The Sun. — London, England, 1857-04-07 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, Two o'CLoax. Letters from Liverpool mention that the C.Atn Market yesterday clo , ed quietly, and there was no material alteration in prices. Tho sales amounted to 6,000 bales, 1,000 of which were taken by the exporters. The Railway Share Market manifested an active appearance, aad previous prices were fully maintained. The Foreign and Colonial Produce Markets, this week, have opened with rather a dull appearance. The alteration in the minimum rate of discount having increased the caution previously exhibited on the part of buyers, very little alteration has occurred in pricei, and as the sales advertised are not very heavy, they may be maintained with tolerable firmness. Tea is quiet, but a consider able amount has been paid to the Custom-house, consequent upon the new duti:- which took eff'ct yesterday. The advices from the United States, by the steamer Atlantic, give evidence of the increasing stringency of the New York Money-Market. The City Banks' return, published for the week ending the 21st ult., when compared with the previous statements, showed an increase in the loans and discounts of $197,703, the total being now $ 113 ,448,692. In a few weeks it was expected the foreign trade would, as usual, increase, and a contraction of engagements on the part of these establishments would have to be adopted. The Bank of Newcastle, at Pittsburgh, had suspended Payment, and it was discovered that there were only four dollars in the establishment to redeem notes amounting to $lOO,OOO. The annual meeting of the Governor and Com pany of Copper Miners in England has been held to-day; Sir J. H. Pelly, Bart., in the chair. The ac counts were made up to the 28th of last month, and showed a net profit in the year's operations of 31,9411. 16s. 4d., and for four weeks less than usual. A dividend of 7-1- per cent. on the pre ference shares, and 3 per cent. on the ordinary shares for the past year was declared, free of income tar, and a vote of thanks was passed to the governor a nd company. The half-yearly meeting of the Recife and San I "cancisco Railway Company has this day been held, ' l r. Benson in the chair. The accounts showed a balance at interest in London of 115,0001., and in Brazil of 16,7551. After some explanation from the Chairman, and a statement from Mr. Kennard (ono of the direc tors) that he was not interested in the contract of Mr. Furners, the report was adopted. The Bank of England authorities intimated at a late hour yesterday afternoon that their rate for advances on stock would in future be 7 instead of 6 1 per cent., and also that this kind of accommoda tion would be limited to 7 days. It is almost un necesmary to say that this announcement caused Rome surprise, and the authorities have been justly blamed for not baying announced the alteration at a more seasonable time. The course pursued has been much canvassed, and among the speculators in the Funds it has been gene rally condem ne d. Th e au th or iti es , h owever , have no doubt been actuated by a desire to assist commercial operations more than those of a specu lative character. The vast extent of our trade, in addition tob the other demands upon the floating capital of the country, necessitate caution ; and it would perhaps be advisable for the Bank " parlour" to take into consideration the propriety of suq pending loans en stock altogether. By this Means the tradinr , interest might be greatly assisted. The general inquiry for discounts to-day is very active, and it is not at all improbable that the official terms of discount will be carried to 7 per cent. A great deal will depend, however, Upon the specie movement. If the supplies now arriving remain here, which is, of course, quite Uncertain, affairs may become easier, but if, on the contrary, the drain continues increased, incon- Venience may be apprehended. The Royal Charter with 501,0001. is now daily expected, .and, beaides this sum, nearly a million Sterling is advised by the Copenhagen, the Bril liant, Thames, Anglesea, South Carolina, Wave of Life, Morning Star, and the Night of the Age. The Alhambra, which leaves for Cadiz to-day, has I Ice 12,000/. to 15,0001. in bar gold. I 18 It is stated that about 350,000/. has been paid into the Custom House on account of tea duties under the new scale. The Funds continue depressed, and there are no 10 B Ymptoms of recovery from yesterday's decline. 2 The arrangement of the account is progressing, but 2 ° wing to the measure adopted by the Bank, the charge for " carrying over" has in- 1 creased to 7 and 71 per cent. per annum. Consols have been 92i for transfer, 92 and 92 1 a for the Bth inst., and 93 to 933 for the May 1( account. The pr3sent values are about 921 for IA , , money, and 931 for the 7th proximo. The New 2 h-ee s are 91-i it, the Reduced 91/ and the New i per C ents. 76. The March Exchequer Bills are 2s. discount to 3s. premium, the June ditto 2s. discount, and the Bonds 98.1. . , Foreig n S ecurities are dull, and at lower prices. IA Turkish 6 per Cents. have been 961 to 971, and 11 th e 4 per Cents. 1001. Spanish 3 per Cents. are 1 , 25, Russian 41- per Cents. 95 , i• Belgian 2i per Cents. 652-, and the 4 per Cents. 961 to 97/. The following are the nominal prices of Foreign Stocks :----Grenada Deferred Bonds, 61 7 ; Mexi - Car, 23i ; Peruvian, 77 9 ; do. 3 per Cents., 64 6 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents., 441 51 ; Russian 5 Per Cents., 104 6 ; ditto 41 per Cents., 95 7 ; Spanish 3 per Cents., 411 1 ; ditto Deferred, 25 ; ditto Certificates, 0 ; ; ditto Passive, 51.,- 6. The Rail.way Share Market, this morning, has exhibited increased heaviness, and only a moderate amount of busine-s he, been transacted, at rates showing a decline of fully to 1 per cent. on yesterday's quotations. North British have receded ss. North-Eastern, York, South- Eastern and. Great Noithern, 10s. Caledonian, South-Western, Midl_and and Great Western, 158., and Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee, Lancashire and Yorkshire, and North-Western 17. The French and Canadian lines are alsO at reduced rates. Paris and Lyons declined 1/. Grand Trunk of Canada 2/. to 3/. ; and Great Indian Peninsula, ss. ; Great Luxembourg, Namur and Liege, and Sambre and Meuse, are at steady rates. Mining Shares rule inactive. Great Wheal Al fred realise 81 ; Wheal Mary Ann, 45 ; and Cocaes and Cuiaba, 21. For Joint Stock Bank and Miscellaneous Shares the demand is very inactive. Ottoman Bank have def lined 53. to 10s. ; City Bank, 1/. ; Australian Agricultural, ss. BZITISH PUNTS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. (Irom the Offictal List;) Ttegfrose done 3 Pe' Cent. Reduced Annuities 3 Per Cent. Consols Anneities New 3 per Cent. Annuitios New 2?: per Cent. Annuities 76 indin Ronde, 1:101)" - Ditto, under £lOOO 5 , 1 Consols for Account ..... .. 11?4 2 - 7f Etohequor Billo, 24d. Merck. I Juno. : t flooo 9 d 3 pi 24 1:560 3 P 2 --- d Small — 1 • Ditto, 1659 P al-CES OF FOltE[C-N FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent., Con. 1941 - -- Ditto 1853, 3 per Cent. Ilussian P.onds, L'2:2, 1; St., 5 pee Cent._ -- 4 Ditto, 4. 1 ; per Cent ' , t , , ,i, 4 . , ,11, 1 i, it iloods . , -; pi,c ti..,nt. Ditte New DaerreAl, :; per ti it . .. tsitto Account '2s Tcrl:.i.,l l flolvis, 6 pqr cent Ditto Account .... INtto Glaranteed, 4 per Cent. - - Ditto Account iii !Omit ar t the fl. , ove ' ,, tv ,- .61. in Lo , . n. Dutch Exchange, 2, 1 , per Con;., 12 Guilders 65i Ditto 1 per Cent. Certificates TWO O'CLOCK. Consols, money 9 21 Ditto for account Ditto May „TIIFENGLISH SQUIDTION.—A. letter from Malta of the 28th mentions the arrival in that port frAn Constan tinople of the first division of the English squadron. It Ivia remain there until the 15th inst., when it will leave for Portewoutb. didatea 1 with ethual ,amith, le-end, Liberal pletely anittee erdav Sheriff )ral C. .!onded uxtov, Wynd. I loud , said, almer ipport as you admit thered at the on the eagare Gen iber of gal re eform. )ay fit ful. I yman. ilitary ,self Drk to in not realise , n you. years tainly rmous Ner of you in nes— it has Jut in Iritish t any one to exte that I a part a few ;f that lurch • other laring es, it le fol. SbIAAL PfIAAKETS—Cais Day.) RAILWAYS. ;hr.; 'ad RAILWAYS. • 2?, 101Ambcs. Nottng. Bost. & Eastn. June. 50 all 'Belfast & Ballymena 1.3.4 all, ;Blriong. Wolverh. Valley it. 100 ;Birkenlal. Lancsh. Cheshire Junet 15 Blackburn all I Blyth & Tyne original £25 (iss. at £45).. ;t. 100 (Bristol cs Exeter..... it. 100 St. 100 ,Chester & Holyhead 50 all Cork and Bandon 20 all Cork, Black. & Pass. 20 all 'Cornwall 10 all Dc. A 10 8 Do. B ......... 