The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-16 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—Now the Succession Duty Bill has passed into
law, it is to be hoped that, next session of Parliament,
the " Extra-parochial" privilege will be attached. That
the estates of noblemen should be exempted from poor-
rates is a disgrace to those nobles, and a stain upon the
nation.

15th August, 1853.

JUSTICE TO ALL.

AUSTRALIAN ROYAL MAIL COMPANY.

A special general meeting of the shareholders in the
Australian Royal Mail Company was held yesterday, at
the London Tavern, for the purpose of receiving the
report of a committee appointed at the last general
meeting to investigate thoroughly the affairs of the com-
pany, with a view to arrive at the causes of the failures
which have hitherto characterised almost all its under-
takings. The committee made a very elaborate report
condemnatory of the past management of the affairs of
the company, and wound it up by stating—
" The committee, in conclusion, earnestly suggest to the
consideration of the shareholders that no general principles
laid down for the management of their affairs will be suffi-
cient to recover their property from its present depressed
condition, and secure efficient management for the future,
unless the administration be confided to a board conver-
sant with mercantile and maritime affairs, assisted by one
or more persons highly qualified to conduct the business
of such a company, and who shall be required to devote
their whole time to the discharge of the duties of their
office ; and with a view of enabling the shareholders from
their own body to make the best choice of directors on all
future occasions, the committee recommend that the qua-
lification for a seat in the direction shall be reduced from
100 to 50 shares. _ _

" The committee have abstained from considering the
question of amalgamation with the General Screw Com-
pany, because it was communicated to them shortly after
their appointment that the negociations with that com-
pany were at an end."
The consequence was, that the whole body of directors
immediately tendered their resignations ; and the com-
mittee were requested by the meeting to nominate a
certain number of gentlemen as their successors, and
their names will be submitted for the approval of the
shareholders at the next meeting. It is proposed that
the qualification for a director is to be in future 50
shares, instead of 100. While referring to the above
company, we may mention that the Marco Polo made
the passage out from Liverpool to Melbourne in seventy-
five days, ten or twelve days of which she was nearly
becalmed, and that the screw steamer Adelaide had
taken 140 days for the voyage from London.

