The Sun. — London, England, 1857-12-22 00:00:00

TH'E SeNT IMNI)ON, TTTESDAT EVPANU‘TO, DECEMBEN ONDON and NOR T H-W ES TERN benches," and Mr. SMITH prudently abstained RAILWAY. i from undertaking a task far beyond his limited EXTRA CHRISTMA',' EXCURSIONS bstween LONDON, Ens ton Station, and HUDDERSFIELD and MANCHESTER. powers, which could not be performed with Excursion Tickets from Lordon to Stockport, Manchester, Staley Bridge, Greenfield, and Huddersfield, will be issued by the Train credit to himself, or advantage to th e commun it y , leaving Euston Station, at 9.0 a.m., on WEDNESDAY 23d, TM:Rd either in England or in India. There was a total DAY 24th, and SATURDAY 26th December, at Closed Carriages.. 12s. 6d 1 First Class.... 21s. 0 1 / 4 1. absence of interest on the subj ec t, an d the a ff a i rs Available for Return by the train leaving Huddersfield at 9.15 am. and London-road St aim, Manchester, at 10 a.m., on Saturday of 150,000,000 of British subjects were regarded 26th, Monday 28th, Tuesday 29th, and Wednesday 30th December. EXCURBION TICKETS at the same Fares will, in like manner. as of less consequence than a petty local bill ! be issued by the 9.15 a.m. train from Huddersfield, and the 10 a.m. fry ai om lable for return by the London-road Station, 9 aim. nchest train from Euston Station on the r, on the 23d, 24th, and 26th, This was becau se P ar li amen t h a d rea ll y n o thi ng a 26tb, 28th, 29th, and 30th December. to do with the matter. Indian affairs were By Order. Euston Station, December, 1857, bandied bet ween C a l cu tt a , L ea d en h a ll- s t ree t , an d Cannon-row. Parliament could do nothing prac tical to ameliorate the condition of the native population, and when that was notorious, we cannot wonder at the careless indifference mani fested by the chosen representatives of the consti tuencies of the United Kingdom ! Place India directly under the British Govern , ment, and all this will be altered ! Let it be known that its splendid prizes are no longer to be monopolised by the civil service, and that the Hindoos look for justice, not from the Company, but from Parliament, and the questions at issue will be closely studied and earnestly discussed. The Administration of Justice will be more closely looked to ; and men will not be appointed to the judicial bench without the slightest knowledge of the first principles of law, merely because they had proved themselves to be inefficient collectors or decidedly bad diploma tists. Something more will be required than that they must be provided for in some way. The prin ciple indicated by " Take care of Down- " can no longer prevail in Hindostan. The directors and their proteges have already feathered their nests very handsomely, and it is time that they should givo way to more competent men, and that the welfare, happiness, and prosperity of the people, should be taken into consideration. We shall-look with great anxiety to the details of the promised measure, but at present it is satisfactory to know that the double government is to be abolished, and India brought under the direct control of Queen VICTORIA and her con stitutional advisers. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. THREE EXTRA NIGHTS. Piecolomini, Spezia, Giuglini, Belletti, Rossi, Vialetti, and Aldighieri. Tuesday, Dec. 29—Thursday, Dec. 31—Saturday Jan. 2. The following favourite operas will be given : Tuesday—lL TROVATORE. Thursday—LA TRAVIATA. Saturday—LUClA DI LAMMERMOOR. p r i c es :—Pit Stalls, 12s 6d; boxes (to hold four persons) pit and one pair, 21. 2s; grand tier, 3/. 3s ; two pair, it. 55.; three pair, 15s ; gallery boxes, 103; ga ll ery stalls, 3s fid ; pit, 3s 6d; gallery, 2s. T HEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock. with a new Comedy, entitled AN UNEQUAL MATCH. Princi pal characters by Messrs. Buckstone, Compton, Chippendale, W. Farren, Miss Amy Sedgwick, Mrs. Buckingham White, gut Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam. After which, a new farce, by the author of Box and Cox, entitled TAKE CARE OF DOWB, in which Mr. Bnekstone will sustain an original ch iracter. To be followed by THE STAR OF ANDALUSIA. Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the evening), 6s. each. (No charge for booking.) First Price. s. d. Second price. s. d Dress Boxes 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0 Upper Boxes ... 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0 Pit........... L )wer Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6 Upper Gallery 0 6No half-price to Upper Gallery. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. The public is revectfully informed that the play of RICHARD TFIE SECOND will shortly be withdrawn, and WILL NOT BE AGAIN REPRESENTED in this Theatre, with the exception of a few nights towards the ex piration of Mr. C. Kean's period of management. It will be repeated this evening (Tuesday). ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, will be performed aalupere's Trazedy of KING RICHARD 11, King Richard 11., by Mr. Chas. Kean ; Queen, by Mrs. C. Kean. Preceded by a new farce, hi, one act, entitled A CASE OF CONSCIENCE, T HEATRE ROYAL, A DELPHI. Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING, will be performed THE GREEN BUSHES, in which Madame Celeste, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Paul Bedford will perform. Followed by the original Apropos Sketch, entit'ed THE DRAPERY QUESTION ; or, Who's for India! Messrs. Wright, P. Bedford, C. Selby; Miss M. Wilton and Miss Mary Keeley. The following article is so sound in itself, and so completely agrees with the views that we have so long and steadfastly advocated, that we have no hesitation in giving it a place in our leading columns. We shall look forward with satisfaction to the "proofs" which our respected correspon dent promises, and which we have no doubt that he will be able to furnish : EXCHEQUER NOTES. R OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.—SoIe Lessee and Manager, Mr. C. Dillon.— This Theatre will OPEN for the Winter Season on THURS DAY NEXT (Christmas Eve), t) commence with MY FRIEND FROM LEATHERHEAD. After which, the Grand Combination of Burlesque and Pantomime, L ALL AEI ROOKH, and the PERI, the PRIN. LESS, and the TROUBADOUR, ; or, Harlequin and the Ghebers of the Desert. Supported by Mesdames, Woolgar, Buckingham White, Eliza Webb, Maria Ternan, Esther Ja cob, and Charles Dillon ; Messrs. Barrett, Calhaem, Holston, Fitzbenry, Poynter, Simpson, and J. L. Toole. Gorgeous Feast of L‘ntorns.—Penton's Grand Transformation. Box-office open from 11 to 5 daily. In as short a space as shall be consistent with the object in view, I forward you the reasons why Exchequer notes will not be adopted by our Government, constituted as it is at present. First principles must be legarded and properly esti mated before that which would benefit the majo rity of the country will ever be the basis of legis lation. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessees, Messrs. Robson and Emden. TRIS EVENING, will be performed A SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING. After which, LEADING STRINGS. To conclude with A CONJUGAL LESSON'. Commence at half-past Seven. Notwithstanding the increase of bullion is close upon three millions, being 2,967,000 from the lowest point when the Government letter was issued; notwithstanding the increase of the reserve of notes and coin in the Banking department make together 6,282,2951., gold continuing to arrive from various sources, the amount already received from the United States found to be considerably in excess of the amount shipped since the begin ning of the crisis, the Bank will not reduce the rate until the directors feel quite confident that they can safely return the two millions of addi tional securities to the Banking department. Notwithstanding the Bank could no longer pia France to their high rates, the latter having re duced its rate to 6 per cent., the Bank of England clings to her darling adopted 10 per cent., with all the tenacity of a miser regardless of all else but self, her much devoted Economist assigning no other reason, de facto, for her doing so than because " she can get it," we might be quite sure her third-class principle of action will remain in violate as long as "she can get it"-10 per cent. The words of the Economist are :—"As long as the demand upon the Balk of England con tinues so great as to maintain the securities at so high an amount, it would not bo a safe step to hazard any material reduction in the rate of dis count." This is a fine specimen of ambiguity, a true genius for turning things upside down. What a famous mountebank he would make, to stand upon his head riding the horse of many colours round the endless ring History furnishes us with the reason for all this. Bankers have discovered that themselves and the money dealers are benefited whenever produce can be kept low, simply because then one pound is the purchase power of thirty shillings' worth of goods, when they were 50 per cent. higher; that class of men having their money to spend, expend less money when produce is low; less money is in circulation among commercial hands, hence more is in the bankers' hands. High prices of produce, of course, produce the contrary effect. Now, of course, it is the busi ness of the Bank to retain money in their own hands. They have two ways of doing so—one is by keeping produce low, the other is by keeping discounts high. Ever since 1819 they have acted upon that policy to the best of their ability. During the wars from 1797 to 1815 the very reverse of that policy was pursued. The other extreme, we know, was practised. Paper was the substitute for the precious metals—the issue was inconvertible. The extreme of inconvertibi lity of that day enables the bullionist to refer to it as an example and a specimen of such currency; and although it brought the nation through its dangers prosperous;y and triumphantly, at a time when scarcely a guinea was left in the country, a wanton reckless• CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.— OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow. i iv company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of Silections from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS, CHORUSES. GLEES, DUETS, &c., viz. :—Miss Russell, Mn. Badzey, Madlle. Marietta, 3frs. Palmyra, Miss Bru nail, and Madame Marietta; Herr F. Jonghmans, Mr. Renshaw, R. G rover , T. Fermat, S. Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L. ?dime, and Mr. St. A!byn ; Messrs. S. Collins, W. T. Critchqelcl, and E. Mack soy. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, Master Williams ; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at Say4n o'clock precisely, Suppers, 'Sze., until twelve o'clock. CA.NTERBURY-HALL, Westminster-road. SAM COWELL'S RETURN to his Old Quarters, for One Night only, CHRISTMAS EVE, Dee. 24, 1857, when he will sing Four of hie Old Favourite Songs. CA. NTERBITRY-11ALL, Westminster-toad. GRAND MORNING CONCERT. BOXING DAY, December 26, 1857, c,,inmenc;ng at half past One o'clock. Programme, consisting of Solos, Comic and Sentimental, and selections from the following Operas Ernani, It Trovatore, and La Trariata, HIGH WATER AT LONDON' BRIDGE. Tuts DAY —Morn., 23 min. aft. 5 —Even., 44 min. aft. 5 To- s foßßow--3forn., 5 min. aft. 6—Even., 30 In!n aft. 6 THE WEIT/IER —SUN OFFICE, DECEMBER 21. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 55—highest since noon yesterday. 50—lowest this morning and during the night. 55 —this day at noon. BAROXICTICE. 30.23. WIND. S.W.; light, with dull weather. 4 z 1 , -L.4_,..; ;; .f, i ,,,_ , I v j " ness of Government brought the nati)n into an indebtedness beneficial to the money-dealers only that survived 1825, at the expeose of all else. Now, because we then went to one extreme of inconvertibility, it seems we must no ,v go to the other extreme of restriction ; as if a just medium would not be as desirable now as then. The error is as great now u p on restriction as it was then upon extension, but there is this fact, that it opened the eyes of monetary men to the side of policy which peculiarly ben e fit e d th em . . . A. violent contraction or extension must ever be attended with dangerous results. Hence the Bill of 1819 furnished evidence of the evils resulting from the sudden contractions, as 1797 did of ex tension ; but its duration was not so great, for in 1822 Government gave an extension to the cur rency for ten years, during which small notes were to be retained in circulation. Notice the lowering of all articles of produce just in proportion to the currency in circulation. In 1818 it was 48,278,0701.; in 1822 it wai 26,588,0001. During this reduction the price of all produce was falling pro rata till it reached 50 per cent. below the prices of 1818. Of course the effects of the South American Revolution, re ducing the supply of the precious metals to a third of its former amount, rtndend the inopportune Bill of 1819 more disastrous than it could have been, had it not rendered paper the representation of geld only —as if paper is not bona fide and de facto a better currency when it represents i e gistered property declAred and published. Any accident happening to the supplies of gold now produces the same effect upon us as did the South American Revolution—in fact, a temporary and comparatively swall withdrawal of bullion now produces a panic of overwhelming magnitude, Showing how hi g hl y sens i t i ve ar© we become now Y the restriction of 1844, and fur want of a cur reli QY independent and unconnected with gold, Taxation issue that n ow a o would in supply and demand. gold that supply and 1d leave none of these fluctua tionsollvould form a better conver tibility of rsetchuarnity can exist. than account. Whilst no ( hette lce_ eproperty, gold 11 pier notes, cer tainlyuncoil- is not bettor. netted with the Bank of En gland, would keep the latter iu wholesome check d ) and prevent many of the tricks that a gold convertibility now facili tates. This is the very reason why we are not likely t 6 obtain it, as our Government is at pre. sent constituted. The banks do not intend to have any alteration to the facilities they now pos sess in turning every monetary change to their own advantage ; they do not intend to forego the great advantages of buying produce for little of that money, and, at the _same time, charging double for their contracted currency—certainly a very fine game for the banks to play; but in just the proportion is it as ugly a game for pro ducers and commerce to play. Certainly every reflective mind must discover that an insufficient circulation must enhance the price of its interest, as it must also lower the price of produce in general ; great care do the bankers take, therefore, to perpetuate this state of . things—the best of all reasons why we shall not have Exchequer notes, if they can help it. If any yet doubt that a contracted currency has the effect of reducing the price of produce, I refer them to Alison's History, from 1815 to 1852, vol. 3d, page 6'71, arc., also to Porter, 3d edit., 359; also to Tooke on Prices, vol. 2d, 390, 401. It is said by the superficial observer, " so much the better, the lower the prices the less we have to pay, and the better position are we in to ex port ;" but they forget that that is the language the bankers can use with satisfaction to them selves, but not at all compatible with the pro ducer's living by his produce, whether manufac tories or otherwise. It is never beneficial to in dustry to receive half its reward. The Malthusian advocacy must to every pro gressive mind be seen to be so deficient that I shall not waste time here to disprove it. Stimu -I•ants to industry I have always found to be com patible with high prices. As we pay our best and most skilful hands the most money, the least skilful the least wage, so it is with the nation— improve the price of produce, and all producers are benefited by it, since it is their article of commerce, their only representation of payment's measurement. The horrid Malthusian idea that " goad a man to starvation, and you drive him to industry," has been pretty well illustrated of late by the ticket-of•leave men. Goad