The Sun. — London, England, 1847-01-25 00:00:00

17., Tae's'' ol ily 80. solo OP itilaDlP OV' lgston - 'P °' e 28. ~ upon- TYl3B' 'castle-o°r L ily 22. L !7. ug ust 3 1; d 0 r- 0 Jane 3' o o h--the July 6 ; July' '' 8. July l°! ly 15.... th. ghtial _s ii turdoP Ailr rY t LITER ‘7111117. ORATORS OF THE AGE, comprising Portraits Critical, Biographical, and Descriptive by G. H. Francis, Editor of " Maxims and Opinions of tbc Duke of lVellington." Our readers will doubtless recollect certain admirably Written papers entitled "Contemporary Orators," which have from time to time appeared in Fraser's Magazine during the last twelvemonth, and from which a s have PO': 'lnfrequently given extracts. These papers hs.vii.g attained a high popularity not only in this country, but on the continent (several of them have been translated into French), Mr. Francis has done wisely in collect ng them together, for publication in a separate form. This work, however, is not merely a reprint from Fraser: each sketch has been subjected to careful revision, and many of them have been re - written or remodelled. In his position Mr. Francis possesses great advantages for collecting materials for such a work as the one now under notice, and he knows well how to avail himself of these advantages. He has consequently pr oduced a "°°k which is decidedly the bet of its sort. His criti elarna are acute, yet fair and impartial, and his portraits are perfect Daguerreotypes—we give the portrait of Lord John Russell as a specimen. " Can that little, quiet, fragile, modest, almost insignifi cant-looking man, so neat, plain, and formal in his black coat and snow-white neckcloth, who sits with his legs crossed `any-h ow ' and his hat overshadowing his sharp features till they are scarcely seen,—can that be Lord John Russell ? Is he really leader of that compact and numerous party ? And has he the power a i r the skill to rule and rein them in ; to amalgamate all their discordant varieties ; to tame their poli tical violence, of which you have heard and seen so much; to Pour the oil of his philosophic spirit on the troubled waters of their excited passions ; to beguile them into suspending or giving up their cherished opinions and settled purposes, Rind cordially uniting in working out his views, and respect ing, if not obeying, his will? When yov regard the phy sique of Sir Robert Peel ; his full, commanding figure, his intellectual face and head, his handsome expressive counte nance, his erect and manly bearing; you are half tempted to believe, on trust, all you have heard of his magical in fluence over the House of Commons : but no persuasion will induce you to think that the diminutive model of a man who bas been pointed out to you as Lord John Russell—whom Lord Palmerston, his next neighbour, might almost dandle in his arms—can possess those qualities which history tells us are necessary in order to sway popular assemblies. " In a few moments he takes off his hat and rises from his neat ; advancing to the table to speak. Now, for the first time, you see something that prepossesses. His head, though small, is finely shaped ; it is a highly intellectual head, and the brow is wide and deep. The face, broad and firm set, sphynx-like in shape, is not of faultless outline, but it is stron g l y mar k e d w i t h c h arac t er . A th oug htful repose, slightly tinged with melancholy, pervades it. The features are pale ness sharply ofthe o d orn efin p e le d x ; io t u lly a look more so in the extreme paleness not of ill health, but of refined breeding. The mouth is wide, bu surrounded with a marked line, asthougltf finely shaped ; peitsiswareeulre. ft k made the vehicle of exp ress i on , while the i compressed, as from habitual thought. Th e ev intelligent, the nose straight and decided, th e eyebrows dark and well arched, and the whole face, which seems smaller still than it is, from the absence of whiskers, is surmounted by dark and scanty hair, which leaves disclosed the whole depth of an ample and intellectual forehead. A moment more, and you are struck with the proportions, though small, of his frame—his attitude erect, his chest expanded. You begin to perceive that a little man need not of necessity be insignificant. There is a presence upon him, a firm com pactness of outline, a self-possessed manner, a consciousness of latent strength, that lead you to abandon your unfavour able view of his physical attributes, and to hope much from his moral and intellectual qualities. “ - no speaks, and for a time your disappointment returns. You have seen him make one step forward to the table, look all round the house, then make a step back again into his old place ; then with the right arm stretch ed p artl y out, and h is face half turned to his own supporters, he begins. His voice is feeble in quality and monotonous. It is thin, and there is a twang upon it which smacks of aristocratic affec tation ; but it is distinct. He is, perhaps, about to answer some speech, or to attack some measure , of Sir Robert Peel. Ile goes on in level strain, uttering a few of the most ob vious commonplaces of apology or of deprecation , ti ll the I "ea of mediocrity grows irresistibly upon your mind. Yet the HOLM seem to listen anxiously—they would not do so if ey did not know the man. Wait a little. A cheer comes f rom around him ; it bears in it the efeminate laugh of Mr. Ward, the deep bassoon note of Mr. Warburton, the shrill scream of Mr. Sheil, the loud hearty shout of Mr. Wakley, and the delighted chorus of the Radicals and manufacturers. a 3', even on the opposite side, the ' point' has not been without its effect, as many a suppressed titter testifies. All the level commonplace, it seems, was but the stringing of the I) " ; at the moment when least expected, the cool, prepared marksman has shot his arrow of keen and polished sarcasm at Sir Robert Peel, whom it has fleshed, if not transfixed. You follow the speaker a little longer, now fairly interested i him, even though opposed to his opinions , an d y ou find thatTs-velpinhoeh g as more of those arrows in his quiver. And then he proceeds, during a speech of perhaps an hou r and a half, those characteristics of his mind which we have d escribed in detail ; now earning approval by h is enlar g ed and statesmanlike views, now lowering himself to the level of the various prejudices of his party ; alternately compelling I t e e s n ret and admiration or provoking something like con- , opponentsP now rousing his own side to cheers against their way, to laugh at or suspect their own leaders ; but trial exhibiting power, self-posse.ssion, tact, skill, parlia mentary and political knowledge, command of language, and felicity of diction, surpassed by but a few of the distin guished men of the day. "Meanwhile you have lost sight of the defects of the maker—defectsof voice, manner , a nd action, which place aim as fir below Sir Robert Peel, in the merely mechanical part of oratory, as his occasional elevation of thought and t aPPy choice of language place him in these respects above him. If you had not thus been carried away, you would have been speedily we aried by the drawling monotony of voice, the hesitation in delivery, the constant catching up and repetition of words, and even of portions of sentences ; and you will have noticed that the only action used was a Constant stepping forwards from the bench to the table and back again, an occasional thumping of the latter with the right han4, when not rested permanently on it, a folding of the arms akimbo, or an action peculiar to this orator when he rests his left elbow on his right hand, while the left arm, raised perpendicularly, is held up as if in warning at his op ponents." THE QUARTERLY RE VIEW. No. CLVII. From the interesting narrative (written in Latin by the Jesuit Giulio Cordara in 1751) of the expedi tion of Charles Edward Stuart, very recently ren dered into Italian by Antonio Gussalli, an historical article of si ngu lar beauty has suggested itself to one of the Quarterly reviewers. That article is contained in the resent number, and is entitled " The Stuar ts in Italy." Wh et h er it b e fr o m the natural sympa thies inspired by occurrences of a chivalrous charac ter when associated with youth, illustrious lineage, and extraordinary misfortune, or whether it arise merely m erely f rom the eu:lns tance of these romantic inci dents is from so 'recent a period in the past cenkin- , . s certain that no events o f a p urel y national have so particularly arrested the attention, and o n .. f t 'e l. the imaginatic ins, and elicit ed the com p assion last n guslamen as the vicissitudes encou ntered b y the of the and, for a while, the noblest of the royal hou se _lhe Stuart s , among the tarns and glens of Cale donia. Alfred burnir tg the cakes of the forester's Wife " — Casur-de-lion N rying in deeds of arms with the valorou s Saladin—He my the Sixth pining in t h e wer, i n the involuntary gu i se o f an anointed an - 79 0o rite—n o t one sing its epoch or personage in the wnole a nna l s of Great . Britain, so entirely fascinates the Popular mind as ',he epoch of 1745-6, and the liers onage styled The Young Pretender. The fact m ay,, even b e recogn * pled in the enthusiasm ex eib,, l ' e d by th e l a tt et- amon g his adherents, n j' e the spontaneous gatherings of t he north _nj which a t one mo ment promised to rest ore the transferred regalia to the possession of the dy nasty from w hi c h i t I ut.d been wrested, by the suffer iga endured, th e AT( ings b orn e, the blood spilt, the fortunes sacrificed, an the hearths desolated in his veracity If a n y t es ti m an y we re required to prove the of the histori Ins of this adventurous rising in S cotland, that testi) mmy is found in the beautiful _aa.d . passionate p oe t r y , A' the Jacobite ballads — than winch there are not in e xistence more fervent and re markable specimens of party-feelings, party-loyalty and party-violence. I That can evidence a more frantic devotion to the cause of an individual than the famous " Cam' ye b .a) Athol," preserved to us by the faithful memory and fluent pen of the Ettrick Shepperd ?