The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-28 00:00:00

THE SUN, LON DON, MON tiA. Y EVE N DECE P; 1.);39 846.

transpired at the Durbar, which was held on the same
day, much to the displeasure of the Ameer, thlt the
younger brother of the Wuraer, Shere Mahomed Khan,
had been frequently to pay him visits, and moreover that
the Wuzeer had received two letters by kassid from
Herat, the contents of which he had kept a profound
secret. Matters thus remained in statu quo up to the
date of our letters leaving Caubul."

COMMARCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
(From the Bombay Times.)
BOMBAY MARKET.
STATE OF THE MARKET.—BOMBAY, Nov. 14.
The cotton piece-goods market continues without much
aniiiation, but as holders appear disposed to move off
their stocks, the amount of business done during the
week, is fully equal to, if not larger than, what we re.
ported in our last.
Yarns—There has been some inquiry for first quality
mule, and 85 bales, each 2001 b., have been sold at 61 as.
for No. 20, and 71 as. for No. 30. Common qualities are
rather dull, and we do not alter our former quotations.
Saffrons-2001bs. of best quality have been sold at 181
rs. per lb., and 401 b. of inferior at 12 rs.
Metals—The market continues quiet. We have but
one sale to report-35 cwt. of tile copper at 31a rs.
Cochineal is in good demand. We hear that 3-a rs.
per lb. for silver has been refused.
Beer—Allsopp's is in good request. We have to re-
port a further sale of 33 hhds. at 66 rs. Of Bass' we
have heard of a sale of 6,000 dozen, Bombay bottled, at
rs. per dozen quarts.
Cotton—The market has been very active, and prices
have further advanced. There have been several pur-
chases made for both England and China, viz.:—
Bales. Rupees.
1,500 Broach and Jumboseer
125 Ditto
300 Ditto (all round)
200 Dhollera 721
500 Ditto
100 Ditto (best quality) 76 to 761
200 Candies Mangarole, with all faults..... 54
200 Compta
200 Ditto
175 Mawah, with all faults 70 to 71
The following are the quotations of the day :—Broach
and Jumboseer, 81 to 82 rs.; Surat, 83 to 84 rs.; Dhol-
lerah and Bownuggur, 74 to 77 rs.; Compta, 60 to 70 rs.;
Mangarole, 64 to 65 rs.
Freight—We have heard of engagements for Liver-
pool at 31. 15s. to 31. 17s. 6d.; the latter rate has been
paid for a going vessel. To China the rate has ad-
vanced to 12s. rs. per candy, which is freely offered. As
yet no vessel has accepted this rate; we look, therefore,
for further advance.
Exchange—During the 'week large transactions have
taken place at 2s. per rupee, six months' sight, in the
first-class China paper. There is yet a large quantity
in the market, and bills are now freely offered at 2s.
1-16d.—Bombay Times. Nov. 14.
CALCUTTA.
EXCHANGE.—Notwithstanding the heavy remittances
received from home by drafts on the Treasury during the
month of October (about Company's rupees 7,500,000),
exchange has continued steady at from Is. 11d. to Is.
111 d. at ten months' date, and I. 101 d. to ls. Hid. at
six months' sight. Operations for the present opportu-
nity have, however, as yet been moderate, neither draw.
ers nor buyers showing much anxiety to operate at cur-
rent rates.
MONEY MARKET.—We have no change to notice in
the position of our Money Market within the past fort-
night; neither in the value of Government secthities or
Bank stock .

CHINA.

