The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-31 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 31, 1853.

the actors, to render it probable that a simi-
lar error would again be committed. If
the intelligence be authentic, it may be re-
cived as prima facie evidence that the terms
are already agreed upon, or at least that
the remaining differences are so trivial that they
can certainly be removed, and amicable relations
restored between the parties.
Already the effect of this intelligence has been
very decided. Stocks and shares rose rapidly.
There was an improvement of nearly two per
Cent. in Consols, and Railway and Mining
Shares experienced equivalent advances. Should
further corroborative accounts be received
the Bears may be compelled to disgorge
a considerable portion of their ill-gotten
booty, and the capitalists who came forward to
sustain the national credit will receive the well-
merited rewards of their spirit and enterprise.
While, however, we point to the probable results
of a final arrangement, we would once more re-
peat the advice we tendered on Saturday, viz.,
that parties should not suffer themselves to be
either unduly buoyed up or depressed by the
daily rumours which are circulated for the pur-
pose of creating those variations that produce
the great profits of the unconscientious operators.
Let capitalists have full reliance on the resources
and credit of their country, and be equally on
their guard against the tricks of Bulls as well as
of Bears—of the speculators for a rise as well as
of those for a fall.

The recent extraordinary improvement in the
communications with Australia affords the best
commentary on the extraordinary apathy and
carelessness so long prevalent with respect to the
best interests of our important antipodean colonies.
Notwithstanding the dazzling discoveries of gold,
and the great impetus thereby given to emigra-

tion, we still remained stupidly insensible to the
advantages to be derived from our close connec-
tion with a land abounding in gold. It seemed
as if it were not considered worth while to conci-

hate the regard and good-will of those who,
though removed to so great a distance, were still
thoroughly English in all their thoughts and feel-
ings, and who, if fairly and considerately treated,
would be not merely willing, but most anxious, to
cement more closely the bonds by, which. they are
united to their mother country. With far less
opportunities than they now possess, the Austra-
lians have proved themselves, in proportion to
their numbers, to be by far the best customers
for our manufactures, and also the most
capable of supplying the raw materials for
our staple productions. It is impossible to calcu-
late the beneficial results of our trade with the
fifth quarter of the world, when it has been judi-
ciously and discreetly developed, and our supplies
are suited to the exigencies and wants of the colo-
nists, nut varying from a scarcity to a glut, and
back again to a dearth. These untoward changes,
which have deprived commerce of its legitimate
character, and reduced it to a species of lottery, may
be ascribed to the want of postal facilities—the
means of ascertaining, within reasonable time, the ac-
tual requirements of the country, so that the articles
transmitted to the other hemisphere may be suited
to the wants and wishes of those whose necessities
and tastes must be primarily consulted ; and yet,
when attempting to provide for that great defici-
ency, we only offered a bi-monthly communication
—six in the year—through the stinginess and
parsimony of the Government, who thought
26,0001. per annum sufficient to apply to a service
to which five or six times the amount ought
unhesitatingly to have been devoted. Under
such circumstances, it is by no means sur-
prising that the service thus dealt with
should have proved a total failure—that the
Government stipendiaries, who did not find the
assistance which they received an adequate com-
pensation for the restrictions by which they were
bound, should have retired with loss from the
undertaking. As it is, to private enterprise, un-
assisted by Government aid, but at the same time
happily unfettered by Government interference,
that we are indebted for the vast improvement
that has really taken place, and by which the
average time of transit has been reduced from
four months to little more than two months,
the General Steam Navigation Company will
doubtless most deservedly realise very handsome

profits by the spirit and enterprise displayed in
their arrangements. But the evidence they have
afforded of the feasibility of achieving such re-
markable progress reflects additional disgrace on
those in office, who permitted the important prob-
lem to be solved by a private company, with
private means only at their disposal. It having,
however, been proved, beyond the possi-
bility of doubt, what , can be done, no
excuse remains for Ministers, on whom the
duty primarily devolves. It is shown that the
journey to Port Philip and back again can
be performed each way within ' sixty-four days.
The Argo has done it in that time, going by the
Cape of Good Hope and returning by Cape Horn,
and it only remains to be seen in how much less
time the journey may be performe'd ; whether the
nine weeks may not be reduced to six, or even
five weeks, by adopting the principle submitted
by the Eastern Steam Navigation Company, and
the practicability.of which will speedily be tested.
How very easily this amelioration may be effected
will be at once ascertained from a comparison of
the distance travelled, and the average speed at-
tained by the Argo, the most successful of the
vessels engaged in the traffic up to this time.
It appears, then, that the voyage out and home
—including a delay of nearly six weeks in Aus-
tralia—has been made in five months and nineteen
days. The time actually engaged while under
steam or canvas, has been 121 days, and the dis-

