The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-15 00:00:00

BANK OF TRANCE.

TELEciRAM.]
rREUTER's
The following is the account for the month ending
Thursday, Jan. 14:—

Assns.

P. C.
Cash and ingots .. 51,086,266 99
Cash at the branch-banks •• • • • 117 940,743
•• • .
Bills due to be paid to-day,. 552,903 82
Bills becoming duo in Paris • • • • 428,083,025 46
Bills in the branch-banks • •
• • • • 323,566,918
Advances on coin and ingots 13,172,200
Do in the branch. banks •
‘. •• • • • • 2,106,200
Do on French securities 25,566,209
Do in the branch-banks 18,815,650
Do on railway shares and bolds .. 42,289,500
Do in the branch-banks 29,417,700
Do on Credit Foncier Bonds ~ • • 480,600
Do in the branch-banks • • 456 000
• • •
Do to State by treaty, 1847 60,000,000
..
Rentes of the reserve-fund
.. 12,980,750 14
Rentes, disposable funds • . .. 37,087,361 86
Rentes iinmobilised (law of Jute, 1857) .. 100,000,000
Hotel and furniture of the Batik .. 4,000,000
Real property of branch-bauks .. 5,993,150
Expenses of administration • 2,657,645
Sundries • • 3,650,945 16

1,277,210,690 88

LIIIILLITIES.
500,000
Profits to be added to Cap; a 1 (Alt. 8 of
Rl9 887 56
Capital of the Bank,
law June 9, 1857) • 3,- - ,
.. .. • 12,980,750 14
Reserve-fund .. „ „ ..
• 9,125,000
New Reserve .. . ..
00 000 Reserve-immobiliere • • • .. 4,0 ,
.. • •
Notes to bearer in circulation in Paris and . go 825
813,4 ,
the branch-banks • . . • • • 4,074,204 83
Do. to order (Post-bill 8)
• • **
2,811,566
Bills payable at sight .. • • 49,759,063 45
.. 182,
Ace. cur, of Treasury Creditor • • • • 137,491.717 40 Various accounts current .. • • • • 22,306,960
Do. branch-banks
.„ • • • 6,251,395 76
Dividends to be paid
.. • • • ' 8,958,361 97
Arrears of values deposited • • • • 3,901,340 20
Discount, interest, and expenses •• '' 3,078,997 61 Re-discounts of the last half-year • •
Surplus of pleat not dieturbed ••• •• • 13,161,628 96
Sundries .. - - • • • •

1,277,210,690 88

CAVALRY HORSES OF THE FEDERAL ARMY.—
in the six months May
military operatic:mu of 1863, calls attention to the waste and
Gen. Ha!leek, in his report to the President on the
destruction of cavalry horses in the service. In the Army
of the Potomac, he says, the cavalry men present for duty
to October, 1363, have averaged
from 10,000 to 14,000; the issues of cavalry horses for the
There aro, he say
same period have amounted to no less than 35,078. Adding
horses captured from the eaeoly, and taken from the citi-
zens, there has been an average remount every two months.
cavalry, and at the same rate tie the Army of the Potomac
theylN%ill require the issue in the present year of 435,000
cavalry horses. General Halleck observes that some imme-
diate
.and efficient remedy is required. no adds, "Pro-
bably the principal fault is in the treatment of their horses
by tho,cavalry soldiers. Authority should therefore be
given to dismount and transfer to the infantry service
every man whose horse is through his own neglect or fault
rendered unfit for service. The same rule might be applied
to cavalry officers who fail to maintain the efficiency of their
regiments and companies. The vacancies thus created
could be filled by corresponding transfers from the regular
and volunteer infantry."

-- -
Her Majesty's New Paddle Yacht Alberta.

The Alberta commenced her trial some time
since at Portsmouth, but, as will be remembered
from our reports of the trial at the time, it was not
concluded, owing to the breakir.g down of one of
her paddlewheels. Yesterday, the necessary repairs
and strengthening of her wheels having been com-
pleted, and the tide serving for the purpose, the
Alberta completed her trials, under the superinten-
dence of the port officials, preparatory to being
pronounced ready for the service of her Majesty.
At 12.30 p.m. she steamed out of the harbour, the
weather being very thick at the time, and creating
most serious doubts whether the trial could take
place.

