The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 29. 1853.

provinces beyond the Danube, which would most
probably occasion a decisive battle between the
opposing armies. It is scarcely necessary to re-
peat the cautions as to the zeal and energy of the
" Bears," coupled with an unbending resolution to
avail themselves of any points that can by a pos-
sibility depress the quotations of Stocks and
Shares —to exaggerate the current rumours,
and, if necessary, to invent new reports. That they
are active in their vocation is unfortunately but
too well known, and that they have exercised an
extraordinary influence over the intelligence con-
veyed by the electric telegraph—changing and
alternating its accounts to suit their purposes—
has been more than hinted on many occasions.
It is bv no means improbable that there may
have been some interference on the part of
their agents on the present occasion, and
the statement just made may be based on a
rumour which has been circulating for several
days respecting the death of a Russian officer of
Engineers, who was taking soundings of the river,
and, having continued to do so after ample warn-
ing, was fired on from the Turkish shore. This
we believe will prove to have been the foundation
of the dispatch above referred to. Of course we
cannot as yet speak with any degree of certainty
on the point. The strange coincidence between
the rumours will, however, prove the necessity of
caution before the later and more important one
can be received with implicit credence, or persons
be induced to sacrifice their property at inadequate
prices on the strength thereof.
The last account would seem to imply that the
Russians had attempted further aggression—
that they had actually attempted the passage
of the river, with a view of making good
their footing on the Turkish bank, and
that they had partially succeeded in the attempt,
having effected a landing and destroyed a Turkish
fortress. This would show that the instructions
from the CZAR were of a very decided and
peremptory charac*r, and that he had made up
his mind to a " war to the knife," which was
to be carried out without further delay or
respite. On the other hand, it was merely
a casual encounter with a surveying party ; the
casualty could not materially enhance the difficul-
ties of the case, or prevent an ultimate arrange-
ment between the belligerents. We still believe,
for the reasons assigned iu our leading article of
yesterday, that the latter view of the case will
prove to be the most accurate, and that Prince
GORTSCHAKOFF will pursue a Fabian policy, while
OMER PACHA, on the other hand, will resort to every
means within his power to bring about an imme-
diate collision, and, if possible, to rescue his
adopted country from the stigma of being occupied
by an invading army.
Whatever opinion, however, may turn out to be
most in accordance with the facts, is in our judg-
ment a matter of comparatively trivial import-
ance. We believe that a collision is inevitable.
Not a mere affair of outposts, but a regular
pitched battle between the main bodies of the
opposing armies. We have invariably ab initio
stated our impression that no permanent peace
could be established until such an encounter had
taken place, which would serve as a basis for fresh
negotiations—negotiations that would be entered
into under very different auspices from those that
have already taken place. NICHOLAS is now un-
deceived. His eyes have been partially opened
to the imprudence—to use no stronger term—of
his own precipitation. He has at length discovered
that France and England are resolute in their
determination to prevent the carrying out of his
nefarious projects, and that neither his servile
admirers in the Cabinet nor the Press caft control
the Parliament or people of the United Kingdom ;
that he has, in s.lct, as we yesterday stated, " en-
deavoured to pluck the pear ere it was yet ripe."
He would gladly, then, snatch at any opportunity
of retreating if he could do so without injury to
his indomitable pride or amour propre. The
sacrifice of a few thousand lives would be
as nothing in the scale when compared with
his private feelings. If punctilio similar to that
which animated the duellist of the last century,
if his troops obtained an advantage on the first
contest, he could make an exhibition of spurious
magnanimity by permitting the matter to be de-
cided in accordance with the views of the arbi-
trating Powers, and accepting terms which he had
refused before achieving a victory. This, although
a very Brummagem imitation of the real article,
would pass current with his servile adulators,
and enable him to obtain the incense of flat-
tery, so dear to his soul. On the other hand,
if defeated, other excuses may be found to save
his pride from any very severe injury. An ardu-
ous contest may prove the forerunner of peace,
and, therefore, while doubting the rumours that
have been so extensively circulated, and on which
such extensive operations have been founded, we
would regard the intelligence of a real battle be-
tween the opposing armies as the best that could
be received, and the most likely to tend to a
pacific solution of the great Eastern problem.

