The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-14 00:00:00

T,HE SUN, LONDON, MONDAYvEVENING, MARCH 14, 1853.

CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER may ponder the argu-
ments addressed to h'm by the deputation which
waited on him on Saturday last. He has a
considerable surplus at his disposal, and in
no mode could he more beneficially apply
160,000/. It would give an earnest of
his disposition that might gain much credit
for the Government. Mr. EWART, who accom-
panied the Deputation, and presented the Memo-
rial, has, for his conduct on that as well as on
many other occasions, eminently entitled himself
to the thanks and gratitude of the Fourth Estate,
and of the community in general. It is, indeed,
a matter in which public journalists are not alone
concerned, their interests and those of the people
being in that, as in every other respect, one and
indivisible.

We would, before closing, earnestly invite at-
tention to Mr. FRANCIS' admirable letter on the
subject, which will be found in another part of
this day's impression.

In a truthful and able article, last Thursday, the
Times fully and fearlessly exposes the actual
extent of bribery at elections. It states—what we
quite agree with—that probably 600 of the 650
Members must know by their bankers' books, if
by nothing worse, that they paid more than the
legal expenses at the last election ; and hence
infers that the House of Commons cannot wish,
by adding hypocrisy to bribery, to appear very
anxious about purity of elections. We are glad
to see our powerful contemporary doing such
excellent service, by calling public attention to
the lessons on electoral corruption taught by the
Election Committees. We differ, however, in
some of the inferences we should deduce from
such a case as that presented by the Derby Com-
mittee. We may fairly assume, from common
report, that there are many such cases ; yet, how
few of them are fairly brought before the public
—how few so laid hold of that a House of Com-
mons' Committee, several of whose members per-
haps experimentally understand the whole process,
are compelled to work out the mystery of corrup-
tion in its revolting details. It is not every day
that a FLEWKER will " disclose," and that a
policeman, instructed by a solicitor, can pass the
sentinel, with his finger on his nose, " all right,
coming from Radford," and capture the good and
safe man, the note-book, the bag of sovereigns, the W.
B. letter, and all. Two things at least are commonly
in the way of disclosure. It generally pertains to
the worsted party to make it. lf, however, he has
been ever so watchful over the purity of his own
election, as things are now managed, what with
cabs, committee-rooms, fares of absent voters,
printers' bills, and one thing and another, he has
generally paid a pretty round sum proportioned to
the size of the constituency, and a petition, he
knows, cannot cost him less than 1,0001., and
may as likely mulct him in 5,0001. as not. The
pecuniary discouragement, therefore, is consider-
able ; add to which, a petition rarely compara-
tively secures, as in the Derby case, the seat for
the petitioner. But the grand obstacle to dis-
closure is the circumstance that both sides are
equally guilty. In very many towns there are a
set of well-known voters whom nothing will in-
duce to poll on either side but sums varying from
30s. to 101. We know a borough where they are
accustomed to poll for 21. a-head. That they re-
gard as their right. It is so much their right
that they look upon it equally as a point
of honour not to vote without receiv-
ing it, and to vote for their own party
if they do receive it, although the other
party should offer them more. Honour amongst
corrupt electors ! In other cases we have known,
that with the utmost determination on the part of
Member, and even of his committee as a whole, to
keep from bribery, yet some old practitioner, un-
known to the others, has actually bribed suffi-
ciently to unseat the Member if petitioned against;
and when it is a case of one Liberal and one Con-
servative, it is, of course, useless to petition when
the other could petition with success also, al-
though the bribery may have been practically all
on one side. Between the expense, therefore, and
the equal guilt on both sides, the petitions pre-
sented are but few compared with the extent of
the offence. This, indeed, is admitted in the state-
ment, that all the House of Commons but the odd
half hundred Members are more or less returned
by bribery. If we add to the considerations just
mentioned, the adroitness and cunning of bribes,
rendering legal evidence of bribery almost impos-
sible, we cannot think that " there is no
real necessity for very strong measures, much
less for so great an experiment as the Bal.

