The Express.
London, England, 1851-12-19 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET.
THIS DAY.

Two o'CtocK.
The decline of noticed in the English stock mar-
ket towards the close of business hours yesterday af-
ternoon, has been recovered to-day, and, al-
though the quotations of the Rentes come
per cent. lower again from Paris as the
closing rate of restcrlay's Bourse, the general feeling
of the market here has been rather steadier. This
I result must be considered purely ascribable to the
plethora of money, ns canvassers of considerations
adverse to prices arc not by any means absent
from City circles. Rumours of ministerial
changes here arc afloat in some quarters,
whilst other parties interchange grave remarks on
the subject of the alleged outrage committed by the
British brig-of-wa- on the American steamer Pro-
metheus. It is noticed in the advices by the
Atlantic, that the circumstance, immaterial as it
may appear, had exercised a perceptible depressing
influent* on the New York markets.

Consols opened as they closed yesterday, at 96,1
to ex die. for the 16th of January, and are now A.
better, at hi to 4, The purchase of the government
broker in Reduced Threes has to-day been effected
at 97!. 't lie following are the actual buisness
figures of the day :—Three per Cent. Consols for
Account, ; Three per Cent. Reduced, 971 ;
New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents., 98t, g. Lug
Annuities.. .40%6 1646, 7. Bank Stock, 2141.
The market for the unfunded securities is.ti shade
firmer, purchasers offering rather more freely, but
quotations remain unuttered, at 4ss. to 51s. prem. for
Exchequer• Bills, and 595. to 625. pron. for India
Bonds.

TIM foreign stockmarket is stendy,several of these
locus attracting more than usual attention. For
South Aumrican stocks generally the feeling
is more favourable, and Mexican bonds par-
ticipate in the improvement. It is noted as
a favourable feature in the intelligence by
the Atlantic that the revolutionists in the northern

provinces have a large numerical force arrayed
against them. Spanish stocks are quiet. The New
Defeired lire° per Cent. stock is worth 161,
whilst the Certificates for the half of the
coupons not confiscated are quoted about
to VT, or say IL each. The official business list em-
braces :—Brazilian Old Five per Cents., 961, 93;
ditto new, 1829 and 3.J, 931. Buenos Ayres Six per
Cents., 50. 'hitch Twoand-a-liall per Cents., 391,
SS, 591. French Five per Cent. Itentes, Osfr.; ditto
Three per Cents., 62fr. (exchange 23fr. 30c.). ltus-
Jtian Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 1021, 2, 1. Sar-
I dinian Five per Cents., ti:l4. :panish Old Three
per Cents., 40:7 : ditto New Dew Deferred Three per
Cents., 161. Venezuela three-and-a-Quarter per
Cents., 331, 36.

The new committee of Spanish bondholders, pre-
aided over by Sir John Fitzgerald, have issued a
notice, expressly requesting holders to "delay the
conversion of their Fee urit ies fin• a short period, as
important protective measures will forthwith be sub-
mitted for their consideration. _

