The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-02-14 00:00:00

"SOCIETY HAS RIGT TO PROTECT L" Sucu is the trite title of a very 'ingeniously writ ten, although rather sophistical, pamphlet which has just been put into our hands. We echo the sentiment:, and fearlessly assert, society has a right to protect itself ! But how is this protection to be brought about ? where is it most wanted ? and in what direction are the means to be applied ? Our friend, the author of the pamphlet, says the protection is to be obtained through the establish ment of teetotalism, and only through that means sss-the agency for bringing this universal ism into operation, according to his view, is to obtain a legislative enactment, similar to the celebrated Maine Liquor Law, whereby a total prohibition of all traffic in intoxicating liquors, unless under the sanction of the medical license, shall become part and parcel of the law of the land. Of the efficiency of the latter portion of his remedy we entertain grave doubts, against its injustice and expediency we have a rooted objection. So adverse, indeed, is it to the genius of our institutions, that, under ordinary circumstances, the suggestion of such a project might reasonably have occasioned more anxiety as to the mental health of the proposer than have excited dread in the mind of even an alarmist as to the chance of legislative inter ference in any such way. Times are changed, however, and we are changed in them. Since the lower branch of the legislative body has become so decidedly a popular institution as of late years it has been made, no project appears too absurd to obtain some abettors among the people's represen tatives. In point of fact, the game of legislation has become the rage—the fashionable folly of the day. No one now considers it worth his while to ascertain how far existing laws provide against unusual or new contingencies. Every constituent — and who is not a constituent now-a-days P—feels himself qualified and entitled to point out to his representative some cog or pinion in the legis lative machine which does not work exactly as it ought to do, and to insist upon the introduction of some new tooth or ratchet—some additional crank or subsidiary fly-wheel, by which the supposed imperfection may be remedied—regardless alto gether of its effect upon the general motion and effi cacy of the entire apparatus. This restless craving for legislative interference inthe ordinary business oflife, as it is one of the most common, so it is one of the most dangerous whimsicalities of the day ; and, under the dread influence of its action, it becomes us cautiously, yet resolutely, to scan any threatened legislation, altogether irrespective of its seeming absurdity. Under other circumstances, a project for establishing the Maine Liquor Law in Eng land would be too ridiculous to merit serious attention ; but from the pertinacity with which enthusiastic theorists adhere to and push their whims, there exists a remote chance that some morning the English people may awake and find the monomaniacal proviso fastened by legislative oerements round its neck. Should such an enactment ever emanate from our legislature, what would be its effect ? Would society become suddenly reconciled to so extraor dinary an abridgement of its freedom ? Of a cer tainty it would not. No effort for the improve ment of the human race has ever been successfully carried out by force ; and all experience tells us that no beneficial schemes have ever proved §,(:) abortive or so futile as those in which coercion his been depended on as a substitute for willing obedience. The first and immediate operation of such a law, if passed, would be, we fear, an im mense spread of dissimulation—the doubtful or the wavering disciple of temperance would be led by the mere spirit of contradiction to evade its operation—the intemperate would find an addi tional stimulant to excess in a bold defiance of the law and an open contempt of its provisions. Men of regulated appetites and sound moral convictions would, no doubt, comply with the requirement, and yield a ready obedience to the law ; but for such 'a legislative enactment is not necessary ; their own feelings of propriety secure them against any trans gression of such a law, and, acting in obedience to these, ought to protect them from so degrading an infringement of their liberty. Is society to be trammelled and insulted, that men, with desires less exalted than those which animate brutes, may be restrained from the exercise of a filthy indul gence ? As reasonable would it be to deprive all men of their personal liberty, because some indi viduals are possessed of only latitudinarian notions of the rights of property. Before attempting physical restraints, however, let us at least understand the case as it at present stands. A desire for excitement is among the earliest instincts by which man is characterised. This instinctive craving, in the rude stages of his uncultured intellect, is obtained by recourse to coarse physical indulgences—of these, the most generally used, if not the most natural, are induced by alchoholic stimulants ; a fact established among most people, in all ages and in every quarter of the world. The progress of moral training, of intellectual culture, and religious observance has ever been to restrain and regulate this desire—to supplant the grosser enjoyments by those of a less sensual order. Such has been its course in ancient times, and such we know to be its inevitable ten dency in our own day "and under our own sphere of observation. In the days of our great grandfathers it was hardly deemed an imprudence, in men of even exalted rank, to pursue festive indulgence to an extent, the bare idea of which would now be shocking to a man of character, while its display would be ruinous in most positions of life. In our times a four-bottle man is almost as rare in decent society as the mounted highwayman upon 'our thoroughfares ; and promises speedily to be as extinct among the human family as the dodo is in our living ornithology. The heavy drinker is no more a man of consideration in the social scale—he is one, in fact, whom none but the depraved would cite as an example—whom none but the worthless would seek to imitate. Drinking usuages, in point of fact, are rapidly yielding to the claims of purer intellectual enjoyments than can be realised through their indulgence, and this recession, though slowly, is gradually and surely descending through all grades of society—that too, in defiance of all the facilities and allurements held out for the gratification of d egr ading. and disgusting vice. Statistics, no doubt, tell us of the vastly increased consumption o f alchoholic beverages, in our day, as compared with that of earlier times ; but statistics also tell us of the inunense addition to our population, and of their grea tly accumulated means of indulgence ; and by comparing the number of our countryme n , the means at their disposal, and the amount spent in such debasing indulgences at the present and at former periods, we feel little apprehension at the result of such investigation proving in favour of our own time. If such be the natural course of moral and religious progress, and we fearlessly maintain it is so, why seek to cumber our statute book With a new law, which at the best only aims at substituting extrinsic for self-controul — which in its provisions felt by the implies a censure more acutely virtuous than dreaded by the vicious— and which, by a clumsy process, more than doubt ful in its efficacy, se e k s to supplan, t the healthy and health-giving action of moral and religions train ing, by a cold and lifelesss material regulation. A much greater, more beneficial, and more en during improvement in this direction, is to be obtained through moral agency, than can be hoped for through legislative means. Let the ministers of religion, the teachers of youth, and the other philanthropic guardians of public morals co-operate heartily in providing for the working classes places of resort where rational amusement, wholesome instruction, and safe excitement may be brought surely and soothingly within their reach—let them be taught, in a spirit of kindness, to regulate their passions, and be led gently in the path of recti tude—supply them with other, and not less cogni zably attractive places of resort than the gin-shop— secure for them comfortable habitations—create and foster among them a taste for the good, the pure, the holy, and you will not require to interdict them from the use of degrading indulgence— aleviate their moral nature and you will require no penal statutes to guard them against grovelling error—address your efforts to a regeneration of their higher and immortal instincts, and purifying those, you will avoid the thankless and fruitless necessity of attempting to make them " virtuous upon compulsion." such efforts, and through the application of such means, demonstrate, estab lish, and give vital energy to the assertion that " Society has a right to protect itself." THE CZAR'S LETTER TO THE QUEEN. ( PROM THE PRESS. [Our contemporary the Times stated on Wednesday that the Czar was about to write an autograph letter to the Queen of England. We are now enabled to lay a translation of this letter before our readers from a copy received just as we were going to press.) MADAME, AND MY SISTER, Deprived of our respective representatives, there is no longer reason why I should hesitate, personally, to ap proach your constitutional solitude (isolement). If for one moment I recur to recollections of hospitality and paternal interchange (echange) of confidence, it is only that I may strike, in your Majesty's bosom, a chord vibra ting in unison with that which inspires my present utterance (parole). An accomplished musician, your Majesty will not