The Express.
London, England, 1868-12-30 00:00:00

VICTOR HUGO'S C,BIIIBMIB 1111 T.

M. Victor Hugo gave his annual Christmas
fit. to his " pow chil&en," at Hauteville House on
Thursday Li& On this, as on previous owe-
stoma, ,the objects of the poet's bounty were
awonbled in his large dining-room, in which was
spread a handsome and bountiful collation of
cakes, sandwiches, trait, wine, to., with which the chil-
dren were plentifully welled, as were also the crowd of
vimitore who were present The repast having been dis-
posed of, the whole porgy proceeded to an adjosamg rocas,
in which was a long- table covered with useful clothing,
and shoes for boys end girls, which were distriluted am mg
the children.

Mr. Vicroz Hnoo, in addreming the assembly, laid—
That you may understand the progress that the idea of
the poor children's dinner has made, I will merely present
to you a few figures--figures that I take from London; that
is to my, from yourselves. You may probably have read
in the newsj apers a letter addressed to me by Lady
Thompson. In the single parish of Marylebone the number
of children succoured m 1868 has increased from 6,000 to
7,860. A society entitled ' The Onildren's Provident So-
ciety' has just been founded in Maddox-street, Regent.
street, with a capital of 20,000/. • and you may remember
that this time last year I congratulated myself on having
reed .n the English papers that the Hanford)* House ides
had so fruerticd that 30,010 children were assistod.
Now hear that excellent journal, the AsPreas of
the 17th of Dia:mbar, which records • 'antra-
rent progression. In 1866 there were in Loudon
6,400 duldren assisted its the manner I have
mentioned, in 1607 there were 311,000. and iu
lbtS there were MOW. Add to there the 7,8
of Marylebone, which is • separate society, and
you have a total of 122,8.30 children who have
been assisted. Such is the fruit of • grain of
aced thrown into the ground when God is pleased
to water it. How many children do you see now before
you t Forty. Well, each of these children has producsd
elsewhere 3,0 W, the forty children of Hauteville
Home have become 120,000 in London. He concluded
as follows Whatever may be the sorrows of life I
shell not murmur at them if 1 am permitted to realise the
o highest objects of ambition that a man can aim at.
Thate objects are to be • slave—to be &servant ; to be the
slave of consciesce—to be the servant of the poor."
The illustrious host was loudly cheered at the dose of
hie address, when a further adjournment took place into
another room, where was displayed • splendid llanstmas
tree, the various fruits of which were distributed in the
presence of the assembled company, among the children,
thee, which commenced at noon, terminating at about 3

-if. de Healer Less reed an extract from an article
which appeared in the Zzienisi on the inked of Destitute
Children . Dumas Society, " which owed its creation," it
"to the generons heart of the greatest poet of our
time—to Victor Hugo."—Otiertuty Star.

Ter' ST. Ai BAN'S RITUAL CAU.—In this case
no formal notice has been served on Kr. Ilarkonochiu or
the proda Mr. Brooke, andeenzaraficcoostemacy, it is
444 has ism committed in the me of lighted
candles in the admiaistration al the Commence.
The judgment of the hada Clommides meet he aten.
tinned by **Qom in Coma% after which Meson. Moore
and Currey win inn a monition to be served on the
respondent, &decoking hen to abstain for the future
from the preethe endenned by the Judicial Committee.
It 1112&,y lake min wean to
no
the invent, and
until the needtion is served no notice need be taken of
the deolden and emsequently no legal contumacy in-
curred by the defeeeats.
TeX BOVORTOX MITH.DEre.—A collier named
Thames Jones hes been arrested at Brighouse, on sus-
picion of having been eonoreed in the brutal murder of
the little girl Hoodfeti en the haeglerf at bar father's
hen near Wigan. Whin before the eeh, and
on suspicin of being conerned in the Insider, °heart
dined saying anything. During the examination he
trembled qmuch. A reward of 1001. bas been offered
for the • of the murderer.

