The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-02-21 00:00:00

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE, FRAwcz.—The great fact in the news from Paris is - the Emperor Napoleon's letter to the Czar, which we' have given below. The Moniteur does not notice the state ment that a telegraphic despatch had been received from General Castelbajac, anticipating the whole purport of his reply in one line of point-blank refusal to entertain auy terms whatever. There is a report that the Emperor of Russia read the Emperor Napoleon's letter with great calmness, and declared himself to be quite as anxious for peace, but added, that to accept 'die proposition made to him would be a sacrifice of his dignity. There is another rumour that the Czar accompanied his refusal of the pro positions with great personal discourtesy to General Castelbajae. A third account says that the letter was not despatched from Vienna till the 9th of the present month, when Count Orloff took charge , of it; and that it must have appeared in the Monitesr before it got into the hands of the Czar LOUIS NAPOLEON'S LETTER TO TEE EMPEROR NICIIOLAR " Palace of the Tuileries, Jan. 29, 1854. " Sran,--The difference which bas arisen between your Majesty and the Ottoman Porte has assumed such a grave aspect, that I think it right myself to explain directly to your Majesty the part which France has taken in this question, and the means which suggest themselves to me in order to avoid the dangers which menace the tranquillity of Europe. " The note which your Majesty has just sent to my gomernment and to that of Queen Victoria endeavours to prove that it was the system of pressure adopted from the commencement by the two maritime powers which alone involved the question in bitterness. On the contrary, according to my view, the matter would have continued a Cabinet question if the occupation of the two Princi palities had not suddenly transferred it from the region of discussion to that of fact. Nevertheless, although your Majesty's troops had entered Wallachia, we advised the Porte not to consider that occupation as a warlike act, thus proving our extreme desire for conciliation. After I had consulted with England, Austria, and Prussia, I pro posed to your Majesty a-note, designed to give satisfaction to all. Your Majesty,aceepted it. We had hardly, how ever, been informed of this good news when your minister, by explanatory commentaries, destroyed all the conci liatory effects of it, and thus prevented us from insisting at Constantinople upon its pure and simple adoption. The Porte, for its .own part, .suggested some modifications in the note, to which the representatives of the Four Powers at Vienna were not indisposed to agree. They were not, however, agreed to by your Majesty. It was then that the Porte, wounded in its dignity, its inde pendence threatened, and being :compelled to raise an army to opposs that of your Majesty, preferred to declare war rather than remain in a state of uncertainty and humility. The Porte had claimed our support ; the cause of the Porte appeared to us to be a just one, and the English and French squadrons were therefore ordered to the Bosphorus. " Onr attitude in reference to Turkey was that of a protector, but it was passive. We did not incite her to war. We unceasingly addressed to the ears of the Sultan the advice of peace and moderation, persuaded that this was the best mode of coming to an agreement, and the Four Powers consulted together again, and submitted to your Majesty some other propositions. Your Majesty, on your part, exhibited the calmness which arises from the consciousness of strength, contented yourself with repuls ing from the left bank of the Danube, as in Asia, the attacks of the Turks ; and, with the moderation worthy of the chief of a great empire, your Majesty declared that you would ad on the defensive. Up to that period, then, we were, I may say, interested spectators, but simply spectators, of the dispute, when the affair of Sinope com pelled us to take a more decisive part. France and Eng land had not thought it necessary to send troops to the assistance of Turkey. Their flag, therefore, was not en gaged in the conflicts which took place upon land. But at sea it was very diffevent. There were at the entrance to the Bosphorus 3,000 guns, the existence of which proclaimed loudly enough to Turkey that the two leading powers would not allow her to be attacked by sea. The affair at Sinope was for us as painful as it was unexpected ; for it matters little to us whether or not the Turks wished to convey munitions of war to the Russian territory. In fact, Russian ships attacked Tur kish vessels in the waters of Turkey, while those vessels were riding quietly at anchor in a Turkish port. The Turkish vessels were destroyed, in spite of the assurance that there was no wish to commence an aggressive war, and in spite of the vicinity of our squadrons. It was no longer our policy which received a check—it was our mili tary honour. The sound of the cannon-shot at Sinope re veverberated painfully in the hearts of all those who in England and in France respect national dignity. There was a general participation in the sentiment that wherever our cannon can reach our allies ought to be respected. Out of this feeling arose the order given to our squadrons to enter the Black Sea, and to prevent, by force if necessary, the recurrence of a similar event. Thence arose the col lective notification sent to the cabinet of St. Petersburg, announcing that if we prevented the Turks from making an aggressive war upon the coasts of Russia, we would also protect the Turks upon their own territory. As to the Russian fleet, in prohibiting its navigation of the Black Sea, we placed it upon a different condition, because it was important, during the war, to preserve a guarantee equivalent in force to the occupation of the Turkish terri tory, and thus facilitate the conclusion of peace by having the power of making a desirable exchange. " Such, sire, is the real result and a statement of the facts. It is clear that, having arrived at this point, they I must either bring about a definitive understanding or a decided rupture. " Your Majesty has given so many proofs of your soli citude for the tranquillity of Europe, and by your benefi cent influence has so powerfully arrested the spirit of disorder, that I cannot doubt as to the course you will take in the alternative which presents itself to your notice. Should your Majesty be as desirous as myself of a pacific conclusion, what would be more simple than to declare that an armistice shall now be signed, that things shall resume their diplomatic course, that all hostilities shall cease, and that the belligerent forces shall return from the places to which motives of war have led them ? " Thus the Russian troops would abandon the Princi palities, and our squadrons the Black Sea. Your Majesty, preferring to treat directly with Turkey, might appoint an ambassador, who would negotiate with a plenipotentiary of the Sultan a convention which might be submitted to a conference of the four powers. Let your Majesty adopt this plan, upon which the Queen of England and myself are perfectly agreed, and tranquillity will be re-established and the world satisfied. There is nothing in the plan which is unworthy of your Majesty—nothing which can wound your honour ; but if, from a motive difficult to understand, your Majesty should refuse this proposal, then France, as well as England, will be compelled to leave to the fate of arms and the chances of war that which might now be decided by reason and justice. Let not your Majesty think that the least animosity can enter my heart. I feel no other sentiments than those expressed by your Majesty yourself, in your letter of the 17th of January, 1853, in which you write, Our relations ought to be sincerely amicable, based, as they are, upon the same intentions—the maintenance of order, the love of peace, respect of treaties, and reciprocal good feeling.' This programme is worthy of the sovereign who traced it ; and I do not hesitate to declare that I remain faithful to it. " I beg your Majesty to believe in the sincerity of my sentiments, and it is with these sentiments that I am, Sire, your Majesty's good friend, "NAPOLEON." The Mondeur contains the proch verbal of the taking possession of New Caledonia, the island in the South Pacific, in the name of the Emperor. The government journal says :—" In virtue of the orders of the Emperor, the Minister of Marine and Colonies directed, on the Ist of May last, Admiral Febvrier-Despointes, commander-in chief of the French naval forces in the Pacific, to proceed to New Caledonia. The government had been long de sirous of possessing in these distant latitudes some locali ties which might receive, on occasion, its penal establish ments. New Caledonia offered all the conditions that were to be desired. In conformity with the instructions Bent to him, Admiral Febvrier-Despointes, after having ascertained that the flag of no other nation floated over New Caledonia, took solemn possession of that island and its dependencies, including Pine Island, in the name of Napoleon 111., Emperor of the French." The ocean squadron is hourly expected at Toulon, on board which are 1,600 sailors, to man six ships of the line and the frigate Zenobie, now being fitted out at that port. The packet from Egypt, in passing Malta, announced that about the 31st ult., a Turkish convoy was to sail for Batonm, having on board 12,000 troops, and being es corted by a squadron of the French and English war steamers. The three squadrons were again to enter the Black Sea, after having been reviewed by the Sultan. SWEDEN.—Advices from Stockholm state that prepara tions for war on a large scale are being made in the arsenal of Carlscrona. Several ships of the line, as well as frigates and corvettes, are being fitted out. Anariark.