HER MAJESTY'S VISIT TO IRELAND.—The route of
the Queen from Osborne to Holyhead is, we learn, to be
from Southampton to Basingstoke, thence by the Great
Westein to Leamington, whence, in consequence of the
inconvenience of the systems at Birmingham, the Royal
party will be transferred to the narrow gauge. From
Leamington her Majesty is to proceed via Coventry and
Nuneaton, and on by the Trent Valley to Stafford,
Crewe, and Chester. Owing to the breaks of gauge,
her Majesty will have to change carriages at Basingstoke
and again at Leamington. We are informed, also, that
the troops returning from Windsor to the north are in
future to take the same route, as more convenient than
that by Birmingham.
THE PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.—We understand
that the prorogation of parliament is fixed for Saturday
next, some important judgments, to be given by the
House of Lords, rendering it impossible that it could
take place on an earlier day.
THE lONIAN ISLANDS AND THE MAILS.—It is re-
ported that her Majesty's steam-vessels now employed
in the Mediterranean in conveying the mails between
Malta and the lonian Islands are to be withdrawn, and
the work is to be performed by a foreign steam com-
pany.—Austrian Lloyd's.
POST-OFFICE NOTICE--For the accommodation of the
residents in Belgrave and Eaton-squares, in Pimlico, and
in the neighbourhood, the Postmaster-General has been
pleased to direct that the office at No. 5, Lyall-place,
Eaton-square, shall remain open till 7 o'clock a.m., for
the receipt of letters to be forwarded by the morning
mails. The regulation will be confined to unpaid and
stamped letters, and will not include newspapers.
ASTURIAN MINING COMPANY.—At the special meet-
ing of this company yesterday, the report stated that
the statutes of the company had been settled by the
Spanish Government. In January next a dividend of IL
per share would be declared, equal to 10 per cent.,
which would be increased by the next financial year ;
and as soon as the report arrived it would be open to
the inspection of the shareholders. Out of the 16,000
shares, 6,297 would be divided amongst the old share-
holders. The expenditure exceeded the receipts by
1,0701. 15s. 2d., and the balance at bankers was 3011.
4s. 10d. The report was adopted.
MILITARY KNIGHTS OF WINDSOR.—A vacancy has
occurred in this ancient and honourable body by the
demise of Ensign John Lamb, of the 2d Royal Veteran
Battalion, who died much respected, at his residence in
Windsor Castle, on Friday, the 12th inst. Mr. Lamb
served with great credit for many years in her Majesty's
29th, or Worcestershire Regiment of Foot, was in the
Peninsula, and present at the battles of Roleia, Vimiera,
and Talavera, for which he had the war medal and three
clasps.
UNIVERSITY AND KING'S COLLEGE, ABERDEEN.—
The following gentlemen having undergone the necessary
examination in the higher branches of medical science,
on the Bth, 9th, 10th, 11th inst., at the above univer-
sity, bad the degree of Doctor of Medicine conferred on
them, on the 12th inst,, by the " Senatus Academicus";
—Perry Dichen, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire ;
Charles C. Hayman, West Mailing, Kent ; Henry Cal-
laway,
London ; E. H. Greenhow ; James Richard
Hancorn, 34, Shoreditch, London ; William Smith,
Weyhill, Hants ; Alfred Richardson, St. George's-in-
the-East, London; William Smart, RE., R.N. ; John
Campbell, H.E.I.C.S. ; John Stopford Taylor, Liver-
pool ; Joseph Kidd, London ; John Hawkins Vincent,
London ; Charles Henry Payne, London ; Joseph Nash,
Kingsdown House, Box, Wiltshire ; Charles George
Hewson, Topsham, Devon.
THE KINGSWOOD COLLIERS.—The differences between
the colliers of Kingswood, near Bristol, and their em-
rpelosuymeresdhtahveeirbelaebnouarms,icaabnldy
ianrrtannegeeodu.
rseThofe
nextmen wheaevke
all will go on as usual.
THE SINKING OF THE NIOBE.—The Niobe was righted
yesterday on the receding of the tide, and reparations at
once commenced. The collision must have been very
severe, as the whole of the cutwater and part of her
beams were carried away. Had any passengers been in
the fore cabin at the time of the accident their chance of
escape under any circumstances would have been but
slight, in consequence of the great influx of water,
which, guessing from the gap left, must have filled the
cabin in a very few seconds. During the day, London-
bridge presented a very crowded aspect, from the num-
ber of persons who came to look at the vessel as she lay
off Humphery's-wharf.
THE LATE COLONEL HAWKER.—This gallant officer
and world-renowned sportsman died on the 7th inst., in
the 67th year of his age, at his residence in Dorset-place,
after a painful and protracted illness. Few men ever
enjoyed a higher reputation.in the sporting world than
the recently departed veteran, who, after serving in
the Peninsular war with the utmost distinction,
on his return to this country produced his well-
known work entitled Instructions to Young Sportsmen in
all that relates to Guns and Shooting. This book had
prodigious success, the tenth edition being nearly ready
for the press at the time of his decease. To the Colonel
alsovent
itohnes publican is ici m
improvements uch
s indebted
in
guns,for severalmany
samples valuable no f
which he sent to-
the Great Exhibition of 1851, and
which he entertained the most sanguine hopes would
pleasures of the field. At the time of his d !a:th he was
have been adopted by Government, they being equally
suited to military purposes as to the enhancement of the
Lieutenant-Colonel of the North Hants Militia,

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.-(THIS DAY.)

Mr. Commissioner Fonblanque was the Commissioner
of the day, but all the cases up to two o'clock were
private meetings.

FAILURE OF A DIRECTOR OF THE COMMERCIAL UNION
INSURANCE COMPANY.-IN RE STRICKLAND.