THE LATE DISTURBANCES AT MACAO.
(From the Boletim do Governo.)
In consequence of the repeated complaints of robberies
perpetrated in the Chinese fast-boats which run between
Macao, Canton, and Hong-Kong, without any possibility
of discovering the perpetrators, because of our defective
information on the subject of those vessels and the people
employed in them, who have not the best character, and
are believed to belong in a great measure to the band of
pirates which has committed so many depredations in
this neighbourhood, the Governor in Council for Chinese
affairs had resolved to impose a tax upon these boats,
obliging them to be registered in the procurador's office,
and not admitting them into the port without a num-
bered ticket, which should be renewed every month, upon
payment of one dollar, to be appropriated to the repair
and preservation of the public wharf of Tarrafeiro, which
is set apart for the mooring of the fast-boats, for the
facility of registration, as well as the greater convenience
of the public, who have only to proceed there when they
desire to employ any one.
The edict having been published to that effect, the
proprietors of the fast boats, more especially those termed
headmen, refused to yield it due obedience, and in con-
sequence three of them were detained, having attempted
to leave on the 3d instant without complying with the
law. Upon this the others who had prepared to leave
remained, and having collected a band of robbers, about
1,500 in number, the greater part or nearly all being
vagabonds from Canton and neighbouring places, and
haying disguised themselves, entered the river by tho
passage of Pac-san, and having disembarked on the Bth
at six P.m., placed themselves with three guns in the
Tarrafeiro ; it was their plan to get possession of this
place and the Custom house, and these points with the
whole line of the bazaar being secured, to deliver the
city up to pillage. But the Governor being informed
of all, had caused these points to be garrisoned, and
had employed all convenient measures to repel any at-
tack. As soon as it was known on the. morning of
Thursday that the robbers were on shore, the Governor
sent a picquet of forty men in command of Lieutenant
Julio, who, placing himself at the head of the
street commonly called Jczi Lopes, opposed the ad-
vance of the robbers, who already were entering the
city by that street. Shortly after that he was rein-
forced by another picquet and a piece of ordnance under
the command of First Lieutenant Placido, and the rob-
bers were soon dislodged from Tarrafeiro, all running
towards the fast-boats. Being there attacked by an-
other force which had marched up by the street, of the
bazaar, commanded by Second Lieutenant Fidellis, and
surrounded on all sides, they retired in disorder on board
the fast-boats, by which they attempted to eff.ct their
flight. In this they were prevented by the Government
schooner and some Macao lorchas. Mr. John Smith's
schooner Alpha, and the lorcha Canton, belonging to
Messrs. Dent and Co., promptly offered their service to
the Governor.
In little more than five hours the robbers were com-
pletely routed, ten of the fast-boats burned, eight run
ashore, and many others sunk and otherwise destroyed.
The destructive and well-directed fire of grape, and the
incessant discharges of musketry, must have caused
great destruction in their ranks, what with those who
fell under the discharge from our guns, and others who
were drowned in their flight. Our force returned with
out having suffered the least accident, not even
one wounded. This is due above all to the
good order and discipline which was main-
tained during the firing, from which so much
credit redounds to the small but brave battalion of
Macao. The conduct of this corps on the present occa-
sion entitles them to all praise, and confirms the good
name and the confidence which they have gained by
their subordination and loyalty. Not lees honourable
were the proceedings of the inhabitants of Macao on this
occasion : as soon at they knew that the city was in
peril, all ran to assist their brethren in arms in the de-
fence of the place. The pleasure and readiness with
which they presented themselves, the promptitude with
which they obeyed the orders, and, finally, the alacrity
with which they executed them, convinced all of their
perfect patriotism and of their self-dedication to the
public good, as well as of the loyalty of the inhabitants
of this more than ever loyal city of Macao. Imprudent
and ill-advised acts, and also indecorous to the chief
authorities of the place, perpetrated to the detriment of
Cie good name of the good Macaenses, would have pre-
judiced them in the opinion of the Governor ; but the
honourable and loyal manner in which they offered them-
selves to the support of the authority of the Governor,
and of the national dignity and honour, entitles them to
his greatest esteem, and to the entire confidence which
is this day reposed in them by the chief authorities of
the place, who will not lose a moment in expressing it,
and in manifesting to them the complete satisfaction
which they have felt on this occasion.
So complete was the rout of the Chinese that in the
night of the same day perfect quiet and tranquillity
were restored in all the city, which has not since been
disturbed; and it is not to be believed that it will be
again, after the severe lesson which has been given to
the rebels, and the beneficial terror struck into the
Chinese in general by the superiority of our arms and
the decisive conduct of the Governor. The bazaar, which
was closed on Thursday, was opened on the morning of
the following day, in consequence of an edict of the Go-
vernor, which the Chinese promptly obeyed, as well as
the various other orders emanating from his Excellency;
and up to this day the supply of provisions for the
city has not been interrupted, which, and all other
matters, continue as before, as though nothing had hap-
pened.

- His Excellency the Governor, not being able at the
commencement of the troubles to anticipate all the
results, and desirous of employing every means to
protect the life and property of the inhabitants of the
place, in case of some unforeseen disaster, sent,
without loss of time, to the Governor of the colony
of Hong- Korn soliciting a vessel of war, which
might serve forr' a secure asylum, as well for the
subjects of her Majesty as for the strangers here resi•
dent, when need should be. To this end was dispatched,
at ten A.M. the cutter of Mr. P. S. Forbes, consul of the
United States (which was cheerfully placed at the dis-
posal of the Governor), with the official dispatches of his
Excellency to the Governor of Hong Kong. Ia conse-

0 - - V C-2 ••• •., -
quence the war steamer Vulture was immediately sent
over to Macao. It arrived here at seven A.M. of Friday,
and remained until the following Monday, when it left
for (long-Kong at two o'clock in the afternoon.

