The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-25 00:00:00

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD, OCt. 24.—ELECTION OF THE HEBDOMADAL
COUNCIL.—The election of the Hebdomadal Council took
place this day, when the following were elected:—Heads
of Houses—The Warden of New College, 126 votes ;
the Master of Balliol, 106 ; the Provost of Oriel, 101 ;
the Dean of Christchurch, 93 ; the Master of Pembroke,
74 ; the Warden of Wadham, 70. Professors—Regius
Professors of Hebrew and Ecclesiastical History, Pro-
fessor of Ancient History, Professor of Botany, Prefes-
sor of Natural Philosophy, and Professor of Astronomy.
Members of Convocation—The Rector of Exeter College;
the Public Orator ; Rev. 0. Gordon, Christchurch ;
Rev. H. L. Mansell, St. John ; Rev. J. B. Mosley,
Magdalen ; Rev. M. Patteson, Lincoln ; and Rev. C.
Marriott, Oriel ; these two latter gentlemen each polled
56. It has not yet been announced officially which will
have a seat in the council.
CAMBRIDGE, Oct. 24.—NEW PRIZE GIVEN BY PRINCE
ALB➢RT.—The Vice-Chancellor has the gratification of
informing the members of the University that his Royal
Highness Prince Albert the Chancellor has graciously
signified his intention to give annually a prize of a
gold medal for the encouragement of legal studios in
the University. The Vice• Chancellor gives notice
that a grace will be offered to the senate en Friday
next, the 27th instant, to accept the same, and to
authorise the Vice• Chancellor to communicate the
thanks of the senate to his Royal Highness for this
additional proof of his desire to promote the studies of
the university. The Vice-Chancellor further gives notice
that on the same day a grace will be offered to the senate
to appoint the Vice• Chancellor, the Head Master of
Trinity College, the Master of St. Catherine's Hall,
the Regius Professor of Laws, the Downing Professor
of the Laws of England ; Mr. J. Atlay, of St. John's
College ; Mr. Mathison, of Trinity College ; Mr. Hays,
of Christ's College ; and Mr. Mackenzie, of Caius
College ; a syndicate to draw up a scheme of regu-
lations for the institution of the above prize, and to
report to the senate before the end of neat Lent term.

Miss NIGIITINGALL—BOULOGNE-SUn-Men, Tuesday.
—Yesterday the Folkestone steamer brought 37 of the
nurses attached to Miss Nightingale's staff. They were
accompanied by the well-known and generous-hearted
Mr. Brainbridge, his lady, a clergyman, and a courier,
who see them safe to Constantinople. The authorities
here have received their orders to afford every facility,
and our kind-hearted consul, Mr. Hamilton, was in at-
tendance to receive and conduct them to the Hotel des
1 Bains, when a good dinner was in readiness for them.

The next best thing has been proposed, and, I be-
lieve, accomplished by Lancaster's guns, which aro only
a modification of the egg-shaped ball proposed bey But-
ton—viz., to prevent the ball acquiring a rotation
round any axis. This is effected by making the shape
of the gun and shell elliptical, so as to prevent any ro-
tation occurring in the discharge.
A. danger, however, arises here ; if the ball be too
heavy the cannon will burst.
In fact, I have proved, i• a published paper (which I
enclose) that the momentum of the ball varies as the
square root of the weight of the powder, as the square
root of the length of the gun, and as the square root o f
the weight of the bullet jointly ; so that, to obtain a
double momentum, with the same gun and same charge
of powder, we must use a ball of four times the weight.
This fact, established by experiment, proves that the
limit of weight necessary to burst the cannon must be
speedily reached. This, I believe, to be the case with
Lancaster's guns, and to be the great defect of this at-
tempt to produce au effect in cannon shot and shells
equivalent to that produced in musket balls by rifling
the bore.