find this analogy frivolous. Hitherto Sisters, and charmed to bear on their waters an intercommunion of the riches of commerce, the Neva and the Thames, are, it would seem, to be foaming rivals, engulping (engloutissantes) amity. To speak of our mutual resources were now a cold insult. We know our strength, and repose in its embraces. A great ruler but accomplishes destiny when he puts forth (fafsant voir) his utmost force. Heaven is power, and the weak sovereign is an atheist. Why (if it were permitted to question geography) were we separated by the distance between London and St. Peters burg ? Had that barrier been absent,and I could habitu ally (frequemment) have presented myself, I will not say at the Saint James's throne, but at the Windsor chair, this deplorable condition of eventualities could never have been consummated. The Sovereign of England and her people would have been alike my friends. Is it allowed me to forget the cheers that rang down the green turf (gazon) of Ascot, when the riders of England deigned to contest for the silver toy your Majesty sanctioned my setting before their ambition ? Again let my murmurs echo those of the intervening and chilling (frileux) Baltic. But there is no Past for a Monarch, who must still ad vance onward, onward, the Juif Errant of institutions Yet one word for history. It is not with helm on brow: and sword in hand, guarding his creed and nationalities, his that a Sovereign's truth shall be doubted. It is not a Romanoff addressing a Guelph that shall be doubted. It is not a brother writing to his sister who shall be doubted. And truth is in her own holy vindication, and her name is written in the stars. That Aberdeen humbugged me in the most owdaeious manner. This strife, be it long or short (and my wishes on the subject are your Majesty's), results from the unrighteous combinations (tracasseries) of that unrighteous old man. I am not aware that since the days of Eve a more flagrant case has happened than this satanical irruption into the European Paradise. I have the honour to swear to your Majesty that from the very outset of the difficulties with France about the ; Ably Places your Premier caused me to understand •tenser)-that I should have everything I asked for, and that - England was quite arrayed with me against those Papist Frenchmen. Fortified by this assurance I pro ceeded—but your Majesty knows the rest. The sword—l would beg your Majesty's pardon for naming such an article before a lady, but I know that I speak to Britannia rather than to Victoria—is drawn. Could it be replaced in the scabbard with honour, it might be well ; but our new-born chivalry must receive its baptism of blood—again begging your Majesty's pardon for mentioning the article. But it is well that you, my dear sister, and your people, should comprehend that but for the half-hearted (faineant) policy of my Lord Aber deen, who first encouraged me, and then (I do him but justice to say reluctantly) repelled me when he found out the sentiments of your nation, the sword might have slept in its scabbard, long and peacefully as he sleeps at Coun cil—inapt simile, for the sword carries its point, and the Scottishman never does. I have cleared myself with your Majesty. I would that there were some possibility of healing the wound. It has occurred to me that my trusted friend, Count Orloff, has a desire to see the Sydenham Palace. Should Sir Paxton invite him it would be a disrespect I would never forgive did not Orloff solicit the honour of an interview with your Majesty. I will not hurt myself with the idea that there could be difficulty in according that interview, but would rather dwell upon the pleasure I should derive from hearing my friend detail (specifier) the amiable steps by which he had led your Majesty, to a view of matters more in har mony with that of St. Petersburg than that of St. Ste phen's. Your Majesty, I read in the journals, has visited Sydenham, and will be enabled, should it be your gracious pleasure, to intimate to Count Orloff (I enclose his address) whether there is anything there worth seeing. Whatever be the issues of events (and it would not be come me to be exultant in the convictions which tell me that either no war is holy or I am the. Sovereign of Turkey), I have the honour, &c., NICHOLAS. COAST DEFENCES.—The recruiting for the naval volun teer force for the defence of the Scottish coasts has been proceeding in this quarter during the last week. Captain Craigie visited Berwick on Wednesday for the purpose of enroling volunteers. His success in that town, however, has not been very great. Only eight of the fishermen were induced to come forward and enter themselves. At Eyemouth sixty-four men have been enrolled, and at Dunbar eighteen. Out of the 1,500 men required for Scotland, upwards of 800 have already been obtained.— Kelso Mail. OUR CORN SUPPLIES—A GLANCE AT SPAIN.—We noticed a few weeks ago the prospects that were being opened of an increased commerce with the Peninsular in the article of grain, and the possibility of plentiful supplies being drawn from that quarter at prices which would al leviate the dearness now universally complained of, and yield increased employment and profitable remuneration for the agricultural industry of Spain. To this important result, as we then observed, there is only one impediment, viz., difficulty of transit—an impediment, however, w hi c h public enterprise will not long permit to exist where a lucrative commerce is practicable. It is well-known that for the abundance and excellence of her cereal produce Spain is almost unrivalled, and that with the lightest of labour she can produce an immense surplusage of food for export. It is therefore important, at a period of dearth and dearness, and on the eve of a crisis which must render our ordinary supplies very precarious, to take advantage of so rare a source of relief, and develope it to the utmost. Strongly confirmative of our recent observations on this subject, we have read with pleasure a series of articles in a Spanish journal—the Bulletin of Commerce of Santan der, which furnishes us with some definite statistics as to the present amount of trade, but deplores that the large supplies of Castille are virtually locked up in the interior of the country and rendered unavailable for European con sumption by the three-fold obstacles of tardiness of trans port, severity of weather, and badness of roads. It ap pears that upwards of 300,000 carts and waggons passed over the turpike road to and from Santander (the great outlet in the Bay of Biscay for Spanish produce) during the last year, and that the carriage of flour alone from Alar to Santander realised in the month of September last 6,400,000 reals, or £64,000. To show the rapid develope meat of commerce in this district even under the disad vantages we have named, it may be stated that the exports from the ports of Santander and Requejada have increased from 3,099,245 arrobas (251bs. weight) in 1849 to 6,098,349 in 1852. If this could be effected with the present wretched means of transport to the sea-board, what may not be expected when a line of railway is carried into the interior from Santander, through the rich provinces of Castille and Madrid ? The produce of wheat in Castille during the harvest of 1853 was 8,000,000 fanegus, or 6,640,000 cwt., equal to 1,600,000 English quarters : and it is no exaggeration to say that were the agricultural resources of Spain duly developed, and the proper means of transit afforded, we might draw from that country annually several million quarters of grain, to say nothing of other produce and of the increased amount of manufac tures which we should export to the Peninsular.—me Empire. Etherpool. tatibarb. TUESDAY MORNING, FEB. 14, 1854. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL ADYKRTISER. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. PRINCE.—On Monday, at eleven o'clock, M. de Kisseleff quitted Paris for Brussels, to meet Baron Brunow. The Moniteur announces the departure of M. de Kisseleff in one line. On leaving Paris he was accompanied by all the personnel of the legation. There now only remains at Paris the Consul-General Eberling, charged with civil and commercial affairs. According to the correspondent of the Morning Chronicle, all the Russian families resident in :Paris have received notice that they will have to quit France without delay. M. Lejeune, one of the attaches of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, left Paris on Tuesday, with despatches recalling General de Castelbajac, the French Ambassador at St. Petersburg. The Journal de St. Quentin of Wednesday says that the government has ordered large quantities of shot and projectiles from the iron-foundries in that neighbourhood, and also from those in the department of the Ardennes. These orders are made on account of the Minister of •the Marine: This is of itself a proof of the great activity prevailing in the arsenals of France, for it very seldom happens that the government has recourse to private enterprise for its sup ply of the sinews of war. The expedition of arms from La Fere to the northern frontier continues. Some of the Paris papers are delighted with the documents laid before the British Parliament upon the Eastern question, as they go to show most satisfactorily that Lord Aberdeen has been coerced into a more decided policy by the energetic conduct of the Emperor Napoleon. The ocean squadron, commanded by Admiral Bruat, has put to sea from Brest, and will, it is believed, proceed direct to Toulon, where it will shortly be joined by Admiral Corry, the united fleets being destined to carry out French and English troops to the Fast almost immediately. The Journal des Daats announces that the government has refused the numerous offers that have been made to it for effecting a loan, and has concluded an arrangement with the Bank of France, which has placed at its disposal a sum of 60,000,000 f. SPAlN.