CANTON MARKET, OCT. 26.
IMPORTS.
Cotton—Owing to the want of rain interfering with
the water carriage, and to the great scarcity of money,
this staple has somewhat receded, notwithstanding the
smallness of the stocks. The net quotatiOns are-5 taels
to 6.3 for Bombay; fine Banda, 7.4; and Tinnivelly, 5
to 7 taels. It should be remarked that there is little or
no fine Bombay at market, and the best would command
some mace more than the above quotation. The follow-
ing is the statement of imports, stocks, and deliveries for
the month ending 30th instant:--

Stock same
Imported. Deliveries. Stock. period 1845.
Bombay, bales 24,000 15,022 58,355 64,466
Bewnd, , 1,791 2,392 6,493 1,508
Madras, „ 5,547 4,326 6,389 12,170
America, „ none none 475 1,397

Total ... 30,338 21,739 71,712 79,541
The stock at same period of 1844 was 150,027.
N.B. This report has no reference to the sales by im-

porters during the month; the imports show the quanti-
ties entered at the Custom-house and actually landed;
the deliveries, the quantities delivered from the pack-
houses to boats taking the cotton, &c., to the interior;
and the stock, that remains in the pack-houses, sold and
not sold.
Cotton Yarn-The demand for this article continues
good, and prices have rallied, especially for low numbers.
The heavy imports which caused apprehension some
months back have been placed, and as the supply for some
time will be upon a moderate scale, the present quotations
are sure to be maintained. The imports of the month
are reported at 2,269 bales, the deliveries 1,435 bales,
and the stock nmaining 3,775 bales, against 1,825 last
year at the same period. The present quotations long
are-Nos. 16 to 24, 28 dol. to 29 dol.; Nos. 26 to 32, 31
dol. to 32 dol.; Nos. 34 and 42, 33 dol. to 34 dol.
Long Cloths-Sales continue upon a very limited
scale, and the article continues much depressed. The
quotations long are-Grey 1 dol. 70c. for common, up to
2 dols. 60c. for heavy 72 reed; and whites 2duls. 30c. for
common, up to 3 dols. for the best.
American Goods-Owing to the high rates ruling in
the north, holders have manifested much firmness. The
stocks appear light, and there is a considerable degree of
confidence existing in the article. The quotations long
are-Drills 40 yards, 3 dots. 30c. to 3 dols. 40c., and
domestics 40 yards, 2 dols. 50c. to 2 dols. 75c.
Long Ella have fluctuated considerably, and the sales
9 dols.; purple, 8 dols. 90c.; mazarine blue, 8 dols. 10c.;
yellow, 7 dols. 80c.; black and green, 7 dols. 50c.; light
blue, 7 dols. 30c.; ash, 6 dols. 40c.
Spanish Stripes-Are very unsteady and difficult.
Those reported are upon a small scale. The following
are the quotations long for household goods :-Scarlet 9
dols. 90c. ; brown move. The sales reported are upon
a moderate scale, and the stock in second hands seems
heavy. The quotation long for assortments is 1 del.
25c. to 1 dol. 35c., the respective prices of each colour
being-purple, 1 dol. 40c. to 1 dol. 45c.; scarlet, 1 dol.
40c.; mazarine blue, I dol. 30c.; gentionella, 1 dol. 20c.;
black, 1 dol. 10c. to :1 dol. 15c.; brown, 1 dol. ; light
blue, 95c.; green, 85e.; yellow, 80c.; ash, 65c.
Camlets-Although this is the best season the demand
continues very slack. A small sale of English is re-
ported at 22 dolls. 50c. long. 500 Dutch pieces have
also been placed at 2G dolls. to 27 dolls. 50c., and a few
pieces broad at 33 dolls.
Lead-Has declined to 5 dolls. 25c. long.
Iron-Has advanced. Sales are reported of nailrod at
3 dolls. 20c. to 3 dolls. 50c. long., of hoop at 3 dolls., of
bar and bolt at 3 dolls. 20e. to 3 dolls. 40c., and of wire
at 4 dolls. to 5 dolls.

Tin Plates continue saleable at 6 dolls. to 6 dolls. 50c,

Betel Nut continues extremely dull. A few sales have
been made of new at 3 dolls. to 3 dolls. 20c. long; but as
that rate cannot now be obtained, it is clear that it has
been overheld. Still the dealers are short of stock, and
the quantity held by importers is not short.
Rattans—A considerable quantity have been placed
during the month, at the following rates long, which
exhibit an improvement:—Banjarmassing, 3 dolls. to
3 dulls. 25c. ; Straits. 2 dolls. 75c. to 3 dolls. ; Hater,
1 doll. 80c. to 2 dolls. 20c.

Putchuek very dull, at 6 dolls. 50c. long.
Cloves have receded to 25 dolls.

Cochineal has advanced to 300 dolls.

Rice has advanced, owing to the want of rain having
caused a deficient crop. Arracan is 1 doll. 40c.; Manilla
and Java, 1 doll. 75c. to 1 doll. 90c.

