The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-26 00:00:00

SICILY.

Intelligence has been received from Palermo to the
15th of March.

The squadrons of the mediating Powers arrived
there on the 6th with the ultimatum, which was
transmitted by the two Admirals to the Provisional
Government. The following is the official letter of
Admiral BAUDIN

" On Board the French Republican Ship Friedland,
Palermo, March 7.

" The undersigned Vice. Admiral, commanding in chief
the naval force of the French Republic in the Mediter-
ranean, has the honour to transmit to his Excellency the
Minister for Foreign Affairs in Sicily the following
documents :

" 1. A certified copy of a letter addressed by M. de
Rayneval, Minister Plenipotentiary from the French
Republic to his Majesty the King of the Two to
the Vice-Admiral Baudin, dated Naples, 3d March.
" 2. A certified copy of a note of the date of the 28th
of February last, addressed by the Prince De Satrino
to M. De Rayneval.
" 3. Two printed copies of a proclamation of his Ma-
jesty King Ferdinand 11., dated Gaeta, 28th Feb. last.
" In nine days, six months will have elapsed since the
Vice-Admirals commanding in chief the naval forces of
France and England in the Mediterranean, moved by a
feeling of Christian compassion for the calamities
of every kind which decimated the town of
Messina, and which at that time threatened
to extend rapidly throughout the whole of Si-
cily, undertook upon their personal responsibility to
oppose the continuation of hostilities by the Neapolitan
army. During this time the Governments of France and
Great Britain, approving the conduct of their respective
admirals, and animated with a common feeling of good-
will towards Sicily, have interposed to procure between
this country and the kingdom of Naples a reconciliation
advantageous to the two nations, and which might ensure
to Sicily a free constitution, such as she anxiously wished
for for many years. The efforts of the two mediating
powers have been crowned with success. They have ob-
tained from his Majesty King Ferdinand 11. an act
which guarantees to Sicily the basis of the constitution
of 1812, with a separate parliament, a separate govern-
ment, of which all the posts shall be exclusively filled by
Sicilians. These advantages are accompanied with a
formal promise to forget all the faults and all the poli-
tical errors committed in the last Sicilian revolution. It
appears, then, that the Governments of France and
Great Britain consider that from this time
no serious obstacle presents itself to the
renewal of those ties between Sicily and the king-
dom of Naples, which for a long period of time
have united the two countries under one and the same
monarchy. The undersigned Vice-Admiral has, there-
fore, been charged, conjointly with Vice-Admiral Sir
William Parker, Commander-in-Chief of the force of
her Britannic Majesty in the Mediterranean, to transmit
to the Sicilian Government the conditions of a project
of reconciliation, and of a new union between the two
countries. He forms the hope that these conditions,
which he considers as perfectly reasonable and honour-
able, will be accepted; and that instead of again having
recourse to arms and engaging in an unequal and uncer-
tain contest with the Neapolitan forces, Sicily will has-
ten to accept with joy the benefit of the institutions
which are offered to her, without the cost henceforward
of a single drop of blood or a single tear.
" The undersigned entreats the Sicilian Minister for
Foreign Affairs to accept the assurance of his high
consideration.

(Signed) " C. BAUDIN.
" To his Excellency the Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Sicily, at Palermo."
The terms, as might have been expected, were re-
fused. The occupation of the fortresses by Neapolitan
troops is particularly objected to ; besides, from the
well known faithlessness of the character of FERDI-
NAND, no one will trust either his word or his oath.
The Sicilians say he is acting in concert with Russia,
and whatever terms they might accept, he would
violate the instant he got quiet possession of the
island.

On the 13th notices were posted up all over Palermo,
announcing alevy en masse, decreed by the Parliament;
all men, from 18 to 30, are included, but excepting
" only sons," married men, and widowers with
families. All are to be requested to serve, but these
Ind- may decline_ Volunteers are premised prefer-
ment.

The Sicilians are well prepared for the contest. In
Palermo alone they have 16,000 regular
troops, besides the National Guard, and
as the National Guard have been constantly
drilled and disciplined for the last twelve months,
they are now become effective soldiers. They have,
moreover, a large force of French recruits, and a Ger-
man Legion of 7,000 men to be called the Republican
German Guard has, according to the German Gazette,
been organized by the Society of "Aide-toi," for the
defence of the liberties of Sicily. The Island is per-
fectly tranquil, and all the merchants agree in de-
claring that the trade of the island has never been so
prosperous as it has during the twelve months that
the Provisional Government has had the direction of
affairs.

Three spies were taken on the morning of the 12th
—one dressed as a priest, had a letter concealed under
the collar of his coat, giving directions for marching
a Neapolitan army from Messina to Palermo. They
are to be shot.

