The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-05 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING HERALD,

Sir,--It would be a great satisfaction to the nation if
some responsible minister could announce in precise
terms :—" We consider the national armament and the
national organisation sufficient for the national defence.
We have secured immediate information from abroad of
finy preparation or movement that may be considered
dangerous to this country. In case of threatened ag-
gression our arrangements for resistance are complete.
Men are forthcoming for our fleets—generals for our
armies • stores, ordnance, and depots of ammunition are
provided ; the stations and disposition of our armed
force are determined upon. The orders we shall issue
are prepared, and their prompt execution may be de-
pended upon.",
It is not unreasonable to demand that some such an-
nouncement should precede any further legislation.
Until a minister is in a position to make such an an-
nouncement it is insanity to argue the advantages of the
ballot or discuss the provisions of a Jew bill.—Your
obedient servant,
HAROLD.
London, Jan. 31.

THE MAIL TO INDIA.—The Peninsular and Oriental
Company's steamer Ripon left Southampton yesterday
with the India and China mails. This is the first bi-
monthly dispatch under the new contract. The Ripon
took out about 50 passengers amongst whom were Lieu-
tenants Glinn and Coffin, Admiralty agents in the India
and China seas. The mail consisted of about 60 boxes,
which will cross the Desert, besides bags for the Mediter-
ranean.

Accounts from Constantinople have been received to
the 20th of January, and contain rather important in-
telligence. Instead of direct remittances to meet the
liabilities of the Bank of Constantinople, bills at three
months' date fir 150,0901., drawn by the. merchants
recently appointed to conduct the liquidation of the
bank upon their agents in London, have alone been re-
ceived. Political affairs continued in a very unsatis-
factory state, and the re-actionary Ministry seemed
determined to carry their injurious system as far as pos-
sible. Not a word is said about the loan, and the bond-
holders therefore appear to remain precisely in the posi-
tion they occupied two or three months back when Lord
Stanley, on behalf of the Derby Government, defended
the conduct of the Sultan, and asserted that a satis-
factory settlement was to be immediately expected. Ali
tGraocvteedrnorhtaso SbneiyenL aTi>rt anuadilYit bisallissaidhgtdhabt
Pasha, who was Grand Vizier when the loan was con-
y.
Rbe es ienhgi d s ern
at s
has
a
is, in like manner, to be sent to Broussa. Fuad
Effendi, the present Foreign Minister, it is added, is
about to proceed to Paris, but whether on a special
mission or as ambassador, is not mentioned. Among
other proceedings indicative of the spirit of th. present
Government, has been the issue of a decree restoring to
the governors of provinces the arbitrary power of life and
death, as it existed previously to the Tanzimat. To add
to the prevailing complications apprehensions were en-
tertained that affairs were taking an unfavourable turn
with Russia, ostensibly on the question of the Holy
Sepulchre and the rights of the Greek Church.
Letters from
recent importations of gold from England into Russia,
Riga, of the 4th January, state that the
thus announced, amounted to 1,125,0001. Of this total
821,500/.
had' been received at St. Petersburgb,
244,800/. at Riga, and 52,900/. at Odessa.
At the annual meeting of the Royal British Bank,
held to-day, a
dividend was declared at the rate of six
per cent. per annum, after making an addition of an
equal amount to the reserve fund (which has now
reached 7,5001.) and appropriating 9881. in further
liquidation of preliminary expenses. The report showed
a steady increase in the business of the establishment,
the accounts open having been 2,989 at the end of the
first year, 3,994 at the end of the second, and 4,411 on
the 31st December last.—Tintm
REPRESENTATION OF BLACKEURN.—It is reported that
Mr. Eccles, one of the Liberal members for Blackburn,
is abeut to
resign his seat, and .it is also confidently
stated that addresses will be issued fn faew days from Mr.
W. H. Hornby, in the Tory interest, and Mr. Monta-
gue Fielding in the Liberal interest. Mr. Hornby is
the gentleman whose name appeared in the papers some
months ago in a paragraph headed "Assault by the
Mayor of Blackburn," and Mr. Fielding is a son of the
late baronet Sir William Fielding. A considerable and
respectable party in the town seem to be anxious to de-
viate from the rule that has hitherto prevailed of having
a gentleman of local interest merely, and prefer a
stranger of greater political mark to represent their
borough, which has become, in consequence of the great
increase in its population, one of the most important
boroughs in the country. Viscount Duncan, it is also
reported, is likely to come forward.
We understand that the dividend proposed to be paid
by the London and North-Western Railway Company
will be at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, carrying
over a balance of 90,000/. or 95,0001.
MARYPORT AND CARLISLE RAILWAY.--The directors
of the Maryport and Carlisle Railway, in their. half-
yearly report just issued, recommend a dividend at the
rate of 4 per cent, per annum.
BLACKWALL RAILWAY DIVIDEND.—The dividen.
be declared at the forthcoming meeting is 3s. persnare:
being an improvement on the previous half-year's,
and
d toare,
the report, it is understood, will be favourable—a surplus
being carried over after the dividend is paid.

MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS.