men to starvation, and you force them to rob ; encourage them by remunerating pay, and you find them improving mentally, morally, and bodily. Now for exports—it is said that we by low prices extend our exports ; how is it Germany does not carry the export trade before them ? Or France ? Or America ? The question must be answered Countries that are increasing in wealth so rapidly as those to which we export prefer quality and elegance to cheapness (nearly all except the Cape do) ; the best brands are the goods that pay the best ; the best marks of manufactures the same. But of greater importance than all is the capital among the producers, the greater their capital, the greater their command of exports—reduce their capital and you reduce the source of industrial em ploy ; by a contracted currency you endanger both these advantages. As colonies and countri€ s improve in means, so quality and elegance are esti mated more and more. Now the contracted view of the Bank of England not only fetters England, but affects all the world more or less. Merchant I everywhere are liable to their sudden changes of tact, and, consequently, its ruinous in fluences, wherever man has set his foot. It must not, therefore, be overlooked that if prices of produce range high in England, they will elsewhere. The little timid manufacturer partaking a little of the Jewish tribe fancies his only chance is low prices; while the larger manufacturer renowned for his quality and style, relies impli citly upon both the quality and style for his vast demand. All merchants know well the producer and manufacturer of brand and mark compose the grand bulk of exports in amount. The timid little traders, at low prices, are merely exceptional. I assert, therefore, that our exports depend more upon our presti ge , th an upon our price, as the world happens now to roll over. The fact then is established, that high prices of produce benefit the producers nationally and mer cantilely ; the only men that would not, to the same extent, ho able to make their fortunes at the expense of all commerce, would be the bankers and money-lenders; that is why we do Rot have exchequer notes ! Nothing can more fully corroborate the prin ciple, that prices are regulated by the extension or contraction of the currency, than the statistics furnished by Alison's History from the year 1820 to 1824, in reference to stamps for country bank notes issued on 10th Oct., and the average price of wheat— Average prico of wheat per . Year 1820 £3,574,894 s 4s 6d qr " 1821 3,987,582 49s Od " 1822 4,217,241 3Bs 11d " 1823 4,657,589 s2s 8d " 1824 4,822,174 64s 3d Justly then, the notes issued from 1820 to 1822 indicate the struggle the country banks had in maintaining issue enough for commerce el 1822, when the extension of the currency had the effect of immediately raising the price of wheat, which in 1822 was 388. 11d. per quarter, in 1823 to 525, Bd., and in 1824 to 645. 3d. lAll these effects were produced by an extension of issue. Much more remarkable are the facts of the Bank and the bankers' notes in circulation, the paper under discount at the Bank. In 1815, when paper had not arrived at its climax of issue, when Bank notes were 27,261,6501., country ditto 19,011,000/. —total, 46,272,6501.; paper under discount, 2 0,660,6941.; price of wheat, 555. 7d. The following year paper had arrived at its climax —that i 3, the paper under discount was reduced from 20 millions to 11,182,1091., and the price of wheat 103 s. 7d. per quarter. This fully proves that according to the exten sion of issue, less paper is under discount, and the higher the price of wheat it becomes the then staple article of produce. It must be so ; this diminution of paper under discount continued till 1821. Of course the im mediat3 effect of an Act of Parliament is not always felt or exhibited in figures the same year, nor sometimes in the following year, but the minimum quantity of bills under discount in 1821 was 2,722,5871. Compare this with that under discount in the year 1815, when it was 20,660,694. We shall soon discover the cause of so much paper under discount at the present day, when, jointly, the bills . of 1819, 1825, and 1844 combine to lessen the currency during the times of an extended corn • coerce, doubling and quadrupling itself in amount. Paper would not now be under discount to such an extent were the circulation commensurate with the increased commerce. Without 'much further investigation, discounts can be proved to be caused by an insufficiency of circulating me dium. But this need not be proved to the bankers, they are too well aware of the face, as are the bullionis's. This deficiency of medium in currency causes most men doing business to any extent to discount with his banker, that is as safe as the Bank of England, but is too much occupied to investigate the principle which regu lates currency, aud, in good faith, take for granted these great msn of money-power are doing what is right and best for the nation. I find that I have exceeded the limits of a letter. In my next I will bring the proofs forward, up to the present time, that will furnish ample evidence that excessive paper under discount is the result of an insufficient circulating medium. A Naw CoLetev.-e-The long -pending agitation with respect to the separation of Moreton Bay and the imine diate di.t.icts from the province of New South Wales appears, from our last advises from Australia, to have been at last successful ; a n d although the new colony has not yet been officially gaze t te d b y an O r d er i n Coun cil, the step has been finally determined upon by the Lnpsrial Government, and the basis of the arrangements fur its immediate completion have been laid down. We regard Mr. Labouehere's despatch as an oxemplifica.ion of the satisfactory principles which now guide the policy of the mother country to her numerous provinces—as a natural consequence of the awakening interest and atten. tion, and of the juster sense of celenial rights and impe rial obligations which the growing importance of the Australian colonies has of late years called forth. The home Government appears to have most impartially de cided the point. The separation itself is granted to the unanimous desire of the inhabitants of Moreton Bay, the slight opposition made in Sydney to separation at all being very properly overruled. The line of division between the two colonies has been fixed so as to include the Clarence River district within New South Wales, and the Richmond River district within Moreton Bay. This also is in accordance with the wishes of the maj rity of the inhabitants on the Clarence and Richmond Rivers respectively. Lest, however, a mistake should have been made in this respect, power a ppears to be given to the two Government s not on ly to tix the accu rate details of the division, but t o mo d i fy them if neces sary. 'rho people of Moreto n B ay f ee l some disappoint ment that the Clarence dist r i c t i s t o rem ain a part of New South \Vales; but if the residents in the latter district are themselves content, their decision ought to set the question at rest; whilst the pryer mutually hell,to modify the boundary hereafter, is a fair gua rantee that subetantial justice will ultimately be done to all parties concerned. Any doubts with respect to the creation of the new colony being premature on account of its population will be more and more re• moved every year. The accession of even a few hun dreds to the population is of vita importance to a young state, and still more so their settling into the ordinary forms and relations of social and political life. The colony may be considered populous compared with many colonies which once existed in America. The form of Government at Moreton B a y i s t o be mode'led on that of New South Wales, with p owe r to alter its own constitution.