The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-07 00:00:00

NEW YORK MARKETS.

(From the Ang&Lintel-jean Times Correspondent.)
NEW YORK, Nov. 23.
Gold has been declining, and is irregular in quotation.
Yesterday it opened at 1381, rose to 139 i, fell to the first
figure, and ended at 1391. 'I he Government have been
sellers, yet the accumulation in the possession of the Se-
cretary is enormous, being about $120,000,000. The ex-
port is still small, amounting last Saturday to $251,778,
which brings the amount for the year up to the present
time $43,411,539, or little short of $14,000,000 less than the
sunt exported for the same period during last year. It is
interesting to note the returns of bullion estimated for t he
Pacific States and territories for the present year. The
total is $74,000,000, which may be distributed as follows:
California, $25,000,000; Nevada, $19,000,000; Montann,
$12,000,000; for other States and territories, $18,000,000,
of which total 20 per cent. is said to have been lost by
the rude methods of reducing ore, though we doubt not
the loss is in reality greater. Government stocks have
declined iasympathy with gold, and with the stringency
of the money market at the commencement of the week.
A sudden move upwards in the rate of discount then oc-
curred, but as there was no legitimate cause for the pres-
sure the market has become easier at 7 per cent. on call
on tho best securities. The Tribune has been hitting at
the Secretary of the Treasury's habit of hoarding gold.
The New York Times finds fault with the accumulating of
currency-balances in the sub-Treasury and the contraction
policy. The proceedings in Congress are narrowly watched,
and not without apprehension. It is thought that sound mea-
sures will be adopted of funding the National Debt, of clear
ing away all doubts as to the ultimate payment of the prin-
cipal in go- d, and in hitting upon some means by which the
intecest may be lowered. The opponents of Mr. M'Cul-
loch's policy brin6 forward, as proof of its disastrous ten-
dency, the stagnation of trade, and the heavy failures noe
occurring. Arzo-ag these failures, the most important aro
connected with the Arm of James K. Place and Co., coffee

and spiee dealers: with the Place Sugar Refin'ngC.impany,
and Mr. James D. Sparkman, president of the Manufal-
tairers' Bank, who was a partner in the firm. Tho
of both the firm and the corn any com-
oineal will, it is said, reach $2,000,000, with ass As
of half a million. Alt.. Stlirlanata resigntha tn, Jr of the leaulC, and was sure ,deal by Mr. jell nM.
Firtaan. A !atelier failure is that al Jolla M. Mitchel',
a large w iPal dealer of Plailadell lai:a, wleaso liabilities :are
eery anal a. its Haggard and fluelaison, dry
dealers, of Philadelphia, lila ve also come down with
liabilities of $1,000,000, lad sufficient assets, it. is expected,
If, rover than amount. Alsi a Philadelphis machinist. for
$30,1109, with little or no assets. Commoda re Vanderbilt has
the New York Central in his hands' as ho controls 75 per
cent of the stock. The I. aaes from New York to Albany,
thenc • to Buffalo, and On by the Lake shore and Miclai-
,,n southern lines to Chicago, will ere hang be consi-
lidated and contrelleal lay him. He is regarded as an
exeell..nt manager, and if the ma nopoly be only honestly
workeal tlO sharelioldera at least will not suffer. The
Milwaukee and St. Paul will divide 3} per cent. in
February, having-earned over $1,100,000. The Pacific Mail
Steamship Company has declared its usual quarterly
alividend of 3 per cect. to be paid after the election of
directors. It was to have come off last Wednesday, but
has been pastponod by some legal quibble till the lfith
December. The following is the ticket offered by the
pres nt directors: -Allan M‘Lane, Francis Skiddy. Howard
Potter, William Dennistoun, Elisha Riggs, Moses H.
Grinnell, James M. Brown, Louis M'Lane, and Jonathan
Thorne; and this is that of the stockholders who advo-
cate a change : -Charles 11. Russell, Edwin, D. Morgan,
Ablel A. Low, Moses Taylor, 0. B. Joslyn, Samuel
G. Wheeler, Jr. Oliver Charlick, George B. Matson,
and Allan M‘Lane. In the meantime the stock falls.
Express stocks are active and improving :-Adams
73 734, American 721; 724, United States 73, Wells,
Fargo, and Co., 51 524, Merchants Union ($35 paid) .344
341. Americas silver at 4to 41 cents bellw gold. Mexi-
can dollars from 1024 to 103 in gold. Exchange dull, and
mining stocks ditto. The following are the latest prices : -
New York Central 1134, Erie 71 4, Hudson 1234, Reading
964, Michigan Southern and N.I. 79/, Illinois Central 130,
Cleveland and Pittsburgh 83, North West 57f, North West
Preferred G-11, Canton 45, Rock Island 954, Cleveland and
Toledo 1024. Fort Wayne 97k,, Pacific Mail 131, Atlantic
Mail 1174, Quicksilver 174, W. U.
,X,elegrtph 114, Ma-
riposa Preferred 14, Ohio and Mississippi Certificates 254, -
Boston Water Power —, Cumberland 274.