—that gallant 1 battle-song which rings to the last syllable with the g raudium "Down through the Lowlas ids, down wi' the Whigamore, Loyal true Highlanderi, i lown wi' them rarely! Ronald and Donald, drive c n wi' the braid clamore, Over the necks of the fot •s of Prince Charlie ! Follow thee, follow thee, wi is wadna follow thee ! Lang hest thou loved ant d trusted us fairly ? Charlie, Charlie, wha wads is follow thee? King of the Highland he arts, bonnie Prince Charlie?' Nor is the dynasty of Brt tuswick of that juvenile and inglorious character, whit th in the times of the first Georges rendered it dangerous to utter any expres sions of sympathy in the fortunes of the exiled Princes. The truest and a taunchest lieges of our sove reign lady Victoria may now, without peril to them selves, and without the slightest diminution of their good name as lo yal subjects participate fully in those sentiments of ad miration which the conduct c2f . Prince Ch ar l es , throw ghout his unfortunate expe dition, enkindled anion g his faithful Highlanders. With all our ideas as tc " legitimacy," it is impos sible to deny that the descent of Charles Edward u pon the kingdom of his ancestors, for the purpose of r e - asserting the claims o f his father to the crown and the king s h ip, possessed .o much of the spirit of true Chivalry and antique pry ,wess, that the fancy reverts In the scenes of his w; inderings and wretchedness With a peculiar and revere nt interest. Beyond the attrac tive cast of his intellect, Prince Charles was e ndowed With all th ose ex t erna l s which are most calculated to ensure the affection an 1 attachment of a generous r ace like the Scots. W itness that interesting sketch of i his appearance and dis position given of him by Cor dara • b Features of remarkable regularity and : a atY, with a certain zincely air ; a noble, gener ous,o and fervid dispositi on ; a soaring spirit, capable the loftiest flights - a nimble, yet robust frame, and a n equable t native gifts, to which he e t e m peras Del it were added a studiou a a couaintance wit h all courtly habits and o b servan ce l , and an admirab l y gentleman -I,;ke and easy mann at , with an unfailingly joyous and fluent address." r.l it was the bewitchi n g as p ect of royal adven firer at the commen cement of t. 7 wayward e istence ; little did it augur the degenerate manhood ; little did the purity and dig n it y o f 1 adolescence prefigure the drun kenness an d debr pictur e o f t h e ci using scenes in the drama o f the d ynasty of the o i sement of his degraded age. As a AncritoictiallepQapeuarr nce puissant Stuarts, this contribu tion Review is vivid and picturesqu e. upon the ancient Portuguese Drama, and especially u p ots the works of Gil Vicente, dis- f o x, the hare and mask or tiers, tWQ beagles, *le-to:vi ol differ brace of I COMIIIOII hounds,s bap mat ick OL the sca nt when the direction; hen they theY ar e they ba l l lute; allw Y a re ell ' theY are. stag or beats the hen a f ° said to be or dra ir/ : walk uP - the tia- n foga Ls balled or era deer ; e is turned 11 doubles. ered. end A 7eakin and val°v- g9loller' TA plrv. z perfect faroiligrity with the literature of the land of Camoens, and a capability of appreciating the excellencies and blemishes of its different writers. The criticism is interspersed with several happy and appropriate quotations ; from the quaint malapert ditty of Cassandra : "Dices quo mecase yo; No quiero marido, no:" To a delicious carol of spring, ;nost characteristic of the sunny Peninsula We give the graceful imitation of this latter song, paraphrased from the original by the reviewer : " I'll away to the garden, For winter is over ; The Rose is awake To the song of her lover I will go and discover The passionate Nightingale singing above her. " From the boughs green and golden That slope to the river, A Nymph gathers lemons To give to her lover : I will go and discover The shy little Nightingale singing above her. " Near the vineyard, where often I have spied out a rover. Sits a damsel who sings To he heard by her lover : I will go and discover The bold little Nightingale singing above her." In the article headed " State of Ireland," the reader will discover merely a recapitulation of the account already published in all the newspapers, besides a variety of suggestions as to the restoration of that afflicted island to agricultural and commer cial prosperity. The suggestions are a bout as feasible as the nine hundred and ninety-nine already made by the vagrant charlatans of political economy, scattered through the country. If the Government attends merely to the numberless and conflicting schemes advanced as to the social redemption of the Irish it will be in im minent peril of sharing the fate of the old gentleman in the fable who had a boy and a donkey. The Parliament and the Ministry must look more to the dictates of their own sagacity and wisdom. Other wise the emerald isle will continue for an indefinite period the victim of an erroneous legislation and of a mistaken system of agriculture. In the paper re lating to " Agriculture in France," there are so many statistical fallacies and extravagant propositions that a merely cursory denial of their accuracy would be inefficient and—in point of fact — pert. The merits, or rather the demerits, of the article must be discussed in a more detailed form than our space at present will permit, in order to do jus tice to the plausibility of the writer, and the ennobling truths of free trade. " Faraday "is the subject of a well-deserved panegyric in a disquisition commemo rative ofhis recent discoveries in relation to light and electricity—discoveries which promise to prove the keys to a new knowledge. As a suitable beginning to the Quarterly Review for 1847,we find a shrewd and compre hensive biography of the memorable Marquis of Mon trose—that heroic chieftain who is emphatically de signated " The Great Marquis" by his Caledonian countrymen. To our thinking, however, the most valuable and laudable paper in the whole number is the one descriptive of the Ragged Schools—of their original institution—of their progressive establish ment--of theiejtieritorious character, and of the ne cessity which cxised for some educational effort of the kind. .The article is admirably written, written with point, and sometimes eloquence ; writ ten with the intellect ready to perceive the more crying wants of the indigent, above all written with a deep and zealous feeling of unaffected benevolence. As a testimony that these philanthropic establish• ments have not been prematurely called into exist ence, here is a calculation enough to appal the least credulous, and to render the spirit of philanthropy contagious, if only from a dread of the consequences likely to arise from so enormous an evil, if not checked in its extension. In the year 1845 there were taken into custody by the metropolitan police 14,887 persons of both sexes under 20 years of age. Of these were summarily disposed of by the magistrates -38 males, 15 females, under 10 years of age; 1,187 „ 123 „ at 10 and under 15 ; 3,519 „ 1,191 ~ at 15 and under 20. There were committed for trial 12 males, 4 females, under 10 years of age; 370 „ 44 ++ lo and under 15. 1,839 „ 257 „ at 15 and under 20. Here is a list of agenda ample tmough to keep both magistrates and police from growing pursy and fat ! but it is not a full statement of the annuial mischief ; much escapes the vigilance of the law ; much falls somewhat within the limits of crime ; much, however pernicious, cannot be ranked with offences againot the Queen's peace. Now let us just look at the offences of some among those whom the magistrates disposed of vesthout delay— Assaults - - - - 1 under 10 years of age; 58 at 10 and under 15 714 15 and under 20. Misdemeanours : With intent to steal 3 under 10 years of age; 62 at 10 and under 15 128 15 and under 20. 19 *Unlawful posses- t 22 under 10 lion of goods, SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 25, 1847. 445 at 10 and under 15 591 15 and under 20. 2 under 10 142 at 10 and under 15 500 15 and under 20. Disorderly characters 111 10 and under 15 505 15 and under 20. Drunkenness and Z 473 15 and under 2 0 . d run ken persons Reputed thieves - - 2 under 10 38 15 140 at 15 and under 20. Vagrants -- - 22 under 10 242 at 10 and under 15 548 15 and under 20. The opening passages of this excellent contribution are so painfully yet truthfully descriptive of the necessity which there is for a moral drainage and ventilation, as well as for a physical one, that we shall copy them entire, commending them heartily to the perusal of all who have not been fortunate enough to devour the whole argument of the reviewer:— " Every one who walks the streets of the metropolis must daily observe several members of the tribe—bold, and pert, and dirty as London sparrows, but pale, feeble, and sadly in ferior to them in plumpness of outline. Their business, or pretended business, seems to vary with the locality. At the west-end they deal in lucifer-matches, audaciously beg, or tell a touching tale of woe. Pass on to the central parts of the town—to Holborn or the Strand, and the regions adjacent. to them—and you will there fin d the numbers very greatly in creased ; a few are pursuing the avocations above-mentioned of of their snore Corinthian f ellows ; man y are spanning the gutters with their legs, and dabbling with earnestness in the latest accumulation of nastiness; while others, in squalid and'half-naked groups, squat at the entrances of the narrow, fcated courts and alleys that lie concealed behind the decep tive frontages of our larger thoroughfares. Whitechapel and Spitalfields teem with them like an ant's-nest; but it is in Lambeth and in Westminster that we find the most fla grant traces of their swarming activity. There the foul and dismal passages are thronged with children of both sexes, and of every age from three to thirteen. Though wan and hag gard, they are singularly vivacious, and engaged in every sort of occupation but that which would be beneficial to them selves and creditable to the neighbourhood. Their appearance is wild; the matted hair, the disgusting filth that renders necessary a closer inspection, before the flesh can be discerned between the rags which hang about it; and the barbarian freedom from all superintendence and restraint, fill the mind of a novice in these things with perplexity and dismay. Visit these regions in the summer, and you are overwhelmed by the exhalations; visit them in the winter, and you are shocked by the spectacle of hundreds shivering in apparel that would be scanty in the tropics ; many are all but naked; those that are clothed are grotesque; the trousers where they have them, seldom pass the knee; the tailed coats very frequently trail below the heels. In this guise they run about the streets, and line the banks of the river it low water, seeking coals, sticks, corks, for nothing comes amiss as treasure-trove; screams of delight burst occasionally from the crowds, and leave the passer-by, if he be in a contemplative mood, to wonder and to rejoice that moral and physical de• gradations have not yet broken every spring of their youthful energies. " Eccentric doubts flit through our minds; and we are tempted to ask whether these nondescripts ever had a parent, or whether there be parents to be found in the district. They look not like the inhabitants o' the earth, and yet are on 't.' A feeling of curiosity arises, and the next step is to investigate their natural history, their haunts, their habits, their idiosyncracy, their points of resemblance to the rest of m ankind, and the part th e y sustain in the great purpose •f creation. The strang er dives into the recesses from .which they seem to issue—and there he sees, before and behind, op t th h e at rig c h an t heaffieinddantdheon