The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-08 00:00:00

nerciat *aitg. THIS DAY 00 Tons rnyrna VALONIA, °kers' off EN, JUN. & CO., Brokers , Oldhall-street, COFFEE, 3ROWNE, & CO., Brokers, r o-M 0 R R 0 W at Twelve o'clock, TALLOW 3IGLAND, SONS & JEFFREYS, Brokers at Twelve o'clock, Old hall-street, ty SAPAN WOOD, Bombay, anc in Buchanan's, Oldhall.street.— AN, BROWNE & CO., Brokers rig No. 7, Albert Ware TONE ' RZSERJEANTSON, Brokers tnt, at Twelve o'clock 4} g, O►u.. street, St. Domingo LOGWOOD, ,ne, from Boston, south side Waterloo GUSON, PILLANS & CO., Brokers. lURSDAY nstant, at Twelve o'clock, 1, Temple-court, .okers office, - - 315 Barrels } 1854 CURRANTS, ex various steamers Io Cases 23 Barrels Llpar 0 Cages Ned 0 Drums Sal xes Layer IGS, ex 2000 Box rious steamers, TANA% ex Toneriffe, DITTO, ex various steamers, 33 Casks A auded ex Alma, in ,ses.—For furl Apply to DITTO Persian SU Jordan ALMOIS ases 1 Turk 100 Baskets Naples DITTO, ex Arno, 10 Cases Bottles French PLUMS, 106 Barrels 95 Keg . I Black RAISINS, ex Parliament, 3 Bales Soft SHELL ALMONDS. ly to BOUGHT 3N & LEVY, Brokers nt, at Twe, 'e o'clock, P3l Bags just arrived ex Harold, west side Prince's Dock.—Apply to Messrs Thomas and John Brocklebank, Merchants, or to T. & H. LITTLEDALE. & CO.. Brokers. FRIDAY On FRIDAY next, t' at Twelve o'clock, t the Brokers' office, 1310 Bales JUTE, now landTng ex Harold, west side Prince's Dock.—Apply to Messrs. Thomas and John Brocklehank, Merchants, or to T. & H, LITTLED.A.LE St CO., Brokers. On WBD NEXT WEEK WEDNESDAY. us' ant, at Twelve o'clock, at the Public saleroom, Exchange-buildings, 995 Bales GAMBIER, 804 Big's SAGO FLOUR, 869 Bags ' Bombay MADDER ROOTS, ITI'LEDALE & CO-113rokers. ags SALTPETRE ) Cases CASTOR Oli essrs. Thomas and John & CO., Brokers, Si DAY a tale,. lc Harold, f NEGA Always on Sale, b NORTH WILTSH THE ANNT DAILY TIMES at the Br 2,500 Bales WOOL es saleroom, & CO., Wool Brokers SAUCES, JAMS, &c., Y & C0.,.35, South John-street, E FOR EXPORT E, LE, and 0 CHgESE, 011 AS, 35, North John.street, ro THE NORTHERN INEAS pF, ANNUM EVENING EDITION o f Afternoon, !sr An Erenin TIMES is now Publi containing Day, up tc the ;Ira ro cV.LII.I ° NORTHERN DAILY t Three o'clock, News of the ”T'SPONDENTS pras taken in September last lathrm TUESL ERTAIN ci al is al charac trim Should t that, before a six Etra 1 JANUARY 8, 1856 have been made, of a indicate serious finan- cution of the war. It has 1,000,000/. will be applied 3nths /. will I lbling of Parliament. et, it is very probable i has passed, an 1. T' on will, therefore, be exceed ingly onerous, and it is time that our Legislators and the public should look carefully into our real fiscal financia l business of the condition. T Reven Ist instant are unusuall increase for they( with 1854. Such a result but was never more unexpec the Returns, ho er, we get a clear insight into the practical operation, or direct effects, which commercial embarrassments and usurious rates of interest have ui on the Revenue During the quarter en ling the 31st of March, 1854, trad 1, and the rates of dis count rulin g the income amounted to 11,232,44 During tho quarter ending the 30th of June, discounts were easier, and to 15,074,0871. From June to Aug, ) change in the interest of venue paid for the quarter r, reached 15,507,341/.; but, mone ending 3 in the last quarte 31st of December accommodation hl tricted, it receded again to 11,510,726/ In the a disposition hown towa bleed to 4,3. per c nted to and the income 31st of March, amounted In April the rate of discount was Ind in May to 4 per cent., luarter ending 30th June, In June the rates cent., and he 30th of Septem sented the unprece- And, now, mark circulation, and t to the panic point ember, the rates o and, again month, to 41 per cent. cal quarter o to 51_ and 6 per hreo month 3nding the 3nly amounted to 14,832 mpared with the previous Id be obtained on fa 2,590,261/. ! The decreas le year, as compared with ceding three months, Customs, and Property 1 ber, the dentect amou the effect of advancing the rates As e disco on the 14th of the and sub , ar j us quarter, Ns commercial to ast qu for t occurred in the ,Esc: g be in th Returns published on the instructive. They show an 8,133,3961., as compared highly encouraging, 1. On analyzing NORTHERN DAILY TIMES.-LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1856. ITax, all of which may be taken as fairly repre senting the commercial condition of the country. Now, our object in going thus minutely into this subject, is to show there are fixed laws to which all our financial operations must succumb ; and we do not hesitate to assert, that if the present rates of interest are continued, the Revenue for the Ist quarter of 1856, will very little exceed 11,000,0001., or the sum received for the corresponding period of 1854. After expending within the year 64,457,993 K., there was a deficiency of 3,879,7501. to be made up by an issue of Exchequer Bills to pay dividends and other charges " payable on the "quarter ending the 31st of March, 1856;" and this, after the 16,000,000/Joan had been received and ac counted for. The Returns before us give the fiscal receipts for the year, but only give the disburse ments for the quarter ; yet, when we add to the amount of revenue received under specific heads, namely . , 64,457,9931., the loan of 16,000,0001, it gives a gross amount of 80,457,993/ leaving us debtor to the current quarter 3,879,7501. This being something near our position at present, and seeing the Exchequer must be largely replenished, no matter whether we continue the war or return to peace, it is just possible that the Bank of England may again advance their rates of interest. There are few more