The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-22 00:00:00

ANOTHER ATEW MUSKET.

The Prussian manufactory of small arms has, it ap-
pears, invented and turned out a new musket, which
is declared to excel the " Ziindnadel" in distance of
range, force, and precision of fire. Experiments were
made on Friday at the Potsdam shooting-butts with
these weapons, in the presence of the King, and se-
veral of the princes, generals, and military technical
personages. The trials are understood to have been
every way satisfactory, and orders have, it is said,
been issued for the manufacture of muskets and zifles
upon the new principle, of which the construction is
for the present a secret. It was stated yesterday
that the Emperor of Russia had given orders to
his military envoy to apply for one of these
muskets as a model, and it is not impossible,
seeing the intimate relations existing between the two
Governments, that his Imperial Majesty's request will
be accorded. Russian generals are perfectly satisfied,
and on most just grounds, with their artillery, both as
regards construction, service, and practice ; but they
make most doleful complaints of the inefficacy of their
small arms, when compared with those of the Allies, of
whom not a man ought to be without a Minie or Dela-
vigne musket or rifle. The Moscow regiment of Gre-
nadier Carbineers, which it is understood has joined the
Russian Crimean army, and been pushed on to the out-
posts, has been for the most part furnished with new
model muskets and- rifles, either made at Liege, or on
Liege models. Our skirmishers will do well to verify
this.

HAYMARKET THEATRE.--•The last two performances of
the accomplished Pera Nena and her troupe of Spanish
dancers, takes place this evening and to-morrow. There
is no doubt but that in reality these are the last per-
formances, for we understand that they leave London
for Madrid on Monday morning. On these occasions
Pera Nena will, owing to the enthusiasm created on
her first performance, dance the cachuca—we say the
cachuca, for, till we saw Pera Nena, we never saw it
danced at all. We recommend those who wish to see
real Spanish dancing to avail themselves of an oppor-
tunity that may not occur again for a long time.
SACRED HARMONIC SOClETY.—Handel's magnificent
oratorio, " The Messiah," will be performed again this
evening. Miss Dolby, Madlle. C. Novello, Mr. Sims
Reeves, and Herr Formes sustain the solo parts. This
splendid composition, rendered by such talented artistes,
will be a rare treat for those fortunate enough to gain
admission to the hall.

MADAME TUSSADD'S EXHIBITION.—The hero of Alma,
Lord Raglan, Omer Pacha, and other military[eharac-
ters, have been lately added to this exhibition. The
Commander-in-Chief of our Army in the East is repre-
sented in the uniform of a Field-Marshal, decorated with
numerous military orders. The likeness is good, and
reflects great credit on the artists employed.
THERE WAS RECENTLY at the horse market, Boule-
vard de l'Hospital, an instance of a horse which had lost
an ear having been supplied with one in caoutchouc.—
Galignani.