—Australian au? New Ztaiancl acgette. His Exuell-ccy the Persian Ambassador, accompanied by the members of his suite, and attended by Captain Lynch, left Clari ige's Hotel, last evening, on a visit to her Mij,sty Lt Windsor Castle. The Duchess of Athole has left the St. George's Hotel for Dunkeld House, N.B. The Marquis and Marchioness of Ailesbury, accom• panied by the Marchioness (Maria) of Ailesbury, were to leave Se'ernoke Lodge yesterday, on a visit to the Right Hon. Sidney and Mrs. Herbert, at Wilton The Earl and Countess Granville left town yesterday, cn a visit to the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert and Mrs. Herbert, at Wilton House, near Salisbury. The Countess of Powis and the Ladies Herbert ha►e returned to Powis Castle from a tour of 'visits. The Earl of Shelburne will leave Lansdowne House today fur Bowood. To MARINERS.—RHODES, Dec. 3.—Pirates have lately bean seen among these islands ; they usually cruise in the vicinity of Leros, an island about 75 miles N.W. of Rhodes. THE CHART;CRHOUSE.—An interesting account of the state and mr.nagement of the Charterhouse was drawn up in 1854 b, - . 7 Mr. Skirrow, one of the inspectors of the Charity Commissioners. A copy of the report was issued on Saturday as a Parliamentary paper. It wa3 moved for by Mr. Knight. DISTRIBUTION OF HER MAJESTY'S CHRISTMAS GIFTS AT THE ROYAL ALMONRY, WHlTEHALL.—Yesterday morning her Majesty's Christmas gifts were distributed f.t the Royal Almonry Office, Middle-yard,Whiteliall, to the poor and deserving, by Mr. Hanby and other officers of the Lord Chamberlain's department. Between 100 and 200 persons received ss. each, and wore principally blind ; several averaged from 70 to 90 years of age. The recipients were evidently most grateful for her Majesty's bounty. The Scotsman observes of the Western Bank : "There is at least one of the disclosures which is more a matter for public or Government ihquiry than for the shareholders, whose interest, indeed, it may b e to pass it over as lightly as possible. The notes of the Western Bank in circulation are 720,0831. The returns made by the bank just before the stoppage stated the circulation at 454,9831,, provided for by the 18 2,522/, of coin, in addition to the authorised circulation of 337,938/. How the 265,0001. of increase ?—how authorised ?—how secured ? Are there not some recent events in Scotland which would be better inquired into by a commission on the spot than by an overworked Parliamentary com mittee ?” THE ACCIDENT AT THE IMPERIAL GAS WORKS.— Yesterday evening an inquest was held at the Silver Cup Cromer-street, Gray's Inn-road, before Mr. Wakeley, coroner, on view of the body of Robert Taylor, aged 46, late in the employment of the Imperial Gas Works, Maiden-lane, S t . P ancras, who lost his life on Saturday last under very shocking and melancholy circumstances. It appeared from the evidence, that on Saturday morning the deceased, who acted as foreman over some of the men, was walking up an inclined platform, when, owing to the slippery state of the boards, he was precipitated head-foremost to the basement floor, a height of nearly 40 feet—the unfortunate man was taken up in an insensible and mu tilated condition, and conveyed in a cab to the Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn-road. Mr. Curran, the principal hou se surgeon , p romptly attended, but so severe was the nature of the injuries received, viz : dislocation of the spine, collar bone, and a number of the ribs—that all human aid was unavailing, and ho expired about half an hour after his admission. Verdict —accidental death. The deceased has left a widow and young family. THE OLD MAHOMIEDA.N VIEW OF THE CRUSADES.— A story which occurred during the Crusades is related by the author of the Histoire Generale:—During one the truces between them and the Saracens, the latter asked seriously why it was they had left their homes and tra velled so many long miles, and wherein they, the Mos lems, had offended them, that they sought their blood in such a vengeful way ? The Crusaders said—lt was was because they, the Saracens, were unbelievers ; they heel pet to death our Lord; that they were ido'ators, and in part'cular worshipped two great idols, called Ma hound and Termagunt. The Saracens answered that they were most sadly mistaken ; it was the Jews who had put to death Issa Ben Mariam (Jesus, son of Mary) 600 years before there were any Mahometans ; that as to images, they abhorred them ; so far from worshipping them, they never suffered the likeness of anything to be made, not even in a picture ; whilst the Christians had images in all their churches, bowed down to them, burnt incense before them ; and they entreated the Christians to come into their mosques and houses, and see for themselves whether there were any idols there or not. It was all of no use. The Christians were so blinded by prejudice they would not believe the evidence of their own senses, and they went on devoutly cutting the Sa racens' throats because they had killed the Lord of Life, and because they worshipped two great idols, Mahound and Termagunt—The Builder. THREATENED STRIKE AMONGST THE COLLIERS.—WO regret to have to state that, in consequence of the fort night's notice having expired, under which the colliers' wages will be reduced 6,1. per day, serious apprehensions of an outbreak at Bilstcn were made manifest on Sa. turday evening, so much so that the magistrates, by way of precaution, specially requested the deputy chief-con stable of the county, Major M‘K n ight, t r communicate with his superior , Colonel Hogg, who was then in the Potteries, in order that an extra force of police might be in readiness. The chief-constable, on receiving the telegraphic despatch, proceeded to Bilston by the next train, and after inspecting the district, ascertained that all was going on peaceably. As meetings or the col liers, however, are to take place to-day and to-morrow, to determine whether to strike or not against the pro posed reduction, Major Fellows, of Wolverharnptote received instructions yesterday morning to have all the pensioners in readiness, for 30 miles round. It has been reliably ascertained that deputations from the Pottery colliers, who are on strike, have been in Bilston and the surrounding district, with a view of organising a gene ral strike. We sincerely hope the contrary will be the result, although the state of things throughout the district wears a very unsatisfactory aspect.—Birnaete. ham Post of yesterday. OVERCROWDING RAILWAY CARRIAGES.—At the hat sitting of the County Court at York an action of some importance to railway companies and railway passengers was tried before Mr. Sergeant Dowling, the judge. An action was brought against the North•Eastara Railway Company by a solicitor residing at York for damages for an alleged breach of contract under the following cireimstancee :—The plaintiff took a second-class return ticket from York to Scarborough on the evening of the 21st ult. He returned on Monday morning and tra velled with only one other passenger as far as Flaxton station, when the doer was unceremoniously opened, and ton other persons, principally farm servants and labourers, who were proceeding to York, pushed into the compartment, which was occupied by 12 persons. The new comers caused the plaintiff considerable annoyance, behaving iu a very coarse and disgraceful manner. The plaintiff now contended that the comesay having contracted to allow him to travel in a comfort able manner, and to be free from annoyano had broken their agreement by allowing these men to get into the second-class compartment with thir'-class tickets. The second-class seats were made to contain four passengers each ; bat even supposing they were made for five each, the company, it was contended, had no right to cram in a dozeu passengers, there being then an excess of two in the compartment. His honour gave a verdict for the fr lV o l m au N riz e i w o plaintiff—damages is. A BRIG DESTROYED BY FIRE.