plausible reasons to be assigned for such a step in these days when gold, and not patriotism and loyalty, rules the roast. But, will Her MAJESTY'S Ministers and the Legis lature take no heed of the salutary lesson which may be learned from the Returns before us ? Will they always treat with contempt and throw aside practical illustrations, for theories and crotchets ? Will they reiterate the assurance given by Mi.c.kuLav that BENTHAM'S defence of usury has set that subject at rest for ever, while its effects are so unmistakeably shown on the face of every statistic they issue in connection with trade, com merce, industry, and Revenue ? We have shown that during a season of relaxa tion in the rates of discount, the Revenue progressed steadily from 11,000,0001. to 17,000,0001., and 'at the moment a panic point was at tained the Revenue recoiled again with a rapidity perfectly astounding, considering the vast addi tions made to taxation within the year. If the war is to be carried on with anything like greater vigour than it was during the past twelve months, more money will be required ; and when the Government do ask for a loan, it will be better for all parties concerned, if they state at once the amount they will require to carry them through the fiscal year. Whatever is wanted for the defence of the country must be supplied ; and the public knowing this, will submit to the infliction without a murmur, and the depression will be much less than if they are kept in constant antici pation of further advances being required. But it has become a question whether another 10,000,0001. even can be taken from the Money Market without producing a crisis. If the Bank of England resort to further restrictions and raise the rates of interest another one per cent. by the way of facilitating the operations of the CHANCELLOR of theExcHEonEa, what then is to become of trade, and what estimate of Revenue for 1850 will Sir G. CORNEWALL LEWIS venture to lay before Parlia ment ? If current rumour is to be believed, a terrific exhaustion of the precious metals has been going on without interruption from the Ist of January, 1848, up to the present time. We have not yet heard, on any reliable authority, what we have really lost, and what has become of the large quantities of gold which have reached this country since the date above specified. A little wholesome agitation may clear up the matter ; but unless a few millions of bullion can be thrown into the vaults of the Bank to sustain public confidence, sonic other scheme must be devised than that of increasing taxation, and raising loans from a country with a contracted and diminishing circu lation, and usury eating up profits and property. MACAULAY, after a lapse of ten years, has pro duced the third and fourth volumes of his history of England. History of England did we say? If so we merely repeated the title given to a long catalogue of the sources from whence all our former historians drew the facts which gave tone to their lucubrations. Every history of Great Britain was written under the immediate eye of a sovereign or by the pampered favorites of a Court party ; but we never had until now the sacredness of this great work entrusted to a partisan who voluntarily attached himself to a defunct political faction. It would be impossible within the limits of an article such as the present, to quote from Mr. MACAULAY'S recently published volumes to prove the accuracy of what we say. It is enough that the public hold in their hands many thousand copies of his work, to which they can turn if they doubt the reasonableness of our strictures. The province of the historian is to search diligently after truth, and to eschew every thing like giving a false colouring to the motives of party, or those of the individuals he may drag from the depths of by gone ages, or the silence of the more recently closed grave. If the writer attempts to throw the majesty of self over the character of those whose conduct he undertakes to record, he should do so simply as a philosopher, and not attempt to measure the virtues, or vices, of the earlier stages of human existence by the purity of the modern presbytery, or an established church or political party, whose whole career has been one of unchequered failure. As a Whig historian Mr. MACAULAY has been at particular pains to bring to light every little anecdote, incident, and perversion of reason, which have lain dormant for centuries among the manuscripts, pamphlets, and passing notices of cotemporaneous writers of higher pretensions, and more universally recognised worth. The writer has, therefore, presented to the world, a picture of the party whose cause he has espoused, for the most part, in a painful light, and but rarely records an instance of the triumphs gained by their opponents' political virtue, or any other moral means. With him, WiLia,tm was the beau 'Heal of monarchs ; JAMES 11., the naval hero of England, the most weak and wicked of princes ; the Irish nation cowards and runaways, and their leaders, not forgetting SCARSFIELD, the most con temptible of beings ! His pictures of the political and social conditions of England, Ireland, and Scotland, entitle our Author to the name of Cos mopolite, since he paints all with the same brush, and in the same black and revolting colours. Yet the political and sectarian animus of the man is there ; and MACAULAY rises triumphant in platitudes, and well turned perorations, and what in others would be disgusting, from him tickles the literary palate of the age, and passes into the popular paunch, but without touching the mind of the reader, by the cool and reflective wisdom of the historian. Few can regret, more than ourselves, that at an epoch such as the