The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-21 00:00:00

order that it might be communicated to the mem-
bers of the two Chambers, the declaration of neu-
trality which had been communicated to the Euro-
pean cabinets. It is said to be perfectly in con-
formity with the version given of it by the Inde-
pendance of Brussels."

The Post Ampt Gazette of Frankfort has the
following from Berlin, 17th :—" We learn from a
source on which reliance can be placed, that the
Cabinets of France and England, after having de-
manded from the Courts of Stockholm and Copen-
hagen particular information as to the treaty of
neutrality, made no objection to it, as the treaty
leaves sufficient liberty of action to the belligerent
parties. It would, nevertheless, appear that
France and England wish to open negotiations
with the two Scandinavian States, in order to in-
duce them to make special concessions to them. It
is said in the diplomatic circles that immediately
after the opening of Parliament, the British Min-
ister proposes to communicate to the two Houses
the explanations given by Sweden and Denmark."

MINING INTELLIGENCE.

( From the Mining Journal of this day.)

The demand for good dividend shares still continues ;
but speculative shares, • with few exceptions, are very
flat, and are likely to continue so, until a few discoveries
are made, and throw a little life into the market. War
has its influence upon the markets generally, and deters
many from buying shares, although it is thought that
the price of metals must rise considerably. At Wheal
Basset, the Guskus lode has been cut rich 50 fms. further
east than the principal workings ; and a cross-cut is
being driven which may ere long intersect two other
lodes ; the shares have risen to 7001., and no sellers.
In the Bullion Market,—Mexican and South American
dollars, 4s, Hid. per oz. Bar Gold, 775. 9d. per oz.
standard. Spanish Doubloons, 78s. 6d, per oz. ; Co-
lumbian Doubloons, 775. 6d. ; English Silver, ss. 6d.
per oz.

- The Gold Mining Shares this week have been almost
totally devoid of movement, Prices have shown a droop-
ing tendency, in sympathy with the other departments
of the Stock Exchange, and the absence of demands ;
but there has been no important variation in prices.
Agua Fria shares still form a general exception to the
market, being comparatively steady. The advices both
from California and Australia are of the most encourag-
ing nature as regards individual labour ; but where com-
bined action is brought into play there are no rsults.
In the year 1853 the United States Mint received
from California gold to the value of 11,130,0001.,
the total amount since 1848 being 42,520,0001., on
an average about 8,000,0001. per annum ; and although
upwards of 1,000,0001. of British capital has been ex-
pended in the proposed development of California gold
mines, not a single return has been made ; and in lieu
of dividends, excuses have been forwarded from time to
time ; public confidence is so shaken in these invest-
ments that nothing but the returns of actual results
from the scene of operations will bring the market into
a healthy state. Although not actually culpable, the
late disclosures of the several companies, through
the instrumentality of Mr. Guedalla, has shown.
that in nearly every instance directors exhibited great
ignorance and recklessness. At the last advices the price
of gold at Port Philip was 31. 16s. per ounce. The
Ballarat gold fields, near Geelong, still continue increas-
ing in productiveness. From Sept., 1852, to Dec.,
1852, Ballarat yielded 149,081 ozs. ; from Jan. 1853, to
Sept., 1853, 150,589 ozs. ; yield for 12 months,
299,670 ozs. This sum of gold, estimated at 31. 17s. 6d.
per ounce, gives 1,161,232/. 10s. as the produce of the
Geelong gold-fields for the last 12 months.
In Miscellaneous Shares, the market has been steady,
but showing a slight decline.

THE AMERICAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

The following account is gathered from a New York

paper of December 27 :
Dr. Kane, who sailed from this port, on the 29th of
May, in the Advance, fitted out by Mr. Grinnell, touched
at St. John's, Newfoundland, for recruits, and left there
on the 16th of June. No despatches have since been
received from him ; but it is ascertained that he was at
Upernavick, on the east side of Baffin's Bay, on the 11th
of July. Captain Inglefield, of the propeller Phoenix,
who arrived there three days afterwards, states that the
Advance, of which Dr. Kane is the commander, had
sailed northward with an open sea, and that there was
no doubt she had gone through Melville's Bay, one of
the most dreaded parts of the navigation, without
difficulty. Despatches will no doubt, therefore, be soon
received from Dr. Kane by way of Denmark. Uper-
navick is in latitude 73 deg., and constitutes the most
northerly settlement in Greenland, a part of the Danish
dominions. The expedition had the friendly aid of the
King of Denmark, who directed that every possible
facility should bo extended to it on the part of his sub-
jects.

