The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-04 00:00:00

ROYAL iIORTIGULTURAL SOCIETY.

At a meeting of the council, specially summoned
on Thursday last, the following autograph letter
from his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was
received:—

" OSBORNE, DEC. 28, 1861.
" Gentlemen,—Prostrated with overwhelming
grief, and able, at present, to turn her thoughts but
to one object, the Queen my mother has constantly
in her mind the anxious desire of doing honour to
the memory of him whose good and glorious cha-
racter the whole nation in its sorrow so justly ap-
preciates.

" Actuated by this constantly recurring wish, the
Queen has commanded me to recall to your recol-
lection that her Majesty had been pleased to assent
to a proposal to place a statue of herself upon the
memorial of the Great Exhibition of 1851, which it
was intended to erect in the New Horticultural
Gardens.

" The characteristic modesty and self-denial of
my deeply-lamented father had induced him to in-
terpose to prevent his own statue from filling that
position, which properly belonged to it, upon a me-
morial to that great undertaking which sprung
from the thought of his enlightened mind, and was
carried through to a termination of unexampled
success by his unceasing superintendence.
" It would however now, her Majesty directs me
to say, be most hurtful to her feelings were any other
statue to surmount this memorial but that of the
great, good prince, my dearly beloved father, to
whose honour it is in reality raised.
" The Queen, therefore, would anxiously desire
that, instead of her statue, that of her beloved hus-
band should stand upon this memorial.

" Anxious, however humbly, to testify my re-
spectful and heartfelt affection for the best of
fathers, and the gratitude and devotion of my sor-
rowing heart, I have sought, and have with thank-
fulness obtained, the permission of the Queen my
mother to offer the feeble tribute of the admiration
and love of a bereaved son, by presenting the statue
thus proposed to be placed in the gardens under
your management.—l remain, gentlemen, yours,

" ALBERT EDWARD.
" To the Council of fre Horticultural Society."
The letter having been read, the council resolved
—" That under the lamentable and afflicting cir-
cumstances in which the council are placed by the
irreparable loss which they, in common with the
nation, have sustained by the decease of their late
president, the gracious offer of his Royal Highness
the Prince of Wales should be accepted ; but at the
same time that he should be assured that they con-
template the loss of her Majesty's statue with very
great regret."

THE NEW YE IN ITALY.

TURIN, JAN. 1.
Old '6l has abdicated, and his hopeful successor
has ascended the throne. The sun went down last
evening in a gorgeous blaze of ruddy light ; it rises
this morning in a white garment, cold, but bright,
and gay as a bridal attire. All is new here--the
month, the year, the morn—all but that same dry,
lustrous, dusty, fine weather; the same without
sameness; every variety of sky—blue, pearly, and
golden ; charming without cloying; soothing
without lulling ; cheering, yet nerving and stirring.
Since last night we have all been numbered,
labelled, and ticketed. The Minister of Agricul-
ture and Commerce (Cordova) had the census of
the population taken simultaneously throughout
the Kingdom of Italy. His fiat went forth that
last night, at the witching hour of midnight
and precisely on the stroke of 12, every subject
of King Victor Emmanuel should draw up a
muster-roll of himself, his wife, his sons and daugh-
ters, his manservant, his maidservant, and the
stranger within his gates. Parliament had voted
for the operation the sum of 600,000 f., and it would
he lucky if the Chambers were not applied to for
additional funds, making up an amount of
3,000,000 f. altogether. The census is not unlikely
to turn out a partial failure, nevertheless; for some
districts in the country, especially in the South,
are still too unsettled, too many of the Neapolitan
households, and even villages, are too illite-
rate, and the prejudices of ignorance and the mali-
cious suggestions of the clergy, who represent this
enumeration as the forerunner of poll-taxes,
conscriptions, and other vexatious measures, have
been too busily at work, to allow the clerks
of the Government to acquit themselves of their
task with success: The Minister, also, thought
too late of his scheme ; the whole matter has been
somewhat hurried and bungled; and as the ques-
tions propounded are rather vague and complicate,
and heads of houses are to describe, not the inmates
who slept under their roofs, but those who happened
to be gathered there at a given moment, at an hour
in which social visiting is not quite at an end, the
filling up of the forms is likely to give rise to great
confusion. At any rate, it has been the cause of an
immense deal of excellent fun ; it has thrown a vast
amount of ridicule upon a process which is it-
self no laughing matter, and the serious import of
which the old King of Israel found out to his cost.
Fancy a party of merrymakers assembled to per-
form the burial ceremony over the departing year,
sitting round a bowl of punch, which is laid on the
table precisely as the chimes from every church-
steeple ring out Silvester's-eve and ring in Circum-
cision-day ; fancy the master of the revels stepping
in with pen and ink and the tell-tale paper, going
round for names and surnames, sex, age, religious
persuasion, and ever so many particulars besides,
when most of his guests have a house of their
own, and a similar document at the very time
filling up by the hand of wife, governor, or
landlord, unaware, as the latter are in many in-
stances, whether son, husband, or lodger be or be
not at the time at home and in bed, and sure at
any rate that home and to bed the most truant scape-
grace will return before the morning. I was my-
self with a party of friends last evening, and we had
a member of the Cabinet, and half a dozen legisla-
tors, and two or three worthy Councillors of the Mu-
nicipal Board among us, all men who had something
to do with the framing of the bill, or with its
execution ; yet there were not two of the persons
present, host or hostess, Minister or Minister's
wife, deputy or alderman, who agreed as to the
proper interpretation that should be put on the
decree. Names were taken down and expunged ;
some volunteered, some withheld, in fun or on
principle, the needful information. There was a
vast amount of argument, a long and loud contro-
versy and longer and louder laughter, till every one
tank up his head gear and wrapper, and we left our
kind entertainer to solve the doubt as he deemed it
fit, and went each one to our own dwelling, where
we found the same disputes, the same puzzle and
perplexity, distracting our respective domestic
circles.