—COWES, Dec. 20. The Sardinian tons,Captain Busulino, ' castle, with a cargo ,of gas coals, suddenly too 'c fire this morning at about 2 o'clock, whilst riding before two anchors in Yarmouth ofan and for rig G P e o n r o t R ,ads, where she had brought up some days previ ously for safety. The captain a litt'e before 2 o'clock awoke nearly suffocated amidst a dense smoke, which had been gradually filling the cabin and its berths, when he with the utmost speed turned out in order to examine from whence it originated. A few instants later he observed flames issuing from several spots near him. He then without delay gave the alarm to tee crew, who with the exception of one man on the watch were all below fast asleep. They all quickly rushed on dece and aft, when, on further examination, it was found that the cargo had ignited. Meanwhile the fi tales had gained way through the deck, and some people belong ing to the coast-guard stationed at Yarmouth, who had espied the fire from shore, pushed off, and getting on board lent their assistance in the endeavour to scuttle the vessel, F lipped her chains, ran her on shore, and with the crew were instrumental in saving some rails and rope. The fire during the first few hours remained mostly confined to the afterpart of the brig, a n d i t was not long before the mainmast was burning over the side, together with the lower topmast and other rigging attached, all in a blaze, but without injuring any one. The scuttling of the brig, however, appears to have been only very superfieially attended to, for in its results it remained without effect. With nearly high water all at once she floated off the ground, drifted into mid-channel, and from thence on the last of the fhod, a considerable distance to the eastward. Whilst thus ahandoned she was taken in tow by several fishing-smack?, which were hovering en her vicinity, and by them put on shore off Sowley, about one mile in a westerly direction from the Black Buoy, marking Leap Bank, where she at present lies, one mass of limes covering fora and aft, a burning wreck, with bulwarks, stanchions and deck destroyed, and main and f .remait gone. DISTItESSED WIVES AND FAMILIES SOLDIE KS. "C. B. PIIEPPS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—I regret that an operation which I happened to perform in the Royal Infirmary of this city has got into the newspapers, but as it has unfortu nately, done so, the public should be correctly in formed on the subject. Partial removal of the tongue for the remedy of cancer having been found worse than useless, it was thought that extirpation of the whole organ might afford effectual relief; upon this principle I proceeded. The patient suffered no bad consequences di rectly from the operation, but at the end of a woek, when the external wound was quite healed, died suddenly from an internal disease, which might have been excited by any other irritation in a person of his constitution and habits. JA De MES S YME. 2, Rutland -street, Edinburgh, c. 19. A communication leaving been forwarded to her Majesty (through the medium of Sir George Grey) from Mr. Davey, Secretary of the Woolwich, Charl ton, and Plumstead Committee, soliciting her Ma jesty's patronage and subscription to the fund for the relief of the wires and families of soldiers sent on active service to India, the following reply has been received thereto : " Castle, Dec. 19. "Sir,—l have had the hon W our indsor to submit to her Ma. jeaty the Queen the purport of the petition which Sir George Grey had forwarded to me, and which is ad dressed to her Majesty,. although it is not usual for any committee, or any other holy to address her Majesty personally through the medium of their secretary. "The subscription to which you ask her Majesty to contribute is one raised amongst the inhabitants of Woolwich, Charlton, and Plumstead for the relief of the wives of the soldiers of one particular corps, who have been quartered in that neighbourhood. "I am commanded to inform you in reply, that it would be contrary to establish a rule for her Majesty to join a local subscription, nor could the Queen contribute to the assistance of the wives of one particular portion of the soldiers in her Majesty's service, who are suffering under the unavoidable separation from their husbands, which has been equally borne by the wives of soldiers of other branches of the army who may have been quar tered throughout the United Kingdom. Her Majesty feels much for the hardships which this separation, necessitated by the nature of the service, must cause to these poor women, and cannot but feel pleasure at the sympathy and kind assistance which their neighbours are willing to extend to them.—l have the honour to be, &c. " Mr. T. Davey." ITS OPERATION FOR CANCER ON THE TONGUE. THE OTTOMAN BAIVK. TO THE EDITOR OP THE SUN. Sin,—The only investment which has not taken a rise in consequence of the improved general and monetary attpket of affa;ra, is the Ottoman Bank, with limited liability. This arises from the directors studiously keeping secret the enormously largo and productive business which the bank is doing. It is their duty, as thEy di4l before, at the suggeAiou of the Times news paper, when their stock was similarly depressed, to publish to their shareholders the true and, I believe, flourishing condition of their affairs. Your obedient servant, A. W. London, 21st December, 1857. CANTERBURY HALL. Sam Cowell returns to the scene of his ancient glories in honour of the festive season, and will appear on Christmas-eve to delight the lieges with the cream of his comic songs. This visit, causing an interruption of his provincial engagements, is a token of special regard for the spirited proprietor, whose liberality of manage ment ensures the esteem of all who have served in his ranks. A morning performance is to take place on Boxing -day, comprising selections from the most popular Italian operas of the day ; and the full resources of the establishment will be put in requisition to et sure a rich harmonic treat for the patrons of the Cantorbury. Among other forthcoming attractions we understand that Mr. Morton has secured the eminent services of Mr. Augustus Braham, the celebrated singer, who will shortly be added to the strength of the excellent com pany of vocalists, whose exertions so satisfactorily main tain the well-established reputation of this first cf concert-halls. The Earl of Harewood is passing the season al Harewood House, Yorkshire, surrounded by a select circle. The Countess of Durham and her youthful family are daily expected in town from Brighton. Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston will leave Cambridge House to-morrow, for Broadlands. The Count and Countess de Flabault and Miss Elphinstone de Flahault will leave town in a few days on a visit to the Marquis of Lansdowne at Bo wood, Lady Brougham arrived in town, yesterday, from Dover. The Dowager Lady Stanley and Miss Stanley have left the St. George's Hotel. Lady Dover has arrived at Castle Howard, on a visit to the Countess of Carlisle, from Birth&ld, Staffordshire, where her ladyship has been staying some weeks with Lord and Lady Bagot. Lard and Lady Churchill have arrived at the St. George's _Hotel. Lord Stanley of Alderley has left London for his seat, Alderley Park, Cheshire. Lord and Lady Huntingfield have left the St. George's Hotel. The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, M.P., and Mrs. Herbert have, during the past week, entertained a select circle at Wilton House, near Salisbury. L or d an d L ady Harry Vane, Lord Stanley, Baron and Baroness Nicolay, General Sir Geo. Bowles ' Lady Gage, an d M r. Henry Drummond, M.P., &c., have been among the guests. The party separated on Saturday. The Ri‘ht lion. B. Disraeli and Mrs. Disraeli have left Grasvenor-gate for Middleton-park, Oxon, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Jersey. Sir Robert Gerard has left the Clarendon for Gars wood, near Warrington. SOUTH KENSINGTON MUSEUM—During the week ending Dee. 19, 1857, the visitors have been as follows : —Oa Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, free days, 2,660 ; on Monday and Tuesday, free evenings, 3,767. Oa the three students' days (admission to the public 6c1.), 530 ; one students' evening, Wednesday, 125; total, 7082. M. JULLIEN'S BAL MASQUE.