The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-02 00:00:00

Price is. Oicl. am. 2s. 9d. per box

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS—
Commercial travellers are, of all men, the most social ; their
profession often places them within situations where they are obliged
to freely patronise the science of gastronomy, and to yield to the
seductive allurements of the " rosy god ;" no harm from these indul-
gences would ever be felt if they would take two or three of OLD
PARR'S fine stomachic PILLS at night, which would, without the
slightest disturbance or pain, clear off all acidities which would
otherwise remain In the stomach and bowels, and produce feverish
head-ache, and all other unpleasant symptoms. On account of their
mild and effective operation, they are now more used by all travel-
lers than any other medicines are. For sea voyages they are ac-
knowledged to be all that are required, preventing all scurvy, &c.
The sale of Parr's Life Pills amounts to upwards of 30,C00 boxes
weekly, more than all other patent medicines put together. The
simple fact needs no further comment; it tells plainly that the Pills
of Old Parr are the best medicine in, the world.
Sold by E. Edwards, 67, St. Paul's Churchyard ; Barclay and Sons,
Parringdon-street ; Sutton and Co., Bow Churchyard, London ; J.
and R. Raimes and Co., Edinburgh ; 3tottershead and Co., Man-
chester; and by all Chemists; in boxes at Is. lid., 2s. 9d., and
I Is. each.

DISMISSAL OF LORD PALMERSTON.
The Foreign Secretary who has served under many Ad-
ministrations has at length ceased to hold office, and every body
is liTing a different reason for the separation. Some attribute it to
the turn of affairs in France, some to his Marylebone friends, with
their address and resolution and his Lordship's answer, some to a
Personal difference with Earl Grey about matters which do not
come to light all at once, bat the fact of his Lordship's separation
from the rest of the Cabinet is much regretted by many. We are
naturally sorry to part from old servants, and there are some ser-
Ylees which cement parties together stronger the older they be-
come._ Of this kind of service is that rendered by E. MOSES and
.SuON, who have for many years caused a reduction in the expendi-
I re for dress of more than one-half, and the longer we are used to
raislfthe less we could do without it. In the year 1851 not less than
a million of money was saved to the public by E. MOSES and
SOY, andalthtobugahlf.iptriccae,n be clearly shown that every article reaches
the public at
they challenge the whole world to a com-
parison of quality. They, by means of a large capital, and a staff
of werkmen and designers perfectly unequalled, have surpassed
everybody in quality, and intend to keep the lead by a system which
the pubic fully appreciates.

E. MOSES and BN,
_ _London City Establishment, 154, 155, 1506, and 157, Minories, 83,
lit 85, and 86, Aldgate, opposite the Church, all communicating.
and 3.
London West-end Branch, 506, 517, 508, New Oxford-street, 1,9,
Hart.street, all communicating.
Bradford Yorkshire Branch. 19, Bridge-street.
Shefdeid Branch, 36, Fargate.
Tailors, Clothiers, Hatters, Hosiers, Farriers. Bost and shoe-
autkers.and General Outfitters for Ladies and Gentlemen.
The Establishments are closed from sunset Friday to sunset on
t,r iays when business is resprood till Twelve o'clock.
Tree Lan
New Book, entitled " The Exhibition for All Nations," in
—gnages, viz. :—English, French, and German, and contain-
-1,!11111 directions for self measurement, can be had gratis, on appli-
cation,aPPlieattia ioj_forvvarded post free to any part of the kingdom.
userae Almanac, for th4iyear ending 1852, can be had gratis,
ion,

lel r°ll Parle Francais°. Qui si parla Italian°.
Met spricht man Deutsch. Aqui se habla Espanol.

