The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 19, 1854.

" about quarter of hour -slow." From-this it
would not have been impossible, if Miss ANDERSON
was perfectly accurate as to the slowness of her
clock, for the prisoner to have fired the fatal
shot; but there was nothing remarkable in his man-
ner or. appearance. He subsequently went to
Mrs-. Pram's, and thence to Mrs. MANSON'S,
but no person remarked anything strange; and it
is difficult to conceive such a state of nerves as
would have enabled a person who had committed
an awful murder within ten minutes previously to
divest himself of any appearance of flurry or
agitation. It was 'shown that Dr. SMITH had
purchased a pistol of the same description as that
found by the dead body, and with which it was
alleged he had committed suicide ; but another
witness proved that the deceased himself had pur-
chased a similar pistol some time previously. It
was by no means satisfactorily proved that the
case -was not one of suicide, though the medical
gentlemen thought it not probable that it was so.
Dr. COMRIE, however, declared that " the appear-
ances did not present materials to form an opihion
as to whether it was or was not a case of suicide."
Under such circumstances a conviction was
clearly impossible. Dr. SMITH would not have
been tried for his life, or suspected, but
for his dealing in gambling policies that
supplied the motives, and has occasioned
all the doubt and difficulty. After the fear-
ful revelations respecting burial clubs--when
we see men and women sacrificing their own chil-
dren for the sake of a few paltry pounds—we
cannot wonder at any imputation cast on a
stranger, who had so large an interest as 2,000/.
in the event. The fact of a medical man being
the gambler enhanced tho grave suspicions.
About ten years since, Lord ST. LEONARDS—
then Sir EDWARD SUGDEN—declared such a pro-
ceeding, as permitting a medical man to be in-
terested in the life of a patient, to be contrary to
public policy, and as gambling insurances are not
forbidden in Ireland, and the Insurance Com-
panies did not resist payment, he declared the
Doctor a trustee for the personal representatives
of the deceased, and ordered him to pay all the
costs of the suit. Care must be taken against
such practices being introduced, or permitting
our valuable Life Assurance Companies to dege-
nerate into mere burial clubs, where strangers
might have " motives of the most extraordinary
and tremendous character" for dealing foully
towards persons in whose lives they have no real
interest. The subject is one' of exceeding in-
terest, 'and well, worthy of mature and attentive
lnsideration.

IS THERE TREASON IN THE CAMP

_
The soldiers of England would go to the war,
But some folks at home keep them back from the
Czar.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