—M. Jullien's season closed last night with a second bat masque. If these affairs in England are always dull, and there is no de nying it, under M. Jullien's conduct they are never degrading. Tte salle is handsomely decorated, the music is good, and order is tolerably maintained. The ball of last night differed in nothing from its predeces sors, except that we missed poor Herr Kcenig's ringing cornet notes in some of the galops, and recognised, as calm and respectable middle-aged lookers-on, some of those who in former days rendered themselves equal), cfs;inguished by the freedom of their dancing and their wit. MADAME TIISSAUD'S EXHIBITION. —Another highly interesting object has j ust b een c mpleted and pl ace d in the museum. It represents the brave and distinguished General Havelock, who has won for himself so peat a name by his gallantry and energy in the field. He is represented in the uniform of a lieuteuant-general, decorated with numerous military orders, among them the Order of the Bath. The likeness is most faithful. THE LEVIATHAN.—The blanching of the Leviathan will not be resumed until the next springs which happen at the close of the year and commencement of the ensu ing year. In the course of Saturday and yesterday morning gangs of labourers were employed in driving piles for the erection of fresh buttresses nearer the cradle 3. The hydraulic power which will be applied on the resumption of the operation will be more than double that to which the ship has already been subjected. There are to be twelve additional hydraulic rams. She continues to sit even and fair on the cradles and ways. On Saturday, at high water, she had 5 feet 6 inches of water under her bottom. DEATH OF MISS ELIZA. EDOUIN.—This young lady, whose ballet performances, in connection with other members of the Edouin family, have been so much ad• mired, died at the Mount Alexander Hotel, Forest Creek, on Saturday, of fever and inflammation of the lungs. Her illness was of short duration, and its fatal terminat on was quite unexpected by her friends, who, at the time of her cleanse, were absent at Daylei,ford, The melancholy occurrence has excited much sympathy among* many with whom the Edouin family had become familiar during their short sojourn here.—Mount Alex ander 111 - a,:l of Oct. 9. THE CHEAP PRESS.—Tho Inland Revenue authori- ties have commenced proceedings against many of the cheap newspapers which have blen published without registration, and without finding the usual security for payment of damages in case of libel. Mr. Kennedy Macnab of this place, the publisher of an intermittent sheet oalled the Refornzer, has been served with a sub. pceila from the Court of Exchequer, at the instance of the Lord Advocate, for breach of the legal requisites, The penalty is a fine of 1001. for each publication founded on. The Inland Revenue authorities have for some time been labouring to undeceive publishers as to the state of the law, and are now taking proceedings against the incorrigibles. Considering how largely cheap local newsppers have been engaged in slander and scandal, and how difficult it has sometimes been found to recover as ltttle as 121. of damages from thei! pub. lishers, the enforcement of the law may be deemed re quisite:and salutary.—/nrerness Courier. MOB GOVERNMENT.—Tbe och:ocratic, or mob princi. pie, though it may appear to be foisnded on the principle of self-government, is virtually the reverse, and for this reason, that its tendency is to throw the management of I affairs into the hands of a few, and those the most un worthy—whilst apathy and disgust keep the best as much aloof as if they were by law excluded from in terference. This is an inevitable result in the long run. It is witnessed continually in ocblocraticllly or. ganiced parishes and corporations, and has, from the first, been visible in different degrees in the ne v over grown parliamentary constituencies.— Wcaker'Boriyinni. LATES NE WS AMERICA. (By ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY MORNING. The Kangaroo has arrived, with one day's later news from New York (under 12 days). The Swiss Federal Council has officially laid before the authorities of the Canton de Vaud the question of the cession of the Vall6e des Dappes to France. The intelligence from Germany still represents the embarrassments as very great ; however, it is thought that the crisis decidedly approaches its termination. A letter from Copenhagen states that the bill authorising the Minister of the Interior to con tract. a loan for Denmark of 300,000/. was adopted on the third reading by a majority of 66 to 7. The French ships of war intended for China, the departure of which has been delayed for some days, will sail from Toulon between the 20th 25th inst. They will proceed direct to Hong Kong with :550 troops on board. This force, it is said, will not be increased for the present, and the pro jected expedition to Cochin China appears to be adjourned. FRANCE. PARIS, MONDAY. The Emperor yesterday gave an andience to Gen. Don Juan Almonte, who presented his credentials as envoy extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Mexican Republic. M. Francisco de Olagui bel, who had filled the same functions at the court of the Tuilleries, presented his letters of recal. His Majesty afterwards received Baron de Wach ter, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipoten tiary of the King of Wurtemburg, who had been charged by his sovereign to reiterate to the Empe ror his thanks for the visit which he had paid to him at Studgardt. Baron de Manderstrom, the Minister of Sweden, alio delivered to the Emperor letters from his sovereign, acknowledging the recal of M. Lobstein. The elections to fill up the vacancies in the Le gislative Corps are very likely to be postponed till the month of March next. It is not said whether any new electoral circulars will be issued by the Minister of the Interior. The Council of State meets on Thursday next at the Tuileries, under the presidency of the Emperor, to discuss the proposed measure of the assurance agricole. Admiral Van Dockum is named Danish Minister at the Court of St. James's. The Pays says the Viceroy of Egypt is most favourably disposed towards Christians. He has permitted churches to be built, and accorded a plot of ground to erect a Catholic religious establishment at Cairo. BOURSE, Dec. 21.—The market has been very buoyant. Speculators for a fall have been obliged to settle their accounts with heavy losses, and were the principal agents of the absence of all the secu rities, which has been besides influenced by a fur ther rise of x on the English Consols. It was re ported that the Bank of England bad reduced its rate of discount to 8 per cent. Half-past 3 o'clock. —The rise at the commencement of the market became checked in consequence of realisations for profits, when the following were the closing quota tions : Cash. fr. End of Month. 44 per Cents 3 per Cents 67 63 67 40 Sank Shares 3250 Credit Foncier — Credit Mobilier 785 Roman Do. Account BOO -- Austrian Belgian 44 Piedmontese (5) — Home Debt RAILWAYS-FOE CASH. Orleans Midi Northern - Western 675 AreerDitto Lyonsand Med 65 Grand Central Now Ditto... .. ..... 