This bankrupt was described as a wine merchant,
Chancery-lane and Kensington, and was adjudged in the
usual form, and will be forthwith gazetted, as the bank-
ruptcy is not disputed.
The failure is attributed to the bankrupt having been
one of the directors of the Commercial Union Insurance
Company.
Mr. Hayes, of Craig's-court, Charinv-cross, is solici-
tor for the petitioning creditor, and Messrs. Robinson
and Knowles, Basinghall-street, are the accountants to
the estate. At present it is impossible to state the
amount of debts or assets.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
(THIS DAY.)

OLD COURT.
(Before the Common Sergeant.)
ROBBERY ON THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

Joseph, Redgrave, 35, carman, and Robert Gooclericis,
21, also a carman, were indicted for stealing 2 firkins
and 601bs. weight of butter, value 2/. 25., and other
goods, the property of the Great Western Railway Com-
pany.

The two prisoners were in the employ of Messrs.
Younghusband, the carriers, and were in the habit of
conveying goods from the Paddington station to different
parts of the metropolis. On Sunday, the 31st of July
last, the two firkins of butter and three cheeses wero
missed from the station, and the prisoners were engaged
there during the greater portion of the day ; but they
were not seen to take the property, and the robbery
was traced to them through the sagacity of a policeman
named Middleton, who, early on Monday morning, had
his suspicion excited by seeing one of Messrs. Young-
husband's carts stop at the Feathers public-house, near
Tooley-street, and the two prisoners, who were in it,
get out and take the firkins and cheeses inside. He
questioned them as to where they got the property, and
as they gave evasive and unsatisfactory answers, he
took them both into custody.
The learned Judge having summed up the evidence,
The jury found the prisoners guilty, and they were
sentenced each to six months' imprisonment, with hard
labour.

NEW COURT.
(Before Mr. Russell Gurney, Q.C.)

William, Perry, aged 38, was indicted for feloniously
making counterfeit coin.
Mr. Bodkin prosecuted.
The facts proved in evidence by the police were these :
—On the Ist of July, from some information, they went
to 32, King Edward-street, Mile-end, New Town, and
upon proceeding upstairs to a room in the front of the
house, they found the prisoner standing over a brisk fire
with a ladle in his hand, in which metal had been fazed.
Upon seeing the constables, he threw down a mould,
and tried to crush it under his feet. He was, however,
instantly secured, and a bad half-crown, quite hot, was
found at his feet; eleven bad half-crowns, just made,
were found in the room ; an electro-plate apparatus,
and all the usual implements of coining were found in
his room.

He was found guilty, and transported for 10 years.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.-(THIS DAY.)

BEWARE OF THE COMPANY YOU KEEP.
Symons was brought before Mr. Hardwick charged on
suspicion of having been concerned with a woman not in
custody with having stolen a watch, the property of
William Ford, composition ornament maker, No. 6,
Upper Charlton-street, Fitzroy-square.
The prosecutor deposed that about twenty minutes to
tweve on the previous night he was standing at the cor-
ner of Wells street and Castle-street, when a woman came
up and accosted him. After some conversation she tapped
his waistcoat pockets, in one of which was his watch.
She subsequently persuaded him to accompany her
down an adjoining mews, and laying hold of both his
hands pulled him down the entry, and while they were
standing there, the prisoner came up to them, and made
use of some filthy expression. The woman then ran off,
and prosecutor felt in his pocket and found that his
watch was gone, having been severed from the guard.
The man walked slowly away, followed by witness, who,
suspecting the prisoner to be an accomplice of the
woman's, gave him in charge. Witness added that at
the station the prisoner was searched, but the watch was
not found.

Mr. W. H. Howe, solicitor, who attended for the de-
fendant, cross-examined prosecutor, and elicited that he
(prosecutor) and the woman were acting very improperly
and criminally when the defendant came up and spoke
to them. Mr. Howe contended there was not the least
evidence to prove that his client had anything to do
with the robbery in question, or was in any way connected
with the woman. Defendant was a respectable man,
and last night, having occasion to enter the Mews, he
saw the prosecutor and the woman in such an indecent
position that he severely reprehended them for their
immorality. Upon this the woman ran away, and as
defendant was leisurely walking up the street, prosecutor
came up and gave him into custody on the present
charge.
Mr. Hardwick said there had been no evidence brought
forward to induce him to detain the defendant, and
directed him to be discharged.