MEDICAL
--'11"/ICE ON THE SECRET INFIRMITIES OF
With Plain DYOUTI AND MATURITY.
irections for their Prevention and Cure.
Dart FIFTY COLOURED ENGRAVINGS ON STEEL.
published,in French, English, German, Dutch, Spanish, and
Italian, in a Sealed Envelope, 2s. 6d., or post-free from the Author
for Forty-two
BecretElMl:(ll
firrm-cal Treatise on
RESERVATION; a
the Physiology of Marriage, and on the
rauienrtantties and Disorders of Youth and Maturity, usually ac-
mental early period of life, which destroy the physical and
heft ~Powers, dish and enfeeble the natural feelings, and ex-
tit "'e,"dtal energies of Manhood ; with Practical Observations on
lit;,talla Prevention and successful Treatment of Nervous Debi •
bise Local and Constitutional Weakness, Syphilis, Stricture, and all
by Lases and derangements resulting from Indiscretion, as adopted
rranallernand. Ricord, and other eminent members of the faculty of
physeie; With Fifty coloured Engravings, illustrating the Anatomy,
their °lolr7, and Diseases of the Reproductive Organs, explaining
„re structures, uses and functions, and the various injuries that
produced in then; by solitary habits. excesses, and infection.
B 7 SAMTEL LA'MERT, M.D.,
beetn,!,,..EriFOßD-SQUARE, LONDON.
b ' Medicine, Matriculated Member of the University of Edin-
irgh, Honorary Member of the London Hospital Medical Society,
e"tiate of Apothecaries' Hall, London, Member of the Hunterian
cal Society of Edinburgh, &c., Ste.
tom Work contains a plain and complete description of the ana-
covintnd Physiology of the reproductive organs, and of their relative
heat Medical
health and disease. Dr. La'Mert, who has taken the
xiaia , Medical honours, as evidenced by the diplomas and teatime-
-you, i.nserted in the work, is the only legally qualified medical man
tree as and for many years, devoted his studies to the
tagel'at of these complaints. He may be consulted with advan-
thyou,Y those whose constitutions may have become debilitated
later 'keret practices acquired in youth, or by the excesses of
latarri".,..`ars, Whereby the pleasures of life are marred, the objects of
lap frustrated, and existence itself rendered a term of unceas-
-"..erY and regret.
nePU.,_blished by the Author, and may be had of J. Gilbert, 49, Pater-
-11044r-raw Hannay,
63, Oxford-street ; Starie, Titchborne-street,
47aarket ; Gordon, 146, Leadenhall-street; Mann, 23, Cornhill ;
iniaft by post for f ct,m-., from the author's residence,
1111 Y be Consulted on these •tisorders persollailh Or by letter,
Ts till TirC ftsa Eight,
-

THE 126th Number of the HYGEIST and
MEDICAL REFORMER, for January, contains the Gisneral
Report of the British College of Health for the 'past year—De ath
of
Priessnitz, author of the Water Cure, With Observations—Proposed
Monument to James Morison, the Hygeist—The London Dissecting
Rooms—Blood-letting—Reign of Terror by Poison in France--Fatal
Soothing Syrups, from " Dickens' Household Words," &c. &c.
Office, 368, Strand. Price Id., or 2d. by post. May also be had
at the British College of Health, New-road, London, and of all the
agents for the sale of Morison's Vezetable Universal Me43icine
throughout the country.

