The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-26 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA. OF THE CHAMPION OF THE SEAS. lIVAL The Black Ball Line of packet-ship Champion of l lle Seas, Capt. Newland s , arr i ve d at t hi s port yes terday, from Melbourne; after a passage of 89 days, h•• 'leging 181 passengers, 124,000 ounces of • tad advices to the 27th of October. The James Baines, from Liverpool, with dates f the sth of August, reached Melbourne on the 2 5th of October, after a passage of 81 days. ' S halimar was announced to leave Melbourne Liverpool with the next bi-monthly mail, on 9t h of November, and the Admiral. for T.on Was to leave on the ISt of Decemb Of Champion of the Seas, the I ".'s :—Bank of Australasia, New South Wales, 20,000 ozs. ; Bank, 15,000 ozs.; Bank of Victoria, 1 ,000 Oriental Bank, 6,240 ozs.nglish i,126 oz, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank, 2 ,500 ozs. brought by 00 oz )ped as f Bank London Chartere Union Bank, ( than e advice s now :to hand are nine days 1 those recently received by the Ben N( from which they do not vary much in their to We subjoin Journal of 6 W"e have, we believe, before remarked t h at, as re g ar d 3 the l engt h of our summarie:d, we do riot a tternpt to compete with our dail-si- cotemporarie,s INTor iodeed is it at all desirable that we shoulf ! o r , if we were to do so, AvP4 should either 11- 8".11ch upon the forbirlLien ground of ,- 1 1)1 . 1 1 . out our r e m :drkS upon tore egninlate 'provi' - tu oro 4,11 d there', ugi,. .e summary from the M ournc gelee:— 'lce to an unwai n all probabilit valu el le ex and ust we shall ghall „,, .4, your to avoid both of these' evils —. oel to uch subjects purely. ;political, and we b..- Y dwell, very briefly indeed, upontwo or three t aPics of a commercial character. IWe shall t a k e gold first, that being th e ar ti c l e o f °st importance amongst us, and without which e should only be as our neighbours are. The yield cont i nues very large ; indeed so large as `effectually to dissipate every particle of the notion "that the pahniest days of o ur go ld y i e ld s are gone or that th e i r duration will be limited by the lapse of a few years, as has been ore dicted by those in whom we fear the s wish has etimes be p en father to the thought. During the week ending the 13th current the escorts brought down the, enormous quantity of 64,181 ozs., and it is well li,nown that the escort returns do not now, as in days of yore, When bushranging, was in vogue, represent indeed anything like th e tota l quant i ty produced. fished Yhis is demonstrated by the latest pub returns upon this point, for we find the amount brought clown by escort this year to he d 1,671,060 .ozs.—while the quantity shipped to this ate is ,003,46 S ozs., a difference of not less than 3241053 ozs.., or nearly twenty per cent ealltiv..e quantity shipped, Iv, the escort last week only brought down 37,868 () z., an amount much below the average; which m ay be accounted for by the number of ” rushes'' to new fields which have occurred within these last two or three weeks. At the mostimportant of these new fields —Fiery Creek—there are not less than 0,000 people congregated. Ballarat maintains its original character —new leads have been struck, end instances are numerous in which from £BOOO to £lO,OOO worth "of gold has been taken out of single claima. Dendigo is reasserting its old s upremacy; not only h ave f resh alluvial diggings been. lately opened in thi s l oca li ty, but experience tas shown that the quartz reefs there are equal in tie'aness to any as yet worked in the colony. A 'e c ,l'A important discovery has been made at -:'.l,eiglitz," a township about thirty miles north ila:ietro_t_Geelong Quartz veins have been struck of 2 - „ e j_, W- hich not only contain a large Percentage S 1 4 . but silver, copper, and lead all intermixed. th ese doubt has been thrown upon the truth of b % e „ f acts; but we are bound to admit that the th a e l- a - , c e of evidence is in favour of the reality of 4„,—"scovery; indeed, if reliance may be place , sue a paragraph in our Geelong cotemporary s ':stle of Saturday last. the question may be con dered as satisfactorily settled. He says—" The T'3,riginal discoverers have been put in possession of a Tab`ailn on the reef whi eh, if it turns outhalfas good ir e samPles, will make their fortun P.- IvVille Set to work, -with what success ~. eat. the We have, however, clear confirm._ °f of the original claim from whence Ihe hold immediate oPper specimens were procured. and ntsg_vicinity. A mass of quartz, weigh night,il -'; c wt., was brought down to Geel" — as & specimen of the reef: ' the surface, about 30 feet from where th of the Other parties it was 'ound on gold and . ______ ......... ......_ _ coPper sPeeitnens were procured, and is all spotted over with gold." With these, and numerous like facts before us, we are disposed to believe that 70,000 ozs. per week will not exceed the quantity henceforth produced. Next as regards monetary affairs. ..,visis in Which the Government was supposed to be 'involved may be said to have already passed away. 'The colonial exchequer cannot be otherwise than :approaching, if it has not yet reached, a thoroughly ;satisfactory condition: With a diminished expen diture, and a rigid economy in every department — and A with a revenue which, for so smalltmeat— munity, a com munity, is almost fabulous —with the `ho of the first series of debentures (about 400,000/.) disposed of—how can 'we doubt that the finances of the colony are, or soon will be, again in such a con dition as almost to defy the power of our financial tMagician to disarrange them, or render them even emporarily un e q ua l to t h e demands made upon em. The m one t ary condition of the colonists has also be en improved within the last few weeks. Money i s still scarce among many who used formerly to ''btain an amount Of accommodation to which they s e re not f a i r l y ent i tled, and for which they now k sk in vain—and we ll f or the colony generally that t ec—for those to whom we allude were neither en g a ged as prod ucers nor as legitimate traffickers, Glit li ot O nlY, as it w ere , as surphis or exce ss i ve traders. —°44 fide m erc h ants, or those who can show a 31-l bstanti a l b asis for their operations, have no diffi ass' cult ; y, Nv e feel assur e d, i n getting all the monetary stance which they can reasonably expect. The quart e as may rly bank r e t urns , j ust pu b l i shed, prove this, he seen by reference to the following t able, in which the returns for the third quarter of ' 354 and.thi s year are placed .in juxtaposition : Third (barter, Third Quarter, 185,1. Notes in circulation Bills do . 42,386 ,760 • _ 60,213 1855. 41,942,859 ._ _ . ..... Deposits not beating intereet... 5 8827'717 49,20 b 4,468,193 Do bearing interest in t erest., 4,4 63,193 ' " Total liabilities ....... ....... 143,370 9,30 7.729 6 916 930 Coin .... ... ............. . 2,670,821 ' 2,519:580 Bullion 48 2,582 602,664 Landed property. . Debts due to banks 6,791,336 ,679,512 Total assets . 4id-up capital .. 3,291,007 4,698,280 Amount of last dividend. ...... 32 2,235 302,231 Reserved profits ............ 675,937 1,057, Government securities ....... . 