senseth e andleft, every deadenform e an m d o c r h a .1 1 , 7 c tLeer Let those who desire a minute description of these horrid retreats, in which thousands of our country-people cower by day and by night, consult the admirable reports of the Sanitary . Con hmaivsseiotno el told Com missioners, saansdmtuteh as He l a a l ri th gua o g f eTcoawn ncos'nvAesys.ocißatu.itonla,nwguliaicghe is powerless to exhibit the truth : personal experience elope can give the reality ; and then many a weary and pestilential search, and many a sick headache, will prove to the disgusted inquirer that a large proportion of those who dwell in the capital of the British empire are crammed into re of the gions of filth and darkness, the ancient but not so litar y reign newts and toads. " Here are the receptacles of the species we investigate; here they are spawned, and here they perish! Can their state be a matter of wonder? We have penetrat ed alle y s terminating in a end-de-sac, long and narrow like a tobacco pipe, where air and sunshine were never known. On one side rose walls several feet in height, blackened with damp andrwe9vuo would i rbavoeis m gynife wt,edt waited :oreahodoei from iot n mi oedo dt3.o: the a,tnueeahn r:ritessasi other einlnxut s adhtut i dar d snfaos e ointfel ri:nci s tkb. eehe t eie o rdef o aodui sidlfte,i gentlemenseni twth,eroxabe anothere daeaewtsnnbseseeli expansion bestrewedg dwellings, still similar s oa t n i ip l rd l a as m pcsr gl l nas e e:. V*rgot cha racter cneatatcehyvrs have :g a a g v T g e a h r e d th , n e r o rough, glhopethy, and exasperated, surrounded us at once, imploring us to order the removal of the filth which had poisoned their tenements, and to grant them a supply of water, from which they had been debarred during many days. Pass to another district you may think it less confined—but there you will see flow ing before each hovel, and within a few feet of it, a broad, black, uncovered drain, exhaling at every point the most unwholesome vapours. If there be not a drain, there is a stagnant pool ; touch either with your stick ; and the me phitic mass will yield up its poisonous gas like the corusca tions of soda-water. "The children sit along these depositories of death, or roam through the retired courts in which the abomination of years has been suffered to accumulate. Here reigns a me lancholy silence, seldom broken but by an irritated scold or a pugnacious drunkard. The pale discoloured faces of the in habitants, their shrivelled forms, their abandoned exterior Wilful damage recal the living skeletons of the Pontine Marshes, and suffi cient 4 attest the pie-Le.ce ut a secret agency. hostile to every' physical and moral improvement of the human race. " The interior of the dwel lin g is in strict keeping : the smaller space of the apartments increasing, of course, the evils that prevail without —damp, darkness, dirt, and foul air. Many are wholly destitute of furniture ; many con tain nothing except a table and a chair: some few have e common bed for all ages and both sexes; but a large portion of the denizens of those regions lie on a heap of rags more nasty th the flGor it.3elf. Happy the family that can boast of a- a single room to itself, and in that room a dry corner. " But these creatures have pursuits of their own, certain occupations whereby they obtain a scanty subsistence; for, though there are, perhaps, many persons who may net ad mit the necessity, they themselves have a conviction that they must live. The children, that survive the noxious influ ences and awful neglect, are thrown, as soon as they can crawl, to scramble in the gutter, and leave their parents to amusement or business : as they advance in years they dis cover that they must, in general, find their own food or go without it. The duris urgens in rebus egestas,' stimulates these independent urchins; and, at an age when the chil dren of the wealthy would still be in leading-strings, they , are off, singly or is parties, to beg, borrow, steal, and exer cise all the cunning that want and a love of evil can stir up in a reckless race. They are driven to these courses, in many instances, by their parents; in more by their step mothers; in most by necessity and general example. The passion for shows and the lowest drama is nearly universal; • Panem et Circenses'—food and the penny theatres—these are their paradise, and their chief temptation to crime. They receive no education, religious or secular; they are subjected to no restraint of any sort; never do they hear the word of advice, or the accent of kindness ; the notions that exist in the minds of ordinary persons have no place in theirs ; having nothing exclusively of their own, they seem to think such, in fact, the true position of society; and, helping themselves without scruple to the goods of others, they can never recognise, when convicted before a magistrate, the justice of a sentence which punishes them for having done little more than was indispensable to their existence. " Well, then, we discover that they are beings like our selves; that they have long subsisted within a walk of our own dwellings ; that they have increased, and are increasing in numbers with the extension of this overgrown metropolis ; and that they recede, if to recede be possible, in physical and moral condition as the capital itself advances towards the pinnacle of magnificence and refinement. Will no one roll away the reproach? We have an Established Church, abun dant in able and pious men, and she boasts herself to be the Church of the people. We have a great body of wealthy and intelligent Dissenters, who declaim, by day and by night, on the efficacious virtues of the voluntary principle. We have a generous aristocracy and plethoric capitalists, and a Government pledged to social improvements. Who will come forward ? Why not all ?" Those are the scenes in which crime and destitution are germinated—those are the blanks in the lottery of social life which the ragged schools have been c reated to transform, if possible, into prizes. Still the labour of love and regeneration is only commencing; it must be long before that labour can be effectual in the suppression of juvenile depravity and the dis persion of juvenile ignorance. The narrow end of the wedge, however, has been driven in ; let us drive it home, and the obdurate trunk of that great Upas of civilised society—ignorance—must be penetrated and prostrated. RURAL PICKINGS; or Attradive Points in Country Life and Scenery. By the Author of " Points and Pickings of Information about China." The name of this little volume almost describes its character, but the subjects of which it treats, and the benefits to be derived from its perusal are very accu rately set forth in the introduction, as will be seen from the following very beautiful observations : " As my book will appeal rather to the heart than to the head, so sentimentality must give place to the healthy freshness of natural feeling. I cannot promise you much of a treat in the way of sighing over " fa but I wi my best to set your pulse throbbing among the bright breezy hills and the sweet, secluded, bird-singing, heart expanding valleys of rural scenery. I will set before you. in such language as I may, rustic occupations, the rich garniture of fields, the goodly foliage of trees, the beauty of buds and blossoms, the sparkling of running brooks, the warbling of the feathery world, the fair forms of hills and valleys, the bright gleams of sunset, and the brighter glories of sun-risings. I will take you to scenes of rural seclusion, of dark and shadowy nooks, of wild boughs hanging over gurgling streams, of woods of giant trees, and hazel copses rich with clustering nuts ; of mossy banks sprinkled with primroses ; of old stone quarries and grey cliffs hung with creepers, ivy, and lichens ; of thorn bushes garlanded with wild convolulus and red and yellow poison-berries; of tangled wildernesses of gorse, fern, and fox-glove. You shall see nature in her lory and her gloom ; hear her in te silent elo• quen g ce of her solitude, and feel her influe h nce is every hoar. "Many have gone before me in describing rural scenery, and others will follow me in the same alluring enter prise ; but nature is a wide field in which all may wan der, and each find something to admire. He that roams in the rich luxuriance of country scenes, with a love of what is sweet and simple, as well as what is arresting and sublime ; and is content to express faithfully the joyous emotions of his mind, the gushing gladness of his spirit, in natural language, can hardly fail in affording pleasure. " The lover of nature has an inexhaustible treasure in the common things of creation. His enjoyments flow not from one part of rural influences, but from all. To him the air is health, the wind is music, the flowers are pearls, the fruits a banquet, and the burst of glowing sights and harmonious sounds that appeal at once to his eye, his ear, and his heart, create in Lim a jubilee of joy. ' God has not given This passion to the heart of man in vain, This love of earth's green face, and air of heaven, And all the bliss of Nature's rustic reign.' For it is a source of wealth ; not the wealth of the coffer, but of the heart. It makes man rich in the love of beauty ; rich in the quiet delights of solitude; rich in sweet and kindly thoughts ; rich in yearnings and aspirations after purity and knowledge; and rich in desires for the happiness of all crea tures. It breaks up the deep fountain of his affections, bind ing him in closer brotherhood to his kind, and awakening in his soul a warmer, purer, and a holier thanksgiving to God." To say that these remarks only do justice to the volume which they preface, will surely be saying sufficient in its praise. It is filled with interesting and animated de scriptions of the country and country scenes all written con amore, and interspersed with varied anecdotes, amusing adventures, occasional poems and fragments of poems, some original, some quotations, and many in teresting particulars regarding the mode of living in the country ; among others an extract from a letter, written by a country clergyman, in which be gives a sort of a summary of his diurnal pursuits, beginning with " Rose at three o'clock." The following remarks, ex cellent in themselves, will show that the author has some higher object in view than that of only affording amusement to his readers : " It is one of the many objects I have in view in those Rural Pickings, to sprinkle freely my rustic descriptions with good feeling and kindly suggestions that may be turned to acc ount. llills and valleys, woods and waterfalls, fields and flowers, ponds and brooks, will only be the more beautiful if we can get from them aught that will dispose us more grate fully to enjoy, and more patiently to endure ; aught that will nerve our hearts in danger, knit us more closely to those we love, and call forth kindly emotions for all around. What if we could wander for ever amid daisies and daffodils, breathe nothing but fresh air scented by violets, and hear nothing but the singing of larks and the murmuring of waterfalls ! dreaming away our lives in listless ease and unenviable use lessness! A generous heart and a kindly spirit would shrink from such selfish enjoyment ; but when we turn the fair things of creation to account by improving our own hearts, and connecting our own good with the good of others, we obtain a healthier, if not a holier, gratification. " There are very few qualities of more value than that of perseverance in the different positions and relations of life; those who possess it have, as it were, in most undertakings. Success written on their foreheads; while those who possess it not have but a poor prospect of obtaining their ends. The cavern of Antiparos is deep, but Perseverance descends to its lowest recess, The Alps are high, yet Perseverance places its foot on their cloud-capt heads." This little volume of " Rural Pi c kings" is both elegant and excellent, as regards binding, printing, &c. ; the illustrations by Absolon are, some of them especially, peculiarly beautiful. They have all the softness of lithography, and the additional attraction of colouring ; one of the best—" Reading the Bible" —represents a group listening to an old man reading, and the curious and attentive expression with which one of the children regards him is very well portrayed. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, SUNlDAY.—Yesterday morning the Queen and Prince Albert walked in the elopes and grounds adjacent to the Castle. His Royal Highness Prince Albert enjoyed the sport of shooting yesterday morning, attended by Lord Alfred Paget , Major-General Bowles, Colonel Seymour, Mr. Anson, and the Hon. Colonel Phipps. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, took their accustomed pony exercise yes terday. Earl Spencer left the Castle yesterday. The band of the lst Life Guards attended in the Castle during dinner. Her Majesty's private band afterwards at tended, and performed the remainder of last evening. This morning the Queen and Prince Albert, the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, and the Domestic Household, attended Divine Service in the Private Chapel of the Castle. The Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay officiated. Her Royal Highness th e D uc h ess o f C a mbridge visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester on Saturday at Gloucester llouse. A Cabinet Council was held at half-past two o'clock on Saturday afternoon at the Foreign-office. The Ministers present were, Lord John Russell Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of 14into, Sir George Grey, Viscount Palmerston, Earl Grey, the Chancellor of the Ex chequer, the Earl of Auckland, Sir John llobhouse, Lord Campbell, Viscount Morpeth, the Earl of Clarendon, the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Right Hon. T. B. Macaulay, and the Right Hon. H. Labouchere. The Council broke up at five o'clock. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, Merchants' House, West India Association, Brewers, Distillers, ts' Im porters of Foreign Sugar, and from a public meeting of the Merchants and Citizens of Glasgow, had an interview with Lord John Russell on Saturday, at ton official residenc in Downing-street. The deputation sisted of Messrs. Itanken, Campbell, Eccles, Midleton, Gray, Tennent, and Kinnear, and was accompanied by Mr. Oswald, M.P. and Mr. Dennistown, M.P. Mr. John Wood, Chairman of the Excise, was present at the conference of the deputation with his Lordship. The Right Hon. Dr. Lushington had an interview with Earl Grey on Saturday at the Colonial-office. The Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord President of the Council has issued invitations to the Cabinet Ministers and the Great Officer of tate of the Queen's Household, for he Sheriff's dinner s on S Wedn e sday, the 3d February, at t Lansdowne House The . deputation on the malt tax to Lord John Russell, on Friday, was composed o f the Duke of Richmond,he Eaar rl of March, M.P., Mr. W. Miles, M.P., Mr. A. S. O'Brien,B Mr. Newdegate, M.P., Mr. Wodehouse, M.P., Messrs. W. Bennett and J. Pain, from Beds ; Messrs. R. Baker and W. Fisher Hobbs, from Essex; Messrs. Ball and Jonas, from Cambridgeshire; Mr. J. Moseley, from Suffolk ; Mr. G. Shackel, from Berks ; Mr. J. Ellman, from Sussex ; Mr. T. Weall, from Surrey ; Mr. Brown, from Wilts ; Mr. G. Hi r. from Salop ; and Mr. J. WarsoP, from Huntingdonshire. Mr. Wickham, Chairman of the Stamps and Taxes, had an interview with the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, oa Satur day, at the office of the Board of Trade. The Duke of Wellington attended the early service yester day, In the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The Rev. Dr. esley officiated and preached the sermon. At the daily service the prayers were read by the Rev. T. Helmore, and the lessons by the Rev. J. V. Povah. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Sleath. The anthem was, " Lord let me know my end," (Greene). Mr. Turle presided at the organ. Lords Salisbury, Spencer, Fortescue. Ebrington, In gestrie, and Canterbury, were among the nobility present. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE pstanduh A evpeaip t lwnr l tie e oalse n lfg gth we have before us the programme of her Majesty's Theatre for th e season of 1847—a programme which proves that th e exer ti o ns made by Mr. Lumley, " under circumsta nces o f p ecu liar difficulty to form a company still m o r e wor thy of the first theatre in Europe," have been c rowne d w ith success. First among the operatic engag e m en t s we hare that of the favourite aen I pt e eh y aa • moment e rn r i b n s e h e i r e h , enst could Jenny oha es owhnoarvol Lind, edf 1 ai Bfp4 pr t 7 h ee, 9.p e rtooer fi dtm r s s up t d couhasriki greaternnsgcrte r r tu h s e e t . season of 1846, inasmu c h as she will be supported 'by a primo tenore, an advantage which she could not have enjoyed last season. Signor Fraschini, the great tenor of Italy, and Signor Gardoni, the prime tenore of the Italian Opera in Paris, are both engaged. Gardoni originally appeared at the Opera Comique, from whence he was speedily transferred to the AcadC.mie Royale de Musique, as the substitute for and the successor to Du prez. Since the retirement of Rubiui from the stage, the Italian operas of both Paris and London have, for reasons into which it is now:needless to inquire, been without a prime tenore. Moriani was, when he passed the Alps, merely a magnificent wreck, and Salvi just missed suc cess. Mario, the first of second tenors, was therefore thrust into the position of prime tenore, and every effort wasm from ade engagingtoprevent the English and French manage ments a a n n y np oth er e a r. wa A s t i t r h a e du c c o ed commencement e h rne of the present season Ita lian Theatre of Paris, the principal tenor part of which was offered to Signor Mario. From physical inability to sing the music, he very judiciously and very properly declined it, and took the second tenor part, the music of which he gave exquisitely. The music of the first tenor part was cut down, and the part itself given to an un known man. The consequence of bringing out an opera in this mutilated state was, as might have been expected, a complete fiasco. The absolute necessity of engaging a prim tenore, then, became manifest to the manager, and accordingly a large sum was paid to M. Leon Pellet, the manager of the Academie, to break Gardoni's engagement with him, and Gardoni was engaged for the Italian Opera, where he made a most successful debi2t, where he has appeared almost every night since that debiit, and where every appearance has been a perfect triumph. Mr. Lumley has succeeded in securing the services of Signor Gar doni, who will appear the first night of the season in Donizette's opera La Favorita, in which he will be sup ported by Signor Superchi, a distinguished Baritone singer, who will also make his first appearance before an English audience on that evening. We congratulate Mr. Lumley on having secured the services of Signori, Fraschini, and Gardoni. Should Rubini be induced to appear again upon the stage, Mr. Lumley may boast that the three greatest tenors in the world are engaged at her Majesty's Theatre. The delightful Madam Cas tellan, and the energetic Mademoiselle Sanchioli, are re engaged, and Madame Del Carmen Montenegro, whose tame on the continent stands very high, will make her delnit in the course of the season. Lablache, (the wortha a i t n wohi :s ; pendi ng sndS th at i n o with r F. Lablache, the great, the inimitable, the unique, the only singer, for whom it is and must ever be impossible to find a substitute, with son of lr . . a Lumley, rt y sire); a r s e does use ful actor and singer Signor Corelli ; in addition to these Engaged, d an engagement singer and actor, who appeared here S c t o a ie ud t a i s first rate some seasons since, and to whom the English people owe some reparation for having suffered him to be made the victim of a disgraceful conspiracy. We congratulate Mr. Lumley not only on the engagements which he has made, bnt in the engagements, from the necessity of contracting which, he has been relieved. The fact is, that for some time past, an infusion of new blood has been wanted at her Majesty's Theatre. It was, " toujours Perdrix." We are perfectly aware of the difficulties which Mr. Lumley would have had to en counter in any attempt he might have made to remedy this. Fortunately for him those difficulties no longer exist, and those parties whose jealousy of young talent has hitherto prevented him from in troducing to the public the rising singers and the rising composers of the continent, have, by voluntarily seceding from his establishment, relieved him from a tyranny which must have been as irksome to himself as it was injurious to the cause of sound musical science. We shall not, we are glad to perceive, be confined to the old repertoire of Grisi characters, as we have been for a few seasons past. Ileyerbeer is to come over to bring out his chef d'reuvre, The Camp of Silesia, the principal characters in which will be sustained by Jenny Lind and Fraschini, and he will also bring out his Robert le Diable, for Gardoni. Verdi is engaged on a new opera for her Majesty's Theatre, founded on " The Robbers of Schiller." Rossini's Robert Bruce is also secured ; and, to crown all, Mendellsolan Bartholdy has engaged to compose an opera, founded on Shakspeare's " Tempest," in which Lablache will he the Prospero, Staudigl the Caliban (those who remember his Polyphemus mayf orm some idea of the rich treat which is in store for hem), Gardoni the Ferdinand, and Jenny Lind the Miranda Balfe, we are glad to find, resumes the baton of conductor, and Tolbecque and Nadaud continue as the leaders of the opera and the ballet respectively. The orchestra is increased in numerical force, and now numbers among its members the