Al) It E A
A few nights back, in health and spirits prime,
I went to rest about my usual time,
Nor did the clock a dozen minutes number,
Before I sank into a peaceful slumber.
And while I thus reposed upon my bed,
A sound of music floated round my head ;
For, understand, although I was asleep,
Some little consciousness l seemed to keep ;
So, when I heard the music, soft and sweet,
I knew the Christmas waits were in the street.
I listened to their strains in various modes,
And f .wily thought of Pope's and Dryden's Odes,
In which, by either poet, we are told,
Of what the famed musicians did of old ;
And while I heard the music of the waits,
I pictured harpers at the castle gates,
And many a fond romantic scene arose,
Till music steeped me in a deeper doze.
A curious dream then came across my mind,
Original and novel in its kind :
Methought that lIYAM was desired to call
On Father Christmas at his ancient hall;
The object of the visit was not stated,
And nothing in the least was intimated,
YAvenetdcliallmYaeAkai;l; fuerpohlimh isshtmmisasimndoannwintehth:oasueptep7l.eienl
seemed to gueSS
Some special ref'rence with regard to dress,
day.
The abode of Father Christmas was a pile
Precisely in the old baronial style ;
A noble English mansion did it seem,
And much did it delight me in my dream.
Thick on its lawn the holly bushes grew,
The smiling mistletoe and myrtle, too,
While verdant bays and laurel boughs were seen
To vary pleasingly
the winter green.
lIYAM arrived precisely to his
ttime,
glow,
re
Just
And
sdet3oeusnwd the." festive
ifsatchheereksinwheirsepfagora. iumoef;
as theyrewe five hundred years
" Good morning, sir (said Christmas), how d'ye do"
" Good morning, sir (said HYAM), how are you ?''
And thus the usual compliments were passed,
Till business things were introduced at last.
" I sent for you (said Christmas), to enquire
What stock you have of gentlemen's attire
I'm rather anxious, Sir, for your reply,
As Christmas time is now se very nigh,
A few more days, and we shall find it here,
With all its happiness and social cheer;
And I'm ambitious (said the good old sire)
Of seeing all appear in good attire.
A sumptuous feast is very well, I know,
And glad I am my subjects find it so :
I love the feast, the holly, and the log—
But what are these without a change of tog ?•
While we're attending to the inner man,
We ought to mind the outward all we can.
And, therefore, Mr. HYAII, do I ask,
How you, this season, have performed your task ?
scarcelyl have a doubt (continued he),
That what you've done will be approved by me ;
But notwithstanding this, I wish to hear What
You've performed in your extensive sphere ?"
Here Christmas paused—nor need I tell you why,
He merely paused, awaiting a reply.
" Father (said HYAM, with respectful bow),
If I was ever honoured, it is now ;
And I'm prepared, without one if or but,'
To answer every question you have put.
The preparations I have made (said HYAM),
Will satisfy the multitudes that try 'em.
All kinds of Christmas dress—designed anew,
At my Establishment are brought to view.
I've winter wrappers, good in make and cloth,
Fit to defy the winter's utmost wrath.
Such over-cats as those which I've in store
Are better than were ever made before.
I've dress (said HYAM), in the various styles,
And first-rate suits for youths and juveniles ;
There's not a thing in which l've been remiss
At such a time of holidays as this,
And, Sir, (said HYAM), I would have you know
That all my goods are s ld extremely low.
Economy has ever been my law,
And from this rule I never will withdraw."
" Hear, hear (said Christmas, rising from his chair),
That's famous, Mr. HYAM, I declare.
I wish you much success, nor do I doubt
That thousands will by you be well-rigg'd Out.
I'll not omit to recommend your dress
To all my friends—l can't, in fact, do less.
I find that you adopt the very way
To realise success—good day—good day."
Here both shook hands, and bid a warm adieu,
Well pleased, of course, with such an interview.
And finding matters come to this decision,
I felt so happy that I lost my vision ;
• lint, should I have another, you shall know it,
For I'm a most communicative poet.

L. HYAisf and Co. beg distinctly to state that goods made by
them can only be obtained at their places of business, 36, Grace-
church-Ft r‘,4, and rG, o,rforl-Street ; and at their various estaidkil.
ments in the following towns :—l3irmiugham, Manchester, Liyerpool,
Leeds, Glasgow, Hull, Dublin, Bristol, and Exeter.

DR. CU LVERWE LL'S NEW WORKS.
To be had of Sherwood, 23, Paternoster-row; Carvalho,
147, Fleet-street; Manx, 39, CornhiLl ; or direct from the author ;
price One Shilling each ; by post, is. 6d.
ENJOYMENT OF LIFE.
"Health, F.ecrcation, and Rational Use of Time."
• CoNTENTs :—Early Rising—Spring and Summer Mornings—Ex-
cursions about the Environs of London—The Parks, Lanes, Hills,
Forests, Fields, High-roads, and other pleasant places—Country
Trips and Ramtles—The Sea—London at Night—Evenings at Home
—Music—The Drama—On Eating, Drinking, sleeping, Bathing,
Air, Rest, Ease, Occupation, &c., &c.

FRAGMENTS FROM THiMOTINTAINS. Two Vols.

Vol. I.
VISIT TO THE LAKES ; SKETCH OF EDINBURGH, &c,

YoLIL
TILE LAKES OF KILL kRNET; REMINISCENCES OF

DUBLIN, &o.

111.
WHIT TO EAT, DRINK, AND AVOID,
" That three score years and ten our course may ran."
A popular review of almost every form (cause and cure) of ner-
vowly-debilitated health and enfeebled constitution, that harasses
the young, besets the mau of pleasure, business, or study, and em-
bitters old ago ; with tables and rules for the diet and physical regd.
lation of every-day life.