lot would undoubtedly be." If, indeed, an in-
expensive and impartial court to try the cases in
question could be constituted in each borough,
and if electors could be required to criminate them-
selves, with the penalty of disfranchisement, and a
fine impending over their heads, and if all par-
ties concerned, from the candidate or member
downwards, could be compelled in like manner to
criminate themselves, and if there could be a kind
of public prosecutor to take charge of the investi-
gation, into the case of not only of every peti-
tioning, but of every suspected borough, —if
all these hypotheses could be turned into facts, no
doubt something might be done. But these we
should designate very strong measures ; and cer-
tainly those who would plead for self-crimination
must no longer exclaim against the Ballot as un-
English.

We take some encouragement in our advocacy
of the Ballot, from seeing it held out as a threat
by Sir GEORGE GREY to the intimidating landlords
this summer, and now by the Times
.to the House of
Commons, as the sure consequence of persisting in
corruption. We are to " have it, and Hea-
ven knows what 'beside, if they will not
do something. If we do not set our house
in order, we shall lose it, and with it,
most probably, no small part of what is
valuable in the British Constitution." We are
not quite clear as to the precise application of the
last clause, whether a House elected by Ballot is
a lost House, and whether the valuables of our
Constitution would be lost with it. If so, we
think the opposite view is almost demonstrable.
As we remarked lately, English constituencies
(except the smallest family boroughs) are generally
composed of a large majority of respectable voters,
pretty equally divided as Liberals and Conserva-

tives. The corrupt portion, " accessible by these
means," even in Hull, for instance, was not more
than 1,000 out of more than 5,000. No one
pretends that the opposed candidates differ in re-
spectability, and hence, were the corrupt
voters no longer purchaseable, the only effect
would be, that in many cases a Member of diffe-
rent politics would be returned ; and, notwith-

- -
standing our Liberalism, we really should not think

our House of Commons and half our Constitution
lost, if the House lost some score or two of Liberal
Members by the Ballot, and gained about as many
Tories. We obtained the repeal of the Corn Laws,
and of Catholic disabilities too, from Conservative
Parliaments. If the people are Conservatives at
heart, let them, for all we care, fill the House
with Tories ; only let them not do it at the insti-
gation of " ladies in mourning," or of " safe
men." Let the Honourable Members be honour-
ably elected.

landlord's wish," is far more cruel, for it leaves a
pang in the voter's soul ; and the Ballot is the
only cure for theit.

