The Sun.
London, England, 1851-05-16 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAI( 16, 1851.

of carrying out the project in a manner
calculated to secure the favourable regard of all per..
sons indiscriminately, the very reverse has been ac-
complished by the fact of the committee making
certain uncalled•for and invidious distinctions. We
speak not of slighting those who have spontaneously
encouraged the undertaking, whereas a petty sop is
proffered at the very same moment to its assailants ;
but we allude to the indelicacy of forwarding to our-
selves the following singular communication :
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
"Dear Sir,—lt is; much to be regretted that in
consequence of the limited space of the saloon in Devon-
shire House, in which Sir E. Bulwer Lytton's new
comedy is to be performed, we are prevented from for-
warding to you a ticket to witness the performance, it
having been found impossible to invite more than the
editors of the morning newspapers.
" When the public performances are given in a more
spacious theatre, we shall have much pleasure in in-
viting yourself and friend to be present.
"I am, dear Sir, yours, &c.,
" W. H. WILLS, Honorary Secretary."
" Guild of Literature and Art, 10, Lancaster-place,
Strand, 13th May, 1851."
The indecorum of this letter we cannot but regard
as altogether too glaring to require any comment by
way of elucidation. Our cordial sympathies, we may
be permitted to observe, were yielded to the
project of the Guild of Literature as originally sug-
gested by Sir BULWER LYTTON, without any demand
for their articulation, and without any other incite-
ment whatever beyond that arising from our span-
taneous pleasure at its proposal. Yet it would appear
that the committee have gone out of their way to ac-
knowledge thioearnest advocacy of their ideas by
thrusting an invidious selection upon our notice, and
accompanying this with a petty and insulting promise
of future consideration. We can only comprehend
any proceeding like the foregoing upon the supposi-
tion that the gentlemen alluded to have fallen
rather erroneously into the belief that they are pe-
culiarly and emphatically the collective representatives
of English literature, and as such empowered to deal
at pleasure either insults or compliments among their
contemporaries with the rigour of JOHNSON and the
voice of BOANERGES. Against a belief of this some-
what extravagant kind we must be permitted, how-
ever, to enter our exception. For, although
in one amateur we recognise a novelist
of extraordinary genius, in another a drama-
tist of singular ability, in another a poetical com-
mentator of large and even splendid capacities, we
nevertheless cannot lose a remembrance that other
men, still surviving, of rare, and admirable powers are
among the number of those who adorn the annals
of our contemporary literature—men who have added
in many instances not less, and, in some few instances,
even greater lustre to letters in their nume-
rous and diversified departments. Together
with these recollections, we bear also in
mind that our profession, as a systematic
cultivation of knowledge, is likely to be
marred very considerably by allowing any project
like the one in question to degenerate into the
movement of a clique rather than of an entire com-
munity. Political reforms of anything like value or
importance can scarcely, we opine, be brought about
by three tailors of Tooley-street, calling themselves the
people of England. Neither, we imagine, can an un-
dertaking like the present be satisfactorily guided in
its development by a score of amateur actors, however
gifted they may chance to be in histrionics as well
as in literature, arrogating to themselves the authority
belonging only to the accumulated voice of those
illustrious authors who might each be regarded as the
facile princeps of his generation.
Henceforth we shall continue to regard the Guild
with undiminished feelings of solicitude for its
prosperity, however much we may consider
the press as having been gratuitously in-
sulted by its promoters, or however much
we do unquestionably look upon the management of
the enterprise as injurious to the interests and deroga-
tory to the character of literature. Whenever we
can by possibility discover opportunities for pro
moting the cause of this among other benevolent in,

stitutions we shall endeavour to avail ourselves of

through the medium of our diurnal broadsheet,
though at the same time we cast aside as altogether
preposterous tha notion of being coaxed into com-
placency by free admissions to public performances.
Based as the proposed institution will be upon a
groundwork of magnanimous generosity, we shall
rejoice to promote its interests hereafter by our ad-

vocacy as cordially as we have striven to do
so heretofore, notwithstanding that ill-becoming
arrogance of the committee, which has induced
them to act thus ungraciously and ungracefully to a
considerable section of public journalists. Ready
we shall ever be to express our indignation
at those who may venture upon acts of gratuitous
insult and ingratitude (howsover largely they may
plume themselves upon their importance), but equally
ready also to subserve, to the utmost of our ability,
any project of theirs which may appear to us de-
serving of encouragement, especially one as humane
in its purpose as the Guild of Art and Literature.