IT.
THE PASSIONS.
"What passions hurt the body—what improve,
Truths as refined as Athens ever heard."
SurtrEcr : —Life's pilgrimage, from infancy to old age. The ad•
vent of the passions. Chastity and its infringements. The casual.
ties of licentiousness and dissipation, with illustrations graphic, scar
rative, and remediative. Advocacy of early marriages.

THE MARRIAGE! STATE.
"To be or not to be, that is the question."
PitoGßAxlce :—Laws and obligations of nature, society, and reli-
gion regarding marriage, to be observed by either sex. Time and
choice, on both sides, as to age, temperament, complexion, and
figure, to secure healthy offspring, with the art of rearing them.
Physical defectiveness and its removal. Sterility and its conversion.
Cases, 80.
By R. J. CULVERWELL, M.D. (1841), M.R.C.S. (1827), L.S.A.
(1824). Twenty-five years Medical and Forensic Referee in these
Nmiantete 10 Argyll-place matters. Receputifuniacehouzzdenattl.
ystitlelt.Five. Evenings, Seven till

THE SILENT FRIEND.
IN SIX LANGUAGES—FORTIETH EDITION.
corrrAmmict THE REMEDY FOR PREVENTION OF DIME A sty%
Biastrated by One Hundred Anatomical Coloured Engravinge.
ON PHYSICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS, GENERATIVE INCA-
.
PACITY, AND IMPEDIMENTS TO MARRIAGE.
New Edition, enlared to 196 pages, price 2s. 6d. by post, from
the Esgtablishment, 3s. 6d. In stamps.
HE SILENT FRIEND, a Medical Work on
the exhaustion and physical decay of the system, produced by
excessive indulgence, the consequences of infection, or the abuse of
mercury, with directions for the use of the preventive lotion, fol-
lowed by observations en Marriage, and the disqualifications which
prevent it. Illustrated by 100 Coloured Engravings. By R. and L.
PERRY and CO., Consulting Surgeons, 19, Bemers-street, Oxford-
street, London. Sold by Strange 21, Paternoster-row; Hannay,
63, and Sanger, 150. Oxford-street; Gorion,l46, Leadnnhall-street;
Barclay, 95, Farringdon-street ; W. Sutton, 10, Bow Church-yard ;
W. Edwards, 67, St. Paul's Church-yard ; Butler, 4, Cheapside ; R.
Johnson, 68, Cornhill ; and Simpkin, Stationers' Hall-court.
Pau I. treats of the anatomy and physiology or the re-productive
M'gans, and is illustrated by 28 Coloured Engravings.
PART 11. treats of the consequences resulting from excessive in-
dulgence, and their lamentable effects on the system, producing
mental and bodily weakness, nervous excitement, and generative
incapacity. Illustrated by 10 Explanatory Engravings.
PART 111. treats of the diseases resulting from Infection, either in
the primary or secondary form, and contains explicit directions for
their treatment. This section is illustrated by 62 Coloured Engrav-
ings.
- -

PANT IT. contains a Remedy for the Prevention of Disease by a
ample application, by which the danger of infection is obviated.
PART V.ls devoted to the consideration of marriage, and its dn-
ti is. The causes of unproductive union are also considered, and the
whole subject critically and philosophically inquired into.
Tun COEDIAL Berm or SYSIACII3I is exclusively employed in
t :eating nervous and sexual debility, impotence, &c., 118. and 38s.
par bottle. The Concentrated Detersive Essence, an anti-syphilitic
remedy, for purifying the blood in cases of infection, secondary
symptoms, eruptions, and the abuse of mercury, 118. and 83s. per
bottle. Perry's Purifying Specific Pills, 28.9 d., 4s. 6c1., and its.
per box, a certain remedy for gonorrhoea, gleet, stricture, and
chronic inflammation of the bladder. Consultation fee, if by letter,
11. A minute detail of the case is required: age, habits, and posi-
tion in society. ti. Packets, with advice, to be had at the Testa-
busmerit ovly, by which the fee, li., is saved. Messrs. Perry,
clre in 'lttenillr cc, d lily, at 19, P.Prners-street, Oxford-
street, London, from Eleven till Two, and live to Eight; on Sen-
d tys trod Eleven to QUO