NATHANIEL MOBBS, the wretched man who,
after cutting his wife's throat, had attempted
suicide, was on Thursday capitally. convicted at
the
Central Criminal Court for the wilful and
deliberate murder of his unfortunate wife. The
Jury could have arrived at no other conclusion.
Not all the ingenuity of counsel could find the
slightest loop-hole for escape, or the slightest
foundation for reducing the offence to that of man-
slaughter. The twelve gentlemen, on whose ver-
dict the earthly fate of the miserable culprit de-
pended, had a painful duty to discharge, but they
did so firmly and honourably, in accordance with
the solemn obligation they had previously taken.
Their attention was necessarily limited to the de-
tails of the fatal transaction for which the prisoner
had been arraigned. They had no legal knowledge
of his former misconduct towards his miserable
victim, or of the habitual ill-treatment for which
he had acquired the soubriquet of " General
HAvNAu." The Learned Judge very properly
rejected all evidence not relating to the facts at
issue, and, therefore, no proof of previous violence
could be adduced. Sufficient, however, appeared
to establish his legal guilt beyond the possibility
of doubt, and also to exhibit in the strongest light
the well-founded apprehensions entertained by the
deceased. The night preceding her death she had
taken refuge in the room of a neighbour, and re-
mained from midnight until the following morn-
ing with a compassionate woman named " Arra-
LING," and two young females. There she re-
mained until her husband came to seek for her at
between four and five o'clock. On discovering
her, he desired that she should fetch some beer,
which she refused, adding that she was "going
before the Lord Mayor for proof that he should not
murder her"—a significant declaration, showing
how great was the alarm she entertained at the
moment—an alarm which speedily proved to have
but too much foundation. The moment, however,
that she announced her intention of claiming the
protection of the law, the prisoner laid hold of
her and dragged her out of the room ; he then
pulled her along the court and flung her into the
house where they resided. She refused to go upstairs
unless accompanied by the neighbour in whose
room she had spent the night, thinking, perhaps,
that the presence even of a helpless female might
have, in some degree, restrained him during the
first ebullition of his wrath.
scarcely left the room when she had,
he howe
ver,
scarcely
rd s
and her wretched companion calling out, that " if
he did not let her alone, she would jump out of
the window." These things occurred in the

morning, but it was not until between two and
three o'clock in the afternoon that he worked
himself up to the reckless state of desperation
which induced him to lay violent hands on the
woman whom, in the temple of the living GOD, he
had solemnly vowed to love and cherish.
During the entire interval, some eight or nine
hours, he continued in his moody and desperate
state. There was not, during that entire time, a
sympathising neighbour to interfere, or to invoke
the assistance of a policeman. It was not until a
box had been drawn against the door to prevent the
approach of help, and earnest cries of " Murder"
were heard, that tardy aid was afforded. The mis-
chief had, however, been perpetrated. One murder
was completed, and another, that of the miserable
man himself, nearly accomplished before the door
was opened. At the time of the fatal occurrence
he was not even intoxicated. It was in the in-
dulgence of the long-continued system of brutality
that he brought his mind to the bloodthirsty de-
termination which he carried into execution.

It is not for the purpose of exulting over the
wretched convict, of enhancing the bitterness of
his sufferings, or increasing the public wrath
against him that we have entered into this very
painful narrative. It is not our custom on any
occasion, and most assuredly is not our desire to
do so in the present instance. The wretched
man must fearfully expiate his offence. The
majesty of the law will be fully vindicated, and
we earnestly hope that he may receive the conso-
lation and strength which he so urgently requires
from an all-merciful CREATOR. It is only in the
hope that, from the melancholy and heart-rending
example, some benefit may be derived to the
community in general that we allude to the case,
that we cite it as a powerful corroboration of
the views we have repeatedly put forward
as to the imperative necessity for legislative in-
terference, and for the speedy enactment of some
more efficient remedies against the brutal out-
rages that, if unchecked, eventually lead to the
death of the victim and the capital conviction of
the oppressor. The Learned Judge, while passing
sentence, commented on " the unmanly conduct
which was continued, until probably the brutal
violence of the convict excited him to the com-
mission of the fatal act which terminated her
career and his own." He was right ; such malig-
nant and evil passions gather strength by indul-
gence, until extremities are gone to, at which the
perpetrator would himself have shuddered a short
time previously. Had MORES been soundly
scourged when he first earned for himself the un-
enviable appellation—had he been taught that on
each successive instance of violence his brutality
would have met with a similar punishment the
fatal act would never have been committed that
has brought his name so prominently before the
public, and left him in his present painful and
humiliating condition. We trust that from his
deplorable case we may take warning to interpose
in other cases ere it is too late.

