The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-28 00:00:00

The Price of Gold.

The quotation of gold at Paris is about 3 per mille pm., ana
the short exchange on London is 25.30 per £1 sterling. On
comparing these rates with the English Mint price of £3
cis. 104 d. per ounce for standard gold, it appear that gold is
about 2-10ths per cent, dearer in London than in Paris.
By advices fromllamburg the price of gold is 421 i per mark
and the short exchange on London is 13.5 per £1 sterling.
Standard gold at the English Mint price is, therefore, about
1-10th per cent. dearer in London than in Hamburg.
The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at
60 days' sigh% is 163 to 164 per cent., and the premium on
gold is 494 to 494 per cent. At these rates there is a profit
on the importation of gold from the United States.

THE PRINCE OF WALES'S harriers will commence
hunting on Tuesday next.—Court Journal.
THERE will be some excellent shooting in the
Great Park for the Prince of Wales on his return to Wind-
sor. The covers, which have not been disturbed for several
weeks past, are swarming with game.—Court Journal.
THE MINISTRY.—Lord Palmerston is residing
at his seat, Broadlands, Hants. Earl de Grey and Ripon
has departed for his country residence, Studley Royal, near
Ripon, Yorkshire. Mr. Milner Gibson also left town a few
days ago. All the other members of the Cabinet are also
absent from London. Several of the Ministers are expected
to return to town in the second week in January, and after
their meetink• the Queen will hold a Privy Council. at which
the day for the meeting of Parliament will be determined
on, and a proclamation issued summoning both houses to
meet for the despatch of public business.—Observer.
GEORGE CRUIKSHANK'S oil painting of "Titania,"
one of that gifted and veteran's chef d'oeuvres, has been
purchased by Dr. Sheridan Muspratt, the eminent chemist.
It is to be hoped that the idea of engraving it will be
carried out.

CATS AT SEA.—Considering how much the cat
abhors cold water, our readers must often have
wondered why seafaring men are so fond of taking the
animal with them on a voyage. This is explained by two
circumstances. Marine insurance does not cover damage
done to cargo by the depredations of rats; but if the
owner of the damaged goods can prove that the ship was
sent to sea unfurnished with a cat, he can recover damages
from the shipmaster. Again, a ship found at ship with no
living creature on board is considered a derelict, and is
forfeited to the Admiralty, the finders, or the Queen. It
has often happened that, after a ship has been aban-
doned, spme domestic animal—a dog, a canary bird, or
most frequently a cat, from its hatred of facing the waves--
has saved the vessel from being condemned as a derelict.—
Once a Week

IyOMEN IN BATTLE.—The correspondent of the
Cincinnati Times, describing a fight with part of
General Bragg's forces at Ringgold, near Chattanooga,
says :—" Several of the fair sex were in the Confederate
ranks, and certainly conducted themselves with a great deal
of courage. We make no reflections on their taste in
e,nter-
ing the ranks with negroes and greasy graybaeks. I,ebel-
dom now needs every aid on the earth above or
in the
caverns under it,"