The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-31 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 31, 1853.

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kit interpreting their actions into words. Lord
Al sleets has gesticulated panlomimically while
the Tinar has stood by to explain his meaning.
Prince MescuinuEr arrived at Constantinople on
the 2Ath of February, and addressed his first Note to
the SULTAN on the 16th of March; the Russian
troops entered the Danubian provinces on the 2nd of
July. In less than four months Russia passed from
bullying threats to actual aggression. Since this
completion of the outrage seven months have elapsed
daring which the sole employment of Lord ABER-
DEEN and his colleagues hu been to barks questions
in Parliament on Eastern affairs, or return evasive
answers to them ; to fawn upon Russia and allow
themselves to be entangled in aimless negotiations ;
to despatch a fleet to the Levant regarding
which it is still doubtful whether it was sent to assist
Turkey or to secure a share of the spoil should Russia
succeed in crushing it; to dissuade Turkey by flattery,
and deter it by threats, from effectively resisting the
aggression of Russia. While the English Cabinet
has been thus engaged the Times has been zealously
abetting them in its own way. At first it laboured
indefatigably to disseminate a belief that the
Turkish Empire was too effete and rotten to be kept
any longer in existence, and should, therefore, be left
to be swallowed up by Russia ; next, finding this
view upset, it argued in favour of cutting up the
Turkish Empire into a multiplicity of petty Sclavonic
and Hellenic States, which it was obvious Russia
would soon absorb ; subsequently, when the vigorous
efforts of the Turks and the defeats sustained by the
Russians on the Danube proved that the parties were
not so unequally matched as had been represented, it
affected to embrace the cause of Turkey, allowing,
however, no opportunity to escape of representing
(by the most daring perversions of fact) the people
and government as barbarous, debauched, fanatical,
and persecuting. Lord ABERDEEN and his colleagues
have systematically acted in a manner suited to
favour the attack of Russia and embarrass and fetter
the defence of Turkey ; and while they have been
acting thus, the Times has been unscrupulously and
incessantly palliating Russian aggression, or ca-
lumniating the Turks in order to reconcile the public
to the conduct of the English Gove;nment. These
worthy colleagues in perfidy—the Peer and the
Journal —have not succeeded in making the
public believe that wrong is right ; but, by the artifi.
cial delays of the one and the mendacity of the
other, they have aided and encouraged the wrong-
doer, and rendered him more formidable, more bent
on accomplishing his object, than he was at the
beginning. They have so embroiled affairs, that an
evil which might have been redressed at the outset by
the mere assumption of a firm and dignified attitude
of rebuke on the part if the Minister, and a little
regard to common veracity and decency on the part
of his organ in the press, may not now be rectified
bat by a serious war,—a war which may spread till it
involves the whole civilised world in its maddening
and frightful vortex. Thus have these worthy col-
leagues contrived to render the year 1853 politically
one of those upon which Englishmen will, in all
future ages, look back with a sense of painful disgust
and national humiliation.

_ * -

./ItHESPONDENTS.
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HIGH V • ER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
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=s•roxwa —) .4, Ili. 13s Attersous, 31t. Cam.

LONDON, sATURD.II, DECEMBER 31.

" BRAVO. .10-ti.h! moral to the last! " exclaims
Sir ()lire r as the battled and exposed hypo-
crite, his ride, in phew, leaves the /MOO with the
declaration that I goes to do a good action. " Moral
to the last !" • European public may, in like
manner, exolai i. now that the curtain is about to
drop on the Is day of 1853, on the hhallow and
specious dipio, lots of Western Europe. In the
latest cotnniur 'ion of the French and English
Ministers at ( •tuntinople to the Porte that has
reached this trier of the globe, the Turkish
Government is Avely assured that the presence of
the Anglo-Fro tleet in the Bosphorus " has a
political signih, on ;" and that "itis a moral sup-
port as long as ere remains a hope of effecting a
reconciliation b wetn the adverse Powers." What

thethephrase"po ic:tl signification" is intended toe:.
press it would t and tosay,for anything more utterly
unmeaning that the despatch of ships of war to the
Bosphorus to th, nothing cannot be imagined. And
henceforth the ~.rase " moral support," as used by
the French alto Eiglibh Ambassadors, will be un-
derstood by t forks to mean " helping your
enemy." MIL .tt provocation the Russians have
taken possr.t.iet. oi two provinces belonging to the
SULTAN. The (i•ivernments of France and England

