The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-28 00:00:00

CHIN A.

_
Since last despatch we have not received further
intelligence from Europe.
The English and American Plenipotentiaries in
China, accompanied by a gentleman attached to
the French Legation, left Shanghai for the Peiho
on the 11th ult. It is quite uncertain when this
expedition will return, but letters from Sir John
Bo4vring may be looked for before the despatch of
the next mail ; for, whatever may be the state
of the country near Peking, his Excellency will
naturally be most anxious to communicate intelli-
gence of it. We cannot regret this voyage to the
north, though the avowed leanings of Sir John to
the fortunes of the Manch° w give every cause for
apprehension lest his interference should be other
than beneficial to the public interests.
The Peking Gazette has been eo often proved
guilty of the grossest misrepresentation of faots,
that we place no faith in statements found is late
issues, of Imperialist successes over the followers
of Tai-ping-Wang. It is, however, generally be-
lieved that the fleet of Canton junks (formerly
pirates, but taken into the Imperialist service)
which left Slaanghae for Nanking a short time ago,
succeeded in passing Chin-keang-foo, and as Tae-
ping-Wang•had no squadron sufficiently trained to
oppose them, Imperialist possession of parts of the
Yang-zekiaaag above Nanking has been to a certain
extent complete. But with the river's banks the
career stands checked, and in the course of a short
time a return to the south may be safely calculated
on ; the campaign proving of no political effect
whatever, further than that of more and more ex-
asperating the people of the districts harried by
express license of the so-called Imperialist Govern-
ment.
A squadron, supposed to have been piratical,
found by the American steamer Queen in a bay of
the island of Lantao, between Hong Kong and
Macao, has been destroyed. Admiral Stirling
had determined on ferreting out the huge nest
discovered by the Spartan's boats on a recent occa-
sion, but before proceeding to work made applica-
tion to the Viceroy at Canton for some official
sanction. This was readily given ; but before the
expedition could start the Chinese diplomatist gave
the pirate leaders warning, with offers of rewards
to join the Imperialist service. There had been
negociation on the subject before. o doubt hat
Admiral Stirling's reported intentions caused the
sealing of the compact ; the bulk of the fleet went
forthwith to Fatshan, and it is thought they will be
successful in recovering the town from the insurg its
who have now held it for a third of a year and up-
wards. Such is a specimen of the methods adopt,,d
by the Imperial Government to protract the evil
day—a day which must come at last, for it is im-
possible for matters to revert to their old position
of comparative quietude with them.
At Canton the rebels hold their position, and
all attempts of the Imperialists to dislodge thorn
are futile.
EXCHANGE AND BULLION.—Cantos : On London,
4 8 ; on Bombay, 240 Rs. ; on Calcutta, 241 Rs, ;
Carolus Dollars, 25 per cent. premium. Shangha,e,
Nov. 5 : On London, 65 to 6 5 ; on India, 311
Rs. ; Drafts on Canton, 26 discount ; Gold, $2l-15
per T. ; Sycee T's., 2-9 premium.
Opium.—Canton, November 9.—Patna, $350 ;
Benare, $355 ; Malwa, $460 ; Turkey, $3BO.
Shanghae, November s.—Malwa, $365 ; Patna,
$245.

EGYPT.
ALEXANDRIA, Dec. 19.—The Valetta arrived
here yesterday, with the Marseilles portion of the
London overland mail of December 9, and returns
to-day with the Marseilles portion of the Calcutta
mail of November 20.
The Euxine, with the Southampton portion of
the mail, has not yet arrived, and the steamers are
detained at Suez until she does come in.
The body of the late Lord F. Fitzclarence, which
reached Cairo from Bombay on the 13th, will not
be brought down to Alexandria for another week,
and will be taken to England by the next mail with
Lady Fitzclarence.
Said Pasha, the Viceroy, has postponed bis de-
parture for Upper Egypt until after his reception
of the Hon. C. A. Murray, Minister-Plen,ipoten-
tiary in Persia. Said Pasha has frequently and
publicly expressed his great dislike to Mr. Murray,
and it must be with very bitter feelings that he
finds himself under the necessity of showing him
any attention. His Highness continues to be sorely
pressed for money. On the 10th of April., accord-
ing to the Sultan's firman, Said Pasha with have to
pay six months' tribute in advance, or up wards of
140,0001. sterling, to the Bank of England or of
France, on account of the Turkish loan, and if his
Highness has such difficulty in meeting present
expenses, he will have to resort to some
the S extraor-
dinary means in order to carry out ultan's
orders by the 10th April.

