The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-24 00:00:00

ASTLEY'S.

Last evening will long be remembered as the night
on which the Battle of the Alma was produced at this
theatre. On our entering the theatre it was evident.
that great preparation bad been made in order to give
due effect to the spectacle. We well remember the
furore caused in London by the Battle of Waterloo, but
the success of last night far outrivalled it. At the mo-
ment the curtain rose, a war•steamer was seen lying at
Southampton, all ready for her living cargo. The distant
sound of the military band is heard, and immediately
regiment after regiment (and they are not the usual
stage regiments) arrive, amid the cheers of the
populace. To give effect to this incident, an in-
clined platform, nearly as broad as the stage itself,
descends from the stage into the circle, so as to cover
the whole of the orchestra, the musicians being forced'
to take their place on one side. The soldiers do not enter
as usual by the wing, but by the circle, and then march
in order up the inclined plane, till they embark in the •
vessel. By this simple contrivance a reality of multitude
and of distance is obtained, which gives a novel effect to
the picture, and the sight of the soldiers rising, as it ,
were, front the midst of the audience causes a general
excitement. This closes the first act, and the enthusiasm
of the audience was no excited, that it was not until Mr.
Cooke, in obedience to the call, bowed his acknowledg-
ment of the compliment, that silence was restored. The
second part of the play is near the heights of Alma, where
the Battle of the Alma, with which the piece concludes,
takes place ; the platform is again turned to even more
effective account.
.The heights of Alma are at the back
of the stage, surmounted by the Russians. The Allied
Forces proceed through the circle, and ascend the plat-
form, as before, till the Cossacks make a sally down into
the ring, when two conflicts take place—one en the
stage, and the other below, so that the whole theatre
becomes a field of battle. The defeat of the Cossacks in
the ring allows a general ascent upon the stage, and the
heights, which are actually very steep, being carried
triumphantly, one of the most magnificent tableaux ever
seen is produced. At the termination of the piece the
cheering was tremendous. Mr. Cooke again came for-
ward to receive the applause which he most richly de-
served, arid after he had retired, Mr. West, the talented
stage manager, also received a similar compliment. The
piece was given out for repetition every evening, amidst ,
the cheers of a crowded house.

CONSECRATION OF A NEW CHURCH.—On Friday last
the Bishop of Oxford consecrated the new church at
Tyier's-green, in the parish of High Wycombe, about
three miles to the north of that town.

NEW CHURCH IN VICTORIA-STREET.—The new church
of St. Andrew, at the western end of Victoria-street, is
approaching completion, and in a few weeks will be
ready for consecration. It will contain 1,100 sittings,
of which 600 will be unappropriated and entirely free.
An ecclesiastical district, consisting of a portion of the
western division of St. Margaret's parish, has been as.
signed to the new church, of which the Rev. Charles
Abbot Stevens, M.A., a son of the Dean of Rochester,
will be the first incumbent.
THE FRENCH Loss AT ALMA.—The Moniteur of yes.
tcrtlay contains the general list of officers of all arms
killed or wounded in the battle of Alma, and also a
statement of the gross French loss on that occasion.
One hundred and thirty-six French were killed, of whom
four were officers. The wounded numbered one thou-
sand two hundred, including sixty-one officers.
BRITISH BENEFICENT INSTITUTION.—Yesterday a court
of the governors of this institution, which has been esta-
blished for affording permanent incomes of 301. per an-
num to the widows and unmarried orphan daughters o
military and naval officers, professional men and others,
who have moved in s.supeinriocrohsf .fiid
tsa.tiinennoefsso_ciseitry,r waselix
held at the offices, 63, L
Agar, V.P., in the chair. The report stated that the
prospects of the institution were most encouraging. A
large number of ladies (31) were now receiving relief,
and the funds admitted the addition of three more to
the list.
FATAL ACCIDENT TO A GENTLEMAN. —A very painful
sensation has been caused at Clifton, near Manche-ter,
by the death of Mr. Ellis Fletcher, of Clifton Hill,
the owner of a very extensive and valuable property,
known as the Clifton estates. The unfortunate gentle-
man had only recently attained his majority, and came
into, possession of the estates. On Friday he had
been over to Shackerleycum-Tyldesley, a short distance
from Clifton, where a large portion of "the property is
situate, and in returning home in the evening on a very
spirited horse, he either fell or was thrown from it, and
very seriously injujed. He was taken up'insensible and
conveyed to his residence, where he died yesterday
morning from concussion of the brain. A cororer's in- •
quest will be hold to-morrow (Tuesday), when additional
particulars will probably transpire.