equally rapid, if not equally beyond expectation.
According to the latest intelligence received from the
Peninsula the Court party has been worsted in every
particulaiTthe COinmand in Chief of the army
having been, in fact, resigned by the King-Consort,
and the resignation of that dignity formally
accepted by the Queen-Regnant. Regnant
her MAJESTY can only be regarded pro
tampon:, the bauble of sovereignty slipping even
now swiftly from her unconstitutional grasp. Not-
withstanding the formidable situation of affairs, it
would seem that the capital still preserved an aspect
of tranquillity, although disturbances were anticipated
by the citizens of Lisbon immediately upon the
arrival of SALDANHA, an event expected to take place
not later than the 13th instant. Propitious as every-
thing relating to the movement in Portugal may have
hitherto seemed to the personal friends and adherents
of its v Aeran originator, it is nevertheless apparent to
most persons by this time that he will find consider-
able diiiiculty in carrying out his views of reform
entirely to his satisfaction. His sagacious judgment
seems Lo have bowed already to the necessity of his
position, concessions of a large kind having been made
by him to the leaders and champions of the Septem-
bristas, Among other things, he has been compelled
to ally himself ministerially with JOSE PASSOS, one of
the principal upholders of that faction—accounts
from Lisbon variously assigning the Presidency of
the new Cabinet to PASSOS and to SALDANHA.
Little doubt exists, however, any longer that the rule
of MARIA DA GLORIA is definitively doomed to
very speedy termination. The majority begin to
direct their regard almost unanimously towards one
of her llsaEsTv's children as her most probable suc-
cessor. In Dom PEDRo—to be called the Fifth in
the event of his coronation—the people seem to re-
cognise some guarantee for the restoration of the
rights originally secured to them by the Constitution.
For as yet the young Prince is but a stripling, and
might consequently be moulded in that form, the
mere ideal of which excited a certain enthusiasm in
the mind of the great BOLMGBROKE. However oc-
currences may turn out, it is undeniable that Por-
tugal possesses at this moment an opportunity, the
proper employment of which may be the means of
securing to herself the enjoyment of a protracted era
of prosperity. With the people of Portugal, therefore,
and especially with the Duke of SALDANHA, their
veteran commander, reposes an awful and most
momentous responsibility—the responsibility of con-
ducting to a perfectly satisfactory issue the present
social and political revolution. If the patriotic
chieftains of the movement do not under-estimate
the importance of that responsibility, or if, on the
other hand, they do not in some measure miscalculate
its tendencies, the success of the movement of 1851
may compensate for the failure of the preceding out-
break of 1847, and SALDA:NHA may prove a more
fortunate leader of his race than LAMARTINE of the
French, or KOSSUTH of the Hungarians.