50 45 :Dublin&BelfastJunc. 25 all Dun. P. &Aber. June. St. 100 East Anglian 20 all Eastern Counties St. 100 !Eastern trill on, A. stk. St. 100 IDo., do. 8.... ...... 25 81 'Do. New A... 25 17i East Kent St. 100 East Lancashire 20 all East Suffolk ........ 10 4 Do. St. 100 Edinburgh & Glasgow :0 all lEdinb. and Peebles... Ft. 100 iEdinb.Prth. &Dunde( 0 all !Forth and ClydeJunc. St. 100 Furness ....... . St. 100 ; Glasgow & S.Western 10 all Great N. of Scotland St. 100 (Groat Northern St. 1100 IDo., A. Stock St. 100 Do., B. Stock St, 1100 C4t. Sth. &West. (Ire.) St. 1100 • i GreatWestern. ' St. 1 100 Do. Str.V.R. gua.St, 12 I all ,Irish South-Eastern 50 all iLancaster & Carlisle. 16i 14f,D0., Thirds 16 12 Do. New Thirds St. 100 ILancash. &Yorkshire 1 [6 I 6 3 !O I all I:3' all St. 100 St. 100 20 all 10 all Do., do. F. £l6 Do., Wst. Riding Un. Do. SO abport. pLondon £ Blackwall Lond.Brizlit.&S.Cst. London & N. 'Western De. Fifths Do. ,161.5ti.,M&8...0 124 2 Bt: ,100 25 !all all 25ja1l Do. Eighths London is S.Wastern Lndndrry.&Colcraine Lndndrry. & Ennisk. ;t. 100 Manch.SiteEdtLincln. Metropolitan ......... Do. J. L. Ricardo's arrangement ...... Midland Do. Birming. & Derby Midland G.West.(lr.) Do. Shares Newcastle & Carlisle:. Newpt.Aherg.dtHrfd Newry & Enniskillen Newry, Warrenpoint & Rostrevor N0rf01k......... ..... Northn. Counties Un North British ..... North Devon, Rail. & Dock Stock ;.. Do., A Stock ... 'Do., B Stock N. Eastern Berwick Do. do. Extension Do do. G.N.E.Purch. 'Do. Leeds Do. York North London ...... N. & S. Wstn., Hamp stead, and City Jn North Staffordshire INorth Western 'N. & S. Westrn. June Oxford Worcester di Wolverhampton Portsmouth 'Rhymney Scottish Central Scot. N. E. Abrd u . St Shropshire Union .Sitingbourne &Sheer. South Devon South 'Eastern— Do. 4i per c. Shares 'South Wa1e5........... S. Yorksh. RivsrDun Do . st. 1100 it. 1.00 0 all 15 all )0 all 15 , all * 1 all ;t. 100 .03 3i, ;t. 1.00 ft. ,100 3t.100 it. 1 100 3t. 100 231 ?,5 104 i 0 all :it 'lOl .0 31.1 20 17j 20 all 10 all St. 1100 20 16 10 10 St. 100 St. 100 St. 100 10 1 4 50 all St. 100 10 all St. 100 20 17 !O all 15 all !3 15 15 3 • 161 it 100 it 100 ?,5 22 !O all !O all 50 all !O all 1.0 all 5 all 5 all !O all LO all :0 all LO all Staines,Wok.,&Wok.l Stockton & Darling Do. do., 1854 IMS ' Stockton & Hartlepl !Taff Vale. 'Do. Pref., No. 1 Thames Hay. D. &R Vale of Neath Waterfd. & Kilkenny Waterford&Limerick West Cornwall ' West End of London and Crystal Palace Do. A Do . B • West London I Do. First Class Do. Second Class Wmbledon &Croydon BRITISH P, lAtlan. and St. Law. ißombay, Baroda, and Con. Ind,guar. 5 p.c. Do. Buffalo & Lake Hur roll , Brat& Godch 1 6 p. c.bds., 1 Aug. ,'72 Do. do., 1 July, '73 Do.. do., 1 June, '74 Calcutta and S. East. Central Gado (Lim.) Ceylon A shares Do. B. do Demerara Eastern Bengal East Indian Do. C Shares D 0.41 p.e.Bnds. ' '57 Do. do. do., '59, do, Geelong & Melbourne guar. a per cent. Gd. Trunk. of Canada Dor6 p. c. Deben Gt. lu. Pen. g. 5 pore. Do. New. guar. 5 p.c. Gt. Westn. of Canada'; Do. New Do.- Bds., payable '571 Do. do., '76, p. Do. do., '73, do. Do. do., '73, without option Madras, guar. 4l p.c Do. do., 5 per c. Do. 4i p. c. Exton. Do. 3d Ex., g. sp.c. Do. 4th Ex., do. 1 0 ude (Limited) 13cinde, guar. 5 per c Cineine Prices yesterday 51 - 51 Si - 9 65 - 67 8i - 9 - 92 E 9 - 69 : 31 36 4 -- 5 a • • ... • •• 92 -- 101 19i -- 20?, 11i - 11- - 52 -- 54 35i -- 36 8 - 7 99j - 100! 56 = 57 84, - 35 7/ - 8i 97 - 93 86 - 83 21 - 123 .04 - 661 - 67{ 63 - 65 68 - 72 6 -- 8 0 6 -- 8 p 101 i -102 i, par -- i p 6 -- 6} 107 -- 109 103 i -- 106 Qd par 103 —103 i, 69 Bli - 82 53 - 55 ••• - 6 • 1 •• 16 :1, 57 59 3 3id 443- 453 86.; 871 3X 3 d i 24 39i 631 64:1 .96 99 4. 8 7 - 4fitl 7 - 74 10 - 11 30 - 31 6 - 4 106 - 108 26 - 27 48 - 5021 - 171 - 18 1 75 - 76 87 - 88 ' 4 a 4 3 d 41 -- 43 2CI - 21 4# -4/ 7 - 9 24 - 3 - 6 SSESSIONS. 8 - SP lip 1 97 99 96 98 96 98 par—gyp see ... 1 - 1 pl 109 - 111 li - 2p ... ~ - ... 21 --.22 61 --63 1 88 -- 901 21i -- 214 1 -- lipl 26k --26$ i -- 3 $Pl i 99 -- 100 1 123 -- 128 ' 122 • 127 'lO7 109 19i 20 1 211 21/ par if) fi iP - ?,13 ••• - ••• li -24 p ;01 60 1. 59 60 88i 91 216 26j 7 -- 71 lA 14 3i -- 4ip 51— 5i par-- p 35 3.'"4 •• par 24 2L (V 2 5 - sip 33 - 3 - 81 20/ - 214 408 - 4141 9 - 10 63 - 634 61 - 63 I - IP' 18 -- 20 -- 11 91 -- 91 8A -- 9 311 -- 341 4t -- 5 96 -- 10 32 -- 33 par— 1p ,K BANKS. 93 -- 9> 2,1 -13. p - 68 - 17A - 184' . 46 48 38 d ip 56 • 6 - loal Business done this day. .8 all O i l 10?, )0 1100 )0 1100 )0 1100 0 2s. !O 2s6d !O lOs !O 1 L7i all O 2s. ;t. 100 ?,0 15 )0 all )0 all 20 all it. 1C 3 10 all 0 all 0 4 A 2 all 0i 8 )0 all )0 all all 9 all n all 0 all !O 10 !O 5 .9 5 0 5 !O all 10 all 20 14 5 all 20 16 6 all Antwrp &Rotterdam Ardennes Belgian East. Junct Beziers to Graissessac Carmeaux&Toulouse Coal Mines and Ry Dutch Rhenish 'Eastern of Franco Do. New • Euphrates Valley Gt,, Central of France Great Luxembourg Italian Junction Lake Coast. & Pale Lierre and Turnhout Lombardo-Venetian Lucca & Pist.sp.c.p. Lyons and Geneva Lyons & MediterrAn. Maria Ante;:ia I Do. New Namur & Liege Do. do. 6 p. c. Pref, Northern of France., NorwegianTritli.Prei Paris and Lyons Paris and Orleans—, 'Reeico dt San Fran., (Pernam..) g. 7 p. C. 7? - Rome yal and Frascati... all Royal all Royal Swedish all Sambre and Meuse all. Po. 5i per cent. pref, , all Southern of France. 841 all ;West Flanders.... .0 all 'Do. 54 per c. Pref 13 all W.d.r.N.W. of France m I 6 i Western of Auctria ' .),0 all i West. of Switzerland 6 I all \Viesbaden ... • ......... Do. S p. cent. prof. 2 6 0 all Zealand 16 all 10 all 20 I all 20 all 20 1 7 JOINT-STOP 11 (Australasia 181 !Wilk of Egypt 1 50 !Bank of London all !Br'. Col. la.& Lti., Co all 113ritiA) N. American 8 c.1;),_.0f Intl. Ail. &Ali 50 City 25 Colo:nal .. ........... 2il jCominercial of Lund all 1 Ellg. Scot. &A ils.Clit :ill iLon.Cll.lll(i.of Aust all Ditto New 20 'London and County 53 Lnd.&E.Bnkng.Corp 10 t London Joint Stock , 20 l bond.audWestminst. 35 :!National Pro. of Eng. 10 !Do. New 22, 1 ; National Bank all ;New South Wales itli Oriental Bank Corp '.5 ,Qttoman Bank 35 l'rovincial of Ireland all Do. Now 1 11...ku5.8.&G.1m.C0 all :South Australia all 'Union of Australia ij 1 o 2:: ' : 'Do n i : : ; L ew oof London ~ ,50 lUnit Nestru Bk,of Loud , JOU 1 W.) 2() ..• - rHE WIN, LONDON, ruEsDAY EVENIN GI LINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS. Paid' F suwsr Bnekghamsh Clydesdale Jc. Col.Stour Vy. g. G p.e E. Un. IT. Sh. Glas. Barr. & Neils. Direct. Do. New Glstr.&Dn.Fr Hull & Selby ' I Do. Shares Do. Shares Lon. &Greenw Do.Prefcrence Lon. Til., &S. • Do. Bark. Sh. Manch.Bxten. and Matlock Mdld. Bradfd. 'Newmarket F3uryE.G.spc. si'.&Est.s p.c. Do. 6 per ct Do.Fixedsp.c Prest.'& Wyre Do. i Shrs. Iloystn. & Hit. Shrews.k Her S. Staffordsh I NVearVal.g6pc Do Wilts&SonirM 1100 1 4 Leasing Companies E.U.&E.O Gt.Northn E. Count. Caldonian.' Do Gt.Westn Y. & N.M Do Do S. Eastern Do Peto &Co Do Ln.&N.W & Midid Midland E. Count Do Do._ Do.. L. dz N . W ' Do Gt.Northn T. Brassey M. MClean Stk.dtDar Do 92 - 91 95 9s 5i - 6 108 - 112 108 - 112 - -t) 11 - 12 73 - '75 113 - 115 107 - 109 101 - 103 61 -- 63 10i -10 i 64 1 95 - 96 85 -- 87 100 - 102 10 - 10. 3 161 - 17` 10 J -=-• 10. 72 - 75 19.1 -19 i - 14 -14 i 135 - 137 137 - 140 114 -- 116 154 - 156 I - 66 - 68 133 - 135 97 - 98 87 - 89 ... - ... 1,1 - lip 101 - 103 91 93 ld, - 1 Act 214 221 109 - 111 112 -- 116 105 -- 110 65 -- 70 17i -- 18 22i - 2n 100- - 101 - 10; .".. ..• •• • 27• - • 28 2 - 3 i 2i - 3 Closing Prices yesterday. 92 - 91 98 - 102 11. - 13 1 133 - - 14. E "• - ••• 107 -10 J 12i -- 13 ' 23 -- 24 104 -- 106 - P 2i -- 2i 89 -- 91 P' 55 - 57 ... - 1 . 131 -3 1 8 - 9 9 - 9i 31i 3 9 87 - 8 SHARES. 