...
have declared ti is to be a cams belli. Nevertheless
the SULTAN, in deference to these allies, abides the re-
sult of tedious st.d unmeaning negotiations until they
themselves !Kiwi that Russia hu been playing upon
their credulity, and has no sincere intention to make
restitution. 'lle SULTAN thereupon proceeds to
drive the invaders from his dominions. A combined
French and English fleet is despatched to the Boa-

phorus. France and England, however, again fall to
negotiation. haling obtained (as their Governments
aver) a.selemn promise from the CZAR not to attack the
Turkish territory till negotiation is at an end. Mean-
while the Itussiatis are attempting to cross the Turk-

lab frontier in Asia, and the Turks making counter-
attempts to invade the Russian territory, It there-
fore becomes necessary that the Turkish Government
should send supplies of warlike stores to that fron-
tier. Thereupon Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE
sad M. BAR ‘OI'AY D'HILLIERS (we quote from an
abstract of their joint note, received from an authen-
tic source, which we this day publith) earnestly urge
the SULTAN nut to allow any of his ships to enter
the Black Sea. It may be all true what they repre-
sent themes lye • to have said, that there was "a defec-
tive niat:riel" in the Turkish fleet ; that " the
crews were uo tier the sontingent required in time
of war ;" that " the adverse chances of the
Black Sea at this season, and the possibility
of an encounter with an enemy of superior force "
were to be talon into consideration. The simple and
unanswerable reply to these averments, be they true
or untrue, was that everything must be risked to
keep the armies on the Armenian frontier properly
applied with an.nautition and other military stores,
is order that they might be able to make good their
ground against the Russians. While it may be =n-
eeded on the one hand to Lord STRATFORD DE RED-
Currs and M. BAE.AGUAT nelittuvas, that in the
present state of affoirs they were not absolutely
bound to give convoy to Turkish transports, they
cannot deny on the other that it was absolutely
necessary for the Turkish Government to despatch
them; and that if it has been in consequence of their
representations that the main force of the Ottoman
fleet remained at anchor in the Bosphorus, and that
rely a weak convoy was sent with the transports, they
have incurred a fearful responsibility. Bat more
than this : these egregious diplomatists state that
"should Russia attempt to land a force on the Boo-
phortio, of at any other point of the Turkish coasts,
the combined fleets will then be required to act and
eater immediately the Black Sea, if necessary, to
protect the territory as well as the integrity of the
empire." This is a mean and shameful evasion and
paltering with words. If France and England are
bound to protect the sea-board territory of the Turks
from the Russians, it matters not whether the Rus-
sian attacks are made by landing forces, or by bom-
barding and destroying towns and villages from the
OIL Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE and M.
RARAGUAT D'IIILLIERB, in restricting their obliga-
tion to land and to a case of landing, are quib-
bling and attempting to limit the real responsibility
of their governments. Any authority on the
law of rations will tell them that to attack vessels
is the harbours of a neutral power, under the guns
of its forts, is a violation of neutral territory. Con-
sequently, Russia being pledged to abstain from
attacks upon the Turkish territory, that pledge was
broken when a Russian fleet attacked and destroyed
vessels in a Turkish harbour, under the guns of a