On reaching the trial ground in Stokes Bay the
marks on shore could barely be distinguished, but
soon afterwards the atmosphere clearing a little, the
yacht was at once put on the " mile," and six runs
at full boiler power were obtained, with the follow-
ing results : •

No. of Time. Speed of Ship. Steam. Vacuum. Revolutions
run. m. s. Knots. lb. of engines.
1 3 49 15'721 27 271 49
2 4 16 11063 28 261 47
3 3 48 15.789 28 276 49
4 4
.7 14.575 8 0
... 276 49

5 341 15.2.9 28 27; 49i
6 4 10 14'400 28 29i 49
The first mean speed of these runs was, i❑ knots,
14.892, 14926, 15.182, 15.432, and 15.344 ; the
second means were, 14.909, 15'054, 15.307, and
15.388. The mean speed of the yacht at full power,
with and against the tide and wind, was exactly
15.164 knots. At half boiler power, so far as could
be managed by shutting off half the boilers, the
following results were obtained :—First run, 3min.
45sec. : speed 16 knots; second run, 4min. 43sec. ;
speed, 12.721 knots ; third run, 3 min. 49sec. ; speed,
15.720 knots ; fourth run, 4min. 49sec. ; speed,
12.631 knots. The first means of these give
14360 knots, 14.221 knots, and 14.176 knots,
second means, 14.291 ;knots and 14.148 knots
and mean of means, 14.219 knots. In
making the circles the results were as follows :
With full power, starboard helm, halt circle, lmin.
26sec. ; full do., 2min. 58sec. ; port helm, half circle.
lmin. 28sec. ; full do., 2min. 30sec. The angle of
the rudder was in both instances 241 deg. With
half-boiler power the circles were made with the
results as follows :—Starboard helm, half circle,
lmin. 59sec.; full do., 3min. 10,sec. Port helm, half
circle, 1 min. 37sec. ; full do., 3min. 3sec. The helm
in both cases had an angle of 251 deg. The machinery
worked admirably—we might almost say better than
any yet seen afloat. The speed of the yacht as
attained yesterday, which was really under the
most favourable possible circumstances of wind
and weather, does not, however, at all
correspond with the power developed by her en-
gines. A fair rate of speed was certainly obtained,
but this was only done by the power and effi-
ciency of the yacht's engines, and not at all by her
form of hull. On the contrary, it is almost impos-
sible to imagine a vessel to perform duty as the
Queen of England's yacht more unsuited for the
purpose. She has been built, according to Admi-
ralty designs, to ply between Osborne and the main
land with a less rolling motion, a less draught of
water, and a greater amount of deck and cabin ac
commodation than is now possessed by the screw
yacht Fairy. In all these very desirable qualities the
Alberta falls far short of the Fairy. The
Alberta is not fast under steam; she has very scant
accommodation, indeed, on deck or below, and she
draws far too much water to allow her to supersede
the Fairy for general work in her Majesty's service,
for the Trinity-pier in Cowes-harbour, or for
Osborne-pier.
Yesterday was a day of smooth water and very
little wind, but the sea curled up under the
Alberta's bows, when at the measured mile, nearly
level with her upper deck, while at the same time
a sea followed on each quarter almost sufficient to
break over the ship, and under full speed the after-
deck is continually swamped with the sea flung
on board. The Alberta, in fact, is nothing more
than a thing without form, driven through the
water by tremendous engine power, but not worthy
the position of a yacht for her Majesty's private
service, and a perfect disgrace to her designers.
Had she been designed for any other purpose
than for the Queen's private use our criticisms
would have been far more severe.

IRONMASTERS' QUARTERLY MEETING.

BIRMINGHAM, Thursday Evening.