AIVFUL SUICIDE OF LIEUTENANT BASSANI,
OF THE SARDINIAN ARMY.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. William Payne, coroner, of
London, held an inquest in the vestry-room of St.
Saviour's Church, Southwark, on the body of M.
Graffinno Bassani, aged 37 years, formerly a lieutenant
in the Sardinian service, who committed suicide at the
Bridge-house Hotel, London-bridge, under the following
circumstances. The inquiry created great interest, and
amongst those present to watch the proceedings was
Mr. William Carter, the Surrey coroner.

Mr. Thomas Houghton Burrell said that he was the
proprietor of the Bridge•house Hotel, London-bridge.
On Thursday morning last, between seven and eight
o'clock, his attention was called to the dressing-room
attached to the bathroom, by hearing the discharge of
fire-arms and cries from the deceased. He went to the
room, and found the door unfastened. On going in he
saw the deceased lying on the floor ; he was on his right
side, and his left arm was thrown behind his back. A
pistol was found at his feet, and another was on the bed.
Mr. Hill and Mr. Callaway attended immediately. The
deceased was then alive. Witness proceeded upstairs,
and found a note written in French, which stated :
" London, Oct. 26, 1853:

" Sorrow and misfortune of several kinds, which I
cannot resist any more, have determined me to this fatal
resolution of suicide. From respect to my relations and
my position, I beg that neither my name nor my city be
published in the papers. My last thoughts are for my
dear family and unlucky fatherland."
There was also a postscript to the letter, which
stated :

"Enquire at Messrs. Foleo, Brothers, in Paris, Rue

Boisne."

He (witness) also found a passport in the possession
of the deceased, granted by the Sardinian Government.
He telegraphed to Messrs. Folco at Paris, and received
an answer to the following effect :

"Sir,—Since posting my letter yesterday, I received
in the evening a letter from the unhappy suicide, dated
the day before, in which he announces his fatal inten-
tion, declaring that he would not execute it in Paris, to
avoid giving greater pain to his family, of whom he was
a friend of four years standing."

The letter sent also stated that the deceased was a
barrister at Bongo, until the revolution of 1848, which
induced him to take arms against Austria. He acted
in two campaigns as lieutenant in the army of Sardinia.
Personally exiled from the country, he came to Paris,
where he lived peaceably in the lawyers' offices, till he
heard that several of his countrymen had made their
fortunes at the Exchange, and he had the misfortune to
be dragged into it, and there he lost 50,000 f. In spite
of advice he again lost 15,000 f. He thought to acquit
himself of this debt, when the decree of sequestration of
the Austrian Government made it impossible for him to
do so honourably. Nothing in his manner disclosed the
tragical end which he meditated. He was to have dined
with M. Folco, on Tuesday, but when dinner was ready
he said that important affairs called him to London, and
that he intended to go immediately. He then said that
he would write instantly, and if his affairs succeeded he
would let M. Falco know. He embraced his child,
shook hands with M. Falco's wife, and departed.
Mr. Charles Wells, surgeon, of No. 4, Welling-
ton-street, said that he was called on Thursday morn-
ing last at 20 minutes to nine o'clock, and found
the deceased in the room adjoining the bar. He
was alive. He observed two wounds, one be-
tween the fifth and sixth ribs on the left side, and
another an inch and a half further back. He was in a
state of collapse. He partially rallied, but became
worse, and hemorrhage coming on, he died at 20 mi-
nutes after ten o'clock. One bullet was found in the
left side, which was quite sufficient to account for death.
He saw the pistols, and found that they had both been
discharged.
Mr. Burrell stated that he had waited upon Baron
Rothschild, the Sardinian and Austrian ambassador, as
to the disposal of the body.
The learned coroner having summed up,
The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity.