COURT CI.RCULAR,

.+Mdla.•
The Queen and Prince Albert drove to Sydenham on
Saturday afternoon, attended by Colonel I3ouverie and
Captain the lion. Dudley de Ros, and inspected the
works in progress at the New Crystal Palace.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her
Majesty on Saturday at Buckingham Palace.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on horse-
back on Saturday morning, attended by the Hon. Capt.
de Ros.
The Queen had a dinner party on Saturday evening at
Buckingham Palace. The company included her Royal
Highness the Duchess of Kent, her Serene Highness the
Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, the Lord Chancellor
and Lady Cranworth, the Count and Countess Colloredo,
Lady Fanny Howard, the Baroness de Speth, Lord
James Murray, Lord and Lady Charles Wellesley, Lord
and Lady de Ros, Lord and Lady Colborne, Sir James
and Lady Graham, Sir John and Lady Pakington, and
Lieut.-Colonel F. Seymour.
The band of the Coldstream Guards was in attendance
in the Palace during dinner, and performed the follow-
ing selection
Overture—" Der Vampyr" Lindpaintner.
Selection—" The Sleeper Awakened" Macfarren.
March (composed for the funeral of the
Duke of Wellington) Sir H. R. Bishop.
Bridal Song and Chorus (" Mountain
Sylph")
Barnett.
Quadrille, or Airs from "Pietro Il
Grande"
.Jullien.
Her Majesty's private band afterwards attended in
the Palace, and played the following pieces :
Overture—" Neron" .
Selection—" L'Enfant Prodigue" Auber.
March
Beethoven.
Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert,
with the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the
Princess Alice, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent,
and her Serene Highness the Princess Adelaide of Hohen-
lobe, the Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting, and the
domestic household, attended divine service yesterday
morning in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace.
The Hon. and Rev. .Gerard Wellesley officiated.
A deputation of gentlemen from London, Hull, Man-
chester, &c., on the subject of reform in the Customs,
had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer
on Saturday. The deputation was headed by the fol-
lowing members of Parliament :—Messrs. Wm. Brown,
J. A. Smith, Geo. Hadfield, F. Scully, B. Oliveira,
Capt. Scobell, Vincent Scully, J. Green, J. Brotherton,
A. Pellatt, Sir R. Ferguson, P. Kirk, J. Cheatham, T.
Barnes, Sir Geo. Goodman, W. Williams, Dr. Michell,
W. H. Barrow, W. P. Price, J. Crook, C. A. Moody,
Geo. Sanders, Montagu Chambers, Sir Jas. Duke, John
Masterman, C. Hindley, H. W. Wickham, C. Turner,
E. J. liutchins, S. Gregson, H. G. Langton, T. Alcock,
Sir H. Maddock, Joseph Hume, P. Grenfell, Headlam,
H. Berkeley, Acton, J. L. Ricardo, Sir W. Verner, Arch.
Hastie' Bowyer, John M'Gregor, Alexander Hastie,
Swift, W. Marshall, Heywood, A. Wise, Humphrey
Brown, Divett, T. A. Mitchell, Grace, Lawrence Hey-
-worth, George Duncan, Rich. Pilkington, and F. Cross-
ley ; and Mr. Grantley Berkeley and Mr. Torrens
M'Cullagh. The deputation consisted of the Mayor of
Hull (with a deputation) ; Mr. J. C. Bazley, chairman of
the Chamber of Commerce of Manchester (with a depu-
tation) ; Messrs. John Dillon, J. P. Gassiott, J. Ingram
Travers, Robert Crawford, Matthew Clark, James Cook,
W. J. Hall, F. Pegler, J. D. Bowles, James Hutchin-
son, W. Pye, T. Took; F. Pattison, W. Hawes, W. L.
Ogilby, P. Dickson, F. W. H. Murillier, Charles Mar-
ryatt, J. E. Saunders, Bromley Moore (of Liverpool),
C. W. Gregory, A. Travers, A. Crowe, H. L. Morgan,
and George Henry.
A deputation on the subject of the Merchant Seamen's
Fund, consisting of Mr. G. Lindsay, Mr Barclay, Mr.
G. Faith, Mr. W. Faith, Mr. C. M. Lughrue, Mr.
Lawford (solicitor), and Mr. Watson (secretary), had an
interview with the Right Hon. E. Cardwell and Lord
Stanley of Alderley, on Saturday, at the Board of
Trade.

Mr. Wodehouse, M.P., had an interview with the
Duke of Newcastle, on Saturday, at the Board of Trade.
A deputation on the subject of the advertisement duty
had an interview on Saturday with the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, at his official residence in Downing-street.
The deputation consisted of the Lord Mayor, Mr. W.
Ewart, M.P., Mr. Murdo Young, Mr. F. Smith, Mr.
John Francis, Mr. Robert Besley, Mr. Daniel Pratt,
Mr. Thornton Hunt, and Mr. R. W. Cooke.
The Committee of the Queen's Most Hon. Privy
Council for the Affairs of Jersey and Guernsey, sat on
Saturday at the Council-office. The Lords present were
—Earl Granville (Lord President), Viscount Palmer-
ston, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall, the
Judge of the Admiralty Court, and Sir J. Patteson.
The case of the petition of the States of Jersey against
the Orders in Council of the 11th of February, 1852,
&c., was resumed and adjourned.

