The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-28 00:00:00

FRANCE.

BOURSE, Dec. 27.—The fee for admission to the
Bourse will continue to be levied. The closing of
the subscription to the Turkish loan is postponed
until the sth January next. The market has been
very heavy and with a downward tendency, owing
to the arrival of the English funds with a decline
of I per cent. For the Account, Threes are now
at 68f sc; Mobilier, 752 f 50c ; Orleans, 1,381 f 25c ;
Northern, 988 f 75c ; Mediterranean, 910 f; Austrian,
:502f 50e ; Lombard, 472 f 50c. The following are
the last quotations :-
41, per per Cents 96 60 , Credit Fancier 955
Do. ead month.... Belgian 41 —
3 per Cents
Do. end month 6B Roman
Bank Shares 2852 50 Austrian
Credit Mobilier.... 750 —1 Spanish Threes 5O 25
Do. Account 752 50 Home Debt

sanitary officials who formed a part of the garrison,
and who belonged to the regular army of the Two
Sicilies, will retain the rank they held on the 7th
of September, 1860. 4. The rank held by the
under officers at the time of surrendering the place
will be also recognised, on the condition, however,
of completing their engagement as determined by
the law of conscription in the Kingdom of the Two
Sicilies.

... At the moment of surrendering the place the
eapoiitan commissioners will deliver up to the
King's commissioners the list of the names of the
officers and under-officers, with a statement of the
ranks they hold, also an inventory of the ordnance
and stores in the citadel.
After Count de Sanfront had communicated to
General Fergola these honourable conditions, the
latter convoked a council of war, which I am
assured decided on accepting them. This opinion
was also entertained by the soldiers, but the old
Neapolitan general, being of a contrary opinion,
resisted the wish of the garrison and refused to
surrender.

By this time the operations against the citadel
must have already commenced, and as it will be
attacked by sea and land, it is to be foreseen that it
cannot long hold out. It is therefore at Gaeta
that Francis 11. is going to play his last stake; it
will be, doubtless, a very bloody one, but cannot be
very long, for with soldiers so insubordinate they
cannot defend the place as they would if the gar-
rison were French or Piedmontese.

ARRIVAL OF MR. LOCH AT DOTER,

DOVER, THURSDAY,

•
This afternoon the royal mail packet Alliance,
arriving at this port from Calais, brought to Eng-
land Mr. Loch, with the already anticipated de-
spatches from China. The intelligence that Mr.
Loch was on board, though ascertained only a quar-
ter of an hour before the arrival of the packet,
rapidly spread itself over the lower part of the
town, and on the arrival of the Alliance alongside
the Admiralty pier there was a crowd of eager and
enthusiastic spectators ready to give Mr. Loch, so
fresh from the scene of the regent exploits in China,
a hearty congratulation on his safe arrival once
more upon English soil. On the vessel being
brought to her moorings, Mr. J. G. Churchward,
of the Dover and Continental Mail Service, pro•
ceeded on board, and as an old acquaintance of Mr.
Loeb's, offered his congratulations. The Mayor
and Mr. W. H. Bodkin, the recorder of the borough
—the last-named gentleman having fortunately just
arrived at the Lord Warden just at the time the
telegraphic message announcing the departure of
the Alliance with Mr. Loch on board had been
received—also offered their congratulations on his
safe return. The Mayor (J. Birmingham, Esq.)
warmly welcomed him on his safe arrival in Eng-
land. He assured him that the recital of his suf-
ferings had excited the utmost sympathy and com-
miseration of his countrymen. He felt, however,
that those sufferings had induced the vigorous mea-
sures that had resulted in a glorious peace. He
regretted the corporation, in a body, were deprived
of the honour and pleasure of waiting on his land-
ing. Mr. Loch tendered his best thanks, and
expressed his gratitude for all the kindness shown
him. Among the persons assembled at the railway
station were a great number of ladies, including
Miss Birmingham, daughter of the Mayor. All
gracefully welcomed Mr. Loch, who appeared
highly gratified with the reception afforded him.
From the communications made by Mr. Loch, it
appears that at the time he left the scene of opera-
tions in China Lord Elgin expected to follow in
about three months. Two regiments were about to
leave, and 12 men•of-war were also coming home.
As the train moved out of the station the persons
assembled raised a hearty cheer.

TILE _FRENCH DESPATCHES 1120 M

CRINA.

The Moniteur of yesterday publishes the follow-
ing despatch from Baron Gros, a telegraphic sum-
mary of which appeared in the Moniteur of the 20th
of December, via St. Petersburg :
PEKIN, Nov. 7.
Peace was signed on the 25th of October between
the brother of the Emperor and myself.
The ultimatum of Shanghai has been accepted.
The exchange of the ratifications of the Treaty of
Tientsin has taken place. 60,000,000 f. will be paid
as an indemnity to France ; 3,750,000 f. will be paid
in cash on the 30th of the present month.
The emigration of Coolies is authorised by the
Chinese Government.