QUEEN'S BENCH.-(TIIIS DAY.)
'Before the LORD CHIEF BARON and a Common Jury.)
DOE DEM. CALTON v. PULLAN.
This was an action in ejectment to recover possession
of a house.
Mr. Barstow appeared for the plaintiff; and Mr.
Pearce for the defendant.
Mr. BARSTOW, in stating the case to the jury, said
the plaintiff, Mr. Calton, who was a gentleman of inde-
pendent property, owned a house in Connaught-terrace,
in the Edgware-road, which he let to a person of the
name of Brenan on a lease of 21 years, at a yearly
rent of 75/., which was to be payable quarterly.
an neglected to continue his payments, and ulti-
mately left the house, previously assigning over the lease
to the defendant, an elderly lady, who took possession of
the premises. She also refused to pay any rent, and the
landlord was unable to put in a distress, as the front
door was always kept closed, and the only means of
communication with the inmates was through the iron
grating of the area. The Learned Counsel adverted
to the practice, now very common, of persons remaining
in houses without paying any rent, for the purpose or
inducing landlords to give them a bonus to leave, rather
than incur the expense cf it suit of ejectment, and said
the plaintiff in the present case, in a spirit of liberality,
had offered the defendant 1001. to quit the premises,
but that she positively refined to do so unless she re-
ceived a larger sum.
Hero a lady, in rather ancient attire, whose face was
shrouded in a huge bonnet, started up from one of the
back rows, and, amidst much laughter, announced that
she was the unfortunate defendant, and indignantly
denied the insinuation of the Learned Counsel; adding,
the houss had cost her a great deal of money, and that
she hoped the jury would do her justice.
Mr. PEARCE corroborated the statement of his client,
and said he was ready to agree to a verdict, if the plain.
tiff would adhere to his orgelal offer of 1001.
Mr. BARST,W said as the plaintiff had been compelled
to bring this action, he would object to give so large a
sum, but being anxious to act fairly to the lady, he
was ready to make her a present of 50/. on condition that
she would at once give up possession.
Lord CAMPBELL thought that was a very liberal offer,
Far, if Mr. Barstow was enabled to prove his opening
statement, there could be no doubt the plaintiff would be
entitled to a verdict.
After some further discussi:n a verdict for 501. was
taken by consent of the parties, the money to be paid
on obtaining possession of the premises.

SECONDARIES'...—(THIS DA Y.)
(Before Mr. Secondary POTTER.)
TANGUARY AND ANOTFIER V. VIVIAN.
These plaintiffs are distillers, and defendant is a
licensed victualler in Farringdon-street, and the action
was brought to recover the sum of 4041. on a promissory
note, and for goods sold. There was no defence, and a
verdict was given for the amount.
There were no other cases.

CRIMINAL COURT. _.(THIS DAY.)
OLD COURT.
(Before Mr. Baron ALDERSON and Mr. Justic© TAL-
FM:IRD.)
FORGERY.—Edward Smith, who on Wednesday
pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with
forgery, was this morning sentenced to ten years' trans-
portation.
RAPE.—James Mears, aged 16, pleaded guilty to an
indictment charging him with feloniously and carnally
knowing and abusing Amelia Stevens, under ten years
of age, and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment
with hard labour.

.--
NE W COURT.
(Before the RECORDER.)
ROBNERY BY SERVANTS.— iVilliala Searle, aged 58,
described as a painter, and Phcebe Searle, aged 53, his
wife, were indicted for stealing six bolsters, seventeen
pillows, twenty blankets, one fork, one spoon, and other
articles, value 501., the property of Sir William Robert
Clayton, Bart., his master.
The prisoners for some years past have been engaged
to take care of Sir William's residence, in Gloucester-
place, Hyde-park, while his family were out of town, and
last winter they took advantage of thus being in pos-
session of the house to abstract the stolen articles in
question, and pawn them for various sums at different
pawnbrokers in Marylebone. The prisoners received
five shillings a week for their trouble in minding the pre-
mises, but the man was allowed to go out and do as he
liked in the day time, which enabled him to earn four
shillings a day as a labourer. Up to the period of the
present charge, the prisoners had borne excellent cha-
racters.
The jury found them Guilty, and they were sentenced
to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.

MR. T.DUNCOMBE, M.P., AND THE
ELECTORS OF FINSBURY.
The following is the reply of Mr. T. Duncombe, m.p.,
to the requisition of Mr. Thomas Stone and other elec-
tors of Finsbury, calling on him to resign his seat:—
" 5, Palace Chambers, St. James's,
May 15, 1851.
" Sir,—Your letter, dated the 29th ult., was only delivered
yesterday. Yourself and forty-seven other electors therein
state that you and they have been thrown into ' a consider-
able state of surprise and dismay, having been informed of nil)
intention to bring a measure into the House in favour of the
Roman Catholics, and opposed to that of Lord John Russell.'
ssel Upon this information you are pleased to demand theimme-
diate resignation of my seat.
" Now, although I deeply regret the shock that your
nerves and religious sensibilities seem to have sustained,
yet as I never undertook to make myself responsible
tor every rumour that might reach you, you will excuse
me, when I inform you, that as the borough of Finsbury con-
sists of at least,fifteen thousand electors, I, Protestant as I
am, cannot reconcile it to my sense of duty to do the mere
bidding of forty-eight. However, 1 have this consolation
to offer you, that as a general election cannot be far distant,
when, should my health be sufficiently re• established to
justify me in asking, a sixth time, for a renewal of that con-
fidence with which Finsbury has ever honoured me,
yourself, and the forty-seven other requisitionists will
have the desired opportunity of choosing (as you
eloquently describe him) ' that gentleman who feels
it his duty to advocate your wishes as true Protestants and sup-
porters of a Protestant Constitution.' Till then, as ever,
"Faithfully yours,
"THOMAS S. DUNCOMDE.

