The Sun.
London, England, 1849-11-22 00:00:00

Viiteri %titian
LIVERPOOL STEEPLE
CHASES.

(BY. ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
(THIS DAY.)
The Sefton Handicap.

Priestess
The Dart

••• •••
Eight ran.

FRANCE.

... 1
... 2

The following report of M. Pierre Bonaparte
to the officer in command of the entrenchments,
dated camp before Zaatcba, October 25, has been
received by the Government from General d'ller-
billon
" Mon Colonel,—Charged with the command of 200
a trot* the Legion, and 200 of the 33 African Llght
Infantry, to cut down the palm trees and protect the
men engaged in that labour, I proceeded this morning
to the position pointed out to me by General d'Her-
-•illon, the Commandant. in-Chief. On arriving at the
tot we occupied a wall %%bleb had been crenelated
by the Arabs, and from which we were able to
keep them in check, while our workmen proceeded
rapidly in cutting down palm trees to the number of
250. The Arabs, however, at length concentrated them-
selves at the end of the wall. I had several times charged
Captain Buttet, of the 3d Infantry, to keep a strict ob-
servation on that important point, and he replied that he
would bo responsible for it, when, soon after, he was
struck by a musket shot. One of his men was shot at
the same moment. The Arabs then attacked the wall at
the limit of our line, which they were not able to get
over. They were very numerous. They assailed us
with stones, which they threw from behind the wall.
At length they got on the top of it' and discharged
their pistols and muskets. We received them with a
volley of musketry. A reserve of 30 grenadiers advanced
under Captain Nyko to support the infantry, and we
then took up another position, which enabled us to
keep the enemy at a greater distance. The arrival of
this reinforcement enabled the workmen to proceed with
the cutting down the trees. A still further reinforce-
ment then came up. During this time the grenadiers,
who had been posted on a small hillock, and the
African light infantry, sustained with great bravery
the reiterated attacks of the Arabs. I must not
omit to mention that the Commandant of the
Zoaves sent a further reinforcement of 15 men,
under Lieutenant Sentupey, to support the grena-
diers. The conduct of these brave soldiers is beyond
praise. I must, however, point out to you the intrepid
Captains Buttet and Toucher, of the 3d African Infantry,
both seriously wounded, and Captain Nyko, who was
struck by a musket ball and also by a stone in the
head. We have had five killed; the wounded, exclu-
sive of the two above-named officers, are 20 in number.
Agreeably to an order of the General, transmitted to
me by you, the retreat was effected in the greatest
order, and it was accomplished at noon. Besides the
cutting down of the trees, our opetation may be consi-
dered as being an attack on Litchans, and without being
able exactly to estimate the injury we have inflicted on
the enemy, I consider it was very considerable, and at
least twice the amount of our own loss. Accept, mon
Colonel, the expression of my deep respect.

6' -P. NAPOLEON Bo HIPARTE,
" Chef- de - Bataillon Foreigh Legion."

STATE OF TRADE.
(From the Manchester Guardian.)
MANCHESTER, TUESDAY.—The expectations of the
Liverpool speculators as to the effect of the accounts
of our immense operations in cotton, taken out by the
Hibernia, on the 20th ult., have been somewhat dis-
appointed by the advices which the Europa has
brought to hand ; and the result is, that hardly any-
thiog is doing except by the trade, whose limited pur-
chases are effected at ayeduction of *d. to id. per lb. In
a state of things in which prices are in so equivocal a
position as at the present moment, our
market is instantly affected by any change
in that of cotton. It has been plainly seen, since the
arrival of the packet, that many who lately held a de-
cided opinion that, at least, the existing value of cotton
would be maintained, are beginning to waver in their
judgment. We have consequently had to get heavily
through a very inactive day.
In yarns, the buyers for Germany, Italy, and the
Levant are anxiously watching the course of things,
and taking only what they are in immediate want of,
when it is to be had at some advantage in the terms;
while the India merchants are confining their opera-
tions to the finer numbers, and even in them they
are doing very little. The manufacturers are back-
ward purchasers. Under these circumstances, some
concession has been made in the rates of shipping
yarns, to the extent of the comparatively trifling busi-
ness effected ; though, after all, considerable firmness
has prevailed. The best qualities of fine yarns con-
tinue scarce and relatively dear. Goods have been
found quite as difficult to sell as yarns. For tl-e most
part, the quotations are the same as those of last week ;
but in some of the few instances where sales have
been made, there has been some little giving way on the
part of the sellers. Printing cloths continue in re-
quest, yet not in the same degree as was lately the
case. Shirtings to all widths are dull ; and heavy
goods labour under an unrelieved depression.
ROCHDALE,.MONDAY.—We have had a gold market
to-day, but not quite so many pieces were sold as
on the preceding Monday. The middle and lower
priced pieces have been most inquired after. We
have little change to report in the wool market, ex-
cept it be that the manufacturers are offering rather
lower prices for WWI.
MACCLESFIELD, TIIESDAT.—There is no new fea-
ture to notice in the trade of this town, either as re-
gards the throwing or manufacturing interest, the
latter remaining, with some few exceptions, in the
quiet state we last reported. We understand there is
a prospect of a fair business being done in figured
fabrics for the ensuing spring. The raw silk market
continues firm.