" General Garibaidi, in a letter published in the
Italian journals," says the Pays, " having made use of
(irritating expressions against the Muratists, Prince Murat
has addressed to those papers a protest, declaring that if ho
has partisans he does not deserve any reproach, for they
will follow the line of conduct which he has traced out for
himself—never to be an element of discord, and to always
respect the wishes of the people."
A QITATIOS—UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.—An eight-
oared match has been agreed upon between the Universities
of Oxford and Cambridge, which will probably take place
at the end of the second week in April, at Putney, over the
course upon which so many gallant races have been wit-
nessed. The Oxford gentlemen being triumphant last sea-
son, Cambridge are the challengers on the present occasion.
THE NEW STREET FROM WHITECHAPEL TO
SROREDITCII.—BuiIding operations have been begun on
the above new line of street by the contractors who, a
short time ago, purchased the various plots of ground
from the Improvement Commissioners, by whom they were
put up to auction a few days ago, at the Auction Mart. As
there aro several owners of the ground, the erection of the
buildings, there is no doubt, will be carried on with great
activity. The houses will be of a uniform character, and
of first-class dimensions, with shops attached to them.
THE PRICE OF BREAD AT PARIS.—The price of
bread for the first fortnight of January (says Galignani) is
fixed at 45c. the 21b, loaf, best quality, being a decline of
lc.; and 38c. for the second, unvaricd. The bakers of
Paris, at a meeting held on the 29th ult., decided on giving
to the administration, for the benefit of the poor of the
capital, 265,000 kilogrammes of bread, first quality, instead
of the New-year's gifts they have been in the habit of pre.
seating to their customers, - - • „

MONEY .MARKET AND CITY NEWS.]

CITY, Two O'CLOCK.
There has been a brisk demand for money to-day,
at full rates.

About £lO,OOO in gold was taken into the Bank
yesterday.

The Foreign Exchanges yesterday afternoon ex-
hibited no change of importance.
Since Monday last the imports of specie have
been about £762, )00 and exports £203,000.
Increased excitement prevailed in the Liverpool
Cotton Market yesterday, in consequence of the
pacific character of the advices from New York,
andiprices further advanced id to .1 d per lb. The
sales were about 30,000 bales.

The subjoined communication refers to the debt
of New Grenada --

"Committee of Spanish American Bondholders, Jan. 3.

"The Committee of Spanish American Bondholders have
this morning received a letter from Santa Marta, dated Nov.
27, of which the following is an extract :

•, 4 By a decree of the 16th ult., which you will find
published in the enclosed official Gazette, cash duties are
henceforward established throughout the Republic, and a
great change is shortly to be made in the rates of duties.
" A large increase in Customs revenue is counted on,
and it is generally estimated that under the new tariff the
duties at this port alone will exceed a million per annum.
"`By this mail 5,025 dols. 49 cents. are remitted from
this Custom-house to Messrs. Baring, Brothers, and Co.,
the proportion corresponding to the bondholders on collec-
tions during the month. As there have been considerable
importations during the month, and some important ship-
ments overdue, the next mail will probably be a much more
satisfactory one in this respect.'
"Enclosed is a copy of a further order received by the
Collector of Customs relating to the due remittance of the
26 per cent. of duties to Messrs. Baring, Brothers, and
Co..—

(Copy of Translation.)

" ' United States of oolumbia, Executive Power of the

Union.

" To the Commissioner of the Custom holm of Santa

Marta.

" ' I have to reiterate the orders that have been even to
you, not only for you to keep, as in deposit, in cash, the 25
per cent, of the import duty on the foreign debt, but also in
respect of the remittance that has to be made. monthly, of
such proceeds, to Messrs. Baring Brothers, bankers of the
Republic in London.