"Mr. Thomas Stone."

100
47%

6 2-3

1734
13
all
all

AM done

to-day.

1837.

1851.

General and State Go-
vernments
Cities and counties,
debts ......
Railroad and Canal
Companies, debts ... 20,000,000 80.000,000
Bank loans 525,000,000 450.000,000

30,000,000 75,000,000

Total
31i 25 As to the banks generally of the United States, they
are stated to have now a capital of 227,000,000 dollars
against 290,000,000 dollars in 1837. Their specie
amounts to 48 against 37 millions of dollars, and their
circulation to 155 against 149 millions. The number of
banks is 871 against 788.
The result of the efforts made by the Lyons and
Avignon at Bordeaux and Cette shareholders to pro-
tect their " caution" money has been the formation of a
committee, and it is hoped there will be an amicable
arrangement with the parties who seek to obtain a non'
and independent concession. Nevertheless the safety of
the shareholders consists in their continued and strenu-
ous co-operation with the committee. A sum exceeding
800,0001. is at stake, and this is an amount of national
importance. Many individuals have subscribed several
thousand pound:.
In the Amsterdam Stock Market on the 14th inst.
there was no c`ainge in prices, and very little was done.
Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. were 57i1,-.
At Hamburgh last Tuesday the rate of exchange on
London was still 13 3.
The English Funds have been steady and there have
been several transfeis. Console have realised 97 to 4for Money, and 974 for Account. Cash has again
been in demand for the Share settlement, and Exche-
quer- bine have been heavy at 45s to 46s premium. Bank
Stock is firm at 210 to 211. India Stock has not been
higher than 259, The New Three-and-a-Quarter per
distil': Cents. are 97i to The price of the French rentes
comes lower from Paris after the previous improvement,
but political affairs are looked upon with favour.
Foreign Securities have been variable, this being the
settling day. Spanish Five per Cents. have realised
20/ and the Passive have risen to 6. The Ministers
are expected to have an excellent majority. Portuguese
Four per Cents. have been quoted 321 to 334,
being rather lower. Mexican Bonds have been quoted
35i to -a. Brazil Stock is at 88k, and Venezuela at 33
26 % to . Peruvian Deferred has been quoted 36i to 374.
Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. are 591 ;1-; and Rus-
sian Four-aed-a-Half per Cents., 100 to 100. i.
Railway Shares have recovered a little from the ex-
treme depression of yesterday, but are atilt compara-
tively depreesecl. The Liverpool failures in the Cotten
Market have caused shares to be sold, for the purpose
of raising money.

QUARTER TO THREW,
Console 971 +
Ditto Account, June 10 ... 97
BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
Bank Stock 2lO 211
8 per Cont. Reduced Aux uties 96%1/.14
8 per Cent. Consols Anus
New 314 per Cent. Ames. 973/4% %
gong Annuities, Exp. Jan. sth, 1860 7 5-16
India Stock 259
India Bonds under 1,0001..
South Sea Stock
Ditto Old Annuities 96
Consols for Account • 97141
EKehgener Bills.
1,0001.... 46 45 p
..1)7
Small
TRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Braztiian Bonds. 5 per Cent. BB
Danish Bonds 1825, 3 per Cent....
Ditto, 5 per Cent
BLxiesn pc.r Cent., Coupon=,
Ditto Ex Jan. Coupons
Peruvian Bonds, 5 per Cent —
Do. Deferred
Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent
Ditto 4 oar Cent.
Ditto for the Account
Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 par Cont —
Ditto 41A per Cent. lOOl4 100
Rpanisft Bonds, 5 per Cont 20%14
Ditto Passive Bonds 6
Venezuela Bonds
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Belgian 41,42 per Cent.
Dutch 24, per Cent., 12 Guild 59%1-4

