The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-04 00:00:00

WELSH CHARITY SCHOOLS.

SATURDAY being St. David's Day, and the fifty-second
anniversary of the Welsh Charity Schools, Russell-street, it
was selected as the appropriate occasion for the usual annual
examination:of the children. Soon after twelve o'clock, Mr.
Robert Roberts, the president, took the chair, surrounded by
numerous patrons and friends of the institution, including Mr.
J.B.Lloyd and Mrs. Lloyd, Mr. Owen Williams, Mrs. Williams,
and the Misses Williams, the Rev. William Jones and Mrs.
Jones, Messrs. William Jones, Edward Jones, Elias Jones, J.
B. Williams, and J. B. Morgan, Mr. Councillor Jeffery, the
Rev. Eleazar Williams, of St. James's Church, the Rev. A.
Lodge, the Misses Price, of Erryd, &c.
The children were ranged in order round the room, in two
squares, the boys forming one and the girls the other. After
singing a hymn, they read portions of the Word of God, and
were questioned by Mrs. Cotteen and Mr. Edwards, who subse-
quently catechised them closely in history and geography, the
answers of the children being prompt and correct, and giving
proof that great care had been exercised in their tuition. Two of
the boys attracted much attention, one being a fine coloured boy,
a native of Penang, and the other a tall, erect, well-dressed, and
sharp-looking African lad, answering to the name of " Grand
Bonny," He, we learnt, was the son of a wealthy African, in
the island of Bonny, who had been sent by his father to be
educated in Liverpool. Mr. Harrison, the extensive biscuit-
manufacturer and shipowner, into whose care the boy was
consigned twenty months ago, at which time he could not
speak a word of English, and had probably never seen a book
in his life, knowing the excellent system adopted at this old-
established and well-regulated school, sent him there, in-
tending, in a few months, to place him elsewhere. He soon
found, however, that the boy's progress was so satisfactory
that he wisely allowed him to remain, paying the same sum
for " Grand Bonny's" education as would have been required
at a private establishment. Though he has only been under
instruction twenty months, the young African writes an ex-
cellent hand, can read his Bible, has committed several pieces
of poetry and hymns to memory, and is unusually expert in
mental calculation. In the course of the interesting pro-
ceedings on Saturday, he recited the " Morning Hymn" with
admirable elocution. We understand that he will shortly
return to his native shores. We trust that his mind will
ever retain the recollection of the virtues and that it will
reject the vices and shams of civilization, and that his brief
sojourn among white men may be fraught with future advan-
tage to his own people.
With respect to the excellent working of the school, we may
instance the somewhat singular but gratifying fact that there
is one girl whose mother and grandmother before her were
educated there. The number of scholars now on the books is
about 320, of whom nearly two-thirds are boys. The boys are
taught the rudiments of a sound English education, and the
girls are so instructed that, on leaving the school, they may
take respectable situations in service. One interesting portion
of the examination consisted of the recitation, by one of the
boys, Joseph Graham, of a piece of poetry, entitled " Her Ma-
jesty's Farewell to the British Troops, 185 t" Hugh Hughes
then delivered the annual address of the scholars to the pre-
sident, expressing their sincere gratitude for the many advan-
tages they enjoyed in the school.
The CHAIRMAN, in responding, gave the chief credit for
the efficiency of the schools to Mr. Owen Williams, who, he
said, never tired in his endeavours to promote its welfare
and secure its efficiency. He then rapidly reviewed the pro-
gress of education during the past twenty years ; showed
that positions of trust and honour were open to the hum-
blest, if they only worked earnestly, and prepared them-
selves for them; and cited two instances of advancement of
children of humble Welsh parents, as illustrations of what he
had asserted. He was, a few weeks ago, introduced to the
Government Inspector of Marine Engines, a Welshman, who,
in the course of conversation, informed him that twenty years
ago he worked at Holyhead for 6s. a-week, and that by con-
trol and self-culture he had prepared himself for his present
position. The second instance was that of the present engi-
neer of her Majesty's yacht, who, singularly enough, was a
self-taught man also from Holyhead, and only a few years since
occupying a humble position on board a Liverpool and Dublin
steamer. He mentioned these facts to show the boys the re-
ward of obedience and attention to superiors. (Hear, hear.)
Referring to the advantages of the schools, he dwelt upon the '
rule which inculcated the cardinal principle so well described
by Cecil, that the soul of all intelligence was religion. (Hear,
hear.) After a few words of encouragement to the girls, the
Chairman concluded by expressing the gratification with
which he had listened to the address of the children.