Rossini's opera, Matilda di Schabran, one of the revi-
vals promised by the management in the present season,
was brought out here last night. This opera was com-
posed for the carnival at Rome, in 1821, and the opinibn
then formed of it, according to a biographer of Rossini,
was, that " the libretto was execrable, and the music
charming"---a verdict which we are inclined to think
will be confirmed, after the lapse of thirty years. Shortly
after its production at Rome, it was given at the Italian
Opera in the Haymarket, but made very little impres-
sion, and subsequent revivals have not been more suc-
cessful, though on one occasion the renowned Persiani,
when in the height of her popularity, selected it for her
benefit. Matilda di Shabran possesses little dra•
matic interest,_its chief merit consisting in its gay
and sparkling music, which last night was bril-
liantly executed. The. principal character (Corra-
dino) Is-a most inexplicable hero. The owner of a
Gothic castle, situated wherever the imagination of the
audience may decide, has a hatred for women, and
is regarded as a ruthless tyrant by his neighbours.
Nevertheless, Matilda, daughter of the "illustre
Shabran," who, dying on the field of battle, recom-
mends his child to Corradino's care, resolves to gain
his affections, falls in love with him herself, and
ultimately succeeds in riveting the woman-hater to her
chains. Meanwhile a Contessa d'Arco, to whom Corra-
dino had been pledged, and whom' it appears he had jilted,
is infuriated with -jealoasy at the triumph of Matilda,
and vows to effect 'her ruin. Bdoardo, the son of
Corradino's greatest enemy, is a prisoner in his castle ;
and, to further her designs, the Contessa procures the
liberation of the captive, making it appear that his
flight has been contrived by Matilda. Corradino, in an
explosion of rage, condemns Matilda to death, and in-
trusts the execution of his will to Isidoro, a wandering
poet, whom he has taken under his protection. Isi-
doro, however, having a tender heart, allows Matilda
to escape, and, Edoardo himself becoming the means
of enlightening Corradino as to the fact of who is
really the guilty party, the latter relents ; his de-
spair at the supposed death of Matilda is turned into joy
on finding that she is still alive, and, a reunion taking
place, the delight of the lovers reaches its culminating
point in a brilliant rondo finale for the heroine. The
puerility of this story could hardly suggest music of any '
real worth,but there are nevertheless some concerted pieces
which have great merit, betraying, as they do, the variety
of Rossini and the delicate taste of his orchestration.
The performance last night was on the whole highly effi-
cient and interesting. Mdlle. Bosio has never appeared
to greater advantage than in the part of Matilda. She
is a perfect mistress of the Italian school of florid vo-
calization, and in most instances her singing was admi-
rable, in some parts ma,gnificent. Mdlle. Marai, who re-
presented Edoardo, made another step in public favour.
The tenor part of Corradino is one of extraordinary
difficulty ; and whatever may be said of the voice of
Signor Lucchesi, which is defective in many respects,
those who are acquainted with the peculiarities of the
school to which this music belongs must in justice'
accord him unqualified praise for the masterly ease
with which he executed it from first to last. Signor
Ronconi, as the poor poet, was irresistible. His was
a " wandering minstrel" very different from Mr.
R6bson's, but quite as rich and graphic in its way.
In his first air, a kind of spurious edition of " Largo
al factotum," the whole character of the charlatan
was developed with wonderful humour. Isidore is
a capital example of the real buffo of the old
Italian carnival—a kind of mountebank of whom modern
opera knows little or nothing, but so droll, so fantastic,
original and amusing, that; while such a representation
of the genus exists as Signor Ronconi, it _would be in-
deed a pity to lose him altogether. Signor Ronconi's
singing was quite as good as his acting; it was the
essence of tha.- buffo parlardt-style--=more declamatory
than vocal yet never so much so as to deprive the
music of its_effect._ The part of the Contessa which
is rather insignificant, was allotted to Made-
moiselle Albini, and that of Aliprando, (Corradino's
physician and confidant), though hardly worthy of the
talent of Signor Tagliafico, was represented by that con-
scientious artist with a care and finish which give it real
importance. The music of the opera made a decided
impression. The singing of Mdlle. Bosio was unanimously
applauded ; more than one of the concerted pieces made
a furore, and especially the septet in the finale to
Act 1., which was encored, and Signor Ronconi, when-
ever he was on the stage, kept the audience in a roar
of laughter. At the conclusion, Mdlle. Bosio, Mdlle.
Marai, Signors Lucchesi, Ronconi, and Tagliafico, were
recalled before the curtain. Too much praise can scarcely
be given to Mr. A. Harris, for the great ability apparent
in the arrangement of the mile en scene of the opera.
The pretty ballet of Pleurette followed, in which Mdlle.
Quineux made a successful debut. The assistance the
debutante received from the talented corps de ballet--one
of the best, if not the best, that has appeared at this
theatre—was to her of immense importance. Thegroup-
ing. scenery, and decorations were exceedingly beautiful
and here again was the master hand of Mr. Harris visi
ble. The house was well filled.

Lady and the Misses Graham leave the Admiralty
to-day for Netherby.
Lord and Lady Seaton and the Hon. Miss Colborne
have left Farrance's Hotel, for Deer Park, Devon.
Lord and Lady Monteagle have left their residence in
Park-street, on a visit to the Lady Marian Alford, at
Ashridge Park, Herts.
The first new character in which Mdlle. Rachel will
appear in Paris is that of Medee, in a tragedy of that
name, by M. Legouve, which is highly spoken of by
connoisseurs.