FRIGHTFUL Loss OF LIFE.—An Arab ship, called
the Nassree, from Jedda to Bombay, with some 400
pilgrims, returning from Mecca to various parts of
India, was wrecked on the 22d June. Only 100 of the
poor people succeeded in reaching the shore ; the others
were all lost.

OCEAN CURRENTS, &c.—A meeting of the mer-
chants, shipowners, captains, and others, is to be held
at Lloyd's, on Thursday next, for the purpose of hear-
ing the explanations of Lieutenant Maury, of the
United States navy, and superintendent of the Obser-
vatory at Washington, respecting the system adopted
by that Government for collecting and disseminating
information relative to the direction and force of winds
and ocean currents in all parts of the world, and me-
teorological observations.
OCEAN STEAMING.-LIVERPOOL, Monday.—Letters
have been received here from the South American
Steam-ship Company's steamer Argentina, dated Ma-
deira, August 5. She ran the distance between Lisbon
and Madeira in two days, and continued to give the
greatest satisfaction, maintaining the high character she
had obtained by her rapid run to Lisbon. The African
Steam ship Company's screw steamer Charity was sur-
veyed on Saturday by Mr. Hughes, the Admiralty en-
gineer, when her performance gave great satisfaction.
Her speed, as ascertained by measured distance, with-
out reference to tides, and by Massey's patent log, was
9/ knots, having on board at the time 800 tons of coal
besides water, provisions, and stores. Considering the
tonnage of the Charity (1,200 n. in.), and her nominal
power, no such result has befcre been obtained in screw
steaming. After the trial trip the Charity sailed for
the Thames.

THE MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Monday, August 15.
The General Screw Steam-shipping Company's ship
Queen of the South, Captain Norman, took her departure
to-day for St. Vincent's, the Cape, the Mauritius, Ceylon,
Madras, and Calcutta, the mails for which ports will
be embarked at Plymouth on Tuesday. The Queen
of the South takes out nearly 100 passengers, among
whom are Colonel M`Leed, for Madras ; Captain Den-
niss and Ensign Clay, for Calcutta; Major Watson, for
Ceylon ; Colonel Guy, Lieutenant Carter and Carlisle,
for the Mauritius ; Captain Harrington, Ensign Mac-
pherson, Lieutenants Walker, Irving, and Fitzmaurice,
for the Cape, &c. On freight this steamer takes out
about 300 tons' measurement of general merchandise, 50
bottles of quicksilver, and specie value 6,0001. sterling.
The Hydaspes will take out the next mails for India and
China via the Cape, of the 15th of September, and
the Lady Jocelyn will be due at Plymouth and
Southampton, with the homeward mails, on the 26th
instant. The United States' mail steamship Hermann,
Lieutenant Higgins, U.S.N., Commander, arrived here
yesterday (Sunday) from Bremen, and is receiving cargo
from France and the manufacturing districts previous
to departing for New York with the usual mails on
Wednesday. The Douro, a new iron screw steam-
ship of 960 tons burden, and 270-horse power, built
by Messrs. Tod and M`Gregor, of Glasgow, for the
Peninsular and Oriental Company, arrived here on Sa-
turday, and will be employed either on the Levant or
Peninsular lines. The Douro is in all respects similar to
the Cadiz, and her performances during the passage
from the Clyde were very favourable. The Rajah, an
iron steam collier; belonging to the same company,
whose departure on the 3d instant for Singapore, as
already announced, has had her destination altered, and
is to proceed from Cardiff to Malta with a cargo of
coals, and thence to Smyrna and Constantinople, to
load a cargo of fruit, for Southampton. The Tagus,
for Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar, and the
Royal mail steamer Thames, for the West Indies, are to
leave with the mails on Wednesday. The Euxine, Cap-
tain Meehan, will start on the 20th inst. with the out-
ward East India, China, and Mediterranean mails. The
p
Royal mail steam-ship Parana, with the next homeward
ammapiltsofnrotmhis day
the, W Pacific,aesntdlmndaiyesbaenhdourlyex dueexpected.
ACCIDENT at South.
i esc
ACCIDENT TO A TRAIN ON THE READING AND REI-
GATE RAILWAY.—The passengers by the "cheap fast
train," which leaves Reading at a quarter past eight
o'clock, were much alarmed yesterday morning by a cry
gettingth e l
e about ofuo t
e r a.
wheelm il e be-
yond
of
the engine had got off the line. The passengers instantly
jumped out of the train to ascertain the cause of the
of danger after the train had just left the Chilworth sta-
tion. In a few moments it was found that the cry was
not without foundation, for the train was immediately
on n
stoppetdhebystathtieond,ridviesrc, hovwereod,
that
stoppage, and were informed that the axletree of the
engine was broken. A messenger was directly sent to
Chilworth station to order a telegraphic despatch to be
forwarded to Redhill for another engine, and in the
meantime the passengers, delighted at no bodily injury
having been received by any one connected with the
train, lent their aid in pushing the train (which consisted
of eight carriages and a horse-box) back to the Chilworth
station. A delay of about an hour having taken place,
an engine arrived, and the train proceeded on its journey
on the down line as far as Gomshall, where it was shifted
on to the up line. At Croydon, owing to the repairs
being done to the up rails another delay took place, the
train being shifted and reshifted between there and Lon-
don. It ultimately reached its destination at half-past
twelve. Great inconvenience by the delay was expe-
rienced by most of the passengers, particularly by a
number of corn-dealers who were coming up to the
Mark-lane Corn Exchauge.