377,100 511,9211 2 In the flour and grain mar 6 markets we have again to remark on wide fluctuations of value —namely, not less than 25 per cent in the price of flour during the past .month ; the extremo prices having been r espectively 321. and 411. At the end of September, flour having become very scarce, the price advanced rapidly from 351. to 401., with every probability of its reaching 451, when the market was relieved by the simultaneous arrival. of the Flying Arrow, from San Francisco, and the Roderick Dhu lnv in ci ble from Valparaiso, with an ag and r Quantity of 1250 t ons of flour. Through t egate hegeager.. ness of im porters to sell, under the impression that very co nsiderable quantities were at h an d , the prices fell to 321., but quickly rallied to 351. receiving however a check again by the arrival here of the Malcolm and Island Lady, and of the Staghound, which called iu at Sydney on the sold waY here. Th ese cargoes hp 7 ^— . R' 0 -- an again peen at 32/., th e price went down to t, 34/., at which i_t remained stationary at the mills for fully fourteen claYs, although the importers of the cargoes of the Heury Winch and Galga, which arrived a little to later, were led b y t h e i r advices from the west coast hold out for higher prices than what the mills were selling at. For some time both the millers and the public could not be brought to believe NORTHERN TIMES .LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1856. in the great scarcity of flour at all the Chili= ports, which has now been put beyond a doubt by later concurring advices. So great seeths to have been the competition along thelvesti3oast to obtain the very small quantity of flour which a large demand for Australia and the Brazils has allowed to remain, that the price had advanced there to 11; dollars per 2-quintal sack—an unprecedented value in Chili. Depending, as we now do, until the coming in of the new harvest, altogether on the supplies we may receive from Chili, it was to be expected that prices would rise on receipt of the news above referred to ; but a rise was established by holders fa r quicker than was at first foreseen, on account au extensive demand setting in, to supply up untry stations and most of the diggings, 'which pear to be simultaneously running bare. From ;4 the price quickly rose to £37, at which it nained for several days—advanced gradually to inadeq to the present - demand On them, late, in fact will have, in all probability, to advance still from the neighbouring colonies, we nothing to expect, and no large arrivals from Can well take Place before a month -or six Of Wheat the market has been almost entirely ►are during the whole of the present month, and aillers would buy almost any sample that came to aarl«.t at 16s` 6d. In Riee'a very spirited business has been doing; a demand for Patna, for Bendigo, and Mary. borough, has been very large, and all the stocks in the town have been cleared out at from 231. to 25/, the price rose to 281. Supplies to a considerable amount, however, having been lately received, by the Undine, from Calcutta—as well as from Adelaide and Sydney—the price has somewhat declined, and cannot be quoted higher to-day than Oats we can notice no improvement for fin( to California 6s to 6s 6d could be made, but Scotch none at present in the market in neglected, and may be bought at 55., most holders ask 5s 6d. Barley is quite e, and 4s per bushel is a sufficiently high £273,026 IMPORTS, EXPORTS, AND CUSTOMS REVENUE for the week ending Oct. 20, 1855 for the week ending Oct. 20 if Imports over ExportS for week 263,792 £9,297 Imports from Ist January to Oct. 20, inclusive.. 07.918,689 Exports from Ist January to Oct. 20, inclusive 9,827,202 Excess of Exports over Imports since Ist January £1,908,513 Customs 2o revenue for the week endi ng ) O £26,080 1 6 ct. Total customs 2o revenue from Ist January } £793,876 6 10 to Oct. . . Amount of gold export duty for week end- Z 7,768 3 5 ing Oct. 20 Total duty from ht May COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. MELBOURNE, 24th October, 1855.—Although the spring has fairly commenced, and there is a revival in trade, yet the improvement, except in reference to a very few articles, is not so decided as was expected. This, we believe, is mainly owing to the unfortunate state of commercial affairs in Sydney, where a sort of crisis, little inferior apparently in intensity to that which Melbourne has just passed through, has commenced. This ke that of Melbourne, having arisen from over• trading and over-importation, it is certain that a great portion of the surplus, in, the shape of bankrupt stock, will be forced upon this market ; and in this way the material revival in trade and confidence, which was so confidently anticipated, will be retarded. While we record, however, this unfavourable cir cumstance, it is right to note that it is greatly counterbalanced by others of a decidedly favourable character. We allude more particularly to the extraordinary development of our golden treasures, not only by the operations of quartz-crushing, formerly mentioned, but by the discovery of new gold fields, where the alluvial deposits bid fair to equal those of the far famed Ballaarat, Mount Alexander, and Bendigo. The principal gold field of recent discovery, is at Fiery Creek, a stream which rises in the Pyrenees, considerably to the west ward of Ballaarat. About 50,000 persons are said to be already on the spot, Some specimens of gold, silver, and copper, of most extraordinary richness, from quartz reefs at Steiglitz, about 25 miles to the north of Geelong, have likewise been exhibited. Very little is known of the extent of these reefs, but those who have visited them have conceived a very high opinion of their value. - We have farther peculiar pleasure in reporting favourably of the extent of cultivation, and of the highly promising appearance of the crops throughout the whole of the Australian colonies. The harvest commences at the end of next month, and should it turn out as good as may at present be fairly 13, and have a most ireponar st not overlook the fact of the new constitn ed by the James Baines. The establishment system of government has had a most neral develop. and th, ity, of Canada and the Cape of Good Hope, and we doubt that similar effects will result from a similar e in Australia. y remark, with reference to trade generally, that • wand is no* so brisk or extensive as was antici- ales of merchandise generally, have, within the )eing at an advance of 10 per cent on the prices have been gladly taken at the commencement of 11 American merchandise, except furniture and lied to the season, has been cleared from first rive ; so that such goods are much wanted at the We subjoin our usual remarks on the principal imports. LIQUORS—Brandy : purchases of this article for the .erior have been recently made, and invoices have been sold to arrive. The best brands have advanced about 3d per gallon, and, in consequence of diminished imports, are held firmly at our present quotation. Runt : There is very little doing. Geneva : The stocks of good Geneva are getting low, and few shipments are reported. Old Tom : The best is in fair demand. Inferior qualities are quite unsaleable. Port : Medium and good qualities in bulk are in demand, and realise improved prices. Good Cherry in bulk has also advanced. Light NN ines : Though few transactions have as yet taken Place, there are new inquiries for all kinds of light wines. Good Claret has advanced. The stocks of Sauterne on hand are generally inferior, and good quality is wanted. Muscatel wine is unsaleable. Malt Liquors : Bass's sound ale realises £lO per hogshead. There is a considerable quantity of unsound ale in the market, and the stocks generally beavy. The prices of good brands range from £8 lOs to £9. Bottled ale can only be sold with porter in the proportion of a fourth. Stout, both in bulk and bottle, is advancing. There is a good demand for the latter, and the imports are not at present equal to the legitimate consumption. There are inquiries for cider and syrups, but no transactions reported. TOBACCO, CIGARS, &c—Of the best brands of tobacco, there is a small stock, and prices are advancing. Honeydew and other kinds are well supplied• Sheepwash is worth 8d per lb. In cigars there is no change. GROCERIES, OILNI - _,N . B STORES, &C.