The Sun.
London, England, 1836-12-29 00:00:00

THE FUNDS.

The Funds continue inactive. Consols opened at the
leaving-off prices of yesterday, 89i 4 for the opening ;
Reduced, 88i ; Exchequer Bills, 19 21 ; India Bonds, 10
12 ; Bank Stock, 2081 2091 ; India Stock, 259 260.
Spanish Active are rather improved—done at 191 ; Pas-
sive, .53,- ; Portuguese, 44+ ; Three per Cents., 28i
294 ; Colombian, 221 ; Dutch, 541

HALF-PAST ONE.

To the present hour we do not hear of any arrivals from
Calais, several messengers are waiting there for an oppor-
tunity with important despatches for Government, no doubt
with the King of France's speech. A steamer has been
sent to Dover last night ; it is expected to return this even-
ing with important information from France.
Consols may be quoted 891 for the opening. Reduced,
88 ; Exchequer Bills, 22 prem. ; India Bonds, 10 12 ;
Bank Stock, 2081 2091.
Spanish Active, 191 ; Passive, 5i ; Portuguese, 441 ;
Three per Cents., 29 ; Colombian, 22i ; Mexican, 221;
Dutch, 541.
TWO O'CLOCK.

We have just heard that a steamer has arrived in the
River from Boulogne in eleven hours, with passengers.
The information she brings has not as yet transpired.

THREE O'CLOCK.

Consols for the Account, $9 I.

Cashel, where the important Municipal Reform
meeting was held last week is one of the most ancient cities
in Ireland, and an Archbishopric. It is remarkable for the
remains of grand Abbey, of the same style of architecture
as Westminster Abbey, and nearly as extensive. A great
portion of the building still remains and even some of the
gilding ; it is erected on a rock, and on ascending to the
top of the Abbey, the view is very interesting and exten-
sive. The city being in the interior has no trade, and has
not either in buildings or traffic kept pace with its original
importance.

The young Emperor Don Pedro the Second is said
to be docile, intelligent, and well-disposed. His Majesty,
for whom some magnificent carriages are building in this
country, regularly once a day gives audience to the Regency,
who solemnly present themselves to inquire after the youth-
ful Monarch's health, and this accomplished, the members
retire at one door and his Majesty at the other.

The Christmas parties at the seats of different no-
blemen and gentlemen in the country, which were to sepa-
rate this week, have been weather-bound, and will be obliged
to prolong their visit until the roads are in a condition to
enable them to travel.

THE SEA HORSE.—A captain of a West India-
man wished to purchase a horse. He applied to a well-
known character, who sold him one. After the purchase
had been made the captain observed, " Well, now the horse
is mine, pray tell me candidly whether he has any faults,
and what they are." " What do you mean to do with
him ?" replied the other. " Why, take him to sea," said
the captain, "to the West Indies." Then I'll be candid,"
replied the other, " he may go well at sea, but on land
be cannot go at all, or I would not have sold him."
On Tuesday an inquest was held at Abbey Hohnc,
Cultram, Cumberland, on the body of the Rev. Thomas
Martin, aged 84, who had been found dead in his bed on
the Sunday preceding. At mid-day he was in his usual
health, and about five the servant who went to take bim up
some tea, discovered that he was dead. Verdict--" Natu-
ral death."

ADVENT.—In the last days of advent the Cala-
brian minstrels enter Rome, and are to be seen in every
street saluting the shrines of the Virgin Mother with their
wild music, under the traditional notion of soothing her
until the birthtime of her infant at the approaching Christ-
mas. This circumstance is related by Lady Morgan, who
observed them frequently stopping at the shop of a carpen-
ter. To questions concerning this practice, the women who
stood at the door said it was done out of respect to St.
Joseph. The custom is represented in a clever etching, by
D. Allan, a Scottish artist of great merit. In Mr.. Bur-
ford's excellent panorama of the ruins of Pompeii, formerly
exhibited in the Strand, groups of these peasantry are cele-
brating the festival of the patron saint of the master of a
vineyard. The printed " Description" of the panorama
says, " These mountaineers are called Pifferari, and play a
pipe very similar in form and sound to the bagpipes of the
Highlanders." It is added, as Lady Morgan before ob-
served, that " just before Christmas they descend from the
mountains to Naples and Rome, in order to play before
the pictures of the Virgin and Child, which are placed in
various parts of every Italian town." In a picture of the
Nativity, by Raphael, he has introduced a shepherd.at the
door, playing on the bagpipes.—Patriot.