Mr. J. B. LLOYD stated how delighted he had been to
witness the very pleasing ceremony of the day, and ex-
pressed a hope that the public, by their liberality, would
put the means into the hands of this, one of the oldest
charitable schools in the town, of extending its usefulness.
He referred also to the emotion he had experienced on lis-
tening to a portion of the boys' address, which lamented
the loss the Principality had sustained in the death of Cap-
tain Wynn, who was killed at Alma; and read a letter from
Lady Wynn, recording her and Sir Watkin Wynn's thanks
for a donation from the pupils of that school, and the Welsh
residents of the town, towards the fund her ladyship was
getting up in aid of the widows and orphans of the 23rd
Welsh Fusiliers. In conclusion he proposed a vote of thanks
to the chairman for the attention he had paid to the duties
of the office during the past year, and for his conduct on
the present occasion.
Mr. ELLIS JONES had great pleasure in seconding the reso-
lution, which was carried by acclamation.
Mr. BRISCOE, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Owen
Williams, the treasurer, referred to his never-tiring exertions
in aid of the institution.

Mr. Councillor JEFFERY seconded the propsition, which was
unanimously adopted.
Mr. OWEN WILLIAMS, in responding, gave the chief credit
for the efficiency of the schools to Mrs. Cotteen and Mr. Ed-
wards ; and then proceeded to show the excellent workings of
the " nursery," or infant schools, from which at least one-
third of the boys and girls at present on the books had been
transplanted, including a considerable number of their best
scholars. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, he acknowledged the
receipt of £2 from Mr. Roberts (the chairman), £1 from Mr.
Chambers, mid other sums towards the prizes to be given to
the boys.
On the proposition of Mr. EDWARD JONES, seconded by
Mr. WILLIAM JONES, a vote of thanks was unanimously ac-
corded to the Rev. WILLIAM Josxs, for his eloquent sermon,
delivered that day, in Welsh, at St. David's Church.
The Rev. W. JONES having responded, the children sang
the "National Anthem," and the proceedings terminated
after the usual distribution of prizes and plum•bun.

THE SISTOR gave a dinner, on Tuesday evening, to a large
party of gentlemen, at the Town-hall. His worship, however,
was unavoidably detained in London by the Local Dues Bill,
and his place was supplied by the deputy-mayor, Mr. Alder-
man Holme.

