The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-01 00:00:00

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL.

We understand that for the present the Duke of
Argyll, Lord Privy Seal, will take the duties of the
Post-office in the absence of the Earl of Elgin. This
temporary arrangement is made in consequence of
an uncertainty as to the duration of the noble earl's
absence. The most recent advices from China bring
the intelligence that an ultimatum has been sent in
by the English and French topieseutati-rea on the
spot, to the Emperor, giving the Court of Pekin
thirty days to determine whether it will accept and
execute the treaty in its entirety, and comply with
such other cqnditions arising out of the late outrage
as the allies judge fitting. I+ the news of the ac-
ceptance of our terms meets Lord Elgin on his
road, he will return to England to resume his office.
If, on the contrary, our demands should not be
complied with, his lordship will proceed to China
on his arduous mission, and a successor will be ap-
pointed to the office, which the public convenience
will require to be provided for.—Post.

The latest letters received from the army of Italy con-
tain details respecting the approaching departure of the
gendarmerie, mounted and on foot, which are attached as a
police force to the several divisions of the army. The bri-
gade attached to the 4th division have received orders which
fix their departure from the 28th of April to the 6th of May.
This brigade will embark for Genoa for Marseilles. The
brigade of gendarmerie attached to the sth division will re-
place for the present the brigade of the 4th division at Pia-
cenza, and will subsequently embark at Genoa for France.
THE PROPOSED NEW PARLIAMENTARY FRAN-
oxisE.—The select committee appointed by the House of
Lords to inquire into the parliamentary franchise in eoun-
ties and boroughs, met for the first time at one o'clock yes-
terday, but the public are not admitted to its sittings, and
no report can therefore be given of its proceedings.
In the absence of demand for the Continent,
£85,000 of the gold by the Copenhagen was yesterday sent
into the Bank. The amount of gold remaining to be dis-
posed of within the next few days is £546,000, the bulk of
which is expected to remain here.
Only two gold ships are known to be still at sea
from Melbourne—viz., the Norwood and Montmorency, the
former with £38,000, and the latter with £36,000. The
coming Australian mail, however—news of which is now
due—will doubtless report fresh remittances.
The excitement occasioned by the Union Bank
frauds is subsiding. Pullinger and Lyttleton will be brought
up at the Mansion-house on Friday. The directors are en-
deavouring to trace the notes which Pullinger misappro-
priated, instead of paying them into the Bank of England.
Meanwhile they have not made any response to the request
for information preferred by the Committee of the Stock
Exchange.
OFFICERS IN TILE ROYAL NATY.—A return was
printed on Saturday, by which it appears that the total
number of officers employed in the navy on the Ist of
March last was 1,118, and unemployed 2,466. Of the em-
ployed five were vice-admirals, 16 rear-admirals, 113 cap-
tains, 203 commanders, and 781 lieutenants. Among the
unemployed were one admiral of the fleet, 21 admirals, 22
vice-admirals, 35 rear-admirals, 35 captains, 241 comman-
ders, 288 lieutenants, 303 reserved flag-officers, 98 retired
captains, 217 reserved commanders, 109 retired commanders,
359 reserved lieutenants, 487 retired lieutenants. The per
tentage of employed officers is stated to be 311, and of un-
employed 681.
THE BRITISH MUSEUM.--Yesterday the reading-
room, libraries, and galleries of the British Museum were
closed for the annual spring vacation, and during the re-
cess no person can be admitted under any pretence what-
ever. On Tuesday, the Bth inst., the reading-room and
library will be reopened, and on 9th inst. the galleries will
be opened to the public, and continue open every Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday, from ten till six o'clock ; and
during the months of May, June, July, and August, the
public will also be admitted to the Museum every Satur-
day afternoon from twelve till six o'clock, commencing on
the 12th inert.

