The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-01 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TH

five-sixths, or ten of the twelve jurors, should
concur in the verdict. This would prevent one
or two perverse and unreasonable, or possibly pre-
judiced and interested, men from rendering an
inquiry abortive. If there were any reasonable
grounds for their dissent from their fellows,
these matters would of course receive greater
attention from the full Court, on any ap-
plication for a new trial, on the ground
of the verdict being "against the weight of
evidence." But such a trial might be, and fre-
quently is, granted when the jury are unanimous,
and we do not believe that it would be more fre-
quently the case if the proposed modification were
sanctioned, or that one or two, at the outside, of
the jurors differed from their fellows. The ne-
cessary discussion and consideration would be
insured by the provision that no verdict, in which
the jury was not unanimous, could be received
until they had been kept together 12 hours.
, Lord CA.BonELL—no mean authority—had pro-
posed that the decision of nine of the jurors
should be taken at the end of that time. It was,
however, decided, and we think wisely, that ten
should be the number, and we have no doubt
that the decision will be approved of by the com-
munity at large.
We have not allowed ourselves space to enter
on the more important question of " oaths." The
change which seems wise and judicious, however,
appears to have been opposed rather on political
than on legal grounds. As it is, we cordially
agree in the prcposed alteration, from which no
real dangers can arise—guarded as it is by the
discretion reposed in the presiding judge, and the
certainty that an affirmation will not be accepted
on trivial or insufficient grounds from a witness,
not at present by law authorised to give his testi-
, mony in that form.

MONEY MARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TWO o'CLOCK.
The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 10,000 bales, including 1,500 American
and 1,000 Surat taken for export, and on specula- _ _

tion. The market was more animated, and closed

with prices of American 1-16 d. per lb. higher. The
sales comprised 8,000 American, 400 Egyptian
at bid. to Bd., 1,500 Surat, at 21d. to 3id. per lb.
Railway shares were firm.

The public sales of wool, which conclude to-day,
have progressed pretty evenly from the com-
mencement. The arrivals from the colonies have,
within the last few days been large.
Scotch pig iron is a shade dearer again, mixed
numbers on the spot, being at 925. 6d. to 935. per
cwt.

The state of the Manchester piece-goods mar-
kets, as reported upon by Messrs. M`Nair,
Greenhow, and Irving, in a communication re-
ceived from them this day, is dull, and the influence
of the Bank rate of discount has been sensibly felt.
It is stated, however, that the caution induced
may have been beneficial, and that business in
the manufacturing districts was never in a more
healthy condition. The feeling within the last
week or two has been better, and there is
more disposition to purchase for present require-
ments, producers having met the demand on liberal
terms. For export, likewise, there has been a fair
inquiry. Speculation has been effectually checked
by the increased dearness of money. Should the
next harvest prove favourable, trade generally will,
no doubt, receive a material impulse. Th.o
stocks of goods have not materially increased,
but there is, undoubtedly, some augmentation.
Tangibs, during the past month, declined lid. per
piece, and also jacconets, i printing cloths 11d. to
3d. per piece ; i, 3d. to 4id. ; 40, 45, and 50-inch
shirtings, 3d. to 4-15c1 ; tea cloths, long cloths, and
madapollams, 3d. per piece ; domestics about
1-16(1. per yard ; and yarns, mule and water twist,
Ad. per lb. Doubled yarns have fallen consider-
ably, according to their qualities and num-
bers, from 2d. to Bd. and is. per lb. Spinners,
taking into account the decline in cotton, are con-
sidered to be in about the same position as they
were, but manufacturers who purcbase their yarns
are in au unfavourable position, and some of them
have suspended payment. Fur the country trade
the demand has been limited.
The list of vessels expected to sail from London
in all June for India, China, and the colonies, has
been completed by Mr. Miller, of the Jerusalem
Coffee-house, and, as repects the Australian trade,
it still presents a goodly array, considering the
tenour of the last alvices as to the markets being
overstocked. It appears that for Melbourne and
the other ports of Victoria, over 25,000 tons are on
the berth, including the Lady Jocelyn steamer,
and the Joshua, emigrant ship. For New South
Wales there are about 16,000 tons up, for South
Australia 8,000 tons, and for Van Diemen's Land
5,800 tons.
Accounts from Hamburg state that specie was
scarcer, owing to the hoarding by the farmers,
many of whom were burying large sums.
The Russian version of the bombardment of
Hango fort makes out very little damage to have
been done, but admits that the commander of the
second battalion of Grenadier Guards was killed.
There are several interesting articles in the
Bankers' Magazine for June upon monetary and
mercantile matters, including bankruptcy reform,
the Exchequer-bonds, and the gold discoveries.
The weekly parlour it eeting of the Bank of Eng-
land Directors has broken up without any altera-
tion being made in the rate of discount. Money
is reported to be rather easier ; and after Saturday,
when the bills due the 4th have to be met, there is
expected to be less demand. Some of the Austra-
lian banks, having received large remittances, have
been in a position to lend on liberal terms.
The English Funds have been very buoyant, prices
being fairly 1 per cent. higher than on the average
yesterday. Consols have been 91 to 91 for
transfer, and 91 to 911 for account. The buying
for investment continues and stock is still
scarce, but so many Bears have already
bought in their accounts that it is possible
the account will be Bullish before the settling
day. When Stock, however, is taken up or its
renewed loan to the jobbers is refused, the market
may be sustained, even if the speculators for a rise
have a good deal to close or carry over. Bank
Stock is firm, at 204 to, 206 ; and India Stock at
236 ; Exchequer-bills have been at ls. to 3s. pre-
mium, and those advertised to be paid off, at ls.
to ss. discount. The New Three-and-a-Quarter
per Cents. have been done at 90i to 91k.
Foreign Stocks have been merely nominal. The
only bargains are in Russian 5 per Cents. at 96i
and 97, being very full prices • in Spanish 3 per
Cents. at 40 : and in the Deferred at 19t. All
the rest are nominally a shale higher than yester-
day. _ ,

