The Press.
London, England, 1857-11-28 00:00:00

BOOKS FOIL CHILDREN.

Historical Acting Charades; or, Amusements for
Winter Evenings. London: Griffith and Ferran.
A SEASONABLE little book, relating the adventures of
a party of children assembled together at Christmas
for their holidays. The charades are not too abstruse
for the youthful mind, and the book is to be recom•
mended, for it teaches children all the details of the
art of passing an evening pleasantly.

Jack Frost and Betty Snow. London : Griffith and

Farrar'.
Biddy Dorking. London : Griffith and Farran.
THE first some charming children's tales for wintry
nights and rainy days, and the second, edited by
Mrs. S. C. Hall, a well written and humorous story
of the adventures of a Dorking hen. It is a little
book to win the heart of every child.

Might not Right; or, Stories of the Discovery and
Conquest of America. London : Griffith and
Farran.

A SERIES of conversations upon the history of the
discoveries of Columbus, of the conquest of Mexico
by Cortes, and of Peru by Pizarro. Historical
novelettes are not generally advisable, but the au-
thoress on this occasion appears to be accurrate in
her facts and judicious in her conclusions.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED—NovEmBER 2G.
BOOKS.

Memoirs of the Mike of Saint Simon. By Bayle St. John.
Vols. 111. and IV. Chapman and HAIL

The Principles of Agriculture and Organic Chemistry. By
I'. Lovell Phillips, M. D. Smith and Elder.
London Lyrics. By Frederick Locke.
Chapman and Hall.
De La Rue's Improved Indelible Diary and Memorandum
Book, 1M)8. De La Rue.

The Gables. By Julia Melville. Three Vols.
T. C. Newby.
Constance and Edith. By A Clergyman's Wife.
T. Hatehard.
Oriental and it'estern Siberia. By Tholnas W. Atkinson.
Hurst and Blacken.
Three Vole._

Caste. By the Author of " Mr. Arlo."

Hurst and Hlackett.
Captivity of Two Russian Princesses. By H. Sutherland
Edwards. Smith and Elder
Hackney Carriage Fares and Abstract of Arts.
Knight and Co.
The Young Widow. By Mackenzie Daniel. Hodgson.
The London Pulpit. By J. Ewinst Ritchie. \V. Tweedie.
Writings and Labours of the Rev. M. A. Gathercolr. Shaw.
The Elements of Political Economy. By Henry Dunning
Macleod. Longman.

Zoologic- alßecreations. By W. J. Broderip, F.R.S
R. Griffin and Co.
The Speech of Cicero. By William Ramsay, M. 1..
R. Griffin and Co.
The Thousand and One Days. W. Lay.
The Life and Adventures of Jules Gera? d,the Lion Killer.
W. Lay.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—M. J ullien, we are
happy to announce, will give a second series of con-
certs, to commence on Tuesday next, and to include
Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelasohn, and
Weber nights.
ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.—Rioci's It Birraio
Preston has met with great success. The ab-;ence of an
efficient prima donr.a in the Opera Buffa company
had been hitherto felt more or less in every perfor-
mance, and much therefore depended upon the

ability of Mlle. Dottini, to whom was intrusted the
chief part in It Birraio di Preston. The result of
this young lady's debiit on Monday dispelled all
doubts, and convinced the publiic that Signor'
Ronzani's Opera Buffa has at length a prima donna ,
who can sing as well as act. Mile. Dottini acted very
gracefully, and sang the lively music of Ricci with
dramatic point and accent. The upper registers of
her voice (a mezzo•soprano) are clear and brilliant;
and she phrases correctly. Much vocal agility was
not called into requisition, but the few bravura
passages Mlle. Dottini had to execute were satisfac-
torily given. As an actress she has considerable
spirit and tact, together with a captivating archness
of manner, which advantages impart additional
attraction. II Birraio di Preston, which was in
other respects well performed, met with success, and
will, we have no doubt, secure the approbation of the
public.