—Movements of troops and ammunition are continually going on. Several pontoon equipages were sent to Pesth on Tuesday. General Cornonini has gone to the Turkish frontier, to inspect the corps of observation there. A battering train of 80 guns and 6000 cwt. of powder has been sent to the south-eastern frontier. A despatch from Vienna, of Wednesday, gives the following as the substance of the circular forwarded to Austrian diplomatic agents :—" Austria considers the armed inter vention of the Western Powers in Turkey extremely dan gerous. Austria has full confidence in the loyalty and rectitude of the Emperor Nicholas, and will take the ne cessary measures for securing her own frontier." PRuss!A.—A despatch from Frankfort, of the Bth, says :—" It is reported that, at the next (sitting of the Diet, communications of the highest importance will be made on the part of Prussia and Austria. These commu nications, it is said, will relate to the Eastern question, and to the attitude which these two powers have assumed in reference to the existing difference." RIMIA.—On the 27th of January the Hetman of the Emperor Nicholas a dd r essed a letter to Prince Cholutoff , Don Cossacks , in which the follow ing "In the wa r which has broken out in phrasesd occur -Christian faith my, brave Cossacks of th e Donhavece the of given n ew proofs of their devotion and valour. The glorious history of their faithful service to the Throne and country IS well known, and I have a firm conviction that during the present year they will be, as they have always bee n , the terror of the foes of Russia and pf the Holy Cross." Private letters from Sebastopol state that an English steamer had been wrecked at Janicole, near Sebastopol, on the 30th January. She was declared a good prize, having Turkish troops on board. Travellers from Kiew report that the roads are covered with troops in full march. Russian officers told them that the army on the Danube would soon exceed 200,000 men. Considerable reinforce ments were en route from Moscow. All the Turkish consuls in Russia are about to give in their resignation. Turkish subjects are placed under the protection of Aus triancr:frnts, but only for six months, dating from the inevitablenhof war by the Porte. War is considered as but is far from being are leaving popular. Foreigners financial Petersburg and Moscow in numbers. A crisis is at hand. The government is about to raise a forced loan. WAR IN THE EAST. The following intelligence from Constantinople, by electric telepraph, is dated the 6th instant :—" The Sulan's departure for Adrianople is fined for the middle of March." The , Porte has tentracted.a loancirith two bankers for twenty millions of, piastres, on account of the Servian tri bute. Lord de Radcliffe assisted in negotiating the same. A.letter of the 31st ult. says :—" The new Turkish convoy intended for the coast of Asia, was ready to put to sea, and as the weather had. improved, . and a south wind was blowing, it was thought not improbable that it might de part 'the same evening. It was ,said that the admirals dad .formed :three ,great divisions of war-steamers, and that these divisions were to cruise in succession in the Black -Sea, which was looked on as for the future forbidden to the Russian men-of-war. There are as yet no indications of an immediate attack upon Kalafat, although that,event is, doubtless, nor far distant. The number of Russian troops assembled round the place amounts to 40,000. On the news of the Citate action, Omer Paeha reinforced.his troops with 13,000 men. It is certain (says the correspondent of the Times) that the idea prevails among the Russian soldiers that they are on their way to the Holy Land, to rescue it from the hands of infidels, in which flattering term are comprised not only the Mussulmans, but the English and French. A Walhwhian las assured me that on the march of one of the early corps into the Principalities, a party of soldiers halted at a house to beg a draught of water. After their thirst was satisfied, they asked with great simplicity, and with all apparent sincerity, whether they were far from Jerusalem, for which they were on their march ; and that they were told they would _reach it in one or two days more. _ _ _ On the 19th Jan. the Russians .attacked Chekvetil for the sixth time. The Turks made a sortie and completely .defeated them. The Russians.lost upwards of 2,000 men. A serious outbreak has taken place in Southern Alba ,nia, where the Christian far outnumbers the Mahommedan population. The Turks are said to have lost sixty men in a first engagement ; and it is reported that the small Turkish garrison of Arta. is besieged.by a force of from 1,200 to 1,400 Greek insurgents. Movements are also talked of in Thessaly, and in the mountains of Suli. The truth is, that Russia, isolated as she is, finds it only the more necessary to rouse the Greek . populationi into action, in order to disguise her own views upon Constantinople under the mask.of religion and nationality. There is now a Russian naval force at Trieste, which, in case of war, might have caused some annoyance to our lonian posses sions, were they not protected by two or three English ships lately arrived from Malta. The commandant of the Turkish troops has received orders from head-quarters to take care that the irregular expeditions of the Arnaouts across the river were put a stop to for the sake of the inhabitants of the Principalities. Troops continue to collect at Rutschuk. The greater part of the Turkish Danubian flotilla also now floats in that port. A new battery of 36-pounders is being raised in the fortress. General Liprandi was at Pojana. AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE ASIA. BY the British and North American Royal Mail steam ship Asia, Captain Lott, which reached the Mersey yes terday afternoon, we have intelligence from New York to the Bth instant. The Asia, owing to the severity of the weather, was detained in New York, whence she sailed on the 9th, at 6 5 a.m. At 10.45 a.m. paised the United States steam ship Pacific, off Fire Island. Passed Cape Clear at 230 p.m. on the 19th, at 7 30 a.m. on the 20th, passed Holy head, and arrived in the Mersey at 1 35 p.m., having made the voyage in eleven days two hours. he Asia brought very little specie, and the following PASSENGERS :-Mr. Thompson, Mr. Lodge, Mr. Bain bridge and son, Mr. Deacon and servant, Mr. H. Wolfe, Mr. D. Graham, Mr. Edward Wirth, Lieut. Williams, R.E. Mr. R. Macdonald, Mr. Peek, Mr. Martell, Mr. J. 'Em mins Mr. Herts, Mr. F. J. Rollins, Mr. Bier, Mr. C. N. Hodgson, Mr. Supple, Mr. Morrison, Mr. E. Langdon, Mr, James Dogherty, Mr. and Mrs. Langdon, and maid, Mr, A. H. Goss, Mr. C W. Wilson, Mr. Torrens, 66th Regiment, Mr. James Trudean, Mr. Winterbottom, Mr. White, Mr, Bell, Mr. L. Quelle, Mr. Thorn, Mr. John Dagger, Mr, and Mrs. F. Canali, Mr. and Mrs. Booth, Mr. A. Delean, Mr. W. H. Lee, Mr. W. H. Ditch, Mr. P. Christie, Mr. Harrison, Mr. L. Bazzam, Mr. Wm. Craw ford,, and Mr. Mayer. The steam-ship Arabia, hence, arrived at Boston via Halifax at 2. 30. p.m. on the 6th inst. The brig Culloden Castle, hence, arrived at New York on the sth inst. The Nebraska-Kansas bill still occupies the attention of the United States Senate. Although they know that they are strongly in the majority, some forty members having expressed their determination to support it, the advocates of the measure are disposed to extend every courtesy to the minority, by allowing them to freely express their opinions before taking the final vote. We are informed that no less than eleven vessels are fitting out in different ports of Cuba for the Coast of Africa, the object being to load and return with negroes ; also, that seven vessels have sailed within six or eight weeks from Baltimore, Boston, and New York, with the direct intention of being employed as slavers. A despatch from New Orleans announces that a fire broke out among the steamboats at the levee on Saturday the 4th inst., and that fifteen or twenty negroes perished in the flames. Seven steamers, together with several barges, were entirely destroyed, with their cargoes, con sisting principally of flour, cotton, and provisions. But this loss of property, which is supposed to amount to nearly one million of dollars, is a mere cypher when compared with the awful destruction of human life. The sum of ten thousand dollars was collected in Phila delphia, and has been distributed among the officers and crews of the vessels that were instrumental in saving the lives of the persons on board the San Francisco. Captains Crighton and Lowe were publicly welcomed in that city on the 2nd inst. Another steamer, with thirteen hundred bales of cotton, was burned on the Chatahoochee River on the 4th inst. LARGE CRECK. — The Atlantic Insurance Company, of New York, gave Captain M`Kay a check for eighty thou sand dollars, on account of the Great Republic. It was the largest sum ever paid for a loss by the company. — Boston Transcript. Flour is pouring into Portland from Montreal. The Advertiser says that " by the piles on Atlantic wharf and in the storehouses it would seem that none hereabouts should be in want for bread." llirtp./A fi2 ON A RAILROAD.—A few moments after the express train from Boston to Albany crossed the State line a few days since, the passengers were agreeably sur prised at witnessing the marriage of Mr. Wart Arnold, of Canaan Four Corners, to Miss Mary Brazee. The cere mony, says the Troy Whig, was peformed by the Rev. Mr. Shaw, and the passengers presented a purse to the groom for the purchase of a piece of plate for the bride. The happy couple took leave of their fellow-passengers at the next station, and returned in the next train, with many wishes for a happy termination of their journey. The news from Mexico extends to the 15th ultimo from the capital, and to the 24th from Vera Cruz. The most important point of the intelligence is the subject of the introduction of colonists, which is being discussed in Mexico. One of the journals of the capital announces that a grand plan is about to be brought forward for importing colonists from Asia, and another intimates that Germany will probably furnish this desideratum. Santa Anna was about to proceed to his palace of Encero, in the State of Vera Cruz, where he was to be accompanied by two mem bers of his cabinet, and a military force of between two and three thousand men. We have two weeks' later advices from California. Owing to the continued drought, many of the miners were still idle, and but little gold was coming. The steamer Sierra Nevada, however, is reported to have brought down about one million of dollars on freight. The markets remained dull and depressed, in consequence of being overstocked with goods. Flour of good brands was selling at $ll to $l2 per barrel, only about two dollars more than it is worth in New York. _ HAYTI.