HUDDERSFIELD, TUESDAY.—The market has not
been very brisk, although we have had several buyers,
but we do not hear much complaining, and with the
exception of those engaged in the manufacture of
fancy vestings, there appears to be considerable acti-
vity throughout the district.
HALIFAX, SATURDAY.--There has been scarcely
so much business done in the Piece Hall to day, but
there is a fair amount doing in the warehouses, and as
stocks are generally very-- low, most of it is done to
order, by which the manufacturers are enabled, in
some instances, to obtain rather tbetter rates.
Lastings and low mixtures are much inquired
for, but not readily met with, the in-
adequate prices which have ruled for some
time past having greatly diminished the production.
The yarn trade continues brisk, at fully late quota-
tions, and the export houses are disposed to give a
little more for prompt delivery. A fair quantity of
long wool is changing hands, with the turn in favour
of the seller. Most sorts of short wool are more easy
to quit, at recent prices ; and broker, which are more
sought after, are looking upwards.
LEEDS, TUESDAY.—There has been more business
done at the cloth halls, both to day and Saturday ;
and some considerable orders have been given by the
shipping houses. Prices remain firm, and stocks
continue low. There is a fair business doing in the
warehouses; and taking into consideration the time
of the year, considerably above an average trade is
doing on the whole.

A COSTLY DINNER.—Mr. S. S. Osgood, the painter
in the course of a letter to the New York Tribune, gives
the following account of a Fourth of July dinner at the
mines in California. He says—." It was given by Ram-
sey to his customers, and fitly sat down, or rather lay
down, for our dinner was spread on a level, which was
made by felling a tree, trimming it, and filling in above
it with earth and stones. We had a cloth along the
centre, and scraps of mats and blankets along the sides of
this, on which we reclined in Oriental style. Each man
had a tin plate, and ktin pot for his liquor, water not
being allowed on the table; champagne and other
liquours were too plentiful to make it desirable to but
few. There was some lack of dishes to serve up in;
but with wash-basins, the pans of the gold-washers, and
a cast-iron bake-kettle, and with the assistance of two
large soup tureens, the numerous dishes were all dis•
played. We had, among other luxuries, fresh black-
herries and bon-bons, the latter were rather dry, and
had no doubt travelled far. Each man had a three-
pronged iron fork, and a regular case-knife. I was told
that the cast of the dinner, exclusive of wines and meats,
was 1,100 dolls."
WRECKERS ON THE EAST COAST.—TUORPE,
ESSEX, TUESDAY.—Upwards of twenty-seven men, stone
gatherers and others, were on Monday last summoned
berore the caunty magistrates sitting at the petty ses-
sions, for unlawfully entering the brig Fleece, wrecked
on the main at Walton-on-the-Naze, against the consent
of the master, and for unlawfully removing the cargo
from the wreck. Four of the men were fined 4/. each,
or two month's imprizoment, and the remainder 40s.
each,
~ or one month. One was discharged.
GLASGOW, Nov. 17.—COTTON Woor n the
early part of this week we had an active demand," ant]
transactions were effected at higher rates than have
hitherto prevailed this season.' the e closebo holders of a
there
firm.
week
the market has become morereie In
quiet, but
The rise in price since last
For cotton goods the demand is good, a
andin a very healthy state. Pig Iron—There has
eanlarket is
the
per lb.
lltd .
be
good deal of animation in our pig iron market duel:l rit
p ist week, and prices have improved a little. T
day the market is very firm, at 445 6d for mixed num_
berg---455. for No. 1, and 455. 6d. tar No. 1 Gartstierrie,
cash. For spring delivery 455. has been paid for mixed
numbers, and 45.. 6d. for No. 1.
MONEY MARKET.—The premium on gold at Paris
is 13i per raffle, which, at the English Mint price of 31.175.
100. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of
25.49; and the exchange at Paris on London at short
being 25.521, it follows that gold is 0.14 per cent.
darer in 1,,,r don than in Paris. By advices from
Hamburgh the erica of gold is 437 k per mark, which,
- at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 100. per ounce for
a andard void, gives an exchange of 13.11; and the
exchange at Harnburgh on London at short being
13.121, t fulluws that gold itt 0,51. per cent, dearer in
rd9Ado thWa iu giuuburght
_ _a

