The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-10 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 10, 185 4.

electors in these twenty-two, at least, would quite
equal in number those of like population in the
two-member list. It will strike the most cur-
sory reader that, looking at the very large num-
ber of petty boroughs still left, fifty of them below
600 electors, also at the score of small boroughs
returning two members each, it would have
been but reasonable to amalgamate several of
the smallest, if they must be retained, and
to enfranchise .'such towns as Doncaster and
Gravesend, giving perhaps an additional member
to Cheltenham, Huddersfield, Sr,c. London might
reasonably also spare one member ; whether Fins-
bury or Marylebone ought to get it may well be
doubted.

Some of the contrasts are rather curious. Bury
in Lancashire has 959 electors, and 31,262 in-
habitants, and returns one member ; Bury in
Suffolk, rejoicing in the tutelage of St. Edmund,
with 200 less electors, and about six hundred
more inhabitants, returns two members ; Lan-
caster, with about 16,000 inhabitants, returns
two members ; Huddersfield, with about the same
number of electors, and almost double the popu-
lation, returns but one member; while Gravesend
with the same population as Lancaster returns
none ! Similar specimens of incongruity may be
gathered at pleasure by those who wish to seek
them. It is evident enough that one point of the
Charter, equal electoral districts, is as yet utterly
set at nought. We know Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S
preference for a rustic irregularity in the distri-
bution of the representation ; still we can hardly
think he would have preferred such glaring in-
consistencies. Probably his real reasons may be
found partly in the intention which he avowed
after the Reform Bill of 1332 was passed, to• give
the predominance in the representation to the
landed aristocracy, and partly in the necessity of
not having to ask too many members to vote for
their own political extinction. We have all along
wished to remember that he has to consider not
only what he ought in sound theory to propose,
but also what he can carry. With the present
House of Commons he probably will find it work
enough to push this bill through ; for ourselves,
but for the undesirableness of Cabinet changes
and a general election on the eve of a war, we
should have infinitely preferred a thoroughly
honest bill, including the ballot and a five-pound
suffrage, for the country to carry, if the House
would not.

DEPARTURE OF HER MAJESTY TO VIEW
THE BALTIC FLEET.

Shortly after 10 o'clock this morning, her Majesty,
H.R H. Prince Albert, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales,
H.R.H. the Princess Royal, the Princess Mary, and
Prince Alfred Albert, accompanied by Earl Mulgrave,
Lord Ernest Bruce, Lord Waterpark, Colonel Grey,
Captain the Hon. De Ros, Viscountess Jocelyn, Lady
Frances Bruce, Lady Fanny Howard, and the Hon.
Matilda Paget, left Buckingham Palace for the south-
Western Railway, en route for Spithead, for the purpose
of viewing the Baltic Fleet previous to its departure.
The Royal party and suite occupied four carriages, and
was attended by a company of Lancers. Upon arriving
at the new station in the Wanesworth road, her
Majesty was received under a splendid marquee, erected
by Mr. Benjamin Edgington, of Duke-street, South-
wark, by Sir W. Heathcote, M.P., the chairman of the
line, and the other officials. Mr. Lock, M.P., the
engineer, having examined the engine which was at-
tached to the Royal carriages, and a telegraphic mes-
sage been passed to keep the line clear, the Royal train
proceeded on its way at a quarter to eleven o'clock.

MONEY MARKET

AND

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday
were estimated at 5,000 bales, of which 500 were
taken on speculation. The market closed steadily
at previous rates. The sales comprised 110 Per-
nam and Maranham at 6R-d. to 71d. ; 50 Bahia at
6id.; 400 Egyptian at 51d. to 10d. ; 800 Surat at
30. to 4d., and the remainder nearly all Ameri-
can. Railway Shares were dull.
Holders of colonial produce have evinced much
firmness, notwithstanding a more limited demand.
Sugar has been quieter, but at firm rates. Coffee
has been dull and cheaper, tea in improved request,
and spices rather dearer. Rice has declined, and
saltpetre has been steady. Cotton dull, and tal-
low at a slight improvement. Russian hemp has
further advanced.