The Ministry has undergone a modification :—DI
MARCO takes the Portfolio of Public Works and
Instruction, and he will take the Finances ad interim,
CALvr, Public Worship and Justice; STABILE, War
and Marine ; TORREARSA and RAETI, who ought to
have accepted the Finances, have successively retired.
A foundry for casting cannon has been established.
A quarter of the National Guard will be mobilised
during the war. Every Sicilian, from 18 to 30 years
is a soldier.

MANSION -ROUSE.--On Saturday evening the Lord
Mayor and the Lady Mayoress entertained at dinner a
party of about 40 Members of the House of Commons,
and the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex.
The Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel preached yester-
day forenoon (for the first time since his secession), in
the National Scotch Church, Regent-square, in place of
the pastor, Rev. James Hamilton, who was too unwell to
officiate.
THE EX4tOYAL FAMILY or FRANCE.—The Count
and Countess de Neuilly are about to leave Claremont
for a short period, and proceed to St. Leonards-on. Sea,
the air of that watering place having been recommended
for the ex-Queen, whose health, although much better
than it has been for some time past, is still very delicate.
The Queen of the Belgians is still on a visit to her illus-
trious parents; but her Majesty is expected to return to
the Continent early in the present week. The Prince
de Joinville, the Duke de Nemours, and the Duke
d'Aumale, with their consorts and youthful families, are
all staying at Claremont. The Royal exiles take fre-
quent exercise, but confine themselves chiefly to the
Claremont domain and its immediate neighbourhood.
The ex• King and Queen occasionally receive visits from
distinguished French Noblemen, and the calls of our
own aristocracy at Claremont are frequent. The suite
of the ex-Royal Family at present consists of General
Dumas, General Count Friant, the Count d'Houdot, and
the Marquise de Dolomieux. The Count de Jarnac is
is frequent attendance on the illustrious exiles.
INDISPOSITION OF LORD J. RUSSELL.—We regret
to learn that the absence of Lord J. Russell in the House
of Commons on Friday last arose from a severe cold,
from which he is at the present time suffering. Yester-
day his Lordship was somewhat better, but at the request
of his medical attendants he will for a few days remain
confined to his residence. The Cabinet Council sum-
moned for this day at noon will take place at his Lord
ship's private residence in Chesham-place, instead of at
Downing-street, owing to the indisposition of the
Premier.

THE BOMBAY AT BLACIWALL.—The steamer
Bombay, at Blackwall, has not the Sicilian flag flying,
nor, as we are informed, had she ever the colours of that
country hoisted on board. She was lying off Blackwall
on Saturday evening, with the flag of the Oriental Steam
Navigation Company at the fore-top gallant-mast head.
The Duke and Duchess of Somerset received a
select circle to dinner on Saturday, at their residence in
Park-lane.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury had a
grand dinner on Saturday, at the family residence in
Arlington•street.

Hi; Excellency Admiral de Cecille gave a sump-
tuous entertainment on Saturday at the French embassy,
in Manchester-square.
Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston received a
select party to dinner on Saturday last, at their residence
in Carlton-gardens. Her L idyship subsequently opened
her salons for the reception of a fashionable circle. Her
Royal Highness the Hereditary Princess of Parma, at-
tended by the Countess Lopez, the Duke of Wellington,
his Excellency the Austrian Minister and the Countess
Colloredo, his Excellency the Swedish Minister and
Baroness Rehausen, his Excellency the Danish Minister
and the Countess Reventlow and the Countess Hilda
Reventlow, Count Rosen, and many of the sups diploma-
tique were present, and among the general company Were
many of the most distinguished of our nubility.
The family of Mr. Jerdan, the editor of the Literary
Gazette, have been thrown into much distress by the
death, on Tuesday last, of Mr. John Eggar, of Bentley
(the father of Mrs. Jerdan), at the advanced ago of 94,
of mortification resulting from the bite of a dog. Mrs.
Jerdan was with her venerable parent at the time of the
accident, and remained in attendance upon him until his
death.