The churches and cemeteries, with their dependen

cies, belonging formerly to Christians throughout
the whole empire, will be restored to them, through
the medium of the Minister of France. Prince Kung
sent to me yesterday an official document containing
the statement of handing over to me, already done,
of the Catholic Cathedral of Pekin ; he adds that he
knows that in the Imperial city there was formerly
another church, now destroyed, but that the ground
and dependencies will be handed over to me. This
day I have given passports to missionaries.
On the 28th of October nearly the whole of the
army, headed by the Embassy, took the six victims
of the ambuscade of the 18th of September to the
Catholic burial ground already handed over to Mon-
seigneur Mouly, Bishop of Petcheli, and where re-
pose the remains of the reverend fathers Gerbillon,
Ricci, and Shaal. General Grant and his Staff
joined us; M. Ignatieff, the Minister of Russia,
whose frank support has been of great use to me on
all occasions, awaited us in the burial ground. On
the following day, the 29th, mass was peformed in
the Cathedral, which has also been given up to M.
Mouly.
The iron cross has been replaced on the summit of
the edifice, and the " Domino, salvum fac Impera-
torem" has inaugurated the public and legal re-
establishment of the Catholic faith in China.
Moreover, there has been remitted to me, as an
especial indemnity for the outrage of the 18th of
September, the sum of 1,500,000 f.
Everything is progressing admirably, and en-
courages the hope that this success will be lasting.
I shall probably leave Pekin in two or three days
to return to Tien-tsin, to concert there with Lord
Elgin as regards what remains to be done.

BARON GROS.
The Moniteur adds the following to the above
despatch:—

To explain the above it is as well to give the
principal points of the ultimatum addressed to the
Chinese Government :-
1. Formal excuses for the attack on the allied
forces at Taku.

2. Exchange at Pekin of the ratifications of the
Treaty ~onclUded before at Tien-tsin.
3. Declaration that the French Government
reassumed the right of establishing a permanent
diplomatic mission at Pekin.
4. Payment of an indemnity of 60,000,000 f.

BRIGHTON ANTI-HOTEL COMPANY (LIMITED.)—
An advertisement appeared a few days since under
the above heading, and, being sent on Christmas-
Day, was inadvertently printed. It was a bad
joke, and was a perversion of the proper use of
public announcements; and we regret that it ap-
peared in our columns.
THE WEATHER AND THE PARKS.—A change in
the weather took place last night, and several heavy showers
of snow fell. The thermometer on Wednesday night was
at 29 deg. ; at 7 o'clock yesterday it was 31, and at noon it
stood at 37, but last night at 7 o'clock it was only 31, one
degree below freezing point. The barometer was 29.51.
The ice in Regent's-park had about 5,000 sliders and skaters
on the surface, and several accidents took place, amongst
which were the following :—Charles Hall, of 11, Great
Charles-street, Hampstead-road; Thomas Carman, of 1,
Love •lane, City; and a boy named Hulbert, who was rescued
by Park-constable Snelling, to whom great praise is due.
8,000 skaters and sliders ventured on the ice on the Serpen-
tine in Hyde-park, including many members of the Skating
Club. Many persons fell upon the ice—four of whom had
severe cuts on their heads. These were taken to the humane
Society's House, and the wounds dressed by Superintendent
Williams, and they were enabled to go to their homes.
The Long Water in Kensington Gardens had about 2,000
sliders and skaters on the ice, but no material accident
happened. The Round Pond had 3,000 skaters and sliders
on the ice, but no accident occurred. On the ornamental
water in St. James's Park a great number of persons nearly
lost their lives by breaking through the ice, and being
tripped up by the skaters. Amongst the number thus
injured were James Morris, 21, Jane-street, New-cut,
Lambeth; John Coulson, of No. 2, Lee-street, Holborn.
The ice in this park is described as being still exceedingly
dangerous. No accident of any importance took place in
the Victoria Park, the ponds on Clapham-Common, or
Hampstead-heath.

THE NEW FOREIGN TVINE DUTIES.

The following are the new Customs Duties Regrl'
lations in reference to the new wine duties, which
come into operation. on and after the Ist of January,
1861 :

The board have again had under consideration
the instructions which it may be desirable to issue
for the guidance of the officers with reference to the
provisions of the Customs Duties Consolidation Act,
1860, under which wine, on and after the Ist of
will be liable to different rates of
January, 1861
duty, according to the quantity of spirit contained,
therein, and the importation of wine is to be re-
stricted to such ports as may be approved by this
board.

