The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-22 00:00:00

HIGHLAND SOCIETY of LONDON.

from the Caledonian Asylum, paraded the room headed
by Mr. Mackay, the Queen's piper, and played at in-
terval 6 during the evening to the great admiration of
the company.
The dinner and wines were good, and altogether
the way in which the cutertAntnent was got up re-
flected credit upon Mr. Baccn's establishment.

ANNIVERSARY OF 'FITE BATTLE OF
ALEXANDRIA.
The member 3 of he Highland Society of London
dined together last evening, at the Freemasons'
Tavern, in commemoration of the battle of Alex
andria. Altogether, including a more than usually
large attendance of visitors, 120 were present, a large
proportion of whom were either in tartan or naval
and military uniform.
The Prince of Parma wore the Stuart tartan. A
large number wore on their breasts the medals re-
cently issued for services rendered in the Peninsular
wars.

Lieutenant-General Lord Saltoun, K.C.8., pre-
sided, having cn his right the Prince of Parma, the
Right Honourable Fox Maule, Colonel Campbell,
Royal Artillery, William Hutt, Esq., M.P., Sir
Charles Price, Captain Charles Forbes, Captain
Alexander Macdonald ; and on his left Sir David
Leighton, Major- General Briggs, Colonel Maclean,
Mr. Sergeant Adams, Captain Jay, II N., Sir W.
C. Ross, &c. Among those present we obser‘ ed—
Lieutenant- Colonel Tulloch, Major J. A. Moore,
Captain E. Robinson, Captain Tulloch, Captain
Couch, R.N., Governor John Hutt, Dr. Chisholm,
Royal Ar*.illery, Captain Charles Forbes, C. A.
M‘Kenzie, Esq., John Mackenzie, Esq., the Rev. Dr.
Cumming, the Rev. Charles Mackenzie, Colonel
Campbell, W. Judd, Esq., Sir W. C. Ross, E. Hels-
well, Esq., Captain MeDonald, Hector Rose, Esq.,
J. A. Beaumont, Esq., James Tulloch, Esq., T.
Archer, Esq., Mark Boyd, Esq., E. Lennox, Boyd,
Esq, Lieutenant Robinson, Peter Blake, E:q.,
Charles D. Logan, Esq. (of Australia), John Irving
Glennie, Esq., George Bain, Esq., Archibald Hamil-
ton, Esq., James Duff Gordon, Esq.
The gallery was filled with ladies.
The Rev. Dr. GUMMING said grace before, and the
Rev. C. M'Kenzie after dinner.
The cloth having been removed,
The CHAIRMAN proposed, in succession, "thehealth
of the Queen and her Royal Consort Prince Albert,"
"the Queen Dowager," "the Prince of "Wales and
the rest of the Royal Family," which were severally
drunk with Highland honours.
The CHAIRMAN said they had an illustrious stranger
among them—he could hardly, however, designate
him as a stranger, as the royal blood of Scotland—the
blood of the Stuarts—flowed in his veins.—(Cheers.)
He was extremely glad to see so large a body of his
fellow-countrymen met to greet him on that occasion.
It was the first time he had met the Prince in public,
but he was glad to hear that, having travelled much
in Scotland, his Highness had displayed so much
courtesy and urbanity that he was a universal favou-
rite wherever he went.
The toast was drunk amidst loud cheers.
The Prince of PARMA, who was much applauded,
begged to assure the company that he felt very much
flattered by the compliment which had been paid him.
He was highly honoured by their invitation, and he
was most happy at all times to meet Scotchmen,
whether on the hill side or at the festive board. Ile
was proud to have the permission of her Majesty to
wear the garb in which he appeared before them,
having descended from the illustrious house of
Stuart.—(Cheers.) He had derived the greatest
pleasure from his visit to this country; he hoped to
have further opportunities of bettering the acquaint-
ance.—(Loud cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN next proposed the health of " his
Royal Highness Prince Albert," chief of the High-
land Society.
The toast was drunk with Highland honours, the
time being given in regular Celtic style.
