The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-15 00:00:00

TB F tN, SON DON, FRIiiOMY EVENING, DECEMBER 15, 1848.

WEST RIDING ELECTION.

LEEDS, THURSDAY FTERNOON.—The poll for the
election of a repreentative. for the Weat Riding com-
menced this morning at the 26 different.polling districts
of the Riding. The t'a o candidates, as is well known,
are Mr. E. Denison and Sir C. E. Eardley. The friends
of each candidate were early on the alert, and the poll-
ing throughout the Riding has been carried on with a
good deal of si)rit, but with much less noise and display
of colours, bands of music, and Bacchanalian festivity,
than has usually characterised contested elections. In
nearly the whole of the polling districts the majority of
the votes were given in favour of Mr. Denison, of whose
election there is little doubt. The poll closes tc-morrow
(Friday).
By a i.rint arrangement between the committees of
the two candidates and the Electric Telegraph Com-
pany the returns of the poll from the whole of the dis-
tricts were transmitted at different periods of the day to
the railway station at Normanton, whence the gross
numbers were sent to the different districts for publica-
tion. Each return had the sanction of both parties, so
that any false statements of the progress of the poll were
prevented being published.
The following were the numbers issued for the Leeds
district poll at different periods of the
TEN O'CLOCK.

Mr. Denison... ...
sir C. E. Eardley
ELEVEN O'CLOCK.

Mr. Denison ... ...
Sir C. E. Eardlci ...
TWELVE O'CLOCK.

... 381
... 252

~. ... 591
- ... 378

... 767
... 501

number of pupils in the school were, boys, 42; girls, 35;
and that their progress was, generally speaking, satis-
fact, ry. They were taught the ordinary routine of s
national school education chiefly by means of embossed
fi ames. The religious instruction was conducted wholly
by the chaplain, and was exhibiting the best results.
There were, at present, forty communicants, and the
number was increasing. The present being merely a
quarterly meeting there was no financial statement, but

our reporter was informed by the secretary that the
balance in the treasurer's hands at the last audit, in No-
vember was 867/. Ile. 7d. From a printed book, pub-
lished for the benefit of subscribers, it appears that this
institution has funded property to the amount of
63,5911. 4s. Bd., besides freehold and leasehold property
in St. George's-fields, Burton-crescent, and Wal-
worth. The income of the charity for the year 1847
was (including the balance from previous year) 9,4681.
12s. Id., and the expenditure 7,867/. 7s. 11d., leaving a
balance in favour of the institution of 1,601/. 45. 2d.
Of the expenditure 1,2581. 13s. Id. stands for salary and
wage'. _ _

EMIGRATION MOVEMENT.-BIRMINGSAM, TIIURS-
DAY.-1 his afternoon a meeting was held at the Town-
hall to receive a deputation from the Colonisation So-
ciety, and to hear an explanation of the objects contem-
plated in a systematic method of emigration to various
parts of our colonial empire. The attendance, for a
mid- day meeting, was good. The Right Hon. Lord
Lyttelton occupied the chair; and there were also pre-
sent the Right Hon. Lord Ingestre, Hon. W. H. Leigh,
Hon. and Rev. G. M. Yorke, G. F. Muntz., Esq., M.P•,
W. Scholelleld, Esq., M.P., C. B. Adderley, Esq.,
Rev. J. Garbett, rural dean, Rev. J. C. Miller, W. James,
Esq., High Bailiff, Mr. Thomas Clark, Captain Tindal,
Colonel Fielding, Rev. Sydney Gedge, the Rev. George
Smith, and many other gentlemen. The deputation
consisted of Lord Mandeville, M.P., Hon. F. Scott, Hon.
W. Wrottesley, Mark Boyd, Esq., C. D. Logan, Esq., C.
Boyd, Esq., and A. Hodgson, Esq. Several excellent
speeches were made on the occasion, and resolutions in
conformity with the objects of the meeting were
agreed to. _

-RAILWAY TRAVELLING.—On the southern part of
the line of the London and North-Western Railway
carriages have lately been running furnished with axle-
boxes so constructed as to render the inspection thereof,
at almost every station (for the purpose of renewing the
grease with which the " journals" are lubricated) quite
unnecessary. Some of these axles-boxes have travelled
with express trains 6,000 to 8,000 mites without ex-
hausting the grease with which the box is filled at start-
ing. It follows of course, that the "journal" of the axle,
and brasse forming the rubbing surfaces, are preserved in
their best condition, while, with the :axle-boxes, gene-
rally used, the grease exudes, dirt, grit, &c., get between
the rubbing surfaces, and frequently a carriage is re-
turned for repair from these causes after its first journey.
By this invention the saving in grease and repairs is
enormous, and under no circumstances, will the axle•box
"fire," as it is technically termed. The inventor is Mr.
Normanville, of the engineers' department at the Euston
station.