SWIFTNESS OF BIRDS.—A German ornithologist
says :—The vulture can fly at the rate of 150 miles an hour.
Observations made on the coast of Labrador convince Major
Cartwright that the wild goose can travel at the rate of 90
miles an hour. The common crow can fly 25 miles; swal-
lows, according to Spallagin, 92 miles an hour. It is said
that a &km was discovered at Malta 24 hours after the de •
parture of Henry IV. from Fontainebleau. If true, this
bird must have flown 15 hours at the rate of 57 miles, not
allowing him to rest a moment during the whole time.—
American. Agriculturist.
Tom SAYERS IN LIVERPOOL.—LIVERPOOL, Mon-
day.—The announcement in the local papers of Saturday
that the Champion would pay a visit to Liverpool this after
noon, drew together, at and around the Lime-street rail-
way station, an immense concourse of persons, all eager to
get a look at a man who had become their admiration for
the courage he displayed in the late fight. On the arrival
of Sayers he was vociferously received, and to such a height
did the enthusiasm arise, and the excitement impel
his more ardent admirers, that they took the horses
from the car and drew it in triumph to the Talbot
Hotel, which is to be his head-quarters while in Liver-
pool. There he had to show himself at the window,
in answer to deafening cheers from the crowd outside
At four p.m. Sayers appeared on 'Change. He had been
expected there, and for more than an hour previous the
excited commotion in the rooms, on the " flags," and
around the neighbourhood was very great. By the time of
the Champion's arrival the great square and the streets
leading to it were choked. Cheer after cheer rent the air,
when he approached. lie was conducted into the rooms,
and way with difficulty made for his progress to the upper
end. There was no attempt at making a speech by Tom ;
indeed, however good he might be as an orator, the con-
tinuous broadsides of cheers would have caused a failure.
All he did say was, " Gentlemen, I thank you from the
bottom of my heart for the kind manner in which you have
received me. He then retired. The whole reception was
a genuine ovation.
FOURTEEN MEN DROWNED.—We deeply regret
to state that the fears which were entertained for the safety
of the Stornoway fishing crews have been confirmed. The
boat recently picked up in the Pentland Firth and landed
at Thurso turns out to be one of those amissing. There is
therefore no room to hope that any of the unfortunate crews
have been saved. Fourteen men, chiefly promising lads,
and steady and active fishermen, most of them well-known
here, have thus suffered by this sad calamity.—Northern
Ensign,

LATEST

N E W

The following telegrams were received at Mr

Reuter's office :

TURIN, APRIL 30.

King Victor Emmanuel will arrive to-day at
Pistoja. To-morrow his Majesty will proceed to
Lucca and Bologna.

GENEVA, APRIL 30.

2,000 men of the Federal troops occupying
Geneva will be disbanded on the 10th of May
next, but will be replaced immediately.

The Federal Council has resolved on the in-
structions referring to the Conference to be sent

:0 Dr. Kern.

PESTH, APRIL 30, NooN.

The requiem of the late Count Stephen Sze-
chenyi has been concluded without any disturb-
ances having taken place. Great numbers of the
inhabitants were present at the ceremony. The
vault has bean closed.

NAPLES, APRIL 27 (via GENOA).

After the destruction of the town of Carini
the Royal troops returned by steamer to Palermo.
A fight between the insurgents and the soldiers
has taken place at Alcano.
More ambulances have been despatched to Sicily.

THE BRAZILS.

LISBON, APRIL 30.

The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company's ship
Magdalena has arrived with dates from Rio
Janiero to the 7th April.
No political news of importance.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Exchange on London firm at 251; on Paris, 382
to 384 ; on Hamburg, 730 to 735, on which places
the Magdalena brings drafts amounting respec-
tively to £490,000, 3,200,000 francs, and 200,000
mares.

Coffee, good first, 6,450 to 6,600 rein ; stock
100,000 bags. The exports of coffee since the de•
parture of the last mails amount to 104,274 bags,
which is made up as follows :
United States..
Channel
Havre
Marseilles 16,014 ~
Mediterranean 6,257 „
Freight was quoted at 30s.