Last night about 200 of the members of this body
assembled at the Phoenix Tavern, Ratcliff-cross, to
celebrate the anniversary of the society.
Mr. W. ALLAN, the general secretary, having been
called to the chair, stated that they had assembled for
the purpose of commemorating the amalgamation of
a number of sectional societies which had been in ex-
istence many years. He believed there was no indi-
vidual who had taken an interest in the welfare of the
trade but would confess that the amalgamation had
effected a vast amount of good during the short time
the society had been in existence. In past times they
had been unable, owing to the disunion that there
had been amongst them, to effect the beneficial objects
which their trade required ; but he was happy to say
that they were now in a position to accomplish
enormous good, if their power were only properly
directed.—(Cheers.) In conclusion, he congratulated
the meeting upon the great gathering at the Hall of
Commerce on Tuesday evening, which he believed
had had the effect of disabusing the minds of the
public and of the press of many erroneous ideas
which they had entertained towards the society. He
begged to propose " Prosperity to the Amalgamated
Society of Engineers and Machinists."—(Cheers.)
Mr. W. NEWTON acknowledged the toast. Whilst
all must admit the great benefits which the association
had conferred upon them, it was difficult at the pre-
sent moment to divert their attention from the great
fact of which they were at present in the midst. He
might say, however, that the predictions which he had
ventured to make this time last year as to the success
which would attend their operations had been more
than verified to the satisfaction of every member. The
effect of the meeting in the City had given them great
cause of hope. He was sure there were none there
who viewed with much alarm the great combination
of the employers. In many districts he knew that it
was merely laughed at, because they had had expe-
rience of those combinations before. In 1845, a com-
bination had been formed in Lancashire for the
purpose of carrying out one of the foulest
conspiracies which had ever disgraced the con-
dition of a working man—he alluded to the deter-
mination, if any man left a master's employ
because he was not paid sufficient for his labour,
because he had had a dispute with the manager or
foreman, or when his employer did not wish him to
leay.e, to track the individual from shop to shop by the
accursed quittance paper system, by which he would
have been driven out of every shop. The men had
succeeded in putting down that combination, and he
had it from the best authority that the men of Man-
chester took no notice and felt no excitement on the
subject of a combination among the employers, know-
ing that they did not possess the elements of combi-
nation amongst them, but that there was such an
inordinate love of self, that if, after having pledged
themselves to one another to close their works, they
yet would upon the slightest pecuniary advantage to
be gained, break faith with one another, and throw
their pledges and their combination to the winds.—
(Cheers.) The employers, as a body, cared not one
patch for individual honour or their plighted word,
but had sacrificed the one and broken the other over and
over again. He regretted that the employers had not
thought it desirable to attempt to settle this question
on amicable terms. The men had made overtures
in a public manner, and having done so he must
say that the men had gone as far towards concession
as it was safe for their honour to go.—(Cheers.) Mr.
Newton went on to deny that the society had ever
attempted to equalise wages, or to resist the introduc-
tion of machinery, for upon this latter subject he could
say with Wordsworth, that he rejoined to see an in-
tellectual mastery exercised over the blind elements.
lie rejoiced to be able to announce, that at the great
works of Messrs. Maudslay and Field, and of the
Messrs. Rennie, the men had that day without excep-
tion quitted their work at the completion of their
day's labour, and so far as reports had, up to that time
been received, there bad been no variation from that
c
matter
rewd
which
honnint
wth that theirminds
success inthe
ou
particularrse.
Hem
was certain. Their society had been prosperous
hitherto, and he was sure that it would continue to be
so if they behaved as intelligent and good men. He
called upon them to act as they had hitherto done,
unitedly, friendly,
and discreetly, and he would
answer for the result.—(Cheers)
Several other speeches followed, which protracted
the proceedings till after midnight.

