The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-25 00:00:00

now lan eatnnierrial Salels. THIS DAY stant. at Tw ce. 1. Oldhall e ssina S HUM AC, JOHN BASON & SON, Brokers NEXT WEEK MONDAY On AI ONDAY net, e z Jane Pratt 0 WE A Rival, 63 Bags SUGA T. & H. I at One o'clock, all faults, fTLEMILE & CO., Brokers )NESDAY tt 1 welve o'clock, ion . ), Exchange-buil GuTrA PERCHA ) Malacca CANES AY next, r b:'& CO., Brokers zchange•buildings, , 0 Bags SAGO FLOUR, OLIN B. WALLACE, Broker, en bait. BONE PHOSPHATES, in Crust or r BIRD ISLAND and MEXICAN GUANO, f VINEGAR r-chambers, Tithebarn-stree ;OTHERS, TO EXPORTERS PICKLES, SAUCES JAMS, Prepared expressly for Exportation. Always on Sale, by EVERY & CO., 35, South John-street. CHEESE FOR EXPORT. NORTH WILTSHIRE TRUCKLE Apply to and carer CLIBBORN & THOMAS, 35, I, ticians may n may ap Other CHEESE, 'y packed h John -street THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES is TWO GUINEAS PER ANNUM. EVENING EDITION. aAn Evening Edition of TIMES it Published NORTHERN DAILY 'ontaining the Markets, !ry Afternoon, at Three o' ogether with all the News of th Day, up to the hour of going to Press Ec 30.,ortljtrn FRIDAY, JANUARY -......... 25, 1858 Ir diplomacy has one characteristic to recom. mend it more than another it is ambiguity. The language employed by the negociators and advo cates of peace verifies this assertion. We defy the most practised logician, the most profound pro fessors of rhetoric, or scholars who have devoted s to studyin bscure passages in the works of modern or ancient authors, to tell us what all that has been said about Russia's accep tance of the Austrian propositions really means. Plain-going business people can, without the aid of any great scholastic or intellectual culture, make themselves understood when they accept or refuse any proffered bargain. The trickster alone resorts to delays, evasion and circumlocution. We have these and other standar,is by which we measure the integrity of individuals in the every-day transactions of life ; and we cannot conceive why they should not be employed to test the sincerity of nations in matters relating to peace or war . Where no trick is intended, no treachery is meant to be perpetrated, or no dishonest advantage sought, plain and decisive language, intelligible to all the world, would be as acceptable to Europe as the most finished piece of composition which could emanate from the first University on the Continent, or in England. Diplomatists and poll_ honest inten )f their own, and a voca bular 1 style of diction, but st the erudition of any age, or require any departure from a feu concise common-place expressions. These being the views of the great bulk of the British public, diplomatists must not be surprised to hear that Great Britain does not place any great reliance on Russia's acceptance of peace on terms which would satisfy the popular mind of either England or France. The Western Powers have united their strength for the purpose of settling, once and for all, the landmarks of free navigation, unrestricted commercial intercourse, and inter national rights and interests in Eastern Europe and on the-Asiatic shores of the Black Sea. And no French or British Government can withdraw from the present contest until these questions are definitely settled, and guarantees are given by the CZAR for the observance of those conditions for which they took up arms, and expended such immense quantities of blood and treasure Time has verified the aphorism —we can have no little war ; and it follows, as a natural consequence, we can have no little peace. When we have a malady to overcome, it is necessary that thevirtues of the spe cific should preponderate over the virulence of the complaint. In organic diseases, such as those which have lacerated, distracted, and tortured the East for the last three quarters of a century, we should see that no quack is suffered to interfere, and no paltry Charlatan allowed to tamper with the re maining hopes, constitution, and life of a patient, in whose prolonged existence Europe has so deep an interest. That Russia would gladly accept peace we have no doubt —but on what terms ? She knows full well the limit popular opinion will suffer the Cabinets of France and England to go. If Russian states men could induce NAPOLEON, or the PALMERSTON administration, to accept terms which would lead to universal discontent, and plunge them into internal dissensions which might lead to the over throw of their power, and place peace-men and Russian sympathisers in the ascendant, the Czar might then hope to accomplish all he now has in view, by the pen instead of the sword. In calcu • lating the forces with which Russia has to contend, we may be sure her crafty diplomatists have not overlooked the position of party, and the political condition of the Allied countries. A change of Ministry in England would secure Russia many advantages ; and any popular excitement in France, no matter how trivial, would b e duly appreciated, not only at St. Petersburg, but at Vienna and Berlin. And, we would have the Governments of both nations beware how they accept terms of peace likely to shake the public confidence in their patriotism, and loyalty in the cause they have espoused. The interests involved in the present contest are purely of a material character, and these are of sufficient magnitude to make themselves felt instantaneously. If the vigorous prosecution of the war leads to the establishment of the free navigation of the Danube, and reducing the Black Sea to a commercial lake, all Europe will instantly feel its beneficial effects. Should the conditions of peace defeat these aims, the Austrian proposals will prove an imposture, and the dead weight thrown on the West by the contest will render the dastardly sham intolerable. We have now a great war on our hands, and we can see pretty c l e arly the worst that can befal us. But give us an empty truce, which would deprive us of regaining, b y o ur trade and industry, those weighty losse s we have endured by the war, and ignominy will over ,ake those who, for the sake of self or party, could sanction its ratification. The British pub- lic, but more particularly the mercantile classes, have fixed their minds on securing for