THE MEDITERRANEAN.

SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27.
By the Peninsular and Oriental Co mpany's
steam-ship Tagus, Captain J. K. Joy, we h; live dates
from Alexandria to the 9th, Malta the 12th, and
Gibraltar the 18th inst. The Tagus put into Vigo
on the 231 in consequence of bad weather.,
The Tagus brings 51 passengers, among -whom are
Lord Melville, and on freight 29 packages of specie,
145 boxes of oranges, 20 cases opium, '299 bales
and cases silk, and a general cargo.
From Gibraltar we have accounts to the 18th
inst. The Royal mail steamer Magdalena, with
the 18th Regiment (Royal Irish) on board, passed
through the Straits at 10 a.m. on the 15th inst.
The screw transport Cosmopolitan, five days eight
hours from Portsmouth, with wooden huts, shot,
&c., arrived at Gibraltar on the 15th, and, proceeded
for Balaklava. The screw steamer Orantes, from
Malta and Tunis, touched at Gibraltar ors the 16th,
bound for Liverpool. The Gibraltar Chronicle of
the 18th inst. says—
" The British steam transports Cumberland and John
Bowes, which put in here, the former on Saturday after-
noon, and the latter yesterday morning on their way to
the East, for the purpose of coaling, have left for their
destination. Both are laden with wooden huts for the
use of our troops before Sebastopol.
"The Alraa steam transport, with a number of medi-
cal, commissariat, and other officers, stores, sc., for the
and
Crimea,
will a rrived abut the same time as the entnberland,
proceed this afternoon, after taking in a supply
of coal, for her destination.
Her Majesty's paddle-wheel steam-sloop Hecla, 6
gums, Commander Hawker, which arrived yesterday
from Portsmouth, is to be stationed here."
At Gibraltar exchange on London was quoted
511 ; Paris, sf. 42c. ; Marseilles, sf. 440. • Genoa,
sf. 48c. At eight days' sight, on Madrid', dis. ;
Cadiz, 1 dis. ; Malaga, -I prem. ; Seville, prem •
Alicante, Vaencia, and Barceona, par ;
Spanish
pillared dollars, 3 per cent. prem.

Lady Blantyre and family have arrived at Stafford
House from Erskine House, N.B. Lord Blantyre will
arrive in London early in the ensuing week .
MANCRESTER, TIIESDAY.—Today was blank, a few
members met, but transacted no business. A
match at
billiards will be played at Mr. Roberts' Room, 28,
Cross-street, on Tuesday next, January Eld, between
Mr. Bowles, of the Union Club, and Mr. S with, of this
town ; 1,001 up for 251. a side.
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' BENEVOLE" vT INSTITU-
TION.—The half-yearly general court of governors of
this institution was heldyesterday at the Lo radon Tavern;
Sir James Duke, Bart., M.P., in the chair., The secre-
tary, Mr. Charles Nash, read the report, which congratu-
lated the meeting on the steady progress of the society.
The subscriptions for the past year showedi an increase
of 621. ls. over the previous year. The tot. al income for
1854 had been 5271. 25.: the expenditure, !231/. 125.9 d.;
leaving a balance in favour of the
nm soc
adey iet
at the last gene.
In compliance with the suggestio
ral meeting a system of registration for tibe benefit of
members bad been established. The committee re-
gretted that they could not recommend th e election cf
more than one annuitant ; four candidates h ave been pro-
posed—Mrs. Frances Drayson, Mrs. Charlotte A.
Phillips, Mr. John Goss, and Mr. A. lla:t•rison. The
report having been adopted, and the committee and
officers for the past year unanimously re-elected,
meeting proceeded proceeded to the ballot, which .resulted in the
election of Mrs. Phillips to an annuity of 251. a year.
Thanks Laving been voted to the chairman, the meeting
separated.