The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-21 00:00:00

MR. CHARLES DICKENS AT _READING.

On Tuesday evening last the members of the Reading
Literary, Scientific, acid Mechanics' Institution were de-
lighted by a visit from their newly-elected president,
Mr. Dickens, who had kindly consented to inaugurate
his connexion with the society by giving them a drama-
tic reading of his charming story of "The Christmas
Carol."
The presidency of the institution was held for many
years by the late lamented Justice Talfourd, whose an-
nual visits and occasional lectures were regarded with
peculiar pride and satisfaction by the inhabitants of his
native town ; and when the melancholy death of the re-
vered judge deprived them of his valuable aid, the direc-
tors of the institution, remembering the affectionate re-
gard of their late president for the gifted author of
'Pickwick," at once determined to request that gentle•
man to succeed him in the vacant office. The invite.-
tion, thus conveyed, was cordially accepted by Mr.
Dickens, although he had declined a hundred similar
applications ; and in lieu of the formal services commonly '
associated with the office, he promised to read one of his
Christmas books to the members.
Accordingly, on Tuesday evening, the spacious ball-6f -
the institution was filled in every part long before the
allotted hour, and notwithstanding the judicious ar- :
rangements of the committee to accominodate the largest
possible number without overcrowding, hundreds were
unable to procure tickets. Nearly 1,000 of•the members
and the leading families in the town and neighbourhood
were present. Mr. Dickens was accompanied by several
of his London friends, distinguished in literature, and
having been introduced by the hon. secretary of the so-
ciety, Mr. Boorne, in brief and appropriate terms, was
greeted with a degree of enthusiasm which the oldest
favourites of a Reading audience might well have en-
vied.
Mr. DICKENS began by observing, in reference to the
immediate cause of his acceptance of the presidency, throb
it was neither the time nor the place to speak of private
griefs. They had all mourned the loss of a valued friend,
of a great, good, and generous man. (Hear, hear.) It
.was over now, and he could not trust himself to recall the
past. He would proceed at once to the agreeable task
which he had undertaken to perform, merely promising
that when on a former occasion he read the " Christmas
Carol" to an audience of 3,000 persons, he begged his
hearers to regard themselves, for the time being', as a
small snug party assembled round the Christman fire-
side. All he asked of his friends that night was, that
they should indulge the same pleasant fancy—giving
utterance to their emotions without restraint, and in
their own accustomed way, without the slightest fear of
disturbing him. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Dickens, taking!
up his little volume, then read the complete story of thee
" Christmas Carol," which, inclusive of an interval of
ten minutes, occupied upwards of two hours and a half.
He caught the entire sympathy of his audience in the
very first page, and he held it unflagging to the very
last.
Dr. COWAN came forward at the close of the reading,
and said he had been asked to propose the vote of thavhs.
But he would do nothing of the sort. If the presence
of Mr. Dickens, and the treat which he had given them,'
did not extort their thanks without solicitation on hitv
part, it would be a cruel satire upon themselves. The
cheers 6f the audience, prolonged for many minutes,
drowned the remainder of the doctor's speech, and anti-
cipated those of the mayor, Mr. E,all, who rose to thank
Mr. Dickens on behalf of the town; and, after a brief
acknowledgment from that gentleman, the assembly dia.,
persed.
A large sum will accrue to the exchequer of the society.

MATRIMONIAL ALLIANCES OF TATE
RUSSIAN IMPERIAL FAMILY.