tance traversed 27,900 miles, being an average
of about 230 miles per diem, or 9.583 miles per
hour. Now, it is calculated by Mr. BRUNEL, and

his opinion is sustained by Mr. SCOTT RUSSELL
and other competent authorities, that an average
speed of 15 miles an hour may easily be achieved,
and that even 16, 17, or 18 may readily be anti-
cipated. The first-mentioned rate of 15 miles
per hour would accomplish the voyage within less
than forty days, and we might even, by the judi-
cious combination of the screw and paddle-wheel,
and the introduction of a larger class of vessels
built with a greater view to speed, reduce that
time to five weeks, or, possibly, to little more
than a calendar month. It is not, . however, by
cheese-paring economy, by a stinginess and parsi-
mony more befitting a small trader than the Go-
vernment of a great nation that such objects can
be achieved. If Ministers hope to do that which
may justly be required at their hands, they should
abandon the penny-wise-and-pound-foolish policy,
and exhibit a liberality proportioned to the im-
portance of the object. They may feel well assured
that the money thus appropriated will not be mis-
applied, and that the popular representatives, the
guardians of the public purse, will readily approve
of an expenditure so laudable in every respect,
and which promises to return such ample equiva-
lents in one form or other to the National Exche-
quer.

sosf
GorlouTcHesEterDiuscHillss
FooFr
sGoLmoeuctiEmSTeEpna.—st
Duchess
Tiheier
Royal Highness has been indisposed, and latterly a
cough has been very troublesome, and has hitherto
baffled the skill of her medical attendants. The Royal
Duchess is staying at her London residence, Gloucester-
house, Park-lane, and here on Tuesday she received a
visit from the Queen, who travelled to town from Wind-
sor Castle on that day. Their Royal Highnesses the
Duchess of Kent and the Duke of Cambridge have also
paid a visit to her Royal Highness, and his Majesty,
the King of the Belgians and his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, have called personally at Gloucester-house
during the week to learn the state of the Royal Duchess.
Her Royal Highness has reached an advanced stage of
life, being 77 last birthday, and the continuance of the
cough with which she is troubled has recently had a weak-
ening effect upon her frame.
HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTION, BRoMPTON.—Yester-
day a sermon was preached at the Collegiate Church of
St. Katharine, Regent's Park, by the Rev. John Oliver,
MA., on behalf of the Consumption Hospital, at Bromp-
ton. During a very earnest appeal the ley. gentleman
introduced a variety of statistics, showing the beneficial
workings of the charity. The hospital, it appears, is
about to be considerably enlarged, by the opening of a
new wing, which has just been erected, to complete the
original design of the building. Space will then be
afforded to 230 in-door patients, instead of the present
number of 90. Active measures are being taken to raise
the necessary funds for completing the undertaking, and
it is hoped that the new wing will be thrown open for
the reception of patients early in the ensuing spring.

MONEY MARKET

AND
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday
were estimated at 5,000 bales. The market was
heavy, without alteration in prices. The sales
comprised 3,550 American, 120 Pernam and Ma-
ranham at 6±d. to 61d., 100 Egyptian at 7±d. to
is., and 1,000 Surat at nd. to 4±d. per lb. The
Railway Share Market was firm at advanced prices.
The corn market is steady this morning at about
last Monday's prices.
The ship Royal George, from Geelong, Victoria,
has on board 16,365 ounces of gold.
Accounts from New York state that an improve-
ment had taken place in the Stock Market. The
total value of merchandise, including specie, ex-
ported during the week ending October 15,
amounted to 2,531,889 dollars, the greater part
consisting of breadstuffs and provisions. The large
exportation of flour and wheat to Europe tended
to increase the total shipments, but they would
have been much greater if it had not been for the
firmness with which breadstuffs were held,
and the advance which had taken . place in
prices. At the latest date, however, there
were symptoms of weakness. Cotton was
lower, and freights were firmer. For the week
ending Oct. 15 there were some important changes
to notice in the returns of the City Banks the
discounts decreased to 1,291,725 dollars, and the
circulation 208,744 dollars. The deposits increased
to 1,082,914 dollars, and the specie 1,063,570
dollars.

