The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 20, 1853.

WANTED.-A COUNTRYMidsummer f COTTAGE,
for a Permanency, by Lady-day or
, on any o
the South-Eastern branches, within twenty miles of London and three
of a station, containing at least two good sitting and four or five bed
rooms, with chaise-house and stable attached. An old-fashioned
Manor or Farm-house would suit, and a small quantity of pasture
land desirable, though not essential. A retired situation not ob-
jected to, but a dry soil and good water indispensable. Address,
with full particulars, to M. T. Y., 33, Brydges-street, Covent-garden.

LONDON & SOUTH-WESTERNLIDAYS. RAILWAY.
CHRISTMAS HO

ORDINARY DOUBLE JOURNEY TICKETS issued at ALL
STATIONS on SATURDAY, 24th, and SUNDAY, 25th inst., will
be available for the Return Journey until the following Thursday
(29th instant), inclusive.
SPECIAL RETURN TICKETS at Single Fares (with the addi-
tion of a small booking fee), are issued every Saturday and Sunday,
at Waterloo and Vauxhall Stations, to WINDSOR, and also to all
stations below Woking, and are available for return on either of these
days, or the following Monday.
By order.

ARCHD. SCOTT, Traffic Manager.
Waterloo Station, 15th Dec., 1853.

WILL SHORTLY CLOSE.-DR.
ANATOMICAL MUSEUM, Portland Gallery, Regent-
street, opposite the Polytechnic.—Open for Gentlemen daily at the
usual hours, excepting on Wednesdays and Fridays, from Two to
Fin, during which hours Ladies only are admitted. Explanations
for Gentlemen by Dr. Leach, and for Ladies by Mrs. Leach. Ad-
mission, Is.

SMOKELESS FURNACES, OVENS,
KILNS, &c.—Under patents respectively dated on and since
the Ist October, 1852, Mr. LEE STEVENS is enabled to adapt his
system of Smoke Prevention and Economy of Fuel to Land and
Marine Boilers of every variety of form and size, Distillers' and Bee-
Wien' Stills, brewers' and other Coppers, Chemists' and others Pans,
Annealing and Baking Ovens, and Brick and other Kilns, &c. Tes-
timonials from land and marine engineers, official authorities, manu-
facturers, brewers, tanners regarding the use of tan as fuel, oven
bu lders, and bakers, and others who are thoroughly satisfied with
the practical success of the invention, both in the subversion of smoke
and 20 per cent. saving of fuel, may be obtained from the patentee,
Mr. JOAN LEE STEVENS, at 1, Fish-street-hill, City, London, and
personal references to firms in London and elsewhere, on whose pre-
mises his inventions are in daily operation.

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE.
Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.

The Attractions of this great National Establishment for the
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS will be on a most extensive sce, u-
precedented in the annals of Theatricals for Novelty, splendoualr, and
mechanical wonders, embodied by the first Artistes in the world.
Magnificent Scene. y, Dresses, and Decorations; gorgeous excite-
ment, and Ballet unrivalled, forming an ensemble of talent and en-
chanting attraction never equalled. Mr. Smart, the Lessee, begs to
remind his juvenile patrons that this great CHRISTMAS PANTO-
MIME will be produced on MONDAY NEXT, DEC. 26, with a
DRAMA and FARCE. Reduced Prices as usual.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Under the mvaagernent of Mr. Back.stone.
THIS EVENING, DEC. 20,

Will be performed THE HOPE OF THE FAMILY. Characters
by Messrs. Compton, Rogers, and Buckstone ; Miss E. Grey, and
Mrs. Fltzwilliam.
To be followed by A PRETTY PIECE OF BUSINESS. Cha-
racters by Messrs. Howe and Buckstone ; Miss Reynolds and Mrs.
F itzwilliam.
To conclude with ANY PORT IN A STORM. Characters by
Misses E. Ormonde and Featherstone.

THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI.
Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste.
THIS EVENING, DEC. 20,

Will he performed TUE THIRST OFor, The Los t
Ship. Characters by Messn. B. Webster, P. Bedferd, and Keeley
and Madame Celeste.
After which, THE CAMP AT CHOIIIIAM.
To conclude with " lIOTEL CHARGES 1" or, llow to Cook
" A Bitlln."

ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke,
Last Week of Performing before the Holidays. A New Grand
Equestrian C [IRIS' TII AS COMIC PA.N ro AIME, written ex-
pressly for this Theatre, by Mr. NELsOM LEE, entitled BILLY
BIT NON'S .MURNEY TO BRENTFORD ; or, The Ladies'
Favourite—Will be produced on MONDAY, Dac. 26.
Mr. W. Cooke's Elephants, pronounced by the Pros and all who
kave witnessed their Performances the most extraordinary Trained
animals In the World, will appear every Evening.
THIS EVENING, Disc. 20,
(And during the week),
The New Grand Equestrian Chincsa Spectacle, entitled " THE
WISE ELEPHANTS OF THE EAST; or, THE MAGIC GONG."
Followed by a series of Mr. Wm. Cooke's matchless. scenes of
Equestrianism in THE CIRCLE, by the talented artistes of this
establishment.
Concluding with a favourite AFTERPIECE.
Box-oftice open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W.
West.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tuts DAY —Morning 36 min.after 4 Evening 55 min.aft. 4
To-Monnow—Morning min.after 5 I Evening 35 miu.aft. 5

THE WEATHER.—Sus OFFICE, Dsc. 20.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
38—highest since noon yesterday.
35—lowest this morning and during the night.
39—this day at noon.
BAROMETER, 29'81.
WIND, North-Easterly, but variable —Dull, foggy
weather, with strong thaw, and showers of snow.

Tbg
7.)4Av0,w4,

LONDON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1853.

Are we Germans—or are we Englishmen ? It
would really appear as though our rulers had
arrived at the former conclusion, if we might
judge from the foreign policy of the ABERDEEN
Government. It would seem from that policy as
though the Administrators of Great Britain ima-
gined themselves to be the councillors of some
petty Germanic Principality, instead of the
councillors of the powerful, numerous, and en-
lightened Anglo-Saxon population. Otherwise,
it is impossible to account for the meanness
and fatuity displayed by them during the last
eleven months iu the presence of the Auto-
cratic authority of the CZAR at St. Peters-
burg. Otherwise, we should never hear of events
so base, of incidents so degrading to the reputation
of England, as this execrable massacre of the
Turks at Sinope by the armed vessels of Russia,
while the fleet of Admiral DUNDAS was lying at
anchor in the Bosphorus ! Otherwise, we should
never hear of such detestable poltroonery on the
part of a mighty Power like that of Britain, in
tolerating, without the discharge of a single mus-
ket, or the explosion of one solitary howitzer, the
passage of the Pruth, the seizure of Moldo-Wal-
lachia, or the devastation of de Asiatic
ports of the SULTAN by Muscovite squadrons,
despatched thither across the Euxine from Sebas-
topol ! It is difficult, looking at these ignomi-
nious occurrences, to believe that the State thus
timorous before the insolent and cruel demonstra-
tions of the ambition of the Emperor NICHOLAS
can indeed be England—the kingdom of HENRY
V., the republic of CnomwELL—the land illus-
trated by the glory of Cressy and Waterloo, of
Agincourt and Trafalgar, of COLLINGWOOD and
MARLBOROUGH, Of NELSON and WELLINGTON. It iS
difficult not to imagine that the authority thus
ns ueptptl
he
aut ndof e
tr
hteh g
re
eweighgreat
A n gol fe Rs
auxs
es ina nm
ea
nr ra
ro ge
ha ni y e
but
t,
that of some petty German Principality. Some
craven little member of the Confederation allied
by the marriage of its Serene Highnesses and of
its Sublime High Mightinesses with the august
race of the imperial house of ROMANOFF—bound
by these and other debasing ties to the will of
the supreme and all-terrible AUTOCRAT. Yes, in
bitterness of heart--looking at the particulars
which have come to light since the commencement
of these pusillanimous negotiations conducted by
England in complicity with Austria,. France, and
Prussia, with a view to the reconciliation of the
Governments of St. Petersburg and Constan-
taisnoaplen—ativieen, can secaanrchelayrelcyredhietlievouer
that
tntiwtye
are not dwellers on the banks of some one
or other of the more insignificant tributa-
ries of the river Rhine : we cannot but ask
ourselves with poignant regrets in regard to the
past, and with a sense of overwhelming shame in
regard to the present, and with torturing solici-
tude in regard to the future--Are we Germans,
or are we Englishmen ?
it is asserted—though we can scarcely trust
ourselves to rely on the accuracy of the assertion—

