The Sun. — London, England, 1857-02-26 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, Two o'Ceock. Letters f rom Li ver p oo l mention that the Cotton Market yesterday closed very firmly, but quietly, at the full rates of last week. The sales were estimated at 7,000 bales, 1,000 of which were t taken b y the exporters, and 1,000 by the specula ". The Railway Share Market closed steadily, a nd yesterday's rates were fully maintained. The official returns relating to trade and navi gation for the month ending the 31st January, 18 57, have teen published. From these it ap pears that th e t o t a l d ec lared value of exports from t he United Ki ng d om f or th e m onth was 9,0 58 , 1051 ., b eing an increase of 1,083,319/. compare d with those of the like month in 1856. The increase is P e rceptible in beer and ale, cheese, coals and culin, cotton manufactures, ear th enw are, fish, haber norY, millinery, hardwares and cutlery, leather, machinery, ti n pl a t e s, silk manufactures, thrown silk, British spirits, refined sugar, sheep and lambs' Wool, but there was a falling off in butter, cotton, Yarn, copper, soap, and woollen and worsted yarn. The importation of the principal articles were t arg'er as respects live animals, clocks and watches, coffee, cocoa, wheat, barley, raw cotton, flax, cur rants, hides, potatoe s , ra w s ilk, sugar , t ea a n d Wine. There was a dimi nu tion in oats, Indian Co rn • , quicksilver, rice, rum, tallow, and cheeps and ; :iteha' wool. The shipping accounts exhibit an ;tcrease in the amount of tonnage employed in the -ore u trade both inwards and outwards, th ig e and in coasting trade the tonnage employed was rather larger for the clearances outwards, but smalle r for the entries inwards. The annual meeting of the Victoria Dock Com pany Was held t o -d a y ; Mr. Morrison in Vie chair. ;a nt e report stated that the number of ships which the ered the docks in the past year was 1,541, and araOrint of tonnage 500,463. The accounts Showed a b a l ance i n h an d o f 13,1721. 15s. 6d. A raf t of a new bill in Parliament for making a new e ntranc e f rom t h e Th ames a t N or th W oo l w i c h, a nd for ot Other p ur p oses , was rea d an d passed ; and an ' s ner for conver ti ng th e p a id- u p s h a res into capital oa t. ,'• The report was adopted. list or three other firms have been added to the antifailures recently reported among the Greeks, ,".ct the subject is creating some uneasiness. It is 14elieved, however, that the losses will principally gall among that body, and in several cases full divi ,ens are expected. It must, however, be borne in iuod that the assets are chiefly abroad, and it will be well, therefore, not to place too much confi dence in their realisation to the extent anticipated. suspensions among foreign traders afford no des to the general state of business, which re tuties healthy, the parties in question having no do ubt launched into speculations that have proved ,t _ Ors occessful. li NO relaxation in the general Money Market is re eIY to take place at present, although there is „ 4 .nni to expect an improvement before many hks ave elapsed. Among the circumstances lead to this; impression are the general aine- I n tion on the Continent, the reduction in the the`uarl exchanges, and the supplies of gold .from Antipodes ; but the causes of the continued pr ess ure a ,, are the specie operations and the immense tenon now in progress. The settlements of the Stock ga also absorb capital. Under these circum stances,w.: it was not supposed that the Bank Directors ulueold announce any change in the minimum at their t on e ting to-d a y, and after a brief sitting it was eeia ll t d that this presumption was correct. Six per wa • ja fully maintained " out of doors," and it .s therefore unlikely that a reduction would have taken place. T here here is * rather a buoyant market for Public Secu rities, but the movement in prices is not im- Pnrutant, owing to the paucity of bu-iness. The ap r,e_arance of the market is decidedly favourable, and `:peculation were more active a greater improve ont would no d ou bt h ave ensue d, b u t a disposi thell still shown to defer operations until after b e account is settled. Consols for money have Th e et 19 31 I, for account 94, and for April 8, 94 1 4. New 3 per Cents. have been 94k g, the Re du ced 94 to 94k. Bank Stock is 220. Exchequer are 98 are par to 3s. premium, and the Bonds oresPgn Securities are very dull, and: the adjust ,,.blent of the account occupies chief attention. q'urkish 6 per Cents. have been 951 i, and the pre terit quotation is 96. For the account they have b een marked 96i The 4 per Cents. are 1011 S panish 3 per Cents. have been 40i I, and For ligoese 3 per Cents. 44g. Sto cks The following are the nominal prices of Foreign :-Grenada Deferred Bonds, 61, 7 ; 6 11 , 2 1i 22 ; Peruvian, 80 81 ; Ditto Three per It " tn., 55 57 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents., 44 46 ; 9 , 1 1s8 , i an 5 per C en t s ., 109 111 ; ditto 41 per Cents., b'; Spanish 3 per Cents., 401 ; ditto Deferred , s6 l ; ditto Certificates, 61 ; ditto Passive, The last w ee k' s r ailway receipts, ascertained up to Ulla day, are in round figures as under 18b7. 1856. Great Western £23,704 £21,3 45 er th-Western Sou th Western 1. ""jughton 10,259 10,074 Midl an d a 1 1,,„ 14,293 13,528 Caledonian Gr eat Northern 21,174 18,445 Bancashire and Yorkshire riittol an d Exeter 4,984 4,735 .theate r an d H o l y h ea d .. lltnnaster and Carlisle „ 4na nchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln 9,060 8, 051 Uxf °rd. Worcester, and Wolverh 3,804 2,937 Grant Edi Frgh and Glasgow Trunk of Canada Wester n of Canada Sambr e and Meuse 8,726 8,342 1,067 1,245 North ern of France 36,924 32,065 The Rail way Sh are M ar k e t h as s h own increased fi rmness this morning, and prices have generally unproved. The settlement of the account is still in prog ress . C a l e d on i an h ave a d van ced 6s, Eastern counties 55., Great Northern 11., Great Western 10 8, Lancashire and Yorkshirelos., North-Western Ps. to 15s. ' South-Western 10s. to 15s, Midland 4.Z. to 10s., Norfolk 155., North British 11., North pastern Berwick 11., Scottish North-Eastern, 1/., and South Eastern 1/. to 1/. 10s. Paris and Lyons unproved 1/. to 1/. 55., Grand Trunk of Canada 55., and Sambre and Meuse ss. Very few transactions have taken place in Bri tish, Foreign, and Colonial Mining Shares, and Prices are unaltered. Joint Stock Bank and Miscellaneous Shares rule at rather upward quotations. BRITISH FUNDS. -CLOSING PRICES -THIS DAY. (From the O f ficial List.) i i n ..ip .fi done Rank Stock 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 944 4 a Per Cf nt Consols Annuities 93 i Now 3 per C ent. Annuities 9 44 If to.ig Annuities, expire sth Jan. 1860 2 15-16 Ditto 30 Years, expire sth April, 1885 lB4 India Bonds, £lOOO Ditto, under £lOOO 2 d Consol s for Account FAchequer Bills, 24d. £l000 £5OO 3 p par Small 4 p par Ditto Advertised 2 d 2 p Ditto Bonds, 1858, 34 por Cent. 9Bi a Ditto, 1859 PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS—THIS DAY. Peruvian Bonds 44 per Cent Bl i Ditto Account Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cont., Con. 1841 Ditto 1853, 3 per Cent 91 Sardinian Bongs, 5 per Cent. Spanish Roads, 3 per Cont. .................. 40 Ditto li ew Deferred, 3 per Cen' . ......... 2 Ditto Account 24 Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun 64 p e Tarkith %nds 6 per cent Ditto AccOunt Ditto G uarant Ditto Ac teed 4 per Cent. __ ~ lint bill " 4111 on .... th — e"a — bo — v — e . .............. in London. Console, mo ney , . yIIitE . B 93 O' 4 CLOCK , Ditto, Account 6,i;;;;ii .. ................ 93i 4 Ma. Hewes BILL LAWS.