The board rescind their general order 74, 1860,
prescribing the course to he pursued in ascertaining
and recording the strength of wine and casks, and
specifying the ports into which wine may be Do'
ported, and direct that the following regulations
be observed in lieu thereof, viz.:-
1. That the entry of wine on importation be
lowed under the general term of red or white wine'
as now required by the tariff, without calling 00
the importer to specify the particular rate of duty
to which it may be liable.
2. That, with the view of obviating unnecessary
delay and inconvenience, wino will be allowed to be
warehoused without the rate of duty to which it
may be liable being first ascertained, and, if after-
wards entered for shipment, that it be allowed it;
like manner to be exported ; but if it be intended
for home consumption, that one cask in each mark,
or more if deemed necessary, be tested by distilla-
tion previous to entry ; and in cases in which the,
number of casks of each mark exceeds eight, that
not less than one in eight be tested in the stone
manner ; and that the same course be adopted when
casks of wine are removed under the warehousing
regulations, the rate for duty being noted in the
despatch. That in all cases where the importers or
owners make application for assessment either be-
fore the wine is passed into the warehouse, or dui.'
ing the time it remains in bond, the officers will be
prepared to test any samples which may be sent to,
them with as much despatch as the business 01
their respective departments may permit, and the
rate of duty to which such wines may be liable will
be duly recorded accordingly.
The gauging officers will in all cases note in the
usual official books and documents the rates of duty
to which wines so tested are liable, under the fol-
lowing heads Class A, for wines containing
less than 18 degrees of proof spirits ; Class B, for
wines containing less than 26 degrees of prool,
spirits ; Class C, for wines containing less than 40
degrees of proof spirits ; Class D, for wines con'
tanning less than 45 degrees of proof spirits.
3. That all wine entered for consumption be
charged with duty at the rate attaching to the
class under which it shall have been so recorded,
and that wine removed under the warehousing
regulations be in the same manner charged with
duty at the place of receipt according to its class,
as noted in the despatch, unless the merchant
claims its admission to entry at a lower rate of del
than that at which it has been assessed in the
warehouse register or in the despatch-note ; and in
those cases the wine may be again tested and
delivered according to the rate so ascertained, pro'
vided the officers are satisfied the wine has 1101'
been in any way tampered with.
Wine that has been fortified, mixed, or vatted
after assessment will be re-tested by the officers
previous to delivery for consumption or removal
under the warehousing regulations.
With regard to the ports of importation, the
Board approve the following ports for importation
of wine in casks on and after the Ist of January
next, viz. :—London, Barnstaple, Bristol, Cher
stow, Dover, Exeter, Falmouth, Folkestone, Goole,
Glocester, Grimsby, Hartlepool, Hull, Ipswich,
Liverpool, Lynn, Newcastle, Newhaven, Plymouth,
Poole, Portsmouth, Rochester, Shields, Shorehata,
Southampton, Stockton, Sunderland, Swansea
Truro, Weymouth, 'Whitehaven, Yarmouth, Aber'
deen, Glasgow, Greenock, Leith, Belfast, Cork,
Dublin, and Waterford ; the operation of testing
wine being, until further orders, confined to the
ports of London, Bristol, Folkestone, Glocester,
Hull, Liverpool, Newcastle, Plymouth, Southanir
ton, Glasgow, Leith, and Dublin.
As respects wine in bottles, the Board do not
deem it necessary to impose any restriction as to
the ports of importation ; such wine will be liable
to the duty of 2s. sd. per gallon under Class C, and
may be charged accordingly, unless the officers
have reason to suspect that the strength thereof
amounts to 40 per cent., in which case the wine
must be tested previously to its delivery for con'
sumption or removal.

Ail wine containing 45 per cent. and upwards of
proof spirits to be deemed mixed spirit, and charge"'
with duty as such.
RULES TO BE OBSERVED ON THE TRANSMISSION Of
SAMPLES FROM " NON-TESTING" TO " TESTING
PORTS."

1. A request in writing to be made by the
chant to the collector or principal officer, setting
forth the particulars as to the imports, marks, mar
bers, &c., of the casks of wine of which samples al,
required to be forwarded for testing, on receipt 01
which the principal officer is to direct the necessary
samples to be drawn by, or in the presence of the
proper officer—viz., one sample of each imp:o4
mark, or more if deemed necessary, and in cases ill
which the number of casks of each mark exceeds 81
not less than 1 in 8.

2. That such samples, when drawn, be sealed by
the principal officer, placed in a box or other con;
venient package, and forwarded, under seals a
office, by railway or other conveyance to the nears!:
or most convenient port; it being understood that
whatever port be selected as the most conveuielftf
the same is to be deemed the testing port.
3. That a letter of advice be sent by post to 00
collector of the testing port, who is to return the
document as soon as practicable, noting thereon
the class under which the duty on the wine should
be assessed ; the sample to be retained at the testing
port.

- 4. The expense of providing bottles, cases, ace.'
and forwarding the sample to be borne by the
Crown, empty packages being returned free of
expense for carriage to the port whence sent.
And copies of this minute are to be delivered to
the proper officers in London, and transmitted to
the collectors and controllers at the several out-
ports for their government, and with directions to
them to acquaint the merchants and other parties
concerned at their respective ports with the regultv
tions herein contained.