-The imports of candies having greatly diminished, they are held more firmly, and some sales have been made at an advance on last month's prices. Pure sperm are scarce. Coffee : The market is getting bare ; email shipments are coming forward front Sydney ; but fine qualities are very scarce, and prices are firm. There is no native Ceylon nor Chicory in the market. Rio Coffee is unsaleable. Fruits : Dried Apples are very firm. Currants are in demand, and prices have improved. Turkey tins are very scarce, and have realised is Id per lb. Jams and jellies are advancing. Elemo and Cape raisins are scarce. Walnuts are worth 5,1 d to 6d ; Barcelona nuts, 5d to 6d. There is no sale for American bottled fruits. Hops have slightly improved. Good Kent have been sold as high as 3s 3d, and Belgian is 6d to is 81 per lb. Pickles are inquired for. Sauces generally are lower ; hut Lee and Perrin's, being , uitable for a warm climate, are saleable. Cleves and peppers are scarce ; sma ll ~ t11,;,11i-; hive been frnrn 1. There is I no rock slit in the market. Soar, aproving. There is no sale for Steel white (feather), nor for salt water soap. Sugar : fine sugars have slightly declined, the stocks being heavy. Tea is firm at our quotations. There is little good tea in the market. Half and a quarter chests are wanted. Sales to the trade, of Congou, arc reported at higher rates than our quotations. BREADSTUFFS—The promising appearance of the crops in the Australian Colonies prevents speculation, otherwise prices would rise. It appears that the stocks of flour at all the diggins have become bare simultaneously, and large quantities have been purchased in town, and forwarded to the interior. At the same time information has been received of a vessel in Adelaide having failed in procuring a cargo in Chili, and having loaded with barley. The market is therefore firmer, and likely to remain so until the end of the year, when the new crop may be expected to furnish supplies. Consider able purchases have been made by Melbourne capitalists of Adelaide wheat of the next crop at 6s. to 7s. the per bushel. In meantime there is no Hasall or Gallego, nor Adelaide flour, and the little Chilian in first hands is held for £4O. nasal' and G a ll ego would readily bring Bs. per barrel. The present price of wheat is 16s, the market very bare. Split p eas ' oa tmeal, and potatoes, have declined. Sago has ad vanced. Rice is again advancing. There is now a large con sumption of this article here, and the market speedily rallies after a depression. norsefeed—Oats are still extremely depressed, the stock being very large, and our hay harvest is now in progress. Chilian barley has also been overdone, and is not readily saleable. Chilian beans—Sales to the amount of £3OOO to £4OOO have been made at 4,id. PROVISIONS.—There is rather more inquiry, and sales of bacon, hams, pork, and butter, to a considerable amount, have been made at our quotations. Large parcels of butter have been forwarded to the interioi.. A sale of X lOO firkins,at (invoice weight and tare) is reported; but other sales are reported at is. 14d. to ls. 3d. The stocks are very heavy, and the season is against large sales. Cheese—Sales of , Wilts and Dunlop at our quotations are reported. fterrings are saleable. There are inquires for sardines and preserved salmon. Ling, and cod are very scarce. PAINTS, OILS, AND CoLoußa. , - , —There is an increasing demand tor. white lead, and the price has slightly advanced. Other articles in the trade are dull. METALS.—Excepting a few sizes, the market is well sup• plied with bar and bolt iron. A sale at £l4 is reported, but .£l5 is generally asked. For pig Iron £5 10s. has been offered, and refused ; £6 would be taken. The market is very full of hoop iron, excepting a few sizes.. There is no charcoal 24 gunge. Sales of light corrugated iron at our 'qtiqtations are reported. Copper sheathing and Muntz metal are scarce, and greatly wanted. Compostion is unsaleable. Lead is firmer, and holders are asking higher rates, but sales are still made at £2B. Light sheet zinc is improving. Zinc nails are very plentiful. BUILDING MATERIALL—There is very little demand for impOrted bricks. Roman cement is worth 25s per barrel. Glass : Large sizes of Chance's patent are saleable. The market is glutted with other sizes. Slates : Ladies' have rather improved in value. TrmnEa.—There are now inquiries for deals and timber, but no transactions of large-amount have taken place. A sale is reported of 1 inch Baltic, drawn flooring, at 21d, in the bay. The market is overstocked with American lumber, and it is very slow of sale. DRUGS AND CHEMICALS.—The market is almost without change. Sales of arsenic have been made at £l5, and of flour of sulphur at 4d. Of this last article there are large stocks. Supplies of opium are much wanted. The last sales of Turkey were at 45s to 50s per lb. Quicksilver has been sold at 3s to 3s 61. There is a large quantity of inferior in the market. BOOTS AND SHOES.—For summer goods, which arenow alone seasonable, well sorted invoices have realised 25 per cent. advance. Some invoices have realised even higher rates. Hungarian wax and grain are worth 35 to 40 per cent. advance. HARDWARE.—The market is now well supplied with Collins' picks, light and heavy, and with axes. They are, still saleable. Building and shelf ironmongery are dull ; a well-assorted invoice of the latter, however, realises 30 per cent. Large-shipments of revolvers and pistols are being returned to America. The price of hollow-ware is nomi nal. Ewbank's patent nails are scarce. SOFT Goons.—Th'e following goods realise the rates of advance on invoice quoted :—Black and drab trousers 25 per cent. ; Scotch twill shirts, 20 per cent. ; Paris kid gloves (scarce), 25 per cent, ; 9-8 and 5-4 plates small patterns, 25 per cent; 10, 12, 14, 16, black lutes, 25 per cent. : 24 and 30 Oriental, 25 per cent. ; German wove stays, 25 per cent. ; drab mole trousers (scarce), 30 per cent. ; millers, 30 per cent. ; seasonable slops, 25 per cent. ; black felt hats (scarce), 30 per cent, ; 8-4 grey calico (scarce), 33-t per cent. ; infants' and girls' Leghorn hats, 25 per cent. ; double black blue serge shirts, 25 per cent: There is now some speculation, and a considerable improvement in this trade, chiefly in conse quence of greatly diminished shipments, and for seasonable goods, remunerative prices aro realised. SIINDRIES.