themselves the independence of their Ottoman customers, the free navigation of the Danube, and the full enjoyment of free and unrestricted trade with the independent nations on the Asiatic shores of the conditions No ultinzatunv which slurs over these , and no " formulation" which can iefeat this unalterable resolve of Great Britain a accepted by any Government of this try without exposing themselves to immediate rnd the certainty of speedy loss of office. log u 3 he idea of abandoning all claim of compensation lsions to the determined for our losses, and allp enforcement of those rights fcr which we went to war, and the material guarantees required for the )bserva )f our demands as a great mari- and commercial nation, would be too base for this entry to tolerate, even at the hands of a Whig or PALMERSTON administration have always been led to believe that this war neant great things, and the people of tl i.s country Illy looked for Teat things, to compensate MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL. LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY EVENING There has been no change in the tone of the cotton market to-day. With an active demand the sales reach 8000 bales, of which 1500 were taken for speculation and export. Prices were very firm. The Liverpool Share Market opened with con siderable buoyancy at a further advance upon yesterday's prices, and continued firm until the afternoon, when a decline of 2to per cent. took place, closing flat at the lowest point. Aberdeen,lll 12. Chester and Birkenhead, 13 131. Caledonian, Chester and Holyhead, 12 123. East 828L. East Lancashire, 189-10 1811-10. Ditto A, 10i 10k. ern Counties, Northern Great Western, 55 552. Lancashire and Yorkshire Stock 801 80 . 4. Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport, 15 151. London and North Western Stock, 981 98k. Manchester, Sheffield and Lincoln, 258 251. Ditto Preference, 131 13!-. Ditto New 6 per cent Pref., A -,lp. Midland Stock, 69* 69k. North British, 7 11-16 7 1316. North Staffordshire, 81 8/d. South Eastern, 18 5-16 18. York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 18 181. York and North Midland, 24 . 241. Leeds Capital Stock, 14 14*. Dutch Rhenish, a x all ap. Ditto New Shares, 2i 2 1P. Great Western of Canada, 25* 26,1. Ditto New Shares, 3 5-16 3 7-1.6 p. Great Luxembourg, Messrs. Browne, Hunter, and Company, have issued their usual Monthly Circular to day, from which we quote the following : The general expectation that the Produce Markets would reopen at the commencement of the year with increased actively (the close of a year being always marked by an indisposition on the part of buyers to increase their stocks, which may in some measure account for the dull ness that prevailed at the date of our last circular), has not been realised, thereby rendering evident that the causes which had previously operated to depress com merce and curtail transactions continued to exercise the same baneful influence, with no immediate prospect of the evils being mitigated ; the pending preliminaries to renewed negotiations for peace, doubtless, caused consi derable suspense, for so uncertain seemed the issue of the acceptance or rejection on the part of Russia, that few were willing to enter into transactions ; upon receipt, however, of a telegraphic message on the 17th instant from Vienna, to the effect that Russia had unconditionally accepted the terms offered by Austria, great excitement prevailed,—Funds immediately advanced two to three per cent., Cotton id. per lb., Sugar (which was previously of nominal value) became firmer, and holders refused to sell except at much higher prices ; whilst, on the other hand, all war articles became depressed, and prices nominal. From the ebullition of feeling displayed by the public, evidence is afforded of the benefits that would accrue by a cessation of hostilities, indicating also that the previous duplicity and insincerity of Russia, had been lost sight of, and it was not until succeeding accounts were received, showing the acceptance of the propositions to be intended only as a basis of negociations, that the most sanguine became less confident ; hence the excite ment has in a great measure abated—until more definite and authentic intelligence is made known uncertainty must prevail, and the exercise of caution be requisite. The Money Market has continued in the same unsatis factory position ; and although large arrivals of specie have taken place, the efflux of bullion is still in the ascendant, the stock at the Bank of England being now £9,799,305, :'against £10,439,525 at the date of our last circular. By some an increase in the rate has been anticipated, but, should the directors deem it prudent further to cripple commercial stability, no doubt an immediate suspension of the Act of 1844 would be tapplied for by the mercantile community. Unquestionably, a return of peace would bring into circulation a large amount of money at present hoarded, with a view to an increased rate of interest ; but it must also be borne in mind that new loans will be resorted to, and, with an expansion of commerce, greatly-increased accommodation would be required, so that no immediate ease in monetary affairs is apparent. The opinion we ventured to express in our Annual Circular, as a means to relieve the present difficulties by the issue of one pound notes, was said to be contemplated, but no remedy has yet been proposed. in reference to the Market for Linseed, they say : Since the intelligence of the 17th inst., the business in linseed has been suspended, and quotations have become quite nominal, buyers no doubt, being under the impression that prices would considerably decline in the event of peace being made ; but when it is an admitted fact that no supplies could be received from any of the Baltic ports, even if the terms of peace were now agreed upon, for three or four months hence, and as the consumption of linseed in Russia has so greatly increased for the want of supplies of olive oil, the stocks also in all the ports of the Black Sea having been shipped until within a late period, it is very uncertain if any quantity could be received this year. And as the stocks in this country are well known to be very light, which has compelled most of the