CITY, Two o'CLoog.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday, were
estimated at 12,000 bales, of which 6,000 were
taken on speculation. The market closed with a
hardening tendency. Railway shares were rather
firmer.

The great decrease in the amount of bullion in
the Bank of England, stated as being likely to ap-
pear in the weekly return to the 29th ult., is actu-
ally shown to have occurred, and by all accounts,
will probably take place again in ensuing weeks, as
there are still exports to the Continent. So long
as these go merely in payment of staples which we
work up into manufactured articles, yielding a
handsome profit, there can be no valid reason for
complaint. All we are concerned to prevent, is
participation in the loans of bankrupt, foreign
States, and unhealthy speculation, and if the Bank
lost two or three millions sterling more, it would
be a positive advantage, and ultimately would ren-
der a larger stock of bullion than ever, a matter of
certainty, if the money is known to be employed in
our export trade. Of course, should there be a
deficient harvest, a new combination of circum-
stances totally distinct, would arise. The circula-
tion of notes last week was lessened, the withdrawal
of private balances being met by the specie. In
discount there was a failing off, and should this
continue, a further increase in the charge will not
at present be attempted. Compared with the pre-
vious week, the changes are as follows :
Active circulation..
Decrease 490,325
Bullion 19,042,835
Decrease 362,084
Rest•-- Increase
Public Deposits—lncrease 237,239
Other deposits—Decrease 661,444
Seven day and other Bills—lncrease 1,837
Government securities -Decrease 29,794
Other securities 13,654,165
Decrease
Notes unemployed—lncrease 67,095

The banking interest throughout the country
appears to be very flourishing, and both in the
metropolis and the provinces large dividends have
been recently declared as the result of business
done in the last six months. The Royal British
Baak made yesterday its third annual report, and
made, with the consent of the proprietary, a divi-
dend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, and
made an addition, besides, to the reserve fund,
which now amounts to 7,5001. Since the Bank
commenced business, 2,1411. have been written off
the preliminary expenses,. besides improvements
and repairs being liquidated out of current revenue;
and, upon the general progress of the Bank, and
the condition of the Money Market, we have the
following inforination :
" The abundance and cheapness of money alluded to in
the report for the half year ended on the 30th of June
last, as necessarily tending to the reduction of all bank-
ink profits, continued to operate in the same way through-
out the half year just concluded ;" and although the rates
charged by this bank for its advances on cash credits
and convertible securities did not fluctuate, and were
not, therefore, on the one hand subjected to the depres-
sion which the discount of purely commercial paper un-
derwent ; yet, on the other hand, the directors, from a
regard to one of the main purposes of the institution—
namely, to induce parties previously unaccustomed to
banking, to make deposits and keep balances at their
credit, considered it right to continue to allow the same
rates of interest as had been announced at the beginning.
The sums so paid by the bank were, in 1850, 4.4561.
14s. ; in 1851, 9,601/. I.os. Bd. ; and in 1852, 13,394/.
Qs. 6d. The accounts open at the end of the first year
were 2,989, second year 3,994, and last year 4,411.
" Notwithstanding. however, the comparatively large
amount of. the payments for interest, and their progres-
sive annual increase, the directors have been encouraged
to continue the system the bank adopted aid has hitherto
followed, from knowing that very industrious persons
have been benefited by it,— and that, while depositing
customers have had much the greater part of the earn-
ings of the bank, the proprietors have had an ample
return on their investments, and have had these made
more valuable by the formation of a Reserved Fund,
now equivalent to 15 per cent. on the paid-up capital."

Bills of Exchange on the principal continental
towns were negotiated here yesterday afternoon at
very full rates. Paris, 90 days, 25 27i- to 30 ;
Amsterdam, 11 18-i to 19 ; Hamburgh, 13 6 to 6/- ;
Frankfort, 119 a to if ; and Trieste, 11 7 to 12.
The exports of gold direct from London during
the week to Thursday last, were 87,456 ounces and
2,0001., all but 256 ounces being sent to the Conti-
nent, and 17,900 ounces of silver.
Besides these amounts, the steamer from South-
ampton takes out between 200,000/. and 300,000/.
in silver to Alexandria and the East Indies.

The English Stock Market has been very dull,
but nevertheless a shade firmer. Consols 99k to .11
for Transfer, and 99i for Account. The New
Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. have been 103 to
and the Three per Cents. 100 to 11-. Exchequer
Bills have been quoted 50s. to 555., and India
Bonds 60s. preaduni.
Foreign Stocks are-giso very dull, but Grenada
have improved, as a dividend is coming forward.
The Active Bonds realise 22, and the Deferred 114
to Mexican Stock has been heavy at 22f
The Turkish Loan is at discount, and the Aus-
trian Scrip, 7 premium. Dutch 4 per Cents.
have been 97i
Railway Shares have been all better, and the
Bears have been buying back.
Mines are dull.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
(Prem the Official List.)
Business done.
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities lOl 100
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities . 99 a
New 3/ per Cent. Annuities.......... lO3 3 1
India Bonds, £lOOO —
Ditto, under £lOOO 6O
Consols for Account 10th February
991
March.
Exchequer Bills 14d. June.
£lOOO.
£5OO 5O 5
Small 5O 5
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Austrian Scrip, 5 per Cent 7i
Grenada Bonds, Deferred, I llf i
Ditto Ex Dec., 1849, Coupon 22
Mexican 3 per Cent
..... 221 i L-.
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. -.. . . ... ... . 94,
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent 22
,Swedish Loan lt d
Turkish Loan, 6 per Cent., 1852 i d
Dutch Exchange 2a per Cent —
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates.... .... .
TWO O'CLOCK.