THE WIDOW OF COLLARD.—Mr. F. J. Smith writes to
say that a five-shilling subscription which he set on foot
at the Baltic Coffee house for the relief of the unhappy
widow has produced fifty guineas. He trusts that the
example thus set may be extensively followed.
In consequence of the circulation of a statement that
the Emperor of France is about to decree a reduction of
50 per cent. in the duties on tallow, cocoanut oil, and
greases, an advance in cocoa-nut oil took place yesterday
of about 11. per ton.
THE CANADA COMPANY.—A dividend of 31. per share
was declared yesterday at a meeting of this company,
the report having been unanimously carried.
A CLEVER SWINDLER.—A wealthy Lyons merchant
arrived in Paris about a fortnight ago on a pleasure
trip. Chance threw hi-n in the way of a charming
young man, named, according to his own account,
Count de Sillery, who offered to show him all the
curiosities. The count proposed to begin operations by
visiting the Bois de Boulogne, and the merchant sug-
gested that they should take an omnibus to go there.
"An omnibus ! iry dear sir, you must not think of
such a thing. I will hire a coups !" " But the expense
" " Oh! I must beg that you will have nothing
at all to say to the coachman ! " An offer so graci-
ously made could not be refused, and the two friends
drove about the wood for several hours. "I am
getting hungry," said the merchant at last, " sup-
pose we go to the Palais Royal, and breakfast at
one of the cheap restaurants for if. 25c." " Break-
fast for such a sum ! Can you think of such a
thing ! No, my dear friend, I will take you to a better
place." "But the expense 1" "Not a word—l beg of
you not trouble yourself about that !" But, monsieur
to comte, I cannot think of encroaching on your kind•
ness in such a way !" The count only replied by taking
his friend to one of the first-rate restaurants, and ordering
a splendid breakfast. The bill came to 138 f. 75c.
When it was presented, the count rushed to the dame de
comptoir. Madame, I am very anxious to pay this bill,
but I have forgotten my purse ; so, pray let a waiter
ocean-Tony me to my hotel in the Faubourg St. H-
on ore, and I will pay him." A waiter got on the box
of the coupd, which had been kept waiting, and the party
drove to the faubourg. Arrived at a large building, the
vehicle. An hour passed away, and the 0e
with
count alighted, and left his friend fromlaLttyeornhse,„inaethtee
waiter
theb° impatient.intention
ofA atelkeninggthiehre
thegot oeueteotf.theEceatrhrthiafeger
seized him by the arm. "It is enough
not go
to have got off," said the man, "you m
friend only
Corn-
missary of Police." " But, my good
fiendri the
going into the hotel to ask for my
hospital Beau-
too. Now pay me, or I will take you before the
count." "An hotel ! why it is thehe
Th© mortified pro-
vincial• 1-d the count has gone off."
JO 1, man told him the
count certainly did notlive there,
i•ier-
toed
It7of.payTthhee
at he had entered
by one gate and gone out by anor,
went to the concierge, aindletdhoethethis
the
unlucky
coachman also, whose demand amounted
kept silence about this
would no doubt have _
Lyonese
merchant had to pay the waitde
after he met the Count,
day
misadventure, but three
I dintant at being ridiculed
haJ the count arrested. On Sa-
turdayas well as swindled,
h'es
brought to trial before the Tri-
bunal the count aT'dh eh
Correctionalßas
Police as a swindler, and several
who laughed in his face. n
of .ed
were
proved against him. He
acts of the same , •
was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

MONEY MARKET

At-rD

C'IMI 7 0114. /INTELLIRENCJE:

CITY, Two O'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 7,000 bales, including 500 Ameri-
can, 70 Pernam and Maranham at Gd. to 61d.,
250 Egyptian at sd. to Bd., 500 Surat at 30. to
3d., and 30 Sea Island at 11.1 d. to Is. 4d. per lb.
Railway shares were quiet, but firm.
Colonial produce has been rather quiet this week.
The markets close to-day for the holidays, and do
not re-open till Jan. 2. Sugar has been steady in
price, and some of the foreign descriptions have
been a shade dearer. Coffee has been rather dull,
though most descriptions maintain their prices.
In tea only a small business has been done. Spices
have been at nearly the previous rates. Rice has
continued quiet. Saltpetre has been rather dearer
for the better kinds. Cochineal is up fully ld. per
lb. Hemp and flax are very dull, and also oils
and iron. Tallow has been heavy, but yesterday
it was slightly firmer, having recovered to 635. Gd.
to 635. 9d. per cwt.
It appears by the report of Messrs. D. Bell,
Son, mid Co., that a good deal of business has been
transacted in American securities, especially the
Virginian and Pennsylvanian bonds. The current
prices are as follows :