A DEPUTATION from Liverpool, on the Joint-Stock Com-
panies Act, consisting of Messrs. Torr and Bushell, had an
interview with the Right Hon. R. Lowe; on Saturday, at the
office of the Board of Trade. The deputation was accompanied
by Mr. Brown, M.P., Mr. Bramley-Moore, M.P., and Mr.
J. C. Ewart, M.P.
LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.—At the meet-
ing of this society, last evening, Mr. M'Andrew (the president)
occupied the chair. There was a limited attendance. The
paper of the evening was read by Mr. T. C. Archer, the
vice-president. It was "On the Natural Products of the
Graminacm," and was illustrated by specimens.
GEORGE ATKINSON, a young man, who was found about
three o'clock on Saturday morning in possession of a Cochin
China fowl, stolen the previous night from Mrs. Murray, of
Clare-street, was brought up on remand, at the Police-court,
yesterday, and fined 10s., for having property in his posses-
sion which he could not accout for satisfactorily.
THE BRAGANZA, a handsome-looking three-masted iron
screw steamer, arrived here yesterday, from the Clyde, being
intended to ly, in conjunction with the Minho, Douro, and
Cintra, between Liverpool and the various ports of Portugal,
as one of the line conducted by Messrs.Cotesworth,Wynne, and
Lyne and Co. The Braganza attracted much attention as
she lay off the landing-stage yesterday afternoon.
FATAL ACCIDENT IN THE VICTORIA Docx.—On Satur-
day afternoon, Samuel Thompson, 8 years old, son of John
Thompson, master of the flat Anne, which had a deck load of
crates, fell from the deck of the vessel into the Victoria Dock,
unnoticed by those on board. Soon after he was missed, and
his cap being then found floating on the water, grapnels were
procured, and in fifteen minutes after his body was drawn out
quite dead. Au inquest will be held to-day.
COMMITTAL FOR STREET ROBBERIES.—At the Police-court,
yesterday, Ann Long, an elderly woman of decent appearance,
was committed to gaol for 14 days, for picking Margaret
Healey's pocket of fourpence, in Great Charlotte-street, on
Saturday evening.—Margaret Cain was committed for three
months, and Elizabeth Booth for one month, for robbing
Archibald Caffray, a sailor, of ten American dollars, and three
shillings (English money), in Dundee-street, off Great Howard-
street, on Sunday evening.
FATAL FALL INTO A SHIP'S HOLD.—James Shannon, aged
16, who resided with his aunt, Bridget Roach, at No. 40, Har-
rison-street, left home on Saturday to seek work. He was in
the habit of cleaning out ships' holds, receiving old ropes and
shakings in payment. He went on board a vessel in the
George's-dock, and while talking to a person on board, he fell
forward into the hold. He was taken to the Northern Hospital,
where he died from the injuries, on Sunday afternoon. He
was subject to fits, and had a severe one on Friday afternoon,
so that it is probable that he had one on Saturday afternoon.
An inquest will be held to-day.
SMOCKING Ellis, aged about 22 years,
apparently a journeyman painter, was brought up at the
Police-court, yesterday, charged with ravishing a little girl,
only eight years of age. From the evidence it appeared that
the prisoner, who has a wife and child, lodged with the little
girl's mother. On the morning of Wednesday fortnight, the
prisoner's wife called the girl into the room, as she had fre-
quently done before, to play with her child while she dressed.
The prisoner was in bed, and after his wife went down stairs,
the offence, it was alleged, was committed. The medical gen-
tleman did not confirm the grave charge ; but the prisoner
was committed for three months to hard labour, for a crimi-
nal assault.

Cooa, BUT NOT CLEVER.—Pat McDiarmid and Thomas
Burns, two youths about seventeen, were brought up at the
Police-court, yesterday, charged with stealing a ham. It
appeared, that, on Saturday evening, detective officers, Scaife
and Thompson were perambulating London-road on duty,
when they saw the prisoners coolly cut down a fine ham, marked
at 17s. which was hanging on the doorway of Mr. James
Battersby, provision dealer, 147, London-road. They gave
chase, and captured them, and took them back to the shop,
when Mr. Battersby identified his stolen property. When the
prisoners were asked what they had to say, McDiarmid whined
out,--" I saw the ham lying in the channel and picked it up,
when this gentleman (Thompson), came up and cotched
me, just as I was turning round to take it into the shop !"
(Laughter.) Both prisoners being old offenders,were committed
for trial at the sessions.
ANOFFICER OF THE LANCASIILRE MILITIAACCIDENIALLY
PTsozszn--Captain Aquilla Howe Kent, of the 4th Lanca-
shire militia, stationed at Newry, Ireland, has met his death
by poison,administered to him bymistake. It appears that Capt.
Kent, who had been for some time taking tonic draughts, had
recently obtained a prescription from his physician, Sir Henry
Marsh, of Dublin, which he sent by his servant to an apothe-
cary in Newry, and a mistake was made at the apothecary's
shop in sending a preparation of aconite instead of the medi-
cine prescribed. Every possible effort was made by two
medical men to neutralise its effects by the administration of
antidotes, but the unfortunate gentleman died within two
hours after taking the draught. Captain Kent, who was
about 43 years old, was a native of Dublin, and a member of
the Irish bar.

THE PEACE CONFERENCES.

MONDAY was the opening day of the great conference at
Paris.

