The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-30 00:00:00

TIE SUN, LONDOIN, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 30, IRO.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, 3LIY 30, 1866.

----0.--

In both Houses last evening the question of
bribery and corruption at elections came on the
lapis. In the Lords it was introduced by the Pre-
mier himself, who moved an address to the Crown
for a commission to inquire into the corrupt prac-
tices at the last election for Lancaster; and, in so
doing, referred to Lord GREY'S proposed motion for
a general inquiry into the whole subj6ct. Lord
UussELL intimated that he thought the House of
Commons was less active than it should be in cases
of electoral corruption, but he believed there had
peen at the late election a good deal of expense, and
he feared corrupt expense, incurred. He appeared
to regret that the vigorous measures applied to Sud-
bury and St. Albans were not oftener tried, though,
by his own confession, the example of their punish-
ment does not seem to have been very efficacious in
deterring others. Lord GREY, in opposing Earl
RUSSELL'S motion, spoke with his usual straight-
forward ability. It was, he said, from no indiffer-
ence on his part to the increasing corruption at
elections that he refused to support the motion, but
from his conviction that the means proposed were
quite ineffective. He had in his hand statistics of
all the inquiries held under the new act,
and he cited the opinion of gentlemen of
knowledge and experience that they were worse
than useless. In many instances they led to an
amount of Periury which was highly demoralising.
They established a fact that every one knew—that
bribery existed—but they were at a loss to suggest
any remedy. Lord GREY very sensibly urged that
the system of punishment by disfranchising the
guilty towns was perfectly useless.
Could they,
;taut tow
mouthn
he asked, disfranchise a large and
a ,
like Cambridge, a considerable portiiikPe°
a place like Lancaster? Yet if they could not
apply the remedy in such instances were they to
say that they would inquire into the cases of both
large and small towns, and that where bribery was
proved the large town should get off scot free and
the little town be disfranchised? " If Parliament,,,
said his Lordship, "really wished to put down
bribery, it was time they gave up these special in-
quiriesinto the delinqUencies of particular towns,
which differed from other towns only in the acci-
dent of being found out ?" The worst cases, as
everybody knows, are not made public.
Where the losing party has been
equally guilty with the winner he has no
object in petitioning. The whole question is a
difficult one to deal with, that is to say, so long a 3

all parties refuse to cut the Gordian knotibr,sdowphto-
ing the Ballot. The noble lords and I
regard it as so dangerous and worsweethatns
uselessuseless in
borough elections know very
couldin
they
scarcely b
wouldnoet
securing independent voting, ll i
employ it in their clubs.
employed to effect an entrancebaot saves em
intothmeßbefeors the
moer
the Carlton, but the ballot
awkwardness of giving offence, and the unpleasant-
ness of refusing to vote for an acquaintance or a
friend's friend. Why should they wish to subject
men of a lower rank to an unpleasant alternative
from which they themselves shrink?
Lord GREY'S very able and searching speech
showed a fear of the difficulties with which the ques-
tion is beset. The charitable institutions of a town
and municipal elections are both channels forbribery.
Lord GREY mentioned a few of the common prac-
tices I'
by which the open accusation of bribery are
avoided, while c3rruption is extensively practised.'
Houses are let to electors far below their value on
the understanding that the tenants must vote
with the landlord. Working men complain of the
loss of time in voting, and the compensation for
this loss grows into bribery. One member gave
annually £6OO a year for "maintaining his interest
in the borough," and yet he could declare with
truth that he had not paid a shilling
illegally for his election. Again, solicitors who
practise as agents often in the intervals between
elections get small electors into their power by ad-
vancing money as loans ; and then, when the elec-
tion comes, they sell their interest wholesale to a
wealthy candidate under the form of a bill for
agency. It is quite evident that no partial or
isolated inquiries into individual cases will meet the
evil, and Earl GREY had reason on his side when he
moved for the substitution of a general inquiry.

The Earl of DERBY, in the course of a few re-
marks, expressed his conviction that the present sys-
tem of committees was perfectly useless, and he
suggested that the debate should be adjourned for
ten days—a proposal which was subsequently
agreed to, and during that interval we hope the
noble lord at the head of the Government,
who is no doubt sincerely anxious to effect some
reform, will reconsider the whole question, and
adopt the only effectsal remedy.

In the House of Commons the chief speech on
the question was made by Mr. OSBORNE, whose
sharp words and telling sentences must have made
some hon. members wince. His remarks were met
by continual laughter ; but he soon made it evident
that it was not his intention to jest at the matter.
He did not scruple to lift the veil which
screens party manoeuvres, and to show how election
petitions were " paired off" behind the Speaker's
chair; how men were rewarded with peerages for
liberal subscriptions to the general party fund
which goes to encourage bribery ; how one man
gives £2,000 a year to local institutions, and an-
other pays nearly £25,000 for his election ; how
the tribunals before which these affairs are discussed
are not really competent to deal with them. Mr.
OSBORNE, with just indignation, exclaimed,
' " These things lower the moral tone of the
country ; we laugh at them in our private
capacities, although we pull long faces
and make long speeches in our judicial capacities.
Only make it infamous to bribe, and the poor man
will be slow to take a bribe ; but until the example
is set in high places you cannot expect that the poor
man will fail to renovate his pocket at your ex-
pense." The sincerity of rich and poor is much
alike in this matter. All denounce bribery, but all
laugh at it. Let the upper ten thousand prove
their sincerity by adopting the Ballot, and the poor
man will soon show that he is no more corral-;t than
they.

