The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-20 00:00:00

LONDON, TUE:Sr

THE OVERLAND MAIL.

INDIA.

We have received our • despatches from India and
China, in anticipation of the Overland Mail. The dates
are those given in our tehieer aphic summary of Saturday
last :—Ca'..cutta, Feb. 10 ; Bombay, 17 ; Canton, Jan.
21 ; Hong Kong, 22 ; Sleanghai, 16.
The following is from the summary of the Bombay
Tunics :
Perfect tranquillity reigns throughout India, and there
is every prospect of its lor g continuing to do-so. Sumo
time since it was stated that Tagshund, in the Kokan,
had been occupied by the ltai-ssians; whereas we are now
assured that Tagshund ha h'not been occupied by them,
and that no Russians are within two hundred miles of the
place. A force has certainly arrived within some days'
march of Khiva, but no Russian agent has been within
reach of that town. The Shah of Persia is unremitting
in his endeavours to effect an alliance with Dust Ma-
homed. The latter some time since sent one of his
courtiers on a secret political: mission to Persia; he lately
returned to Cabul with costly presents from the Shah to
the Dost, and a gracious aricl flattering letter, in which,
among other things, the Arn eer promises to restore all
the territory wrested from Gabul by Persia. The Meer-
anzaie expedition has not it ft Peshawur, but arrange-
ments are in progress fur its departure. The mountain
train hail been warned foe service, as well as a com-
pany of European artillery.. Our advices from Burinah
are to the 23d ultimo. o,eders have been issued by
the commissioner for two vessels to be in readiness
in June next to proceed 1.0 Ava, whither the ambas-
sadors bad already gone. They were so hard pressed
for money at Rangoon, pre wious to their return to Ava,
that one of them was nec tissitated to sell a handsome
gold watch, presented to hi in by the Governor-General,
for 120 rupees, about a fouerth of its value. The Oude
territories continue to be ifistracted by internal fends.
The state of affairs all ove ix this country is grave and
menacing. Several engage n cents have taken place, in
one of which the enemy lost, 60 killed, and the Govern-
ment troops only 12. At tie capital Col. Outrain was
winning golden opinions, the king and people both feel-
ing satisfied with and repo sing confidence in the Resi-
dent's sound and impartial Judgment. It is reported
that the long-talked-of aurae ration of Oude will take
place shortly, and that a pa nsion of half the revenue
realised from the Oude teeeeitorics will be granted to
the king. Nothing of unportance has transpired
lately in the Nizam's country. The Resident has re-
turned to the capital from a .short tour in the ceded dis-
tricts. At Calcutta the two great events to be recorded
are the opening of the and the official mats-.
guralort Of the Railway. The distance to Burd wan and
tack-e-132 miles—was accoi n philsed in six hours: The
Legislative Council perfures s business regularly with
open doors; and the debates: are invariably published
in the newspapers. Lord .Dalhousie proceeds to the
Neilgherries solely on account of ill-health, and is daily
expected, at Madras, from whe nee he will proceed down
the coast, making the journey,- overland from the nearest
point to the Blue Mountains.. The Bank of Bengal has
raised its rates, the advances ibeing caused principally by
the despatch of a large quantity of silver to Bombay and
the Eastern ports. Govern: went, it is said, have it in
contemplation to open a new Four per Cent. Joan
almost immediately, and this will have the effect of still
further increasing the strait, upon the money market.
The Madras Railway is proce edingly rapidly apace.

COMMERCIAL LYTELLIGENCE.
BOMBAY, FEB. 15.

We are sorry to report a fur:ler decline on almost every
description of British manufs zi,ures, as noticed by the sales
reported during tho past fortnight. Each succeeding sale
of shirtings shows a decline (.1 to 1 anna per piece, or in
all nearly 2to 3 annas during the fortnight. Holders still
show much anxiety to sell, and the buyers take advantage
of low rates. The business t ransacted is on a very largo
extent, especially in grey goo. s.
Cotton has declined slightly in. value ; some ]ots of
Dhollera have been purchased at Its. 68 to 70, and Broach
can be purchased at Rs. 76 per candy, but not of good
quality. New cotton has riot yet arrived; and the good
descriptions have suffered m etch by the recent unseasonable
weather. _ • _ _ _

Money continues in good demand, and, although by ,no
means abundant, can still ba Jiad on easier terms than for-
merly.
Exchange on the arrival of the China Mail reached 2s.
Id., but has since gradually declined, and may now be
quoted 2s. Old. for credit, and 2s. ld. to 2s. lid. for docu-
ments.
The rate of freight to London has gone up to 3/. 15s.
for cotton, and 41. for linseed to Liverpool. This rise is
owing to so►ne vessels having been taken by government
for conveying troops and invalids. To China we quote Rs.
18 per candy.
CALCUTTA, FEB. 8.
- - • •