—We have accounts from Cape Haytien to Jan. 14. The crews of many of the vessels in port had suffered from yellow fever, but the sickness was abating. Coffee was coming in in large quantities, and was selling at $ll4 a $ll2, Haytien currency, with a downward ten dency. At Gonaives the whole custom house force had been " Bronsonized" by the Emperor, probably because they could not be trusted to withstand a bribe. Hereafter, in order to pass muster, every article in the vessel must appear on the manifest. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, FEB. 8. I • MONEY.—Exchanges are lower, and irregur in price. First class names have been sold at 8 to 9 per cent., the latter the outside asking rate of our leading bankers. On Paris there has been a good demand, and large sales at 5.172 to 5.20. COTTON.—(From W. P. Wright's Circular.) —An import of 108,000 bales Cotton, chiefly American, during the week, is reported, and a further advance in bread stuffs and decline in the English funds, tended to increase the desire of holders of Cotton to realise. The accounts per Asia were construed here as being more favourable for Cotton, and during the whole of last week a good demand existed from exporters and home consumers, with a daily hardening market, until at the close prices were advanced an lc. per lb. The Arabia's accounts, however, received on Saturday, caused a check to business, the sales being small on Monday and yesterday ; the advance of last week was not only lost but the business yesterday established a decline of 1-6th to 4c. on the quotations given in my last. Buyers are scarce, and holders willing sellers, the paucity of our stock of unsold Cotton alone preventing a more serious decline. The total sales since 30th January have been 16,144 bales, of which 8,495 are to exporters, 3,285 to home consumers, 2,190 speculators, and 2,174 in transitu. The export during same time has been—to Liverpool, 6,602 ; Havre, 991; Hamburg, 461; Antwerp, 134 ; Bremen, 72. Total, 8,170 bales. RECEIPTS AND CROP.—The receipts of cotton at the ports during the past week have been within 7,000 bales of the corresponding week last year ; and as we have 90,000 bales at Mobile and New Orleans by telegraph for a week later, it seems highly probable that the maxi mum deficiency in receipts, as compared with last year, is attained, or nearly so. We cannot look, however, for any diminution of this excess sooner than the middle of March—for, although the rivers generally in the south and southwest are reported as navigable, and heavy arrivals of cotton may be looked for, they cannot well exceed the weeks of last year, as follows : Ending 16th February, 112,000 bales ; 23d February, 129,000 ; 2d March, 126,000 ; 9th March 103,000 ; and 16th March, 112,000. But from th a t dale we may look for a rapid gain, as for the week endi ng 23d March they were only 69,000 bales ; 30th March, 79,000 ; 6th April, 72,000; 13th April, 59,000 ; 20th April, 63,000 ; 27th April, 40,000. It is during this period, and in May, that the decrease will be made up. There is no change in opinion about crop, the estimates ranging from 2,800,000 to 3,000,000 bales, perhaps more leaning to the latt er fi gure . The following is a statement of the movement in cotton since the Ist September last, as compared with the pre vious three years : 1854. 1853. 1852. 1851. Receipts at the Ports, 1,329,000 1,946,000 1,447,000 1,341,000 Exports to Gt. Britain, 407,000 820,000 500,000 420,000 France 137,000 139,000 178,000 182,000 f 9 other For. Ports, 91,000 128,000 85,000 97,000 Total Exports 635,000 1,087,00 763,000 699,000 Stock on hand 579,000 619,000 518,000 602,000 From which it will be seen that the decrease in receipts now amounts to 617,000 bales ; the decrease in exports to Great Britain, 413,000; France, 2,000 ; other foreign ports 37,000. Total decrease in exports, 462,000 bales. BREADSTUFFS.—FIoor was brisker and firmer. The day's transactions reached 19,000 bbls.;--ardinary to choice State at $9 a $9 123 ; mixed to fancy Western at $9 12} a ;9 311; other grades A proportionate rata, Wheat was in better request, but held above the knits of buyers the day's sale did not exceed 600 bushels Staten Island white at $2 17t, and 3,500 bushels Long" Island and Jer sey red at $2 05 a $2 10. Corn tended upwards. The day's business included 34,000 bushels. PROVISIONS.—Pork was more active. The day's trans actions embraced 600 bbls. at $l5 87;ca $l6 for new mess ; $l5 371 for old do., at $l3 75 a $l4 for new prime, per bbl. Prime lard 101 c a 101 e. per lb. The sales of beef comprised 450 bbs. at former quotations. There was a fair business doing in butter and cheese at old prices. FRETGRTS.—Rates to Liverpool were inactive, and we have only to notice engagements of about 20,000 bushels Corn, at 12c. in bulk to 121 c in bags. A few hundred barrels of Flour were, engaged to fill , up at 3s. 6d., while 4s. was asked. Cotton was at - 11-'32d. and 6-16 d. ' • and 1000 barrels of Rosin were engaged at 4s. To London 600 barrels Flour were engaged at 4s. 6d.; 60 boxes Bacon at 475. 6d. ; 25,000 lbs. Bone at id., and 40 tierces Rice at 13s. To Havre Flour was at 95c., Wheat at 24c., and Rice at $l2. To California rates still varied from 60c. to 65c. The American clipper ship Racer, at London, was char tered for Australia, and thence tc Calcutta and back to London, for the sum of £lB,OOO, or about $90,000. NEW ORLEANS, sth Feb.--Receipts •for the week, 52,000 bales; another despatch quotes them at 47,000. Sales for the week 34,000 bales, market closing very irregular. Middlings are quoted at Bic. to 9c.; strict middling, 91-c. Freights to Liverpool are firmer, and id. the rate; to Havre, Stock of Cotton on 'hand, 228,000 bales. Total deficit in receipts by our table of this date, 623,000 bales. MOBILE, sth Feb.—Receipts for the week, 42,000 bales. Market active, sales 25,000 bales ; Middling, 8-Ic. ' • freight to Liverpool, 3,d.; to Havre, nc. •Exchange on London 71 per cent. SAVANNAH. —Receipts for the week ending February 2, 13,690 bales Up. and 570 S. I. Exports—to Liverpool, 1,600 Up. •, Hamburg, 402 Up. Business closes steadily at quotations given last week. Total sales. 7,246 bales. Freight to Liverpool, t to 9-164. CHARLESTON. —Receipts for the week ending Feb. 2, 13,514 bales Up. and 1,337 S. I. Exports to Liverpool, 969 bales Up. ; Havre, 3,275 Up., 458 S. I. ; Barcelona, 490 Up. ; Bordeaux 290 Up. Business closed steadily at former quotations. Total sales, 10,614 bales. Freight to Liver pool, fd ~l\\ THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER THE NEW REFORM - BILL. THE following are the schedules attached to this measure SCHEDULE A. Boroughs having less than 300 Electors, or less than 5,000 Inhabitants, to be disfranchised. Members at present returned. . _ Andover Arundel Ashburton • • Caine Dartmouth Evesham Harwich Honiton Knaresborough Lyme Regis ... Marlborough ... Midhurst Northallerton Reigate Richmond (Yorkshire) Thetford ... Totness Wells Wilton 19 boroughs. SCI EDI Boroughs having less than 10,000 Inhabitants, now I Return in future One Alen Bodmin Bridgnorth Bridport Buckingham Chichester Chippenham Cirencester Cockermouth Devizes Dorchester Guilford Hertford Huntingdon Leominster Lewes Ludlow Lymington Total, 33 29 members. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS-TI7ESDLY, FEE. 14. The Assessed Taxes Act Amendment Bill was read .n third time and passed. THE. EASTERN QUESTION. The Marquis of CLANZICARDE moved that an humble address be presented to her MAjesty, praying her Majesty to direct that further information respecting the cessation of diplomatic relations with the-Court of St. Petersburgh and the war, which appears imminent, be laid before this house. He spoke at great length, and said his quarrel with government was that they had not, at the moment Prince Menschikoff left Constantinople, taken effective measures to ascertain and resist the views of Russia ; but, after what had passed, he was unwilling to embark in the impending war without knowing for what object we were contending, and to what length we were willing .to go. The Earl of CLARENDON said the object of the motion was to create disunion, and so to damage the.government. He defended the whole policy of government. It had been asked whether we were at peace or war with Russia. This was an important question. We were not at war, because war was not declared, nor were we strictly at peace. We were in that intermediate state when the desire of peace was just as sincere as ever, but when the hopes of government were gradually dwindling away, and they were drifting towards war- So long as war was not declared, the maintenance of peace was not impossible. Negotiations might be considered at an end, and as a state of war might ensue, he would only say that preparations were being made for carrying it on with vigour and rapidity. Lord ELLESMERE hoped that any force despatched to the seat of war in the East would not be subjected to diplomatic control. The Earl of MALMESBURY, after quoting various de spatches, declared that the conduct of the premier reminded him of a very timid master of the ceremonies, in a town near his residence, who, upon being requested one night at the assembly to turn out a very ferocious-looking per sonage who had entered the ball-room with his hat on, replied—" Oh, have patience ; no doubt he'll take his hat off by-and-by." Earl GREY at great length condemned all interference on behalf of the Ottoman Empire. The Turks were a horde of barbarians, revelling in