155 4 98 7} 109 1011 113 i Business this day. LAW INTELLIGENCE, (This Day.) COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. (Before Mr. Commissioner IIoIroyd.) THE ROYAL BaITISU BANK. A meeting was held for the examination of alleged debtors to this estate, but it was !.trictly private as on the previous occasions. The eximination of Mr. Staple. ton, one of the directors, will take place tc-morrow. (Before Mr. Commissioner Evans.) A SINGULAR BANKRUPT.—IN RE LASEINIAR.—This bankrupt had carried on business as a seed crusher, &c., at Torrington Mill., Arundel, Sussex, and to-day was appointed for choice of assignees. ➢lr. Beard, from the offica of Mr. Buchanan, Basing hall-street, appeared for the petitioning, and several other creditors and assignee were chcsen, and Mr. Buchanan appointed solicitor. The bankruptcy is said to have arisen from a dispute with a ,person with whom the bankrupt ha 3 formerly been in pal tnership. The debts are stated at about 2,0001,, and the assets consisting of the plant, and machinely, is valued at 3,0001. CITY SHERIFFS' COURT. (Before Mr. Prendergast, Q C.) MASON V. WILKER-COSTS IN VEXATIOUS ACTIONS AND DEFENCES. This case bad been adjourned at the instance of the defendant, who resides at Hitchin, Huts, who under took to prove that 15s. disputed in the account had been paid. He now came up a second time from Hitchin, and his wife was also in attendance to prove the payment, which the plaintiff in the first instance denied. Mr. Buchanan said that he appeared on the first occa sion for the plaintiff, but was not now instructed ; but he understood from his clerk that plaintiff had abandoned the summons. The defendant complained of these vexatious proceed ings, and claimed full expenses. His Honour granted 1/. 6 for costs and expanses. To show the imperfections of the present County Court Act, as entailing heavy costs, it may be stated that Mr. Buchanan himself had been retained by a person residing at Gravesend, and was instructed to go to support an action in the Canterbury County Court. The defendant however took no notice of the applicatio❑ for payment, and Mr. Buchanan had to take out a summonc, and attend at the Gravesend Court, al the business was not transacted in London, or bring an action in one of the superior courts. Defendant had no defence. His Honour (Mr. E zpinage) was aware of the incon venience, but all he could do was to allow costs. AUSTIN V. GRAVE.-QUESTION UNDER THE INSOLVENT ACT. This was an arljourned summons, and since the last hearing the defendant had obtained a vesting order and protection from the Insolvent Debtors' Court. Mr. Buchanan now urged that this was a bar to any com mitment at present, and if one issued, and defendant was taken into custody, he wool i be immediately released by the Commissioner. The plaintiff said that the protection wai not given until after the judgment of this court bad been ob tained. His Honour—The defendant is a clerk, and earning hie money every week; why can't he pay 7 . . . . Mr. Buchanan—lf he did he would run the risk of having his petition dismissed or subjecting himself to some penalty for dealing with his property, which is all vested in the Court of Insolvency after the vesting order. Pending the interim order, I submit your Honour has no power to commit ; all the cases are in support of that proposition, although a question may arise after the final order has been granted. His Honour ultimately said that he wouli not make any order in the present stage of ,the proceedings, but leave the plaintiff to apply, after the Court of Insol vency had given their judgment on tho petition. Mr. Buchanan said he did not anticipate such a result, but if the petition were dismissed all the plaintiff's rights would revive. CRIMINAT, COURT—(ib;s Day.) OLD COURT. (Before the Recorder.) John Tobin, 26, tanner, John Davis., 18, labourer, John Vernon, 40, labourer, and John Roderick, labourer, were indicted for stealing 2 cwt., 2 qrs., 18 lbs. weight of leather, value 111., the property of Mr. Arthur War ing. The case presented no particular features of inte rest, except in connection with a charge against Messrs. Bevington and Procter, members of a high!y revectable leather firm in Bermondsey, for receiving the stolen goods. They were placed at the bar this morning, and in the first arraignment pleaded not guilty. They were then removed feona the bar until the charge against the first four prisoners was disposed of. The Jury, after a lengthened investigation, found the four prisoners guilty. Sentence deferred. _ John Tobin and John Vernon were again charged with stealing a similar quantity of leather on another day, and Mr. Alfred Bevington and Mr. James Procter were charged with receiving the goods, knowing them to have been stolen. Mr. Bodkin and Mr. Cooper prosecuted ; Sir F. . _ Thesiger, Mr. Sergeant Parry, and Mr. Robinson de fended Messrs. Devington and Procter. The other prisoners were undefended. It appeared from the evidence that, on the 13th Jan. last, the prisoners Tebin and Vernon were seen on the prosecutor's premises handling leather. They afterwards employed a carter, of Bermondsey, named Buckingham, to take the leather in question to Messrs. Bevington and Proctor, and whilst loading the cart Tobin said to Buckingham, " If you are asked where you come from don't say, because they will be able to buy as cheap as es ; but say you came from Edwards', of Croydon." At Messrs. Bevington':, Mr. Neale observing the cart be longed to a Bermondsey man, said to Buckingham, "Do you think these goods are all right 3" lie asked where the goods came from, because Tobin was a soldier, and he added, "We don't know where these small men buy their goods." Buckingham then told him "from Ed wards', of Croydon." The prosecutor's foreman said that it was the ordinary course of things, in reference to the glue trade, for men to go about and buy small pieces such as those stolen, and that Tobin's father was such a collector for upwards of 20 years. The prosecutor hav ing ascertained that he had been robbed, went, in conse quence of information he received, to Messrs. Bevington and Procter's and saw the leather, which he identified as his own. lie inquired where the goods came from, and a sale note was produced with Tobin's name on it at 325. per cwt. Prosecutor expressed his surprise at their purchasing the goods at so low a rate, especially as Mr. Neale, their traveller, had only a few days before bought of him a ton at 725. per cwt., and said that if that was the way they conducted their business no tradesman woul Ibe safe. The leather was taken pos session of by the police. On a subsequent visit he asked who fixed the price for the goods, and he understood Mr. Procter to soy that Mr. Bevington fixed the price and he paid the money. The prisoner's books were put in, which showed that regular entries were made of the purchase of this description of article, and an account with Tobin's father, who was dead, continued with the son (one of the prisoners) down to this transaction. The leather in question was called •` glue pieces," or "size pieces," and was used for making a superior kind of size used for paper making. These pieces ware worth from 70e. to 755. per cwt. Mr. Bevington is at present churchwarden of Bermondsey, and a trustee, and trea surer of the Bermondsey Free Grammar School. The prosecutor said that he had known Mr. Bev:ngton for upwards of 20 years. He had no vindictive feeling against him; and added that he had always found him most straightforward in his dealings. Mr. Procter is a young man about 22 or 23 years of age, and his father, who was a partner of Mr. Bevington, died about the time of the robbery and purchase of the goods. Sir F. Thesiaer, in an able address to the jury, said that Mr. Bevington was the father of 10 children, and had lived upwards of 43 years in the parish of Bermond sey. During that time he had performed all the duties of the various parish offices with honour and credit to hinisilf, and had obtained the esteem and regret of all who k❑ew him. He called on the jury to acquit Messrs. Bevington and Procter of any guilty knowledge in this transaction, and alluded to the fact of Tobin's father being known in the trade as a collector of "glue pieces,'' and Tobin'A desire to deceive tiiern where the voile came from. Evideneo was about being eallA to ehara^ter, when The Foreman said the jury were of opinion that such evidence was unucc: sary. The Recorder said that, under the circumstances, it had better be heard. Mr. Beriah Drew, a magistrate ; Mi. W. Mortimer, of Clapham ; Mr. Hepburn, a magistrate of Surrey ; Mr. S. Morris, of Dulwich•common ; the Rev. J. Davis, Ordinary of Newgate ; Mr. John Neale, of Camber well ; Mr. H. Sterry, New Kent-road, surgeon ; Mr. R. Sleigh, vestry clerk of the adjoining parish of Ber mondsey ; Mr. Chandler. warehouseman and wine Merchant ; and the Rev. J. Evans, secretary to the Christian Knowledge Society, gave the defendant (Mr. Bevington) an excellent character fur integrity. Several of them also gave Mr. Procter an excellent character. The Learned Recorder having summed up, The jury returned a verdict of guilty against Tobin and Vernon, and not guilty against Messrs. Bevington and Procter, and recommended them to act with a little more caution in future in the purchase of goods. The announcement was received with applause. There was a second indictment against the prisoner, but no evidence was offered.