The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-12 00:00:00

FRENCH PLAYS.

Dumas's lively comedy of Les Demoiselle de St. Cyr,
was revived at the St. James's Theatre, and with Rey-
nier and Lafont in it could scarcely have failed to be
successful.

The Viconte Roger was Lafont's part, and he played
in the most perfect style of manner and tone, presenting
alighly-finishedibut life-likevicture'of the courtlAgallant
of the time. The sympathising Hercale was played by
M. Reynier, and what between laughing at him and
with him, he kept the audience in continued merriment
throughout. Mdlle. Brohan made the most of Charlotte
de Merian ; the spirited and graceful Mdlle. Henry
played the part of Louise Manclair with admirable
piquancy. The house, as usual, was crowded.

BALL AT THE FOREIGN-OFFICE.—The Countess of
Clarendon gave a grand ball last evening at the official
residence of the Foreign Secretary, in Downing-street.
THE LATE LADY DALHOUSIE.—The remains of the
late Lady Dalhousie, wife of the Governor-General of
India, who died on the passage home from India, will
be interred in the family mausoleum in Scotland, and
Captain Bowie, aid-de-camp to Lord Dalhousie, has gone
to Scotland to attend the funeral.
CITY CORPORATION COMMISSION.—It is rumoured that
Mr. Justice Patteson and Mr. G. Cornewall Lewis will
be two of the members of the City Commission.
RE-OPENING OF CHEAPSlDE.—Cheapside was yester-
day restored to general traffic, having been closed nearly
three weeks for repair of the road.
MAILS FOR AUSTRALIA.--The Post-office authorities
have given notice that ship letter bags will be made up
on the 7th proximo for Adelaide, Port Philip, and
Sydney, to be forwarded by the screw-steamer Victoria ;
and for Melbourne and Sydney next month, to be for-
warded by the steamer Great Britain.
VICTORIA LONDON DOCK COMPANY.—Yesterday a
special general meeting of this company was held at the
London Tavern, Bishopsgatc-street, for the purpose of
submitting for the approval of the proprietors a bill now
before Parliament, entitled " A bill to amend the Vic-
toria (London) Dock Act, 1E50," and to authorise the
construction of additional decks and other works ; Mr.
J. P. Heywood in the chair. Mr. W. Smith, the secre-
tary of the company, read the heads of the bill, which
gave power to increase the capital of the company from
400,0001. to 900,000/., by the issue of new shares dis-
tributable pro rata, to extend the time originally deter-
mined upon for the completion of the works ; to con-
struct new works, including additional docks and ware-
houses • and to lease the line for a period of 21 years.
The bill was approved, subject to such alterations as
Parliament might consider expedient ; and the common
seal of the company was affixed to the draft. The
meeting then separated.
SERVANTS' ROYAL PROVIDENT AND BENEVOLENT
SOCIETY.—The sixth annual meeting of this society took
place yesterday, at the office in Great Marlborough-
street ; William Ford, Esq., in the chair. It appeared
from the report, which was read by the secretary, that
during the past year 11,0041. 9s. 10d. had been paid to
the Provident Fund of the society for life annuities, en-
dowments for children, and insurances. The total
amount paid by servants to the provident fund of the
society, since its commencement in 1847, has been
54,4241. 7s. 6d. In the department of the registry for
male and female servants, the report showed that places
had been provided for 2,315 servants during the past
year, and for 6,374 servants since the opening of the
registry in 1850. The progress of the Home for female
servants out of place appeared also to have been highly
encouraging. The meeting terminated with a vote of
esnt
et er ednatyh,
thanks to the chairman.
N—vasThheeldseyve
anuTtrivEer4Parylle TnEleSeTtAieNgT
ofA tshsioscsloAcTiTeotyN.
at Exeter-hall ; Mr. R. C. Bevan in the chair. On the
platform were the Rev. Hugh Stowell, the Rev. Dr.
Marsh, the Rev. Dr. Malan, of Geneva ; the Rev. R.
Bickersteth, the Rev. W. Wilson, the Rev. A. .S. Thel-
wall, the Rev. C. Prest, &c. The report stated that the
receipts of the past year amounted to 1,4211. ls. 2d., and
the expenditure to 1,410/. Is. Bd., leaving a balance of
101. 19s. 6d. ; while the liabilities of the association ex
ceeded 400/. The receipts for publications amounted to
1841. 7s. 4d. The " Protestant Magazine " was still
eontinued, and given to all subscribers of 10s. a-year
and upwards ; and a valuable work had been issued, en-
titled "Popery at the Hustings," being a compilation of
the sayings and doings of Romish priests and laymen at
the lato Irish elections. During the past year, it was
stated, petitions had been circulated with reference to
Maynooth college, nunneries, and the Protestant Episco-
pal Church in Ireland. Several resolutions indicative of
the peculiar features of the association having been
adopted, the meeting separated.

MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL
INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY.)

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.
The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 10,000 bales—of which 1,000 Ameri-
can were taken for export and on speculation.
The market was animated, and prices of American
were a point against the buyer. The sales com-
prised 6,500 American, 700 Pernam and Maranham,
at 6d. to Id. ; 250 Bahia, at 6d. to 6d. ; 1,500
Egyptian, at 6id. to 10d. ; 800 Surat, at 3/d. to
4id. ; and 40 Sea Island, at is. 9d. to 2s. 2d. per
lb. Railway Shares were steady.
The six weeks' average price of wheat is 445. 7d.
per quarter.

- Ai the Indigo sales yesterday there was no im-
provement in prices, or in the amount of business
done.

The Overland Mail is telegraphed, but some dis-
appointment is felt that there is no mention of
later news from Australia. On previous occasions,
however, it has happened that the first telegraphic
dispatch has omitted the mention of Australian
news.

There has been the annual meeting of the
National Provincial Bank of England to-day, at
which the encouraging report, of which the follow-
ing is a portion, was unanimously adopted :
"The circumstance, however, which exercised the
most powerful influence upon the prosperity of the last
six months of the year, was the undeniable evidence
which poured in, from time to time, of the great extent
and richriess of the gold fields of Australia. The effects
of this vast gold discovery upon the enterprise and con-
dition of the worli, is only beginning to appear in the
great undertakings recently projected, and in the tide of
emigration now setting in from various points towards
our Australian colonies, but its more immediate effects
at home have been already sensibly felt in a continuous
and active demand for all our manufacturing products--
in the marked improvement which has taken place in
the important staple of iron—in the revival of the ship-
ping interest, and of the general trade of the country."
" The directors are happy also to report a change for
the better in the condition of the agricultural interest,
with the prosperity of which the welfare of the National
Provincial Bank is so closely identified.
" Such are the prominent features of a year, .which
may fairly be characterised as one of general prosperity,
the main cause of which, however—an influx of bullion
—has naturally operated against banking profits, but an
increased extent of business has gone far to compensate
for the low rate of interest which throughout the whole
of last year prevailed.

" The usual summary for the year ending 31st Decem-
ber last, is as follows :
" January 1, 1852—Amount of undivided
profits
£115,613 6 1
Dec. 31, 1852—Net profits of 1852, after
making allowance for bad and doubtful
debts and a proportion of preliminary
expenses
39,759 18 2

Total £155,373 4 3
Deduct dividend on company's
stock for 1852 £24,649 16 0
Bonus of 2 per cent. declared
and paid last year

32,866 8 0

Leaving undivided profits at 31st Decem-
--
ber, 1852 £122,506 16 3
" It will be observed, therefore, that after payment
of the dividend of 6 per cent., a surplus of the year's
net profits remains of 15,1101. 2s. 2d., out of which the
directors recommend that a bonus of 2 per cent. be de-
clared, and that the same be made payable with the
usual dividend in July next.
" The directors going out of office by rotation are Sir
J. Campbell, K.C.H., Thomas F. Wilson, and John
Kingston, Esqs., but being eligible for re-election offer
themselves accordingly.
" A strong desire having manifested itself among the
officers of the Company for the formation of a fund for
their mutual benefit, the directors recommend the pro-
prietors to pass a vote of 5,0001. for this purpose, as a
mark of appreciation of the past zealous and faithful
services of the executive of the establishment. In what
manner this sum can be most advantageously disposed
of for the common good of the general staff—whether
by a guarantee fund, a benevolent fund, or by the adop-
tion of a scheme embracing both objects, has not yet
been decided upon, but the directors intend to give their
early and best consideration to the subject, should the
meeting sanction the vote of 5,0001. now recommended,
and which it is intended to form the foundation of the
scheme that may finally be determined upon."
In their report upon the indigo market, Messrs.
H. W. Jewesbury and Co. states :
" The quarterly sales commenced yesterday, consist-
ing of 15,116 chests (including 7,359 chests of old goods,
bought in at, or withdrawn from, former sales, and
2,954 chests in second hands), comprising the following,
viz. :
Catalogue A... 8,477 Chests Bengal, Oude, &c.
1,586 „ Madras.
1,911 „ Kurpah.
9 „ Bimlipata,m.
7 „ Pontlecherry.
16 „ Madras fig,
20 „ Manilla.
136 „ WitbdrP.wn up to the 9th
instant.
12,162 ~
Catalogue B 2,954 „ Various, in secondhands.