Turkish fort. By that act alone the Turkish territory
was assailed, and the right of the Turkish Govern-
ment to call upon the French and English fleets in
the Bosphorus for aid established. But the Rus-
sians have not merely destroyed vessels in the Turk.
ish waters, they have burned a Turkish town, and
massacred the inhabitants, or driven them to seek
refuge in the mountains. And yet the French and
English fleets in the Bosphorus remain inactive; and
this Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE and M. BARA-
OUAT D'HILLIERB cull affording "moral support to
Turkey." Political signification! Yes, such conduct
signifies to the Russians that France and England
will connive at all their aggressions. " Moral
support !" Yes, of the true Surface school.
It is not however with Lord STRATFORD DE RED-
curve and M. BARAGUAT u'Httuitas we have to _ _ _
reckon for thus disgracing the Union Jack and the Now, at its close, we can say that, in spite of some
Tricolor, while amicably waving side by side on a drawbacks, the year 1853 has rather surpassed than
scene of action where the future destinies of Europe fallen below expectations. Nor have these drawbacks
may be decided ; it is with the Governments of been trifling oues. Through a large part of the year
which they are the mere tool, or instruments. The imports and exports, manufactures and banking, have
French ruler may be left to his own people, whop been disturbed and disquieted by the iniquitous pro-
are nut apt to be over-patient under anything that ccedings of the Czar. His conduct has stopped trade
tarnishes, or seems to tarnish, the national honour. I and alarmed some persons, while the nations of the
Lord ABERDEEN must account to the people of west arc suffering from a bad harvest for the means
Englund far his conduct, and the day of reckoning of subsistence.
draws nigh. 'The question of national honour may Some similar effects, though in a smaller degree,
be !review( I. ittlim Ilut.t. is less acutely sensitive resulted from the ill-timed &themes of our own Chun-
to app. .ti MINA a..d nit.ttel aof etiquette than some cellor of the Exchequer in relation to reducau4 the
of his 111 i4;,botirs. But the morel guilt incurred by national debt. They have alternately made money
the MIER, through his trimming, equivocating, `unduly plentiful and unduly scarce, and have ibtro-
isadteim d tergiversatione on the Eastern question, is I duced irregularities into the market which have d's-
matter that brooks no delay. A war—ot which ! quieted and disturbed the regular course of trade. In
no one can foresee how wide the sphere it may em- like manner the loans of Austria, the undue stimulus
brace in its devsstatios, to what political revolutions given to consumption by the French Emperor, the
or rise and fall of empires it may give rise, or how Ion; i late withdrawal of gold by the Czar, have all had a
may endure,hangsovrrus. And this war might have , disturbing influence over trade; and, except the nbo-
tin prevented—nipped in the bud—by the exercise oft lition of the soap duties, the reduction of the tea
little common firmness, a little common honesty, a duties, and one or two other beneficial changes in
!it Cc earnroon sense or •he raft of Lord A EI!..I:DEEN r taxation, the trade of 1853 has been rather deranged
and has instrument, the T'inies. It is impossible I and impeded than protected and promoted by political
in this matter to sepal ate the peer and the jouinal ; action.
the TOne. s has been to Lord ABERDEEN what the I We are inclined to include the alterations in the
Owes is old tragedy was to the adores the medium Bank rate of discount to some extent amongst the