ANOTHER NEW COMET.—On Saturday evening,
the 25th Nov., at 6h. 30m., a telescopic comet was dis •
covered at the Observatory, Cambridge, United States,
by Mr. G. P. Bond. It is situated in the constellation
Cygnus. Its motion is towards the south.
EXTRAORDINARY TARE OF HADDOCKS.—Two
boats belonging to Buckle, and in the employment of
Mr. Macdonald, fish curer there, are reported to have
brought ashore the week before last at one haul 7,000
h ad d ock s.—Edinburgh Advertiser.
THE PITCAIRN ISLANDERS.—The last accounts
from Valparaiso describe a visit recently paid by her
Majesty's ship Calypso to the inhabitants of Pitcairn's
Island. The population was found to be 140, of whom
71 are males, and 69 females, and the present chief ma-
gistrate is George Adams, the son of John Adams, one
of the mutineers of the Bounty. The island contains
about 400 acres of land, which is quite capable of culti-
vation, and which might supply 2,000 inhabitants, but
only 60 acres are in use, that amount being fully suffi-
cient for existing wants. Formerly, the absence of
water, of which there is not a single spring on the island,
was found to be an insuperable objection to living upon
it, but this is now obviated by the use of well-constructed
tanks, which enable the residents not only to collect
enough for themselves, but also to supply the vessels that
visit them. The condition of the entire community, both
as regards intelligence and morality, is spoken of in high
terms, and they are likened in their appearance and in
their general arrangements to the inhabitants of one of
the better sort of villages in England. They consider
themselves English subjects, and acknowledge no other
supremacy or allegiance.—Liverpool Mercury.
At Marseilles, the sugar market during the week
ending last Saturday had been very dull, not quite 300
bare els only of Martinique and Guadeloupe having gone
off at 27f. to 28f. the 50 kils. A little had been done in
Brazilian coffee, but only at a discount of 20 per cent.
In olive oil business was likewise very dull; a few sales
had been effected for home consumption—in those from
Genoa at from 156 f. 25c. to 164 f. 05e. per hectolitre.
SCENERY.—We have had little opportunity lately to
continue our notices of scenery and theatrical decora-
tion, little of striking novelty or more than ordinary
ability having been produced in this way since the re-
opening of the houses for the winter season. The
time, however, is coming when we shall doubtless have
to record progress. At the Lyceum, Mr. Beverley pro-
duced a room-scene a short time since, for a piece called
My Father did so before Me (written to introduce the
son of the late John Reeve, of comic memory, to a
London audience), which without any pretence or glare,
was perfect of its kind. In the revival of Merry Wives
of Windsor, lately played there (revived with all that
attention to costume and keeping which distinguishes
the house), the same artist has introduced some land-
scape scenes, which are beautiful picures. At the
Haymarket Theatre, the decoration of which we justly
praised some time ago, a clever landscape has been
painted for the new and interesting drama called the
Knight of Arva. The scenery at this house, generally,
has been greatly improved lately. At the Adelphi,
where people laugh so much that they are not able
usually to criticize, the Liverpool burlesque, called the
Enchanted Isle, has afforded opportunity for some pretty
effects.—Builder.

