The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-29 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—This EVENING.

'The Speaker took the chair at ten minutes past two
o'clock.

THE FRENCH FLEET IN THE BALTIC.

Mr. STAPLETON gave notice of his intention to ask the
First Minister of the Crown whether contracts had been
entered into with the French fleet in the Baltic to
supply coal direct from this country.

CHURCH-RATES IN SCOTLAND.
11Ir. WLAREN gave notice that next session he should
Itsk leave to bring a Bill for the abolition of church-ratesin
Scotland.

WAR PRIZES.
Admiral ERSKOTE asked the Under Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs if the decree, a copy of which appears
in the Times of the 28th July, and in which Prussia
renounces her rights as a belligerent to capture or seize
as prizes of war French merchant vessels, except under
circumstances which would render neutral vessels liable to
capture, was authentic : and, if the French Govern-
ment have sent to her Majesty's Government the
instructions to their consuls regarding French and Frus-
Irian merchant vessels, as promised to the Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs previous to the 21st ins Cant.
Mr. OTWAY replied that he had not .a copy of the Times
with him, but he did see, either yesterday or the day be.
fore, an authentic copy of the. Prussian instructions in the
Timms, With regard to the second palrt otthe question,
the Government had had no specific communication with
the French Consular Office.

• STEAM COAL.
Mr. FOTHERGILL called attention to the quality of
the steam coal in use in her Majesty's steam fleet. A long
discussion followed, butno particular result was arrived at.

SUPPLY.
The House went into Committee of Supply on the
vote of £73,150 being proposed for medical, stores
for the navy service.—Mr. Russell-Gurney objected
t° the estimate for the purpose of carrying
out the Contagious Diseases Acts, and ho moved the
reducing the vote by £3,700. He remarked that although
an inquiry had been promised by the Government into the
working of the Act, steps had been taken in Southampton
94 if the Government had acted upon a foregone conclu-
-BLi°ll*—Mv. Childers replied that no steps had
been recently taken with respect to the extension
of the acts at Southampton, anti it was not intended to
make any permanent arrangements there until the in-
qui'? was concluded.—Mr. Henley remarked that the
means which had been adopted for the stifling of
" cussion both in the House and elsewhere made
Lll° Public doubt the bona files of the Government,
e wanted a positive assurance that no steps wculd
I2e taken to interfere with the operations of the acts until
l'arliament had expressed an opinion on their merits. --
lit Childers observed that whether the acts were ex-
tended or altogether stopped, it would ap-
pear to be a foregone conclusion. So long
as the acts were in force they must be put in
°Peration, but he had tried to steer a middle course. Tho
Vote Was then agreed to.

(LEFT SITTING.)

THE WAR.
EXPECTED COMMENCEMENT OF

HOSTILITIES.
A telegram dated Paris, July 28 (evening) says General
Lebrun the Adjutant-General of the army, arrived at St.
Cloud early this morning, and the intelligence brought by
from the frontier is presumed to have somewhat
fastened the Emperor's departure.
It 4"-0 expected the Imperial proclamation to the Army
of the Rhine will be issued to the troops this evening.
The Emperor's departure for the seat of war is believed
11" o on good authority to indicate the immediate com-
ment of the great operations prepared by the move-
Inents of different corps towards the frontier during the
last week.
To-day it was stated in well-informed quarters that a
considerable French force was already in the enemy's
territory, having crossed the frontier two days ago.
General Montauban if still designated for the command
of a corps to be disembarked on the Prussian coast, and
another important expedition, report says for Southern
Germany, may be entrusted to General Trochu.
Admiral Diendonne's squadron is cruising between the
Weser and the Elbe.
The belief is still prevalent here that the Prussians are
at present pursuing a defensive policy, and wish that the
French should cross the Rhine before giving battle.
Two hundred boats filled with troops have gonelown
tile Moselle from Treves to Coblentz. A letter from
Treves of the 25th speaks of Prussian concentration at
Mayence. Of the movements of the French corps
nothing is known beyond that large bodies of troops
are leaving Metz in a north-easterly direction.

IBENCH TOWNS IN A STATE OF SIEGE.
An official decree, published this morning, dated July
127, proclaims a state of siege at the following towns :
ketz, Thionville, Longwy, Bitche, Mansal, Phalsbourg,
kontmedy, Verdun, [Strasbourg, Schelestadt, New Bri-
-84012, Belfort, Lichleuberg, and Petite Pierre.

THE FRENCH CURRENCY.
The Official Journal contradicts the rumour that it was
*le intention of the Bank of France to obtain a forced
currency for its notes, and says that the Bank never de-
nlanded such a measure, and would energetically reject it
if. Proposed, as inopportune and disastrous. The Bank
believes itself perfectly able, with the means already at
Its disposal, to meet all requirements.