political causes of disturbance. The opinion was
promulgated early in the year that the trade with
Australia was overdone, though it has continued ex-

tensive, thriving, and safe to the close of the year;
that great disasters were impending; and that the
Bank must, for its own safety and the good of the
public, place its screw on the honest traffic of the
\people. Admitting to the fullest extent the right
of the Bank, monopolist though it be, and keeper
though it be of the public' money, to use all its re-
sources for its own advantage, we cannot sanction its
use of them, from political motives and political re-
commendations, to regulate or influence the trade of
the country. Commercial motives are always private
good—the good of the trade—political motives
have reference to the public welfare ; and when the
Bank pretends to guide its conduct by views of the
, public welfare it leaves the sphere of commerce and

dabbles with politics.
For the seasons to be more or less productive is in
the course of nature, but the harvest of 1863, consi-

A slight &Ale in the price of meat took place
towards October, which may to a small degree have
affected the agricultural interest; but the price of
their produce has in general risen fully, or even mere
than commensurate to its deficiency, the general
well-being of the people having caused a great in-
crease of consumption. While other interests pros-
pered, all the interests connected with the land have
steadily flourished, and, in spite of bad seasons, have
been more generally successful and contented than at
any previous period since 1814. In every part of the
country, including Ireland, improved cultivation is
extending; more land is effectually drained; and,
while the wages of agricultural labourers have been
increased fully one-third, farmers profits have
increased, and rent has not declined. Ex-
cept as some farmers and graziers are
traders in the narrow meaning of the term, and
accordingly discount bills to carry on the buying
operations, the landed interest is not affected like
the manufacturing and commercial interest by the
rise in the rate of money. It could not be borrowed
for long periods at a lower rate than 4 per cent., be-
fore the beginning of the year; it may be borrowed
mow at something more than that on good landed
security. Except, as just mentioned, the interest has
not suffered or been impeded in its operations by that
Imam in the value of money, which cripples, to
owe extent, all business carried on by the help of
credit. The shocks of the money market reach it,
diminished by passing through the manufacturing
and commercial interest, and if it do net like these
sometimes make money almost faster than money can
be counted it has enjoyed from their success an
equable and steady prosperity.
We need not advert in detail to the continued in-
crease of our imports and exports, which we have
laid monthly before our readers, and of which in
a day or two we shall have the accounts of another
month. We can so far forestall them as to say that

dering the extent of ground under cereal crops
throughout Europe, and the general failure, has
been one of the least productive known for
, many years. United by exchange, as all nations
now are, we have actually suffered more by
the failure of the harvest on the Continent
than at home, and a rapid and extensive rise in the
price of wheat since the failure of the continental
harvest became known in July, has carried it at the
close of the year to 735. per quarter. For the gene-
ral scarcity of food which already affects all classes
and checks business, trade is in no degree to blame ;
it has distributed in the most beneficial manner all the
corn that has been produced; but almost everywhere
throughout Europe political restrictions have im-
peded the production of food, while the proceedings
of the Czar in the east, and the Emperor in the west,
and of some other potentates, have interfered un.
wisely with its distribution. In spite of these unto-
ward circumstances England enjoys an ample supply,