Owing to the settlement in Nouveau Monde shares
being in progress, the Californian gold mints are
flatter to-day, though scarcely changed in prices. We
understand the stalls of the Ague. Fria Company like-
wise went out by the Medway steamer. l'resent
quotations are :—Agua Fria, to prem.; West
.11ariposit. dis. to par; Golden Mountain, par to kl
pleat.; Nouveau Monde. to 3 prem.; Ave Maria,
dis. to par; Anglo Californian, to .'. prem.
'rho Great Western of Canada ltailway Company'
are in the market for a further sum of 149,000/.. on
debentures bearing interest at 6 per cent. per annum,
with the option of conversion into paid-up stock.
The amount being so small, and the utility of the
undertaking so evident, it is preseined no aiiiiculty
will be experienced in raising the necessary stun.
One feature of the issue is that, owing to the stump-
laws not applying to colonial securities, the bonds will
be " to bearer," and transferable without expense.
The market for American stocks exhibits a changed
aspect this -iverk. An active demand has sprung up,
extending to most of the descriptions usually dealt in,
mid prices are generally better. Messes D. Bell, Son,
and Co., report present quotations as follows :
ktedessiv..te. Darien& Prices.
United stats. 3 ass C.l. PALL ex d 1853 ism. It July tlt 93
Brio, 6 rer C. 17dw
Do. 6 per 43.
136 6 pus Cl. stunk end 1367.18 a Jan. M Ju'y 101 109
Plinsyles Auk red. & Aug. 61 112
Mass, huscus 3 per Cl. surfing
II nes
' Maryland 3 per Cl. sterlaig Bds inn. & July 89 99
Cans la 6 per U. Bonds
Boom Its 3px Cr-
From Paris we have rather important advice.,
which inform us of a change in the quotations of
bullion. liar gold, which was at !, lice cent. prem.,
is returning to its late rate of a slight premium.
Gold coin has receded to par. Bar silver has, how-
ever, only suffered a slight decline, being still 1 per
cent. prem. Sovereigns are a shade lower, 25f. 12c.
instead of 211. 15e. Spanish doubloons are down as
much as one franc, and pillar dols. from 51.45 c. to sf. 39e.
This is the best proof which has yet been received
that alarm has abated. It may, however, be that the
high prices at Paris brought more gold into the
market, and depressed the quotations.
The tratfi!c returns for the last week on the under-
mentioned English lines of railway, as made up to
this day, are as follows:
1651. 1350.
London and NorthWencrn.... 41,268 .... £41,484
Midland
Lancashire and Yorkshire 16,596 .... 14,182
London and South Western 9,194 1010.. 8,395
Loudon and Brighton
Great Western
South Euq..rn
York and North Midland
Exeter and Creditun
Bristol and Exeter
York, Newcastle, and llerwick 13,192 1010..
Shrewsbury ten 4 Chester 1,586 ....
Great Northern 10,402 ....
Leeds Northern 1,004 1010..
North Statikedshire
Manchester, Buxton, Matlock,
and Midlands Junction
Manchester, South Junction,
and Al: rnichatn 465 ...•
Mancht s!:•r, Sheffield, and Lin-
colw.hire 8,428 ....
Shmindiire Union 643 .1000
Chester and II Iyhead
LiverPorpool, Crosby, and South-
t
Kendal and Windermere

6,4%7
18,212
1,340
6,811

814
4,614

'427
2,278

Total £175,709

f 161,478

The total receipts upon the corresponding lines
being 175,729/., against 101,4781. in the same
week of last year, the increase is shown to be
11,231/., or NI per cent. The number of miles open
was, in lsa, 3,601, and in INA, 3,7335, being an
increase of 1131 miles, or 3 per cent. The aggre-
gate average return per mile per week was, in 1651,
431. Ns. nd., and in 1650, 43/. 168.4 d., so that the dif-
ference remains in favour of the present year to the ex-
, tent of 111. 12s .sd. per mile. The aggregate com-
I parison is thus highly favourable, and the returns
I must consequently be looked upon as maintaining
their improved character. In several cases this
years return shows a considerable increase, whilst!
in some few others the comparison is a shade
less favourable than hitherto. The metropoli-
tan lines are to a certain extent favourably
affected by the Smithfield Club Cattle Show, which is
naturally a source of attraction to our agricultural
friends; and th ) London and North Western and
neighbouring lines are assia ed by thecattle show at
Birmingham and tho Wolverhampton races. The
South Eastern and Brighton receipts are swelled by
Reigate cattle and sheep fair, and those of the latter
line are further helped by the cattle fair at East
Grinstead. _

Chester and Ilolyhend
York and North Midland 20.91 26.01
York, Newcastle, and Berwick 44.56 .... 45.09
Great Northern 43.11 .... 28.87
Leeds Northern

Liverpool, Crosby, nal South-
Port 21.20 .... 16.61
The returns ou Scotch lines arc as under :
18. M. 1950.
Aberdeen
Caledonian 7,432 11tOli

Glasgow and South Western 8:132
Edinburgh and Glasgow 3,230 3,371
Scottish Central

Total
This shows an increase of 1,0101., or 6 per cent.
The Irish returns are:

1851. 1850.
1:9•4,1 £SS.I

Ulster

Belfait and Ballymena
Dublin and lielfagt Junction
Dundalk and Funiskillen
killcn

626 ....
18$

Dublin and Droghetli

H:7 ....

Londonderry and Enniskillen
Watso-Mrd and Limerick .... 2115 ....
Behag andeounty Down.... DU ....

