The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-17 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—ln anticipation of the approaching hot summer
days, the Committee of the Metropolitan Free Drinking
Fountains Association beg to inform the public that funds
are urgently needed to enable the society to continue those
exertions which have hitherto been attended with such
great success. Through the instrumentality of the associa-
tion upwards of 80 fountains have been already erected, at
which it is computed not less than a quarter of a million
people drink daily during the heat of the year. It is the
desiro of the society to extend the boon as far as possible to
every corner of the metropolis, so that the thirsty wayfarer
may not be forced into the necessity of repairing to the
public-houses.

Tho committees 'are overwhelmed with applications for
new fountains, but are unable to erect fresh ones from want
of funds ; and for the same reason the provision made far
the relief of the sufferings of cattle and dogs from thirst
falls 6hort of what is required. All the fountains of the
association are under constant supervision, and qualified
workmen are employed to keep them in an efficent state,
but several of those erected by private benevolence have
become dilapidated and even dry. If the public will afford
the means, the committee propose offering to undertake the
supervision of all the fountains in London, and (thereby. to
seeure for each the necessary attention.

I shall be happy to receive contributions in aid of those
objects, or subscriptions may be paid at the office of the
association, 1, Shorter's-court, Throgmorton-street, E.C.,
where any further information may he obtained.--I am, &c.
SAMUEL GURNEY, Chairman.
25, Prince's-gate, S.W„ May 16, Mt

ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN [BOTH IN
ARMY AND NATY] TO DO HIS DUTY, and it seexas
likely that our soldiers will very soon be provided with a
little book, telling them in simple language what their
duty is !

TELEGRAPH TO AMERTCA.—The necessary ar-
rangements for another attempt to lay a submarine
telegraph between Ireland and North America have been
made, and the Atlantic Telegraph Company are more san-
guine than ever that the experiment to be undertaken in.
the spring of 1865 will be a complete sucess. By the time
that the Atlantic Telegraph Company is ready for its grand
enterprise, a second and entirely different line of telegraphic
communication between Europe and America will approach,
if not reach, its completion. This is the line running across
Siberia, thence connecting with Russian Aneerica, thence
passing through British Columbia, and ultimately reaching
our Pacific States. The most difficult portion, of this tele-
graph, that through Siberia, is now, according to a recent
despatch, completed as far as Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern
Siberia. Mr, Collins, a citizen of the United States, to
whom the Russian Government has given for a period of
36 years the exclusive right of working this telegraph through
the Russian dominions, has now obtained from the British
Government the right of way through British Columbia.
The Western Union Telegraph Company of the United
States are prepared to assume the construction of the line,
and capitalists are ready to supply the money for carrying
out the undertaking. It is intended to continue the tele-
graph northward along the western coast of British America
to Bebring's Straits, which will be crossed by a submarine
cable 40 miles long, thence along the coast of Arctic Russia
to the mouth of the Amoor River, at which point the Ruse
sian Government have agreed to meet the line and connect
it with their own. The new line will be not far from 4,200
miles in extent, and, when completed, it will unite Europe,
Asia, and America, principally by land.—New York Tribune.
DESTRUCTIVE FlßE.—Llte on Friday night, or
early on Saturday morning, a destructive fire broke
out on Weddingtou farm, in the parish of Ash, near Sand-
wich. The flames were first discovered by Richard Pay, a
neighbour, about half. past 1 o'cloca on Saturday morning,
as he was getting up to go to market. He gave the alarm to
William Marsh, waggoner and bailiff to Mr John Woodruff,
the occupier of the premises. On going to the stable Marsh
found his horses dead from suffocation. The flames had then
extended to the *hole of the buildings, which were all burnt
to the ground before an engine could Pa procured. Indeed,
if an engine could have been got, it would have been of no
use for want of water. Four young horses, worth £lO each,
were burnt to death in the stable. After the fire had burnt
out they presented a deplorable spectacle, their bowels pro-
truding as if the caresses had burst with excessive heat.
Tho hind legs of two of the poor creatures were completely
burnt off. Five breeding cows were also found in a similar
condition. The buildings, consisting of a four. horse stable,
a wheat barn, a barley barn, a fodder barn, a bullock lodge,
all birch-built, and thatched, were completely destroyed,
together with their contents, which included a waggon, two
carts, and a quantity of agricultural implements, and two
straw stacks, the growth of 13 acres. Frcm the appearance
of the fire when it was first disco% ered it must have com-
menced either at the straw stack or at the north corner of
the wheat barn. The waggoner's mate was the last person
on the premises en Friday night, and he left the stable about
10 o'clock, when all appeared quite i•ace. The fire is sup-
posed to be the work of an ircendiary. The damage is
variously estimated at from £7OO to £l,OOO, but the loss is
tally covered by insurance.

