The Sun. — London, England, 1847-12-31 00:00:00

Now ready at all the Libraries, L EONOR A; A LOVE STORY. In 3 vols. Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street. THE NEW NOVEL. In 3 vols. post W A RR E N N E, THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER, By the Author of " Margaret Capel," Bte , IS TIIIS DAY PUBLISHED, And may be had at every Library. Ittehird Bentley, New Burlington-street. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Un ter the Management of Mr. R. Webster, sole Lessee. THIS EVENING Will be performed Shakspeare's Comedy of MUCH ADO ABOU NOTHING. Pedro, Mr. H. Vanelenhoff ; Don John, Mr. Brindal ; Beuedick, Mr. Webster ; Antonio, Mr. Tilbury ; Leonato, Mr. Ro gers ; Dogberry, Mr. Farren ; Verges, Mr. Keeley ; riar, Mr. Gough ; Beatrice, Mrs. Nisbett; Hero, Mrs. Seymour. To conclude with a New and Original Burlesque Spectacle entitled THE WORLD UNDERGROUND; or, the Golden Flute and the raze." Waters. Stage Manager, Mr. Farien; Acting Manager, Mr. F. Web :ter. J. T. Archee, Box-book keeper. Boxes, ss. ; Pit, 3s. ; Gallery, 23. ; Upper Gallery, Is. DOors open at Half-past Six, Parlormance to commence at Seven. THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI. Under the direction Niailanie Celeste. TIES EVENING Will be presented an entirely new Piece, entitled the PEARL OF THE OCEAN ; or, the Prince and the Mermaiden. Principal cha racters by Messrs. Waye, P. Bedford, Wright, Munyard, Glennaire. Callenterd, and Worrell ; Mtss Woolgar, Miss Emma Harding, Miss Ellen Chaplin, Mrs. Lawf , ,, ay.(' Madame Celeste. To be tollowed by A 11(21% Farce entitled THE TIPPERARY LE GACY. Turner° Oreen, Mr. Wright ; Bob GPls, Mr. Munyard ; Lanty Paul Bedford ; Chubblock. Mr. Cullenford ; Policem tn•. Mr. Sanders ; tizzy Chubblock, Miss Woolgar. To conuinde with an Italian Pantomime, entitled I'IERROT, the Married Man; and POLICHINELLO, the Gay Single Fellow Boxes, 45.: Pit, 2a. , Gallery, Is. Doers open at Halt-past Six, Performance to commence at Seven ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestris. Sole Lessee, Mr. Charles Mathews. THIS EVENING Will be presented new Comic Drama, entitled THE TRA GEDY QUEEN. After which, a New Fairy Extravaganza, entitled THE GOLDEN BRANCH. To conclude with a Romance of Real Life, called BOX and COX. Principal characters by Mr. Harley, Mr. Buckstone, and Mrs. Mac. ail Mara. Dress Boxes, ss. ; L iper Boxes, 4s. ; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, is. No half-prive to any part of the house. The Sew Box-office, No. 2, Wellington-street, is open to the Public every day, from Ten till Six. The Interior of the House has been entirely re-designed by Mr. W. Bradwell of the Colosseum. PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Mr, J. M. Maddox, sole Lessee and Manager, Duchess-street, Portland- place. THIS EVENING Will be presented the Tragedy of THE GAMESTER. Mr Be verley, Mr. Cooper ; Stukely, Mr. Tivder ; Lewson, Mr. Conway ; Bates, Mr. C. Fisher; Jarvis, Mr. Gilbert; Dawson, Mr. Norton ; Mrs. Beverley, Miss Emmeline Montague ; Charlotte, 3E35 Susan Cushman ; Betty, Miss Somers. Aher which, the Farce entitled A TRIP TO HAMPTON. Principal characters by Messrs. S. Cowell, Neville, Howard, Harris, Mrs. Selby, and Miss Villars. To conclude with a new Christmas Pantomime, entitled OLD FATHER TIME; or, Harlequin and the Four Seasons. Dress Circle, 55. : Boxes, 43.; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, Is. FRENCH. PLAYS.—ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. John shell, 33, Old Bond-street. ON 3IONDAT EVENING. Will be performed LA PE NSIOSNAIRE MARIE. Aftcr which, ECIIEC ET MAT. To conclude with LA PRESIIERE RIDE. A detailed prospectus of the general arrangements, and of the pieces wlncli will be produced during the season, may be had at Mr. Mitchell's Royal Library, 33, Old Bond-street ; and at the Box-office of the Theatre, which is open daily, fr•m 11 to 5. Boxes, fs. ; 3s. Gd.; Amphitheatre, as.; Gallery, 2s FRENCH PLAYS.—ANTIGONE. Mr. Mitch(dl respectfully announces that Vie celebrated lyrical tragedy of ANTIGONE, from the Gree't of Sophocles, with the en tire music of the illustrious composer Mendelmohn, Win be produced at - ST. JAMES'S THEATRE, On WEDNESDAY EVENING NEXT, Jan. 5. Distribution of the Clunacters.—Creon, M. itocage, as originally perforated by him at the Theatre de l'Odeon, Paris, and by whom the lilts° en Scene at this theatre will be conducted ; Hemon, M. Fech ter ; Tlresias, M. Lemonter ; Le Garde, M. St. Marie ; Le Coryphee, M. Henri flax; Antigone, Mute. Itabut Feebler (her first appear ance this season) ; Raptiste ; Eurydice, Wile. Berths. arecto • of the Musi:; • • • • Jules Ilepedict. For the efficient perf mance of this celebrated compcsition the following professors have been expressly' engaged, and will consti tute the ore hestra :—First Violins—Messrs. Burotte, Delotfre, News ham, - Mellon, Thirlwall, Brown, Gotfrie, and Morris. Second Vlo"ns—Messrs. Ella, Payton, Zei'bini, Newsham, jun., Elsinore, and Watson. -Tenors—Messrs. Lyon, Glanville, Weslake, and It. Itlagrove. Violencellos —.Messrs. Lucas, Piet, L. l'hillips, and Guest. Double Basses—Messrs. Howell, Campanile, Severn, and Griffiths. Flutes—Messrs. Ribas 'a'nd King. Oboes—Messrs. G. Cooke and Nicholson. Clarionettes —Messrs. Boose and Maycock. Corni—Messrs. Charles Harper and Callcott. Bassoons—Messrs. Larkin and Winterbettom. Trumpets—Messrs. Thomas Harper and Handley. Trombones—Messrs. Smithies, flee ey, and Winterbot torn. Drums—Mr. C10p,,. Harp—Mr. T. Wripht. Conductor — Mr. Benedict. . . N.B. A numerous and I:oweriul chorus has also been engaged under the superintendence of Mr Gric3 and Mr. Lee. A new scene has been painted for the subjsct by Mr. Atuir and assistants, Boxes, stalls, tickets, and season prospectuses, may be had at Mr. MITCHELL'S Royal Library, 33, Old lloud•street. ROYAL SURREY THEATRE. Lessee, Mrs. F. Davidge, No. 1, Davidge•terrace, Kensington-road, Surrey. TB.Ig EVENING, the performances will commence with the Celebrated Opera of THE BOITEMIAN GIRL. To conclude with a uew Pantomime, entitled ftATTLEDOOR and SHITTTLECOCK. I or, Harlequin Trap, Eat, and sail. A kli,tinct entrance to the private boxes has been made (which Dave been re-fitted). Private boxes may be had nightly of all the lirinzipal Librarians ; and at the Box-elfin of the Theatre, which is *pen daily from Ten until Four. Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, Is.; Gallery, 61 ltO YAL VICTORIA THEATRE. THIS EVENING Will be presented an original Drama, entitled The CARPENTERS OF LAMBETH, in which Miss Vincent, Mr. Hicks, and Mr. For man wi'l appear. After which, TIIE JACKET OF BLUE. To conchae wit , ' the grand scholastic and instructive Pantomime, aatitled TIE WORLD OF WONDERS; or, Harlequin Caxton and the Origin of Printing, with wonderful scenery and decorative ap pointments. Clown, M. Paul Herring ; Pantaloon, Mr. Morelli ; Harlequin, M. Lupino ; Sprite, Signor Molino; Coluinbine, Mdlle. Zitella. Boxes, ts. ; Fit, 6d.; Gallery, 4d. No Half-price to any part Of the house. --- Doors open at Six, to commence at Half-past Six. ASTLETS ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, Proprietor and Manager, Mr. William Batty. ',lr. Batty's performing Elephants. THIS EVENING, The Grand S7ectacle of THE CAMP OF SILESIA. Entire:) , new Scenes in the Arena, by the talented Artistes of the tv.tablishment, in the various modes of equestration. Te conblude with a Grand Equestrian Comic Pantomime entitled NARLEQUIN DOCTOR SYNTAX AND HIS DAPPER GREY MARE, in which those popular artistes Herr Denlin, Mollie. Theo dore, Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Bradbury, as Harlequin, Columbine, Clown, and Pantaloon, which will exceed in splendour and effect ill former productions at the Amphitheatre, Box-office open from 11 till 5 Acting and Ntage Manager, Mr. W West. iIE WEATIIER.—SIIN OFFICE, DBC. 31. THERMOMETER., Lowest, 33 ; Highest, 36 ; Noon, 33. BAROMETER, 29 9.—WIND N.N.E.; cloudy. WATER AT LONDON-BRIDGE THIS DAY. Morning.. 26 minutes after 8. Evening .. 0 minutes otter 9. M R, itceninit LONDON. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1847. President POLK has again shrived himself to the re presentatives of the United States, as will be observed by the enormous document published in another part of our impression. By reason of the elaborate nature of his explanation, and of the multiplicity of matters to which it has immediate reference, we shall be exone rated from any inclination to treat the Speech with unbecoming indifference if we content ourselves, for the present, with giving merely a rapid synopsis of its character. After an unusual gorge, even the boa-constrictor requires something like a fortnight for digestion. How much time, therefore, is not re spired for the digestion of matters so very nearly indigestible as the arguments and representa tions of President JAMES K. PoLix! After the abrupt and sententious addresses delivered to the legislators of Europe by the different constitu tional Sovereigns, the mind is almost bewildered by the garrulity of the prolonged narrations annually received from America. Leisure and meditation are essential to weigh with proper scruple the various schemes unfolded by the Chief of the model republic, and more particularly is this the case when those schemes are of such peculiarly questionable morality ars those which were vindicated on the 7th instant before the Congress newly assembled at Washington. As might readily have been anticipated, the prin cipal portion of Mr. PoL"S harangue is de dicated to the most daring and certainly th e most reprehensible adventure undertaken during his Administration. We mean, of course, the adventure against Mexico. In the PRESS DENT'S Speech the whole hi s t ory of the invasion of that territory , beginning with the forced marches of General TAYLOR upon Monterey, and terminating with the capture of the capital city, and the entrance of the conquerors into the palaces of the Monte- Pumas, is recounted with an admirable exactitud e ; andtheunsuccessful ne gotiation:of theYlenipotentiary, 11r. TRIST, i 3 afterwards defined with considerable emphasis and lucidity. Whatever may be thought of the justice or humanity of the PRESIDENT, in a ttempting the subjugation of a n ei g hbourin g and inoffensive republic, we will acknowledge that his strictures upon the policy of this movement are candid and plain-spoken. There is 'no blinking the truth ; there is no evasion of the reality ; there is none of that sophistical reasoning which would have characterised the address of a GuizoT or a METTER NICH under similar circumstances. Air. POLK speaks home—bluntly, boldly, and (upon that point) with becoming brevity. He reminds Congress, and through Congress the whole population of the United States, that a vast expense has been incurr , A in consequence of the incursion made into the Mexican , dominion—that a national debt has, in fact, been fairly saddled upon the Republic—that, with the ac cumulation of these liabilities, the arms of their brave soldiers have everywhere triumphed—and that, con sequently, it is both expedient in a pecuniary sense, and possible in a military one, that the United States should receive compensation for the expenses conse quent upon the war by the negotiation of a peace with the violated country, and by the acquisition of those portions of it which are contiguous to the American boundaries. The meaning of this is plain enough in all conscience. The invasion was made with the intention of aggran dizing the United States by the spoliation of the ad jacent • soil. A quarrel was picked with Mexico with the determination of reaping a territorial ad vantage from the encounter of powers so dispropor- 4 tionately matched. The pretext of expense and indemnity was foreseen from the very commence meat, and now that the invading forces have pro ceeded so far in their victories the ultimatum of the plan is divulged. The Rio Grande is to be the 6 - ontier line between the two republics reaching to about thiey- two degrees north latitude; right of way is to be insured acro , s the isthmus of Tehuantepec; and the United States are to be increased by the cession of the whole of New Mexico and California. What modesty and moderation ! The whole of New Mexico and California! Is it surprising that such gt.nerous conditions have been hitherto refused by the Mexican Government ? And is it not a most rational conjecture that the avarice and cruelty of the ag gressors imay ultimately drive the countrymen of SANTA ANNA to the heroism of despair ? This at least is the only means which remains to Mexico for the redemption of its dominions, and the preservation of its nationality. After explaining that a public debt of 45,659,659 dollars has been incurred up to the Ist of December, and that a further loan of 39,000,000 dollars will be necessary if the war be continued beyond the August of 1848, Mr. Por.s pourtrays the financial and commercial condition of the United States during the past twelve months. Nothing could to more s:ttisfactory, as an illustration of the working of free trade, than the result of the reduced tariff of America. Up to the Ist instant, being the close of the first year of the amended tariff, the net revenues from the customs amounted to 31,500 000 dollars, being an increase upon the re ceipts of the preceding year (,f no less than 8,500,000 (I,llars. According to the Message of the PRESI DENT, an equally good result had followed from the operation of the New Warehouse and Sub-Treasury Acts. Besides giving these monetary statistics, Mr. POLK enters at some length into the subject of f , reign relations. He advises the adoption of cer tain treaties with the Sublime Porte, with Tunis, ith Tripoli, and with Morocco ; recommend s with equal earnestness the establishment of a diplo m4tic intercourse with the Court of his Holiness Pope Pius IX. ; and announces the appointment of Charges d'Affaires to Equador, Guatemala, and Bolivia. Little intelligence of importance has reached us by the New York packet-ship Ashburton, beyond the ;Message of the PRESIDENT, but news of interest from the seat of war may be anticipated on the arrival of the Britannia. When the Government, on the 25th of October, jelled to the remonstran :es that were flowing in from every quarter, and sent the celebrated letter to the Bank recommending the "directors to enlarge the amount of their discounts and advances upon approved security," and promising that if their so doing " should lead to any infringement of the existing law, her MAJESTY'S Government would be prepared to propose to Parliament on its meeting a Bill of Indem nity," there was a general expression of joy from all parts of the country. Immediate relief was thereby afforded to those who with ample means to meet every engagement, with abundance of real capital—although that capital did not consist of bullion—were brought into a most precarious position and exposed to the most imminent danger of being obliged to suspend their payments. True it is, a condition was annexed by which the value of the boon was greatly diminished. The minimum rate of discount was fixed at 8 per cent.—a rate so exorbitant, and so far beyond that which could be :naintained for any lengthened period without the most ruinous consequences to the mercantile and maqufacturing interests of the country, that it might well have awakened serious fears, and given rise to many gloomy forebodings. All was, however, for gotten in the great fact, that the Bank Charter Act of 1844 was suspended, and it was not for a single moment supposed that it could ever again be revived. It was not merely its opponents who felt that its temporary suspension involved its immediate abolition, its unconditional repeal ; even the warmest advocates of the measure admitted that such was the case. The statement of Sir R. PEEL with respect to the free importation of corn was re membered, and his admission that if the ports had once been opened they could never again be closed— that the nation would not submit to be again sub jected to the fetters from which they had been eman cipated, was manifestly in point, and applicable to the still more galling restrictions imposed by the banking enactments. The great organ of the bul lionists declared thit "the Bank Charter Act was virtually surrendered ;" that " the , purposes of that Act might perhaps be supplied by , other arrangements ;" and, again, that " the measure certainly did aPpeai in its tendency a fatal blow to PEEL'S Bill." " Other arrangements" might be brought forward, new theories might be introduced for the purpose of depriving the nation of the blessings and prosperity that would be the result of a free trade in money, and of a circulation adequate to the wants of the people, and which would enable every person able and willing to work to obtain re munerative employment; but the restoration of the Act of 1844, in all its integrity, was never even con ti-mplated by any one not in the secrets of the Ministry until the very day of the meeting of Parlia ment, when that letter was withdrawn and the former law revived. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, however, when moving fur the appointment of a Special Com mittee to inquire into the causes of the com mercial distress, and how far it had been occasioned by the laws for regulating the issue of bank-notes payable on demand, avowed his undiminished confidence in the working of the measure ; and it sas perfectly manifest, from his statement, that no real intention existed of altering the law. The inquiries of the Committee were merely for the purpose of avoiding any immediate decision, and shelving the question until the arrival of a more propitious time, when the popular mind would not be so much excited on the subject, and a partial resto ration of prosperity might banish the recollection of the evils and sufferings to which we have been ex posed. If any doubt could have existed after the speech of the financial Minister, it Must have been removed when the composition of that Committee became known, and the persons selected to serve thereon were nominated. In fact, the investigation 'night just as well be omitted, and the report imme diately published, the nature and character of which is already decided on even before the commencement of the labours of the Committee. It is therefore incumbent on the opponents of the present system to lose no time in bringing their opinions before the Legislature and the country at large. They must not suffer themselves to be hood walked by such flimsy pretexts, or induced to post pone the consideration of those measures which are essential to the national safety, while the farce of an inquiry is going on. The Act of 1844 has been weighed in the balance and found wanting. The law of the land has been necessarily violated, in order to preserve the country from the sad effects of its baneful operation. If further investigation is neces sary as to the new law by which it is to be replaced, let it et least be forthwith repealed. 'Whatever may ue the opinions of parties as to the maintenance of a currency convertible on demand into bullion, at a Price of 3/. 17s. lOid. per ounce, all should unite to abrt.gate that fatal enactment, and to erase it from our statute-book. Letters from Milan of the 19th inst. state that M. NAZARI, the deputy of the city of Bergamo, in the centr , d congregation of the kingdom, movea a ruso lutiim, founded on the universal discontent or the. country, that a committee he appointed to lay before the Emperor of At:STRIA. a project of reform for the Lombardo-Venitian kingdom. Although this mo tion was opposed by the Governor of Milan, who is president of the congregation, and who declared that the Viceroy himself was engaged in preparing a pro ject of reform, it was passed unanimously by the assembly, twenty-four members of which were pre sent. The president found himself compelled to proceed to the nomination of the:committee, declaring nevertheless, in the name of the Viceroy, that no dis content prevailed in the country. The committee consisted of the following deputies :—Count YOBBO, for Como; Dr. VILLA, for Milan; Count SCHIZZI for Cremona; Count BARNI, for Lodi; M. SAN GERVASSO, for Brescia ; -M. NAZAR', for Bergamo ; and M. ZANETTI, for Mantua. From the Ist of January the Diario di Roma and the Notizie del Giorno are to cease to appear, and are to be replaced by an official journal, which is to bear the name of the Gazette de Rome. Letters from Lisbon of the 23d announce that a change of Ministry has taken place. The following is a list of the new Cabinet:— President of the Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and ad interim of 'War—the Duke of SAL DAN 11A. InteriOr—BERNARDO GORGAO HENRIQUES. Finance— JOAQUIM JOSE FALCAO. Marine—AGOSTINO ALBANO BE SILVEIRA PINTO: Justi,ca—Joectunkr JOSE DE QUEIROS. Several severe shocks of earthquake had been felt at Lisbon, but no serious injury occurred. Sir CHARLES NAPIER'S squadron sailed from the Tagus on the 22d for a ten days' cruise, leaving only her MAJESTY'S ship Howe and the Comet steamer in port. The steamer from Southampton of the 17th had nct ruched Lisbon on the departure of the packet. The French and Spanish Governments had refused to join Sir HAMILTON SEYMOUR in a protest against the elections. Exchange 53 at 31 days, and the discount on paper money 40 per cent. Madrid papers of the 22d and 23d have arrived. The Senate has passed the Bill authorising the Government to levy taxes to the end of the year, and the Deputies have agreed to the Bill authorising the immediate levy of 25,000 men. Queen CHRISTINA continued actively intriguing to secure the accession► to office of ➢lox and PIDAL. MON had refused to accept the portfolio of Finance unless PIDAL was appointed Minister of Justice. NARYAEZ is opposed to the admission of either of them into his Cabinet. MADRID BOLSA, DEC. 23.—The Three per Cents►. were done at 27i for the 17th of January; the Five per Cents. at 15i for paper ; the Debt without inte rest, at 5 for cash ; and the Coupons, at 10i. We have received the Paris papers of Wednesday. The Ministerial journals praise the Speech from the Throne as a model of firmness. The National thus comments on that portion of it which relates to the reform banquets :—" Behold the sublimity of a free Government ! Put the great public powers in accord—have two united majorities, which is not difficult, and the manner to obtain theta is well enough known, and then do what you please. The forced isolation of the citizens answers for their submission ; all collective expression of a sentiment, of an idea, of a desire, is interdicted. There were associations—no more associations; public meetings —no more assemblies of any kind. Do the Deputies desire to know if such a Bill, such a reform, has the assent of their fellow-citizens ? Then they wil question their fellow-citizens one by one, or by cor respondence. Assemblies are disturbances ; delivery of speeches, interruption of social order ; to be ap plauded, Violence ; to petition for a reform, a factious act. It ig at that point we have arrived. Well—s( much the better f We were accused of calumny when we announced it. France now sees to where she is being conducted; it is for her to decide if she will fall into that abyss of degradation towards which she is being pushed I" The Constitutionntl is to the full as indignant. After characterising the passage alluded to as " an accusation and an insult upon a considerable part of the Chamber," it thus proceeds : " The reform manifestations, in which upwards of 100 deputies, as we have already said, took part, were held within the limit of the law. Was that limit, we may inquire, overstepped ? And, if so, why did not the Government prosecute? If, on the other hand, the law was respected, how have Ministers lost their senses to such a point as to place in the mouth of the King accusations which the inactivity of the courts of justice and of the Government have beforehand contradicted ? But 'the presidentship of M. Guizot may be easily recognised in this extravagant policy, and in this forgetfulness of all moderation. He divides the Chamber in two parts ; the Ministerialists, sole and last defenders of royalty and of the charter ; and the Opposition ; enemies-by intention or folly of the charter and of royalty. In order to compromise the King and the majority in the quarrel, he attacks, he provokes, he outrages. Like the Jesuits, his good friends in Switzerland, he has need of desperate combats ; like the emigrants of the Restoration, whose passions he so long shared, he sees in the half of France eneples.whotn royalty ought to conquer if it does not want to-pesish. 'Like the last Ministers of the fallen Government, he Says :—no • political re forms, no. concession.. We know no more dangerous enemies of a dynasty than they who pretend to serve it in this way." The Presse thus sneers at the paragraph relating to Switzerland:— : ' • The paragraph 'relative to Switzerland com mences like an idyl, sung on the bank of a fresh stream, under the shade of a rustic cottage. `Civil war has troubled the happiness of Switzerland.' Yes, we imagined that a little. But what have you done to prevent this misfortune ? My Government had come to an understanding with the Govern ments of England, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, to offer a benevolent mediation to this neighbouring and friendly people.' Good ; we had also heard speak of this good understanding of the fire Govern ments, especially with England, which at the end of a week has left you in the lurch. But the mediation has been refused by Switzerland. Then what next ? —What next? Nothing. Switzerland will recognise, I hope, that the respect of the rights of all, etc., etc.' But it Switzerland be not of your opinion ; if, profiting by temporary unanimity which the recent events have established in the Diet, it thinks right to modify some of its internal institutions---- a right which all independent nations have— what will you do ? Oh ! The Government will not even foresee that eventuality ! It will not again ven ture to pronounce any interdiction whate‘Er, for fear of sustaining another check ! It hopes ! Adieu to the Sonderbund, which it had lately the pretension to resuscitate, in order, apparently, to cause itself to be pardoned for not having known how to secure its existence ! There is not even a flower for its tomb. How has the policy of menace and of intervention thus changed into a policy of hope and resignation ? How has the war trumpet made way for the shep herd's pipe ? The Parliamentary muse will soon re count to us the causes of this great transformation." The KING, it is said, was manifestly suffering from the effects of recent illness, and exhibited unmistake able signs of old age. The Duchess of ORLEANS was received with loud applause by the Opposition De puties. It is said, that in the event of the succession of the Comte PR PARIS to the throne during his minority an attempt will be made by M. TIIIERS and his party to secure the Regency for the Duchess of ORLEANS to the exclusion of the Due DE NEMOURS. The Moniteur publishes a royal ordinance elevating Vice-Admiral Baron DE MACKAU to the dignity of Admiral. By other royal ordinances Rear-Admiral CECILLE was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral, Vice-Admiral BAUDIN was appointed member of the Board of Admiralty, and the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour was conferred on Rear-Admiral BIZUAT. M. OUTREUON, a rich notary, an 1 one of the stanchest supporters of the Conservative party in Paris, has been committed to the Conciergerie on several charges of forgery and embezzlement. M. SAUZET was on Wednesday elected President of the Chamber of Deputies by a large majority; the numbers were--M. SAUZET, 221; M ODILLON BAR ROT, 105 ; DUPIN, 13 ; DUFAURE, 9. In all the bureaux, except one, Ministerial presi dents and secretaries were elected, and in that one M. THIEus secured his election as president by a ma• jority of one vote only. It was rumoured on the Bourse that Austrian troops had entered Parma, Placenzia, and Modena. The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourse on Wednesday at 75f. 50c.; New Loan, 76f. 65c. ; the Fire per Cents., l 17r.; the Orleans Railroad Siiart-, 1,213 f. 75c.; Rouen, 75c.; 440 f. ; Great.-Northern, 56 - 3 C. 7uc.; Avignon, 580 i.; Vierion, 547 f- 50c. ; Bordeaux, 490 f. ; Troyes . Oppdie O4 ~, •.. . , „- ~ , ~ i , , , ~. ~ , „ A o 0,111 • 1444 <--../ Ai ' ' A 44461 • 106* .. THE SUN, LONDON FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 31, 1847. and Montereau, 258 f. 75c.; Dieppe, 262 f. 50c.; Paris and Strasburg, 413 f. 75c.; Tours and Nantes, 3205 f.; Paris and Lyons, 405 f.; Spanish Three per Cents., 31. BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, DEC. 30. Northern of France, 11 3 4—Orleans and Bordeaux, 5 1 / s — Paris and Lyons, 5 3 / 4 —West Flanders, 1%. AMERICAN NEWS. EXPRESS FROM LIVERPOOL. ARRIVAL OF THE BRITANNIA. We have received by express from Liverpool Ame rican papers to the the 15th instant, being six days later than the intelligence brought by the Ashburton. These papers were received at Liverpool this morning by the Britannia steamer (Cunard), which was tele graphed:aff Holyhead yesterday afternoon, when the stews brought by the Ashburton left. The Britannia has made her passage in 11 days from Halifax, which port she left on the 19th, and Boston on the 16th inst. 52,0001. is the amount of gold specie on freight. The outward advices carried by the Britannia from here on the 19th ult., and which conveyed the news of the suspension of the Bank Charter Act, were most eagerly sought for in New York, and were generally considered as more favourable, notwithstanding the announcement of Messrs. True man and Cook's failure, which, as regarded the Ame rican trade, was not of such direct importance as to neutralise the improved feeling apparent. General Zachary Taylor arrived at New Orleans on the 2d, and was received by a splendid procession, which surpassed any public display ever made in New Orleans. The General is one of the candidates for the Presidency. The General left on the sth for Memphis. The court-martial on Colonel Fremont was conti nuing its sitting at Washington. The New York Morning Express, of the 15th, gives the following summary of news : New levies of troops are constantly sent to rein force the army in Mexico. By the latest news re ceived from that_country, our troops may almost be said to be in quiet possession. The Mexican army appears to be annihilated, and the Government almost at an and. From present appearance, there is to be no peace with Mexico. There is no organized Government, and if there was, the exactions of our Government are such that no terms would be accepted, short of yielding a large share of her territory. The American army is sustained in the various sections of Mexico, without any difficulty. Such is the demand for American funds, and such the diffi culty of exporting specie, that British and American capitalists there are ready to take army drafts on Wa-hington at considerable premium, for which they readily pay the specie. It is impossible to state what course Congress will adopt. In the Senate there is a majority in favour, and in the House adverse to the administration. It will undoubtedly be a long and exciting session. Since the sailing of the steamer of the Ist our money market has continued to be unusually tight. The Banks have continued to contract their loans. No banking institution is permitted to take over seven per cent. per annum, but money has been, and still is worth one per cent. a month in the street. Up to the Ist about two millions of specie had been sent. Since then, including what will go by this steamer, about half a million more will be added to the list. It is the general belief that after the Ist of January very little, if any, specie will be exported. Much of the export of specie has been caused from the want of confidence in bills. Many persons have preferred to send specie, even at a certain loss, than to take bills at any rate. There begins to be a change in this respect. The last advices from England were more favourable, and confidence in English houses begins to be in some measure restored. Fresh orders for breadstuffs have been received. particularly for corn, and large shipments of that article will now go forward. There are so few bills put in the market of an un doubted character, that bills 'on London have been, and are now,:selling at 110 to 110 i. There are, however, a large amount of second rate names to be had at 109 to 1091. Stocks of all kinds are depressed. United States treasury notes; which are the great favourite, and which bear an interest of 6 per cent. are selling below par. Both the importations and exports are now light. The prevailing belief is that the former will be less than last year at this time, and that the latter will increase. The fall season of business is drawing to a close. It has been a year of uncommon prosperity. The crops of the last year sold at great prices, and those of the present season are most abundant, anti com mand good rates. ' This country has probably never been in a more sound and heclthy state. There has been no over trading or speculating spirit ; every great interest has been well supported. Freights are uncommonly low. Many vessels have gone south for cargoes, and as the cotton crop will be mu+ larger that was . at -first supposed, it is believed therb will be good employment for the shipping interest. GREAT TELEGRAPHIC FEAT.—We have before us two Cincinnati papers, received yesterday by mail, viz., the Gazette and the Atlas, both printed on Thurs day morning, 9th inst.