that the enormous maritin le force despatched from
Sebastopol to Sinope, having crossed the
Black Sea adroitly, uncle r the shadow of a fog,
yet further surprised the heroic Turks, who were
afterwards butchered with such inhuman barbarity,
by entering the harbour : in which the frigates of
the SULTAN were lying peaceably at anchor—that
the war vessels of Russia;„ we say, dared to enter
the port of Sinope, bearir ig at their mast heads
not the colours of Rim, iia, but the banners of
England ! It is so assert ;ed, not by some obscure
journal, but by the official organ of the ABERDEEN
Government.

Meanwhile rumours et )me floating" to us across
the Mediterranean that a British merchantman
has been fired into and boarded by the Russians
off the coast of Trebizondi

All the while diplomatic c correspondence is being
carried on with a view to a pacific settlement.
Instead of the combined fleets entering the Black
Sea and retaliating upon the Muscovites for their
cruelty, and duplicity, and i audacity, by bombarding
Sebastopol and seizing t, he Crimea !—instead of
this, we say the British :i llinistry is still drivelling
over further negotiationE: . Negotiations ! What
for ? To prevent hostilities. In the name of
Common Sense and Rig; lit Reason let it be in-
quired, Can anything—t han this—be more miser-
ably preposterous ? 17'o prevent hostilities—
we have prepared :c Note after Note, we
have despatched cow- ier after courier, we
have imparted disai etional authority to
our Ambassadors, we have sent our fleet to
Constantinople. All this to prevent hostilities !
And have we prevente( L them ? Answer it the
bloody and smouldering ruins of Sinope !

Besides this there is r mother and a more con-
temptible absurdity aboi at our abortive efforts at
interference. We have been pretending to inter-
pose between the belliger .ents by sea—but have left
them, without even a sl tow of mediation, to fight
to their hearts' deadlies t content by land ! We
have sent hundreds of sailors to the entrance of
the Euxine—but not One soldier to the banks
of the Danube. And —remember—it was on
the banks of the a mnube that the struggle
between Russia and Ttr rkey commenced. The rea-
son for our thus not d: recting even the mockery
of an endeavour towards the actual scene of war
on the southern boun laries of Wallachia, while
we were ostentatious) y despatching a powerful
fleet into the waters of • Constantinople—can only
be explained, indeed, by the prevailing fatuity
and pusillanimity of of ar Government.
As a crowning evidet tee of this fatuity and of this
pusillanimity;-take th e following astounding par-
ticulars—capping the, climax of the enormous
errors already commit tod in this Russo-Turkish
difficulty by the ABERE .EEN Government. Observe„
moreover, at the outst)t—•before the perusal of a
syllable--,,ithe nature oIE. the authority from which
these extraordinary sta ;foments are derived. That
authority is the recognised organ of the
Coalition Governmeiit. The passage may
be found in the Times of this morning,
under the head of its Austrian intelligence.
The writer is the Vienna correspondent of our
contemporary—who dates his communication from
the Austrian capital, the 14th of this present De-
' umber, and thus expresses himself in regard to
recent occurrences :—`" The news of the destruc-
tion of the Turkish squadron at Sinopo was known
to the Prussian, French, and English Governments
before it was made public here. It is said that.
Count BuoL was so anxious Jest the Western Powers
should decide on. assuming the offensive against
Russia, that an uninterrupted telegraphic commu-
nication was maintained isith Paris and London for
some hours after the intelligence of the Turkish
disaster was known at the Austrian Foreign-office.
THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE APPREHEN-