cruelty, rapine, and murder, and he did not believe one word as to their modern improvement. The Earl of DERBY contended, that at the very time the government had assured parliament that it was satis fied that Russia had, no aggressive intentions, and that the peace of Europe would be preserved, the ministry had correspondence in its possession which ought to have shown them that the real truth was the very reverse of what they had stated, and no doubt believed. The Duke of ARGYLE defended the policy of the government. The Earl of ABERDEEN said, it little mattered what the conduct of government might have been, as far as the reproaches of Lord Derby were concerned ; for, let their conduct be what it might, it would have been certain to be characterized either as rashness or timidity, and, of course, as a sacrifice of honour. He earnestly hoped that the peace of the world might yet be preserved ; but, at the same time, he thought it right to add, that in order to meet any emergency that might arise, the government were making the most active and energetic preparations for war. After a few words from the Duke of ARGYLE and the Earl of ALBEMARLE, _ The MarquiS of CLAYRICARDE, in reply, repudiated any notion of asperity in what he had stated, and still adhered to his assertion, that the conduct of the government to wards parliament relative to this question was perfectly anomalous. He concluded by withdrawing his motion, after which their lordships adjourned. THURSDAY, 'FEB. 16. Several petitions were presented in favour of Reforma tory Institutions. PROBATE COURTS. The LORD CHANCELLOR called attention to the state of the law as regarded testamentary matters, and proceeded to state the evils which, in his opnion, were inherent in the existing system of jurisdiction in the Ecclesiastical Courts. In the first place, there was no reason, except old custom, ratified by statute in the reign of King Edward 1., that the Ecclesiastical Courts should have jurisdiction over wills more than over any other kind of deeds ; but, even supposing this objec tion in theory to have been overcome, the practical incon venience of the present system, under which no less than 386 different tribunals had jurisdiction over wills, rendered an alteration in the law absolutely necessary. Again, in the present state of the law, when the cognizance of devises of real estate belonged to the temporal tribunals, and that of bequests of personalty appertained exclusively to the Ecclesiastical Courts, a conflict of law might occur, and one-half of a will might be declared valid in one court and invalid in another. A commission on the subject, which had just delivered its report, recommended the abolition of the existing Prerogative Court, with which he entirely agreed, and he thought the public interest would be best served by vesting the whole contentious jurisdiction of wills in the Court of Chancery. With the right of the proctors to deal with the common form busi ness, as it was called, which constituted ninety-nine hundredths of the business of the Prerogative Court, he did not at present propose to interfere ; but the conten tious business arising out of cases in which a will was disputed, and which did not, it. appeared, amount to more than 60 days' work in the year, he proposed to transfer to Chancery. He also proposed to allow probate of wills in the country up to £1,600, and to extend probates to real estate as well as well as to personality. Lords BROUGHAM and St. LEONARD'S expressed their satisfaction at the proposed measure, though the latter did not think that probate should be extended to real property.—The bill was read a first time. Some returns were ordered. Their lordships adjourned. FRIDAY, Fan. 17. The Royal Assent was given by commission to the As sessed Taxes Act Amendment Bill. REFORMATORY SCHOOLS.—A petition was presented by Lord BROUGHAM, from the Manchester Conference, in favour of the establishment of reformatory schools for juvenile offenders. He remarked briefly upon the great importance of the subject, and the vast benefits which might be expected to result from the general establish ment of these reformatory institutions, and alluded to the evidence upon the subject given by the late Mr. Rushton, the magistrate of Liverpool, who had traced the course of ten boys who had cost the country £lOO a-year each.— Earl GuAxvILLE stated that the subject of reformatory schools was under the consideration of the government, and he hoped that a bill would shortly be introduced with regard to it. NATIONAL EDUCATION IN IRELAND. The Earl of EGLINTOUN thought that an inquiry into the system of education pursued in Ireland was absolutely necessary, and moved for a select committee to inquire into the in novations recently made in that system, as well as the withdrawal of Archbishop Whateley from the commission. —The Earl of ABERDEEN had been at first disposed to resist the motion, but finding that Lord Eglintoun dis claimed all hostility to the system, and believing that in quiry would do no harm, he would not oppose the appoint ment of a committee on the subject.—After a discussion of considerable length, in which the Bishop of DOWN, Lord CLANCARTY, Lord DESART, Lord MONTBAGLE, and Lord DONOUGHMORE took part, the committee was granted. Their lordships shortly afterwards adjourned. HOUSE Or COMMONS -TUESDAY, FEB. 14. Lord PAGET took the oaths and his seat for South Staffordshire ; and Mr. WYNDHAM for West Sussex, in the room of Mr. Prime. A new writ was ordered for Cardiganshire, in the room of Colonel Powell, who has accepted the office of Steward of the Manor of; Northstead. The question that the Stockport, Disley, and Whalley bridge Railway Bill be read a second time, was negatived without a division. MONASTIC INSTITUTIONS.—Mr. T. CHAMBERS gave notice that, on Tuesday, the 28th of February, he would move for a select committee to inquire into the number and increase of conventual and monastic institutions in the United Kingdom. LAW of PRIMOGENITURE.—Mr. LOCKE KING moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the law of succession of real property in cases of intestacy. He pointed out what he considered to be the anomalies of this law, which the bill he proposed to introduce would remove, and exposed the unreasonableness and impolicy of the English law which favoured the accumulation of property, so injurious to a commercial people, and its repugnancy to the policy of the Jewish, the Greek, the Roman, and the Saxon codes. He insisted upon the cruelty and misery which followed the introduction of the law for the mono poly of land,—the zones of desolation, the servility of classes,—and called upon the house to extend the princi ple which liberated lands from feudal bondage, which had been introduced in cases of testacy, to cases of intestacy.— Lord J. RUSSELL offered no objection to the introduction of the bill, reserving to himself the right at a future stage of expressing his opinion upon the subject. PUBLIC PROSECUTORS.—Mr. J. PHILLIMO.RE, in mov ing for leave to bring in a bill for the appointment of public prosecutors, urged the abuses of the present system. He proposed that public prosecutors should be appointed by the Crown for certain circuits, with district agents to conduct the proceedings before the magistrates, and that it should be in the power of any prisoner to give to the public prosecutor a list of witnesses who could speak to facts in his defence, and that, upon the judge certifying that those witnesses were proper to be called, their ex penses should be allowed. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the government, without approving the scheme of Mr. Phillimore, thought that the bill ought to be brought in, in order that the subject might undergo discussion ; they considered the principle of public prosecutors ought to be adopted.—After some discussion, leave was given to bring in the bill. WINE DUTIES.—Mr. OLIVEIRA, after some remarks, withdrew his motion respecting the duty on foreign wine. GUANO.—Colonel BLAIR called attention to the present state of the guano market in this country, the demand of which, for that valuable article, could not be adequately supplied, owing to the practical monopoly exercised, in opposition to its own interest, by the Peruvian govern ment. He moved for copies of correspondence with the Peruvian government upon this subject.—Mr. CARDWELL made no objection to the production of the papers, and expressed a hope that the Peruvian government would see the policy of free trade in this article. Every argument in favour of that policy had been addressed to Peru by the government of this country.— Sir J. GRAHAM said he was afraid that no argument the British government could address to that of Peru would prevail so long as the latter were in possession of an exclusive monopoly of the article. The only question was, whether it was possible to enlarge the supply, and directions had been given to the Admiral in the Pacific, and in other quarters, that every exertion should be made by Her Majesty's ships to discover, if possible, fresh sources of supply. The motion was agreed to. CORRUPTION OF IRISH MEMBERS.—Mr. I. BAIT re newed his motion to nominate the committee of privileges respecting the charge of corruption by Irish members.— Sir J. Yovite thought it better to nominate a, =Wier -number, and suggested 9 or 11, with a quorum of not less 'than 9.—Mr. BUTT agreed to this, and the debate was ultimately adjourned. The committee on Portuguese claims was nominated, and the house adjourned at a quitter-past 9. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15. The house met at noon ➢Zr. PATTEN presented a petition from Poulton-le- Fylde, for the closing of public•houses and beer-houses on Sundays. EMIGRATION OFFICERS.—On the motion of Mr. R. KEATING, a return was ordered to be made of the names, stations, dates of appointment, and salaries of the emigra• tion officers in the United Kingdom ; with a copy of the general instructions issued for their guidance ; and of the names, dates of appointment, and emoluments of the me dical inspectors at the several ports at which emigration officers are stationed. LAw OF SETTLEMENT.