I would, therefore, suggest as a certain improvement,
of the success of which I entertain no doubt, that instead

of increasing the weight of the ball in the Lancaster gun,
we should increase the length of the gun. The guns
which I saw at Woolwich did not appear to have the
requisite length for the very great diameter of the bore
and great weight of the ball. Requesting the insertion
of the foregoing, as my mite towards the destruction of
the Russian bugbear, I am, &c..
SAMUEL HAUGHTON,
Professor of Geology, Trinity College.
Trinity College, Dublin, Oct. 23. -

---
THREE Conoinnonts VACANT.-By tir. death of Lieut. -
General Ewart, which took place on the 23d instant.
the colonelcy of the G7th Regiment ims become vacant.
There are now three regiments of infantry without a
colonel, viz., the Sth, 50th, and 67th.
We learn from good authority that the Viennese
statements respecting Hartmann are false. Hartmann
is safe in Constantinople, but suffering from illness.
dington, Berwick, Linlithgow, and Peebles Militia Artil-
lery will shortly commence. The corps will be under
the ceinmand of Colonel Hay, of Dunso

burgh Courant.
EITRAORDINARY ORDERS VROX AUSTRILIA.-It is
gratifying to know that, while trade is comparatively
dull in Carlisle, we have been favoured with several ex-
tensive orders from Australia. By the last overland
mail, 11Ir.William Slater, steam-biscuit and bread manu•
facturer, kc., of this city, received four orders, two of
theta of a very extensive character, and such as would
do credit to nay manufacturer in the kingdom. Last
night we had the pleasure of seeing one of these orders
made up. It consists of 90 very large cases, in which are
enclosed about 6,500 boxes, containing az immerse
quantity of biscuits, nearly all of which are of the finest
and most expensive description. The gross weight is
about 17 tons ; the cubic contents about 50 tons, or as
much as could be carried by an ordinary sloop. This
order will be despatched to Liverpool to-day (Friday).
and forwarded to Australia with all possible speed. It
is for an English house in the golden colony. The
. _

other large order is fora Scotch house. The former hay

been executed in less than 10 stays, while the regular
business of the establishment has not boon interfered
with. Such an extensive trade is an honour to Carlisle,

and could not fall into more deserving hands than those
of our enterprising friend, Mr. Slater.—Carlisle paper.
M. de Mercey, commissioner charged with the care
of all matters connected witk the Exhibition of the
Fine Arts at Paris for 1855, has given notice to the
foreign committees that they should make known,

as quickly as possible, what space the artists of
their respective countries may require. The ques-
tion having been sent in as to artists being allowed
to affix to their works the price of each, a negative
answer has been given ; but a register will be kept in
which tho prices will be inserted. Both French and fo-
reign works of art will be received from January 15 to
March 15 until midnight. The committees are to send
in their notice of space, number of works, &0., before
November 15.

