The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-08 00:00:00

HAY MARKETS.

SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, £1 16s to £4 5s Od; clover,
do., £3 lOs to £5 103 ; and straw, £ll2s to £1 16s per load.
Trade very inactive.

CUMBERLAND.--Meadow hay, £1 16s to £4 ss; clover,
£3 lOs to £5 8s Od ; and straw, £1 12s to £1 16s per load.
A dull trade.

HITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, £1 18s to £4 ss; clove'
do., £3 lOs to £5 10s ; and straw, £1 12s to £1 16s per load.
Tra e heavy.

ALARMING FIRES.—This morning, about half-
past 2 o'clock, a fire broke out in the premises of a
tailor at 18, Trinity-street, Liverpool-road. Before the
firemen could succeed in extinguishing the flames the shop
was destroyed and the upper part of the house very much
damaged. The loss was insured in the Caledonian Office.
A fire also happened in Brewer's-yard, Skinner-street,
Bishopegate, in a house occupied by two cabinetmakers.
The file spread with great rapidity, and the house and its
contents were greatly injured by fire and water before the
flames could be got under. Neither of the sufferers were
insured. _ _

A destructive fire occurred three nights back at
Marseilles on the premises of M. Chosson, a whole-
sale stationer. The fire burnt with great fury for several
hours, and but little of the stock was saved. An iron safe
containing a considerable sum in gold and notes was heated
to such a degree that the coin melted, and the notes were
of course destroyed. The loss is estimated at 80,000 fr., but
is covered by insurance.

A banquet was given o❑ the 4th at Turin by
Chevalier Farini, President of the Council of Minis-
ters, in honour of Counts de Stackelberg and Sartiges, Am-
bassadors of Russia and France to the Court of Turin. The
members of the Diplomatic Body, the Ministers of State,
and several other distinguished personages were among
the guests.

The Opinione of Turin publishes an address
presented to the King of Italy on the 4th by a
deputation of Venetians, Istrians, and inhabitants of
Trieste, in which the hope is expressed that at no distant
time they may be enabled to present his Majesty in the
city of the Doges with an album recording the victories he
may have won on the battlefields of Venetia.
ACCIDENT IN THE HUNTING FIELD.—Very gene-
ral regret was manifested on Saturday through:ut
both the county and city of Cork, when it became known
that an accident of a serious character had, on the afternoon
of the previous day, befallen Simon Dring, of Parkgrove,
Esq., J.P. On the morning that Mr. Dring met the hounds
at Kilbree, near Cloyne, where a large number of gentlemen
had assembled to enjoy the sports of the field. After a pro-
tracted search a stout dog fox was found, who went away in
gallant style, briskly followed by the hounds and red coats.
Mr. Dring, who was well mounted, kept a prominent place
during the run of some miles, until ho was entering the
field where reynard succumbed. At the entrace the prey
passed through a gate, closely pressed by the dogs ; but as
Mr. thing entered, being third horse, the gate slammed,
and he raised his left leg from the stirrup to avoid collision,
when his foot caught in the bars—he was torn from his
saddle, and dashed to the ground. Those who followed
instantly reined up and dismounted, when it was discovered
that the limb was seriously broken. Surgical assistance
having been quickly procured the fracture was set, and he
was removed to the residence of one of the neighbouring
gentry. It is understood he passed the night rather
favourably.—Saunders' News.
The usage of eating cakes on the Twelfth Day
is of considerable antiquity, for mention is made of
it in a charter of Robert, Bishop of Amiens, dated in 1311.
In the seventeenth century, the custom was observed
even at Royal tables, for Mme. de Motteville relates
that, in 1648, she and two other ladies shared a
twelfth•cake with the King and Queen, and drank
their Majesties' healths in hippocras. In some families
it was the custom to cut portions for the Infant
Jesus and the Virgin, which were always distri-
buted to the poor. In the following year Mine, de
Motteville again passed Twelfth-night with the litoti3e
ol
e
Family, and the bean happening to be in the partz. hg
the Virgin, it was agreed that the Queen
should
the the
ci
the honours of the evening, and hippocrse
beverage used. Louis XIV. always kept Twelfth-day,
in
course with the formal dignity he invariablyr observed
public. It is said that when Louis . and his three sons
shared the twelfth-cake, the bean was cut
into three pieces,
which was regarded as a sign that not one of the three
brothers would ascend the throne. The King considered
this incident as of bad augury.
It The preparations for the funeral of the Arch-
bishop of Paris have commenced at Notre Dame.
A magnificent catafalque has been erected between the
choir and the nave, with large streamers attached from each
corner '
to the pillars. The whole is in black cloth, starred
with silver. The top of the catafalque, in the form of a
dome, is surmounted by a silver cross. The choir and the
nave aro hung with black cloth. Escutcheons, with the
arras of the deceased, are placed on the catafalque.