present, when men's minds are fixed on a search after truth, and the attainment of more solid information of the past whereby they may be enabled to judge of the policy of the present day, and to guide them in futurity, we should have thousands of volumes filled with garbled state. ments of the leading incidents of the most impor tant periods, and with the fulsome adulation of what Mr. MACAULAY thinks deserving of praise, put into the hands of the public. No man will pretend to question the brilliancy of Mr. MAcAuLsv's style of composition ; no one will dispute his eloquence, his untiring industry, and depth of research; but we put it to any of his cool and dispassionate readers, whether he deals honestly and impartially with the leading incidents in the history of England ? The his torical writers who had gone before him, having exhausted all the recognised archives and official sources of information, he was driven to the shelves of the British Museum, for the opinions of men who had embodied their thoughts in sonnets, and who sang the praise of faction, just as Mr. COBDEN would deal with the resources and general condition of Russia, and Mr. BRIGHT with the question of peace or war ! And, hence, we have, in Mr. MecAuLAv's :volumes, an endless succession of spirited panegyrics, gorgeous eulogiums, bitter rebukes, and an indelible trace of the maw-worm ; but nothing really of history, that was not known before, except the revival of forgotten anecdotes, and a redundance of small proofs, to confirm generally admitted matters of fact. With all this we should not feel disposed to quarrel, had Mr. MACAULAY kept his temper, and tuned the torrent of his pen to the wants and taste of his times. History is the leading rudiment in the education of a nation ; and all it should contain is a simple narrative of facts, strung together so as to enable the reader to draw clear and impartial inferences on every subject brought before him. The people of this country do not want to be alt BABINGTON MACAULAY'S. Those who advocate popular education, look upon it as the great meansby which the divisions and abor tions of society may be removed, and the people of these islands brought to think, reason, and act as one nation having a common destiny. We view, therefore, all that appertains to the education of the people with the utmost jealousy, and we cannot help lamenting that, at the commencement of the great and sacred task, the Whigs should have thrust on the country their own champions and partizan views of great historical events, which, from being unique as a piece of composition, and possessing all the characteristics of a master pen, are rendered more luscious to the palate, and, therefore, more dangerous to the cause of solid enlightenment. Were Mr. MAOAULAY'S history of England to be universally employed as a standard educational work in this country, every school-room would become a battle ground, every library the arena of violent discussion, and where English, Irish and Scotch-men met together, they would be ready to fasten on each other like so many bulldogs, or tigers, wolves, and vultures falling upon their natural enemy, or their ordinary prey. Each of the belligerents might cite MACAULAY in justifica tion of striking the first blow, and drawing the first blood ! Had our Author confined himself to writing historical essays, all his partisan vociferc cities and anathematical exuberance would have been pardonable enough ; but where a man ventures to give a factious colouring to history, which, though a temporal record, should, never theless, be the Gospel of a nation, he does an irreparable injury to society, and exposes all those who come after him to the charge of being the emissaries of darkness and discord, instead of the precursors of enlightenment and mutual goodwill among Luankind. THE COURT WINDSOR, JAN. 6.—The Queen and Prince, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, Prince Alfred, and the Duchess of Kent, the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, and the domestic household, attended Divine Service this morning in the Private Chapel of the Castle, The Hon. and Very Rev. the Dean of Windsor performed the service, SIR Jas. PARKS.-It is now stated that this estimable gentleman, will on his accession to the peerage, take the title of Baron Wensleydale, of Wensleydale, in the county of York. TUE WAR COUNCIL IN PARIS.—The representatives of England at the Military Council to be held at Paris, viz., the Duke of Cambridge, Sir E. Lyons, Sir R. Airey, Sir H. Jones, and Admiral Dundas, leave town this day for the French metropolis. A statement :has been very extensively circulated, to the effect that a violent attack had been made by a number of the men of the Crimean army on the quarters of the correspondent of our " leading " morning cotemporary, in consequence of his statement as to the prevalence of drunkenness among the soldiers. We deem it but justice to the troops, whose discipline and good conduct are thus impugned, to state that we are in possession of positive testimony which shows the entire untruth of the statement in question. MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS.—On Saturday evening sum monses were issued from the Foreign-office, for a meeting of the members of the Cabinet on Friday next, at two o'clock. The Earl of Clarendon, who has been detained in town by the urgency of public business since Thursday last, left the Foreign -office on Saturday evening, to join the Countess and family at the Grove, near Watford. The noble Earl returned to the metropolis yesterday. Sir Charles Wood will be unable to absent himself from town, from the amount of public duty he has to discharge in his department of the government. Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons had an interview with the First Lord on Saturday at the Admiralty. The Marquis of Lans downe will continue a fortnight longer at Bowood, to receive company. when he will return to town, to assist in the Councils of the Ministry. Sir George Grey, whose accident while out hunting with the Berkshire hounds has previously been announced, is going on very favourably. The right hon. baronet has determined to remain in town for the season. The Earl of Harrowby left town on Saturday. Lord Panmure, the Lord Chancellor, the Right Hon. M. T. Baines, and Lord Stanley, of Alderley, remain in town. ILLNESS OF LORD ADOLPRUS FITZCLARENCE.—We regret to learn that Rear-Admiral Lord Adolphus Fitz. Clarence is in a very critical state, arising from a relapse of gout, from a stubborn attack of which the noble and gallant admiral had been suffering for the last three weeks. Or. Friday morning he was assailed by the most serious symptom s , an d th e greatest f ears were enter tained when the members of his lordship's family learnt from the medical attendants that their patient was seized with gout in the head. Lady Mary Fox and Lady Augusta Gordon Hallyburton have since that day been iu constant attendance on their brother, and Viscount and Viscountess Falkland came to town on Friday night from their seat in Yorkshire, and have continued with the other members of the family who are attending the sick chamber of his lordship. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge called at midnight on Friday, and has called personally daily at his lordship's residence in St. James's Palace. Her Majesty and his Royal High ness Prince Albert sent by telegraph on Sunday morning to learn the condition of his lordship ; and the Duchess of Gloucester and the other members of the royal family have made anxious inquiries after the gallant sufferer. About three o'clock on Saturday morning a decided change for the better took place, and Lord Adolphus continued slightly improved, and his medical advisers held out hopes of his lordship's ultimate recovery, although it could not be said he was out of danger, MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL. LIVERPOOL, MONDAY EVE NING, There has been but a small business done in Cotton to day, and prices must be quoted hd. per pound. lower than on Friday. The. supplies con tinue in excess of the demand. The sales reach 6000 bales, and include 1000 for speculation and export. The Liverpool Share Market opened with a dull and drooping appearance, and after a day of com plete inactivity, the market suddenly gave way, with Consols, at the close, leaving off at the worst : - Aberdeen, 11 111. Chester and Birkenhead, 13* 131. Caledonian, 261 27. Ches. ter and Holyhead, 111 Eastern Counties, 8 9-16 Ba. East Lancashire, 17 5-16 17 7-16. Great Northern, 22 221. Ditto A, 9* 91. Great Western, 511 52. Lancashire and Yorkshire Stock, 76* 761. Liverpool, Crosby. and Southport, 134- 14. Lon don and North Western Stock, 934 931. Manches ter, Sheffield and Lincoln, 23* 23*. Ditto Prefer ence, 13* 131. Ditto New 6 per cent Pref., 7-16 „Ip• Midland Stock, 63 631. North British, 7 78• North Staffordshire, 81 81d. South Eastern , 16 15-16 17. York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 161- 161. York and North Midland, 22* 221 Dutch Rhenish , Id. Great Western of Canada, 241 241 • Ditto New/ Shares, 28 2', 1 ,p. Great Luxembour 101 10 d. The London Stock Market continues to fall A further reduction of 2 to 1 per cent has been established to-day, in addition to the fall of about 12 per cent recorded last week. The closing prices were 8O to 861. Government continues to supply stock upon a market already weakened by an out standing speculation for higher prices. At the same time, no new fact is adduced confirmatory of the hopes of peace, upon which this speculation was formerly founded. Meanwhile, we are approaching the period when the governments of England and France are expected to appear again as large borrowers. On the other hand, a favourable influence may be exercised by the dividend payments, which will commence on Wed nesday next. In the discount market to-clay there was a better supply of money, but the late rates are maintained. At Paris to-day, the French funds experienced a further fall soon after the com mencement of business, but a rally subse quently took place, and the closing quotations of the three per cents were I t to per cent above those of Saturday. The Railway Share market was prejudiced to-day by the con tinued fall of Consols-The following were the closing quotations :-Caledonian, 531 54. East ern Counties, 85-16 89 16. East Lancashire, 691 701. Great Northern, 871 88. Ditto A, 721 731. Great Western, 52* 53. Lancashire and Yorkshire, 768 761 Leeds Northern, 12a. London and North Western, 93 931. Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 23/ 231 Midland Stock, 638 63*. North British, 28.2 291. South Eastern and Dover, 56* 56.1. York, Newcastle and Berwick, 662 67*. York and North Midland, 442 45. The committee of Mexican bondholders have advices from Mr. Whitehead, dated Mexico, the 3rd ult. The political state of the country still leaves a good deal to be desired. The rumour that Mata moros had been taken by Carbajal is probably un founded, bnt Tampico, where General Traconis corn. mands, was besieged by General Garza, although both profess obedience to the Central Government. For want of hard dollars the agents of the bond holders there were consequently unable to remit about 9,000 dols , which they had in hand. The Tyne, however, brings 60,000 dols. from Vera Cruz for the dividend, and the committee have advices of the shipment of 971 dols from Guaymas, and of 8002 dols from Mazatlan by her Majesty's ship Brisk. In reference to the debt of Ecuador, we have received the following communication :—The com mission of agency have this day received a further remittance, on account of the dividend fund, in bills for 43501., making the total amount received to this date 83171. 