SIONS ENTERTAINED BY ME AUSTRIAN STATESMEN

WERE SPEEDILY RELIEVED, AND THE ASSURANCE

infamy he may eventually plunge, and that with-
out the deliberate intention of doing very wrong in
the first instance, merely taking a little liberty
with money lying idle, and with the most resolute
determination speedily to replace it—to fill up
the gap he has created.
But integrity, unflinching, inviolable integrity
is not the only quality to bo regarded in the
choice of an executor or trustee. Is a man of
energy and decision, of activity and experience
in worldly affairs, will he, without fee or reward,
devote time and trouble to the performance of
that which is at least a thankless, as it is an ar-
duous office. Has he discrimination to select the
best investments, and to sell out in time from
those which are likely to become less safe or re-
munerative. Has he " strength of mind" suffi-
cient to induce him to resist the solicitations of
those beneficially interested in the fund, and who,
in heartrending terms, implore him to consent to
a disposition thereof, which his reason con-
demns,
which he knows to be a violation
of his duty, but which he cannot reject
without being termed perverse and obdurate, and
without forfeiting the friendship and respect of
those whom it is his wish to serve ? We believe
that there is far more lost to families by acts of
omission, than of commission, by negligence, than
by improper tampering with funds, and that of
the acts of commission much greater mischief is
occasioned by an easy yielding to the importunities
of families than a corrupt and dishonest applica-
tion of the funds placed at the disposal of Execu-
tors or Trustees.

But if that rara avis, an incorruptible, zealous,
and efficient executor, can be discovered, what
security is there that he will undertake the labo-
rious and unremunerated duties cast upon him ?
or, if so, that his life will be spared until
they are finally completed ? How frequently
do we find "renunciations in due form of law," and
can we wonder at the refusal ? It is, as we have
already stated, a thankless office ; it is also a trou-
blesome, a responsible office, and an unremune-
rated office. Tho faithful executor, strict in the
discharge of his obligations, in place of receiving
the greatest gratitude, is generally an object of
unmitigated dislike to the entire family. He it
is that thwarts their views and opposes their
wishes ; he it is that refuses to let poor ELIZA'S
husband get the money that would be " so much
more useful to him than letting it remain in those
horrid Three per Cents ;" he it is that opposes
Master BOBBY'S martial ardour, declining to lodge
the money for the purchase of a commission in a
flash regiment, or the attainment of a position
which the future expectations of the youth by no
means justify, and which can only lead to disap-
pointment and misery. He becomes, in fact, the
bugbear of the family, for whom he is undergo-
ing so much gratuitous trouble and annoyance.
None but those who have had bitter experience
of the office—and every experience must be bitter
—can estimate the amount of responsibility at-
ttached thereto. The executor has literally no
discretion, no power to benefit the estate of which
he is the representative. He must act as a mere
„ machine, bereft of all bowels of compassion or
mercy. If lie transgress the strict letter of the
law, the narrow limits of his duty, he is liable
for a devastavit. He cannot accept a com-
position even of 15s. in the pound from
an insolvent debtor without being liable for
the residue, although by his acceptance he would
save to the estate a large proportion of that which
would otherwise be a total loss.

The only wonder is that persons can be induced
;o undertake the task ; and this is ascribable to

he fact, that a man thinks it incumbent on him

to do for another an act similar to that which
at a future time he expects another to do for him.
If there were any public body to discharge the
duty well and efficiently at a moderate charge, no
man in his senses would act as an executor or