—A deputation or -a AMENDMENT OF THE BEE R and aocompanie4 the Beer Trade Society, intro ducedM.P., bad an interview with Sir James Duke, Bart., at the Home-office, on Tuesda y Sir George Grey, Bart., tions they addressed to thei l h aa t th' In the observe. deputation confined thems e l ves on. secretary, the of Mr. Hardy 's New Beer Bill, too the principal features the they objected p la ceo ont h roi future licensing of entirely. The proposal to beerhouses under magisterial granted to it was true, to beersellers apparently modified by the power licensed—a right to continue tb e ei ; but r3tilicense with already this a pp s . by shallthe su cceeding out magisterial interference or control rent concession was neutralised be renewed clauses, which provided that no license that no to any to any but the present existing occupier • beerseller could part with or transfer hi s h:: other person, even though the successor be widow, or other relative. The property embarked in the' e t hill ' would thus be sacrificed ; for no sane person wouldrpad: 'value for a house, the right to carry on the business o f which would not be assured to him. The injustice of the 13th clause, which enacts that no debt for beer drank on the premises should be recoverable, unless sued for within a week, was also pointed out. The right hon. baron e t paid the greatest attention to the deputation, and took minutes of their objections on a copy of the bill, and, in answer to the observations addressed to him, thanked the deputation for the information afforded, and promised to give the subject his best consideration. THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, VEBRUA R 26 1557. Naval and mi litary Intelligence. The 33 Dragoon Guards have received orders to em bark at Dublin for Liverpool, on the way to Canterbury, where they are to be stationed for a short time, prepara tory to their departure for India. Yesterday the troops stationed at Chatham garrison, under the command of Cl.e G. H. Eder, the comman dant, having assembled on their respective parade grounds, marched to Chatham Lines, accompanied by their band?, for the purpose of going through the ma noeuvres of a field-day. The troops of the line, composing the provisional battalions, were formed into two batta lions, under the respective commands of Col. 11. Jervis and Lieut.-Col. R N. Phillips, and these took up their position in the centre of the column. The troops were then put through a variety of brigade movements and evolutions by Col. E'en, which they performed in a satisfactory manner. Capt. J. H Lothian, 53d Regiment, has arrived at Chatham garrison, and taken command of the depot of that corps. Capt. R. L. Warren and Capt. H. B. Kellett have been granted the good service penAons, vice Capt. Nias and Capt. Drake, promoted. The non-commissioned ocers and men belonging to the corps of Royal Engineers at Chatham have been busily engaged in preparing a large number of fascines and gabions, which are to be used in the field works and siege operations which will take place at Chatham dur ing the ensuing summer, in which the whole of the Royal Engineers, as well as the troops of the line, will be engaged. The surgical examinations, for the purpose of consider ing the claims of a leree number of men of the battalions of Royal Artillery at Woolwich under consideration for discharge from the service, have been concluded. The men are now awaiting a confirmation of approval by the medical board. An important reduction is likewise to be made in the Royal Horse brigade. 2,000 horses have been selected, and are ordered to be sold. General George Beatty, of the Royal Marines, is to have the good service pension in the gift of the Lioard of Admiralty by the decease of Lieut.-General Sir John Owen, K.C.B. Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Gascoigne, of the Chatham Division of Royal Marine Light Infantry, has taken the command of tho battalion of Marines stationed at Deal, relieving Colonel A. B. Stranshatn, who has been appointed Second Commandant of the Woolwich Division. Her Majesty's steam transport Rhaglamanthus, Mas ter Cammander Wm. L. Browne, and the troopship Dee, Master Command r Pollen, in Woolwich basin, have commenced shipping steam machinery for the western yards—the former for Portsmouth, and the latter for Plymouth. The Wynyard, Captain Nathaniel Andrew, has shipped a considerable amount of war stores from Woolwich Ar senal for Hong Kong, aed is appointed to sail from the West India Docks on the sth of March. The Dreadnought, seamen's hospital, has been unlashed from her position off Greenwich llo:pltal, and towed down to Woolwich by the steamers Monkey and Wid geon, and was warped forthwith into No. 2 dock. A number of shipwrights' labourers irnmediat-1y boarded her, and commenced removing the window frames, &c., so that the work of demolition is to be carried out with out delay. The steam corvette Scout is ordered to be admitted into No. 1 dock Wot lwich, vacated by the Admiralty yacht Banshee, now ready for service. The Industry, steam storeaip, Master Commander Hodges, returned to Portsmouth on Monday afternoon from Lisbon, 'whither she had conveyed supplies for Rear -Admiral Sir Richard Saunders Dondas's squadron. The Industry left Spithead on Tuesday night for the eastward. Captain John IL Dickson is selected by Rear-Admiral Wallis to be his flag captain. Her Majesty's ship Indus, 78, Captain Stewart, bear ing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H u>ton Stewart, Commander-in• Chief on the North American and West India station, put into Falmouth with strong S.S W. wind, on Sunday last, and intended sailing again on Monday, the wind having again shifted to northward. The North of Europa Steam Company's vessel the St. George, Captain Sayers, from London, bound for Tene rife and the West Coast of Africa; put into Falmouth on Sunday night from the same cause, and woull re plenish fuel before proceeding. The Cassar, 9, Captain Robb, is ordered to be paid off at Portsmouth. The Arrogant, 46, Captain Lyster, was paid off at Portsmouth yesterday. The Urgent, steam troopship, Commander Phillips hauled alongside Portsmouth Dockyard yesterday, to prepare for the reception of the 49th Regiment, which she will embark to-morrow for Barbadoer'. The Nimrod, 6, new steam despatch gunvessel, ar rived at Portsmouth, on Tuesday, from Sheerness to re ceive the officers and crew of the Flying Fish, and make an experimental cruise or two, prior to proceeding on foreign service. The Alban, 3, steamvessel, Lieutenant de Blaquiere, left Portsmouth on Tue-day evening for the eastward. The Assurance, 4, steam gunvessel, was undocked, after repairs, at Portsmouth, yesterday. The Devastation, 6, steam-sloop, Commander Mar shall, left Spithead for Plymouth on Tuesday night. The following appointments have been made at the Admiralty :—• Lieut. C. H. Simp4on to the Otter, vice Glover; E. H. Evans, Assistant-Surgeon to Plymouth Hospital ; A. King, Assistant-Surgeon (confirmed) to the Brunswick ; J. Young, Assistant-Surgeon to the Victory ; C. G. Wolfenden, Assistant-Surgeon to the Excellent ; John Coogan, Assistant-Surgeon to the Hasler Hospital ; R. P. Hiffernman, Assistant Surgeon to the Duke of Wel lington ; R. C. P. Lawrenson and T. W. Hughes, Act ing Assistant-Surgeons to the Calcutta ; W. Connolly, Assistant Surgeon to the Calcutta ; G. M. Lang, Pay master to the Tortoise ; and A. R. Torbert, Assistant. Paymaster to the Princess Royal. LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(This Day.) LONDON, Feb. 26.—Wind this day at noon, N.W. ; Light airs and fine. The Redbreast, of and for Liverpool, from Cadiz, hav- ing been dismasted in a violent gale, was driven on shore on the sands near Faro on the 21st inst., and three of the crew and a child drowned ; if the weatbet moderato part of the cargo was expected to be saved. The Madrid (s.), from Southampton, struck on a wreck at the entrance of Vigo on the 20th inst. ; all on board were saved. PLYMOUTH, Feb. 25. —Wind N.N.W.—Arrived—H.M.S. Shannon, from Lisbon ; H.M.S. Hawk, Limerick. SWANSEA, Feb. 24.—Wind N.E.—Sailed—Ludvig Heyn, for Coquimbo. SUNDERLAND, Feb. 23.—Wind N.W.—Sailed—City of Durham, for Madras ; Christabel, Caldera ; Star of the West, Coquimbo. PETERHEAD, Feb. 23.—Sailed—Commerce, for Green- land. NEWHAVEN, Feb. 25.—The Mathilde, from Malaga, has been surveyed, and is discharging. Coax, Feb. 24.—The Jane Grassin, from Liverpool to Corfu, which put in here yesterday leaky, has been sur veyed, and ordered to discharge. SCARBOROUGH, Feb. 25.—The Aquila, of this port, from Shields to Whitstable, was abandoned in a sinking state on the 23d Feb. off Robin Hood's Bay, and soon disap peared ; crew saved. LIVERPOOL, Feb. 25.—A large black barque, with house on deck aft, under close-reefed main and wizen stay-sails, was passed, 30 miles off Cape Clear, with foretopmast hanging over the side, and tnizen topgallantmast and jib boom gone, by the Bessie, arrived here. (PER ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, Thursday Morning. Wind S.S.E. _ Arrived—Astria, from Mauritius; Dag, Demei ara ; John J. Boyd, New York ; Chas. Prague, and Northern Chief, New Orleans; Norfolk, Const a nti no pl e ; It a li an , (s.s.), Havre ; Bessie, Bah ia. Sailed—Selina, for Newfoundland ; Catherine Maria, Santander. QUEENSTOWN, Feb. 24. Wind S. Arrived— Ocean, from La rach ; Radi, Malta ; Annan dale, Akyab ; Flora, Ibraila ; Beaton, Marseilles ; Spar tan, Malta; Venus, Alexandria. DUBLIN, Feb. 25. Wind W.N.W Sailed— Shamrock, for Bordeaux. KINGSTOWN, Feb. 25. Wind W.N.W. Sailed—Naiad, for Nantes. (BY SUBMARINE AND BRITISH TigIEGRAPIL) GRAVESEND, Thursday, 9.45 a.m. Wind N.W. • low water ; fresh a nd fine. Sailed Feb. 2G—Sir R. Peel, steamer, for Dunkirk ; Sir E. Banks, steamer, Calais; Sylph, steamer, Bremen. DEAL, Thursday, 9.35 a.m. Wind N.N.W. ; moderate, and fine. Passed—Silist r i a , for Gibraltar; Rival, Capo of Good Hope ; Chanticleer, Jamaica—all from London. Sailed—Queen of Sheta, for Port Philip. MARKET NEWS.