A deputation, headed -by Col. Wood, on the subject
of the militia had an interview with Viscount Palmer-
ston on Saturday.
A deputation on the subject of the French tariff on
linens, and linen yarns had an interview with the Right
Hon. E. Cardwell and Lord Stanley of Alderley, on
Saturday, at the Board of Trade. The deputation con-
sisted of Sir G. Goodman, M.P., Mr. G. Duncan, M.P.,
Mr. P. Fairbain, Mr. Wickham, M.P., Mr. Marshall,
M.P., Mr. Vincent Scully, M.P., Mr. Francis Scully,
M.P., Mr. William Kirk, M.P., Mr. J. C. Barritt, Mr.
Davison, M.P., Mr. Cairns, M.P., and Mr. Crook,
M.P.

But after all this tendency of editors and
statesmen (even Lord JOHN RUSSELL and Sir
JAMES GRAHA➢i have done the same), to threaten
constituencies, or the House itself, that the Ballot
_ .

Dispatches were received at the Colonial-office on
Saturday from the Governor of Van Diemen's Land.
A deputation on the subject of the Vaccination Ex-
tension Bill, including Dr. Babington, Mr. Marson, and
Mr. Grainger, had an interview on Saturday with Vis-
count Palmerston.

THE STEAMER AUSTRALIAN.—This steam-ship appears
unfortunately to be doomed to continual disasters, for
we learn from Plymouth this morning, by electric tele-
graph, that she has again put back to that port very
leaky, and with the passengers at the pumps.
MR. WEBSTER'S BENEFIT.—After a management of
16 years' duration at the Haymarket, Mr. Webster, it
appears, has now determined for the future to transfer
his great experience and ability to the Adelphi exclu-
sively. Accordingly he to-night makes his last appear-
ance, at least in a managerial capacity, on the Haymarket
stage, in the Roused Lyon and The Pretty Girls of Stil-
berg. It is needless to say that he retires with the good
wishes of all, and the dramatic corps he has led, and the
public which he has served so long. He is to deliver a
farewell address at parting, and after the fall of the cur-
tain, and the dispersion of the audience, he will be, as
we understand, presented by Mr. Buckstone, his able
successor, with a piece of plate, consisting of a silver
salver and a loving cup, subscribed for by the members
—present and past—of his company. The affair excites
no little interest in the dramatic world, and we are sure
that the general public will equally mark their sense of
Mr. Webster's long-continued services.
MR. FREDERICK WEBSTER'S BENEFIT.—The brother
of the retiring manager announces his benefit for to-
morrow. On these annually recurring occasions, Mr.
F. Webster, who has long filled a responsible situation
in the Haymarket Theatre, has always succeeded in
drawing together an overflowing audience ; the order
of Freemasons, of which Mr. F. Webster is a not undis-
tinguished luminary, coming forth—as we hope they will
on the present occasion—with great force.
VISIT OF HER MAJESTY AND PRINCE ALBERT TO
THE NEW CRYSTAL PALACE.—The Queen, accompanied
by Prince Albert, and the Princess Royal and Princess
Alice, paid a visit to the new Crystal Palace, Sydenham,
on Saturday. The Royal party were received by Owen
Jones, Esq., who had the honour of conducting them
over the building, with which, and the general arrange-
ments going forward to carry out the object contem-
plated by the erection of this elegant structure, her
Majesty and the Prince Consort were evidently much
gratified. The apartment appropriated for the reception
of casts from ancient statues, &c., seemed to give espe-
cial satisfaction to the Royal visitors. Her Majesty
having remained about three-quarters of an hour in the
spacious building, left for Buckingham Palace at a quar-
ter to five o'clock. Colonel Bouverie and the Hon.
Captain De Ros were in attendance upon her Majesty
and Prince Albert on the occasion.
MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS, &c.—The Earl of Aber-
deen leaves Argyll-house early in the ensuing week for
the Ranger's lodge, Blackheath, where the noble Premier
purposes to pass the holidays. Viscount and Viscountess
Palmerston are expected to leave Carlton-gardens on
Saturday next, for Broadlands, near Romsey, Hants,
and will sojourn there during the parliamentary recess.
The Duke of Newcastle, it is said, will remain in town
during the holidays' his colleagues, the Home Secretary
and the Foreign Secretary, intending to repair to their
respective country seats, as it is necessary one of the
ministers of state should be in London. The Marquis
of Lansdowne goes to BOwood-park, Wilts, in the course
of the week ; and Lord John Russell, with Lady John
and family, goes, after the adjournment of the House of
Commons, to Pembroke-lodge, Richmond-park,' for the
holidays. The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, M.P., will
reside with the Countess of Pembroke, at Wilton-house,
Wilts, during the Easter recess; a large family circle
meeting there Tor the holidays.—Sunday Paper.
A NEW GOLD LAND AND MINING COMPANY formed in
an immense tract of land in the Nevada district in Cali-
fernia, on the Feather River, is attracting consideration
in the city amongst the monied interest. This attention
appears not only to arise from the novelty of finding
names of wealth and position upon its direction, but
from the fact that, unlike many other companies of a
similar kind, it has first sought and found a portion of its
capital in the markets of Paris and New York, coming
only after such accumulation of capital for the remainder
to English enterprise. The Feather River Company
Shares are already at a premium ; and the quiet manner
in which it has made its appearance, unlike the bustle
and parade which has ushered in many of its predeces-
sors, will be at once accounted for by the facts here
alluded to