ONEY MARKET

AND

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWELVE O'CLOCK:

The favourable feeling regarding monetary
affairs continues to increase, and the commercial
public, believing that a downward movement will
be made this week in the official minimum, are
only obtaining accommodation to satisfy present
and prfs,ing requirements. The rates for short.
dated paper range from 82 per cent,, and for six
months' bids from 71 per cent.
A further sum of £170,000 in gold was' taken
into the Bank yesterday.

During the last few days there has been very
little business transacted in the Foreign and Colo-
nial Produce Markets owing to the Whitsuntide
holidays. Sugar, however, has maintained previous
rates, while the operations in tea, coffee, and rice
have led to no material change as regards values.
In the tallow market a steady tone has been appa-
rent as regards prices for both present and forward
delivery.

Two O'CLOCK.

At Paris this morning, according to Renter's
telegram, the Three per Cent. Renter were 12f. 45c.,
66f. 80c. Rather firm.

At the second ordinary general meeting to-day of
shareholders of the Bank of Wales, Mr. Daniell in
the chair, the report which was unanimously
adopted, stated that the gross profits of the Bank to
the 31st March last amounted to £5,330 163., and
after deducting expences, there remained a balance
of £1,115, which was recommended to be carried to
profit and loss new account.

The annual meeting of shareholders of the Mer-
cantile Bank of India, London, and China, took
plaeo to-day, Mr. G. G. Nicol in the chair. The
report stated:—After providing for all bad and
doubtful debts, and defraying expense of manage-
ment at all points, the net profit amounts to
£196,562 25., to which has to be added a sum of
£4,269 9s. 2d. undivided profit, brought forward
from the preceding year, making a total of
£200,831 113. 2d. Out of the above total, £50,000
has been paid in two half-yearly dividends, and
£25,000 as a bonus, making together 15 per cent.
on the paid-up capital of the bunk. A further sum
of £50,000 has been added to the reserve fund.
The unappropriated balance of £75,831 lls. 2d. is
carried forward to the profit and loss account of the
current year. As will be seen by the accounts, the
premium on new shares paid up to 31st December
amounting to £81,140, has been added to the re-
serve fund ; the balance due in respect of same,
£18,860, since received, has also been passed to this
account, with which the addition of £50,000 from
the year's profits, above referred to, makes a total
to this date at credit of that fund of £250,000.
A further improvment has taken place to-day in
the Market for the English Funds, and Consols,
Which are I per cent. better, are 911- 1- for money,
and 901 t, less the dividend, for the account.
The New Threes and Reduced Annuities are 891 1;
Exchequer Bills, March, 103. dis.; do., June, 95. to
48. dis.; India 5 per Cents, 1051 :I; do. 4 per
Cents., 994 100; Bank Stock is marked 237 239;
and Indian do., 217 2181.
In the Foreign Market there is less business, and
prices are not quite so well supported. Turkish
Consolides are 481 4 ; Mexican, 441 45 ; do. New
Loan, I die. par.; Greek, 231 8 ; Spanish Passive,
34/1 ; Confederate Loan, 64 66; Russian Scrip,
prem.; and Swedish, do., 11 2 prem.
The operations in the Railway Share Market
have been of a limited character, and prices have
not varied to any important extent. North Western
have declined 55., and Brighton, 103.; while Great
-astern have advanced 55., and North Eastern Ber-
Wick, 103.

The Foreign and Colonial lines show little vari-
ation as regards values.

Bank and Miscellaneous Shares are generally at
steady prices. London and Westminster realize
941 ; Union of London, 592 ; Hudson Bay, 19,1.
Subjoined are the current quotations of some of
the principal new under takings :—Provincial Bank..
'mg Corporation, 1 2 prem. ; International Land
Credit, 2 prem.

BRITISH FUNDS-ONE O'CLOCK.