WINDFALL TO THE PRINCE OF WALES.—Mr. Hol.
ford, the rich merchant, who long resided in the
Regent's-park, died on the 9th of April, and has left his
large fortune to the Prince of Wales.
LETTERS FOR THE ARCTIC SErPs.•—Letters for
officers, seamen, and marines 'serving in the under-
mentioned ships will be in time to be forwarded if sent
to the Admiralty on or before the 26th of this month :
Her Majesty's -ships Assistance, Resolute, Intrepid,
oneer, North Star, Enterprise, and Investigator.
Loss OF LIFE ON THE RlVER.—Yesterday the body
of a man unknown was found in the Thames, at Shad-
well. The deceased was removed to Shadwell dead-
house to be owned, and for an inquest. A, fine younk
man, named David Watson, fell overboard from the
schooner Clunie, near the London-dock buoy, and be-
fore the boats that put off to his rescue could reach him,
lie sank, and was drowned. The body was not re-
covered.

ACCIDENT TO AN EMIGRANT SHIP.—PLYMOUTH,
TUESDAY EVBNING. The Government emigrant-ship
Maria Hay, Captain Brown, 1,007 tone, which left
Southampton on Monday morning, with a full general
cargo and 401 passengers, came in contact at 9 o'clock
in the evening with a strange steamer (probably the
Harbinger), which carried away her bowsprit close to
the stera. - She entered the Sound this evening at six
o'clock, and to-morrow (Wednesday) morning will be
probobly a mask pactetiontid to ES
towed up to Catwater. lier repairs will cupy
days. The stringer—wag a, laxge and ocwerf several
bip,
Eton,otitha ul e

2-

_... :.

Vez•

MONEY -MARKS T

COMMERCIALAgTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.
The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 5,000 -bales, including 1,000 American
take_niotexport. The market closed with a hard-
ening tendency for solid American and Surat, and,
compared with Friday's prices of all kinds, are
quite as high. The sales comprised 4,500 American;
50 Pernam and Maranham at 64d., 20 Bahia at
6/d., and 400 Surat at 3d. to 3/d. ailway shares
are quiet.
The communications received yesterday from the
United States were of an interesting character, as
showing the first sensible influence of the state of
war in Europe, and we expect that this will be still
more manifest ere long. Money will probably be-
come dearer, and specie will have to be sent to
England, and already this year, up to the latest
date, nearly four millions of dollars were shipped to
Europe.
The letters and. apers by the Harbinger steamer,
being of an earlier date than those per Overland
Mail, supply only a few items of intelligence not
previously noticed. A river, twenty miles long,
had been discovered in Van Diemen's Land.
The agents of the Sovereign of the Seas, which
left Melbourne after the Harbinger, and hasi per-
formed the passage, in 83 days, had advertised that
the vessel would make the voyage home in 65 days,
or return part of, the passage money.
To the numerous parties who hold scrip in abor-
tive schemes, or even in undertakings which have
legislative sanction, but, from the present adverse
condition of the money market, are unable to pro-
ceed, it will afford great satisfaction that the share-
holders, about two-thirds in number, of the Char-
tered Bank of India,-Australia, and China, have
filed a bill in Chancery to restrain the directors
from making the call of 2/, per share, as advertised.
It is quite true that the directors have had
considerable trouble in obtaining a charter, but un-
fortunately this charter is of but little intrinsic
value, and after all would not be much respected
in the Colonies which assume now the fair right to
exercise a greater control over their own resources.
Moreover, several of the new banks having already
commenced business, it is most prudent that a new
competitor should retire from the field and avoid
the risks inseparable from an undue extension of
banking facilities. Another Banking Company,
the Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide, we believe
is the name, have a local charter for Sydney, and
a virtual official recognition at Adelaide, but the
capital not, being entirely subscribed, it would
offer a reasonable opening for amalgamation. Un-
less some measure of the kind be adopted, the
wiser course will be to wind up both, and to this
complexion the obstruction thrown in the way of
the proprietors seems to be tending. There are
many other companies which must be vigorously
dealt with, unless the directors-recognise forthwith
the altered state of the money market. The Aus-
tralian Coal Mining Company is an honourable
exception, liaving already announced a meeting
early next month for the purpose of taking the
sense of the shareholders in favour of a dissolution.
The Carson's Creek, which has not purchased the
mine for which it was formed, is loudly complained
of, not the slightest explanation being given, while
it is suffered to " drag its slow length along."
There can be no pretence for continuing a Cali-
fornian scheme that has not become so far involved
in engagements and leases as to make retreat costly
and undesirable, and many large shareholders are
resolved to agitate the subject, and we expect the
same will be the case with many other concerns.
Yesterday afternoon there was a decline in the
rate for Bills of Exchange on Trieste ; and on other
places, except Hamburgh, the quotations were
feeble.