(From the Wall-street Journal, Not. 23.)

The gross earnings of the under-mentioned railroads for
the month of October, 1866 and 1867, and the difference
(increase or decrease) between the two periods, are ex-
hibited in the following statement:—
Atlantic and Great

Western
Chicago and Alton 360,323 430,108 Inc. 69,785
Chicago and Great

Eastern
Chicago and North

Western
Chicago, R. 1., and

Pacific
Erie
Illinois Central 661,971 761,499 Inc. 99,528
Marietta and Cin-

cinnati 113,504 142,823 Inc. 29,319
Michigan Central 493,649 506,995 Inc. 12.646
Michigan Southn. 496,655 539,345 Inc. 42,780
Mil. & Pr. du Ch.
Mil.andSt.Paul 833,735 1,101,600 Inc. 267,865
lowa & 31in.Div
_

Ohio and Missii. 310,762 379,367 Inc. 68,605
Pits., Fort W., and
Chicago 757,441 765,500 Inc. 8,059
Toledo, W. and
Western .. 436,065 406,766 Dec. 29,299
Western Union.... 100,303 119,667 Inc. 19,364

Total in Oct—. $8,331,478 $9,350,924 Inc. $1,019,416
Total in Sept. 7,178,435 8,448,865 lnc. 1,270,430
Total in Aug. 6,619,650 6,973,228 Inc. 353,578
Total in July... 5,967,856 5,754,195 Dec. 213,061
Total inJuno... 6,706,346 5,815,741 Dec. 890,705
Total in May... 6,402,287 5,907,650 Dec. 494,637
Total in April 5,478,127 5,812,738 Inc. 339,611
Total in March 5,593,523 5,639,601 Inc. 46,678
Total in Feb... 4,664,525 4,798,978 Inc. 134,483
Total in Jan... 5,378,441. 5,413,437 Inc. 34,996

Jan. to 0ct0ber562,315,768 $63,915,957 Inc. $1,600,180
Monthly aver... 6,231,576 6,391,595 Inc. 160,618
Petroleum stocks are active, and a good business is doing
(at somewhat lower prices) in Buchanan Farm, Pit Hole
Creek, United States, Bennehoff Run, Rynd Farm, and
New York, and Allegheny and, in fact, in all the compa-
nies either paying dividends or owning good properties in
fee simple. This latter company has just declared another
quarterly dividend of 10 per cent., making 130 per cent..
returned in cash to their sfozicholders. We also note
several purchases this week of Oceanic at sc. per share,
which price is still bid.
The following is a list of railroads in California, their
proj..cted len4th, and number of miles, completed on June
30th, 1867. The list was inade out for the Secretary of the
Interior, by E. W. Brown, Private Secretary of Governor
Low :

Total Miles
Names end Termini. Length. compl'd.
Central Paci tic Railroad from Sacra-
mento to Fort Bridger 9OO 93
Sacramento Valley Railroad, from Sa-
cramento to Folsom 221. 221
Western Pacific Railroad, from Sacra-
mento. to San Jose l2O 20
Placerville and Sacramento Valley
11. R., Folsom to Placerville 36 26
California Central Railroad, from Fol-
som to Lincoln
Yuba Railroad, from Lincoln to Marys-
ville
California Northern Railroad, from
Marysville to Oroville
San Francisco and San Jose Railroad,
from San Francisco to San Jose
San Francisco and Alameda Railroad,
from Enciptl to Vallejo Mills 26 14
Oakland Railroad, from Oakland Point
to Clinton
Napa Vall©y Railroad, from Suscol to
Ca listoga BG 4
PBOPOSED I AILEOADS.
California Pacific Railroad, from Vallejo to Sacramento
and Marysville.
California and Oregon Railroad, from Central Pacific
Railroad to Oregon Line.
Southern Pacific Railroad, from San Jose southward.
Copperopolis Railroad, from Stockton to Copperopolis.

