date of the last tidings ob. tained of that heroic and unfortunate expedition. Yet, up to this time, no authentic account has ever been received relative to the actual fate of thoße long-lost Arctic navigators. We repeat it— No authentic account whatever. No account that can possibly be relied upon as positively conclu sive. And we say this with a vivid recollection of Dr. RAE'S harrowing Report, addressed to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and dated from Repulse Bay, July 29, 1854. We say it with a lively remembrance of the 10,000/. awarded to that voyager by order of the Go vernment, in accordance with the terms of the official announcement, published on the 7th of March, 1850, to the effect that that sum would be given " to any party, or parties, who should, by his or their efforts, first succeed " in ascertain ing the fate of the missing navigators. We say it, in fact, with a painfully accurate remem brance of the extraordinary and, we may even venture to add, wholly unparalleled declaration in the London Gatette, of January, 1854—a sort of a preternatural proclamation, making known to the world at large the astounding fact that if by the 31st of March following, nothing further should be heard of Sir JOHN FRANKLIN and his 137 companions, they were from that date no longer to be in existence—by Order of the Go vernment l Nevertheless, remembering all this remembering Dr. RAE'S veracious Report of the 29th July, 185 4—rememboring the boon of 10,000/. awarded to him by virtue of the pro mise publicly given on the 7th of March, 1850—remembering the January Gw . etta of '54, declaring the lost navigators to have officially expired on the 31st of March, 1854 we most distinctly and explicitly assert that up to the present day, January 16th, 1 857, no authentic intelligence has yet been received in England, explanatory of the fate of the bravo Sir JOHN FRANKLIN and his heroic companions. Remember that Dr. Ittes Report to the Ad miralty, Dr. RAE'S appalling Report fixing upon the gall an t officers and crow who were missing in the Arctic Seas the hideous charge of Cannibalism, rested solely, rests to this day solely upon certain roundabout rumours received "second-hand" from a party of gabbling Esquimau'. Re member that Dr. RIB himself, who was the means of bringing this frightful rumour l under the notice of the Admiralty, and who received from the Admiralty, as we have seen, in recompence for it, the magnificent reward of 10,0001., was actually not more than a day's journey from the spot where the bones of the dead Cannibal-navigators Were (accordi ng to his own Report) lying uni n t erre d ; and thathe' nevertheless, on the 27th of A pr il , 1854, turned away from that terrible scene of calamity, without, on the contrary, hastening towards it, to the end that he might test the accuracy of the revolting narrative he was the means of communicating, three months later, to her "MAJESTY'S Govern meat. Remember still further, and remember this above all—that when, some time afterwards, with a view to test the veracity of the account fur nished by Dr. RAE, an expeditionary party was sent down the Groat Fish River at a cost of 3,0001. (ac cording to the terms of a contract entered into with the Hudson's Bay Company)—although a few straggling articles which had. belonged to the missing vessels were certainly obtained, no bodies were discovered on the spot indicated in Dr. RAE'S Report. No graves were found—no traces what ever, in fact, could be seen either there or any where else in the neighbourhood justifying the Tale of Death for which Dr. RAE (unsupported by a particle of reliable corroborative evidence) had received 10,0001. from the Queen's Govern ment. Considering all these facts, we are not at all surprised, therefore, to observe even nowadays, in the middle of the January of 1857 nearly twelve years from the date when the " Erebus " and the " Terror " took their departure from the shores of England—that "An Earnest Appeal" has been addressed to the British Parliament by a Gallant Officer of the Royal Navy —an earnest and moving Appeal* to the Country at Large on behalf of the Miss ing Arctic Expedition. Lieutenant BEDFORD PIM, R,N., F.R.G.S., the author of the very noteworthy pamphlet to which we are solicitous thus particularly to direct the attention of the general community, will, under any cir cumstances, derive from his efforts this satisfac tion —he will know that he at has raised his voice in behalf of his brother-navigators and his fellow-countrymen, in behalf, if not of their lives, at any rate, of what many of them would have prized still more, their reputations. Lieutenant Plaf--wholly a stranger to ourselves—deserves, for his humane argu ment, at least, we conceive, inquiry, at least attention, at least consideration. Abandon it, when examined into, if you will—that is to say, if you must—as not in any way feasible. But at any rate—examine it I In all human pro bability, Sir JOHN FRANKLIN and his 137 com panions are dead by this time. Still, even now, for all we know to the contrary, they may yet be in existence, although as many as twelve years have elapsed from the time when they took their departure. Upon the very title-page of the pamphlet Lieutenant Pim quotes conspicuously as Sir Jorr FRANKLIN'S ipsissima verba, " Where Esquimaux do live out a fair period of life, it is but reasonable to suppose that Europeans may also subsist and survive for many years." But apart altogether from the possibility of any of those British Sailors being still alive in those wild Arctic regions of Eternal Frost—is there not cast upon their heroic memory the horrible imputation of cannibalism ? An impu• tation, we repeat, not supported by one tittle of admissible evidence 1 And, ought there not at least to be some effort to demonstrate beyond the reach of doubt the truth or falsehood of state ments so frightfully involving the reputation of these brave Englishmen ? * An Earnest Appeal to the British Public on behalf of the Missing Arctic Expedition. By Lieutenant Bedford Pim, R.N., F.R.G.S. Pp. 32. Hurst and Blackett. A cock-and-bull story has just been foisted upon Europe by Le .Nord, about some nameless pirates on the eastern coast of the Caspian de vastating the opposite or contiguous coasts of Persia ; carrying off the