The last week's railway receipts ascertained up
to this day are in round figures as under :-
1854. 1853.
Great Western
North-Western
South-Western
Brighton
Midland
South-Eastern 16,033 15,672
Caledonian, and Edin. and Glasgow 17,139 14,920
Great Northern 17,027 15,245
Lancashire a,:.cl Yoekshire
*Epsom races last year.

Railway Shares keep very him, and there have
been fair transactions in Great Northern, Cale-
donian, South-Eastern and York and North Mid-
land. French shares have advanced to per
share upon the 201. paid, but there is not much
doing.
The Mining Market is flat for the gold com-
panies, but Santiago and Pontgiband are better.
The Banks are quiet, and the Land Companies' in
less request.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK

( Prom the Official List.)

Business done
kank Stock ••••
per Cent. R,educed Annuities 90;4 891 90
3 por Cent Consols Annuities 9ls A 1
Now 34 per Cent. Annuities 9l h 901
Lou; Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 4 9-16
Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 4 15-16
India Stack
India Bonds, £lOOO ......
jonsols for Account 4;tit Juno
Exchequer Bills, 24d.
£lOOO .
£5OO
Small
Ditto Advertised
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK,
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. 5t..... 7
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent
...... 40
Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent .......... 19i
Dividends on the above payable in London.
lIALF-PAST TWO.
Consols ....................................... 91$
Oft° June Account

SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY.—The public will be glad
to perceive that the South-Eastern Railway Company
intend to make a considerable redv.ction in the price of
double journey and periodical tickets. The double
journey tickets from station to, station will be reduced
from one fare and three quat:ters to one fare and a half.
The reductions in the charge for periodical tickets are to
vary from 10 to 30 per cent. The South-Eastern deserve
the greatest credit for this liberality, and they will, we
are persuaded, find before long that it is sound policy
as well as liberality.
EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT OF A FEMALE AT ST.
BARTHOLOMEW'S{ HOSPITAL. Yesterday evening, a
female went to St. Bartholomew's hospital, and applied
for admission She complained at first of having been
injured in her legs. On examination, however, this
proved tr, be untrue, and she was desired to leave ; but
positive:iy refused, and resisted the nurse and medical
attendant—tearing off the cap of the former, and very
foro'ibly attacked the latter and the porter at the receiv-
ing room. Baker, the constable, was called in, and with
'some difficulty removed her, but no charge was given.
She wandered about for some time, and then returned,
and renewed her violent conduct, when it became abso-
lutely necessary to take her into custody. The only
reason the woman gives is that she had no home to go
to.
IMPORTANT TO COUNTRY LITIGANTS.—This morning,
in a case before Mr. Under Sheriff Burohell, at the
Sheriffs' Court, Red-lion-square, a question was raised
as to a certificate to be allowed to the plaintiff to recover
costs in an action for 101. on a bill of exchange, the
plaintiff residing at Manchester, and the defendants in
London. The learned Under Sheriff said that ho saw
no reason why the case could not have been tried at the
County Court, and refused the application.
STRAND THEATRE.—Miss F. Beaumont's benefit takes
place this evening, at the Strand Theatre. The bare
announcement of the fact will, we feel assured, be suffi-
cient to insure a full house. •
AWFUL THUNDERSTORM IN DERBYSHIRE.—On Mon-
day evening, May 29, a storm of a fearful character
visited this county, and in many places caused the
greatest alarm on account of the apparent proximity of
the electric fire to the earth. In one instance, at least,
its effects were fatal and most distressing. Mr. Old-
ham, the well-known surgeon of Alfreton, was driving
in his gig to the neighbouring village of Morton, and
when near the latter place he was struck by the electric
fluid, and killed instantaneously. His horse was so
much injured that it became necessary to put it to
death ; but a little boy who was riding with him, and I
was eoverok: by the same umbrella, t:ieapea entirely un-
hurt. Mr. Oldham leaves a widow and eleven young
children to lament their irreparable loss.