The following particulars of the fruit trade at
Liverpool are from the circular of Messrs. Houghton
and Levy :

" Since our last circular of the 4th ultimo, we have
have bad a recurrence of the inactivity which has been
the principal characteristic of this article during the
present season : the transactions in all descriptions have
consequently been most limited. A few small parcels
of 1851 fruit have been taken for export at prices vary-
ing between 80s. and 85s. per cwt. D.P. ; for 1852 and
1853 growths a better demand has sprung up for home
consumption, but at a reduction on former rates, 255. to
to 30s. having been accepted for middling qualities ;
holders are also more pressing to realise, and unless
such rates be submitted to, we see little prospect
of any great reduction in the stocks this season.
The improved demand for the Continent noted
in London has not manifested itself here, and our
usual shippers complain of having no inquiry what-
ever this spring. The accounts from the currant-
growing districts, though of the same character, do not
present any new feature, but it is the general opinion
that next year's crop will be considerably less than 1852
and 1853—not only on account of the disease being more
destructive, but also by reason of the vines being up-
rooted and neglected by the cultivators in general. The
clearances consist of 35 tons for home consumption,
against 150 tons in the corresponding month last year ;
this serious falling off cannot be attributed to any ad-
vance in prices, as the qualities principally taken, with
the exception of 1851 fruit, show little variation at the
two dates ; it is therefore evident that fruit, as one of
the luxuries of life, has been chiefly influenced by the
high prices of food and other necessaries, and as long as
these continue we cannot anticipate much improvement.
One cargo has arrived from Vostizza. Exports about 10
tons."

The English Stock Market is duller even than
for some time past, and the absence of any later
political intelligence has added to the apathetic
feeling among the speculators. The approach of
settling day is, however, another cause. Consols
have been 91 to 91k for transfer and account. The
books for the New 31 per Cents., the 3 per Cent.
Reduced Bank Stock, Long Annuities, and the an-
nuities for terms of years, are shut. Exchequer
Bills have been steady, at 12s. to 16s. premium.
East India Stock has been quiet, at 233.

In foreign securities the transactions have been
very limited, Mexican continue heavy at 24g.
Russian 5 per Cents. have been done at 89!1 to 914,
and the Russian 41 per Cents. at 811 to 821, being
well supported. Spanish 3 per Cents. have been at
361 to g, and the Deferred at 18.
The current prices for the Jamaica Mines not
officially quoted, are as follows :—Metcalfe, g to
premium ; Sue River, 1 discount to par ; Port
Royal, Ato premium.
The Railway Share Market has been extremely
quiescent, without any material'. change in prices.
French Shares have been nominal.

The Mming Share Market has been dull, the
Joint-Stock Bank Shares have been steady, and in
the Land and Miscellaneous Companies there has
been rather more doing.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.-CLOSING PRICES.

(Prom the Official List.)

ilnqiness done.
flank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities shut
3 per Cent Consols Annuities 9l 1
\Tow 31 per Cent. Annuities shut
New 2i per Cent. Annuities
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860
Ditto 30 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 1859 shut

_
India Stock
India Bonds, £lOOO
Ditto, under £lOOO 9 4 p
Bank Stock for Account 221
Consols for Account 16th, March 914 1
Exchequer Bills, ld.
£IOOO
£5OO l6 12
Small l6 12
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
lustrian Bonds, 5 per Ccut 75.}
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
vtexican 3 per Cent.
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £ St 89.; 90i
Ditto 4A per Cent B2i 11
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 36i
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. lB 17

Dividends on the above payable in London.
THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols oq 1
Ditto March Account 9OB 1

MARLBOROUGH-STREET. - (THIS DAY.)