—Letters from Madrid state that the young Princess of Asturias, the only surviving child of the Queen of Spain, is dangerously ill. Her death would once more open the succession to the Duchess of Montpensier. The Spanish ministers seem satisfied with having got rid of some of the most troublesome of the opposition generals, and to have abandoned the idea of a coup d'etat. AIISTRIA.—The Austrian, and, indeed, the whole Ger man press is all but unanimous in condemning the conduct of Russia, and its disregard for the peace and order of Europe. Count Orloff and Baron de Budberg left Vienna together on Wednesday. The Austrian Correspondenz of that day has an article complimentary to the Czar, though letters state that the last propositions have been refused. Prospects of peace on other bases continue to be held out. The nature of the neutrality professed by Aus tria is still a matter of doubt, and there is a feeling in Vienna that Count Orloff may have gained great advan tages for Russia. The Oest. Correspondenz of the 7th, announces that while Russia and Turkey were fighting in Great Wallachia, Austria saw no reason for placing a corps on the Turkish frontier; but now that Lesser Wal lachia has become the theatre of war, the Government has resolved to station 25,000 men in the Woywodina for the security of the frontier. A telegraphic despatch from Vienna, of Thursday evening, says :—" Count Buol has declared to the Turkish Ambassador that the recent con centration of Austrian troops on the north-eastern fron tier is intended as a measure of precaution against Turkey." Russri.—Letters from St. Petersburgh, of the 29th ult., mention a report that the Emperor, who was suffer ing from erysipelas, had written a letter to Queen Victoria, professing his most ardent desire for peace. ITALY.—The :Piedmontese Gazette of the 6th instant announces that, at five o'clock a.m., on the sth,the Duchess of Genoa was safely delivered of a prince, who received the names of Thomas Albert Victor. TAB BRAZ/L9.—Advices received by the steam-ship Lusitania state that the political affairs in the Oriental re public had not experienced any material alteration since the Lady Eglington sailed. General Flores continued his exertions to suppress the disaffected party, and several skirmishes of trifling importance had occurred during the month, in one of which Colonel Borez, a chief belonging to the latter party, was killed. The only party of any consequence still in opposition to General Flores was Colonel Moreno, who might have about three hundred men under his immediate command, whom the former was using every endeavour to disperse ; but the latter ap peared to wish to avoid a general action. There was a probability that Brazil would interfere, and, by the pre sence of an armed force, compel both parties to maintain order. The demand for manufactured goods had been very slack for some time, and, until tranquillity was res tored, little improvement could be expected. Produce was scarce, and prices continued high. The accounts from Buenos Ayres were in general satisfactory, but the differ ences with the provinces remained in statu quo. General Urquiza will by this time have been elected constitutional president of the thirteen provinces. The commercial ac counts from thence was favourable. Exchange 41f to 421 Monte Viedo ; 66 3 at Buenos Ayres. AFRlCA.—Thescrew-steamer Hope arrived at Plymouth on Sunday, with the usual mails from the coast of Africa, twenty-me passengers, a general cargo, and a quantity of gold dust. Trade was extremely dull along the whole Boast, and at Lagos it was quite stagnated. At Bonny disturbances had occurred, the chiefs having deposed the King. A force was dispatched to protect British interests. It was hoped that affairs at Lagos would be settled with out further recourse to arms. Hostages had been left with the British, as guarantees of Kossokos, good faith. Sierra Leone was healthy, and the rain had ceased. tress of the riots in the northern districts of that presidency. The famine which prevails owing to the want of rain is daily assuming a more alarming aspect, and in some of the districts disturbances have taken place, and the grain sellers plundered. In South Arcot, where the dry leaf indigo is manufactured, there will scarcely be any portion of the ordinary first crop raised, and the estimates of the possible out-turn of the rice crop vary from one fourth to one-tenth of the ordinary supply. The Bank of Madras has declared a-dividend at the rate of 41 per cent. per annum. Sir Richard Armstrong, late Commander-in chief of the Madras Presidency, embarked for England, in the ship Barham, on ,the 29th ult. From the Nizam's Country we learn that there had been an engagement in the district of Ulghole, in which 350 Rohillas attacked 76 Arabs, the aggregate casualties on both sides amounting to 25 killed and 20 wounded ; but this is only one of the many rencontres which have recently taken place, and, by the latest intelligence received, the Nizam had dispatched a force of infantry, cavalry, and guns against some of the Rohilla, robbers who infest his dominions. Lieut.-Colonel Bremner, of the 15th regiment or Madras Native Infantry, at Secunderabad, having been removed to the command of the 41st regiment at Kamptee, left the former station with his wife and grown-up daughter by Palkee Dawk on the 20th ult., for Nagpore. They proceeded with safety as far as Neermul, when they entered the hilly and jungle country, but just before reaching the fortress of Yedlabad, about fifty miles beyond Neermul, they were attacked by a large body of Rohillas, at sight of whom the Hamalls, as is their wont, disappeared. The colonel was severely beaten and plundered of all his property, even to the bedding of the palankeen, every particle of clothing on the persons of the travellers was taken away, and they were indebted afterwards to the good natnre and sympathy of the dawk runners at the nearest stage for some simple native clothing, with which they were obliged to be con tent, until relief was sent to them from Kamptee and Secunderabad. Cavalry detachments from Hyderabad, Hingolio, and Nagpore, have been sent in search of the robbers. Major Ramsay has been appointed to the charge of the residency of Nagpore during the absence on sick leave of Mr. Mansell. The late Rajah of Nagpore died childless, and our government having all along refused to allow him to adopt an heir, the valley of Berar reverts to the honourable company. The territory thus acquired is about the size of the Punjab, and its revenue about 50 lacs of rupees annually, while its population exceeds four-and a-half millions. The north-west frontier is tranquil. The forts in the Kohat Pass are being proceeded with, and the Atrredees, having been promised twice their former amount of black mail for keeping the pass open, appear for the present reconciled to their erection. The superintendent of electric telegraphs has left Cal cutta en route to the upper provinces to inspect the con struction of the different telegraphic lines, and it is expected that by this time next year the line between Calcutta and Bombay via Agra, will be complete for the transmission of messages. The New Mercantile Bank of India, London, and China, opened for the transaction of business on the 3rd current, and accounts were opened to the extent of five lacs of rupees. Trade in India has improved. Exchange at Calcutta, 21. SINGAPORE.—FREIGHTS TO LONDON AND LIVERPOOL. —Tin, £3 per 20 cwt. • gambler in bales, £3 15s. per 20 cwt. ; black pepper, £4 2s. 6d. per 16 cwt. ' • measurement goods, £4, per 60 cubic feet ; gutta tuban, £4 per 20 cwt. CHlNA.—Canton and Ningpo remained quiet. Matters had resumed their usual course at Amoy. A large portion of Shanghai had been destroyed by fire by the Imperialists. A portion of the rebel forces had proceeded northward from Nankin, and had taken Tien-Sing, about eighty miles from Fekin.—At Shanghai the import market showed no sign of improvement. Freights, £5 10s. for tea, and £6 10s. for silk. Only one vessel loading. Exchange on England nominal, at 6s. 3d. to 6s. 4d. ; on India, 300 r. The Emperor of Japan was dead, and the Court would go into mourning for two years, during which no embas sies could be received. AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE WASHINGTON. By the steam-ship Washington, which arrived off Cowes on Saturday on her way to Bremen, we have intelligence from New York to the 28th ult. The steam ship Atlantic arrived out on the 27th. The Gadsden treaty had again been discussed in the cabinet, but no decision had yet been arrived at as to whether it should be submitted to the Senate or not. The town of Tapula, on the Mississippi, was destroyed by fire, together with 8,000 bales of cotton, on the 26th ult. The New York Herald states that the Congress of New Granada has levied a tax of 10 per cent on the estimated profits of all vessels arriving at or departing from Aspin wall. The riotous proceedings at Erie still continued. The correspondence relative to the mission of the Pope's Nuncio had been presented to the Senate, and showed that the visit of this functionary to the United States was not of a diplomatic character. A despateh from New Orleans announces the arrival there on the 25th ult. of the steam-ship United States, with the Californian mails and specie of the Ist January. Ads ices from Mexico to the 7th inst. state that there was much excitement at Chihuahua and Sonora, in conse quence of the new treaty with the United States. The Mexican ministry was still incomplete. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, JAL 28. In the New York Stock Market quotations for the leading fancy stocks are lower, but transactions are limited. Flour is in-good demand at irregular but decid edly firmer rates. 