—There is little demand for carpeting. American tubs and other woodware are advancing. English malt is worth 15s to 16s. There are inquiries for ginger beer corks. Turpentine has declined. Blasting gunpowder is very scarce, and in great demand. American drills are fully stocked. Woolpacks are firm. Gunnies have declined. Cordage is dull. The market is well supplied with both Europe and Manilla rope. American made, no sales. Pine apple rope is unsaleable. The stocks of coir are large. The market is full of blacking. The price of coal is nominal, there being no demand. The season is commencing for Panama hats, and prices are advancing. Very fine Sydney cabbage trees realise 10s to 15s each. On merchandise, generally, we may remark that fears are here expressed of the great danger of another glut by next winter. Shippers at a distance would do well to be cautious, and to watch our markets. FAVOURABLE SYMPTOMS.—Wo have pleasure in directing special attention to the revenue, bonded goods, gold per escort, population, shipping, imports, exports, and banking, which are deserving of careful study. It will be observed that the balance of trade is now considerably in favour of the colony. howeve MELBOURNE WOOL MARKET, &c. The shipments of Wool from this place during the past season (as given in our report of the 28th ultimo), were up to 15th September 15,231,381 lbs weight, equal to £873,478 value. Since that date up to the end of the year, October 10, addi. tional shipments have been made 0f..129.403 lbs £9,778 Makin a total of 15,360,7841b3 £883,256 Being about 54,859 bales of wool during the season 1854-5, which is an increase of 4,256,654 lbs weight, or 15,202 bales, equal to rather more than 26 per cent on the shipments from this place of the season 1853-4. The new season having commenced buyers have thonght it a favourable opportunity at the first public wool sale, on the 1 Ith instant, of urging upon the selling brokers the adjustment of the terms of sale with regard to tares and draft, to the same _ _ scale as that adopted last year in Sydney, namely ary allowance of 10 lbs per bale tare, and 1 lb the custom- per cwt draft, as ,iverpool, the clai for tare was allowed by the brokers, and 101bs will e the standing rule durirg the season, DRAFT : The brokers did not feel empowered to allow, and in consequence some steps to effect the alteration desired have been taken, and many parties interested in the trade have signed the requisition on the subject, which is being got up, to the effect that without this allowance they will decline purchasing. We trust to see the matter satisfactorily settled before the next week. The new clip only comes forward very slowly, and our quotations for it aro nominally at our last rates; the favourable advices of the July sales have, however, made more inquiry, and some fair lots of scoured, &c, wools, offered by auction on the 11th, were knocked down at an advance on last season of Id to lid per lb. TALLOW AND HIDES : We have had more inquiry for tallow for local use, and a good sample is worth £4O per ton; in hidcs we have no change to note. Freights id per lb on wool to London or Liverpool. J. H. CLODGII & CO. FATAL AND DISTRESSING ACCIDENT —On Monday a most afflicting accident, the fatal consequences of which have plunged a most estimable clergyman, the Rev. Mr. St. George, rector of St. Paul's parish, Cork, and his family, into profound grief, occurred at the Little Island, where the reverend gentleman has resided for some time past. The particulars are these :—Mr. St. George. accompanied by his second son, a fine manly boy of about fifteen years of age, who was about to enter the royal navy, had been out in a small boat in Foaty bay, and had in the boat a gun, with which the young lad had amused himself shooting waterfowl. They had returned to the island and landed, and Master St. George was in the act of taking the loaded gun from the boat, when, owing to the trigger being caught by some thing on board, it went off, and, melancholy to relate, the entire charge passed through his body, causing, we under stand, his immediate death, in the presence of his agonised father.— Cork Reporter. A " BARON " AND AN HEIRESS.—A man calling him self Baron de Selhausen, was tried on Saturday by the Paris Tribunal of Correctional Police for swindling. The following facts were stated :—ln the evening of the 25th of October last, a family of distinction, residing in the Chaussee d'Antin, gave a grand banquet in honour of the signing of a contract for the marriage of their daughter, a young lady of great beauty, and possessed of not less than 28,C00fr. a year, with Louis Elie Adolphus, Baron de Selhausen, a young man of twenty-five, chief of one of the most ancient and distinguished baronial houses of the province of Silesia. In the midst of the banquet, a rude-looking stranger arrived, and demanded to see the baron. The concierge told him that: on account of the joyful event of the day, the family had given orders that no visitors should be admitted. The stranger insisted, and the concierge getting angry threatened to turn him out by force. At length, after a good deal of altercation, the stranger espied a large bell, and began ringing it furiously. This drew all the inhabitants of the house to the windows, and the man then cried in a loud voice that he wanted to see Baron de Selhausen— at the same time threatening to ring the bell until his request should be complied with. The concierge at last allowed him to go up stairs to the f am ily with whom the baron was. Stalking into the middle of the room, the man cried out " My name is Bozeluc, and I let out carriages for hire. I have let out carriages to the Baron de Selhausen, and he owes me 700 fr. ; but he will never pay me, for he is a swindler, and not a baron at all ! lam not the only man he has cheated—tailors, glovers, hotel-keepers, upholsterers, painters, gilders, all sorts of tradesmen, in _fact, have been swindled by him ! Good people," added Bozeluc solemnly, turning to the young lady's parents, " you had better put off the marriage, for I tell you again the man is no baron, but a swindler!" The marriage was post poned, and the soi.disont baron was, after some explana tion, handed over to the custody of the police, until inquiries could be made about him. It was then ascer tained that, instead of being a baron and a German, he was only the son of a ruined tradesman of the Ile de la Reunion (Bourbon) ; that be had come to Paris to accept a place as clerk in a bank ; and that, finding his salary insufficient, he had takes to swindling, and had carried it on with such skill that he not only made a vast number of dupes, but contrived to gain access to very good society. It further appeared that, though without a farthing he could honestly call his own, he occupied, when arrested, an apartment of 6,000 fr. a year in the Rue de la Victoire, and bad caused it to be furnished in the most sumptuous style on credit; also, that he had a house at Ville d'Avray, which he had undertaken to purchase for 180,000 fr.; and that he. had a train domestics in splendid liveries, horses, carriages, &c. The soi-disant baron, when called on for his defence, said that he had nothing to say, and the Tribunal sen tenced him to two years' imprisonment and 50fr. fine.— Galignasi. POLICE COURT: -,--_Y EST ERDAY, (IfIEPOILE MR, G NIAiWELL.) PICKING Pocxrrs.