8521 Sardinian Geneva 675 Austrian C0rn......, 727 sanction. A letter from Copenhagen states that the bill authorising the Minister of the Interior to contract a loan for Denmark of 300,0001. was adopted on the third reading by a majority of 66 to 7. The Minister of War in Belgium has presented to the Chambers a bill which fixes the contingent of the army for 1858 at 80,060 men, and enacts that the maximum of the levy of the militia for the same year shall be 10,000. PARTIAL ENFRANCHISEMENT ax' THE SERFS IN RUSSIA. An imperial rescript, dated from Tzarskoe Selo, the 20th Nov. (old style), or Dec. 2of our calendar, has just been addressed by Alexander IL to the Military Governor of Vilno and the Governor- General of Grodno and Kovno, instituting the most important changes in the relations between the pea santry and landed proprietors of the country. The following is the text of the imperial rescript : " Special committees established in the govern ments of Vilno, Kovno, and Grodno, and composed of the marshals of the nobility and some otherlanded proprietors, had been charged with the examina tion of the system of inventories which is now in force throughout those provinces. • " The Minister of the Interior has now made me acquainted with the good intentions evinced by those committees with regard to the peasants of the three governments. " Fully approving of the intentions of these re presentatives of the nobility of the governments of Kovno, Vilno, and Grodno, as being agreeable to my views and my desires, I authorise that nobility to proceed, from and after this day, to the elabora tion of the measures necessary for putting into execution the plans of the said committees, always on condition that the work is to be but progres sively accomplished, so as not to disturb the eco nomic organisation at present operating in the estates of ihe nobility. "For this purpose I ordain : "1. That from and after this day an executive committee shall be established in each of the three governments aforesaid ; and afterwards a general commission for those three governments, the seat of which shall be at Vilno. "2. Each committee, presided over by the mar shal of the nobility in that government, ahal be composed of the following members :—One land owner from each district, chosen by, and from amongst, the noble possessors of inhabited lands in the district ; two members chosen from amongst the most intelligent landowners of the government, and nominated directly by the governor of the pro vince. "3. The general commission shall be composed of the following persons :—Two members of each of the provincial committees, chosen by the com mittee themselves. One intelligent landowner in each government nominated by the governors from amongst the most enlightened of the nobility. One member delegated by the Minister of the Interior. It is reserved to you (the governors) to choose the president of the commission from amongst the noble landowners who shall members of it. "Immediately after their formation, the pro vincial committees will have to proceed, each separately, and in conformity with the desire ex pressed by the representatives of the nobility, to the drawing up of a detailed scheme with the object of securing the subsistence and ameliorating the condition of the peasants of those provinces, taking for the basis of their plan the following con ditions :- 44 1. The proprietor retains his right of property over all his land, but the peasants retain the enclo sures belonging to their habitations, which they have the right of acquiring as freehold property by means of a redemption price, payable within a fixed term. They are to have, moreover, the use of such a quantity of land as is necessary, according to the circumstances of the locality, to secure their sub sistence, and to (tire them the means of satisfying their obligations towards the state and towards the proprietor. As a compensation for the use of this land, the peasants are bound either to pay a rent to the proprietor or to work for him. "2. The private relations of peasants and pro prietors between themselves should be regulated in such a manner as to secure the regular discharge of the imposts due to the state, and of the provincial imposts and services. "The development of these principles, and their application to the local conditions of each of the three provinces, are left to the care of the provincial committees. The Minister of the Interior has com municated to you his views upon this subject, and the committees may refer to them, to guide them in their labours. " When these committees shall have finished their task, they will have to submit it to the general commission. The commission, after having weighed and examined the proposals of the provincial com mittees and having combined them with the princi ples indicated above, will have to pass a definitive judgment on the matter, and to draw up the scheme of a general settlement throughout the three go vernments, with the exceptions and variations which each of them may require. " In charging you with the superintendence and general direction of this important work in the three provinces of Kovno, Yilno, and Grodno entrusted to your care, I authorise you to give both to the pro- vincial committees and general commission the necessary instructions to insure the regular progress and the success of the task which is confided to them. The provincial governors will aid you In the performance of this task. You will have to present the scheme drawn up by the commission, together with your observations thereupon, to the Minister of the Interior, who will submit them to me for my " In thus offering to the nobility of Kovno, Vilno, and Grodno, the means of realising their good intentions conformably to the principles which I. have jiut indicated, I hope that the nobility will fully justiy the confidence which I evince towards _ . their), by caring them to take part in this important work ; and that, by the aid of God and the en lighted assistance of the noble proprietors, this work will be crowned with complete success. " You, and the provincial governors placPd under your orders, will see that the main submissive to the proprietors, and , that they put no faith in the m a lev o lent insinuations , and the erroneous rumours which may arise.--I remain, " with good wislres towards you, peasan ts re- A L EXANDER . ii3r D c iclinPnel: some regßeenhtel gentlemen the general ordination T en he s ß u ta a op y ) :ember) in the Chapel Royal, ''osfOPßugb S of OzionnldNoenTrhoelduivnisTahthu morning last (the 20th Whitehall, on which " respectively to the sacred offices of eloquent discourseY'-School who h te e d sians,selected by him as a most ap propriate deliver,:d a re whol and 13th vsr.es or the 4th chapter of the the 11th 12 i, the a..s T e i li l l e y i e s a n n - d r ; n list Master w e i a o to for the occasion. At the close of the ser- Rev. I.'. Temple, 6 . . ( mon, t h e . candlda,ea who appeared, however, in op po ition to the meaning of the word, in blink gowns instead of white surplices), were presented to the bishop by his examining chaplain, E di te p °a i r:) ' n e wa t en o r 'I the ati En priest, pt the Rev. E. Penrhyn Stanley, and the ordination tervice commenced. The congregation was a very large one, and several of th e l a ity p rosen t par t lok of the holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supp.r, which, as usual, was edministered at the end of the service, Toe whole proceedings occupied a space of four he hours an d a quarter, the chapel not being clea red of t morning congregation till about a qu arter or half-past 3 o'clock. The newly-ordained priests and deacons were afterwards received and entertained at London-house. them should have Leen deposited, and that proposi.. tion was adopted by a large majority." LUXEMBURG. The government of the Grand Duchy of Lux emburg has published a memoir, in which it replies to attacks made on it by certain foreign journals. This memoir znaintaies—ist, that the King of Holland, as Grand Duke, has not arbitrarily aug mented the civil list which ho receives from the duchy ; 2d, that the negotiations relative to what is called the Dutch debt are being carried on by M. Simons, President of the Council of the Grand Duchy, and by M. de la Fontaine, ex-governor, so that the interests of the grand duchy will be duly defended ; 3d, that the reproaches that the govern ment manifests anti-Germanic tendencies, and labours to prevent the use of the German_languagey are unfounded ; 4th, that the government has not been guilty of numerous abuses in the internal administration, as alleged ; and sth, that it is not true that discontent and agitation exist i n the country. SPAIN. The Madrid Gazette of the 14th contains a royal decree which relieves the persons who have obtained the amnesty for political•offences from the necessity of paying costs on their prosecutions. The Espana, in a leading article of some length, dwells on the necessity of Spain having, on account of her geographical position and her colonial possessions, a strong navy and large mercantile shipping. The same journal complains with some bitterness of a statement made by a semi-official journal to the effect that England and France are watching with