The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-10 00:00:00

PIGEONS.

" The National Peristeronic Society," established to
improve the breed of pigeons, has held an interesting
show at the Crystal Palace. Some 800 birds, of all
varietres, were arranged together. The greatest
interest appertained to the carriers, some of whose
exploits were detailed on their cages. A. blue
chequered cock and light red cock had performed
the journey from London to Verviers, a distance of
300 miles. Two others, the remnant of a brave band,
had started from Ostend and voyaged over the
Channel, while their companions perished in th.e
attempt. Other carriers had done great things within
the United Kingdom. The cleverest pigeons were
the least striking in appearance, but the beauty
of some was a remarkable testimony to what can be
done by careful breeding.

Bank of France.

PARIS, Feb. 3.

The following is the return of the Bank of France
for the week ending to-day, together with the cor-
responding figures of the previous account :

DEBTOR.

---.iiin:27. Feb. 3.
fr. c. fr. c.
Capital of the Bank 182,500,000 182,500,000
Profits in addition to
Capital (Art. 8, Law,
June 9, 1857) 7,044,776 02 7,044,776 02
Reserve of the Bank

and its branches 22,105,750 22,105,750 14
Reserve of landed pro-
perty 4,000,000 4,000,000
Notes in circulation
Banknotes to order and
receipts payable at
sight 41,593,771 45 42,658,224 97
Treasury account our-
rent creditor 164,620,483 52 158,035,018 76
Current accounts, Paris '279,586,821 50 311,892,864 04
Do. branch banks 42,484,011 45,828,490
Dividends payable 3,145,143 2,631,008
Discounts and sundry
interests
Rediscounted the last
six months 1,305,522 15 1,305,522 15
Surplus of receipts not
distributed - -
Sundries

Total
CREDITOR.
Feb. 3. Jan. 27.
Lash in hand and in fr. c. fr. c.

Branch banks
Commercial bills over-
due
Commercial bills dis-

counted, not yet due 333,320,156 91 326,011,727 80
Do. branch banks 318,470,024 313,182,182
Advances on deposit of
bullion
Do. branch banks 1,630,000 2,212,700 -
Do. on French Public
Securitios 20,926,400 20,992,400
Do. by branch banks 8,211,450 8,718,950
Do. on railway shares
and debentures -
Do. branch banks -
Do. on Credit Foncier
Bonds
Do. branches
Do. to the State (Con-
vention, June 10,
1857) 60,000,000 60,000,000
Government Stock re- _ _ .

-------- -- ...
serve 12,980,750 14 12,980,750 14
Do. disposable
[lentes Inunobalisees

(Law, June 2, 1857) 1C0,000,000 100,000,000
Hotel and furniture of
the 131,nk and landed
property branches.,. 9,07.1,396 9,074,384
Expenses of manage-
ment 224,124 17 39,918 02
Sundries

Total

GI A.ND VOLUNTEER BALL Mt LONDON',
VISIT OF THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF
WALES.

On Wednesday the Hon. Artillery Company gave a grand
ball at their barracks, City-road, Finsbury, when they were
honoured with the presence of His Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales, Colonel and Captain-General of the
Regiment, and Her Royal Highness the Princess
of Wales. The entertainment was the most mag-
nificent ever given by the volunteer force, all
the arrangements being of a splendid character. The
I large dancing room was beautifully ornamented with
flowers, and military trophies. A charming boudoir was
fitted up for the Princess, and there were special rooms
for the principal guests. The entrance hall
was decorated with flags and stars of bayonets
and swords and suits of armour, which had been
lent from the Tower. The field pieces of the Artillery
Corps were ranged at the sides of the passage. The Royal
visitors, who arrived shortly after 10 o'clock, were
received by the lieutenant-colonel and officers.
There was a guard of honour furnished by the
infantry corps, the regimental band playing the
national anthem. A supper-room, capable of holding the
seven hundred guests, had been erected for the occasion.
Supper was served at twelve o'clock, the chair being taken
by the Prince of Wales, who wore the uniform of the
carps. The band of the Light Cavalry played during the
entertainment. Two toasts were proposed, the health of
her Majesty the Queen, and that of their Royal High-
nesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. While respond-
ing, the Prince expressed the pride which he
felt- in being the commanding officer of such
a fine regiment. Amongst the other guests, were—
His Serene Highness Prince Teck ; the Duke and Duchess
of Manchester; the Marquis of Hamilton; Lord Colville,
of Culross, and Lady Colville; Viscount Bury, M.P., and
Viscountess Bury; Lord and Lady Londesborough; Lord
Napier of Magdala, Lady Napier and daughter;
Lord Abinger, Lady Abinger, and Miss Ashley ;
Load Frederick Paulet, C.B. ; Lord Carring-
ton; Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd Lindsay, V.C., M.P.,
lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, and Mrs. Loyd
Lindsay; Sir William and Lady Knollys; Sir
Frederiok Arrow, Deputy Master of the Trinity House,
nd Lady Arrow ; Lord J. H. Taylor; Lieut.-Col. Teesdale;
the Lord and Lady Mayoress ; Alderman and Sheriff Sir
J. Causton and Lady Causton ; Alderman Sir James and
Lady Duke ; Alderman W. Lawrence, M.P., and Miss
Lawrence; Lieutenant-Colonel and Alderman Sir William
Rose and Lady Rose; Colonel Frazer; Colonel Wilkinson;
Captain Shaw. &c.