Opium—Malwa remains very dull, and the stock con-
tinues to accumulate. The rates are nearly nominal,
and holders appear content with what they can get ;
620 dolls. is the highest quotation for the best. Patna
has been governed entirely by speculation, and the
legitimate demand has been small. The demand has
been principally at three weeks, and snch was the extent
to which speculation was carried that an unlimited
quantity could be disposed of. The cash demand was
very small, and the price was ruled entirely by the rate
at three weeks, ranging 10 dolle. to 15 dolls. below it.
The rate for Patna at three weeks was run up to 690
dolls. During the last few days, thrse three weeks'
bargains have become due, and the buyers are unable
to clear. Confidence is paralysed, and as more bargains
fall due daily, it seems as if repudiation were to be the
order of the day. The legitimate demand is quite
swamped by this excitement, and cannot be expected to
appear until it has subsided. It is hard to determine the
cash price of this day, because no one durst forc3 the
market, but we question if 630 dolls. cash could be got
for any quantity. Denares and old Patna are not in-
quired for. Turkey remains steady at 490 dolls.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

BRISTOL 7 7 ' 7'ssee! e isesseey,.
(From the Toole Herald of Saturday.)
On Monday last, a public ne eting of the inhabitants
of Poole, called by requisition, which document received
82 signatures, was held in the Town Hall, for the pur-
pose of taking into consideration the proposed Bristol
and Poole Harbour Rsilrvay, and, on the event of a de-
claration in favour of the line, to determine on the steps
to be adopted in furtherance of the scheme.
11. M. ALDRIDGE, Esq., Under Sheriff, in the una-
voidable absence of the Sheriff, A. Adams, Esq., was
called to the chair, who, after reading the requishiee,
observed that that document had been signed by many
persons, and he hoped some of them !etre present for the
purpose of supporting
the objects for which the meeting
had been called.
M. K. WELCH, Esq., observed, that perhaps as one
signing the requisition, in the absence of any of the pro-
moters of the undertaking, he might be allowed to make
a few observations. The meeting had been fixed to take
place on a very inconvenient day for the attendance of
parries from Bristol. He had heard that Mr. Gainey,
the insyor of that city, intended to be present, though he
had not arrived, and no doubt Monday, the day chosen,
had been found as great an obstacle to his leaving his
own town as it had been to others. Unfortu-
nately, also, Mr. Castleman, of Wimborne, one of the
secretaries pro tem.,hal written to say he could not be pre-
sent in consequence of the Corporation of that town
holding a meeting also upon the same day, at which that
gentleman had business, though Mr. Castleman stated
that one of the directors would be present. No director,
however, had arrived. Having thus premised, he would
proceed to make a few observations on the scheme. He
was not aware whether the prospectuses of the company
had passed into the hands of all the gentlemen present,
and, therefore, it would be preferable, perhaps, to state
broadly the object of the undertaking. The Bristol and
Poole Harbour Railway Company were desirous of
opening a communication between the port of Poole, the
Bristol Channel, and the port of Bristol, passing from
Bristol through or near the important towns and villages
of W hitchurch, Pensford, Clutton, Shepton Mallett,
Bruton, Castle Cary, Wincanton, Stalbridge, Sturminster,
Newton, Shillingston, Stourpain, Blandford, Spettis-
bury, Sturminster Marshall, Wimborne Minster, to
Poole Harbour, and terminating, as the map showed, at
the north-east part of the town, near the Fish Sham-
bles. Independently of the communication to the
west, this line, if completed, would create a communica-
tion with the north of England, as at Bristol, lines were
already in existence with the northern and eastern parts
of the kingdom. The distance to Bristol by the line
now before the meeting was calculated at 67 miles.
He did not, of course, think it necessary to go through
the whole prospectus, but he would observe the traffic
was considered large, and the convenience to the town
very great. With these few remarks he should call
on gentlemen present to make some suggestions on the
question.
G. LEDGARD, Esq., was of opinion that it would be
premature to support the line now before the town,
without its advantages being well pointed out, and
that the probabilities of its being carried to comple-
tion were also shown. The town should recollect that
the South-Western and the Great Western Companies
came in the neighbourhood, and both intended to reach
131andford. Both these companies were powerful, and
if the inhabitants of Poole came to a resolution of sup-
porting the line from Poole Harbour to Bristol, the
opposition of both would be exerted against the scheme.
—(lleer.) He thought it, under these circumstances,
preferable to come to no conlusion upon the Bristol line
at present.
Mr. PYKE inquired if the Bristol line was intended to
communicate with other great lines at Bristol, or to ter-
minate tSere ?
Mr. Weeen replied that the line would join others,
namely, the Gloucester and other lines, which would
carry the traffic northwards.
Mr. PYKE was of opinion that the interest of Poole,
as respected railways, had not been sufficiently cared
for.—(Hear, hear.) The Southampton and Dorchester
line had fixed their terminus at Ham, and not in the
to en of Poole. Ile thought by the position in which