Austria has accepted the invitation to join the
Paris Conference, and so has Italy, but conditionally
only; she cannot put down her armaments, but con-
sents to make no attack during the period of the
Conference. Official intelligence states that the
armed Powers have resolved to let their military
establishments remain in statu quo ; therefore, for
the present, strategic movements are suspended.
It is believed that the negotiations concerning the
period of the Conference will take four days ; and
that after the questions of the Elbe Duchies and the
Federal Reform have been discussed the Vene-
tian question will be treated of. In Berlin, how-
ever, it is declared that the matter of the Reform
of the Federal Constitution will not be touched at
all, and that the Diet is merely represented at the
Conference because the Germanic Confederation
might be indirectly affected by the subjects treated
of. The jealousy of the Berlin Government is ex-
treme in all such cases, and they evidently wish to
monopolise this question to themselves, so that they
may take the credit of the affair to themselves and
appear as the regenerators of Germany. If the Con-
ference is to be a fact, and not a farce, if it is really
and truly to show something for its work, we can-
not see why the subject of Federal Reform should
be put aside altogether in this fashion. A Bavarian
Minister is to represent the Diet at the Conference,
but the opening is not to be delayed on his account.
The very awkward subject of " territorial com-
pensation" is now openly discussed, but none of the
plans seem to be propitious so far as we can judge.
Austria is to receive in exchange for Venetia a por-
tion of the provinces of Bosnia and the Herzegovinia ;
Italy to obtain the said provinces from the Turkish
Government; and for her share of the Elbe Duchies
Austria is to have a part of the Rhine provinces.
The Germanic Confederation is to be compensated
for the detachment of Limburg by the incorporation
of the German part of Schleswig ; Holland to un-
dertake to indemnify the Diet for the Federal ser-
vices hitherto rendered to Limburg. Allowing all
this to take place, it can hardly be called a satis-
ftotahcesrtyoryarirsannogtema egnotc; and
onde.cerltNa,.ihnylyisthite
nme moral a
royf
that Prussia, Austria, and Italy should receive
territorial compensation any more than England,
France, or Russia? Perhaps by this time next year
they will want more worlds to conquer, and the
peace of Europe will be again disturbed by these
unseemly desires of aggrandisement. It would be
better for the arbitrating parties to impress upon
the conflicting parties that their best safety would
be in following the rules of honesty and fair play.
The truth is that too much latitude has been al-
lowed to the German Powers throughout the last
few years, and their insufferable arrogance and
pretensions have been almost too much to endare,
but now they have really reached a
doubtful as to the success of the Conference
The Paris journals are, for the most part,
tvcebrye
held there. Whatever be the cause assigned by the
different writers, the effect of their arguments is
always
the same, and this looks ominous, for, of
course, in France a clearer insight can be obtained
into the politics of Germany than we can hope for
here.
It is curious to notice the several reasons
aof ssig:heed bucirt
ynteheal:.:git7 for the probable failure
Theeea t s Opinion
2 the table.
states that the different Powers will send their re-
presentatives to take their
other terms," it is tersely said,
<< Italy is quite
t.ltab ile7a a I
. lne
ready to take Venetia, Austria to annex Silesia,
and Prussia to centralise the Duchies of the Elbe."
How true is this definition of the state of things,
writzr describe the
and how aptly does the French

greed that pervades all parties. The day when the
offerings are notified in the Conference all may go
smoothly, but not so when the period arrives for
compensation. We quite agree with the French
journalist that it will be a hard task to induce any
of the conflicting Powers to give up any part of
their present possessions. Thy will find out how
precious the places are when asked to give them up,
although their present possession does not seem to
insure content. According to the Opinione Silesia
will be a very fruitful source of dispute. Austria
will earnestly desire to secure it as a compensation,
and on the other hand Prussia will as earnestly seek
to retain it. The Epoque declares that great fear
may even be entertained lest "iu the midst of
such military effervescence as that which now
exists the meeting will be too late, and that
the struggle may commence at the moment
when the Foreign Ministers are to assemble
at Paris." Thereupon measures of precaution
are advocated, and not without reason. We have
always considered that one bona-fide offer of dis-
armament would be worth a dozen Conferences in
the way of peace, and contain a better prospect and
a surer earnest for the future. If the deliberations
in Paris terminate successfully, all these military
manceuvres and warlike preparations will amount
to nothing, so that there should be no objection to
be kept in abeyance, for the present at any rate. The
Constitutionnel thinks that things may turn out better
than some expect in the long run, and adduces one
argument in favour of a happy result being attained
—namely, that there is no conquered party at the
Conference, all meet on equal terms, and may be
fairly supposed ready to concede to the just request
of the mediating Powers. This may be true in part,
but at the same time no one can deny that great
difficulties are in the way of a satisfactory settle-
ment, and that innumerable prejudices start up on
every side to confront those who seek to settle things
in a difficult manner. All we can do is to wait in
patience, and to hope that the various parties will
show more moderation than they generally do in
such cases, for much as Prussia desires a war, many
innocent people would suffer for her crimes.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FRO3I OUR pIVN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Tuesday Evening.