A very fair explanation of the cause of the recent
heavy decline in certain railroad bonds, is given by
a New York journalist, and the following is a
portion thereof
We showed recently that the immense amount of
railway bonds, city bonds, county bonds, borough
bonds, and village bonds, remaining in the hands of
speculators as so much dead weight, was one of the
principal causes of the present embarrassment, and
would produce many failures. For more than two
years the manufacture of these bonds has been going on,
and they have ►been put off at auction, at private
sale, and bartered in different ways, so as to produce
the needful, at almost any sacrifice. Within the past
twelve months we have had sales at auction of railroad
bonds, averaging at least one million of dollars per
week. The sales have ranged from fifty per cent.
upwards, but even this great sacrifice did not deter
the manufacturers from letting them go. If the
price was not large enough to give the amount
of money required, enough bonds were sold to
make it up. So long as the machine was in
operation it was easy enough to supply as many
as this market would take. After parties here had
become pretty well surfeited, it became necessary to
look abroad for purchasers. Agents were therefore dis-
patched to Europe, loaded down with bonds of every
variety, and a very choice selection was offered upon
the most favourable terms. The greatest latitude was
given these agents in making their negotiations. The
sole object in view was to get rid of them at good
prices ; but get rid of them at any price, rather than re-
turn without. In carrying out these intentions, all
sorts of barter trading was resorted to. Railroad iron,
dry goods, merchandise of every description, were
taken in exchange, at high prices, and sent to this
country for sale and consumption. This was the first
great cause of the increase in the value of importation
and it has reached an extent far beyond our most
extravagant calculations. The excessive importations
produced by these forced purchases abroad, caused a
rapid accumulation in the revenue from customs,
withdrew from the channels of trade an immense
amount of gold and silver, and locked it up in the
government depositories, as so much dead capital."
The railway meetings announced are the follow-
ing :
Company. Date. Place, &c.
Charleroi and Erquelines...Nov. 12, Charleroi.

Great Indian Peninsular.... Oct. 31,- Office.
London & South-Western...Nov. 15, 61, Waterloo-road.
The amount of railway " calls" due next month
is 1,112,2261., making 10,916,0271. this year.
The English Stock Market has advanced mate-
rially, upon the belief that the draft of a new Note
has been acquiesced in by the Sultan and the Em-
peror Nicholas, and upon the report in other quar-
ters that King Leopold has drawn up propositions.
The Bears have again been the principal buyers.
Consols were 931 1, and have since been
done at 941. They are now 941 to 941. The
New 3/ per Cents. have been quoted
94 to 958, and the 3 per Cents. 921 to
93. Bank Stock has recovered to 112.
East India Stock has been steady at 247, and South
Sea Stock at 113. There have been bargains in
Exchequer Bills at 4s. premium, and in East India
Bonds at 2s. discount.
In Foreign Securities there have been extensive
transactions, and in most cases at advanced quota-
tions by sympathy with the English funds. Spanish
3 per Cents. have been marked 447,,-, and the
Deferred 211 to 21k. Portuguese 4 per Cents.
have been dealt in at 41. Brazilian New Four-
and-a-Half per Cents. are at 95. Equador Stock
has been at 51, and Mexican Bonds have risen to
251-7 I. French Four-and-a-Half per Cents. have
been done at 100 50, with the exchange at 25 10.
Russian Four-and-a-Half per Cents. have been
quoted 98, Dutch Four per Cents. 94 to 95, and
Sardinian 93 to 94. Peruvian Active Bonds have
been at 71, and Portuguese Four per Cents. at 41.
The railway share market has been very buoy-
ant, but there has not been a large business doing,
except in the old lines. Lancashire and Yorkshire,
Midland, South-Eastern, and Caledonian are up
1/. to 1/. 10s. French shares have been 15s. to 1/.
higher.
The Gold Mine Shares have been more in de-
mand, and there have been fuller quotations paid
in some instances. Brazilian Imperial have risen
1/. to 1/. ss. •
The Land Companies' Shares have been buoyant.
Australian Agricultural have risen 1/. to 3/., and
Peel River about 10s.
Australasia Bank Shares are 2/. higher.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
( Prom the Official List.}
Business done.
Bank Stock ... . .... . ... .... ......... ...... ...... 212
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities.. 921:38
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 931 i ii 4
New 31 per Cent. Annuities 941 0 4i
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860
Dittc. 30 Years Expire 10th Oct., 1859
India Stock
India Bonds, £lOOO 2 d
South Sea Stock
Consols for Account
Exchequer Bills, 2d.
£lOOO w 34 p
. 2500 -
Small 5 1 p

PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent
Ditto New, 1852, 4i per Cent 95
Cuba Bonds, 6 per Cent 99
Equador Bonds
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account 251
Peruvian Bonds, 42 per Cent. 7l
Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent 4l
Ditto, 1848, 3 per Cent 3Bi
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £ St —
Ditto 4! per Cent 9B
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent 94 3
Spanish Bonds, 3 per'Cent 448
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. 2lB i i
Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun. 5! p c
Dividends on the above payable in London.
French Routes, 4! per Cent.
Dutch Exchange, 2! per Cent. 12 Gull 63
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates .
HA LF-PA ST TWO.

Consols 94
Ditto October Account 94

A YOUTH FOUND DROWNED AT BLACKFRIARS-
BRTDGE.—Yesterday morning between Eleven and eight
o'clock, the body of a youth, apparently about 17 years
of age, was found in the river Thames, near the Black-
friars-bridge steam-boat pier. It was got out of the
water and removed to the dead-house in :Ireland-yard to
be owned. Who •the deceased was is zit present un-
known. There 'was nothing 'found on. him to show
whether the deceased had committed suicide or had
been drowned accidentally.
SUICIDE.—On Friday morning a most determined act
of self-destruction was committed by Felice-constable
John M'Cormack, No. 131, T division. at the station in
Brook-green, Hammersmith, by hanging himself in a
loft over the stables. It appears that the deceased had
been in the force about five years, and was generally
employed to drill the men of his division, in consequence
of his having been a soldier in the 4th Light Dragoons.
He was one of the mounted patrol, and the last time he-
was seen alive was about six o'clock on Friday morning,
near the stables, where he was supposed to be going to
look after his horse. At nine o'clock the deceased was
discovered by another constable susp(mded by a
rope which was fastened to the roof of the loft
over the stables. It seemed, from the position in
which he was found, that he had previously obtained
one of the halters in the stables, and loosened one
of the ends to fasten to the roof. In order to reach it
he must have got on to a beam, and ha-ring made a
noose in the rope round his neck, he then threw him-
self off from the beam, and strangulation. must have
ensued almost immediately afterwards. IJpon being
discovered an alarm was quickly made, the deceased
was cut down, and he was found to be quite dead. The
unfortunate deceased, who was about forty:years of age,
had been dull and opprissed for some time past, and it
was attributed to his being embarrassed in his affairs,
and there is no doubt that the fear of being prosecuted
by his creditors operated strongly upon his mind. His
wife died about four months ago, and latterly he had
been paying his addresses to a young woman in the
neighbourhood. The deceased, while in the army, shot
himself in the side, for the purpose of destroying him-
self, but the wound was not fatal, and he soon after-
wards recovered. The body now lies at the station to
await a coroner's inquiry.

SPORTING NOTES

" HAY AND CORN " DOINGS AT NEW-
MARKET.

The Houghton Meeting was brought to a conclusion
on Saturday, and so far as the sport was concerned
made a good end of it. Fifty-eight races were decided
during the week ; the fields were numerically strong
and the principal encounters close and exciting. On
the last day alone the card numbered fourteen events ;
and instead of "too much of a good thing " becoming
tedious and wearing, the published returns of the meet-
ing show that the interest and attraction of the racing
were sustained to the end. The incidents of the sport
were occasionally remarkable. Those connected with
the Cambridgeshire I have already described ; besides,
too, they are now so well and widely known that a fur-
ther reference to them is unnecessary. The extraordi-
nary running of Seahorse, on Friday and Saturday,
has proved beyond dispute, that the reputation
which preceded him to England was well-founded.
Still his performance on Friday, when he " cut down "
his opponents with consummate ease, scarcely prepared
the " ring " for the racing ability which he displayed for
the Houghton Handicap. For this event he was
weighted at Bst 101 b, no difference being made between
his impost and that of Ephesus, who had the advantage
of two years in his favour, and who was supposed to be,
with few equals and no superiors, one of the fastest
horses on the turf. Seahorse, however, defeated him by
a head. This performance is glaringly incompatible with
Seahorse's " exhibition" for the Cambridgeshire, and his
running on Tuesday was therefore unquestionably a
mistake.