—In answer to a question, Mr. BAINES said that by the 7th and Bth Vict., c. 101, s. 66, the Poor-law Board are empowered to separate any parish or parishes from any union, or to add any parish or parishes to any union. Hitherto this power has been exercised very seldom ; but in the event of the present bill passing into a law, it would probably become the duty of the Poor-law Board to avail themselves of this power more frequently for the purpose of obviating, as much as possi ble, any case of real hardship or injustice. ELECTORAL STATISTICS.-Mr. HATTER moved for a series of returns relating to the county and borough elec torate, setting forth the number of £lO occupiers in unre presented towns, derived from the last census reports, and illustrating various propositions in the new Reform Bill. — Agreed to. The house adjourned at half-past 12. THURSDAY, FEB. 16. Lord J. RussELL, in answer to a question, said the Scotch and Irish Reform Bills would not be brought in before the 13th of March. LIGHT-HOUSES.—In answer to a question whether any steps had been taken to erect a light-house on Galita Island, or the Aguglia Rocks ; and whether a light-house on Keith's Reef, in the Skerki Channel, where the Athe nian, 64, was lost in 1806, was obtaining the attention of government,—Sir J. GRAHAM said that as to the erection of a light-house on Galita Island, or the Aguglia rocks, the most experienced naval authorities were opposed to it, inasmuch as it would only be the means of provoking those in command of vessels to incur the hazard of trying to run between that island and the coast of Africa. There appeared to be no doubt that a light-house upon Keith's Reef would be of the most essential service, but he thought that this country should not be called upon to bear exclu sively the expenses, but that some arrangements ought to be entered into on the subject. THE FRENCH EMPEROR'S LETTER.—In answer to a question by Mr. Disraeli, whether a diplomatic document, which had appeared in the public journals, affecting to be a copy of a letter from the Emperor of the French to the Emperor of Russia, was authentic,—Lord J. RUSSELL replied, that there was every reason to believe that the document, as it appeared in the Moniteur, was authentic, and that the government had been consulted on the sub ject of it. BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION.—Sir F. KELLY moved for leave to bring in a bill to prevent bribery, corruption, intimidation, and undue influence, and to diminish the expenses at elections. He proposed that, at every place returning a member, an election officer (being a barrister) should be appointed, and that, at every election, the can didate should be bound by oath to pay all money into his hands alone, and should declare to the election-officer the names of his agents, who should be required to take an oath before the election-officer that no money would be paid except through his hands. The remaining part of the measure regarded voters, and a series of provisions enabled electors to give their votes by means of voting papers.—Colonel SIBTICORP pronounced the scheme im practicable and futile.—The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, on the part of Government, did not oppose the introduction of the bill, though some parts were of very doubtful policy, especially that relating to polling papers.—Leave was given to bring in the bill. THE TRUCK SYSTEM.—Mr. C. FORSTER moved for leave to bring in a bill to alter and amend the act com monly called the Truck Act, which, he observed, while it struck at collusive contracts, overlooked collusive pay ments. The bill was similar to that introduced last ses sion by Lord Palmerston.—Mr. BRIGHT would not oppose the introduction of the bill, though he did not expect any good from it. If men could get up strikes," surely, if this was a real grievance, they could get up an agitation to put it down.—Lord PALMERSTON supported the mo tion, in conformity with the pledge he gave when he with drew the bill he introduced last session. He agreed that upon general principles it was better to leave classes of men to arrange with each other; but, at the same time, cases would arise in which one party would be more or less dependent upon another, and unable to take care of their own interests. He recommended that the bill should be referred to a select committee.—After some further dis cussion, the motion was agreed to. IRISH TENANT RIGHT.—Mr. Serjeant SHER moved for leave to bring in a bill to provide compensation for im provements made by tenants in Ireland. He explained the provisions of the bill he intended to introduce, and in what it differed from the bill which had passed that house last session. Its main defects were to be found, he said, in the specification of improvements (important classes of improvements being omitted), and in the restrictions upon claims for compensation.—Sir J. YOUNG said the govern ment had no objection to the bill being laid upon the table, but they were not thereby pledged to give it any support.—The motion was agreed to. FRIDAY, FEB. 17. The Burrdey Gas Bill was read a second time. TIIB ARMY.—In answer to a question, Lord J. Rus- SELL said there was no present intention on the part of government to introduce a measure for bringing the se veral departments connected with the administration of the army under the superintendence and control of one responsible department. Navy SIIEGEONS.—On the motion that the Speaker leave the chair, Capt. BOLDERO called attention to the Admiralty regulations, respecting accommodation of as sistant surgeons, and complained that the resolutions passed by the house in 1850 had not been carried out. — After some discussion, the motion was negatived by 218 to 106. THE EASTERN QUESTION. Mr. LAYARD called attention to the present state of our relations with Russia and Turkey. He wished to know from government the position in which we now stood, and to show, from documents in the Blue Book, that if a more straightforward policy had been adopted we should not have been in the condition in which we now were. There were three points which he would endeavour to establish — namely, the military preparations of the Rnssian govern ment last year, her naval preparations, and the statements made by the Russian government to that of England. Mr. Layard then referred to various documents which, as he contended, proved that, so early as the beginning of Jan., 1853, the British government were fully aware that Russia was making great naval and military preparations, while no protest was made on their part, much less a formal de mand, to stop these armaments. Even when the Rus sian forces invaded the Danubian Principalities, had Turkey been suffered to commence hostilities, Omar Pasha would at that time have expelled them; but no protest had even been made on our part against their crossing the Pruth. No exertions had been omitted on the part of Lord Stratford to open the eyes of the govern ment to the dangers which threatened the empire ; but these efforts and repeated warnings from their own agents were fruitless. He then considered the course pursued by the British government, with relation both to the Porte and to France, arguing that every proposal of an energetic character had originated with the French government, whose honesty and straightforwardness he contrasted with the sluggish and indecisive policy of England. In the next place, he examined the facts connected with the fatal affair of Sinope, showing that, but for the vacillating in instructions of our government, that catastrophe would not have occurred, and insisting that the house ought to have some explanation of the reasons why it was not pre vented. He next inquired what the government were going to do. We were told that, although we were not at peace, we were not at war; but what were to be the terms of our negotiations with Russia? If they were to be based upon existing treaties and the status quo ante bellum, he hoped that, after what had happened, parlia ment would not permit this to be made the ground of negotiation, which would place the question in a worse position than before. Until the Principalities were secured from Russian interference, the Danube was opened to European commerce, the Black Sea was no longer a mare clausum, Circassia was opened, and the highway to Persia through the Caucasus was cut off to Russian encroachment, he hoped that England would not consent to negotiate, or submit to terms which, after the calamities suffered and the blood shed, would disgrace her. In conclusion, he adverted to the reported disagreements between our am bassador at Constantinople and the admiral of our fleet in the Bosphorus ; and observed, that the country had a right to expect that something should be done to prevent dis sensions, which, he said, had reached a very scandalous extent. Sin J. GRAHAM declared that the government had done their utmost to preserve peace, if that object could be attained consistently with the honour of the country. He justified the government from the charge of placing too much reliance upon Russian assurances, and from the imputation of a want of energy and decision. It was not open to the allied fleets to pass the Dardanelles until the Porte was at war, and he explained the causes which had retarded the entry of the fleets into the Black Sea until the disastrous affair of Sinope. Immediately after the interpretation put by Count Nesselrode upon the Vienna note, and when the delusion, created by false assurances, had been dissipated, orders were given to the fleet to protect the Turkish territory from aggression. Mr. Layard had asked what results had been gained. We had avoided war up to this moment; we had cemented a cordial union with France ; we had combined Austria and Prussia with us, thereby insulating Russia; and we had attained a solemn recognition that the interpretation put by Turkey upon the treaty of Kainardji was correct, and that contended for by Russia was ill-founded. Further, this country, as well as France, was prepared