The Sun. — London, England, 1871-02-15 00:00:00

MONETA.RY REPORTS .-YESTERDAY. _ESTERDAY. The stock markets have ruled steady to-day, and prices have shewn firmness in all departments. The tendency of the quotations has beer upwards for both railway stocks and foreign bonds. Under the influence of the improved political situation there is a cheerful feeling in the foreign market, the fact that a moiety of the indemnity demanded from Paris by the Germans having been paid without any considerable difficulty, and arrange ments having been made for the settlement of the other half at an early date, having given rise to the belief that present difficulties will be surmounted with greater ease than was believed. Consols closed at an advance of 1, the last price 92k, 921, both for money and account; Re duced and New Three per Cents 92f, 92g; India Five per Cents., 1092 . , 1101 ; India Bonds, 20s, to 265. prem. ; Ex chequer Bills, ss. to 10s. prem. Colonial Government securities have ruled steady in value and demand. The tendency of prices in the railway share market has been upwards, though the movements have in no case been extensive. It is anticipated that a large increase of traffic will take place on the Southern lines should peace be at once proclaimed, and that the northern lines, though out of the line of direct communication with the continent will be favourably influenced. Great Eastern stock is slightly lower at 381, 39 ; Metropolitan closed firmly at 64/, 651; London and Brighton, 43, 43k ; South Eastern, 781, 782 ; Great Northern A, 1331, 1332 ; North Eastern Consols, 146/, 1471 ; Midland, 1271, 1271; London and North Western, 1291, 1291; Great Western, 734 731. Foreign and Colonial lines have been little dealt in, and there is no material change to notice in the quotations. Bahia and San Francisco shares have sold at 191 ; Great Luxemburg at 121; Recife and San Francisco, 15g ; Atlantic and Great Western Consolidated Bonds, (Biscloffsheim's Certificates) closed at 29, 30 ; Erie (pro tected) shares at 181,19 ; Illinois Central at 109, 110. The market for Foreign Bonds has ruled firm through out the day, and the quotations have shewn firmness. Turkish stocks have been in request at rising currencies, the closing prices for the Five per Cents. being 42, 421, and 53, 531 for the Six per Cents. of 1865. Spanish left off at 3011-16, 30 13-16 ; Italians at 541, 54i ; Egyptian (1868) at 741, ; Peruvian at 90, 90k ; Mexican at 14,141. French Scrip closed better at 871, 87k, the North Ger man Confederation Loan at 21, 21 prem, and the second issue at 11 prem. • Joint-Stock Bank Shares have been little dealt in, and values are unchanged in the absence of important busi ness. Agra A Shares have changed hands at 8i ; City at 11g ; Consolidated, 4 7-16 ; Imperial Ottoman, 111; London and County, 50 3 / 4 to 50a ; London Joint Stock, 37i ; Oriental, 421. There has been a fair amount of activity in the market for Telegraph shares. Anglo-Mediterranean are 1 better, at 125 to 127 ; British Indian Extension have been done at 8 ; Falmouth and Gibraltar, at 92 ; French Cables, at 131 ; and West Indian at 6. There were no bullion operations at the Bank of Eng land to-day. At the Bank of England the demand for accommoda tion is moderately active, but in the general market rather quiet. Good three months' paper is taken at 21 per cent. On the Stock Exchange short loans on English Govern went Securities are obtainable, at 11 to 2 per cent. The Cordillera has brought £60,000 from the River Plate. A moiety of the requisition made by the Germans upon Paris-two millions-has been paid by bills on London, one million in notes on the Bank of France, and one million in gold and silver coin. The other moiety will be paid in the same proportions, the bills being drawn for MM. Andr4, Mannard, Tilleul, Rothschild, &c. The report of the directors of the San Paulo Gas Com pany states that the erection of the works is being carried out under a guaranteed contract for a gross sum of £34,750, of which £7,500 is to be taken in fully paid up shares at par, to 'be increased to £11,500, if desired by the directors. The directors of the West India and Pacific Steamship Company recommend the payment of a dividend of 245. per share, or at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum. The amount carried forward is £3,869. The dividend of the National Steamship Company will be at the rate of 10 per cent. The resolution for a reduction of the capital having been confirmed by the Court of Chancery, the capital of the Credit Fonoier of England (Limited and Reduced) is ROW £1,000,000, divided into 200,000 shares of £5 each. The report of the Australian Agric*ltural Company recommends the payment of an interim dividend of 10s. 6d. per share, free of income tax. ' Messrs. Waring Brothers are sending out a staff of engineers, under a commission from the Argentine Govern ment to survey a railway route of about 1,200 miles, from Buenos Ayres, across the Andes, to join the Chilian sys tem from Santiago to Valparaiso, thus connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the Western Hemisphere. The following is from the manager of the Imperial Ottoman Company's (Limited) Mines at Pelidli, of the 30th January :-" I am glad to inform you that the crusher is working satisfactorily and crushing ore, and have a full number of hands dressing it, which will, I anticipate, be brought up to a good per centage. We are pushing on the completion of the dressing floors. At present all hands are being employed preparing ore for the market." Jay Cooke, 3 1 1`Culloch and Co's. financial circular of this week brings United States commercial intelligence down to January 31st. We extract the following " Exchanges since our last have ruled' rather firmer, gold having advanced advanced about k per cent. The opinion entertained that the continental demand for provisions will be in a measure supplied from our surplus food pro ducts is supported by the increased amount of our exports, they having been for‘ the fou r weeks ending January 25th, 1871 (exclusivssof specie) $18,700,000 against $10,800,000 last year. Imports also are large, being $24,680,000 against $20,275,000 ; but here we may confidently expect a heavy falling off. The specie export is about the usual amount. The mercantile feeling is decidedly better, and indications for trade are good, while stocks are quite light. The cotton crop is now estimated at 3,700,000, 2,198,000 of which are already at hand. The loan market is easy at 5 to 6 per cent. on call. Discounts of prime paper 6k to 7 per cent. United States Bonds have been in good demand, and all descriptions, especially Ten-Forties and currency Six's, (owing to their exemption from the operation of the funding bill), close higher." The traffic return of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway shews an increase of £1,067 ; that of the South-Eastern an increase of £2 567. FOREIGN EXCHANGES.-Amsterdam, three months' date, 120, 1201; ditto, short date, 11171, 1118* ; Rotterdam, three months', 120, 1201 ; Antwerp, ditto, 25 421, 25 471; Paris, short date, ditto, three months' date, nominal ; Marseilles, ditto, 25 70, 25 80 ; Hamburgh, ditto, 13 101, 13 11 ; Frankfort-on -the-Maine, ditto, 1201, 1201 ; Vienna, ditto, 12 65, 12 70 ; Trieste, ditto, 12 65, 12 70; St. Petersburgh ditto, 301, 301; Madrid, ditto, 48, 481; Cadiz, ditto, 491, 49i ; Lisbon, 90 days' date, 522, 53 ; Oporto, ditto, 521, 53 ; Leghorn, three months' date, 26 75, 26 80 ; Genoa, ditto, 26 75, 26 80 ; Naples, ditto, 26 75, 26 80 ; Palermo, ditto, 26 75, 26 80. LONDON ST_ EXCHANGE.—Tutspay, , - LATEST PRIC ES.