METROPOLITAN COMMISSION OF SEWERS.
Yesterday, a special Court of Sewers was held at
No. 1, Greek-street, Soho, for the purpose of making a
rate of 3d. in the pound upon seven of the metropolitan
districts. Present: -Mr. E. Lewes (in the chair), Sir
W. Cubitt, M.P., Sir John Burgoyne, Major Dawson,
Captain Vetch, Mr. Allason, Mr. Rendel, and Mr.
Hawes. In the Surrey and Kent district the rate would
produce 21,4671., of which sum only about 19,0001.
would in all probability be collected. The expenses
which it was necessary to meet by this rate were 20,3901.,
of which 13,2201. had been overdrawn from other dis-
expended. In the Wandle district
produce 8501., and the expenses which it
meet amounted to
1,7941. 15s. In
wt
theraics trsa,
necessaryt ae wd
would
uall
dr e adto y
Counties Creek district the rate would realise
2,6081., which, with uncollected arrears to the
4,2081. would to meet present
esgrisvtmeoith district the rate would
the extent of 8,574/.
laa
nnmd
to
ha
pen r
Ft
uso
pif
be
acl,mt6ivOseonl.l
produce 1,4451., to meet liabilities present and pro-
spective amounting to 2,0371. In the Limehouse Level
the rate would produce 1951., and the liabilities were
6481. In the Upper Limehouse Level the rate would
produce 1681. 18s. 6d., and the liabilities were 2151. In
the Tower Hamlets Level the rate would produce 1951.,
and the estimated liabilities were 3961. No objection
any of the above-men-
y agreed to, as also
was a half-penny rate upon the Bayswater district,
itniownerditirnagtehs,avtihnegy
.been
were madeuna unanimously
made under a special Act of Parliament, the 4th and
sth Wm. IV, c. 96, kby which the former commission
were enabled to construct a sewer in Bayswater, and to
borrow 3,500/. for that purpose. That debt had all been
discharged, with the exception of about 8001. The
half-penny rate would realise 6001. With the view of
facilitating the collection of the rates it was resolved,
on the motion of Sir W. Cubitt, seconded by Major
Dawson, that the collectors' poundage should be in-
creased from 6d. to Iw., on all rates collected within
four months, and 6d. for sums collected after that period.
Someth
cobuurstiande
jsosuorfnaedfo.rmal nature having been transacted,

filoesrr erected dmt eon theee a
0
foundations having been
THE NEW WING TO 001VIERSET.HOUSE.-.—Tho
yesterday for the
above edifice, and
ewholeompl
additional.ofet
ed ,thewt
hine
gel,xoacwbaeovruattbi
teoodn sbwe
workmen are busily employed, even 'working by gaslight,
in wheeling concrete from barges alongside into the intended
foundation floors, of which material they will be formed to
the extent of several feet in thickness, before any coufges of
masonry will be laid down. The " diggings" have been
carried twelve or fourteen feet below high water, and the
basement walls will be so substantially constructed as to re-
sist effectually any encroachments_ from strong tides, or the
overflowing of the river.