The second of the meetings of the ironmasters of
this district was held in this town this afternoon.
The attendance was one of the largest that has been
seen for many years, and was composed of a section
of all those who are in any way interested in the
trade. The distant iron-producing districts were well
represented, as were also the shippers and home
consumers. From 2to half-past 3 o'clock the hall
was crowded, and considerable animation was mani-
fested. The amount of business transacted was not
on a par with this, but that it is to be traced to the
fact of many of the ironmasters not being in a posi-
tion to accept more orders in addition to those they
have on their books; otherwise the demand for bars
to-day was so considerable that large orders would
undoubtedly have been given if buyers could have
insured their speedy execution ; but such is the con-
dition of the trade at this moment that many con-
sumers and others have orders out, and are unable to
get the iron delivered. But, notwithstanding the
existence of this peculiar, indeed it may be said ex-
ceptional, condition of the trade, there was a very
good amount of business done, much more than could
have been anticipated, looking at the very large
quantity of finished iron which had been previously
sold.

Perhaps that which mainly contributed to draw
together so large an assembly was a desire to ascer-
tain the feeling of those who are engaged in the
trade, and to gather if possible some idea 'relative to
the future of juices. On that subject the tone of the
ironmasters was full of confidence, and that was
borne out by the eagerness displayed on the part of
some buyers who were present to increase their
orders; to such an extent was this, that a further
advance in prices was much discussed, but checked
by the leading members of the trade. As to the
tenour of the latest advices from America there is no
doubt whatever iron is to be had for shipment to
that quarter at any price, and some of the Liverpool
houses have offered contracts to makers of finished
iron which would keep them engaged during the
greater part of the year. In such circumstances, it
is no wonder that this meeting was characterised
by a marked and unusual buoyancy.
The transactions in pig iron were on a moderate
scale; consumers would not go beyond £4 10s, or at
moat L 4 12s 6d for hot-blast iron, all mine; and, as
most of them were well bought prior to the last rise
in the price of the finished commodity, they will
be content to use up their stocks,and whatever sup-
ply is not yet delivered before extending their pur-
chases. The quantity of pig-iron used is, however,
very large at this moment, and in less than a month
consumers will again have to come to the market,
and in all probability have to pay an advance on the
present price. The cold-blast iron is firm at 1:5 10s.
Ironstone, the yield of the district, is in good de-
mand, at advancing prices, and a considerable
quantity of foreign ore is coming in. .
The spirit which characterised this meeting at
the commencement was maintained to the close. In
that respect it is a long time since such a quarter-
day has been experienced.
On reference to the earnings of the thick coal
colliers mentioned in the report of the Wolver-
hampton meeting, it was not intended to convey the
idea that the rate of wages is lbs. per day, it being
in fact 55., but that the men may and do earn from
is. 6d. to 10s. at the advanced teale.
After the meeting the members of the association
and some of their friends dined at the Hen and
Chickens Hotel.

A COLOSSAL MAF oF CHINA! 201) YEARS OLD.
—The Museum of Prague has just received a
valuable gift,
consisting of a colossal map of China, com-
posed of eight large rolls of paper, neatly fitting each other.
This work was executed in the 17th century by some Catho-
lic missionaries, under the Emperor Kang-Hi. The
Chevalier Lipowski purchased it lately during his stay in
China of a family which had been mined by the war.
BIRD MUSIC ON THE PIANO.—Herr Golmich* has
issued, through the house of Spina, at Vienna, a very clover
four-hand composition for the pianoforte, called "Les
Petites Fauvettes," which seeks to imitate the singing of
various birds.

HER MAJESTY.


WINDSOR CASTLE, JAN. 14.

Her Majesty and their Royal Highnesses Prin-
cesses Helena and Beatrice, attended by Lady
Churchill, the Hon. Mrs. Bruce, Col. the Hon. Sir
C. B. Phipps, Col, Sir T. M. Biddulph, and Dr.
Hozlmann, arri‘cd at Osborne yesterday afternoon
at 10 minutes before .5 o'clock from Windsor Castle.

The following bulletin was yesterday exhibited
at Marlbbrough House :
" Frogmore, Jan. 14, 10 30 a.m.
"Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales is
progressing most favourably.
" The infant Prince continues in perfect health.
" ARTHUR. FARRE, M.D."

The Right Hon, Sir George Grey left town yes-
terday far Osborne.
Viscount Palmerston left town yesterday for his
seat, Broadlands, Hants.