—AFTE It OFFICIAL 110 CT RS. The prices under the lines indicate the business done. 1 Great Eastern 3 82 39 2 Grand Trunk of Ca nada 39k, Bi, 2 4th Pref Stock 172 181 Great Northern Do A 133 134 10 5 1, 1. 1 1331 Great Western of Canada 152.152 Great Western 73 731 151, 2, 1 732, it, 1, 3.1 Do 5p .3 Bonds. 1873.. 9921001 Lancashire & Yorkshire 13421352 Do 52 do, 1877-8 95 97 Lon, 13righ, and S Coast 43 432 Do 5p c pref. issued 80 1 taro 43/, 3, 1 ad. 531, A Lon, Chat, and Dover .. 141 14 1 Madras rotaz 5p o 142 104 Lon and North-Western 12911293 N. Railway of Canada, 1292 6p o Ist Pref Bonds Lou and South-Western 931 942 Oude and Rohilkund 6 911, 4 5 p a Man, fillet and Lincoln 461 462 1012, 1 4 6 1, 1 &hide, Punjanb. and M e t ro p o lit an 65, 1 , 4 2 , 5 1012, 1, 2 Midland .. . 127 1271 Bahia and San Francisco 1272. 2,2,7 07 Pc l9/ 1H 19/ North British North-EasternConsols 147 1472 Belgian 10 Junction .... 21 21 1473.7 Buenos Ayres Git Sthrn.. 252 261 S ou th-E as tern 7Bl 781 252, 6 782, b Duuaburg and Witepsk 182 191 Atlantic and, St Lawrnoe 77 79 Dutch-Rhenish 23 24 Bombay, Barods, and Eastern of France lB 20 Central India. g 5 p a.. 103 104 Great Luxembourg Buff and Lake Huron .. 41 42 122 Do 52 pc 80nd5,1872- 3- 4 80 82 Lemberg Czernowitzgua Cape guar 6p a East Bengal guar 5 p 0.. 103 104 " 152, 2 104 . Northern of France East Indian, g 5 p a .... 109 110 Ottom (Smyrna to Aidin) 42 51 1091 Recife and San Francisco Grand Trunk Canada .. la 122 (Limited) guar 7p a 121, 1 151 Do Equip Mortßud 1 San Paulo (L) guar 7p o 21k 211 charge l4 6p c 93 2, 1 Do 2nd do Bonds Do Ist Pref Bonds 582 592 581, 91 GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Three per Cent Consols 92 921 Vict 5 p c Jap & .Tilly 1891 113 114 921, 2,1, 2 Do April .tOct 1883-85.. 112 113 Do for Account 92 92 1 1121 92, Jan& JulylB94. 101110 2 1 Three per Cent Reduced 921 924 1021, 1 921, 1, 0 Brazilian. 1865. 5p o .... 93 1 94 1 New 3 per Cent ' 9 2 4 , 4, I 1 Egyptian 1862, 7po .. .. 83 85 Exchequer Bills, March 5 10pm 0o Rail Deben 7pa .. 99 100 5s pm Italian, 1865, 5p o • Do, June 5 10pm Peruvian. 1865. 5p a .... 904 911 t pm 902. li Bank Stock 2,14 391, India beer Cents 1101, 92 851, 61, 51, 6, 1 India Roll ds — Do Nicolas 4p o pm Can 6 poJant 104u1y1877-84 10411051 5par05 1 1. 684, 304, l ' I . 5 a Do March &Sept. 105 107 Turkish. 1854, 6p a Do 5p a Jan & July .. 98 99 791 984. 1 Do, 1805. 5 p a Do Inscribed Stook .. 97 99 ,6, 1. 1, 1 Dow of c a n 6p o 1.103 .. 9911001 Do, 1865 p c 100 • • 6 0 4. 4,1, 11, 1 Ceylon 6 a May and U. 9.5-20 Itonds.6 p a 1362 Novembe p r 1878 lO7 109 911. a Maur itius 6pc Jau and Do do IEIBS July 1873 1034 Do 10-40 ands, 5 po 1908 SV; ales 5 p 01871-76. 100 101 871, 2 New Zealand 6p c 1891 lOB 110 BrieSha, 100 dols, all paid New Do 5 p c Do 5p a Couso lid a ted 99 100 1091, 1 99:• 1 and hl W R Con 1)o 6 p c i Atlantic and &Sept 18 91 109 111 Mortgage Bonds. Do June Sr Dec 1891 108 110 RAILWAYS. Bristol and Banter 9l 9 Do 2nd Prep Bonds ian Caledon SBl. Do 3rd Prof Stock .... BANKING COMPANIES. Pd Pd 10 Agra Bank IL) A Bl 9 10 Imperial Ottoman .. 1111 pm 81 112, Z 25 Alliance IL) 122, 13 20 Loudon and County 50 51 10 Anglo-Austrian 20 Anglo-Egyptian (L). 222 23} 15 London 8 Joint-took 37 38 23 , 50 British N American 511 5 2 1 20 LonBM andWestmnster 621 631 20 Ch of India, Austrlia 131 141 10 Metropolitan 8 81 25 Char Mere of India 24 26 20 Midland (L) 10 City 112 20 New South Wales .. 34 36 30 Colonial 4 Consolidated IL 4 7-16, 9-16 25 Union of Augtralia.. 39 40 20 Eng. Scot. and Aus 016 17 15 Union of London .. 39 40 2 , Imperial (Li TELEGRAPH COMPANIES. Pd • 100 Anglo-American L) 76 77 Pd 6 Great N. China, and 76) Japan Extension.. 8 84 10 Anglo-Meditrn (L) 124 126 5 Indo-European IL).. 11) 12 126, 5 10 Marseilles, Algiers. 100 Atlantic and Malta (L) .... 61 61 100 DoBpc 13 British Australia (L) a 31dis 10 Mediterrn Ex (L) .. 4) 51 10 British Ind Exten (L). 71 7) 2) Puma and S. Pcfo(L 4 3 dis 71. 8, 71, 13-16 dis 10 British Indian Sub- 8 Renter's marine, (L) 71, 4 20 Soc Trans France (L) 131 14 10 ChinaSubmarine(L) 4) 4:idls 131 10 Falmouth, Gibraltar, 100 Submarine .......... 237 242 and Malta (L) 91, 1 10 W India &Panama(b) 6 6) 10 Great Northern .... 11) 12 6 MISCELLANEOUS SECURITIES Pd Pd Anglo-Austrian Ba te Do It Irrie Can Cavour 31 31 holders' Certificate 1 3 100 Do 6p a Bonds. re -10 BerlinWaterworkslLl 16 161 deemable 1870 . 62 64 30 Bolakow-Vaughan L) 32 37pna 30 London Fin Assoc(L1181 17 (dlo 100 Boston City (U.S. 111, i p c Sterling Loan 93 95 4 Lou Gen Omnibus .. 21 2/ 4 Brit & Fgn Marine Ll4l 41pm 21, 11-16 25 Canada Company. —73 75 2 Lon fz Prov Marine Li / Ipm 10 Ceylon Company L) 31 31dis 100 Aladraslrrig. &Canal 35 City Offices (L ) 250240 din gsn c by Ind Gov. 101 102 91r 2 Mauritius Laud (L) /dm par 20 Colonial (L) 5 Com Union mainline 413 Ipm . 12, 111 10 Crdt Fonc of Bog IL) 31 21 N Zealand Loan and 3 1-16, 1, 3-16 Merc Agency iLI .. 11 pm 100 Crystal Palace ...... 16 20 5 N Zealand Loan and 191 Trust (L) 1111 pm 100 Do Pref 100 Do 6p c Pern Deb llO 115 231 271 Ehbw Vale Steel L).. 10 91clis 5 OceanMarineln .. 1 441446 100 Viceroy of t7P 0 • 50 P and 0 Steam sFigYP Mortgage Lon 77 79 10 Do 6 do New. 1867 4Ms 781 8 100 Env 9 , , e rroy Loan. 50 IthYmuey Iron guar by Fayp Gov.. 96 98 15 Do New 9 90 970, 8, 71, 8 60 Royal Mail Steam 13 Fore-stWarehouse(L) 71 Bprn 12 Tel Con and Main L) 261 261 74, 8 pm 265. 1. I 100 rgn and Colonial Gov 2 Thames and Mersey Trust 60 0 Bonds.. '' l 100 Marine Insur Loan. . 31 4pm 101, 1000 Tobacco 6 ri o 71 Generedt&DiactlL).. 1 IPro guar by Italian Gov 8 8 90 7/, L 15-10 a d 8•1 14 Gen Stm Navigation 28 29 5 Trust and Loan Co of 7 Hooper's Tel Works / Idis Upper Canada .. 111 pm 17 Hudson's Bay Bl 80 5Cr Marine, Lvpool IL 51 51in 45 Indrbbr,Gut Per, and 20 Union Steamship (L) 23 25 Tel Works L) .... 511 521 6 United Dis Corprn (L Idis par 510. 1 6 5 InternlFlnan SOcIL) 21 lidis 5 UnivMarinelnsur (LI 6 61pm 21 a d 112 Warrant Finance.... 8 6 dis MARKETS. METROPOLITAN MEAT MARKET, TUESDAY.-There was only a limited supply of meat on sale here to-day, which was disposed of steadily at rather firmer quotations. Beef, from 3s. 4d. to ss. 2d.; mutton, 3s. 4d. to ss. 4d.; veal, ss. to ss. 4d. ; and pork, 3s. 4d. to ss. per fibs. by the carcase. METROPOLITAN HAY AND STRAW MARKET, TUESDAY. -Moderate supplies were on sale at to-day's market. The in quiries were steady, and prices were well maintained. Prime meadow hay, 130 s. to 1405.; inferior ditto, 110 s. to 1208.; prime fresh-cut clover, 1355. to 1475. ' • inferior ditto, 115 s. to 1255. prime second-cut clover, 1265. to 1355.; inferior ditto, 115 s. to 1255. ; and straw, 30s. to 405. per load. COLONIAL AND FOREIGN PRODUCE MARKET, TUTS DAY.-Sugar-The market continues quiet for both raw and re fined, the latter being disposed of on easier terms. Bengal, 225. Coffee : a quiet demadd prevails, and prices are without altera tions. Tea ; There is a moderate business passing at about late rates. Rice : Transactions are restricted in consequence of the high rates which are demanded. Jute : The market is firm, but no rates are reported. Oils ; Linseed oil ,is still obtainable at £ 3l Lo ndon s p ot, and February-Aptil, £3llos. to £3l 15s. Hull spot, £3olos. ; month, £34105. to 34155. Rape oil remains quiet. English brown spot, £45105. Cotton, and cocoanut oils steady, but palm less active. Tallow : The market is steady, but quiet. Y.C. spot 455. 3d. ; March, 455. 3d. •, June, 455. 3d. ; October-December, 465. Metals: Copper firm. Urmenela, £65 to £65 10s. ; Lota ingots, £7O. Tin quiet ; Straits, £132. Scotch pig iron firm, at 525. 9d. cash buyers, and 535. one month. MANCHESTER TRADE REPORT, TUESDAY.