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—,, THIS DAY.)
LONDON, MAY 16.—Wind at noon W., light breeze
and fine.
FALMOUTH, MAY 15. Off port, Land-&-Cakes,
Shanghai; Maria Charlotte, Java; Garland, Jamaica;
Scotsman, Porto Rico. A brig, apparently English,
abandoned, painted white, black ports, no. head, main-
mast carried away about half-way from the deck, no
foretopsail mast, foresail and foretopsail loose,
to
boats on deck, and bulwarks carried away amidships,
was passed Dec. 11., in lat. 4 N., long. 15 W., and about
two hours after she disappeared.
SUNDERLAND, MAY 15.—Wind W.S.W.—SId. Atter-
burn, Demerara; Janat, Quebec; Roelius, Quebec.
EMDEN, MAY 10.—The Catherine, from Rostock, has
put in to stop a leak; part of cargo discharged in a da-
maged state.
DANTZIC, MAY 10.—The Charles English schooner,
got aground off Lena, but has been assisted off and into
_ that port.
DEAL,' MAY 15,—Wind E.N.E.—Arrd. Republic
' whaler, Sandwich Islands for Bremen. Arrd. from the
_ River, Mohawk, Sydney, New South Wales; Joseph
Shepherd, Hong-Kong; Duke of Norfolk, Jamaica;
Henry, New York; Samuel, Miram:ichi; Arab, Cardiff;
Isabel.
LIVERPOOL, MAY 15.—Wind variable.—Arrd. Peter
Morey, New Orleans; Nautilus, Callao; John G. Coster,
Apalachicola; Premier' Santos. Off port, Mary Ann,
Apalachicola; Portland, ditto; St. George, Eudocia,
Isabel, Moses Wheeler, Spartan, Mary Ann Johnston,
Swordfish. Sld. Giaour, Havannah; Ronachan, Quebec;
Needlove, Calcutta; Rob Barbour, ditto; Arab, Cape of
Good Hope; Petrel, Africa; Dauntless, Maranham;
Camerton, Trinidad; Chapmans, Demerara; Camillus,
New Orleans. The Genoa steamer its discharging her
cargo in a damaged state, the vessel having sunk in the
Prince's Basin.
OFF HASTINGS.—Sir Robert Peel, New York.
PORTSMOUTH, MAY 15.—Wind N.E . to S.—Arrd.
her Majesty's ship Asia, South America, with 54,000
dollars, on merchants' account. Her Majesty's ship
Wellesley, from the West Indies, has not arrived, as re-
ported yesterday.
BRISTOL, MAY 15.—Wind E.—Sld. Triumph, New-
port and West Indies ; Wrangel, New port and Quebec.
WATERFORD, MAY 14.—Wind S.W. to S.S.E.—Arrd.
Velocity, New York.
GUERNSEY, MAY 15.—The Lucile, of and from
Moilaix, from Haifieur, was lost off the coast of Al-
derney 10th inst ~• crew saved.
GIBF.ALTAR, MAY i 6.—About' 200 vessels in this
Bay, Algeciras, and behind the rock, are waiting a fair
wind, to pass the Straits to the West:

MARKET NEWS.-4-THIS DAY.

CORN EXCHANGE-(FRIDAY.

Fresh up to this morning's market, coastwise anciby
land carriage, the arrivals of English Wheat were
limited, but of fair average quality. As a good clear.
ance was made both on Monday and Wednesday, the
show of stale samples was very small. Although the
attendance of both town and country millers was
very
moderate, the demand for all kinds oZ Wheat of home
produce ruled steady at very full prices, at which holders
were not to say ready sellers. We havee
this week.
received up-
wards of 14,000 quarters of foreign 'Wheat
To-day the suppiy of tha e
t grain—
was extensive. Fine dualities y ex-granary—
full rates of currency, but thmoved off freely, at
ferior kinds wore a siovv
little d.ozng;
ei middling and in-
. twiddling
at late rates.
In floating, cargoes very
but we had nume-
rous offers from llmnrzic and
quantity of Foreign Earley elsewhere. A very large
English was was in
very mail. Themarket, but that of
about stationary prices. No
trade was less attire, at
We were well supplied o change took place in Malt.
full average business- ' with
Foreign Oats, in which a
Beans, Peas,
Indian Corn, and Flour as on Monday.
ITZIVALS THIS WEE.

MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS.
TY,
The sales of Cotton at LC I
iverpoolTWO O'CLOCK.
yest,rd were e
. mated at 10.000 bales, of which 1,000 were taken for
export and 2,000 on speculation. The sales comprised
about 8,000 American, chiefly at 64d.; 800 Pernam and
Maranhara at 74d. to 80., 400 Egyptian at Sid. to 91d.,
and 800 Surat at 31d. to 4ld. per lb. The market
closed firmly with a moderate supply of American, and
prices compared with Friday's rates are 4d. lower for
American, and all other kinds d. to id.—The market
for Railway Shares was flat, and prices at the close were
considerably lower.
The amount of business transacted in colonial and
foreign produce this week has been large, but holders
have met the buyers in respect to the prices of many
articles. Coffee has not come into greater favour, but
Sugar has been extensively dealt in, and at very full
prices. Some descriptions of Spices have been cheaper.
Cotton is much depressed. Indigo has gone off heavily
at the public sales. Wool opens rather briskly.
The last accounts from America inform us that the
Back of the United States has not yet closed up its af-
fairs, and millions upon millions of its claims upon indi-
viduals are in a state of litigution and liquidation. In
1837, the banks held a more powerful position in the
financial world than at this moment. Then every one
wanting a loan went to some bank, and obtained it.
The banks then almost monopolised the loaning of
money ; bat now the case is entirely different. The ac-
cumulation of capital in the hands of private individuals
has created a large number of private bankers, who do an
immense business in the way of discounting c-mamerciai
paper, and it is the impression that, in Wall-street clone,
ten to fifteen millions of paper is floating about between
individuals or private bankers, independent of the in-
corporated banks of that vicinity, in every way.
From the same source we have an estimate of the
public and private indebtedness, which, although neces-
sarily based upon imperfect data, is probably near the
truth :