15,000 barrels were sold on the 27th, at prices ranging from $94 to wt. • Rye flour and corn meal are held at prices above the views of buyers. Wheat is somewhat unsettled. Rye and oats in lively request. Corn advanced 5 to 7 cents per bushel, with sales of 70,000 bushels. Cotton irregular. Sales on the 27th, 2,000 bales. Freights firmer, and with higher rates de manded to Liverpool. The quotations to Liverpool were, flour, 4s. 6d. to ss. per barrel ; grain, 14d. per bushel. In Iron, Scotch pig was steady at $4O. Provisions brisk and dearer. Exchange on London dull. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, TUESDAY, FEB. 7. RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.-14014 MONTEAGLE called at tention to the alarming increase of railway accidents.= Lord FITZWILLIA.3I thought that further legislation on this subject was absolutely necessary. Such a measure, for obvious reasons, should originate rather in the Upper than in the Lower House.—Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY admitted the importance of the subject, and said that a bill was being brought forward in the House of Commons, founded on the report of the committee which sat last session. AGED ADMIRALS.—The Earl of HARDWICKE called the attention of the House to the inefficient state of the active Admirals' list, the youngest of whom was 75 years of age. He concluded by moving for a select committee to inquire into the subject. —The Earl of ABERDEEN ad mitted many of the evils complained of, but declared that after the fullest inquiries and examination of the subject he had come to the decision at which all preceding Boards of Admiralty had arrived, that upon the whole the present system, although attended with individual cases of hard ship, was nevertheless the most just and advantageous to the service that had been proposed.—The motion was withdrawn, and their lordships adjourned at half-past six. THE WAR IN THE EAST. The combined squadrons were about to leave the anchorage of Beycos, and to go again to sea on the 27th or 28th. The new Turkish convoy, destined for the army of Asia, was ready. Kourchid Pacha (General Guyon) had wrought a great change in affairs in Asia, introducing regularity and dicipline, and creating the best spirit among the Turkish soldiers. Hostile operations were suspended, owing to the state of the country, which was covered with snow. The Charlemagne screw line-of-battle ship, the Gomer steam-frigate, and another French frigate, as well as an English screw line-of-battle ship and two English steam frigates, left on the 25th for Varna. A Constantinople despatch of the 30th nit. says :—The 'Russians have attacked the redoubt called Sefo, held by the Turks, about four miles from fort St. Nicholas, and have been repulsed with loss. Schamyl has marched to attack Zakatala, at the head of 16,000 men. Telegraphic despatches have arrived, of the 30th Janu ary, which speak of changes in the ministry. The Se raskier and Capudan Pacha had been removed ; Riza Pacha was appointed Seraskier, and Achmed Pacha was to be Capudan Pacha. The position of affairs is now, however, so plain and so decided, that any change of persons can have but small influence on the policy of the Turkish Government, which must continue eminently national. The consequences of the entrance of the combined fleets into the Black Sea are already showing themselves. Fourteen thousand men have been landed at Holiburgas, below Varna, from on board transports, which had previ ously been carefully watched by the Russians ; now. the Turks are completely at liberty in the Euxine. These 14,000 men are to move upon Varna, and reinforcements from Constantinople and Adrianople are to take the same direction. The Ottoman forces, from Pregona to Nico polls, amount to 18,000 men, over and above a reserve of 36,000 at Sophia. The Russians have 41,000 infantry, 12,000 cavalry, and 120 guns, with a reserve of 15,000 men. Accounts reached Vienna on Tuesday that a sanguinary action had taken place near Giurgevo, with great loss on both sides. Three thousand Turks crossed the Danube, drove in the Russian advanced posts, attacked the town, and then retired. • A conspiracy, with most dangerous ramifications, has just been discovered. The plan was to overthrow the Turkish empire by exciting the Greeks in Roumelia to rebellion. The whole affair is kept secret by the Commis sion named to inquire into the plot. A letter from Krajova, of the 29th ult., states that on the 28th there was a sanguinary conflict between the Turks and the Russians, near Bailestchi, After the affair each party retired to their former positions. It was said that General Dannenberg had been dangerously wounded in one of the recent conflicts. _ _ Letters from Trebizond state that Russian men-of-war have again appeared off Batoum and Kisch, 20 leagues from l'rebizond, since the departure of the combined fleets. The Intendant or Commissionary-General of the Russian army of the Danube, General Satler, has addressed a secret report to the Commander-in-Chief, in which he depicts the almost insurmountable difficulties he has experienced, since the entrance of the combined squadrons into the Black Sea, in organizing the due delivery of supplies. It is asserted that this report necessitates the adoption of new measures, which will complete the ruin of the country, quite wretched enough already, and thereby make the Russians more unpopular than ever. CONSTANTINOPLE, JAN. 27.—1 n the letter addressed by the Admirals to the Commandant of the port of Sebasto pol a term of fifteen days was fixed for Russian vessels of war to return to their harbours in the Black Sea. A corps of engineers is employed in marking out a camp at Bouyouk-Tchekmeelesehe, near the Sea of Marmora, for 40,000 men. This place is six miles from Constantinople. We learn that Kurschid Pasha (General Guyon) has resumed the offensive against the Russians in Asia, with 30,000 foot, 5,000 horse, and 140 guns. Bucruat EST, FEB. I.—The Russians have now 65,000 men before Kalafat. Before the arrival of General Schilders, Prince Gortschakoff had resolved on removing his head quarters to Slatina, but the general had - persuaded the prince to change his plan, and had handed him an order from the Emperor to use every effort to drive the Turks out of Lesser Wallachia without further loss of time. Both sides were anxiously expecting and preparing for a decisive attack. INDIA AND CHINA, Intelligence has been received by the overland mail from Calcutta of January 4 ; Madras, January 11 ; Ningpo, December 3 ; Shanghai, Dec. 17 ; Amoy, December 24 ; Hongkong, December 27 ; Singapore and Bombay, Jan. 14; Burmah, December 26 ; Sydney, November 26 ; Mel bourne, November 29 ; Adelaide, December 3. The steamer sent up the Persian Gulf for intelligence had not returned to Bombay. The news from Burmah is still unfavourable. Captain Latter, the Deputy-Commissioner of Prome and the most active of the frontier politicals, has been assassinated. He had given orders that the sentries should allow his spies (who :were usually disguised as women) to pass unques tioned at all hours, and, in consequence of such orders, the assassins, who entered Captain Latter's quarters dis guised as women on the night of the Bth, were allowed to pass unnoticed. He was murdered when asleep, and so quietly did the assassins effect their object that it was not until the next morning that his dead body was found in his bed, pierced with three dagger wounds, one in the neck, one in the right side, and one in the heart. His death must have been instantaneous. A woman's scarf was thrown over the corpse (an indignity, according to Burman estimation,) and the murderers effected their escape so noiselessly that the precise time they left Captain Latter's quarters is unknown. The Governor-General arrived at Rangoon on the 14th of December, and left again for Prome on the 17th.A da.coit chief had five atousand men near Tonghoo., and the garrisons at Moulmein And Martaban were apprehta sive of attack. Accounts from Madras reprNent the ausraeutinff AUSTRALIA. The Vimiera arrived at Sydney on the 16th November, with the English mail of the sth of August. Like her predecessor, the Stratford, she made a more than usually slow voyage. The • return from Ballarat, for October, as compared with that of the same month last year, gives an increase of 7,4810 z. Though the return from Mount Alexander is still so large, yet, compared with the yield for October, 1852, it shows a decrease of no less than 232,4260 z. The total yield of the Victoria fields in October • last year was 365,1720 z. For the past month, as above shown, it is 156,1660 z., being a decrease of 209,0060 z. Ballarat is the only improving gold-field ; on all the others the produce is diminished. The darkest side of the reports from the gold region is the prevalence of disease, the frequent robberies, violent assaults, and brutal drunkenness. The Colonial Government at Sydney had been officially informed that, on the 24th of September, the French commander in the Pacific had landed at Balade, in New Caledonia, and taken• possession of that island and its dependencies in the name of the French Emperor. On Thursday the Ballarat arrived at London from Port Philip, having sailed on the 11th November, nine days later than the Hurricane, by which the last ad vices were received. The Ballarat brings 92,000 ounces of gold, 70 passengers, and a cargo of wool and tallow. The departure of the Oithona for London, fiom Portland Bay, Ist November, had been delayed by the absconding of two or three of her seamen. Business at Melbourne was again good, and a brisk trade was expected. The heavy stocks and large importations had held prices in check, but the market was nevertheless firmer. The price of gold still advancing at Melbourne, and at the sailing of the Ballarat was 765. 