FACSIMILES OF BUSTS AND SCULPTURE.—Mr.
James Gall, of Edinburgh, is said to have discovered a
method of taking a strictly accurate likeness in form of
a bust, by means of a mask of so peculiar a kind, that
sitters are able even to read at ease while the mould is
being taken, and which is so light that not a feature is
falsified by its weight or pressure. We are not told what
the precise nature of the substance is, but we shall s en-
ture to guess that Professor Simpson's invention of the
Samaritan oil of gutta percha dissolved in chloroform, for
pouring into wounds, has something to do with it. The
chloroform evaporates in an instant, leaving a skin of
gutta percha, which repeated until thick and resistive
enough, would form a mask which, at all events, we will
venture to say, Mr. Gall's will not excel in either light
ness and delicacy, or convenience and comfort. We
recollect, by the way, a rumour, many years since, that
a Parisian had invented a machine for copying sculpture,
or taking likeness busts, which consisted merely of a
crop, as it were, of needles or fine wires, so fitted into a
frame, that on pressure towards the face or other object
to be copied, they yielded to the form, and mere then
screwed tight, or fixed in the form or mould so taken,
which served the purpose of a mask for the reproduction
of the bust or sculpture.—Builder.
THE SALMON SEASON IN THE RIVER AND LAKE
OF CARA.—In the course of last week Mr. Barry ac-
companied by another gentleman, both Inspectors of
Fisheries, visited the Salmon Weir on the River Cara
with a view to ascertain whether salmon caught in the
river in the month of November were fully in season, as
had been so frequently and so confidently asserted.
Mr. Michael Foley, the proprietor, had previously re-
ceived instructions to put down the boxes and have some
salmon taken, in order that the Inspectors might on their
arrival have an opportunity of setting the disputed point
at rest by personal examination. Accordingly, when
these gentlemen arrived at the Weir, the boxes were
taken up and were found to contain seventeen salmon,
sixteen of which were in prime season, fine spring fish,
while the remaining one contained a large pea, but only
a good judge could distinguish its quality from that of
the others. This is a very important fact and must lead
to a new legislative enactment distinguishing the pecu-
liar seasons of salmon on the different lakes and rivers of
the kingdom.—Kerry Examiner.
FORGERY ON MESSSI4. ASEXANDERS' BANIC.-41.
rumour having prevailed in the town, for the last week
or fortnight, that a person has been lately apprehended
on suspicion of forging a number of notes of Messrs.
Alexanders' banking establishment, it may be desirable,
in order to set gossip on the subject at rest, just to state
that, though not substantially true, the rumour has some
shadow of truth in it. About two years back a few
forged notes of the above bank were circulated in the
neighbourhood of Manningtree and the surrounding dis-
trict; but owing to the rigid inquiries then instituted, a
further issue ceased. A twelvemonth elapsed, when a
larger number of these notes was found to have been put
into circulation. On this occasion Forrester, the cele-
brated detective officer from London, was employed to
take the matter in hand. With his accustomed shrewdness
and success, he soon obtained a clue to the offender
—a party residing at Manningtree, whose marvellous
skill with the pen had enabled him to imitate the intri-
cate finish of the note with such exactitude as to deceive
any but the closest observation. Aroused to a sense of
danger by the presence of Forrester, the party decamped;
and, though tracked from one place to another, finally
succeeded in eluding the vigilance of that officer. No-
thing more was heard of his whereabouts until two or three
months ago, when intelligence was received that an
individual tallying with his personal description and ac-
quirements had been lodged in Oxford gaol, to take his
trial at the Assizes, on a charge of having played a simi-
lar game with his pen on one of the banks in that county.
We believe there is no doubt as to its being the
same party, but no steps will be taken by the Messrs.
Alcxanders in the way of prosecution, unless the issue
of the present charge should need them.—Suffolk
Chronicle.

THE EX.-KING 01' THE FRENCH AND THE ISLE OE
WIGHT.—It is reported that East Cowes Castle has been
taken for a term of years bz the count de Neuilly.
PROVIDENT RATS,-"A PoW pays a
g, -ago, as two tnen
were walkin
on the banks of the River Leven, their attn was attracted to a dog they had with them,
wb:
_..en began barking at the mouth of a rat-hole. They
got a spade and dug part of the hole out, when a large
rat bounced out and fastened on the dog. The dog
soon destroyed his assailant, but still refused to leave the
hole, and on the men digging in a little farther they
found a large quantity of carrots and potatoes, which
weighed 24 pounds. The field where the rats had evi-
dently procured the esculent roots is situate on the oppo-
site side of the river to that on which the hole was found,
and the occupier had suspected some school lads of be.
ing the plunderers of his field, and his astonishment may
ba nate,. imagined than d-:-eribed, when ke was in-
formed of the enormous v eight of roots which a couple
of rats had laid up for their winter store.—Doncaster
' Chronicle.

LITERATURE.

MARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS. Edited by Lord

Braybroolee. Vol. .Ir.
A standard work like " Pepys' Diary " requires
no comment or commendation. The .new edition
just brought out by Mr. Colburn deserves, however,
a few words of notice. Of this edition four volumes
have already made their appearance the fifth volume
will complete the work. This edition is greatly
superior to all its predecessors in as much as it contains a
considerable portion of original matter never published
in any former edition. This important alteration has
been made under the supervision of Lord Braybrooke,
who has performed the duties of editor in a most sa-
tisfactory manner. His annotations are remarkable
for their brevity—a very desirable thing in foot notes
—the necessary information is given without embar-
rassing the reader with long interruptions in the
narrative. The "Diary of Samuel Pepys," like the
" Letters of Horace Walpole," is alike attractive
to the lovers of history, and the lovers of
romance—to those who read for information,
and to those who only seek for amusement. In these
volumes history appears in its undress, which cir-
cumstance, far from diminishing, only increases its
interest and attractions. By these glimpses behind
the scenes we learn what Kings and Ministers really
are, and we obtain an inkling of the wheels-within-
wheels system by which the state machine is kept in
motion. The new edition of "Pepys' Diary," ap-
pears in handsome octavo volumes, printed in clear
and very legible type, and covered with an elegant
and durable binding.