" You will render account of each remittance to this
secretary's office, as is provided.
Signed)
" Bogota, 25th Oct., 1861.' "

" 4 JULIAN TRUJILLO.

The market for Public Securities opened buoy-
antly this morning, and a further rise of per cent.
way speedily established, but less firmness has since
prevailed, as several speculators being satisfied with
the available profits have closed their engagements
for the rise. There is still, however, a disposition
to operate for an advance. Consols have been 921 -a,
but they are now 921 -1. The New Threes have
risen to 91i 92 ; the Reduced, to 921 ; Exchequer
Bills (March), to lls. and 14s. prem. ; ditto, June,
to 12s. and 15s. prem. ; Bank Stock, to 237; and
India 5 per Cent, is firm, at 105-3 1061.
Foreign Securities have been actively dealt in,
and prices in some instances show a further im-
provement. Turkish 6 per Cents. are 79 to 80;
ditto, 1858, 70*; Mexican have advanced to 284
New Granada to 201.; Brazilian 5 per Cents. to
991 ; ditto 41 per Cents. to 891; Russian 5 per
Cents. to 991 ; Spanish to 501 4 ; D etch to 1001. ;
and Italian to 638
In the Railway Share Market there has been a
moderate amount of business transacted, and prices
generally have exhibited increased firmness. Great
Western, North-Western, Manchester, Sheffield,
and Lincoln, Midland, and North Eastern (Ber-
wick) improved 55., and Caledonian and Eastern
Counties 15s.

The Foreign and Coldnial lines also show a fur-
ther slight improvement. Great Luxemburg have
advanced to 91 4 ; Northern of France, to 39 ; and
Sambre and Meuse, to 74 4 ; Grand Trunk of
Canada have improved to 204 ; East Indian, to
1004 101 ; and Great Indian Peninsula, to 994.

Joint Stock Bank and Miscellaneous Shares
continue at almost previous prices. Union of Aus-
tralia, realise 38k 39 ; Union of London,2Bl; Royal
Mail Steam, 47i; and South Australian Land, 34.

BRITISH FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 924
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 3 per Cent. Annuities 924 2 li
India Stock
Ditto 5 per Cent.
Ditto Enfaced Paper, 4 per Cent —
Ditto 5 per Cent. 99
Ditto 51 per Cent a . lO5 41
Ditto Debentures, 4 per Cent., Oct., 1863
Ditto ditto April, 1864 991
bitto Bonds £l,000
Consols for Account, Jan. 9 924 1 /
India Stock for Account, 5 per Cent
March. I June.
14 I 12 15 pm

Exchequer Bills, £l,OOO 2d
Ditto £5OO
Ditto Small ll I 12 pm
FOREIGN FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
Brazilian 5 per Cent
Ditto Account
Ditto 4/ per Cent, 1860
:Mexican, 3 per Cent
Ditto Account ..28/ / /
N,sw Grenada, 2 per Cent .

Peruvian 4f per Cent
Ditto Account
Ditto (Uribarren), 41 per Cent.
Portuguese 3 per Cent., 1853.
Russian 5 per Cent. 1822, £ St —
Ditto Account
Spanish 3 per Cent
Ditto New Deferred
Ditto Account
Turkish 6 per Cent. —
Ditto Account
Ditto New Loan —
Ditto Account
Ditto £lOO Bonds
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Dutch 21 per Cent., Exchange 12 Guil.
Ditto Certificate, 4 per Cent...
Ditto Account
Italian, 5 per Cent., 1861
Peruvian Dollar Bonds, 41. per Ct. Ex. 4s B7l.
TWO O'CID(3{N .
92i $
921 t

Consols, Money ~
Ditto Account

POLICE 2NTELLIGENCE.—( This Day.)

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

ROBBERIES BY BOYS.—Robert Williamson, 16, was
'charged with Ftealing 10s. from his master, Mr. Wm. D.
'Challenger, pianoforte maker, of 10, Upper Charlton-street.
Mr. Challenger said he gave the boy the money to pro-
cure him some articles used in the business on Tuesday
last, but he did not return till yesterday, and then said he
had spent the money. As the boy had hitherto borne a
rood character he did not wish to press the charge.
Mr. Yardley said the boy did not seem a hardened offen-
der, and he hoped it was his first offence. The prisoner
ought to be very thankful to his kind master, and he should
'discharge him, as his master wished it.
Frederick Nottingham, a boy who has been before in
tstody, was charged with stealing some sacks of charcoal
from the shop of John \Vimberley, coal dealer, 31, Wind-
ml 11-street, Tettenham-court-road. _

kleath, 30 E, proved seeing the boy making ( ff with a
sack of charcoal and pursued him, when he flung the sack
away ana ran off, but was caught.
Prosecutor said he missed three sacks.
Barnes, the gaoler, said he had the boy in custody before
for stealing apples.
Mr. Yardley, the boy wishing the case settled, committed
him for a month with hard labour.