6d. The Bendigo gold fields were recovering their former productiveness, the falling off having arisen from temporary causes. The Ballarat diggings had yielded less than usual. During the week 1,275 persons had arrived in the colony of Vic toria, and the escorts had brought down 37,993 ounces of gold. The shipment per Ballarat brought up the total amount of gold exported from Victoria in the year 1853 to 2,137,984 ounces, or 89 tons 14 cwts. 17 lbs., value, at 755. per ounce, £8,017,440. Great complaints were made at the gold-fields of the want of more efficient protection by the police. FATAL Figz.—Eight petsons perished in: a conflagration on Tuesday, which broke out at 19, Princes-street, Soho. London. A policeman, on his beat, was accosted by a female standing in her night-dress at the door, who hastily told him the house was on fire, gave him a child to take care of, and then returned and brought another. Almost immediately a number of the unfortunate occupants were seen at the windows, imploring assistance, as they could not live m the heat any longer. One woman asked fran tically if the escape had arrived, and being told it had not, sunk exhausted on the floor and was burnt to death. The staircase was in flames, and there were sixteen people in the house. The whole was such a scene of confusion, that it was not known, till the fire had been extinguished, who had escaped, or whether any had escaped at all. As soon as the firemen could enter, they commenced a. search. In the second storey they found Mrs. Puget, the wife of a foreign gentleman, with her three children, burnt in a fearful manner, and quite dead. In the third floor were found Mr. and Mrs. Adams, and an old widow, all clasped together, and burnt to a cinder. The body of a fine boy, the foreign gentleman's fourth child, was afterwards found under the grate in the second floor. The rest of the inhabitants escaped, including Mr. Puget and the female who first discovered the fire. AN ELOPEMENT. — Just after the congregations had left the respective places of worship at Brighton, on Sun day morning, and the streets were again tolerably clear, a scene of rather a novel character was witnessed in North Street, opposite Ship Street. A gentleman and a female, the latter apparently eighteen years of age, were in an open fly, which was going at a moderate pace up North street, when two gentlemen issued from Ship-street, pro ceeded at once to the fly, and commenced belabouring with their sticks the unfortunate male occupant. A signal was given to two other persons some distance up North street, who immediately joined and repeated the dose to which the unlucky wight had been subject from the first two individuals. Matters began to assume rather a serious aspect. The female, in the . meantime, had been dragged out of the fly. Superintendent Terry being on the spot, interposed between the parties ; and the Hyman, having a clear stage, drove off with the gentleman who had received the castigation. The cause of the attack remains to be explained. It seems that a grocer and tea-dealer at Gos port, having become enamoured of the daughter of a butcher residing near him, had solicited the hand of the fair lady, but his addresses were repugnant to the father of the damsel, although the affection of the grocer was reciprocated by his lady fair ; and in order to consummate their desires they resolved upon an elopement. On Satur day last they accordingly came to Brighton, and put up at the Feathers Tavern, passing as brother and sister, and sleeping in separate beds. The father of the girl having got wind of their whereabouts, took three friends with him to Brighton for the purpose of recovering his recreant daughter ; and hence the scene which ensued. The grocer prodeeded to the Feathers Tavern, and, having paid his bill, took the earliest train to Portsmouth, whilst the disconsolate fair one was necessitated to return with her incensed parent and his friends, much against her inelina -1423), to her father's residence. THURSDAY, FEB. 9. A conversation took place between Lords TORRINGTON, CANNING, and CLANRICARDE as to the best method of lighting by gas. LAW REFORM.—Lord LYNDHURST asked the Lord Chancellor what progress the Commission for Consoli dating the Statutes had made, and what course the govern ment intended to pursue when the report of that com mission was presented.--The LORD CHANCELLOR explained the mode of proceeding adopted by the commission, and said that, after it had concluded its labours and embodied its recommendation in bills, the government would con sider whether those bills were such as it could recommend parliament to adopt. Their lordships adjourned at a quarter before seven. FRIDAY, FEB. 10. The House met at five o'clock. THE TURKISH QUESTION. Lord FITZWILLIAM asked whether the Government were cognizant of Count Orloff's propositions. Lord CLARENDON replied, that Count Orloff had been the bearer of certain propositions having reference only to the relations existing between Austria and Russia. Lord GREY asked whether it was true that the Govern ment intended to bring forward their measure of Parlia mentary Reform before the Army and Navy Estimates had been voted. Lord ABERDEEN said, it was quite true that the mea sure of Parliamentary Reform would be brought forward on Monday, but its further discussion would not take place until after the Army and Navy Estimates had been voted. Noble lords seemed to think that war was inevit able—nay, that we were already at war; but that was not the case, and he, for his part, did not abandon all hope that peace might still be maintained. Lord DERBY had heard with regret the announcement of Lord Aberdeen as to the intention of the Government with regard to the Reform Bill. He thought their con duct under existing circumstances reckless in bringing such a question before the country, and in proposing a measure which, if it were rejected or accepted, would necessarily lead to a dissolution, and thus unsettle the country. So far as he and his friends were concerned, they were resolved to afford the government every oppor tunity of escaping from the dilemma in which they had placed themselves, and they would refrain from taking any step in the matter until they were called on to record their opinion in a manner which it would be impossible to evade. The Marquis of CLINRICARDE understood Lord Aber deen to say that war was not inevitable. He wished therefore to ask whether any negotiations were at present in progress for terminating the state of hostilities alluded to in the Queen's speech. Lord ABERDEEN had yet to learn that England was at war with any other Power. War might be probable, but it was not inevitable ; and, by the blessing of God, no effort should be spared on his part to avert it. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said the noble Earl had not answered his question ; and, after a lively discussion, during which Lord GRANVILLE rebuked the want of " Order" among their Lordships, the house adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS-TUESDAY, FEB. 7. PETITIONS were presented by ➢Zr. Horsfall, from the Chamber of Commerce of Liverpool, in favour of decimal coinage; and by Mr. Brown, from Lancaster, to the same effect. ADMISSION OF JEWS.—A bill to substitute one oath for the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration, and the oaths appointed to be taken by the 10th of Geo. IV., c. 7, was brought in by Lord J. RUSSELL, and read a first time. The noble lord gave notice that he would move the second reading on Monday fortnight. NATIONAL EDUCATION.—To a question by Mr. ADDER LEY, whether the Education Bill of last session would be re-introduced, or any measure brought forward by the government this session, on the subject of national educa tion generally, or specially for the establishment of pauper schools, Lord J. RUSSELL replied that it was not the inten tion of the government to introduce the bill of last session, but to wait and see what would be the effect of the mea sure to be introduced by the Lord Advocate. Cnuncu-RATEs.—Sir E. LACON asked whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's government to introduce any measure this session on the subject of church-rates ? Lord PALMERSTON said that they hoped to introduce some measure on this subject during the course of the session. LIMITED LIABILITY.—MP. COLLIER moved for leave to bring in a bill—first, to extend the jurisdiction of the Stannaries' Court of Cornwall to Devonshire ; secondly, to define and regulate the cost-book system of mining in Cornwall and Devon ; and, thirdly, to limit the liability of partners in cost-book mines, so that those which should have conformed to the provisions of the act might be enabled to borrow money upon the commandite principle, whereby the liability is limited to the extent of share in the concern.—The ATTORNEY-GENERAL admitted that the subject of limited liability was of great importance, and that thoquestion, though a difference of opinion existed regarding it, deserved discussion. Without, therefore, pledging the government, he thought the house ought to allow the bill to be, introduced.