ILLEGALLY PLEDGING.—Joseph. Holmlea was brought
before Mr, Hardwick, charged with illegally pledging
a diamond ring, value 7/., the property of Mr. Josias
Ludwig, engineer's draughtsman, 18, Tachbrokeestreet,

The prosecutor and the prisoner were fellow clerks,
and it appeared that on the afternoon of the 2d of Nov.
last, he and the defendant went into a tavern in Goodge-
street to partake of some refreshment, when the prisoner
seeing that prosecutor had a ring on one of his fingers,
remarked that the ring looked a very nice one, and that
he had a relation who was a diamond merchant, who
would test the stone and see what it was worth. Not
having the least suspicion of defendant's intentions, he
(prosecutor) handed him the ring. Defendant then left,
saying he would be back in a quarter of an hour, but he
never returned, and after waiting for him till eleven
o'clock he left the house. Prosecutor subsequently re-
ceivod a letter from the prisoner enclosing the duplicate
of the ring, which had been pledged for 2/. 10s. The mat-
ter was then put in the hands of the police, who suc-
ceeded in taking the prisoner into custody on the pre-
vious night. -
Mr. Thomas Robinson, pawnbroker, No. 1, Morti-
mer-street, Cavendish-square, produced the diamond
ring, which was pledged with him for 2/. 10s. on the 2d
of last November. He did not know who pledged it.
Police-constable 191 S, said he took the prisoner into
custody about seven o'clock last night. On telling him
the nature of the charge against him, he replied that
prosecutor had been a long time in making his mind up,
and that he (defendant) was very sorry, but he was afraid
prosecutor had no sticks, else he would have them from
him for false imprisonment. . _

The prisoner, in answer to the charge, denied unlaw-
fully pledging the ring, and said the prosecutor gave it
to him, well knowing he was going to pledge it. He had
no further answer to make than it was an unfounded
and unjust charge.
Mr. Hardwick said prisoner had most grossly miscon-
ducted himself on this occasion. There was not the
slightest pretence for him saying the prosecutor had
authorised him to pledge the ring. He should, there-
fore, fins him the penalty of 51., being double the amount
for which the ring was pledged, and 71., the value of the
ring, or three months to the House of Correction.

CONTINENTAL RATES OF EXCHANGE.—The continental
rates of exchange show no tendency to a favourable re-
action, and a further amount of gold was taken from the
Bank of England yesterday for remittance to Paris to
the extent of about 150,0001.
AFFAIRS OF MEXICO.—The advices from the city of
Mexico received by the Magdalena steamer reach to the
2d of February. Although no great event had occurred
since the departure of the previous packet, the letters
refer to several points of interest to the mercantile
world. The trade of the city, it appears, had been
greatly deranged with regard to the importation of
foreign goods, owing to a series of private and partial
arrangements entered into by Government for the settle-
ment of the import duties by the ports on the Pacific
coast at a rate much lower than that paid on the car-
goes on the Atlantic side. This extraordinary anomaly
of a double.tariff was operating injuriously on all the
houses receiving their goods by Atlantic ports, and it
was understood that remonstrances on the subject
(which it was feared, however, would be attended with
little success) had been made by the British Minister.
At the latest date reports were current in the city of fresh
piratical expeditions from California to the province of
Sonora, but the Government were taking measures to
treat them summarily.
GALATZ.—Mercantile letters were received from
Galatz to the 23d of February, being three days later
than those vit Vienna. Shipments of wheat continued
to be made, the Sulina mouth being perfectly practi-
cable. An increased supply of vessels had lately ar-
rived, causing an advance in prices of about ss. per
quarter, and the stocks on band were very low. It is
to be assumed, however, that by this time exportation
may have been prohibited from the invaded provinces,
under the order recently issued with regard to Russian
ports. In relation to warlike movements, it is men-
tioned—" We have nothing new here, except the
arrival of Prince Gortschakoff, and grand preparations
making for a formidable attack upon Matschin, for
which purpose the pontoon bridge now ready here is,
they say, to be thrown across the Danube."
LOST AND FOUND.—News a long time since reached
Jersey that Peter le Maistre, a native of that island was
dead, he having been wrecked on an island in the South
Sea. His friends have just received a letter, dated Ton-
gatabo, July 28, 1853, from Peter le Maistre, stating
that he is working as a carpenter on the island on which
he was wrecked and was unable to get away.