-This market has undergone very little, if any change to-day, either in yarns or goods. The former certainly shew less firmness, when the values of cloth are well maintained in nearly every description. The daily business for some time past has been of so uniform a character that it admits of few details. A quiet undercurrent of business has been going on, sufficient to renew contracts that are running out, and also to prevent any accumulation of stock. Although several unsuccessful attempts have been made of late to enhance the value of cotton, it still continues to decline, but very gradually. However, yarns have sympathised with this downward tendency more than cloth. A fair number of orders are on the market at a slight decline in value ; but this concession is only submitted to when the producer is running out of orders. The market closes quiet, and prices are barely supported. LEEDS TRADE REPORT, TUESDAY. -There has been a mode rate attendance of buyers in the cloth halls this morning, and a fair amount of business has been done in spring goods. including all wool and union meltons, fancy coatings, and white Victories. There were also some tolerable sales of black unions, in medium and low qualities. Not much was done in black super fines, and no improvement was noticeable in the demand for tweed. An average quantity of hairlists changed hands. The general condition of the woollen cloth trade, though the public markets do not shew much activity, is healthy, and there is a good delivery of cloth direct from the manufacturers to the merchants, and the latter report a slight improvement in their sales. Their travellers iu the country bring in satisfactory bills of orders. The shipping houses, too, are rather more active than we lately had to report in sending goods to the Continent, and should peace between France and Prussia be re-established a still greater increase is confidently anticipated. The orders lately given for the armies of those nations are being rapidly completed, and no fresh ones have been received during the past month. CLEVELAND IRON TRADE REPORT, TUESDAY.-This market was fairly attended this morning. The price of pig iron was firm at 465. 6d., for No. 3 475. was asked and rigidly main wi tained for special brands. Deliveries are now going on th regularity, as some of the foreign ports are opened. Up-ship ment will take place on a large scale, There is little new to report concerning the rail market, save a few orders for Holland and Prusssian account, A local firm has this morning negotiated a ' contract with the Turkish Government, which is a new buyer in this market. Prices have slightly improved, but they are not expected to exhibit any marked advance until the rostora tion of peace. Plate and angle iron continues in good demand, at slightly advanced prices. HULL CATTLE MARKET, TUESDAY.-The show of cattle at this market to-day was good, but the business transacted was not large. Milch and other calf cows from £l6 to £2O ; barren stock £9 to £2O. No sheep on offer. Pigs had a moderate trade, late rates of 7s. per stone being maintained. NEWCASTLE CATTLE MARKET, TUESDAY.-There was a good supply of all kinds of stock at th is market to-day. Trade was steady, and last week's rates were fully supported. Beef, 6s. 9d. to 9s. per stone ; sheep, 7d. to 9d. per lb. There were 1,300 beasts and 5,000 sheep at the market. SALFORD CATTLE MARKET, TUESDAY.-At this market to-day there has been a less supply of every class of stock. The demand for beef ruled slow, and a decline of Id. per lb. took place for sheep. There was a better demand, and prices ruled in favour of sellers. Calves sold at less money. The quotations were as follows ;-Beef, first-class, 816. per lb. ; second, ditto, lid. to Bd. per lb. Sheep, Bd. fo 91d. per lb. Long-wooled hogs, Old. per lb. LIVERPOOL CORN MARKET, TUESDAY. - Opening Re port.-At this market to-day wheat opens quiet at Friday's prices. Flour without change. Indian corn 6d. dearer. No other quotable change. Closing Report.-At this market to day wheat closes quiet, prices being the turn in favour of buyers. Flour dull. Indian corn held for 6d, advance. LEEDS CORN MARKET, TUESDAY.-At this market to-day there was a small attendance, and the wheat trade was flat. Dry qualities maintained last Tuesday's prices, but other sorts were difficult to quit. Fine barley realised late rates. No change in oats and beans. The average prices for the week end ing February 13 were as follows :-Wheat, 555. per qr.; barley, 38s. 21d. per qr.; oats, 255. 6,1,d. per qr. HULL CORN MARKET, TUESDAY. -At this market to-day there was a small supply of English wheat, and farmers held firmly for last week's prices, which were paid for the best con ditioned parcels. Other qualities sold slowly, but no material decline can he quoted in foreign. No alteration in barley, beans, peas, and oats, at fully late rates. NEWCASTLE CORN MARKET, TUESDAY.-The supply was good of wheat at this market to-day, at 13s. to 14s. per boll. Oats and barley, 6s to 7s. DUBLIN CORN MARKET, TUESDAY.-At this market to-day there was no change in Irish wheat, and but litte done in foreign. Flour unaltered. Oats closed weaker. No l alteration in the tone of barley or maize. LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, TUESDAY. - Closing Re port -This market to-day has been quiet, without any quotable change in Price. Sales 10,000 bales, including 2,000 bales on speculation and export. CLYDE CRUSHED SUGAR MARKET, TUESDAY.-At this market to-day a moderate business was done at steady prices. GLASGOW PIG IRON MARKET, TUESDAY. This market was easier, at 535. to 525. 11d. in a month, and 525. 9d. to 525. 7.4 d. cash taken. Closing sellers at the lower quotations. Buyers a fraction loss. CORK BUTTER MARKET, TnESDAY.-Ordinary firsts, 1485., seconds 1485., thirds 1305., fourths 1145., fifths 985., sixths 71s. 90 firkins in the market. Mild cured ; firsts, 1503. ; seconds, 150 ; thirds, 144. Two firkins in the market. 85 86 68 682 ZOi 31 79 81 42 42i 60 G 2 91h 91; 901 90/ 87i 88 109 110 42 43 31 33 As Ganlbetta is the only member of the original Go vernment of Defence who has been elected in Paris, Henri Rocbefor4 argues that his decree respecting the elections is the only legal one. Rochefort forgets that all the members of the Government have been returned in the provinces, some of them more than once. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1871. . - OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE ON THE WAR. Additional correspondence respecting the war between France and Germany in continuation of that issued on July 29, 1870, has just been laid before Parliament. The correspondence forms a volume of 269 pages, and includes the period from about the battle of Worth, August 4, to the signing of the armistice at Versailles. From the earlier despatches it appears that the danger of a revolu tion in Paris became imminent immediately after the first French defeats. The British Government from the first ex pressed its readiness to mediate. Lord Granville, in a letter to Lord Lyons, dated the 17 th August, said that her Majeety:s Government had certainly no intention or desire to obtrude their mediation either on France or Prussia ; but Prince de la Tour &Auvergne might be assured that if at any time recourse should be had to their good offices, they would be " freely given and zealously exerted for the restoration of peace between her Majesty's allies." The French Government did not, however, con sider that the time for such action had arrived. Prince de la Tour d'Auvergne said that just then " France could not with propriety or, indeed, with honour accept any mediation. It had been insinuated