The supply of money yesterday was again mere abun
dant, and the prospect of a permanent increase of ease
in the discount market seems greater than at any recent
period. The rapid rise in wheat, however, will produce
some effect in lessening the remittances of specie from
the United States, while it will increase the amounts
likely to be forwarded from this country to the Conti-
nent. According to the advices received yesterday from
America, although there was some business going on
in flour and grain for export, the supply was greater
than the demand ; and, if this was the case under the
prices which prevailed on this side a month back, an
active shipment may be looked for immediately the news
of our present rates shall have arrived out. The move-
ment will also ho facilitated both from the United States
and Canada by the decline in freight, which has been
going on for some time. With regard to the Continent,
it is understood that orders have been sent to Spain,
where there is a large available surplus, while the pre-
sumption may also be entertained. that Denmark,
whence, for the past two or three years, we have been
accustomed to receive nearly one-third as mueh as from
Russia, will still contribute a good quantity.—Timcs.
LONDON THOROUGIIPARES.—Nothing short of a second
route to the Bank of England, parallel with Cheap-
side and the Strand from Holborn, will be effec-
tive. The cross traffic of that impassable street
Chancery-lane, and the traffic of Fetter-lane and Far-
ringdon-street, cause the delay. It is also the heavyi
traffic of Cheapside and Fenchurch-street that Islochast
up these streets. To remedy this, I proproof
the
a new street be opened frown tie
w7l: dae res t partsie ofo
Strand,f
Liueo -i n n Lincoln's-inn-fields, oppositeel Somersetds,
and f
from
hmo utshea,
tintotowthtidle:
a
Holborn, opposite Day and I%lartin's ; this street would
the extra thronging of Chancery-lane ; and again,
if a few houses were taken down from the Holborn-
bars to the top of Charles-street, Hatton-garden, and a few
more houses between Little Britain and St. Martin's-le.
Grand, so as to make it in a straight line with Gresham-
street, a new route would be made for the Oxferd-
street traffic, which now so densely crowds Newgate.
street and Cheapside, and also an easy access would
be made both to the Eastern Counties Railway Ste
tion and to the Minories, with, for the better going
through Fenchureh street, the building cf a bridge across
the Fleet between Charles-street and Cow Cross-lane
into Smithfield, which can be done for one-third of the
cost of a bridge at Holborn-hill. lam seriously interested
se s
andas toth facilitateeo'ori
eisn? daily
passage hsuet%h,eienitiperohta-ert t,
Charing-cross
oi
very often occupies me half an hour each morning and
evening more than it did three
years ago ; if this is the
ca.so what am I to expect in
three years hence, accord-
ing to the increase of t ffi
ra 0,-- _orresponclent of the
Builder.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THE STAMP ACT, 17 AND 18
OF VICTORIA, CHAP. 83.
The Ist clause, repealed from and after the 10th of Oc-
tober, 1854, the laws then in force imposing certain stamp
duties payable in Great Britain and Ireland in respect of
inland bills of exchange and promissory-notes, and new
duties are imposed in lieu thereof.
The act then goes on to impose, for the first time, a duty
in respect of bills of exchange drawn out of the United
Kingdom, but no reference is made to promissory-notes,
made abroad, but payable or negotiated within the United
Kingdom. Are such promissory-notes to be treated as not
coining within the operation of the new act, and therefore
wholly exempt from duty?
The 4th clause throws a protection over an innocent
holder of a bill of exchange, which, though purporting to
be drawn abroad, may have been actually drawn within
the United Kingdom, provided the new duty shall be paid
by the party taking the same. Will this protection be ex-
tended to a promissory-note in the case of its purporting,
though incorrectly, to have beau made abroad, but the
holder whereof shall, on its coming to his hand, have forth-
with annexed and duly cancelled an adhesive bill of ex-
change stamp, of value to cover a bill of exchange of the
same amount as such promissory-note ?
The sth clause requires the holder of a bill of exchange,
no
uosul
yt
to
of
presentingthe
forl an d not
payment,h avin:
ea. properic
adhesive stamp affixed thereon, to fix an adhesive stamp
drawn aohvve,i
ill
indicated by a stamp
this preclude merchants abroad from drawing bills on forms
sent from this country with the duty
impressed by a die on the paper, and rapt by an adhesive
stamp?
Under the sth clause the following questions also
arise :
Assuming that the 6th clause has exclusive reference to
bills of exchange drawn within the United Kingdom, there
i s nothing to prevent two parts, or one part only, of a bill
drawn from and payable abroad from being negotiated
within the United Kingdom. Will it, then, be sufficient,
in the case of a bill, for example, for 3001., drawn, or pur-
porting to be drawn, in a set of three from a foreign coun-
try, and payable abroad, if the holder, who
.has received
only two of the parts of which such bill consists, put the
adhesive stamp of ls. on each of such two parts, if he trans-
fer both, or on ono only, if he transfer but one, the other
remaining in his hands ?
This is important, as it frequently happens that the first
bill is sent to the drawee abroad for acceptance, and never
comes iito this country, and the second or second and
third are negotiated here.
Is the 6th clause to be construed as having exclusive
reference to bills drawn within the United Kingdom??
Clause 10 allows draughts to be drawn on adhesive re-
ceipt stamps. Would a banker be warranted is paying a
draught " to order" drawn on a receipt-stamp, the amount
of duty being impressed on the paper, and net indicated
by an adhesive receipt stamp ?
Must the words "on demand" be expressed in draughts
drawn on the penny draught stamp ? Attention is called
to this point, as draughts payable on the amount being de-
manded are frequently expressed to be drawn " at sight"
on " presentation," or in foreign languages in words corre-
sponding with these terms ; or an order is simply given
thus—" Pay A. 8., or order."
If the duty on a bill of exchange drawn from abroad
be paid by means of two or more stamps of the proper
.de-
nomination, and taken together of suffielent amount, in-
stead of one only, will that be considered a compliance
with the act ?
If a bill of exchange dated from abroad, and payable in
this country, be drawn in a set, must the duty be paid by
ono or more stamps on one part of the set, or may separate
stamps be put on the several parts, provided the aggregate
duty thus paid be equal to or exceed the single stamp pay-
able on an inland bill of the same amount ?
The undermentioned penny stamps have been issued :
An adhesive stamp, bearing the words "Draught stamp ;
one penny."
A die stamp, with the words "Draught on demand?'
An adhesive receipt stamp.
A receipt stamp impressed by a die.
A bill or note stamped impressed by die.
A bill stamp impressed by a die, and bearing the words,
" Foreign bills in sets, one penny."
"An adhesive foreign bill stamp bearing the words,
" Foreign bill drawn out of the United Kingdom."
Would not the purposes of the revenue be answered and
the public convenience consulted by the issue of two
stamps only of a penny each—one being impressed by a
die, nod the other adhesive; abolishing all the above enu-
merated distinctions, and making the stamps alike appli-
cable to bills of exchange, promissory-notes, cheques,
draughts, orders for the payment of money, or receipts:

" Inland Revenue, Somerset-house, London,
Oct. 21st, 1.854.
Sir,—The Beard of Inland Revenue have had before
them your letter of the 12th inst., submitting a paper eon.
taining several questions relative to the operation of the
Stamp Act, 17th and 18th -Victoria, c. 83. lam directed
to state that promissory-notes, if drawn out of the United
Kingdom, are not subject to any duty. The fourth sec-
tion of the act does not extend to promissory-notes, but
only refers to bills of exchange.
With regard to your inquiries relative to the fifth see-
tion, I have to state that, as only adhesive stamps can 631180 a
for (denoting the duty en bills drawn out of the -United
Kingdom, merchants abroad cannot draw their bills on
stamped forms. The holder in this country of bills drawn
abroad in sets should put the adhesive stamp on each part
in his possession, and, if not drawn in sets, the foreign
bill stamp of the same amount as the duty on an inland
bill of exchange.
" The Gth section refers exclusively to bills drawn within
the United Kingdom payable abroad.
The 10th section, relative to the use of receipt stamps to
denote the duty of one penny on draughts payable to the
bearer or to order on demand, or the use of draught stamps
for receipts, refers entirely to adhesive stamps, and there- .
fore a draught cannot legally be drawn on paper With an
impressed receipt stamp.
I may obs.rve that the words " on demand" ought to be
expressed in draughts drawn on the penny stamp, but a
bill at sight, or on presentation, is liable to the ordinary
duty on a bill of exchange.
With regard to affixing two or more adhesive stamps on
bills drawn abroad, it is held that it would not be contrary
to law to do so, but the safer course is to use one stamp
only to devote the duty payable.
As regards the duty on bills drawn abroad in sets, pay-
able in this country, I have to state that each part of the
bill is liable to the duty on an inland bill of exchange.
With reference to your concluding inquiry, as to whether
one stamp impressed to denote the duty of a penny and an
adhesive stamp of the like amount could not be used to
denote indiscriminately the daty of that amount payable
on receipts, bills, promissory notes, or draughts, I have
to state that your proposal would be inconsistent with the
objects for which the present stamps are provided.
The receipt stamps arc both impressed and adhesive, be-
cause it may happen that persons could not immediately
procure, when wanted, the former description of stamps,
but they eau be always provided with the latter.
The impressed stamps are, however, generally preferred
1 by persons with the stamps, and are then saved the trouble
of affixing and cancelling them on each occasion of their
use. The two descriptions of stamps, therefore, promote
the public convenience, and facilitate the mesas of com-
plying with the law.
The use of an adhesive draught stamp for a receipt, and
of an adhesive receipt stamp for a draught, is permitted
by a provision introduced into the last act of Parliament,
iswith viewostw
in to
rtehe ps
rpaut
al inc convenience vbe iee
ung ee ea;
forle u te
ia t
her single
of s ttahienspe
purposes.
The impressed bill stamp for foreign bills in sets is de-
signed for such bills drawn in this country to 'which it is
not intended that adhesive stamps should be applied. It
if, necessary, also, that there should be an adhesive stamp
for bills drawn out of this country liable to the same
amount of duty.