for war; no Russian soldier had crossed the Danube, not a Russian ship of war could navigate the Black Sea, hitherto a mare clausum ; and England was determined that the Principalities should be evacuated, and the independence of Turkey maintained. Lord JOCELYN regarded this as a question in which the liberties of Europe were concerned, and contended that the moment when Prince Menschikoff made his insolent demand, or, at least. when the Russians crossed the Pruth, it became the duty of the Western Powers to interfere. He condemned the course of policy pursued by the Govern ment, which discovered, he said, a want of vigour and de termination, and reproached them with suffering them selves to be deluded by Russia, while they hazarded a cordial alliance with France, so much dreaded by the Emperor of Russia, to whom, had they profited by the opportunity, they might, he said, have dictated terms. After some remarks from other members, Lord Joins RUSSELL said the conduct of Russia towards ' this Government was no doubt deceptive, but while they gave credit to the assurances of Russia, they were not blind to the possibility of the R11,55/412 Government's en- ,uLz B. 500 Electors, or less than Ceturning Two Members, to fiber only. Lichfield Maldon Malton Marlow (Great) Newport (Isle of Wight) Peterborough Poole Ripon Stamford Tamworth Tavistock Tewkesbury Tiverton Weymouth Windsor Wycombe (Chipping) members. SCHEDULE C. ADDITIONAL ME3LBEES TO COUNTIES. Counties and Divisions of Counties containing a Popula tion of more than 100,000, at present Returning Two Members, for the future to Return Three Members. Bedford Chester—Southern division Northern division Cornwall—Western division Eastern division Derby—Northern division Southern division Devon—Northern division Southern division Durham—Northern division Southern division Essex--Northern division Southern division - GloCester—Western division. Kent—Western division Eastern division Lancaster—Northern div. Lincoln—Parts of Lindsey Parts of Kesteven&Holland Middlesex Monmouth I Norfolk—Western division Eastern division Stafford—Northern division 1 Southern division Somerset—Western division Eastern division Salop—Northern division Southampton—Northern d. Suffolk—Eastern division I— Western division Surrey—Eastern division Sussex—Eastern division Warwick—Northern div. Worcester—Eastern division York—East Riding North Riding-37. WALES. Glamorgan 1 Divisions of Counties now Returning Two Members to be sub-divided, and each Sub-division to Return in future Three Members. Lancaster—Southern division I York—West Riding-8. Additional Members, 46. SCIIEDITLE D. CITIES AND BOROUGHS TO RETURN FOR THE FUTURE ADDITIONAL MEMBERS. Cities and Boroughs containing more than 100,000 Inha bitants, at present Returning Two Members, for the future to Return Three Members each. Birmingham Manchester (city) Bristol (city) Sheffield Bradford (Yorkshire) Southwark Leeds Wolverhampton-9. Liverpool Borough now Returning One Two Mei Salfoi Additional Member to Return in future obers : d-1. i embers, 10. SCIIRDTILE E. UNREPRESENTED PLACES TO RETURN MEMBERS IN FUTURE. Towns containing more than 20,000 Inhabitants to Return in future One Member each. Birkenhead 1 Burnley Staleybridge-3. Inns-of-Court to Return in future Two Members. London University to Return in future One Member. Additional members, 6. The following are the new franchises common to coun ties and boroughs granted by the new bill :- 1. Persons in receipt of salaries from public or private employment of not less than £lOO. per annum; payable quarterly or half-yearly. 2. Persons in receipt of £lO. per annum, derived from Government stock, or Bank or India stock. 3. Persons paying 40s. per annum to income or assessed taxes. 4. Graduates of any University in the united kingdom. 5. Persons who have for three years possessed a deposit of £5O. in any savings -bank. NEW FRANCHISE FOR COUNTIES. 6. All occupiers rated at £lO. per annum, residing else where than in represented towns. NEW FRANCHISE FOR BOROUGHS. 7. All occupiers rated at £6., who have been resident within the borough two years and a half. THE LITTLE BUSHMAN who acted as guide to Mr. Gor don Cumming's exhibition of African spoils, was seized with small-pox the week before last, and died within a few days, in the infirmary at Inverness. WRECK OF TILE TATLEtru.—There is a liklihood of the large sum of money belonging to the Provincial Bank, Ennis, lost last December near Crusheen, being recovered. We believe there is no doubt a man named Considine was the finder, and that he was one of the passengers in the ship Tayleur, wrecked on Lombay. He left, as he stated, with the intention of going to America, but he took a pas sage in the above vessel for Melbourne. After arriving in Dublin, he wrote home for some money, and this fact be coming known, inquiry was made where the money came from, as it was well known that the family were distressed, and he has been taken into custody in Dublin.—Limerick Chronicle. THE EMPRESS EIIGENIE.—It is said that the Empress since herreturn from Fontainbleau to the Tuileries has been in thatpeculiarstate of health which produces amorbidstate of mind, and for which doctors all agree that there is no remedy save change of scene and travelling. One of the settled ideas which has taken possession of her imagina tion is gratified by the pursuit of every memento of the unfortunate Marie Antoinette, and her whole recreation is in the pursuit of every souvenir connected with the unhappy Queen in the Palace of the Tuileries. THE JEWS AND JUDAISM.- - On Tuesday evening the Rev. Dr. M`lceile delivered a lecture in Exeter-hall, on this subject. The lecture comprised an elaborate treat ment of the subject, as a grand evidence in support of the truths of inspiration, against the specious theories and fancies of the secular organ, the Reasoner, and the works of Theodore Parker. Man was considered as a longing creature, panting after " something which he has not yet attained, a mystery to himself, the solution of which could be found, and only found, in Christianity, cordially un derstood and embraced." This introduced the considera tion of the Christian view of the adequate causes which have been - at work in the world, and the results produced, which cannot be denied, and must be accounted for— questions which have not been decided by any reasoning hypothesis. The lecturer then introduced the Jews, their religion, and history, as facts or links in the chain of evi dence. The history of the Jews corresponded to the letter of prophecy respecting them, and they were a sign and a wonder which could not be greater—an accumulation of miracles attesting the truth an d or i g in of prophecy. Their religion in the Old Testarnent was the.gospel in a figure, its distinguishing feature vicarious sacrifice or a suffering unto death as a penalty in the place of the culprit, which brought before us the divine source of that great doctrine of the Christian revelation. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1854. PREPARATIONS FOR 'W.AI THE most active preparations are i n progress for o f transport of troops to the seat of war. The exciter il i created in the metropolis on Tuesday last, by the °r eit ture of a battalion of the Coldstream Guards from Ty Trafalgar-square Barracks was most e x traordinary,l,,a steps of the National Gallery and of St. Martin's Ch wer i as well as the area and all the avenues of the squa re ' tilt occupied by a dense mass of people through which 0 brave fellows were scarcely able to make their WO' ins their proceeding along the Strand to the railway terfateali they were accompanied by a large crowd, and rel'e a and vociferously cheered. These demonstrations of P e ly lar feeling, in the absence of all attempt at display en ,„,,i• part of the military authorities, form a singular and swif ficant contrast to the pompous parades and revie w, which the commencement of the war was inaugura tea St. ItPet. is ersbur g now understood that the following appointre° have been made : . Lord Raglan to Command-in-Chief. Lieut.-General Fergusson, C. 8., commanding the t° in Malta, to be second in command. M.-General the Duke of Cambridge, Col. Bentinck,f, stream Guards, Col. Sir Colin Campbell, K.C.8., 73rd Regiment, to command brigades. Colonel Cator to command the Royal Artillery- Colonel Alt. Airey, now Military Secretary to Lord glow to be Adjutant-General. Lieut.-Col. the Hon. A. Gordon, Grenadier Gum' be Deputy Adjutant-General. Col. A. W. Torrens to be Quartermaster-Generah_i i On Wednesday, at noon, the 28th regiment left -vro. en route for Constantinople. Immense exciteme nt ' tended their departure. From the barracks to t he . way station they were most enthusiastically chee r thousands of spectators. It is estimated that n0,_;15 than 60,000 persons assembled to see them off. So 5 1P e a war spirit has never before been manifested in the t°o and it was with difficulty that the soldiers could through the streets. The 28th went to Preston, an d embark on board the Niagara, for their destination.,4 Upwards of one-half of the Royal Sappers and 3 1 - 1 , who only returned a few weeks ago after their long sf n io in their Kaffir war, have volunteered into the e Olll under orders to proceed to the Mediterranean ,n„ 2,000 Minie rifles have been drawn for the Royal Art and all the gunners ordered for foreign service are supplied with that weapon. The battalion of Grenadier Guards will proha bi ? ' t commanded by Colonel Thomas Wood. Lieut.