The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-28 00:00:00

MR. ALLC.ROFT S GRAND CONCERT.

This gentleman's annual concert is to be given to-
morrow evening at the Lyceum Theatre, at which he
promises a great -variety of artists, both vocal and
instrumental. Among the more eminent, we may men-
tion Mesdames Weiss, Messent, Stabbach, Poole, Re-
becca Isaacs, Favanti, Lablache ; and Messrs. Sims
Reeves, Augustus Braham, Manley, Corri, Weiss, La-
blache, and Frank Bodda. The principal solo per-
formers are Miss Arabella Goddard, Richardson,
Lazarus, Mr. Distin and Sons, and Herr Ernst. This
makes the 17th of Mr. Allcroft's yearly concerts, and,
judging from the merits of the company he has called
around him for to-morrow, it will, no doubt, be as suc-
ce9,sful as any of its predecessors.

CABINET COUNCIL.—The meeting of the Cabinet
Council, which took place on Sunday, was caused by
the receipt of important despatches brought by Mr.
Townley from the East of Europe. Mr. Blackwood
was sent off with the resolve of the Cabinet in reply, on
Sunday night, to Constantinople.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, we
regret to state, in answer to inquiries yesterday at Glou-
cester-house, continues much indisposed. We under-
stand the duchess was so unwell on Saturday that her
Royal Highness was unable to see her illustrious niece,
the Queen, who called to make personal inquiries after
the health of her venerable aunt.
The Marquis of Bath has arrived in Tylney-street,
from Longleat-house, near Warminster, Wilts.
The Earl and Countess of Essex have arrived in town,
from Cashiobury-park, near Watford, where the noble
earl and countess have been visitants.
NEW YORK CRYSTAL PALACE.—The shareholders of
the New York Crystal Palace are out of pocket 125,000
dollars by the speculation.
CITY CHAMBERLAIN.—Sir John Key, Bart., the Cham-
berlain of London, has been for some time indisposed,
and during the last few days he has undergone an ope-
ration of a very severe character.
ENGLISH, SCOTTISH, AND AUSTRALIAN CHARTERED
BANK.—The first ordinary meeting of the English, Scot-
tish, and Australian Chartered Bank took place yester-
day, when the report and accounts were unanimously
adopted. The chairman (Mr. C. Johnston) explained
that in this early stage the directors could only lay
before the proprietors the results of their preliminary pro-
ceedings. The business alluded to in the present report
was accordingly entirely confined to the London estab-
lishment, the branch in Sydney having commenced only in
October last. In answer to questions it was stated there
was no board in Scotland, but that there were paid agencies.
In Sydney the local board received a fixed remuneration,
and it was expected one in Melbourne had been been by
this time organised. With regard to the items of cur-
rent expenditure, which were read at the request of
several shareholders, the sum apportioned as remunera-
tion for the London directors—viz., 1,5001., or at the
rate of 3,0001. a year, appeared to excite surprise, and a
lengthened discussion followed. It was contended that
this amount was excessive, and that it ought to be re-
duced. In explanation, the chairman mentioned that
the sum was fixed by the deed of settlement, and that
the labour entailed in the formation of the bank having
been great, the directors considered that they were en-
titled to claim it ; but it would be in the power of the
proprietors on a future occasion to modify the arrange.
ment if they should think proper. The preliminary
expenses were also pointed out as being larger than in
ordinary cases, but it was stated that the legal expendi-
ture, with the outfit of officers despatched to the colonies,
had occasioned the increase. After some debate on the
special question of the remuneration to directors, the
board, through the chairman, promised to give it their
full consideration previously to the next meeting, and
this, announcement was received as satisfactory.
EMIGRATION.--The Emigration Commissioners have
advertised for two vessels to carry emigrants to South
Australia and New South Wales. One is to be ready
for Adelaide, the other for Sydney, on the 14th of
April.
THE GOLDEN AGE.—This celebrated paddle-wheel
steam-ship, which left Liverpool on the sth of Decem-
ber, is reported to have arrived at the Cape of Good
Hope, en route for Australia, on the 6th of January,
which, including her stay coaling at St. Vincent for 4
days, is considered one of the fastest passages on record.
She left after coaling for Melbourne, on the 16th of
January.

THE MAIL PACKETS. SOUTHAMPTON, Monday.—
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ship
Iberia (Captain Meehan) left this afternoon with the
usual Peninsular mails. She had on board 28 passen-
gers, 7,3001. in specie, and average cargo. The United
States mail steam-ship Washington (Captain Fitch)
arrived from Bremen last evening : she leaves for New
York on Wednesday, and will convey a large number of
passengers and large cargo. The General Screw Steam-
shipping Company's steam-ship Queen of the South
(Captain Norman) arrived from Plymouth this morning;
she had on board about fifty passengers, and on freight
40 chests of indigo, 354 bales of silk, 182 chests of lac
dye, 3,500 bags of rice, and 153 packages of sundries.
She leaves with the next outward Cape and East India
mails on the 14th March.

TRADE WITH Tiltm.—The Lords Commissioners of
her Majesty's Treasury have caused to be transmitted
to the Commissioners of Customs, for their information
and guidance, a copy of an order in council, declaring
that the trade and shipping of Tahiti shall have the
benefit of the provisions of the act 15th and 16th Vict.,
cap. 47, in respect of differential duties; and, in pur-
suance of this commnpication from the Treasury the
commissioners have given directions to their officers to
that effect.