the imports of corn will be great in the last two
months of the year. The total number of quarters of
grain of all kinds, and of flour as grain, imported to
Nov. 5 was in 1852, 6,427,086, and 1853, 8,755,392.
Between Nov. 5 and Dec. 14, the date of the latest
return, the imports in 1853 were—grain of all kinds,
870,588 qrs.; and in the same period of 1852,
621,926. The total imports of grain, therefore, in
1852 to date, were 7,049,012 qrs. ; and in 1853,
9,625,980 qrs., or an increase in 1853 of 2,576,968
above the imports of 1852. Of tea the total imports
to Dec. 16 were in 1852, 47,096,0001b'. ; in 1853,
50,991,0001b5. To the same date duty has been
paid this year on 42,111,8211b5. ; and in 1852, on
40,167,8861 be. The total consumption this year is
estimated at 57,800,0001b5., against 55,000,0001 a.
in 1852. Of sugar the imports to Dec. 23 in 1853
have amounted to 370,000 tons, against 380,731 tons
in 1832 ; but the consumption in 1853 has been
375,000 tons, against 360,181 tons in 1852 ; showing
a greater increase in consumption than imports. Of
coffee the imports to the same date has been in
1853, 24,900 tone; in 1852, 24,261 ; and the con-
sumption in 1853, 16,800 tons, against 15,644 tons in
1852. Similar facts are true of a great variety of other
imports eoually important, but cotton, from various
causes, chiefly the lateness and scantiness of the
harvest of 1853, come forward as yet in mush
smaller quantities than in 1852. There is reason to
believe also that the value of our exports in 1833,
which to Nov. 5 exceeded the value in 1852 by
13,908,6511., has continued to increase in the last two
months, and at the end of the year will show at
aggregate increase of 16,000,0001. It has been
already shown by the increased value of money con-
tinned to this day—a high rate of interest being
always paid out of profit—that our extended busi-
ness has been profitable. In proportion to its extent
all classes, we believe, have been enriched by it.
The carrying interest the steam locomotive on
land, and the steam and sailing ship, have this year
had an unprecedented quantity of goods to carry,
and at the end of the year freights, to which we
confine our remarks, are at least 40 per cent. higher,
in some cases even 100 per cent. higher, than at its
commencement. Nobody grudges the shipowners
their prosperity. If their exertions to improve
navigation have not been greater than the
exertions of the farmers to improve agricul-
ture, and of the manufacturers to improve
weaving, spinning, and dyeing, at least they
have been more conspicuous, and have been attended
with more splendid results. When Captain Bligh
was sent out to Otaheite at the close of the last
century on a special mission, in one of her Majesty's
ships, he was ten months on her voyage; but we
have lately had several examples of the globe being
circumnavigated in las than six. Australia has
been reached in 65 days. The extreme parts of the
earth have been brought, by the skill of our seamen,
within two months' sail or steam of England. Well
do they, like the other industrious classes, deserve all
that they have gained.
How many of the existing steam packet compa-
nies may have come into existence in 1843 or gone
out of existence we do not inquire; but there are at
present no less than 16 such companies, with offices
in London, sending steam vessels regularly and con-
tinually to various parts of the world. At Liverpool
last week there were 21 steamers loading for ports
over sea. At all the shipbuilding places great
exertions have been made to keep pace with the
requirements of the age and the increase of iron ves-
sels in building, of which we have almost a monopoly,
has been very large. The great increase in the rate
of freights is at the same time a proof that the in-
crease in the number and size of our ships in their
speed and in the arts of navigation has not been
one atom too much, and that the exertions of
our shipowners, shipbuilders, and shipmasters have
found an appropriate reward.
Though the year has fulfilled expectations and
brought an increase of busine,.-s and an accession of
wealth to nearly all, we cannot say that it bequeaths
each a bright prospect to its successor as it received
from 1852. The mad ambition of a despot now
threatens us with war. The price of corn nearly 60
per cent. higher than at the close of 1852, and the
supply not so certain as then, is an unfavourable
symptom. But all other articles we may say are at the
close of the year in a good position both for dealers
and consumers. The price generally is not high, the
stocks are not over abundant, and the markets are
all firm and hopeful. Between the corn and other
markets there is always a sort of conflict, and they
look up as corn looks down, the sale of things less
essential than bread being diminished in proportion
as bread is dear. It is rather of an unfavourable
augury that the price of corn is high, and is likely to
be higher.
Our domestic dissensions art' not at an end. The
great stirnuluv of larg., scald th4eovi tits has become
less, and the trade with A u-I rulta is mote steady and
certain, but not so Till more wealth
accumulates in the confers of the Hank aid of private
money-lenders than there is a demand tor, the rate of
discount is not likely to decline, and the avowed
de'ermination of politicians to keep speculation in
check was not made nor supposed to be necessary at
the close of 1852. Hope was more lively then than
now, but it may turn out that the necessity for exer-
tion to meet the deficiencies of the harvest, and to
make up for the waste and destruction of strikes and
combinations, may give a great stimulus to industry
and skill, may call into existence new inventions, and
make 1854 even more prosperous than 1853. All
other causes of national progress compared to skilful
industry aro ru dust in the balance l and if that ba