—(This ray.) CORN EXCHANGE. GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN For the week ended Feb. 26, 1857, made up from the Re turns of the Inspectors in the different Cities and Towns in England and Wales, per Imperial Quarter. WHEAT BARLEY I OATS RYE I BEANS 1 PEAS 55s 10d 45s 4d 22 510 d 137 s 7d I 39s 8d 1398 3d THE SIX WEEKS' AVERAGES. WSEAT I BARLEY I OATS I RYE 1 BEANS I PEAS 57s 6d 45s 8d 23s 3d 39s 6d 40s 6d 39s 5d ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LAST WEEK. Wheat, 108,890; barley, 78,090; oats, 15,976; rye, 90; beans, 8,075 ; peas, 2,484 quarters. MEAT MARKETS. NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL.—We had a fair trade to-day, as follow s : Beef, from 3s 4d to 4e 61 ; Mutton, 3s 10d to 58 Oil Veal, 4s Od to 5s Od ; Pork, 3s 8,1 toba 4d per 81b8, by the earetre. SOUTHALL, Feb. 25.—The beef trade was dull. Sheep and calves were dearer, with a very firm market, Beef, from 3s 4d to 48 8,1 ; Mutton, 3 s 10,1 to 5s 8d ; Veal, 4 5 4d to 58 01; Pork. 4s Od to 58 Od per 81bs, to sink the offal. ROMFORD, Feb. 25.—The trade generally ruled firm, as follows:—Beef, from 38 4d to 45 10d ; Mutton, 48 Od to Gs ; Veal, 4s Od to 5 8 2d; Pcrk, 4s Od. to 4s 10,1 per 81bs. SAY MARKETS. SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, 21 103 to 4/ 03 ; clover do., 3/ lOs to 5/ 03; and straw, 1/ 43 to 1/ 88 per load. A fair demand. CUMBERLAND. —Meadow hay, 2/ 103 to 4/ 43 ; clover do.. 31 lOs to 5/ Oa ; and straw, 1/ 4s to 11 93 per lo ver do., steady. WHITECIIAFEL.—Meadow hay, 21 103 to 4/ Os ; clover do., 31 Su lOs to 5/ 5s ; and straw, 1/ 4 s to 11 83 per load. Supply good and trade dull. The c omm i ss i on f or tracing w ill have the Bessarab ian frontier have offici a ll y d ec l are d t h a t theyco mpleted their labours by th e 25th o f March. Sporting Intelligence. NOTTINGHAM SPRING MEETING—TUESDAY. (ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.) The Trial Stakes of 5 cove each, with 30 added, for 3 yr olds and upwards ; certain penalties and allowances. One in le. (15 subs.) Mr. T. Pair's Apathy, 3 yrs, 6et,1211) (including Sib extra) Mr. Hawkics's Master Begot, 3 yrs. 6$ 711) (Snowden) 2 Mr. Jackson's Remedy, 3 yrs, 6$ 41b......(Cha110ner) 3 Tao following also ran :—c. by Stultz, Vaulter, Expe riment, Old Fashion, Attorney-General, and Pontifical. Betting-5 to 4on Apathy, 4to 1 eget Master Begot. \Von in a canter by two lengths ; a length between the second and third ; two lengths between the third and fourth ; Vaulter was fifth, and Old Fashion sixth. The Grand Stand Handicap, of 5 cove each, with 25 added. T.Y C. Mr. Morris's Admiral Lyons, by Coiling wood, 3 yrs, hat 41b (W. Grimmer) 1 Mr. Bishop's Q ieen of the S 'nth, 4yrg, 7st (Grainger) 2 Mr. Copeland's Salmon, 4 yrs, 7st s:b (Stagg) 3 Tho f dlowing also ran :—Tyre, Jack the Giant Killer, Usurer, Knight of Avon, Coal Black Rose, and Storms ssil. Betting-4 to 1 each agst Stormsail and Knight of Avon, 5 to 1 agst Queen of the South, 6 to 1 eget Ad inirel Lyons. Won by a head, a length between the second and third ; a head between the third and fourth. Usurer was close up with Tyre, Stormsail was sixth, and Jack the Giant Killer next. The Knight of Avon jumped round at the post, and was hat throughout. The Nottingham Spring Hand:cap of 10 sovs each, 5 ft, with 50 added ; the second to save his stake ; a win ner once after the weights were published, 4lbs ; twice, or a winner of any handicap of 100 sovs clear, jibs extra. One mile and a half. (24 subs.) Mr. George Ma•dier'e St Clair, by Orlando, or The Sea, 6 yrs 64 1211) Mr. Saxon's Tom Thumb, 4 yrs, 64 121 b (Dales) 2 Mr. J. Osborne's Walhalla, 3 yrs, sst 71b...(Challoner) 3 The following also ran:—Early Bird, Oak Ball, Indian Queen, Sir Humphrey. Betting— 7 to 4 agst Early Bird, 4 to 1 aget Tom Thumb, 6 to 1 each aget Walhalla and Sir Humphrey, 8 to 1 agst Oak Ball, and 9to 1 agst St. Clair. Tom Thumb and Early Bird ran together neck and neck to the turn into the straight, where Early Bird began to drop back. At the distance St. Clair went up to Tom Thumb, a fine race in ending in favour of St. Clair by a neck; belt a length between the second and third ; same dis tance between the third and fourth. Indian Queen was fif , h, Sir Humphrey sixth, and Oak Ball last. Tom Thumb swerved slightly at the finish. The Little John Stakes of 5 sovs each, wit 30 added, for two-yr olds ; colts, 84 71b ; fillies, 84 4ib. The second to save his stake. About half-a-mile straight. (21 subs.) Mr. St. John's Greenwich Fair, by Woolwich, Bst 91b. (in. 51b ex.) (Cowley) 1 Mr. Wallow's Orchell, 84 7lb (Wells) 2 Mr. J. Thompson's Sister to Dusty Miller, 8-t 41b. (Aldcroft) 3 The following also ran :—Schriften, Nura Creina, Archibald, Rough Bob, Miss Curl, Sir Isaac Newton, b f by Jericho out of Dividend. Betting—Even on Greenwich Fair, 5 to 1 agst Or chill, 6 to 1 agst Sister to Dusty Miller, 8 to 1 each aget Miss Curl and Dividend filly. After going about fifty yards Greenwich Fair, took the lead, Made the rest of the running and won cleverly by a length, half a length between the second and third, Archibald was a good fourth, Nora Creina was fifth. Sir Isaac Newton, Miss Curl, and Rough Bob were the last three. The Park Stakes of 5 soya each, with 20 soya added, for 3-yr- Ids and upwards; optional selling weights, &c. T.Y.C. (4 subs.) Mr. Ewbank's Sichasus, by Birdcatcher, 3 yrs (201) 6$ 21b (W. Grims:er) 1 Mr. Robinson's Lady Malcolm, 3 yrs (30/.), fist 811). (carried Est 61h.) (Fordham) 2 Captain Little's fly by Cossack, out of Giselle, 3 yrs (201.), sst 13ib (Whalley) 3 Mr. Pedley's Madam Pali>sy, 3 yrs (20/.), sst 13. b (Sno a den) 4 Betting—Even on Lady Malcom, 7 to 4 agst Sickens Won by a length, two lengths between the second and third. The winner was sold for 50 guineas. WEDNESDAY. The Fore 4 Plate Handicap of 50 cove. Winners 51b erra. T.Y.C., about three-quarters of a mile. Mr. Steven's Elfrida, by Faugh-a-Ballagh, 4 yrs, 6st 101 b (Prior) 1 Mr. J. Osborne's Walhalla, 3 yrs, sst 71b (Challoner) 2 Mr. D. Wray's Tom Perkins, 6 yrs, 7st...(Cresswell) 3 The following also ran :—Catherine Logie, Gazehound, Leo, Lady Malcolm. Betting : 7 to 4 agat Elfrida, 3 to 1 agst Walhalla, 5 to 1 aget Leo. Won by a length ; six lengths separated the second from the third ; a bead between the third and fourth. Leo was next, close up with Catherine Logie. The Juvenile Selling Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 20 added. Straight half-mile. (3 subs.) Mr. Breeke's Woodmite, by CoLingwood, (201.), 6$ 11th. (Snowden) 1 Mr. Robinson's Nora Creina (60/ ), 7st 81b (Quinton) 2 Mr. Copeland's Persepolis (201.), Est 1111). (Stagg) 3 The betting opened at even on Woodmite, and closed at 5 to 4 on Nora Creina, and 7 to 4 agat Woodmite. Won by a length. Persepolis, who bolted to the right just after the flag was dropped, finished a bad third. The winner was bought in for 27 guineas. The Grand Annual Hurdle Race of 7 sovs each, 3 ft, with 50 added. The second to save his stake. Cer tain winners extra. About two miles and a half, over eight flights of hurdles. (27 subs.) Mr. Thomas's Sluggard, by King of Kildare, 5 yrs, Bst 10lb (W. Whitt) 1 Mr, Worth's The Screv4 - aged, 9st 71b (Green) 2 Mr. E. Devonport's Boadicea, 5 yrs, 94 21b (R. Sly) 3 The following also ran e—The Prince, Janus, Tom Laker, Bruiser, St. Julian, Old Stringhalts. Betting : 4 to 1 agst The Prince and Old Stringhalts, sto 1 each agst Sluggard and Boadicea. Won by two iengthe, three lengths between the second and third, bad fourth, Tom Luker was fifth and St. Julian sixth. Janus walked in next. The Bruiser was pulled up after going once round. Old Stringhalts fell at the first bur. dles, and galloped riderless to the end. The Innkeepers' Plate (Handicap) of 3 soya each, with 25 added. One mile. (3 subs.) Mr. Byron's Cripple, 4 yrs, 7st. (Snowden) 1 Mr. H. Robinson's Attorney-General, 3 yrs, Est 31b (T. Holmes) 2 Mr. Warris's Sichaius, 3 yrs, bat 2lb (Dales) 3 Mr. Raxworthy's Knight of Avon, 4 yrs, 7st 111 b (Charlton) 4 The following also ran :—Little Tom, Tyre, Mare by Idas, Master Bigot, Pontifical, and Nora Creina, Betting-2 to 1 apt Knight of Avon, 4to 1 aget Sicbreus, 5 to 1 agst Little Tom, 6 to 1 agst Master Bagot, 10 to 1 agst Nora Creina. Won by a length ; same distance between the second and third. Moderate fourth. Little Tom and Master Bagot were fifth and sixth. LATEST BETTING. LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE. Bto 1 aget Alincs 10 to 1 aget Escape DERBY. 