peaceable inhabitants (subjects of the SHAH) and selling them for slaves at Shiva ; pillaging, marauding, and in general terms playing the very devil—a party of blood thirsty Turcoman Buccaneers ! It is repressnted by le Nord that the late obnoxious occupation of certain islands in the south-eastern corner of the Caspian is solely attributable to an amiable solici tude on the part of the Czan to assist more effectually his dear cousin the SHAH against these abominable corsairs of the tribes of the Turcoman. Dont you believe it, say we As Sir ROBERT PEEL might say—That Cock won't fight ! Or, as he might add yet more pithily in two syllables—Walker ! It is merely another miserable canard this pre posterous nonsense about Russia occupying any islands in that particular part of the Caspian in order to help the SHAH in his Sir-PETER-LAT/RI AN effort to " put down" a wretched little horde of 'Turn man Pirates. The two-headed Russian eagle—trust our word for it—flies at higher game than this on the southern coast of the Cas - plan. Has not Herat been recently seized by the SHAH at his good friend the CZAR'S instiga tion ? Waa not War declared by Ea gland against Persia, in consequence, on the Ist of last November at Calcutta ? Has not a British Fleet, with a view to the prosecution of that war, already entered the Persian Gulf ? Has not a Sepoy army, under Brigadier CHAMBER. LLTNE, already marched to the same end, westwards through Affghanistan ? And—remembering these facts—for Le Nord to talk coolly about the CZAR'S endeavour to cope with the pirates of the coast of the Turcoman l England, at least, can penetrate at a glance through all this miserable Sham and Mockery. Justice has at last overtaken the perpetrators of the great bullion robbery. BURGESS, PIERCE, and TESTER have been convicted of the serious offence with which they were charged. It is needless to add the verdict of the jury has our full concurrence. We cannot see how, without violation of their oaths, they could have returned any other. The testimony of au accomplice is at all times, we admit, open to grave suspicion more especially if he is a convict, with everything to hope and nothing to risk. But the testimony of AGAR bore such internal marks, and was sup ported by such a chain of corroborative evidence, that no doubt could be entertained of its substan• tial truthfulness. Nor should it be forgotten that the motive of the man, though vindictive, had its origin in natural affection. It was not from cowardice—it was not from base envy —it was not, we incline to believe, in the hope oven of a mitigation of punishment AGAR " split " on his confederates in crime. The woman he loved, and along with her, her child, his "own flesh and la blood,"r, were wronged by a fellow-criminal at large, who owed his personal liberty and his reputation, however little that might be, to his forbearance, we had almost said to his magnani mity-. For such a man as AGAR, prompt in resource, determined, unscrupulous, and of strong passions, to know this was enough fully to naccoot übnetenfoirll-wtrheaattefaollboywedp. FANNY lER II C: Ci th e K ve A ry Y reason to believe they would all three have escaped the legal penalty of this particular crime. Their conviction, the; must be r egar d e d as th e triumph of natural feeling, perverted feeling, if you will, and not of justice, as represented by the police. The latter, with perhaps one excep tion, come shabbily out of the affair. They whose business it is to detect crime were utterly baffled and practically useless, until set on the right track by the convict, or rather till he pointed out his fellow-offenders immediately to their notice. Under such circumstances a glance at the general features of the robbery must be interesting, and can hardly fail to be instructive. We have first AGAR, a successful robber and swindler, at large in 1854. He is joined by PIERCE, a discharged railway servant, who evidently knew his man, and had great faith in his abilities. PIERCE sug gests the robbery. AGAR declares it impractica ble. PIERCE believes he can obtain impressions of the two locks by which the iron safes are secured. This settles the matter--the only in superable difficulty, in AGAR'S opinion, is removed. The robbery is decided on —now for the execution. In May, the same year, the suspicions cf the superintendent of police at Folkestone are excited by two bathing visitors, who manifest an extra ordinary interest in the movement of the trains. These visitors are AGAR and PIERCE, who speedily decamp, but not, it appears, before having ascer tained among other information where one of the 'keys of the safes was kept. How are the keys to be got at ? PIERCE knows a clerk in the traffic department, TESTER—he can get the keys for them. In August the locks have new keys, and by means of TESTER an impression of one of them is taken. An impression of the other is still wanting. An ingenious device, remarkable, however, chiefly for what it reveals of the pecuniary resources of AGAR, is resorted to. Out of a sum of 3,0001. in his possession, AGAR contrives to have a box of bul lion, valuedespatched by ra il an d d e li vere d to h him under a 2001., false name. D ur i ng th e l a t ter process he succeeds in discovering where the second key is kept. Then, in October, AGAR and PIERCE take a trip to Dover, walk over to Folkestone, and arrive there just as the train is coming up. In the confusion PIERCE takes ad vantage of the momentary absence of the officials, goes to the cupboard, takes the key and hands it to AGAR, who instantly takes an impression of it, and it is straightway restored to its place. The great difficulty is overcome—what remains is to have keys made from the impressions. To the five months spent in obtaining the impressions are added two months' labour in filing. The next thing is to try the keys in the locks. This is done by AGAR, with the connivance of BURGESS, the rail way guard. The keys are made to fit ; and now for an opportunity. After such toil and perse verance no common plunder will suffice. In the third week of May, 1355, the commer cial world receives a great shock. A daring rob bery has been committed. 