elite of the orchestras of Europe ; and the chorus, which has been selected from the theatres of Italy, Germany, and England, consists of eighty per formers. There was, we understand, a rehearsal of some chorusses on Tuesday last, when the superiority of the new chorus over that of last season was manifest. The ballet department has always been perfection. No theatre has ever been able to approach it for completeness, and the ensuing season will, we imagine, I prove superior to its predecessors. Taglioni, Carlotta Grisi, Cerito, and Lucile Grahn are re-engaged, and Mademoiselle Caroline Rosati, from La Scala, at Milan, who (if report speaks true) is worthy to be the com panion of the deeses de la danse, will make her debiit on the first night of the season in a new ballet, composed by Paul Taglioni. The glories of the pas de quatre and of the pas de deesses are to be renewed, and Perrot has promised to eclipse those glories by the production of a new pas which shall combine the talent of all—" La Constellation." Henri Heine, the celebrated German poet has undertaken to compose a grand ballet founded on the Legends of Germany, and a noble and distinguished poetess has honoured Mr. Lumley by giving him as the subject for a novel and pictorial ballet--Egeria. Never has so great an amount of talent been engaged together during any one season at her Majesty's Theatre, and the season of 1847 will prove more decidedly then ever, that Mr. Lumley may w i t h truth boast thati his is first lyrical and choerographic establishment n the world. DRURY-LANE THEATRE AND JENNY LIND. In consequence of the name Of Jenny Lind having appeared in the programme of her Majewhsty's the following is a copy : " London, Jan. 23, 1847. " Madame,—The manager of her Majesty's Theatre has this day issued a programme of his season's arrange ments—a copy whereof I enclose you—at the head of which you will find your own na me. Although, in common with others, I ha ve little faith in any pros pectus issued from that theatre, it is necessary I should have signed any buts bring the circumstance to your knowlege. For own part, I do not believe you conditional engagement w ith the man ager of her Ma jesty's Theatre, deeming it impossible that an artiste of such celebrity:and character could visit this country, liable to the consequences of two attested contracts, and prepared to forfeit the one for the larger offer, subse- I repeat the offer co quently held out, in the other. "As it is alleged that the proposed violation of your engagement with me, is based upon your inability to master the English language, tained in my letter of the 20th of last March, th at 11- sing in either German or Italian, and thus remove y a o n u y udbltioc,ba; objections on your part to your appearance lane Theatre. at Drury "l have resolved to repudiate any offer of you me bit raise, not based on thin mportant condition wells enda t o o t. of a coro the friends silence the in England taking pe in this theatre • ; to ll enablem groundless eto keep f representationsith lvi kith resorted t p e her Majesty's Theatre. I therefore trust that, having got rid you w ill apprise m e, b y the first post , of of all impodi! the precise t i m e I may ara exp tion. e ct you, to enabl e me t t ent, y necessary prep to make every i a m, Dladame, your very obedient servant, " A. BUNN. "ISfadame Jenny Lind, Vienna." THE ROYAL NAVY (From the Hampshire Independent.) There cannot be more convincing proofs of the dete rioration of our naval officers in point of professional efficiency than has been furnished by recent events. At a time when our navy numbered full y three times as many vessels, and we maintained four times as many in commission as we do at present, so ma n y accidents never occurred within such a short space of time as have hap pened during the last three weeks, excepting from stress of weather, which in none of the late cases has been even the remote cause. There cannot be the shadow of a doubt that had Capt. Onslow possessed the judgment necessary for the commander of a British man•of-war, the Daphne would never have gone on shore, even i al though the pilot had been, as it is said he was, n a state of inebriety, because he (the Captain) would have ' seen the impropriety of getting a ship under way after sunset on the eve of a dark night, to beat out through a long and narrow channel with shoals on each side. Tnere cannot be a question that if the most common prudence had been used on board the Hyacinth, either in keeping a good look out prior to her falling in with the Wanderer, or in endea vouring by seamanlike manceuvres to avoid collision when the danger became apparent, the consequences of that disaster would have either been wholly obviated, or so materially lessened, that neither vessel would have sustained more than temporary injury, and the Hyacinth might have proceeded to Sheerness without detention, or putting her crew to the inconvenience and expense of going to their friends by land from this port. It is equally obvious that the wreck (for a total wreck it will be) of the Sphynx steam sloop in Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight, has been the result of a gross neglect of the most common precautions which the possession of a very small modicum of seamanship would have readily sug gested. The lead, one of the most essential and unerring guides in thick weather, appears to have been totally for gotten; and the speed was altogether much too great, con sidering the supposed position of the vessel, and the at mospheric obscurity. All these circumstances combine to form a mass of evidence conclusive as to the fact which we have frequently before adverted to, of the lamentable want of professional experience in our,present race of naval officers, and prove the positive necessity of some alteration being speedily made in the mode of instructing them, so as to insure their possessing at least a tolerable de gree of knowledge of nautical matters, enough to en able them to conduct the vessels intrusted to their charge with safety to them and their crews. That such is not the case at present we know, even independent of the recent proofs, and the causes are obvious to every person competent to form a judgment on the subject. Our midshipmen and mates are too much of gentlemen —too fond of gaudy uniforms and white gloves—too much attached to shore going amusements—and have too little exercise at sea during their probationary term of service, to learn their profession. We ourselves were eye-witnesses some years since of a specimen of the nautical acquirements of the mates of the Excellent, who are supposed to be the elite of the Navy. These gentlemen were rowing for amusement in one of the boats of that ship, and their performance of that very essential part of a seaman's knowledge would have disgraced a crew of raw jollies. As it happened they did not drift out of the harbour, which we devoutly prayed they might4seeing it would probably have proved beneficial to them as a lesson of practical utility. They were not preserved from this by their own ex ertions, but by the labour and skill of two stout boys who, luckily for them, chanced to be with them, and by tracking the boat along the beach at Blockhouse, which they had not sense enough to do, saved them from the fate of Gay's " Bear in a boat." It may be objected, that officers are not required to perform this service, but to direct others; but how can any man tell what he may be called upon to perform ? and how can any officer properly direct others to do that of which he is himself profoundly ignorant ? What would these gentlemen themselves say of a military officer who did not know how to handle a musket? The mates of the Excellent were at this same period so thoroughly ignorant of sig nals, that if one were made to the ship, and the signal man chanced to be out of the way, they were compelled to consult the table of flags in the book, before they could decide upon what symbol each flag denoted ! We have no doubt that they were as profoundly ignorant of all other points of their profession, except the comparatively useless ones of theoretic gunnery and the minutia of nautical astronomy. At the same time we have every reason to believe—having seen divers of them clad is scarlet hunting frocks and white leathers—they were quite adepts in that exercise. These are the men who are selected par excellence (oh 1 excellent !) to com mand our ships and fleets, and who bid fair to lose them. We trust the late disasters will impress a useful lesson on the minds of the Lords of the Admiralty, and that they will see the necessity of making these young gentlemen learn the practical duties of their profession, and by keeping our ships more at sea, give to all hands a better opportunity of acquiring knowledge, and keeping them selves in exercise, for assuredly the time is not far dis tant when they will be called on to put all they do know into practice, and it will not do for the enemy to find them, as he would now, unready. APPOINTMENTS. Commander.—Graham Ogle, to St. Vincent. Lieutenants.—F. D. Young to St. Vincent; C. G. Mc Gregor, to Raleigh. Master.—Thomas Edwards (additional), to Caledonia, for service of Plymouth Hospital. Acting mate.—W. H. J. Brown, to St. Vincent. Acting Second Master.—henry J. Josephson, to the St. Vincent; Joseph Walker, to ditto. Clerk.—Stewart Watson, to St. Vincent. Chaplain.—Rev. C. L. Bree, to Vanguard. Acting Assistant Surgeon.—Frederick Manger, to the Victory. Assistant Surgeons.—Robert Wallace, M.D., to Ven geance; C. H. Morrison, to Constance; T. B. Purchas, (acting), to Caledonia, for service of Plymouth Hospital. Midshipmen.—John H. Ormond, to St. Vincent; W. Gore Jones, to Excellent; E. F. Loder, to Sidonn; John James °aglow, to St. Vincent; Webb E. Stone, to Ex cellent; John Haward, to ditto. THE FUNDS. t , THEK EUSTACE , A TALE OF THE J ESUIT S i' A T a ot.t.orE.--The vol umes b efore us, if BY MR s ' never written anything else, would of them hcaaideulated to-inspire us with the greatest respect for i se r l ° v i e l° s o b e e_ as a wr mer . of fiction. In them she proves herself her b p a w y, e,' O ' nlan. of genius, and has unfolded the depth and the to 2 of ber mind. IN a feel convinced that " Father I:lo be snug for eagerly, and devoured, not only by grasE will taco who habitually indulge in the reading of fiction, bat by tnesseon"a o f education and enlarged understanding. Where appeal thus strongly to the feelings of the must . be explained. 