25 to 1 aget Saunterer (taken) MONGREL'S PEDIGREE. Subjoined is the official announcement of the decision recently delivered by the stewards : "The dispute respecting Mongrel's qualification for the Nursery Stakes at Newmarket, in the last Hough ton meeting, as beard by the stewards of the Jockey Club on the 12th Feb., and the following decision was given We are of opinion that Mr. Gilby has not proved Mongrel to be thoroughbred, and that Mr. Os borne is entitled to receive the Nursery Stake s . ' Signed) 6 ' ZETLAND. " ANGLESEY." The horse is thus described in the lists of nominations this year : "Br c Mongrel by The Cure, dam by Margrave, granddam the dam of Lord Waterford's Miss Chance and the late Captain Rarnsden's Tiger." LIVERPOOL STEEPLECU&SE, &O.—An analysis of the performances of all the horses engaged in this race, with probable winner of the same, and the other events at Liverpool next week, will appear in the " London Racing Indicator" of Monday next, price 74. post free. Smith and Co., 157, Strand, London. N.B. It gave winners at Nottingham, Lincoln, and 0 undle this year. THE BULLION ROBBERY.—The convict Edward Agar, who gave evidence against his accomplices in this ex traordinary robbery, has been sent back to his old quar ters at Portland prisbn, and no intimation has as yet been given on the part of the Government of any inten tion to commute his original sentence of transportation for life, and he has to perform the same labour as the other convicts who are under a similar sentence. No proceedings whatever have been taken with a view to settle the point relative to the Turkish bonds. s e t n a rr A n K e HE ofl"GI ttAhoLerLodi c s en E ey n ci SUNDAY OPENING OF THE SHEEP SHANKS PEN publishes h b p e y u following t g t a h n e i l s e s y t u h o b e i Alderley in the re — c o e fli n g t hifet de aA b l a ituh t de e n . e clause relating to Sunday :--"The raid pictures and drawings shall be used (as the primary object) for refe rence and instruction in the schools of art now or here after placed under the superintenden ce of the said depart ment, and, subject thereto, sh all be exhibited to the public at such times as shall not interfere with the ar rangements of the said schools, and under such regula tions a on i s r a a s na t e h m e z t osji can cio be properlytruste m trustee shall prescribe him; ondso r soon as that purpose, the public, and especially the working classes, shall have the advantage of seeing the collection on Sunday afternoons ; it being, however, understood that the exhibition of the collection on Sundays is not to be considered as one of the conditions of my gift." RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOLDERS OF CHEQUES.--111 the Westminster County Court yesterday an action was brought by Mr. Cousins, potato salesman, of Bow-street, e theaocthghn e a e s n h2uu s e9em t wht M ooaf ysoria. of August , givenz.B Ir6itsi .t Edwards, h e greengrocer, amount of a bhy Bank. t whichh e ee p x t c H ah i m n e a on t u h g h n i e s e t d d e oi a t sf r n h e e: D d tt n h r t o e u p h ur a a r p y y t e d e r ti cheque,nn ett e off crossedf hiseore then l o wce c eh k lei l e cre t hods t s i 0: was t at h edhuh e oa denqtehu.defendantcheque ofo morningohraegauto cheque was law t ian h niaagn e s bankers, at?ci?easked deiphtt the mme but hst eao r k m. it directly to the Strand branch of the Royal British a Bank the establishment was closed, dishonoured. The judge of the County Court expressed a decided opinion that the plaintiff was aware when he applied for the second cheque tbat the bank was expected to stop payment, and judgment was given for the de. fendant. TAXES ON RN° IVLE DUE. Tho sixth annual meeting of the Assoeia,fion for Promoting the Repeal of the Taxes on Knowledge was held yesterday evening at St. Martin's-ball. Them. wai a very large at' endance both in the body of the ball and on the platform. _ _ Sir J. PAXTON, M.P., having talrrn the chair, opened the proceedings by observing; that previous to the assembling of Parliament he had hoped that the meeting that Light would only have been a for mal one, te congratulate themselves on the Chan cellor of the Exchequer having promised to repeal that most odious of all taxes, the tax on paper. But he grieved to say that he feared from what had transpired that this would not be their last meet ing on the subject, the Chancellor of the Ex chequer in his financial statement having held out no hope that the paper tax would be repealed. On the contrary, judging from the whole tenour of his speech, and from what he said in relat'on to it, one was induced to believe that the right hon. gentleman was rather in favour of the tax than otherwise ; for what did he say ? After stating that the tax divided itself into three heads —namely, a tax on paper for printing, on paper for writing, and on paper for packages, he added that, while he considered the duty rather heavy on the third de scription of paper, he thought the tax on the other two descriptions could not be said to be a tax on knowledge, and in his opinion paper itself was a fair subject for taxation. It was therefore quite evident that the present Chancellor of the Exche quer was determined to retain the tax, at all events forthehe thought that present. HadM have repealed the tax bef ore no w. In 1853 Mr. right . hon. gen tleman would Gladstone power remained in Gladstone denounced th e p aper d u ty, and said he should be delighted to see the day when it could be repealed. Mr. 'lsraeli, too, in 1851, when he was not in power, spoke strongly against the tax ; but in 1852, when he came into office, he somewhat altered his tone. A deputation from the society waited upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer some little time since, when that right hon. gentleman made certain inquiries andldrew certain deductions, which evidently showed that he possessed a very slight acquaintance with the subject. He asked the deputation whether they lee'ieved if the duty on paper were remitted there would be a percep tible change in the price of books, and on being told there would, he asked to what extent, and Alderman Baldwin stated that the duty enhanced the price on the first books used at schools 30 per cent. ; and observed that the tax fell on the manu facturer in the first instance, and that he did not get any profit on the duty paid. Upon this the right hon. gentleman neared whether Mr. Baldwin thought the manufacturer ought to make a profit on the duty he paid ? This was rather a strange question for a Chancellor of the Exchequer to put to a manufacturer. Why, it. had been shown over and over again that this tax in many instances amounted to 100 per cent. on the cost of the article ; if, there fore, the manufacturer had to pay 100 per cent. duty that was as much a charge upon his paper before it got into the market as the gas on his premises, or any other artieleinvolved in the c of production. But the evil did not stop there, for there must be a profit realised by each pei son through whose hands the paper passed from the manufacturer to the consumer, and thus the tax was increased by means of these several charees of profit to perhaps 200 per cent. By way of showing how beneficially the repeal of an Excise duty operated, the hon. chairman referred to the manufacture of glass, in which great improvements had been made since the removal of the Excise restrictions, and stated that the glass for the original Crystal Palace cost 13,500/., whereas if the duty had remained un repealed the co,t would have been 54,0001. If, therefore, the tax en glass had continued the people would never have had a Crystal Palace. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had gone back to an old-exploded school for his system of taxation, and had raked up a gentleman who had wrote nearly a century ago—Mr. Arthur Young—who said that the best tax that could be imposed was a little tax upon a great number of things. But after what they had seen done by Sir R. Peel, he thought the fact that a Chancellor of the Exchequer of the pre sent day should lay down such an exploded doc trine was no proof. that they were improving and becoming a more enlightened governing nation. (Cheers.) After pointing out the great mischief which Excise restrictions wrought, by checking all improvement in the manufacture of the article sub ject to duty, the chairman concluded by observing that as long as a tax on paper remained it was idle and a delusion upon the public for gentlemen who advocated the education of the people and the in stituf on of reformatories to endeavour to effect their objects. It could not be done without first removing that most objectionable tax. (Cheers.) Dr. EPPS then came forward, and moved the fol lowing resolution : "That the Excise on'ipaper limits its supply and en hances its ',price, is ruinous to the small manufacturer, restricts the field for_the employment of capital and labour, and thus tends to produce ps!uperism and crime; and that the interest" of the country imperatively demands that a less injurious mode of xa.sing money_ be resorted to than a tax on so important a manufacture." The present paper duty was lid. per lb., and 5 per cent. additional. . The tax, if on books, was most unfair to authors, and if on cheap publications, particularly on newspapers, it was most injurious to the public. If they took a daily paper weighing 14 to the pound, supposing its cit culation to be 20,000, that would give 6,260,000 copies a year, equal to 447,1421 b, or as nearly as possible 202 tons, which, at 14/. 14s. per ton, gave an annual tax of 2,9401. It was said that the penny papers were not worth more than a penny ; but wh made them not worth more than a penny ? If that 2,9401. was left in the hands of the proprietors they could employ men of greater ability on their papers. The tax was an interference with the progress of society, and it materially retarded the manufacture. .When the duty was reduced from 3d. to 11d. a great increase in the manufacture of paper took place ; but that was in some degree checked by the additional tax of 3-10ths of a farthing imposed in 1853. The liberties of the people essentially de pended on Pee discussion, but there never could be free discussion where there was not a free press, and an entirely free press could not be enjoyed while this obnoxious tax on paper was suffered to exist. (Cheers.) Dr. JOHN WATTS seconded the resolution. He said that one evil resulting from the tax on paper was to render the trade a complete monopoly. Men of small capital could not embark in it. If a similar impost were attempted to be levied on any other branch of trade in the kingdom every indi vidual in that trade would be converted into a rebel. (Cheers.) After describing the vexatious workings of the Excise laws, and pointing out the frauds that were practised by the sanction of the Government in carrying out those laws, the speaker e ly r i n had accrued observed that by the payme n t b e i ng exacted within six when a duepemrsaonny got t rs i o n n to s were w weeks difficulties with the Excise, and could not pay the actually afte ra duty at the proper tim e , the debt immediately be came doubled. In regard to the Customs the law was different. Merchants were allowed to keep their goods in bond until they could sell them, be fore paying the duty. The policy of the Govern-. xu.ent in exacting this duty was most mischievous ; and for the sake of obtaining a revenue of one mil lion they prevented the creation of two millions of wealth. (Cheers.) Why should not England sup ply the whole world with paper as well as with cotton ? The people worked harder than those of any other nation, and our machinery was better. But for this tax England might just as well supply the world with paper as she did with calicoes. But the yield of paper was decreasing, while the yearly increase of calico was immense. It was said that the tax brought a million a year to the revenue, but Mr. Gladstone told the Rouse of Commons the other night that, although 22 ,000,0001. of taxes had been repealed, yet the revenue had not suffered a single penny ; and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who did not propose to repeal this tax, must be blind indeed to the best interests of the country. Mr. 11. INGRAM, M.P. ' supported the resolution. He was perfectly disinterested on the question. He admitted the evils that arose from the paper duty. He once was ambitious to have a large book trade and to publish educational works, but he was ob liged to give up a very large trade because it was a positive loss to him. (Cheers.) It had been said, what benefit would the repeal of the tax be to the consumer ?—the duty on leather was taken off, and yet shoes and boots were not cheaper. There was a limit to the supply of skins ; but that remark would not apply to the production of paper. No country in the world, save England, imposed a paper duty. England stood alone. The Chinese, who invented paper, might well call us outside barbarians. (Cheers and laughter.) The paper trade was sensibly diminishing in this country. In the United States of America there were 750 paper mills, pro ducing 270,000,000 lb. of paper a year. In Eng land the production of paper was 166,000,000 lb., only 155,000,000 lb. of which were for home con sumption. Considering the vast quantity of paper used. by the Government themselves, and the a mount of drawback allowed for bibles and testa ments, he did not believe that the tax yielded so much as 1,000,0001. a year. The drawbacks allowed for bibles andtestaments alone amounted to 22,351/. in two years. The hon. member concluded by say ing that he could support the resolution, because he considered it to be a tax on the education, the in dustry, and the intelligence of the country. (Cheers.) Mr. Sergeant PARRY then moved the following resolution "That the tax on paper is a tax on knowledge, which, by destroying the author's fond, deteriorates cheap lite' and chf.eks the enterprise of the best publishers. That it ought, therefore, to be in-rrediAteiy repealed." 1 , Mr. HELP seconded the resolution, tit hich was also unanimously age eed to. Mr. M. GIBSON, M.P. then came forward and was received with repeated rounds of cheers. He proposed a vote of thanks to S;r J. Pixtott for his kindness in presiding over the meeting. The sym pathies of that gentleman had always been with the cause of the industrial classes, and those sympathies were poser better evinced than by his appearins that evening among them. It had ben his (Mr. Gibson's) lot to visit various Ministers of State, and he had conversed with them en the mischievous operation of an Excise duty on paper. lie had gene rally been received courteously, and had heard no argument in favour of the duty, but had teen bowed out in a pleasant sort of manner. (Cheers and laughter.) In fact, till the present Chancellor of the Exchequer they had not of late yews had any Minister of State who had the baldness to avow him self a friend to the tax on its own merits. All the rest had said that possibly there were objections to the duty, but that that was not the time to deal with so large an item of revenue. (Cheers and laughter.) The question they had to consider was, how were they to accomplish the repeal of the paper duty ? It was the obvious and bounden duty of that society not to cease from its efforts until that duty was repealed. (Cheers.) In the commence ment of this agitation they proposed three princi pal objects—the repeal of the advertisement duty, the repeal of the stamp duty oa newspapers, and the repeal of the duty on paper. They were sup ported by subscriptions for effecting these three objects. They had succeeded in obtaining the first two objects, and they would not be discharging the engagement they undertook unless they persevered in their effor's until they succeeded in i ffecting the abolition of the paper duty. (Cheers.) He, for one, co-operated with the society in the first in stance, because he was an advocate for a free press; but they could not have a free press unless the ex ciseman's hand was taken from it. (Cheers.) The original object of the paper duty was net revenue. The journals of Parliament proved that the inten tion of imposing a duty was to prevent the circula tion of cheap newspapers and to check the diffusion of knowledge cone amidoonr.gatthheApneaotpulrea. enemies o i f n i t ) h e a e c s e e days were and order. (Cheers and laughter.) He was not making his assertion without book; he could refer to the journals of the House of Commons as his authority. In 1711 a message was sent by Queen Anne, complaining of the scurrilous libels which were being published against her Maj- sty's Govern ment, and calling upon the House of Commons to find a remedy equal to the mischief. Well, Par liament talked of a censorship, and of other plans for re - straining the press. At last sonic member hinted that r crimps a tax might accomplish the same end, and not bear the odious name of censor ship : so they agreed to impose three heavy taxes upon the press. What they were afraid of was cheapness and universality, lest the people should become alive to the misdoings of their Government. (Cheers.) The Government