Mr. Fox MAULE proposed the next toast, which it
was most gratifying to his feelings to give, and which
he was sure would be equally gratifying to the com-
pany to receive. It was the health of one whom he
had known for many years as a countryman—whom
he had loved as a friend, and respected as a soldier—
who, whenever Scotchmen required his services, had
always been happy to render them as best he could—
who, whenever his country called for his exertions
abroad, had distinguished himself alike by courage,
patriotism, and talent in a manner to make his coun-
trymen at home proud of being able to call him a
Scotchnian.—(Cheers.) He was sure they antici-
pated the toast he was about to give—the health of
Lord Saltoun.—(Loud cheers.) He was not sure
that his Noble Friend had been present at any of
their celebrations since his return from foreign ser-
vice, but he was confident they would now at all
events give him a true Highland welcome home.
The toast was responded to with the utmost enthu-
siasm and all the honours.
The CHAIRMAN returned his sincere thanks for the
honour the company had conferred upon him, and to
his friend (Mr. Fox Maule) for the handsome manner
in which he had proposed the toast. Though they
had always differed in politics they had ever been the
best friends.--(Cheers.) He was extremely proud
of the honour they had conferred upon him, in elect-
ing him President of the society ; but he feared he
should not be a very steady president—(Laughter)—
since he vk as addicted to sporting of one
kind or another.—(Laughter.) He did not
know that anything would prevent him
from again taking her Majesty's command, and to do
service again abroad if her Majesty thought that he
could render his country any service by doing so.—
(Hear, hear.) He assured them he should do the
society the best service in his power in return for
the high compliment they had passed upon him.—
(Cheers.) After a pause,
The CHAIRMAN again rose, and said those who had
assembled round the festive board did not require to
be reminded that they had gathered there on that 21st
of March to commemorate the anniversary of the
battle of Alexandria. On such occasions they were
in the habit of drinking the memory of Sir Ralph
Abercrombie in solemn silence. He begged to give
them this sentiment :—" The memory of Sir Ralph
Abercrombie, and the gallant heroes who fell with
him in Egypt."
The toast was drunk in solemn silence.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed "the Survivors of
that glorious action." He saw a Gallant Officer near
him who wore upon his breast a medal which he had
worthily earned by his glorious services.—(Cheers.)
He assured the company that he wore his honours
with greater lustre than he (Lord Saltoun)
since he had obtained them by the display of great
bravery and merit.
The toast was loudly responded to.
Colonel CAMPBELL, of the Royal Artillery, re-
turned his sincere thanks, and that of his gallant
comrades, who had done their country service in
Egypt, for the honour they had conferred upon him
and them.
Captain Jay, R.N., Captain Crouch, R.N., and
Dr. Este, of the Life Guards, stood up with the Gal-
lant Officer, whilst he acknowleged the toast.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed the health of the
visitors who had honoured them with their presence
at the festive board.
Mr. Sergeant ADAMS returned thanks. He said'
that it gave him the utmost pleasure to have had an
opportunity of enjoying the society of the countrymen
of Burns and Scott. He thanked them for having
permitted him to enjoy one of the most delightful
public days in his life.— (Cheers.) He was sure,
from the loyalty which had ever characterised
Scotchmen, that when the Duke of Rothsay came
among them, in the future, that he would find the
same loyalty among Scotchmen as that which existed
at present.—(Loud cheers.) He had the utmost
respect for Scotchmen ; many of his relatives
and friends were Scotchmen, and he should
tell them that they Would fail in their duty if they
did not support to the best of their ability
the Scotch meetings and institutions of this
kind, formed for the purpose of keeping up the
customs and the martial spirit of their countrymen,
and perpetuating the memories of those gallant heroes
who had died in the service of their country.
The health of the Princess of Parma was next
drunk with enthusiasm.
" Prosperity to the Caledonian Asylum," and " The
Health of the Duke of Wellington" followed.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed the" Indian Army.
Whilst in service abroad, he ever found the Indian
army composed of highly educated and most com-
petent men, but he also found that two-thirds of them
were Scotchmen.— (Cheers and laughter.) In what-
ever company he was in he always proposed the health
of the Indian army.—(Cheers.)
Sir DAVID LEIGHTON briefly returned thanks.
The next toasts were " Our Irish Brethren,"
" Highlander shoulder to shoulder," the last toast
being given in Gallic by the Chairman.
The Prince of PARMA then proposed the health of
Lord Saltoun and the family of the Frazers.
The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks. He said
there were two branches of his family, and he called
himself the head of the two branches.—(Cheers.) His
ancestors fought during the troubled times of Charles
I. and Charles 11.
Captain FORBES said the time had arrived when,
according to annual custom, it was usual to elect new
members. He begged to remind the President that
this was a favourable period of the evening to do
so. He begged to propose, with the utmost pleasure,
that the hereditary Prince of Parma be elected an
honorary member of the Highland Society.