—Two females (mother and daughter), named Mary and' Jessie M‘Giiffy, and a girl named Anne Johnson, about 16 years of . . age, were charged by Caroline dreaves, wha keeps a • cigar shop in Haughton-street, with having picked her pocket of £lO. The prosecutrix, who was very fashionably attired, said the eldest M‘Guffy entered her shop on Wednesday night, and asked her to take her daughter as a lodger. She refused to do so, and then the prisoner Jessie put her hand into her (the prosecdtrix) pocket and tdok out her purse, which contained eight sovereigns and two pounds in silver, with which she ran off. Officer Thompson (detective) said he went to a house occupied by Jessie in Albion-street, where he found a large 'quantity of new wearing apparel, and other things which she had just purchased, as it was supposed, with the money stolen from the prosecutrix. She wrs com mitted for three months. There being no evidence against the other prisoners, they were discharged. TiE ROBBERY OF JEWELLERY.--William Johnston, John Flood, William and James Hadfield, who had been remanded on a charge' of having stolen and being cancel ned in the exten sive robbery of jewelery and money belonging to Mons. Louis Sancan, were brought up. The details of this case was pub lished in our paper on two former days. Mr. Black defended the prisoners Hadfield. A gentleman from the French consul's Ace attended to interpret fdr the prosecutor. in addition to the evidence already given it was pkoved that' the' - Haiftelds' and andther Person (not in custody), had brought the trunk, containing the motley and property, from the depot at the custom house to a public house in Old' Hall-street, and that they had changed a good many pieces of the American gold, and purchased clothes. The prisoners Hadfield were passengers by same ship, the Driver, as the prosecutor, from New York. Several drapers and other shopkeepers were examined, and they stated that the prisoners purchased goods at their respective establish ments, and paid in American coin. Inspector Murphy said, when be arrested Flood at his house in Henry -street, Man chester, he found there the trunk, with numerous articles and several lumps of silver, which the prosecutor identified as his property. Mr. Washington, of Old Hall-street, identified Johnston, whose mother offered some of the jewellery to him for sale. Mr. Washington also proved that he gave informs• tion which led to the discovery of the property and the arrest the prisoners. 'the allegation of Johnston was, that he found George's Pier-head, and, s pointed out as mixed pert at low water mark, 'nfirmation of t The evidence against him hot being considered suffieient, he was discharged. He made several attempts to get back the property found on him, but the only effect pro duced was some laughter at hie impudence. The other pri soners were fully committed for trial. up ,with it. THE £52 ROBBERY.—Anne Wrigg was brought up on re mand, on a charge of having stolen £52 from Mr. George Murphy. Two or three witnesses were questioned, but their evidence did not throw any light on the subject, and the magistrate, not deeming the evidence sufficient, discharged the prisoner. SAD CASE.—In our paper of this day week there appeared a case under this bead, in reference to a young woman named Louisa Montague, who was brought up on a charge of stealing some money and wearing apparel from a female *ho keeps a disreputable house in Vinch-street. On that occasion the girl was remanded., When brought up yesterday, she pre sented quite a different appearance from what she did on the former day. She was attired in the first fashion. On being put to the har, the police officer said there was no one appear. ing to sustain any charge against her. She was then discharged. It was stated that some of her friends had arrived from Dublin, and had settled the affair in dispute; and had furnished her with the clothes which she now wore, and that she was to be taken back to that city by her friends, who are said to be highly respectable. BEERHOUSE CASES.—John Warburton, St. Andrew..street, was charged with selling liquors on Sunday, 13th inst, at pro hibited hours. Mr. Black was for the defendant, and in reply to him the officer, Southwell, 705, said he was in plain clothes at the time. Mr. Block produced a lodger in the house, who said the parties found in the house were his visitors—dis missed: Elizabeth Madden, Chadwick street, was charged with a similar offence on Sunday morning last, an& with having five persons in the house. The defence was that the people were lodgers—dismissed. Bridget Linden, Wolfe -street, fined L 5 and costs, for doing business at prohibited hours on Sunday. Elizabeth Mallin, Chadwick-street, charged with Sunday trading : acquitted. George Whitley, St. Bride-street, Sun day trading : fined 40s. and costs.l Ellen ()Dowell, Oriel street, for Sunday trading : acquitted. Richard Barterwood, Gaseoyne-street ) for Sunday trading: acquitted. Anne Houghton Bevington-street, for S un d a y t ra di ng : ac q u itt e d. Robert Worrell, Edward-street : acquitted. CHARGE OF STEALING NAlLS.—lnspector Murphy brought up Joseph and Thomas Ray, and Philip M'Cortnick, on the following charge. It appeared that about three cwt. of new composition nails, value £l6, had been stolen from the ship Magna Charts, in the Sandon graving dock. The prisoner Thomas Ray, had purchased old nails from the vessel, and whilst conveying the rubbish from the ship, the prisoners were charged with mixing up the new nails with the old. The three prisoners were stopped at six o'clock in the morning, leaving the dock with the property. Upwards of 220 lbs. weight of the new nails were picked out of the rubbish, and two boys were still engaged separating them. The captain of the ship proved having sold the old nails to Thomas Ray, but he denied having authorised the prisoners to take new nails. In reply to Mr. Campbell, who appeared for the defence. the captain said the ship had been coppered about a year ago, but the coppering did not last its time. The usual course was to ,nd materials go to Moss and Co., and, at to adopt that course ; but afterwards, he resolved to sell the old nails and the sweepings. Some wit-, et the old nail nesses were examined, an be prisoners were remanded to this day to produce further evidence. (BEFORE MR. MANSFIELD.) Mr. William Watson, butcher, of Richmond-row, was summoned by police-officer 661, for allowing a ferocious dog (which belongs to him,) to be at large, and also for refusing to give his name, under the following circum stances : —The officer stated that on the night of the 17th of January, about twelve o'clock, while on duty in Rich mond-row, he heard a man crying out as if in distress. He hastened to the spot, and saw the man standing in the street and two dogs jumping at him. On coming up, the dogs ran into the defendant's house, at the door of which he himself was standing, and the man, whose name, it was subsequently ascertained, was Richard Williams, was so much alarmed, that he could not at first give his name. Whilst the complainant was questioning him, the defen dant came up and asked the officer if he was making a charge against him for his dogs. He was also very offen sive in his manner, and, taking the officer by the collar, demanded his number. The complainant replied, " you have now got my number —what is your name ? I must summons you for having ferocious dogs at large in the street." The defendant answered that he would see him d—d before he gave his name, but subsequently stated that it was Watson, and that he lived in the street, but refused to give his Christian name. The complainant then, with the assistance of officer 314. took him to