The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-21 00:00:00

The Price of Gold.

The quotation of gold at Paris is about 3 per mille pm., and
the short exchange on London is 25.30 per £1 sterling. On
comparing these rates with the English Mint price of £3
17s. 100. per ounce for standard gold, it appear that gold is
about 2-10ths per cent. dearer in London than m Paris.
By adyiees fromllamburg the price of gold is 415% per mark
and the short exchange on London it 13.4 per £1 sterling.
t.a.ndard gold at the English Mint.priee is, therefore, nearly
2-10ths per cent. dearer in London than in Hamburg.
The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at
60 days' sight is 159/.to 1601 per cent., and the premium on
gold is about 96 percent. At these rates there is a small
profit on the importation of gold from the United_States:

We (Ayr Advertiser) regret very much to hear
that Lord Ardmillan's affection of the eye, supposed
to have been occasioned by the fragments of a gun cap, is
not passing away so soon as was expected. The inflamma-
tion,
probably augmented by cold, is so severe as as prevent
his lordship perusing his papers, which is all but tanta-
mount to a suspension of his duties for the present.
SIR WILLIAM ATHERTON'S HEALTH.--We are
happy to hear, says the Court Chronicle, that the serious
malady which afflicted the ex-A.ttorney•General has ap-
parently entirely left him ; but we are afraid that there
little reason to hope that he will be able to resume the ac-
tive duties of his profession.
THE :BRIDAL GIFT OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. We
had recently an opportunity to inspect the bridal
gift to be presented to the Princess of Wales from the ladies
of South Australia. It is a beautiful pr
gn, or the exquisite
finish and, whether
the object, the chasteness of the desi
finish of the workmanship be considered, most creditable to
South Australian loyalty and good taste. The bridal gift
consists of a stand. a atop, and an ovel jewel casket, sur-
mounted by an eagle-hawk, and presents a pleasing com-
bination of familiar Australian forms. The edge of the
stand or basis is of malachite, richly veined and clouded ,
the groundwork a plane, with a cluster of rocks in the
centre in gold. The piano is covered with sculptured yogi-
tation, in which the Sturt pea is predominant; and the rocks
are partially clothed with luxuriant ferns and grass-trees.
An aborigine, in the dusky livery of his race, is seen in the
attitude of throwing a spear, while his lubria is seated
patiently awaiting her lord's return from the chase. In the
distance are kangaroos and emus in pairs, and they are by
no means bad specimens as compared with the noble Ravage
denizens of our forego. The stem is clasped by a vine
which spreads its ample leaves to receive the casket, which
is formed of au emu's egg laid lengthwise, and cut and
hinged in the centre. Two snakes also wind round the
stem ,in which they are set. and their eyes of emerald contrast finely with the
gold
The opening of the casket is
lipped with gold, enriched with the foliage and flower of a
native creeper ; it is lined with crimson silk velvet, and
forms a recess worthy to eushtine the choicest gems of a
princess. The gilt stands 17 inches high. It is, with the
exceptiouuf the,maachire,vlinth,, the aborigine, the emu's
egg, and the emerald eyes of the inAkes, made of pure
gold. It is inscribed, "',Co her I3,rtYa ilighness Alexandra;
Princess of Wales, Irani the Wives and Daughters of South
Australia," Its value is 323,—AustralianX Taper,