12,0001. worth of bullion have be en a b stracte d f rom th e van o f a rail way carriage between London and Folkestone and shot su b st i tuted in its place. C r i m i nal daring and ingenuity of a high order have achieved a great feat. The police are "on the alert," detectives are "on the scent." Months roll on and nothing is discovered. No prospect of a discovery exists. In October, 1855, AGAR somehow gets convicted of uttering forged cheques, and is transported for life. FANNY KAY, AGAR'S mistress, has shortly a story $o tell of being fraudulently dealt with by PIERCE, the trustee whom AGAR had appointed to administer his effects for her and his child's benefit. The particulars of the robbery are revealed by AGA; his confederates pointed out, arrested, put on their trial, and finally condemned, nineteen months after the perpetration of the robbery. The robbery, it will be seen, was the upshot of a well-organised knavish conspiracy, headed by a clever, daring, and experienced thief. It has all the interest of a Victoria drama, while, to give it a greater air of reality, the police are nowhere. Some will be alarmed at the liotion of such men as AoAR being permitted to pursue their career so long unmolested. The fact may be -regretted, but need excite no great surprise. He is a man of superior wit, and to put'down such men what is wanted is a quicker witted police. There is more cause for alarm, when the careers of Roe. eoN and REDPATIL are remembered, in the readiness with which individuals, supposed to be respectable, and certainly in positions of trust, gather round such a man. How far and how deep does the moral canker we have here indicated to us extend ? Is any large portion of society affected by it ? Or is it confined to officials employed by public companies, whose shares have been the shuttlecocks of the maniacs of speculation ? If the latter, we would fain hope the moral taint will speedily be stopped or more slowly die out, and our respective Public Companies will ere long have as reliable servants as their im portant trusts and the public interests demand. In speaking of the Police, we must not be under stood to mean they are of no service. This were as ridiculous as false. They have, unquestionably, narrowed the area of crime, but having stimulated, by necessity, the invention of the dangerous class, they voluntarily or involuntarily have suffered themselves to be left in the lurch. How many police officers in London are equal in professional skill and daring to AGAR I There must be new importations of talent into the force, for as wealth accumulates, and in few hands, the temptations to a career like AGAR'S, to men of his stamp, will be proportionally great. THE ROYAL BRITISH BANK AND THE "LUNCHEON SYSTEM." Among the extraordinary disbursements of the managers of the Royal British Bank, there appears an item for a considerable sum described as " lun cheons to directors." It now appears that, from the commencement of the bank in 1849, the directors and principal officers, with one or two exceptions, were in the habit of eating and drinking daily at the ba n k at the expense o f th e establishment. The system was commenced on an extravagant scale. Rare wi nes an d brandi es , S co t c h w hi s ki es, Edin burgh a l e , and Prestonpans beer, wer e or d ere d f or the regaling of those gentlemen after they got through their usual official duties. And, as it was thought that it might conduce to the interests of the establishm en t, eac h di rec t or was a ll owe d to introduce a friend. Although described as "lun cheons," those repasts were in reality substantial and sumptuous dinners, the fumes of which from the lower departments of the bank filled the nos: trils of customers and of famished clerks during at least two hours every day. The expense of these entertainments ultimately became so large as to excite alarm in the mind of a nervous director, who remonstrated against so much extravagan , co, and insisted on some regard to economy. The " luncheons" subsequently were not marked by the same reckless profusion, and the priv il ege of inviting friend s was abolished. It was very com mon, however, with 801110 of the directors, on days when th e i r atten d a nce was not required at " the bank "to dro " about the "luncheon ' hour, and partake p "good things." their share of the things." / At the end of every half-year the late genera manager uniformly gave a grand party , at which he perso na lly appeare d i u a romantic costume, and in the m os t exu b eran t spirits, described the un paralleled prosp er ity o f th e i ns tit u t i on, of which lie was the practical chief.—A di:eraser. REPRESENTATION OP SALFORD. A meeting of the electors of Salford was to be held last uizlit, to take steps for presenting a requisition to Mr. Alderman Lang worthy, to put himself in nomination for the represen• tation of the b oroug h . The requ i s ition had received up to yesterday constituency of 4,000 e l ec t o rs, and as the signatures noon about 1,400 signatu res , out of a include the names of men of all shades of politics, there is no probability of an opposition, and no whisper of anything of the kind has been heard of. The meeting would appoint a deputation to present the requisition, it was expected, and there was no doubt that Mr. Larig• worthy would accept it. Mr. Lang worthy is of literal politics, but stands birth in the estimation of all classes of people. The Speaker's warrant will probably issue on the 27th or 28th inst., so that thu nomination and election may he expected to be fixed for about the 3d and 4th of February. Daramou'ru PACKET STATION.