though the price is high, and it is kept higher than
it ought to be by an unwise duty.
For men to be more or less unruly, ignorant, and
obstinate, is also in the course of nature; and the
combinations of workmen and masters, " strikes," and,
"lock-outs," though great and unexpected, because'
suicidal blows to our prosperity, may be deplored like
the failure of the harvest, but cannot be remedied.
If the dispute between masters and men were to be
at an end to-morrow, it has done great mischief
which cannot be undone. Its effects in checking
production, consumption, and all business, is not to
be doubted, and must be taken into consideration in
comparing the fruition at the end of 1853 with the
sunny hopes which prevailed at its commencement.
'life first check trade received in the year came
from the Bank of England. Before the first eight
days had elapsed it raised the rate of interest from 2
to 21; before the month was at an end it raised the
rate to 3, in five months to 31, in the beginning of
September to 4, and on October the Ist to 5 per
cent. Such a straitened condition of the mosey
market hampered and circumscribed operations, but
it was not followed by any convulsion. So rapid and
great a rise in the rate of interest is unknown in
modern times, except in periods of disastrous panic,
and that not a single bankruptcy of any importance
bas ensued from this cause is an undeniable testimony
to the increased care with which trade has been
carried on as it has become free and extended. The
total declared value of our exports in 1847 was
69,000,0001., in the present year it will not be lees,
if it be not more, than 90,000,0001., an increase, as
eiwapared to that year of much overtrading and
awning bankruptcy, of upwards of 52 per cent. In
the resent year, while there has been in the increased
who of money a cause of difficulty which did not
then occur till the hollowness of business had been
proved, the very extension of commerce, and its
more minute distribution amongst many persons, has
kept it within reasonable bounds. The blow then given
to the credit of a few great houses has since made
money dealers more cautious, and the multitude of
small houses, amongst which the business of the few
broken up giants of 1847 was divided, none of which
can make overweening claims to confidence, and the
transactions of which are closely scrutinised, has
increased the safety of business. Extensive compe-
tition has enured this in 1853, though the Bank
monopoly failed to accomplish it, if it did not accele-
rate disaster in 1847.
According to the common theory, there was no
good ground for this rise in the value of money.
Gold came continually into the country in 1853 as in
1852. From Australia till July there was shipped
in 1853, 1,313,959 ounces of gold; and in 1852,
939,284 ounces. The greater part of all that was
shipped came to England, and since July we know
that not much less than 300,000 ounces have been
shipped, and principally have come hither. If a
little more gold has gone out than has come in, there
has never been in the year less than 15,000,0001.
bullion in the vaults of the Bank. Money there-
fore, should have been cheap, and it has been
dear. In fact, large profits were made in business,
and men could afford to give a high rate of Interest
for the use of money, and they gave it. Such a rate
continued to this time, without being followed by
any commercial disaaters, is a proof that trade has
been very profitable, as well as extensive. There is no
joint-stock bank which has not divided more than 6
per cent. on its paid-up capital; the Bank of Eng-
land and some other banks have divided 8 per cent.,
and probably will divide more the next half-year, so
that the money interest, if it has squeezed other
interests, has throughout the year been prosperous,
because the profit on business generally has been
great. Amongit some classes there must be a great
accumulation of capital, and the monied classes are
not without their share.
Another check to business came gradually into
operation in 1853, with the gradual rise in the price
of provisions. As wheat rose from 465. to 735. per
quarter, or the quartern loaf from 7d. to lid., the
great multitude whose chief subsistence is bread,
found the purchasing power of their wages diminish,
and they had less money to spare for clothing and
the few luxuries they enjoy. Nevertheless, only a
slight check was felt to the progress of our maim-
factures before the strike commenced. For the
foreign markets the demand continued, and
the necessity of purchasing a larger quantity
of corn, at higher prices than before,
ensures the continuance of the foreign demand. The
very last accounts we have of the exports show a
continued increase, and the diminution of consump-
tion, consequently, which has enabled the manufac-
turers to stop their mills, or run short time with ad.
vantage, is unfortunately in the main due to the
diminished consumption of the lower and middle
classes of townspeople.
The rise in the price of corn has been accompanied
by a rise in the price of other things, thong', it is
cot perhaps so great as might have been ..pected.
Thus while wheat has risen nearly 60 per cent.,
potatoes have risen about 25 per cent., butter about
16, meat not more than 12, timber about 17, coals
about 70, and cot'on about 10 per cent. Some kinds,
however, are lower in price than at the beginning
of the year, so is sugar, wool, and some other
things. There has been no general rise, however,
to make us suppose that the new gold has yet much
affeted the value of all the gold in circulation. The
rise which has taken place is more clearly to be
traced to thedeficiency of the supply of the article than
to the influence of the new gold on the value of the
currency.

great, be the harvests what they may, come war or
not, be money cheap or dear, the people will thrive.
It is delightful to know that America and Australia,
the prosperity of which has so much helped forward
our prosperity in 1853, are likely to increase in
prosperity very much in 1834. In their progress we
shall again largely partioipate, and it may make
1854, notwithstanding the clouds that hang around
its dawn, even more prosperous before its close than
1853.