mills to stop working, we cannot see any cause for an immediate fall in prices if holders are only firm, and refrain from pressing sales. The transactions in the early part of the month are 1000 bags Bengal linseed, at 76s to 775, and two parcels Bombay, to arrive, one at 755, and the other at 68s; 3000 bags Bengal rapeseed, at 69s to 70s ; 800 bags gingelly seed, at 70s ; 400 bags yellow mustard seed (fine quality), at 70s ; 753 bags poppy, at 65s ; and 700 bags Niger, to arrive, at 54s per quarter. The imports of linseed into the United Kingdom, lbr eleven months, are 649,769 qrs., against 698,660 qrs. ; and of rapeseed, 113,782 qrs., against 89,252 qrs., in 1854. There has been a fair amount of business done in the Manchester Goods Market to-day, but reports of the failure of a large spinning house were current, and caused some depression. _ Letters from Copenhagen state that the con ference on the Sound Dues proceeded very slowly. The meetings are postponed from day to day, in conseque nce of the non-arrival of commissioners frem some of the States interested. Among these are the delegates from the free cities of Germany, and the representative of Norway. The directors of the Australian Agricultural Com pany have issued their report in anticipation of the annual meeting. The accounts, which are for the year ending Dec. 31, 1854, show a profit of 17,9501; but the Directors, owing to several unfavourable circumstances, do not recommend the declaration of a dividend. A comparative statement of the colliery operations gives the amount of coal raised at 47,538 tons. The expenses were 36,098/, and the net revenue was 8,2041. The Funds continues to rise. At the official close to-day the advance upon the final quotations was three-eighths per cent, but, at a later hour a reaction of one eighth per cent was quoted. At the close the figures stood thus :-902 91. To day the movement for higher prices seems generally to have assumed a more speculative character. Upon all the Continental Stock Markets a rapid rise is in progress. At Paris to-day th e th ree p e r cent Rentes quietly rose 7 4 - per cent, but the closing quotations were not received here this evening. Money was in increased demand to day in the Stock Exchange at 5 to 6 per cent, part l y to mee t to morrow's finalinstalment of 12; 7 .1 per cent on the Turkish Loan. Some advances were obtained from the Bank at 6 per cent. The Railway Share Market continues animated and buoy. ant, the closing quotations being as follows :—Cale donian, 561 561. Eastern Counties, 8 13-16 8 15.16 East Lancashire, 731 741 Great Northern, 951961. Ditto A, 81 82. Great Western, 551551. Lanca shire and Yorkshire, 801 80;-?-,. London and North Western, 98?-, 98a. Manchester, Sheffield. and Lincoln Shire, 241 251 Midland Stock, 681 69. North British, 301 31-t. South Eastern and Dover, 601 64. York, Newcastle, and Berwick, 721 731 York and North Midland, 49i 48t. A RAILWAY ROMANCE.—A singular affair occurred on gentleman c a f r r o r m i ag ß e r h m i s i n v g is h . a a m . u a found h t h i m e s o e n l I f y seated other y the Wear Valley railway (Durham) th e other day. A n as- a senger in that compartment of the carriage being a blooming lady, answering to the alliterative description of " fat, fair, and forty." The train had scarcely moved a hundred yards from the station, before the lady sud denly leaped from her seat and exclaimed to the other passenger, " How dare you, sir ? What do you mean ?" The gentleman, astonished, renlied that " He did not understand ,• he had done nothing to harm her" Again and again she sprang from her seat in apparent terror and rage, and declared with vehemence that her neigh bour was a villain, and she would have him taken into custody at the next station. The gentleman protested his innocence, and asked what he had done ; hut the eccentric lady still kept leaping from her seat, raving against his treatment, till the gentleman decided that she was mad, and resolved, on the arrival of the train at the next station, to give her into custody. As her eccentricity did not abate, nor her rage either, he, on the arrival of the train at one of the stations, was about to carry his resolution into action, when she suddenly sprang to the door and screamed out'' Guard ! Guard !" at the top of her voice, and presently collected not only the guard, but a crowd of people around her. She then commenced her accusation in words, both loud and deep, protesting that the gentleman had improperly pinched her legs, and the gentleman, horrified at the charge, pro testing, with equal vehemence, his perfect innocence. At this juncture, when matters looked serious for the gentleman, the guard happened to recollect that he had placed a bisket under the seat of the carriage containing a live goose; and, pulling it out, the mystery was ex plained, the bird being the criminal. Having eased the lady's fears and the gentleman's apprehensions, this explanation was received with perfect good humour and satisfaction by the parties concerned, and the train renewed its journey amid the convulsive laughter and applause of the assembled multitude. NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1856. 1 for the spirit and patriotism with which they their blood and treasure. To poured fi those who will make none of the changes which a sudden transition from peace to war requires, and are irrevocably pleOged to the present system, the general appearance of the affairs of this coun try must be sufficiently desperate to justify their departure from the public's views with regard to the continuance and real objects of the war. But iticians less biassed, less deeply merged in :ie slough of pact) with keener perceptions and England was never in a better position to defend her rights, and to establish her interests on a sound and immoveable basis. What broader vie France will do at the present juncture, it is im possible to say. If she should accept terms which we ought not and cannot, Austria's object will have been gained, and German perfidy will have triumphed. These are a few of the paramount difficulties with which w e approach the proposed peace negotiations ; and should we retire from them without losing our blood, our money, our military prestige, our naval renown, and all we seek in reason as an atonement of provoking blood shed, as a commercial and mighty nation, it will be because the public eye sees too clearly, and the public voice will be ready to denounce too loudly, the abandonment of those great moral and neces• sary ends on which Great Britain has fixed her heart. THE COURT WINDSOR, JAN. 23. —The Earl and Countess of Elle?. mere and Lady Blanche Egerton, the Earl of Aberdeen, and Sir George and Lady Grey arrived yesterday after noon on a visit to her Majesty. The dinner party included the Duchess of Kent, the Princess Royal, the Earl of Aberdeen, the Earl and Countess of Ellesmere. and Lady Blanche Egerton, Lady Fanny Howard, Baroness de Speth, Sir George and Lady Grey, Colonel Francis Seymour (Scots Fusilier Guards), and Mr. Gibbs. The Queen drove out in an open carriage this morning, accompanied by the Princesses Helena and Louisa. Prince Albert went out shooting. Lieut.