The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-26 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sin,—A brilliant comet was seen by some friends
with whom I was in company last evening, about a
quarter past eight. My want of sight did not allow me
to judge of its character for myself, and I can only give
you its description as I gathered it from my friends, who
endeavoured to make me understand what they saw. It
appeared about W.N.W., about 10 degrees above the
horizon. At the first glance it was mistaken for a
sky-rocket which had turned, and was falling. The
train was of considerable length, but varying in bright-
ness, sometimes appearing, according to their descrip-
tion, 6,7, or 8 feet long, from which I should suppose
its length to be not less than 1 or 2 degrees directed up-
wards, and spreading considerably at the extremity. I
find to-day that it was seen by others last evening, and
set between 10 and 11. Not having heard that any
comet was expected about this time, I presume it is a
new one.—l remain, Sir, yours obediently,
Weymouth, Aug. 24, 1853.

PRINCE ALBERT'S BIRTHDAY—(THIS DAY.)—This day
being the thirty-fourth anniversary of the birth of his
Royal Highness the Prince Albert, the usual marks of
respect towards that illustrious prince were shown
throughout the metropolis. In honour of the occasion
the bells of the various churches in the metropolis rang
many merry peals. The royal standard was hoisted at
the Admiralty, Monument, St. Martin's Church, So-
merset House, B. Edgington's tent manufactory,
Duke-street, borough, the Tower, and other places.
During the morning, preparations were being made for
illuminating the various houses of the royal tradesmen,
and public institutions.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry have
left Seaham for the Irish residence of the noble marquis,
Garron Tower, Londonderry.
PRIISSIA.—The Prussian Ministers of the Finance
and Commerce have resolved to grant to solvent
persons who have regular relations with the authorities,
a certain period of credit for the payment of duties and
taxes. _ _

LORD JOHN RIISSELL.—Lord John Russell, abcom-
panied by Lady Russell and family, arrived at Rose-
neath House, on the banks of the Gareloch, on Tuesday
afternoon, where they are expected to reside over the
autumn. _ __

QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S HOSPITAL, LISBON-GROVE.—A
healthy young woman, aged 26, was safely delivered
between three and four o'clock yesterday morning of
three fine children—two girls and one boy, all of whom,
as well as the mother, are doing well.
DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—Last night the German com-
pany at this theatre performed the opera of Lucrezia
Borgia. The house was filled by the same kind of
audience as on Monday, and was, if possible, still more
densely crowded. The opera was given by the prin-
cipals—Aide. Caradori (Lucrezia), Herr Reichardt
(Gennaro), and Herr Formes (Alphonso)—in the Italian
language. The subordinates and chorus adopted such
tongues as were suited to their individual nationalities.
On the whole, the execution was highly creditable to a
troupe so rapidly improvised ; and the audience were
uproarious in their plaudits. At the conclusion of the
opera the singers were called several times before the
curtain, and bouquets were thrown from the side boxes.
SCOTTISH FETE.— CREMORNE GARDENS.— Arrange-
ments having been made to hold the annual gathering
for Scottish games this season at Cremorne, the first of
two fetes took place yesterday. It was much to be re-
gretted that the weather was so unfavourable ; but not-
withstanding there was not only a goodly number pre-
sent, but the sports and pastimes were carried on with a
spirit that appeared resolved to surmount every diffi-
culty. From shortly after three o'clock there was an
unbroken round of entertainments, which even the rain
could not interrupt, and the athletic sports and pastimes
of Scotland were never more keenly contested, or more
admirably displayed. The foot race, the feats of aglity
and strength, and the characteristic dances, each in turn
elicited unbounded applause, and were enlivened by the
national strains of the bagpipes. In addition to the
games of Scotland, a great variety of English sports
were presented, and fairly shared the admiration of those
who witnessed them. Besides' the rustic sports of run-
ning round the pegs, jumping in sacks, a wheelbarrow
race, a jingling match, &c., the morris dance and the
maypole dance were executed by 40 performers in ap-
propriate costumes, and the manner in which they were
displayed reflected the highest credit upon all concerned.
A Scotch ball was afterward carried on with great spirit
to a late hour.
THE MANSLAUGHTER OF A CUSTOM-HOUSE OFFICER.
—On Wednesday, at a late hour, Patrick Sullivan, a
labourer, was brought to the Southwark Police Court,
in the custody of Inspector Bowles, of the Thames
police, charged on a coroner's warrant with the man-
slaughter of Mr. William Stone Gampton, formerly an
officer in her Majesty's Customs.— The particulars of the
case has already been published.—lnspector Bowles
said that he had just apprehended the prisoner, and he
considered it his duty to bring him before his worship
to be committed under the coroner's warrant.—Mr.
Combe said that he considered he had nothing to do
with it. He (the inspector) had better take him to the
coroner, who was then sitting, and he could commit
him in the regular way. If (he Mr. Combe) committed
him the coroner would lose him, unless he went before
the judges. He did not wish to have any altercation
with the coroner ; therefore the inspector had better
take the course he had advised him. The prisoner,
who was accompanied by his solicitor, Mr. Solomons,
was then removed from the court in custody of Inspec-
tor Bowles for that purpose.
EMBEZZLEMENT BY A FEMALE AT THE STOCKTON-ON-
TEES POST-OFFICE.—Mrs. Georgiana Williams alias
Roberts, was on Tuesday brought before the magistrates
at Stockton, on a charge of having embezzled 191. from
the post-ollice there. It appeared that on the recom-
matenhdeartriaotnhi;:theile,late Marchioness of Sligo, she was ap-
pointed,o in August, 1851, clerk to Mrs. Isabella Dunn,
shewn keeps. the post-office at Stockton, which situation
quitted of her own accord in May last. It was
afterward found that she was a defaulter to the amount
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The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 1,000 American
were taken for export. The market continued very
quiet, without change in prices. The sales com-
prised 5,000 American ; 400 Egyptian, at 61d. to
10c1. ; 400 Surat, at 31d. to sd. • and 30 Sea Island,
at 2s. 2d. per lb. Railway Shares were steady.
In the commercial markets this week a good busi-
ness has been transacted. Sugar has been rather
quiet. Coffee and rice have been brisk, and a good
business has been done in spirits and dyes, cochi-
neal being up 2d. to 3d. per lb. Pig iron sells
readily. Cotton has been dull, tallow steady,
and tea in rather more demand. Reviewing the
month since the 24th ultimo, Messrs. H. W. Jews-
bury and Co. state :
" There has been an increased confidence in the
foreign and colonial produce markets during the past
mouth, and importers being firm in their demands have,
in many instances, succeeded in obtaining advanced
rates. The more favourable position of the Eastern
question has tended to produce this result, and should
it terminate favourably, as is now confidently expected,
combined with the fine harvest weather lately experi-
enced, will, it may reasonably be anticipated, be fol-
lowed by increased business transactions throughout the
whole country, and that the present large consumption
of all the leading articles will not only be maintained,
but be still further increased. /The importations of pro-
duce have been large, which has prevented the stocks
showing any material alteration from those of last month.
The consumption of sugar having increased so largely
arrivals fail to present that gradual reduction of stock,
which has been taking place for some time past. Cochi-
neal has improved in value since our last, and from the
accounts of the defieien,cy of the crop in the West Indies,
we may look for higher rates being-paid. Indigo and
safflower are both firmer, with an upward tendency ;
other dyes and dyeing materials remain much the same
as last month. The Continental advices report the pro-
duce markets firm, with a good business doing.
" The late advices from India and China notice that at
the former place trade continues dull, at the latter
place the revolution now going on naturally affects
mercantile transactions, but hitherto respect has been
paid to foreign merchants and their effects. From our
manufacturing districts advices report an improved
tone, but the increased rate of interest caused by the
continued demand for capital has materially affected
business transactions, more particularly for Manchester
goods. The woollen districts report a continued demand
and firm prices. The demand for money has increased
since our last, and rates arc rather higher, the present
feeling being that the tendency is still in wour of fur-
ther advanced rates. We now quote first-class paper
31 to 34, and other bills and securities 4 to 5, and
money on call 2i per cent."
The Emigrant, from Port Philip, has 7,230
ounces of gold on board. She left Melbourne April
21. The Island Home, from Geelong, with ac-
counts of May 6, is also in the Downs, and is
believed to have some gold on board.
The letters by the overland mail from India will
probably be delivered to-morrow afternoon.
There is an expectation in mercantile circles that
the pressure recently advised as existing in the
New York money market will speedily subside, the
new regulation of weekly returns of liabilities and
assets no longer necessitating the sudden calling in
of loans and contraction of circulation, but rather
compellinc, that steady control over issues and dis-
counts which will render the banks more legitimate
eiders of commercial men.
There has been a flatter market for public secu-
rities, and the tempestuous character of the weather
exercises an injurious influence. Consols have
been 988 4, and since 98 to The political news
just received per telegraph from Constantinople is
favourable, and the market may therefore become
a little stiffer upon it. The New 3 per Cents.
have been 1011 to and the 3 per Cents. 98/
to 99. Exchequer Bills have declined to ls. dis-
count. __ _ . __ _

Bank Stock is not worth more than 228 to 2281;
India Stock is at 257 ; East India Bonds are 15s.
to 20s. prem.
Foreign Securities have been exceedingly quiet.
Portuguese Four per Cents. have been done at 45,
and the Bonds, without the overdue coupons, at
424 ; Sardinian Stock has been dealt in at 96 and
97 ; Peruvian are nominally 844 to 854 ; Grenada
Deferred, 104 ; Mexican, 264 to 27 ; and Spanish
Deferred, 231 to A.
All the principal railway shares have declined
Great Western have given way 4 to 4, North-
Western 4 to 4, Midland 1, and York and North
Midland 1. Eastern Counties have risen to 1,
and Norfolk Ito 2. The general heaviness of the
market is mainly through sympathy with Consols.
French Shares have been rather cheaper with the
rest.