A ![ett Wrrif Six Wivze.-The Nottingham
Journal Boys There is now living, not a hundred miles
from 'Mefferd, a man, the real facts of whose history we
propose to give. At the age of 24 he was engaged and
about to be married to a woman of the name of Walker,
but she was taken away by death. Having followed her
to the grave and mourned for her some time, he at last be-
came acquainted with and married to a woman named Vow.
After a few years she died. His next wife was a widow
named Vickerstaff. After a few years she also died. He
next married Vickerstaff, the sister of hie hot wife's hus-
band. In • few week" she died. Feeling almost disoouraged
by past experience, he waited awhile, but being lonely, he
again entered into matrimonywith a woman named Webster.
After having enjoyed each other's company for sever il
years, she alio was taken away by death. The issue of
the above marriages are three children, one by the find
wife and two by the last. It is &remarkable fact that all
the deaths were from decline. The widower then cam-
menced a courtship with a woman named Holland, whose
husband had emigrated, end nothing haying been hoard
of him for a number of years, and thinking he was dead,
they at length became man and wife. They lived to-
gether in perfect harmony for two years, when, to th sir
peat consternation, her former husbaid, after a lapse of
17 years, returned and claimed her as his lawful wife.
They are now living together. So we see that this man
has had as good as five wives stolen away by death, and
the sixth by a living man.'
IIEAVY SNOWBTORN.-The first general full of
snow of the season commenced at noon yesterday in the
North and East Ridings. Not only the wolds and moors
but the low country is covered, and at the time of writing
snow is falling heavily. Frost occurred during the night,
and the flood waters have run in considerably.
WAOY.B IN TUI COLONY OF VICTORIA.-Skilled
labour is just now fairly employed, and in each depart-
ment there is a tendency to increase in the rate of wages.
The following prime maybe quoted as firmly maintained :
-Stonemasons and bricklayer', 10a. per day iematers,
Os. ditto ; builders' labourers, 7s. ditto ; eke 301.
to 401. per annum ; shearen, He. to 17a. per 1 ; superior
ditto, 13s. prr ditto ; hutkespers, 221. per year; lads (who
can milk), 12a. per week ; general farm labourers, 10s. to
13s. ditto ; three-rail fencers (stuff laid on the line),
la 9d. to 2a per rod ; grubbers and splitters and fencers,
ta ditto; wood splitters, 3s. 6d. per ton; gardeners. 20..
to 235. and 23e. (first clam), per week ; bush carpenters,
Its. to 20e. per week, with rations; oarpmte
undertaking bushwork, 30s. ditto' black rs
and shoeing
smiths, 30s. ditto ; wheelwrights, 355. to 40a. ditto ; brick-
waken, 18a. to 20s. per 1,000, with rations, married
couples, without incumhranoe (first class), from 531. to
661. per annum ; ditto (second class), 441. to 641. ditto ;
female servants (good), country, 281. to 281. ditto;
laundresses, 261. to 281. ditto; CgOki and housemaids, 241.
ditto; nurse girls, 6s. to 7a. per week. Common labour
may be quoted at 6s. to Is. per day. -1161boares .drgus,
Nov. 9. . .

EARTHQUAKE WAVE.—In a recent diecnsaion at
Melbourne, before the Royal Society, relating to the South
American earthquake, it was stated that the great wave
which rolled on the coasts of New Zealand and all the
eastern and southein shores of Australia on the 16th of
August must have rolled over the Pashto ocean in 18 hours
ev at the rate of 383 miles an hour.
EARTHQUAKE IN NEW ZEALANI).—We have ro-
ceived Auckland papers to the 26th of October. They
report the occurrence of an earthquake at Taranaki. Pro-
perty of the value of 6,0001. wee destroyed.—Mdbourres
Argos, Nov. 9.
QuEzarroww, DEC. 30. —The Guion etoatughip
Colorado arrived here at 10.40 a.m. to-day, and having
embarked passengers she proceeded for New York at 11.
BOMBAY MAlL.—MisencA, Dso.3o.—The Patin-
solar and Oriental Company's steamship Nyanza pawed
the Straits of Iffeeetaa at 9.60 this morning, es
rest, er Marseilles.

30, 1868.

athroft.-4rma DAL)

ONE O'CLOCK.
In consequence, it is stated, of sales by persons
who have subscribed to the Greet Indian Penin-
sula Railway Lcan for 2.000,0001., the Baglialt
funds are dull to-day, but the reduction does not
exceed 1-16 per ant. Railway stocks are bi-
quired for, and show an upward tendency. Cale-
donian has been bought to a considerable extent
and has risen f per cent. Metropolitan is
*lightly better, the increase in the trail°
for the year ending the 27th inst.. being
2,324 f., compared with the corresponding period
of last year. The increase, however, is considered
partly exceptional, since it arises to some extent
from the holiday traffic. With the exception of
Spanish of 1867, which are. lower, upon sales
on foreign account, most of the speculative foreign
bonds have improved. The fortnightly settlement
is in course of completion.
The demand for money is active, and the supply
limited. The charge for the best paper is 3 per
cent., which is also the rate required in the Stook
Exchange for short loans on English Government
Securities.