The proceedings connected with the First and Second
Nursery Stakes have excited unmitigated disgust and
indignation. They admit of no extenuation. They are
not even to be palliated by the most urgent " hay and
corn considerations." The manner in which these han-
dicaps were framed was glaringly unjust; indeed, the
seeming favour which was shown to certain horses
would merit harsher language, but in charity I shall
only impugn the judgment of the handicapper, and not
his impartiality.

For the first Nursery sixty-eight horses were weighted,
but the majority of gentlemen indignantly dashed their
pens through their nominations the moment they saw the
Handicap. Eighteen only accepted, and appearances
certainly justified the suspicion that it was made to
serve certain clerkly party. Although, however, the
way was made as clear as possible for Punch-box, yet
the "good thing" did not come off. The scratching
system, too, was pursued with a daring disregard of
public opinion. Duchess of Lorraine colt, Bridesmaid,
and Brother to Little Swift, were all struck out at the
last moment. The investments on them had been fre-
quent and heavy, and in striking them out their respec-
tive owners had scarcely the paltry plea to urge of being
forestalled in the market. Little Swift, the stable com-
panion of Punch-box, was even weighed for, and his
number was placed. on the telegraph-board ; his with-
drawal, therefore, was a shameful act, and Handi-
cappers ought to keep him in remembrance whenever
he runs. John Osborne, too, was taken off Pillion
to ride Punch-box, without either the consent or
knowledge of his first master, Mr. Saxon. Thus was
Nursery No. 1, managed. Nursery No. 2, merely oc-
casioned a repetition of a similar scene, in which the
same persons were the principal actors. It therefore
presented little novelty, although it was so clumsily con-
trived, that it searcely roused less indignation. Thirty
horses were weighted, six only accepted. Mr. Clark's
two, and six others. Punch-box again ran second, but
it was not the handicapper's fault that he was not first.
Reports have reached me that a certain silly nobleman
has again commenced his crusade against the press. I
believe that he made himself ludicrously conspicuous at
Newmarket, on Friday evening, by the vehemence with
which he preached against the members of the Fourth
Estate. He spoke loudly against the unintelligible fus-
tian and trash of the press, and concluded by expressing
a strong opinion that horse-racing should be confined
exclusively to the aristocracy. There is, however, a pro-
verb about the Kilkenny cats, that has lost none of its sig-
nificance. Should my readers delight in the curiosities of
literature and the works of noble authors, they will find
ample examples of the fustian and trash spoken against in
every page of " Abd-el-Kader" and the " Deluge."
The Worcester Autumn Meeting will commence to-
morrow. At present it obtains little notice, and it is
not likely to be very successful. No betting has yet
taken place an the Worcester Handicap, for which the
most favourably-weighted animals appear to be Little
Fawn, Little Davie, and Massaroni. Little Fawn, how-
ever, has incurred an Sib. penalty, which may mitigate
against her success.
Oct. 31.

A FRESH MAN.

ST. JAMES'S TREATRE.

An English operatic company made a very successful
appearance at this theatre on Saturday evening, when
an English version of La Sonnambula was produced
with the following caste :—Amina, Miss Lowe ; Elvino,
Mr. Elliot Galer ; Rudolpho, Mr. Henri Drayton.
Miss Lowe, who has obtained some celebrity as a con-
cert singer, possesses a fine soprano voice, and sang and
acted with much grace and feeling. The tenor, Mr.
Elliot Galer, who is from Edinburgh, sustained the
part of Elvino in a very creditable manner. The
best performance of the evening, however, was
that of Mr. Henri Drayton, as the Count. He dis-
played his vocal capabilities to very great advan-
tage, and acted the character with an ease and elegance
which one could wish to see in many popular opera
singers. The principal performers were called at the
end of each act. The National Anthem followed the
opera ; after which the ballet of the Peri was given, the
once-famous character of Carlotta Grisi being filled by
Mdlle. D'Antoine.