--and both containing the Pre • sident's Message in full. The readers of those papers were therefore placed in possession of the document just 42 hours after it was read in Congress. The Message comprises about eighteen thousand words, and according to a statement in the Cincinnati Ga zette, was telegraphed through the enterprise of the Cincinnati and Louisville press. The time occupied by the operators on the wires in transmitting the whole document from Philadelphia to Cincinnati was sixteen hours, including one hour and a half loss hy the current of electricity having been led from the main wire to the earth, at one of the intermediate offices. Owing to the dampness of the atmosphere, and this alone, the entire message could not be trans mitted all the way from Philadelphia. The aid of Pittsburgh office was therefore called in. Had the night been clearer and the atmosphere dry, the com plete document could have been successfully transmit ted, not only to Cincinnati, but even to Vincennes in Indiana—a distance of about 900 miles from Phila. delphia. This enterprise was set on foot and chiefly accomplished by Mr. Day of the Cincinnati Enquirer, and Mr Fisher of the Cincinnati Gazette. Great credit is due to the operators at all the offices for their faithful and correct performance of their duty on this occasion. At Cincinnati, Mr. John Brough went to the assistance of the regular tele graph reporter for the press at that place (It. Smith) and wrote out the great body of the Message as it was transmitted ; standing at his post from the be ginning to the end. The first words of the Message were received at the Cincinnati Telegraph office, at eight o'clock on Tuesday night—the conclusion and signature of the President on Wednesday at twelve o'clock, noon. " Whatever (says the Gazette) may be said of other telegraph feats, this, it must be ac knowledged, is the greatest achievement yet known. As an abstract proposition it would have been scouted, even so recently as a year ago. It has, however, been accomplished and that in the neatest and most correct manner. And after this let no one set bounds to the results of science." COMMERCIAL NEWS. NEW YORK, DEC. 15. TILE COTTON MilitiLET.-At the date lof my last re spects per Acadia on the 30th ultimo, I stated that buyers for export were participating in the operations going forward to a very limited extent, notwithstanding an easy freight market—the only inquiry being from our own manufacturers, who were purchasing sparingly, and only as their immediate necessities required. After the emission of my circular on that day, there was a more active inquiry, and holders obtained bids a full quarter of a cent over my extreme quotations, at which about 700 bales found buyers. The following day they were loth to offer, and very stringent in price, which effectually stopped the little business going forward, and for a week subsequently to the departure of that steamer, the market wore a quiet appearance, as all parties were reluctant to operate until the teecipt of later advice,: from abroad. It is unnecessary to parti cularize the daily sales in such a perfectly dull and in active market, as rarely exceeded 400 bales. On Wed nesday, the Bth instant, the sales ran up to 1,500 bales, about 1,000 of which was New Orleans Cotton, from the wharf by ship samples, to make out a cargo for the packet•ship Argo, for Ilavre, at prices quite equal to those previously paid. On Thursday morning, the 9th instant, we were placed in possession of the telegraphic accounts of the Liverpool market to the,l9th by. the steamer 131 itannia ; some confusion wai apparent in the quotations received in this manuer, and buyers under the general u.pect of trade there, were indisposed to come forward except at a reduction in price of a full quarter of a cent., which was generally acceded to, and at which, about 800 bales changed hands, chiefly in the afternoon, the bids of the morning being still lower. These accounts represented some amelioration in the money affairs of England growing out of a partial extension of the issues of the Bank at the recommendation of Government, which had the effect of establishing confidence, and in the existing state of things there, that, ap peared to be wanted, more than money. Trade, however, in the manufacturing districts still ap peared to labour under great depression, and it would seem that a long time must elapse before it can recover its former activity. On Friday morning the letter mail was received, by which it appeared that the market was ♦ery similar to that existing at the departure of the previous steamer, prices here consequently immediately recovered that decline, and the sales that day were 600 bales. On Saturday, 11th inst., they amounted to 1,200 bales, at the full prices of the day preceding. Buyers for export have participated in the latter purchases, and some disposition was shown to grant facilities for ship ment to Liverpool. On Monday the sales were again 1,200 bales, at prices an eighth higher than those of Saturday, and mostly for Liverpool. Yesterday they were 1,000 bales, at prices to which my quotations at top conform, the market closing firm. The fall has been the most favourable on record for ripening and gathering the crop ; the average date of the killing frost in Georgia and South Carolina was on 21st ultimo, and in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabaya, on 26th ultimo. Freights have slightly improved. Exchange is more abundant, and closes dull. NEW YORK MARKETS.—TUESDAY, P.R. Ashes—Pots are quite actfee for shipment. Sales at 5 dolls. 50e. to 5 dolls. 62ie. Pearls ate quiet and dull ; sales at 7 dolls. Cotton—There is a better feeling in the market. The advance of ic. is sustained, and the demand is good. The sales arc 1,000 bales a day. Flour—The market is quiet, at a slight decline. Sales of pure Genesee at 6 dolls. 37c. ; Western, Oswego, and Troy, 6 dolls. 06c. to 6 dolls. 25c. There is but little doing in Southern. Meal is selling freely at 6 dolls. 50e. to 6 dolls. 62ic. Grain—Genesee Wheat will command 140, and Ohio Mixed at 130 to 140. There is an active demand for corn for export, sale of 30,000 bushels Western mixed, old, at 74 to 76 ; yellow at 77 to 78 dolls. ; new Corn at 66 to 68c. Sales of Rye at 84 to 85c. Oats, Northern, at 46. Southern 41 ; Jersey 43. Barley, 82c. Provisions—Beef is very dull, the stock large and accumulating. Pork is also neglected. Cheese at 6c. to 7c. Lard has fallen, sales of new at Bi. Molasses—Sales of New Orleans Molasses, new crop, in bbls , at 28c. _ Oils—English Linseed is selling at 24c., and Ameri can at 58c. to 59e. Whale at 35. Rice-Sales of 200 tierces at 3 dolls. 621 c. to 4 dolls. Seed-Sales of Linseed at 1,35. Fruit-Malaga has fallen to 1,50 a box. Sales of Turkey Figs at 10c. to 15c. Lead-Prices are declining; sales at 4,25. Sugar-Sales of 100 hhds. New Orleans at 41 to 51. Tallow has declined. Sales at Bc. to Sic. BOSTON, DEC. 13.-Flour and Corn-The market is rather quiet to-day, and but few sales have been made. Prices range from 6 doll.. 37ic. to 6 dulls. 50c. for Michi gan and Cienes , e common brands; 6 dolls. 75c. to 7 dolls. for fancy ; 6 dolls. 37c. to 6 dolls. 50c. cash, and 6 dells. 62c. to 6 dolls. 75c. for four months for Southern. In Corn, sales have been made at 82c. to 84c. for Southern yellow, 77c. to 78c. for mixed, cash. Oats are selling at 52c. to 53c. for Northern. and 50c. for Eastern, cash. klieather remarkably mild today, and it being our city election, but little business doing. Auction Sales.- Corn - Yellow and white, Ohio, 1,683 sacks, 691 e. to 77c. per bushel, cash-bags 81c. BRIGHTON MARKET, DEC. 13.-At market 850 Beef Cattle, 32 yokes working Oxen, 46 Cows and Calves, 7,800 Sheep and Lambs, and 1,550 Swine. Beef Cattle- Extra at 6 dolls. 75e.-first quality, 6:dolls. 250. to 6 dolls. 50c.-second and third ditto, from 4 dolls. to 5 dolls. 50c. Working Oxen-sales at 72 dolls. 86c. and 130 dolls. Cows and Calves-Sales at from 46 dolls. to 50 dolls., according to quality. Sheep-Sales of lots at 2 dolls. to 2 dolls. 33c., and 3 dolls. 25c.-one or two lots, very poor, taken at 1 doll. 12c. Swine-Dull-Sales at wholesale, 4e. for Sows, and sc. for Barrows. At retail sc. to 6c. and 61c. PITT:BURG, DEC. 13.-Flour-The market was dull, at 4 dolls. 871e.-Corn was firm, with an upward ten dency, and we quote good mixed at 40c., and yellow at 45c., with small sales. Oats were firm at 28c. with sales. New Orleans Sugar was firm, with sales at sc. for middling good fair quality. Whisky-No change. The weather continues very mild for the season. • From the effects of the late heavy rains the river has risen quite rapidly, and we report about 23 feet of water in the channel. BALTIMORE, DEO. 13. Flour—The market was steady, with a fair amount of business doing: sales of 2 000 barrels of Howard-street were made at 6 dolls. 25c. to 6 dolls. 37-ic. Wheat—Sales of 5,000 bushels were made, including Maryland reds, at 132 c. and Maryland family white and mixed, and 62c. for yellow. Provisions remained inactive, and sales were making chiefly at retail. Whisky—No change. CINCINNATI, DEC. 13.—Flour—The market was in active and we have only to notice a sale of 400 barrels at 4 dolls. 75c. to 5 dolls. Wheat continued in fair de mand, with light sales, without change in price. Corn —No change. Hogs—Sales of 2,000 head were made at 2 dolls. 50c. to 2 dolls Vic. The latter figure for lots of good quality. Old pork continues dull. We heard of no sales worth reporting. Sales of 2,000 packages Lard were made on terms not understood. Whisky—Sales of 500 barrels were made (rectified) at 17,1 c. There is a freshet in the river and the water is very high. NEW YORK STOCK-EXCHANGE, DEC. 14. $7,000 Treas. Notes 6,000 U. S. 6's '56 ... 