We have seen the "Revue des Deux Mondes " our. the
subject of the matrimonial alliances formed between the
Imperial family of Russia and the petty princes of G er-
many, and believe it will be difficult to find one of ti\e
latter who is not in some way or other enclosed in SI
case of Russian binding. Male and female branches'
on one side are intermingled with the same degrees
of affinity on the other, and where .marriage is not
the connecting bond, the junior members of reign-
ing families in Germany, its dukes and its onier
'nobles, are serving in various ranks in the Czar's
household and armies. Recollecting that these Ge'.
man families, so aptly personified in Voltaire's " Baront
and Baroness von Tondertentronok," are all more or
less connected by intermarriages, we fee! convinced that
each is in some degree or other mixed up with Russia.
A German auxiliary, it is seen, ought not to be reshly
taken into the confidence of England or France. E•Yen
this country has not entirely escaped from the Czar's
match-making policy. Though the Earl of Aberdeen
may not hales been more than an old personal friend of
the Emperor, some other members of the Administration
are united by' marriages to Russian families of great
distinction ; and it was stated, soon after the courteous
bombardment at Odessa, that the gallant Admiral who
performed that extraordinary exploit, had a Rteesian
relation then residing in the town, which was carofAly
preserved, and in which he possesses large property.
The German States, whose reigning families are most
closely connected by single and double marriages with...
the Imperial line of Russia, are Baden, Oldenburg,.
Wurtemburg, Electoral Hesse, Grand Ducal Hesse,
the. Duchy of Warsaw, Saxe Altenburg, and Mecklen
burg Strelitz ; and it is remarked, that " where there
are no intermarriages with the Imperial family, there
are princes, dukes, and archdukes attached to the Mu's•
covite army by military dignities and employments. It
is startling to see how many chiefs of Russian regiments
and colonels of Russian dragoons and Uhlans there are
among the haughty nobles who surround the German
Sovereigns."
The states above named are connected with Russia by
two or three cross-marriages, and besides, in some .of
them, members of the governing families are dignified by'
holding commissions in the military service of Russia.
Thus Prince Frederick, eon-in-law to the King of
Wurtemburg, is a Colonel of Uhlans ; Prince Eugene,
the King's cousin is a General of Russian infantry
and one of the King's uncles, Duke Alexander, was a
Russian General in-Chief, and at the head of the di-
rection of the roads. Two sons of this Duke Alexander
have both been Major-Generals in the Russian army.
1 In the Grand Duchy of Hesse, the Princess Mary, the
sister of the reigning Grand uke, Louis 111., is mar-
ried to the Hereditary Grand Duke Alexander Nicolas-
witsch ; and her brother, Prince Alexander, issa Major.
General in the service of Russia, and head of the Rus-
sian regiment of Borissoglebski. In the electorate of
Hesse, Prince Frederick, a cousin of the Grand Duke,
is son-in-law to the Emperor Nicholas, and Colonel of
the Russian regiment of Mariapolsk ; Prince Emile, one
of his uncles, is Colonel of the regiment of the Dragoon,`'
of Khasan. Prince Ernest, one of the collateral branch
of Hesse Philippstal Barchfield, is a retired General of
Russian cavalry. In Oldenburg, Prince Pierre, son of'
the Czar's sister, Catharine Paulowna, is a General of
infantry in the Russian service, President of the Senate,
Director of Civil and Ecclesiastical Affairs, and an " Impe-
rial Highness" by virtue of a special ukase.
ln.short, it would be exceedingly difficult to find WY
German family of note that is not connected with Russia
by marriage or military and civil employments. We-
might go a little way out of Germany, and we shall find
Belgium manufacturing weapons of war for Russia.
Yet, with all these proofs of ties with Russia, it is pro-
posed that we shall hire the vagabond nobles and cut-
throats belonging to the small princes of Germany.
What could be expected of suchlforces in case of another
assault like that of Inkerman but they would imme-
diately side with the Cossacks, and turn against us the
very arms with which we had provided them I—Morning
Advertiser.