MEMOIRS AND ADVENT URES OF SIR
WILLIAM KIRKALDY, of GRANGE. 1 Vol.
This very delightful volume is one of a class at-
tractive to all readers, whether they be learned or
ignorant, or old or young. It is a chapter of history
written in the language of romance, a tradition of
truth, but of that truth which is stranger than fiction.
The memoirs of Sir William Kirkaldy are inse-
perably interwoven with the most important in-
cidents of Scottish history, during a most
memorable and romantic period, and those in-
cidents are detailed in this biography in
the most interesting and attractive manner possible.
The first important scene in which we are introduced
to the young Kirkaldy, is one which is far from en -
listing our sympathies in his favour—the murder of
Cardinal Beaton. This terrible tragedy is here por-
trayed in a most emphatic and heartrending manner.
The scene in which the Cardinal, having unbarred
his door, stands before his murderers, is very simi-
lar to the death of Coliquy, as described in " The
Henriade." After this event the first half of the
volume is devoted to Kirkaldy's adventures in France.
It is the latter portion of the volume which
is possessed of the most enthralling interest, for it is
the latter portion which relates to the history of Mary
Stuart. Kirkaldy it was to whom the unhappy
Queen surrendered herself at the battle of Carberry-
hill. Kirkaldy conducted her a prisoner into the
hands of her enemies. This melancholy duty was,
according to this biography, performed with most
chivalrous courtesy by the Scotch knight, who was
ignorant of the severeintentions of the insurgent nobles.
Mary's sufferings under the uncourteous and un-
manly treatment to which she, a Queen and a
woman, was subjected by the nobles and by the po-
pulace, are described with heartrending pathos. To
all who love the stirring narrative of bold adventure,
softened by occasional gleams of tenderness, these
memoirs of Kirkaldy—memoirs in which truth is ro-
mantic and romance is true—will possess a lively in •
terest and an enthralling fascination. We say this
without forgetting that the "Abbot" has been written.

THE ROMANCE OF THE PEERAGE. Vol. H.
By G. L. Craik.
The " Curiosities of Family History, " which
occupy the second volume of " The Romance of the
Peerage," are thus enumerated in the table of
contents :—" The Kindred of Queen Anne Boleyn—
The Lady Dorothy Devereux—The Old Percies—
Earl Henry the Wizard—The last of the Ruthvens—
The last Lord Cobham—The last Lord Grey of
Wilton—Mary Tudor, the French Queen (a very
beautiful portrait of this royal lady forms the frontis-
piece to the volume)—The Sister of the Lady Jane
Grey—Margaret Tudor the Scottish—The Lady
Arabella Stuart." From this list the lover of
romantic history will be enabled to estimate the
attractions of the volume here presented to him. One
of the most interesting chapters records the painful
history of Lady Catherine, the unfortunate sister of
the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey. " The Romance
of the Peerage" is fraught with interest both of an
historical and a biographical character.

THE EVENING BELL; or, The Hour of Relating
Entertaining Anecdotes for Young People. By Caro-
line Reinhold. Translated from the German by the Rcv.
G. S. Mangan, A.M.

To young students of the German language, no
book could possibly be more useful or more attractive
than this very elegant and very interesting volume.
The tales •f Miss Caroline Reinhold are peculiarly
calculated to please .youthful readers, and they are
adorned with many excellent illustrations. The
German and English are placed side by side, one on
the left-hand page, and the other on the right.
" The Evening Bell" will be a welcome as well as
useful gift for the young; half of its contents being
adapted for the morning's study, and the remainder
for the evening's recreation.

PRESBYTERY EXAMINED: An Essay, Critical
and Historical, on the Ecclesiastical .History of Scot-
land
since the Reformation. By the Duke of Argyle.
The Duke of Argyle has written the ecclesias-
tical history of Scotland in a very able and interest-
ing manner. This work will be the means of making
many familiar with the characteristic history of
Presbyterianism to whom that form of church
government has been hitherto little more than
a name, and it is also calculated to excite among
members of the Scottish Church a warm veneration
for that form of religion which their ancestors es-
tablished and maintained in the face of the most ve-
hement opposition. The Duke of Argyle is evidently
a heartfelt and zealous Presbyterian; to the members
of his own Church, it is, therefore, that his work will
be especially interesting and valuable. The style is
animated and eloquent, and the arguments are ren-
dered peculiarly forcible by the
.writer's unwavering
conviction and zealous enthusiasm in and for all he
asserts.