PRIM AGAINST FRANCE.
The Opinione National says that General Prim is trying
to arm Spain against France.

ASSISTING THE ENEMY.

The Journal Ofwiel states that anybody furnishing the
!enemy with money will be liable to the punishment of
death. The intimation is supposed to be chiefly directed
against one or two bankers, who, though foreigners by
trblrth, • Frenchmen by naturalisation, and who have
been aiding Prussia underhandedly.

AUSTRIA.
(th„Az Imperial decree has been published this morning,
e 29th, empowering the National Bank tc treat bills
lupon foreign houses to a maximum amount of 36,000,000,
a's Part of the cash reserve legally required for the oiroula-
ti°ll of its notes.

w4ILITARY PREPARATIONS IN HUNGARY.
tln the sitting of the 28th of the Lower House, the Pre-
ent of the Ministry introduced two bills, one grantinw
BuPPlementary
InY the War credit of five millions of florins required
Office, the other authorising the calling
cot for service, before its proper time in October, the
ntingent of 1870. The House voted the two bills
;went.

li,C.l3l:!les, Duke of Holstein-Glucksburg, the brother of
--ing of Denmark, has resolved to take part in the
;German campaign against France.
m "I' llast .14,4114
at the Imperial Palace. arrived at Strasburg, and he is
1—

‘•;ItYSTAL PALACE.—The last of the summer con-
Zt: takes place to-morrow (Saturday), when Mdlle.
Zn. di Murska, Mdlle. Lewitzky, Madame Sinico, Mr.
Wei-,ll.inley, signor Foli, and other artists, will sing. The
we,,e,.1..8110w drawing to a close has been attended by up-
palace 01
.60,900 persons.. The new war court at the
tract• increases in interest. Among. the most at-
eh lye objects are the fine collection of rifles (including
ci:BBePots, needle guns, Martin-Henries, &c.), the sir-
wiitt, armour plates of the Prussian ironclad Konigd-
pho;:ni, the models of Moncreiff and other guns, an
nate graphs of the French and Prussian commanders and
exienlen, and of places of interest on the Rhine. The
°llion receives important additions daily.

THE FATAL ACC DENT TO THE LATE
HUN. F. CHARIERIS.
THE INQUEST-THIS DAY.

This morning Mr. Bedford, Coroner for Westminster,
held an inquest at St. James's Vestry Hall, 'Piccadilly, on
the body of the Hon. F. Chbrteris, eldest son of Lord
Elcho, M.P., who was shot in the forehead last Friday
while examining a pistol. The jury having viewed the
body, the following evidence was adduced :—•

Colonel Charteris stated that he was uncle to the
deceased, who was 26 years of age, and gene-
rally enjoyed good health. The deceased was
usually very careless in the use of fire arms,
and had frequently been remonstrated with by
members of the family on the subject. He (witness)
dined with him on the Wednesday previous to the acci-
dent when he seemed in his usual health and spirits.
Thomas Skillett deposed : I have been valet to the
deceased for ten months. On Friday last I called him at
eight o'clock in the morning, and took his breakfast up
about half-past nine. At ten o'clock he asked me to fetch
him a copy of the Times, and I went out for the purpose
of procuring one. On my return, as I did not see deceased
in his room, I put the paper on the table, and left it there;
when I went out the housemaid was in the house. There
were also the two Misses Charteris and a French nurse-
maid. When he asked me to fetch the paper he appeared
perfectly calm. He did not give me any other orders for
the day. I put the paper down in the library, and had
just got down stairs when I was called by the housemaid,
who said she heard the deceased groaning. lat once
went up stairs, and found him lying in the little room next
the library, on the floor.
The Coroner : Did you observe anything near him?
Witness : I saw a pistol lying on the seat of the closet
adjoining the little room. I did not hear any report of
firearms. I afterwards examined the pistol, and found
that one of the chanibers had been discharged. I did not
examine all the chambers, but I saw that several of them
were loaded. I knew the pistol ;it was kept in a glass
cupboard in deceased's bedroom. The pistol produced is
the same. There was a little smoke in the room.
The pistol was not generally kept loaded. I know
this because I occasionally examine and clean it. About
a month ago, when deceased went into the country he
took it with him, and I examined it when he came back.
It was not then loaded, neither was it when I saw it in
the month of May. The deceased was going to breakfast
alone in the library. When I discovered him on
the floor I first felt his hands, but found I
could do nothing. He did not speak, and I
sent to 17, Arlington-street, for Dr. Illingworth.
I also ran myself for Dr. Coulson, who returned with me.
Colonel Charteris, the deceased's uncle, and Sir William
Ferguson were also sent for at once.
By the Jury : The deceased had apparently fallen for-
ward after receiving the wound.
Eliza Edwards, the housemaid, deposed to hearinc, the
deceased groan as she was coming downstairs. She did
not go into the room, but gave the alarm and called the
last witness.