EGYPTIAN HALL.—MR. ALBERT SMITE on Mon-
day evening threw open his doors for the first
time this season. The reception of Mr.
Albert Smith was of course " enthusiastic," for who
deserves so well of his countrymen? The present
entertainment is remodelled from beginning to end.
The " Ascent of Mont Blanc " is a fiction, and
Switzerland, and Naples and its Bay, have succeeded
to the post of honour. Of the entertainment there
is not much to say. Every one knows that what
Albert Smith gives us is good, and when they hear
" Brown on his Travels," they will have no cause to
complain of a falling off in the fun and vivacity of
Mr. Smith or the rapidity of his utterance. The
second part of the entertainment, which is new
throughout, is devoted entirely to Naples and its
vicinity, Mr. W. Beverley having furnished seven
beautiful pictures, successively representing Naples
itself, as seen from the heights of Pausilippo ; the
Santa Lucia, the " house of the tragic poet " at
Pompeii, the ruins of Paestum, the blue grotto at
Capri, and the ascent and eruption of Mount Vesu-
vius, the latter being a real explosion, with all the
effects of flowing lava and falling ashes. Then we
have our old friend Florence Simmonds, and Baby
Simmonds, and last, not least, that delightfully stupid
engineer with a grievance. Who can resist him?

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.

EXAMINATION STATUTES.

The programme of the examination to be under-
gone by the candidates from " middle-class schools "
at the bands of the University of Oxford was pub-
lished on Wednesday last. The following is a brief
outline of its provisions, and the subjects for the
first examination to be held on the 21st of June,
1858. Junior candidatei, who must be under fif-
teen years of age, will be examined in-1. (neces-
sarily) Reading aloud, writing from dictation, analy-
sis, 'pal sing, and subject matter of a passagefrom
some English author; English composition, arith-
metic, and outlines of English history. 2. In one
f the following eight subjects—Latin, Greek,
French, German, mathematics, mechanics, che-
mistry, botany, and zoology. 3. (optionally) In
music and drawing. Candidates who pass this
examination will receive a certificate. Senior candi-
dates, who must not be more than eighteen years of
age, will simply be examined in the same subjects on
a proportionably more advanced scale. Those who
pass successfully will receive the title of Associate in
Arts. Divinity papers will only be set to those
students whose parents or guardians make no objec-
tion. The examination will be held in Oxford, and
simultaneously in other places, if it be requested and
found expedient. Candidates desirous of being
examined at Oxford must apply on or before the
10th of April, 1858. The names of these candidates
must be transmitted to the Rev. J. E. Sewell on or
before the 10th of April, 1858. Every candidate at
the Junior Examination will be required to pay a fee
of 102. Every candidate at the Senior Examination
will be required to pay a fee of 30s. These fees
must be paid on or before the 10th of April, 1858.

Two BOILER EXPLOSIONS, attended with sad loss
of life, have occurred this week—one at Skipton,
Yorkshire, and another at Upper Apsley, Hudders-
field. The accident at Skipton was connected with
a high-pressure agricultural engine, which was em-
ployed to draw up earth from a shaft then being
sink. The boiler of the engine suddenly exploded,
from no ascertainable cause, killed two men and a
child, and seriously cut and wounded several others.
At Upper Apsley, the accident was far more serious.
The boiler of a mill-engine burst on Monday, killing
twelve of the mill hands, and wounding some eight
or ten more or less severely. A coroner's inquest
will be held on Monday next]

THE PR

£79,811
39:),117
902,347

0
THE 0 AN 7GE SOCIETY AND LORD
CHANCELLOR BRADY.
A TEMPERATIE and forcible remonstrance against the
recent unconstitutional letter of the Lord Chancellor
of Ireland, and to be presented by deputation to
Lord Palmerston, is now in course of signature
throughout Ireland. The protest sets out with an
expression of loyalty, and then passing to Chancellor
Brady's letter points out its avowed object—
namely, to announce that he will admit no gentlemen
to the magistracy of that country connected with the
Orange association :

This rule, which the Chancellor declares shall be of
general application, is altogether independent of the cha-
racter, or conduct, or position in life, of the gentlemen to
whom it might apply.
As freedom of opinion, the independence of the magis-
tracy, and the rights of the gentry and people of Ireland
are materially affected by this act of the Chancellor, and as
privileges dear to every British subject are unwarrantably
assailed,—We, while ready to uphold the just prerogatives
of the Crown, and to respect the authority of law, protest
in the strongest terms against the exaction of any such
pledge by the Chancellor as a necessary qualification for
the commission of the peace, and which, we believe, no
Lord Chancellor in England would venture to require.

