The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-02 00:00:00

The Price of Gold.

The quotation of gold at Paris is about 11 per mills pm., and
the short exchange on London is 25.30 per £1 sterling. On
comparing these rates with the English Mint price of 1-3
I7s. 100. per ounce for standard gold, it appears that gold 18
about 3-10tha per eent. dearer in London than in Paris.
By advices from Hamburg the price of gold is 425 per mark
and the short exchange on London is 13.61 per .£1 sterling,
standard gold at the English Mint price is, therefore, about
7-10ths per cent, dearer in London than in Hamburg
The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at
60 days' sight is about 138 to 139 per cent., and the premium
on gold about 261 per cent. At these prices there is a small
profit on the importation of gold from the United States.

A Frankfort letter in the Moniteur given
an account of the labours of the Congress,
which seems 0 diminish their importance,
as it represents the resolutions adopted in
common by the sovereigns to have no definitive
character, and as only constituting an eventual
basis for ulterior deliberations.

...
ANTIQUITY OF FLAX.—The culture and mann-

- -
facture of flax is of very aucient date, as we all
know; and as a proof of its having often occupied a pro-
minent place in the world's industry, I point to many allu-
sions made to it both in sacred and profane history : for
instance, Joshua's two spies were hid under the stalks of
Rex; and in confirmation also of the fact that in bygone
ages it had attained to great perfection—in reference to the
linens found encircling the mummies taken from the cata-
combs of Egypt—it has been said that nothing could exceed
their texture and beauty of workmanship, so far at least as
could be judged from specimens preserved from these relics.
It has also been said that these fabrics would stand
comparison with many simnel- productions of the present
day ; but that I will not go into. But one thing we know,
these ancient manufacturers did not live in times of rail-
ways and telegraphs, and on that account we readily ad-
mit the fact, for do not the natives of India and China in
their own peculiar style excel in many things where nicety
and delicacy of touch is required ? But we in these days of
steam and strong competition must have it done cheap and
quick by machinery, in large quantities, and often at the sa-
crifice of good workmanship. There is no branch of our
national industry that is not more or less affected by this
prevailing spirit. Notwithstanding this railway mode of
doing business, I make bold to affirm that in the Interna-
tional Exhibition of 1862 there were exhibited specimens
of yarns and linens that might from time immemorial chal-
lenge the world. I refer more particularly to the Dunferm-
line and Belfast cases, In one case especially, Richard
Bell. and Co.'s, were some wet spun yarns as fine as what
is termed in the trade 620 lea ; but it will make it more un-
derstood when I say that Ilb. weight of that yarn would
extend to the incredible length of 89 miles.—Hibberd' a
Gardener's Magazine.
EXTRAORDINARY EFFECTS FROM SLEEPING• IN
THE MOONSHINE.—A little boy, aged 13, named
Henry Lowry, residing near Peckham. rye, was, on Tues-
day night, expelled his home by his mother, for some trifling
misdemeanour; he at once ran to a corn-field, close by, and
on lying down fell asleep. (It will bo remembered
that it was a most beautiful moonlight night.
He slept throughout the night. ' Some labourers
on their way to work, seeing the lad apparently asleep,
roused him. On the boy opening his eyes he declared he
could not see. He was conveyed home, and from thence to
an ocular institution, where the medical gentlemen affirmed
that the loss of sight resulted from sleeping in the moon-
shine. He is totally blind, and few hopes are entertained
of his ultimate recovery.
BREACH OF PRlVlLEGE.—Yesterday, at the
Judges' Chambers, Mr. Justice Byles decided an
important question as to a breach of privilege which had
been before him on two former occasions. A person had
been made bankrupt, and was arrested for debt as he was
returning from a police-court, where he had attended as a
prosecutor. He had not his protection with him at the
time, and therefore could not produce it to the officer. Mr.
Justice Byles said he was of opinion that there had been a
breach of privilege in arresting a person returning front a
police-court, and therefore it was not necessary to consider

the question as to the bankrupt. His lordship ordered the
discharge, and payment to the defendant of 40s. coots, on
the undertaking not to bring any action for the arrest
against the sheriff of Middlesex or the creditor.
THE SALMON FISHERIES DEVONSIIIRE.—The
salmon fishing season having closed, it is gratifying
to state that in the various Devonshire streams there has
been a marked increase in the quantity of salmon taken

this season as compared with the past. The poachers are
vigilantly watched, and in several instances convictions
have taken place. In the North of Devon especially, sal-
mon have been plentiful and cheap. At Bideford and Ap-
pledare prima fish have been selling at 9d, per lb. In a low
years it is not unlikely thit salmon in the North of Devon
will be sold at 6d. per lb,

A MONUMENT to the late Admiral Sir Charles
Napier has been at length erected at Portsea. It is a simplo
column, surmounted by a lion, with his paw on a shot. Al
medalion profile of the admiral faces the approach from the
dockyard, and the monument cannot fail to be observed by
seamen who hold the memory of the gallant Charley iu
veneration.