Early in the morning, Baron Brunow was stirring. Soon
after eight, a.m., M. de Seebach was seen to issue from the
baron's, house, and proceed at once to the residence of Count
Orloff. For some hours the three remained closeted together.
At half-past one, p.m., the plenipotentiaries were to assemble
in the Salon des Ambassadeurs, at the hotel of the Minister
for Foreign Affairs. The room is separated from the minister's
cabinet by another fine room, called the Salon des Attaches de
Service. The Salon des Ambassadeurs receives its light from
three large windows opening on the north, and looking
towards the Seine. Opposite the windows are hung two full-
length portraits of the Emperor and Empress, with a portrait
of the first Napoleon. The table at which the diplomatists sit
is circular, and covered with a green cloth, twelve arm-chairs

being around it. Before each seat is arranged a supply of
paper of various sizes, sealing-wax, pens, &c. Four wax tapers
are also on the table, in case of being required to seal letters.
Between the windows are disposed two other tables, one for the
two gentlemen who are to act as secretaries, and the other for
the use of any of the plenipotentiaries who may wish to write
in private. The table of the secretaries can be moved close to
the round table in the centre, if necessary.
Soon after one p.m. (says a Paris letter), a modest-looking
brougham, scarcely remarked till it was within a few yards of
the Ministry, drove into the front gate, and halted at the foot
of the grand staircase. The carriage contained the Sardinian
Plenipotentiaries, Count Cavour and the Marquis Villamarina,
in plain morning costume. A single chasseur was their only
attendant. As they ascended the staircase, a squadron of
M. Walewski's footmen, who were on the look out, threw wide
open the glass doors, and the Piedmontese representatives
entered the hotel first. A few minutes afterwards came Tur-
key—Aali Pacha, the Grand Vizier, and Mehemet Bey, were
dressed just like Europeans, except that they wore of course
the inevitable red fez. The Grand Vizier wore a Talma, that
might have been bought in Regent-street. England and
Austria followed very shortly afterwards, in remarkably un-
pretending carriages. There was then a pause of several
minutes. People began to ask whether Russia would not find
some excuse not to come. But at a quarter past one a hand-
some carriage, with two chasseurs behind, drove up at a rapid
pace, containing the Russian Plenipotentiaries. Count Orloff
stepped out first, and although he is seventy years of age, ran
up the steps like a boy. I had an opportunity of seeing him
well, for when he arrived on the top landing he took off his
hat as if to return the salute of the servants in waiting, and
then turned round to see what had become of his colleague.
Baron de Brunow got out of the carriage very slowly. His
face was enveloped in an ample comforter; he walked up the
stairs with a somewhat faltering step, and his spare and bent
form preaented a striking contrast to that of his coadjutor.
Count Orloff is a wonderful-looking man for his age. He is of
large size, very erect, and his countenance denotes robust
health and great resolution. He has a very large head, covered
with iaon-grey hair, cropped close. The expression of his
features is quite Calmuck, but as he smiled at Baron Brunow
slowly mounting the stairs after him, he had a good-natured
look.

The plenipotentiaries having met, they placed themselves
according to precedence, France in the centre, England on
the right, Austria on the left, then Turkey, then Sardinia,
and lastly Russia. According to diplomatic usages, the first
thing to be done was to elect a president. M. Walewski was,
of course, nominated. The verification of• the powers of the
plenipotentiaries was next gone through, when M. Walewski
delivered an address, pointing out the object of the meeting,
and suggesting the order in which the deliberations should
proceed.

The conference was then definitively opened. At this stage
Count Orloff is reported to have risen and spoken for some
time upon the policy which actuated Russia. The question of.
an armistice was then proposed and discussed, Count Orloff
remarking upon the terms of the armistice, particularly with
reference to the transport of stores and troops.
Count Baol, the Paris correspondent of Le Nord declares,
on authority, raised the question of the rectification of the
frontier on the side of Bessarabia, upon which Count Orloff
observed that the new frontier which it was proposed to esta-
blish behind the mountains was impossible to be settled, as
no mountains existed in the vicinity. The plenipotentiaries,
adds the correspondent, not possessing any precise informa-
tion of the ldeale, were a little embarrassed by the observation
of Count Orloff.