BIRMINGHAM RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

PRESENTATION TO CAPTAIN RATCLIFF.

A very graceful compliment was yesterday paid by the
members of No. 7 Company of Birmingham Volunteers to
their commanding officer, Car,tain Ratcliff. It may pro-
bably be remembered that whilst the battalion was in the
course of formation during the earliest stage of the Rifle
Volunteer movement, this company was established
through the activity and liberality of Captain Ratcliff, and
not only was it fully equipped at his own cost, but he
has spared no time, expense, or zeal in his
endeavours' to
render it efficient in drill and discipline. So well did the
men respond to the manifest desires of the captain, that
by the greatest assiduity in their attention to duty they
speedily rendered themselves one of the best companies in
the battalion, and it is but due to them to say that they
have maintained their position in this respect ever since.
In order to testify their appreciation of his exertions, and at
the same time their esteem for him, they, some few months
ago, entered into a subscription for the purpose of present-
ing to him some testimonial—and as the fund promised
was a creditable one, it was determined to purchase
sword. The weapon, which is of the ordinary regulation
pattern, but of superior quality of matetial, was manufac-
tured by Messrs. Aston, of the Town Hall Works, and
the ornamentation of it was entrusted to the skilful hands
of Mr. J. J. Allen. This gentleman has succeeded in turn-
ing out an exquisitely finished specimen of workmanship.
The design was prepared by himself, and the " sculpture "
was also his own manipulation. The hilt guard is elabo-
rately wrought in dead and burnished steel, the regula-
tion ornamentation of the rose, shamrock, and thistle, the
Royal monogram, ttc., being introduced in a new and
elegant manner, and being " tooled" into relief instead of
being merely "chased." At the back of the hilt are the
captain's crest and monogram, also in relief. The blade is
also richly worked after Mr. Allen's design, and bears an
inscription recording the motive of the gift. Altogether the
sword is creditable to the good taste of those concerned
in its getting up. The cost of it we believe is fifty
guineas. An illuminated address, beautifully executed by
Mr. Newey, of New-street, formerly a leading member of
the company, was prepared to accompany the present.
The contents of it are as follows :—" To Captain Charles
Ratoliff: Dear air, The volunteers comprising the com-
pany under your command beg your acceptance of the
sword presented herewith in token of their high esteem
for you as their captain, and their hearty appreciation of
the unremitting kindness, courtesy, and zeal which you
have displayed towards them on so many occasions since
the formation of the company. They fervently hope
that the Mighty Ruler who sways the destinies of all na-
tions may so continue to bless this our country that the
day may be far distant ere it shall be needful to draw
the sword, now given to you, in defence of the hearths
and homes of old England. They wish you long life and
happiness." The address was signed by the members of
the Presentation Committee on behalf of the company.
The company mustered in pretty fair strength, and in
full-dress uniform, at the Ist Division Police Station, New-
street, and, several rounds of blank ammunition having been
supplied to them, they, at about 2 o'clock yesterday after _
noon, marched out to the music of the regimental fife and
drums, their destination being Aston Park, where it had
been arranged the presentation should be made. On the
ground they were met by Capt. Ratcliff and by Lieut. and
Adjutant M'lnnis. There were not many persons in the
Park, but they included Alderman Sir John Ratcliff and
three or four friends. After executing a variety of manoeu-
vres in a smart and effective style, under the command of
the Adjutant, and after advancing in review order and salut-
ing the captain, the direction was given to form a hollow
square in the centre of the spacious yard adjoining the hall.