LAMARTINE'S « THREE MONTHS

IN POWER."
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,—My attention has been called to the critique
on the translation of M. de Lamartine's " Trois Blois
au Pouvoir" that appeared in your paper of the sth
inst., in which you state it is by the author " of the
admirable translation of the Girondists." Permit me
to correct an error caused by the similarity of name,
and to say, that the "History of the Girondists" was
translated by my father, the " Three Months in
Power" by his son, and
Your very obedient servant,
HENRY JOHN RYDE.

Dec. 14, 1848.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Srn,—Last night I went to the Grecian Saloon with
a party, and paid 4s. for the admission of two ladies,
two gentlemen, and a lad of fifteen, Being desirous of
proceeding to the balcony, I tendered 2s. 6d., the extra
charge, as stated in the ordinary bills of the establish-
ment ; this was refused, and ss. demanded, which I at
once paid. Thinking this demand an unfair one, I pur-
chased a bill of the box-keeper, which I enclose, you
will there see the price of admission distinctly set forth
as ls. each for gentlemen, 6d. each for ladies and ju-
veniles, with 6d. each extra for the balcony. May I
beg to ask whether the proprietor or beneficiare have the
right to make such a charge, or whether it must be
classed as a theatrical imposition ?
Friends who were with me paid in the same way. I
inclose my card, and remain, your obedient servant,
Dec. 14, 1848. INQUIRER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Stu,--4 was much surprised at seeing a statement in
your paper of yesterday that a fiat had been issued in
bankruptcy against Lord Suffield as a horse dealer by a
Mr. Ker, an attorney. Now you must be aware that
any nobleman or gentleman under the present state
of the law is liable to the same vexatious annoyance at
the hands of any ill-disposed person, and that the pro-
ceedings, up to adjudication," are " ex-parte," and
that no advertisement can be issued until five dap
afterwards, such a period being allowed for a bankrupt
to dispute the fiat. I need hardly add that I have his
Lordship's instructions to oppose this absurd attempt,
with what success will be seen when the proper time
comes. nut Ido think his Lordship has great reason to
complain of the premature (and I may be permitted to
add) gratuitous publicity thus given to that which would
have otherwise, probably, passed without notice, and
consequently increased annoyance to his Lordship.
I am, Sir, your very obedient servant,
ARTHUR JAMES LANE.
4, Falcon-square, Dec. 15, 1848.

We have much pleasure in announcing that the
basis of the postal convention with the United States
has at last been finally settled, and a draft of the
convention itself will be sent by this day's steamer to
America, for ratification by the Senate of the -United
States. By the convention a considerable reduction will
be made upon the postage of American letters, and we
trust that the ill-feeling on both sides which the ques-
tion had occasioned will be definitively removed.—
Times.
The Havre accounts of yesterday state that business
continued very brisk in cotton, and was increasing, in
consequence of the intelligence that the election was
going on tranquilly at Paris. Prices, from the same
cause, had risen as much as 1 if. Common New Orleans
is quoted at 66; very common at 62 to 62 50; but it was
difficult, to purehace, even at these prices. The sales on
Tuesd,ty e \ e,ecicci 1,ut)() bales. In other articles there
was no business doing, with the exception of a little in
co&e.