The Accouchement of Her Royal Highness

the Princess of Wales.
(From the Lancet.)
The almost romantic incidents which surrounded
the birth of the infant Prince just born to the
Royal line of England have naturally given rise to
even more than the ordinary loyal interest which
such. an event could not, under any circumstances,
fail to excite throughout the country. All the par-
ticulars have been chronicled with minuteness and
general accuracy, although some small errors have
been made, in the anxiety to present ad those
pleasant domestic details which every woman's heart
in England would rejoice to know, concerning the
young mother and the infant, around whom centre
now so many fond and affectionate good wishes. The
accouchement of her Royal Highness was not alto-
gether so sudden, and without premonitory warn-
ings as has been currently reported, nor is there any
reason to suppose that it was prematurely hastened
by her visit to the ice. Slight symptoms existed in
the earlier part of the day, which some of the more
experienced of the ladies around the Princess attri-
buted to what proved later to be the true cause.
But her Royal Highness, equally with the Prince,
has the strongest dislike to what, in ordinary
phrase, is nailed " making a fuss," and on this 000a-
sion preferred to pass over these matters as of no
moment. On returning from the ice, at about six
o'clock, the symptoms were more urgent. A tele-
gram was then despatched to London for Dr.
Sieveking, of St. Mary's Hospital, Physician in
Ordinary to her Ruyal Highness. Presently the
aspect of affairs became unmistakable. A second
telegram was then despatched for Dr. Farre, of
Hertford-street, who had been appointed accoucheur
to her Royal Highness. Meantime, however, it was
evident that more immediate aid was required, and
Mr. H. Brown, of Windsor, was summoned, and
had the happiness of bringing the infant Prince into
the world. Mr. Brown is a general practitioner of
considerable local repute, and enjoys the confidence
of the Royal family, with whom tie has been habi-
tually brought into professional relations. The
fortuitous circumstance which placed in the hands
of a general practitioner the honour of officiating
on this interesting occasion will not be devoid of
graaifying reflections on the important and hard-
working body of men who constitute the general
practitioners of Great Britain, whose ability and
excellent qualities are well represented in Mr.
Brown, and have always been greatly appreciated
by the members of the Royal household.
Dr. Sieveking reached Frogmore at about 9 p.m.,
immediately after the infant was born, and Dr.
Arthur Farre, who had come down by a special
train instantly on receiving his summons, arrived
afterwards. All the arrangements lAd been made,
as is known, for the accouchement to have taken
place at the beginning of March, at Marlborough-
house; as it was, there was not anything in readi-
ness, nor was any nurse present, and the maternal
experience of the Countess of Macclesfield was most
useful. Dr. Ferro has remained at Frogmore in
continuous attendance throughout the week. Dr.
Sieveking has also visited her Royal Highness
daily, until Wednesday, when he, was attacked so
severely with muscular rheumatism of an acutely
painful character, after returning from his visit,
that he has since been and is now temporarily con-
fined by it to bed. It may be well, perhaps, here
to explain the various signatures of the bulletins,
which have attracted some attention. The expla •
nation is simple. The first bulletin was signed by
Dr. Sieveking and Mr. Brown, for they were the
two medical gentlemen actually in attendance on
the Princess at the moment the bulletin was issued
—that is, immediately after the birth of the infant.
On Dr. Farre's arrival, he was, of course, put in
charge of the case ; Mr. Brown, who had so happily
performed the important functions which an emer-
gency called for, retiring and leaving the illustrious
patient, as is the proper and necessary custom, in
the hands of her appointed attendants. Dr. Farre,
as accoucheur, and Dr. Sieveking, as physician in
ordinary, continued in attendance, and therefore
signed the daily bulletins during the week. Sub-
sequently, Dr. Sievekiug being temporarily disabled,
Dr. Farre, who has throughout been in constant
charge of her Royal Highness, signed singly the
bulletins, which he issues on his own individual
responsibility.