—The new lighthouse at the entrance of Dartmouth harbour, built more espe cially for the accommodation of the mail packets, is com pleted. From the prominence of its position, indicating as it does the sa f e and easy approac h to the harbour, the light will prove of rea t value to the shipping interest generall y , as all sh i ps ma ki n g the Start light can easily find th e i r way, if necessary , by the ai d of th e Dartmouth li g hth ouse , g apaclous harbour, into the waters of its cafe and LATEST N E WS. VIENNA, JAN. 12. The Osservatore Triestino confirms the news of the TriesttZeitung relative to the occupation of the islands on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea. Some years since Russia " borrowed" the island of Dagada from Persia, as a station against the Turcoman pirates. The pirates were long ago annihilated, but the island in question, which is at the mouth of the Oxus, is still in the hands Of Russia. CONSTANTINOPLE, JAN. 9. The Shah of Persia is said to insist on the con tinuation of the war with England. General Chesney has received a concession for the construction of the Euphrates Valley Railroad. THE OVERLAND MAIL. We (Daily News) have received our despatches by the Overland Mail, via Marseilles, telegraphic summaries of which were published in our columns of Monday last. The advices by this arrival are to the following dates :—Bombay, Dec. 17 ; Cal cutta, Dec. 8 ; Madras, Dec. 13 ; Ceylon, 17 ; Hong Kong, Nov. 20. CHINA. The China Mail of Hong Kong, of November 20, contains intelligence from Canton four days later than that brought by the last mail. We read : The principal incident during the week has been the proceeding of the United States squadron, 'consequent upon an unjustifiable attack made upon a party of naval officers and civilians by the " braves" occupying the Barrier Forts, and which is likely to involve the Ameri cans also, much against their will, in a quarrel with the Chinese. The particulars are as follows : "On Saturday, about half-past four in the afternoon, the Portsmouth's sir-oared pinnace, in which were Com mander Foote, his First Lieutenant, Mr. Sturgis, and the Rev. Mr. Macy, was pulling up from Whampoa to Canton, Ethel when abreast of the lower fort, a gun was dis charged at them, which crossed the bow a little ahead. Mr. Sturgis took the flag from the stern of the boat, stood up, and waved it, to show the Chinese they were Ame rican', and then told the men to "pull away—it must have been a mistake ;" but scarcely were the words ut tered, when a second bullet passed close to, followed by a shower of shrapnel, which dashed up the water all around them. The men pulled ahead, and as soon as they neared the second fort, the patty received from it the like treatment, the guns in the latter instance being, if possible, better served, so that it was miraculous how the party escaped. They did so, however, put about, and returned to Whampoa, where they reported the circumstance to Commodore Armstrong, and he promptly determined to destroy the torts, and then write to the Governor-General what he had done, and his reasons for doing it, and intimate at the same time his contentment with the satisfaction he bad taken. In execution of this resolve a boat was des patched on Sunday morning to sound, and ascertain whe ther the depth of water was sufficient to permit of the Portamouth and Levant anchoring within a close dis tance of the forts; the boat, in d o i ng so , was fi re d upon and one man killed, his head being taken off by a round shot. On Sunday both vessels got under weigh, the Portsmouth being taken in tow by the Williamette. The Commodore was on board the Levant, but merely as a spectator, the vessel being under the command of Capt. Bell, of the San Jacinto, Capt. Smith, her own commander, being absent on duty in Canton, guarding the factories. The Levant unfortunately grounded before she could be got within range ; but the Portsmouth was towed up to the station fixed upon, and as she approached in tow of the steamer, the forts opened fire upon both vessels, thus affording a second confirmation that there was no mistake on the part of the Chinese in their Saturday's attack upon the party of Americans in the pinnace. "At length, after several shot bad struck the Wil lamette, the sloop was cast off, and Captain Foote, with great coolness, dropped his vessel up (still under fire) till within 450 yards of the large fort, upon which the Ports mouth poured her broadside. The engagement with the two forts within range, lasted an hour and three quarters, by which time the forts wore silenced, but the sloop con tinued her fire half an boar longer, until 230 shot and shell had been thrown into the forts. The resistance, It will thus be seen, was of the most determi ne d ki n d, b ut their firing could not have been equal to that upon the Barracouta the ether day by French Folly and the twenty-three war-junks, which were silenced in thirty five minutes, yet not until the steamer had been struck by shot in fifty places, one man killed and three wounded ; whereas, after nearly two hours' e ngagement, t h e Portsmouth had only a dozen shots in her, and one man mortally wounded. The firing on the part of the Americans lasted until dark, and it not being deemed prudent to land a force in the night, the storming of the forts was delayed until morning, when the Commodore, considering his force inadequate, determined to recall his men from Canton, and wait their arrival. The ships lay quiet the whole day, the Chinese making as great a display as possible, both inside and outside the forts, six guns being actually placed in position under the walls, flags waving, &c. The Commodore left the vessels at noon, and proceeded on board the San Jac:n to at Whainpoa, where he met Dr. Parker, the U.S. Commissioner, after a consulta tion with whom, he wrote a letter to the imperial corn. missioner, demanding satisfaction wits in 24 hours—a most extraordinary proceeding, it seems to us, at such a moment. The men from Canton had meanwhile arrived, but orders bad of course been issued to suspend" operations to the intense disappointment and disgust of every man on board the squadron, from the commanders downwards. The letter reached'Canton on Tuesday morning, and had then to übe translated, so that it would nut reach its destination till yesterday morning. Yeh will of oeurse give explanation enough to satiety Dr. Parker—and there the matter will rest. The feel ings of the Americans on the subject may be judged of by Honesty's letter, subjoined ; and we have only to say that, in our opinion, the attack having been once commenced, the forts should have been taken, even if d h ei a rd t t om t hbauoks boast, t h , t, the aesC attemptit) ihn they y s e a r,e might and _ n t f cer tainahoietlyeat have .3 were do h , a n d o t thi that t in t destroyed h their hi p p ; os _"The pluck displayed by the C'einese on this occasion may in some measure be accounted for, if the rumour mentioned in the accompanying letter from Whampton be true, of white men being engaged along with the Chinese in the fort. The forts them-elves are raid to be manned by