of the present day said that it might be desirable to relieve the country from this tax, but the state of the revenue did not afbnit of it, A Ministry had two points to consi oler—first, how much money they were to raise, and next how they were to raise it. It was not enough to say that a particular mode of taxation would give a certain amount of revenue if it could be shown that that mode was fsr more injurious to the State than advantageous to the revenue. He believed the tax on paper produced mere pernicious influence on society than the benefit it gave to the Government by the money it produced. (Cheers.) He did not know that if the duty were repealed it would be missed. When the Excise duty on glass was repealed it was not missed, and for a very obvious reason—where there was a number of different taxes one tax starved the other ; but if they repealed a tax upon some one article of con sumption there was mere motley left to be spent on other article, which made up for the repeal of any particular duty. (Cheers.) When they heard of pauperism and crime prevailing, and that great efforts should be made to provide for the p'ritual destitution of the people, and tracts should be cir culated, he would Say that the first thing to be done was to remove those obstacles that stood in the way of improving the people's minds ; and when they talked of increasing the wealth of the country let it be diffused among the labourers of the coun try, and they would thereby do more to past down pauperism and crime than all the preaching in the world. (Cheers.) In advocating a cheap press it must not be imagined they were opposed to the ex isting press. His argument had alw iys been that there was room enough for both. He b-lieved they had accomplished a great public good so far as they had gone by repealing the stamp and advertisement duty, but their efforts could not he crowned with success unless they added to that achievement the repeal of the paper duty. (Loud cheers.) The vote of thanks was. earried by acclamation, and, the Cha;rman having acknowledged the com pliment, the meeting separated. ROYAL GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND. Yesterday the general annual meeting of the members of the Royal General Theatrical Fund was hold in the saloon of the Lyceum Theatre, for the transaction of the business of the association. J. B. Buck st one, Esq. (lessee of the Theatre Royal, Haymarket) presided. A large body of the members of the theatrical profession were present. Mr. OULLENFORD, the secretary, said, in com mencing the business of the day he would bring before them that matter which was of the most consequence to them, and that wa, , , as to the re ceipts and expenditure since they had last met in that place, and the performance of that task would be a light and pleasing one. He 1110 simply to read over the expenditure, and to offer such expla nations as might be necessary as he went on. Ho then read the balance-sheet, wh'cli on the credit side showed a sum of 6871: 63. 2d. for members subscriptions ; interest on money invested, 2611. lls. Bd. ; profit on annual dinner, 2271. 2s. 10d. ; balance of the Coburg fund (handed over by - Alr. T. P. Cooke), 1611. ; and other smaller receipts, the whole amounting to a gross sum of 1,3651. 4s. Bd. On the expenditure side the principal item was to annuitants, 7701. 2s. 10Ad. ; sect e'ary's salary, 401. ; and several small items ; leaving a balance in favour of the association of 5091. Is. W. The gross balance in hand on the 20th of February, 1856, was 8,7421. 17s. Bd. ; on the 25th February, 1857, to this was added 5091. Is. 21d. ; accounts on the reserve fund, 2531. 14s. 101 d. ; making a total fund inla,vour of the association of 9,5051. 13s. 9d. The CHAIRMAN asked the number of subscribing members ? Mr. CIILLENFORD said that last year the number of members was 149. Since then they had lost one by death, and one had withdrawn, but 10 new members had joined during the year. Their pre sent number was 158 subscribing members. Mr. CLARKE moved the adoption of Mr. Cullen ford's report, believing it to be most clear and satis factory. Mr. AUSTEN LEE seconded the motion, which was put and carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN congratulated the members on the state of their funds, and their excellent and im- proving position. Mr. Braid, Mr. H. Lewis, Mr. T. H. Lacy, Mr. Cullenford, Mr. Home, and Mr. Addison were re elected directors of the fund ; and Mr. Clarke was elected in the place of Mr. E. F. Saville, who was ineligible for re-election, baying left London. Mr. E. Villiers (of the Theatre Royal Hay market) was elected auditor in the place of Mr. Clarke. The next subject brought forward was a recom mendaion from the committee that in consequence of the extra duties cast upon the secretary, his salary should be advanced from 401. to 801. per annum. Mr. E. VILLIERS proposed the confirmation of the recommendation of the committee. Mr. CLARKE seconded the motion. Mr. H. LEWIS supported t he motion, and said that Mr. Cullenford had for a period of six years performed all the duties of secretary gratuitously. The CHAIRMAN said that Mr. W. Bennett, of Drury-lane Theatre, whose duties were by no means s o onerous as those of their Secretary, received 1001. a year for his Services. The motion (in the absence of Mr. Cullenford) was put and carried unanimously, and on the en trance of Mr. Cullenford, The CHAIRMAN said he bad great pleasure in stating that the recommendation of the committee of the 13th of January had been confirmed uuani mowdy by that meeting, and the gentlemen present felt perfectly satisaed with his conduct, believing that the advance now made would be a saving of an increase to the fund. The meeting had expressed many favourable opinions of him, and he hoped he might long continue in his office. Mr. CHLLENFORD had to thank them not only on that but many other occasions for their kindness, and could only say that as he was approaching 60 years of age he could claim their annuity ; but as he possessed health and strength, he hoped to serve them for some years to come. He would endeavour to deserve their confidence and esteem, for without that he should not like to hold office at all. The chairman had told him that they had said compli mentary things of him which it was not his fortune to hear ; but he felt confident that be did possess their good opinion, and although some might not be personally acquainted with him they had respect for his professional character, and be begged to I thank them for the kind feelings they entertained towards him. (Cheers.) Mr. WORRALL (of the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane) proposed the thanks of the meeting to Mr. Arnold for the use of the room for their meetings ; Charles Dillon, for the use of the saloou of the Ca-atre ; to the honorary physician, and to the honorary solicitor. Mr. HOLLAND seconded the motion, which was put and =lied. Some conversation having ensued as to the claims of Mrs. Henry Vining on the fund, and the place for holding the future annual dinner, Thanks were voted to J. B. BIICKSTONE, Esq., f,,r presiding, and that gentleman, in reply, CDII - 1 them on the condition of the fund. If it was sinking he would stick to the ship, but as it was going gallantly over the wave, he would never deceit his pest at the helm. Thanks were voted to the press, and the meeting they separated. BEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK. (Froot the Report of the Registrar-General.) The total number of deaths registered in London in the week that ended on Saturday was 1,243. In the first week of this month the deaths rose to 1,368 ; with a warmer temperature during the suc ceeding two weeks they have been on the decline. In the ten years 1847-56' the average number of deaths in the weeks corresponding with last week was 1,211 ; and in order that the deaths of last week, which occurred in an increased population, may be compared with the average, the latter should be raised by a tenth part, in which case it will become 1,332. The result of the comparison is favourable as regards the present state of the public health. In the throe weeks of February the mean weekly temperature was consecutively 32.3 deg., 40.9 deg., and 42.5 deg. In the same periods the deaths caused by diseases of the respiratory organs (ex clusive of pbthisis) were 359, 307, and 288. The 288 deaths in the present return nearly agree with the corrected average, which is 294; But hooping coutzh appears to be rather on the increase, the deaths from this complaint in each of the last four weeks having been 57, 71, 70, and 74. Scarlatina has not prevailed tAr some time, and last week the deaths from it were reduced to za. eras not fatal in a single case in the Central districts. There were only 4 d.