The government funds are at 921 to } for money,
and 921 for the account (January 5), and the Three
per Cutts. Reduced and New Three per Cents.,
921 to 1.
The railway market is firm. Caledonian stook
is in good demand, and has risen 1 per cent.
Great Western, Great Eastern, and Metropolitan,
bare improved 1, while Brighton and South
Eastern have declined Ito 1. Annexed are the
quotations :—London and North Western, 1111
to 112 ; Great Western, 481 to 1; Midland,
1121 to 113 ; London and South Western, 87
to 88 ; Great Eastern, 40} to 1; Brighton,
481 to 1; South Eastern, 781 to 79/ ;
Metropolitan, 1031 to 1041; Great Northern,
105/ to 1061; ditto A, 108 to 1; Caledonian, 7at
to 76; and London, Chatham, and Dover, 161
to 17.

Foreign bonds are firm, and $ rise of 1 to 1 per
cent. is apparent in Brazilian of 1865, Egyptian of
1868, and Turkish of 1838, 1862, and 1863.
Italian of 1861, have improved /, but Spanish of
1867 are j lower. Prices are quoted as follow :
Brazilian of 1865, 781 to 79 ; Chilian of 1667, 96
to 97 ; Egyptian of 1864, 83 to 84 ; ditto of
1868, 731 to 1 ; Italian of 1861, 56 to 1;
ditto Tobacco Loan, 21 to 31 prem.; Mexi-
can, 141 to 13 ; Peruvian of 1863, 781 to 1 ;
Reagan of 1866, 89 to 90 ; ditto Nioolai,
64/ to 651 ; ditto Orel, 771 to 781 ; ditto Moscow-
Jaroslaw, 77 to 1 ; ditto Charkof-Azof, 3 to 21
dis. ; ditto Chareow-Krementachug, 21 to 11 dis. ;
Spanish of 1867, 32 to 1; Turkish of 1858, 61
to 62; ditto of 1862, 63 to 6,; ditto of 1865,
391 to 1.
The Indian Ten-and-a-half per Cents. are at
210 to 212; the Fire, 1111 to 1121; the Four,
1021 to I ; the Bonds, 58. to 13s. prom. ; the
Debentures, 1041 to 105 ; Exchoquer Bills, March,
ls. to 6e. prem. ; ditto June, 48. to 9s. prem.; and
Bank Stock, 240 to 242.
United States 3-20 Bonds are unaltered, at 741
to 1, but Erie and Illinois Central railway shares
have declined 1 per cent., viz., to 26 to 1, and 941
to 951, respectively; Atlantic and Great Western
Debentures, 411 to 1; and the Consolidated Mort-
gage Bonds, 431 to 44, being better.

shares are unaltered. National
Discount, to 121 ; General Credit, 2 to 1/ dis.;
International, 11 to 11 dis. ; Hudson's Bay, 131 to
; Telegraph Construction, 16j to I ; Atlantic
Telegraph Bight pm Cent. Preterenoe, 31 to 1;
and Anglo-American, 211 to 1.
Bank shares are without variation, the dealings
being upon a very limited scale.

FOUR O'CLOCK.
The government funds are steady, at 92} to
for money, abd 921 for the account.
In the railway market the principal change is
a fall of II per cent. in Great Western, viz., to 47
to*. Brighton is quoted 49 to I, showing a rise
of 2; Caledonian, 75i to 1; Metropolitan, 1031
to 104; South Eastern, 781 to 791 ; Midland, 1121
to 114; and London and North Western, 1111
to 112.

Foreign bonds are dull. Italian of 1883 are at
55f to 58, being I per cent. lower ; Turkish of
1865, 391 toe, showings reduction of f ; Peruvianof
1865, 75i to 781, ex all ; Spanish of 1867, 32 to I ;
Charkof-Asof, 2; to 21 die. ; and Charcow Kre-
mentschug, 2 to le die.
The amount of gold taken to the Bank to-day
is 75,0001.
At Paris this morning the Three per Cent.
Bente@ opened at 70fr. 02c. for the account, being
1-16 per cent. better.

The failure is announced of Messrs. W. Brunner
and Co., of Manchester, in the American trade,
with liabilities computed at about 80,0001., partly
due in Manchester and partly in Bradford. No
estimate can yet be given with regard to the
result of the liquidation. The firm stopped pay-
ment in July, 1867, owing 230,000/.
At a meeting of the directors of the Illinois Cen-
tral Railroad Company, held at New York on the
I ith inst., a dividend of 5 per cent. in cash, free
of government tax, was declared, payable on the
Ist of February to the holders of the full-paid
shares registered on the 18th of January next.
. .

e have received the following memorandum
from Mr. Frank H. Evans, Secretary of tho ILO!
lirigation Canal Company:

'lce directors in London of the Italian Irrigation COM-
I any (C tnal Cavour) regret that, owing to the opposition
of a en.all sectim of the bundholders to the con Eirmatton of the
concordat, they have been tumble to announce the resump-
tion of payment of interest on the bonds punctually
on the lit January next ; but, from a telegram receivel
to-day from the president of the company in Italy, they
trust that all difficulties have now been overcome, and
that they will be in a position in a few days to advertise
the moment of the interest due on the Ist January.
At the half-yearly meeting of the London and
Greenwich Railway Company, called for the 12th
January, a dividend will be reoornended of
11.6 e. bd. per cent.. or ss. 4d. per share, clear of in-
come tax, for the ball year, payable on the 13th
January.
A general meeting of the 'United Discount Cor-
poration (Limited) in called for the 15th January,
to consider the directors' report for the half-year,
and to declare a dividend.

iheai;analiiietiiiiofthe Peel River Land and
Mineral Company (Limited) is called for the 15th
January, to consider the annual report.