The Journal des Debats has an article to-day, in
which it is•argued that Austria would not have re-
ceived an invitation to attend to the suggestions of
the Conference if it had not been known that she
was disposed to give them favourable consideration.
On the other hand, however, the Austrian Gazette
received to-day in Paris gives but rather faint hopes
that Austria will make concessions.

"The meeting of the Congress may be considered as
certain, and it would be premature to deny that
there is hope that success may attend the object of
it. The chances of success are not very great, but
there is no reason to repudiate them entirely. The '
invitation of the Powers has not yet (May 25) been
received at Vienna. If the Austrian Government
should take part in the Congress, it will not be
without being first convinced that it can do so with-
out prejudice to the honour and interest of the
country. The position Austria will occupy at the
Congress is simple. It will not join it to impose
conditions with bayonets, nor to accept proposals
which the Powers would make to her under the
pressure of an army. Austria presents herself be-
fore Europe to discuss and accept proposals made
to her, ready to hold out her hand if a just and
honourable transaction be offered to her, but
also resolutely determined not to agree to anything
which is not just. From the moment that Europe
proposes to assume the character of mediator, it is
for her to offer means likely to give it success in
that character. Austria has no proposals to make.
She has only to receive and examine the propositions
offered to- her." The Congress is of course the
great card of the day, an'l rumours of the most
contradictory kind respecting it abound. Su3h is
the paucity of facts, however, that some of the
papers devote considerable space to learned expla-
nations of the difference between a Congress and a
Conference. The real distinction between the two
words—difference there is not much—is that a Con-
ference is a meeting to agree upon the form of
certain proposals, and a Congress is an assembly to
decide upon proposals made. It would, perhaps,
puzzle a conjuror to say whether the ensuing meet-
ing at Paris will be a Congress or a Conference.
It will, I think, under the above definition begin as
the latter and end as the former.

Yesterday the summer began again, at least so
far as heat was concerned. It was intense, and
Fahrenheit's thermometer rose to nearly 90. This
morning the heat continued, and the air was heavy
and oppressive. Towards three o'clock in the after-

noon there came a storm of thunder and lightning.
The thunder was neither frequent nor loud, but the
storm continued for more than an hour. The rain
fell in great abundance at intervals, and indeed the
showers had not subsided at post hour. The rain
did not much cool the atmosphere.
Aspe, the Toulouse murderer, although he did
the innocent so fervently immediately after his
conviction, has confessed that he committed the
crime, and 'has divulged the secret of the spot
where he concealed the poor woman's head after
he cut it off. The jury will, no doubt, consider
this information as another "extenuating circum-
stance" in his favour.

Although so short a time has elapsed since the
conviction of Cellier for the murder of the warder
and a fellow prisoner in the House of Detention at
Riome, another prisoner has wounded a fellow con-
vict in the prison. The prisoners in this division
are employed as shoemakers, so that cutting instru-
ments have been always at command, but now that
these murders have been committed, on the prin-
ciple of " shutting the stable-door when the steed
is stolen," some precqution will perhaps be adopted
to prevent such unpleasant occurrences in future.
The Moniteur announces, but in its non-official
part, that the three identical notes of France,
England, and Russia inviting the representatives of
Austria, Prussia, Italy, and the German Confede-
ration to a Conference, have arrived at their desti-
nation.

On Thursday at La Marche the close of the Spring
Steeplechases will take plaee. The races are for
the Prix d'Ete, handicap (23 horses entered) ; Prix
a Reclaimer (18 horses entered) ; Hacks Stakes (7
entered) ; a numerous attendance is expected to
close the present season with eclat.

A merchant of Strasburg came to Paris a day or
two ago on urgent business. His wife was rather
indisposed when he left home, but nothing serious
was anticipated. He had hardly reached his hotel
at Paris, however, when he received the following
telegram :—" Wife died suddenly. Funeral to-
morrow. Hasten back. You will be in time if you
return by the pleasure train." This real story would
serve as a pendant to that related, perhaps, by Joe
Miller. The mournful procession of the remains of
a wife walked rather rapidly, when the husband
whispered to the undertaker, " Don't be in a hurry.
Its of no use to make a toil of a pleasure."
The' new hackney carriage regulations do not
seem to be very much relished by the coachmen.
One of the fraternity has been arrested for endea-
vouring to induce them to make another " strike."
Some of the troops who are to form part of the
camp at Chalons have left Paris for that place, and
others are under immediate orders.

The Constitutionnei states that the Spanish Minis-
ter for Foreign Affairs has sent a circular to the
Spanish Ambassadors at the various Courts to
enable them to defend and make explanations of the
motives which induced the Spanish Government to
order the bombardment of Valparaiso.

A communication from St. Petersburg gives an
account of a duel with cavalry sabres between M. Joseph
Braga, pianist,. brother of the well-known violoncellist
Gaetano Braga, and a colonel of the Imperial Guard. The
former is said to have dealt his antagonist such a terrible
blow as almost to cleave his head in two. The cause of
the dispute is not stated. "

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

Bank of England..
Private Banks
Joint-stock Banks

Total In England.
Scotland.
Ireland

United Kingdom

3latch 31, April 28,
18613. 1866. Increase.l Decrease.