'ihe novel is directed Jesuits, or, more properly be it said, against• that against the influence stealing beneath a hundred forms, wholesome a t?ousand sectarian guises, into the very bosom Fareoliet should appeal which no one can deny to have existence. Every so me instance . of a secession from the ranks of the day affords England into those of the Catholic Church, and c o l f o s t o li c e4 i e l t i y n , occur !iore. opportunely than the publication of ." Father Eustace, Which is destined, we feel assured, to penetrate far and near —to reach those to whom an essay or nothing (3lreli might be addressed in vain. M. Dlichelet has other work endeavoured to. ° c f l d make known the principles which keep to gether the institution of the Sacred Heart, but they hove never, perhaps,. been brought so intimately into connex ion and contrast with the concerns o f our own domest i c h ear the as in the ably written pages of " Father Eustace." It is full of scenes depicted with . the m os t extraord i nary f e li c i ty an d Sunday Tanes. power."— THE DESTITUTION IN THE HIGIILANDS.—We ire glad to observe, by advertis ement, that M the favourite Wilson, generously announced his intention to entertainmentf g a i v v o e u a r n itevcalist, has on the songs peculiar to the High lands of Scotland, in the Princess's Concert-room, on Tues day evening. The programme contains a choice selection , and, we doubt not, but those who feel for the misfortunes of this brave and loyal people, will co-operate with Mr. Wilson by their attendance, to listen to his matchless meledy, and I their sympathy with the cause. CITY, SATURDAY, JAN. 23.—A movement favouring the Bear party in the Stock Exchange has occurred since this day week, and of a character which could hardly have been anticipated a few months ago. Again we have to repeat that the pnblie—that is the general body of stock-holders —have not come forward as sellers. The thisde n p f re th ss e ion yea in r, C h o n n a s e o x ls . , questionwhiehr commencementsitnheeenthaerises, why t e nded to very near l y four per cent ? Speculation cer tainlyc t supply the legitimateisnotthecau d se ; e b m u a t n tdhsat for m on tn e e y p is ay w m an en te t d t o o t. and engagemen ts in commerce is certain. The that the directors of the Bank of En g l a n d h a ve, as labour,fa was e xpected, again advanced the rate of discount, can have but a temporary effect, and in the opinion of many five per cent. will be demanded. With an amount of bullion in the coffers of the Corporation equal very nearly to fourteen millions, there is ample scope for giving aid to the Bank of France to the extent re quired, and which, by inspiring confidence on the Bourse at Paris, will re-act favourably upon Stock here. The movements of Ministers, which no doubt will be fully carried out respecting the corn, the sugar, and spirit duties, must unquestionably tend to render the employ ment of money more general. This ought, however, to be a matter rather for congratulation than otherwise. The public fundholder here is at least safe from experi encing the new doctrine of rep u di a ti on , a nd hence the advice frequently g i ven un d er thi s h ea d t o th e h o ld er o f Stock is to hold on. M uc h mone y ma y b e ma de by reckless speculation in a time o f p an i c or alarmlbut it almost always happ e n s th a t y our b o ld opera t ors h ave but a shortbe mse e u said, beingw a sp low,rnl oeobft left andl boe less probably meansflw ou i r trtlheithan a truth, hn o a tv at . Cents.apy c looked present; te ti 1 rThreea enjoyment xe ws. chpeclnri It may e n m mlo a y now s look t g for u wealth obtained by of the question, there is very little doubt that the National Securities will again attain that point which they held the greater part of last year. In the city, apprehensions with respect to the state of Ireland appear almost to have subsided. But the moving cause for a few sales is alleged to be an intention on the part of Government to raise a loan to carry out more extensive aid to those landlords who willingly may give employment to the population of that part of the British dominions. Thero are but few here who think that this will be the case, as an issue of Ex chequer Bills, at an advanced interest, might perhaps answer the purpose as well, and as public works are to be extended in Ireland, this would be the wisest course for them. The announcement of a loan for the purpose referred to, would not tend to depreciate prices to an extent which would render it worth while for any but speculators to sell Stock. Looking, then, to the in creased employment for money, which must arise for the carrying out of the measures of Government, money may remain tight for a time, but should the prospects of the harvest be good, there can be little question that on the payment of the July dividends the Funds will again attain that high position which they held in the corre sponding period of last year. It is probable, should the directors of the Bank of England further increase the rate of discount, Government will find it necessary to increase the interest upon Exchequer Bills. If correctly informed, the subject is now under consideration.— Mrs. Observer. REPRESENTATION OF TAMWORTH.—It is currently reported in this locality that Mr. William Peel, on the part of the Protectionists, has determined to oppose his brother, ar Sir Robert Peel, at the next election and likewise, in th event of his doing so, that Captain Townshend will contest the seat with Captain A'Court. We give this rumour Is it has reached us; but the idea of opposition to the Right Hon. Baronet from such a quarter seems to us so monstrously absurd, that for the sake of Mr. William Peel, we should be sorry to vouch for its correctness. —Birmingham Journal. T H E, QUEEN'S CONCERT ROOMS, HANOVER-SQUARE. —Menzies an nual Caledonian andßall took place at th that ese el ve egan ral t roo ms last Thursday night, , n otwithstanding se other favourite assemblies came oft in diunfa v fferent parts le of ate of tuwn the same eve nin g , as well as the yer y hy a numerous and ourab st t h e weather, this o ne was patronized highly respectable company. Mr. M ctedenzies, assisted by one of the directors (Mr. Vote), condu thnie Adams attended himself as Leadar to his . famed band, playing all the most choice and fashionable. airs ; and . Mr. Mackay, his late Royal Highness the Duke ot Sussex's piper, delighted the Highlanders with strathspeys and reels. The supper tables and refreshment rooms were under the super intendence of Mr. Shelley, of the Swan hotel, Fulham, who evinced the utmost attention to the wants and comforts of the party, which gave universal satisfaction. The dancing continued with unceasing vigour until an early judgment The whole: of the arrangements reflect credit on the of the directors. Nothing was overloo ked that , tended to the happiness of the company, which all enjoyed to indulgence. BRISTOL SUGA.R-MARKET, JAN. 22.—1 n the ab sence of sngars of direct import, a largo business has been done in coastwise parcels, at a further advance of 2s. and 3s. per cwt. on the rates of last week. The refined market is very buoyant, and 703. is marked for standard quality; treacle, s yrup, 325. to iiis.—Bristol Mercury. SUBSTITUTE FOR FOOD. _ f BEET-ROOT BREAD.—We (Berwick Advertiser) re turn to this subject according to our promise made last week. To the remarks then published we have to add that the girdle cakes made of the same material have proved a very successful experiment, and by all the parties who have partaken of them they are pronounced to be excellent. We subjoin the receipt for the manu facture of the bread, and shall be glad to hear that it obtains the consideration of the householders or retailers of bread. The saving in the cost, namely, one-third, is considerable, and certainly at any time, but more parti cularly at the present, merits attention:— "BAKER'S BREAD."—Tako one stone of beet-root boil it until it becomes quite soft, pound it or mash it fine, then add one stone of wheaten flour, and bake with yeast in the same manner as bakers do wheaten or common flour bread. " GIRDLE CAKE."—Mix equal parts of beet-root (prepared) and flour, add half an ounce of carbonate of soda to each stone, and bake." BOILING PEAS.—As a substitute for potatoes, ly iling peas are one of the articles coming into general con sumption. The following is the best mode of preparing them for use. They require merely to be put into boil ing water (if soft so much the better) : this should be strictly observed, not cold water. They should be al lowed to boil slowly for three hours, adding water, if required, in progress of cooking. They will increase to double the quantity in siz, and about three times in weight. They make a good, substantial, lasting food ; and if a little beef, pork, or red herring be added, a small quantity makes an excellent pot of soup. The present wholesale price, in a dry state, is under 2d, per pound. To parties interested in providing food for the million, or relief committees, peat and rice will be found excellent articles to make good the deficiency caused by the loss of the potato crop. NEGLIGENCE OF STEAM-SHIP COMPANIES. The wreck of a steamer in the offing of Cork harbour adds another to the long list of disasters in which the dangers arising from uncontrollable accidents at sea are frightfully increased by the culpable negligence of the companies whose duty it is to provide against them. The hirius, Captain Moffett, struck on a reef of rocks, and on being backed off was found to have sustained such extensive damages as to render her sinking a dead certainty. By what infatuation sea captains, in nine cases out of ten, are induced to accelerate the fate of their vessels, after a hole is knocked through them, by backing into deep water, we never could comprehend : but that is not the main point to which we now desire to direct attention. When, however, the ship was found to be filling, she was again run ashore ; and the one thing needful in the emergency was boats, for passengers and crew numbering ninety I The life boat was lowered—blunderingly, on the wrong side; but no sooner was it lanuched, than it was found unable to accommodate, with safety, more than eight person?. Twenty crowded into it in the thoughtless despera tion of the moment : before the steamer was well cleared it was swamped, as a matter of course; and every soul but one was drowned. Those who remained on board the steamer reached the shore through the exertions of the coast. guard. The steam company who sent out to sea ninety passengers in a ship having a life-boat that could carry only eight per sons, have been guity of a mad recklessness of human life, differing but little from premeditated manslaughter. Had the accident occurred at a more remote distance from the harbour, in all probability not one of the seventy who escaped a watery grave would have lived to relate the disaster. There is surely some call for interference on the part of the Govern ment. Steam Companies should be compelled to provide boats sufficiently commodious for their full complement of passengers and crew in case of wreck.