LIVERPOOL CURRENCY REFORM
ASSOCIATION.
TO THE EDITOR or THE MORNING CHRONICLE.
Sir,—Your editorial effusion on Saturday was not very
complimentary to the British Consols, on which we pro-
pose to found our paper money. It always struck us
that there were some essential differences between them
and the French Assignats.
We hardly expected to hear remarks derogatory to
British ability to pay, and British honour to acknowledge,
a lien on every man who owns a shilling of capital or a
rood of land in this England of ours ; and suspect that
new lights have burst ou our old friend, the Morning
Chronicle, who seems inclined to read the British consti-
tution according to the political gospel of Cuffey.
As treating your readers to mutilated extracts of our
proposal of the reasons which seemed forcible to us, and
of the modus operandi by which we meant to work it, is
hardly fair, I send you the whole manifesto for your
insertion.
Allow me to trouble you with one argument as good
as the five hundred which might be brought against gold
as a money.
In the present relation of our wealth to the quantity
of gold we can muster, a pair of boots or a hat is worth
a sovereign, but there is no reason why the wealth of
England should not quadruple, with the help of the
steam-engine—the hat will be worth then only five shil-
-lings. A century might see our boots, hats, &c., in-
creased twenty-fold, and then the price comes down to a
shilling. But what becomes of national debts, fixed
charges, and annuities?
I remain, your obedient servant,
JAMES. HARVEY, Hon. Sec.
Brown's Coffee-house, Clayton-square.
" MANIFESTO.
" A currency—based nos on gold, which is barter—
but on national property."
"It is surprising that our mercantile men have not
long since arrived at conclusions respecting a system of
currency which can be recognised as correct by all
parties, and which would lead to the adoption of princi-
ples and practice, by means of which the ruinous alterna-
tions now constantly recurring would be rendered im-
possible."—Porter's Progress of the Nation, p. 426.
" The committee of the Liverpool Currency Reform
Association have been led, by their consideration of the
commercial phenomenon of periodical excitement and
depression, to inquire whether this extreme oscillation,
productive of so much evil, be the necessary consequence
of extensive commerce; and if so, within what limit of
productive enterprise ought a commercial people to be
restrained? For if the calamities that have been ex-
perienced by this nation within the last twenty years be
a necessary affect of extended trade, it behoves the Le-
gislature immediately to impose restraining measures
that smell prevent such frightful ruin and devastation in
our domestic trade, and relieve from so cruel a scourge
the commerce of the whole world, which, from the mag-
nitude of our transactions, becomes involved in our mis-
fortunes.
" In pursuing their inquiry, they have cerefully ex-
amined the evidence brought under the consideration of
both Houses of Parliement, appointed to inquire into
the cause of the present national distress.'
" After the most deliberate consideration of the evi-
dence therein stated, and the uniform agreement of all
other facts and information they have been able to col-
lect, they are of opinion, that the cause of periodical ex-
citement and depression is not necessarily involved in
extensive commerce, but that the sole cause of our com-
mercial crises is to be found in the absence of a steady
measure of value and an insufficient medium of exchange
or, in other words, in the inefficiency of our present
monetary system; an insufficiency further proved by
its inadequacy to sustain a system of credit, so neces-
sary to the development of the productive energies of
this country.
" From the evidence above referred to, two all-im-
portant facts are established beyond question: First,
that there was at one period a superabundance of the
present medium of exchange, and at another not a suffi-
ciency for the ordinary eeces sides of trade. Secondly,
the measure of value has, within the last three years,
fluctuated from one to twelve per cent.
" Here we have, under the gold standard, an enormous
alternation in the value of money—which, by inciting
speculation at one time, prostrating credit at another,
causes extreme changes in the prices of commodities,
and disturbs the relation between debtor and creditor.
These facts were p'aced so forcibly before the public by
the memorial of the merchants of this town, addressed,
in October, 1847, to the First Lord of the Treasury, that
the association feel emboldened to offer for consideration
a monetary system, which, they believe, will prevent the
recurrence of such evils.
" THE OBJECTS REQUIRED IN A MONETARY SYSTEM
ARE A STEADY MEASURE OF VALUE AND A SUFFICIENT
MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE.—It is necessary, for the facility
of commerce, to adopt some description of property of
admitted value, that shall be used as the standard by
which to measure the value of all other property, and it
is imperative that the property so used be of a descrip-
tion least liable to variation. The association, there-
fore, propose
"THAT THE NATIONAL FUNDS BE TAREN FOR THIS
PURPOSE, AND THAT GOVERNMENT BE EMPOWERED TO
ISSUE MONEY AND CONSOLS—which represent a bona fide
amount of capital to the amount of 800 millions, guaran-
teed by the property of the British nation.
" WHILST THE NATIONAL REVENUE IS PLEDGED TO
THE PAYMENT OF THE INTEREST THEREON, so that both
the capital and interest are perfectly secured.—What
better or safer basis can there be whereon to found a na-
tional currency?
" Thus, by adopting the funded property, we obtain
two essentials—a sufficient medium of exchange, and a
steady measure of value for the pound in account; so
that the relation between debtor and creditor will be de-
finitely fixed, that the former may not, at the expiration
of his credit, have to refund a greater or a less value than
was implied in the pound in account at the time of the
contract.
" The plan by which the Association propose to carry
their system into practical operation is as follows :
" THE ESTABLISHMENT, BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT, OF
A NATIONAL BANK, AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE BANK NOTES
ON THE RECEIPT OF CONSOLS, such notes varying from
one to a thousand pounds, to suit the convenience of the
receiver.
" THESE NOTES TO BE THE ONLY LEGAL TENDER
throughout the United Kingdom, and to be convertible
into value, that is to say, into Consols, on demand, at the
National Bank.
" THE CONSOLS TO BEAR A FIXED RATE OF INTEREST,
which will, of course, cease during the time they are in
the bank.
"By this plan, when money became scarce, and ex-
ceeded the fixed rate of interest, the Consols certificates
would flow into the National Bank, and the currency be
extended to the relief of our commerce; while in pe-
riods of prosperity, when money is abundant, they would
be withdrawn, and the circulation proportionally con-
tracted; thus securing a principle of self-adjustment,
which would preclude the possibility of any great flue-
, tuation in the value of money, leaving the price of
commodities subject to the natural law of supply and
demand.
"It may be objected that, under this system, the
whole amount of the national funds might be converted
into money, and the country be over-supplied. 'The as•
sociation has no such fears, feeling convinced that, as
the demand for money is necessarily limited by the
ability of employing it profitably—the supply of it may
he left to adjust itself to the requirements of trade. In
conclusion, the advantages offered by the proposed sys-
tem of currency are these:—
A SECURE BASIS that cannot be disturbed.
A READY CONVERTIBILITY of the legal.tender note
into value.
" AN EQUABLE SUPPLY OF MONEY—to which may be
added a NATIONAL SAVING of interest on the Consols,
while in deposit.
"In bringing forward this very important subject,
the association would earnestly invite the active sup-
port and co-operation of every individual who may be
friendly to their views ; whilst they hope to elicit from
those who may differ from them a candid expression of
their objections to the proposed system, tie they are only
wishful for the establishment of a self-acting principle,
that will give steadiness to the value of money.
"JAMES HARTEY4IIOn. Sec.
" Brown's Hotel, Clayton-square, Liverpool,
Nor. 20, 1848."