97,E 1,000 Illinios Special ... ... 38 5,000 Penna s's . . 71 1 2,000 Reading Bonds ... ... 68 1,000 Reading M Brids ... 64 38 Mechanics' Bank ... ... 71 6 Bank of Coin scrip ... 93 200 Farmers' Loan ... 25 50 Vicksburgh 150 Morris ••• ••• ••• 30 N. Jersey R. R. ... 7 Stonington ... ... 104 ~. ... 50 12i Canton ... ... 27. 100 Nor. and Wor. ... ... ... ... 35 250 Reading ... ... ... ... cash 57 100 Long Island ... 1.9.. ... ... 26 1,000 Harlem R. R. ... ... ... ... 40 SECOND BOARD—DEC. 14. $6,000 Treasury Notes ... ... 300 Harlem 39 40 Farmers' Trust ... 25 100 Morris Canal 5 N. Hay. and Hart. 10 Erie R. R. ... 601 THE VERY REV. DR. MAGEE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sia,—ln justice to my character as a clergyman, may I respectfully request you to insert in your valuable columns the enclosed apology from the Herald of this day. It may not be irrelative to state that the proprietor of the Herald, Mr. Edward Baldwin, by way of making amends to me for inserting the libellous letter referred to, publishes the apology, and pays all legal costs and charges. He, moreover, has given an order on his banker for thirty guineas, as a subscription to my poor schools of West minster, and delivers up to my solicitor the original libellous letter, with the name of the writer attached to it. Trusting that you will excuse this trouble, I beg to remain, Mr. Editor, Your obedient servant, A. MAGEE, D.D. Reform Club, Dec. 31, 1847. On the 17th November last a letter appeared in the Morning Herald, headed " Ireland—Romanism," in which an opprobrious nick-name was applied to the Very Reverend Anthony Magee, D.D., the Roman Catholic priest of St. Mary's Chapel, Westminster, and animadversions were made upon the reve rend gentleman, which, if well founded (and we be lieve them to be wholly unfounded) would seriously impair his efficiency as a minister of any church. The letter came to us with the name of a person on whose accuracy we thought that we could rely, and in justice to Dr. Magee we now express our regret that any such charges should have appeared in our columns, and we have afforded to him the best rein. ration in our power, by placing in his hands the means of knowing from what quarter the attack pro ceeded. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE (THIS DAY.)—About four o'clock this morning a destructive fire took place on the premises of Mr. Eneas Mackenzie, printer, Poppin's court, Fleet-street. The establishment publishes the Railway Monthly Time and Fare Tables, and, as is neces sary on occasions at the end of the week, the compositors were engaged until the hour of ten in the composing room, and on leaving, everything appeared perfectly safe. At the time above stated the upper floor was noticed by one of the police to show a great light, and, on alarming those in the house, it was ascertained that the flames were making rapid progress. Two engines of the London establishment, from Farringdon-street, were quickly on the spot, followed by several others, when, by a ready supply of water, the fire was got under, but not before considerable damage was done to the property. IIoLLAND.—A change has taken place in the Dutch Ministry. M. van Hall, Minister of Finance, has re signed with M. de la Sarral, Minister of Foreign Affairs. and are replaced, the first by M. Rappard, and the latter by M. van Randwyke, at present Minister of Home Affairs, who is succeeded by M. van der Fieird vaa Duivendyke. Stock was lower upon this 'Change, as it is attributed to a difference of opinion between the King and M. van Hall about the revisal of the Fundamental Law. It is said that the King objects much to the pro posed revisal, and has therefore chosen M. van Rappard, who is known as an extreme Conservative. WINDSOR, THURSDAY EVENlNG.—lnvitations to dinner and an evening party et Windsor Castle o❑ Sa turday next (New Year's•day) have been sent out to day among the Nobility and gentry of the neighbour hood, including General and Lady Isabella Wemyss, Colonel Challenor, of Patnall Park, Sce. Her Majesty's Christmas bounty to the poor of Windsor and its neigh bourhood will be also distributed on the morning of New Year's-day, in the presence of her Majesty and the Court, In the ridine - , house of On royal mews. CHAIR Cr CLINICAL SURGERY. —Professor Miller, Low in t sir t.f surgery, is about to be a.ppeintcrl by Government to the chair of clinical surgery, vacant by the removal of Professor Syme to London. MARKET NEW DAY.) CORN EXCHANGE.-FRIDAY. The present week's arrivals of English Wheat having been again very moderate, the show of samples here to day was small. Although the attendance of both town and country buyers was by no means large, all kinds of Wheat of home produce commanded a very steady sale, at fully Monday's quotations. The imports of Foreign Wheat have been large, and of full average quality. In this article only a moderate business was doing, at late rates.. With Barley we were rather heavily supplied ; however, sales progressed slowly, and, in some instances, the currencies had a downward tendency. Malt met a very inactive demand, and late rates were barely sup ported. Oats, Beans, and Peas were heavy, but not cheaper. Indian Corn and Flour steady, at full prices. ARRIVALS. Wheat. I Barley. Oats. I Floor. 3,080 qrs. 7,770 qrs. 7eo qrs. I 3,710 sky. 12,690 I gnglish Irish. •.. ..... I - Foreign . 1 25,100 . 1,500 I Malt. 5,/20 qrs. 811111721PIEMID. Notwithstanding our market was seasonably well supplied with beasts as to number, the Beef trade was steady, and Monday's quotations were well supported in every instance. The primest Scots sold at from 4s 101 to 5s per Sibs. There were on sale 233 Beasts, 770 Shrep, and 6 Calves, from Holland and Germany. The numbers of Sheep were small, yet tfie inquiry for that description of stock was in a sluggish state, at barely stationary prices. In Calves a firm business was doing, and the best qualities of Veal were rather higher. The Pork trade was firm, but we can notice no improvement in value. Mitch Cows were heavy at from 141 to 1715 s each, including their small Calf. Per Blbs. to sink the offal. s. d. to s. d. Inferior Busts..... 3 4 3 8 second quality ... 310 4 4 Prime large Oxen.. 4 6 4 8 Prime Scots ..... •4 10 5 0 Large coarse Calves 4 0 410 Prime small ditto .. 5 0 5 4 Suckling Calves —2O 0 29 0 Inferior Shoop . 3 8 4 0 SUPPLY AT I ""1" 3.310 a. d, to s. d Second quality ditto 4 2 4 6 Coarse-vroolleddltto 4 8 5 0 Southdown Wether 5 2 5 4 Ditto eutof the wool Large Hogs .. 4 0 4 6 Small Porkers •• - 4 8 6 2 Quarter old Pigs • 2O II 25 0 Lambs 0 0 0 0 MARKET. Beasts. 1,105 Ca l l l6 e3. I P21!0. NZIVZGATE AND LEADIENNALL. Owing to the change in the weather these markets were heavy, to day, on the following terms : At per stone by the Carcase. 6. d. to s. d. S. d. to 9. d. Beef, inferior • ..• 3 4 3 6 Mutton, inferior 3 4 3 6 - middling .... 3 8 310 middling 3 8 4 0 - prime large .. 4 0 4 2 prime.... 4 2 4 6 - prime small .. 4 2 4 4 Pork, 1arge........ 3 8 4 6 %real •• .• • • .... • ... 4 0 5 2- gmsll 4 8 5 2 Lamb. Os Od to Os Bd. BOROUGH HOP IVIARKET. Although we cannot call our market brisk, the amount of business doing in the best hops is improving, and the late advance in toe quotations is well supported. The middling and inferior kinds—the supply of which is good—on a slow sale, at late rates. The following are this day's'prices :—New Hops: Sussex Pickets, 2116 s to 3155; Weald of Kent, ditto, 3/ to 31 10s; Mid and East Kent ditto, 31 5s to 5/ 12s per cwt. SECONDARIES.—(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Secondary POTTER.) THISELTON V. THE SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY. This was an action to recover damages under the fol lowing circumstances :—The action was brought under an Act known as Lord Campbell's Act, whereby the relatives of persons killed through negligence or acci dent, are entitled to recover damages by civil action. The plaintiff in this suit sued as administrator of his wife, Mrs. Mary Thiselton, deceased. The defendants at first pleaded that they were not liable, as the accident by which the deceased met her death was on works proceeding with under contractors—the plea, however, was withdrawn, and defendants admitting their liability. This was an inquiry to assess damages. The partiEs, however, had come to an arrangement, and a verdict for 2001. was taken by consent-1001. being apportioned to the plaintiff, and the other 1001. to the three children. A discussion arose as to the form of drawing up the postea, The Learned SECONDARY observing that it was a novel case, and the Act was faulty, and must be amended, as to the direction of the division of the property. The Solicitor to the Company said that in fact the contractors were the defendants, who would have to pay the money, although the company felt they were legally liable. He wished to state that the accident arose from some of the timbers of an arch forming over one of the streets in Bermondsey having been knocked away by a cart, but the coroner's jury, after a very patient inquiry, had returned a verdict of accidental death, and that no blame was attributable to any party ; he, however, regretted to say that another person besides deceased met their deaths. The Learned SECONDARY asked if any arrange ment had been come to as to costs. The Solicitor to the Company said that they would pay all the costs, even those of the letters of admi nistration. A verdict for 2001. was then entered. BRUSSELS PAPERS. HAMBURG, DEC. 25.