Consols
Ditto February Account

SALE OF RENTERS' SHARES IN THE COVENT-GARDEN
THEATRE.—Yesterday, at the Auction Mart, Messrs.
Shuttleworth and Sons, the auctioneers„ offered to public
competition two renters' shares in the Theatre Royal,
Covent-garden, the income from which is 121. 10s. per
annum, and the possessor is entitled to a free admis-
sion, transferable mice in a season,• which usually sells
for 51. or 61., held for an unexpired term of 41 years—
the first was sold for 1701., and the next 1601. The
original cost was 500/., and they have been sold at a
premium.

- A MILITARY POLYGAMIST.—Ann Proud, a woman
aged 39, and' Emma Derby, aged 19, were brought
before the Sheffield borough magistrates on Thursday,
charged with ' being disorderly. The prisoners both
claimed to be the wife of Wm. Proud, a private in the
21st Regiment of Foot, now stationed in Sheffield. The
elder prisoner had for several years been received as
Proud's wife into the barracks where the regiment had
been stationed. Latterly, he had formed an acquaint-
ance with the younger prisoner, who lived out of the
barracks, and passed herself off also as his wife. The
two women went into the town last night, and after
quarrelling about which had the greatest right to the
soldier, resorted to fighting to settle the point. The
result was, that they were both taken to the lock-up.
It was stated that the soldier was among the spectators
in the court. The Mayor ordered him to be called.
On presenting himself before the bench, the follow-
ing dialogue, passed :—The Mayor—Which of these
women is pour wife ? Soldier—One of them is as
dear/to me as the other. The Mayor—Explain what
you mean by that. Soldier (smiling)—They are
both my wives.—The Mayor—You may think it a
laughing matter, but you will find that it is not. Do
you mean to say that you have been married to both
these women, and that they are both of them your wives ?
—Soldier—Yes, and I can bring you two more, if you
want them. (The younger prisoner, who with the
soldier appeared to think the whole proceeding a piece
of fun, here burst out a laughing.) Mr. A. Smith (to the
soldier—What do you mean by the answer you just now
gaie the Mayor ?—Soldier—l mean that I have four
wives.—Mr. A. Smith—Where did you marry your first
wife ?—Soldier—l married one in Ireland, one in Scot-
land, and two in England.—Questions were then put to
the soldier as to the names of the four women, and the
places where he had been married. The light then
began to dawn upon him that the matter was not quite
so much of a mere joke as he had at first thought it, and
he returned very evasive answers. The smile entirely
left his countenance a moment afterwards, when the
Mayor directed him to be taken into custody on the
charge of bigamy, and remanded for inquiry.`„ The
younger prisoner finding matters growing serious, dis-
claimed that she was the wife of the soldier, though he
a moment before had stated that he married her at
Leeds. The whole of the three parties were remanded.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENOH-(THIS DAY.)

(Before Lord Campbell and a Special Jury.)
MACHEATH V. VISCOUNT FRANCKFORT.

This was an action against Viscount Franckfort to re-
cover compensation in damages for a libel which he had
published, reflecting on the character of the plaintiff
(Mr. Macheath) who resides in Vigo-street, Regent-
street.

The libel arose out of the same circumstances in re-
spect of which Lord Franckfort was found guilty at the
suit of another party, and sentenced to a term of im-
prisonment, which he is now undergoing.
After the jury had been sworn,
_ _

Sir Frederick Thesiger, who appeared for the plaintiff,
expressed his gratification at being able to intimate that
the parties had come to an arrangement, and that the
jury would be relieved from investing the case. Lord
Franckfort had seen, he was happy to say, the gross im-
propriety of his conduct, and that it would be perfectly
useless attempting to set up any defence to the action.
He (Sir Frederick Thesiger), however, thought that as
his client's character and reputation had been most
seriously and wantonly maligned, it was but right that
he should press for substantial damages, and the
Attorney-General, who represented Lord Franckfort,
had agreed to a verdict being entered for the plaintiff for
the sum of 2001.

The Attorney-General said he felt quite convinced
that it would be impossible for him to contend against
the evidence, and he had to thank his learned friend for
the conciliatory spirit he had displayed, in so readily
agreeing to the terms proposed by him.
Lord Campbell thought the defendant's counsel had
taken the proper course, and rejoiced that the jury were
spared the necessity of entering into a matter of such a
painful character The libel was one of so extraordinary
a nature that it might be doubted whether the author of
it was in his right senses, and perhaps Lord Franckfort,
who was now suffering the sentence of the court, might
be a fit subject for the clemency of the Crown.
A verdict was then ordered for the plaintiff. Damages
2001.