—Carlisle Journal. STEAMERS' BOATS. The wreck of the Sirius, Irish steam-packet, between Dublin and Cork, presents another lamentable example of the consequence of not compelling the owners of packets to provide their vessels with boats of a size and build to live in a heavy sea, and stow safely a large number of persons. As usual, the best boat of the Sirius was launched only to be swamped, and fifteen or twenty lives were lost. As the boat was over-crowded by fifteen or twenty passengers, we infer what the size must have been, and how unfit for the exigency. One of Captain G. Smith's paddle -box boats would have received forty or fifty people without danger. The boats which packets ordinarily earry are worse than useless. It would be far better for the safety of passengers that they had none. In this instance of the Sirius the lives lost were lost through the boat. Had there been no bad boat to trust to, all would have been saved. Packets should either be provided with good boats, such as the paddle-box boat with flat floor and wide beam, and ample stowage, or they should have none, to serve only as a false reliance and a snare. A thimble for a reservoir of water would be as good a safeguard against fire, as a common ship's boat is in a thronged packet against the dangers of shipwreck. — Examiner. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, JANUARY 23 STOCK EXCITANGE.-The sales are -Antbergate, Nottingham, Bos ton, &c., dis.-Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire, par -Bir mingham and Dudley, 4 9 ,E p.-Birmingham and Oxford, 7% p.- Buckinghamshire, Is. 3d. p.-Caledonian (Clydesdale Junction), 14% p.-Eastern Counties, York Extension, 1 p.-East Lancashire, New, 2 p.-Ditto, New Scrip, p.-East Lincolnshire, 1% p. ex int.- Glasgow said Dumfries, 11% p.-Great Northern (Nos. 1 to 108,000, Is. 3d. dis., ex int.-Ditto (Nos. 106,001 and upwards), Is. 3d. dis. cx int.-Huddersfield and Manchester, 2% p.-Leeds and Thirsk, dis. ex int.-Ditto, Preference, 1 p.-London and North-Western, Quarters, New, 11 p.-London, Manchester, and Birmingham, Quar ters (B), 7 p.-London and York, 1% p.-Manchester and Southamp ton, % dig.-Midland, 401. Shares, 5% p.-Ditto, New, 3% p.- North Stathardshire, 2% p.-North-Western, 4 p.-Royston and Ilitchin, 13s. 9d. p.-Shrewsbury and Hereford, % dis.-Shrews bury and Chester, New, % dis.- Shrewsbury and Birmingham (B), 4 p -Shropshire Union Railway and Canal, Its. 9d. dia.-South- Eastern and Dover, No. 4, Thirds, % p.-South Staffordshire (Trent Valley, Midland, and Grand Junction), 1 4 p.--South York shire, Doncaster, and Goole, 14 dis.-West Riding Union, IsK p.- Wharftiale (late North-Eastern), 3 % dis.-York and Newcastle, Preference, 4% p.-Newry and Warrenpoint, 114 p.-Ulster, 13% P. -Jamaica South Midland, 14 p. MANCHESTER, JANUARY 23. STOCK EXCEANOL-The sales are-Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston, 9-16 dis.-Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire, 3-16 p.- Birmingham and Dudley, 4% p.-Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 814 p.-Blackburn, Clitheroe, &c., dis. -Buckinghamshire, I,y dis. -East Lancashire, 2 p.-Ditto, New (scrip), I !-4 p.-Hudderstleld and Manchester Railway and Canal, Thirds, 1 p.-London and North-Western (Manchester and Birmingham), Quarters (B), p. -Manchester and Leeds, Extension, 15-16 p.- Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 20s. dis.-Manchester and Southampton, 10s. 6d. dis.-North Staffordshire, 2 9-16 p.-North Staffordshire and Churnet Valley, 1% p.-North-Western, % p.-Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A), p.-Shropshire Union, :ff, dis.-South-Eastern and Dover, 36 1 ,E -South Staffordshire, 13-16-South Yorkshire, Doncaster, and Goole, 3-16 dis.-West Riding Union, 1 p. LEEDS JANUARY 23. STOCK EXCRANGE.-Marketa are heavy, without much business, and wear a decidedly downward aspect. The sales are-Bucking hamshire, par-East Lancashire, New Scrip, 245. 6d. p.-Great Northern (late London and York), 2s. 6d. dis.-Leeds and Bradford, 46 1 4 p.-Leeds and Thirsk, New, 16s. 3d. dis.-Ditto, Preference, 215. 6d. p.-Leicester and Bedford, 4s. dis.-Manchester and Leeds, Fifths, 514 p.- Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 9s. p.- North British, Half Shares, 3 p.-Ditto, Thirds, 2 1 4 Q p. -Ditto, Ex tension (scrip), 14s. 6d. p.-North Staffordshire, 2% c. p.-North- Western, 7s. 6d. p.-Sheffield, Rotherham, and Goole, 2s. 6d. p.- West Biding Union, 31. 125.-Wharfdale Junction, 11 s. dis. SHEFFIELD, JANUARY 23. STOCK EICIANGt.-The sales are-Eastern Counties, York Ex tension, 3 p.-Leeds and Think, 2% dis.-Manton and Driffield Junction, 17s. p.-Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire (Grimsby and Sheffield), 201. Shares, 1% dis.-Ditto, 121. 10s. Shares, 15s. 6th dis.-Ditto (Sheffield and Lincoln), 1!•c, dis.-West Riding Union, 1/. 1 ls. Gd. p. -Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland, Ils. 6d. dis. HULL, JANUARY 23. STOCK EXCRINGE..-The sales are-North British, Quarters, 635. 6d.-Ditto, Extension (scrip), 14s. p.-Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston, 24 -Great Northern (Direct Northern), l , dis. scrip-North- Western, 95. p.-Northern Counties Union, 265.-West Riding Union, 3%. NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, JANUARY 23. STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Caledonian, New, its. 9d. dis -Newcastle and Berwick (North Shields), 14 p.-North British. Quarters, 2p. EDINBURGH, JANCART 22. STOCK Excnsivag.-The sales are-Aberdeen, 231. 10s.-Airdrie and Bathgate, 41. ft.-Arbroath and Forfar, 281.-Ditto, Half Shares, 151. is.-Armagh and Portrush, Gs. 6d.-Ayr and Galloway, 21.- Caledonian, 271. 155.-Ditto, New, 21. 65.-Caledonian and Dumbar ton, 2/. 51.-Clydesdale Junction, 391. 55.-Deeside, 3/. ss. -Direct Northern, 21. 135.-Dunblane, Donne, and Callender, 1/. 155.-Dun dee and Arbroath, 421. ex new-Ditto, New, No. 1, 321.-Ditto, No. 2, 251. 10s.-Ditto, No. 3, 51. 7s. 6d.-Dundee and Perth, 261. 155.-Ditte, New, 13/. 155.-East of Fife, 21. 35.-East Lothian Central, 21. 2s. 6d..-Edinburgh and Bathgate,, 21. 175.-Edinburgh and Glasgow, 751. 10s.-Ditto, Half Shares, 201. 55.-Ditto, Quarters, 181.5 x-Edinburgh. Leith, and Granton, 20/. ft.-Ditto, Preference, 211. 10s.-Edinburgh and Northern, 13/. 1 Gs. 3d. ex new-Ditto, New, 41.-Ditto, Newport, 5/. 15s. ex new-Ditto, ditto, New, 21. 12x.-Edinburgh and Perth, 11. 18s. 6d. -Ditto, 21. ft.-Glasgow and Ayrshire, 661.-Ditto, New Stock, 351.-Ditto, Quarter Shares, 161. His.-Ditto, Halves, 71. 155.-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 61. 7s. 6d.-Glasgow and Dundee Junction, IL 165.-Glasgew and Garnkirk, 41 1. -Glasgow General Terminus, 121. 'W. -Glasgow and Greenock, 191.-Ditto, Half Shares, 91.-Ditto, Preference, 8/. 55.- Glasgow, larnock, and Ardrossan, 61. ft.-Great North o England, 239 Ki 1.- m Great North of Scotland, 2/. ss. -London and York,f 31. 55.-Ditto, Extensions (scrip), 21. 'ft.-Manchester and Leeds, 1111.-Ditto, Sixteenths, 61.-Ditto, Extensions, 31. 85.-Newcastle and Berwick, 35/. ft.-North British, 351.-Ditto, Halves, 15/. 2s. 6d.-Ditto, Thirds, 3/.' 101. 6d.-Ditto, Quarters, 31. 55.-Ditto, New Quartersgscrip), IL 75.-Ditto, Fifths, 71. 2s. 6d.-Scottish Central, 221.-Scottish Grand Junction, 11. 1 8.- Scottish Midland, 141.- Shrew s bury and Hereford, 15 5. - Shrewsb ur y , Oswestry, and Ches. ter, 71. 2s. 6d.-Ditto, New, 11. 45.-Stirling and Dunfermline, 31. Ss Stirling and Midland, 21. 106. 7 -Strathern Junction, a/. I ls, Wishaw and Coltness, 501.—York and Newcastle, 351. ex new— Ditto, New, 151. ss.—Dttto, Preference, 71. 12s. 6d.—Direct Bombay and Madras, 35. ad—East 'lndian, Bs.—Great North of India, 3s. 6d.—Great houthern 01 Madras, 4s.—Madras, Nellore, and Ar cot, 29.6 d. GLASGOW, JatinklT 22. SToCK EXcwavroir..—The sales are—Aberdeen, 231.—Ayr and Gal, leway, 39s.—Caledonian, New, 465. Caledonian and Dumbarton shire, 445. 6cl.—Dundee and Arbroath, New, No. 3,51. —East of Fife. 41s.—East Indian, 9s.—East Lothian Central, 42s.—Edinburgh and Glasgow, Halves, 20%—Ditto, Quarters, 18 —Edinburgh and Perth, 47s.—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, 65 Halves, No. 2, 9% —Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 61.35. 6d.—Glasgow, Kilmar nock, and Ardrossan, 6% —Glasgow, Airdrie, and Monkland Junc tion, 5} 2 —Kilmarnock and Ayr Direct, 52e.—Manchester and South ampton, 303. 6d.—Midland, Halves, 6 1 ,E—North British, Thirds, 70s. —Scottish Central, 22 1 ,6—Scottish Midland Junction, 14% —Stirling and Dunfermline, 71s. —York and Newcastle, Preference, 71. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. Baron Rothschild's stghds., Thurs., Littlecote-11. Albrighton hds., Thurs., Middleton; Sat., New Inn, Rudge Heath-10. Bepale hds., Wed., Skipton Bridge; Fri., Constable Bur ton-10%. Berkshire hds., Wed., Wytham ; Fri., Step Farm. Mr. Brand's hds., Wed., Silsoe ; Fri., Warden Milla-10k. Cleveland lids., Thurs., Surrey Cros s ; Fri., Hutton Lim Cross-10%. Mr. Drako's lids., Tues. , Barle y Mow ; Thurs., Edgcot Village; Sat., By6eld Toll. Durham County lids , Wed., Stoney Gate ; Fri., Esh- 10 i. F. B. lids. Fri., Antra Gate. Heythrop lids., Wed., Tar Wood ; Fri., Addlestr o p Gate ; Southlawn Lodge. Holderness lids., Thurs., Brandes Burton ; Thurs , Hough ton Hall; Sat., Burton Constable—A to 11. , Mr. Horndon' s hds., Thurs., Hornacott Chapel-101A. Mr. S. Lowndes', lids., Sats, Nash Common-11. Mr. Roe's hds., Wed., Whitemoor Cross; Sat., Worswell. Hurworth hds., Tues., Hilton ; Thurs., Entercoramon ; Sat., Low Middleton-10 1 %. Sinnington lids, Tues., Cawton ; Fri., Catter ri., B e rida 10 F Sir H. Seale's hds., Wed., Holm Park ; gnn; r b y Cross, near Ashburton. L Suffolk lids., Thurs., Beyton Green-101 -A. i • SUN EXPRESS. — About ten o'c►ock on Wednesday morning: we received from Mr. Horn, news agent, a copy of the Express Sun, containing the debate in the House of Commons up to half-past eight on the previous evening, another proof of the determination of the proprietors to gratify their readers with the latest news.