THE ARCTIC REGIONS.
(From the Times.)
The return of Sir James Ross from his voyage in
search of Sir John Franklin recals our attention
from the ordinary topics of discussion to those distant
and desolate regions of eternal ice, from which man
and his interests seem for ever banished. That where
there is danger man should be found to brave it, is
not a matter of surprise. There will always be forth-
coming adventurous spirits in abundance who are
ready to grapple with peril for peril's sake—men whose
hearts rust within them in the midst of the tame
interests of civilized life, and who, although capable
of the most heroic efforts and the most astonishing
perseverance, when placed in conflict with the powers
of nature, sicken and give up the game when condemned
to the position of cogs or wheels in a complicated
machine over the general operations of which they
can exercise no effective control.. To men of such
stern, unyielding stuff the human race has been
greatly iedebted. They seldom profit by their
own labours. They pass their lives in the
midst of danger and of toils. They die with the
satisfaction, perhaps, of having pointed out to their
countrymen, and to the world, the existence of some
continent, or some system of islands, unknown before
their times, but which centuries after their death
will be covered with thriving towns and cheerful
homesteads. Beyond the consciousness of having
satisfied the inward cravings of their natnre—their
own peculiar re ward is limited to the privilege of
bestowing their name upon a mass of ice-capped
granite far within the Arctic circle, or on a desolate
island removed beyond the summer wanderings of
the distant Esquimaux. It may be supposed that we
are not inclined to apply any very stringent canons
of criticism to the noble labours of these simple-
hearted men. If the Anglo-Saxon race is at this
moment more widely scattered than any other
European stock over four of the continents which
overtop the level of the ocean, it is to men of this
class that we must be grateful for the distinction.
If we raise our voice at length against
any further expeditions in a particular direc-
tion, we do so mainly from the sorrow with
which we hear of so utter a waste of the
most heroic struggles, and of lives too valuable to be
sacrificed prematurely, but which, if sacrificed at all,
should at least be staked with a view to some result
important to humanity. With the map of the Arctic
regions lying spread before us, we ask ourselves in
vain what single object worthy of the venture could
by any contingency be gained by any further voyage
of discovery in this direction ? As to the fact of a
North-Western passage from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, there is nothing further to be known which
is worth knowing upon the subject. It is now as
nearly as may be three centuries ago that the tide of
maritime enterprise has set in this direction, and, as
any one may convince himself by a glance at one of
Mr. Wyld's m3ps of the Arctic region, discovery has
been pushed far beyond the limits of practical utility.
There appeared in the Times a few days back the fol-
lowing brief abstract of the course of the various
Northern expeditions, which may not be without in-
terest to any of our readers who would take the
trouble, in connexion with it, to give five minutes to
the chart :

_ .
The first attempt was made in 1553 by Willoughby
and Chancellor, who were sent out with instructions to
ascertain it there was a north-east passage, or if they
could reach China by passing to the north of Europe
and Asia. Willoughby reached Nova Zembla, but he
and all his crew were frozen to death. Chancellor en-
tered the White Sea, and thus opened a communication
with Russia. Captain Cook reached Icy Cape from the
Pacific in 1778. In 1607 Captain Hudson was sent out
to attempt to discover the north-west passage, and
reached the latitude of 81 degrees, but was under the
necessity of putting back on account of the ice. In
1773 this experiment was again tried by an
expedition under the command of Captain Phipps,
who advanced as far as Captain Hudson had
previously done: and a similar attempt was
made in 1818, which proved equally unfortunate
under Captain Buchan. In 1827 Captain Parry was sent
out to reach the Pole in boats and sledges over the ice,
and he attained about 82 degrees 40 minutes, and was
obliged to return by the motion of the fields of ice to the
south. In 1818 Captain Ross attempted a north-west
passage, and passed through Lancaster Sound. In 1819
Captain Parry reached 110 degrees west longitude, and
in 1821.23 examined the coast to the northward of
Hudson's Bay. In 182 t he reached Prince Regent's
Inlet. In 1826 Captain Franklin was sent overland to
explore the northern coast of America to the west of
Mackenzie River; and at the same time Captain Beechey
was dispatched to meet him in Behring's Straits. The
two expeditions approached each other to within a dis-
tance of 146 miles, but returned without meeting. In
1829.33 Captain RAs sailed up Prince Regent's Inlet,
and ascertained that there is no communication between
the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic soath of Barrow's
Straits."