-aths from small-pox, and none of these in the Eastern or Southern divisions. Measles was fatal to 35 children ; in the Maryle bone Workhouse 5 deaths have occurred from this disease since the Bth inst. The registrar of St. Peter, Walworth, statesthat fever is common in the neighbourhood of the Westmoreland road in his sub-district. Of 37 persons whose deaths are re corded in the week, and who were 80 years old or more, it appears that only one, a farmer's widow, had attained the age of 90 years. A labourer, aged 70 years, died on the 12th inst. in Royal Mint street, Whitechapel, from want. Two persons died from intemperance. Last week the births of 975 boys and 904 girls, in all 1,879 children, were registered in London. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1847-56 the average number was 1,592. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean' height of the barometer- in the week was 29.988 in. On the last t' ree days the mean daily reading was above 30 in. ...The highest reading was 30 . 18 in. and occurred on Saturday. The mean temperature of the week was 42.5 deg., which is 4.1 deg. above the average of the same week in 43 year. The mean temperature was on every day after Sunday above the average. The highest temperature occurred on Tuesday, and was 56 deg.; the lowest was 28.2 deg., and occurred on Monday. -The range of the week was 27 . 8 deg. The mean dew-point temperature was 39.3 deg., and the differen-e between this and the mean tem perature of the air was 3.2 deg. The wind blew from the south and south-west, except on Sunday, when it was in the morning in the north-east. There was no rain, but occasionally fog or haze prevailed. MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, FEB. 21. . Zymotic Diseases Diseases of Uncertain Seat Tubercular Diseases Diseases of the Brain, Nerves and Senses Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 5B Diseases of the Lungs and other Organs of Respiration Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion Diseases of the Kidneys, &o. Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. 6 Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles ... ... Diseases of the Skin, &c. Malformations 3 Premature Birth and Debility 25 , a Atrophy lB Old Age VRudder. 6 Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance 65 Causes not specified 1,243 Population Deaths in come- Deaths Enumerated. spending week in the 1851. of 1856. Weal. Nest Districts North Districts 490,396 Central Districts 393,256 East Districts 485,522 South Districts DEATHS FROX ALL CAUSES Totals 1,062 1,243 Males Females. BIRTHS IN THE WEEK. Males Females Total 1,879 - PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-FEB. 25. JUDMENT4 EXECUTION, &c., BILL. In the Committee—Amendment proposed, in page 1, line 13, to leave out " memorial" and insert " copy." Question put, " That ' memorial' stand part of the clause." Tho Committee divided ; Ayes, 77 ; Noes, 99. AYES-77. Agnew, Sir A. 'Ferguson, J. Follett, A. Anderson, Sir J. Fitz william, C. Perry, Sir E. Baird, J. Forster, Charles Philippe, J. BarneS, T. Forster, John Pilkington, J. Barrow, IV. Freestun, Colonel Reed, J. Baxter, W. Hadfield, George Ricardo, 0. Biggs, John Hastie. Alex. Ridley, George Black, Adam Hastie, Archd Robartes. T. Bramley-Ntc ore, J. Ileadlam, T. Scobell, Capt. Brown, W. Heneage, Geo. 11. Seymer, H. Chohnondeley, Lord Hindley , C. Shafto, R. Clay, James I n g ham, R. Smith, Abel C.ive, George Johnstone, J. Thompson, G. Cocks, T. S. Johnstone, Hope Thornely, T. Crossley, F. Kerehaw, J. Tite, W. Davie, Sir H. R. F. K in g , L. Walmsley, SIT J. Davies, D. Kinnaird, A. Warner, E. Deedes, William Lacon, Sir E. Warren, S. Duff, G. Langton, H. G. Whitbread, S. Duncan, George Lindsay, Col. J. Wilkinson, W. Dunda , , F. Lockhart, A. E. Willcox, B. Elliott, J. E. Luce, T. Williams, W. Ewart, W. Mackie, J. Wyndham, W. Ewart, J. Milligan, 11. Fenwlck, H. Michell, William TELLERS. Fergus, John Montgomery, Sir G. Cr E. H. J. F erg uson, Colonel Paget, C. Dunlop, d A. NOES-99. Grace, 0. Napier, J. Graham, Sir J. O'Brien, P. Greene, John O'Brien, Sir T. Greville, Colonel F. O'Connell, D. Hamilton, Lord Claud O'Flaherty, A. Hamilton, J. Oliveira, li. Hankey, T. Paeke, C. Hardy, G. Parker, It, Hayes, Sir E. Pritchard, J. Heneage, Geo. F. Rice, E. Henley, J. Richardson, J. Herbert, Sir T. Rushout, Capt. G. . Heyworth, L. Russell, F. W. Higgins, G. 0. Sawle, C. Hill, Lord A. E. Scuily,V Horsfall, T. Shee, Sergt. W. • Jones, D. Sibthorp, Major T d Kenney, T. Smyth, John Kirk, W. Spooner, R. Knatehbull, W. Smart, Captain Laslett, W. Stunt, C. Macartney, G. Sullivan, Michael MacEvoy, E. Taylor, Colonel MacGregor, J 9.11183 MacMahon, P. T em pest, Lord A. V Vance, John Maguire, J. F. Villiers. C. Malin, Richard WWadding atkins, Col .. ri-• Massey, W. Whiteside, J. Maxwell, J. Whitmore, H. • Meagher, T. Wickham, H. • Monet. Via. J TELLERS. t. J. Mowbray, .R. Maoulgrs,aLorve. Earl of F n i u tzg gh e e r s al , d u , .JG. G. mut ic Adair, R. Adderley, C. B. Bailey, C. Ball, E. Beamiab, F. Beaumont, W. Bective, Earl Bentinck, G. Bethel, Sir R. Bowyer. G. Bruce, 11. A. Buck, Col. Banbury, W. B, Barg,hley, Lord Butt, G. M. Cairns, 11. Castlerosse, Vis. Cobbett, J. M. Cogan, W. H. F. Cole, 11. A. Conolly, T. Corry, H. T. L. Davies, J. Devereux, J. Dundas, G. Dunne, I. Dunne, Colonel Farnham,E. Farrer, J. Gallwey, Sir W. Gifford, Earl of Gladstone, Capt. J. Glyn, G. Goderich, Viscor BANK.—The B tralian English, Scottish, Charles Johnston, Esq , in yesterday , . AUSTRALIAN And Bank was he ldyeEarNlyoLn3rsenet,inSgcoofntihsett, the chair. The repor t . was satisfactory, and showed a considerable progres s . in the d amount of deposits over the yearfi o f 17,900/ , was at the rate of 5 per cent, per an num, after taking a sum towards the reduction of the preliminary expenses, and 4 , 5001. toward s the re'erve fund. Some discussion took place between Mr. Franklin and others in respect to the expenditure, but it ended amicably, and the report and dividend were agreed to. [ADvitaTientinvr.l—Holloway's Pills a Salutary Re medy for Indigestion and Liver Complaints.—Edward Smith, of Newport., Monmouth, was afflicted for fifteen years with indigestion and liver complaint, His symp toms were of the severest kind—pain in the stomach after eating, eructations of wind, pain in the back and right shoulder, weakness, languor, and extreme yellow ness of the skin and eyes ; physicians only affording temporary relief, when he was induced to try this won derful remedy, and in a short time all painful syroPt,°: disappeared, and he was restored to perfect healt h. — Sold a t Sold by all medicine vendors throughout the world , Professor Holloway's Establishments, 244, S A tra Stampat Lon don ; and 80, Maiden-lane, New York ; by, E. Muir, Constantinople; A. Guidicy, spurns ; an d Malta. 975 904 THE LAW OF LIBEL. ( Front the Moriting Post.) To-day Lord Campbell has undertaken to brine under the notic e o f . the Howe of Lards a subjecl which intimately affects the newtpaper press of this country. It is not often that the journalist has to complain of a real and substantial grievance touch ing his own vocation. Everybody's business forms the staple of h s daily and nightly labours—every body's grievance finds a place in his columns—and he is more frequently found fault with for picking holes in everybody's conduct than for suggesting ap propriate and convenießnits=itizot everybody's misdeeds misdeeds and errors. absorbed in the political influence which he exer cises, and scarcely one of his thousands of readers can suspect that he who directs an engine so power ful, so generally respected, and so highly appre ciated, should be subject to restrictions which, if rigidly enforced, would largely impair his efficiency and usefulness. The English press is an institution which has ever kept the van in that marvellous progress of improvement which, for the last half century, has marked the history of this country. We have no desire to disparage steam, the electric telegraph, sun painting, or other triumphs of science and art ; but we, without hesitation, affirm that a daily paper, with its wonderful union of in tellectual labour and mechanical skill, can fear no comparison with the most successful invention to which this teeming age has given birth. Lord Campbell, speaking on behalf of the press, proposes that the following matters shall be referred to a select committee—to consider whether the privilege now enjoyed by reports of the proceedings in courts of justice might be safely and properly extended to reports