MOIY.EY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.
The sales of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday were
estimated at 4,000 bales, all to the trade, including
about 2,250 Atnericati, 900 ?ern= and Maranham
at 6d. to 70., 30 Bahia at 6d., 400 Egyptian at
sid. to ls. 3id., 300 Surat at 31d. to 4i11., and 70
Sea Island at ls. 11d. to 2s. 6d. per lb. The mar-
ket was flat at previous rates. Railway Shares
were inactive without alterations in prices.
The grain trade is very dull this morning.
The steamer Australian has again put back to
Plymouth in a leaky condition, and we apprehend
there will be no course now left open to the com
parry but to return the passage and freight money.
A case has been taken up by the members of the
Stock Exchange which, we trust, will be followed
up to the fullest extent until satisfactory explana-
tions are elicited. The Cosheen Mining Company
a short time back introduced to the public, is di-
vided into 20,000 shares, and, quietly, brokers em-
ployed by the Company are said to have been
buying up large quantities of them, the consequence
being that they have borne the high_ premium of
, 3/. per share, although not issued. Now the allot-
ments are made, it is ascertained, or asserted, that
they have been extremely limited, and the jobbers
think that something very like a " rig" has bee'
practised upon them. Without at present compro-
mising ourselves by giving too positive an opinion
on this particular case, and desiring to await fur-
ther information, we may remark that examples
of the kind are too frequent, and that it is
imperatively necessary they should be sum-
marily checked. People who sell shares on
speculation before they are aware whether
any will be allotted to them, may fairly be held to
be amenable to the risk ; but this is not quite as
justifiable as the agents of the Company buying
on the other hand, in order to give fictitious sup-
port, and does not exonerate the Board of Direc-
tion from the duty of keeping faith with the public
by an allotment of all the Shares, except such por-
tion as the Board takes up itself and at once pays
for : the last named a very important point, be-
cause there is such a thing as privileged persons
taking Shares, and not paying for them until long
after. The Committee of the Stock Exchange has
the power in its own hands, by refusing to appoint
a settling day for the Shares of any Company that
has not allotted an adequate proportion of its
capital, while the jobbers have the additional pro-
tection that all bargains, prior to the issue of the
scrip, are, by the rules of the " house," invalid.
It would be unwise to make this rule available,
except in extreme cases ; but extreme cases seem
now to be arising.
A large and very influential meeting of mer-
chants, presided over by John Masterman, Esq.,
M.P. has just been held at the London Tavern,
for the purpose of adopting a memorial to Govern-
ment in favour of a reduction in the tea duties.
The meeting was very unanimous, and passed
resolutions in accordance with the following :--
"TO THE RIGHT HON. W. E. GLADSTONE, M.P., CHANCELLOR