the station, where he gave his name, and was discharged, but complained that while taking him there, he was obstructed by Mr. Smith, publican, of Richmond-row. Both officers made their statements in. a very correct and clear omanner ; but, on the other hand, the defendant and his witnesses, among whom was the man Richard Wil liams, who stated that he had been alarmed, though not injured by the dogs, positivelY denied that Mr. Smith offered any obstruction to them. Mr. Martin appeared on behalf of the defendants. Mr. Mansfield said that he felt difficulty in dealing with the case, in consequence of the great discrepancy in the evidence. It was clear that the dogs had ran after the man, and that he had been alarmed; and the officer, only acting as a zealous officer should do, and naturally conceiving that the man would not have been so alarmed had not the dogs attacked him, and that, therefore, they were ferocious, considered it his duty to endeavour to ascertain to whom they belonged, and was, on that account, justified in demanding the defendant's name. It was to be regretted for the sake of good order in the town, that parties should offer any obstruction to the police ; but, as from the discrepancy in the evidence, it was impossible to say that there had been a serious obstruction, the defendant should be acquitted. IMPORTANT QUESTION UNDER THE MERCHANT SHIPPING AND COMMON LAW PROCEDURE ACTS.—STEAD V. HOWARD. —The plaintiff, who is a seaman, and for whom Mr. Squarey appeared, summoned the defendant, mas t er of the British ship Persian, for 61., balance of wages. Mr. Simon appeared for the defendant. It was admitted that the wages had been earned, but it was con tended that as the money had been attached under an absolute order of the court of passage, obtained on a judgment that went by default, the summons could not lie against the defendant. Mr. Squarey contended, that as under the 233rd section of the merchant shipping act, it was specifically enacted, that no wages due or accruing to a seaman or apprentice should be subject to attach ment or arrestment from any cause, the provisions of the common law procedure act of 1854, which, in general terms, gave the power of attachment, did not affect the first mentioned act. Both acts were passed in 1854, the merchants shipping act being chapter 124, and the common law procedure act, chapter 125. Mr. Simon, on the other hand, contended that the provisions of the latter did apply to the first mentioned act, and that the court of passage, though it was denied by Mr. Squarey, had the case for a week. power fieldad j o o f urned making hi s t j h u e d g o m r d e e n r t o i n e t a h t o t achme nt. Mr. Mans- REPRESENTATION OF " NEWCASTLE -UPON-TYNE.-It is stated, upon what appears authority, that in consequence of the continued indisposition of Mr. Blackett, M.P., he will retire from the representation of Newcastle-upon-Tyne immediately upon the meeting of Parliament. Mr. George Ridley, barrister, brother of Sir Matthew White Ridley, of Blagdon, and son of the late Sir M. W. Ridley, who for many years represented Newcastle-on-Tyne, will be brought forward in the liberal interest. THE EAST INDIA CIVIL SERVICE AND HAILEYBURY.-- At the examination of candidates for admission to Hailey bury, which terminated on the 6th instant, se t a v tn e ha n d rejected. In order to obtain the most promising talent, individual directors applied at once to our leading public othertr weschoolssoutWinchester o oa r os .l ot youths nhea.t on l likely Rugby y toss Harrowse e d dn o credit etreudop int to eao,bn eyE: tM although o allparties nero hnea,n no special preparation, and only four days notice. e n y d soh te m h a r T ay lors' dee, THE EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY Yesterday afternoon a special general meeting of the share holders in this company was held at the London Tavern, in ,pursuance of a regnisition to the directors, dated the 20th of December; for the purpose of taking into consideration the general position of the board of directors, and the state of the company's affairs, and to adopt such measures as might be deemed necessary, and could be legally taken, for the due and proper administration of their affairs. Mr. Waddington, M.P., the chairman of the board of directors, entered at one o'clock, and was received with loud applause by his friends, and with furious yelling on the part of his opponents. Who cheering!greatly pred minated. Mr. Sergeant Gaselee'appealed to the meeting gtia the chairman whether the latter would not best consult his own feelings and that of the meeting by retiring from the chair that day, instead of presiding over the proceedings. The Chairman (Mr. Waddington) said, that on the 7th of December there was a resolution passed in that room, requesting that he should leave the chair. He then stated, that until the shareholders had an opportunity of reading that statement which he should put forth, giving an explanation of his conduct, and defending himself against the charges made, he would not leave the chair. On the II th of December a special board of directors was held, when those directors felt it to be their duty to request that he should cease to be a director of the company. He told them what he told the shareholders, which was, that he had a complete answer to the charge, and that that answer should be forwarded within a, given time, He redeemed his pledge, and the shareholders were assembled to-day to decide whether or not he had satis - factorily answered the accusations against him. As the shareholders decided that day, so should be his deter mination whether or not he took any part in the direction of the affairs of the company. Until that time, he should retain his seat as chairman. (Applause and hisses.) Mr. Bruce (director) referred to a pamphlet that had been published, stating that there was nothing but anarchy and confusion at the board. He referred to the charges he brought against the directors at the meeting in Aup last, ;which; he contended, had not bees denied, not disproved. He would do his bast whilst he remained a director to procure for them a proper state ment of their accounts, but he should decline taking any part in the administration of the affairs if they re-elected Mr. Waddington as their chairman. He again condemned the past et:lnduct of the • chairman; and concluded by moving that the meeting dotifirni the resolution of the meeting in August last, appointing the conxmittee of in vestigation, and requests them to continue their labours till the general meeting in February next. Dr. Reilly seconded the motion. Mr. Goodson denied the statements that had been put forth bj , Mr. Time with reference to the manner of obtaining proxies, and ,nioidd art amendment to the effect that the committee of investigation should be dissolved, and that the chairman had fully met and answered the charges that had been brought against him. Mr. W Tegg seconded . the amendment. Mr. Helps said that the directors had exceeded their powers, and had misapplied funds, as trustees, without in the slightest degree consulting the interests of the share holders, no man could doubt. He did not propose to con sider this question as to its legal bearings, but by analys ing the statements the chairman had put forth in vindica tion of his claracter. The speaker then entered into other statements pit forth by the chairman relative to the net earnings