- Sentence on the other prisoners was deferred. STATE OF THE POLLS.—(This Day.) MAYO (COUNTY.) ` Palmer ... Higgins ... Moore ... ... 790 ... 813 ... 779 SUSSEX (EAST )-10.45 a.m. Dodson ... 560 Cavendish 517 Pevensey 398 Fuller ..• .•• ••• ••• 351 MEMBERS RETURNED. MEATH (CouNTY)—Connelly and M'Evoy. NOMINA.TIONS. COIINTY CAVAN.—Maxwell, Anne&ley Dense, and Gartland. COUNTY Forde, and Ker. PREFEREN I GLIVi Blyth and Tyne 10 p. c.pref. (issd.at 501.) Bris.&Ex.4 p.c. St. 5 Do. 4 per c. Shares.. 10 ,Caledn. £lO 41 p. c. O 'Ches. & Ho. 51 p.c. 19 Do. do. 5 per cent... ill jCorkk.Bandonsp.c. ill 1 .Dun. Perth.ty,Aber.J. 2 E. Anglian Cls. A. Sh. 10 Do. do. Cls. B Op. c. 10 Do. do. Cls. C 7 p. c 611 Eas.Co.Ex,sp.c No.l ill Do. No. 2 ....... .11 Do. New G pr. c. St. 11 jEast En., G. G p. c. .11 Do. 51., 10 per cent. 11 Do. 101. Debentr.Sh. 11 Do. do. 4 per cent... )0 Easaancash.6p.cts. Xll E.&W. York. J. sths 5 Ediii.& Gl. sp. c. Sh. 10 Ed.Prtli.k•Dun.4lV.C. O Furness, 5 p. c..... .. 16 & ‘':::.11f.G.5 p.c. 0 Great Northn. 5 p.c. (1 Do. 5 p. c. Redeem. at 10 p. c. prem.... 0 'Do. 4i per cent 0 Do. 5 p.c., Red. at 5 p. c. prom. Gt.N.of Scot.lst Pre 0 Gt. S Sc W. (Ireland) I I .5 Do. 4 per c. Pref. St. G 1 Gt.W.(8.&11.Er.,5pc 0 Do. con. red. 41 p.c. 0 Do. con. red. 4 p. c. IDo. irred. 4 per lent.) _ _ Do 5 p. c. red. pref. ,11 Do. Birm. Pref. ,Sh dl Do. Chester Sp. c. P. S al Do. do. 5 - p. c. do. 0 Do. Birm. Gua. 111 Do. 'Chest]. Gila. .Ea, al Do. do. do. dl Do. do. do 10 Lau.& York. 6pc.St 10 Lon. &B. G. 5 pc:No. 1 10 De.,P.,5p.c.5t.N0.2 10 Do. New Guar. 6 p.c. 10 Do. do. sp. c., No. 4 0 Lon. & N.W., Coy. & Nuneaton 5 p. ct Lon. & S.W. 7 perct. late 3d Shares all Lon dy. & Color. 2 Sh, all Londy.kEnnis. 1, Sh. 100 M., S.,&L. 6p. Cent. 42 Do. do. do. £6 100 Do. do. 34 per cent. all Mary Pt. A, Carl. 4 p.c. all Do. 4. per cent 10 ` , Do. do. 100 Aid. Con sol. 6p. c. St 100 Do. Con. Br.Bir. 6 p.c 100 Do. 4; p. c. Pref. St. Do. L. ez H. Pref. St. 11 New.,Abcr., Rix., pr. 5 p.c.rcd. 5 p. c. pm. 8 Do. Perpet. 6 pr. et. 11 No/111.1)01).4 p.c. Sh. 0 Do. sp. c. Ext. 1846 19 Do. 5i p.c. pf , 1847 10 Do.Wv.V.sp. ~1847 North British ..... 32 Do. 71. Preference )0 N. E. Bcrw. 4 p.c.Prf. 8 Do. do. do .3 Do. Leeds 6 pc. No. 1 9 Do. do. Qrs., 1848 0 Do.irorlc. H. &S. Pur ill North Staffordshire Ox., Wor. & Wolv. 6 p.c., Ist guar. )0 Do. p. c. 2d guar._ Al Scot. Cent. New Pref. Sc.N.E.Aber.g.6p.c. 10 Do. do. 7 p.c. pf. St. I) Do. do.3z p.c. pf. St 11 South Devon all Do. fixed 4A pr cent all S. Eastern (Reading Ann.) of Li Os. 6d. /0 Do: 43 per cent • Xll Do:Fixed 44 p.c. Mi. lb S. Wales Gua. 4v. c. 10 Do. do. 44 p. c al S.Yorksh.4 p. c. Guar dl Stock. &Dar., sp. c .5 Do. do. do. al Stook. & Harti. g. 5 p.c. till July 1, '56 61.1 Waterfd& Milk. 6 pc. BRITISH MINES. 2/ 12 Alfred Cons. (Philk.) , 14 British Iron ...... 20 !Condurow (Canabrn.) 1 ID ay. Ot. Cnsls. (Tay.) 4s ' iGreat South Tolgns 0/ 3: G rt. W. Alfrd. (Philk.) 7 IGrt:IV. Vor (Heist%) :s6d!LadY Bertha 7i N. Frances (Illogan) N.W.Basset (Illogan) 1115 North Wheal Crofty 1 Par. Cons. (St.Blaxy) 9 Porkellis U. (Wend.) Gs. Sort. Cons. Min. Co - S. Caradon (St. Cleer) 2 S. Cam Brea (Illogn.) .9 S.W. Frances(lllogn.) Li Tam. S. &L. Id in. Co ) Tin Croft 10 I.7n.Miues (Gweunrp) !s6 V. of Towey (Camar.) W, Basset (Illogan) "0 W. Caradon (Lislerd.) Wh. Basset (Illogau). Wh. Buller (Rdruth). Wh. Edwarcl(Calstek), 7s Wh. Kitty (U. Llant) 8 WlLMa.Azin(Menht.) 4i Wh: Trelawney (Lis.) . I 2 10 9 . ... 4( ... 12! . 2( J, 5 22 - 23 7 - 8 160 - 170 145 - 465 13 - 141 8 _ - 9 - 6 . - 6A - r 16 - 13 27 - 29 .5 - 6 22 - 23 8 - 9 1$ -- 11 335 345 6 7 320 330 4s 5 210 - 230 .33 - 14 155 - 105 250 - 270 '335 - 345 3,1 - 4i, 18 - 20 45 - 47 24 - 261 FO. EIGN Australian Brazilianlmp.(issued at £5 pm) Do. Comes 6i Cuiada Do. St. John Del Roy Clarendon Con. Min. co. of Jamaica Cobro Copper• Copiapo Fortuna. General Linares Lusitanian Mariquita Now Granada Noveau Monde • Pont. Sil.LdM. &It Port Philip Santiago do Cuba =outh Australian Do. Scrip Do. 10 p. c. Pref 'United Mexican MISCEL: MINES. - 21 2 - 20 - dI 60 - 63 11 - 13 - 71— ld p 4 - 4 - i :: 5' ... -- ••• 2., - 3 *ii 17- ii ,ANEOITS. 19 Australian Agricult. all Ilustralu. Royal Mail all Berlin Water Works 40 Brit, American Land 321 ;Canada • 1 100 Do.Go.6pc.Jan&July 100 Do. 6 p.c.Feb.&Aug. 100 D 0.6 p.c. Mar.&Sept. all Copper Min. of Eng. all Do. Pref. 7 p. cent all Crystal Palace all Do. Preference all Crystal Pal, of France a Duston Iron Ore 18 Eastern Steam ..... 100 Electric Telegraph all Electric Tel. of Irel. all Ell. &Aust.Cop.SmCo I.os. Eur. & Ind.3etn. Tel. ‘ll Con. Ir,Se, Col.(lim.) [4. Gcn. Steam Navigat. / 5 London Discount , all 'Loud. Oen. Omnibus 10 Wig lalena St. Navig. all ';',lcaiteran. Elec. Tel. all Mexican & &Americo 5 Nrat. Discount Co Do. N: ,- ;, Nretherlauds Land.,. Do. Do. 11)0.8 p 1 tl, Do. 1)0, New J. kN, S. Lana Coy.s lac.D. Anstraktsiau... Nrtli.ofEnropeSteam l Oriental Gas Do. New Shares l'eelßr. & Minrl ireninsulax & Orieutall Do. New Rliymnes Iron Do. New Royal Mail Steam Scot. Austral. Invest Do. New S. Aus. Guy. 6p. c. bds. South Austral. Laud Submarine Tel. Scrip' Do. Registered Trust&Lu Co. U.Can Van Diemen's, Land Y cJO4I Jul! . P ICJ all all all ss, all 2O - 241 - - 5i - 35 - 40 26 - 28 23 - 53 - .1 - - R i par ip - 11' 1 4 - ••• ••• X 2l 3i d 3 4 4 4 par ip .13 22 fi - I , par 1 2i P 23 -25 6 - 8 11- 1-t 35 - 37 i - 1 i - 1 ii 1 3 forritia. llt 34i i 4 96 874 121 104 66/ 7 61, 64i 1013 1 6 i 108 1051 3 5 102 Sli 51 St. 10( St. 10( St. 10' 64 a' 10 St. La St, 101 6`i al 6s al 10 al 20' al 5 a] 10 a] St. a] 10 I St. 101 St 101 St. 101 St. 10( St. 10( St. 101 00 61 10 al St. 101 20 1, 50 1 St. 101 St. 10( St. /01 St. 101 8 a] 10 al St. 101 26 al 13A al 20 al St. 101 St. 101 St. 1101 st. 10 1 10 a] St. 101 St. 10 St. 1 101 St. 1101 20 1: 12.1 I 25 11 20 a' St. 1.01 St. 110 Bhi St. 101 St. 10: St. 10 25 a 10 1.0.6' St. 101 10 a] St. 101 St. 101 20 a] 25 j al 621 li 25 10 10 50 100 St. 100 st,. 0 12 25 50 15 100 1 1 St. .100. 25 all 1 all I all 120 i 5 114 9,g?; 141 a i 8)1 -pm 151 50 I 1 APRIL 7, 1857; MIDDLESBX ELECTORS. The poll for Middlesex illustrates most forcibly the increasing tendency on the part of electors in popular constituencies to neglect their duty, and to forego their privileges. Out of a constituency of more than 15,000 voters, at the utmost, one-half only take the trouble to record their votes.' Thus the Conservative candidate is beaten by the apathy of his nominal political supporters. Though his party has a clear majority of many hundreds on the re gister of voters, he cannot poll on his side a third of the electoral body; and he is defaated, not by the strength of his opponent., but by the dawdling and apathy of his own professing friends. We do not charge the Conservative electors of Middlesex with this sad failing as an exception to their brethren in other large constituencies ; we merely cite them into court as a patent proof of the truth of the assertion, that as constituencies increase in numbers so the numbers of those individuals in those constituencies who exercise their privileges and perform their duties decrease. It is the same in all the metropolitan constituencies. Can any ore say that the City of London with its 20,000 electors was fairly polled out at the last election ? We do not object—remember—to the result, but only to the method by which it was obtained. Look again at Marylebone, with its 19,700 voters. Does any one ever remember a third of that constituency being polled ? Take Lambeth again. Were the real views of its 18,000 electors registered at the poll ? Take, again, Finsbury with 20,000 voters, or a worse case than all, the Tower Hamlets. Did the late poll represent the real views and wishes of the majority . of 24,000 voters included in that poli tical division It is needless to repeat the ques tion.