FATAL OCCURRENCE AT BLACKFRIARS-BRIIKI-E.-.:
Yesterday morning, about half-past five o'clock, a man OW"'
40 years of age was passing over the Blackfriars-bridge t wards the City. On getting about midway he mountou.
the seat in one of the recesses and got over tin wall. One of the London Fire Brigade men, mane"
Hister, who was proceeding towards the floating engine to
go on duty, seeieg that the man contemplated sniolicla,
rushed forward, accompanied by two or three other pert aorta,
in the hope of preventing him from destroying hin melt.
The fireman, at the risk of losing his own lee,
climbed over the wall, and the men who Ors
near held one of his arms, while he, with the other,
succeeded in grasping the hand of the unfortunate r nan.
He held him up in this state for some time, but his weight.
was so great that it was impossible for him to pull hint Up-
He called for some one on the bridge to get a rope to pass
under the man's arms, but before that could be accomplialzed
the weight of the poor fellow nearly exhausted him,. slid
being unable to keep his hold any longer the man fell into
the river beneath and immediately disappeared. Boats were
instantly put off from the steamboat-pier, and the rivier
dragged near the spot where the deceased had fallen, but the
body could not be found. Who the unfortunate deceased
was is at present unknown. From his dress he appeared to
have been a labouring man or journeyman bricklayer. Too
much praise cannot be given to the fireman, who thus so
heroically risked his life in endeavouring to save a fences r"
creature, for had the men on the other side of the boars ss
of the bridge for one instant relinquished their hold of him
ne must have been pulled by the weight of the suicide into
the river along with him.
Intelligence has been received from the Civil Com-
missioner of the Seychelles Islands to the effect that th era
is an a most inexhaustible supply of guano in that regi on-
These islands, about thirty in number, are a group resting on
sand and coral in the Indian Ocean, north-east of Ma tin-
gascar, between 3 deg. and 5 deg. south latitude, and. 153
deg. and 56 deg. east longitude, and were formally ceded to
England, together with Mauritius, in 1815. No particulars
have yet been given regarding the quality or precise locality
of the guano which has been discovered, but if it should. at
all approach the Peruvian in its chemical properties, it real
prove of immense importance not only to the agricultural
interests of Great Britain, but indirectly to the promoldon
also of the prosperity of Natal and Mauritius, as well as to
the much-desired extension of commerce with Madagaseay.-
Its situation, however, near the equator and in the midst iif
the ocean (the African continent being distant about 800
mike), would lead to the supposition that those peculiiir
conditions of climate which have operated in favour of tile
Peruvian guano may be in a great measure wanting, and lb it
hence its nature is inferior.
FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE IN RATCLIFF-HIGHwAY.----
Yesterday morning at an early hour the premises of ltdr.
Joseph Lawson, No. 6, Vine-place, Broad-street, Ratcliffe
were perceived to be on fire. As soon as the fire was sonle-
what got under, a room was entered, when it was found
that Mr. Lawson was burned be a most frightful mem ter
over the whole of his body. A medical gentleman systa
immediately sent for, who promptly attended ; but duruAg
the brief interval that elapsed, the unfortunate suffer* r
expired. Owing to the exertions of the inhabitants, tb
fire was confined to that part of the premises in which it
begun, but the furniture therein was destroyed, and tb e
lower part of the house severely damaged by water. Th a
unfortunate deceased was in the receipt of an annual pee .
sion from the Trinity House, and it is stated that he tocik
his quarter's money the day preceding his melanchat
death. He was described as being a very sober man, be t
invariably smoked a pipe of tobacco of a night in bed to re -
lieve him of the asthma. From the fact of a pipe being
found near the bed, there is no doubt but that Was the MN
of the outbreak.
GREAT CENTRAL GAS CONSUMERS COMPANY.— -
Yesterday the Committee on this Bill, to incorporate th e
Great Central Gas Consumers Company, met for the firl t
time. Mr. Sergeant Wrangham, Q.C., and Mr. Wilde ap
peered in support of the Bill; and Mr. Talbot, CNC-, en d
Dr. Hope against it. Considerable discussion took place a 8
to the locus standi of the city gas companies, and of th.
Paving Commissioners and merchants and traders petition -
ing against the Bill. Eventually, on the room being clearei I,
the Committee decided in favour of
itnhea
sipoeeueeshsatafnedanisiodfartlat.f
length, trh'eSrgneeant gh
opened Wthreacnasea,m
recapitulating
the principi ii
f6Pelaaerttuireess. M
of the measure as set forth in the Committee of Ito it
session, when the company, he said, was thought to be on 's
that was not intended to be carried out. What, however,
facts?
ate oSfinlc3eo,toOh eOlll., the promoters had erected theiir
works, and laid down their mains at 7101. or 800/. within tile
were the
and were now supplying at 41r.
0001 esctuimbic feet the beat gas to 4,600 consumers in
The company
Cporeiitrgylin.,
would not have been compelled to ex -
pend nearly so much as this had it not been for the expen -
sive Parliamentary contests in which they had been in-
volved, and the
on the pre y Moreover were in a position next month
sent amount of consumption to 5 per cent., and
retain a surplus in addition. Mr. Croll, the company's engi-
neer, and Mr. Dakin, the chairman of the company, were
examined as to the general position of the company's affair% and in corroboration of the statements by counsel, and the
Committee adjourned to this day at 12 o'clock.
GRASS PARKS IN DuMFRIESSHIRE.—The letting of
grass parks has now been nearly brought to a close; and, as
far as we can learn, the prices given are not only Nuat to
those current during late years, but decidedly higher in wine.
ral.—Dumfries Courier.

BIRTH.OF A SON.
On the 13th inst., at Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, the wife of
the Rev. F. L. Currie, Cienchwarton, Norf Ik.
On the 12th inst., at Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, the wife of
G. Hall, Esq., Governor of the Juvenile Reformatory Prison.
OF A DAUGHTER.
On the 13th inst., at Upper Gower-street, the wife of John
J. Clarke, Esq.
On the 13th inst., at Stanhope-street, Regent's-park, Mira.
W. C. Ilomersharn. 8*