Total

£3,410

11NOLIJIII FUND 4.—Tpin DoT.
Dank Ste,ck, :111 151 1.,41, A notultlor. shut
3 per Ct. 1i0.100tJ......7/ 1 lo.iia St,,elt.,•bitt
3 311
I.wir Ct. (5,10w46. ollot Ditto 1i,004.1,16.01t.,
er Ct. Cousols.l6ll 1 Exolotquerbille.l.olll.6. 48e. 318.
Cole la for Acct., 064 j
170111610 N PONDS.
44 per Ct. Belgian, 64 34 3 per Ct. Ifeateto. 26/ 7
i Now, Si. 4 C.. ' 03
4 48.81. Ot Yorusiso. isi 0,
Ditto Deft/Trot. 451 CT
6 per Ct. Ilacto, Avre•,. 48 a 41 por Ct. Col ::,zu,,,.. 8o 3
6 por Ct. Cl,l,Ltn, 07 1, 0 0 40 r Ct.. It us 0.1•1. 11l •3
3 per Ct. Clatliau. 61 4 i, per 11t. Itumian. 1,1 4
3 per Ct. Ittniolt. TO I 5 per 41...pau1,0, Acme. 711 1
~ per It. I•ute.i. t-0 61 7, ik rCL 8101041. 41 4
4 per ("... hutch, 87 4.1 ho. 1.41•„a,•. 5 1
451•13,1.4, 04 31 01 per Ct. Voltoto,lo. :14 11
1 pot V:. Um:Pa% 131 144 • Po. Itoferrc.l. 1.11 104
Vurlioan 5 per Cent., 83 to 63.

LOG'AL :WARR MARKETS.

LtwattrooL, Due. 18.—We hare had very little business
doing to-day, but the market keeps steady. The following
are the transaction:—Caledonian, 151—Lancashire and
" 81d.—London and

Yorkshire, 571—Ditto (fifth shares). -..
North Western (at w 1-shares), 34;n.—Ditto (filth shares),
21p.—Midland, 551 I—South Eastern and Dover, DI! 1—
York and North Midland, 21!—Belfast and Ballymena,
301_—Dutch Rhenish, 4 9-161.-14orthorn of France, par !11.
MANCHESTER, DEC. 18.—A moderato amuuut of busi-
ness was done, principally in South Eastern stock, and
prices were without alteration :—South Eastern, 201—
Leeds stock, 57! —Ea.!. Lancashire, 141—Midland d•
London and North Western, 116.
DIUMINGIIANL, Dec. 18.—This market was more active
to-day. North Statfurds were done at 8 dis. ; .bury
and Ilinuimrharn at 4/. 131. 9d. per share ; South Staf-
ford;, at 11. 1811. 9d. tes. ; and Birmingham Banks at 283.
BitisTUl., Dec. 18.—The market was quiet to-day, and
the amount of business dime was not considerable. The
variations were—Bristol and Exeter Old Shares, 80; Mid-
lands, 56.

TUE ORIENTAL BANK,—At the annual general
meeting of the shareholders in this company,held yesterday,
under the presidency of It. G. Gordon, k; al., a very favour-
able report of its position was read and unanimously adopted.
The deficiencies of the branch at Bombay lad been reduced
to a trilling sum, whilst the profits obtained during the half-
year lead the directors to anticipate a continuance of the
present dividend 01 i per cent. per atrium. The tinancial
statement shows that the liabiiities of the company amount
to 2,:gg1,:k31/., end the assets to 2,415.104/., whica gives a
balance of profit and loss of 25,860/. The company is now
incorporated by royal charter.
BURFORD'S NF.W PaNtiltAata OF NIMROUD
Mr. Burford has added to the Christine' attractions of the
panoramic gallery an extensive view of " Nimroud." The
works of Botta awl I.ayard have made the public tolerably
familiar with the remains which modern research has
brought to light in the ancient capital of the Assyrian
but it wanted ^nine pi2torial representation like the '
present to mould the printed descriptions into shape, and
to enable the people of these days fully to appreciate the
wonders that lint been achieved by the ancient people. In
the picture under consideration 'the artist has taken his
stand on the Tel or Mound of Niinroud, which tradition,
the only indestructible record, fixes as the site of " The
groat city brat by Nimrod." Immediately under are the
portals of the great North West Palace, with its two
mystical winged human headed lions, and its slabs of
sculptured alabaster as fresh as if it were only yesterday
they came from the chisel. The mound is dotted with buts,
and groups in all the picturesque varieties of ancient
costume are scattered about. At a little dis.
tance a crowd of Arabs are seen tugging away
at the Great Bull, the triumph of Mr. Layard's discove-
ries, and beyond and around on every side stretches the
vast plain, in all the arid inonotony of eastern climes, only
relieved here and there by a stray Arab encampment or an
occasional group of Turkish horwmen. lu the distance, ou
the west, a narrow line indicates the Tigris ; Mosul,
Kouyunjek, and littera:lb-ad (now familiar names), bound
the north; and the perspective is filled up with the
Kunlish Meuntains, tinted with the deep crimson glow of
an eastern sunset. It will easily be imagined that such a
subject has more antiquarian than pictorial recommenda-
tions, and hence the first impression produced on the
visitor is ono of monotony, the narrow streaks of ver-
dure here and there but nightly relieving the generally
arid character of the landscape. Neither did the colouring
appear to us sufficiently warm for the subject, nor the sky
bright enough for the sunny East. The best things in the
picture are the encampments, which arc admirably painted,
awl the grazing flecks and groups of horsemen, which are
full of life and mot:on. The great merit of the picture is
great tiuth of detail, and cunscqucntiy an inspection of it
will prove a most admirable expedient for realising the im-
pressions left by the descriptions of the works before men-
tioned. It is the joint work of Messrs. Burford and Sclous,
and on the whole fairly sustains the reputation of both
artists. The holiday folk must not forget that tinder the
some roof they may travel from the holy City to the Fulls
of Niagara, with a short turn (by way of parenthesis) to
the Lakes of Lucerne, famous for the number of English
tourists sacrifieed every year by the innkeept i's—in all and
each of which pictures they are sure to had both instruction
and amusement.