The demand for gold to be shipped to the Con-
tinent continues, and all the amount per Ellen-
borough was taken yesterday, besides a small sum
withdrawn from the Bank of England. The So-
vereign of the Seas brings 37,334 ounces from
Melbourne.
The English Stock Market has been firm, with
less doing, however, this being "pay-day" after
the settlement of the Account. Consols have been
87 to 88i- for transfer, and 87i to 4 for the 11th
of May. The scarcity of Stock has been partially
got over by borrowing the amounts required, and
it now remains to be seen whether speculators for
a fall will venture upon renewed Bear opera-
tions. Bank Stock is heavy at 212. Exchequer
Bills have remained at par to 4s. premium, and
East India Bonds at 3s. discount to par. The
New Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. have been
87# to
Foreign Securities oontinue very inactive. Mexi-
can Bonds are aull at 24, and Brazilian small have
been supported at 943/4. Greek 'Reduced Bonds
have been done at 6. Russian Four-and-a-Half
per Cents. are 79g.

There has been very little doily, in railway shares,
but the prices are maintained at the advance which
occurred yesterday afternoon, viz., to per "cent.
upon the previous rates. French Shares have been
nominal.

The Gold Mining Shares have been inactive, the
banks are firm, and the. Land Companies' without
alteration.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE `O'CLOCK
(From the Official List%)

Business done.
Bank Stock .. ... .,.'......... ......... .. ...... 212
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities B6j $ 7 si 7
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities BB I
7i 84
Now 31 per Cent. Annuities B7
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860
India Bonds, 21000 .............. . . ... ...
Ditto, under £lOOO 2 p
Consols for Account 11th May . B7i i 2
4
Exchequer Bills, 2d.
£IOOO
£5OO par 4 p
Small par 4 p
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. _
Ditto Small • 94i
Greek Bonds, Red
Mexican 3 per Cent. . • 2l
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. X St — ..
Ditto 4i per Cent 79
Dividends on the above payable in London.
HALF-PAST TWO.
Consols - 88
Ditto May Account ' 874 i