-Cowter Scott, on the staff at Manchester, will be Deputy '4 master-General to the troops. de The following officers have been appointed Alde s iit Camp to Lord Raglan :—Major Lord Burghersh, C 3 P o i P. Somerset, Lieutenant Hon. S. Calthorpe, C 3l) Nigel Kingscote. The official orders for the cavalry force have not 06:6 0 been issued. Two squadrons each from the Bth 1 -I° ',o and 17th Lancers are held in readiness to be comin° l L f t: by Colonel Lawrence of the 17th Lancers. TraMr are being fitted to convey two regiments. ch ic e eY On Tursday, the enrolled out-pensioners of Hospital, in the Woolwich and Greenwich districts , , mustered before Colonel Tulloh, at Deptford, to ' e i t , amined as to their fitness for public service. Tivo-t of the men were declared fit for active service, an d 5( entered accordingly. o vy The departure of the volunteers from the prOViSiy battalion at Chatham for those regiments of the line ll ,/ ll t orders for Malta, namely, the 4th King's Own, 28th. !die and 2nd battalion Rifle Brigade, took place on F i l if te The troops assembled in heavy marching order, a11„ 4 ., being inspected by the commandant, Colonel Kole volunteers were formed into open columns of diri s t W and a finer body of young men have not been seen aa. garrison for many years. There was not one man !li lt " when the names of the men were called over. At past five o'clock it was announced that all was reacliO r w the colonel gave the command to march. The brass.,,to and the drums and fifes of the battalion imlnewfrf , struck up " Cheer, boys, cheer," and "We are r away." The train which conveyed the troops toe r: c il e end consisted of thirty-one carriages, with two 9 At Gravesend the troops went on board the Star pany's boat for London. 'otbt It is found impossible to provide accommodation ' n o d' large steam-ships for so many men as at first estim°le. not so much from the weight of baggage or the ac e° It; meats as from considerations of space for sleeping' t Orinoco, of 2,300 tons, can take only one regimen ' /7 1 the Ripon, of 1,400 tons, and the Manilla, screw , ° f tons, are to take another regiment between them. 00 The Himalaya, screw, may take 1,800 at the of for so long a passage ; and the Golden Fleece, Pe r 1,000 or 1,200. The splendid new screw ship, the Princess 110991;1 Captain Lord C. Paget, having completed for sea, st e , out of Southampton harbour at noon on Wednes o w.',„ d take up her anchorage at Spithead, as one of the S Wr the Baltic fleet,. 1 0 4 f The Queen held a privy council, at Buckingham, : on Saturday, at which the following proclaxotatO P ordered to be issued against the exportation of arnity: l munition, and machinery of all kinds, available for Iv' • c, BY THE QUEEN : A PROCLAMATION. " VICTORIA, R. " Whereas, by the Customs Consolidation Act r' certain goods may be prohibited either to be exp o carried coastwise ; and whereas we, by and with tli vice of our privy council, deem it expedient and neonp n!' to prohibit the goods hereinafter-mentioned either exported or carried coastwise ; we, by and with the atti aforesaid, do hereby order and direct that, from and the date hereof, all arms, ammunition, a nd gunP , l:o military and naval stores, and the foll ow i n g articles, articles which we have judged capable of being consrl into, or made useful in increasing the quantity of InpO' or naval stores, that is to say, marine engines, se re pellers, paddle wheels, cylinders, cranks, shafts, P'.V tubes for boilers, boiler plates, fire bars, and even, -.01 or any other component part of an engine or boiler, (i, article whatsoever which is, or can, or may, becom e cable for the manufacture of marine machinery , s °„g• te and the same are, hereby prohibited either to be e 5 from the United Kingdcm or carried coastwise. 0 ,7 " Given at our Court at Buckingham Pal i . a' c i 1 • #, eighteenth day of February, in the year of our i' v ate thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, and in the; teenth year of our reign. —GOD SAVE THE QUEEN' lzc A Horse Guards circular provides for the augme nts of our military forces. The men to be raised will _', as supernumeraries until the Ist of April next, front date the increased establishment will be author"' the War-office. to The Ist battalion of the Grenadier Guards is me r, augmented from 800 to 1,000 rank and file ; anc l : 4 . o ' remaining battalions of the Foot Guards from Nu - rank and file. Aft e !, The following seven regiments are to be increasrf,, , 900 to 1,000 rank and file, namely-2nd, 6th, 1 5 t h, ft 60th (2nd battalion), 73rd, and Ist battalion of the Brigade. ate The following fifty-six regiments are to be aut , from 850 to 1,000 rank and file, namely -Ist Foot ( 1 tj 2nd battalions), 3rd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 1309 0 4 16th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 26th, 27th, 28th, 30th, 314,40 34th, 35th, 36th, 38th, 39th, 40th, 41st, 42nd, 46 0 1! ir 48th, 49th, 50th, 54th, 55th, 57th, 68th, 62nd, 63r u, 66th, 67th, 68th, 69th, 72nd, 77th, 79th, 82nd, 85 0 3 0, 89th, 90th, 92nd, 93rd, 95th, 97th, and 2nd b'" Rifle Brigade. The service companies of regiments are to co i 0 600, and the depots of 400 rank and file, with the each tion of those ordered for immediate active serv i ci s • with reference to which special orders will in be given. The 71st Regiment, on the arrival of the reseP lion in this country, will be reduced from I,2o ol.o 'ic' rank and file, and will be divided in the manlier specified. t/", The 12th and 91st Regiments are to remain , '" e f: present establishment of 1,200 rank and file ; an d tbk s' 2oth, 23rd, 37th, 44th, 45th, 56th, 76th, and 99th ' of 1,000 rank and file. In order to provide for musicians, the service co ni -V of regiments will henceforth embark 600 rank al i o but they will carry with them only 580 stand of ark sets of accoutrements. . The steam-ship Niagara, Captain Leitch, will, i f t ;,4 row, take her departure from the Mersey, in her ne,,, ratter as one of her Majesty's troop-ships, with t P O, Regiment, about one thousand strong, on board. fit, now in the river, her fittings having been comple t received the approbation of the Admirality agents;, ',9 1 exciting occasion of the embarkation she will, agent bility, be anchored in the Sloyne, and the trooP s taken on board by oneof the Cunard tenders, eithe r , the Prince's Pier or the Great Landing Stage. r t 'i, Regiment, which is now at Preston, distinguishea,V Quatre Bras, and has on its colours Corunna, og Vittoria- and Waterloo. The Cambria, Captain re' will leave Liverpool to-morrow for Kingstown, lv;',, e y, will take on board the 50th Regiment on Thursn i ef will sail thence on Friday. Captain Bevis, R.N. , en v, miralty agent, who is superintending the enrol n V naval volunteers, will accompany the Cambria t ° 00 4 town to superintend the embarkation. R ecru iting44 l i from the following regiments are now actively et t fr i , the town :-sth Dragoons, 11th Hussars, 16th and the 10th, 24th, 25th, 36th, 44th, 51st, 56th, 01 A 5 75th, 81st, 83d,98th, and 99th Foot. The standa r T l ijel for men has been reduced to five feet and a half, w'ioC )i t of eighteen are taken if they reach five feet fiv e det On Saturday a troop of the Royal Artillery, l in f sY command of Captain Mackey, entered the town Jr ° lin, en route for the metropolis. The Ordnance Estimates have been published' increase is estimated at £792,311. The number of officers and men of the several ° l foll corps and departments proposed to be maintain ed p si vice at home and abroad is raised from 17,598, the , d ) voted last year, to 19,266. The force will be- - "I" gineers, 330 ; Royal Sappers and Miners, 2, 0 7 1 4 Regiment of Artillery, 15,013 ; Royal Horse te r l d 1,124 ; Riding House Troop, 35 ; Garrison Mss ners, 71; Field Train Department, 7 ; Medin o 4 went, 46. The artillery regiment includes a CO Royal African Gunners at Jamaica, and a e° Gun Lasca at Hongkng. nl l3 c l The army estimates show an increase in qbe 10,694, and an increased cost of £262,47 0 . 6. charge for the army for 1854-55 being £6,2 8 7, 4° . 0 le t 031 The number of men required is 112,977 ; is exclusive of four regiments of cavalry and tvi a . ei , regiments of infantry employed in the East II! ;, total number of the effective force of the Britl s to be 142,630, viz Cavalry. Infantry' Officers Non-commissioned officers 1,056 8,9 0 ° Rank and file ------- Grand total The following are the total of the estiniate° AP three services : I'le r ll° opos 062,0 s,2' 1 2 6 ' 9 '31 ) 7,/ 3, 722 . 0;/ ... 2S lll° 417,021,n:1 Army Navy Ordnance Proposed vote. £6,287,486 ... 7,487,948 ... 3,845,878 ... tertaining ulterior views. He insisted that, when the Truth was crossed, there was not only a protest, but an immediate order was transmitted to Lord Stratford and to Admiral Dundas for the appearance of the British fleet in the Dardanelles ' • and from the moment of Count Nes selrcide's commentary upon the Vienna Note the Govern ment took measures to support by force the independence of Turkey. When the dreadful catastrophe at Sinope oc curred, which was deeply felt in France as well as in this country, orders were given for the entry of the allied fleets into the Black Sea, to protect the territory and the flag of Turkey, to prevent reinforcements being sent from one port to another, and to send back every Russian ship of war to Sebastopol, amounting, he observed, nearly to war like operations. He was asked what was to be done ? He did nob pretend to believe that the EMperor of Russia would abstain from enforcing with all his power those un justifiable demands he had hitherto made, and our position must be on the side of Turkey, defending her from the power of a wanton disturber, and hurling back upon the head of that disturber the consequences he had so violently and he believed, so imprudently provoked, to maintain thereby the independence not only of Turkey, but of Ger many, and of all European nations. With this view, it was intended to enter into an engagement with Turkey (in conjunction with France), that the Sultan shall not make peace with Russia without the consent and concur rence of her allies. In conclusion, he warned the House and the country of the efforts to be made, and the sacri fices to be submitted to, in carrying on a war with a sovereign whose moderation was more ambitious than the ambition of other potentates. After some observations from Mr. CROSSLEY, a motion was made for an adjournment, when Lord J. RUSSELL said he hoped that before the house separated it would vote the number of men required for the public service. Mr. DISRAELI briefly addressed the house, compliment ing Mr. Layard on his speech, and characterising that delivered by Lord J. Russell as worthy of himself and the occasion ; but strongly condemned the spirit of the address of Sir J. Graham. The debate was then adjourned, on an understanding that no opposition will be offered to the votes for an addi tion to the naval force. The house adjourned at twenty-five minutes past twelve. IRELAND. WILLIAM SMITH O'BRIEN is about to return to his home, by order of government, on condition that he will never again take part in politics. He may be expected about the end of June. TICE FORTE, Portuguese schooner, bound for Liverpool, went on shore on the coast of Clare a few days ago. The sailors, on landing, were assaulted by some of the natives, with the intention of robbing them ; and they succeeded in divesting them of a quantity of clothing, bedding, &c. TILE EXODITS.