Highways, Ireland. Glanders Prevention. New Trials,
Criminal Coma. Judges Exclusion. Seamen Savings
Bank!. Burial Grounds. Juvenile Mendicancy. Cruelty
to Animals. Payment of Wages. Friendly B,eietier, 2.
Sale and Purchase of Land. Tenant Hight, Ireland.
Transfer of Land, Ireland.

Many of these " murdered innocents" we may
hope to see revived in the coming session of 1t451,
and made law of the land.

OF WAR BUILDING FOR RUSSIA,

The following extract from the Glasgow North
British Daily Mail goes to verify our statement
about the preparation in England of War Steamers
for the Czar. This paragraph from our Scottish con-
temporary intimates that " machinery " for certain
war steamers is being completed on the Clyde--the
bulls being in preparation apparently elsewhere:—
"We understand that an official letter from Lord
Palmerston, as Secretary for the Home Department,
has been received this week by the civic authoriti,s
of Glasgow, requesting to know particulars respect.
in g some war steamers which his lordship W 43
informed were building on the Clyde for the Emperor
of Russia. His lordship has, we believe, been ulisie.
formed on the subject, as there are no ships building
here for the Czar ; but there are at present being
constructed two pairs of powerful first class marine
engines and machinery for war steamers, by one of
our first engineers, who is under contract to have
them at Cronstadt in April, and to fit them up in the
vessels there by his own workmen. Although there
are no ships building here for the Autocrat, we have
reason to believe that his lordship may learn some-
thing on the subject if he institutes inquiries on the
banks of the Tyne or Wear."

Vte Court.

- •••• - •

WINDSOR, DEC. 30.
The dinner party yesterday incluied the Duchess
of Kent, Earl and Countess Granville, :Lont and Lady
John Russell, the Lady in Waiting to the Duchess of Kent,
and Lord Raglan.
The band of the Scots Fusilier Guards attended in the
Castle during dinner, and performed the hollowing com-
positions :
Merech Triomphate, Fanahauser
Symphonic No. 3.—Aticate con moto
Allrgro un poco agitato
Vivant non troppo

Adagio
Allegro
composed and dedicated to her Majesty Queen
Victoriaby ..... ... , ........................
The Queen's private band afterwards attended, at
played the following aekction :
Overture, "Zanetta"
Thrum, reels:hula " I Wvb,r.
Stennis No.l k M test Movement) .
Prince Albert, accompanied by L'ird John Russell, went
out shooting this morning, attended by the Berl of Listowel
and Captain the Hon. D. de Roe.
The Duke of Cambridge is expected to-day on a visit to
her Majesty.
The Marquis of Abercorn, with the Ltilies Harriet .nd
Beatrix Hamilton, have been invited and are also expected
this afternoon.

F. Mende:A. ha

Sir Charles Eastlake, President, and Mr. Knight, Secre-
tary of the Royal Academy, had the honour of having an
audience of the Queen.

Despatches were sent from the Colonial•ot&ce yesterday to
the Governor of Cauada.

THE HOUSE OF LORDS. Tickets for viosing
the House of Lords will be issued to the public every :Sam-
day, from the Lord Great Chamlocrlaia's office.

On Wednesday last the Rev. William Henry
Hicks, S.C.L., was instituted to the vicarage of Wistton, in
Norfolk, on his own petition.
His Excellency Namik Paella honoured F. W.
Slade, Esq., Q.C., brother of the gallant Muchaver Packs,
with hts company at dinner oo Thursday, 29th inst., at his
residence in Lowndes-square.
His Grace the Duke of Devonshire has, for the
purpose of enlarging his marine residence at Kemp Town,
purchased the adjoining mansion, lately occupied by Col.
Peile. The duke continues at Kemp Town, we are happy
to say, in the enjoyment of good health.—Brighton Gazette

Sir Fitzroy Kelly is now named as the M.P.
entrusted with the arrangement of the details of a
contemplated Tory Reform Bill.