20,878,7v8, 22,210,7,0, 1,'32,n121
2,832,6221 3,0,)2,013 169,415
2,515,085: 2,616,5471_ 113,1621

2(1,216,42, 27,831,310, 1,614,590
4,134,983 4,154,185 1.9.112
0,017,084. e,029,7571 12,575

38,158,'851 38,C95,252' -1,726,7671

And as compared with the month ending the 29th of
April, 1865, the above returns show an increase of
£843,299 in the circulation of notes in England, and an
increase of £1,097,988 in the circulation of , the United
Kingdom.

On comparing the above with the fixed issues of the
several banks the followir, is the state of the circulation:—
The English private banks are below their
fixed issue £1,050,363
The English joint-stock banks are below their
fixed issue

599,588

Total below fixed issue in England ... £1,649!951
The Scotch banks are above their fixed issue.., 1,484,914
The Irish banks are above their fixed issue ... 324,737

- • —.-
The average stock of bullion held by the Bank of Eng-
land in both departments during the month ending the 25th
of April was £14,057,738, being a decrease of £241,273
as compared with the previous month, and a decrease of
£922,666 when compared with the same period last year.
The following are the amounts of specie held by the
Scotch and. Irish banks during the month ending the 28th
of April :

Gold and silver held by the Scotch banks ... £2,358,739
Gold and silver held by the Irish banks ... 2,090,606

4449,345
Being a decrease of .Z 27,610 as compared with the pre-
vious return, and a.a inoreaso of £7,279 when compared
with the corresponding period 'set year

LITERATURE,

Twelve Months with Fredrika Bremer in Sweden.
By Margaret Howitt. Two vols. Jackson,
Walford, and Hodder.

This book will be right welcome to the friends
and admirers of the great Swedish novelist, the
gentle-hearted, noble-spirited, philanthropic Fred-
rika Bremer, whose valuable and venerable life came
to a close on the last day of last December. As the
translator, the very faithful and felicitous translator,
of " The Neighbours," " The Home," " The Presi-
dent's Daughters," and others of those celebrated
fictions, the name of Mary Howitt is, in this
country at least, indissolubly associated with that
of Fredrika Bremer. There was more than the
common bond of author and translator to unite
those gifted women in their claims upon our grati-
tude and regard. Both were kindred spirits, both
filled with a woman's true love and appreciation of
Home, both earnest thinkers and zealous workers
in the cause of Social Progress, both prompt to
sympathise and eager to help with heart and hand
in every work of benevolence, in every philanthropic
reform. Fredrika Bremer was, indeed, happy in
finding an English sister's heart so ready to respond
to her noblest aspirations. The English reading
public were, indeed, fortunate in finding an Eng-
lish voice so well qualified to give utterance to the
inspirations of the gifted Swedish celebrant of Home.
The volumes now before us, introduced by some
kindly words of Mary llowitt's, are the work of
another owner of a name honoured in'English
literature, Margaret (as we are led to suppose), the
daughter, apparently the worthy daughter, of
William and Mary Howitt. If we are mistaken in
regard to the exact relationship, Margaret Howitt
is evidently endowed with kindred sympathies, and
is well worthy to follow in the footsteps of Mary
Howitt and Fredrika Bremer. The records of
these volumes, which refer to a happy twelve-
month passed with the kindly-hearted Taste
Fredrika (as by an affectionate Swedish custom the
old lady liked to be called) possess an especial in-
terest now that the grave has closed over the be-
loved hostess. " The intercourse of the writer
(says Mrs. Howitt in the introduction) with her
venerated friend was of too intimate a character to
have permitted her to make its details known dur-
ing her lifetime. But now the sacredness and
solemnity of death having separated the past from
the present, the familiar and affectionate interest of
a whole year, and the tender friendship which con-
tinued between the two to the last, have rendered
it rather a duty than otherwise for her to contribute
her share towards a more full biography, and to do
honour to some of those admirable men and women
of Sweden who have made, and are making, this
northern land both philanthropically and intellectu-
ally great." Very faithfully and very gracefully
has the young writer performed her task. Her
observations, written in the form of a diary, convey
to the reader's mind a very pleasing picture of
Swedish manners and customs in general, and the
home life of Fredrika Bremer in particular. " Miss
Bremer's home life," says Mrs. Howitt, " appeared
to her young inmate as singularly perfect, in so far
that it was governed by one prevailing sentiment, that
of undeviating love." Little instances of this loving
spirit, evinced in the most unobtrusive manner,
abound throughout the narrative. The pictures of
Swedish life are singularly graphic. Margaret
Howitt is evidently a keen observer, and she gives
pleasant evidence of this faculty in every page.
Christmas doings in Sweden are genially described.
The spirit of those festivities is (necessarily) akin to
our English rejoicings, but the manner is very dis-
similar. Holly and mistletoe are unknown ; fir-
trees and candles are the modes of decoration.
" Tante Fredrika," writes her visitor, " gave to
Magister Eneroth, as well as ourselves, a packet of
candles. The milk-woman in the morning is also
to receive candles. This is a custom Miss Bremer
clings to. It is associated with her early life, when
every old woman on her father's estate received a
candle and a spiced bun-loaf at Christmas." The
reason of the gift, which is identical with that of
the Catholic Candlemas, is later on explained.
On the Christmas morning " the interior of
the country churches is all a-blaze with myriads of
candles, types of Christ, the True Light, shining
in the dark land ; • and it is in this, beautiful sym-
bolism that Miss Bremer so strictly adheres to her
gift of yule-candles." " Fredrika Bremer loved the
light," says her friend and biographer, and the day
on which, surrounded by her friends, she gently
breathed her last, the last day of December was by
a happy coincidence the very day for which in her
text-book of " Golden Corn" she had (unknowing
what that day should bring forth for herself) se-
lected the glorious words of the sacred writings,
" There shall be no night there; and they shall
need no candle, neither light of the sun, for the
Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign
for ever." Full of years and honours, beloved and
revered by all, Fredrika Bremer has passed
away; but many of her latest sayings and doings,
her gentle loving words and useful, noble actions,
are fortunately preserved, for our: enjoyment and
example, in these delightful records of the happy
twelvemonth passed by Margaret Howitt with
Fredrika Bremer.