-Colonel Challoner had the honour of accompanying the Prince. Lord Panmure was sufficiently recovered from his recent attack of gout to attend the Cabinet Council held at the Foreign-office on Wednesday last. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary have arrived at their residence at St. James's Palace, from Cambridge Cottage, Kew. The Duke of Cambridge visited the Duchess and Princess shortly after his return from Paris on Tuesday. THE CASE OF ARCHDEACON DENISON.—In the Queen's Bench, yesterday morning, before Lord Campbell, Mr. Justice Coleridge, Mr. Justice Wightman, and Mr. Justice Erle, the rule obtained last term by Sir Fitzroy Kelly for a mandamus, compelling the Archbishop of Canterbury to take certain proceedings in the Arches' Court against the Rev. Mr. Denison, Archdeacon of Taunton, was made absolut REPRESENTATION OF EDINBURGH.-At a meeting of the general committee of the liberal electors of Edin burgh, held on Tuesday, and presided over by the Lord Provost, it was unanimously resolved, on the motion of Sir W. Gibson Craig, seconded by Mr. Adam Morrison, that a requisition be presented to Mr. Adam Black, the eminent bookseller, inviting him to become a candidate for the seat in parliament vacant by the retirement of the Rt. Hon. T. B. Macaulay. THE RUGELEY TRAGEDIES.-Evidence is:now being collected by the police authorities at Stafford, with reference to the circumstances under which one Mr. Leonard Bladen died at the house of William Palmer in May, 1850 ; and it is understood that the Government, in the event of discovering sufficient grounds, will institute an inquiry into the matter, and conduct it in a manner to elicit the whole truth, whichever way it may lie. We are also in a position to state, that it is in contemplation to institute an inquiry into the conduct of the coroner.— The relations of Palmer, and the friends interested in his defence,:complain strongly of the prejudgment of his case by the press, and consequently by the public. They repre sent:that as all t h e circumstances allege d amoun t t o nothing without the medical evidence which unites and directs them with f a t a l perspicuity to a point, the case will, in fact, turn on a question of science, on which they are prepared to prove a difference of opinion in high authorities. That the finding of antimony in the body of Mrs. Palmer may not be considered the finding of poi son. That however correct Professor Taylor's analysis, his reasoning from its results may b e ill og i cal, and his deductions, perhaps, scientifically incorrect in the judg ment of higher adepts in chemistry. They allege, them selves, to be doubtful of getting a fair and impartial hearing, so great is the accumulation of prejudice. It is intended, therefore, to remove the case, if possible, to the civil side by certiorari, with a view of obtaining a trial by special jury, as well as to change the venue. But a special jury does not follow as a natter of right, even though the case be removed. The statute (6 Geo. IV., c. 50, s. 30), relating to special juries does not give a special jury in criminal cases, so that a ques tion whether common law jurisdiction of the Queen's Bench is sufficient for that c curt to grant one. It is quite pos sible that the court will exercise this power, if the crown consent, as it possibly may in a case of so peculiar a description. Should Palme..'s legal advisers fail in this course, the certiorari will be applied for, and an attempt will also be made to obtain a trial at bar, where a fspecal jury could be granted, In Viner's " Abridgement," Trial N., mention is made of a prosecution for a highway robbery, at the instance of the hundred, where the ground for the trial at bar was that it was feared he should be too violently prosecuted, and the hundred might discharge themselves by his conviction. In Pal mer's case the defendant has the same fear from a diffe rent cause. COUNTY COURT. -..This court sat yesterday, but had no business of importance, and rose at an early hour. ST. ANNE'S DISPENSARY AND EAR INsimprioN.—The annual meeting of the subscribers to this charity was held at the Board-room, Rose-hill, yesterday. The Mayor presided on the occasion. The annual report was read and adopted, and the treasurer's accounts were passed. LECTURES TO THE WOIUKING MEN. The second of the course of evening lectures to the working men, at the Concert-hall, was delivered in the class-room of that building last night by the Rev. Professor Griffiths. The subject was " Geology," which the lecturer treated in the most compr mannerehensive, and at the same time, intelligible and ST. GEORGE'S HALL. MOZART'S CENTENARY. To morrow (Saturday) being the centenary of Mozart, Mr. T. W. Best will give a grand performance on the orga n , i n celebration of the event, the whole of the programme being selected from the works of that immortal musical genius. Mr. Best is admirably qualified to do justice to Mozart's divine inspirations, and we feel assured that the public will have a rare musical treat. The programme will be as follows :—Overture, Die Zauberflote ; Quartett, " Recordare ' (Requiem); Chorus, " Gloria in excelsis " (12th Mass) ; Reminiscences of th e Op era "Il Don Gio vanni." including the duet La ci Da r ß e a nz; , ;and tlle T th erze e tt g e r , a A n h d , chi mi dice maz th e Ai r, Baui, tei seatett, M lle torbidi pouieri. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. SECOND EDITION RUSSIAN FINANCI By a despatch from St. Petersburg, we learn that an Imperial ukase has decreed the issue of ten new series of paper money, of 3,000,000 silver roubles each. The eight former series are also renewed, making a total of 54,000,000 silver roubles. THE PENINSULAR MAIL. LOSS OF A LIVERPOOL VESSEL AND THREE LIVES SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY The Peninsular and Oriental Steam-?hip Com pany's steamer Tagus has arrived at this port, with the Peninsular mails, thirty passengers, and 2,1001. in specie. Her dates are from Gibraltar the 16th ; Cadiz the 17th; Lisbon ; the 19th; and Vigo the 21st instant. Her advices report the loss of the Liverpool vessel John, Captain Farthing, which went ashore off Correll on the 9th inst. The captain and two of the crew were unfortunately drowned. THE PEACE MOVEMENT. Advices dated Berlin, the 23rd inst , state that great confidence is felt there that Prussia will be admitted to participate in the new conferences. Sardinia was formally acquainted with the Austrian propositions, and will of course be summoned to the negotiations. It is believed, seeing how many of the Powers must be engaged in them, and the European importance of what relates to the Prin cipalities and the Christian subjects of the Porte, that the conferences will assume the shape of a nearly general Congress. Russia will probably make a merit of conceding the Bomarsund point, provided she can save Nicolaieff. It is said to be positive that instructions are already on the road to Marshal Pelissier and General Luders, and to Omer Pacha and Mouravieff, to suspend hostilities. The acceptance of the Austrian propositions has been published officially at St. Petersburg. The announcement states that the chief condition is the neutralisation of the Black Sea, to be secured by a treaty between Russia and Turkey ; Russia is ready to discuss the other points. Letters from Vienna state that the Esterhazy propositions are interpreted by the Russian party there to permit the maintenance of Nicolaieff, and also of the Russian forts on the Circassian coast, as well as the re-erection of those which have been partially destroyed. The Post Gazette of Frankfort says :—lt is affirmed in diplomatic circles that Russia will send as plenipotentiaries to the Peace Conferences Count Orloff and Baron de Brunow. These pleni potentiaries represent the German and Old Russian parties of Russia. The Conferences,itis said, will take place at Paris or Brussels. • The Post A mpt Gazettee contains a letter from Berlin of the 20th, which says :—The Austrian government has just despatched a written note to the Courts of Paris and London, announcing officially the acceptance by Russia of the Austrian proposals, and inviting them to come to an under standing respecting the opening of the Confer ences. It leaves to them the choice of the place- The departure of Colonel Manteufiel is again indefinitely adjourned. The reports from St. Petersburg state that much severe weather had been experienced in the Crimea, and that heavy snows had fallen in the vicinity of Simpheropol. In order to reduce as much as possible the amount of the civil list, the Emperor had given orders that all vacancies oc curring in the Imperial Court appointments should for the future not be filled up as heretofore, until his orders were made known on the subject. This ukase proves that all due regard is now paid to the strictest economy in the State expenses. SUDDEN DEATH.-Mr. Robert Mullen, the liberal assessor for Dublin, died in that city of apoplexy on Mon day night. The unfortunate gentleman's death was instantaneous. The moment before he appeared in excellent health, and, dropping suddenly to the floor, while 1 - idding a friend good night,lhe expired. Benjamin Gaskell, Esq., who was for many years one of the representatives in parliament of the borough of Maldon, died on. Monday at Thorne's-house, Wakefield, in the 75th year of his age. The deceased gentleman is succeeded in his property and estates by his son, Mr. James Milnes Gaskell, M.P. for Wenlock. THE MURDER AT BATH.—BATH, JANUARY 23.—The inquest upon the body of Eliza Howell, the woman so brutally murdered by her husband, was resumed last night before the Coroner, A. H. English, Esq. The depositions having been read over, the prisoner was fully committed to take his trial at the next Somerset assizes on the charge of wilful murder. Loss OF LIFE—PLYMOUTH, WEDNESDAY EVENING.— A waterman's boat, with seventeen persons on board, bound from Mutton Cove, Devonport, to her Majesty's ship Exmouth, in Plymouth Sound, accidentally upset on " the Bridge," and Mr. Bateman, paymaster of the Exmouth, three marine artillerymen, and one seaman, were drowned. The other fourteen were picked up by the boat of her Majesty's ship Sanspareil, which was near at the time of the accident. Mr. Anderson, the surgeon, and Mr. Warper, the assistant—surgeon, of the Exmouth, were amongst the number of those who were recovered. The boat was overloaded, and not in good condition. CHARGE OF ROBBERY AT THE EXETER POST OFFICE. — Mr. Edwin Hyett, a clerk in the Exeter Post Office, was charged before the mayor and magistrates, with abstracting money from a letter, while in course of transmission through the Post-office. The prisoner is respectably connected, and has a wife and three children. Some years ago he was charged, in conjunction with his brother, with robbery at the Exeter Post-office, and, although they were acquitted, Mr: Edwin Hyett, the prisoner, was suspended from his situation for two years. In the meantime, a letter-carrier named Harrapp, was apprehended on several charges of robbery at the same post-office, and, being convicted and sentenced to tran sportation, he confessed to having committed the robbery with which Hyetts had been charged. On this being made known to the Post-office authorities, Mr. Edwin Hyett was restored to his situation. In the present case a letter-sorter swears that he saw Mr. Hyett open a letter containing money. The prisoner was committed (on bail) for trial. INJURED INNOCENCE.--CANDID CONFESSION.