1T!11.' R W7!".4
tit i LiAte I Lii /
The Cotton Market at Liverpool on Saturday was
quiet, without any alteration in prices. The sales corn-
prisad about 2,500 lades American, at 38d. to 6id.; 30
Egyptian, at qd. to 60.; and 300 Surats, at 3/d. to 3fd.
per lb.—ln Railway Sharrs there was very little doing,
and prices had a further downward tendency.
Accounts of October 17, including letters and papers,
by a direct arrival fr. ED Adelaide, South Australia, state
that the strike among the Burnt Burra miners appeared
to be in some measure justified by circumstances.
The company had declared large dividends, and the
working men felt the more aggrieved at a reduction of
their wages. It was hoped that an amicable arrange-
ment would be come to. Efforts were making to es-
tablish a smelting company in Van Diemen's Land,
where there was a good supply of coal with other ad-
vantages. It is stated from Hobart Town that Sir
William Denison had prohibited the employees in the
Survey Depart went from dabbling in land purchases,
glaring instances of forestalling which occurred at a
land sale having been brought under the Governor's
notice.
Accounts from Brussels state that a republican plot
had been discovered there, and that 12 persons had
been arrested in consequence. After the banquet ap-
pointed to be held on Sunday (last) night at eleven
o'clock, the gas works were to have been seized and the
town thrown into a state of darkness, while the Prado
and the royal palace were to have been fired, so that
during the general confusion, the conspirators hoped to
accomplish their object.
Nu intelligence has yet been received of the Dee
steamer, with the West Indian and Mexican mails.
In an interesting statement upon the dried fruit trade,
compiled by Messrs. Witheby and Hanson, we have the
following:—
" The total consumption of currants, in the United
Kingdom, in 1848, as per Board of Trade reports, was
19,025 tons, or 2,440 tons more than 1847, and 1,060
more than in 1846. There is perhaps no other article on
record, the consumption of which has doubled itself in
this country within seven years. Such, however, has been
the case with currants. In 1840 the prices at 775. to 80s.,
or 100 per cent. higher than at present, only 8,250 tons
were consumed in this country ; in 1841, 9,500 tons; in
1844, with prices reduced to 455. and 485., 14,200 tons ;
and last year, 19,000, or exactly double the quantity
that was consumed seven years ago. From the nature
of the clearances at this port during the first eleven
weeks of this year, and from the general state of the
country, it is possible that the consumption of 1849 will
be not far short of 21,000 toss. At the high duty of
228.2 d. currants in 1843,pr0 luced a revenue of 296,0001.;
in 1848, four years after the reduction to 155., they pro-
duced 300,000/. Not only has our population been
benefited by the use of a cheap and wholesome article,
our shipping interest by the additional tonnage em-
ployed in its transit, and our docks and wharfs, by the
acquisition of so many thousand toes of merchandize,
but it is evident, from the surprising increase of late
years in the exports of British goods to Greece, that
the cultivation of such vast tracts of land has greatly en-
riched that rising country, and that therefore the benefit
has been mutual."
The English Stock Market has been extremely quiet
to-day, and there is a disposition to await further in-
telligence from Italy, a battle having been expected
almost hourly at the d rte of the last accounts sent off.
Consols have been 91k I for transfer, and 911 for
account. Bank Stock has been firm at 198. Exche-
quer-bills have realised 375. to 405., and India Bonds
48s. to 51s. premium. At present Consols are about
91k 1, and 91k k.
The Foreign Securities are in tolerable favour.
Spanish Five per Cents. have realised 16trto 17, and the
Three per Cents. 30 to 1. Portuguese Four per Cents.
have been quoted 271 to 28. A further important move-
ment has occurred in Peruvian Stock, which now stands
at the very advanced price of 68 to 69—the opening value
this morning was but 63i! Mexican Stock is still rather
flat, being 31+ to 31k. Buenos Ayres realises 39 to 40i.
Grenada Deferred are 34. Russian Stock has been at
104 k. Belgian Four-and-a-Half per Cents. are 83;
and Dutch Four per Cents. 79.
The Railway Share Market has been inactive, but
in some respects looks rather firmer. It would be too
much to say, however, that there has been any decided
change.
BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
3 per Cent. Consols Anna 914%
India Stock
Do. Bonds, 10001
Bank Stock for Account 198
arrsols for Account
'xchequer Bills. 14d. 2d.
March. June.
1,0001.
5001 36 39 p 40 p
Small 36 39 p 40 37 p
• RICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK-
Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent... 39% 39
Ditto for the Account .. ..... 40 3914 40%
Grenada, 1 per Cent..
Ditto Deferred ...
Vexican Boosts, 1846, 5 per Cent 31,4
Ditto for the Account 3ll/2%14
Peruvian Bonds, 6 per Cent ...
Ditto for the Account .. 6334 67 68t/ 69
Ditto 4 per Cent.
Ditto for the Account .
Russian Bonds, 1822,5 per Cent lO4l
Spanish Bonds, 5 per Cent,lB4o
Ditto for the Account
Ditto Passive Bonds
Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 304
Ditto for the Account
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Belgian 41,4 per Cent
Dutch 2% per Cent., 12 Guild
Ditto 4 ner Cent. Certificates
tJSINESS DONI IN RAILWAY SHARES:AT ONE O'CLOCK.'
RAILWAYS. PAID. Pia Swam.
-%.l•erdeen
Ditto, Preference ....... 214 to
`, 14113,2 r., Notting., Boston, &c. 5
valedonian
Ditto, New 10/. Preference 10
;',hester and Holyhead 5O .....
Ditto, Preference
Dublin and Belfast Junction.. 35
East Anglia, 251. L. & E.,
and L. & D . 25 -
Eastern Counties
Do. New Guarant. 6 per Ct. 10 -
Do. Eaten., 5 per ct. No. 1,6/. 13s. 4d -
Do., do N 0.2,61. 13s. 4d... 1 p ... to --
Great Northern
Do. %B 6 per Cent. ...... 714 6% to --
Gt. South. & West. (Ireland) 45
great North of Eng1and......100 .232
Great Western 100
Ditto, Half Shares -
Lancashire and Yorkshire ... 93 -
Ditto Fifths -
Ditto Sixteenths ........... 614 -
Do., New Guar. 6 per cent. 10 -
Lund., Bright., & South Coast 50 3644
London & North Western.....loo 134 ye
Do. 104 ... M. and B. (C.) 1 -
London and S. Western.-- 50 ..
Ditto, New 504........ 28% to ---
rilanchr, Sheffield, and Linc.loo -
Do., New 101. Preference.. 10 ... 103% . to --
North British .. ..... 25 ... 14%14 ex.d to ---
Ditto Thirds ......... 8 4%, ex.d to ---
North Staffordshire.,......... 171,E 14% to --
Oxford, Worcester, and Wol-
verhampton
hrewsbury and Birmingham 10 -
Ditto. ditto, Class 13. 6
Shropshire Union...
South Eastern
York, Newcastle, and Berwick 25 ..... 25
Do. G. N. E. Pur. or Pref. 8.. 75414
fork and North Midland .. 50
Oitto East and est Riding
Extension 25 221/2 to 23
FOREIGN RAILWAYS.
doulogne and Amiens 2O to --
Namur and Liege
Northern of France
Orleans and Bordeaux .. 7
Tours & Nantes ..
JOINT STOCK BANKS.
London and Westminster... 20
National of Ireland