Or HER MAJESTY'S EXCHEQUER, ke.
" The Memorial of the undersigned Merchants and Traders

of the City of London,
" She weth—That your memorialists are deeply interested
in the trade with China, or engaged in the sale of tea.
" That your memorialists consider the present duty
charged upon tea to be exorbitant and oppressive, and most
inconsistent with the avowed commercial policy of the
the nation, of securing to the mass of the people all neces-
sary articles of consumption at the cheapest possible rate.
" That this excessive duty interferes most seriously with
the consumption of tea.
" That the natural development of the China trade (in
most instances one of barter) is greatly impeded by the
imposition of a high duty upon one of the principal arti-
cles of import, as the extent of British manufactures to be
introduced into that country must be regulated by the re-
turns of China products which we are enabled to consume.
" That your memorialists consider that could returns be
taken from China in sufficient quantity, the exportation
of British manufactures would be increased to an enor-
mous extent, China being not only the most populous
country in the world, but its inhabitants are probably the
most dress-loving people and the most prone to the indul-
gence of cheap luxuries of any nation with which we are
acquainted.
" That your memorialists are convinced that the reduc-
tion of the duty on tea would ensure a largely increased
consumption of that article.

" That the loss of revenue occasioned by a reduction of
duty would be speedily repaired by such increased con-
sumption, provided the reduction were sufficiently impor-
tant to cause a sensible diminution in the price, and one
which would be felt by the mass of the people ; whose pur-
chases though made in very small quantities, are enormous
in the aggregate.
" That the duties imposed by the Chinese Tariff on
British goods varies from five to seven per cent., while the
duty on tea, their staple export to Great Britain, varies
from 200 to 250 per cent.—a fact which should induce the
Government of this country to take the earliest opportunity
of lessening the excessive duty now charged thereon.
" That independently of commercial views, the extended
consumption of tea in this country may be deemed a moral
and social question of great importance. Tea yields a
wholesome and agreeable beverage to every class of the po-
pulation, one that is increasingly desired as a substitute

for intoxicating liquors, and is peculiarly valued by the
humbler classes, whose comforts would be increased and
whose social habits would be improved, were the cost of
so important an article of consumption materially reduced.
" That in reference to navigation, a large reduction is
important ; tea is a light and bulky article, requiring con-
siderable tonnage in proportion to its value ; the continued
emigration to Australia will direct a large amount of ship-
ping to the Southern Hemisphere, a part of which, pro-
ceeding to China, would find profitable employment, were
a large additional quantity of tea required in this country.
" That your memorialists would further mention that
during the past six years, while the shipments of tea from
China to Great Britain have only increased from 57,600,000
lbs. to 65,000,000 lbs., the exports of tea to the United
States, where no duty is imposed, have increased from
18,000,000 lbs. to 34,300,000 lbs.,—a striking illustration
of the expansive power of the tea trade if relieved from
burthensome and oppressive duties.
" That in our colonies and dependencies, where tea is
free or lightly taxed, the consumption is in proportion to
the population, in some cases two, in others three to one
more than in this country, a fact which further strongly
illustrates the capability of greatly increased consumption.
" In conclusion, your memorialists will only refer to the
elaborate investigation into the working of the China trade
by a committee of the House of Commons in 1847. The
report of that committee, which entered most fully and
ably into all questions arising out of this important branch
of our commerce, contained the following recommendation
to the House :
" Your committee think themselves warranted in re-
commending to the House a considerable reduction in the
duty on tea, at the earliest period which in its wisdom it
may see fit, as most desirable in itself, with a view to the
comforts and he social habits of the people, as involving
but a temporary loss to the revenue, and as essential to
the extention of our trade with China, nay, even to its main-
tenance at the point which it has already reached."'
" Under these circumstances, your memorialists pray for
a liberal and prompt revision of the tea duties."
There is not the slightest animation in the En-
glish stock market, and prices are nominally about
the same. Consols have been 1001 for account,
the transactions having taken place for money at
100 to 11. The New Three-and-a-Half per Cents.
are shut. Exchequer Bills of June are 10s. to
145., and those of March Bs. to 12s. premium.
East India Bonds are 455. to 475. premium.