of the proceedings of the two Houses of Parliament, and of any other assemb'i , s and public meetings, under any and what conditions or restrictions. We will now make a few observa tions on the three points mentioned in the motion of • the noble and learned lord. A true account of what passes in a court of justice is protected on this ground—that, "though the publication of such pro ceedings may be to the disadvantage of the parti cular individual concerned, yet it is of vast impor tance to the publiethat the proceedings of courts of justice should be univeraaly known." A court, however, has the power of restraining the publica tion of a trial during its progress, to prevent the eue.t.a— et ,parte statements, which might seriously affect the character of Due the general rule, which we have cited in the words of Mr. Justice awrence, is open to abuse. At the commencement of the present session Lord Broug ham mentioned a case in which an action had been brought for the sole and express purpose of libel ling. The counsel for the plaintiff, acting upon his instructions, made a most malignan t attack upon the defendant, and, immediately atter he had cloQed his address, the plaintiff was nousuited. Every word of the counsel's speech was published in the news papers ; and the report being " a true account of what had passed in court," the unfortunate defendant was left enfrely without remedy. In a case of this kind, the judge, we submit, should be authorised to state openly that he would not permit the publication of any report wha'ever. Bobh Houses of Parliament consider a public etion , of their proceedings a breach of privilege. The order of the House of Commons declares "that it is an in dignity to, and a breach of privilege of, this House, for any person to presume to give in written or printed papers, any account or minute of the de bates or other proceeling:." We all know that by sufferance reports of debates are allowed to ap pear in the newspapers, and that both houses have taken great trouble tJ provide accommodati - m for the gentlemen who are engaged in the arduous and responsible duty of recording the proceed ings of Parliament. When reports are accurate, the privilege is never enforced ; but cases cf scandalous misrepresentation have sometimes oc curred, and then the delinquents have been com mitted to the custody of the Black Rod or of the Ser geant-at-Arms. But every me uTher may exercise the right of turning strangers out of the house without assigning any reaQon, or having the question put to the vote. In the very valuable collection of Parliamentary precedents, recently published. I.y the Hon. Robert Bourke, we find that the pre sent Speaker laid down the rule in the following words :—" It is an inherent right, arising out of the ancient usage and practice of the House, and analogous to the right also enjoyed by members of calling the at tention of chair to the absence of 40 members, upon which the Speaker is required to see whether that number of members are present, and if such is not the case to adjourn the House." By the ninth article of the Bill of Rights it is declared, " That the freedom of speech, and debates or pro ceedings in Parliament, ought not to be impeiched or questioned in any Court or plc out of Parlia ment." Every member is therefore protected, by his privilege, from any action for libel ; but if• a member publishes his speech, his printed statement is oonstaered to be asepa.rate publication, and in.the case of Lord Abingdon and Mr. Creevy, whose speeches, corrected by themselves, and inserted by their request it, the newspapers, the defendantiwere h e ld gu ilty of libel, and finel accordingly. In re ference to the publication of Parliamentary debates, it would be sufficient to rec , gnis the right of strangers to be present, and to protect all reports which gave a true account of what has passed izi Parliament. The third point involves a question of great diffi culty. In the recent case of Davis-on v. Duncan, an action was brought for a libel publishPd in the Durham County Advertiser, the alleged libel con sisting of a report of speeches delivered at a meeting of the West Hartlepool Improvement Commission ers. The defendant pleaded thatthe report contained a tine and fair account of the speeehes•made at such meeting, and that the same was published without malice. Lord Campbell, with the concurrence of the other Judges cf . the Queen's Bench, held that the plea was bail, observing that, if he hal come to any other conclusion, "the publication of every thing affecting private character might be justified which was spoken at any public meeting, from a meeting of a county to address the Crown to a meeting of a town-council or a vestry to consider the removal of a pauper." This decision, undoubtedly right in law, constitutes the grievance of which the newspaper press has a right to complain. By the existing law every malignant libeller may gratify his propen sity by miking a speech at a public meeting, and procuring, by fair or foul means, its insertion in some paper. The topic chosen may be somewhat more attractive than the removal of h parish pauper, and the report, we will assume, is strictly accurate. The speech may be copied in a journal of larger circula tion, publiabed at a distance, which renders inquiry altogether out of the question, and the innocent disseminator, at second hand, of an accurate report, is to be amerced and fined, whilst the real delin quent is to go scot free. Public meetings, the natural vents of the sentiments of the English people, will, unless the law be altered, b?come a name of terror to the press. Discussion will either be silenced, or the owners of newspapers will be required to run a risk for the benefit of the public, the extent of which cannot be measured. Some change must be made, and w e wou ld sugg est that the action, in the first place, should be brought against the alleged libeller, who would have an opportunity of proving whether the report was accurate or not, and, failing to establish its inaccu racy, then the newspaper should be held free from all responsibility. We are glad that the whole subject is about to undergo investigation, for it is one that conceins not only the security and useful ness of the press, but that freedom of speech which is the boast of Englishmen. THE ROUSE OF COMMONS AT CHURCH. There was a of Commons. On Wednesdays during . delay of two hours yesterday in the meet ing of the House be t h e practice is to commence busin ess at 12 the session k, with two exceptions — namely, the Derby day, , owtonc mem bers invar'ably take a whole h o lid ay, and Ash Wednesday, when, instead of meetin g a t 12 o ' clock Mr. Speaker takes the chair at two o'clock. The two hours on Ash Wednesday are granted in order that honourable members may not be interrupted in their re ligions observances, there being a plea s i ng fi c ti on t h at on Ash Wednesday the Speaker and the House of Commons 'attend divine service in St. Margaret's Church, on which o ccas i on a sermon is preached by the ch h a u pl th, ai ti of the house. What became of the two hours bestowed yesterday does not appear, but it is quite cer tain that they were not passed at St. Margaret's Church in the expression by hon. members of that contriti,!nn . which the services of Ash Wednesday specially enjoin. There was no Mr. Speaker in attendance, n o chaplain of the House of Commons, not a single member d in and an upper or lower house. Prayers were RevreWill ex cellentCure- sermon was preached by the a dozen ladies and ton, the rector of the parish, or toteuniites in gurgite a stray gentleman or two— r±, two--9'a Parliament or its affairs, vasto— but no allusion was made to . !. her of the were to be honoured to suppose that his min is t rations _ a _ of a ny kind. At one time by a legislative attencic the reverend rector never Parliament it was the custom of the avrngfor a moment appeared in i ,the history _ the first day of Lent, but the Margaret's C h ur ch :tfheehlioonuse" to attend the services of St. died away, until at length Sir Robert Brotherton were the only members who I"gli s and • * Robert Inglis died, leaving Mr. Brother attended.Sir S p pr practice a c : o e e r a nd r n a d me ur voninc on formist, the only member who kept up tbe ton, a -ii i - . old cos The death of Mr. B ro th er t on see ms to have an e nd to the observance altogether, although the pu l. - are still allowed. ,ms tw o hou r s The revision of the electoral lists has been commenced for the last two months throughout all France, in pur suance of an Imperial decree. A number of electors who had hitherto abstained have now inscribed their names, particularly in the large towns.