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

FRANCE.

On the occasion of the fête, the Bourse and all
the public offices are closed.
Yesterday the Emperor received at the Tuileries
the clergy of Paris, the Diplomatic Corps, the Mi-
nisters and high dignitaries of the State, and the
veterans of the Imperial army.
veterans of the Imperial army. Many of the latter
wearing the now antiquated uniforms of their re-
spective corps, might be met walking about the
Tuileries and the Champs Elysees during the day.
Among the Diplomatic Corps was of course Mr.
Sanford, the Charge d'Affaires of the United
States, who, in compliance with the recent instruc-
tions of the American Secretary of State, appeared
in the simple dress of an American citizen. This
unassuming costume, which presented a striking
contrast with the glitter of embroidery and the
blaze of stars and crosses around, caused much
sensation, and is a topic of conversation in all the
political circles. Mr. Sanford had. previously inti-
mated to the Grand Chamberlain's department that
he should so appear. This is the first occasion
that the instructions of the American Government
have been carried out, as they were, this day,
faithfully to the letter of Mr. Sanford.
The reception took place in the throne room, the
Emperor standing, with the Ministers and Officers
of the Palace. Each person bowed and passed by
in turn. The Emperor afterwards walked through
the saloons, with the Empress leaning on his arm,
received the salutations, and. occasionally saying a
few words to those present.
The illuminations last night went off with the
greatest success, and at midnight it was ascertained
from all quarters that the day had passed without
a single accident.
The Moniteur states that, at the reception of
Sunday, the Emperor said to the British Ambas-
sador, " I thank the diplomatic corps for their con-
gratulations. What delights me most is to see the
peace of Europe firmly established—for such at
least do I consider it—without any sacrifice of dig-
nity or self-love on the part of any nation."
At 4 o'clock his Majesty, accompanied by the
Empress and the King Jerome took a ride in an
open carriage along the quays of the Tuileries and
of Billy. Their Majesties stopped for a short time
in the midst of a dense crowd to view a regatta,
and afterwards proceeded to the Champs de Mars
where the artistes of the Hippodrome and the Cirque
de l'lmperatrice performed the Field of the Cloth of
Gold and the Storming of La Ghouat. The greatest
order prevailed. The weather, though dull, was
favourable. _

The Emperor and Empress honoured the Thea-
tre Francais with their presence on Sunday even-
ing. Their Majesties were received with loud ac-
clamations.

