The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-19 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, Oct. 16.—The Corre.spondenz Bureau
informed us a day or two back that the autograph
letter of the Emperor of Austria, which Graf
Esterhazy lately presented to the King, without
any very special reference to the note of the Aus-
trian Cabinet which had preceded it by a few
days, appealed more particularly to the German
feelings of his Majesty, and expressed the hope
that his excellent heart would find the best ways
and means for bringing about a joint course of
action, so necessary in the present crisis. It
is highly probable that this statement is cor-
rect ; it tallies very closely with the concluding
phrases of the Austrian note itself. As far as we
have been enabled to learn of the progress of the
discussions on that missive since its arrival, the first
feelings of irritation at its language soon gave
way to a consciousness of the necessity of not
breaking with Austria. From what I have
heard to-day, I gather that the Prussian answer
to the Austrian note of the 30th of September
(which the Kreuz Zeitung informs us was sent off
last night), far from taking umbrage at the brusque
language of Austria, exhibits a very conciliatory
spirit. Hitherto Prussia had stood firm on the
letter of the treaty of April 20, which mutually gua-
ranteed only the Federal and non-Federal territories
of the two States if attacked by Russia, the contingen-
cies- of which treaty were pronounced to be already
voided. Austria's endeavours of late have been
directed to getting this mutual guarantee extended
to the contingency of her being attacked in the
Principalities : Prussia now, in this new note, 1
as I hear, promises this, which she had hitherto 1
refused, not as in virtue of the treaty of
April 20, which she declares to be voided as to
the letter, but in conformity to the general spirit
which originally dictated that treaty. This pro-
mise is not made unconditionally, nor is it to
come immediately into force. Prussia requires
of Austria that she should define beforehand the
contingencies under which the fulfilment of this
general promise, or assurance of good will, shall
become binding. It is only when these contin-
gencies have been defined and mutually agreed to
that the promise can be considered as valid.
Prussia has accepted under protest the bill drawn
upon her by Austria in the note of 30th ult., which
bill however is not to become negotiable until the
protest is withdrawn, and the term when it shall
become due agreed. If the above apercu of the
Prussian note be correct, as I have every reason to
believe, it will fulfil very exactly my prognostic of
a few days back, conciliatory tone and apparent
concession, with actual retention of the old policy.

TH.

'IC.

SOUTHAMPTON, 00T. 18.

By the Royal mail steam-ship La Plata we have
received our usual files of journals, with intelligence
from the Pacific. The Pacific Company's steam-
ship Bogota reached Panama on the 19th ult., with
385,776 cols. in treasure on freight, and dates from
Valparaiso to the Ist of September, and Lima to
the Bth.

The political news from Chili is not important.
A great alteration in the duty on silks had been
made, and these articles are now to pay 15 instead.
of 25 per cent. A proposition had been presented
to the Government for the formation of a bank of
deposit and discount, with a capital of 1,500,000
dols. Au application had been made to Congress
for a charter to construct a new railroad between
Copiapo and Caldera. The Lota Coal Mining Com-
pany had entered into a contract with the Pacific
Steam Navigation Company to supply their steamers
with fuel. The following is a summary of com-
mercial affairs :

" Business in Valparaiso is reported more dull than
usual at this season.

" Flour is quoted at 7 dol. 75e. to 8 dol.
"li coal is in demand, and a vessel of 1,200 tons
was loading at Coronel for Panama.
Freights and charters have been unusually active
during the past fortnight, and at the present moment
there is a great scarcity and want of tonnage for heavy
cargoes for Europe. and the United States. We subjoin
a list of what has been done :