The document further protests against the letter
of the Chancellor because "it casts an imputation
upon a number of loyal gentlemen now holding the
commission of the pEace," and concludes by request.
ing that "so unconstitutional and unprecedented a
measure" may not be persevered in by the advisers
of the Crown.

pug gliarktt an dttg 3nttiligtut.

FRIDAY EVENING.
THE return of the Bank of England for the week
ending Wednesday last, the 25th inst., shows the
following changes compared with that for the week
prece ling :

Decrease in Circulation
Increase in Public Deposits
Increase in other Deposits
Decrease in Government Securities 699,887
Increase in Other Securities
Increase in Bullion
Increase in Rest
Increase in Reserve 545,681
Bullion in both Departments
Circulation, including Bank Post
Bills
This comparison shows that the disposition to
obtain ample supplies of money, on the part of the
commercial community, had not subsided up to the
date of the return ; for the Private Securities show
a further large increase, while the Deposits are
nearly equal in amount. But the Bullion and the
Reserve show large additions. In these respects the
return clearly establishes that the tide of improve-
ment has at last set in.

Notwithstanding some large commercial failures,
and the suspension of the Northumberland anti
Durham District Bank—making the filth joint-stock
bank that has succumbed during the existing pres-
sure—the general tone of the Money Market is im-
proved since our last. The improvement is princi•
pally shown in the greater readiness to discount.
This is an important feature at a time of the year
when annual balances are about being settled.
The Bank of France have reduced the rate of
discount one per cent. The present rates are seven
per cent. for bills not having more than thirty days
to run ; eight per cent. for those under sixty days;
and nine pet• cant. for those between sixty and ninety
days. The step is considered rather pi emature by
some parties here ; but the Directors of the Bank
of France may reasonably be supposed to be the
best judges of the proper time for making such a
change.
The movements of bullion have possessed some
importance ; but the weekly return now published
by the Customs renders it unnecessary to give more
concerning them than the results. According to that
in the Gazette of this evening the imports of gold
during the week ending Nov. 25th amounted to
841,8871,, and of silver to 83,3121.; the exports of
gold amounted to 185,7421., and of silver to
375,1451.
Consols, which closed last Friday at 901 to 1, re-
mained stationary at about that price until yesterday,
when they took a decidedly upward movement, in
consequence of the reduction in the rate of discount
by the Bank of France, the announcement of the
Simla having brought nearly 300,0001. of Australian
gold, and the better character of the Indian and
American advices. They left off at 90f exactly, with
a firm tone. To-day they further improved to 911
to f...

Railway Shares have been depressed for a great
part of the week, owing to the falling off in the
traffics, which in the case of several leading lines is
enormous; but yesterday they rallied. Last week's
prices, however, were not attained in all instances.
To-day they improved from one-half to one per cent.

SS, NOVEMBER 28, 1857.

1165

Foreign Securities have been moderately active,
with a steady market.
Joint-stork Banking Shares suffered a serious
depression on Saturday and for one or two days after-
wards, in consequence of adverse rumours relating
to a country establishment which has since closed
Tbey have, however, now recovered, and are near 1
all quoted at better prices.
The reports as to a funding of Exchequer Bills
gain strength, and mainly in consequence of them
these securities have improved from a discount of
14s. to Bs., at which they stood this day week, to 53.
dis. to par.

BANK OF ENGLAND.
An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Fith Victoria, cap, 11
for the week ending on Wednesday, the 25th day of Ncn„lBs7
ISRUI PIPAIITMENT.

Notesissued .... 423,269,145 i

123,259,145
BANKING DI
ProprietorsTapitalSl4,ss3.oo9,
Rest
Public Deposits•.. 5,788.998
Other Deposits
Seven Day ,S other
Bills

Government Debt £11,015,1C0
Other Securities .. 5,459,900
Gold Coin & Bullion 6,7'84 148
Silver Bullion ....

£23,269,146

IPAITIMIT.
Government Seen•

rities ((including
DeadWeightAno 415,807,447
Other Securities 31,350,717
Notes 1,916,840
Gold d: Silver C oin 4:9,52T

139,556,531 I 139,556,531
* Including Exchequer Commissioners of National Debt
Savings' Banks. and Dividend Accounts.