The house was well filled, and this praiseworthy at-
tempt to establish an English opera in London deserves

every encouragement.

SHERIFFS' COURT-(THIS DAY.)

COUNTY COURTS COSTS COMMITMENT.-BUCHANAN V,

MARKS.

Mr. W. R. Buchanan, the plaintiff, appeared in per-
son, and pressed for a commitment for a lengthened period
under the very peculiar circumstances of the case.
Mr. Buchanan stated that he had been engaged by the
defendant, who had been a surety to a Loan Society,
but he by some means got the instalments from the bor-
rower, and appropriated them to his own purpose, and
the loan not being paid, proceedings were brought against
the borrower, who was obliged to pay the amount loaned
over again, and was left to his remedy against the present
defendant, who had by evading the processes of the dif-
ferent courts, by passing from one district to another,
increased the costs, so that although he had paid some
Money into court, the original debt was unliquidated,
and the money paid in did not cover the costs incurred.
Defendant was committed for 14 days.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.-(THIS DAY.)

A DISORDERLY PAUPER.—Sarah, Stevens, a wretched-
looking old woman, an inmate of St. James's workhouse,
Poland-street, was placed at the bar before Mr. Hard-
wicke, on t4e following charge :
Mr. Buzzard, clerk to the governors and directors of
the poor of the parish of St. James, stated that, on Sa-
turday evening, he was in his office in Poland-street,
when he was alarmed by hearing a smashing of glass,
and on going to the door he saw the prisoner in the act
of breaking his windows with a shoe which she had in
her hand. He directly laid hold of her, and gave her in
charge. Mr. Buzzard added, that the prisoner was the
worst character in the house, and had been frequently
charged at this court before.
Committed to the House of Correction for six weeks,
with hard labour.
A SMASHER.—Mary Johnson was charged with utter-
ing a counterfeit half-crown.
Mrs. Watts said she kept a potato warehouse in New-
port-market. On Saturday night the prisoner came
into the shop and purchased some potatoes, in payment
for which she tendered the counterfeit coin produced.
Witness at once detected it, and gave her into custody.
Stringer, 119 C, identified the prisoner as an old
offender.
Remanded till Thursday next.

THE COURT.—The series of royal theatrical divertis-
sements, in the temporary theatre in the Ruben's-room,
at Windsor Castle, will take place this year earlier than
usual, under the management of Mr. Charles Kean.
Lady Brougham, who has been staying at Brougham
Hall, during the absence of the noble and learned lord
at his chateau in the south of France, comes to Grafton-
street early in the ensuing month for the season. His
lordship is expected to remain on the Continent until
after Christmas.
The Prince and Princess Nicholas Erterhazy, family,
And suite, arrived at the St. George's Hotel, on Satur-
day evening, from St Leonard's-on-Sea. The Prince
and Princess leave town to-day for Torquay, where they
intend to pass the winter, for the improvement of the
Princess's health. The Princess's cousin, the Dowager-
Countess Esterhazy, has been appointed First Lady of
the Bedchamber to the new Empress of Austria Elect,
the Princess Elizabeth of Bavaria.
THE RUSSELL FAMlLY.—Three,..young ladies, neices
of the celebrated composer Henry Russell, made their
debilt, as vocalists, on Wednesday last, at the Lecture
Hall, Richmond, before a numerous and highly delighted
audience. They are accomplished artists, possessing
voices of great compass and brilliantcy, and are destined
to fill a high position in the profession.

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

FRANCE.