—Mr. W. BROWN was no convert to the principle of limited liabilities. This coun try owed much of its prosperity to the credit and honour of the British merchant, and that credit'would be greatly impaired if we were placed in the position of having a system of limited liability. He knew, from his own know ledge, that merchants who wished to have transactions with France and other foreign countries, were afraid to carry them out, from not being able to ascertain the posi tion in which parties stood as to liability. He thought that any gentleman who enjoyed the profits of a trade in time of prosperity would act dishonourably not to contri bute his share to the losses experienced in time of adver sity. In years of distress, such as 1845, it was highly probable that persons would have availed themselves of limited liability, if it had then been the law of the land, they would have sheltered themselves under the protec tion of such a law, and the country would to that extent have been injured. He was quite willing, however, to concede the principle in the case of mining concerns, rail roads, and large and speculative undertakings. In such instances it might be expedient to allow limited liability, but in each case he would have the parties come to parlia ment, and not place the responsibility on the shoulders of the Board of Trade.—Mr. CARDWELL wished to remind the house of the position in which this question of limited liability stood. On the recommendation of a committee of that house, a committee, consisting of eminent legal and commercial men, had been appointed to investigate this subject, and that commission was now engaged in careful inquiry. That very day he had been informed the Chamber of Commerce of Liverpool had been consulted by the commission, and he thought, therefore, it was obvious that in sanctioning the first reading of this local bill for Cornwall and Devon,the house was not passing an opinion, ay or no, on the greater question which was now under the consideration of a commission.—Leave was then given to bring in the bill. DISPATCH OP BusixEss.—On the motion of Sir J. PAKINGTON, a select committee was appointed to consider whether, by any alterations in the forms and proceedings of this house, the dispatch of public business could be more effectually promoted. PRACTICE OP MEDICINE.-311*. BRADY obtained leave to bring in a bill for the registration of qualified practi tioners, and for amending the law relating to the practice of medicine. THE IRISH BRIGADE. Mr. I. BUTT called attention to an article published in The Times, and to a previous publication in the Dublin Freeman's Journal, in which a trafficking in places was imputed to members of that house, as a breach of its pri vileges. He stated the substance of the charge, namely, that the patronage of the Crown had been sold by Irish members of that house, and he urged that the matter ought to be investigated, in order either that this tan dalous charge should be shown to be without foundation, or, if true, that the guilty parties should be punished. He moved that it be referred to a committee of privileges, to examine and report upon the allegations. Mr. J. O'CONNELL seconded the motion. Lord J. RUSSELL observed, that the house could not refuse to accede to the motion, out of regard to its own honour, the character of the government, and that of the Irish members involved in the sweeping denunciation. Mr. Lucia said, he heard the case mentioned by Dr. Gray at the Tuam banquet stated by him before, and believed it to be true. He had brought similar accusa tions, in a general way, himself; he believed them to be true, and it was, he said, utterly impossible for any gen tleman to take a part in political conversations in Ireland without hearing very frequently cases of this kind men tioned, on evidence which it was impossible to disbelieve. He hoped that the desire for inquiry into these two cases did not spring from a wish to cloak the fact that a system of corruption, by Whig ministers on one side and Irish members on the other, had, for a series of years, kept the former in power; and he protested against the result of this inquiry being taken as decisive of the general fact. Mr. T. BUNCOMBE observed that this inquiry could not be confined to Ireland, and he referred to the state ment on oath of a member of the house, in Chancery, in the case of " the York and North Midland Railway Com pany v. Hudson," that a sum of money had been expended in shares given to persons of influence connected with parliament, to secure their good offices in connexion with the operations of the company. The motion was then agreed to. The house adjourned at a quarter to eight o'clock. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8. Sir W. HEATIICOTE took the oaths and his seat for the University of Oxford. COASTING TRADE.—Mr. CARDWELL brought in his bill relative to the opening of the coasting trade, which was read a first time. bon FISRERIES.—The Irish Fisheries Bill was brought in by Mr. M`MAHON, and read the first time. THE RAILWAY KING.—Mr. HUDSON, referring to certain remarks made upon him on the preceding day, declared that he had never made, and never intended to make, any charge against any member of the House, and TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 185---' that the accusation was as malicious as it was untrue. His position in the transactions which were the subject of the suit was, he said, an unfortunate one ; morally right, he was yet held to be legally wrong. Although he had been the object of so much vituperation, he challenged any one to establish against him a single dishonourable act. He appealed to the great works he had assisted in carrying out, and to the valuable aid he had rendered to public bodies, who had tardily recognized the wisdom of a policy which he had recommended and they had refused ; and he confidently left it to posterity to do him justice. He did not disclaim a desire to attain wealth (which, legi timately sought, was no unworthy object of ambition) ; but he had rejected all irregular or discreditable means. The inquiry, he hoped, would, be prosecuted, and he was ready to submit his whole conduct to investigation from his very cradle. The - House sat for only about three-quarters of an hour THURSDAY, FEn 9. GUANO SUPPLY.—Colonel BLAIR gave notice that, on Tuesday, he should call the attention of the house to the guano supply. FRAUDULENT BILLS.—MT. GLADSTONE, in answer to a question, stated that his attention had been called to the embarrassment attending the present state of the law in regard to fictitious bills purporting to be drawn abroad. He was making inquiries on the subject, and he would be much disappointed if he was not able to make a proposal on the subject in the course of the present session. PREPARATIONS FOR WAR' TUE notes of preparation are heard on all ide* , a few weeks the Emperor of all the Russian' self everywhere face to face with an indignan that antagonist being little less than world. We need not refer to the reported from the oth.pr side of the will be only too read); to beat us in thk Our own army is immediately to be aug men. The navy afloat is already the mk possessed by England. Seamen are en) attracted partly by the improved condit' partly by the prospect of prize money at of the war. Coastguards are immediate] as a nucleus for the crews of the n; ships. They are admirably adapted for trained seamen, and the more necessary hands are apt to be slow to join a ra7 crew, in which there is plenty of hard w' of the most agreeable kind. By the I free—and the ice is already breaking fleet its waters ever bore will shut up northern outlet, as effectually as he is Black Sea. The command is, we he'll Sir Charles Napier, and under him we now Admiral Chads, of the Excellent, much to bring naval gunnery to its prese Times. TROOPS FOR TIIRKEY.—The followL regiments under orders for Constantin the dates at which they are directed to readiness to embark :- 4th (King's Own) 7th (Royal Fusileers) 9th 14th ...... . 17th .. .... 21st (Royal North British Fusilee 17th (Innskillings) 28th .. 35th 38th... ..... ........ ......... 39th 42nd (Royal Highlanders) 50th (Queen's Own) ...... 62nd 63rd 79th (Cameron Highlanders) 82nd 88th (Connaught Rangers) 89th 90th (Perthshire Light Infantry) .93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) . 95th • • • The following regiments will remain dom to do home duty : -The 34th, 20t1 77th, 91st, 12th, 19th, 23rd, and the R intended early in the ensuing month the ing of 30,000 English militia, shall be Chobham, or such other place as the gel of the army shall deem ft—Dublin H COAST GuAnn.—The preparations come every day of a more warlike cha came down on Monday for drafting on guard on board the various liiie-of-batti and at various other ports. This step naval service about 3,000 of the most effit men it could possibly receive—all of th( gunnery, and admirably adapted to fi crews for screw line-of-battle ships. Wig raised men can be brought into a stal ciency, 'and a powerful Baltic fleet may out the necessity of resorting to imp; Peter Fisher, R.N., has completed his port of men for the royal naval coast body is, however, eminently a home the protection of the coast in the even+ threatened, the men, by the conditions being allowed to be taken out of Brit leagues from the shore. They would be available directly for operations in Black Seas. The Hecla, 6, paddle-sloop, Master Col lington, is expected to be about six w' Sea, with the masters, second masters, going out to survey it. They proceed Cattegat and the adjacent portions of t Baltic. THr - BRITISH NAVY.