At half-past four p.m. the conference concluded. The sit-
ting was raised, and the plenipotentiaries walked for a short
time in the garden of the hotel, conversing freely in separate
groups. At five p.m. they left the hotel and returned to their
respective quarters, in the same unostentatious manner as
they had arrived.

On the following day the Moniteur announced the opening
of the conferences, and the first result :
AN ARMISTICE.

The first meeting of the Congress took place yesterday
(Monday), at the hotel of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, at
one o'clock. The sitting lasted until half-past four o'clock.
It was resolved that an armistice shall be concluded between
the belligerent armies, and that the armistice shall cease of
full right on the 31st of March next. This armistice will not
affect the blockades established, nor those which are yet to be
established.

M. Walewski gave a banquet at seven p.m. on Monday
evening, to the Plenipotentiaries, and drank to a speedy
peace. At ten o'clock he threw open his magnificent salons
to upwards of 700 of the elite of French and foreign society
in Paris, and entertained them with a grand concert, at which
Mario, Frezzolini, and the first singers of Europe performed.
The Union gives some pleasant gossip on the occasion :
Some details have been communicated to us concerning the
concert of Count Walewski, at which all the plenipotentiaries
were present. Count Orloff; with the ease of a grand Russian
nobleman, and with that elegance of manner which seems so
charming when allied with military bearing, conversed readily
with the various groups which in succession collected around
him. After the Count, one of the high personages who most
attracted notice was the Grand Vizier, Aali Pacha, the Turk-
ish representative. He is a man of delicate appearance, and
apparently in not very strong health, and presented a strik-
ing contrast with the tall, manly, and animated figure of the
Russian Envoy. But his intelligent and keen glance, his
strongly-marked features, and his severe physiognomy, give
evidence of a resolute and energetic character. Count de
Cavour also attracted much attention. He is a man of middle
stature, rather stout, with features remarkable for their frank-
ness and openness, and over which asmile loves to play. Turning
to another class of guests, we may state that Generals Canrobert
and Bosquet were much observed. The concert took place in
the gallery in which the statue of Napoleon 111. stands, and
from that apartment the guests could enter freely into the
other rooms of the long suite thrown open on the occasion.
Every one examined with curiosity the Salon des Ambassa-
deurs, in which the sittings of the congress take place. The
crowd circulated round the centre table, reading the names of
the several powers written in pencil on a sheet of paper placed
before the seat which each representative occupies. It was then
easy to see that the accounts given in some of the public
journals of the position of the powers were incorrect. The
real place of each is this :—The French plenipotentiaries are
in the centre, the English representaves on the right, and the
Austrian on the left ; next to the English are the Russian
envoys, and next to the Austrian the Turks; the Sardinirns
are between the Turks and the Russians. At the concert,
although not a word was spoken by the plenipotentiaries to
infringe the secrecy which they are bound to observe, the
features of all of them bore that look of satisfaction which
would imply that all was going on smoothly towards the
re-establishment of peace.
On Thursday the second conference was held. Of the result
nothing official has yet appeared. It is believed to have turned
upon the fifth point, and rumour strongly asserts that Count
Orloff had demanded a congress for the solution of the question.

FRAUDS BY THE LATE MR. SADLEIR.