Foreign Securities have been rather brisk.
Spanish Certificates have been quoted 71 being
a slight improvement. Peruvian Scrip is up to 5
and 51 premium. Grenada Deferred are worth 111
Mexican have been 251 I. Spanish. Threes
bring 484, and the New Deferred 244 I. Brazilian
Old Stock is supported at 103. Danish 5 per
Cents. are 105 to 4, and Russian 5 per Cents. 118 f.
Sardinian Stock is worth 98A to N.

must be conceded if they will not mend their ways
—what does it mean ? Does it not plainly show
that the threateners regard it as at least an effec-
tual remedy ? There may be objections against
it, though all hitherto have vanished at the touch

Railway Shares have been rather fluctuating—
Great Western and one or two other lines being
fairly' supported, while the remainder are slightly
in favour of buyers. French Shares have been
rather weaker.

The Joint-Stock Bank Shares are all very firm,.
though "not brisk.
The Gold Mine shares are rather heavier, in the
absence of the steamer so much overdue.

The Land Company's shares have been tending
upwards, and Van Diemen's Land are higher.
Letters have been received from the Port Philip
and Colonial Gold Mining Company's manager,
dated Melbourne, 23d November last, handing bill
of lading of 532 oz. of gold dust shipped on board
the Francis Henty, 171 oz. of which were picked
up by the Company's miners.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
(From the Official List.)
Business done.
3 per Cont. Consols Annuities lOO h
India Bonds, £lOOO —
Ditto, under £lOOO 47 5
Consols for Account 13th April
Exchequer Bills, lid. June. March.
£lOOO ........ . ........................... 14 10 8
£5OO
10
Small

8 12

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY,
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. lO3
Ditto 'New, 1852, 44 per Cent 9B 8
Chilian Bonds, 6 per Cent Bl'
Danish 3 per Cent.
Ditto 5 per Cent lO5 4
Grenada Bonds, Deferred,
Greek ex over-due Coupons
Mexican 3 per Cent
Ditto for the Account 2
Peruvian Scrip
5 3 Peruvian Deferred 3 per Cent 65 4i 5A p
Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto, 4.4 per cent . 104 3i
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 984 9 84
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 484
Ditto for the Account..
49
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent 243 i
Ditto for the Account
244
Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup, not fun, 74 iB4 p c
Turkish Loan, 6 per Cent., 1852 . ..........
Ditto for the Account ..... . ...
14 P
Dutch Exchange 24 per Cent .. ..
.
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificate 5.............. „
THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols
Ditto April Account lOO4 i

of common sense ; still it is held in terrorem over
the incurably corrupt as that which will do the
thing if they won't. No doubt it will: The Elec-
tion Committees have not more plainly developed
the vast extent of bribery, than they have esta-
blished the position that the poll-book is indis-
pensable to bribery. But if indispensable to the
Hull, Cambridge, Clitheroe, or Canterbury style
of bribing, how much more so is it to the Bridg-
north—we mean the WHITMORE style ? A style
by which that family, as Mr. CADOGAN says, " can
return their own footman if they please." Less
disgustingand revolting in appearance than bribery
by, gold and beer, the equally extensive bribery of
" putting on the screw," and communicating " the

SOUTHAMPTON ELECTION SCRUTINY.—It is said the
expense of the scrutiny into the Southampton election
will, it is expected, cost the Conservatives about 4,0001.
Out of about 50 witnesses subpoenaed by the Tories, 40
gave evidence favourable to the liberal sitting members,
abd 2 of the remaining 10 will be prosecuted by the
Radical party for perjury. The inquiry into the South-
ampton election has shown that the power of issuing
Speaker's warrants may be greatly abused, for an emi-
nent London merchant and director of the Southampton
Dock Company was subpoenaed by the Southampton
Tories before the House of Commons committee because
he voted for the sitting members, and counsel was in-
structed to insult him by asking him if his wife did not
apply for the amount of his expenses to and from London
and Southampton, amounting to a few shillings.