—The Journt Monday week says :—" The extraordin which the British Admiralty is labouring ments of war in the English arsenals results which cannot fail to strike ev ever little accustomed to naval affairs. pass a week. in which it is not announced those formidable screw line-of-battle building a month ago, is launched, arm, her engines, and ready to weigh anchor the enemy. This is done with a rapidil incredible, and which is the surest evil of the naval power of England. The nations may oppose to that of Englan, armed as hers, supplied with officers an , skilful; but no other marine in the great a number of ships in so short a ti of always presenting itself, on every fie that superiority in numbers and of • whether warlike or mechanical, which tarn promise of victory, and which re: more certain the longer the contest is only one opinion amongst the present at the review of the British fleet, at Spithead last year, as to the inint screw line-of-battle ships over sailing v , fotrheiinrstfo a r n t e u e. n parative trial which they were both th en whelming- to the sailing vessels, althougl sented on that occasion by some of the ,- the old system that England ever a r ea w ße ere gen c t om a p n l d ete t l h y e eLociipnsdeoti by London, a 1 side of the Duke of Wellington and of they appeared like the relics of another structive to see what is the result of tin, the end of last August, England, besides ships, in which they had at first studii the properties of the screw, had only' line on that system—the Duke of We memnon, and the. Sanspareil. Since Admiralty has completely prepared fi, vessels-the Royal George, of 120 guns d'Acre, 101; the Princess Royal, 91; 91; ; and the Cressy, 81; and it has also incredible energy, the armament of six same kind ; the Royal Albert, of 121 gu' the Hannibal, 91; the Nile, 91; the the Algiers, 91, which will all be rea month of April. So that, in less than which three only have been months they will have armed eleven screw steam' line; and in the approaching spring Er eighteen steam-ships of war, without This will be incomparably the most form has ever appeared on the sea." It has been rumoured that three battalik if so many can be mustered, are to - whether to relieve the troops of the Malta, and Corfu, so as to send 1,500 farther up the Mediterranean, or to be d. Admiral Dundas's fleet, for the sacking uncertain. Her Majesty's ship Simoon, 18, screw, has, it is said, received directions to stab she can take on board without inconveni the Simoon can well accommodate 1,200 accoutrements and ready to take the fief, ship Vulcan, 6, screw, Commander Von Da a similar notice. We believe the Vulcan 950 comfortably. It is understood that Guards will embark on board the above- , frigates. i'he Peninsular and Oriental Compa paddle-wheel, there is no doubt, will con sion (1,500 men) en route to the theat Peninsular and Oriental Company's Himalaya, it is calculated, will take 3,000. screw-ship Manilla will take 500. The General Screw Company's fine new Golden Fleece, ready to gq to Australia, from her route, and will be fitted at once The Messrs. Green, it is stated, have 6,000 to be employed in her Majesty's sere= their ships will take out 1,000 horses There are also other ships ready to Government. —Morning Herald. The Times of yesterday says :—The chartered the following steamers From the General Screw Steamship Company' • Tonnage. 1 10.6 0 0 The Golden Fleece ... 2,500 ... 00 0 The Jason ... 2,500 ... The Cape of Good Hope ... 700 ... IQ° The Propontis ... 600 From the Peninsular and Oriental Company e .'' Tonnage. .1 1 °'60 3,500 ... 7 40 0 650 ... 900 ... The Himalaya The Manilla The Ripon ... From the Cunard Company The Cambria The Niagara From the Australian Company : The Victoria. From the Irish companies it is stated by 3 ` 1 , 1 :4' Hartley that three or f our s t eamers can be obtc if e ' of transport service. The G enera l S crew C om panY v 6 received notice to hold at the disposal of the 0 w °„,.115 the following ships of th e i r fl ee t, now on their `' o or Tons. Horto The Queen of the South ... 1,850 The Hydaspes ... 1,850 ,2,0 I The Harbinger . 921 tol ) !J, From the ports of Londo n , Li ver p oo l, Southan 3 r l t ° o7 o, Glasgow, a further su ppl y o f s t eamers can be F. &at, any extent that may b e requ i re d, b u t a t resent' „ i ir ,btf reluctance to interrupt th e regu l ar transit v of :0 0' mails, and the abo v e enumera ti on mere ly coxoP ll yl ships that can at the moment be spared. 0 1 9 On Saturday arran g e men t s were en tered in t o Cunard Company to place at the disposal of tx° c fay the fine paddle-steamers Cambria and Niagar,ad conveyance of troops to the East. We u nds i s .e 'ye il t they will each be fitted to carry 1,000 men. '. l - e j was advertised to take the mails to Boston, VoLd 1) 1 / 1 on Saturday next, but her place will be supPin;oo,',o screw steamer Alps. The withdrawal of these f i ';'," the Cunard line of mail steamers will not affect despatch of the mails and goods. f CY MR. ROBERT-CLIVE, (late M.P. for Ludlov/wo Wednesday' elected to represent the southern top Shropshire in Parliament. There was no 00° 5 eefot A MONSTER CONCERT was given yesterdaY It Herr Sommers, in the Dublin Crystal Palace' attended by upwards of 14,000 persons. ur v A il ; tt 4 7 THE YOUNG PRINCESS of Asturias, the (Nagel child of the Queen of Spain, is dangerouslYill'Thie s' would once more open the succession to the Montp ensier. tk' d , °I'S" THE NEW STEAM- SHIP H IMALAYA , it is — sts o- 0 ' one day, during her passage from Gibraltar . miles. Her passage to Gibraltar occupied ei T o t AN INFANT has been destroyed at Dublin , lei cradle, by rats. One half of the inside of ._ iw the 1000 0 was eaten away, and the right a r m was fright e lo' evidently by rats. The f ace was a l so torn. .•"'" been sleeping in the room, 1 titiosnsiasallwsinidest eL017., ndignant an tt're,e,,;.' i the whole . 'ere --`. e vast P 141 se l' v ell e ' channel ; for „A 1.1 1 the race of b,7,1 tek t 'mi augmented II Pr ; i tk ed fill ri a, i ', :3 most power , 14. coming in 0 • t:l es s Idition Of the : , ; 1 c ola 1 ( rat the tiresl'ibl ''' ately to be enLj litti„ l ''L newly-con:o'A bk of Or this purpcoe,rii i: a k i 's 0 essary now, s t ,i 14 1 , 1 ' ger raw and inces biab_gbrat LI work, ant c1.....tir c.;..efl t< ie time the Dn' -'4gBo g up—the 5i1'10i,,11051,;. p the Russiall; ileorx. is now closedgro ;n a 1 elieve, to be ,) wi ,.s of re shall have : 0 le t , a , e :nt, who has cl`. o il l zas a , Present Per h e lllst 4 4 , I,4Dit*: swing • lisl e . - ng is s ol '. 1 i pPe . .- inople, togs - 3 4 04 r 1,7 Pik to hold therase'' meri,,, L Ollt 22nd ..ga P4ls4. a$ 25th ' i I t tett: 6th s Rug , " 3rd 0,. a tit -. 4th ° 4l t p aoi leers) 15th ' t,L4tb, •• - • • G4IAAZ, - • • . • . :::::: 310t8t1112 " 'I f7 : ee°' ,l. l ' • • •• 7th ° f tth 'III 29th o 80:(Iir 16th ° fklii: i g 271tsth ; 1 ;o„, 5 41 11 ° Y) s lit --- 21st ° lit r,,N ••• i - ' e • ;in the nite', dpi oth, 97th, 4fitv, 3 t 4: 'oh o Rifle Brigade. 4t ,r ofl that a canW,,cto I lk l'''ivi be formed camper t rou general in co" klils, Evening Mall. Itk,t‘S. s at Portsolo L".-Ntet.4a character. . 41 ' k iDe r t il one-half of the kftt y tttle ships fittist iti,A ti step wil ad?) preta; efficient ands`: kkillts them well trn l l , • tql,coff., 1 form then u l; yer„ With them thex ,‘,D,41 state of coralk hi i r w a ay be organise(' 1/41,gi, a p ress ment• 0 k a rtoi: hi s enrolment , /4 4d of i ast volunteell'ej 74 er l i , b ie force, desig i3 te,,Atet mt of invasloS i , ti, - i 7s o f es of enrol a' of NI; Iritish waters, '''' oa a , ld not, .conseil A c e l in the t.l , tic °I ' ''''ll 04 1 ' pi )I ° 'Llec,' Commander ',,‘ 14 . st ar E weeks in the 4 ° ~,,,, . si s, and pilots n''' C tra t a in particu taie lar - . f the entrance tiaa; n 'lOO t i:p Wa , rnal des ,e t_ls;' 'dinary actir-iii - j7 . ,, 1 a ring to produce ~ ; l ei `" k ;as begins to 1,, ti l er h et every observer,' ~e t na Lir& There a°7 o l 'tt aced that SOroe ir t ; 41 e ships, 1 010,, ktt • e d , at rmed, and tr, ~, iLtalli,,, or and to sa? f L ie v s - dity which P. aithrq vidence of the ' 94 0. 7he marines of N o . tr ;land vesgls 0 V e T i t ; and seamen le A titto t 3 world can , t : ti l t: time, and bete "ISe field of bat: kt li j„D aye 1.. , r maritime clt 0; eh is the shoes; of renders it roe' , a , 4 continues. ~INtro'' ) officers ic° 'l2ll eet, which toot,b4 tik 1, imense superior", kitt4lstle(i vessels. Tile hen put t,o was ug,h they were ~ the finest the 4 i armed the r iI‘CT T. These, ho • A 044 ,unate rivals..'' Itti te• of the A: , 0 ; ,:. N ee , [er age ; and it s 1 4 °' the experiment': .4)4l't sides the four , to ho an , tidied the Ener:ob 'NI 1 3" three shit , leN VVellington, t'"", ,i 4ll lda ace that tiln; 7 te r , fi ve others 0 ' er e '' w guns ; the St; i f 11 N4 1 ; the James )] v m iii i t ' i, "l l - 1 :ismo.pusoubte:o7 tIDo r other vessels" krill C ' I glans ; the - ; u, 1 , 6, ready for O A ., h . o h 11 seven reoin";o4 N. sof great of ilarrt steam-vessels,, 10 England Fib it counting fn ortil) Ormidable s ee ds t klt N il :, Lttalions o f x," ~ .cta ' - ' proceed ft" p ,!tf; a line at G'" ' ' O 4 )0 men of tl_ i .f . ',IA:: distributed aiP;A , 'li •l ng of Sebaste 4 r l t. t l 1 1 l\r a a w, Captain 1 4. , : L 'q , %t il ; :ate how 'nary/ NV enience. We„pe;' poll DO men, with u1:,,,1 i t ltr e , field. Her )1al„1 ;i4F, a Dollop, has ell 1; I can can accorro,loo6 1,1 at the hattall t i L't -e-named seres'' )0, 4 .4 ri. NI. IPany'S Shil ) , 410 Lt.„.14 ':onve the fir s , ieatre of Wl if ,'‘ 4 4 i:cc; is iron scce-.f elq, 1•000, and t he 0 4) *4( new iron sere,- 4,4, ia, will be u):;/. 