Mr. HECTOR ROSE seconded the motion, which
was carried by acclamation.
The Prince of PARMA expressed his acknowledg-
ments.
Land we following
elnsled,'"ll`ll`lC h: e andT he
toasts,,a,he
rwmereeratlhd
Clans," " Sword and Plaid," " Pipe and Banner,"
" The Ladies."
The Chairman and the company then separated,
not far from twelve o'clock.
Several reels were excellently danced during the
evening. Mr. Macdonald performed the Sword dance
with his usual agility, and Mr. Cooper enlivened the
company with several Scotch songs, which he sung
In
excellent style and tune.
body of juvenile pipers, sturdy, fine-looking lads

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 22. t 149.

EAST INDIA HOUSE.
Yesterday a Quarterly General Court of .eroprit tom of
East India Stock was held at the Corn! any's House. in
Leadenh:ll-street, for the dispatch of general business ;
Sir James Law Lnshington in ti- eha.r.
The minutes of the last Court were read and con-
firmed.
The CHAIRMAN acquainted the Court that certain
papers relative to the case of the late Raja of Sattara
had been printed, in conformity with a resolution of the
Court of the 7th of February last, and were ready for
delivery to the proprietors on the 14th inst., of which
the usual notice had been given in the newspapers. He
also acquainted the Court that certain accounts and
papers that had been presented to Parliament since the
last general Court, had been laid on the proprietors'
tab!e, together with a list of the superannuations granted
since that period to certain parties in the service of the
Company.
The CHAIRMAN then acquainted the Court that, on
the 27th of September List, a proprietor had presented a
memorial from the members of a Baptist congregation,
praying that the payment of the tax, which went
to support the worship of the idol Juggernaut. in India,
might be discontinued. The discussion of that motion
had been postponed to the present Quarterly Court, as
well as another question of vt Lich the same Honourable
Proprietor had given notice. It WIIS with tile most cx-
treme regret he had to inform the Court that he had
received information of the death of that Hon. Pro-
prietor (Mr. Poynder), in a letter from his son, stating
that he 1.0.1 expired on Sunday morning last. lle wa- a
worthy and most excellent m-n, %hose death would be
sincerely regretted by his numerous flier:cis; of coarse,
both the motions to which he had alluded would fall to
the ground.
Mr. STRACHAN said, he extremely regretted to hear
the announcement that had just been made by the
Chairman, of the death of a worthy and most excellent
friend of his, who had fur a very considerable period
taken an active part in the prcceedings of that Court.
Although he had often differed in opinion with his de-
ceased friend both as to some of the questions he had
brought under the notice of the Court, and the manner
in which they had been introduced by him, he had
never remonstrated with him on any of the sub-
jects on which they had unfortuasately differed, but
he found additional reason for considering that
worthy man as one of the most pure. disinterested,
benevolent, and single-minded that he had ever met
with. The object which he bad so stew lily pursued
in that Court had never for one moment been
neglected, although he had frequently supported it
at the risk of his own health, and at considerable
personal sacrifice; and he (Mr. Strachan) hoped that one
of the subjects (dolatry in India) which the late Hun.
Proprietor (Mr. Poynder) had so often and so zealously
and so ably brought under the notice of the Court of
Directors, would not be lost sight of by them, notwith-
standing the decease of his able and excellent friend.
Mr. MARRIOTT said he readily agreed in all the ob-
servations that had been made by the Hon. Proprietor
(Mr. Strachan) relative to their mutual friend, the late
Mr. Poynder.
Mr. TWINING said he was not at all surprised that the
two Hon. Proprietors who had last addressed the Court
should take the earliest opportunity of expressing their
feelings with reference to the death of their friend. He
(Mr. Twining) had always entertained the highest
respect for that Hon. Proprietor.
Mr. HANKEY also spoke in very high terms of the
late Mr. Poynder.
Here the subject dropped.