that she was endeavouring to indu ce Austria or Italy to come to her assistance. This was entirely untrue. The present conjuncture was one in which any appeal for material foreign aid would be peculiarly inoppor tune and undignified." The leading statesmen of Aus tria and Russia were of opinion that mediation could do no good. When the Empire fell after the catastrophe of Sedan, Earl Granville issued his instructions to Lord Lyons : " I have to instruct you to remain at your post as long as any of the Corps Diplomatique are able to do so, with a view to protect as efficiently as possible the interests and the property of her Majesty's subjects re eiding in France. You will, to that effect, communicate with any de facto Government (but without any for r t fom he al ac k now ledgment of such) that may hold power time being, until you receive further instructions from me. In the event of her Majesty the Empress deciding to re tire from Paris with a view to maintaining the Imperial Government with even a mere shadow of power, you will under no circumstance follow her Majesty, but you will do everything in your power that may contribute to her Majesty's safety and comfort if called upon to offer your advice and assistance." Then followed M. Thiers's well known tour through Europe. He arrived in London on the morning of Sep tember 13th, and Earl Granville called upon him the same day. He expressed the desire of the French Ministry of Defence for peace, and without asking for forcible inter vention, pressed the English Government earnestly to exert her moral influence to obtain peace. It was not, he said, for the interest of England that a dishonourable peace should be patched up, which would leave France weak amid irritable, unable to assist us, but ready for every occasion to recover herlost prestige. Earl Granville says in a despatch to Lord Lyons : "M. 'Piers was much fatigued; so I shortly recounted what had been our course. We had done all in our power to obtain peace ; we went beyond what we had a right to do in urging Spain to abandon a candidate whom she had a right fully to choose. We succeeded in removing the ground of quarrel. But the French Government had not been satisfied, had left us on one side, and had hastened to declare hostilities. We declared to Parliament (and our declaration was approved) that ,we intended to maintain a strict neutrality, and to endeavour to keep up friendly relations with both countries. From the first, we told all who pressed us that it was not our intention to offer ourselves as mediators, unless we had reason to believe that meditation would be acceptable to both parties, and that there seemed to be a basis on which both belligerents would agree to negotiate ; that by all we could learn such a state of things had not arisen. We had some conversation as to the advantage of M. Favre going to headquarters. I thought it would be of use, and M. Thiers was of opinion that M. Favre would not refuse to go." In another interview M. Thiere urged that the Republic should be recognised, but Earl Granville declined, for reasons which will be found further. In accordance with the opinion given by Earl Granville, M. Favre had the interviews at Ferri6res with Count Bis marck. It resulted in nothing but the famous declaration of the Defence Government that they would not yield an inch of their territory nor a stone of their fortresses. Shortly after the interview at Ferribres, a formal appli cation for the intervention of Great Britain as a neutral Power was made by M. Jules Favre. To this application Earl Granville made the following reply, dated Oct 4 Her Majesty's Government deeply regret to see France oppressed with great misfortunes. They behold with profound concern that a great nation their nearest neighbour—with whom they have been long in friendly alliance that has been daily strengthened by continually increasing intercourse, and with whom they have co operated in peace and war for interests common to both; should be weakened by such disasters as those by which she is now oppressed. They would gladly do anything consistent with their duty to their owu country to abtain for France a permanent peace, which, in the circumstances of the war, the French Government could with honour accept ; but they would not be acting a friendly part if they did not fully state their views to the Provisional Government. The object of the Provisional Government appears, from the present application, to be that the neutral Powers should, if needful, support by force ony representations that they might make to Prussia. Her Majesty's Government are bound to state explicitly that they are not themselves prepared to adopt any such course, or to propose" it to other neutral Powers. They can only anxiously await the moment when some prospect may appear of bringing to a conclusion the sad conflict by the wisdom, the moral courage, and the moderation of the belligerents, or by an opportunity presenting itself for the exercise by neutral Powers of their influence for the resto ration of peace." A little later, viz., ou the 11th October, Earl Granville stated, in a despatch to Lord Lyons, that her Majesty's Government was of opinion that the rigid adherence by M. Favre to the conditions of yielding "no inch of territory nor stone of a fortress" was a great ob stacle to peace. The Government of the United States had previously expressed the same opinion. The aspect of affairs by the 16th of October induced Earl Granville to make an application to Russia for aid in an endeavour to restore peace- He instructed the British Ambassador at St. Petersburg to inquire of Prince Gortschakoff whether any understand ing could be come to between the Powers as to the terms upon which peace could be made. Prince Gortschakoff, however, did not think that any agreement between the neutral Powers would prove of practical utility. The attempt of M. Thiers to obtain an armistice was then made and failed. Earl Granville, touching these negotia tions, thought that both parties had been extreme in their demands, and that a compromise might have been agreed to. On November 12th Earl Granville sent a despatch to Lord Lyons stating that he had been informed by Count Bernstorff that the German Government would still wel come renewed direct communications between the Provi sional Gouernment and the Prussian headquarters. Count Bernstorff added that, if the Provisional Government were in earnest, they would make application direct to Versailles, not through a neutral Government. Earl Granville says : —" I answered that, if I might use the ex pression without offence, it appeared strange on the part of a great country like Germany in the plenitude of its power and success to be so sensitive as to the friendly action of any other Powers; that I could repeat my assurances that her Majesty's Government had no amourp•opr'e in the matter ; that we had no wish to put ourselves forward unnecessarily ; that we did wish for peace, and should equally rejoice at it, by whatever means it was promoted; that we should rejoice at such conclusion, whether it was brought about directly or indi rectly by any friendly power, and that it would have given us great satisfaction if an individual like General Burnside had succeeded. Count Bernstorff assured me that there was no sensitiveness on the part of his Government, but that Count Bismarck believed that these communications only encouraged the French Govern ment to believe that they • could rely on the neutral Powers, and thus prolong their resistance. I answered, the French Government complained of the want of encou ragement from us, and that the dead-lock seemed to be created