THE MARYHILL MURDER.—Alexander, alias
Stewart, who stands charged with this cold-blooded
murder, is still at large. We observe that the autho-
rities have announced a reward of 251. for his apprehea-
sion —a step, we think, that should have been taken a
fortnight earlier.—North British Daily Mail.
EXTRAORDINARY PRIZE.—Mr. George Mansfield, son
of the late Mr. Mansfield, shipbuilder, of Lyme Regis,
has had 5,0001. awarded to him as salvage for recover-
ing 60,000 sovereigns from the ship Sacramento, wrecked
at Port Philip on the 28th of April last. His boat's
crew, six in number, were also awarded—one 2,0001.,
and the others 1,5001. each ; making a total of 14,5001..
The Grand Duke of Tuscany has issued a decree,
dated the 12th, in which, after stating that he is con-
stantly intent upon making the expenses of the State:
balance the receipts, he imposes a duty upon all animal"'
slaughtered for sale or otherwise throughout the state.
ST. PETERSBURG.—The advises from St. Petersburg-
reach to the 12th inst., but contain nothing new ex-
cept that a little tallow had been bought for shipment
to Finland, whence it may probably reach this country
through Sweden. From Odessa the dates are to the
Bth inst., at which period there was no attempt at
blockade. Two cargoes of tallow were loading, and the
arrival of several vessels was expected, since it was
asserted that several captains at Constantinople had
AvoEfz
to t,ffsh, e
ARussianandr o,load without
ioßtrhet
usf
fore
rt ofo molestation. ther . B
cl ao ckm m Sea a n
been advised by the British Embassy that they migh
o
t h sailem
StevensonSeatr ao
onLfyicould give judgment (at the LiverpoeilsaCt nu er rt
of Bankruptcy) yesterday, in the matter of Mr. Oliver,
the petitioning creditor—Mr. Evans, of Chirch—who
had obtained an extension of his time forfiling a petition
till to-day (Thursday), sent a Message to the Court
stating that he should not prosecute the matter further.
Such, at least, was the rumour about the Court yester-
day, but upon what grounds or in what manner this re-
sult has been obtained must beleft entirely to conjecture.
We find, on inquiry, that the act of bankruptcy was clearly
proved, and that, though some difficulties presented
themselves in the course of the discussion, the Court
had intimated an opinion that, so far as regarded the
act of bankruptcy, adjudication would follow. It ap-
pears that the deed of the 7th of October, assigning
Mr. Oliver's property to trustees, was not produced
throughout the inquiry, though every gentleman in any
way connected with the document was severely
exa-
mined upon oath as to what had become of it. This Is
the more strange, as the deed is said to have been seen
in the office of one of the trustees so late as yesterdsy
week. It was then contended by the counsel,. on the
oitfi lsdo
,b
the
aff receivedail;
authority of several cases, that he was entitled to give.
secondary evidence of the contents of the deed. is
was the point of law on which the Court reserved. its
judgment till yesterday, when the learned commissioner
decided that such secondary evidenacendw,
Another difficulty then arose with regard to the. shipping.
1-It oceessfully combated. Tt is reported
o'oer t.1,-.,1.1.s oulibid.:rabla aii,ow:t arc likely
to be substituted for Mr. Evans'',
of Mr. Oliver will still como wader the control of the
Court, unless every dissentient creditor can be arranged
with as easily as Evans,

MONEY MARKET

AND
GommEixrAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TV 0 o'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 7,000 bales, including 1,000 Ameri-
can taken for export. The market continued
heavy, but closed without change in prices. The
sales comprised 6,000 American, 200 Pernam and
Maranham at Sid. to 51d., 800 Bahia at 6d., 200
Egyptian at bid. to 81d., 500 Surat at 20. to
aid., and 50 Sea Island at 9d. to ls. Id. per lb.
The share market was dull, and closed heavily.
The Mincing-lane markets close for the holidays
to-morrow, and reopen January 2.

The letters received from the textile manufactur-
ing districts state that there was a moderate busi-
ness doing at Manchester in certain articles adapted
to the Indian markets, but at Huddersfield an
uneasy feeling still prevailed, owing to the over
shipments to Australia. At Liverpool there is a
heavy tone in the markets, and the uncertainty re-
specting Mr. Oliver's affairs is not without an
effect.