Queen Christina and her family have arrived in
Paris from Havre, in order to be present at the

fête.

The banquet given- on Sunday by the city of
Paris at the Hotel de Ville, on the occasion of the
Emperor's fête, was of a most splendid description.
Amongst the persons present were M. Fould,
Minister of State, M. de Persigny, Minister of the
Interior, M. Bineau, Minister of Finance, M. For-
toul, Minister of Public Instruction, M. Baroche,
President of the Council of State, M. Delangle,
First President of the Court of Cassation, and a
great number of the principal dignitaries of State.
The members of the Council General of the Seine,
the Councillors of Prefecture, the mayors of Paris,
and the members of the Municipal Commission of
Paris were all present. After the dinner, M.
Haussman, Prefect of the Seine, rose and spoke
as follows :

. _
" Gentlemen—ln the name of the Municipal Council,
and in the name of the city and population of Paris, I
propose to you the health of the Emperor Napoleon
111. May his. Majesty enjoy long days of the power,
security, and happiness that his glorious reign insures to
France, and of the unexampled prosperity which the
city of Paris owes to him. Vive l'Empereur !' "
Loud shouts of approval greeted these words of the
Prefect, who, when silence was somewhat restored,
continued as follows :

"In the expression of our wishes, gentlemen, we
cannot but associate with the Emperor his august con-
sort. Witness as I constantly am of the incessant soli-
citude of the Empress for all that can lessen human
suffering, I less than any one can forget the exceedingly
large share which comes to her Majesty in the benedic-
tions of the population of Paris : Vivo l'lmperatrice !' "
Renewed cheers greeted this latter part of the
Prefect's address, and the toast was drunk with
enthusiasm. At nine• o'clock the guests rose from
table and promenaded for a while through the
magnificent rooms of the Hotel de Ville. They
then took their departure.
The Sentinelle of Toulon states that the Orenoque
steam-frigate, which has been fitting out in that
port, is to take on board a detachment composed
of two companies of Marines, and 60 of the Marine
Artillery, for the purpose of proceeding to the Gulf
of Guinea, to obtain satisfaction for some acts of
violence on the part of the people of the Grand
Bassam.
The Piedmontese Gazette of the 12th contains a
notice from the French charge d'affaires at Turin,
informing the French residents there of a solemn
service to be performed on the 15th in the church
of St. Philip, to celebrate the anniversary of Napo-
leon.

The official account of the operations of the
Sinking-fund and the Caisse des Depots et Consig-
nations during the second quarter of 1853 has just
been published. Of late years the Sinking-fund
has ceased to be actively employed towards lessen-
ing the burden of the State debt, the financial
situation of the country not permitting it to act.
It is, however, worthy of note, that the receipts of
the second quarter of the present year, added to the
surplus existing on the 31st of March last, amount
to 40,023,054 f. Henceforward the fact of the
funds of the Caisse des Retraites for the aged being
entrusted to the Sinking-fund will give this latter
somewhat greater animation, in consequence of a
certain sum of perpetual rente being each year con-
verted into life annuities. The rente belonging to
the Caisse des Retraites, now held by the Sinking-
fund, amounts to 323,565 f., representing a capital
of 7,166,825 f. 10c. Its expenses, reimbursements,
and outlay of all kinds within that period amount-
ing to 55,781,955 f. 79c., there remains in hand a
sum of 518,023,970 f. 31c. The purchases of rente
for the depositors in the Savings' Bank amount for
this second quarter of the year to 147,437 f., repre-
senting a capital of 3,507,259 f. 40c., of which sum
788,036 f. 30c. were employed in purchases ex-
officio ; previously, from August 1, 1845, to March
31, 1853, the amount of rente purchased reached
the figure of 2,174,569 f. for a capital of
46,627,572 f. sc.