" British ship Eleanor Dickson, nitrate, to Liverpool,
4/. 165.; British barque Enterprise, guano, in the bay,
and ores from a Bolivian port to Liverpool, 51. 7s. 6d. ;
British barque Stately, guano, in the bay, to London,
51. ; British ship Fortuna, guano, Chinchas, to Liver-
pool, 4/. 155., and horses from Caldero to Callao, $l2
each; British barque Lord W. Bentinck, horses as above
at same rate ; Hamburg barque Oberon, flour, to Port
Phikp, Si. 10s.; British barque Springbock, guano, cop-
per, &c., in the bay, to Liverpool, Si. and 5 per cent."
The only paragraph worth extracting in reference to
the revolution in Peru is the following from the Lima
News:—

" We have nothing particularly new or interesting to
communicate in relation to our pet revolution in Peru.
The Government forces seem to be awaiting an attack,
satisfied that the enemy is too strong in his present posi-
tion to be easily dislodged. Castilla, perfectly secure,
and sanguine of success, is watching his opportunity to
pounce upon his foe. Bulletins and despatches are re-
ceived here every few days from the Government camp
in printed form, the President having a portable print-
ing-office attached to the army. A very good idea."
The subjoined is a return of the passengers and
specie conveyed across the Isthmus of Panama
during the first six months of the years 1853 and
1854 :

Jan. 1 to Sailed for Arrived from
June 30. California. 'California.
1853 ... 6,453 ... 5,315
1854 ... 9,809 ... 10,419

Total.
11,768
20,220

8,452

Increase of pas t 3,356 -
••• 5,104
seizers in 1854
Specie imported for transit across the Isthmus of Panama
during the first six months of the years 1853 and 1854.
1853. 1854.

Chili and Peru ...
Mexico, &c.

.. $2,873,746 $3,368,280
1,700,000 1,078,677

Australia

38,293

California ... 28,480,000 ... 13,238,839

$33,053,755

$17,724,089

NE W STAMP ACT—NEGLECT OF THE
G uVERIsMEN T.

Instances of neglect on the part of the Govern-
ment in making provision for the working of the
new Stamp Act formed a subject of complaint in
the city yesterday. Foreign bills have been re-
mitted to bankers from their country correspon-
dents without the stamp that is necessary to make
their delivery legal, this offence against the act,
which involves a heavy penalty, being a conse-
quence of the inattention of the authorities to their
proper business, and not of any error elsewhere.
It appears that in some of the most important dis-
tricts the stamp distributors have not been provided
with any stamps, and consequently, that the firms
requiring them for their daily transactions have
had the trouble of applying for them in vain, and
have been absolutely unable to comply with the law.
The cases mentioned yesterday occurred at Bury
St. Edmund's and Chelmsford, the principal inland
towns of Suffolk and Essex.
The following communication has been received,
also relating to the new Stamp Act :
" 6, Copthall-coart, Oct. 18.
" Sir,—We enclose the annexed correspondence to
serve for general information. You will observe that
the third question has been misunderstood, but is satis•
factorily disposed of by the previous answers.
" We are, Sir, your obedient servants,
" R. RAPHAEL and SONS."

"' 6, Coptball-court, Throgmorton-street, Oct. 12,

" Sir,—We request your interpretation of the effect
of the new Stamp Act in the following cases which have
actually occurred, and are pressing for decision :
" 1. Amsterdam remits to London second and third
of bill on Madrid (6001.), drawn from Iserlohn in Prussia
—the drawer having sent the first for acceptance to be
claimed by endorsed second or third.
" ' The Spanish post being considered unsafe, the
buyer in London requires both second and third.
" Will the rate of the Inland stamp suffice for the
second, delivering and making the third (second stamped
7s. 6d.) ?
•' 2. Amsterdam sends to London in same remittance
a similar bill of 3001., first and second. Will a copy of
the first, stamping each ls., fulfil the intention of the
law as to the third, or may it be treated as in the first
case ?

" 3. In the first or second cases, having only two
bills of a set, can the inland rate of stamp be divided in
halves to be applied to each--say on 350 two at 2e., in-
stead of three at ls. 4d ? (There are no exact equiva-
lents in some cases.) The most practicable method, if
it is consistent with the law, will be the full stamp to
one of the set, and the annotation on the other as prac-
tised abroad. " R. RAPHAEL and SoNs.
" ' Thomas Keogh, Esq.' "

" Inland Revenue, Somerset-house,
London, Oct. 16.