much interest what is taking place in Spain, and are agreed as to the policyto be adopted with respect to that country ; and the Espana asks what right those two countries have to meddle in the internal affairs of Spain. The Gazette contains several columns of congratulatory addresses to the Queen on the birth of the Prince of tie Asturias. AUSTRIA. Count de Rechberg, Austrian plenipotentiary at the Germanic Diet, has sent despatches to his go vernment on the Danish affair, which state that from conferences between him and the Prussian envoy, on one hand, and Count de Bille Brahe, the Danish envoy, on the other, the Danish cabinet is disposed to adopt a line of policy more favourable to the duchies. Intelligence has reached Vienna of the death of Iskender Pacha, who had distinguished himself in the war between Russia and Turkey, and who lately accompanied Omer Pacha to Bagdad. The follow.. ing is a brief sketch of his career : "‘ He was born in Bessarabia in 1812 ; his name being Count Ilineki. Obliged to leave his country on account of complicity in political plots, he served o❑ the consti tutional side in the civil wars of Portugal and Spain, and obtained decorations. He afterwards went to Algeria, then to Herat, and afterwards to China, serving in all three places in a military capacity. He afterwards re turned to Algeria, and, accepting service from the French, distinguished himself in the operations against Abdel-Kader, and gained the cross of the Legion of Honour. In 1848 and 1849 he foqght with distinction in Hungary. He then went to Turkey and entered the service of the Porte. He took part with Omer Pacha in the expedition against Montenegro. He distinguished himself on the breaking out of the war with Russia, but was soon wounded, and was kept for some time inactive. Subse quently, he organised the Bashi Bazouks, and recently accompanied Omer Pacha as stated above." PRUSSIA. The following despatch, dated the 12th, was ad resserl by Baron de Manteuffel, President of the Council of Ministers in Prussia, to M. de Kamptz, Prussian Charge d'Affaires at Hamburg, to ex plain why the Government of Berlin refused to lend money to that city in the late crisis : "By a talegraphic despatch of the 3d you announced to me that the Senate has resolved to send to Berlin the President of the Chamber, M. Mohring, to obtain from us a loan of from 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 dialers. M. Mohring called on me on the 4 hon the subject, and offered me as security notes of the Chamber and railway shares. I immediately deliberated on the affair with the ether ministers. We had a strong desire to acquiesce in th+ demand of a friendly town, connected with our Go vernment by so many interests, and we know that in aiding the commerce of Hamburg we should be useful to that of Prussia. Nevertheless, we could not - disguise from ourselves that in according the loan applied for, we should diminish our power of assisting our own commerce and manufactures, and that if the Ham -1 burg loan proved insufficient, grave embarrassments might arise for Prussia. Now, we felt convinced that the sum demanded by the town of Hamburg could not be sufficient ; our deliberation in fact was inter rupted by the news that Hamburg proposed to borrow a sum of 30,000,000 mares halloo. It was therefore impossible to come to a decision in th 3 first sitting. When M. Mohring returned to Berlin, after the toad of Hamburg had decreed a loan of 15,000,000 mares banco, we declared that the state of our fioancial establishments did not permit us to grant a loan und er existing circumstances. The Na ' ional Bank of Austria, which was not embarrassed by the same circum s t ances as the Prussian Bank, relative to the realisation of its notes, could lend to Hamburg 10,000,000 mares. Notwithstanding that, we could not, to our great regret, indulge in the hope that th e s i tuation of Hamburg would become instantaneously bett er ; an d in point of fact the authorities are now delibe ra ti ng on the extraordinary measures to be taken to maintain s)ma of the most important firms. Allow no doubt to exist as to our manner of regarding the question, in spite of all our sympathy, and all our good -will' we should not have been able to afford suc h assistance as would ensure an energetic, effioacioua, and durable remedy." The Zeit of Berlin confirms the rumour that the opening of the Prus,dan Chambers is definitively fixed for the 12th January. • ITALY. A letter from Turin of the 16th says The Chamber of Deputies yesterday held its first public sitting, and al:hough the orders of the day were relative only to undisputed election returns, the tribunes were crowded to see the new deputies. About 169 deputies were present. The old liberal deputies who have been re-elected quitted the places a they used to occupy on the right, for others iu centre and at the loft. On the election for_ flac conigi being mentioned, the bureau Pr°P d ° ci ed be tht in spite of some petty objections it shol it would ap proved of ; but M. Depretis remarked that .t until the be better to postpone a discussion andde debate in s o p n i t a e l o i thef ssome m d disputed p o t p t t p e o d s j e t l i e o e n t elections a sh:e a u:l should ;reedcom e o t o n . , proposed that the Count de Cavour afterwards tb ..-- e taken into consi deration elections should not after reports on until twenty-four LONDON, TUESDAY, DEC. 22, 1857. The double, or rather the treble Government of India is to be abolished ! The brightest jewel in the British diadem is no longer to be subjected to irresponsible control. The L3adenhall-street Board have received notice that " they must set their house in order" and prepare to transfer into more competent hands the arduous and important duties in which they have so signally failed, and for the discharge whereof they are so totally un qualified. It is the intention of the Cabinet to introduce a bill for the purpose of bringing the Administration of India under the direct govern ment of the QUEEN ! This, unquestionably, is a Step in the right direction. It is what wo have long and unceasingly advocated, long before the renewal of the Charter, but more especially at the time when that improvident and impolitic mea sure was discussed in Parliament. It is not the first time that the changes which we insisted on when standing almost alone, have been forced on the attention of the Legislature, and eventually re ceived its deliberate sanction. We might refer with just pride to many similar cases where the opinions advocated in The Sun have triumphed over the prejudices and fallacies generally received as sound prin ciples. We shall, however, at present restrict ourselves to the Indian difficulty. It is needless to repeat the arguments which we put forward in 1853, to show that it was a matter not only of justice to India, but to Great Britain, that " John Company's" sway in Hindostan should be forthwith terminated—that thenceforward there ehould be due responsibility, so that every griev ince should not only be redressed, but that the partici by whom it was occasioned should be oom polled t o answer for their misdeeds at the bar of public opinion. Under the existing system no one could say who was in fault, for every offence of eaten or commission. There was the Governor-General and his Council, the Court of Directors—we had ,i. uost called them "th e Leaden Board"—and M. sla ra, of Cannon-row, any of which could obstruct nolind measures, but could not bring in beneficial regenAti on .. The °tent . f system We should ha ve were powerful fur evi p ,„ g No wonder that under such a wituessed a terrible calamity, that, but for the indomitable courage and indefatigable energies of our gallant so ldi ers an d th e i r alriiful leaders, might have destroyed the Anglo-Indian Empire. Every one must have remarked the extraordi nary aPathy-with which matters relating to India were treated in the representative branch of the Legislature. The most strenuous application of " the whip" could scarcely make or keep a House. Sir CHARLES WOOD delivered his dreary ora lone t o 14 a beggarly account of empty