trustee. The necessity of the case was the sole
argument which he could not resist ; and we are
happyto find that that necessity will no longer exist
—that a company is in course of formation that
will supply the want, and provide that which has
so long been a desideratum—a company that will
be exceedingly profitable to the shareholders, and
of incalculable advantage to the community in
general.
On this part of the case it is only necessary to
refer to the advertisement of the Executor and
Trustee Company, which will be found in another
part of this day's impression. It must be obvious
to any person that the advantages of such a society
must greatly, if not altogether, depend on the
auspices under which it is introduced to the world.
In proportion to the magnitude of the interests,
the greatness of the trusts involved, will be the
jealous scrutiny into the names and characters of
those who have the control and management of
the funds. On this very important part of the
subject, the contemplated company is, indeed,
unexceptionable. There is not a name to
be found in the list presented to the public
that will not bear the strictest investigation, that
is not, indeed, far "above suspicion." It would
be an invidious task to particularise any one of
the distinguished band. Sir JOHN PATTxSON
alone, would suffice to remove every possible diffi-
culty. The veteran ex-Judge, who through his
long, his useful, and his honourable career, won
golden opinions from all manner of men, would
not hazard his well-won reputation by lending his
sanction to a doubtful project. The same may be
said of his almost equally distinguished colleagues.
So that not only the community in general, but
the intending shareholders, may depend on
achieving the great desiderata, " integrity
and efficiency of management." Under such cir-
cumstances the profits of the company must b,)
very large : although a considerable amount will
be paid up, not a shilling will be required (save
for preliminary expenses). Every pound will be
invested in Consols, to constitute a guarantee
fund, the dividends whereof will be divided among
the shareholders, in addition to the actual profits
of their operation. It is difficult to estimate those
very accurately. We believe the calculation which
has been put forward to be far below the mark,
and that these profits will be nearer 20 than 10
per Cent. It is, however, an error on the right
side, and ono Antitlest the Manatters to nil-
ditional confidence, inasmuch as they carefully
abstain from anything which can bear the slightest
semblance of exaggeration.

EXETER HALL.—The customary annual performance
of Handel's sublime oratorio, Messiah, will take place
on Thursday evening, the 22d inst., by the London
Sacred Harmonic Society, under the direction of Mr.
Surman, the founder and conductor of the Eexeter Hall
Oratorios. The beautiful solos and airs with which this
oratorio especially abounds, will be sung Mrs. Sunder-
land, Miss Dolby, Mr. G. Alleyne, Miss M. Wells,
Mr. Lockey, and Mr. Lawler. In order to give effect
to this great work, the band and chorus will be con-
siderably increased, comprising nearly 800 supporters.
SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.—OPENING
TO CHATHAM AND CANTERBURY.—The Submarine and
European Telegraph Companies have just opened offices
in the centre of the above towns. The liberal tariff
adopted from London to Gravesend has been extended
to the new stations, and messages of 20 words may now
be transmitted between Chatham, Canterbury, London,
Gravesend, and Dover, for one shilling, while no por-
terage is charged for delivery the first mile. Telegraphic
intercourse, hitherto only a luxury for the rich, is thus
becoming rapidly familiar to the tradesman and the
mechanic, to the former of whom it must prove of in-
estimable advantage. The enterprising contractors,
Messrs. Freud and Hammill, executed the works. The
wires were led from the main line, and laid through the
streets in iron tubes.

RISING OF THE COURTS OF CHANCERY FOR THE
VACATION.-At the conclusion of the sittings this day
(Tuesday), of the Lord Chancellor, the Master of the
Rolls, the Lords Justices, and the several Vice-Chan-
cellors, the respective judges of either court will rise for
the Christmas vacation, and no sitting will be held,
except in cases of extreme emergency, before the vaca-
tion, at chambers or his private residence, until the first
day of next Hilary Term, the 11th of January, when the
sittings will be held in Westminster Hall. The cham-
bers of the Master of the Rolls and Vice• Chancellors, as
also the registrars and other officers connected with
the Court of Chancery, will be closed during the Christ-
mas week.
FRIGHTFUL LEAP FROM A WINDOW BY A FEMALE.
----Yesterday morning, at half-past four o'clock, consid-
erable sensation was created in consequence of a young
woman, of the name of Jane Wheeler, aged 24 years,
residing in Ann-street, Waterloo-road, suddenly opening
the second-floor window and precipitating herself, head
foremost, out of it. She was picked up by the police,
bleeding and insensible, and conveyed to Dorcas' Ward,
St. Thomas's Hospital, where Mr. South, surgeon, was
in attendance, and rendered every assistance ; but she
now remains in a precarious state. No reason is as-
signed for the mil act.