—Morning Herald. LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(This Day.) LONDON, April 7.—Wind this day at noon, S. ; light airs and fine. _ PORTSMOUTH, April 6.—Wind W. S. W. to W.—Arrived —H.M.S. Enryalus, from the West Indies. PLYMOUTH, April 6. - ---Wind • S.W. —Arrive d A.M. S. Nile, from Portsmouth. Sailed—Thomas Mansell, for Corunna. _ _ FALMOD TH, April 6.—Wind for Cape Coalt Castle. DARTMOUTH, April 6.—Wind W.S.W.--Sailed—Au gustin, for Palermo ' - Joanna Jacoba, for Bilboa. - OFF TORBAY .— Rapid, from Gothenburg, for Havana. JERSEY, April s.—Wind S.S.E,—Arrived—lzalf, from Kra geroe. SWANSEA, April 6. —Wind S. S. E. —An , from Bayonne. , BE/at:mums, April 6.—Wind S.W.—Sailed--Avon, for Quebec. CARDIFF, April s.—Sailed—Queen, for Rio Janeiro; Zelie, Havana ; Maria, Palermo ; Rattlesnake, Civita. Vecchia; Virginia, Alexandria. HELL, April 6.—Wind E.S.E.—Arrived—Secret, from Bremen ; put back, Daniel, for Stockholm, leaky and pumps choked. OFF ARDMORE HEAD, April s . .—Arrived—Chance, from Calcutta, for Liverpool. OFF THE WIGHT, April s.—Arrived—City of Dublin, from Calcutta. _ _ . _ NEWPORT, April 6.—The King of the Forest (schooner) caught fire yesterday. The whole of the cabin was burnt and other considerable damage done to the ship. LIVERPOOL, April 6.—The City of Manchester, of and for this port, from Bombay, which put into St. Helena, on the 7th of January, very leaky, after discharging nearly the whole of her cargo. The Hercyna, from Calcutta, to this port, was condemned at St. Helena, on the 9th of February. (PER ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) SOUTHAMPTON, Tuesday Morning. Wind W.N.W., moderate. Arrived—Argyll, steamer, from Havre; Wear, Sunder land. • Sailed—Golden Fleece, for Hamburg ; La Ponle, for Cherbourg. LIVERPOOL, Tuesday Morning. Wind W.N.W. Arrived—Alamo, from Galveston ; Palatine, Calcutta ; Gannett, screw steamer, Rotterdam ; Milan screw steamer Palermo. Sailed—Zone, Galatz ; Wm. Penton, Newfoundland ; Tempest, Philadelphia ; Palender, Kiel ; Livre, Havre. QUEENSTOWN, April 5. Wind E.S.E. Arrived—Alice, Franklin, and Alexander, from Sa vannah. (BY SUBMARINE AND BRITISH TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND Tuesday , 9.40 a m .• & Wind W.S.W. ; tide half flood ; fine. Arrived—Lion, from Gravelines ; Christiana Sophia, Frederickstadt ; Syncd, Drain ; John lil(Vea,r, Calcutta ; Familien. Frederickstadt ; Nautilus, Rcelhield ; Chris tiana, Lanvig ; the Pauline, Golding; Sophia, Kongilt ; Sophia Catrina, Praistoe; Cecilia, I33ndholm ; Ida, Carlsberg. Arrived, April 7—Glenorchy, from Tulocorn ; Mary Stewart, Bilapatain. Sailed—Symmetry, Colombo. DEAL, Tuesday, 9.30 a.m. Wind variable and light. Anchored—Sophie McKenzie, for Quebec ; Queen of the Wave, Madras ; James Shepperd, Jamaica--all from London. p asse d—Jessy, schooner, for Penzance ; Frolic, Seville —both from London. . . . _ Saiki, in tow—Lubinka, to repair damages, for Rams. gate. MARKET NEWS.—(This Day.) HAY MARKETS. SarITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, 21 10a to 4/ Os ; clover do., 3/ 108 to Os; and straw, 11 4s to 1/ Si per load Trade dull. CUMBERLAND. —Meadow hay, 2/ 12s to 4/ 4s; clover do., 3/ 10s to 5/ Os ; and straw, 11 Gs to 11 9s per load. A fair average supply and a steady demand. WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, 21 lOs to 41, Os : clover do., 31 10s to 5/ Os ; and straw, 1/ 4s to 11 8s per load. A dull inquiry. COLONIAL. TEA.—The market has been very quiet, with no altera tion in prices. A public sale is advertised for Thursday next. The amount paid into the Treasury on account of the 113 W duty of is 51 per lb, it is estimated, will exceed 300,000/. SUGAR.—Purchases to a fair extent have been made for shipping, and the market generally exhibits a firm appear ance: A large quantity is advertised for public sale during the week. The new duties are now in operation. COFFEE.—There is a good deli - and fur exportation, and for . home use business has improved ; no alteration in latices can be quoted. RICE.—A very limited amount of business has been done, but prices generally exhibit c3nsiderable firmness. RUM.—A good inquiry for all qualities, at imp.eoved rates. Demerara, 3s id to 3s 3d ; Leewards, 2s 9d to 2e 10L1 ; and East India, 2s Sd per proof gallon. TALLOW.—Am astive business has been transacted, and prices rule firm. P.Y.C., for immediate delivery, 55s to 55s 6d ; all the month, 53s ; and later periods, 51s 9d to 52s per cwt. The payment of the dividends on the stocks lately shut will commenoe to-morrow, the Bth. The demand in the discount market is still active, and at the Bank the applications are believed to be numer ous, and of a character to indicate that there is no gene ral expectation of an early return to an easier condition. Tux WALWORTII MIIRDERE.—The trial of Bacon and his wife has been postponed until the next sessions of the Central Criminal Court. THE RUINS OF COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.—Yester day Messrs. Eversfield and Horne, auctioneers, com menced the disposal, by public auction, of the ruins iA the Theatre Royal, Covent-garden, when a latge quan tity of loose bricks, charred timber, and sundry old pro perties lying on the ground were sold for immediate re move], and as soon au the ground is cleared of these, the remainder of the ruins, comprising several millions of bricks, the Portland stone, forming the lower portion of the external walls, the Portland stone portico, and other building materials, will be disposed of in the same manner, in order to clear the ground for building the new theatre. SHOCKING ACCIDENT.—On Friday morning, shortly before nine o'clock, a shocking accident occurred at the mill of Messrs. George Brown and Co., manufacturers, Thornton-road, Bradford, by which Thomas Schelefield, an overlooker, aged 22, lost his life. A belt, turning one of the horizontal shafts over head, in the third storey of the mill, had been off the drum, and Scholefield was in the act of putting it on, when by some means be vas whirled up and round the shaft, bis back bent, broker, twisted, and his head jammed up!against the drum. The engine was stopped in a minuie, hut, when taken down, the unfortunate man was quite dead. The head and lower extremities had not been 3 . nuch.injured, but the right arm was completely torn off.. The deceased had been only married a few weeks. 2:be remains were re ' moved to the Oddfellows' Hotel, to i wait the coroner's inquest.