Poole spas placed by the railway companies already in
their neighbourhood, the town should support an intl.:-
pender t bee. As one of the shippers of clay he should
wish a line by which clay coull be carried by rail direct
to the Potteries where it was wanted, and he thought the
Bristol and Poole Harbour Company would be able to
do so by their line. The other day he had seen and
conversed with the celebrated George Stephenson, at
Birmingham, who hid gone in that neighbourhood for
the establishment of potteries, and he had told him that
the manufacturers were enabled to carry by the rail
at the small expense of three halfpence a ten,
with the addition of half-a-farthing for the trucks.
Look, therefore, at the effect of a railway on the transit
of clay; the cost of freight of which by vessel to Bristol,
was 10s. a ton, and 10s, more in additional expenses.
Poole required a railway. He believed the town might
have been accommodated with a railway coming via
Salisbury, had not a division of opinion taken place upon
the subject. He had no doubt that the line would have
been brought to Poole. Undo these considerations,
thinigh it appeared, no one of the promoters was-present
to explain the good purposes of the line, he thought the
ielfabitants of the town were, nevertheless, ibound to
support it, and he had little doubt the project would
eventually be carried into beneficial effect.—(Applause.)
Mr. PARROTT said he agreed with some of the obser-
vations which had fallen from Mr. Pyke, and some from
Mr. Ledgard. It would certainly be of undoubted ad-
vantage to the town of Poole, if a company could be in-
duced to come to the town, but it seemed impossible, at
least, with the lines in the neighbourhood. The Great
Western did not wish, it would appear, to come beyond
Blandford, and the Southampton and Dorchester no fur-
ther than Ham. He did not see how Poole could rest satis-
fied with a connexion with these only. No place, per-
haps, in the whole kingdom required a connexion with the
manufacturing districts more than Poole, for the cheapness
of the port was well known, and its connexion with the
internal part of the kingdom would, without doubt, make
her recommendations more available. It was the bounden
duty of Poole to seize any chance that presented itself
to obtain this benefit.—(Hear.) According to his opi-
h2esvi an•egar hseen
called
occupiedled on
opi-
nion .there were three points which made the Bristol and
Poole Harbour Railway beneficial to the town. Bristol
would be benefited by the line, though no more than
Poole. It would avoid the passage round the Land's
End, a project which,
'e
and which passage, could it have
ago,
lthe
give
evi-
dence
atten-
tion o f
ot n he t
hpeu bl
subject,been effected, would have cost two millions of money.
This Land's End passage would be avoided by the rail-
way to Bristol, and bring the traffic hitherto passing
having
that way to the port of Poole for land transit. Ile
would not allude to the trade with Manchester, that
town being too near Liverpool to be affected; but he
could safely say that the foreign trade of Birmingham and
its busy neighbourhood could be brought to the town in
which they were then met. Southampton could be no rival
to Poole. Southampton would answer as a port on a
large scale, where vessels of heavy tonnage came once a
year. That place could not interfere with a port like
Poole, where ships could enter often and at very small
charges. These were his points of consideration. The
fruit trade of the Mediterranean, both green and dry,
would also be brought to Poole. For these and other
considerations he thought the line of railway under dis-
cussion likely to prove, if completed, of considerable
benefit to the town.
Mr.'PYKE read a resolution which he thought would
support a line of railway without giving a pledge.
Mr. W. PEARCE seconded the motion. No doubt
could exist that a line of railway connecting Poole with
the manufacturing districts would be of immense ad-
vantage. The traffic on the proposed line would be un-
doubted!), great ; indeed it was stated as likely to be
enormous. It was not improbable that by a proper line
an important communication with France and the Conti-
nent
Gp. E
mightEne LEDGARD,
also e promoted.
Esq
q agreed with the necessity exist-
ing of railway communication. It was very well for
Mr. Pyke and others who supplied clay to speak of
railways, as connected with their own interests, but
40,000 tons of clay were annually brought from the
Isle of Purbeck and shipped at Poole for the pot-
teries—thus employing 260 vessels. The trade of
these vessels would be lost. Much inland trade existed,
in coals, for instance, from the port of Poole. This
was carried into the interior by carts and waggons, all
of which came to Poole, eaciniperhaps, not spending in
the town less than from ss. to 7s. each visit. Besides,
the intention of this company might, after all, end in
smoke. He did not think they would be ready to make
the necessary deposit of 150,0001. by the 16th of January,
the legal time to do so. Some of the landowners did
net like the scheme, and S:r J. Guest would not have
supported the Southampton and Dorchester if against the
interests of Poole. He thought, under all the circl-et
stances, that the meeting should stand adjourned until
the 17th of January, as oy that period it would be seen
if the company had paid its deposits, and was, there-
fore in a coialition to go to Parliament. He would propose
this as an amendment. The 17th falling on a Sunday,
Mr. Ledgard said any other day might be named after
the day of deposit.