hove, perhaps, unnecessarily entered into this detailed
explanation, showing the necessity for the different kinds
of stamps ; but it may be more satisfactory to you to know
the grounds on which they are provided.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
THOMAS KEOGH.

W. Grain, Esq.

PORT-PHILIP GOLD 3IINING COMPANY.

palsy :
Mining Company
The Port Philip and Colonial Golddirector at Mel.
resident
Annexed is a memorandum from the Port Philip Com.
have received advices from their rte
are extracts :
1 loft on this subject no.
Since my a
Mining Regulations.—
Governor's intention regarding
bourne, under date 18th of Angus
thing has transpired of thlsl
The Legislative Council is further
leasingauriferous lands. ,of which the following
Ife the meantime, I believe it is the
despatch of business. September, to meet then for the
visit the gold fields and matnre his
arrangement of the affairs of the co.
plans for the gera
lone, including mining.to leasing mineral ground, the general
With reference to
quite in favour of it, I have no siouk in
PGrole'rgnue‘tra' s tin intention
opinion no
l
some suitable regulations will be issued, en-
abling thet
i 201; tt :
a short timecon.ipanies to carry on mining operations, and I de
would by any means advance the interest of thin
company for me to urge the matter any further at the pro-
sent moment. I shall not, however, allow more than a
very reasonable time to elapse before snaking another appli-
cation. I consider the raining interest as important as any
other in this country, and have no intention of allowing
n"oltitnhgink it
just claims to be slightly treated, I have
company
s
instructed' Mr. Thompson to examine the Ballarat
lately
eonl
tlcy'
district.
There are in all the goldfields portions of partially
worked ground that would answer well to take on lease. I
am, however, on the whole decidedly in favour of the
Ovens, on account of the gold, tin, anal abundant supply
of water. I shall he as glad to report a commencement As
the board to hear of it.
Gold purchases.—l am sorry this is not in a more satin-
factory state ; there is, however, a probability of 1031,'°"'
ment. lam not in want of funds.

EXTENSIVE FIRE IN -MANCHESTER. -- On Monday
evening a fire broke out in a large warehouse, five
storeys high, in Bridgewater-place, High-street, Man-
e L
'ester, in the occupation of Mr. W. J. Willian.e,
smallware-manufacturer. The warehouse is one of a very
extensive block of buildings exactly opposite the vast
premises of the Messrs. Rylands, which were a short
time ago levelled to the ground by fire. In a short time
the flames burst through every window, and the greatest
alarm prevailed amongst the occupiers of the adjoining
mills and warehouseF, containing property of the most
valuable character, and several of them :commenced
h After
aabout
re-
moving their goods, under th© apprehension that the
fiune
incessant
s wouldspread
exertion
y
theirto
b
premises.rue
ich NVDS a ver fl
ym s
w two
hours': valuabem
le
extinguished. The stock, wh
one, is considerably damned, but is insured for a large
amount. The total damage has not been fully ascertained.

