The Press.
London, England, 1854-04-22 00:00:00

PROMOTIONS:

Commanders—James A. Paynter ; James C. Prevost, of the
Portland; Sir William S. Wiseman, Barr, of the Excellent; Ni-
cholas Vansittart—to be Captains for rank.
lieutemuite—William E. A. Gordon, of the Rt. George; Fre-
derick T. C. Strode, of the Victory; George G. Willes, of the Re-
ribugius—to be Commanders for rank.

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.—II is gratifying to
observe that in some agricultural districts the
resident proprietors and gentry are promoting lec-
tures of a really useful kind for the instruction of
the labouring population. At Goudhurat, Kent, on
Tuesday last, Mr. Morland, of Courtlodge, delivered
an amusing and excellent lecture bearing on agri-
cultural chemistry to a numerous and attentive
audience. One great merit of the discourse con-
sisted in the familiar but very satisfactory experi-
ments by which it was illustrated. Thus, supposing
that there were two different springs on a farm, snd
the cultivator was in doubt which would be most
proper for irrigating the soil, Mr. Morland showed
by adding a drop of prussiate of potass to a vial of
water from one spring that it turned the water blue,
a sure sign that it contained iron, which would be
injurious to the land, while a drop of the same added
to a vial of water from the other spring turned it
white and milky, a proof that it contained chalk,
which would enrich the soil. While by instruction
of this kind Mr. Morland endeavoured to fit his
auditors better for their industrial pursuits, the
whole tone of his lecture was religious, or, at least,
highly moral, and well calculated to elevate their
minds and raise them in the social scale.

A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE broke out on Thursday morn-
ing upon the premises of Mr. D. Daley, furskiu-
dresser, Red Lion-alley, Cow-cross. The discovery
was made by a police officer, who, on passing the pre-
mises, perceived fire issuing from the warehouse at
the rear of them. He gave an alarm, and
having succeeded in arousing the inmates sent for the
engines and escapes, but in spite of all exertion the
work of devastation continued, and the workshop and
drying-rooms were destroyed. The property consumed
was of considerable value, but fortunately insured.

On Thursday the fluctuation in Consols was fully
1, and as there was a total absence of authentic news,
or of anything to inspire confidence or produce de-
pression, it is obvious the dealings are phrely specu-
lative. Between four and five millions are under-
stood to stand over till the account, on the 11th of
May. Consols for money were done at 871 to 881,
and for the account from 881 to 871 1, and this was
the latest quotation. A notification from the Cus-
toms to several London firms was made to-day that
the exportation of iron to the Continent was pro-
hibited: as very large contracts exist, this regula-
tion will inflict great hardship on individuals if it is
carried out without mitigation or qualification.
To-day the market has been heavy. Speculative
sales, combined with some disparaging accounts of
Omer Paella's army on the Danube, sent Consols
down to 871 for money, and about 1 lower for the
account. Towards the close of business, however,
the quotations rallied a little.
Foreign stocks have shared in the fluctuation and
depression of the British funds. Mexicans have,
nevertheless, improved to-day upon the strength of
a favourable despatch received by the bondholders
from the President.

Shares have drooped generally and regularly
throughout the week. To-day, especially, almost 10
descriptions of railway and mining stocks are from
10s. to 11. lower.