—Leeds Inolligencer. • ROYAL GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND. The 12th anniversary festival of this most excellent in stitution for the relief of the members of the theatrical profession who may from unforeseen circumstances r equire assistance, was celebrated last evening at the Freemasons' Tavern, by a very elegant dinner, it being the first occa sion the festival had been held at the west end of the town, which many friends of the institution contend to ba the natural home of the drama. It is, we believe, now gene rally understood that the festival is to ba held alternately at the Freemasons' and the London Tavern, and doubtless the proprietors will vie with each other in friendly rivalry to prove which establishment can best contribute to the comfort of their patrons. On the present occasion the chair was occupied by Mr. Samuel Phelps, the talented ' tragedian and lessee of Sadlers' Wells Theatre, supported by Capt. Sir, Charles ibbetson, Mr. Charles Dickens, Mr. T. P. Cooke, Mr. Creswick, Mr. Backstone ' Mr. Mark Lemon, Mr. JerwOod, Mr. E. T. Smith, Mr. Hermann Vezin, Mr. Sams, Mr. Henry Hill, Dr. }tov e, and about 200 other gentlemen principally connected with literature and - the drama, there being a large number of ladies also present. The cloth having been removed, and grace given by the vocalists, The CHAIRMAN rose to propose " The health of her Ma-‘ jesty," who on this occasion, he was happy to say, had sent her eleventh annual donation of 100 guineas. He was sure, whether they regarded her Majesty as a Sovereign, a woman, or as a patron of that institution, as well as of every society likely to be beneficial to the people, they would receive the toast with enthusiasm. (Cheers.) The deep, sepulchral tone in which Mr. Phelps delivered this, as well as the remainder of his address, created con siderable amusement, shoe ing how use becomes second nature, and, though we may command spirits from the deep, we are not so sure they will come when we do call them. Indeed, never was the artificial and the real so beautifully mixed ' • Mr. Phelps, whilst evidently intending to be most natural, showing that the actor predominated, and though addressing a convivial company in the Free masons"ravein, he could not overcome the conventional appeal to the feelings and passions of the audience. The hea'ths of his Royal Highness Prince Albert, Albert Prince of Wales, and the rest of the royal family, having been given, The CHAIRMAN proposed " The -Army and Navy," coupling with the toast the names of Sir C. Matson and Mr. T. P. Cooke. Sir C. IBBETSON having returned thanks on behalf of the army, Mr. T. P. COOKE assured thecompany that he had great difficulty in responding for that service with which he had at one time been connected. Hitherto it had been generally supposed that Englishmen would ever be anxious to uphold the army and navy ; of late, however, it would seem that several members of the Peace Society were of opinion that Jack's only duty was, if he received a blow upon one side of the face, to offer the other to be smitten. Knowing himself something' f Jack's character, he would consider such hu militarians as nothing more than humbugs ; and whilst the country possessed. one of the finest fleets that ever floated, nothing would give them ' ereater pleasure than a good stand-up fight, even though they were opposed to the Ce lestials commanded by the Sun and Moon. (Cheers and laughter.) He had had some experience of what the fleet was under Nelson, nearly sixty years ago, and he was quite assured that ho would never have allowed any Celestial to flag the. ag that " for a thousand years had braved the battle and the breeze." (Loud cheers.) The CHAIRMAN again rose and said—We are met this evening to advance the interests and promote the welfare of the Royal General Theatrical Fund. Its objects are well known to many, probably to all, of you. (Cheers.) Its cause has been pleaded year after year at this annual festival by " lips upon whose accents you have loved to dwell"—by men whose eloquence has been of power suffi cient to stir the hearts and open the purses, too, of such as I should conceive more difficult to move than those I see around me—(no, no)--an assemblage composed of men avowedly living under the softening influences of the drama, literature, and the fine arts. (Cheers.) Knowing how much has been said, and well said, by my predecessors in the office I hold this evening, I feel most painfully my in feriority to those who have gone before me, and assure you that nothing but a sense of duty and deference to the wishes of others, has induced me to appear here in a new character—(cheers)—and one, too, in which I feel myself to be, and am afraid you will find me, very imperfect. (No, no.) If upon my eloquence—Heaven save the mark ! depend any addition to the funds, or increase of good will from you towards this association, I am powerless— " Gentle breath of yours my sails Must fill, or else my project fails; Which was to plead ' •—but I want Spirits to enforce, art to enchant, And my ending is despair 'Unless I be relieved by prayer Which pierces so that it assaults Mercy itself, and flees all faults." Let my prayer be heard that you will allow your imagina tions in some degree to supply my deficiencies, and think what might-be said by one more competent to the task iu behalf of an institution having for its object to render easy the declining years of those who have spent their lives in ministering to the pleasure and instruction of others, through the medium of as delightful, as humanising—aye, and as noble an art, when rightly directed, as can employ the faculties, mental and physical, of man. Few, indeed, amongst the thousands who have or do practise that art possess in a high degree its requirements; and even when that does occur it ts been considered a drawback upon the actor's powers that his creations cease to be when he shall cease to live. True, but do not the vividness of its present impressions compensate in a large degree for its want of permanence? What other artists can produce such immediate effects as the actor? What other artist can, by one stroke of his wand, electrify the heart and brain of as sembled thousands—striking a chord that acts upon them all—at once—and compelling a multitude involuntarily to acknowledge kindred to each other, and wonder at the power that has thus exposed them in the fulness of their humanity. Gentlemen, if this be true—and there are few who will deny it—l say again the actor's is as noble an ast, when rightly employed, as can engage the faculties, mental and physical, oilman. (Cheers.) And let not the actor him self complain that he lives not with posterity; for no other artist receives the living homage that he does—so that his account is fairly balanced. We know from testimony that Garrick for 30 years was an idol. Thera may be some few here that remember how many subjects bowed to the Sid dons' and John Kemble's majesty—(cheers)—more, whom the flashes of Edmund Kean's genius has impressed with memories never to be effaced--(cheers)—andla.st, not least, Macready's power is almost felt amongst us even now. (Immense applause.) To such men I would say, verily you have had your reward. But these gentlemen were the great wheels of the histrionic machine, who in all their vast pro portions stood nobly out to view, but who, save for the little wheels that worked below, obscured from sight and scarcely heard, could not have moved at all. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, it is for the little wheels that I would plead to-night. If the actor's power be what I have stated, it is a power that may be wielded for great evil or great good. (Hear.) I speak from a long experience of 13 years, passed in a some what peculiar position, which has taught me, I believe, which prompts me to assert, and enables me to prove (if that which is true of a part may be true of the whole) from remarkable statistics, were it necessary, that the good genius Civilisation, in exercising her influence upon masses of the people, can receive no greater aid than that afforded her by dramatic exhibition—(cheers) —and it'is upon that foundation I would build the claim for support of an insti tution like this upon society at large, or at least that por tion of it who are not so b'inded by bigotry, or addle headed from any other cause—(laughter)—as to deny the drama that position as an educatorial art to which it is justly entitled. Let us drink increased prosperity, with its lengthening years, to the Royal General Theatrical Fund. (Loud applause.) Mr. BUCESTONE rose, amidst continued applause, and said— Gentlemen, as this is our first appearance at the Freemasons' Tavern, and the aspect from the stage here not being quite so familiar as the one we have been accus tomed to in the City, I trust to be excused if I show the trepidation usual on making a first appearance on strange boards. (Cheers and laughter.) At the same time, I hope. we shall find that in removing, according to the Post-office directions from Bishopsgate-street, E.C., to Great Queen street, W.C., wo shall be 0. K., which last initials were said to be used by a certain American President when he indorsed any Government papers that he considered all correct. (Laughter.) At all events, gentlemen, whatever may be the result, we have achieved a great advantage by appearing to-night, under the management of Mr. Phelps, whose professional experience, acknowledged talent, and great