THE AUSTRALIAN STEAMER VICTORIA.—The advices
received to-day from Adelaide, South Australia, men-
tion the arrival of the Australian Steam Company's
vessel Victoria, in the unprecedented space of 60 days
from England. She left Gravesend on the 18th of June,
and reached Port Adelaide on the 19th of August. The
quantity of coals consumed on the passage was 1,200
tons, of which 323 were taken in at St. Vincent's.
HAMBURG.—The advices from Hamburg state a fur-
ther increase in the demand for money, discounts being
obtainable with difficulty at 6 per cent. The market
had been much disturbed by the recent failure of two
houses—namely, those of Messrs. Jacob von Bergen
and Co., and Mr. James Gowa. Mr. Gowa, was a bill
and stockbroker, and one of the largest speculators in
the place. He had extensive transactions with Berlin,
where his suspension seems to have exercised consider-
able influence.

I BELLOT TESTIMONIALi COMMITTEE.—The preliminary
meeting of thisc ommttoefe
the
place on Wednesday
Sir Roderick Murchisone.
last, at the apartments
resolved that, in order to give amll
Royalt Ge.ographic.ltl So-
ciety,s
p aeenr
adcohnlaaaimrw,
hwhen r it
inte-
rested
r tau npi
public
iocf
meeting recording a theirall b sensecallede enase early officeras
in the. fate of this gallant
The Chairman stated that the interest excited
now assumed so national a turn, .
of his noble
would be
it
iplCriono
sntsidoii
lcpeto.,
case
having
is
was his opinion that the chair at the meetirr,
more appropriately filled by some public cha'racter than
by himself ; and it was resolved that the First Lord of
the Admiralty should be invited to preside on the occa-
sion, and that, in the event of his declining to do so, Sir
Roderck Murchison be desired to continue in that office.
We understand, from what has since transpired, that
Sir James Graham, fully appreciating the compliment
paid him by the committee, has expressed his opinion
that his official position prevented his presiding, but
that he entirely concurred with the resolution of the
committee, that Sir Roderick Murchison should continue
to occupy the chair. Sir James has further consented
to move the first resolution at the meeting. We are
also informed that the Earl of Aberdeen, entirely parti-
cipating in these views, has expressed himself to the
effect that he willingly and with the greatest pleasure
associates himself with those who form the committee
for this object, in which, from the first, he has felt a
very deep interest. The meeting is to be held at Willis's
Rooms on Friday next; the 4th of November, at 2 p.m.

MONEY MARKET

AND
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCZ.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 1,000 were
taken for export and on speculation. The market
was quiet but dull. Railway Shares were flat, at
lower prices. _ _ _

As the force of the dividend and other quarterly
payments subsides, the returns of the Bank of
England present a more faithful index of the posi-
tion of the Money Market ; and thus the return
for the week to the 22d inst. is interesting, if not
by any means so satisfactory as could be desired.
In the item of bullion, as will be observed, there is
a further considerable diminution, and although
part of this is due to the residue of the dividend pay-
ments, the bulk probably went abroad. The reserve
of • notes was strengthened a little by the amount
received in repayment of loans made while the
transfer books were shut ; but the low point to which
the Government deposits had sunk is good proof
that the Bank has its assets much reduced in that
quarter. Compared with the previous week, the
changes are as follows :
Active circulation

Decreme

£23,145,145
52.2,240
14,960,206
311,168
3,170,823
9,662
2,903,045

Bullion.

Decrease

Rest

Increase
Public Deposits

Decrease
Other Deposits
Decrease
Seven-day and other Bills
Decrease
Government Securities
Decrease
Other Securities
Decrease
Notes unemployed

797,814
12,3.0,653
273,573
1,371,064
34,029
11,319,072
1,136,089
17,254,452
170,637
5,213,810

Incre.aseT.

