The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-10 00:00:00

RARMONIC UNION.

Last Tuesday, the Oratorio of Elijah was performed,
at Exeter Hall, by the Harmonic Union. The chief
parts were taken by Miss Dolby, Mrs. Endersohn, Miss
Bassano, Mr. Sims Reeves, and Mr. Lawler. The latter
took the important rol6 of Elijah. He appeared to give
general satisfaction. One of his best performances was
"Is not His Word like a fire," &c., which impressive
air he gave with great energy and spirit. Mr. Sims
Reeves had not much to accomplish, but his few solos
elicited great applause. In particular, the beautiful air
he sung at the conclusion, "Then shall the righteous,"
&e, was admirably executed and unanimously encored.
Mrs. Endersohn took the first soprano part. Her voice
is excellent, unusually clear and sweet ; but it. is to be
regretted that this talented vocalist did not infuse more
feeling into the solemn passages assigned to her. Miss
Dolby's style is too well known to need criticism. She
was heard with the usual admiration that attends her
appearance. " Oh, rest in the Lord." was encored.
The trio taken by Mrs. Endersohn, Miss Dolby, and
Miss T. Rowland, was one of the best features of the
evening's "entertainment ; it was likewise re-demanded.
Miss Bassano's voice was well suited to the part of the
Queen, which she rendered in a very superior manner.
Two of the finest choruses were those of "Behold ! God
the Lord passed by," and " Then did Elijah the prophet
break forth like a fire." The conductor was Mr.
Benedict.

CEYLON LAND AND MINING COMPANY.—We would
refer our readers to the advertisement of the Ceylon
Land and Mining Company, which will be found in an-
other part of this day's impression. . The association is
formed for the purpose of developing the extra-
ordinary mineral resources of the Island of Ceylon ; and
from the respectability of the parties concerned, and the
high testimonials received as to the great natural capa-
bilities of the intended scene of their operations ; that
from Dr. Ure, the eminent chemist, and from Messrs.
White and Du Manner, more particularly, the most
sanguine anticipations may be formed of the speedy
success of the Company. _ _ _ _ •

HAYMARKET THEATRE.—We understand this theatre
will open after Easter under the management of Mr.
Buckstone. Many novelties are promised, and the Bri-
tish dramatist will be encouraged to indulge in original-
ity, in preference to cribbing from the French, though,
when anything worth translating is produced in Paris it
will not be lost sight of.
'We regret to learn that the Marquis of Londonderry
has been suffering from a severe attack of influenza and
fever since his arrival in town from Wynward. Park, and
his lordship is not yet sufficiently recovered to leave the
house.
THE PORT OF LONDON.—The first stone of the new
works for enlarging and deepening the East Country
Dock and adding it to the Commercial Docks at Rother-
hithe was laid yesterday by Mr. Gould, the deputy-
chairman of the company, supported by Mr. Sim, a
director, and attended by Mr. Walker and Mr. Burges,
the company's engineers, and Mr. Kelk, the contractor.
It is interesting to notice that the Greenland Dock, now
one of the Commercial Docks, was, in the reign of
Charles 11., the only dock (or rather basin, for it had
no gates) in the port of London. Its area is 10 acres.
There have been added during the present century addi-
tional decks, making a total area of 70 acres, including
the East Country Dock. From the above increase of
this one concern, and the numerous other docks since
made,—namely, the West India, the East India, the
London, the Grand Surrey Canal Docks, and the St.
Katharine's Docks,—an idea of the vast increase of
shipping and accommodation for shipping may be formed.
FIRE AT A CHEMICAL WAREHOUSE. Yesterday,
shortly before three o'clock in the morning, a fire broke
out in the house of Mr. Dimond, chemist and druggist,
Holborn-bars, by which great loss was occasioned, and
two men were severely burnt. The fire took place near
the laboratory in the lower part of the house, and on its
discovery in a few minutes the engine and firemen from
Holborn and Farringdon-street arrived and commenced
their operations. The firemen, in their anxiety to
clear the place of combustible substances and com-
positions, threw a quantity of phosphorus out into
the road, when it ignited, as it commonly does in con-
tact with the air. A constable, named Patterson, igno-
rantly rushed forward and began to stamp on it, to sub-
due the flame, when of course a quantity of phosphorus
adhered to his boots, and his clothes were soon all on
fire. A soldier, who was passing at the time, rushed
forward and endeavoured to extinguish the fire about
the officer, and in so doing his own clothes came in con-
tact with the phosphorus, and in less than a second he,
too, was on fire. By great perseverance the fire was
subdued about the policeman and soldier, but they were
terribly burned. The firemen, under the direction of
Mr. Coif,went to work, and with the aid of the portable
engine the fire in the building was confined to the back
laboratory, but considerable damage was done to the
stock in trade, and also to the premises. The origin of
the fire is unknown. Fortunately the sufferer was in-
sured in the Sun fire-office.

