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

The Price of Gold.

The quotation of gold at Paris is about 3 per mile pm., and
the short exchange on London is 25.30 per £1 sterling. On
comparing these rates with the English Mint price of £3
178. 101 d. per ounce for standard gold, it appe4r that gold is
about 2-10ths per cent. dearer in London than in Paris.
By advices from Hamburg the price of gold is 4251 per mark
and the short exchange on London is 13.41 per £1 sterling.
tandard gold at the English Mint:lido:le 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 45 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-Attorney-General has ap-
parently entirely left him ; but we arc afraid that there is
little reason to hope that he will be able to resume the ac-
tive duties of his profession.

THE BRIDAL GIFT OF SMITH 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 present, and, whether
the object, the chasteness of the design or the exquisite
finish of the worknaanship be considered, most creditable to
South Australian loyalty and good taste. The bridal gift
consists of a stand. a stem, 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 plane is covered with. sculptured vegi-
tation, in which the Sturt pea ispredommant, 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 savage
denizens of our forests. The stem is clasped by a vine
which spreads its ample leaves to receive the casket, which
is formed of an emu's egg laid lengthwise, and cut and
hinged in the centre. Two snakes also wind round the
stem, and their eyes of emerald contrast finely with the
The opening of the casket is
gold in which they are set.
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 enshrine the choicest gems of a
princess. The gift stands 17 inches high. It is, with the
exception of the malachite plinth, the aborigine, the emu's
egg, and the emerald eyes of the snakes, made of pure
gold. It is inscribed, "To her Royal Highness Alexandra,
Princess of Wales, from the wives and Daughters of South
ustralian .Paper,
Australia," Its value is £323,-4