METROPOLITAN COMMISSIONERS OF SEWERS.—A
meeting of the Metropolitan Commissioners of Sewers
was held yesterday, at the offices in Greek-street, Soho.
The Hon. F. Byng presided, and the other commis-
sioners present were :—Mr. E. Chadwick, Dr. Southwood
Smith, Mr. Lambert Jones, Mr. Hutton, Mr. Bidwell,
and the Rev. W. Stone. Representation was made that
a number of defaulters within the Westminster commis-
sion positively refused to discharge the claims upon them
for contributions to sewers, cleansing, &c., unless they
were summoned to show cause why they should not.
These arrears were stated to be considerable, and sum-
monses were accordingly ordered to be issued for the
next court. In the course of the proceedings, the chair-
man inquired the expense charged to parties who wished
to have their house-drains connected with the sewers?
Mr. liertslet, the clerk, said this question came before
him daily, but, in order to insure the greatest accuracy,
he had procured a report from the surveyor,
i
report was then read, and it stated that the average coast
was not more than from 2s. 6d. to .3s. perd making good
foot run, in-
eluding all expenses of labour, drains' an
tie surface; but when the pipes were made by machi-
nery it was anticipated the cost would be reduced to 2s.
or ls. 6d. In the course of a conversation upon this
fees subject it wag stated that the formerly paid to the
district surveyors upon the execution of works of this
nature had been abolished. The commissioners then
separated.

-Advices from Vienna of the 9th of December men-
tion the announcement of a new Five per Cent. Loan for
eighty millions of florins (equal to eight millions ster-
ling, or about seven millions at the present rate of ex-
change), which it is expected will be readily taken
abroad, particularly as the dividends will be made pay-
able in London and elsewhere. Meanwhile, in conse-
quence of large importations, rendered necessary by short
stocks of raw material, and the purchase of supplies for
the army, the exchanges were becoming more adverse,
and the quotation on London had risen to 11.18. The
stoppage of commercial relations with Hungary con-
tinued to be most severely felt, produce being shut out
on the one hand, and the return of manufactured goods
on the other. The active prosecution of the war under
Windischgratz was appointed to commence on the 12th
of December, and the incorporation of the Hungarian
kingdom with Austria Proper had been definitively re-
solved upon. The army is described as so numerous
and well equipped as to render success almost certain.
The Funds continued to improve, and the Five per
Cents. where at 79, while the shares of the Northern
Railway had risen 3 per cent., the quotation being 1024.
TLt: Bank of Vien,,t laid declared a divided of 46 florins
for the hall-year, besides a reserve of 4 florins, and the
price of its shares was 1,105. Times .

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
SIR CHARLES NAPIER'S SQUADRON.
PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 14.—Sir Charles Napier went to
' Osborne in her Majesty's steam-yacht Fairy, on Wed-
nesday, to pay his respects to his Sovereign before
leaving the neighbourhood with his fleet. Hie Serene
Highness Prince Victor of Hohonloe Langenbo urg,
naval cadet of her Majesty's ship Powerful, 84, at Spit-
head, accompanied the Gallant Admiral, to take leave of
her Majesty and Prince Albert. His Serene Highness
dined with the Royal circle, and returned to his ship in
the evening.
The squadron unmoored at five o'clock this morning
and commenced preparations for weighing anchor, but
the wind appearing very changeable, no other movement
was made than crossing topgallant and royal yards at
eight o'clock. About noon the wind changed, and began
to blow until it increased nearly to a gale at S.S.W., at
which point it continued until dark, raining ineessa ntly
and very heavily, which now continues (tire o'clock P.M.)
with every prospect of a foul night. The Hon. Mrs.
Norton is staying at the official residence of the Com-
mander-in-Chief, awaiting a passage to Lisbon in the St.
Vincent.