201,320

The rates at which Bills of Exchange were taken
yesterday afternoon were rather lower as regards
the principal Continental cities. Paris, 90 days,
was firm, however, at 25 25 to 30, and Trieste at
11 27 to 32; Amsterdam brought 11 161 to 12, and
Hamburgh 13 51 to 6.
The Adelaide papers to the 20th August, refer
in terms of high commendation to theovoyage out
of the steamer Victoria, belonging to the Royal
Australian Mail Steam Company, and which was
accomplished in a few hours less than 60 days. In
justice this would entitle the company to the
bonus of 500/. offered by the Legislature, but
as the Victoria took out no contract mail, there
may be no objection to its payment. One
or two important facts have been elicited
by this voyage. First, that it is preferable
to sacrifice freight, in order to carry suffi-
cient coal ; second, that it is lunadvisable to call at
the Cape of Good Hope ; and, thirdly, that the
model of the Victoria is good, and that the Ade-
laide and other vessels might have equalled her in
speed had they been sent to sea in a more efficient
state. The passengers had adopted a highly com-
plimentary address to the Commander, Mr. Cham-
pion, and that gentleman had declared his belief
that, on the next occasion, he will make the voy-
age out in 56 days !
There has been a larger exportation this week of
the precious metals from London direct. Of gold
the amount is 30,250 ounces, and of silver 157,900
ounces, all to the continent.
The English Stock market opened rather better,
Consols being 91/ to 92, but a sudden rise to 93
and 93g has occurred, in consequence of the state-
ment from Vienna that an armistice has been con-
cluded between Russia and Turkey. The " bears"
have bought back freely, and this, without any
money purchases, has given great impulse to
prices. Bank Stock is heavy at 212. Exchequer
Bills have been at par to 4s. premium, and India
Bonds at Is. discount to ss. premium.
The Foreign Stock Market has been almost de-
serted, but prices are nominally higher. Mexican
Bonds have realised 25 and Spanish Three per
Cents. 44!z. Portuguese Four per Cents. have
been at 401. Venezuela are 31.
The favourite Railway Shares have been more
dealt in, and are generally higher in price by sym-
pathy with Consols. The market is necessarily in
an unsettled state. Great Northern have been run
up 21. to 21. 10s. ; North Western, 11. ; Midland,
1/. to 1/. J Os. ; South Eastern, 11. 10s. ; Cale-
donian, 15s. to 255. ; and most of the others in
proportion. The French Shares are up about 10s.

The Australian Banks are rather higher, and
there is a rise in Australian Agricultural Shares of
31., principally upon the buying back by the
speculators for a fall.
In the Gold Mines there have been dealings at
higher rates generally.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
(From the 02icial List.) _

-_..
Business done.
Bank Stock . ....
•
i per Cent. Reduced Amenities 9l 2g I
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 92 3 / 3
New 3/ per Cent. Annuities 93 i 4/
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 -16
India Bonds, 1000 ...... . ... ..... ......
Ditto, under £lOOO par 5 p
Consols for Account
Exchequer Bills, 2d.
£IOOO
£5OO 4 p par
Small 4 p par
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent. , . . 93
Mexicali 3 per Cent.
Peruvian Bonds, 4,1 per Cent. 7O
Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent 4Ol 3
Spanish Bonds, 3 per*Cent 44,i
Venezuela Bonds, 3.:1i per Cent..... 3ly
Dividends on the above payable in London.
TWO O'CLOCK.
Consols 92i 3
Ditto October Account o2t 3

NE WMARKE RACES.

(THIS DAY.)

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPIL)

HANDICAP. R.M.

Bridesmaid
Sister to Aphrodite

Seven ran.
SWEEPSTAKES OF 10 SOB'S. Ab. M.

Nicotine

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

FRANCE.

The Ocean Squadron arrived at Brest on the
26th inst.