MARYLEBONE LITEILARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITU-
TION.—Latt evening a subscription concert—the first of a
series—took place at this institution, and was attended by
a large concourse of people. The programme contained
many choice pieces from the works of Cursrhman, Schu-
bert, Bellini, Wallace, Macfarren, Haydn, Weber, Balfe,
&c., and the performers no the occasion were Miss Birch,
.Miss Dolby, Mias Kato Hickson, Mr. Weiss, Mr. W. Har-
rison, Mr. T. Williams, Mr. G Case, end many others
abuse names are a guarantee fur the excellence of an en-
tertainment of this description. Amongst the compositions
executed by the vocalists were several popular English airs,
and the various selections from the Italian and German
composers were equally felicitous. The foreign as well as
native music was executed with sufficient skill and effect
to command several encores. The concert (which was given
in aid of the funds of the institution) was ccnducted by
Mr. Walter Mactarren.

NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN CONNECTING RAIL-
WAY.— Yebterday the Master in Chancery Ilumphry pro-
ceeded with the settlement of this company's affairs, and
placed upon the list as liable to contribute to the liquidation
of outstanding debts all those eareholders who had paid the
deposit, accepted shares, and signed the deed. The official
manager, Mr. Ooodchap, has been instructed by the court
to bring in a charge against the directors to take an account
ou behalf of the shareholders as to what has been done with
the 33,4001. received in the shape of deposits, of which a
balance of 1,577/. was found only to remain at the different
banks, 11,0001. haring, it is alleged, been applied is preli-
minary expenses and engineering, 9,6001. in the amusement
of rigging the market, and 12,0001. handed over to a com-
mittee of investigation, who applied it in paying of 10s. •
share on the 12,723 shares subscribed, and is discharging
debts.

UNIVERSAL GAS-LIGHT COMPANT.—Yesterday, be-
fore the Muter in Chancery Sir George Rose, a meeting in
this matter was held to make a call of 61. per share on the
shareholders, reported by Mr. Hording, the official manager,
to be required to pay off proved debts against the company
amounting to 2,13001., and costs incurred in winding it up,
4001., together 3,2001. The total shares liable were 4,370,
but many of the holders were either insolvent or unable to
pay. Alter considerable discussion the Master intimated,
with the concurrence of the parties, that he thought they
bad better try a call of 151., and which, if fully responded
to, would be, it was calculated, enough to discharge the
liabilities. The call was made accordingly, payable in
January.
GREAT WESTERN ATMOSPHERIC EITENSION
Ramway.—Yesterday Muter Senior struck out the names
of Sir James Anderson (for whom Mr. Field appeared) and
Major Moore from the list of contributors, upon the ground
that the mere fact of these two gentlemen having attended
I preliminary meetings of the provisional committee was in-
sufficient to make them legally liable for the debts of the
proposed scheme. A claim by Mr. Taylor, amounting to
1,168/. for engineering, and another for 1,0001. by Mr
Mitchell for advertising charges out of pocket, were ad-
journed for further investigation.
A VERY IMPORTANT DECREE (" No. 853, of Bth
November, 18.51") has lately been issued by the government
of Brazil, restoring to consuls in the ports of that empire the
power of administering to the Mtestato estatm of foreign
rtaidents.