The Sun.
London, England, 1855-11-23 00:00:00

THE PENINSULAR MAILS.

SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY, 2.30 A.M.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
stap Valetta, with the Peninsular mails, has just
arrived.

The Valetta's dates are—Gibraltar, Nov. 16th ;
Cadiz, 17th ; Lisbon, 19th ; Vigo and Oporto,
20th.

She has on board 25 passengers, about 1,8001. in
specie, and the usual cargo.
The Lisbon exchanges for three months (this
packet are quoted—L,)ndon, 54i to ; Paris, 520
to 518 ; Amsterdam, 431, Hamburg, 49 ; and
Genoa, 51. A fair amount of business had been
done on London ; most of the paper was taken, and
more money offering than by the last few packets.
On the continent the transactions were trifling ;
Portuguese Three per Cents., 401 to 41i ; Bank of
Portugal shares were in demand at 10 to 8 milreis
discount per share ; Bank of Oporto shares 19 to
20 per cent. prem.; and Lisbon Bank notes per
cent. discount. _ _

From Oporto we learn that wine shipments had
somewhat slackened, at the same time there was a
scarcity of British shipping.
Business in general was dull. There was a reac-
tion in the sugar market, and large quantities were
being purchased for shipment to England ; the
price has consequently advanced. Oil was also ad-
vancing in price, although the crop of olives was
abundant. Fish oil was also being purchased in
large quantities for the English market.
Exchange for the packet was done from 54j to
66, according to date and rate of paper. A good
amount of business was done, and paper remained
over.

The elections for the members for the municipal
chambers for 1856 and 1.07 commenced on the
18th, and matters went off tamely. It was ex-
pected the majority would be in favour of the
Conservatives.

Several shipments of Brazil sugar have been made
here for England, in consequence of the recent rise
in prices, and wheat shipments still continue, with-
out any renewed signs of the panic which was got
up to see if the Government could be induced to
take the false step of suspending the exportation,
instead of allowing, as it does, both exportation and
importation of grain.

THE ADULTERATION OF FOOD.—A return was pub-
lished yesterday (on the motion of Mr. Wise, M.P.)
showing the number of detections made of the adultera-
tion of tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, and pepper, from
1A44 to 1854, &a. As regards tea, there were 12 cases
detected within that period, and 4 convictions ; as re-
gards coffee 4,259 detections (whereof 863 in 1853, and
342 in 1854), and 851 convictions ; as regards cocoa and
chocolate, there were no detections of adulteration made;
and as regards pepper, there were 272 detections of
adulteration and 192 convictions. In one cue only does
imprisonment appear to have been inflicted on the guilty
party.
COURT OF COMMON COUNClL.—Yesterday a court (the
first during the present mayoralty) was held for the
despatch of public business. There was an unusually
large attendance of members, and the strangers' gallery
was overcrowded. The Lord Mayor, on taking the
chair, said—Gentlemen of the Common Council, in
occupying this position for the first time this day, I beg
to assure you that I highly appreciate the honour of pre-
siding over the deliberations of this Court. (Hear.)
During my year of office I shall do all in my power to
insure order and regularity in our proceedings, with a
view to the proper conduct of our business, and I rely
upon you to afford me that assistance in carrying out
n.y object which you have ever given to my pre& •
(lessors. (Cheers.)

1)1111 POPE'S TAXES.-At Benevento the other day
the tradespeople refused to pay a new tax just levied by
the Papal government, and one of their chief men was
arrested. This measure created great excitement ;
crowds assembled and proceeded tumultuously to the
bishop's residence, demanding the rescue of the prisoner.
The bishop, Cardinal Carafa, recommended the crowd to
prey to the Virgin Mary that she might inspire him and
advise him how to act. The crowd obeyed, went to the
cathedral, prayed an extempore prayer on the subject,
and then, as tumultuously as before, went to ask the
cardinal if be had received the expected inspiration.
The cardinal then referred them to the delegate, and the
latter, getting frightened, consented to their demands.
Since then, however, the Roman government has ap-
plied to that of Naples for permission to send a few
companies of soldiers to the principality, and "it is ex-
po:444 there will be no difficulty in restoring order.::