The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-25 00:00:00

THE PRODUCE MARKETS.

(From Toseph Tt AM'S and Sons Weekly Ciieular.)
The Produce Markets continue to show great steadiness,
and from the increasing supply of money, holders are evi-
dently every day becoming more confident. The chief
event of the week has been the publication of the long-
looked-for statement of M. Fould, the French Finance Mi-
nister, and although it produced for the moment some little
dismay on the Paris Bourse, from the candour of its reve-
lations regarding the extent of new taxation requisite to
restore the equilibrium of revenue and expenditure, it
seems in England to have been regarded with approval.
No material attempt is to be made to wipe off or reduce
the addition to the public debt, caused during the last
three years by the fact of the Government hav-
ing spent a total of more than 40 millions sterling
beyond their receipts; but the European public will be
well satisfied if the system of excessive and exhaustive out-
lay is to be abolished for the future. The proof afforded
by the anxiety displayed by the Paris financiers at the
scale of taxation already acknowledged to be essential even
to maintain solvency under the proposed system of re-
trenchment which reduces the army to 400,000 men, has
been pointed out as a guarantee that the Emperor will en-
deavour, in his European policy, to avoid, at all events for
the present, provoking any resumption of war in Italy or
elsewhere ; and it is felt that every year during which
France is permitted quietly to develope her commercial
resources will have a great effect in weaning the people from
the thirst for military domination. Consequently, among the
trading classes of the United Kingdom, there is a general
disposition to take an improved view of Continental affairs,
and to wish M. Fould every success in his creditable efforts.
The intimation that among the new imposts to be levied an
addition of the duty on sugar figures for the sum of
£1,160,000, has attracted attention; but as it appears that
unless in case of unexpected necessity it will not be brought
into operation until July, 1863, and the amount of the in-
crease, spread over the immense consumption of France,
will not be very appreciable, the measure has not had the
sfighest influence on prices either in the French markets
or in our own.

CONSOLS, WHEAT, AND COTTON. —The funds have
been quiet during the week, with a tendency to flatness,
which is occasioned by the doubts as to whether the Eng-
lish and French Governments will not find it necessary,
before long, to take formal steps for setting aside what
seems to be pretty generally considered the " ficti-
tious" blockade of the Confederate States by the Federal
States of America. The quotation of Consols in our last
was 931, and, after having touched 92k, the prices yester-
day evening was 93. Wheat has been dull at the decline of
last week, and tho cotton market has shown rather less agi-
tation. A decline of id. per lb. has, however, been sub-
mitted to.

The Judges in the Probate Court yesterday re-
fused the application of Mies Sheddon for a re-openin of
the cause " Sheddon v. Patrick." g

ASSASSINATION AT PisA.—A correspondent in a
contemporary says :—A very disastrous incident has just
occurred here. Dr. M'Carthy, a physician long resident
in this city, much respected and esteemed, WRS returning
to his home on Friday last from Leghorn, and, on arriving
at the railroad station, took a carriage for that purpose.
Two porters or facchinz, as is their custom, accompanied
the carriage, and notwithstanding Dr. M'Carthy's repre-
sentations that he did not require their services, persisted
in following him. One of these men insisted on carrying
upstairs the small trunk which formed all the Doctor's lug-
gage, and he paid this man and dismissed him. The other,
however, insisted upon payment, and though civilly re-
monstrated with, would not leave the house, but continued
to use the most insolent and abusive language mingled with
threats of vengeance. The Doctor, losing patience, at last
rushed out to remove him, when the fellow, drawing a
stiletto, stabbed him twice in the abdomen, the wound pe-
netrating to the intestines. After 40 hours of agonizing
torture, to which the largest opiates offered no relief, he
sank yesterday and expired at 3 o'clock—the victim of a
system which has now become popularised in the north as
touch as the south of Italy. Of course no one dreams of
the punishment of the assassin, nor is there any likelihood
that measures of precaution will follow this foul and in-
famous murder, though meetings of English residents at
Pisa mid Leghorn are now convened to address M. Ricasoli
on the subject.