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C0111.:11Kial I L /IV TELL I E.N

CITY, TWO o'CLOCK.
The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 7,000 bales, including 1,000 American
taken for expert and on speculation. The market
closed heavily, with prices of all kinds unchanged.
The sales comprised 5,750 American, 180 Pernam
and Maranham at Gid. to 6;d., 300 Bahia at bid.
to 6id., 100 Egyptian at bid. to Bd., 700 Surat at
3d. to 4id., and 80 Sea Island at Is. 21 to 2s.
per lb. Railway Shares were flat, at lower prices.
The arrivals of ships in the Thames during the
last two days have comprised 71 vessels from
foreign parts, and 5 from Ireland, besides 3 colliers.
The following particulars of the Russia trade,
are furnished by Messrs. Smith and Charles :
"The only public announcement of interest with re-
spect to the suppression of the overland trade, which has
been made since our last circular was written, occurs in
the leading article of an evening newspaper of the 200 :
The measure which our own Government has had
under consideration to check the objectionable trade
which Prus-Ia has permitted Russia to carry on through
a pretended neutrality has been a substantial proof to
the Government of Prussia that she could no longer trifle
with us.'"

The heavy expenditure to which the country is
now subjected by the unavoidable expenses of the
war, and the possibility of the Chancellor of the
Exchequer having to raise fresh means ere long,
causes those who look to the future, before enter-
ing upon new financial arrangements, to discuss
with interest the means that may be pursued. The
experiment of a bonded debt falling due at stated
periods has now been fairly tested, and, to
the extent of six millions sterling, may be
pronounced successful, but whether a further issue
of four or five millions early next year would be
absorbed is the controversial point. Seeing
the continuous drain upon the Government re-
sources which even a successful war must occa-
sion, further borrowing in one shape or other prior 12
to the commencement of the Baltic operations 50,
would appear indispensable, for we dismiss alto- 1-`-;"
gather the idea of fresh taxation, especially with the st.
prospect offood maintaining its enhanced price until 19,
the grain trade is released from the artificial fetters 14
imposed by the belligerent powers. Next as to the 20
power of the money market to take more Exchequer U.
Bonds, we should incline to augur favourably, the st,
non-creation of Government Stock by means of 20
loans having thrown into other channels the great 10
corporations as well as private capitalists having 12
surplus cash periodically to invest. The prejudice a.
in favour of national securities will cause them, `47;
in whatever shape they may be issued, to 25
obtain a preference comparatively to the shares 25
of public companies, and now Exchequer Bonds St.
are understood, the way is, in a manner, 812 s
paved for them. There is another part St:
of the war and money question, however, which 50
may be regarded as of the greatest importance, 25
viz., the Currency. Just now, and although money 100
is temporarily easier, the discount of best paper J;
being obtainable at 41 per cent., the bullion in the
Bank of England is much lower than it should be 20
to meet all the requirements of the 1844 Act, con-
sidering the large amount of gold imported, and
the fact that the precious metal leaves
this country almost as fast as it arrives,
has a significance that cannot be disregarded. Tne
following extract from the Bankers' Circular gives
a view of the subject that seems to be just and well
timed. The wi iter observes as a sequel to some
considerations connected with the policy of the
Bank during the last war :
"It is therefore of vital importance to inquire into
the system of finance by which the present war has to bo
conducted. Mr. Gladstone, like Mr. Pitt, has been
compelled to rely chiefly upon the Bank of England,
and he has intimated his intention of making the present
generation pay for the war. There would be no objec-
tion to this principle if Mr. Gladstone had to deal with
a monetary system such as existed in Mr. Pitt's time ;
but the whole system has been thoroughly changed.
Mr. Gladstone ha.s to deal with a fixed money
circulation, bequeathed by the late Sir Robert
Peel, to the extent of 31,000,0001. sterling ; and
which can only deviate from that amount to the ex-
tent of the surplus of gold held by the Bank over
14,000,0001. By a reference to this source of money
circulation for the convenience of the public during tie
past two years we shall be able to form an opinion of
the future prospects of our ability to meet the exigen-
cies of war out of the annual revenue. In the week
ending the 10th July, 1852, the surplus amount of
coin and bullion in the issue department of the Bank
above 14,000,0001. of notes issued upon the debt due
to" the Bank was 21,878,765 e., making the total power
to issue notes 35,878,7651.
" Ou the 31st of December last the surplus amount of
'bullion and coin in the issue department of the Bank
had fallen to 15,180,0301., reducing the total power of
issue to 29,180,0801.
"The returns of the Bank to October the 7tb, 1854,
show the surplus of bullion and coin held in the issue
department to be 12,350,0301., giving to the Bank the
power of issuing notes to the extent of 26,350,0301.
Thus we find that the power of the Bank to issue notes
at these three periods, and the actual] circulation, stand
as follows

Power of Issue. Actual Circulation.