Redeemable. Per Cent.
United States 6 per Cent. Bonds 1862...101 102
United States 6 per Cent. Bonds 1868...108. 109.
United States 6 per Cent. Inscribed
Stock 1867-1868...107 108
Pennsylvania 5 per Cent ... 73 75
Pennsylvania 5 per Cent. Bonds 1877... 78 80
Massachusetts 5 per Cent. (Sterl. Bonds) 1868-101 102
South Carolina 6 per Cent. Bonds
(Barin g's) 1858-1868... 93 95
Maryland 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds)... ... 93 94
Alabama 5 per Cent. (Sterl. Bonds) 1858-9-66... 83
irginia 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds) ...1888... 87 89
Virginia 6 per Cent. Bonds 1886... 82 84
Kentucky 6 per Cent. 1868... 88 90
Canada 6 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds) 1876...109 110
LOANS OS' CITIES.
Boston per Cent. (Sterling Bonds) ...100 101
Montreal 6 per Cent 1857-1865... 83
New Orleans 6 per Cent. Bonds 1893... 82
RAILROAD BONDS.
Great Western of Illinois 10 per Cent.,
1868... 61 62
Ist Mortgage
Pennsylvania Central R. Rd. 6p. Cent 1880... 89 90
New York and Erie 7 per Cent. Ist Mort-
gage lB6B-1869...100 101
New York and Erie 7 per (lent. 8d Mort-
giwe 1883... 76 77
New York and Erie 7p. Cent., Convertible lB6l .. 70
Northern Indiana 7 per Cent. let Mort-
gage (Gosehen Branch) 1868... 75
Terre Haute and Alton 7 per Cent. lst
Mortgage 1867... 75

The Stock Market has been a little firmer since
the commencement of business, but the transac-
tions entered into are not of magnitude. The idea
that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has an in-
tention of selling Savings-bank Stock to some
amount, substituting Exchequer Bonds or a new
security, whether well or ill founded, naturally
has the effect of depressing the Stock Market. The
bankers would look upon such a measure
as the receipt of deposits and their retention
in the Treasury as an interference with their busi-
ness, and the Stock Exchange dislike the assumption
of new powers by Government that will allow in
any shape of the sale of securities without a special
vote of Parliament. It may perhaps be unfair,
however, until the subject is duly considered upon
official information furnished, to come to premature
conclusions, or event() attempt forming a judgment;
but with Mr. Gladstone's known disposition to
innovate, and the fact that the Savings Bank de-
posits exceed 33,000,0001., the distrust that is
manifested in some quarters is the more easy to
understand. Consols have been 91+ to and are
now 91 The New Three per Cents. have been
marked-91/ to I, and the Reduced 91 to +. Bank
Stock is worth 208 k, being steady. Exchequer
Bills are 4s. to 75., and India Bonds 9s. to 12s.
premium.
Foreign Securities have been rather firmer gene-
rally. Mexican Bonds realise 24. Peruvian 69+
to 1, and Chilian 100 i. Turkish Stock has risen
from 74i to 751. Spanish New Deferred Bonds
have been 18k to 19.
The following are the nominal prices of Foreign
Stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 5 to 6 ; Mexi-
can, 21 to 211 ; Peruvian, 68 to 70 ; ditto
3 per Cents., 48 to 50 ; Portuguese 4 per Cents.,
41 to 43 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 97 to 99 ; ditto
4i per Cents., 87 to 89 ; Spanish New Deferred,
181 to 19 ; ditto 3 per Cents., 381 to 39+ ; ditto
Certificates, 5+ to 5k ; ditto Passive, 4-a to 4g.
The Railway Share Market has been without
any particular change, but the dealings are, in some
instances, at a slight rise. There is no absolute
activity. In Foreign Shares there is more doing.
Luxembourg are better maintained.
The Mining Market is dull. The Joint Stock
Banks are much livelier, and at full quotations.
The Australian and Canada Land Shares are at
full rates, and Scottish Australian higher.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES.
(From the Oficial List.)

Iluiness done
Bank Stock 2OBl 9
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities ... 911 1
3 per Cent Cor sols Annuities
Now 3 per Cent. Annuities
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 -16
Ditto 30 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 1859 4 1-16
India Bonds. £l000
Ditto, under £lOOO 9 12
Consols for Account, 10th January
Exchequer Bills, 21d.
£lOOO
Small 4 7
Exchequer Bonds 1858, 3. per Cent. —
Ditto 1859, ~

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Chilian Bonds, 6 per Cent.
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account 21,,
Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent.
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent —
Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cent. l9 18i
Turkish Scrip, paid up in full
Ditto for the Account
Dividends on the above payable in London.
THREE O'CLOCK.

Comas
Ditto, January A cowint ...... . 91$ x