Colonel DICKENSON then roso to bring forward the
following motion, of which he had given notice :—" That
copies of all correspondence which had passed between
the Court of Directors and the Board of Controul, re-
garding the booty captured at Hydrabad, be laid before
the Court of Proprietors." The Honourable Proprie-
tor, in bringing the subject under the notice of the
Court, said that the Proprietors and the pub-
lic in general were aware, from what had
appeared in the public prints, that a length-
ened correspondence had taken place between the
late Governor of Sinde and the Court of Directors, in
which the latter were charged with a violation of truth
and justice in their decision of the 10th of February,
1847, in allotting the booty taken at Hydrahad, also with
having evinced a total disregard to the claims which the
army in India had upon them for the important services
they had rendered on that memorable occasion• and,
lastly, that they had been influenced by corrupt arid un-
worthy motives in the course they had thought proper
to adopt. Such was the nature of the serious charges
that had been brought against the Court of Directors,
and emanating, as they did, from an officer of high rank
and reputation, he was sure the Court would unani-
mously agree with him that they ought at once to be
met and refuted, as he was convinced they would be by
the Court of Directors.
The CHAIRMAN interrupted the Hon. Proprietor, and
said he would submit to the Court whether, under all
the circumstances that had lately occurred, it would be
either wise, expedient, or proper to enter into a discus
sion relative to any difference of opinion that might
formerly have existed between the Court of Directors
and Sir Charles Napier.—(" Hear, hear," and " Nu.")
He certainly would not consent to produce the corre-
spondence that had taken place between the Court and
that Gallant Officer—(Hear, hear)—froto a conviction
that the production of that correspondence could not
lead to any possible good.—(Hear, hear.) He was in
hopes that all old sores had been healed—(Hear, hear)
—and he hoped, therefore, that the Hon. Gentleman
would not proceed any further in the matter.
Cul. DICKENSON said he wished, in his own defence, to
be allowed to state the grounds on which he had brought
forward his motion, and he hoped the Court would allow
him to do so.
The CHAIRMAN said he really must observe that, if
the Gallant Officer persisted in bringing forward his
motion, it would be one of the most indiscreet things that
had ever been done in that Court.
Col. DICKENSON begged to assure the Court that, in
moving fur the production of the papers he had called
for, he did not intend to pass the slightest imputation
upon the Court of Directors. It was not the charges
themselves so much, as the manner in which they had
been brought forward, that rendered a refutation of them
necessary. He did not impugn the motives of the Di-
rectors in their appropriation of the Sinde booty, but he
thought that a full statement of all the circumstances
connected with that distribution should be made public,
as a satisfaction to the army in India.
Mr. SULLIVAN was in favour of inquiry, but still
would not second the motion if it was intended to call for
the production of the correspondence between Sir
Charles Napier and the Court of Directors.
The CHAIRMAN said that no correspondence had
taken place between the Court of Directors and the
Board of Control regarding the booty captured at Hy-
drabad, and, therefore, no such correspondence could be
produced. He thought the present was not a proper
time to discuss the question of the Sinde booty.
Mr. WIGRAM (a Director) said the question of the
distribution of the Sinde booty did not rest with the East
India Company. All booty taken by the army belonged
to her Majesty, who, in the present case, had been
graciously pleased to order its distribution in a certain
manner, and to apportion the share to which
the gallant officer alluded to was entitled.
The Lords of the Treasury, under whose advice
that distribution had taken place, had awarded to
Sir Charles Napier one-eight, instead of one-sixteenth,
as originally proposed. The Court had no power to
alter that decision, and he was satisfied that no good,
but, on the contrary, great mischief would ensue from
any further agitation of the question. lie trusted the
Gallant Officer (Colonel Dickenson) would see the pro-
priety of preventing a negative being put on his motion,
by withdrawing it altogether.
After some further discussion, the motion was put and
negatived, only one hand being held up in its favour.