AIONEY MARKET

AND

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at from 7,000 to 8,000 bales, of which
300 Pernam and Maranham, dud 1,500 Surat were
taken for export and on speculation.. The market
closed without alteration in prices. The sales com-
prised 800 Pernam and Maranham, at 61d. to 71d.,
300 Egyptian, at 6d. to Bid.,P)ooo Surat, at 22d. to
41d., 20 Sea Island, at is. 2s. to is. 6d., and the
remainder American. Railway shares were quiet.

The following account of the Tallow Market at
St. Petersburgh and here is furnished by Messrs.
Smith and Charles :

" The advices from Petersburgh axe to the 27th No-
vember and Bth December. No business was doing in
tallow for next season, with the exception of a discount
transaction at 122 to 123, ca 311 account 130 to
132-10 down. The quotations must be considered
nominal, for in the present state, of political affairs,
no exporter would venture to make purchases
on contract, and the consequence is that the Russian
dealers are represented as at a loss bow to act in rela-
tion to laying in stocks for next year's supply. Our
market has been firm, with an advancing tendency since
our last circular advice. On Saturday after some
considerable business, the mark et closed at an ad-
vance of 6d. over Friday's prices, and to-day we
have had a further advance on those obtained already
for delivery all this month. Contrary to general expec-
tation, we have to note that there is still a great scarcity
in the production of Town tallow. As compared with
the last few months, there is perhaps a slight improve-
ment, as compared with last year none. We have it
reported from the northern districts, that the home pro-
duction has improved, but that the numbers of store
cattle is short in this district, we confess we do not
anticipate any material increase in the production
from the source this season ; in fact, we are led to be-
lieve, we shall be quite as short in quantity as last sea-

son.
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation
Company's vessel, Colombo, takes out 241,4351. in
specie, of which 33,1201. is in gold. There are
only 2,5001. to Alexandria, the rest being for. India
and China.
The following, from official returns, compiled by.
the Treasurer of the United States, is a table exhi-
biting the amount of coin and bullion imported
and exported, annually, from 1821 to 1853,
inclu-
sive ; and also the amount of importation ova- ex-.
portation, during the same years :
Excess of , Excesa.of •
importation -exportation
over qvgr.
Yrs.* Imported. Exported. exportation. InincifteatiOn.
1821 58,064,890 $10,478,059 4:4113;1691
1822 3,369,846 10,810,180 —' • ' '7,449,334
1823 5,097,986 6,372,987 -1,275)091
1824 8,379,835 7,014,552 1,365,283
1825 6,150,765 8,932,034 2,781,269
1826 6,880,966 4,704,533 2,176,433
1827 8,151,130 8,014,880 136,250
1828 7,489,741. 8,243,476 753,705
1829 7,403,612 4,924,020 2,479,592
1830 8,155,964 2,178,773 5,077,191
1831 7,305,945 9,014,931
1,708,986
1832 5,907,504 5,566,340 312,161
1833, 7,070,363 2,611,701 4,458,667 •
1831 17,911,632 2,076,758 15,834,874
1835 13,131,447 6,477,775 6,653,672
1836 13,400,881. 4,324,336 9,076,545 —1837 10,516,414 5,976,249 4,540,165
1838 17,747,116 3,508,046 14,239,070
1839 5,595,176 8,776,743 3,181,567
1840 8,382,813 8417,014 565,799 —lB4l 4,988,633 10,031,332 5,045,699
1842 4,087,016 4,813,539 726,53
1843-1 • 22,390,559 1,520,791 20,869,768 •
5,830,429 5,454,212 376,215
1815 4,070,242 8,606,495
1816 3,777,732 3,905,268
1847 24,121,289 1,907,739 22,213,550
1848 6,360,224 15,841,620
1849 6,651,240 5,404,648 1,246,592
1850 4,628,792 7,522,994
1851 5,453,592 29,472,752
1852 5,503,544 42,674,135
1853 4,201,382 27,486,875