The exertions of the heroes of the Arctic regions,
Parry, Franklin, and the bosses, appear to have
sufficiently developed the true nature of these high
latitudes. The absolute opposition offered by the
vast fields of Arctic ice to any continuous traffic, or
even to the fortuitous passage of a single ship without
almost superhuman exertions and endurance on the
part of her crew, forbids the supposition that the Arctic
regions can ever be turned to any practical account.
A few whales are no doubt picked up by the more
adventurous of the whale ships; beyond these, what ?
The answer shall be given from the narrative of the
proceedings of Captain Penny in the Advice, who,
much to his honour, had penetrated in search of Sir
John Franklin as far as Navy Board Inlet in Lan-
caster Sound. lie landed on one of the I\rollaston
islands in this inlet, and here is what he discovered :
" We disturbed on our lending about half a-dozen
pairs of the eider duck (somateria mollissirna). Their
eggs I found to be within a very few hours of maturity.
There were besides numerous nests, the occupants of
which had, I supposed, winged their way southwards.
Two brent geese (anser bernicla), and a single pair of
Arctic terns (sterna Arctica) were most vociferous and
courageous in defence of their downy offspring when-
ever I approached. These were the only birds, with the
exception of a solitary raven (corvus ccrax), &c."
Now, it is far from our intention to speak otherwise
than with admiration and respect of the noble exer-
tions made by Captain Penny and Mr. Goodsir to
discover and relieve Sir John Franklin and his party.
We quote from the narrative of their proceedings
simply to show in ordinary cases what the value
would be of any expedition to these high latitudes—
to witness the process of incubation on the part of
the somateria mollissima, and to listen to the
croaking of a solitary raven. Go still further, as
men have gone, beyond the regions where the eider-
duck and the Arctic tern pitch their nests, and what
do you find ? A vast solitude of icebergs and a
desolation, the monotony of which is broken alone
by the cracking and turning of the heavy ice. It is
clear enough, then, that for all purposes of commerce
or of traffic the Arctic region must remain a sealed
book to the human race until some vast change shall
occur in the temperature and meteorological arrange-
ments of the globe. Steam and railways are power-
less here. Magnetic telegraphs and the printing press
can do nothing. All the wonders of modern civilisa-
tion are palsied in the presence of eternal ice and
snow. It we want to go eastward to India, we have
now the short overland passage by the Isthmus of
Suez, which must in any case take precedence of the
North-Western paasage, even if we could put a
vast fire under the ice of the Arctic regions,
and melt it down to-morrow into a sum-
mer sea. So with regard to the voyage to
China; a few years—perhaps a few months—and
the Isthmus of Panama will be cut through. What
have we to gain in this respect if we could establish a
line of steamers to perform the distance by way of
Lancaster Sound and Behring's Straits ? Such a
course would simply be to go out of our way without
any adequate object. In a scientific point of view,
does any fact remain unexplored which would be of
sufficient importance to justify the risk of dispatching
further expeditions into these inhospitable regions ?
Sir James Ross has already reached the Magnetic
Pole. Captain Parry, in July, 1827, reached in boats
and sledges 82 deg. 40 sec. north latitude. Thus,
human enterprise has penetrated within four or
five hundred miles of the North Pole, and we are
sufficiently aware that in that direction nothing
is to be met with but impracticable fields of ice.
If we speak against any further dispatch of Arctic
expeditions, our remarts are not intended to apply to
the noble efforts of Sir James Ross. His was a gal-
lant enterprise gallantly conducted. No nobler or
more adequate motive could be proposed to the brave
sailor and to the companions of his honourable toil
than the succour of the missing expedition. If the
mission failed, no fault can be imputed to the: party under
the command of Sir James Ross. The powers of nature
overcame the efforts of man. The partywas forced to
return after having performed important services,
which even yet may be productive of a good result.
At any rate thus much is clear, that they did not
meet with a single sign which would lead to the con-
clusion that Sir John Franklin and his companions
had met with any misfortune. Although this testi-
mony is only negative, yet it is so far favourable and
worthy of attention. Our remarks have, however,
extended already to such a length that we must re-
serve all comments upon the recent services of Sir
James Ross for a future day.