(From Messrs. Bowles, Drevet, and Co.'s Circular.)
Paris, Dec. 6, 1867.
The Bourse continues active, and prices are well sus-
tained, especially in the case of American Bonds, which
aro strengthened by the decline in gold reported by tele-
graph.
Wo quote :
For the issue of 1862 . 80
For the issue of 1865
For the issue of 1864 ...... No transaction.
Our advices from New York are to the 3rd instant.
Gold
United States Bonds, 1862 (currency) lOB
The Route closes at 69f. 15c.
The Italian closes at
Exchange ou London 2sf. 14c.

(From Messrs. Belding, Keith, and Co.'s Circular.)

FRIDAY, Dec. 6.
Business in American securities during the past week
has been very active, and the price of 5-20 Bonds of 1862
reached 711 on Tuesday, when the news was received
that Gold lied touched 1364 in New York. The subso-
quent rise in the price of gold, however, to 137, coupled
with the by no means encouraging effect of President
Johnson's Message, caused a decline in 5-20's.
Five-Twenties of 1862 have declined per cent, during
the past week, and open this morning 70 ThosB of
1865 have receded per cent., opening at 69} 4. Ten-
Forties are now quoted 674 684, or about the same as last
week.

Illinois Central Railway Shares have been steadily ad-
vancing, and open at 90 94 or about 3j. per cent. above
the corresponding quotation of last week. Erie Railway
Shares have also advanced, and open at VI- 48f, or 1 per
cent. higher. Atlantic and Great Western Consolidated
Mortgage Bonds are now 19 20, showing an improvement
of 1 per cent. for the week.

(From E. F. Satterthwaite and Co.'s Weekly Circular, Dec. 4.)
By the City of Baltimore ,vo have advices from New York
to the 22d ult. General business had been very stagnant,
and money, owing to rumours of some pending commercial
failures, was dearer, 10 to 12 per cent. being asked on good
bills, and 8 per cent. on first-rate collaterals. lu the Stock
Market Government Bonds were very firm, the 5-20's of
all issues being in steady demand for home investment.,
and the 10-40's for export on European account.
The Railroad Share Market showed some fluctuations,
mainly influenced by the uncertainty prevailing as to the
financial policy which would be adopted by Congress.
Erie was again the chief medium of speculation, at one
time running up to 731, but closing 71}. Now York Cen-
tral was strong on the prospect of Mr. Vanderbilt obtain-
ing control of the road. Chicago and North-Western were
in great demand, and had improved $lO, being last quoted
57 to 58.

State Stocks and Railroad Bonds wore well supported.
Gold had fluctuated between 40,1 and 391- premium, the
latter being the final quotation.

NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILROAD.
We observe that the control of this road is to pass into the
hands of Mr. Vanderbilt, from which we augur great results,
both to this undertaking and the Erie, with which com-
pany he has, through its present board of directors, con-
siderable iufluonce ; so strong a requisition as that which
we give below, representing $13,000,000 out of a total of
ordinary stock of $24,800,000, and an aggregate capital,
including bonded debt, of f 1,40,000,000, is seldom tendered,
and we trust that, in acceding to the request, Me. Vander-
bilt will, as early as possible adopt such measures that tho
competition hitherto existing between the two companies
may be brought to a termination, and that by au agree-
ment to charge fair remunerative rates both may derive
substantial advantages.
It will be remembered that, under Mr. Vanderbilt's able
control, the Hudson River and the New York and Harlem
Railroads were both raised from the condition of almost
bankrupt concerns to that of sound dividend-paying
lines.

PRESENTS TO SUIT EVERY PURPOSE, TASTE, AND
POCKET AT PARKINS AND GOTTO'S. —Photographic Albums
a choice of 3,000; despatch boxes, writing cases, dressing
cases, travelling bags, envelope cases, blotting books, ink
stands, desks, book slides, work boxes, tea caddies, hand
bags and reticules, card cases, purses, stationery cabinets,
scent bottles, albums for postage stamps, crests, &c.; cigar
cases, card baskets, pocket books, electro-gilt and elegantly
mounted articles. Bibles, Prayer-books, and Church Ser-
vices, in every type. Parkins and Gotto, 25, Oxford-
street. Thousands of the above articles, all perfectly now
pti?(l ft:esb, consequent upon a rapid sale-1&i m)