Prison Characters, Drawn from Life. With Sug-
gestions for Prison Government. By a Prison
Matron, author of " Female Life iu Prison."

Two Vols. llurst and Blackett.

This work hardly requires a recommendation.
The numerous readers of " Female Life in Prison"
will turn with eagerness to this continuation of
those sad but interesting records, and those who
have not happened to meet with the former book
will now have an opportunity of acquainting them-
selves with a truthful description of a very im-
portant theme, depicted by one well qualified for the
task. " Candidly," says the writer of " Female
Life in Prison," when speaking of the former work,
" I did not anticipate my own success. I had
set myself the task of writing for the thoughtful
few. I did not look for a large public or antici-
pate that from the writing of my first two volumes
would spring forth a host of friends and well-
wishers to bid God-speed me." The success of
writer and work is not surprising, for the subject
is one of vital interest and importance, and the
writer is well qualified, both from practical expe-
rience and sound common sense, to describe and
criticise what she has seen and known in her event-
ful life within the walls. Never were the secrets
of the prison-house more candidly or charitably
revealed, never were the trials and troubles of the
prison officer, and the peculiarities and individuali-
ties of the prisoner more faithfully described.
Had the hours of the prison-matron's duty
been less and the tasks lighter, says the
authoress, she would still have been on duty
in the ward, studying " female life in prison,"
literally, and without a thought of presenting to
the world the results of her studies. As it is, the
public and the prisons also are the gainers. The
warning should not, however, be disregarded in
reference to other sister labourers in the field, whose
onerous tasks may no doubt be curtailed with advan-
tage to themselves and to the service. Among the
" characters" drawn from life that flit across these
pages are many various inmates of the gloomy cells
remarkable for their career and their conduct. The
difficulty of enforcing obedience, especially in a
female prison, seems almost insuperable. Variuni
et mutabile semper fienzina, says the Poet, and even in
prison this remark appears to be verified, " Seven
years of temper in a palace would try the
worst of you," says Dr. Marigold, " but seven
years of temper in a cart iwould try the best of
you !" What, then, must be a temper in a prison !
" A woman at her worst," says this faithful chronicler
of the frailties of her sex, " has no regard for
consequences till the fit is over." " There is no
rule in the world capable of exacting implicit obe-
dience from these untaught, destraught, jealous
criminals." What can be done is no doubt being
done, and as a help, an invaluable help in the right
direction, these prison sketahes by an eye-witness,
these practical suggestions by a thoughtful observer
are worthy of the highest consideration and regard.

Earl Granville transacted business on Monday at
the Council-office, anti did not leave London for
Paris, as was stated.

THE WEST INDIES.

SOUTHAIPTON, May 30.

The Royal Mail Company's steamship Seine has
arrived. She brings 308 passengers ; specie, 759,903
dols. ; precious stones, &c., £2,000 ; also 3,463
packages of cargo, chiefly cigars, cotton, bark,
cocoa, ginger, coffee, and cochineal.
The Seine left St. Thomas's on the 13th, and has
had fine weather during her passage.
The blockade of Valparaiso has been raised, and
the Spanish squadron under Admiral Nunez is in
the waters of Callao. A combat between the
Spanish squadron and the Peruvian batteries de-
fending Callao is considered unavoidable. Admiral
Nunez has declared that it is his intention to com-
mence operations against the fortifications on the Ist
of June. He further announces that the port of
Callao is declared to be blockaded, with six days'
respite for neutral vessels to leave the port with
their cargoes.
Business at Valparaiso was exceedingly limited,
being confined to the chartering of vessels.
Great enthusiasm prevails in the army at Callao,
and the result of the conflict with Spain is anxiously
awaited. The Spanish fleet off Callao numbers 10
vessels, 275 guns.
In Ecuador large gold mines have been discovered.
Great enthusiasm prevails in the country on account
of the war against Spain.
In Guayaquil business is dull. At Valparaiso
freights to England were quoted 70s. to 755. per ton..
Exchange on London, 47i.
At Jamaica nothing important had occurred. Sir
Henry Storks had issued a proclamation proroguing
the Legislature until the 17th proximo.
His Excellency was expected to leave the island
next month, immediately after the arrival of his
Excellency W. Rawson, Commander-in-Chief of
the Bahamas, who is commissioned to administer the
Government of Jamaica for the present. Sir Henry
Storks was about to proceed around the island in a
war vessel on a tour of inspection.
The result of the commission is anxiously looked
for by the colonists.
In the West India Islands health was generally
good.
The weather at BarbadOes was fine, and agricul-
tural pursuits were progressing. About two-thirds
of the crop had been reaped. Native provisions
were scarce and dear.