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

POLICY OF AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA.

The news received to-day says the Paris corre-
spondent of the Tines iu his letter of yesterday
evening, fully confirms the news with respect to
the attitude assumed by Prussia and Austria in
regard to the Russian question. It was the Prus-
sian Cabinet which refused to join in the alliance
with the Western Powers. Austria was perfectly
willing to do so, and it was supposed that no diffi-
culty would be made on the patt of Prussia ; but
when the question was put by the Austrian Min-
ister at that Court, he was greatly surprised to
find that the Prussian Government hesitated,
and at length positively refused, grounding its
refusal on the fact that Prussia was not a
maritime power, and had, therefore, comparatively
little interest in the question. The embarrassment
felt by Austria in the circumstances is obvious from
her attempts to explain the matter to the French
Government. These explanations are given in a
despatch from M. de Buol, which reached Paris
on Wednesday. The Vienna Cabinet states that in
presence of the declaration made by Prussia, Aus-
tria requires to be very guarded, and also requires
time to enable her to exercise her influence
over the Germanic Diet, so as to establish a line of
policy between the German Powers, in conformity
with the policy of the great Western Powers, in the
question of the East. This language is evidently
very obscure, and has not given great satisfaction
hero. Austria will sign anything that England
and France ask her to sign, provided she be not
called on to make direct war against Russia. It is
said that Prince Lucien's mission to Italy is in con-
sequence of the change in the policy of the Austrian
Government. The Prince left Paris two days ago.
The following is the substance of an article which
appeared in the Prussian Corresponden,z of Wed-
nesday:—Prussia has clearly shown its position re-
lative to the contending parties by its co-operation
at the Conference of Vienna. It will continue to
keep firmly that position, but will enter into no
engagement for armed intervention. Prussia will
maintain a neutral attitude of expectation, so as to
preserve peace in Central Europe, that she may
later be enabled to act towards both parties in the
spirit of reconciliation.

- A Berlin letter, in the Journal de Francfort of
the 6th, states that Austria and Prussia are fully
resolved to remain neutral as long as possible, and
that " the kind of constraint contained in the in-
vitation of France and England, has not induced
them to join the alliance."
Another Berlin letter of the 6th says :—" M.
de Bismark Schoenhausen is, it is reported, about
to proceed to Vienna, in order to bring to a conclu-
sion the negotiations pending between the two
Cabinets. The principal motive of his coming here
is the necessity felt by our Government to come to
a positive understanding as to the adhesion of the
Federal Governments demanded from the Germanic
Diet in the Eastern question.
A third letter of the same date contains the fol-
lowing :—" It is stated that M. de Manteuffel,
President of the Council, and M. de Bonin, Minis-
ter of War, offered their resignations to ie King
on the 4th, after a conference with his Majesty.
The resignation, it is said, will not be accepted.
Not only the Western Cabinets, but the Austrian
Government also, have demanded explanations as
to the policy Prussia means to adopt with respect
to Russia and her enemies."

The Cologne Gazette, under date of Vienna, 3d
March, says :—" The treaty of alliance between
England and France has nothing in common with
the negotiations between Prussia and Austria.
Last week only there was signed here a protocol
between Austria and the great powers, to the effect
that Austria pledges herself with France and Eng-
land not to seek for any increase of territory, or to
allow any other power to do so, and to admit the
existence of Turkey as inviolable."
The Wurtzburg Gazette mentions that a conven-
tion has been concluded between France and Eng-
land on the one hand, and Austria and Prussia on
the other, but says it is not a treaty of alliance
against Russia. This journal does not state exactly
what the nature of the convention is, but mentions
two stipulations, viz., that the four powers shall
demand from the Sultan all the concessions to his
Christian subjects which shall not affect his sove-
reign rights, and that they shall co-operate in put-
ting down the Greek insurrection.