Mr. SULLIVAN then rose to move for the production
of certain papers relative to the Government of
Lahore. In doing so he said, he had read the
speeches that were delivered by the Duke of Welling-
ton and others at the grand banquet that took place
at the London Tavern on Saturday last, and as far
as those speeches were concerned, it was satisfactory
to find that the present state of affairs of India did not
afford any just ground for apprehension; that although
there might be a passing cloud over India, it would soon
be under the influence of the highest sunshine. No
doubt if he were in the same happy position as the seve-
ral speakers who had addressed the meeting on that
occasion he would have taken an equally cheerful view
of the present state of affairs in India; but as it did, un-
fortunately, happen that what little money he had was
involved in East India Stock, he might, perhaps, be ex
cused if he did not take exactly the same view of the
matter. On the contrary, he thought that our present
position in India, both financial and political, was never
more critical than at the present moment. After some
further general observations, the Hon. Proprietor said
that, under the Mogul Government, they had a much
larger revenue and a greater surplus than at present,
when they had a difficulty in meeting their ordinary ex-
penses; they had certainly greater territory, but they
had also greater expenditure. Their present difficulties
arose from extending conquests to the Indus, when he
was quite sure the feeling of the influential classes was
against them; and he had only to allude to the last dis-
patch of Lord Gough to prove that our army was now
surrounded by a hostile peasantry.—(Hear, hear.) Our
last accounts mentioned the harmony which now ex-
isted between the Seikhs and Afighans, and
the Mahomedans and Hindoor, against those
they considered as the common enemy, which were our-
selves. This would not have been the case had we been
content with our old territory, and strived to turn it to a
better account. For the last seven years we had thrown
all political prudence to the winds, and had gone on in a
course of gradual aggression, till we had raised up ene-
mies even in our own territory. The impression here
was that the Seikh warfare arose in consequence of their
invading our territory, but it was on the contrary; their
invasion of our territory was an act of self-defence,
teeing our object was to subjugate them, as we had
done the Ameers of Sinde. The Honourable Proprietor
read several letters, by which he contended that the
Government of India had held out promises of restorink,
Mirzapoore, Peshawar, and other places, on being sur-
rendered, but which we still maintained in defiance of
all honour and justice. This view of our past conduct
had thrown the Punjaub into insurrection—(Hear,tre
hear)—where, in our efforts to get possessionreohd,d
by
had colleaged with men at Lahore, who
The
er
lecvoeunetfr3a,
u possiblen:l;oe,e °m:clo i todn-
Icy. In the time of Trajrn it
waenetrated beyond the
attend the Roman arms if they
Pwas, the troops were
mggernesisaionthwa
Euphrates, and the consequencesuccessor who experi-
withdrawn in the days of his. _ successor, n dang e°°rnat‘crl
and others well versed in our Indian affairs.
inonstone,
It :remained now to be seen how we meant to deal with
the. Fuujaub ; if we took one false step in respect to
ilnaede dnao
wl long d
arye reign n
beenof to
vneqnu i
bl I)l,tyis•
that province, he was convinced that a mortal blow
would, be given kto the British power in India ; if we
agsretantoestr:

twecn •
hore, is

there made a fair sta,,l-up fight for the benefit of India,
the result would no doubt be more favourtble to our
suprt-rnacy.—(ll,ar, .) The Hon. Proprietor con-
clu:led by Mos ii 4; that c, pies of all correspondence bo
ttle p;ditical agent and the Government of La-
ri_the year 1544 and 1845, be laid before the Court.
_ _

Col. DicKENsoN zee ridcd the motion.
The CHAIRMAN said, in answer to the various charges
of the Hon.Proprii tor, he must make afew observations.
In the first place that gentleman drew a very melancholy
picture of the financial position of the company, which
was not at all warranted. The exportation of
and its attendant expense, had become unnecessary, us
the company could now get bills for their purposes.
The Hon. Proprietor had, amongst other things, stated
that the Indian Government had brought things to such
a pass, that we had no friends from Cape Comorin to
Delhi. In reply to this, he begged to say that all their
accounts from India agreed in stating, that perfect
tranquillity pervaded the whole of India, except the
province where the war was carried on.—(Hear, bear.)
As related to Lahore, he begged to inform the Honour-
able Proprietor that thi re was no political agent at La-
hore in 1844 and 1845, and that all the papers, after the
treaty had been cenclud«l, were presented to Parlia-
ment.—(hear, hear.) Ile hoped that reply would be
enough to satisfy the Court on the subject.—(Hear,
hear.) He put it to the Court whether at a time in
which they wi re engaged in hostilities with the t.;(
it would not he improper and inexpedient to give up any
correspondence that had taken place till that bu.biess
was set!lt d.—(hear, hear.) Ile had no doubt that the.
lititoh army wou]d cot quer, and he hoped and believed
that a course that was right and just would be pursu«l
by the Government in respect to that province.—(Hear.)
The Hon. Chairman concluded by giving a direct nega•
tive to the motion.
bt viral Hon. Proprietors expressed their approval of
the decision of the Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN put the motion to the vote, for which
only four hands were exhibited, the large majority being
in the negative.