by the Germans declining to make advances, while the French, from feeling possibly incensed by the defeats which they have suffered, were at least equ, indisposed to take first steps." In a later despatch (January 9) the English Foreign Minister reports a conversation he had with Count Bern storff on the chances of the war being prolonged after the fall of Paris. Earl Granville seems to have spoken very plainly on this occasion :—" I added that, if Germany was unable to conclude the war at once, obtaining her own terms of peace, she would regret the persistent way in which she had shewn her objection to make use or to allow of the friendly offices of the neutral Powers. I quite understood that, being successful in a great war of which she had to bear all the brunt and all the sacrifices, she had deter mined not to be dictated to by those who had stood aloof. It was probably the same feeling which had prevented the Imperial Government from consenting to any mediation. The Republican Government had made different appeals to us, to which we had invariably answered that we could not interfere unless our mediation or advice would be acceptable to both parties, or would be likely to be effective. If the war was continued, if France became totally disorganised, a curse to herself and to Europe, in capable of indemnifying Germany for the costs of the war, and Germany had no resourse but to seize and occupy vast territories, filled with unwilling inhabitants, blame would attach to her for having rejected, not the in tervention, but the good offices of some of the neutral Powers, of a character which had so often led to satisfac tory results in international disputes." In a subsequent dispatch Earl Granville explains on what grounds the Government still refused to formally recognise the Government of National Defence. He says, writing on the 20th January :—" It is gully admitted that France, by her heroic and patriotic co-opertion with the Government of National Defence, has fully recognised that Government in the capacity which it has claimed for itself -by the name it has adopted. Her Majesty's Government, however, are not satisfied that it would be for the interest of France herself at the present moment, as regards foreign Powers, to com ply with the request for recognition on the part of Eng land ; but such a measure on their part would seem to pre judge the ultime decision of the French nation, and admit of the construction that it carried with it an intimation on the part of England that she would view with special favour one particular form of Government. But it is the ruling principle of this country scrupulously to abstain from interfering in the internal affairs of foreign nations, and from indicating a preference as to the particular form of Government to which the notion would do best to con fide its interests." THE NEUTRALIZATION OF THE BLACK SEA. . The " Correspondence respecting the Treaty of March, 1856," laid before both Houses of Parliament, .and now just published, is full of interest. An analysis of the leading points of controversy and the positions from time to time taken up by the representatives of the Great Powers will be useful at a crisis when we expect to learn speedily the decisions of the Conference now sitting. The present instalment of correspondence extends in point of date from the 9th of November last. • On the 9th of November Baron Brunow communicated to Lord Granville a circular note, declaring that the Czar felt himself no longer bound by the provisions'of the Treaty of Paris. It is worth while here to cite a provision of Clause 14 of the Treaty, which stated " that it could not be either annulled or modified without the assent of the Powers signing it." Prince Gort chrkoff's circular, through Baron ,Brunow, to England pointed out the necessity of Russia to review her political position. The Prince, moreover, made two allegations of a strange nature. Ist. That the Treaty of 1856 had been already violated by other Powers in important particulars. Moldavia and Wallachia, the position of which had been fixed and guaranteed by the Treaty, had been permitted to pass through revolution into union, and to elect a foreign prince. 2nd. That on several occa sions the neutrality of the Black Sea had been violated under various pretexts by the admission of war vessels and even "whole squadrons," within the Straits. The Czar, in view of these facts, it was stated " could not admit, de ,jure, that Treaties violated in several of their essential and general clauses should remain binding in other clauses" directly affecting the "interests of his Empire," nor could he " admit, de facto, that the security of Russia should depend on a fiction which had not stood the test of time." In reply to the note, Earl Granville expressed " deep regret" at the opening of a discussion which ' might un settle the cordial understanding " between England and Russia, but he firmly refused "to give any sanction to the course announced by Prince Gortschakoff." Lord Granville, taking his stand upon the faith of Treaties, de clined to enter into any argument respecting the actual grounds of complaint advanced byßussia. In reference to the second subject of Russian complaint, is the union and independence of Roumania, which was protested against, Prince Gortschakoff alleges, by the Russian representative at the time, Sgr. Visconti-Venosta, in a despatch of later date than Lord Granville's, recalls to the memory of the Russian Chancellor these remarkable words, contained in a letter from Prince Gortschakoff to General • Ignatieff, recognizing the election of Prince Charles of Hohenzollern as Hospodar of Roumania :—" The Imperial Cabinet can only applaud a result as fully in harmony with the traditional sympathy which binds Russia to these people—her co-religionists—as with her desire to see the Ottoman Empire consolidated by the satisfaction of the legitimate wishes and wants of the Christian races which inhabit it." The Italian Minister pointed to the difficulty of recon ciling this langaage of congratulation with the alleged protest. Lord GI anville's first care was to send to Sir H. Elliot, at Constantinople, copies of the Russian dispatches and of his own replies, and to reassure the Porte by pointing out the determination of England not to admit the assumption of Russia that she was privileged to break the Treaty of her own free-will. With Lord Lyons at Tours a similar communication was made ; but in the case of Prussia, Count Bismarck's unavoidable absence from Berlin during the sieve of Paris rendered it necessary to send Mr. Odo Russell as a special envoy to Versailles with the Russian and English despatches. This was the more needful, as a general doubt existed respecting the relations of Prus sia and Russia in regard to Eastern policy. On the •12th of November Lord Granville addressed Count Bernstorff on this subject, asking whether there was any reason to sup pose that an engagement of mutual support existed in the matter between the two Northern Powers, and adding that, unless there was such au engagement, the de claration was as little courteous to Prussia as to any other of the Powers. Count Bernstorff professed his ignorance and his surprise at the form of the circular ; he stated that Mr. Odo Russell would be welcome at Ver sailles. In default of instructions from his Court, Baron Brunnow decided on maintaining a reserve and declining to reply to Lord Granville's arguments. The Austrian Ambassadorwas the first tobring the news that his Govern ment had agreed to the course taken by England. The action of Prussia, France, and Turkey now became matters of interest. A somewhat