14s. Accounts from Lisbon state that the financial condition of Portugal was improving considerably, and the quotation of the public funds on the Bourse were at no period of the past year higher than they were at its close. The policy of the young King and his advisers tends to open up new resources in the country, and to improve those which have for some years back been declining. In this respect there is great importance placed on the value of railway communication, especially as tending to an international trade with Spain. It is stated that an English company have engaged to con struct in a very short time a railway from Lisbon to the Spanish frontier, which will unite with the great trunk line now in the course of construction to Madrid. ST. ANNE'S DISP ENSARY AND EYE AND EAR INSTITUTION, 9, ROSE-HILL.—New patienis entered on the books last week, viz., Jan., 5, 1356—Relieved at the institution, 163 ; relieved at their own dwellings, 70 ; total, 233. Visitors, R. P. Manger, and G. Garratt, &qrs. Hon, secretary and treasurer, Joseph Kitchen, Esq. GLASS BREAKING.—Mary Higginson was brought before Mr. Mansfield yesterday, charged with breaking 25s worth of glass, in the house of Richard Roys, May's-place. The defendant said she had a claim on the complainant ; but his worship told her she must seek to recover it by other means than breaking his windows. She was fined the amount of the damage done, or one month's imprisonment. LIVERPOOL BANKRUPTCY COURT.—YESTERDAY.— BEFORE MR. COMMISSIONER PERRY.—IN RE JOHN OGDEN. —The bankrupt, who carried on the business of a tailor and outfitter, in Richmond —row, applied this day for his certificate. He was unsupported. Mr. Dodge appeared for the assignees, and called on the court to grant only a certificate of the lowest class. His honor granted a certifi cate of the third class. GOMPERTZ'S PANORAMA. The continued attraction M. Gompertz's colossal panorama, illustrative of the War with Russia, continues undiminished, and the just encomiums we some few days ago pronounced upon the series of pictures have been echoed by the thousands who have thronged the Queen's Hall, Bold-street, since the exhibition opened. As works of art the various tableaux are not to :be surpassed, and as records of the spirit stirring times in which we live, are replete with interest. We cannot too strongly recommend a visit to this pleasing and instructive lounge. SUNDAY SCHOOL AND LITERARY INSTITUTE.—We perceive that this evening a lecture will be delivered in the Concert-hall, by the Rev. T. Baldwin Brown, of London, on a most important subject, viz., " John Howard, Philan thropy, and the Criminal World." The lectures which have been already delivered, of the course in connection with the Institute, have been numerously attended, and we doubt not the known talent and fame of the lecturer, with the importance of the subject, will draw together a large audience. Our member, T. B. Horsfall, Esq., is to take the chair. ACCIDENT AT MARPLE HALL.—We are concerned to state that a serious accident happened at Marple Hall, Cheshire, on Wednesday. Master Arthur Isherwood, accompanied by his cousin, Master Bellairs, neither of whom is above thirteen years of age, were shooting in the park. While :Master Isherwood was in the act of re charging the gun with powder, the flask exploded, by which Master Bellairs received a dangerous compound fracture of the skull, and Master Isherwood a severe injury of the right hand. We are happy to learn that both young gentlemen are going on as favourably as can be expected.—Stockport Advertiser. MYSTERIOUS CASE.—About tea o'clock on Saturday morning last, a respectably dressed man, name unknown, was found dead in a field, about 200 yards from Moor-lane, in Walton-on-the-Hill. There is no footpath in the field, where the body of the deceased was found ; and it is sup posed that he went there to lie down, and there died. The countenance was as placid as if the unhappy man was asleep. From the appearances, the deceased is about fifty years of age • five feet six high, stout built; round full face, brown hair going bald ; small whiskers, rater sandy. The body was dressed in a pilot cloth coat; brown cloth trousers, fly front ; vest, same sort, with about an inch of a striped pattern up the right side ; black necktie ' • blue knitted woollen soc k s; w hi te ca li co s hirt, with lin en front; clarence boots, recently soled ; and black hat, maker, Bowden, Whitechapel, Liverpool. The body was removed to the Brown Cow public house, Walton, to wait an inquest. On the person of the deceased was found a red pocket handkerchief, a bunch of five keys, and a snuffbox, but nothing to lead to his identity. There was not the slightest mark of violence upon the body; CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. — The monthly meeting of the council was held yesterday. The President announced that two vacancies had occurred at the board. One by the decease of Mr. A. W. Fowles, and the other by the resignation of Mr. Cross. To supply these vacancies Mr. Joshua Dixon and Mr. Thomas Sellar were unanimously elected. The proceedings of the committee on the Monte Videan loan 011815 were road and adopted. They com prised a recommendation that a further letter should be sent to the Foreign-office, in reply to the proposal sub mitted for the settlement of the claims under that loan. A letter was read from the Earl of Clarendon, stating that the subject of abolishing the Danish sound dues was occupying the attention of the government 1 • also, one from the Stea m - s hi p Association, appointing Mr. Robert Lamont the deputy to the council for the current year. It was referred to the committee on communications to make the necessary arrangements for the annual general meeting at the commencement of next mouth. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. SECOND EDITION. THE PEACE PROPOSITIONS FRANKFORT, MONDAY, We read in the correspondence of the Dresden Journal which possesses a semi-official character, that telegraphic accounts from St. Petersburg represent that the state of negotiations was not altogether unfavourable, there being no reason to fear that Russia would peremptorily refuse to take the new peace proposals into serious consideration. PRUSSIA, BERLIN, MONDAY. The House of Representatives has chosen the Tory Count Eulenberg as its permanent President in preference to Count Schwerin. The numbers in the division were 191 to 104. THE FRENCH FUNDS. PARIS, MONDAY EVENING The transactions on the Bourse to-day closed as follows :—Four and a Half per Cents, 911 25c.; Three per Cents, 63f sc. MADAME JENNY LIND AT THE PHILHAR- (lONIC HALL-LAST NIGHT. The triumphant ovation which attended the re-appear ance, on Friday night, of the gifted lady, whose fame is now world-wide, was revived last evening, when the " Swedish Nightingale " was presented in the Philhar monic Hall as the perfect mistress of the art of which she has long since been justly described as the presiding goddess. The enthusiasm which greeted her, when she so truthfully developed the genius of the divine composer of the " Messiah," and at the same time dis played the capabilities of her unsurpassed organ, naturally drew a crowded and elegant audience, to the same arena in whirl' she had attained such musical achievements. The programme was well selected, and the triumphs of the prima donna were indisputable. Without presuming to enter upon a close examination of the performances of the " Star of the Evening," it may be permitted to us to affix our first adoration on Bellini's recitative and aria from " Beatrice de Tenda," which enchanted the audience. Her preceding rendering of Mozart's rondo "Il re Pastore," with the violin obligato accompani ment by Mr. E. W. Thomas, prepared the audience for the luxurious feast of harmonic skill which was to follow. In the second part a " Recueil de Mazourkas " arranged for the voice and piano -forte was expressively given by the fair vocalist, and exquisitely accompanied by M. Goldschmidt. The performance of this portion of the entertainment was eulogised by the enunciation of a fair lady near us, "Ohl is not that lovely ?" The enthusiasm with which these words were expressed form the best tribute of applause of the skill of the artiste who drew them forth. In the Swedish melody known as the " Echo Song," Madame Goldschmidt was more than at home, and the effects she produced were, indeed, more than wonderful. To describe the sublirnities of vocal art which this splendid demonstrator of our first composers exhibited would fill our space. It is enough to say that this almost divine exponent realized all her former triumphs, and was greeted with, as she deservedly won,:the plaudits of an hypercritical audience. We have only to add that the rest of the concert went off smoothly. Mr. Robinson acquitted himself to the entire satisfaction of the audience, and the orchestral arrange ments, under the conductorship of M. Benedict, were all that could be desired, We have already said that the hall was crowded to excess, and it remains for:us only to add that the departure of those who thronged the temple of song, was intermingled with the expressions of extreme delight in the gratification they had experi enced, and of regret—deep regret that the prospect of its repetition was so distantly—if not for ever removed. LONDON AND NORTFI•WLsSTERN RAILWAY.—We believe that the report of the committee of consultation will be presented to the shareholders about the end of the present month. THE CASE or Mns. Wootru.—The auditors of the county of Durham, in presenting the accounts the other day, mentioned that the late prosecution in the great Burden poisoning case had cost the county no less than 5121. Gateshead Observer. THE IRON TRADE.—BIDMINGITAM, Jan. s.—The iron trade, according to all authorities, is in a healthy state, and there are, it is said, indications of further prosperity. Plates and sheets are in good demand, and there is no falling off for bars of the first make. Prices now stand thus :—Bars, 9/."; hoops, 10/. ; and sheets, IU. per ton ; and there is little doubt that these quotations will be confirmed at the quarterly meetings to be held in Bir mingham, Wolverhampton, and other places, during the ensuing week. It is not often that the iron trade sets in s o favourably at the commencement of a year. EXTENSIVE ROBBERY AT LEEDS.—EarIy on Friday morning, the warehouse of Messrs. Woodhouse and Sons, cloth merchants, Aire-street, Leeds, was entered by bur glars, and twenty-tnree ends of cloth of various descrip tions taken away. The warehouse is situate on the banks of the Aire, and it is conjectured that the burglars must have forced the premises by the river entrance—crossing the water in a boat for that purpose—and smashed in the winpow overlooking the river, The booty was so heavy and bulky that the police entertained reasonable doubts as to the practicability of its removal; and on making further investigations, the whole parcel was found con cealed under a railway arch, a little distance from the warehouse.—Manchester Guardian. THE SOUTHAMPTON MURDER.