Total... 15,116 Chests.

" The qualities of Bengal are about one-third good
and fine, and two-thirds middling and ordinary ; the
Madras one-fourth good and fine, and three-fourths mid-
dling and ordinary ; the Kurpah one-third good and
fine, and two-thirds middling and ordinary ; the Oude,
Bimlipatam, and Manilla, ordinary.
"The sale room presented a thin attendance, and, pre-
vious to commencing, 1,074 chests were announced as
withdrawn ; after which a parcel of good and fine qua-
lity, including 125 chests of the mark J and R W was
offered and mostly bought in, a few chests selling from
6s. Bd. to 7s. 4d. per lb., being last sale's rates to 3d.
per lb. advance. The flatness with which the sales
opened continued throughout the day, and the quantity
sold has been so insignificant, that prices cannot be said
to be established, but may be quoted at par for, for good
and fine indigo, and at 3d. to 4d. per lb. discount for the
lower qualities. Madras and Kurpah were mostly
bought in at 3d. to 4d. pre lb. under last, sales' rates.
" 1,540 chests have passed to-day, of which 283 were
withdrawn, 968 bought in, and 289 sold.
" The following are the highest and lowest prices :--
955 Bengal Os. 9d. to 75..4d. per lb.
138 Madras
159 Kurpah - 2s. 2s. 6d. „
283 Withdrawn

1,540 chests."
The following is from Jamaica, yid New York,
dated April 21 :
" The House of Assembly, as you must be aware from
my previous correspondence, passed a bill to reduce the
expenditure of the colony, which bill in its operations
would have lopped off from certain officials twenty per
cent. of their incomes. With one or two exceptions, the
second branch of our Legislature—our " miniature House
of Lords"—is composed of such officials, and they have,
through dsfferent sessions, seven times refused their as-
sent to the Reduction Bill. The House of Assembly, in
consequence of this, passed the Provincial Revenue Bill
—the Import Duty Bill—and tacked to it appropriation
clauses, in which it was ordered that salaries should be
paid at the reduced rate contemplated by the last Re-
trenchment Bill. This bill was sent to the Council, and
on the 15th inst. they rejected it unanimously, not having
the power of amending a bill of supply. In consequence
of this the Governor prorogued the Legislature, on the
19th inst., until Monday the 25th inst., to afford the house
an opportunity of retracing their steps, and enacting a bill
more agreeable to the Council. This, lam pretty confi-
dent, the house will not do, and that they will offer to
the Council the same " Retrenchment Bill," and if that
be rejected, the same Import Duty Bill. In the mean-
time, there is every chance of a great loss of revenue,
for the present Import Duty Bill will expire on the 30th
of this present month, and then goods will be received
here free of duty, unless a new bill is agreed to.
Rumours are rife as to the steps the Governor will take—
one is that he will issue his proclamation, declaring all
old laws in force, and suspending the constitution. This
is perfectly idle. The more likely course is another pro-
rogation, and after that, perhaps, a dissolution. But
this seems certain—notwithstanding all the rumours—
unless the two branches of the Legislature can agree to a
bill, great loss of revenue will be the consequence. The
Council, of course, will charge the Assembly, and the
Assembly will charge the Council, as being the authors
of this mischief. To dispassionate minds there can be no
doubt that the fault—nay, the crime—is fairly charge-
able to the Council, for it is the undoubted constitutional
right of the house to raise and appropriate the public
money without dictation from any quarter. This state
of things of course unsettles trade. Our bonded ware-
house contains large quantities of goods, and holders
are unwilling to release them, in the hope if the bill ex-
pire, and no new bill is enacted, they will be taken out
of bond duty free ; but this is a question of some doubt.
My next letter will advise you, perhaps, of some de-
cisive step on the part of the governor. If he dissolve
the house fully forty days mast elapse before a new
house can be formed.