Mr. Walter Coulson, 29, St. James-place, consulting
surgeon, said : I was called to the deceased about five
minutes past ten on Friday morning by the valet, and I
found him lying on his left side on the floor of the apart-
ment adjoining the library, with his left arm thrown back-
wards and behind him. He was breathing stertoriously,
and was quite insensible. The left side of his head was in a
pool of blood. I turned his head round in order to see
where the wound was inflicted. I discovered that the
bullet had entered the left orbit, above the
eye and immediately below the inner side of the eyebrow.
I at once sent for Sir William Ferguson, who came
directly. I had previously observed a pistol standing
against the wall in the library. We had the patient re-
moved from the small room into the library, and together
we carefully examined the wound. We discovered that
the bullet had penetrated behind the nasal bones, had in-
flicted an injury on the right eye, and had also injured
the right side of the brain. I was sure from
the first it was a fatal case. There were
no traces of powder about the face and this being so it
was clear that if powder was used the pistol could not
have been held very close to the face. The eyelashes and
eyebrows were not scorched. It was generally the case
when persons committed suicide that they held the
muzzle close to the face, and there were always marks of
powdet. The absence of such marks would therefore go
to show that the pistol went off accidentally. The injury
to the brain by the bullet was the cause of death.
Mr. John Wyatt, Surgeon-Major in the Coldstream
Guards -deposed : I know the deceased well, but had
not attended him professionally before the accident. I
saw him several times just before that occurred. I cannot
say he was in exactly good health, as he had been troubled
with an affection of the eyesight and had also a chronic
affection, which had resulted in considerable general
debility. He, however, was not depressed in spirits in
consequence, but was of a cheerful disposition.
The Coroner : In the course of the conversations you
have had with him has he ever intimated anything
which would cause you to suspect that he premeditated
self-destruction ?

Witness : Certainly not ; quite the reverse. On the
last two occasions of my seeing him he was at Wimble-
don, where I had charge of the medical department. The
deceased took part in the shooting, and on both occasions
expressed a wish to be able to see some part of the
encounter between the French and Prussians in the pend-
ing war. He said he believed a visit to the Rhine
would do him a great deal of good. He spoke of it in the
most cheerful tone, and did not speak about fire-arms. He
left Wimbledon in good spirits.
The Coroner : You say you never observed anything to
cause you to suspect the deceased would commit suicide.
Could you express a belief that he would nct do so?
Witness : The thought never entered my mind. Having
had experience in gun-shot wounds throughout the
Crimean Campaign, I think it is impossible the pistol
could have been held close to the eye when it was dis-
charged, because if it had been there must have been
marks of powder, and further, the bullet must
have penetrated completely through the temple.
He was also inclined to think it must have
been an accident, because a right-handed man would
scarcely have shot himself on the left side if it was an in-
tentional act. The result of the post-mortem examination
went to confirm the impression, as they found the brain
was perfectly healthy.
Colonel Charter's said there were several gentlemen
present who knew the deceased intimately, and could
speak to the general cheerfulness of his disposition, if
necessary.
The learned coroner, however, said he thought they had
plenty of evidence before them. The jury would have no
difficulty in deciding that the deceased met with his death
by a wound caused by the discharge of the pistol. That
was clear from the medical evidence but then came the
anxious and distressing question, they had to determine
—was that wound inflicted by the hand of the
deceased himself, with the intention of destroying his
life, or was it the result of an accident. To ground such
a serious verdict as that of suicide, there ought to be some
distinct evidence to satisfy their minds that it
was such, and if there was an absence of that con-
clusive testimony which was necessary, they would
then have to consider if there was any evidence which
would justify them in saying the wound was inflicted acci-
dentally, because if so their verdict would be one of
accidental death. They had still, however, a third
course open if they were not satisfied under either of the
two heads he had mentioned. They had still an open
verdict left them. Of course if they thought it was a case
of suicide the act of felony would be excused if the
evidence pointed to the deceased's insanity at the time.
The learned coroner then alluded to the various facts elicited,
and said they, to his mind, all pointed towards an acci-
dent, and it seemed a likely solution that whilst carelessly
examining the pistol it had gone off, and inflicted the
wound as stated.

The jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict
of "Accidental death."

The V Coroner said that with such evidence he did
not see the jury could do otherwise. The result
of the inquest, he was sure, would be a
source of great comfort to Lord Elcho and his family.
They had the deep sympathy of the public, and he was
sure the verdict would be universally approved of.
The Foreman said he wished to express on behalf of
the jury their deep and heartfelt sympathy with Lord
and Lady Elcho under their sad bereavement.
The proceedings then terminated.

The Lancet says the fears entertained from the first that
this unfortunate young nobleman's recovery was hopeless
have been confirmed. He died at 12.30 p.m. on
Thursday It appears that the bullet passed
in at the left orbit below the inner end of the
eyebrow, crossing and damaging extensively the
ethmoid bone, leaving the nasal bones uninjured. Then,
entering the right orbit, as was apparent from the
extensive effusion of blood in the eyelids, it
had probably been deflected into the cranium, where
it inflicted fatal lesion on the right hemisphere of
the brain. This, in the absence of a post-mortem
examination, seems borne out by the paralysis of
the left side, which supervened very shortly after the
injury. Mr. Walter Coulson first saw the patient, and
immediately sent for Sir William Fergusson, when the
wound was carefully examined, and they at once pro-
nounced it of a fatal nature. The patient has been seen
daily.by Sir William Fergusson, Surgeon-Major Wyatt
remaining in the house in constant attendance.

PROJECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT.—The London
correspondent of the Manchester Courier writes :—"There
is a rumour afloat that the Government mean to propose
a considerable supplementary estimate for the purpose of
'mobilising' the militia, or, at least, bringing it up to its
full strength. If that be so, I believe occasion will
be taken by the Opposition formally to direct
the attention of Parliament and the country ,to
the extensive reductions in the strength of
ll
arms of our military forces—considerably surpassing
it is said, what the House of Commons approved of when
the army estimates were moved. And if that opportunity
is not afforded, the Opposition will make one for itself.
The Times is beginning to open its columns to letters and
communications in that direction, which is an ominou'
sign for Mr. Cardwell. The Government is doing its
best to push on the estimates, and when all the money
has been got, you will find the session suddenly shut
up with a remarkable alacrity. There is a talk of the
prorogation being fixed for Tuesday, the 9th, but I
hardly think that the business will be huddled up by
that time. Were this treaty business satisfactorily
explained away, it would be an unmixed advantage if
the House of Commons could be got rid of. The friends
of peace and neutrality are kept in a perpetual tremble
lest some unlucky, indiscreet speech should commit us in
some way or other, Foreign nations, unfortunately,
don't understand the exact composition of our House of
Commons, An M.P, is an M.P. in their eyes, and a
}Viands, or anybody else of equal loquacity and ignorance,
might do more harm in ten minutes than all the tact or
knowledge of a Gladstone or a Disraeli oould remedy in a
week.

FHE MONEY MARKET

AND
( Kit(JIAL NTELL CI EN CE.

CITY, Two O'CLOCK

Business on Stock Exchange almost entirely suspended.
Fortnightly accounts absorbing attention. In Foreign
Bonds and Railway Stock business is limited, the quota-
tions being almost nominal.
Consols are now 891 to 891 for money, and 89i for
account ; Three per Cent. Reduced, 891 to 89! ; New
Three per Cents., 891 ; India Five per Cents., 1091 to
1091; ditto Four per Cents., 15 10 prem.
In the Foreign Market Brazilian Bonds of 1865 are
86 to 87; Egyptian Seven per Cents. of 1864, 81 83; ditto
of 1868, 69 to 68 ; Spanish of 18C", 23i to 24 ; ditto of
1869, 23i to 231 ; ditto Quicksilver, 681- ; Peru-
vian, 83 to 85; Turkish Five per Cents. of 1865, 37
38 ; ditto of 1869, 47 to 48 ; and Five per Cent. Italian
of 1865, 80.

The Railway Market—Metropolitan are 66i to 67 ;
Great Eastern is 32; ; London and Brighton, 35 ;
Caledonian, 731; South-Eastern 65 to 651; Manchester,
Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 39; to 41; Great Northern,
115 ; ditto (A), 122; North Eastern; 1331 to 134 ;
London and North-Western, 1224 to 1231; Midland,
1221 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 1261 to 127 ; Great
Western, 62.
Canada Five per Cents. are quoted 98 to 981 ex div. ;
New South Wales Five per Cents., 98 to 98k ex div. ;
New Zealand Five per Cents., 93 to 94 ; Queensland
Six per Cents., 102 to 102/ ex div. ; Victoria Five per
Cents., 98 to 981 ex div. ; and ditto Six per Cents.,
107.