"3uly 10tb, 1852 35,878,765 23,379,975
December 31st, 1853 29,180,080 20,077,860
October 7th, 1854 26,350,330 19,959,015 10
5

Decrease
20
or, or,
27 per cent, 15 per cent.
"If attention be directed to the Revenue Returns -17 i
which were published last week, it will be seen that the 20
increase is of a most insignificant character ; and even 20
that increase is not derived from those sources which can 20
be relied upon. The decrease of 509,4071. in the Cue- 20
toms during the 6 months ended October 10, is a very 20
serious item to place against 77,8971. increase. And it 20
is very doubtful whether the Property Tax, from which 100
this increase is principally derived, can be extended, 100
without materially diminishing other branches of the 20
revenue. Mr. Gladstone's surplus is a very scanty sum 2„
to place against the cost of a war conducted on the 25
scale on which it has been commenced. And unless the 25
Government take measures to support the commerce and
trade of the country upon more extended views, we must 100
_be prepared for a further decrease in the ordinary sources
Ico
of revenue. 20
The funds are heavier this morning, and the 5
business doing is small, except in New 3k per 5
1
Cents., which have been rather pressed for sale, 20.,
and have ranged from 93i to tl-. Consols have no
been 94a to for transfer, and 94i for account.
Money is easy, and Exchequer Bills are up to 55. 100
and Bs. premium. Bank Stock is worth 212. 100
Rather more activity is observable in the LOO
Foreign Stock Market, though unattended by any
20'
important variation in prices. Mexican stock is 100
heavy at 23. Spanish Deferred at 181, but the 20
Passive Bonds are supported•at 4i. Portuguese 5
Bonds are marked 431-. Equador Bonds 3i to 3/.
Grenada Active 16, and the Deferred 51. Venezuela 20
Bonds are 22, and the Deferred 9. Turkish Scrip 4
is rather higher, being 2ft There has been a bar- 20
gain in Belgian 41 per Cents. at 92-1. Dutch 21 20
per Cents. are firmer at 61 to 61i, but the 4 per 20
Cents. weaker at 94 to 91. 20
The following are the nominal prices of foreign 10'
stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 51 to 6 ; Mexi- 2
can, 23 to 23k ; Peruvian, 71 to 73 ; ditto, 20
3 per Cents., 51 to 53 ; Portuguese 4 per C.2nts.,
40 to 42 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 95 to 97 ; ditto,2 (11
4i per Cents., 84 to 86 ; Spanish New Deferred,
20
18i to .184 ; ditto, 3 per Cents., 37i to 38 ; ditto,
Certificates, 5 to 51 ; ditto, Passive, 4i- to 51.
The Railway Share Market has shown symptoms
of weakness to-day, which has induced rather more 20
business. The principal dealings are in North- 20
Western, Midland, North British, and North- 10
Eastern. The foreign lines are dull, but nomi- 20
nally steady. 40
There have been a few dealings in Mining, Bank- 20
ing, and miscellaneous undertakings but mostly at 20
20
previous quotations. 20

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES
(Prom the Oeicial List.)

Bank Stock
212
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities
3 per Cent Consols Annuities 94 934 a
$
New 3 per Cent. Annuities
93
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 18no
4 5-16
Ditto 30 ears,
Expire sth Jan., 1860 4
Y
India 13onds, £lOOO ........•.........
.....
Ditto, under £lOOO ll p
Consols for Account 14th Nov.
Exchequer Bills, 24d.
8 5
£lOOO .........................
2500 .......................................... 8 5
Small ......................................... 5 8
Exchequer Bonds 1858, 3 per Cent. ......
99
Ditt• 1859, ~ .....
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY,
Austrian Bonds, 5 per ...... .....•••• 861
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent . 99
31
Equador Bonds ...............................
Grenada Bonds, 111. per Cent .......... 16
Grenada Bonds, Deferred .................... 51
Mexican :1 per Cent. . ..................
Ditto for the Account ..........
Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent ...............
Ditto, 5 per Ct., Con. 1841 ............... ,±O4
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. St
Ditto for the Account
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent
Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cent lBl
Ditto Passive (Converted) ............
Turkish Scrip 6 per cent
Venezuela Bonds, 3i per Cent. ....
Ditto Deferred, 1 per Cent
T)lvidends on the shove payable in London.
Belgian Bonds 4i per Cent. ex. 25 fr
Dutch Exchange, `24 per Cent. 12 Guil 61$ 1
F?itto 4 per Cent. Certifieates..
THR.EI OTLOCIL
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