Mr. IticKm.AN said he thought, if the line was calcu-
lated to do good to Poole, that every facility should be
shown to the project. It would be better that an earlier
day should be named, b.?eause, if proper explanations
were made, they might strengthen the views of the pro-
moters before the 16th of January. If, therefore, Mr.
Ledgard would name an ea.rlier day, he should second
his amendment.

Mr. LEI:CARD had no objection to name an earlier day.
Mr. PARROTT said he had no objection to an adjourn-
ment.

Mr. PENNEY saw no obje,:tion to an adjournment.
Mr. PYRE thought no good could result by an ad-
journment. No place in the country required railway
connexion more than poor.e. The town was i,olated, and
this isolation he wished to remove. If the railway before
the meeting was likely
so at once. to clo good to Poole, why not say

Eventually the amendment was withdrawn, and a
general resolution in famour of the line, without a
pledge to support it, and chat a further meeting be held
on the 29th instant in corder to obtain fuller explana-
tions from the promoters of the undertaking, who should
be specially requested to attend, was carried unani-
mously.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
EDINBURGi:II, DECEMBER 24.
STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Aberdeen, 25/. 58...-
Airdrie and Datligate, 4/. $ ;.-Arbroath and Forfar, 28/.-
Ditto, Halves, 151. ss. rmagh and Portrush, 6s. 6d.--
Ayr and Galloway, 1/. 65.. 4d.-Caledonian, 28/. 153.-Ditto,
New, 2/. 103.-Caledoni an. and Dumbartonshire, 2/. 55.-
Clydesdale Junction, 34/..- Cornwall and Devon Central, 11.
155.-Deeside Railway, 3/.- -Direct Northern, 21. 75.-Dun-
blane, Donne, and Callan& 1/. 15s.=-Dundee and Arbroath.
45/. ex new-Ditto, New.. No. 1. 34L-Ditto. New, No.
,2,
291.-Dundee and Perth, -201. 10s.-Ditto, New, 14/. 155.-
East of Fife, 2/. 12s. 6,1-East Lothian Central, 2/. 65.-
Edinburgh and Batligati,, 155.-Edinburgh and Glasgow,
751. 155.-Ditto, Halves, 21 4-Ditto, Quarters, 19/.-gdin-

burgh, TAU), and Ciranton. 't2l 4—Ditto, Preference, 211
15!. ex w-,r—Dit!o.
Nor!

Ne.v, 143. 6 and Perth, 1/. 1 ss, Cl •
gow and Ayrshire, G91.-Ditto, New Stock, 38/. 155.-Ditto,
Quarters 17/. 7s 6d.-Ditto, Halves, 91.-Glasgow, Dumfries,
and Carlisle, 6/..75. 6d.-Glasgow and Dundee Junction, 11.
165.-Glasgow and Garnkirk, 411.-Ditto, Quarters, 101.-
Glasgow General Terminus, 121.-Glasgow and Greenock,
171.-Ditto, Half Shares, 8. 103.-Ditto, Preference, 81. ss.
-Glasgow, Kilmarnock-, and Ardrossan, 4/. 17s. 6d.-
Great North of England, 2371.-Great North f Scotland,
2/. 135.-Great Western, 127/.-Londen, Bristol, and youth
Wales, 1/. 3s. 6d.-London and York' 21 7s. 6d.-Ditto,
Halves, 11. 17s. 60.--Manchester and Leeds, 1051.-Ditto,
Sixteenths, FL -Ditto, Extensions, 3/. 75.-Newcastle and
Berwick, 351.-North British, 361.-Ditto, Halves, 151. 103
-Ditto, Thirds, 3/. 14s. 6.1.-Ditto, Quarters, 3/. 83.-Ditto.
ditto, New, scrip, 1/. 1 ls.-Ditto, Fifths, 71. 105.-North
Wales Mineral, 20/.-Ditto, New, 10/. ss. -Scottish Cen-
tral, 21/. 17s. 60.-Scottish Grand Junction, 155.-Scottish
Midland, 141. 17s. 60.-Shrewsbury and Hereford, 155.-
Shrew:bury, Oswestry, and Chester, 61. 16s. 30.-Ditto, New,
11.-Stirling and Dunfermline, 3/. 7s. 61-Stirling and Mid-
land, 21. 10s.-Strathern Junction, 3/. 18s.-'4Vishaw and
Coltness, 491.-York and Newcastle, 38/. ex new-Ditto,
New, 15/. Ss.-Ditto, Preference, 71. 2s. U.-Direct Bom-
bay and Madras, ss. 6d.-East Indian Railway, lls.-Great
North of India, 58.-Great Southern of Madras, ss. 3d.-
Madras, Nellore, and Arcot, 3s. 3d.
GLASGOW, DECEMBER 25.
STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Aberdeen, 2514-Ayr
and Galloway, 305.-Caledonian, 301.-Ditto, New, 515.-
Caledonian and Dumbartonshire, 415.-East of Fife, 585.-
East Indian Railway, 10s. 3d.-East Lothian Central, 475.
-Edinburgh and Northern, New, 78s.- Glasgow, Kilmarnock,
and Ayr, Halves, 9A-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 61.
Bs.-Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 51. 65.-Glasgow,
Airdrie, and Monkland Junction, 625.-Great North of
Scotland, 528.-Great Indian Peninsular, 6s. 60.-Great
Southern of Madras, 4s. 90.-Kilmarnock and Ayr Direct,
485.-Madras, Nellore, and Arcot, 3i.-Manchester and
Southampton, 31s. 60.-Midland, Halves, 6%-North British,
Thirds, 75s -Ditto, New Quarters (scrip), 315.-Scottish
Central, 2134-Strathern Junction, 80s.-York and New-
castle, Preference, 7172.