—The execution of the last sentence of the law upon Abraham Baker, the young man convicted at the last Winchester assizes of the murder of Naomi Kingswell at Southampton, has been postponed until this morning. It was to have taken place on Satur day morning last, but a previous engagement made by Calcraft, the executioner, prevented his attendance. Baker attended div'ne service at the prison chapel on the Sunday after Christmas-day, when what is called the " condemned sermon" was preached by the chaplain. The wretched man eats his meals regularly, and sleeps soundly. During the past week he expressed a desire to see Mrs. Poynder (his late mistress), and that lady came up from Southampton to see him. In consequence of a similar wish, the incumbent of St. John's Newport, has also visited him; but the nature of the communications be made at these interviews has not transpired.—Hang' s Independent. )3ESPARATE ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FROM JAIL.—John Williams, alias Goodenough, who was convicted at the recent rvinter assizes for this county of burglary, at Hat field, and sentenced to fifteen years' transportation, recently made a desperate attempt to escape from the jail at Hertford. The warder, while on his rounds at night, heard a noise in one of the cells, and on proceeding to Goodenongh's and looking through the small inspect ing glass in the door, observed him busily engaged at the window of his cell. He had already removed the sash, and was endeavouring to loosen the iron bars. Assistance having been procured, the cell door was opened, and the convict confronted. He stood like a bull at bay — desperate and dangerous. Having been ironed, he became almost frantic, and threatened to destroy him self; and the means of self-destruction having been care fully put out of his reach, ho resolutely refused food, having determined on starving himself. For sixty hours he persisted in this resolution, when an order came for his removal to Millbank. He then, for the first time, faltered, and accepted the food offered him. He was removed in irons.—Hertford Mercury. FIRES IN LONDON : Loss OF Two LIVES.'— Yesterday London Fire Brigade and West of England engines were engaged in attending numerous fires. The first fire broke out on the premises of Mr. L. Osske, chandler, Great Alie street, Goodman's-fields, which was not extinguished until the shop, parlour, and staircase were burnt out, and the rest of the dwelling considerably damaged ; cause unknown. The loss will fall on the Royal Exchange. A second fire broke cut at Mrs. Sarah Skate's, Kent street, Borough, which terminated fatally to Mrs. Sarah Skate, aged 76 years. It is supposed th a t a re d h o t coa l fell out of the fire on her dress. A third fire broke out at the London Parcels Delivery Company, Rolls -buildings, Fetter-lane. The fire was discoveied raging in the counting house on the first floor, which was burnt o .t, and the part of the roof destroyed ; cause unknown. Owing to the timely arrival of the fire engines, great loss of property was prevented. Another, attended with loss of life, occurred at Mr. J. All en ' s, Marylebone-lane. The fire broke out in the third floor back ; a fine boy named Wallis Watson, aged six years, was burned to death ; cause unknown. Lastly, a fire broke out at Mrs. Ellen Isaac's, Golden-lan e , St. Luke's, marine store dealer. The flames nearly destroyed the house; contents insured in the Sun ; cause unknown, FRANCE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, SUNDAY EVENING, From the quarter from which I obtain so much important and exclusive news, I have this day obtained the knowledge of two facts :—The first is that the King of Prussia has written to the Emperor of Austria to say, that he considers the neutralisation of the Black Sea with the conditions proposed by Russia as perfectly satisfactory, and as the best basis for negociations for peace that could possibly be found ! The next is, that Russia, anticipating that a good effect would be produced on the German governments, by her acceptance of the said neutralisation with the said conditions, has shown herself in her confidential communica tions, more arrogantly indisposed to treat for peace than war, and that her Emperor has let fall the significant remark, " I care not what the Western Powers can do , their efforts will never equal the power of Russia in resistance." It is currently reported that the reply which Russia will give to the Austrian propositions, though a decided negative at bottom, will be couched in such vague terms; as to keep alive during the winter the hopes of peace, which credulous people take pleasure in entertaining. It is officially announced to-day that the Minis ter of Finance has fixed the interest on treasury bills from to-morrow at 41- per cent. for those of from three to five months ; five per cent. for those of from six to eleven months, and 5i for those of a year. In commercial circles the settlement at the end of the year was better on the whole than had been expected, but, nevertheless, a great number o f bills were left unpaid. The sales, which are generally large on New Year's Day, have been less this year, especially in the dearer sort of articles. A further decline has taken place in common, owing chiefly to arrivals from the United States. Although the fetes on the occasion of the new year, have caused general slackness in busi ness transactions, the sales of cotton at Havre during the week, amounted to 6,800 bales, and the arrivals at 20.000. The stock is now 62,600 bales ; last year it was 70,300. Prices have fallen lfr to 21r according to quality. In the course of the last year, the total imports of cotton into Havre was 418,000 bales; in the previous year it was 