—The setting in of the frost and freezing of the Elbe has, we fear, almost put a stop to our export trade for the winter, or at any rate till we have a thaw. At our market yesterday no wheat was sold, except in loco for home censumption at reduced prices, from 6 to 8 rix dollars. The following engagements were made for Scot land, and 112 rix dollars were offered for 182 lbs. Very little was done in rye, except that some pur chases were made in speculation. BREMEN, DEC. 25.—The frost has produced a fa vourable effect on our corn trade, and the price of nearly every * kind of grain has fallen. Wheat was sold only for home consumption, and rye, which was more in demand, was sold at the market price. WITTENBURG, DEC. 20.—A most terrible fire at Schwienitz has deprived fifty families, consisting of 201 persons, of shelter and maintenance. In a few hours thirteen houses and eleven small ones, the senate house, the tower, the newly-built warehouses, and forty-four cottages, were burnt to the ground. Very little household furniture was saved: the winter stores were all consumed, and it was with the utmost exer tions that the newly-decorated church, with its hand some tower, as well as the clergyman's house and the school-house, were saved. It is not yet known how the fire originated. Great distress prevails among the people, who have thus been rendered houseless at this inclement season, and subscriptions have been set on foot for their relief, and are earnestly requested, both from home and abroad. Letters from Darmstadt state that his Serene Highness the Hereditary Prince of Hesse Homburg is at the point of death. By the death of this Prince the Landgravate of Hesse Homburg will be incorpo rated in the Grand Duchy of Hesse Darmstadt.— Brussels Papers, Dec. 29. There are five Sabbaths in each of the following months in 1848, viz. :—January, April, July, October, and December. THE OYSTER.—Why is an oyster the greatest paradox in nature ?—D'ye give it up ? Because it has a beard without any chin, And gets out of bed to be tucked in. SAGACITY OF A SHEEP.-A decent carter, em ployed by a large carrying company in this town, keeps several horses in his stable, and amongst them a stallion. Between his dwelling-house and stables is a court, the free run of which is enjoyed by a pet sheep, which finds sleeping quarters with the horses in the stables. Well, a few days ago, about two o'clock in the morning, whilst the honest carter was in bed, ho was awakened by a " tap-tap" at the back door. The sound, which was repeated, being of an unusual character, John got up, repaired to the door, and cautiously challenged the applicant for admission. No answer, save the tap, being vouchsafed to his reiterated " whae's there?" he slowly opened the door, peeped out, and lo! there stood Mr. Sheep, quietly looking up in his face! fie instantly ci-ased the poor animal into the court, closed the door, and returned to bed. Scarcely five minutes elapsed, however, till the dunt-dunt at the door was again heard. John, who was just dropping over into the nicest, coziest snoozeimaginable, bounced from bed, quite indignant at the impertinence of his untimely visitor, and snatching up a cart-tram, opened the door with the intention of "doing" for poor Mr. Sheep. Luckily for both, however, as the door opened, he heard a strange noise proceeding from the stable. The thought immediately s truck h im that something had gone wrong; and proceeding acros s h e found the stallion broken loose, in a paroxysm of fury, and biting and kicking at the other beasts, and every thing in his way. Thus, it wo uld a pp ear, the sat,,acious sheep had gone over to report the state of matters, and though driven back, wady persisted i n summon ing the gudeman to stay the fury of the riotous brute.— Ayr Advertiser. M ANS LAUGHTER IN THE WESTAIINSTER-ROAD.-- Yesterday an inquest was held by M r. W . C arter, at the Two Sawyers, Palace-road, Lambeth, on the body of Mary Morton, aged 72. Police -constable Mole, of the L division, said that on Monday evening week he was on duty in the lobby of Astley's Theatre, when his attention was dincted to a horse and cart proceeding along the Westminster -road, at a very furious and improper rate. Whilst he was watching the vehicle, he saw the deceased, who was in the act of crossing the road, knocked down by the cart. The driver, who was standing up, upon seeing what he had done, whipped his horse, and drove on even faster than before. Witness pursued him down the road until out of breath, when he lost sight of him. lie had endeavoured, but in vain, to find out who the driver was, or to whom the cart be longed. Other evidence was put in, showing deceased had died on the Monday following from the effects of the injury she had received. The jury, having consulted, returned a verdict of " Manslaughter against some person or persons unknown." SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 30.—The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's ship Iberia, Captain Bowen, arrived at Southampton at ono P.N. yesterday, bringing the Spanish and Portuguese mails in charge of Lieutenant Raynor, Admiralty agent, 20 passengers, and a small cargo of fruit, &C. The Iberia left Lisbon on the 23d, and has experienced very tempestuous weather during her pa”p,ge neross the Bay of Biscay. At the date of the Iberia's siti!ing the Seuth ampton packet - of tho 17th (Jupiter, Captain Meehan) had not wade liter appvaranee at Lisbon. Me commer cial advice by the Iberia are not of importance. FAILURE IN THE IRON TRADE BIRMINGHAM, WEDNESDAY. — To - day a meeting of the creditors of Messrs. Sharpe, Brown, Burgess, and Morriss, who have been extensively engaged as manu facturers in the above trade, in Halifax, and in this town, took place at the Union Inn, It appeared that the debts of the house amount to about 31,000/, and the assets to about 15,0001. One of the bankers at Halifax claimed for 5,0001., exclusive of 3,0001. for which they hold security. Messrs. Foster and Bradley, iron masters, claim for 7,500/. ; nearly 100 creditors shssre the loss of the residue. It was pro posed to pay 9s. in the pound, at four instalments of three, six, nine, and twelve months ; the two last payments to be guaranteed. After a full investiga tion of the affairs it was agreed to accept the pro posal, but a further adjournment became necessary. The proposed securities, wi:9 reside in Scotland, had only agreed to guarantee one instalment, and the adjournment took place to obtain further con sent. Messrs. Brown and Co. have bets.n only three years engaged in business in this town. '1.7."%e princi pal creditors reside in the neighbourhood of bt.our bridge and Brierly Hill, and few in this town a' losers by their failure. In noticing this failure it may be observed that the iron trade throughout the whole district is in a most depressed state; and other cases of pecuniary embarrassment have recently been settled. The men at some of the works have turned out, and refused to submit to a reduction of their wages, of which they have received notice. How far they will succeed in prevailing upon the masters to rescind their resolution is very doubtful, in the face of the fact that a declaration of a reduction in the price of iron to the amount of at least 30s. or 21. will be made at the forthcoming quarter-day. We.clo not know that there has ever been so sudden and violent a reaction in any branch of trade as that which bas taken place in the iron trade. THE POST MAGAZINE ALMANACK FOR 1848. As the proprietor of this Almanack justly observes, what the public want is a correct almanack for 1848, and not one published as early as possible in 1847 ; and by delaying the publication of the Post Ma gazine Almanack to the latter end of December, he has been enabled to secure this correctness. This is the only almanack for 1848, which we have seen that records the changes consequent upon the death of the late Archbishop of York, and notices the recent appointments of Colonial Governors, and the election of Mr. Sala. , mons as Alderman, in the room of Mr. Thomas Wood. Another great feature of this work is the immense mass of information it contains respecting the various Insurance Offices of the United Kingdom. It also notices the new Postal arrangements which have recently taken place. In fact, it is what it profeFsea to be, an almanack for 1848. PEMBROKE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. Yesterday the 500th anniversary of Pembroke College was celebrated at Cambridge. A burglary and robbery was committed by armed men on the night of the 17th instant, at the house of Mr. Haves, Simon's Wood, Ormskirk. THE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE NORTH MIDLAND RAILWAY.