LITERARY FUND.-The annual meeting of members
of the above institution was held yesterday at the
offices, Great Russell-street ; Sir Henry Ellis presiding.
From the Treasurer's Report it appeared that the re-
ceipts for the past year had been-Newton estate rents,
2081. 18s. 5d.: dividends, 8691. Os. Bd. ; subscriptions
aged donations, 1,0451. ss. ; balance from past year, 2961.
ss. 4d. ; total, 2,4191. 9s. sd. Of the disbursements
there had been forty-nine grants for relief, 1,3401. ;
rent 1401. secretary's salary, 2001. ; anniversary
tavern bill, 1391. 7s. ; musicians, 71. 7s. ; with other
lesser items, making in all 1,9261. 10s., and leaving
a balance for investment of 2031. 55., and in hand
2891. 148.- sd. The accounts having been read and
approved of, the following satisfactory review of the affairs
of the institution for the last fourteen years woo submitted
and approved of. The total income during the last 14
years has exceeded the total income of the 14 preceding
years by 7,4501. 14s. The total expenditure during the
same period has increased by 2,8461. 3s. lid. The in-
crease of the receipts has therefore exceeded the increase
of the expenditure by 4,6041. 10s. ld., being at the rate
of 3281. 17s. lid. per annum. The subscriptions and
donations have increased by 3,990/. 3s. 2d. ; the divi-
dends and rents by 3,1991. 3s. 4d. The money funded
from ordinary receipts, exclusive of legacies, by 1,859/.
11s. 9d. ; the grants by 3,0791. 15s. The dinner of 1851
cost 1391. ss. 6d. ; that of 1852 cost 1461. 14s. Adding
to these sums the full share of the printing, stationery,
advertising, and incidental expenses, it appears that by
the sale of tickets, the contributions of stewards and
honorary visitors, and other donations directly traceable
to the dinner, exclusive of the Queen's benefaction' and
all other annual subscriptions, the dinner of 1851 pro-
duced a clear profit of 5181. 2s. 6d., and that the dinner
of 1852 produced a clear profit of 5571. 16s. Id.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY.-
Yesterday evening a public meeting of the members of
this society was held at Exeter-hall, for the purpose of
affording the committee of management an opportunity
of explaining its objects. Mr. Deputy Obbard, having
been called to the chair, stated that the society had been
eleven months in existence. In the first month 368
shares were taken, the amount received being 6601.
In the second month the number of shares taken
month,amounted
4t70
ssh2a7r,es,thl,2
the sum
p
1 paidad i .4thmonth,
being 1,0001. ;
6803 d
shares, 2,106/. paid ; sth month, '698 shares, 2,7251.
paid ; 6th month, 783 shares, 4,8301. paid ; 7th month,
1;200 shares, 6,2301. paid ; Bth month, 1,658 shares,
7,6501. paid • 9th month, 1,968 shares, 8;730/. paid ;
10th month, 2,290 shares, 10,6061. paid; 11th month,
2,444 shares, 17,449/. paid. Since the accounts were
made up (on the 28th February) between 300 and 400
shares had been taken towards the next month. The
society had purchased an estate of eight acres at Forest-
hill, one of 51 acres at Finchley, one of eight acres at
Harrow, and one of 33 acres at Wimbledon. All these
had been paid for, and the committee were in treaty for
others eligibly, situated. More than half of the 2,444
shares which had been taken up were held by single
shareholders, and 553 allotments of land had already
eensemeiaedtey.
wßereesopluastisoends, ianodfavaoubia•
llooft pries of
been
place for shares.

MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

The sales of Cotton at Liverpool 'yesterday were
estimated at 5,000 bales, of which 500 American
were taken for export. The market closed flatly.
Compared with Friday's rates prices may be quoted
an per lb. lower. The sales comprised 4,000
American, 300 Pernam and Maranham, at 6d. to
62d., 200 Bahia, at 6d. ; 200 Egyptian, at 6d. to
Bd. ; and 300 Surat at 3kd. to 44d. per lb. Rail-
way shares were flat, at lower prices.
The six-weeks average price of wheat is 455. sd.
per quarter.
The report which some time agO was circulated
with reference to the alleged difficulty, experienced
in certain railway quarters in obtaining money,
has received confirmation, from the suspension to
which we yesterday alluded, of Mr. George Hen-
nett, the well-known contractor. The amount of
liability is stated at 206,000/., and if the assets
could be fully realised, there would be sufficient to
discharge all the claims. It happens unfortunately,
that a breach of confidence upon an enormous scale
has been perpetrated, and that there is no possibility
of bringing the party to justice, the alleged fraud
being construed into a debt of 90,0001., in bills
handed over to the person in
.question for discount.
The proceeds to Mr. Hennett were but 10,0001.,
and nevertheless the whole of the paper appears to
have been circulated. Findilag this, there was no
resource but to stop payment, although the larger
creditors would all willingly have come into an
arrangement to prevent such a step. The contracts
in hand are said to be of a very remunerative
character ; offers by responsible parties having been
made to take them off at a great advance upon the
original bargain. The preparation of the accounts
is entrusted to Messrs. Quilter and Ball.
It is understood that the accounts received at
Lima from Port Philip direct, and which are to
the 6th December, as mentioned yesterday under
this head, are of an extremely favourable charac-
ter. The gold diggings of New South Wales
especially were yielding well ; therefore, even if
Port Philip has fallen off, there would be coun-
terbalancing production. The Peel River advices
also, by way of Ceylon, are most encouraging. It
is now ascertained that the steamer Sydney
left on the 4th December, consequently she is full
three months out, unless she was detained at the
other Australian ports. Such a voyage, for a
steamer, is without the slightest advantage, and
inclines one to acquiesce in the loud complaints
uttered upon all hands. The passengers by the
Australian are becominc, extremely impatient, but
it is obvious their safety 6 would be jeopardised if
they were to proceed before the vessel has under-
gone a thorough overhauling.
The steamer Antelope, which left Liverpool on
Monday for Australia, took out 30,0001. in specie.
In consequence of the destruction of a large
quantity of the letters in the mail bags of the
steamer Australian, a party writing to the Morn-
ing Advertiser makes the excellent suggestion, that
all letters for the colonies should in future be
placed in gutty percha boxes, and be then herme-
tically sealed. This would not only protect them
from damage, but even afford a chance of their re-
covery in the event of shipwreck, the packages
being adapted for floating. The Post-office
authorities, it is said, have the matter under con-
sideration.

The market for English Stocks is firmer, Consols
having been done at 99R. I for transfer. The
prices for April are about 99i 1, consequently the
` continuation" is slightly tower. The New 31
per Cents. have been at 103 t to /, and the 3 per
Cents. at 99i Exchequer Bills are Bs. to 135.,
and India Bonds are 48s. premium. The foreign
accounts generally read well, and there is more
confidence in respect to the forthcoming Australian
advices.
In the foreign market there is not so much ac-
tivity. The recent advance in Greek Bonds has
tempted one or two parties to realise, and Greek
ponds have been 8i /, buyers holding • off tem-
porarily, with the view of supplying themselves
cheaper if possible. In 1845 these Bonds were
dealt in as high as 15. Equador Stock is supported
at si g. Grenada Active Bonds are at 22g. Bra-
zilian New 4i per Cents. are at 97k. Mexican have
been at 251 g. The Peruvian Scrip is at 5 tog pre-
mium. Spanish Certificates are steady at 74 pre-
mium. Russian Bonds are higher.
The second reading of the Upper India Railway.
Bill is postponed until the 12th April, at the ex-
press instance of Sir Herbert Maddock, and Mr.
Lowe, who introduced it. The object in view is to
await a dispatch expected
. fro m the Governor-
General of India, in which )1 is hoped there will
expediency rof carrying it promptly out.lway receipts ascertained up to
railway be full corroboration of the importance of the line,
and
sd
day,
The
lastth a
week'sarin round figures as under:—

1853. 1852.
Great Western 16,613 15,322
North Western 43,063 41,173
South Western 9,252 8,877
Brighton
Midland 21,250 20,843
South Eastern

Caledonian

Great Northern

8,375

8,456

12,352 10,802

Lancashire and Yorkshire
York and North Midland
Newcastle and Berwick 13,099 14,144

These returns may be considered satisfactory, as
there are but one or two of the northern lines that
show a decrease.