discouraging telegram from Mr. Odo Russell produced the impression that Count Bismarck was in favour of a revision of the treaty in the sense of the Russian demands, and suggested a Conference at St. Petersburg. The receipt of another despatch from Prince Gortschakoff, in which he spoke of the futility of conferences, and repeated his assurance that in abrogating one part of the Treaty, Russia never intended to annul the whole, did not seem to favour a Conference on the basis which alone Lord Granville instructed Mr. Odo Russell to assure Count Bismarck would be accepted by England—viz., "an express understanding that it should be in no way prejudiced by any previous assump as to the result of its deliberations." Count Bismarck, without much hesitation, agreed to the English basis of action, and agreed upon London as the best place of meet ing. It remained now. to obtain the assent of the other Powers, but some little difficulties here be came apparent. The chief objection was made by the Porte. It strongly resisted the plan unless confined to the Black Sea question, but Lord Granville endea voured to reassure Musurus Pasha by the declaration that the Government thought it decidedly expedient to main tain the suggested restriction, but could not adopt it as " a foregone conclusion." The Turkish Government, seeing that the modification or repeal of the neutralisation clauses was recognised as inevi table, ultimately cooled down in their idea of resisting Russia in the Black Sea by force, and they re rolved to limit their opposition to a solemn protest. The Russian Chancellor, on the 3rd of December, having not only withdrawn the claim to the maintenance of a " fore. gone conclusion " as the basis of a Conference, but having admitted that the Conference might record any opinion on the question of principle raised in Lord Granville's earlier despatch, the main difficulty was removed, and Turkey appointed a representative. All the Powers had now given in their adhesion except France, and owing to the protracted difficulty in obtaining one from that country it was (some weeks ago now) determined to proceed with the Conference, leaving the chair for the French Ambassador vacant, but always under the stipulation that the Conference should not draw up its deliberations in any formal treaty until the chair should be filled, or until French assent should be given to the terms of such a tally 1 treaty. MORTALITY OF PARIS.—The latest returns of the mortality in Paris are for the week ending February 3. The number of deaths wa5•4,671, an increase of 295 upon the previous weekly return. Smallpox was less fatal, having caused 258 deaths as compared with 327 in the pre ceding week. Typhoid fever numbered 324 victims and bronchitis 627. Pneumonia was fatal in 465 cases, while diarrhoea caused 150 and dysentery 63 deaths. BREAKFAST.—EPPS'S 0000 A.—GRATEFUL AND Co/41- FORTING.—The very agreeable character of this preparation has rendered it a general favourite. The Civil Service Gazette re ' marks :—" By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided oar breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills." Each packet is labelled—JAMES EPPS & Co., ifolnceo pathic Chemists, London. Also, makers of Epps's Cacabine, a very thin evening beverage.—Advt. THE WAR. BOURBAKI'S ARMY. GENEVA, February 7. Happily, the last few days have proved that the disaster of Bourbaki's army is less complete than was supposed. The number of troops who succeeded in turning into the Gex district, and thus escaping the Prussians without taking refuge in Switzerland, is much larger than was hoped or believed. They mustered at Gex, and thence proceeded to Lyons along the Swiss frontier. This afforded the kindly Genovese ample opportunity of showing their goodwill, and they sent ample supplies of provisions and of clothing. The inhabitants of the little Swiss villages situated between the Rhone and the Jura, despatched waggons laden with food to the roads where they knew the French troops would pass, and very welcome have their gifts proved to the famished and frozen soldiers, who march along crying " Vive la Suisse " he French villages offer an unfavourable comparison, and the troops inveigh against the avarice and apathy of their countrymen. In one little village the innkeeper asked thirty sous a head for a little bread and cheese and honey. Another man would not lend a cooking utensil to make soup until he was paid for it. The soldiers were ready enough to tell their grievances to the inhabitants of Geneva, and they indulged in some very plain speaking against their officers. All who held superior positions kept aloof in a kind of separate party, and made no pre tence of sharing the common dangers and hardships. The captains would not march with their companies until they received positive orders ; and, in fact, discipline was thoroughly relaxed throughout the troops. While passing Swiss territory the men were heard to refuse in insulting terms to carry out the orders given them by their officers, and yet the officers did not resent the affront. Some of the cavalry were well mounted, and some of the artillery, but the horses, who had been at work two months among frog; and snow, were not rough shod. The soldiers are for the most part disheartened and declare they will not fight—they have been betrayed! The incapacity and indifference of many of the newly appointed officers have in fact had a great deal to do with the disaster, but they trouble them selves very little about it, and are the gayest of the party. The old officers, who have {alight through other campaigns in which France played a very different part, present another appearance. It is painful to see their saddened and humiliated look and the traces of tears on, their cheeks. They deny the charge of treason but attribute the misfortunes of the army to the corrup tion and venality of the empire. They are not all favour able to the Bordeaux Government, but not one has yet made his appearance here who is in favour of the man of Sedan. Some of the generals are still sanguine that France will have her revenge before long. One of them 'does not believe that peace is possible. Some of the soldiers who are kept at Geneva are behaving very ill, but they are deserters who have been picked up here and there on the roads. The real soldiers who have fought and suffered are very different, and their patience and gratitude form a s t r iki n g contrast to the grumbling of the others. A soldier who had lost his leg at Woerth, said to one of these malcontents the othe r day, Be content, lam so, and it now seems to me I was born with one leg." A. GERMAN ON THE DISTRESS OF FRANCE. Herr von Wickede, one of the leading correspon dents of the German press, has furnished some account of his journey from Belfort to Pontarlier. He says :—ln 1863 I made some excursions on foot in Montbeliard and Pontarlier, and I returned with pleasant recollections of this beautiful country. Some days ago I saw it again, but what a difference there was in it. Where in former days abundance and prosperity flourished, we now witness misery in its most appalling form. Since the battles ofWoerth, Weissenburg, Metz, Versailles, and Orleans, I have cer tainly beheld many scenes of carnage, but what I have seen during the last few days surpasses all description. The unfortunate army of Bourbaki was driven into a corner with a most surprising want of skill, and with out the least care having been taken to provide it with the necessary provisions. Everyone in the south of France who could carry a musket was pressed into the brigades that were formed, and with badly trained and poorly equipped