The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-10 00:00:00

Yesterday, the Polish ball committee assembled at
Guildhall—Mr. Deputy Holt in the chair.
There was a large assemblage of the active supporters
of the charity.
Lord DUDLEY STUART said, he never had upon any
occasion greater pleasure in addressing the friends of the
distressed Poles than the present occasion afforded him.
Formerly the Polish ball used to be our uphill fight.
The Polish cause was misunderstood, and English benevo-
lence received a check which a more perfect acquaint-
ance with the subject was rapidly dispelling. (Cheers.)
In the Court of Common Council there existed no
diversity of opinion upon the proposition to grant
the hall for the purpose of giving a splendid en-
tertainment in aid of the funds, .although the early
part of the day was distinguished by a most stormy
discussion. The moment the application was made
every
,voice was raised in favour of it. The feeling
of unanimity pervaded the City and the public, and
many of the prime opposers had become ardent friends.
Amongst them was Alderman Sidney, who had not only
retracted his opposition, but had presented the commit-
tee with a handsome contribution, and promised to attend
with his family and numerous friends. Alderman Finnis,
too, had expressed an altered opinion upon the subject.
From the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs the most decided
efforts for the benefit of the funds were expected, so that
the City patronage, combined with the patronage of the
dukes and duchesses of the West-end, would present a
list not easily to be paralleled. (Cheers.) It was with
great pleasure he informed the committee, that Lord
John and Lady Russell and Lord and Lady Palmerston
would be amongst the patrons and patronesses present ;
and that numbers of those who used to be called Protection-
ists, but for whom, he believed, no new name had been
conjectured, would also come forward in relief of the
funds. (Laughter.) There was a delightful prospect
before the many friends of the cause which, by having
become at last perfectly intelligible, had excited un-
mingled sympathy. (Loud cheers.) The public were
satisfied that the object of the promoters of the ball was
not to promote idleness, but to relieve those who en-
dured unmerited distress, and who were overtaken by
sickness amidst the other calamities of their exile. It
was all very well to say the Polish refugees could return.
If they could he should be the last man to encourage
their stay.in England. But they could not return, and
it was because they could not that he was desirous to
give them the greatest benefit they knew could be con-
ferred upon them—that of enabling them to provide for
themselves. (Cheers.) It was the greatest of errors to
suppose that the unfortunate refugees could return to
their own country. Driven from their houses by the
tyranny of foreign Governments, by Russia and Austria,
and he regretted to say by France too, they had no
alternative but that which England gave them the
privilege to embrace. If a Pole committed any offence
of any kind, the punishment inflicted upon him in
France was transportation to England, a great injustice
to England, as well as the unfortunate sufferers. That
object had been frequently alluded to in Parliament, but
without effect. He knew that several had stooped to
the misery of soliciting to be allowed to return from
exile, and he knew too, that although 20 years had
elapsed since they had offended, the condition of their
return must be a trial by court-martial. It had been the
fashion to complain of the long continuance of the re-
fugees in this country; but the complaint ought to be
against those whose long-standing and unmitigated op-
pression had forced him there. (Cheers.) His lordship
repeated, that the committee had reason to congratulate
themselves upon the bright prospects of the 15th inst.,
when a ball, equal to any which had ever been given in
London, would take place, and where the friends of the
oppressed would have an opportunity of repaying them-
selves for their toil in the cause of suffering humanity,
by witnessing the extraordinary success of their exer-
tions. (Loud cheers.)

The CHAIRMAN stated that the concert would be given
on the most magnificent scale, and after some important
arrangements, the committee adjourned.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sir,—ln your paper of to-day a Mr. Willis, giving
his address as of No. 4, Graham-street, Pimlico, is
reported to have appeared at the Westminster Police
Court, in answer to a very serious charge, the address
given being that of the house iu which I reside. I beg to
state that no such person is known here. May I, there-
fore, beg you as a favour to insert this note, as the report
(without contradiction) is calculated very materially to in-
jure the reputation of my residence, and of your obedient
servant, FREDERIC KINKEE°
4, Graham-street, Pimlico.

Thursday, Doe. 9, 1.8r,2.

SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE SHOW.—The fineness of the
weather during a great part of yesterday had an evident
effect upon the number of visitors to the show, it being
crowded in every part.
THE WASHINGTON STEAMER, which left Southampton
on Wednesday with the United States mail, has been ob-
liged to put back in consequence of encountering a heavy
sea off Portland, which stove in her upper deck. It is ex-
pected that she will start again on Saturday.
NEW BANK.—A new banking company has been
brought out entitled the London Bank of Australia and
India, which it is proposed to incorporate under a royal
charter, limiting the liability of the shareholders. The
bank will, it is stated, be conducted in London by a board
of directors who possess practical experience, both by re-
sidence and business connection, of the trade of India and
Australia ; and in order to avoid the evils that experience
has shown to result from the pressure of local influence on
colonial boards, there will be no local boards of directors,
but the business in Australia and India will be conducted
by experienced, responsible, and trustworthy officers, from
whom ample security will be required, and whose manage-
ment will be under the constant supervision of competent
inspectors, all being appointed by, and amenable to, the
London board. The capital of the company is fixed at
500,000/. ; but power will be taken under
lcua charter
increase it to 1,000,0004'.11.-
RISE IN THE PRICE OF -.DREAD.— es erday, in con-
sequence of the recent trifling rise in wheat and flour at
Mark-lane, the bakers throughout the metropolis took ad-
vantage of it, by rising the price of the four-pound loaf
one halfpenny. Tho beat wheaten bread at tho West-end,
the Strand, and the City, is now charged, by the full-price
bakers, Bd. to 84d. the 4lbs. The second-rate bakers
charge 5Ad. to 6Ad. per 4lbs., weighed on delivery. In
some of ale densely populatd parts of the metropolis—
Whitechapel, Clerkenwell, Blackfriars-road, Westminster,
&c., good household bread may, however, still be obtained
at U. to kid. the loaf. A further rise is expected before
Christmas.

PRESERVATION OF LIFE FROM SHIPWRECK.—A meet-
ing of the committee of the Institution for the Preserva-
tion of Life from Shipwreck took place yesterday at the office
in the Adelphi, Mr. G. Palmer in the chair, when orders
for the building of life boats on Mr. Peake's designs were
given for Comlyn, Anglesea, and Aldborough. Silver
medals were ordered to be presented to Mr. W. Barrett,
R.N. of the Balbriggan Coast-guard station ; to Mr. W.
Barrett, his son ; and to the Rev. A. Syng ; and Si. to
five other men, for their services to the barque Young
England. A variety of other rewards were ordered to be
presented to various persons for similar services, and a sil-
ver medal to be given to J. M'Carthy, chief boatmani of the
Dundrum Coast-guard, for services to the crew of the
schooner Martha Grace. A grant of 201. having been then
made for repairs to the Bridlington life boat, the proceed-
ings closed.
WESTERN DISPENSARY FOR DISEASES OF THE SKIN
—The first annual meeting of the subscribers and friends
of this charity was held yesterday, at the Dispensary,
Charlotte-street, Fitzroy-square. The chair was taken by
the Rev. Canon Dale, the president of the institution.
The chairman having opened the business of the meeting,
called upon the secretary to read the report of the com-
mittee, which stated that, from tho 31st Oct., 1851 (the
day on which the Dispensary was opened), to the 31st
Oct., 1852, 283 patients had applied for relief, 137 of which
had been discharged cured ; the remainder were, for the
most part, much benefitted, and still under treatment—no
case having been discharged as incurable. Amongst the
cured cases, the average duration of the disease had been
about three years, and the average period of treatment
about seven weeks. In one case the disease had existed
more than 60 years ; in two cases more than 50 ; and in six
cases more than 40 years.
AN IMPUDENT IMPOSTOR.—One "Reverend Alfred
Thomas Wood, D.D.," is in custody in Hull, on the
charge of obtaining money by false pretences. He levied
contributions on the charitable for the alleged support of
a church in Liberia. He told one of the witnesses
against him, that George and Eliza Harris, mentioned
" Uncle Tom's Cabin," were " members of his
church," and that Cassy died six weeks after her arrival
in Liberia. "He attended her death-bed, and she died
a very happy death,"