—Newcastle Chronicle. DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—Considerable excitement prevails respectiag the debut of Mr. Travers at this theatre on Thursday next. Not merely from the high reputation this artiste has obtained on all the pr i nc ipal stages of Italy, but from the great w an t o f a t enor s inger, capable of sustaining the lyrical drama of our country. We look forward with much interest to the event, and wish him every possible suc cess. SIEGE OF OPORl —c 'o'. From the month of September, 1832, to thitt , -;et 4 - 3 ' r August, 1833, the " heroic and invincible " city ate. Oporto, with a force which, including the armed citieele IV. zens, never exceeded eight or nine thousand men, encott-e sy,_ raged by the prssenee of the great Dorn Pedro, -e: •"; defended itself against the whole power setneen Weiguei s ee\e: who surrounded it with an army of limn Itinitli Qhiety, thousand men, excited by all the arts dr tbe ancient bigotry, and supported by a most powerful artillery. During the painful interval of those eleven months the inhabitants suffered an amount of privation and distress from famine and disease, that must have reached an indescribable intensity of misery, but for the efforts of private charity. A soup kitchen, such as ought now to ice seen diffusing its grateful odours over every town in Great Britain and Ireland, was established on a scale to supply six thousand rations daily, and afforded a relief that rescued the city from the agonising cries of starvation, and the garrison from the dangers of panic and terror. Cholera afflicted the devoted city for nearly eight of tee eleven months of its severe probation, in the course of which, it endured frequently bombardments, and two most determined assaults, the latter costing the besiegers from three to four thousand men on each occasion. During the first assault the defence was gallantly directed by the brave Duke de Terceira, who is now a prisoner at Oporto ; and tne second assault, commanded by the French General Bourmont, was repulsed by the intrepid Duke Saldanha, who has since changed places, and, although engaged in the same cause, is now the assailant of that interesting city—vicissitudes that give a romantic character to the change ful phases of civil war. After exhausting the powerful means at his disposal, it is well known that Dom Miguel was obliged to raise the siege of Oporto, and subsequently to abandon Por tugal. Yet, in the face of this striking evidence of the defensibility of Oporto, most of the lettere just received from that city appear to have been written under the apprehension that an imseediate attempt would be made to enter it by assault, although the present gar rison consists of a force in number nearly equal to, if not so well disciplined, as the assailants, and possesses the enormous advantage of nume rous batteries and entrenchments, which, if not of a perfectly scientific character, are, nevertheless, the same that baffled every attempt of an army four times the number of the besieged. Everything that courage and skill could achieve might be expected from the brave Duke Saldanha ; but, with a force not ex ceeding eight thousand men, including the isolated corps of Cazal, and wholly without battering artillery, it may r i be confidently assumed by those who have friends at I Oporto, that they are exposed to no immediate peril, as, with such limited means, all military experience forbids any attempt to enter such a city by force of arms. Nevertheless, the situation of Oporto is one of pain ful interest, and its commercial prospects of the most gloomy complexion from the probability of a lengthened blockade, by sea and land, suspending all business and deeply affecting British property to a large amount. Yet is that gloom relieved by the brilliant traits which experience constrains us to recognise in the character of the much injured Portuguese, who by their prudence and integrity during the severe ordeal of the last siege, which endured beyond the usual term of commercial credits, presented an example, unprecedented in the annals of commerce, of a seaport cut off from all intercourse with the interior, and deprived of its resources from in numerable debtors in the provinces, without the occur -1 rence of one single bankruptcy, during the awful 1 trial of eleven months. This astounding result may in part be ascribed to the indulgent conduct of the Bank, and of individuals, as honourable to their forbearance, and to the good faith of their debtors, as it is worthy of imitation by all commercial nations, when suffering under extraordinary pressure. But the blockade may cut off supplies of provisions to an extent sufficient to cause great distress to the inha bitants, without reducing the garrison to military ex tremities ; nor can any early compromise be expected between the contending parties, both being so deeply com mitted to their several systems that nothing short cf utter despair could induce either to yield. It is true that Oporto may be reduced to severe straits, but it must not be forgotten that the Queen's Govern ment is also much distressed for money, the recent pay ment of the dividends having been made with great dif ficulty, and at a heavy sacrifice ; so that mutual weak ness may protract the struggle, by leading each party to hope, from the chapter of accidents, for some change in their favour. Can England, as the old and faithful ally of Portugal, be considered as a feeling and prudent witness of such a state of things without making some effort to rescue a gallant and suffering people from impending ruin, involving her own present and future in terests, both commercial and political, to as extent that may not be estimated, even by the known benefits of the past connexion, but rather with reference to the altered state of Spain, and the obvious and important changes, which the French have for a long period been lavishing their blood and treasure to prepare, on the shores of that fairy lake, which in per spective, their ardent fancy paints as all their own, be yond the pillars of Hercules.—PHlLO JUSTITI/E. ~-. '~~~~ ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF STONE FENCES. Common, or dry stone walls, for durability, and an effec tual saving to the crops, are not surpassed by any other kind of fence. Their construction is somewhat expensive, but the benefit resulting from the removal of nuisances in the shape of weeds, which are too often allowed to luxuriate un molested under the common hedges, will more than counter balance the extra expense. Another important point is the saving of land; and the security stone fences afford against the ravages of hares, rabits, &c., is not less beneficial. Although the advantages of stone fencess are obvious, yet with many they are not in very high repute. They object that they are every year falling, and that, therefore, they require much labour to keep them in repair. This objection has some force, from the fact that many of the fences are very unskilfully built. In this country the stone is generally abundant, of the best quality, and of suitable form, for the purpose of dyke building. Those who follow it as a trade should select the smallest stones for a foundation, with which the wall should be raised to the height of eight inches or a foot from the ground, This will take up the greater part of the rubbish, as small stones is generally considered to be. Afterwards a larger size should be selected, and laid in double rows on each side of the wall, which may raise its height to about eighteen inches. Next the largest and best stones should be taken and laid across the wall, so as firmly to bind together the two sides—reserving smaller, but well shaped stones to complete the structure. In using small stones for the foundation, it may be as well to throw up a spading of earth so as to form a kind of embankment against the wall, and at least a foot high. By this means the small stones are all covered, will be but little affected by frost, and will lie as firmly as the largest materials within common se lection. Even if no larger than the stones on a macadamised road, they would make a firmer and surer foundation than broad, flat stones. They will settle uniformly and equally into the earth ; and, being pressed upon by larger stones above, will lie steady and unmoved in their place. When large stones are used as bottoming, the heaving of the frost, and the softness of the earth in a wet season, will cause them to settle more on one side than another, and thus disturb the structure above them. The method here recommended may appear strange to some; but those who have doubts may have an opportunity of comparing walls that have been so constructed with others differently built, when the former will be found to have stood the test of time, while the other has become delapidated. Some fall into an error through the pains they take to lay the smooth surfaces of the stones outward, that the dyke may have a handsome appearance. To effect this they often lay the stones in the most unfavour able positions. A long and smooth stone set edgeways into a wall seldom fails to be crowded out by the superabundant pressure, to the destruction of the fence. Whatever efforts may be made, no great beauty can be given to a dry stone wall; and here, as in other cases, utility ought not to be sacrificed to beauty. The wall will eventually look best that lies best. Every stone should be laid in the position in which it can have the solidest bed, and bind together most effetually the stones beneath and about it, without regard to time beauty of the structure when :completed.—Ayi shir Agriculturist. ALTERATIONS IN THE POST OFFICE. CARLISLE.—The following notice of important altera tions in the arrival and departure of mails on and after the Ist of February next, has just been issued by the Postmaster of this city : London (First Mail) Edinburgh Glasgow (First Mail) Dumfries and Portpatrick Wigton Newcastle Whitehaven London (Second M ai l. Glasgow, ail, with Edinburgh Bags) Longtown ...... .2_7=4:L. 10 0 p.m. 10 24 a.m. 10 24 a.m. 10 24 a.m. 10 24 a.m. ii to a.m• q 43 p.m -2 43 p.m. 10 0 p.m. i 0 0 p.m. ARRIVALS. Whitehaven at 10 15 a.m. London (First Mail) . Newcastle Wigton Glasgow (First Mail) Edinburgh Dumfries and Portpatrick ........... Longtown London (Second Mail).. -. 10 15 p.m. Glasgow (Second Mail, , Bags) . ... vith Edinburgh .2 0 Midnight. Mails Dispatched 12 40's.m. 11 6 sail. II 5 a.111. ji 5 a.m. 11 10 a.m. 11 35 a.m. 3 30 p.m. 3 23 p.m. 10 35 p.m. 10 45 p.m. The Newcastle Mail will be dispatched at 8 50 a.m., and arrive at 8 25 p.m. on Sundays. The messengers to Wetheral,Kirklinton,Port-Carlisle, and Low Ilesket, will arrive at 10 a.m., and be dis. patched at 11 20 a.m. • Tilt Dalston Messenger will arrive at 9 p.m., and be dispatched at 11 20 a.m. The Thursby and Kirkbampton Messenger will arrive at 2 30 p.m., and be dispatched at 11 10 a.m. Money orders nill be granted and paid from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. —except during the intervals of dispatching the . Malls Letters to be registered must be brought to the Office half an hour before the closing of the box.—Carlisle Journal. THE COUNTRY OF .TENTER.—On looking at the registers of York, he (Dr. Laycock) found that twenty children had died from small-pox, and on visiting the School for the blind the other day, he ascertained that one-half of the pupils were blind in consequence of having had the smallpox. It was well known that such need not -be the case in this land; and when he remembered that this land gave birth to Jenner, he blushed for the neglect which was manifested ; and well might a foreigner express .his surprise that so many should be the victims of that disease in this country, when in Hanover and Prussia he never saw a single instance of blindness from the small-pox.--Dr. Laycocit's Speech at York, Sept. 12, 1846. - BANKRUPTCY OF THE LEEDS AND WEST RIDING BANK.—We understand that the application to set aside the adjudication of Mr. Commissioner Burge in this case will pro bably be heard at the Court of Review oa Wednesday next, the 27th inst.—Lteds Mercury. IPATCUES. Box Closes for Paid Letters uly 9. 7:E. -- virtua l a nd prove' h a ve tbat Idren , l eases impel