regiments 120,000 men were got together, who were sent to the unfortunate Bourbaki with orders to relieve Belfort and enter Alsace, The General, in the first instance, refused to take the command of troops without cavalry, ambulances, or gun-carriages ; but Gambetta having appealed to his patriotism ho accepted. The French officers told me that he exclaimed, on the occasion referred to, " I will direct these undisciplined troops but it will be my death, for I shall never survive a second Sedan." The army came into the Jura and marched with such disorder and so many delays that a catastrophe was the inevitable result. At every halting-place on the march hundreds of soldiers fell down dying of fatigue, cold, and hunger, they were so badly clothed that their uniforms hung about them in rags, and their bad shoes were destroyed by the rough ness of the stony roads. They rushed like a crowd of shrimps on the unhappy villages of the Jura and left nothing behind them but empty barns, cellars, and kitchens. The hunger and misery which prevailed were already great when Bourbaki marched on Belfort; but when hi General Werder, after two days' hard fighting, repulsed the French, and Manteuffel, by s skilful o p e rations, assailed them in flank, a rapid and disorganised flight commenced. The soldiers attacked our batteries with the courage of despair, and very often half the ass ailants were o an nihilated before the Nest co uld make up their minds t retreat. Although our losses were comparatively few in those cases where the artillery decided the success of the day, those of the French, on the other hand, can be counted by thousands of dead and wounded. The German doctors did their best to divide their attentions equally between their friends and enemies, but they could not attend to all, We made no more prisoners, for there was nothing to feed them with. Hundreds of stragglers and deserters died of hunger, fatigue, and want of care ; and the retreat from Russia could not have been more disastrous than this.one. Heaps of abandoned corpses rotted in the hedges and ditches of the high road. A doctor and I found in a house not far from Montbeliard eight corpses of French men,-which were already in an advanced state of decompo sition. In the midst of thege was,a wounded man still living, who called out most piteously for help. We go him out of the place with some difficulty, and brought him into the open air. He was a young student of Avig non, not more than 17. A Prussian grenade had lacerated both his legs below the knee. He had been for seven days in that wretched place without having his wounds bathed, without any water, and in the midst of the corpses. He had covered his wounds with strips from his uniform, and the cold had stopped the bleeding. He crawled along the ground and got some biscuits from the pockets of his com panions, and relieved his thirst by drinking the snow which fell in large flakes on the windew ledge. He thus sustained himself for a week. lie was taken into Switzer land, and the doctors think he may recover. Horseflesh is just now the food of the inhabitants of the country, and I have seen a group of starving women rush like a troop of wolves on the body of a dead horse, tearing it with all kinds of instruments, and eating the pieces raw. It has been said, but I cannot put faith in the assertion, that those wretched creatures had eaten someof the flesh of the dead soldiers. This is the eighth campaign in which I have taken part, but neither in Algiers, nor the East, nor Italy, nor Bohemia, nor even . in Schleswig, have I wit nessed similar scenes of horror. Switzerland is now send ing thousand of hundred weights of flour and rice to re ieve as far as is possible the sufferings of the people of ;hese districts. THE PARIS PRESS AND THE ELECTIONS. The Paris press has been greatly excited during the electoral period, and great divisions have existed among the parties. Great efforts were made to combine the diverse factions of the Moderate Republican and Conservative parties, and the Presse endeavoured to obtain the support of the se other neo- Republican journals, the Coristilutionnel, the France, and the Llterte, for the Dufaure committee. These journals all published a list of candidates, which the Patric objected to as including the names of Victor Hugo and Louis Blanc. These were, however, to be found in all lists. Matters were complicated by the Journal des Dlbats, which broke off from the Dufaure committee, declaring that the committee had pre judged the form of government by announcing itself Republican, and therefore would divide the Liberal-Con servative party. The four papers, Siec'e, National, Rappel, and Temps, agreed upon thirty two names of Republicans more or less pro nounced, and resolved to . devote the surplus to the extreme element and the Socialists. The other side found it more difficult to agree. In a club meeting at Belleville, Victor Hugo was rejected as an aristocrat, and though Rochefort gained some suffrages by his advocacy of regicide, he was also put aside on account of his having shared in the Government of National Betrayal, and especially for his rupture with Felix Pyat, who in these quarters stands very high. Most extraordinary rumours have been current in Pavia of the state of affairs at Bordeaux. According to on; Gambetta had arrated Simon, to another Simon had arrested Gambetta, and a, third version was tlit the quarrel had been arranged. Figaro announced, in consequence of these serious incidents, which seemed likely to disturb the deliberations of the Assembly, that the Government had decided it should meet at Poitiers. THE WAR INDEMNITY. The Tagblatt of Vienna has an article on the amount of war indemnity—eight milliards—which, according to accounts from Versailles, Germany is to demand from France. " However rich France may be, says the Tagblatt, it will be. impossible for her to raise such a fabulous amount. The fine imposed on her exceeds by two hundred million florins the whole of the public debt of Austria, accumulated by a succession of bad governments. It equals two-thirds of the public debt of France before this war. It is four times larger than the mean receipts of the French State. It is far greater than the accumulated capital in all the financial establishments of Austria and Ger many. It would suffice to pay, three times over, the public debt of Prussia, leaving a surplus of some hundred millions. In France a capitation tax of 200 francs for the whole population would scarcely suffice to realise the amount. The cash in circulation in France would not suffice to pay it. The gold pro duction of the whole world, not excepting Cali fornia and Australia, does not amount to 800 millions annually, - and yet France is asked for tenfold that sum But, according to what we learn by telegraph from Berlin an expedient has been found to remove the diffi culty, not to say, the impossibility. Instead of the capital of the war indemnity, the inscrip tion of the sum in the great Book of the Public Debt will be accepted, so that Germany will only receive the interest of the capital, and will thus become the State creditor of France. This method of payment will in fact be nothing else then an annual tribute paid by France to Germany, that is to say, France will be in the same position as the Principalities are in respect to Turkey, and supposing Prussia to diminish her demands by one-third, or by one-half, the interest of the capital would be sufficient to defray the cost of the military Budget of the German Empire. The French will, therefore, support with their contributions the army which is destined to prevent them from ever shaking off the