—The adjourned inquest relative to the deaths of Robert Leppington and Thomas Redshaw, cattle jobbers, resulting from a morning mail train running into a goods train at Brotherton, on the above line, was held at York on Wednesday, when, after a lengthened and ridiculous discussion between the foreman and the jury, the foreman wishing to bring in a verdict of man ,laughter against the whole company, a verdict of acci dental death was finally returned. THE DEAD SEA.—There appears to be no satis factory evidence as to whether any fish are to be found in the Dead S_.a. Our guides said that some small black fish had been seen there, but others deny this. A dead fish had been found on the shore, near the spot where the Jordan enters the lake ; but this might have been east up by the overflow of the river. It is said that small birds do not fly over the lake, on account of the deleterious nature of the atmosphere. About small birds I cannot speak; I saw two or three vultures wing ing their way obliquely down it, however. The curious lights which hung over the surface struck me as showing a❑ unusual state of the atmosphere—the purple murky light resting on one part, and the line of silvery refrac tion on another. Though the sky was clear after the morning clouds had passed away, the sunshine appeared dim, and the heat was very oppressive. The gentlemen of the party who stayed behind to bathe, declared on rejoining us at lunch time, that they found the common report of the buoyancy of the water of this sea not at all exaggerated, anal that it was indeed an easy matter to float on it, and very difficult to sink. They also found the hair and skin powdered with salt when dry; but they could not admit the greasiness or stickiness which is said to adhere to the skin after bathing in the Dead Sea. — Miss Martineau. THE DUKE DB LA VICTORIA.—After a sojourn in this country of nearly four years and a half, the Duke de la Victoria left London yesterday, on his return to Spain. The Queen has been pleased to appoint Edwin Saunders, Esq., of George-street, Hanover-square, to be dentist in ordinary to her Majesty. The British and North American Royal Mail steam-ship Britannia, Capt. Harrison, passed Holyhead yesterday, inward bound, at 3 o'clock !a.m. She will bring papers from Boston to the 16th inst. THE BIGAMY CASE AT HUDDERSrIELD.—This case, in which Miss Nicol, of Glasgow. is the prosecu trix, and Mr. Hellawell, surgeon, of Huddersfield, the party accused, and which was reported in our number of October 16 as having been heard before the Hudders field Bench of Magistrates on the Thursday previously, came before the Grand Jury at York 'Assizes on Wed nesday, when, after a full investigation into the circum stances, the bill was ignored, and the case dismissed as one of the most shameful extortion and conspiracy that could possibly be trumped up.—Manchester Examiner. COURT-MARTIAL AT DEVONPORT.—A Court martial took place at Devonport, on board the San Josef, flag-ship of the Port Admiral, on Monday, to try a seaman of the Columbia steam-vessel, for desertion, and entering on board an American merchant schooner. The proceedings commenced at ten, and the case closed at two, when the prisoner was found guilty, and sen• tenced to be imprisoned three calendar months, and for feit all arrears of pay. THE NEW POSTAL CONVENTION BETWEEN ENO' LAND AND FRANCE.—This long-desired international communication with England and France, which has been looked forward to with great interest on both sides of the Channel, will at last be fully carried out by the establishing of two daily mails from London to Paris, and vice versa. The facilities afforded by the South- Eastern Railway to Folkestone and Dover, and the Boulogne Railway to Amiens and Paris (nearly com pleted), will open in a very short time a grand trunk line from the northern to the southern extremity of France, and whew the railway from Lyons to Marseilles is finished, will cause a great development to the com mercial intercourse between the Mediterranean and this country and our Indian empire, by a rapid correspon dence by steam and locomotion. According to the new arrangement, the mail by way of Boulogne will leave Paris daily at eight in the evening, and reach there the next day at four in the morning, and London at half past ten in the morning. The mail from London by the same route a ill be dispatched daily (Sunday excepted) at eight in the evening. The mail will be delivered to the post-office of Boulogne next day at half-past two in the morning, and reach Paris at half-past ten in the morning. The mail by way of Calais will leave Paris daily at noon, and reach Calais at ten at night and Lon don at half-past four next morning. The mail from London by the same route will be dispatched daily , at eleven in the morning, and delivered the next morning at Paris at half-past four. The French steam-packets will convey the mails to and from Calais and Dover, and the British packets to and from Boulogne and Dover. NEW Fox TRAP.—We have frequently heard of mice and rats, and such small game, being caught by oysters, but the entrapment of a fox by a muscle is a novelty which has been reserved for the especial wonder of the present generation. For stalwart men, fiery steeds, and fierce dogs to turn out with 'e whoop, and shout, and wild hallo," to perform what can be achieved by a solitary muscle on the banks of Loch Carron, will hereafter, perhaps, be regarded as something ridiculous. The Inverness .Courier states that immense muscles, some of which are almost as large as a man's shoe, are found at Ardinisgain, on Loch Carron. A few days since one of these muscles was left uncovered by a spring ebb tide, and was induced by the rays of the sun to open itself. While thus open, it was observed by a prowling fox, which thrust its tongue into the shell in the hope of securing the fish; but the muscle instantly closed on the tongue of the fox, which was retained a prisoner until drowned by the rising tide. BlRTfid. On the 18th inst., at Bonn, on Rhine, the wife of Mr. A. Hellmers, of a daughter. On the 21st inst., in Great Marylebone-street, Cavendish square, Mrs. Ellison, of a daughter. On the 24th inst., at Castle Connell, County of Limerick, the lady of J. S. Dwyer, Esq., J. P., of a daughter. On the 25th inst., at Walliscote House, the lady of John Parkinson, Esq., of a son. On the 25th inst., the wife of Charles J. Tomkins, Esq., surgeon, Colet-place, Commercial-road, of a daughter. On the 28th inst., at Devonshire-square, Bishopsgate street, the wife of Dr. Oldham, of a son. On the 28th inst., at Blackmore, Essex, Mrs. W. T. Long bourne, of a daughter. On the 28th inst., at Bayswater, Mrs. Charles Hall, of A son, who survived only a few hours. On the 29th inst., at Lee, Kent, Mrs. Wallroth, of a daughter. On the 29th inst., at Tavistock•aquare, the wife of G. Willmore, Esq., of a daughter. On the 29th inst., at Highgate, Mrs. Henry Lake, of a son. MARRIED. On the 22d inst., at Watford, Herta, Mr. J. 11. Stockdale, of London, to Harriet Kula, only daughter of Clement Rose, Esq., surgeon of that place. MED. On the 19th inst., at No. 1, Belvedere, Bath, the residence of his son, Mr. Peauchi Taylor, Mr. James Taylor, late of London, aged 78. On the 25th inst., at North-end, Fulham, Lester, eldest son of the late W. G. Harvey, Esq., aged 59. On the 26th inst., Mary, the youngest daughter of Mr. T. Escreet, of Islington. On the 27th inst., at Boley-hill, Rochester, Maria, the Rife of Captain Thomas Baker, H.C.S.. aged 62. On tho 27th inst., Mr. James Garner, of Corrie-place, Old Kent-road, aged 78. London: Printed and Pubii6hed by MURDO YOUNG, at No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Ofl:ce, No, 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county Middlesex, Friday, December 31, 11141. 4