MALTA, APRIL 13.—The Colomho, with Commissary-
General Filder and suite, hap arrived.
COURT OF BA;iKRIIPTCT-L-OFFICIAL NOTlCE.—Notice
was this mornieg posted at the Court of Bankruptcy,
in lieu of one previously issued, stating that, in conse-
quence of the order of Privy Council for the observance
of Wednesday, the 26th inst., as a day for religious pur-
poses, the court will be closed. The meetings appointed
for that day, before Mr. Commissioner Fonblanque, will
be taken on the Ist of May, and those before Mr. Com-
missioner Goulburn on the 3d May. - -
ARRIVALS OF GOLD.—The Harbinger steamer from
Australia has brought 73,000 ounces of gold, and the
Sovereign of the Seas, from Port Philip, 37,300, making
a total of 110,300 ounces, valued at 441,2001. With
the 40,0001. brought Rom New York by the Africa the
arrivals yesterday reach an aggregate of 481,2001.
THE .Szesorr.—About sixteen years since, such a
season as the present was known in the south of Eng-
land. A very severe winter was succeeded by a beau-
tiful but rainless spring. A very_ thin crop of hay was
got in very early in the summer.._
THE LONDON DOCKS.—The new premises erected by
direction of the Lords of the. Treasury- for the wine and
spirit department of the Customs establishment at the
London Docks are entirely completed, and were occupied
yesterday for the first time. An important feature in
the new arrangements consequent upon the removal of
the wine and spirit establishment to this new building
will be, that the accounts and deliveries of spirits will
be kept entirely separate from wines, instead of being
together, as before. This will simplify business, and
facilitate deliveries.
HANDSOME Peeserte.:--The Ordre et la Liberte of
Caen says ;--Lord J. Russell has just made a handsome
present to one of the churches in this neighbourhood.
His lordship is of Norman origin ;. his family having
before the Conquest been in possession of the estate of
Rose!. The curd of the place having applied to his lord-
ship to subscribe something towards the purchase of a
bell for the church of the commune, his lordship replied,
that in place of sending a simple subscription, he would
pay for the bell itself, and that he wished it to be of the
weight of at least 1,2001b5.
WARLIKE ALARMS. —On the appearance of her
Majesty's ship Tartarus in the Bay of Cromarty, a short
time ago, the good peopleof Balintraid and Barbaraville,
taking •it into their heads that they were to be " im-
pressed!' to fight the Russians, took 'to their heele' and
concealed themselves in the neighbouring woods for
several days, till the disappearance of the suspicious
craft. It is said that many passed the night in the
old church of Kilmuir. The fishermen of Tarbat also, a
few days ago, were greatly frightened by a sudden re-
port that the Russians were just landed at the light-
house. The utmost alarm prevailed, and hurried pre.
paratione were made for the hills (or to face the enemy?)
when some bold man ventured to-approach the sause of
terror, and found it to be' a delusion. The hoax had
been traced to ans elderly gentleman in the neighbour-
hood. whose joking propensities are inveterate. —lnver-
=so 'Courier.
A WICKED WAG.—Some 'wag lately consigned to
voluntary imprisonment a respectable elderly gentleman
of Exmouth, who labours under an asthmatic complaint.
Ia the garden, fronting the ,havalid's h?use, a flag-staff
is erected, with a vane on tie, top; a view' of which he
commands from his sitting-room window. During the
prevalence of easterly winds he avoids getting out of
doors as Much as possible. Our wicked hero took an
opportunity one night to climb up the flag-staff, and,
with a hammer and nail, fastened the vane due east.
The consequence was,
the old gentleman, referring to
his vane every morning, as was his custom, to see what
quarter the wind was in, and .not suspecting anything
wrong, was kept in dooss thirteen days after it had
chazgade.Gategead own?,

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

THE WAR.
RESUMPTION OF THE VIENNA
CONFERENCE.

According to Voss Gazette of Berlin, of the 14th,
the conferences of Vienna have recommenced, and
the protocol of the 9th forms the basis of the dis-
cussions. The Greek insurrection has also been a
subject of discussion, and it has been stated that
the. Western Powers have resolved to employ
coercive measures, as the remonstrances addressed
by them to the Greek Government have remained
without effect. It was not believed that the Ger-
man Powers will make any objection to this.

THE BALTIC.
COPENEtthEN April 18.—Seven merchant prizes
are in Kioge Bay.
The Ministerial crisis is over. The Cabinet re-
mains. The Parliamentary leaders will be dis-
missed.