At Granada the crop operations were being
pushed forward. The weather was fine and the
island healthy. _

Cholerine prevailed at Martinique. The weather
was dry and water scarce. The yield of canes was
considered poor. An epizootic had broken out and
committed great ravages among the cattle.
Business at Jamaica quiet. Coffee scarce-48s.
to 565. Sugar, sales 13s. to 17s. ; large quantity
offered. Exchange, 90 days, 2 p.m.

The Tasmanian arrived at St. Thomas on the 15th.

The Turkish Bath Company (Limited).

TIIE HA3I3IAM, 76, JERMYN-STREET.

At the half-yearly meeting of the above com-
pany, which took place yesterday, at 2 p.m., the
subjoined report was adopted nem. con., and, as
will be seen, a dividend of 8 per cent. per annum
declared :
" The directors are happy to announce that the returns
of the Bath, which have been steadily on the increase
during the past half-year, allow them to propose a divi-
dend of 8 per cent. per annum, amountirig to £B5l 17s. 6d.
Plans are being prepared for rebuilding the house as
alluded to in the last half-year's report, which can be seen
by shareholders on application to the secretary, but it is
not deemed expedient to commence go important a work
at 'once, or until the feest consideration has been bestowed
on the best means of arrangement for the contemplated
new building. The hall at the south side has been finished,
and will probably be opened before the report is in the
hands of the shareholders. Besides this important addition
to the establishment, the' deficiency of space for the service
of the bath, which has all along been so serious an incon-
venience, is in part supplied by a chamber and kitchen for
the shampooers. These aro placed under the new hall.
Other modifications have been completed to facilitate at
once the service and to meet the demands ensuing on the
enlarged traffic. These changes and additions have con-
siderably increased the plant of the establishment, at a
cost infinitely below its real value in reference to pecu-
niary returns. The directors deeply regret the loss the
company have sustained in the death of the late Mr. John-
son, whose services since the opening of the bath have been
so valuable."

The Court of Aldermen and the Stock-
Exchange.

Yesterday at a meeting of the Court of Aldermen,
held at Guildhall, the Lord Mayor in the chair, the
long-standing grievance felt by some of the mem-
bers of the Stock-Exchange against the regulation
of the Court which requires a sworn broker of the
city to give security, himse:f in £l,OOO and two
sureties in £250 each, for the due and just execu-
tion of his office without fraud or collusion, and
especially that he shall only act as a broker between
party and party, and not as a principal, was again
brought under consideration. It arose on the peti-
tion of Mr. Cunninghame Borthwick, of Gresham-
house, Old Broad-street, to be admitted a broker
without finding the accustomed sureties, he being
willing at the same time to enter into his own per-
sonal bond. The petitioner stated that he had for
seven years and upwards been a member of the
Stock-Exchange, and, believing himself to be duly
qualified to act as a broker, had made the
ordinary application to the Court to be ad-
mitted, accompanied by a certificate of six honour-
able and respectable persons who had known him
for a period varying between 15 and 6 years, that he
was a person of good and honest fame and reputa-
tion. The petitioner stated that he was one of a
number of members of the Stock Exchange who
conceived that the Court of Aldermen, in exercise of
the powers vested in them to make regulations for
the honest and good behaviour of persons admitted
as brokers, had no right to require them to find
sureties. He was, however, willing to enter into his
personal bond of £l,OOO for the due and joint exe-
cution for the office, and for the observance of all
the rules and regulations of the Court respecting
brokers. He desired, in conclusion, that the appli-
cation should be considered on its merits, and that
if they should consider it right for him 'to
find sureties previous to his admission, they would
give such directions as might facilitate the trial of
the legality of such requirement. The petition was
presented by Alderman Sir R. Carden, who moved
that it be referred to a committee. Mr. Alderman
Sidney said it was a most extraordinary application
to ask the Court, for the convenience of a single
individual, to waive conditions which they had im-
posed on every sworn broker in the city of London
for :generations. He was convinced, after many
years' experience, that the Court had not only legal
but moral rights on their side in the regulations
they had long enforced, purely for the protection of
the public, with regard to transactions of brokers
and members of the Stock Exchange. It was no re-
flection on a man to ask him to find sureties ; but,
constituted as society was in the city of London, it
was not desirable to admita number of comparative
strangers to be brokers without some security for
the due and just fulfilment of the office. Mr. Alder-
man Rose bore testimony to the fact that when the
subject was under the consideration of a committee
of the House of Commons last year the committee
unanimously reported that the jurisdiction of the
Court of Aldermen over brokers was judicious and
salutary and for the public benefit. Mr. Alderman
Wilson said there were plenty of brokers rich enough
to have tried this question if they had ever as
a body regarded it as a grievance. The petition, in
his judgment, was an insult to the Court, and he
moved as an amendment that it be not entertained.
The amendment was seconded by Alderman Sir
John Musgrove. Mr. Alderman Waterlow submitted
that it would be most unfair to the 1,200 or 1,500
sworn brokers of the city, from whom those securi-
ties had been taken by the Court, acting on a power
which ther had exercised for 500 years, to forego
them in the case of a single individual. Besides, the
committee of the House of Commons had reported
in effect that those securities were the only grounds
on which the jurisdiction of the Court could be exer-
cised for the public benefit. In the end the amendment
rejecting the petit ion was carried almost unanimously.

wiw's you. Doc 'cat ?-1101tI501i'S BILLS,

HER MAJESTY.