I•HEATBE ROYAL HAYMARKET.

Under the management of Mr. Eta-stone.

Tlll3 EVENING, Ocr. 25,

Will be performed Ilia comedy N PAWL„ PRY... Principal
cha-
raeters by Mr. Wright, Mr. Chippendale, Mr W. Farren, Mrs.
Poynter, and Miss E. Chaplin.
Atter which, the First Part of the Ballet of THE STAR OF
ANDALUSIA.
To be followed by THE IRISH LIOI. Principal character by
Mr. HUAISOII.
To conclule with the FLOWER OF THE PORT.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
Under the Management of Mr. Citsaus Kw.
THIS EVENIbiG, Ocr. 25,
Will be performed the highly popular comedietta, entitled LIVOTO
TOO FAST.
After whicb, THE COURIER OF LYONS. Principal characters
by Mr. C. Kean, Messrs. J. Vining, Addison, Graham, D. and S.
Ca'hcart, and Saker ; Misses C. Leclercq, Heath, Ternan, and K.
Terry.
To conclude with THE HALT OF THE BALLET.

THEATRE ROYAL ADRLPUL
Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste.
THIS EVENING, OCT. 25,
Will he performed an original Drama in Four Acts, called THE
SUMMER STORM, with new scenery, dresses, appointments, &c.
After'whieh, A MOVING TALE.
To conclude with the screaming Burlesque of NORMA.

ROYAL OLYMPIC TRELTRE,
Lessee sad Manager, Mr. A. Wigan.

TUTS EVENING, OCT. 25,
WM be performed THE TRUSTEE. Characters by Messrs. A.
Wigan, F. Vining, Emery, and Leslie; Miss Magid!, and Miss
3teph2ns.
To be, followed by a Farce, called A BLIGHTED BEING, in
which Mx. Robson will appear.
To eonclnde with TO OBLIGE BENSON.

STRAND THEATRE.
Bale Lessee Mr. F. W. Aileron.

THIS EVENING, Oar. 25,
Will be performed SUNSET AT SEA.
After which, THE NEW WAGS OF WINDSOR.
To condo& with DON. GIOVANNI.
Stalls, 4s-; Boxes, 25. 65.; Pit, ls.; Gallery, 6d.; Private Boxes
£1 ls., to be had of Mr. Alleroft, 15, New Bond-street.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITWIt AT RE.
Lessee and Masyger, Mr. William Cooke.
Tremendous success of the new WAR SPECTACLE! which has-
been received with the most enthusiastic expression of admiration,
and accompanied by tumultuous applause.
THIS EVENING,
3d Time, a GRIND MILITARY SPECTACLE, called THE
BATTLE OF THE ALMA, tn which both the Stage and the Ring
will be simultaneously employed.
After which, the SCENES in the CIRCLE.
To conclude with a SUPERB NATIONAL ENTREE and a variety
of Grand Tableaux.

Box-oiace open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W.
West. Acting Manager, Mr. W. H. Cooke. Equestrian Director,
Mr. Win. Cooke, jun.

HIM WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tms DAT —Morning 42 min.aftor 3 1 Evening 0 min.aft. 4
To ,foßnow Morning 20 inin.after 4 I Evenink,4o iniLeart. 4

Orrice, Oar. 25.

THEBNIONETIIIt, IH THZ SHADE.
54 —highest since noon yesterday.
46 —lowest this morning and during the night.
49 ,-this day at noon.
BABONZTZB, 29'07. Still falling.

Wrzrn, N.E. to E.N.E.—Light, with dirty weather and
continuous drizzling rain. It rained heavily since yester-
day evening and during the night.

THE "COMING" CAPTURE

OF

SEBASTOPOL

WILL BE PUBLISHED IN AN

EXTRAORDINARY
EDITION