junk-men under the command of Shap-'ng tsai's, lieutenant, and a gunner, a deserter from the Salamander, is reported to he with him. That seamen are being engaged for service by Chinese is certain ; and if for the rebels, why not for the imperialists There are hundreds of idle scoundrels in Hong Kong at present ripe for anything. Our correspondent speaks of the pirates on the river sometimes disguising themselves in European clothes. A closer examination would perhaps show them to be Europeans in reality, and not merely in appearance : " Nothing has been heard here to the present time (18th, 5 r.m.) of the doings of the Levant and Ports mouth, which went up on Sunday to take the Barrier Forts. It is said the delay was caused by one of them taking the ground on Sunday evening, and that further delay takes place on account of the Chinese being better prepared to receive them than was expected. It is re ported by Chinese that the forts re-occupied are now far better manned and armed than ever they were, and some affirm there are white men amongst. them. When the Barrier Forts were first taken, I was told by an officer then present that one white man was seen running away along with Chinese. " 'The river is much infested with pirates now, and about thirty boats are prowling between this and the Bogue, some flying ayellow flag with Chinese characters on it, They are small pilot boats, and boats similar to such as used to run as Murrow's post-boats, with white sails ; and the crews sometimes diFgnise themselves by wearing European hats or other clothing. The Chinese inhabitants say (apparently with truth) that they are all fitted out from Hong Kong. " The master of a British merchant ship, returning from Blenheim Reach on Sunday evening, at about 8 o'clock, was attacked by a long piratical boat containing about twenty men. He attempted to fire on them, but his musket missed ; and before he had time to re-cap he found himself with a rather uncomfortable-looking three-pronged pike at his breast and another at his back, silently intimating that he bad hatter remain quiet and allow the thieves to strip him—which they very speedily did of his watch and chain and other articles. This occurred within pistol-shot of the Sybille.' "We must now proceed to give a brief account of Admiral Seymout'e proceedings, so far as we have gathered them. " After the capture of the Bogue forts, the Calcutta and Nankin remained behind for the purpose of blowing them up—no easy job ; and the fort at Ty-cock-tcw having fired upon the Hornet, Captain Stewart took possession of it on the 16th, after driving oat the Chinese, and spiked its 55 guns. " On Saturday, early in the morning, the steamers were annoyed by a number of long pull-away war junks, which came out of the narrow creeks, fired, and retired. The boats chased them, but returned unsuccessful. The Sa-meen fort also fired upon the steamers, and several shot reached as far down as opposite the Factories, but without doing any damage. A body of artillery w as sent to destroy the fort, and the party having be en molested by some of the enemy's, sharp-shooters, the Samson sent a few shells among the houses, which dislodged them. One shell went right through the roof of Dr. Hobson's Hospital, and mu s t h ave d one much damage, as the building is known to have been filled with " braves" at the time, and a hideous yell issued from it immediately after the explosion. The business was completed in the e ven i ng, when the trains were fired, and four mines which had been sunk exploded. During the night, one of th e Nankin's boats astern ot the Barracouta was towed under water, and two poor fellows drowned. "Capt. Cowper of the Royal Engineers has been busily engaged in arrangements for the defence of the Factories. Chains, it is said, are to be sent up in the Barracouta, in tended to be stretched across the river as a defence against fire rafts. The Barracouta will also take'up tour officers and 100 men of the 59th Regiment, to replace the Americans, withdrawn,and relieve thelVincheeter's crew, who are to return to Hongkong. Dutch Folly, in addition to the Sybil 68-pounders, is armed with the Samson's, 92-ctvt. gun, and garrisoned riy the Sybille's men under Lieuts. Dent and Nares, Mr. Hudson, mate, and Mes:Ts. Jackson, Brice, and De Belch (midshipmen.) French Folly is still in the hands of the C. i fese, strongly manned, and heavily armed. The Calcutta aud Na,rik.in are en gaged in the destruction of the Bogue Fort', the Sam son and Comus are at the Barrier in the Macao passage ; the Coromandel off the lower Sa-meen fort ; the Niger and Hornet abreast of the Factories, with two junks anchored ahead, a boom being carried from the junks to the shore, leaving a very large passage for the boats, which must bear a pass from the British Consulate, and have the British flag flying. Tne Barracouta haves this to-night, or early to-morrow, with men and am munition. Yesterday, while a cargo-boat was load ing with gunpowder, &c., at the Ordnance Wharf, two lads strolled down with baskets filled with chips of wow], with the intention, apparently, of emptying them into the sea, instead of which they suddenly set them on fire, and threw thrm into the boat ; and the sentries were so astonished that they allowed them both to escoipe. The gunpowder being in itself shows no damage was done ; but the very act shows there is more daring ifs Chinese than foreigners are inclined to give them credit fir. " have just heard that replies from Yell were received yesterday afternoon, to despatches from Sir John Bowring and Dr. Parker, but their contents hal not transpired. A party of braves' made their appearance yesterday at the barricade near Acow's Hotel, beating gongs, waving flags, and shouting va liantly. The guard was turned out, but the enemy bad retired—frightened, probably, at the sight of the Winchester's field-piece." TO THE EDITOR OF THE "CHINA N.M." Canton, 19th Novembers 1856 - Sr,—On Saturday the 16th instant the first en:ter of the U.S. ship Portsmouth, containing Captain Foe!e and others, was proceeding from Whampoa to Canton, when she was fired upon from the Barrier Forts. It was half-past 4 in the afternoon when this occurred ; the American flag was in a position that does away with all chance of a plea of mistaking it, while no less