ni
Tie
ta s
ILE Isve,
btol the roof
othe
if
fire poure.l fhaocuirttroi•is
roadways
from
ly
stend to~e:iii
wiml was bloWing strong from the north-east, and
th
e burning
theatre like a volcano, ersitting a thick shower of fiery
flak that; completely covered
Incas of the adjacent streets. It was past eleven o'clock
before any of the en;iaes arrive.l at the scene, a'ter which
they:arrived in quick suec.2s:don ; but the extent of the
fir:, and the theatre being surrounded with houses on
every side, rendered it a matter of difficulty for the
firemen to decide at what point to begin operations.
By this time the flames had taken possession of the houses
on each side of the Opera Arcade and the houses in Pall
Mall, opposite the United Service Club, and at these
points the firemen, mounting the colonnade in front of the
houses, began to pour great bodies of water on to the
fire, but for some time, owing to the strength of the wind,
with little effect. At this time, half-past eleven, the
scene was impressively grand, the great height of the
theatre causing the flames to be visible at a long distance,
and by their light masses of people could be plainly seen,
completely blocking up the whole of the approaches tothe
theatre, while every window, house-top, and available space
was also filled with spectators. The whole of the south
end of th . 1 arcade was soon a heap of burning
ruins, and the effort's of the firemen were directed to save,
if possible, the houses in Pall Mall, behind which the
theatre stood, and the back portions of which were 'already,
on fire. These houses were built on a large scale, and were
occupied by Messrs. Ludlow, hatters ; toucher, tobacco.
nist ; Brooks, wine merchant ; Egg, gu ers, and Gray es,
the eminent priuteeller and e1.2-,raN MI- At th.a. establish.,
meat the extensive suite of rooms were filled with valcable
paintings, many of thorn full-length portraits, deposited
for safety with the proprietor. A body of men were se'ho
work to remove these paintings, and the majority of them .
were taken in safety to the United Service Club. By
this time (one o'clock) the fire in the south portion of the
theatre had burnt itself out, and the firemen were enabled
to direct the whole of their efforts to the houses in Pall
Mall, and by this means the further spread of the fire in
that direction was prevented. Soon after one o'clock the
wind moderated, and an alarm was given that the flames
had taken hold of the northern portion of the theatre, in
which are situated the store rooms and other offices. This
was found to be the case, and a body of firemen were at
once detached to that part of the premises. Before, how-
ever, they could bring the hose into play, the place
was one body of fire, and the flames had caught
the back part of the Grand United Hotel, at the
corner of St. Alban's-street and the Haymarket.
After half an hour's unremitting exertion the flames were
stopped in that direction also, but this part of the theatre
was also destroyed, and nothing was now left standing of
the building but the bare walls and the colonnade in the
Haymarket, which was made use of by the firemen to
slay the hose on to the burning mass.
The supply of water seemed ample. The steam en.
glues threw volumes of water with tremendous force,
and where their jets fell they seemed to explode in clouds
of steam. Not so with the hand engines, which required
some thirty soldiers to work them, and the feeble dripple
from which was easily directed and governed by one man.
The exertions of the firemen were beyond all praise.
They climbed along parapets and copings at heights which
made one cold to look at them, dragging with them great
lengths of leather hose with which to vlay upon the
flames at any point that seemed of consequence, no matter
what the risk to the men themselves. In spite of flame
and smoke and a terrific storm of burning fragments, they
kept their places on the roof, their comrades below turning
now and then jets of water upon and around the men to
keep the spots cool on which they stood.

The scene at about twelve o'clock was one of terrible
grandeur. The roof of the theatre fell shortly before
amid a shower of sparks and burning fragments, leaving
a gigantic mass of white flame in the centre, the very heat
of which alone was charring up and burning building after
building around it. All the steam fire-engines were at
full work, and the monotonous thud of those worked by
hand were the only sounds which broke upon the hoarse
roaring of the crowd and the heavy flap of the great sheets
of flame, which seemed to jeopardise the existence of every
building near the place.

It has always been said that Her Majesty's Theatre was
so provided with large water tanks on the roof that any.
thing like danger to the building from fire was impossible.
What these tanks were doing this morning it is impossible
to say ; but we can speak of one, at least, which, wnen
the flames reached it, burnt with a fierce flame like so
much straw. That there could have been any water in it
is impossible.