In reply to a question,
The CHAIRMAN stated that the dismissal of some native
officers, had been caused in consequence of a riot be-
tween some llindoos and Mahomedans.
The Court then adjourned.

THE EASTERN ARCHIPELAGO.

SINGAPORE, FEB. 7.—The junk season is just
opening. About 40 junks have already arrived with
their usual assortment of cargo and Chinese emigrants.
Little of interest has transpired during the month, save
a ovement, suggested by the Straits Times, for the
erection of a suitable monument on the esplanade to the
memory of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the founder of
the settlement. H.M.S. Meander is now here; she will
leave for China in a few days, Captain the Hon. H.
Koppel having received orders to be at Hong Kong by
the 24th of March, so as to join the demonstration fleet
at Canton in April. Orders have come down here (as
also sent to the ports of India) to ship seamen for the
China fleet, and even to offer the bounty—from which
may be gathered that something is expected to take
place in China ere long.
LABUAN.—From this settlement—colony it cannot
be called, since no one will resort to it—we have re-
c ived communications to the 15th of January. The
place was perhaps somewhat more healthy, for the
officials having removed to the higher ground, away
from the site originally selected for the town, and such as
were sick being absent in the Meander, there was more
apparent healthfulness prevailing. The Madras troops
were comparatively free from sickness; there were seve-
ral cases of fever amongst them, but not of a severe
pe. The officers of the troops were more sensible to
the febrile character of the climate. The police of the
island does not appear to be very efficient ; for notwith-
standing there are about two police peons to each
house, and eighty Madras sepoys, nearly every
European's dwelling (all told, they number but
five) had been robbed of articles of value by Chinese
emplob'es or coolies; and, what is more, they all managed
to escape. Where a few household thefts form the lead-
ing events, the news of Labuan are soon told. Each
day serves but to convince us of the utter uselessness of
Labuan as a colony, whilst, as a naval depot, its advan-
tages cannot be too highly estimated; but, for the latter
purpose, it is little short of reckless expenditure to throw
away 10,000/. a year in supporting a Government where
there are none to rule over but those in the pay of the
authorities. In addition to the paid officials and their
menials, Labuan has for its settlers two grog-shopkeepers
from Singapore, who, by selling deleterious spirits, do
more harm than the climate. And yet, to support such
an establishment, Parliament is called upon to vote
10,0001. yearly of the public revenue.
On the arrival of the last overland mail from the
Eastern Archipelago, it was mentioned that the health
of Sir James Brooke was such as to cause the utmost
anxiety to his friends. Sir James quitted Labuan in
her Majesty's ship Meander, ostensibly on a visit to
Sooloo, but in fact to try the benefit of a sea trip. The
Meander left on Dec. 10, followed by the Jolly Bache-
lor cutter, belonging to Sir James. The cutter, in
charge of Lieutenant Oldfield, R.N., was to keep com-
pany with the Meander for two or three days, and then
return with accounts of Sir James Brooke's health and
the Sir James's indisposition not permitting him
to finish his letters before leaving Labuan. Since the
departure of the frigate and cutter nothing had been
seen or heard of them, although nearly forty days had
expir( d. Various conjectures are formed relative to
the cause of o:etention—as that the frigate may probably
have prt,c, eded to Celebes, and extended her intended
cruise ; but ne certain information could be obtained,
nor had the Meander been seen by any of the native
prows cruising along the coast of Borneo. As the
Meander was provisioned only for forty days, her return
would be imintediate, unless something has happened.
urriv,tl of the next mail from China and the Straits
%via set the question at rest.
Since writing the above, other communications are to
hand, which announce the sae arrival of the Meander,
at Singapore, on the 4th February. It would appear
that the health of Sir James Brooke continued so com-
pletely broken, that for three weeks his Excellency's
life was despaired or. Sir James, we learn, is perfectly
restored, and was to leave Labuan in February, on a
visit to Sarawak. The Meander, during her cruise,
vi abed Sooloo, hut the Sultan expressed himself so sore
at the treatment he received from the Dutch some months
previous that ho felt loth to enter into any treaty en-
gagements. The object of the mission thus failed, but
wilt, we learn, bo renewed in the course of the year.
The Meander also visited Maluda Bay, where all
was found to be quiet. The advices received by this
opportunity extended to January 30. The colony was
more favourably reported of in consequence of the Eu-
ropeans having removed to the higher lands. Lieut.