burden and disgrace of this payment which reduces them to a tributary State. France will not only have to pay the cost of the present war, but of all future wars which Germany may undertake against her. It is too much to ask, for it is a simple impos sibility. Pasdeloup's concerts were to recomni ee last Sunday in Paris. The theatres are being gradually opened. One Paris elector voted for " myself, Bismarck, William." According to the Soir, it took a quarter of an hour to decide whether this vote should be annulled or not. A corre3pondent in Paris says :—"Yesterday I was accosted by a man dressed as a gentleman, and to all ap pearance occupying a respectable position in society, who asked for money to buy a loaf of bread. He was not rationed, he said, because he did not belong to the National Guard. Except by a few gamins, this is the only time I have been asked for money in the streets." The Journal Officiel of Paris publishes, a decree ordering that all protested commercial bills which, in consequence of previous decrees, are now falling due, are prolonged for one month from to-morrow. A private meeting of the Orleanist members has been held at Bordeaux, and it was said that they believed they would possess a clear majority in the Assemby, and be able to carry all their points with a high hand. In the afternoon an informal meeting of all the deputies was held, at which it was proposed to adjourn the session from day to day until a full majority of all the members had arrived. Many Bonapartist agents are there. A Paris telegram to the Manchester Guardian gives the following extraordinary report respecting the late Govern ment :—" Very discreditable revelations concerning some • of the.men in power are made. Between the 4th Sep tember and the 29th January 43,000 bottles of costly wines were consumed in the Hotel de Ville, and the Treasury was plundered. Government contracts were sold tor large sums, and millions were pocketed by the secret sale of provisions bought for the siege." M. Mix Pyat considers that membership of an Assembly which will conclude a disistrous peace is an exceedingly undesirable thing. ." No man," he says, " but a fool or a traitor would solicit such an honour ; a patriot Would accept it ; a traitor, who understood what it involved, would not execute it ; a fool would execute it, because he would not understand what it would involve. He would be a patriot who accepted it, understanding it, for it Would be his condemnation." M. Pyat has himself been elected for Paris. Will he take his seat? If he does, will he be a traitor or a fool? THE FRENCH PRISONERS IN GERMANY.—The following communication has been received at the Foreign Office from her Majesty's Consul at Konigsberg, through her Majesty's Embassy at Berlin ::--" It having been observed that in many cases commissions have been charged to French prisoners of war at Konigsberg, Mr. W. J. Hertslet, her Majesty's Consul at that place, begs begs to announce that any remittances for such pri soners sent to him will be immediately paid to them free of expense (except postage on his forwarding receipt). Remittances, however small, should be sent in cheques on London bankers made payable to the , order of her Majesty's Consul. No moneys are paid by her Majesty's Consul to the French prisoners of war without the knowledge and concurrence of the Prussian military authorities." IRISH " NATIONAL" LOYALTY.—Mr. W. R. Wilde, of Dublin, assures us that the Queen's health was loyally received at the Martin banquet, notwithstanding the reports to the contrary. THE Coax TRADE.—The grain trade opened with animation last week, and a considerable business was done for Egypt, more particularly in flour ; only a small supply of wheat was taken for shipment, but values were main tained in consequence of the drain of flour from the market and the shortness of the supplies of English wheat sent forwards. The recent unfavourable weather has acted detrimentally upon the wheat plant, the sudden and great changes in the temperature having given rise to much complaint. A short period of genial weather is anxiously looked forward to, as farm work is lagging behindhand, and the time for bean and pea setting is close at hand. Turnips have suffered most severely of all the root crops from the inclement weather, and the yield has been fur ther curtailed by the frost. This is a point of no little im portance in the prevailing scarcity of food. —Chamber of Agricultuxe Journal. SPA.—In a valley near the frontiers of Prussia lies, half hidden by foliage and hills, one of the prettiest little towns on the Continent ; and although it only boasts of some live thousand inhabitants, it is the gem of Belgium, and the fashion able resort of its notabilities ; and not of them only, for when che season is at its height, titled endezvous, Not o and distinguished visitors rowd every avenue and every r nly Princes of petty States, ex-Potentates, or the Counts and Barons which crop up so plentifully on a foreign soil, but the men of mark in. society; the statesmen, warriors, and leaders of their respec tive countries. The great men of Great Britain are amongst the number, for they gladly brace up their faculties and re-invigorate their systems at this health -restoring spot, after the fatigues of Courts, Parliaments, and Sessions. The roulette-table has its votaries,. but the waters are more omnipotent still—strongly impregnated with iron, that needful auxiliary in renovating enfeebled constitutions ; and those who esteem the waters too nauseous are glad to meet with that delicious substitute—the " Elixir de Spa." This holds high rank as oa table liqueur, possesses a delicate perfume and exquisite flavour, and being distilled from the flowers and plants of the district, is at the same time greatly prized for its tonic, digestive, and gently stimulating qualities. The manufacture of this liqueur forms the chief part of the staple trade pf Spa, which may be said to consist of the important Distillery of Messrs. Schaltin, PierrY , and Cie, the inventors of the Elixir de Spa, and the manufac; turers of ornaments in the pretty Spa wood. A " petit verre of the Elixir de Spa is the favourite prelude in Belgium to " dEjefiner la fourchette," in order to giv e zest to the appetite, for which purpose it is equal in efficiency to the nauseous absinthe ; and the burly Fleish burgomaster's admirable dinners are usually capped with a m wee glass of this invigoratini! native cordial, which is universally pronounced to be the best ot Table Liqueurs. It may be obtained through your wine WI: chant.—Wholesale Depot —SCOTT BaoTHERS, 8, Duke-strcev Adelphi, London. BIRTHS. On the 12th inst., at 70, Ebury-street, the wife of Jo. MO Le Geyt Daniell, Esq., of a' son. 5' On the 1 3 th inst. , at St. John's-park, Blackheath, 14.1 W. I. Carr, of a daughter. MAARIA.GES. ri,or On the 11th inst. at St. George's, Hanove r-s q uare, don Humphrey 'L ang ford Pellew, Esq., late of the 17‘3`, li e" Lancers, to Mary Melb a, eldest daughter of Sash Allenby, Esq., of Cadwell Vale, Lincolnshire. On the 12th inst. , at St. Botolph Without, Bishopagate' G eorg e Innocent, second son of John Groves, of Strell of Pe ter Nottingham, to Sarah, the youngest d a ughter 4 Groves, of Bishopsgate-street without. DEA.THS. On the 13th inst„ at Duncioft Cottage, Staines, 'Uranial3 Waring Finch, aged 90. On the 10th inst., at Clayg ate, near Esher, General Douglas, C. 8., RA., aged f oz London : Printed by GIDEON ACLAND 1301/"C, No. 112, Strand, Printer, and Published by the THE SUN Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinethiof the Savoy, in the County of Middieaeg• • • Wednesday, February 15, 1571.