popularity, must ensure the curtain falling this even ing on a most successful entertainment ; while our friends present, and the patrons of the drama, will, I am sure, be glad to hear one fact, that, although we have been hon oured by titled chairmen and gentlemen of high position presiding over us on these occasions, yet, whenever wo have had an actor in the chair, our receipts, to use a .technical phrase, have always been greater than at any other time ; therefore, gentlemen, what must wo hope they will be to night, when we have such an actor as Mr. Phelps to ap peal to your sympathies, and plead the cause of his bro thers and sisters of the stage? (Cheers.) It is always necessary on these occasions, although it is certainly more than a thrice-told tale, to explain to you the objects of the General Theatrical Fund. The institution was founded for the purpose of granting life annuities to ()Very esta blished performer, vocalist, pantomimist, or prompter, in town or country, who, after subscribing to it for a certaie period, might become incapacitated from follow ing his profession by age, accident, or infirmity. It is now somewhere about 19 years ago since a few ewers and their friends met together to lay the foundation of this fund, the capital of which has gradually increased froth very small beginnings to 10,0001., which sum, great as it may appear, will be the amount of our means when the festival of this evening has terminated ; while, to show you that we have made good use of this capital, I have only to state that the sum paid during the last 12 months to performers claiming their annuities was 770., and an other considerable amount has been disbursed for funeral_ and other expenses ; but as the members are nueneroul, the claims upon our resources must yearly increedsue tD e been most our hoves us to use every exertion in our power to a bet : capital. These festivals, gentlemen, have alwarnaiebraiing most productive, and I am convinced the this evening will not be less so than s o n n y ° brilliant thisassem taspredecessors; while it is most 'gratifying to see by warm and generous blage that the drama has find read ae th m e e other day in a supporters, and that the p yeetormaacatyor can still a friend. Yet.,tfrwomeelad appear newspaper,who consider I only the statement could overpaid. h I allude to referred es. Le, the elm the poor actor be proved. The paraesar statement wish rl some Colonial Secretary sums lavished upon _ actors—that the al Secretary was not so well paid as a certain performer, and the representative of the Home-office received for his ser vices considerably less than a popular actor, once at the Horn= .e e e • Allowing these to b e i so l a t e d f ac t s , yet, in defence of our art, permit me to observe, that in the House of Common s, the political coteri es , and the clubs, you would ba certain of finding 50 colonial secretaries, and as wall y re presentatives of the Home-oflice—all quite ready and willing to take these places immediately, if not sooner — where you could not meet with one actor that any manager would give any salary to whatever. (Laughter.) Gentle men, lam proud of my profession. I have great pleasure in announcing to you, as you have already heard from Mr. Phelps, that her gracious Majesty has again sent us her munificent donation of 1001.—loud cheering)—thus prov ing what a friend that illustrious lady is to the dramatic art—and, indeed, she is a friend. Witness her frequent visits with her family to the best theatres —(cheers) —the countenance she gives to the drama under her own roof at Windsor Castle. (Cheers.) And, believe we, I feel proud to declare this evening, and before such an assembly, that a demonstration of the small amount given to a cer tain actor, on a recent occasion, for his services there, had nothing whatever to do with the generosity of the Court, or the director of its theatricals. (Cheers.) A liberal sum is allowed for these performances. I know, as regards my self, I have always been well and sufficiently remunerated. (Cheers.) And the receipt by this actor of the small pa w r meat which he presented to a police poor-box as a question with which hey Majesty had nothing to do, (Cheers.) In• these sectarian times tho performer ought only to be too proud and too grateful that his royal mistress is pleased to encourage his art in her own halls, tha:a seek by an exhibition of doubtful taste to question the libe rality of a kind patroness, who had only the interests of the drama in view when she invited the actors to give a "taste of their quality" in her own palace. (Cheers.) I have now, gentlemen, another noble donation to an nounce. It is well known that amateur acting at this time is very fashionable and very popular—(hear, hear)— in the public theatre, in the camp, on beard ship, and at the pri vate residence, and that the amateurs are at all times only anxious to discover some institution or charity to which they Can generously present the proceeds of their exertions. In a fortunate hour one highly respectable and talented company of amateurs happened to select the Royal General Theatrical Fund as a proper recipient of what they might gather together by a dramatic representation. (Cheers.) The performance was given On. the 14th March last, at the St. James's Theatre, and that excellent party of amateurs have this evening presented us with the profits of that night, amounting to the handsome suns of 76!. It would have been more, but one gentleman bas not yet paid for bis box. F rom thi s time forward the profession will shake hands with the amateurs. The actors now will only regard them as a dramatic militia, from which the ranks of the regular army can be well recruited. (Laughter.) I trust this liberal conduct may be followed by other amateur companies, and that I shall have the pleasure of annually announcing the result of their generous exertions. Thus you will see, gentlemen, that our circle of friends is yearly increasing, and, though we could not expectto live through 12 of these annual celebrations without losing some well wisher and supporter, yet it is pleasant to see so many old familiar faces still beaming around us and foremost amongst them, that of our best and most faithful trustee, Mr. C. Dickens -- (cheers)-- who, wherever he may appear, let the roof be where it may, is sure Vs make that dwelling, by his happy presence, anything but a "Bleak House." I was really afraid, when the dissolution of Parliament took place, that he would have been away at this time election eering, or a candidate perhaps this day for the represen tation of Middlesex. However, we aro all delighted to see him here, though of this I am convinced ,should be ever con test an election anywhere, he will be sure to be found at the bead of the poll. (Cheers.) And now, gentlemen, I leave U. fund in your bands, feeling assured that our stewards will not appeal to any of you in vain. (Cheers.) I have already alluded to our change of locality on this occasion, the only reason for which has been, that we were promised a larger attendance, and consequently a larger list of donations. Whether this promise will be fulfilled or not it will be im possible to say until Mr. Callenford has proclaimed their gross amount. Therefore, as we have removed our quarters to the west to oblige many of our friends who objected to go so far as Bishopsgate-street, surely I may call upon those friends to increase the amount of their subscriptions to-night, if only to prove they have been right, and we have not been wrong. (Loud cheers.) The CHAIRMAN next proposed " The health of the trus tees and Mr. Charles Dickens," a tried friend of the institu tion, andwhose name was as " familiaras household words" to all connected with the theatrical profession. Mr. DICKENS had great pleasure in acknowledging the toast so kindly proposed by the chairman, and so flatter ingly responded to by the company. He could assure them that, notwithstanding the remarks of his hon. friend the member for the Haymarket—(laughter)—he had no inten tion of offering himself to any constituency for election. His course in life he had long chosen, and he had no de sire to put himself forward to represent any " sex," ex cepting it be that sex of whom so many brilliant examples were behind him—(the