Hoskins, R.N., the Master-Attendant at Labuan, was
about to relinquish his office owing to sickness and some
misunderstanding with the Lieutenant-Governor, the
latter functionary having, it would appear, managed to
make himself uncordial to all the officials. Public roads
were in course of construction. The coal mine was in
full operation. In addition to 1,000 tons being stocked,
the mine yielded from 200 to 300 monthly.
JAV A.—BATAvIA.—The most active preparations
are in progress for invading Bally in March or April
next. Reinforcements were arriving. The frigates
Prins van Oranje and Semarang had arrived at Batavia,
and were to proceed to Bezoekoe to rendezvous
there until the whole of the force was collected.
Orders were sent to Singapore to purchase all the
salted beef and pork procurable for the use of the ex-
pedition; for these provisions the Dutch were compelled
to pay 27 to 40 dollars per tierce, and much of it had
been a few days previously sold at auction for a few
cents. per barrel. The Dutch are sanguine of success,
nor are the Balinese idle; but the latter will be com-
pelled to yield in consequence of the want
of amunttion,
the strict bh.ckade kept by the Dutch having intercepted
supplies. The Balinese express themselves resolved to
to bell their lives and liberty as dear as possible. It is
rumoured that the present Governor-General Rochussen
will be superseded, and a new one was expected to ar-
rive overland. The Government had again consented to
draw bills on Holland to the extent of 1,200.000 florins,
but did not conceal its determination to withhold draw-
in.future. These fluctuations in the exchange are com-
plained of by the Europeans in Java, as serving to injure
trade. During the months of December and January
overfloodings had been very general in Java, and much
life and property were lost.

COURT OF SEWERS, GUILDIIALL.—A court of the
City Commissioners of Sewers was held on Tuesday.
After the minutes of the last court had been read,
a conversation on the sanitary state of the City, as
compared with the other metropolitan districts took
place, and on the suggestion of Mr. Simon a
note connected with the returns of the Registrar-
General was directed to be written to that functionary.
The report of the Committee of Health was agreed to.
The report of the Committee for General Purposes on
the gas question was brought up and agreed to. The
recommendation of the committee of the appointment of
Mr. Tyrrell to the office of solicitor to the Commis-
sioners of Sewars was not agreed to, after which the
Court adjourned.
COURT OF ALDERMEN.—On Tuesday the report of
the Emmanuel Hospital Committee was brought up, and
ordered to be printed. The report of the gaol com •
mittee, on the petition of Mrs. Ruthven, the matron
of Newgate, for the retiring pension, 40/. per annum,
produced a discussion of some length, as to whether
a year could be granted without a further notice.dAl er-
man Furebrother then gave notice that he shoulmnoevxet
fur the grant of the last-named sum to her on the _
the
court day, and he had no doubt the concurrence f
court would be unanimous.
WILLIS'S ROOMS—JEWS
INFANT SCHOOL BALL.—
The fourth annual ball in aid of the fundns ?_futehe. Jews'
Infant School, Hounsditch, took placeeclat. Iday 1
these rooms, and passed off with great . This exce -
hmt institution is at present giving instruction to upwards
of 200 children, to whom, through the, instrumen-
tality of kindred sccieties, which will qualify them
for the more active business of life, oppdeord . tunities of
gaining a footing in the world will be affor Amongst
the numerous and brilliant assemblage of last night we
noticed Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Goldsmid, Mr. and Mrs.
Alderman Salonions, Mr. Joseph Locke, M.P., Mr. John
m„terman, jun., Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Cuhen, Mr.
end Mrs. Waley, Mr. and Mrs. Guedalla, &c. In addi-
tion to the sale cf upwards of 300 tickets, donations
were received in the course of the evening amounting to
more than 200/. Dancing, to the enlivening strains of
Jullien's band, was commenced shortly after ten, and
kept up with unflagging spirit for many hours.
DIOCEEE OF CANTERI3URY.—The Wardens and
Fellows of All Soul's College, Oxford, have presented
the Rev. Folioit Baugh, M.A., Preacher of the Charter-
house, to the rectory of Chelsfield, with Farnborough
annexed, near Bromley, Kent, rendered vacant by the
death of the Rev. J. E. Tarleton, D.C.L. Mr. Baugh
was formerly vicar of Great Ilford. The preachership
of the Char tar- house, which has become vacant by Mr.
Baugh's preferment, is an appointment of considerable
value, and is in the gift of the Bishop of London.