The Minister of Finance had, on the 28th Octo-
ber, applied to Congress for an extra aid of
1,336,000 dollars for the payment of the last July
and the next January Dividend on the English
Debt, but it was very doubtful whether the Con-
gress would, in the present circumstances of the
country, respond to it in a proper spirit. In
the meanwhile, he had had an interview
with the leading capitalists of the city of Mexico,
to sound them on the subject of a loan,
but it had led to no result. All he could do,
therefore, was to give Mr. Falconnet the most
positive and solemn • assurances, that while he
held the office, not a farthing should be taken from
the revenues belonging to the Bondholders, and
that whatever might have been taken from that
fund to supply the pressing wants of the Government
should be replaced with the least possible delay.
San Blas and Mazatlan, however, continued in the
hands of the insurgents, who, of course, appro-
priated all the revenue there. The Minister of
Finance had most unaccountably expressed an opi-
nion to Congress adverse to any claim of the bond-
holders on the Mexican Government, for arrears of
revenue belonging to the debt appropriated in 1850.
On some other points the wishes of the bondholders
would probably be complied with.
The Funds are very steady, but not lively.
Consols bring 101# for transfer, and 101ai for
account. The receipt of over 600,000 dollars by
the Mexican steamer serves to impart confidence ;
but there: are political and other events on the tapis
which appear to be of a threatening character, and
should be taken into consideration by prudent men.
In the first place, the projection of public com-
panies is proceeding at an accelerated pace, that
must absorb a large amount of surplus mone se-
condly, the fate of the Ministry is still in the balance;
and thirdly, several ships of war have been or-
dered to be got ready with all possible dispatch, at
Portsmouth, destination unknown, but supposed
to be the Mediterranean, in consequence of the
coup d'euit in Spain, and the strong impression
that the French Government has instigated it.
The New 31- per Cents. have been 103 k to 104,
and the 3 per Cents. look to Bank Stock is
firm at 223 to Exchequer Bills have been
quoted 655., and India Bonds, 83s. premium.
The Foreign Market has been heavy ; Mexican
Bonds have declined to 24k k ; Grenada Deferred
are 13k to }. Spanish droop again, the Deferred
being 24* to I.
Shares are generally rather worse.
Gold mines are supported with fair dealings.
Australian Banks are rather heavy, except the
Union.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
(Prom the Official List.)

Business done.
Bank Stock .
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities looa i g
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 34 per Cent. Annuities. ........
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 6i 7-16
Ditto 30 Years, Expire 12th Oct., 1859 -16
India Bonds, £lOOO —
Ditto, under £lOOO B3
Consols for Account opening 18th Jan lOll i i
Exchequer Bills 14d. March. Juno.
£lOOO.. 65 60
£5OO
Small .
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Brazlian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account
Ditto 4i per Cent 9B 4
Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent. 74
Grenada Bonds, 1i per Cent —
DittceNew Deferred, 3 per Cent l3 4 13
11c:xicall 3 per Cent
4Z-Ditto-Couverted, 5 per Cent., 1841
Portuguese 4 per Cent. 39 4
Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent
Ditto Deferred, 3 per cent.
Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun 3/1 p c
Turkish Loan, 6 per Cent., 1852. l4 2i p
Austrian Bonds 5 per Cent.
Dutch Exchange 2i per Cent
Ditto 4 per Cont. Certificates..

98} 8
THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols
101#
Ditto January Account

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

TATTERSALL'S--THuRsDAv.
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP.
1,000 to 25 agst Lucio (taken).
1,000 to 25 Corybantes (taken).
1,000 to 25 Sextus (taken).
CHESTER CUP.
1,000 to 10 agst Babette (taken).
1,000 to 10 Bardolph (taken).
1,000 to 10 Newminster (taken).
1,000 to 15 Nancy (taken).
1,000 to 20 Muscovite (taken).
1,000 to 15 Weathergage (taken).
1,000 to 15 ---t St. Michael (taken).
1,000 to 15 Little Harry (taken).
DERBY.
1,00 to 60 agst The Reiver (taken).
1,000 to 25 Brocket.

SCHOOL FOR THE INDIGENT BLIND.— The half-yearly
general meeting of the governors and subscribers to this
charity was held yesterday forenoon, at the London Coffee-
house, Ludgate-hill, for the purpose of transacting the or-
dinary business of the corporation—the Right Hon. Lord
Radstock, one of the vice-presidents, in the chair. The
minutes of the last court having been read and confirmed,
it was announced that Mr. Robert Sharp, who had been
superintendent of the school for the last 32 years, had died
on Wednesday, at the advanced age of 72, deeply regretted
by all who had any connexion with him. The balance-
sheet showed the total receipts for the past year to have
been 9,7271. 7s. 7d., and, after all the necessaryexple,ntshees
had been defrayed, there was left a balance in hand of
5421. 10s. 4d. Appended to the balance-sheet was a state-
ment which showed that, on the3Blst.D9sec. :ber lm
Three-and a-
corporation was possessed of 47,2911. 7s. Bd. Throe per
Cent. Consolidated Annuities, 28,5481. 168. 2d. Three er
Cent. Reduced Annuities, and 1,3 u
Quarter per Cent. Annuities. The report having been re.
calved and adopted, a vote of thanks Was
chairman, and the meeting separated, s Puled to the