It is stated that Dr. Bowring will succeed Sir
George Bonham as Governor of Hung Kong and
Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China.

GALLERY OF INVENTORS.

(From the Journal of the So,sety of Ar:s.)

The council have much pleaburo in giving publi-
city to the following letter, which has been received from
Prince Albert, the president : _

" Osborne, Dec. 16, 18,13.

" Sir,—l am commanded by his Royal highness Prince
Albert to request that you will bring under the considera-
tion of the Council of the Society of Arts a suggestion
which has been made to his royal highness, the adoption of
which, it appears to him, may perhaps be desirable.
" Among the exhibitions of various kinds which are from
time to time promoted by the society it seems to his royal
highness that it might prove useful, and could scarcely fail
to be highly interesting, if a series of authentic portraits of
distinguished inventors, either iu art or science, were col-
lected for exhibition on some future occasion and histori-
cally classified.
" The names of most of those who are thus distinguished
are probably familiar to the world, and nothing is needed
to remind men of the reputation they have su justly earned,or
of their works. Still, even in their case, it would be inter-
esting to present us, as it were, with their very features.
But there are others who have done scarcely less for the
happiness, comfort, and improvement of their fellow men,
who are hardly known even by name to the general public,
which is daily profiting by their inventions; and it becomes
almost a duty towards them to endeavour in this manner to
rescue them from oblivion, and enable them to take that
place among the benefactors of mankind to which they are
fairly entitled.
"Great care should, however, be taken in the selection,
only to include those whose inventions have had an import-
ant and beneficial effect in improving the condition of the
people generally, and in advancing science, and in whom,
consequently, all should feel an equal interest.
"An attempt to form a collection of this description
might also prove the means of rescuing from destruction
many records that may still exist of bygone men, eminent
in science or in art—and it a catalogue were added, con-
taining some abort biographical sketch of their live+, it
might tend to the further useful result of leading others to
study and attempt to emulate the means by which such men
acquired their reputation.—l have the honour to be, sir,
your most obedient servant, "C. OREL
" Peter Le Neve Foster; Esq."

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

[MON LAST NIGLIT'S UAZETTE.]
PROCLAMATION.

Br the Queen.—A Proclamation.—Victoria B.—
hereas our Parliament stands prorogued to Tues-
day the 3rd day of January next, we, with the advice
of our Privy Council, do herby publish and declare,
that the said Parliament shall be further prorogued,
on the said 3rd day of January next, to Tuesday the
31st day of Janusty next ; and we have given order
to our Chancellor of that part of our United Kingdom
called Great Britain, to prepare a commission for
proroguing the same accordingly : and we do hereby
further, with the advice aforesaid, declare our ro al
will and plcaiure, that the said Parliament shall, on
the said Tuesday the 31st day of January next,
assemble and be holden for the dispatch at divers
urgent and important affairs: and the lords spiritual
and tenipoiJi, and the kuight,, citizens, and bur-
gesses, and the commissioners for shires and burghs
, of the !louse of Cotnutorts, arc hcrii by required and
counn.utltd to give th...r m..:Whoa; accordingly, at
Westminster, on the said Tuesd.l4 thu 31st day of
Jauuat y next.
Given at our court, at Windsor, this 291 h day of
December, in the year our Lord 1853, and in the
17th year of our reign.—hod save the Queen.

ANOTRER RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—The mail train
which lett Euston-pquere station on Thursday night at 10
p m., and due at Lime-street, Liverpool, yesterday, at 4.45
a.m., met with an accident which delayed it until 9 o'clock.
When near Harrow, shout 12 Intl, s from Landon, the
" tire" of the engine broke, sae l onion of it penetrating
a considerable way into the ground, and the other forcing
its way into the bottom of the engine. Beyond the damage
to the engine, we hree not heard of any other injury em-
Mined.