ladies on a raised platform)—and whose representation he could see also in the dim perspec tive in the clouds before him—(the gallery at the end of the hall)—and that other sex by whom ho was more imme diately surrounded. (Laughter.) He could assure them, however, that it gave him great gratification to be present on that occasion, and he trusted that their Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Buckstone) would never bring before them a worse budget than on that evening, (Cheers.) should, however, that gentleman be meditating any reduc tion in the income tax which he at present nightly levied upon his admirers, he was assured it would be received with gratitude, and that in all his enterprises he would be as he had hitherto been, triumphantly successful. As he had the honour to hold an official post, he felt that he must not exceed the bounds of official reserve ; and he would therefore do no more than thank them for the honour conferred upon himself and the trustees. Mr. DICKENS next proposed " The health of the Chair man," and alluded to the great success which had attended his exertions in maintaining the supremacy of the classical English drama at Sadler? Wells Theatre, and the great liberality he had always exhibited towards actors and dra matic writers. The toasthaving been most enthnaiasticallyrasponded to, Mr. PHELPS reptied, and introduced an anecdote to show how little the dramatic art was appreciated in certain bigoted circles, a little daughter of his, only eight years of age, having been sent back from a school because a kind neighbour objected to three of his children being educated in the same house with the daughter of an actor. Now, he felt that either the terms in which ho had been spoken of that evening were undeserved, or the father of these chil dren must have been a great fool. (Cheers and laughter.) Mr. Phelps concluded by giving " Prosperity to the Drama," coupled with the name of his co-labourer, Mr. Creswick. ' _ _ • _ Mr. CRESWICK acknowledged the toast in a philosophi cal dissertation on the uses and abuses of the drama, which was cut short by the impatience of the company, and we) therefore did not arrive at the moral of the lecture. Some other toasts followed, and . Mr. CULLENFORD, the secretary of the institution, read a' list of subscriptions amounting to close upon 5001. The musical arrangemen6, conducted by Mr. Lovell Phillips, included the talents of Madlle. Matilda Enders dorff, Miss Ransford, Miss Eyles, Miss Poole, Mr. Rans ford, Mr. Genge, Mr. D. King, and several other well known vocalists ; but, as is usual on these occasions, not more than one-half of the professionals announced made their appearance. Mr. Toole was the toastmaster. RUSSIAN" INFLUENCE AT .NEW YORK. (Front the New York Herald, Dec. 27.) Our specirl despatch from Washington, of this morn ing, introduces some new characters of a very distin guished class as among the Cabinet-makers at Washington and elsewhere. It appears that, looking ahead with her far-reaching diplomatic sagacity, Russia has thrown the weight of her political agencies and influences in this country in behalf of General Casa for Secretary of State to the incoming Administration, and that all the proba bilitie3.are in favour of hivappointment. _ The 'vanta g e ground which' will be secured by Russia with General Cass at the head of the Cabinet will his manifest to every reader. General Ca , s is the intractable enemy of England. Had he taken the oath of Hannibal against her, hs could not have pursued her with a more constant holtility than that which has illustrated his 1 fe since he has been a candidate for the presidency. Soon a .sleepless foe of John Bull at the head of Mr. Bui chanan's Cabinet would naturally be the very man for Russia. His influence in favour of Russia with the President elect would also ptobably be greater than with any other President; for, while Mr. Buchanan remembers his Ministerial re-idencc at St. Peters burg with grateful satisfaction, mellowed and ripened by age, his recent mission to England cannot be recalled without unpleasant sensations. , The genial hospitalities of the sagacious Nicholas were one thing ; but the patro nising airs and diplomatic provocations of Palmerston and Clarendon were quite another thing. The future influence and power of the United States among the great nations of the earth are nowhere better appreciated than at St. Petersburg. It was the policy of Nicholas to cultivate the most friendly relations with us, as against Nicholas; and this is the policy of Alexander, with a little change is the programme in favour of Louis Napoleon. SUEZ CANAL AND EUPHRATES VALLEY RAILWAY. Extract from a let' er from M. Ferdinand de Les seps to Mr. Charles Lamb Kenney, author of "Gates of the East" : " London, March 26, 1857. "Sir,—On my return frnm a long voyage I have just made in the Soudan my attention has been drawn to a pamphlet, published by you, under the title of The Gates of the East,' which I have read with the greatest interest. "In defending the question of the piercing of the Isthmus of Suez, from a British point of view, and with patriotic motives, you have lent the most powerful aid to au enterprise whose initiation is due to the inttlli genus of the Viceroy of Egypt, and to the success of which I have devoted every effort for the last two years. Allow me to thank you and to congratulate you.. "As I hope that you will in the future continue to serve a cause worthy the sympathy of all men of spirit and intelligence, I think it my duty to draw your at. . tention to one side of the question touched upon in your pamphlet. " It has been sought to represent the Euphrates Val ley Railway and the Suez Canal as two rival and hostile enterprises ; and as a c onsequence, the partisans, from conviction, of the Suez Canal have been led occasionally reorder to maintain the canes they had adopted, or in ply to attacks, to make use of arguments which, if not a i n p r t t e: f o eo n emr c t concept, er t ipoernoi expedientm: e i m : 0 a n p i y p_e r appearance d a b t e i e a t s t i am: he e h might j a v ff a o l r r y d A l t t o h ou m g a li k you o known u h o a w v u e avoided this my s o fa h f r o m a h a e t owdpe°inion. "The two enterprises are altogether independent of each other, both as regards the means of execution and the results proposed in each case ; they will both prove useful to the progress and civilisation of the world ; and, far from injuring one another, they can only mutually assist each other's advance towards equal success. "I have personally maintained, and I shall continue to maintain, that the Euphrates Railway will be a bene faction to countries now disinherited; an: I , what is mm my experience of the Arabs and of the deserts of Arabia leads me into the persuasion, in opposition to what is generally believed, that the pretended difficulties as to the maintenance and safety of the Euphrates Valley Railway are prejudices as baseless as the fears respect ing the silting up the Suez Canal, the impracticability of the Bay of Pelusiuni, and the dangers of the Red Sea. "Accept, sir, the expression of my sentiments of esteem and devotior. "FERDINAND DE LESSEM" TILE FINSBURY ELECTION PETITION.—At a meeting of electors of the borough of Finsbury, held at the Bel vedere Tavern, Pentonviile, a committee of five has been appointed to take measures for supporting the petition to be presented to the Muse of .C ommons ag ainst Mr Cox, find a fund has been raisel to defray the expenses to be incurred thereby without calling upon Mr. Ser geant Parry to contributeto such expenses. Mr. Sbaen, of Bedford-row, has been appointed the solicitor, and Mr. Edwin James, Q.C., has been retained to appear in su pport of the petition. BANQUET TO Mn. WILLIAM BROWN, M.P.—About twenty-four distinguished guests have signified tbeir acceptance of the joint invitation from the mayor and the banquet committee. All the arrangements are pro gressing very satisfactorily, but the issue of tickets has been delayed till . 1 o'clock on Wednesday. Mr. Beet will attend and Exhibit the power and tones of the organ. —Liverpoo/ ed is gory. and Ball. Drge. 10L. to of liege atue 3edi. sars. )ple a . po3e lrd Ist 'he eff FOR: lON. 86i 63 a 1.2 k i 34 , 1 st. It st. 1 1i st. It ",2a OT.I