CLIVEDEN, May 29.
The Queen went out yesterday morning, attended
by the Duchess Dowager of Athole.
In the afternoon her Majesty drove out, accom-
panied by the Princess 'Lien, and attended by the
Duchess of Atholc.
Prince Leopold went out driving.

The Earl of Chesterfield is in a very precarious
state of health. The noble earl was attacked With
paralysis on Saturday, and the symptoms have been
alarming.
The Queen has been pleased to direct letters
patent to be passed under the Great Seal, granting thedlf,"-
nity of an Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland unto the Right Hon. John Baron Wodehouse,
and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the
name, style, and title of Earl of Kimberley, of Kimberley'
in tha county of Norfolk.—Gazette.

BEETHOVEN ROOMS.—Miss Amy Coyne, '1
daughter of Mr. Stirling Coyne, the dramatist, on 31°12-
day gave at these rooms a matinee musicale, which 10,51
attended by a highly select circle of invited guests,
made on this occasion her debut as a pianist. Tier touch
is firm and brilliant. Beethoven's sonata in F major for
pianoforte and violin (Op. 23), in which she found a "is
terly coadjutor in Mr. Carrodus ; one of " Mendelssohn 5
delicious " Lieder ohne Norte ;" Schumann's somewhat
pretentious " Arabesque," the pretty " Fantasia Im-
promptu" of Chopin, and Bach's quaintly gracefuL,
" J3ourree," were the pieces performed. Miss Copia