HER MAJESTY'S STEAMER
GORGON.

Commander Astley Cooper Key, late one of the
Lieutenants of the Gorgon steam frigate, has just pub•
lished a narrative of the stranding of that ship in the
Bay of Monte Video, on the 10th May, 1844, and of her
recovery through the indefatigable exertions of her
Captain, now Commodore Sir Charles Hotham, K.C.8.,
and his officers and crew, aided by men and stores sent
from her Majesty's vessels in the Bay and other sources,
The book contains several plates exhibiting the position
of the ship when first embedded in the sand, and
drawings of the • various articles and methods
adopted in getting her afloat. It is full of
instructive information for naval officers how to
' act, should any have the ill luck to experi-
ence the same similar calamity. Commander Key states
that the Gorgon, in the beginning of May, was lying
at single anchor in the River Plate, with fifty fathoms on
her best bower, the small bower and sheet cables bent,
and the anchors clear ; 280 tons of coal on board, and
the engines in a high state of efficiency; they had been
disconnected and all the bearings examined, and proved
to be in perfect order; and then follows Commander
Key's narrative of the cause of the Gorgon's getting on
shore, viz—" On the morning of the 9th of May a breeze
set in from the S.W., steadily freshening during the day.
At noon the barometer stood at 29.7 in., but before dark
it had fallen to 29.5 in., thereby indicating an approach-
ing gale. At sunset, after evening quarters, the yards
and topmasts were sent on deck, and best bower cable
veered to 705 fathoms. It did not escape the observe
Lion of those on board that the Gorgon was the only
inateol- war in the bay that had taken this precaution; at
eight an anchor watch was set, Capt. Hotham's orders for
the night being, if the wind increases so as to require
it, let go the small bower, before veering more on the
beet bower.' Between midnight nail daylight, on the
10[h, the wind had gradually freshened, the sea hav-
ing risen considerably ; and the squalls becoming more
frequent and of greater violence, the boats and guns
were resecured with additional lashings, and all made
snug on deck for the approaching gale. At 7h. 40m.
e.m. the ship began to drive, the small bower anchor
was instantly let go, and the cable veered to 30 fathoms,
veering IA the same time to 92 fathoms on the best
bower. The tires were lighted, and the steam got up
in all the boilers ; the main trysail was bent, and close
reefed. The ship still driving, the small bower was
veered to 42 fathoms, and the ship steamed ahead to ease
the strain on the cables; from time peculiar set of the
tide, the Gorgon, as well as the other vessels in the bay,
rode with the wind and sea three points on the pert
bow; it is evident thee, •wing to this important circum-
stance, the paddle-wheels, on which a steamer at anchor
usually relies to relieve the strains on her cables, proved
of no service to her. The close-reeled main topsail
was then set to assist in bringing her head to the
sea, but without effect; as the ship was still being
set in towards a reef of rocks stretching out from
the town, it was determined to pick up the small
bower, slip the best bower, and steam ;out to the outer
roads, clear of all danger; the attempt was made, but
such was now the force of the gale, that not an inch of
the cable could be hove in; every nipper carried away;
in fact, owing to the direction in which the cable grew,
the strain on the hawsepipe was so great, that it was
in one send literally shattered in pieces, and the two
hawse-holes nearly forced into one. Our cables were
now buoyed ready for slipping, if required. At 11 A. M. the
small bower cable parted from the bitts. Our course
was now clear; a few minutes more and the ship
would be on the rock astern; two anchors had
failed to bola her, and there was no reason to anticipate
that one could do better ; the best bower was therefore
slipped and full power given to the engines. The fury
of the gale baffled all our attempts; truly mortifying
was it to observe that with full steam power, the helm
hard-a-starboard, and the main topsail set, she would
not come nearer than three points of the wind, and
would then pay off. The position of two Brazilian cor-
vettes etas also sadly against us—we were obliged to
bear up under their sterns, and were consequently
thrown so much further to leeward. The ship
was now approaching a dangerous vicinity—the
western side of the bay. The remainder of the
small lower cable was shackled into the sheet,
and at 11 40 A.M., the sheet anchor was let go,
veering to 75 fathoms on the cable. At noon the
gale had fearfully risen, and showed no sign of breaking;
bat the anchor was holding well, and she ship riding
easy. It behoved us, however, to guard against the
worst. Not a moment was lost in clearing the stream
anchor and backing it with the kedge, banding thereto
the twelve-inch towing cable ; but before these anchors
could be got ready, the sheet chain parted. A last
effort was made to bring the ship's head to wind by
steam, but this failed ; the vicinity of the land, and
shoalness of the water, soon obliged us to stop the
engines. 'A more disheartening situation could not be
conceived. Hero was one of the Queen's finest steamers,
with her engines, wheels, and gear in splendid order,
perfectly unmanageable, able to steer but one course by
the wind, which course would not carry her clear of
danger: to wear was impracticable, the attempt would
have endangered the merchant ships in the harbour, and
a glance of the eye showed that she could not weather
the opposite point of the bay. A sternboard in such a
gale would have been madness. What then remained to
be done? Excepting the stream and kedge, our anchors
were all gone; the guns were slung, and the stream and
kedge let go, but as the latter failed to check her for
a moment, it was deemed useless to risk the loss
of the first; in the meantime, the ship paid round
off before the wind, and about four o'clock P.m