The Sharpshooter iron screw-schooner, Lieu tenant-
Commander Bailey, sailed after dark last night for the
Sussex and Kentish coast.
The Princess Royal transport arrived this morning to
embark detachments from the Isle of Wight for service
in the West Indies.
The Superb, SO, Captain Purcell, is to be expedited in
her fitting out, us she is wanted for sea service.

APPOINTMENTS.
Assistant-Surgeon—George Edward Freemen, to the
Penguin packet brig, at Plymotitb.
Midshipmen—Henry R. Stuart, to the Superb, 80
guns, at Portsmouth; R. Morris, to the Superb; C. A.
Jobnsou, Thos. M. M. Wynyard, R. J. Lawrence, L.
A. Whymper, and Charles Broadhead, to the St. Vin-
cent, 120 guns, at Spithead; Thomas J. Young, to the
Excellent gunneryship, at Portsmouth; J. T. Jeyes, to
the San Josef, flag-ship at Devonport; W. K. Bush, to
the Plumper screw-schooner, at Spithead.
Naval Cadet—William Moriarty to the Superb.

Passed Mates—Thomas Commerel, late of the Comas
sloop; M. Vernon, late of the Vernon frigate; Messrs.
Fairbolme, Bickford, and Parkin, late of the Superb,
passed their examinations at the Royal Naval College on
Tuesday. The following received certificates yesterday
—Messrs J. Ward (b), Dashwood. Bush, Warrington,
Balfour, Dawkins, and Symonds.
THE AVENGER SUBSCRIPTION.—The committee will
pay the widows and orphans on Saturday, the 16th inst.,
at the Naval College, for the month of December.

COAST GUARD.- CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM.
" Houston Stewart, Coast-Guard Office, Dec. 7, 1848.
"Having reported to the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty and to the Honourable Board of Customs the
result of the great•gun drill for this year, and expressed
my hope that the excellent conduct and zealous atten-
tion displayed by the officers and men of the Coast
Guard and the revenue cruizers would elicit their ap-
probation. .

" I have much pleasure in transmitting, for the infor-
mation of the respective inspecting commanders, and of
the officers and men of stations and cruizers under their
orders,extracts from the letter which has been addressed
to me by the Secretary of the Admiralty, dated the 25th
ult., and also in communicating the agreeable fact that
the Board of Customs have been pleased to signify their
marked approbation of the zeal and ability displayed by
Captain Jerningham, and of the alacrity and attention
shown by the officers and men in the Coast Guard em-
ployed in the service in question.
"It is impossible for me to state too strongly the satis-
faction I have derived from the general good spirit and
cordial feeling evinced in each of the districts which have
been subjected to the gun drill of 1847 and 1848, and I
beg the respective inspecting commanders will receive
and convey my grateful acknowledgments to all the
officers and men of the Coast Guard and cruisers con-
cerned.

" The respective Inspecting Commanders, &c."
[EXTRACT H.S.]
" Admiralty, Nov. 25, 184 g.
" Sir,—With reference to your letter of the 6th inst.,
reporting the result of the training of the men belonging
to the coast guard and the revenue cruizers to the use of
the great gun, I am commanded by my Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you that the report
contained in your letter is most satisfactory to their
Lordships; first, as showing the cheerful zeal and ex-
cellent spirit existing throughout the Coast Guard ser-
vice, including the revenue cruizers, under your orders.
Secondly, as exhibiting the intelligence and ability of
Commander Jerningham and the instructing officers;
and from the result being such as to convince their Lord-
ships of the importance of this arm of the service for the
purposes of home defence.—l am, sir, &c.,
" W. A. B. HA mrt.ToN.
" The Comptroller-General of the Coast Guard."
Lord John Hay has sanctioned the alteration
of the Horatio, frigate, at Sheerness, as a screw guard-
ship, to mount 24 guns, instead of the Eurotas, at
Chatham.

The Earl of Auckland, G.C.8., has left the Admiralty
on a visit to the Marquis of Lansdowne, at Bowood.
Rear-Admiral Deans Dandas, C. 8., M.P., has re-
turned to the Admiralty, from his country seat, Barton,
Hungerford.

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