4,536,253
127,536

9,481,396

- 2,984,202
- 24,019,160
- 37,170,591
- 23,285,493

T0ta1..278,678,615 293,158,070 112,361,545 126,811,000
* Years ending Sept 30. t Nine months to June 30. t Year
ending Juno 30. '

The committee appointed a few days since by the
shareholders who met at the Loucks. Tavern, for
the purpose of eliciting balance-sheets from seven-
teen Gold Companies that were named, have been
much more active than from their outward quie-
tude might be supposed. Letters have poured in
upon them from all parts of the United
Kingdom —t some quaint, others lachrymose,
many bitter, but all truthful. We will ven-
ture, indeed, to assert that no body of men
having an intention to act honestly, could possibly
withhold information after such appeals. And yet
the company with which the committee has com-
menced the onslaught, simply because its case in-
volved the largest capital, has not evinced that
alacrity which might have been anticipated. A
delay of many days has elapsed, and still no
explanations, no balance-sheet, no answer to the
queries categorically submitted. What are we
to conclude then ? That there is something
wrong, or that there is a paltry official reserve
which cloaks itself beneath an affected dignity.
Perhaps neither, or perhaps both ; and may be that
" Christmas is coming" and the members of the
Board are indisposed for business. So are the share-
holders ; but this is a sorry business for many of
them, and if the loss of one day's shooting to " a
member of the Board" will enable a single unluckly
subscriber the better to enjoy his dinner, absence
from town sßould no longer be pleaded as an
excuse. It is singular enough that companies
are ever fond of volunteering information that
no one wants. They tell the world, through
the columns of the newspapers, that they ex-
pect to obtain the lease of an excellent mine,
that they expect remittances, that they expect
dividends, in short that they expect anything or
everything, but not a word do they say on the
pounds, shillings, and pence of the question ; how
much has been spent, how it has been spent, and
who has spent it. And yet "to this com-
plexion it must come at last." If the money-
has been dissipated among half a dozen pro-
jectors, sooner or later th shareholders must
know it ; if it has been judiciously invested,
how agreeable the task at once to communicate it !
In short, view it which way we will, the directors
have as obvious an interest in presenting balance-
sheets as the proprietors have iii asking them, and
if they await further advices from the colonies, let
them fairly state as much, but in the meantime
furnish such an account as they best can. On
Wednesday (to-morrow) there is to be a meeting of
parties interested in the Lake Bathursi Company,
which so disgracefully figured on Saturday in one
of our law courts, and forlorn indeed is the prospect
of those who hold its scrip.
There is an improving tendency in the English
Stock Market, but the business doing is limited.
This is attributable, in part, to the absence of any
unfavourable foreign news, and also to some buy-
ing bank by the Bears. Consols opened at 94-a
and have since been 941 /. The New 31 per Cents.
have been 96 to 96g, and the 3 per Cent. Reduced
944 and 94/. Exchequer Bills are 2s. to ss. pre-
mium, being without alteration. Bank Stock is
heavy at 219.
Foreign Stocks are extremely inactive, not half
a dozen bargains being officially recorded. Grenada
Deferred Bonds are firm at Bi, and Chili= Bonds
are marked 103. Spanish New Deferred Bonds
are rather better, being 24. Brazilian New Bonds
are 974. Therd are no dealings in Russian, Mexi-
can, or Dutch Bonds.
The following is a letter from Lord Howden to
Ignace Bauer, Esq.; stating that he would forward
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs a copy of the ap-
plication made to the Minister of Foreign,Affairs,
on behalf of the Spanish Bondholders :
" British Legation in Spain,
" Madrid, Dec. 9, 1853.

" Sri; —I have had the honour of receiving your letter
of the 6th inst., and shall lose no time in transmitting
to the. Minister of Foreign Affairs a copy of your appli-
cation to the Minister of Finance, in the cause of the
, bondholders so ably maintained by Mr. Weisweiller,
and which I make no doubt will find the same energy
and intelligence in your hands. I shall request his
Excellency Senor Calderon de la Barca to give this just
claim, so often and so fruitlessly urged, his early and
most serious consideration.—l have the honour to be,
sir, your obedient humble servant,
(Signed)
" Ignace Bauer, Esq."