Mr. D. J. O'Neile, now a private but formerly a quarter..
master-sergeant of the company, advanced, and in a few
appropriate remarks made the presentation. He said that
the very pleasing though onerous and important duty had
devolved upon him of presenting to Captain Ratcliff, on
behalf of No. 7 Company, a sword, as a token of their
respect and esteem. He might first of all say that he
had reed% ed letters from the lieutenant and the ensign,
both regretting their unavoidable absence on that occasion,
and their being unable to participate in rendering honour
where honour was due. This matter had been in hand
for several months, but delays had occurred which prevented
the presentation being made earlier. The sword, he was
happy to say, was well worthy of the designer, and Mr.
Allen had remarked of it that it was the handsomest he had
ever executed. He (Mr. O'Neile) held in his hand an ad-
dress, which he would read, and he was sure every member
of the company present would coincide with every sentence
it contained. They could all bear testimony to the perseve•
ranee, energy, liberality, courtesy, and punctuality which,
as an officer, Capt. Ratcliff had displayed from the first for-
mation of the company. At the outset, when very hard
drills had to be gone through, the 'captain was one of the
hardest workers amongst them, and he used to shoulder his
rifle, and stimulate them by his good example, and all
along since that time he had been foremost in doing his
duty as an officer, and studying the good displicine and
comfort of the company. Mr. O'Neile concluded by
reading the address above given, and presenting it toge-
ther with the sword to Captain Ratelift Capt. Ratcliff,
in addressing the donors, said it was impossible for him
adequately to express the feelings which at that
moment he experienced, when he thought of the
kindness on their part which had prompted the handsome
gift he had just had the honour of receiving. If he had
done his duty in connection with the corps in a manner to
warrant its appreciation in so substantial a form, all he
could say was that it would be a stimulant to him on all
future occasions, not only to be present with them on the
drill ground, but to do all he could by exan.ple and by work
to encourage them to maintain their efficiency. He thanked
them from his heart for the gift,and he thanked those whom
he saw around him—and many of them were amongst the
first to inscribe their names on the roll of his company—
for their faithful attention to duty, for the constancy with
which they had attended drill from the first—so much so as
to render it necessary that two extra drill instructors should
be attached to his company, and also for the good order and
obedience they had uniformly displayed. Indeed, he knew
of no company in the battalion which had shown a greater
desire to perfect themselves in drill than No. 7, and he did
not wish to flatter them when he said he regarded them as a
company equal to any other in the Ist Warwickshire Corps.
After noticing with satisfaction that the company had taken
some of the first prizes at the regimental shooting at Bourn-
brook,Capt. Ratcliff expressed a hope that this would induce
them to acquire still greater efficiency,and again tendered his
thanks for the gift presented to him. He said he should ever
prize it and look on it with pride, and if it should ever happen
that his active exertions in the field should be required in
the defence of his country, he hoped they would all stand
by him, and that would be the sword he should use to lead
them. (Applause.) Three cheers were then given for Capt.
Ratcliff, and on his proposition, three more for the Adju-
tant, who, in his acknowledgment, offered a few practical
remarks to the company, and announced that Sir John Rat-
cliff had invited the company to partake of refreshments at
the hall. Three cheers for Sir John were given and
brought the proceedings to a close. After the refreshments
in question had been disposed of, the ranks were re-formed
and the company returned to town.