A most distressing scene took place in the Opera Arcade,
running at the back of the theatre. The occupants of
shops and houses in the Arcade had succeeded in getting
their goods and furniture out into the Arcade, but such
was the intense heat and the rapidity of the fire that they
were obliged to leave them there and make their igwn
escape, and in a very short time the whole length of the
Arcade was one mass of fire, every particle of the goods
and furniture being destroyed.
Such was the concourse of people assembled that the
police available were utterly unable to keep back the
crowds, and at twelve o'clock several strong detachments
of Foot Guards were marched down from the barracks in
the Birdcage-walk, and with fixed bayonets formed a most
effective cordon round the burning pile. At least half of
the troops were in full marching uniform, the rest in
undress flannel jackets, just as they had been turned out
of bed. With the assistance of this force the streets
leading to the theatre were then kept clear. Fortunately
there was no performance in the theatre, or there must have
been a great sacrifice of life, the audience portion of the
theatrebeing in flames within ten minutes of the fire being
discovered. No certain information could be obtained as to
how the fire originated, but it is thought to have arisen in
the carpenters' workshops. Nothing whatever was saved ;
the costly wardrobes, the valuable music, and the
orchestral instruments were all destroyed together, and
the amount of loss must be very great. It is to be
feared that the mmical scores of many of the principal
operas have perished. Mr. Mapleson, the lessee of the
building, was upon the scene of the disaster before twelve
o'clock, but, as a matter of course, he could merely look on
with other spectators at the total destruction that was
overwhelming his property. Tidings of the catastrophe
were brought to him while he was entertaining some
friends. He saved only a few valuable papers from his
private office. The value of his interest in it is estimated
at £12,000, and unfortunately he had effected no insurance
upon the property. We believe that one was in course of
preparation, and that in a few days the policy would have
lee a signed. The building and valuable library, &c.,
belonging to Earl Dudley, were insured for £70,000, with
£20,000 in Consols as an additional insurance. His lord.
ship is therefore well secured. But the loss in valuable
scores, &c., is one that cannot be replaced, and the collec-
tion in many other respects was unique. Mr., Mapleson's
misfortune will be deeply sympathised with by the pub-
lic, who have long appreciated his labours in the cause of
the best music. Ile has for many years upheld the opera
in its old classic haunts, producing year after year new pieces
and fresh singers with an energy and a taste that will
be long remembered. By two o'clock the fire was
got completely under, and all apprehension of its spread-
ing any further was at an end. In the confusion and ex-
citement which prevailed it was impossible to ascertain
any details, or the amount of damage done to the sur.
rounding buildings. Several of the engines were worked
by a detachment of Life Guards from Albany Barracks.
A variety of rumours are current as to the origin of the
nre. One is that at half-past ten o'clock, when the fire-
man attached to the establishment was going his rounds,
he discovered, on examining the stage, that a fire had
broken out in the vicinity of one of the "wings," and that
it bad been smouldering for some time. According to an-
other account the watchman had gone round, and finding
all right had retired to bed. Other accounts attribute the
catastrophe to an explosion of gas.

It seems certain that the fire was first discovered on the
stage. Under this part of the building were immense
receptacles for the stowage of old scenery, properties,
&c., which were of necessity of a highly inflammable
character, and the flames seizing them caused the fire
to spread with the rapidity, literally speaking„ of
lightning. 'Upon the roof of the building was an im-
mense tank of water, capable of discharging thirty tons'
weight of water per minute, and there were lengths
of leathern hose attached thereto, so that every part of
the theatre could be reached in case of a fire taking place ;
in fact, the appliances were so perfect that the direction
imagined that with prover care on the part of the firemen
and the water at hand the establishment was reasonably
cafe. The fireman at once turned on the water, and every
hose was brought into requisition as soon as possible, but,
as will have been already seen, the inutility of all the pre-
cautions was unfortunately but too well shewn by the
lamentable result.
It is more than 160 years since a Royal building was first
erected on this site for the performance of operas. Strange
to state, it has only been burnt down once before—a rare
exemption in the case of theatres, whose natural death
seems fire. It was rebuilt and opened in 1791, and the
exterior colonnade and facades completed by Mr, Nall}
in 1818.

, •
.1

1 ORNER, of TOTTEN II AM-COURT-ROAD ,
find EUSTON-ROAD;

BRADFORD, YORKSHIRE,