, GOVRANMENT FUNDS.
e Per Cent. Console
Ditto Account, May 8
veer Cent. Reduced ...
Nei'
3 per Cent
"ew 2/ per Cent. Jan. 1894... —
Ditto 5 per Cent., Jan. 1873
Annuities, 30 yrs, expire bth Jan., 1880 .---
Ditto for 30 yrs, expire sth April, 1885 —
Ditto (Red Sea Telegraph), Aug. 1908

March. June.
9 4 die

Chequer Bills, £l,OOO, 2i & 3 per Cent.
Ditto £5OO
, Ditto £lOO and £2OO
.L'ailic. England Stk, 51 per Ct.
Onto Account —
/ IlIbi&N GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.
Rdia Stock, 10i per Cent., April 1874 217 18i
Ditto 5 per Cent. July, 187 U
Ditto Account
Ditto 4 per Cent. Oct. 1888 lOO 991
o Certificates
Ditto DEnfaced Paper, 4 per Cent —
Ditto 5 per Cent., Jan. 1872 ..
Ditto
53per Cent., May, 1879 —
Ditto Debentures, 4 per Ct., April 1861
Itt o , Ditto
ds EL MO ditto Aug., 1866
" Bon
Ditto Under £1,000..

FOREIGN FUNDS—ONE O'CLOCK.
Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent ..
)3,, Ditto 1859
azilian 5 per Cent
Ditto 41 per Cent., 1852-58-60
j 3 Ditto 1863 .. 861
Duos Ayres
ebbitto Account
ilian 6 Der Cent. —
o Ditto 4 pet Cent —
°l,ol3abian 6 per Cent —
btlua, h
6 per Cent. ..
e'llis 3 per Cent., 1825
Ihtto 5 per Cent. 1864
011ador New Consolidated, 1 per Cent —
-'gYptian 7 per Cent 100!
o,:iji!to• Second Issue
1-. i Dit-"'eKto 5 per
Account Cent., 1824-5, ex-Coupons..
2-31
'
Litto Coupons
..,Ditto Account — tuateniala 5 per Cent.
pe, 139 and 1859
,_ktalian 8r
Cent.(Maremmana Railway) 74
&lexicon 3 per Cent ....
i 'Ditto Account....
11oorish Imperial 5 per Cent
New Granada
Ditto 2 per Cent.
Ditto Deferred _
Ditto Land Warrants (Hectares)
ruvian 41 per Cent —
Ditto Account.... ) —
Oitto 3 per Cent. (Cribarren)
Ditto 4/ per Cent., 1862
ortou--- 3
Ditto Account
per Cent., 1853
4,itto Account
bitto per Cent., 1856, '7, '9, '6O, 62,'3
41)43 Account
Dtl,p4ian 5 per Cent., 1822, £St —
itto 4; -per Cent., 1860 —
D'''.,,itto 3 per Cent 1859
itto 5 per Cent, 1862 • 86i
"Jitto 1864 Scrip, £lO paid
D.
kt—,Atto Anglo-Dutch ....
4niart 5 per Cent ............ i3131-2,sth. itto
.Account
-.6'.' 3 per Cent
Itto ikecount
521 litto Deferred
t New
Iv' 0 Account
—1
ti.tto Passive
11p; to Account
111
'jit's4 Cert, of Coup not funded
Syn,,,o Account
IV.gi., 4 per Cent.
T.Z,ltto Scrip, £2O paid
Ipish 6 per Cent. 1854 —
010 Account .. 19
.o!tt.o 6 per Cent. 1858
410 A
„r ,
68
bi,, ~. , louni,
1);:,l'o• £lOO Bonds _
));`,‘, 6. per Cent. 1862
D:,to Account ••
`to £lOO Bonds.. —
b Ditto 1863 ..
Ire,lttn Guaranteed, 4 per Cent. lOO
211(,..1A 3 per Cent.
NAccount ...... .
.... ,
1)co 6 per Cent., 1862: 551
D1)140 A ccount. ............
itto 6 per Cent, 1861. -
--"to 1 per Cent
A rg,vidends on the above payable in Loud ,n,
....II .
Del n, 5 per Cent,. Ex, 10 Florins. 4
beiiiri,4o. 4,!,- per Cent., Ex. 25f.
1394 22. per Cent., Ex. 12 Guil
it !tto 4
1, per Cent. Certificates :
-j''ll, 5 per Cent., 1861, Ex. 25 francs ,
Ditto Account —
011. ,
.
TWO O'CLOCK.
DeisMoneyDeis
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101
204
100
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