The health of the Princess is excellent, and her
convalescence has been uninterrupted, The infant
Prince is, happily, a fine and healthy child. Par
parenthhe, he is said to present already a striking
likeness to his Royal father, his features being
unusually well marked, Very precise statements
have been made as to the uterine age of the infant
Prince, and his weight; but these statements have
been more precise than accurate. He is believed
by those best able to form an opinion to be some-
what more than " a seven-months child." The
weight of nine pounds gravely assigned to the
young Prince is altogether incorrect. We are as-
sured that he has not been weighed at all ; and this
will certainly afford relief to many anxious mothers
and nurses, who have declared, almost with one
voice, that "it was a shame to weigh the little
Prince, for it is so unlucky to weigh a child." His
weight is estimated at considerably lees than nine
pounds, which is a good weight for a fine child of
fully nine months' development ; sis pounds would
probably be nearer to the truth, and yet leave no-
thing to regret.

Every one is anxious to know how the Prince
is to be brought up. He will be suckled by a wet
nurse. The same difficulties presented themselves
in this as in other matters, from the unexpected and
premature arrival of the little stranger. A nurse
was, however, carefully selected in the emergency
by Dr. Sieveking from those on the list of the York-
road Lying•in Institution—Mrs. Connor, a married
woman, of irreproachable character, good health and
antecedents, and possessing the requisite physical
qualities. The little Prince feeds well, and is in
excellent health.

The Duke and Duchess of Richmond have been
entertaining a large party during the early part of the week
at Goodwood Park, Sussex. Viscount Mahon, Viscount
Hinchingbroke, Mr. Greville, &e., have been among the
guests.
The Duchess of Hamilton (nee Princess Mary of
Baden) and Lady Mary Douglas have left Hamilton House
for Brighton.
The Earl and Countess of Stanhope, accompanied
by Viscount Mahon, Lady Mary Stanhope, and the Hon,
Edward Stanhope, left town yesterday afternoon for Che-
vening Park, near Sevenoaks.

Viscount Palmerston left town yesterday for his
scat, &cadlands, Hants.

Lord and Lady Harry Vane have received a suc-
cession of distinguished visitors at Newbattle Abbeys near
Hastings.

The Marquis d'Harcourt has arrived at the Cla-
rendon Hotel from Paris,

The Baron and Baroness de Dampierre have left
the Clarendon llotel for Paris.
Sir Thomas Gresley and Lady Gresley have left
the St. George's Hotel.
The Right Hon, Sir George Grey
yes-
terday Otaborne, left town

The Thanksgiving Prayer for the Birth

of a Prince.

The following is the form of prayer and thanksgiving for
the Princess of Wales' safe delivery of a Prince, to be used
at morning and evening service, after the General Thanks-
giving, in all churehes and chapels in England and Wales,
and iu the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, upon Sunda'',
the 17th day of January instant, or the Sunday after the
respective ministers of such churches and chapels shall 10"
cive the same :

Psalm lxxii.

Give the king thy judgments, 0 God, and thy righteons-
nese unto the king's son. He shall judge thy people with
righteousness, and thy poor with judgment, The mountains
shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by rig'''
teousuess. He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall
save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the
oppressor, They shall fear thee as long as tht Eun and moon
endure, throughout all generations. He shall come down like
rain upon the mown grass : as ehowers that water the earth
In his days shall the right eons flourish ; and abundance °f
peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have domini°ll,
also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends 0'
the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall b°"l
before him ; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings
of Tarsh6h and of the isles shall bring presents : the kings
of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings ells!'
fall down before him : all nations shall serve him. yer
he shall deliver the needy when he crieth ; the 10"
also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the
poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needY.
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and vio-
lence : and previous shall their blood be in his algilt.
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of lb°
gold of Sheba : prayer also shalt be made for him condllll-
- ; and daily shall he be praised. There shall be an
handful of corn in the earth upou the top of the mountains'
the fruit thereof shall shako like Lebanon : and they of th
city shall flourish like grass of the earth. His name shat
endure for ever : his name shall be cuntinued as long as the
sun : and men shall be blessed in him : all nations shall et", .
him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel'
who only doeth wondrous things, And blessed be 11
glorious name for ever : and let the whole earth be filled
with his glory : Amen, and Amen.