1,,"4 ace for 2,000" V: kl ',OOO tons o f n9i k , rvice, and 11 0 4 kt: u l to Constau , kt,i't D be offered t V i 4 ql: ie Governio -a 0 DEFEAT OF MINISTERS. Mr. T. CKAMBERS moved for a select committee to in vestigate the claims of Yuille, Shortridge, and Co. against the Portuguese government for compensation for losses incurred by them through breach of treaty. He detailed the circumstances under which the firm in question (British subjects), who had formed an establishment at Madeira, and carried on their business on that island, upon the faith of the treaty of 1654, asked the interposi tion of the House to enable them to obtain redress for wrongs which they alleged they had suffered under colour of judicial proceedings in Portuguese tribunals. Mr. HORSFALL seconded the motion, observing that the question was one of considerable commercial interest. A very clear case of breach of treaty had been established against Portugal, and the injury and inconvenience which would result to British merchants in their dealings in that country would be very great if such things were allowed to pass without comment. There was no country in Europe which had received greater benefits from Eng land than Portugal, and no country had requited them with greater ingratitude. She had received nearly three millions from this country to engage their co-operation in the suppression of the slave trade, and yet there was reason to suspect that she was herself engaged in the infamous traffic. Lord J. RUSSELL, without justifying the conduct of the Portuguese Government, still less its tribunals, observed that, if the course proposed by Mr. Chambers were adopted, a precedent would be set for a course of proceed ing different from the ordinary modes in which these cases were reviewed and adjusted, and which would im pose upon Parliament a very inconvenient and almost impracticable task. He must therefore oppose the motion. On a division the numbers were For the motion ... 128 Against it ... 76 Majority against Ministers ... —52 LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S POSITION.-Mr. CAYLEY moved for a select committee to consider the duties of the member leading the Government in that House, and the expediency of attaching office and salary thereto. Sir C. WOOD said theleadership of the House was generally held in conjunction with some high office of the Govern ment, and it was not consonant with constitutional prin ciples to affix a salary to the discharge of the former functions. He hoped the House would reject the motion. Mr. WALPOLE took occasion to suggest, as a constitu tional question, thht the peculiar and almost unprece dented position of Lord J. Russell as the organ of the Government in that house, without any official responsi bility other than that of being a Privy Councillor (which was imperfect), was inconvenient, if the precedent should be followed, since the country would be debarred from knowing who were the responsible advisers of the Crown, for he could conceive cases in which advice might be given and adopted when the real adviser was in the background. Lord J. RUSSELL briefly replied to the objection suggested by Mr. Walpole. Mr. CAYLEY withdrew his motion, and the House adjourned at a quarter to 8 o'clock. FRIDAY, FEB. 10. In reply to a question, Lord J. RUSSELL explained the considerations which had led the commanders of the allied fleets to return from Sinope to Constantinople ; adding, that he believed the conduct of the admirals would be found to have deserved the approbation of their governments. REFORM AND WAR.—To a question from Lord JOCELYN whether, in the disturbed state of our foreign relations, it is the intention of the government to recommend to the House to proceed with the measure for amending the representation of the people, Lord J. RUSSELL replied; that he did intend to ask on Monday for leave to bring in a bill to amend the representation of the people, and, if successful, to proceed further with the measure on the 13th of March, so that there should be no interruption to the discussion of the naval and military estimates. THE OPPOSITIOR.—Mr. DISRA.ELI said he and his friends thought that this was not the period when domestic agitation should be encouraged, and the energies of the country diverted from the perilous condition of emternal affairs, and that the course meditated by the noble lord was a reckless one ; but they did not intend to offer any resistance to the motion on Monday fur leave to bring in a bill, considering that the attention of the House ought to be directed to the means by which the impending war could be carried on effectually ; but, if they should be asked to consent to a second reading of the bill, there would be no further reserve on their part. BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION. Lord J. RUSSELL moved for leave to bring in two bills —one to consolidate and amend the laws relating to bribery, treating, and undue influence at elections of members of Parliament ; another to amend the law for the trial of election petitions, and for inquiring into the existence of corrupt practices at elections of members to serve in Parliament. He stated the general nature of the existing statutes upon the subject, and then proceeded to explain the leading features of the two bills. After read ing the definitions of the offences of treating and undue influence which he proposed to enact, he said, that instead of keeping up the high pecuniary penalties for the offence of bribery, he proposed, as a more effectual check to these practices, to disqualify the party seeking by such means to obtain a seat, and to deprive the corrupt voter of his vote. He proposed that a person guilty of bribery should be for ever incapable of being elected a member of Parlia ment, and that the name of a voter accepting a bribe should be struck out of the register of voters. With re gard to the second bill, he observed that the fault of the existing law consisted in its casting the onus upon private parties, which caused a frequent failure of justice through the inability of opponents to stand the litigation, delay and expense. He proposed, therefore, that petitions alleging that bribery, treating, corrupt practices, or undue influence had been used at an election to procure a return should go to a preliminary committee, in the nature of a grand jury, who should hear evidence on the part of the petitioners, and, if satisfied that there was a sufficient case to go to an election committee, on their report to that effect to the house an election committee should be appointed in the ordinary course, which should investigate the case ; and, if they found that the petition had been based upon probable grounds, the costs should be defrayed at the public expense, but if there was no such ground, then that the petitioner should pay the expenses of the sitting member. Beyond this he proposed that where bribery and corrupt practices had been used during an election, the election committee should have power to re turn the candidate who had on the poll two-thirds of the number of the successful candidate. Further, that when ever an election committee reported that bribery had ex tensively prevailed in any borough, without an address to the Crown, the Speaker should communicate the report to the Home Secretary, and that the Crown should then have power to issue a commission, and to nominate the commissioners. The bill could contain a very consi derable alteration with respect to election committees. There was reason to complain, he thought, of a want of uniformity in the decisions of these tribunals, and of a de ficiency of legal knowledge on their part, and, in order to remedy these defects, he proposed that, on the dissolution of parliament, the crown should have power to appoint barristers of ten years' standing as assessors to election committees. Finally, in regard to prosecution for bribery, he proposed that when a committee reported that any in dividual had been guilty of that offence, upon a commu nication from the Speaker, the Attorney-General should be empowered to .commence a prosecution against the party. Mr. M. GII3SON considered that there was but one remedy for intimidation—namely, the ballot, and that all attempts to deal with undue influence by acts of parlia ment would be ineffectual. Sir F. KELLY spoke in favour of the measures, which Colonel SIBTILORP opposed. After some further discussion, leave was given to bring in the bills. LAW OF SETTLEMENT. Mr. BAINES, in moving for leave to bring in a bill to amend the laws relating to the settlement, removal, and chargeability of the poor, explained briefly the substance of the present law of settlement and removal, the manner in which it operated, and how the area of chargeability was regulated; and he showed the effects of the existing law, especially upon the productive industry of the coun try, and upon the character and residence of the labourers. He insisted upon the hardship of compulsory removal--a necessary incident of the law of settlement. The immense amount of money wasted in those removals—squandered in legislation —was a serious evil. The only real and ef fectual remedy for this state of things—a remedy recom mended by the committee of 1847—was to take away the power of compulsory removal, and the Government pro posed in the bill he sought to introduce to prohibit such removal. The next point was the area of chargeability, which, under the present law, was the parish, and parishes varied from 55,000 acres to five acres. The committee of 1847 suggested that unions under the Poor Law Amend ment Act should be substituted for parishes. To a national rate he had an insuperable aversion, since it must lead to fraud and jobbery, waste and carelessness, promote the growth of pauperism, and sacrifice the advantage of local self-government. The bill would, therefore, establish unions as the areas of chargeability, instead of parishes; the manner in which the contribution should be made (which he proposed to equalize in ten years) was a matter of detail. It was not intended to make any alteration in the rating of parishes not included in any union ; and that the principle of the bill was limited to the removabi lity of persons on the ground of settlement in England and Wales. In the course of the discussion which ensued, Mr. HENLEY characterised the measure as a confiscation of a large portion of the property of the country, and com plained of a union rating, as in some cases, where the union district was large, weakening the controul of the ratepayers. After some further discussion leave was given to bring in the bill. IRrsK Tovnrs.---Sir J. YOUNG obtained leave to bring in a bill to make better provision for the paving, lighting, and rating of towns in Ireland. The House adjourned at a quarter to one O'clQtko