than two round shot, and three charges of grape after the round shot, were fired into the boat by the Chinese "braves !" At the first discharge of grape, the boat was turned for the ships, where she arrived at 6 o'clock, and after an hour Commodore Armstrong decided upon taking possession of the two forts, and then advising the Go vernor of Canton of what had occurred. The insult having been avenged, the " property " might then have been returned to the rightful owner, or retained, accord ng as the reply from Governor Yeh might indicate • wish for war or peace with the Americans. Who can doubt that the result would have been peace, and that on return of the forts, the American flag might pass in a Thames wherry without danger ? However, we will follow the matter, and learn how valuable is the a‘sistance of able advisers, particularly where they have a strong spice of the Anti-Imperial•in favour-of-piratical-" Rebelism ! At daylight on Sunday, the San Jacinto'e cutter com menced sounding the river from Whampoa to the Barrier, which was accomplished after the loss of a man from a shot while throwing the lead. At 4 p.m., 24 hours after the Portsmouth's boat had been fired into, that ship and the Levant were nearly in position to open fire. With only water enough to float the Portsmouth, she was towed up to her berth by the Williamette, in the most gallant style on Captain Curry's part, who was for many minutes in the midst of a hot fire from the forts, which had opened long before the ship was near enough to suit Captain Foote. After the steamer bad been ordered to " cast off and take care of herself," Capt. Foote dropped with the flood for five minutes, tilt with in 450 yards' di-tauce of the nearest fort (the large one at the right end of the barrier), having been then under heavy fire some time. " Starboard"—" Let go anchor"—" Haul in spring"--" Fire came i❑ quick succession, and to cut my story short, the ship fired 220 8-inch shells in the following two hours and fifteen minutes. All were well placed at their nearest neighbour, and at the round fort on the left, some 1,500 yards distant, At dark, firing ceased, the forts keeping it up till 15 minutes before the ship stopped, and giving a sample of what is in store at the French Folly at this time ! The two forts are said to be filled with English guns and junk-men crews, and certainly we have never seen anything in the way of Chinese gunnery before to equal them. During this time the Levant was aground, out of fire, and could not take part in the action. The Poitsmonth was hulled three times, one marine mortally wounded, and her rigging badly cut. After the fire it was not deemed prudent to send away boats from the ship, as the latter required their whole crews to take care of them in the position they held, and having no steam to more down with. On Mon day morning the Cum Fu embarked the balance of men from Canton, for the purpose of manning boats and taking possession ; b u t, that d a y, before they had ar rived from Canton, arrived the mighty doctor Peter Parker (that extraordinary compound, as a worthy member of our community dubbed him—semi-clerico, semi-politico, semi -medico, semi—. N.B.—lt was only want of fire-wood that saved his effigy last night from throwing more light on this community than the original ever succeeded in doing, on board the San Jacinto, and cunningly detecting the peaceful promiPed end of a matter thpt he felt would deprive his rebel friends of an ally in the Americans. What does he do I Stops all proceedings at a point where the Chinese are sure they have whipped the Americans—(as far from the truth as it is !)—and writes a despatch calling 9n Yeh to beg pardon in twenty.four hours INDIA. The following is the general summary of the Bombay Times of the 17th Dec. :—" The intima tion that the steamer Assaye, with the transport Rajah of Cochin in tow, had passed Muscat on the 20th of November, is the only tidings that has reached us from the Persian Gulf since the depar ture of the fleet. The force of Brigadier Chamber layne, which was within five marches of Cahill, is said to have prooeeded against some recusant tribes. There is a talk of troops mustering at Peshawur with a view to an advance on Candahar. There have been some disturbances in the Madras Presi dency • but, on the whole, tranquillity prevails throughout the British dominions in India. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. BOMBAY, DEO. 16. The moneymarket during the past fortnight has become if anything, a little tighter, and the banks in consequence have raised their rates of interest 1 per cent. all round, and the rates now rule from 7 to 9 per cent, on bills not ex ceeding three months. Government securities are still lan guid, but first class joint stock shares have improved in consequence of the near approach of the dividends which will ha duo on these shares. With regard to the imports of Cotton piece goods the mai ket continues steady as before, and a fair amount of busi ness has been done. There has been, however, little or no alteration in value. Grey long cloths, albs, are dull ; those above this are in fair inquiry. Grey domestics. 30 inches and of heavy make, are in very good demand. Grey Jaw nets up to eight pick are in fair inquiry; higher ones are dull of sale. Grey shirtings, 40 inches up to 8,1 lbs , are in good demand ; 45 i nc h es up to 9 lbs. ale in fair request, and higher ones are in slight money. Grey madapollains, 3 lbs., are in good demand ; and 2 10-16 the, 31 to 3ilbs , are in slight requ es t. Bl eached shirtings and madapollams ' up to middling are in good demand; those of the higher quality are dull. Bleached Jaconets, from low to middling. are in fair request and scarce ; others are rather dull. Satin spots and stripes are in good demand and continue scarce. Turkey rod plain is in fair request, twills are scarce and in good demand, as also mulls. Of fancy goods all descriptions of Lappets, Dhoties, both Gzey and Bleached, dyed made pollen's, 28 yards, dyed mulls, low lappet scarfs, 2k at 3 yards, low hook muslin, Turkey red, and cold velvet, are in good demand. Bleached camblics are in fair request. In cotton yarns, both mule and water are in fair inquiry as before. Dyed Turkey red and green are in good demand, and orange is dull of sale. Iu the metal