the political crisis still continued ; but on the 34
Ministers announced their resumption of office, Lord
Stanley having been twice summoned to form a
Cabinet (the last time with full powers and opportu-
nities), and having wholly failed. During all this
time
the indifference of the public was indicated by
the steadiness of the funds. Lord Stanley had inti-
mated his policy to be a "small" duty on wheat, the
removal of the income-tax, and a more stringent
Papal Bill, and the choice lay between these and the
obnoxious finance measures of the Chancellor of the
Exchequer. On the 6th, news arrived of the fresh
war at the Cape, commenced by a sudden attack on
the outlying villages and the massacre of the military
settlers; and this, with the second reading of the
Papal Bill by a majority of 438 against 95, consti-
tuted the chief events of the month. The Ministers
continued to receive constant defeats on minor ques-
tions, and the session, which was to have been more
condensed than any previous one, threatened to be
unusually prolonged.
In April the Budget, slightly modified, was again
brought forward, and was now submitted to. The
dismissal of the transition Ministry at Paris, and the
construction of a new one by M. L6on Faucher,
caused little sensation. Intelligence also of Marshal
Saldanha's insurrection in Portugal was received with
indifference, the incurable dishonesty of the Govern-
ment in its dealings with its foreign creditors having
destroyed all interest in its fate. The opening of a
new steam route from Lowestoft to the Danish port
of Hjerting, and the publication of the treaty of com-
merce with Sardinia, were regarded with gratifica-
tion. It was also announced that the British Govern-
ment had promised to guarantee a loan of 5,000,0001.
for the Halifax and Quebec Railway, whenever the
Legislatures of the three provinces through which it
would pass could agree upon their respective shares.
Meanwhile there might be hope that the undertaking
would be deferred until it could be carried out by the
more healthy means of private enterprise. During
this month the Committee for Reform of the Board
of Customs issued a circular to the mercantile firms
throughout the country, calling for suggestions and
information, and the appeal we's answered by a series
of cases showing the existence of arbitrary and vexa-
tious impediments to commerce which could hardly
be surpassed at Java or Siam. The extinction of
Smithfield Market was voted by 230 against 65. As
the time for the world's fair approached, the effect it
would produce on the currency was discussed, as also
the exaggerated anticipations of its benefit to railway
property. It was argued that the influx of specie
from the visits of foreigners would be counteracted
by the extra demand for circulation at home ; e,
with respect to railways, no proof had been furnished
of any possible results that could warrant the riseof
40 or 50 per cent. that had taken place. At length,
on the Ist of May, with the successful opening of
the Exhibition, there was a universal senseof joy
and gratitude, such as till then had perhaps never
been realised by any nation. Three days .on of the
afterwards,
the third anniversary of the declaraabnxiet3', but
French Republic caused
„greloo,ooo troops
with a drenching rain
everything passed off quietly. During this month
the shortest passage ever made across the Atlantic
was accomplished by the American steamer Pacific,
the time having been nine days and twenty hours.
The Government were defeated by Mr. Hume on the
income-tax, and were obliged to take it for one year
instead of three. A deputation to the Chancellor of
the Exchequer to urge the repeal of the receipt stamp
tax, which is virtually becoming obsolete, or the sub-
stitution of a uniform stamp of a penny,
ended appa-
rently in little else than loss of time. The decline in
cotton, which since March had produced the greatest
anxiety at Liverpool, was now followed by a series of
disastrous failures. Railway shares also experienced
a heavy fell. In June the results of the decennial
census showed a total population for Great Britain of
20,919,431, being an increase of little more than 12
per cent. since the last return, while for Ireland the
total was 6,500,000, being a decrease of 20 per cent.
On the 20th Lord Stanley made his attack on free
navigation. A proposition for a repeal of half the
malt-tax was negatived in the House of Commons by
76 against 31, and in the French Assembly a mode-