The Railway Share Market is looking up, and an
advance has occurred of to 1 per cent. in Great
Northern, Great Western, North Western, Mid-
land, Caledonian, and Eastern Counties. The
general business, however, has not been of any
magnitude. French Shares are rising, Northern
being about ss. to 10s. better, and also Paris and
Lyons.
Gold Mine Shares are extremely quiet, and a
further decline has occurred in Port Philip of ;
the Great Nugget are firmer ; United Mexican
.are rather heavy.
. _

The Land Companies shares are rallying, and
with more inclination to do business in them.
South Australian are up 21., and Agricultural 21.
to 41. The Peel River are 10s. to 1/. bettel• than
they were yesterday morning.
The Joint Stock Bank Shares have been dull,
but at rather fuller rates.

The -following is from Messrs. Tredinniek's re.
port :

" The continued and progressive rise in the price o
metals induce many capitalists into British mines, and a
very large extent of business is daily transacted in shares
—the prices continue to advance, yet we fear in dividend
stock, before many months elapse, a reaction must take
place. In times past purchasers looked for 20
to 25 per cent. per annum in dividends upon the
current price of shares. Many mines now command
prices yielding only 10 to 121 per cent., and although
we can see no just cause or reason *hy established
Mines should not sell at ten years' purchase, wherein
reserves of ore are maintained, the works fully developed
and the requisite machinery erected, still we must
remind our readers that great caution, discrimi-
nation, and judgment should be observed in the selec-
tion of Mines for investment ; and on the whole we
are inclined to suggest to their notice a preference to
dividend over speculative stock. It should not, how-
ever, be lost sight of, that it is from a judicious selec-
tion from the latter class, that large and rapid fortunes
are often realised with comparatively small outlay; and
from the host of companies now catered to the public,
some few can be selected at the present moment, offer-
ing advantageous prospects of success, at prices much
below their intrinsic worth."

• BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
(1).n2 the Official List.)
Business done.
Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities... ...... shut
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 31 per Cent. Annuities
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 shut
Ditto 30 Years, Expire 10th Qet., 1859 shut
India Stock
India Bonds, £lOOO 4B 50
South Sea Old Annuities shut
Consols for Account 13th April
Exchequer Bills Pd.
.......
£5OO
Small
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent.

Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto New, 1852, 4i per Cent 9711 8
Equador Bonds
Grenada Bonds, Deferred,
Ditto Ex; Dec., 1849, Coupon. iM 224
Greek ex over-due Coupons
Mexican 3 per Cent
Ditto for the Account 2sa i i
Peruvian Scrip
Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent.
Ditto, 44 per cent lo3i
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 9B 9
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 484
Spanish New Deferred, 3 por Cent 24
Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun 74 7 6 p c
Turkish Loan, 6 per Cent., 1852
Dutch Exchange 2i,per Cent 66
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates..„ .... -

TIIREE O'CLOCK.

Consols .
Ditto April Account ..

99
991 1

DELICATE Goss'', IN PARIS.—We received on Tues-
day a communication from Paris, from a private source,
in which it was stated, that an extraordinary rumour
was not only current, but generally credited, in the
French capital. We abstained from making use of our
information from considerations of a delicate nature,
which will most probably suggest themselves to the
ends of our readers. We have reason, however, to be-
lieve, that to-day most, if not all, of our contemporaries
will make the announcement, that it is confidently
affirmed in the better-informed circles in Paris, that the
French Empress is in an " interesting situation.
Morning Advertiser.

ELECTION COMMITTEES-(THIS DAY.)

SOUTHAMPTON.

The committee re-assembled at 11 o'clock this morning.
The Chairman directed Bower, the witness who re-
fused to take the oath yesterday, to be brought up.
Bower was introduced, and still refused to take the
oath.

The Chairman said that he must therefore order him
+o be confined. If, however, he should alter his mind,
he should be released.
He was then removed. •

Mr. Harman, proprietor of the Hampshire Indepen-
dent, was then called, and stated that he had been
chairman of , the committee of Sir Alexander Cock-
burn and Mr. Wilcox. Mr. Andrews had been in the
committee-room twice. After the election, 1,3001. had
been placed to his audit at his bankers by the two
sitting members to pay the accounts. Some of the ac-
counts were disputed. Mr. Andrews was present at
the meeting in the Riding-school, where Sir Alexander
Cockburn spoke.