We arc still unable to report any improvement in our
market for British cotton piece goods. The demand con-
tinuos languid, and there is little inclination on the part
of native dealers to enter into any transactions of moment.
What is occasionally taken is to supply immediate wants,
and although the advices.frens..the up-country markets are
net unfavourable, the increasing tightness of thii-inotfey
market and a few failures amongst the native merchants
have created some alarm, and induced dealers to curtail
their operations for a time.
There have not been many buyers of bills on England,
and the transactions reported aro rather limited; in con-
sequence of which the rates since the departure of the last
mail have partially advanced. Scotch Bank bills at £3
days' sight have been placed at 2s. op. Oriental Bank
bills at six months 2s. Odd. Baring and Brown Shipley's
credits at 2s. Od., Treasury and Yost bills at

CHINA.
UNSUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON THE CITY OF

SHANGLIA.L
(Prone the North China Herald, Tan. 6.)
The renewal of an assault on the city of Shanghai
has been daily expected since Saturday last, when a
few shots were fired into it by the French, where-
by it was reported that about twenty insurgents
were killed. This morning, at about half-past six,
a cannonade was commenced from the French
battery in front of the French consulate, and
within an hour a practicable breach was made in
the north city wall, below the Joss-house that was
destroyed by the bombardment on the 9th ultimo.
At this place we, hear that 1,500 Imperialists and 250
French marines and sailors ascended the breach and
scaled the walls, when a furious contest ensued—
the French frigate, La Jeanne d'Arc, and steamer,
Colbert, also firing into the city to protect the attacking
column. The insurgents maintained their ground with
great determination, and hurled the imperialists from
the walls as fast as they ascended for some time. The
French behaved with great coolness and bravery, but
Lieut. Duran was killed and Ensign Discry wounded,
on the first attack. The combat was maintained with
great spirit from half-past 7 tiil about 11 a.m., when the
insurgents drove the imperialists back with much
slaughter ; and the French, finding their Chinese allies
worse than useless, were compelled.toretire Within their
lines. A few shots were fired sulverptehly,kona
French ships-of-war, but about non it'seern'ed-that:the'
contest *as concluded for the day.,`..anaitlielint4t-i4eiftg
were left masters of the city. We are inforrned.thatith;
French have had 2 officers killed,. 4 wounded, and. 13
privates killed and 33 wounded. The officers killed are
Lieutenant Durun and Ensign Pitit ; and wounded,
Ensigns Discry, Guys, Barbarain, and Forrestihre.

ADMISSION OF OFFICERS INTO THE ROYAL
NAVY FROM THE MERCANTILE MARINE,

The following notice has been forwarded to the prin-
cipal shipowners and great steam-packet companies, from
the Board of Admiralty :

Admiralty, March 14th, 1855.
The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty being desirous
to encourage gentlemen from the merchant service to enter
the royal navy in the rank of second master, are pleased to
invite such officers as can comply with the requirements of
the Queen's regulations (copy of which is enclosed) to offer
themselves for such appointments.
The Admiralty are also pleased to invite officers who
may not be able fully to comply with these requirements to
offer themselves 'for the appointment of Acting Second
Master, provided they shall have completed four years
service at sea, have filled some of the ratings require&
by the Queen's Regulations before mentioned, shall
have completed the full age of eighteen years, and
shall produce satisfactory proof of diligence, sobriety, and
good condact. The Board of Admiralty are willing t
guarantee to them on their completing the necessar7
period of service in the Ruyal Navy, and on their conform-
ing in all respects to the requirements at such time exist-
ing, their confirmation to the rank of second master in
her Majesty's service, with all the further advantages to
be derived from such rank, both as regards half pay and
the prospect of future advancement to the rank of
master, &c. _

Officers making application must state distinctly theix
age, the ships in which they have served, length of service,
ratings, &c., addressing such application to the Secretary
of the Admiralty, when their claims will receive imme-
diate attention.
IEXTRACT FROM THE NEW REGULATIONS RESPECTING
SECOND MASTERS IN THE NAVY, 1844.

To qualify an officer to receive a commission as second
master, he must have served at least six years at sea,
three of which in her Majesty's navy as midshipman or
masters absistant ; or having served six years at sea,
shall have actually been one year or mere master, or two
years chief mate, or three years inferior mate of a mer-
chant vessel ; or shall have served in the two former capa-
cities in a merchant vessel fer a period, when combined,
of 18 months ; or in the two latter, or in the three capa-
cities for a period combined of two years and a half. He
shall produce certificates of diligence, sobriety, and good
conduct, as required in the case of masters ; and shall pass
such examination as the Admiralty may from time to
time direct; but no candidate shall be examined before
he shall have attained the ago of 19 years, nor after the
age of 35.

The Government, in consideration of the peculiar case
of the late gallant Major Townsend, of the Royal Ar-
tillery, not having been promoted at the date of the
Queen's warrant of the 3d of November, have granted
to his widow the superior pension of a lieutenant colonel,
of 2001. per annum. This is but an act of justice.
Ye6tvrlty ordcN were ixu,;(.l by the Admiralty for a
number of ships, of about 780 tons burden, and f light
draught, to be taken up as floating depots, for six
mouths, They are to be moored in Faro Sound, - -