The Advance, instead of cruising along the coast of
Greenland, and turning thence westward to reach Lan-
caster Sound, will attempt to make a passage into the
Polar Seas through Smith's Sound, which was so far
explored by Captain Inglefield last year (he went to
latitude 782) as to satisfy him that a complete opening
existed. No navigator had previously proceeded so
far north in the same direction. Smith's Sound, at
the point reached by him, was thirty-six and a half
miles wide ; from which the land bore north-west
on one side and north-east on the other, with
a navigable sea. The testimony of many of the
Arctic navigators is very conclusive on the point
that an open sea exists beyond that latitude. Into
this open sea Sir John Franklin unquestionably sailed,
and it is probable that his vessels lie embedded in ice,
in some of the bays which border upon it. Recent ex-
peditions have facilities with which he was unprovided ;
besides that, he is probably at a distance not admitting
the risk of very extensive foot journeys, having no
ships or depots to fall back upon. The Advance is
well supplied with food and with boats, and sledges alto-
gether superior to those formerly used, and suitable
for very long expeditions on land. The evidence pre-
sented by Captain McClure and many others, as to the
quantity of food supplied by those regions, is very conclu-
sive to show that an expedition locked up in ice as his is,
may subsist for years. Renewed confidence has been im-
parted to all those who are familiar with Arctic discoveries
as to the probabilities of Sir J. Franklin's safety. The
chances of his being discovered are also increased. There
are now engaged in this service the Advance, already
mentioned, fitted out by Mr. Grinnell, of New York,
and Mr. Peabody, of London, and which is probably sail•
ing in the open sea seen by Capt. Inglefield, along the
edge of its numerous bays ; Sir E. Belcher, with his ship
and propeller, who was in Wellington Inlet on the 26th
of July last, on his return to Beechey Island, there to
wait further orders from his Government, who, it is ex-
pected, will give him orders to continue the search ; also
Captain Kellett, with his ship and propeller, at Melville's
Island. The latter has sent out a sledge expedition to
the N.W., the most promising course for explorers in
search of Franklin, should he ever have touched at all
on the northern shores of Melville's Island. Captaia
McClure's ship, imbedded in the ice, may be con-
verted into a store ship to aid future expeditions. The
North Star store ship lies at Beechey Island. There is
also a store ship at Point Barrow, on the north-
west coast of North America. Captain Coflinson is
prosecuting the search in that direction. The propeller
Isabel is now at Valparaiso, whence she will pro-
ceed next spring through Behring's Straits to coast
westward, first along the coast of Asia, in the hope of
getting round the pack ice which has always been found
north of Behring's Straits, intercepting the open water
which has been seen behind. This expedition was fitted
out by the private means of Lady Franklin. Part of
the American exploring expedition, under the command
of Commander Ringgold, consisting of five vesselat
will undoubtedly aid in this object. This fleet was a!
the Cape of Good Hope by the last accounts receive('
in Sept. Some of the vessels will attempt to pass through
Behring's Straits. The propeller Phcenix which bore
Capt. M 'Clure's despatches to England, has been ordered
by the British Government to leave England in the
spring, bound for the Arctic regions, by Spitzbergen ant
Nova Zembla. The activity thus imparted to this grey
' humane object gives confidence that it will eventuate is
success.
It is much to be regretted that the distribution of the
history of the first voyage of Dr. Kane, prepared by
, him, has been delayed by the fire at Messrs. Harpers,
• These enterprising publishers, who saved a few copies,
are now engaged in the publication of a new edition,
• which will be ready for distribution in five or six weeke•

COLLISION ON THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWA.T.'".
Yesterday morning (Friday) the Edinburgh express
leaving London at 9.15 on Thursday evening ran into
mineral train at Welwyn, near Hatfield. The passew
gers were a little shaken, but no serious damage 13,e;
red'
except to the trucks of the coal train. A pw-
lcauyrerw as killed near the Hitchin station, on Thursday'
on the wrong line when the train Was
by st e
approaching.pp stepping
STRIKES IN YORKSHIRE.—We regret to learn that
there now exist several strikes in Yorkshire. 11,,.°
linen bleachers of Barnsley and neighbourhood strucl
on Tuesday last, for shorter hours and an advance °a
wages. The colliers of Crigglestone remain out, 0
those of Adwalton and Birstal are threatening to striMi
At Beighley, the weavers, after a long and paieflir
turn-out, have resumed their work at their forele)
wages. A deputation from Preston has this wee f
visited Leeds to elicit sympathy and aid on behalf °
the operatives of that district. They had not Ter/
encouraging success. lee
WOOL SALES.—The next series of colonial wool
have been announced to commence on the 9th of -rjt
bruary. The quantity at present in first hands is abet jo
35,000 bales, but the total of colonial wools to be Pe

expected to reach 40,000.
snt
A MONSTER NUISANCE.—Some days ago a con3P-- Imi
was lodged with the sanatory committee of St. partero-
of a nuisance said to exist on the premises of Mr. Davi'
naturalist, Camden-cottages. The proper functional.
was immediately despatched to inspect the preraiseoe
Upon examination it was ascertained that the nuis,lti,e
complained of was in the shape of the carcass of P°os
elephant, which died lately in the Tower, and whioll,'e
been entrusted to Mr. Law to prepare for one of•
national museums. The removal of the perishable P°'
tion of the animal put an end to the nuisance.
woo'
DEATH OF A CELEBRATED CONVICT.--Died, on •
day last, in the gaol of Armagh, Robert John POO
thorn Cochran. Cochran, it will be recollected, :of
tried at the last Spring Assizes—first,
bigamy ; and secondly, for perjury. He pleaded figilar
to both charges, and was sentenced to 15 Galen
months' imprio nment. on a charg „or

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