The Gold Mine Shares have been neglected, the
Land Companies are barely so good, and the Banks
are duller.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.
(Flom the Official List.)
Business done.
Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities ......

3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 34 per Cent. Annuities
India Stock 257
India Bonds, £lOOO
Ditto, under £lOOO 2O 15
Consols for Account Bth September 9n 8
Exchequer Bills, id.
£l000
£5OO
Small 1 d
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY.
Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent
Ditto New, 1843
Egli/o°r Bonds
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Peruvian Bonds, 4A per Cent. 844
Peruvian Deferred 3 per Cent.
Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent.
Ditto Ex all over-due Coupons 428
Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent 97 6
THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols 9B
Ditto September Account 9B

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY-(THIS DAY).

IN RE SHARPE.
This bankrupt bad carried on business as a builder in
St. John's Wood, and to-day was appointed for his last
examination.

....
The balance sheet prepared by Messrs. Robinson and
Knowles, shows the bankruptcy to have arisen through
the building of the North Star Tavern, St. John's
Wood.

In consequence of the complicated nature of the aca
counts, an adjournment was granted.

SECONDARIES' COURT-(THIS DAY).

WHAT IS A LEGAL TENDER-WHITING V. WATSON.

This was an action to recover the sum of 3/. uls., the
amount of an overcharge under peculiar circumstances.
The plaintiff is a rev. gentleman, residing at Cambridge,
and defendant is an undertaker. Defendant paid 3/. into
court.

Mr. Wilkins, of Furnival's Inn, appeared for the plain-
tiff, and Mr. Petersdorff as counsel for the defendant.
The facts of the case were these :—The plaintiff's
brother died in London, and plaintiff came to town to see
the remains conveyed to Cambridge by railway. The corpse
was accordingly removed, and the defendant's bill for coffin,
attendances, &c., amounting to 191. 155., was paid.
One of the charges in the bill was 51. 15s. for railway
charges, but it was ascertained that the actual charge
was only 21. 3s. 6(1. Plaintiff wrote to defendant on the
subject, and said there was an overcharge of 31. in that
respect, and defendant at once sent a post-office order
for the amount. In a conversation between the plaintiff
and defendant, the latter said that at first he was told
at the station that the charge would be 21. 3s. 6d.,
but was called back and told it would be 5/. 155., but
not having paid the company before he made out the
bill to plaintiff, he was not aware of the overcharge, and
sent a post-office order.

The question inov;;ised was whether a post-office
order, admitted to have been received but returned, was
a legal tender.
The Under• Sheriff held that it was, but that the
amount tendered did not cover the overcharge.

A verdict was therefore given for the plaintiff.

In Galignani's Messenger of the 24th we notice the
formation of a company to carry out the concession of
99 years of a railroad, called the Seville and Cordova
Railway. Capital twenty-eight million francs in shares
of 500 fr. First call, 125 fr. per share, and 5 per cent.
interest on paid calls during the progress of the works.
It will form part of the line from Cadiz to Madrid, and
the provinces of Seville and Cordova have granted a
subvention of 12,400, 000 fr. Messrs. Brassey, Parent, and
Schaker are the contractors at 26 millions of fr., the
concessionaires are the Prince of Wagram, W. T.
Chaplin, Esq., M.P., Count Francois Clary, Senator—
Sir John Easthope, Bart., Juan Pablo Echecopar,
banker at Cadiz—F. X. de Ezpeleta, banker at Bor-
deaux—Pedro Gil, banker, Paris ; Charles Lafitte,
banker, Paris.—Charles Morrison, Esq., Fore-street,
London ; Henry O'Shea, banker, Madrid, and Jules
Tahabot, Paris. The highl standing which most of the
projectors hold in public estimation distinguishes
this undertaking from many of the babble concerns of
which the Peninsula has been the field, and leads us
to hope that the benefits of railways will at last be ap-
plied to Spain under favourable circumstances.
TESTIMONIAL TO JOHN SADLEIR, ESQ. M.P.—Nearly
four hundred shareholders in the London and County-
Bank have presented the chairman of the establish-
ment, Mr. Thomas Sadleir, one of her Majesty's
Lords of the Treasury, with three very elegant solid
silver candelabra; valued at 6001., as a mark of their
admiration of Mr. Sadleir's munificence in contributing
the sum of 4,5001. towards the foundation of a provident
fund for the officers of the bank. The National Provin-
cial Bank of England, following the example of the hon.
member for Sligo, has voted the sum of 5001. for the
creation of a similar fund, and other large banking
establishments in the City intend adopting the same wise
and generous course.