• ~
struck abaft ; on this, Captain llotharn gave
immediate orders to take in the main-trysail,
draw the fires, and pump the boilers full, to
check her going through the mud. A dreadfully
dark night succeeded a disastrous day; the mo-
tion indicated that the ship continued to drive
through the mud, and as a matter of precaution, the
topmasts, fore and topsail yards, were got over as shores.
Still we imagined that the shoalness of the water would
soon arrest our progress, and that we should be able at
the conclusion of the gale to-day to drag her afloat
without any difficulty. Judge, therefore, of our horror,
when daylight broke, and we found the ship broadside
on the sandy beach at the top of the tide, with three-
and-a-half feet water under the paddle-wheels. Nor
was this the worst: the fall of the tide left the Gorgon
buried thirteen feet in the sand on the starboard side,
and nine feet on the port, with the water just washing
up tho gangway. Daylight on the 11th disclosed to us
our truly deplorable situation; in the course of the day
the gale gradually abated, and the water receding,
leaving the Gorgon perfectly dry to within a few feet
of her stern-post, and embedded in sand—a sad position
for a 1,100 ton ship. In the same gale, nine merchant
vessels became complete wrecks .—Then follow the mea-
sures adopted by Captain Hotham, first to recover the
anchors; the assistance which was rendered by her Ma-

jesty's ships, the American frigate Congress, and General
Oribe, commander-in-chief of the Buenos Ayres army,
to get her out of the sand, and the final accomplishment
of the exertions of Captain Hotham, his officers, and
men, by getting the Gorgon into deep water on the Ist
of November, after being nearly six months imbedded
in sand and mud; the ship, during that time, was cleared
of everything but her engines. The narrative then details
the prJceedings of the Gorgon until she quitted the
Brazils. ft is known that she recently arrived at Spit-
head in good order, and was sent to Woolwich, where
the now lies in ordinary.

INTERESTING ANTIQUARIAN

DISCOVERY.

Friday last, the 10ch
i current, the excavators on the
Caledonian Railway, working- n the Avon valley, dis-
covered, a few miles above Beattock, some highly in-
teresting relics of antiquity, coeval with the period when
Britain was under the sway of all-conquering Rome.
The first object which attracted attention was the re-
mains of what appeared to have been the foundations of
a house. Some copper coins were next turned up, about
the size of our halfpennies : on one side there is it male
head, probably of one of the emperors, and on the ob-
verse " Cesar Rone," in Roman characters very similar
to those now in use. A sword was next discovered,
which appears to be formed of brass. By far the most
interesting discovery, however, was that of a small
stone trough, inverted, and placed upon a flat block of
the same material, which upon examination was found
to contain a brazen or brorze case, round in its
form, two feet in length, and six inches in dia-
meter. Within this case was a precious manu-
script, which at the time it was so car, fully
concealed must have been of high value in the
eyes of its possessor. The manuscript, or rather book,
is written on vellum, in rolls, as was the Roman custom,
each roll is connected with the other by a slip of the
same material. In length it is altogether about 30 feet
and two in breadth. The writing is beautifully executed
in the Latin language, and at the top the words "His- •
toria Roam," in large characters, are quite distinct. A
cursory examination has led some to suppose that it is
a copy of part of Livy's celebrated history ; and as it is
expected that, the whole of the manuscript can be deci-