A letter from Stockholm of the sth says :—" At
last our coasts are free from ice, and navigation is
opened. All our lino; of steamers have been re-
established. The day before yesterday the convey-
ance of mails between Sweden, the Continent of
Europe, and England, by steamers established
between Ystad and Stralsund, Linkoeping and
Lubeck, and Gothenburg and Hall, commenced."

as the Kara-sti, whence a mur d'orillon and an old
Roman wall extend. to Kosteudjee on the Black
Sea. Many officers here (French and English) are
of -opinion that the Russians are concentrating a
very large force in this district, and it is also ex-
pected that another passage will be attempted above
Rustchuk, between which and Widdiu little opposi-
tion could be offered by the Turks, and we know
that the Russians have already made large prepara-
' tions of boats and pontoons on the Wallachian si ie.
Omer Pasha seems perfectly aware of his great defi-
ciency in cavalry, and the disadvantage of risking
an engagement on the open plains of Bulgaria. He
is therefore concentrating as many troops as possi
ble, principally infantry, in the neighbourhood of
Shumla. There are now here upwards of 20,000
men, and reinforcements are hourly arriving from
the reserve at Adrianople and some of the posts on
the Danube. It is expected in the course of four or
five days more that 50,000 men will be assembled,
andample preparations both in provisions and tents
have already been made for them on the hills around
this place. Ismail Pasha, the hero of Citate, arrived
on the 30th, with five battalions, from Turtu-
kai. He is one of the ablest Generals the Turks
have, and at the present moment is a great acqui-
sition, as there is an urgent demand for good staff
officers. Yesterday there was a current report of
40,000 French troops having arrived at Galli-
poli, but it is much to be hoped that it is not
yet too late for changing their destination to
Varna, where there is tolerable accommodation,
and supplies procurable as easily, if not more
so, than at Enos or Gallipoli. They would
thus hold the Russians in check, and be
spared a tedious march through the plains of
Thrace and across the difficult passes of the Balkan,
at all times harassingx but especially so at this early
season of the year. severe battle is certain
within a very short period, and it is the earnest
wish of the Turks that the Engiish and French
may be present to help them, otherwise the issue
is very doubtful. Even at this critical period tl-
- are not so alert as they might be, and their
laxity of system and indolence of character are
too apparent. A short time ago, two English
gentlemen arrived at Silistria at three o'clock
in the morning, and proceeded to the very
gate without being challenged or even ob-
served, and after violently knocking, they suc-
ceeded in rousing the guard and gaining admit-
tance. Provisions and forage, although plentiful,
are doubled in price, and the town bears rather
the appearance of an intrenched camp than that
of the most flourishing town in Bulgaria. There
are a French, an English, and a Sardinian officer
of engineers here, who have rendered Omer Pasha
considerable assistance iu the disposition of the
batteries which are now in the course of con-
struction. Besides these, three English officers
who have joined, the Turkish army arrived last
night.
A letter from Varna, dated 31st March, gives
the following particulars
"The Russians, after waiting a few days at Galatz,
advanced on Matschm with 26,000 men, a large force of
artillery, tut with few cavalry. The Turks had only
two battalions at Matschin and retired before the enemy
towards Silistria, where they are in force. The Rus-
sians have also thrown a considerable force over the
Danube at Hirsova. 3 p.m.----An officer has just arrived
direct from Silistria, who states that an action has
been fought there, but I doubt the truth of the state-
ment. All the urkish troops in the Dobrudscha, to
the number of several tliousand have been concentrated
upon Kara-s ,u with the intention of falling back on
Shumla and Varna. Three steamers were despatched
from the fleet at Kostendje to intercept and bring to
Varna any Russian transports or provision vessels they
might fall in with. Not finding any at Kostendje they
have proceeded to the Danube. The Pasha of Varna
has made application for more troops. He has only 3,000
with him at present. The works are so extensive that
he would require 12,000 men to defend the place, as he
could get but little assistance from the fleets. There are
many thousand quarters of grain in Varna, and mere
daily arriving. Omar Pasha has withdrawn 10.000 men
from Widdin to reinforce his troops in the Dobrudscha,
and has applied to the Porte for further assistance."