--At the Middlesex Sessions, three notorious thieves were con victed of stealing a gold watch from the person of a gentleman at a sparring exhibition at Saville-house, Leicester-square. On being sentenced, one of the con victs, named James, addressed the newly appointed Assistant-Judge (Mr. Pashley, Q.C.) in these terms : " I've got four years' penal ; that I don't mind, but I've got it wrong, that's all. I'm innocent this time, anyhow. I've been a thief all my life, that's right enough, and am a thief still ; the policeman knows it, and he took us wrong when this robbery was done. Why, that watch was stole twenty minutes before we went into Saville-house, as I know, so we didn't do it. I'd steal a dozen watches, two if you like, if I'd half a chance; but, take my word, I didn't have that." The prisoner, after this candid avowal, retired from the bar, the per sonification of injured innocence. RAILWAY REFORM MEETING.—A meeting of railway proprietors was held on Tuesday afternoon, at the London Tavern, for the purpose of considering, and, if possible, devising the best means of securing an efficient reform in the management of railway property - . Mr. William Malins, chairman of the Metropolitan Junction Company, occupied the chair. Mr. Mitchell proposed the first reso lution, which was in the following terms :—." That a society be now formed, to be called the Railway Proprie tors' Association • that its object be the protection of railway property, and its restoration to a fair and legiti mate value, containing, among other principles, the following:—Restricting, and, in all practicable cases, closing capital accounts ; the suppression of unremunera tive tariffs by territorial arrangements ; and entertaining all questions conductive to the benefit of railway property in the shape of economical working or otherwise." ihe resolution was carried, as was also another, appointing the government of the association to be in a president, and a council of twelve gentlemen who were nominated. and the meeting, after a vote of .thanks to the chairman separated. FRANCE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING As rather a gloomy view of matters was taken yesterday, you will not be surprised to learn that a more cheerful one has been adopted to-day,—for it rarely happens that these good Parisians are two days running of the same opinion. In the shape of positive news throwing new light on the great matter which now occupies Europe, we have' however, none. What little we have is in fact rather unfavourable than otherwise ;—it being to the effect that in announcing in the Journal of St. Petersburg, its acceptance of the Austrian condi tions, the Russian government expresses the hope that Europe will be " grateful " for her moderation —a mode of speaking not displaying much humility. But it has been generally reported to-day that things are going on as pleasantly as even a railway director could wish; that England, France, and Austria, all believe in peace.; that the best under standing in the world exists between France and England, notwithstanding the marked divergence of views in the newspapers of the two countries and that both of them have consented, or will consent, to an armistice, for, probably, three months. It is anin said, to-day, that this city will probably be chosen for the approaching conferences. The confirmation by the Morning Post, 'of the fact of Russia having ordered a suspension of hostilities in the Crimea—a fact of which you were informed some days back—combined with the favourable view taken of la situation, caused a rather large rise on the Bourse to-day ; that of the Threes has been not less than 75 cents. It has been reported that the Emperor Alexander has written to Louis Napoleon, expressing his desire for peace ; but I do not believe it. The Journal des Debats has an interesting article on the recent negociations with Russia—the details of which have evidently been derived from diplo matic sources. According to it, M. Seebach, the Saxon Minister, on his late visit to St. Petersburg, was most earnest in his exhortations to the Emperor Alexander, to treat for peace. The King of Prussia sent Colonel Manteuffel to Vienna, to ascertain exactly what was passing, and learned to his dismay, that Austria had entered into engage ments with the Western Powers, not only to recall her minister from St. Petersburg (in the event of her conditions not being accepted purely and simply), but to sign a military convention with the'Allies to take arms against Russia in the spring. She learned also that the Allies, in th e event of being forced to continue the war, intended to abandon the system of disinterestedness they adopted at the beginning of it, and to wrest terri. tory from Russia. She learned, moreover, that the re-establishment of Poland, as a separate nation, formed part of their plans, and that they intended to give back to Poland the Austrian and Prussian parts of it—giving Austria in exchange the Walla chian and Moldavian provinces, and Prussia naturally nothing. On learning all this, the poor King of Prussia wrote off at once to communicate it both to the Emperor Alexander and the Grand Duke Constantine, and he earnestly entreated them to make peace on the Austrian terms, in order to escape the disasters with which their country was threatened ; he, at the same time, declared that if they persisted in continuing the war, he must turn against them, as he coald not can the risk of having Prussia dismembered. These letters and the startling revelations they contained, naturally made a profound impression on the Czar Alexander, and even on his fiery brother Constantine ; and combined with the representa tions of M. de Seebach and the counsels of Count de Nesselrode, caused them to consent to accept the Austrian conditions. Such is the substance of the statement of the Debats, which extends to three columns ; and I have no doubt whatsoever that it is strictly correct. You will observe that in some parts it confirms the news I have already been able to send you ; and that the parts that are new are pretty nearly what was guessed at. A Vienna letter says that in return for the small concession of territory demanded from Russian on the Danube, Russia will require a cession of territory in Asia from the Turks. The telegraph informs us that Count Nesselrode has sent out a circular to his agents explaining his reasons for accepting the Austrian conditions. This document is waited for with the greatest interest. P.S.