EXTRAORDINARY INTEMPERANCE.-011 Saturday
evening a private soldier in the 30th Infantry, stationed
at the Regent road barracks, Manchester, went with two
companions to spend the evening at a singing-room for
the working classes, taking with them a quantity of raw
spirits, and in the course of a very short time they drank
traongst them three pints of neat rum, and the effect
upon Allen, who had taken a large portion of it, and
who was altogether unaccustomed to excessive drinking,
was such, that on reaching the open air ho fell down as
though comple•ely deprived of life. lle was taken in a
cab and lodged in the guard-room, where be soon after-
wards began to rave like a madman. Ile was afterwards
taken to the hospital of the regiment, but he died
from the effects of the liquor on the afternoon of Sunday.
At an inquest held on Mo. nday by Mr. 4erford, the jury
returned a verdict
of " Lied from excessive drinking."

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, Nov. 21.
(Sittings in Banco.)

THE QUEEN V. THE LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAILWAY.

The points involved in this case are of the utmost
importance to railway companies.
This was an appeal from an order of the justices at
the Quarter Sessions for Surrey, with respect to the
rating of the line which passes through the parish of
Croydon. The rule called upon the justices to show
cause why a rate reducing the amount of rating from
21,3001. to 15,7651. should not be quashed from its
inefficiency, in order that the said rate and assessment
be reduced to 5,9701, or such other sum as the Court
might think fit. The rate was made in November,
1847, and four questions were reserved for the de-
cision of the Court. The first was, in effect, whether
the railway ought to be rated on account
of the earnings in the six miles for which it
passed through the parish of Croydon, or only in
proportion to the earnings of the whole of the line,
the largest earnings being obtained in that parish.
The second point contended for by the company was,
that the cost of maintaining the permanent way should
be deducted before the rate was made. The third
was, that the London and Brighton had made an
agreement, which was sanctioned by Parliament, by
virtue of which the South-Eastern to Dover ran over a
portion of the other line, and the London and Brighton
over a portion of the line of the South• Eastern, both
being in the parish of Croydon, no toll being
paid, the use of the one being considered an equiva-
lent for the other. The fourth point arose out of the
following rate was made in November. On
the 18th of August certain accounts were drawn
out, in accordance with general Acts of Parliament,
but they only brought down the affairs of the railway to
the 30th of June. The rate was really made on the
18th of August. The company said, that on account of
the inefficient state of the plant when the accounts were
made, and in consequence of having opened various
lines between June and November, that the condition
of the line and its circumstances were altogether
altered when the rate was made, and that the makers
of the rate were bound to ascertain by some means or
other the value of the property rated at the moment of
the making of the rate.
Mr. PAsaLer appeared to show cause against the
rule. He held, on the strength of several
cases which he cited, that in railways, es
in the case of canals, the rate must be
levied upon the earnings of the land in a particular
parish, and not in proportion to the earnings of the
whole route. Then the use of the two portions of line
in the same parish by the two companies was just
like two farmers agreeing to use portions of their
farms alternately, or of two gentlemen, one holding a
house in the country and another in town,
agreeing to occupy each other's house for certain
periods. It was a private understanding, and the
real owner was the person to be rated. It
was utterly impossible to make out a valuation with-
out occupying a good deal of time. The value of the
property assessed could not be stated at the time the
rate was published. He contended that the justices
were correct in the rating they had laid down.
Mr. J. CLARYE followed on the same side, after
which

Mr. GURNEY proceeded in reply, but had not con-
cluded when the Court intimated that it would hear
him in continuation on the first day after term, the
27th instant.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Nov. 21.
THE DUKE OF BEAUFORT V. SMITH.
In this case, which was partly reported in our first
edition of yesterday, the Court delivered judgment.
The COURT was unanimous that the judgment
should be for the plaintiff, being of opinion that al-
though the document of 1665, cited in the argument,
was not receivable in evidence as not being a public
document entitled to credit in a court of law, there
was still abundant evidence to show that the payment
of the toll in question was immemorial.
Judgment for the plaintiff accordingly.