SUICIDE OF COLONEL C. 13 InD.-1011 SatUrd*
Mr. A. H. English, the Coroner at Bath, resumed an
adjourned inquiry respecting the death of Colonel Charles
Bird, aged 55, of the Hon. East India Company's ser•
vice, who committed suicide in the following manner.
The inquiry was commenced on Friday night, and ad'
journed till next day for further evidence. Ann Dora,
housemaid to the deceased, said that on Thursday'
about one o'clock, the deceased rang the bell, and on her
going to answer it, he requested her to take a note to
Colonel Palmer, at No. 7, Sion-place, which she did,
and returned in about twenty minutes, when she asked the
ladies where the Colonel was? They told her that be
was in the parlour, but on going there she could not
find him. She afterwards went to the back drawing'
room, at the door of which she knocked. but got
no answer. Whilst at the door Colonel Budd
_m. e t d
and having made known her suspicions to ht. h had a
andladder p brought,eeed
the
doorand thefor
witness, Colonel enteredac when a. t
shethe ewindowetered
in his chair covered with
she found her master sitting
blood. Two pistols were on the floor, and a razor wag
on the chair at his side. Ins left arm was cut, and b
seemed quite dead. Deceased had seemed very low-
spirited lately, especially during the last two or three
days. Colonel Budd corroborated the evidence of thei
previous witness. Colonel Palmer said deceased had
been greatly depressed lately. He received a letter front
him the day before his death, in which he said, "I don't
think I shall ever know happiness again." He believed
his depression arose from being F.eparated from his wife'
Dr. Harvey proved being sent for to see the deceased,
when he found him dead. Other evidence having been
given, the jury were considering their verdict when tib!
reporter was obliged to dispatch his parcel to meet the
train.

--
HER MAJESTY'S Tuf.ipgtY'S
LHEATRE —When her
Theatre was decorated in 1846, we spoke of the work at
some length, as one of the most successful and effective
of
its kind, and we gave praise to Mr. Johnson, tilearii
chitect by whom it was designed, and to Mr. Marsha
and Mr. Sang, by whom it was carried out. It still ho'ds
,0
its good place in estimation, and viewing it a few.night
since we were more than ever impressed with the so d
cess with which a great desideratum had been obtsil3ed
namely, unity with variety. While the eye and mind Ll3l,
constant occupation in the always varied groups, Ineu-tio
lions, and Raffaellesques displayed, there is a onene,,
and congruity about the whole which is particular',
satisfying and admirable.—Builder.
At the battle of Moodkee an European serving joiir
the Seikh army was surrounded at the capture of one, 4,
the enemy's guns. He lifted up his hands and cr,e;
" Spare me! for lam one of the old 44th." He Wool dg
mediately shot down. This circumstance correspono
with the report that there are three men of that regioibetio
with a detachment of Affghans in the Seikh camp OA
Jhelum.