—Although it has been supposed that England and France differ as to the engagements to be required from Russia with respect to the non-reconstruction of the Bomarsund fortification, I am assured that on that point, as on all others, they are in perfect concord. THE NEGOCIATIONS LONDON, 2 P.M., Thursday. The Paris correspondent of the Times regards with suspicion an article in the Journal de St. Petersburg, which speaks of the gratitude of Europe for the modera tion exhibited by Russia; and also the new circular of Count Nesselrode, which creates an impression that Russia is not so sincere, or indisposed to treachery, as was believed to be the case a few days ago. The Times cor respondent asserts, that Russia accepts peace simply because she cannot carry on the war; and because she hopes, with the help of Prussia, to make the best bar gain she can under the circumstances ; and he warns the Allies not to listen to arguments on the cruelty of humiliating Russia, as no weakness has ev e r di sarme d her wrath—no helplessness her brute force. The Vienna letter of the Times correspondent shows that it is extremely improbable an armistice will be proclaimed until the preliminaries of peace have been signed. The Hamburg journals of Tuesday last mention the arrival of as many as 300 vessels in Russian harbours, laden with salt and other necessaries, from the various German and Swedish ports. The price in salt had fallen considerably at Revel and Riga. Severe frost had again set in, and the trade would be stopped in consequence. PRUSSIA BERLIN, WEDNESDAY. Count Nesselrode has just issued a circular note, in which he states Russia has made concessions merely to concede to the desires of the powers who are friendly to Russia, and not because the interests of that country require the cessation or suspension of hostilities. The hopes of peace are considerably diminishing in Berlin. RUSSIA ST. PETERSBURG, WEDNESDAY. The acceptance of the Austrian propositions has been published here. The neutralization of the Black Sea is put forward as the most important. Upon other points it is announced Russia is ready to negotiate. 'Mr. J. Clementson, who, having held the office of Deputy-Serjeant-at-arms of the House of Commons for fifty years, is well known to the members of the Legicla ture, died on Sunday last at his residence, Felcourt-lodge, Torquay. Preparations are being made in Germany to celebrate with g reat pomp the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Mozart, which will fall on the 27th June next. At Gotha, Berlin, Vienna, Munich, Dresden, Carlsruhe, Darmstadt, and Hamburg, the Government have voted ample funds for the purpose. " WALKING '' OFF WITH BOOTS.—A woman, named Susan Doyle, was charged with having stolen some boots and shoes, the property of Edward Gilligan, St. James street. It appeared that the property was stolen, and the prisoner was found, shortly afterwards, offering it for sale. She was sent to gaol for one month. THE SABBATH DEFENCE MEETING (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) THERE are, undoubtedly, some subjects which excite the interest of large bodies of men more than any others—subjects, the discussion of which never palls upon the minds of human beings. Religion in all its branches, with its doctrinal points of every kind, and its diversity of opinion of every shade, is one of the subjects which has always been of never-failing interest, and the appeal to which has roused the slumbering ener gies of nations, and often led to almost universa conquest. It was, therefore, with no feeling of surprise, though with feelings of much regret, that we s! , ,lv the large meeting in St. George's Hall, on Tuesday last—its countless clergy of all denominations on the platform—its hundred upturned faces in the body of the hall. While it is almost impossible, in this busy town, to persuade men to meet, or to think for a moment, much less calmly to work out, the great questions of the day—juvenile delin quency—the improvement of the condition of the working classes— still more, the g r eat question of Education, which includes all these ; while to these objects, really the types of Christianity, men give no heed—a meeting, convened to denounce our fellow-crea tures, to tighten the bonds already tight enouf.zh, in which our labouring population plods wearily along, is easily filled, and thousands applaud the theatrical, though Reverend declaimer. The object of the meeting was to form a Sabbath Defence Association, and to endeavour to meet the growing feeling of the intelligent portion of this community, in favour of some relaxation in the Puritanical and inconsistent manner in which the Sunday is now kept. Puritanical—because opposed to all rational enjoyment, to all real rest to those who need it most, our working population. Inconsistent—because the laws fall only mn the poor man. The rich man having rolled in his carriage to and from his place of devotion, can enjoy a stroll in his own garden, a glass of his own wine; and an oratorio or sacred music, played on his own piano, by his own daughters. We are perfectly prepared to meet the reverend orators on their own grounds, and to prove from their own facts, and still more, from their own treatment of them, how grievously they are at fault. The positions taken up by the speakers were three :- 1. That the opening of the Crystal Palace, and the British Museum, was contrary to the written word of God. We will not enter upon a Theological discussion with a party who, though they have much pretence of reverence for holy things, show but little of that feeling in their discussion of them. Our readers are well aware that our great Master's teaching was specially directed against the Pharisaical and Judaic observance of the Sabbath, which we are now called upon to reinforce. That, whenever we find any mention of the subject in His life and teachings. it is (were we disposed to quote, We easily might) in favor of the rational, rather than the Puritanical, observance of the Holy day. 2. That the Crystal Palace and other pl a ces of quiet Sunday recreation once opened, the thin edge of the wedge once inserted, the working classes would soon be called upon to work seven days in the week, and " for the six days In France and other continental countries where the Sabbath can hardly be said to be regarded at all—this is not the case. Every traveller knouts that whatever work he gets done on a Sunday has to pay double for, and every person connects e• with the trade of this city is well aware that 0 0 the same terms he can get his work done here O Sunday. The working cl asses are too intelligeey. to be deceived by this wily argument, the fallaci of which they understand, and we wonder that party pretending to act in their interest, and as orator calling notice to the numbers of them wd-l ° were present, could dare to make use of an argi: ment betraying such a low appreciation of 00 1 intellect. 