The 'Walter Morice, from Sydney, brings dates
of August 10, with 1,712 ounces of gold and 1,9501.
The steamer Baltic, from New York, has no
specie on board.
The half-yearly general court of the Canada Com-
pany was held to-day—Charles Franks, Esq., the
governor, presided, and stated that the receipts in
Canada in the present year, to November 24, were
164,6141. 19s. sd. against 94,9631. 19s. last year,
showing an increase of 69,6511. Os. sd. The chair-
man said the affairs of the company were in a very
prosperous condition, and a dividend of 31. per
share upon 8,915 shares was proposed and agreed
to. After a few questions from some of the share-
holders the court adjourned.

Money has been rather more in demand during
the last two daysin the discount market, and it is
probable that as we approach Christmas, and until
the turn of the new year, there will be a little
tightness felt. There is still a shipment of gold
to the Continent, and the arrivals this week are
wore limited.

The market for English Stocks has been de-
pressed, and the report that a French loan of
twenty millions sterling is intended, together with
rumours that although 10,000 foreigners only will
be kept here as a depot, 40,000 to 50,000 will be
raised gradually to serve abroad, and that even the
subsidising system will be permitted, act prejudi-
cially on the funds. Consols have been 91 to 91i
for account, being now 91 to 4. The New Three
per Cents. have realised 911 to 91i, and the Re-
duced Threes 91 to 1. Bank Stock has been quiet
at 207. Exchequer Bills continue at 4s. to 7s. pre-
mium, and the Bonds are at 991
Foreign stocks have been steady, and with mo-
derate transactions. Peruvian 41 per Cents. have
realised 691 to 704. Mexican have been dull at
21. Sardinian Bonds have been marked 841 ex
div. Spanish 3 per Cents. bring 39k, and the New
Deferred 181 The Turkish stock, fully paid up,
is at 731 to 74. Dutch 2/ per Cents. are 614.
The following are the nominal prices of Foreign
Stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 5 to 6 ; Mexi-
can, 211 to 218 ; Peruvian, 69 to 71 ; ditto
3 per Cents., 48 to 50 ; Portuguese 4 per Cents.,
41 to 43 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 97 to 99 ; ditto
42 per Cents., 87 to 89 ; Spanish New Deferred,
14 to 191 ; ditto 3 per Cents., 39 to 392 ; ditto
Certificates, 5i to 5 ; ditto Passive, 41 to 4.
The last week's railway receipts ascertained up
to this day are in round figures as under :

1854.

1853.

Great Western
North-Western
South-Western
Brighton
Midland
South-Eastern 13,469 12,819
Caledonian
Great Northern 23,619 18,455
Lancashire and Yorkshire
North-Eastern
These returns, it will be observed, all contrast
favourably with the corresponding period of last

year. •
There has been a flatter market for Railway
Shares, and the business done has been of a:very
restricted character. The Caledonian line has been
dealt in at lower prices, as well as the Brighton,
South-Eastern, North-Western, and Midland. The
North Stafford, South Wales, and Eastern Coun-
ties continue as before. Foreign Shares are weaker,
but with limited operations. Great Luxembourg
are to I lower.
The Mining market has been quite nominal.
Joint Stock Banks are dull. Crystal Palace do not
quite support the rise of yesterday, but the recent
good purchases have made them scarce. The South
Austialian Land Shares have been firm.

20
BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES. 20
(From the Official List.) 20
20
20
20
100

Bu.iness done
Bank Stock 207 9
3 per Cent. ReOuced Annuities 9lk 1
3 per Cent Consols Annuities Shut.
New 3 per Cent. Annuities
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 -16
Consols for Account, 10th January
India Stock for Account 226
Exchequer Bills, 24d.
4 7
Small
Exchequer Bonds 1858, 3A per Cent. 99A
Ditto 1859, ~
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Mexican 3 per Cent. .
Ditto for the Account ........................ 21 20k
Peruvian Bonds, 4} per Cent. ...............
Ditto for the Account 69A 70i
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent B4 x d
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 394
Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cent lBi k
Turkish Scrip, paid up iu full
Ditto for the Account
Dividends on the above payable in London
Dutch Exchange, 2i per Cent. 12 Guil 6lk i
Ditto 4 ncr Cent. Certificates......
THREE THREE O'CLOCK.

nonsols
Ditto, January Account