" This is the most important topic—other matters
scarcely secure any attention. lam sorry to announce
the appearance of yellow fever among the shipping.
Europeans lately arrived seem to suffer most. A few
cases have proved fatal.

" Among the passengers from Jamaica is Dr. Lyon,
agent for the Pioneer line of vessels to Australia. The
object of his visit was to promote the interests of the
company. If ho has not been successful, then no man
will ever succeed on a similar mission. Dr. Lyon has
made friends of all to whom he has been introduced, and
his temporary absence from Jamaica will be so much
felt as if he had been an old resident there.
" Copper mining is now all the talk. No doubt there
are excellent specimens to be found ; but without your
enterprise nothing advantageous can be expected. Cer-
tain it is, nothing will be done by Jamaica enterprise."
Stocks are dull still. Consols have been 100-
for Transfer, and 100 for the next Account day,
the Ist of Juno. The " settlement" is progress-
ing satisfactorily. The New 31. per Cents. have
been marked 103 to and the 3 per Cents. 99& to
par. Bank Stock has been very firm at 2281.
Exchequer Bills are firmer, being up to par, and
4s. premium.
Foreign Securities are heavy, Peruvian Deferred

have declined to 65, and calculations made show
that the 41 per Cents. Stock is relatively much
cheaper, and therefore susceptible of a greater rise.
Equador Bonds have been marked 6k. Buenos
Ayres Stock is at an advance to 70. Mexican
Bonds are dull, at 27 to 27i. Spanish Bonds have
not been dealt in. Portuguese Bonds are steady,
at 40&. Belgian 4 per Cents. are worth 98 ; and
Dutch 2i per Cents., 65i to 66.

The last week's railway receipts, ascertained up
to this day, are in round figures as under :

1853. 1852.
Great Western £19,465 £17,886
North Western 51,843 48,661
South Western 12,110 11,754
Brighton 11,280 9,776
Midland 22,946 21,237
South Eastern 13,575 13,134
Caledonian
Great Northern
Lancashire and Yorkshire 18,456 16,352

In Railway shares there is not much doing, but
sellers rather preponderate. French shares also
are the turn lower.

The market for Joint Stock Bank shares is quiet,
The Land Companies' shares are not so good.
Gold Mines are unusually quiet.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
( From the Opicial List.)

- Business done.
Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 99i 100
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 31 per Cent. Annuities
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860
India Bonds, £lOOO '29 5 Ditto, under72looo 29 .
South Sea Old Annuities lOO
Consols for Account Ist June
Exchequer Bills 1,1,d. June. March.
£lOOO.. 3 4 p par 3 p par 4 p
£5OO 34 p I 14 p
Small 3 4 1 4 p 1 4 p
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto Small
Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent
.Equador Bonds
Grenada Bonds, Deferred
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account
Peruvian Deferred 3 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account
Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent.
Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto 4A per Cent lo4a
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. .........
Spanish 3 per Cent., New Deferred 24
Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun 6 p
Swedish Loan
...........
........ 1. dis
Dlvideb.ds onthe above payable in London.
Belgian 4i per Cent.
Dutch Exchange, 2i per Cent. 12 Guil.

. 100/
. 70
.. 6
.. 11
. 7
21
2.7)

Consols
Ditto June Account

THREE O'CLOCK.
100,2 a
loot

THE CAMP AT CHORTIAM.

'The preparations for encamping a division of the
army on the heathy commons of Berkshire and Smrrey
begin to approach completion.
It is intended that Lieutenant-General Lord Seaton,
an experienced and accomplished officer, will command
in chief.

The troops will consist of four regiments of cavalry,
24 pieces of artillery, and three brigades of infantry,
each under the command of a Major-General.
The Ist Infantry Brigade will be formed of three bat-
talions of Guards, the 2d and 3d each of three battalions
of the line. The whole force will amount to about 8,000
men, with 2,000 horses, and after the troops composing
the first division have had three or four weeks' practice
in field evolutions they will be replaced by a similar
force for the same period.
The Sappers aad Miners from Chatham will form
part of the force encamped, fieldworks and entrench-
ments will be thrown up, and bridges of pontoons, in
which the merit of recent inventions may be tested, will
be thrown over some narrow portions of Virginia
Water-.—a lake which, as is not perhaps generally
known, owes its existence to the labours of the army
which fought under the Duke of Cumberland at Cul-
loden.