425,000. The Council of State has ordered the confisca tion of the Hanoverian vessel Vrou Honurna and its cargo of 973 bags of sulphur, which were cap tured near Lisbon, some time ago by a French ship of war. The vessel and cargo belonged to Messrs. Weinholt, Wener, and Co., of London, and it appears that the cargo had been sent from Lon don to Lisbon, and was destined to be sent from Lisbon to Hamburg for Russia! Amongst other preparations making in the French dockyards for the approaching campaign, two screw ships of the line, the Arcola and Dona werth, both of ninety guns, and three sailing frigates are ordered to be fitted out at Cherbourg by April. The Swiss papers state that the recruiting for the Anglo-Swiss legion is going on very favourably. The second batallion of the second regiment is now complete, and Colonel Bundi has taken the com mand of it. The accounts which reach Switzer land from the Swiss troops now in Turkey are of a cheering description. PARIS, SATURDAY EVENING Only two pieces of news of any interest con. netted with the war have reached us to-day—the first is that the Swedish government seems to be preparing actively for war, inasmuch as it refuses leave of absence to all officers, and has summoned General Bloch, Minister of War in Norway to Stockholm to, as is supposed, arrange with him for placing the Norwegian army on a war footing. The second i s , th a t th e G rand Duke of Hesse, brother of th e E mpress of Russia, has joined Saxony and Bavaria in pressing Russia to conclude an early peace. A Hamburg despatch informs us that the Con gress on the Sound Dues which was to have com menced at Copenhagen on the 2nd has been indefinitely adjourned. The Presse of this evening endeavours to show that the fears which have been entertained of the United States making the Sound Dues the pretext for a hostile demonstra tion against England and France, or at least a diversion in favour of Russia, aro unfounded, inasmuch as they only possess seventy-two vessels of war, with 2120 guns, whilst England and France possess upwards of 1200 with upwards of 29,000 guns. Nay, the Presse thinks that Denmark, herself would be a match for the States. THE HIGH SHERIFF' or LANCASTER.--`De unde.rstand that Robert Needham Phillips, Esq., of the Park, near Manchester, has been selected by her Majesty to fill the office of High Sheriff of the county of Lancaster, for the current year. THE EARL OF EtorN.—The presentation of the freedom of the city of Glasgow to this distinguished nobleman took place in the City Hall, on Friday afternoon. The noble earl delivered a long speech in returning thanks for the honour conferred upon him. On Friday night, as a conclu sion to the ceremony, the Lord P rovost and Corporation gave a grand di nner in the M Lellau-rooms, to the Right Hon. the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, B.T. Covers were laid in the central hall for two hundred guests. The value of the gold and silver plate employed at the dinner was upwards of £lO,OOO. COLD IN THE PRINCIPALITIES.--The Courrier de Bucharest of the 22nd ultimo, says : " All the roads in this neigh bourhood have been rendered almost impassable by tbq heavy fall of snow. The sledges, which are gene Tally used at this season for the conveyance of passengers, do not venture into the country without great circumspection, or} account of the extreme cold, and several accidents have already occurred. Two travellers have, it is said, been found on the road from Craiova frozen to death. A French merchant, who arrived here a few days since, in a sledge, from Craiova, narrowly escaped being destroyed by the, wolves, and only kept th em at a distance by frightningi them with lighting chemical matches. A Turkish soldier in garrison here, killed a wolf at the door of the stable of the barracks, where he was stationed as a sentinel." . • A MAN Wall THREE WIVES !--Yesterday morning, a, respectable, seafaring man, George Lamb, was brougb% before Mr. Chaloner, at the police court, 1 13 r Inspoctor Horne, on a charge of higamy. Mr, Block appeared for the prisoner. The inspector said that on Saturday evering he arrested the prisoner on a warrant just as he arrived in port on board of the Chariot of Fame. The charge against the prisoner was for having on the 1 1 th of August, 1845, married Bridget McDonnell at St. John's church, and that in February, 1848, he married one-- Mr. Bluck : appear for the prisoner, but before the charge is gone into I must ask for a remand, as I am not ready with my case. Inspector Horne : There are three of his wives at present in court. , (Loud laughter.) M r. Wybergh : Then the charge is trigamy." (Renewed laughter.) Inspector : They are all here. The prisoner was then, at the request of his legal adviser, remanded. CHARGE OF FORGERY.—Yesterday morning, a respect able looking young man, named John Hutchins, was brought up before Mr. Chaloner, charged under the follow ing circumstances :—Eaton, the detective-officer, said tho charge against the prisoner was forgery, and having obtained money by false pretences. It appeared that in June last, the prisoner gave a bill for £33 to Mr. 'William Jones, a joiner, residing in Boundary-street, and the hill purported to be signed by his step-father, who resides at flawkston, in Salop. In reply to Mr. Bluck, who appeared to defend the primer, the offic er sa id that when he took the prisoner into custody, he said his mother was aware of what he had done, but she did not say she would pay the bill. Mr. Gluck said it would be better to let the case stand over for a day or two, until the mother and step father of the prisoner could attend ; there was no doubt an arrangement would then be made. The prisoner was accordingly remanded,