Mr. SADLEIR has perpetrated forgeries amounting to nearly
£1,000,000. On Saturday afternoon, at five o'clock, Mr. Sad-
leir met a large speculator in the city, as he was in the act of
starting for home. He shook his city friend cordially by the
hand, and said to him cheerfully, on parting, "Good bye; I
am going to make a long journey, we may not meet for some
time." The consternation in city circles, where further ap-
palling disclosures of Mr. Sadleir's unparalleled misdeeds are
looked for every hour, is described to be intense. On the con-
tinent, too, where his transactions were to an enormous ex-
tent, great alarm prevails. It is supposed that, frightful as is
the amount of his frauds and forgeries already ascertained, a
very small portion only of them has yet been discovered.
The undertakings with which Mr. Sadleir was chiefly con-
nected were the Boyal Swedish Railway, the East Kent
Railway, and the London and County Bank. He was like-
wise greatly interested in the Tipperary Joint-stock, of which
his brother, the member for Tipperary, was chairman, and he
also acted as receiver, or agent, for some Irish landowners. As
regards the Royal Swedish Railway, of which he was the
chairman, it appears to have been ascertained, without doubt,
that he has issued an immense amount of the shares and obli-
gations of the company without authority, although with
genuine signatures. Whether he has put forth any which
are forgeries seems not yet to have been clearly established.
A considerable number were forfeited for non-payment of
calls, and, some time back, in order to avoid unnecessary
sacrifices, the company obtained power to raise £lOO,OOO on
debentures or obligations. They required the signature of
two directors as the secretary, and Mr. Sadleir, having ob-
tained possession of the unissued quantities for the purpose of
completing them with his signature, seems to have got rid of
them on the Stock Exchange, or in any quarter where he
could raise money. The nominal amount thus made away
with is reported to range between £200,000 and £300,000,
although probably the advances he received upon them were
not more than a fourth or a third of that total. With regard
to the East Kent Railway; it is stated that, with the exception
of some arrears of calls, Mr. Sadleir is not directly indebted
to that undertaking. In his capacity of deputy-chairman,
however, he induced the board to deposit £B,OOO of their unem-
ployed capital with the Tipperary Bank on deposit notes,
which fell due at the beginning of last week, and were dis-
honoured. In the case of the London and County Bank, it is
affirmed that no loss whatever has been sustained. Mr. Sad-
leir was chairman of that company, but obtained no advances
from it except upon sufficient securities. In relation to the
Tipperary Joint-Stock Bank, it appears that this establish-
ment was promoted by Mr. Sadleir in 1838, its head office belly,.
at Clonmel, with eight branches in the district. Although
it paid dividends at the rate of six per cent., it seems
to have made no return of the number of its partners,
the amount of its shares, or its paid-up capital ; and,
with the exception of one or two families, the share-
holders are said to be persons of limited means. The fami-
lies in question are alleged to be fully able to meet the
claims that will fall upon them, but it is probable that the
ruin or distress which will nevertheless be inflicted in this
quarter was among the chief causes of the pain and self-
reproach described in Mr. Sadleir's letters. The most serious
features of fraud remain still to be adverted to—namely, those
committed by means of his opportunities as agent for the
landed estates of noblemen and others, and also by direct
forgeries of title-deeds. The trust property made away with
is supposed to be extremely large, and many deplorable cir-
cumstances are likely to arise in this part of the history, the
full scope of which will probably never come before the public.
At present many of the sufferers are themselves ignorant of
the position in which they stand, and most likely several
months must elapse before all the actual facts can be unra-
velled. As respects the forgeries of title-deeds from the En-
cumbered Estates Court, it is satisfactory to be able to state
that only two cases have thus far been discovered, although
very general inquiries have beet made by some leading gojicj.
tm in Dublin,

[MARCH 4, 1856.

INDIA AND CHINA.