M. Magnan, a French officer attached to the
army of Omer Pasha, has gone to Constantinople
on sick leave.

The publication in an official shape by the
French Government, of the dispatches announcing
the commencement of hostilities on the Danube,
has given great offence to M. de Kisseleff, the
Russian Minister at Paris. The relations between
the Russian and French diplomatists are becoming
daily less cordial ; and if they should continue on
their present footing, it is .probable that M. de
Kisseleff will not remain long in Paris.
Marshal Valliant is now spoken of as the suc-
cessor of M. de la Cour at Constantinople.
On Thursday a rise took place in the price of
corn in the Paris market, to the extent of 2f. the
sack.
A letter from Tunis announces the sudden death
of Mr. Heap, consul of the United States.
A letter from Marseilles, of the 24th, states that
Cardinal Wiseman, who alighted at the Hotel des
Ambassadeurs, after receiving the members of the
Catholic clergy of that city, had embarked for
Rome in the Mongibello, and not for Greece, as
had been stated. _

It is said that the Municipal Council of the city.
of Paris, becoming uneasy at the extraordinary ex-
pense entailed on it by the indemnity which it
pays the bakers for the bread sold at a reduced
price by the command of the Government, is about
to submit a plan to the Empeior for the reduction
of the public works in Paris, and likewise for per-
mission to contract a new loan.

It appears that some of the Polish refugees in
Paris have applied at the Foreign-office for pass-
ports for Turkey, which have been granted, but
on condition that the parties shall not return to
France.

The following telegraphic dispatch has been re•
ceived in Paris from Marseilles

" The French and English fleets weighed anchor and
quitted Besika Bay on the 17th inst.
" The Friedland, which quitted the port of Constan-
tinople after having been repaired, has gone to join them
at Gallipoli.

" The Sultan has reviewed a body of 26,000 men,
who' set out immediately afterwards to reinforce the
army of Asia."

The announcement in the Moniteur of yesterday
morning that hostilities had commenced on the
Danube, produced an unfavourable impression
amongst the speculators at the Bourse yesterday.
The Three per Cents. opened at 72f. 5c., rose to
72f. 10c., fell subsequently to 71f. 70c., and closed
at 71f. 75c. for the end of the month. The Four-
and-a-Half per Cents. closed at 98f. 60c. ; Orleans
Railway shares 1,125 f. ; Rouen, 982 f. 50c. ; Havre,
475 f ; Great Northern, 827 f. 50c. ; Paris and Stras-
burg, 881 f. 25c. ; Paris and Lyons, 881 f. 25c. ;
Lyons to the Mediterranean, 720 f. ; Western of
France, 675 f.; Bordeaux and Cette, 575 f. ; Great
Central, 507 f. 50c. ; Lyons and Geneva, 495 f. ;
Shares of the Bank of Credit Mobilier, 675 f.

- -
cording to the invariable custom of Turkey tha
the bearer of mushcle (or good news) should receive
a present, Tefik Bey was presented with a
thousand pounds by Omer Pasha, and each
officer, according to his rank, hastened to
offer him some substantial mark of his joy.
He has returned to Constantinople a rich man.
Men of ability up to a certain rank, of all parties,
have been lately admitted to the Council. This
also is an innovation due, we believe, to Lord
Stratford. At the present important crisis Turkey
has need of all the talent she can muster, and by
this last measure each party is fully represented in
the Council. It may indeed be regarded as the
germ of a popular assembly. The Armenian com-
munity have lately offered an address to the Sul-
tan, expressive of their loyalty and desire to serve
him in any way most acceptable. It is said that
many have enrolled themselves in the army. The
most perfect tranquillity continues in the capital.
Since the issue of the manifesto a general satisfac-
tion seems to prevail among the Mussulman popu-
lation, and it is evident that throughout the whole
question with Russia great care has been taken to
conciliate the Christian population in every way.

ITALY.
From Turbi we learn that the King has replied
to the attack upon Count Cavour, by giving him
the energetic and popular liberal, M. Rattazzi, as
a colleague. It was the election of this gentleman
as President of the Chamber of Deputies, which
twelve months ago induced the retirement of M.
d'Azeglio, and brought Count Cavour into power.