—The number of emigrants who have sailed from the port of Waterford alone during the last five weeks amounted to 650. The means were principally supplied by their relatives in America; and according to local authority, there is every reason to believe that the tide of emigration will be greatly on the increase during the ensuing four months. SOMETHING LIRE AN INCUMBEREDESTA.TE.—Amongst the petitions presented to the Incumbered Estates Com mission, last week, is one praying for the sale of an estate, the gross annual rental of which is £4O a-year, and the incumbrances on which reach (in penal sums) the modest amount of between £38,000 and £39,000. BARBAROUS OUTRAGE.—The Tipperary Vindicator states, that on Saturday night the tails were cut off sixteen bullocks and cows, on the lands of Ballycapple, Cloghjor dan. Eleven of them belonged to Mr. William Mackey, Nenagh, and five to a jobber from Killarney. 11l feeling about a farm which Mr. Mackey lately took from Captain Power Lalor, of Long-orchard, is supposed to have pro moted the cruel deed. DECLINE IN THE CORN MARKETS.—The downward tendency in the country grain markets still continues. The Galway note for Saturday reports a large supply of provisions at a general decline on the previous week's rates, in wheat, oats, and potatoes. The reports for Car low, Tralee, and several of the other provincial markets, are of a precisely similar tendency—abundant supplies, at a reduction of prices for all descriptions of grain. - A PHYSICIAN'S BILL.—On Monday, in the Court of Queen's Bench, an action was brought by a physician named Fleming against the executors of an old lady named Megan, who had recently died, leaving the whole of her property—some £l2,ooo—for Romanist charities. The plaintiff, who was a distant relative, had been attending her for several years, and to remunerate him for his ser vice a sum had been paid into court, but in addition to this sum the jury gave him £2OO damages. DUBLIN AND BELFAST JUNCTION.—The half-yearly meeting was held on Wednesday. The net balance to the credit revenue for the past half-year is £25,513 ss. 4d., which, when added to the balance from the previous half year, £2,345 lls. 2d., makes the sum of 227,758 16s. 6d. available for dividend. The directors, therefore, recom mend that a dividend of £1 2s. 6d. per share (less by income tax) be declared and paid to the proprietors entitled thereto - (being at the rate of five per cent per annum), after which there would remain to be carried to the credit of the current half-year about £8,900. AGRICULTURAL RETURNS FOR lis3.—The census com missioners have issued a return, showing the extent of land under crops for each county and province in Ireland in 1852-3. We give the total for Dublin of acres : —1853, 86,552 acres ; 1852, 84,422 acres. . - Total for Leinster, under crops-1852, 1,747,632 ; 1853,1,683,600 acres ; total decrease, 64,032. Total for Munster, under crops-1852, 1,440,758 acres ; 1853, 1,431,082 acres ; total decrease, 9,676. Total for Ulster, under crops-1852, 1,842,844 acres ; 1853, 1,840,216 acres ; total increase, 3,402. Total for Connaught, under crops-1852, 707,980 acres ; 1853, 734,419 acres; total increase, 26,439. Total decrease under crops in Ireland, 43,867 acres. Total of acres under crops in Ireland-1852, 5,739,214; 1853, 5,695,347. The decrease, of cereal crops was 143,661 acres ; on meadow and clover, 404. Increase on green crops of all kinds, 62,783 acres ; on flax, 37,415. Potatoes in 1852, 876,532 acres ; 1853, 897,774 acres. Tun IRISH REFORM BILL.—It is stated that in the Irish Reform Bill, to be. introduced by Sir John Young, it is proposed to disfranchise the following boroughs, in all 16 :—Athlone, Bandon, Carlow, Cashel, Coleraine, Downpatrick, Dundalk, Dungarvon, Ennis, Enniskillen, Kinsale, Lisburn, New Ross, Portarlington, Tralee, and Youghal. The subjoined constituencies are to return three instead of two members each:—The City of Dublin, the counties of Antrim, Armagh, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Down, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Londonderry, Mayo, Roscommon, Tipperary, Tyrone, and Wexford. Such an arrangement would appear to be both just and politic, and, coupled with the abolition of the boroughs above-mentioned, would no doubt render the Irish Reform Bill a generally popular measure. There is also, it seems, some probability of the bar of Ireland having a member to themselves, just as it is proposed regarding the English law courts. AN AGED COUPLE named Wayman, of Chatteris, Cam bridge, were carried to the grave at the same time, a few days ago. They died in the same bed, the husband expiring at midnight, the wife at two o'clock next morn ing. The man was.seventy-seven and the woman eighty four years of age. • BEARDED PRlESiS.—Acleiical correspondent is anxious that the clergy should wear their beards, in the fashion of "the early Reformers." He should address himself to Convocation, and get the moustache movement included among the reformanda next session. DR. O'SIIA:IIGIINESSY iS to receive a salary of £2,400 a year as superintendent of electric telegraphs in India, with £3O a month travelling allowances. His assistant, Mr. Shepherd, is to receive £6OO a year, and £l6 a mont extra when moving about. UPWARDS of 700 tons of strawberries are annually sold in the markets of London during the short season in which the fruit is in perfection. The making of the small baskets—pottles, as they are termed—gives employ. ment to hundreds of persons. DEPOSITS IN SIVINGS' BANKI3.—It is shown by a return ordered by the House of Lords, recently printed, that there were at the date of the return in England and Wales 135,933 men. and 135,626 women, depositors of £3O and upwards, and 77,621 men and 75,372 women of £5O and upwards. Cuns Bob CHOLERA. — ReIics of saints, their shrines and garments, have in all ages exercised a powerful agency in performing miracles; but we were not aware, till we came to Naples, of the healing virtue attributed to the shirt of a Pope, the smallest shred of which, if boiled in milk or soup, is said to be an effectual remedy for the cholera and other diseases of a similar description.— Spencer's Tour. TILE SUPPLY or POWDER.--The most strenuous exer tions are being made at the mill at Hounslow to com plete a very large quantity of powder that is required for the expedition about to sail, and for the fleet destined for the Baltic. To accomplish this a double set of workmen are employed, who relieve each other, consequently the manufacture is continuous. The powderi is removed by night, in hermetically sealed copper barrels, in order to obviate the possibility of accidents. A NEW SECT.—In Sweden a new religions sect has sprung up, called the Contemplators, because they believe that in meditating incessantly on the essence and qualities of God, which they call contemplating God, they attain the perfection of Saints. They are more intolerant than the other sects in Sweden, as they think that everybody who does not join them will certainly be damned. TABLE RAPPING.—The ingenious mechanism of a spirit rapping table is exposed by Mr. Anderson, the Wizard of the North, in the course of his entertainment. The genius , of spirit-rapping is galvanism. An electro-magnet, con cealed in the substance of the table, a small hammer attached to it, a couple of wires going somewhere to some body Who has a galvanic battery at command, and you have the apparatus complete. Mr. Anderson's table answers questions of any kind in the most animated man ner—tells yoiing ladies when they are going to be married, and young gentlemen what the nature of their thoughts is ; spells words of fifteen syllables, calculates a sum in decimal fractions ; is as intelligent, courteous, and amusing as any table- could possibly be expected to be. CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY.—The fifteenth public drawing, to determine the rotation of 104 rights of choice, on all the unallotted estates, took place on Saturday week, at the offices, 33, Norfolk-street, Strand, London. Henry Pownall, Esq., chairman of the bench of Middlesex magis trates, the Rev. Dr. Worthington, and Mr. Wm. Cribb, members of the Executive Committee, assisted by Mr. C. E. Lewis, the solicitor, and Mr. C. L. Gruneisen, the secretary, superintended the drawing, with the co-opera tion of the scrutineers selected from the numerous share holders, who were present. The continued extraordinary progress of the society was proved by the share 8,836 being the final number placed in the wheel prior to the extrac tion of the numbers. The subscribed capital of £441,800 has thus been attained in seventeen months, and nearly 2,500 shares have been placed on the resister of rights, either by completion, drawing, or seniority, no less than 795 of the first thousand shares being now on the list by date of membership. The sixteenth public drawing was announced for Wednesday, the Ist of March, in Free masons'-hall, at the sixth quarterly meeting of the mem bers, Viscount Ranelagh in the chair. The allotment of the Castle-hill, Reading, estate, in Berkshire, will take place on the Ist of March. Meetings would be held in Readinc, on the 20th instant, and at Worcester on 27th, to expla in i the plan and objects of the tocietY.