Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-02-08 00:00:00

officers, from the Postmaster General downwards,
or the vast majority of them, being appointed as
party men, and in return for party services, and
being removable with every Administration,
seldom get thoroughly master of their duties before
they are sent about their business. Then the Ocean
Postal Service is not generally cared about ; and
one consequence of this is, that the boasted
" Collins Line of American mail steamers, to
and from Europe, as you are aware, has for a year
past, or more, been defunct, and its splendid ships
are left to rot in the rivers round New York. It
is related, in the news of the day, that " as all the
contracts for carrying ocean mails by the United
States steamers expire this year, with the excep-
tion of the Collins line, (which is inoperative,)
some action is of course necessary, unless, indeed,
Congress should decide that English steamers are
to continue to have the monopoly of ocean mails,
which they now possess everywhere but in the
immediate California service."

English steamers have, in fact, had this monoply
cast upon them, through the failure of American
efforts to participate in the service,—nothing in the
world else. It is now understood, that the com-
mittees on the Post Office and Post Roads of the
Senate and House are engaged iu the considera-
tion of the subject of the ocean mails, with a
view of reporting a comprehensive bill, which will
re-organise the service and place it upon a per-
manent basis. But then, in the present state
of things, this cannot be dmie without large
subsidies. "No permanent American line," says
the New York Herald, "can be established which
leaves to the contractors the uncertain risk of being
remunerated from the postages. Government
must take that risk itself, and agree to pay for a
fixed period a reasonable and sufficient sum for the
Work. Under the present experiment of giving
the postages as compensation, we find Vanderbilt's
line conveying a portion of the mails, during the
summer months, when the travel is sufficient to
make up for the expenses, and the English lines,
which are composed of screw vessels, making long
passages, taking them in the winter—the Cunard
line, during the whole time, running regularly,
thus securing the great bulk of the letters, and
thus bringing into the British Post-office a revenue
doubtless more than sufficient to defray their large
subsidy, whilst our Post-office Department does
not receive a cent The experiment has been tried
till it has succeeded in tying our splendid steam-
ships up to our wharves to rot, depleting our
Post-office, and giving England that monopoly on
the ocean to which her wise, paternal, and foster-
ing care have always been directed." All this is
quite true. Congress will not vote the requisite
remuneration and encouragement. Its members
are too full of party projects, and want all the
money they could find it possible to vote away for
objects coming much more closely home to " their
business and bosoms," than those of a national
Post-office ; notwithstanding the vastness of the
interests involved therein.

A Russian officer is at present in New York,
whose mission from the Czar, it seems, is to have a
steam gunboat built for service on the coast of
Eastern Asia. It is stated that the boat is required
to be completed as expeditiously as possible, so
that she may reach the Amoor river by next
August. She is to be of light draught, and the
fastest and strongest it is possible to build her.
The New York Herald observes, that " Russia is
foremost in taking advantage of our superior skill
in naval architecture. The war vessels that have
hitherto been constructed in our dockyards for her
have given such entire satisfaction that she again
applies to us. We also understand," it adds,
" that Russian officers here have received instruc-
tions for procuring the construction of ten other
steam gunboats in the United States."

So fast, it would seem, has been the course of
gaiety and festivity in New York this season, that
it has already exhausted itself. It is publicly
complained of, that there is " a sort of stagnation
just now in the fashionable world. The exhaus-
tion consequent upon two seasons of the Piccolo-
mini fever has for a time killed the chances of any-
other operatic speculation, and for the nonce our
Fifth avenue belles are without this means of
publicly displaying their charms." This state of
things appears to be making the fashion-mongers
and caterers of New York quite jealous of Wash-
ington,—although there, even with Congress in
session, things fashionable are at present rather
flat ; a condition, however, which is going to be
temporarily, redeemed by the grand farewell ball
to Lord and Lady Napier. Hence the present
jealous feeling at New York, where, it is con-
tended, such a ball ought to take place. We must
take it, they say, out of the hands of the Wash-
ingtonians, " and render it a fete cosmopolitan in
its character, and one in which all, natives as well
as foreigners, can join. With this view, some
twenty or five-and-twenty of the leading families
from the principal cities of the Northern States
and Canada should be invited, together with
the diplomatic corps and the most distin-
guished foreigners at present in this country.
The only place suited for such a demonstration."
continues the appeal, " would, of course, be the
Academy in Fourteenth street, and musical
arrangements might be made to impart to it
additional eclat. The tickets would have to be
priced high—say at ten dollars—in order to guard
against overcrowding, and insure the liberal
expenditure called for by the occasion. The
compliment thus offered would be appreciated, not
only by the distinguished subjects of it, but by the
English Government and people." What • will
come of it, remains to be seen. But it is
scarcely probable that the arrangements at Wash-
ington will now be relinquished. The best plan
would be for New York to give them a Ball, as
well as Washington. They are expected to em-
bark from New York for England early in March.
So that the " fashionable world " of the commer-
cial capital may seize the opportunity of feting
them as they pass through.

INDIA AND CHINA

The Daily News has received the following
despatch, dated—
ALEXANDRIA, Feb. 2.

The India and China mail reached Suez on the
13th ult., with dates from Calcutta to Jan. 9 ;
Madras, 13th ; Gallo, 16th ; Aden, 25th ; and
Hong Kong, 13th.
Calcutta produce was inactive. Imports quiet.
Interests raised one per cents premium. Freights
slightly improved. Exchange, '2s to 2s Old.
Madras, 2s to 2s lid.
At Canton matters continued peaceful. Manu-
facturers' goods were in great demand, at high
prices. This season's tea crop scanty.
At Hong Kong there was little doing. Exchange
4s. 7d. to 4s. Bd.
At Shanghai imports were at an improved
demand. Exchange 6s. 71d. to 6s. 9d.
At Choo-Foo there was considerable activity
in tea.
INDIA. _ _

-- -
The rebels about Kirwee were disturbed by
General Whitlock, on the 29th. Rajah Govind and
his brother, with about 300 rebels, were slain.
All their guns, and much cattle were captured.
Colonel Benson, after a pursuit of 140 miles in
five days, defeated Tantia Topec, at Zugapore,
inflicting great slaughter.

The Times has received a telegraphic despatch
with news brought to Suez by the Calcutta mails.
By a notification, dated Allahabad, Ist January,
the Punjaub is raised into a separate Presidency.
At Calcutta the Oude campaign was considered
closed.
A telegram from Allahabad, dated 11th Jan.,
reports from Gwalior that 3,000 of Tantia Topee's
force had crossed the Chumbul, on their way to
Jedpore.
Baron Gros was still at Hong Kong.
No intelligence had been receiv from Lord
Elgin.

lir. J. Stoyle as clown " Ala Grimaldi," on Wednes-
day next.

THE GAME or THE SEASON.—Third edition of the
amusing card game of " St. George and the Dragon"
now ready. Sold by Mawdsley and Son, and all book-
sellers.