markets iron, British bar and nail rod, round are dull and have declined, while square nail rod hoop, and sheet, are in value as last reported. Swedish steel in tubs and faggots, and spelter are in good demand and have advanced. Tin plates are in fair inquiry. Cop per of all descriptions is dull, except tiles , is hhave ad. vanced in v a l ue . L ea d, red and white, e very good demand and has advanced. In Exports we have to report that after the arrival of the English mail, the prices underwent a temporary de cline, but the demand again increased, and the prices have accordingly advanced. Various purchases have been re. ported, mostly of commodities to arrive. W e quote Dhollera at Rs. 119-20; Surat and Broach Rs. 118-20 ; Compta Re. 113 ; Omeravuttee Rs. 110-11; and Mange. role Rs. Re. 104-8. Linseed, Rape, and Teel are in good demand and have advanced in price. Niger is in little or no enquiry, and the supplies are also limited. Mustard is in fair request. TONNAGE.—Freights have declined to 21. 108 and 27. 12s 61 per ton for cotton to Liverpool and London, and have a downward tendency. EXCHANGE.—On the arrival of the China mail bills sold at 2s 2 5-16 d, and advanced at .2s to 2s 23d • locid drawn paper has sold chiefly at 2 s 2id. On Calcutta Courts bills, GO days' sight, 98k. Madras, 30 days' sight, 98k. China, 50 days' sight, 214. CALCUTTA, DEC. 8. During the past fortnight, our Produce Market h as scarcely shown signs of activity, and on the whole we ha ve but a limited amount of operations to report. Indigo con. tinnes in good request, many of the parcels fs'ehing higher prices than previously anticipated. Little has been done in sugar for Groat Britain, the high prices still paid by the native shippers for Bombay preventing English buyers from opera. ting. We have had little inquiry for saltpetre either for the United States or Great Britain, and the market has assw,.. ed a downward tendency. Silk continued neglected until the last few days, when some parcels of medium and fine seas were placed at previous figures, there being hardly any demand for the low qualities. In torahs very little has been done, although the value is considerably lowe r than at the date o f our l as t. Jute has been in better request, and prices have an upward tendency. Lac dye and shell lac remain unaltered. Hides and skins have improved both in demand and value. A fair amount of transactions have taken place in our import market. '2 or British piece goods we have had a steady demand, though in some instances holders have But. mitted to a reduction in prices. Grey shirtings have bcen placed to a fair extent, but at a decline of two annas a piece Turkey red goods, together with prints and chintzes, have likewise been in less request, and sales have been effected at lower prices. In mule twist we have not had much doing, and dealers have succeeded in securing their de mands at a slight concession. All sorts of metals excepting copper continue very firm, and an improved demand in ful filment of orders from the Upper Provinces has in some instances enabled holders to effect sales at an advance. MONEY MARKET.—Wo reported in our last that money was becoming slightly tighter in the bazaar, in consequence of which, we believe, the directors of the Bank of England, at their meeting on the 27th ult., reduo,-.41 the roe.t of interest and discount 1 per cent. all round, and increased the margin on loans of government Securities by 5 per cent., making the same 20 per cent. This will naturall y tend to render the money market tighter, and has already effected the value of public Securities. We insert below the statement of liabilities and assets of the Bengal Bank for the week ending on the 3d instant which in comparison to the statement of the 12th ult. inserted in our last, shows a decrease in the amount of cash from Co.'s Rs. 168,53,817-15.0 to Co.'s Re. 136,25,4n-7-3. The 41 per cent. Loan continues to draw subscriptions very slowly, scarcely 20 lakhs having been it is said, subscribed to date. EXCHANGE.—To London : A large business has been done for the outgoing mail at steadily advancing rates. The first sales of credits were made at 2s 2d, but these rates gradually crept up to 2s 2id, and latterly to 2s 2id, at which our market closes. Some transactions have likewise taken place in credits at the last mentioned figure, i.e., 2s per rupee for the mail of the 22d inst. Document bills have been placed at 2s 2d, FRElGHTS.—Notwithstanding the numerous arrivals from different quarters during the past fortnight, our rats have continued steady. For London and Liverpool, tonnage to a fair extent has been taken up at almost our last quotations, though in some in s t ances w h en cargo was required immediately, a slight concession has been ob tained by shippers of rice. The new crops of table aid ballam rice have commenced to arrive, .and if prices ails moderate, the rates of freights to Great Britain might assume an upward tendency, though the available tonnage in our port is still large. For America, offers are not very abundand, and for a large ship nothing above 10 dollars a ton would be given. In country freights we do riot ob serve any alteration with the rate of cotton to China, of which a quantity has been engaged at 275 dollars a bale. AUSTRALIA. The present mail brings intelligence from Mel bourne to the 2041 of October. Continued wet weather had interfered with business, but improved wages and lowered prices of such necessary articles of food as flour and potatoes were leading to in creased consumption, and the tendency was b higher rates than for the last two months. Ballarat gold is quoted 775. 3d. FRANCE. PARIS, THURSDAY. BOURSE, Jan. 15.—The following were the last quotations : Cash. C. 44 p•r Cents 3 per Cents 67 75 New Loan — Bank Shares 4,125 Credit M.bilier 1,405 Belgian Fives 99 Piectmontese (5) 92 50 End of 3fonth. —fr. —c. 67 95 Roman (x d) B7f Austrian Spanish Threes 4l} Home Debt ;---1101t CASH. RAILWAYS- Orleans 1,380 Northern 945 Lyons 1,3G7 50 Mediterranean 1,765 Lyons Geneva Cette fr c Western Strasburg New Ditto Grand Central Testa Austrian Com. ....