3. That the present movement in favor ° extending the mea ns o f recreation to ala labouring population, would be but the PI cursor to the opening of b a ll- rooms an theatres on Sunday. This is merely the alarmist argument which the Tory party make use of on every occasion, and i 4 as false a cry of wolf ! wolf ! as it has invariably been proved to be in the mouths of that party. The Sunday is dear to every Englishman ; to n on more dear than to us. Its safety may be left to the public opinion of the c oun t r y. W e on l y Wis , ' h to raise up s o m e r i va l t o th e g i n pa l aces whiob infect our town—the curse of its population. W e merely seek to give all an equal chanc e of spending th e i r S un d ay afternoon in intellectual ptirsuits, in quiet and improving enjoyments. W e only \ 44sk that the public libraries, museums, ga r: dens, parks, and publi c b u il d i ngs should u " thrown open to those to whom they belong, to those with whose hard-earn gains they we r h y built, on the afternoon of the one day on which' alone they can make use of them. . We are in favour of no innovation, of no desecre' tion ; we would only allow every, one to follow thef t own inclination on their one day of rest, taking care that they had more than one choice left then —and that choice the taproom or the gin palace' We shall recur to the subject again. The Austrian journals have now received strict o rder s not to print any articles which could give umbrage to Russia. NUVEL AND IMPORTANT DECISION UNDER THE NS': BILLS OF EXCHANG E A CT .—A t t h e J u d ges ' Cham b ers decision of consid era bl e i mportance has been given un der , the new Act on Bills o f E xc h ange an d Promissory Notes, A plaintiff named Smith issued a writ in one of th superior courts against a defendant named Evans, oa,': promissory note for 131. ss. and costs. The defendant; attorney took out a summons to stay the proceedings tip 7 the payment of the debt without the costs, cn the gra°, , that the parties resided within the same county coure tli s trict. The appli c ati o n was opp ose d , and it was urged tbilt the new act authorised all acti ons on b ills and notes to 13e ; brought in the superior courts, i rrespective of the amoull" \lr. Justice Crowder was of opinion that such was the la lg ; although he thought, with oth ers o f the judges, that tha t had been au oversight, or om i ss i on, in the framing of t b, d act. The plaintiff's atto rney su b mitted that it was ver.,,l important that a decisi on s h ou l d be given on the point, reference to other cases. The learned judge decided tli a ! the summons must be dismissed, thereby establisb l the principle that, in all cases on bills of exchange a l) promissory notes und er th e new l aw, the proceedings 1331), be by writ of sumtnons in the superior courts. By the rules, costs aie allowed in ail cases under the act. FLOGGING I N T [IR CRIMEA.—A lett er , dated Sebastopol' January 7th, st a t es th a t th ere h as b een considera ble ma ster s excitement during the pa s t wee k among the c i and officers of transports i n B a l aklava harbour, account of the second officer of the Star of the South , . 0 large transport, of 1800 tons, having been flogged by t,, 1) 0 Provost Marshal. It appears that he was taken to t h ",, guardhouse on Sunday night last by a policeman, "'P t ! charged him with being drunk. He had resist,e, capture, and his clothes were torn and soiled in t is P o struggle. The next morning Captain Frayne, of t-P f Star of the South, and Captain Champion, of il h e e Majesty's steam transport Melbourne, went to t,' e guardhouse to intercede for him, and to request i t might have a hearing, as he denied having been data and said he cou ld pro d uce w i tnesses to prove 1 ) i , 1 sobriety whe n t a k en up. Th e i r efforts, however, were I t , vain, and he received 18 lashes; and one of the 0 0 transport captains having been ove r h ear d by a soldier 't remark to his companion that thi s was b rutal treattne rV he was threatened with the like Übe did net go on ho 3 e , his ship. A complaint was m a d e to Admiral Fremaat'ir and some correspondence h as takers place on the sub./cci o between the naval and m ili tary authorities and Captli, t g i, Champion and Frayne, who, as highly res p ecta bl e 1"e holding very resp ons ibl e situations, and well known 1 and esteemed by aggrieved by many officers o u t h ere , naturally f ee t , the menace of a disgraceful purithine a lt The second mate's friends deny that he was drunk. to appears th at h e stutters, which may have contribute') or a mistak e as to his state. However, whether drunk sober, his case is a hard one, for, besides the lashes , . 4 loses hi s s i tuation, which he at once gave up, fecil;ct himself disgraced, and th a t h e cou l d not in future cslll`"ja respect from the crew. The office of Provost Marshm Balaklava is an arduous one, and the officer who w r i fulfils its duties does so in an efficient and satisfac tl :.- manner. Without s evere measures it would be iali„%j)• sihle to maintain ord er among the motley floating 174.06 lation of Balaklava. In the above case, if the mate ` s ty , drunk, the Provost M ars h al did not exceed his ( 1 1l it) although perhaps a pre li minary investigation might hap, been allowed wh en as k ed for by the prisoner's own ei i ,` o e tain, who was rea d y to speak to his subordinate's conduct during many months that he had been unde r command.