every reason to be pleased with her debut.
MRS. JOHN MACFARREN'S MORNINGS AT TO
PIANOFORTE.—This accomplished lady commenced her
series of pianoforte recitals yesterday at the St. James's
Hall. The programme was judiciously selected, and con-
tained—" Rondo Molto Grazioso, Sonata in A flat, Op. 39/
Weber ; Romance and Etude, " Si oiseau retais, h toi ie
volerais," Henselt ; New Irish Fantasia, " Ould
Brissac ; and Andante, in F, Op. 35, Beethoven. There
was a very large company, and the recital gave the
greatest satisfaction to the elder portion of the audience
and instruction to the younger.
NEW CITY CLUB.—A very stately building, de'
signed as a Club-house for merchants in the City, is
now on the point of completion, and will be opened in 3
few days. It is centrally situated in George-yard, leading
from Lombard-street to Cornhill, and in the immediate
neighbourhood of the Royal Exchange and the Bank ,
England. It is the property of a company of merchants,
who have erected it at their own cost and for their own
e
convenience, but who reserve to themselves the power 0'
admitting fresh members from time to time, consistently
with the amount of accommodation afforded and upon the
principles adopted at all well-regulated establishments
the kind. Already the proprietors number upwards of 6u'
and the affairs of the Club will be managed by a committee
chosen from among themselves, Mr. J. W. If. Cotton, e
leading member of a firm of Russian merchants, being the
chairman. The building, of which Mr. J. H. Rowley i 5,:
architect, has been erected at a cost cf about £50,000.
is in three stories, with a basement besides, and presents:
very imposing appearance. It combines all the convenience,
common to institutions of the kind, and the- interior
fitted up with much splendour. About two years he.ed
been spent in its erection, and now that it is finished it l"
altogether a very handsome supplemeut, in an architec-
tural point of view, to the number of imposing edifice
which have.been reared in various parts of the city
the last few years, for banking, mercantile, and other kin'
dred purposes.
NATIONAL TEMPERANCE LEAGUE.—The annu I
conversazione of the National Temperance League
was given last evening at the Queen's Concert Bo°'
Hanover-square, and was numerously attended.
dant and varied entertainment was provided for the
vin
tors. In the lower room were a number of photog'raPir
statues, lifeboat mcdels, &c., and some experiments let
electric light were exhibited. In the upper room a eeecerrs,
was performed, in which Miss Ada E. Percy, and Afees.s
A. Lester, Travers, G. D. Taylor, Chaplin Henry, ant
N'
1,„
Russell Smith took part. After the concert the Rev.-c'rerh;
man Hall delivered an address upon temperance.
,1041 t
evening concluded with a very interesting lecture on l''ut
by Mr. W. R. Selway, illustrated by a number of brillia
and instructive experiments, performed by the Ideesrs,
Darker, in which the kaleidoscope was shown, and we%
of the beautiful phenomena of polarisation were exhibit°.
with great success. In the small rooms above stairs Net
°
microscopes and other scientific instruments, and an 64„,..f
tremely interesting and valuable collection of the works;
Mr. George Cruikshank made by Edward Barrett. Amon
them are some of the earlier works of this modernllogar`;";
including some of the year 1829, in which he speciel'o.'
pourtrays the perils of the beer-shop and the gin-13'111 i
as well as several series of his illustrations to cliger,
c,..
works. The room in which these engravings were e%i; Irt
bited was much frequented, and indeed was for some 133,41
difficulty to obtain a sight of the pictures. The
of the evening so crowded as to make it a matter of Wet'
may set down this conversazione as a success.
NI:1V MONUMENT IN WESTMINSTER A"::.
Yesterday the mural monument erected in iv
minster Abbey by the Secretary of State for Ina:300
Council to the memory of Sir James Outran', wil° „red
publicly buried there on 25th of March, 1863, was uneey;io•
in the presence of a largo concourse of distingtlishe%ie,
dian officers and others. The monument of white ra`-best
executed by,Mr. Noble, consists of a characteristic
so
surmounting a tablet, on which is carved, in relief,
historical group of the meeting of Outram, Havelock, 7eo
Clyde, at Lucknow ; the tablet being supported by fie lo'
of a Seindiau and a Bheel chief, illustrative of the dl,r,
matic and administrative services of the deceased e;ff
Beneath is the following inscription :—" To the tneros /3,
society
of Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, Bart., G* ;co
K. 5.1., &c., a soldier of the East India Compall,,cle
during a service:of 40 years, in war and in council, by
of bravery and devotion, by au unselfish life, by belie of
lento never weary of well-doing, sustained the 11011,011,00'
the British nation, won the love of his comrades, all'al'eet
muted the happiness of the people of India, this moue oil.
is erected by the Secretary of State for India in Cen_A is
Born January-29, 1803 ; died March 11, 1863. Interrrov"oog
this abbey at the public cost, March 25, 1863." A'ericY
those present were the Dean of Westminster, Sir Fred gr•
Currie, Sir George Pollock, Sir Henry MontgonterVerd,
Merivale, Mr. Stansfeld, Capt. Eastwick, Sir Erskine 060
Mr. Arbuthnot, Mr. M'Naghten, Sir R. Vivian, Sir I.„.,rearo,
Outram, General Malcolm, General Baker, General .t
Sir H. Ricketts, General Vincent. Eyre, Mr. liayase'9oo,
William Coghlen, Sir T. Wilkinson, General Farianb,
Dr. Mouatt, Mr. T. H. Fergusson, Colonel Alai:" ore,'
Noble, &c. The Secretary of State for India, Lore 00
and Ripon, having been summoned by her &Dies°
unavoidably absent. n 0 o
DISAPPEARANCE OF CHOLERA FROM LIVERY 100
—Between 600 and 700 of the Helvetia's German ell' sad
passengers, who had re-embarkd from the workhanevor
depots at Birkenhead, and the warehouse, Baukbell' .0501
pool, were inspected yesterday, previously to tbeo
again starting on her voyage to New York. With oes,
ception of a few children suffering from infantile dn
viere
and who, with their parents, bedding, and luggar tioaci
taken 'ashore, the whole of the passengers were 100; cle
health and in high spirits at the prospect of their e'
parture, parture, after the delays and perils of the past moat°• br,ira
understand that the National Steamship CotaPlejl Dee
supplied fresh beds and bedding throughout, ''''loll. 6oeis
given satisfaction to most of the emigrants, thotin r I,ecls'
of the foreigners complain of the loss of their feeleieetist
many of which were of the best quality. 1-rhe a I's
remained at anchor in the river yesterday afterhne,4ials,
she had been cleared by the emigration and port °01;,/ea'
and would take her departure far New York by t„liorasaeS
ing tide. The remaining batch of convalescent. (-I'lo Go:
have left the Liverpool workhouse, and not a sir'
,ged ire
is left upon the books. The town is now report Al
from cholera. Geer
0
GENERAL BEAUREGARD IN LIVERPOOL.
.risocl
010
Bea,uregard, the renowned Confederate officer, erlrooe, a
Liverpool in the steamer Scotia, from New oianflo
Saturday. It was rumoured that he would be en t
on Monday, and some excitement was observ'ebel? „BL'rsen.,6,
flags during the morning, an unusual number
r.Tyisill's
being assembled in anticipation of the gene;,
Early in the morning General BeauregardetlYen'en vied
neighbourhood, in company with several ge
_s
known in tho town, and being recognised he was
until ho
by a considerable crowd through several street:,
.11,,t
oov_
took refuge in a private office in Water-streeitlcsweo.f",,
o'clock the general proceeded to the Eechange.
and the information that he had arrived being to
spread a rush was made to the room, which_ NsV..OOOl, 013,,
crowded. The general walked to the end of
_t.l
0.1-00 oretoed
stood there for a few moments conversing 117.ttsiv...pa
gentlemen, and then, a passage through theit ws7aiii;ea fri°l3vs
thecro wrodohaving
nbge egnremetaeddeowinclitrF.,
allth somesides NciViiilitheci;°?Eallecig'll°: or
of hands. The, gallant officer bowed his a E °cloy, ontio,
two by streets, to Mr. Hewitt's offices, 111
_era]. 13e.tr.
and then made his way across the flags.
alert:oo-1:i, ere'
hags, Water-street. It is understood that r`,lliilee 10P.;
tae or Moro
g has come to this country to promote oue
interests of a railway about to be laid down
X
1 fisher;
of the Southern States. Lokere t feV,
rfue in
THE EASTERN FISHERIES.— 0 t. 130
is now being prosecuted off the eastern Great -re
;a,,
mackerel have been secured, however, Y
to t°
mouth boats during the last few days, Roo
°lot
fence of easterly winds. Prices have rang in
.P
~,,a,a,
565. per 120. The Lowestoft boats have al
• pro at preheat.