`" Gentlemen,—l have laid before the Board your
letter of the 12th inst., requesting information on three
questions therein submitted.
" In reply to the let, lam directed to acquaint you
that the proper stamp is 2s. 6d. on each of the two bills.
" To the 2d, that the proper stamp is is. on each of
the two bills.
" To the 3d, that, if a bill be drawn in a set of two,
each part is liable to the same duty as on an inland bill
of that amount. " THOMAS KEOGH.'
" Messrs. R. Raphael and Sons.' "

Oct.LEIrSIC, l4.—Miss Stabbach, the English so-
prano, is here, being engaged for the series of concerts
given by the Gewandhanse Society, under the direction
of Herr Rietz, the successor of the lamented Mendleso hn ;
the orchestra, led by Herr David, is one of the finest
in Europe. Mies Stabbach came off on her debut with
flying colours, her fresh and beautiful voice telling with
great effect in " Hear ye Israel," from the Elijah, also
in Haydn's canzonet " My Mother bids me bind my
hair," a song of Sterndale Bennett's, and in Willington
Guernsey's favourite ballad " The Arab Mother ;" she
was loudly called for and had to repeat the latter. She
met with a most enthusiastic reception, proving, in thi
critical city, that our fair countrywoman was not un
worthy of an audience and of connoisseurs of the mu-
sical art the first in Europe—to satisfy such demand
rare qualities in the singer. The talents of Miss Stab-
bach, frum her success at Leipsic, has been sought for
in many other cities of Germany.
ACCIDENT ON THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.—An
accident occurred on this line early on Monday morning,
which shows the danger of railway trains running in
too quick succession, especially in foggy weather. Three
trains of empty mineral trucks were proceeding, within
short intervals of each other, on the main line of the
Great Northern, between Tuxford and Newark, on their
way from the metropolis to the South Yorkshire coal-
pits, the weather being very thick at the time, when the
driver of the second train, going cautiously to avoid
coming in contact with the train in front, was overtaken
by the engine in his rear, and a collision was the result.
The guard's van was broken, and the guard sustained
some injury in the back ; three of the trucks were
crushed up, and both lines were obstructed for about
three hours.

ACCIDENT ON THE EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY.—
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the
eomnmi Tlaciusnefslrdionamay
and the Stour Valley branch. The engine-driver of a
goods train from Sudbury, it appears, was new upon the
branch, and either mistook the part of the line or the
nature of the approach to the junotion. Instead of
halting as usual for the point-turner to admit the train
upon the main line, he omitted to slacken speed, and the
train dashed into the siding, which was fortunately
empty, but the collision with the bulk or dock at the
extremity was so violent that both engine and tender
were thrown over, and with them three or four of the
nearest trucks. By almost a miracle the driver and
stoker escaped unhurt ; but the guard, a young man,
had one arm completely severed about midway between
the wrist and elbow.
NEWHAVEN PARISH CHURCIL—The works now in pro-
gress towards the restoration of the parish church of
Newhaven are rapidly approaching completion. A new
wing has been added, the whole has been completely
gutted and entirely re-pewed, or, more properly speak-
ing, open seats have been substituted.
How TO PREVENT FIRES IN THEATRES.—A soluble
glass has been applied to the woodwork and scenery in
the Munich theatre, for the purpose of preserving, and
as far as possible of rendering them incombustible. This
glass is, in fact, a solution of free silica in caustic alkali ;
ami if the wood is properly seasoned there can be no
doubt of the value of the application.—Musical Tran-
script.
Galloway Rifle Militia, has established its head-
., • 1_ a,n.l
volunteers for five years at a bounty of 61. Numbers
have already joined. The barracks will be formed at
Newton Stewart.