" HOWDEN.

Railway Shares are quiet, and prices are steady.
The lines most dealt in are—Eastern Counties,
North-Western, South-Western, and South-
Eastern. More has been done in French lines,
and at rather improved prices.
There is very little doing in the Gold Mine
Shares, and prices have undergone very little varia-
tion. Australian Consols have been in request at
par.
Joint Stock Bank Shares are very dull.

Australian Agricultural Land Shares are rather
higher, and the South Australian are also better.
The British American Land Shares are about 10s.
lower.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
Ilusiness done.
Bank Stock
_

3 Cent. Reduced Annuities -4 :,
New 31 per Cent. Annuities 96g a i
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860
Dittc 30 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 1859 5
Consols for Opening 18th Jan.
Exchequer Bills, ld.
21000
5 p
£SOO
Small 2 5 p
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
New Brazilianßonds, 1829 & 39, 5 per Cent. 97§
Chilian Bonds, 6 per Cent lO3
Grenada Bonds, Deferred
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. 221
Dividends on the above payable in
ALLondon. •
lIF•PAST TWO.
Contooll for OpoThin VA Janiwymm,,, (Ai i 4 d

BAL MASQ

ritY LANE.

The bal masque given here last evening turned out
to be a very successful wind-up of the season of eques-
trian entertainments. The lessee, Mr. Smith, has
proved himself quite an adept in providing this species
of amusement, and we doubt whether even the re-
nowned Jullien could have done the thing more cleverly,
or on a more liberal scale. The decorations were most
tastefully executed, and there was a freshness and.glitter
about them which added considerably to the brilliancy
of the scene. The boxes were ornamented with wreaths
of flowers, and draperies speckled with gold, and over
the stage, which was not on the same level as the pit,
was suspended a splendid canopy in pink and white,
and to the rear of this were the musicians, in a slightly
elevated balcony, and beyond them the refreshment rooms.
The company began to arrive at half-past nine, and by
ten) not only the body of the theatre, but the audience
part," was crowded almost to excess. There was the
usual variety of costume, and some of the characters
were extremely well supported, but the majority attended
in private attire, and the predominance of sombre black
marred the scenic effect. This, however, is always the
case with a bal masque in London, and it will never be
otherwise until the reluctance of the public to appear in
fancy costume is got over fay making arrangements for
them to dress within the theatre. The ball was kept UP
very spiritedly until one o'clock, when the introduction
of some colossal placards among the crowd, announcing
that `•supper was ready hi the saloon," gave the signal
for the first outburst of rude merriment. The boards
were seized by some of the more lively spirits, and pre-
sently broken to pieces, while the luckless bearers were
compelled to effect a hasty retreat. The police pre-
vented any mischief arising, and in a short time the well-
filled supper tables shared the attractions of the ballroom.
The fun recommenced after the supper, and there ap•
peered no probability of any diminution of it on our
retirement at a late hour.

MOIRATO'S PROMENADE CONCERTS,
ST. MARTIN'S-HALL.

The first of a series of twenty-four concerts took place
last night, when a very admirable and popular selection
of music was performed in first-rate style by many of the
most talented members of the orchestra of her Majesty's
Theatre, the Royal Italian Opera, and the Philharmonic
band..: If we may judge of the success of the con-
cert by the number of encores, it was complete,
for - almost every piece was re-demanded and re-
ipeiided to by the talented conduetor, Mr. Moirato.
Our• well-known artistes Barret, Baumann, Lazarus,
Zeiss, Cioffi, Nadaud, Russell, Phillips, Howell, Row-
land, Prospere, and last, but not least, Tolbecque, were
in full force. Miss Cecily Nott sang two of her most
favourite songs, and was, of course, encored. She is to
sing Mrs. St. Leger's new romance, " The Lover's
Walk," next week. Amongst this excellent selection,
several polkas, quadrilles, and waltzes, by Mr. Moirato,
were played to petfection, and were the theme of uni-
versal admiration. The hall was crowded.