“ 773 75 AMERICA ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF BALTIMORE. LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY. The screw steam-ship City of Baltimore, Captain Robert Leitch, belonging to the Liverpool and Philadelphia Steam-Ship Company, arrived off Holyhead at 11.30 a.m., and entered the Mersey this afternoon, after a very good run (considering the season) from the Delaware. She left 'Philadelphia on the Ist instant, and has brought 81 passengers and a large cargo of bread • stuffs on freight. _ At the time of the departure of the City of Bal timore there was a good deal of floating ice in the Delaware, although the navigation was free. The advices to hand are three days from Phila• delphia, and two days from the other towns of the Union, later than brought by the Canada. She encountered very heavy weather. Passed the Royal mail steamer Asia hence on the 7th. The Kangaroo arrived at Philadelphia on the Ist ; the Fulton at New York, on the 31st ult. _ _ Mr. Sumner has recovered sufficiently to return to his duties at Washington. Several fires and accidents are reported. Despatches received at Louisville state that the reports of the negro insurrection are mere humbugs. It is said that President Comonfort had proposed an alliance with the United States in order to strengthen his position in Mexico. Money at New York on the 31st opened stringent, ut became a little easier. Stocks were firm. xchange quiet on London, 108 to ; Paris, 520 to 5 231. Cotton continued firm, with moderate sales. The Ecglish news caused a decline ix the breadstuff market . Provisions unchanged. Freights steady. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. I.—Stocks steady and firm, without much movement. Flour dull and settled. Not much wheat offering ; millers holding off for lower prices. Little doing. NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 31.—There was a moderate business doing in cotton, without a quotable change in prices. Breadstuff market very full. Provisio ns qui e t. Exchange on London, 1071. WEST INDIA MAILS. - SOUTHAMPTON JAN. 15. Compa n y' s this aft ernoon w ith e steamship La Plata, e th a e l; m til'e a oß ils oG f y r a. o l m the Mal Weller,i West Indies aid Mexico, in charge of Lieut. Dennehy, Admiralty agent. Her dates are— Dm 13 Nassau Belize Santa Martha.. Greytown C ena - -26 Colon—•-• 24 Jamaica - 26 Jacmel — 28 Porto Rico — 31 a r tb a ° Berbice Demerara - 25 Tobago Trinidad This steamer brings 27 passengers, among whom aro the Rev. A. Finlay, from Jamaica, and Cadi Espana, Secretary of the Spanish Legation to Cen tral America, and on freight gold-dust value 377,711, British coin (copper)sB9o, specie $156,869, gold bars $54 , 453 , s i lver bars $286,011, platapina. $15,425 ; pearls, s 2 ,soo —total, $893,859. The cargo comprises 382 serons of cochineal, 214 serous of indigo, 79 bales of tobacco, 614 bags of cocoa, one package of vanilla, 22 cases of succades, 163 bales of bark, two bales of hats, 28 kegs of arrow root, 58 packages of merchandise, and 56 packages of sundries. t La Plata experienced strong west er l y gales 011 he homeward voyage, and on the morning of the 12th inst. a fearful hurricane from W.N. W. and N.W., durin g which the ve sse l h ad to round to for 12 hours. During the latter part of the voyage the wind was northerly, with fine Weather. On the outward voyage, at noon on Friday, the sth of December, during a fresh gale, the ship forward and was h ed two men overboard —George B r i ns b y and William Watts. Mr. May, supernu merary a sea struck fifth officer, having put on a life buoy, leaped overboard with another to one of the men. A fearful sea was running at the time, but he succeeded in placing the life buoy over Brinsby. The starboard cutter (manned by the chief officer, fourth officer, carpenter, boatswain, and three men who volunteered) was lowered, and succeeded in picking up Mr. May and George Brinsby, b ut Watts was not to be seen. g Messrs. Joseph and Archibald Tregoning, two gentlemen from Cornwall connected with mining in Central America, have returned in this steamer from that country. During their stay there they visited the c e l e b rated ruined city of Copan, de scry Stephens in his " Travels in Central America." They have collected from these ruins various specimens of sculpture, which they bring with them. Jamaica advices are to the 26th ult., but they cont ain nothing of interest. The House of Assem bly continued i n sess i on , and the financial state. meat for the year, presented by Mr. Hosack, was considered very satisfactory. From De Cordovas's Mercantile Intelligencer we learn that sales of pimento had been made at 2d, but little was offering. For coffee 40s was being paid. Sugar sold at 21s to 235, according to quality. Irish butter, in small parcels, sold at 14d, and American was dull of sale at 11d. In corn a sale of Savanilla had taken place at 3s, and Ame rican was held at 7s 6d. The market was quite ce pm. • bare o f hams ' • sales had b een ma d e a t 10 4 d f or Ame rican, and is 3d to I s 4d f o r Yo r k. E xc h anges banks, do ou n 90 were quoted, for Jamaica a n d co l on i a l nt, days, i per cent. pm.; 60 days, 1 per at pa r . I Vlerchant a ' bill s on N ew Y or k , 14 per 30 day s , li per cent. pm. Private b ills cent. pm. but n Pm De merara we have papers to th e 25th ult., ro nothing of public importance had occurred in since the l as t mai l. Th e reg i s t ra ti on or wasn in operation, and no difficulty had been experien ce d in carrying out its provisions. Mr. T. H. F orster had bees appointed registrar of the counties of D emerara and Essequibo, in the room of Mr. S c h rack, who Europe. M T a;., -r. '-' • W. Goodman had been appointed a Stipendiary magistrate, in the room of Mr. Lyons, had resigned and returned to retired on a pension. Heavy rains had fallen with th e throughout the colony during the fortnight before the mail left, and the wet weather interfered con siderablymany of the estates. The weather, however, was favourable for the growing canes, and vegetation manufacturing operations on exhibited everywhere a l uxur i an t appearance. The exports from the colony d ur i ng t h e fortnight had Sugar, 1,G84 li•-:1)ea,d37 17 tierces, 69 barrels, 200 bags ; rum, 698 puncheons 73 hogs heads, 122 b arrels ; molasses , 167 punc heons, 38 Barbadoes . Dec, 2S Grenad a .. • 27 St. Vincent — 28 St. Lucia — 29 Martinique — 29 Guadaloupe — 39 Dominique — 20 Antigua Montserrat Nevi 5....... St. Thom as S. Kitt's 3 . 1 1