The following are the traffic returns of the Mel-
bourne and Robeon's Bay United Railway for the
four weeks ending the sth November :—For week
ending October 13, 1868, 2,2091., corresponding
week, 1867,18681. ; October 22, 2,1451., correspond-
ins week, 1867, 1,7721. • October 29, 1,9361., corre-
sponding week, 1867,1,6421.; and November 5,
3,4981., corresponding week, 1867, 3,8911

The Anglo-Egyptian Cotton and Oil Company
(Limited), of Manchester, have resolved to wind
up voluntarily.
A petition for the winding up of the London
Permanent Benefit Building 'Society is to be heard
before Vice-Chancellor Malins on the hith of
January.
Annexed are the quotations of insurance, gas,
and waterworks shares, as given in the Stook
Exchange list of last evening :

InouraTioa.—Cooomeroial 61.
Gas Light and Cob.—City of Moscow Cu, 21, 1;
Equitable, ,67 ; 141; ditto Debenturto, 173;
Imperial Continental. 96 ; Pb ro z, Now, 374. 1.
Watorworks.—Berlin, 14 : Bast London, 1141, 4.
The ooupm. on the first Preference Six per
Cent. Boada of the Northern Railway of Osneda
are advertised for payment on the lid January.

BALLWAIIMINING. AND 071111 R
811A11118.-(THIS DAY.)

Palm prim to 1 p.m)
OOLOSIAL 007111101131 T oa

Wala;,ipar asst., Jr. mad J MI le
11166. •
Kainisse4 par and., Omni Mated. ha..
July, sad Mt,
ownraiy mums AND aroma
Bristol lhaaikr. 76, &
•
Urea 461, 4.
Otos& Naribisa. (A maim as iltidilsal WI 6 'pee
amOrmet. beau psi& to 11).
ban
Wailers. Original, 4110, 71.
Laiadas. Prlglatras.
3lad Smith Owl, ap.
Malisapaillan.ll4,
113,
ha* limiteou, prat. (ht. mans* dia. luta Orr ad.
bid bus paid pre.), 110.

PRRIPERENC7II =ABM
Midland,
I, I per omit.. optional to wart to *editor,
stook, Sept. N& 161.
POSIMSSIONS.
Ewa Indian, guar. 5 par cent., 1061 ad.
Ozand Trunk of Canada, Ist prshrease Banda 60).
Crust Indian Peninsula, guar. 6 per ems., wt. ad.
Cheat Western of Canada, lel, 1.
Madras,Eir. 6 per cent., 1041, ad.
Sons& ), guar. 6 per oast., 1011, ad.
Do., jaub, 1011, ad.
FOREIGN RAILWAYS.
Bahia and San Fria. gun. 7 per et., 16).
Crest Luxembourg, 14.
San Paulo (Limited), guar. 7 pm mat., 16).
South Austrian and Lombardo-Venetian,
FOREIGN RAILWAY OBLIGATION&
Maeoow4areelaw, guar. by RUSIBISII (Jon.. 77).
Oral Viggo*, guar. by Burma Goverment, 6 per mat.,
781.
BIIITDDI MINKS.
Chirertoa, 6).
COLONIAL_ AND pOIIIIION MINS&

Obontake Gold and Silver Kiang (Um.), 118.
General Brazilian (Limited),
JOINT STOOK BA_jl
_ _

Agra (Lneitaf—ri, 12.
, 11
Do. 6. 4 •
Inspasl Ottoman, 111.
Landon and County, 60,
n, 421. 494.
°timid Bank Carkendio
Udall of London,

te=rerkeereiegnipk.T•leri2Ph (United), 311.
Ds. Spar 71f, 70.
Credit Fender el Ragland (Limited), 2f.
whillYrtll Per oat. Vieervf, leer. by %Mks V"...
Nagiimh end Australian Copper (Limited), 1-
i:fennel Credit and Discount (Limited), 11 946, f
Peninsular and Oriental Steam, 49.
Royal Mail Steam, 44.
Telegraph Ceestruction and Maintenance (Lim.), Ist.