Telegraph Shares—Anglo-American, 80 to 82f ; British
Indian, 7 to 71 ; China, 44 to 4 dis.; Falmouth, 91 to 91;
French Cable, 15 to 151; and Construction and Main-
tenance, 224.
In American Securities, Five-Twenty Bonds are quoted
at 814 to 824 ; Ten-Forties, 78 to 81.; Erie Shares, 15
to 16.; Illinois, 99 to 100 ; Atlantic and Great Western
Consolidated Mortgage Bonds, 19 to 20 ; and ditto De-
bentures, 25 to 30.
In Bank shares Affiance are quoted 12i ; Anglo-
Austrian, 15 4; Chartered Mercantile, 26 to 28 ;
Consolidated, 4 4 ; Imperial Ottoman, 11 to 104 ; London
and County, 494; London and Westminster, 5961; London
Joint Stock, 32 ; and Union of London 37.

In Miscellaneaus Shares Berlin Water Works are quoted
12 ; Viceroy of Egypt 7 per cent. Mortgage Loan, 68 to 7i ;
National Discount Company, 101 ; and Peninsular and
Oriental Steam, 40.

Four additional failures have been announced in the
Stock Exchange, making a total of 30 failures since the
war panic. Few of them have been for large amounts,
the greatest losses having been met by brokers and dealers,
who from their 'own means or by the assistance of friends
have been enabled to fulfil all their engagements.
A meeting of the creditors of Mr, Magnus, of the Pimlico
Slate Works, was held on Wednesday, at Dyers' Hall,
Dowgate-hill. The liabilities are £35,411, and the assets
£47,641. It was resolved that Mr. Magnus should carry
on his business as heretofore, and that time should be
given to realise the property without sacrifice, and the
creditors paid in full. Mr. Magnus's propositions were
agreed to without a single dissentient voice. The meeting
was unanimous in expression of sympathy with Mr.
Magnus, and deep confidence in his honour and integrity.
Mr. Herbert Farren, secretary to the Valencia Slate
Slab Company, Limited, was unan ously appointed
trustee.

At an adjourned meeting of creditors of Messrs. Joseph
Long and Co., Manchester, the resolution accepting the
offer of 2s. 6d. in the pound was confirmed.
According to the Manchester Courier, Messrs. Cooke
and Son, grey cloth agents, have found it necessary to
call a meeting of their creditors. The liabilities are not
large.
The Bank of France return this week shows a diminu-
tion of £2,800,000 in the stock of bullion, and an increase
of £7,640,000 in the bills discounted, and £2,280,000 in
the notes issued.

The directors of the London and County Bank have
decided on paying the usual dividend of 6 per cent., with
a bonus of 2} per cent., being together 8} per cent. for the
half-year ended June last, and equal to 17 per cent. per
annum, carrying forward £7,000.
The advices from Buenos Ayres by the present mail are
to the Ist of July, and bring no new commercial intelli-
gence. Money had become abundant at the compartively
low rate of 8 per cent., and the National Internal Bonds
were firm at 691. In the southern part of the province a
raid of Indians had caused the death of many persons and
a great loss of cattle.
From Brazil the chief intelligence on this occasion re-
lates to a frost which had occurred in the provinces of
Minas Gsraes, San Paulo, &c., such as had not been
experienced for 30 years, causing much destruction among
the tobacco, cotton, and coffee plantations.
The Liverpool Journal of Commerce states :—" To-day
there has been great anxiety. On the Stock Exchange
several failures were announced, and among them Messrs.
Bold and Lawrence, Jones and Townley, C. W. Fry, T.
S Todd, Thomas Morecroft, Taunton and Co., W. R.
Martin, and Powles. There was a meeting of creditors
to-day for the choice of a trustee on the estate of Mr.
Henry Thompson, provision dealer. It was stated that
debts to the amount of £28,693 had been proved, and Mr.
John Blease, in face of considerable opposition, was ap-
pointed trustee. The public examination has been fixed
for the 27th proximo."

The Committee of the House of Lords unanimously
decided that the Government should purchase the Jersey
and Guernsey Telegraph.

The annual report of the Birkbeck Building Society
declared a bonus of £1 per share above the 5 per cent.
interest allowed, and in addition to the bonuses previously
allotted, being equal to upwards of 15 per cent. per annum
for the last ten years.
Messrs. Rothschild have announced that the bonds of
the Spanish Quicksilver Mortgage Loan are now ready
for delivery.

MARKETS.-THIS DAY