of the line, the bead debt, the dividend, &c., and then read various extracts from the evidence reflecting on the chairman's conduct. In conclusion, he said that, tipon the evidence he had read, he found Mr. Waddington wholly unworthy of the confideride f the shareholder's: Mr. Norris (one of the committee of investigation); addressed the meeting at some length, reiterating the charges brought against the chairman. The Chairman replied with some force, and charged the committee with damaging the property of the com pany. He was satisfied that his character had been Vindicated, since he held proxiesi rrepresenting £1,379,000 stock, and 2,025 votes, whilst Mr. Lewis's proxies only. represented £231,000 stock and 4,299 votes. Upon a show of hands, the amendment was negatived by an enormous majority, but a poll was demanded, which will finally close and be declared on Tuesday next. The Belgian Steam Transatlantic Company's steam ship Belgique, l ;put back into Southampton, on Thursday evening, having one of her boilers burnt, and her main mast sunk, and about Ave feet of water in her hold. She went into dock yesterday. To our young friends who are aspirants for celebrity in the art of penmanship, and still further to qualify them selves for the duties of a mercantile life, we cannot recommend them to pursue a better course than place themselves under the tuition of lgessrs. Thompson, of Clayton.square, whose success i, commensurate with the multitudinous results they have attained for their pupils. LIMEKILN-LANE MUTUAL IMPROVE'rENT SOCIETY. —The members of this society met on Wednesday night for the discussion of the various systems of " Decimal Coinage," and after a debate which showed a very earnest spirit of inquiry among the members. it was decided to petition Parliament to reform our system by introducing a decimal system, with the farthing as the basis. The chairman announced Lthat the subject for next Wednesday was, "Does eloquence or music exercise the greatest influ ence ?" The Journal des Debats publishes a letter from Berlin, dated the 21st, which states, that in a cabinet council held that day, at which the King presided, it was decided that Prussia should take no initiative in reference to the participation of Prussia in the peace conferences, and should make no concessions susceptible of changing her actual position. The will of the late Thomas Cubitt, Esq., is one of the longest on record, and extends to 336 Chancery folios, covering thirty Skins of parchment. The personal estates exceed one million (termed in law of upper value), and is charged with the highest amount in the scale of pro bate duty, the stamp being £15,000. The widow has an immediate bequest of .e 20,000, and an annuity of £B,OOO. THE ANTI-SCRIPTURE READER CRUSAD E . - Since the beginning of the present year the anti-Scripture r ea d er crusade has increased in intensity, and the readers have been repeatedly assaulted at Grange's-road, Upper Patrick-street, and Walkin-street. In the latter locality, on Monday, they were pelted with stones, and covered with filth. It is, however, right to state that the better class of the people, generally of the humblest ranks, who inhabit those suburbs, begin to manifest no small degree of shame and indignation at the conduct of those of their co-religionists who take part in these scenes, and the outrages are confined to a rabble of children. These dis graceful exhibitions no doubt would long since have ceased in Kilkenny, were they not instigated and fomented by influential parties behind the scenes.—Kilkennv Moderator. ACCIDENTAL POISONING —On Tuesday afternoon three gentlemen were accidentally poisoned at a dinner party at Provost M'lver's house, Dingwall,,tScotland. It appears that the party consisted of Provost M'lver, Mr. L. M. Mackenzie (of Findon), two Catholic priests, and several ladies. After dinner, and when the ladiesthad retired, the gentlemen were seized with pains in the throat and mouth, and in half an hour the two priests and Mr. Mac kenzie were dead. Provost M'lver was in a hopeless state yesterday morning. The case is undergoing inves tigation. it is believed that the roast meat was garnished with hemlock, and that the wine excited the chemical action of the poison. The names of the priests are the Rev. James Gordon Beanley and the Rev. Angus Mac kenzie Eskdale. Mr. Mackenzie was about to become son-in-law to Lord Lovat. None of the lAdies were affected. FALL OF:THE WALLS OF MESSRS. HOPKINSON'S FACTORY. —On Thursday morning about 11 o'clock, the gale of wind which prevailed at intervals throughout the day, being then at its highest, the great mass of brickwork forming the eastern and south eastern wal's of the recently destroyed pianoforte factory, in the New road, St. Pancras, fell to the ground with a tremendous crash. A chandler's shop in Fitzroy-row, adjoining . the factory, with the houses on each side, numbered respectively 34 and 35, was buried in the falling mass, and rendered a complete heap of ruins. The screams of women and children wore heard is every direc tion, but a strong body of the S division of police from Albany-street station having arrived, and labourers being procured, steps were taken for. removing the rubbi s h. S even or eight persons were got out 'in an insensible state, and conveyed at once to the University College Hosp ital. It is a remarkable as well as fortunate circumstance that of the seven taken to the hospital six were sufficiently recovered to leave in the course of the day. Several poor families have lost all their furniture by the occurrence. ACT AGAINST THE IMPORTATION OF IRISHMEN.—There was an amusing act of Parliament passed in 1425, which was entitled, " Scotchmen should bring nae man furtb of Ireland without ane testimonial." It was explained in the act that this was not done "to break the auld friendship between the people of Scotland and the Irishry of Ireland." In connection with this act there was a good story told of a scene between Lord Meadowbank, now Mr. Maconochie, and Daniel O'Connell, which occurred in the course of a debate in the House of Commons. Daniel O'Connell had made a very violent attack upon the Scotch statute book, and maintained that the whole of the old Scotch acts of parliament were relics of a barbarous age, not founded upon right reason or sound policy ; upon which Mr. Maconochie rose up and begged to dispute the accuracy of Mr. O'CoinnelPs statement, for, so far back as 1425, there was an act passed in Scotland a gainst the importation of the Irish: (Laughter and applause.)— Sheriff Barclay's Lecture at Dundee. TRADE REPORT.-FRIDAY --......-----•---. The improved tone noticed in the Ccittort market, at the close of last week, has continued throughout the present, and considerable activity and more cheerfulness have prevailed. In American a good business has been transacted; " asking prices" generally are considerably above quotations, bat a sufficient supply of reasonable Cotton being offered to satisfy the daily requirements, prices are barely 1-16 d. per lb. dearer. Brazil and Egyptian are steady with rather more enquiry for the latter. Surat in good request, and slightly dearer. The weekly sales are reported 70,220 bales, of which 10,400 are on speculation, and 10,270 for export. COTTON GAMBIE OLIVE OIL : 5 tuns Sevil £5O 103 to £5l SIIUMA PricespaidiCurrt. Prices this week-] Mid. Fair. )0 bags at 119 6d &RINA : 10 ton AGO FLOUR : 800 1 TRAT,E Is 54c1, no seller Is 6.1,'1s 64d no Lption. T Stocks 12? 