decline on the Bourse. At the commence
merit of November the President's message was
delivered to the National Assembly, and the new
Ministry were beaten immediately afterwards. The
13th was marked by two events likely to exercise
singular influences—the permanent opening of the
submarine telegraph and the St. Petersburgh and
Moscow Railway. On the 18th the King of Hanover
died, and it was known in London on the same day.
On the 21st the Sunderland Joint-Stock Banking
Company suspended, with liabilities for 75,2051.
Like the Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire Bank,
it had been suspected for years, but its creditors,
rendered careless by the law of partnership, saw no
necessity for vigilance. During this month the Bourse
at Vienna was kept in a state of siege, and the pre-
servation of the balance of trade and the stability of
public credit was confided to six gendarmes. The
subsidence of a short but severe monetary crisis at
New York caused a renewal of the shipments of
gold, which had been temporarily stopped. The
accounts from California were every fortnight
more decisive, and there was a sudden mania for
Quartz-mining Companies, which scarcely extended,
however, beyond the Stock Exchange. With De-
camber came the new French Revolution. On the
morning of the 2d, while it was yet in progress, and
almost before the majority of the inhabitants of Paris
knew anything of what was going on, the intelligence
of its first steps was published in the London papers.
For three days the excitement was as intense as in
February, 1848 ; but the evidence that the adhesion
to the new Power would be as eager and servile as at
that period brought the whole affair to an end, as far
as concerned any possible interest in the immediate
fate of the people or their ruler. The English funds
declined 24 per cent., but subsequently recovered;
while in Paris there was an ultimate improvement ef
more than 10 per cent. On the same day as the French
coup d itat the annual Message was delivered by the
President of the United States. A powerful meeting
on Customs reform led to a deputation to the Premier,
who, although Member for London, seemed more
i Is-
anxious to palliate than to remedy the 6,es com
plained of. Intelligence of the raising of the nine
years' seige at Montevideo gave hopes of a new
m order
of things in the River Plate. Treaties of con?
ch erce
and navigation with Belgium and the Saoatidrw.
lands were published. A new PrussianE and-a.
Half per Cent. Loan of 2,400,0001. was issued at
Berlin at par, and in London 400,0001. Canada Six
per Cent. Debentures were negotiated at 103, and
every one by
afterwards quoted at 2 premium. On the 24th the
retirementsurprise,
mPidaslteauefrstthoun
situogokular
con,
eectures
and of
to which that act gave rise the year
iuLthored
has reached its
termination.
Throughout the whole poriod the
of Consols, which was 10 per cent. in 1848, 8 er
cent. in 1849, and 38 per cent. in 1850, has bepen
again 3i per cent., and the closing price to-day (Dec.
31,) is a little higher than on the Ist of January. In
Railway Shares, the fluctuations have as usual been
violent, but the quotations now show an improve-
ment. In United States securities there has been
much firmness and a further general advance, ranging
from 1 to 10 per cent. The Bank bullion on the
let of
January was 14,830,0001.
13,253,0001. on the
Ist of May, and it is now
17,413,0001., being 133,0001. in excess of the highest
sum ever reached. At the Bank of France the total
at the beginning of the year was 18,840,0001.; in
September it was 25,000,000/., and it has since
declined to 22,750,0001. Wheat has shown fluctua-
tions, but closes steadily, although the quantities en-
tered during the year, according to the latest returns,
have been 3,519,134 quarters, against 3,110,451
quarters in the same period of 1850 ; while of flour
the total has been 4,702,217 cwts., against 2,796,162.
The average price on the Ist of January was 383. 3d.;
it reached 435. di. in July, declined to 355. 6d. in
October, and is now 38s. 7d. Cotton began at Bd.,
touched 5-d. in July, and is now a little over 6d.
The Board of Trade tables thus far show an increase
in the declared value of our aggregate exportations of
3,087,8501.
A year of greater anomalies has never been wit-
nessed. To the mass of the people it has been the
most prosperous upon record, while to the mercantile
classes, owing to their having speculated for rising
prices in the face of increased production and cheaper
transit, it has been chequered by anxiety and pro-
longed losses. The confident activity of 1850 has
been mingled in a modified degree with the constantly
recurring failures of 1847. With the triumphs of
the Exhibition we have been distanced at sea—the
region of our greatest pride. We have seen our
treasure wasted in a Kafir war at the Cape, and have
had a second California opened to U 3 in New South
Wales. With party warfare almost extinct, the Mi-
nistry have been once forced to resign, and have since
been unable to avoid a crisis; and, finally,
after
having welcomed all the nations to a commercial ga-
thering, we find ourselves practically Alone, and our

The private band of her Majesty was increased on
this occasion by the addition of many other eminent
performers selected from the Philharmonic and Opera
orchestras, and aided by a very effective chorus of
professional voices, which were strengthened by
several of the best vocalists from the Sacred Harmonic
Society.
The band, consisting of about ninety eminent vocal
and instrumental performers, was conducted by Mr.
Anderson, director of her Majesty's private band.
A select party were present, having been invited to
witness the performance. The following had the
honour of receiving invitations :
The Countess of Mansfield, the Ladies Murray and
Mthres.
RAesvh.leLy,orLdadayndEim'aidlyy
Wriothesly Russell, Colonel the Hon. C. B. and Mrs.
Phipps, Colonel the
ilion. Charles and Mrs. Grey,
Lady Caroline T
a n Murray,
theSG m)
el-rios out
nr
. andij Henryi
ady
Lady Isabella \\e
per, -Mr. and Miss Cooper Caroline Henry and Miss Barrington, the
Hon. and Rev. and Lady Anna Maria
Georgem s 7, dColonel Lady C
ao
nu
d-
Cust and the Muses Cust, Sir
and Mr. R. Couper, Lieut.-
Mrs. Bouverie, Colonel Craufard, commandingY officer
2d battalion Grenadier Guards ; the Provost of Eton
and lion. Mrs. Hodgson, the Rev. Frederick and Ilon.
Mrs. Anson, the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Canning and
Mrs' Harcourt.
Refreshmentswere served in an adjoining room.

The Commissioners for the Reduction of the Na-
tional Debt held a quarterly meeting yesterday at the
official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer
in Downing-street. Present—The Chancellor of the
Exchequer, the Governor of the Bank of England
and the Deputy Governor. Sir Alexander Spearman
Secretary and Controller-General to the Commis-
sioners, was in attendance.
Dispatches were sent off yesterday from the Co-
lonial-office to the Governors of the West India
islands.