ARRIVAL OF THE OVERLAND MAIL

The despatches by this mail have been received. They are.
dated from Calcutta up to the 24th of January, and from
Bombay to the 2nd of February. The public news, though of
considerable importance, is not of a very startling nature.
The Times correspondent at Calcutta, says :
"The proclamation annexing Oude has not yet appeared,
but the order has been passed, and the troops are swarming
to Cawnpore. The home authorities, as I informed you, left
the Governor-General carte blanche, and, as usual, he hag
adopted the most complete and definite of the two lines of
policy open to him. Oude is to be annexed and not seques-
trated. The difference is, that in a sequestrated province the
surplus, instead of swelling the general revenue of the empire,
must be spent within the province itself. The system is
greatly in favour with the older officials, and has some few
advantages. The province usually prospers. There is a more
liberal expenditure upon public works, and greater readiness
to carry out improvements which involve expense. The
commissioner, too, wields the entire authority of the native
court, and can repress crime and secure property by means
somewhat sterner than British regulations will permit. Gen.
Outram will be chief commissioner of the province. Mr.
Martin R. Gubbins, well known to the public as an able col-
lector, will be finance commissioner. The judicial commis-
sioner, Mr. Ommanney, is less known ; but he bore a high
reputation as a young man, and is said to be a stern decisive
judge. The secretary, Mr. G. Couper, has been for the past
two years under-secretary in the foreign department, and has
earned for himself a reputation as an active working officer.
He is one of a number of young men whom Lord Dalhousie has
selected, who are rising rapidly to the highest posts in the coun-
try, and who seem unconsciously to have imbibed his principles,
administration, and government. They are the most thorough-
going reformers in the country, and, once in power, will effect
more for India in a twelvemonth than the present race have
effected in a generation. The additions to the empire during
the present reign have rendered promotion unusually rapid,
and we have now heads of departments scarcely thirty years
of age.

During his short stay Lord Canning is visiting and examin-
ing every object of interest—antiquarian, scientific, or mecha-
nical—in Bombay and its immediate neighbourhood. We are'
dreading to experience a frightful scarcity of water during
the ensuing four months, the fall of rain during the last
monson having been barely more than one-half the average.
Measures have been planned, and are about to be carried on,
to a considerable scale, for the aversion of the more terrible•
consequences of the calamity. The remedy, however, is but
temporary, while the disease—so frequent are these droughts
—may almost be said to be perpetual. Permanent relief is
only to be looked for in the construction of a large reservoir-
or lake in the valley of Vehar, in the island of Salsette—a,
work which might be carried out with comparative ease.
To return to Oude. An army of 16,000 men is now collected'
at Cawnpore, and in a few days will be pouring towards
Lucknow. No resistance is expected, but Lord Dalhousie
never leaves opportunities to the disaffected by any mistimed
affectation of security. There are rumours that the Nepaulese
are inclined to put in a claim for a slice of the cake, but they
are already fully occupied, and Jung Bahadoor understands
our policy too well to attempt any insane freak. The king
will be dismissed with a pension of a lakh of rupees a-month
(£120.000 a-year), and will retain his personal immunities.
Oude is one of the richest countries in Asia. The soil is as
fertile as that of the Doab, while the eastern districts are as
rich in minerals as Cornwall. Under our rule the population
will, doubtless, increase as rapidly as that of the north-west
provinces, and districts which, like Nauparalr, have been re-
cently and wilfully desolated, will recover their prosperity.
The only cause of regret is, that Lord Dalhousie will not re-
main to complete the work he has begun.
Lord Canning is expected in Calcutta on the 28th of
February, and Lord Dalhousie leaves on the 10th of March.
He is very unwell—worked almost to death.
Lord and Lady Canning leave for Calcutta the middle of
next week, touching at Madras by the way.
The money-market in Bombay has become still tighter
during the past fortnight, and the banks have raised their
rates of interest to 12 per cent. All securities are much de-
preciated in value. The import trade has not improved, prices
remaining very low. In the export market some activity has
been manifested.

From Bombay we learn that the quarrel between Mr.
Murray and the Shah of Persia had created some sensation.
The new Governor-General and Lady Canning arrived in
the Feroze steamer from Suez on the 28th of January. As a
proof by the way, that the Indian electric telegraph is now
in good working order, I may mention that the message an-
nouncing that the Feroze was signalled at Bombay was ac-
knowledged from Calcutta before the ship anchored in the
harbour. On the following day Lord Canning held a levee
and a native durbar, and has since received and replied to ad-
dresses from the community at large, and from various public
bodies. In his answer read to the first of these occurs the
following passage :—",I venture to hope that the progress
which India has made in the arts of peace and in prosperity,
under the able and vigorous administration of the distin-
guished man who has so long watched over her interests, will
suffer no check or diminution during my tenure of the charge
which he is about to lay down. I undertake that the honour
of Great Britain in her Eastern empire shall be preserved
without a stain; but I earnestly pray that there may be no
necessity to vindicate it by arms against any foreign foe."