General Baraguay d'Hilliers, whose nomination
to Constantinople was announced a few days since,
will set out, forthwith for his post. The Mowiteur
will, no doubt, very soon -announce his appoint-
ment, and it is probable that his departure will
take place the same day. He takes with him
rather a numerous personnel, and, what is not un-
worthy of notice, his secretaries and attaches will
be all, or very nearly all, military men, belonging
to different arms of the service and. of various
grades ; in fact, a regular staff.
The report of the coronation of the Emperor and
Empress is again revived. It is confirmed in some
measure by the preparation of the state carriages
for a grand ceremony. The coach used by Charles
the Tenth at his coronation has been newly painted
and gilt. The lamps have been removed, and it
has been ornamented with eagles. The carriage
used at the baptism of the Count de Chambord has
been prepared for King Jerome. Three other car-
riages have been fitted up for the members of the
Imperial family. Those carriages are called the
Turquoise, the Topaze, and the Victoire. All those
changes have been made with the utmost dispatch.
The Emperor received on Friday a letter from
the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, notifying to his Ma-
jesty the birth of the Princess Mary Elizabeth,
daughter of the Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Mein-
ingen.
Marshal Narvaez leaves early this week, on his
return to Spain. It is believed that he intends
fixing his residence for the moment at Aranjuez,
near Madrid. It is stated that he believes the
present state of affairs in the Peninsula as very
serious. The question of the union between Spain
and Portugal is again seriously discussed by per-
sons of all parties ; and the difficulty that would
otherwise be encountered in the unwillingness of
Portugal to be absorbed, as it were, in the larger
country, would be removed by calling to the crown
of the " Iberian Peninsula" the Duke of Brasranza
b f
son of the Queen Donna Maria da Gloria, and
who is now in his 17th year. However feasible or
otherwise, the matter is really discussed. Queen
Maria Christina also returns to Madrid in a short
-time.

The Minister of Marine has granted the young
brother of the late Lieutenant Bellot a free admis-
sion to the naval school of Rochefort.

By two decrees of the Emperor, the department
of telegraphs is, in consequence of the extension
given
to it, to become a direct branch of the Minis-
try of the Interior, and the post of Administrator-
in-Chief of Telegraphs, filled by M. Alphonse Foy,
is suppressed. M. Foy is admitted to bring for-
ward his claims to a retiring pension. M. de
Vougy, Prefect of the Nievre, is appointed Direc-
tor of the Administration of Telegraphic Lines under

the new organisation.
The Jiloniteur publishes two Imperial decrees
founded on a long report from the Minister of War,
for the encouragement of the cultivation of cotton
in Algeria. By the first of these decrees it is
declared, Ist, that cotton-seed shall continue tq be
furnished by the Government to the colonists ; 2d,
that for three years from 1854, the Government
shall purchase the produce at a price to be fixed
each year, according to quality ; 3d, that at the
expiration of those three years, premiums shall be
given for two years for the exportation of the cotton
of Algeria ; 4th, that for five years from 1854, pre-
miums shall be given for the introduction of
machines for the use of the planters ; and sth, that
there shall be provincial premiums (three for each
province of Algeria) of 2,000 f, 3,000 E, and 5,000 f.,
to the planters who produce the best specimens and
the largest quantities. By the second decree, a
sum of 100,000 f. is appropriated from the civil list
for the encouragement of the cultivation of cotton
in Algeria, to form an annual premium of 20,000 f.,
to be called the prize of the Emperor.
The Independance of Brussels says :—" One of
our correspondents has given us details on the
affair at Naples between the French Government
and that of the Two Sicilies, and from them it ap-
pears that it has not the importance ascribed to it.
M. de Maupas, the French Minister, has not been
recalled, as at first stated, but has been told to in-
terrupt diplomatic relations. It is not doubted
that an arrangement will soon be made, and that
they will be resumed ; but it is believed that a
certain coolness will continue to exist between the
two Governments—a coolness having a different
cause than the affair of the French officers sent to
attend the manoeuvres of the Neapolitan army."
There was an extraordinary rise in the price of
Government securities at the Bourse on Saturday,
in consequence of a report of a telegraph dispatch
from Constantinople, announcing that the Porte
had commanded the Turkish generals to suspend
hostilities. This is regarded as the preliminary to
a final settlement of the existing difficulties. The
Three per Cents. opened at 71f. 90c., and rose to
73f. 50c., at which they closed for the end of the
month. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents. closed at
99f. 40c. ; Orleans Railway shares, 1,155 f. ; Rouen,
I,ooof. ; • Havre, 475 f ; Great Northern, 850 f. ;
Paris and Strasburg, 900 f. ; Paris and Lyons,
897 f. 50c. ; Lyons to the Mediterranean, 725 f. ;
Western of France, 685 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette,
578 f. 75c. ; Great Central, 511 f. 25c. ; Lyons and
Geneva, 490 f. ; Shares of the Bank of Credit
Mobilier, 692 f. 50c.