5; 1222053 61 f 57480 44150 3570 63390 ved at 75s 6d to £5 10s, 1 103; 10 tune Lisbm at at Glasgow Ils 9d ,gs offered at auction, 21s only bid. ayerS at Is 61; 1 t , . 110 s ; discolourea, ping, 3 brown : good, 100 Div' : LINSEED 01 IN VII 100 tons at £l2, : 20 tons at £4l Sellers at rALLO V for March delivery at SIPAN WOOD sold, at 4 every duc'ed, and 1; cream, grey, 105 s to 107 s 6d intimo's, 90s to 92s ad. non American' Ratail sal LtRD is retailing at 653 to 6 AD scarce, and much wanted t.I Sales. I D 680 Sea Island i 14300 Upland 4200 Mobile - New Orleans j 4 to 5 to 7 21 to 4 for Warrar the itn SUGAR OF LE The market has been rather quiet, the Wet being confined to 60 hhds. grainy Demerara, at 453 6d to 403 Rd, and 160 barrels at 42s 6d to 43s per cwt. SUGAR Moi.Agazs : A parcel, consisting of 226 puncheons Cuba Muscovado, and 60 puncheons Trinidad, all indirect, has been sold from the quay, at 17s 6d per cwt. Rum : 80 puncheons Demerara are reported, at 3s 7d to 3 - I per gallon. 37 per mt. overproof. COFFEE : Of the St. Domingo offered by auction, 550 bags were sold, at 50s for Port-au-Prince, and 523 for Cape 'lava ; and by private, 60 bags Santos at 52s per cwt. TEA A steady inquiry continues for medium blackish leaf Congou, but common is not qu;:te so firm. RICE: 500 bags Arracan have been sold from the quay, at lls lid per cwt. SALTPETRE : We have to report 50 bazg 13 per cent. refraction at 37s 6d for THE ELMES' TI mes' Testimcmiai imittee of th At a meeting of the c Fund, at the office of Messrs. Brown, Shipley, & Co., on the 18th inst., William Brown, Esq., 14.1. P., in the chair; the fol lowing resolutions, having been very maturely considered, were unanimously adopted : .First. That Thomas Dyson liornbv and Walter Fergus - Macgregor, I first trustees of the fund be appointed the Second. That the trust be constituted to give the interest of the fund to Mrs Elmes for ber life, on her decease, to her son, by the late Harvey Lonsdale Limes, for his life, and on his decease to found two scholarships, to be called the Elmer' Scholarships, for Architectural 'Students, or Students of the. Fine Arts, available for two years each, to' pupils of the Royal, the Collegiate, or the Mechanics' Institution, asp being may decide, on the merits` o !cilia examination for the purpose Titled: That vacancies in the number of the trustees be filled up, by election by the presidents for the time being of the Royal, the Collegiate, and the Mechanics' Institutions, and of the Royal Institute of British Architects ; and in case any three of them should not agree, tho Mayor of Liverpool for the time being to have the casting vote. It appeared from the bank passbook that the balance in Fourth. 'I as resolved, , 00l be 3oration of Liver agreed to allow that the expen out of the surplus money, and laid over to Mrs. Elmes. CHARLES YERELST, 1 Hon. Secretaries JOSEF'S BOUM' LONDON GAZETTI STIMONIAI ink, to date 1 out for £140( three ner cen trust deed arid .1 that the balance, if ay, be 1 BANKRUPTS —War. SHOVE, Croydon, oil and colour.: man, painter glazier. JAMES CirAevricic, Heywood, near Bury, Lancashire, joiner and builder. FREDERICK CHAFFERS, late of Old Broad-street, Russia and Colonial Wm. PHILLIPS, Wallingford, Berkshire, builder. ALFRED CAMPION, Dowgate-bill, City. Y vveattics, late of Union- Wiu. HAWKER an and corn IftpsoN, ._.ston agent. JOHN BENNINGTON BLYTHE, Minerva-place, Old Kent-road, late of the Smelting twitth• road, Rotherh;o— - street. rsetshire, ,glove Alkali, broker ncashire, :11, coach Lsect vie rch ant, tualler, cLcox, Bartletts-buildings, mer and printer. JosEpa iVest Ha , tlepool, Durham, rchant and comm welter an neater is TING BY, now or late of Tottenham Court road, warehouseman, and also of Richmond, Surrey, and and also of Portland-terrace, NOtting-h ill, baker. Mr. Macready read his lecture " On some the Aspect% of intolerance," before the members of the Yeovil Insti tution on Wednesday. The audience was a crowed one, and Mr. Macready's reception most enthusiastic, upwards of sixty new members having joined the society on purpose to participate in the intellectual treat. The society now comprises nearly 400 members THE EMIGRATION DEPOT AT BIRKENHEAD.—The govern ment emigrants' home at Birkenhead float is uow without any, occupants, save the officials, and presents a strange contrast in its quiet aspect to its bustling appearance (lariat , the spring and summ er mon th s . Th e l as t vesse l was despatched on the 19th November, and the next batch of emigrants, about 400 in all, will arrive in about ten days, for despatch to Sydney, in Messrs, James Barnes and Co.'s magnificent Black Ball Australian liner, Commodore Ferry. WESTMINSTER WIT.—In a carriage case before the Queen's Bench, Mr. Hawkins had frequently to advert to that description of vehicle, called a " Brougham,". which he pronounced in proper dissyllabic form. Lord Camp-. bell suggested that the word was frequently contracted to " broom," which was just as well known, and the use of which would save a syllable. Henceforward Mr. Hawkins called it " broom." Presently the argument turned upon omnibuses, and Lord Campbell frequently used the word "omnibus," to which he gave its due length. ‘ l3 ' beg n l tit. lordship's pardon," retorted Mr. _ your lordship will call it ' bus.' von w;tl Your make if, much more int( learned lord assented t( save two syllables, and to to the witnesses." The proposed abbreviation. LIVERPJOL :STEAMER BY Go- WERNMENT.—The beautiful new iron paddle steamer, the Empress Eugenie, the second just completed by Mr. John Laird, for the commissioners of Birkenhead, to ply at the Woodside ferry, and which was to have been put upon her station yesterday, has been purchased, it is said, by govern ment, for service in the Crimea. Workmen are now engaged upon her in Birkenhead float, taking down her handsome cabin fittings, companions, and cabin skylights, and making other alterations necessary for her to undertake the voyage to the Black Sea. The Empress Eugenie is sister vessel to the Liverpool, which is the fastest and most comfortable ferry boat on th e. r i ver , and from her light draught of w a t er, great speed, and c a p a bilit y o f s te e ring at both end s , an d the advantage she possess e s in having disconnecting eng i nes of great power, she will be exc3edingi , y bandy either as a gur, despatch, or tow boat. _ xesa ( CORK AND BANDON RAILWAr.--The long vexed ques tion between the Cork and Bandon Railway an d t h e con tractors for the execution of a portion of their line, Sir Charles Fox, Henderson, and Co., has at last been con cluded by the award of Mr. Brunel, C.E. The sums claimed by the contractors amounted to £45,000. which the award has reduced to £17,800. The total sum awarded by Mr. Brunel was £19,800, from which £2,000 was deducted for the penalties to which the contractors were liable 111 consequence of not having the works executed at fixed periods. In addition to this sunkof £17,800, the company owe £29,000 to Government, besides £50,000 to private parties, making the whole liabilities of the company about £lOO,OOO, to meet which they have power, ' however, toissue preference shares for £30,000, but the sum pro duced by the issue of these shares will of course depend on the rate, whether at par or otherwise, at which they may be purchased.—ark Cbtutitution•