The Sun.
London, England, 1859-07-04 00:00:00

BALLOONS FOR WARFARE.

The subject of balloons for warfare is now no
longer a mere suggestion, but is au actual reality,
according to the latest continental intelligence.
vii'. Henry Cox :yell, aeronaut, writes as follows :
"We gather from recent news that a French
aeronaut made a successful ascent at Castelnedolo
to observe the Austrians, and that 40 women are
busily engaged at Paris in making a new balloon for
the' French army.

" Ever since the Russian war, and indeed during
that calamity, I have laboured single-handed in
endeavouring to provoke the attention of our Go-
vernment, our scientific men, and the English press
to the importance of aerial observatories. "
As the idea just begins to engage public notice
at the present moment, it may not be 'uninteresting
to simply correct one or two erroneous notions as
to the modus operandi with war balloons. In the
Aerostatic Magazine for this year I devote a chapter
to Balloons for Reconnoitring,' but as extracts
may be too lengthy I will briefly observe that bal-
loons may be used with long wire ropes attached
(kite fashion) without being let go, which might
e ndan ger their fallin g into an enezay's camp. 2. There
is no real necessity that the balloon should be within
close range of large or small shot, as an angle of
elevation proportioned to the distance would afford
the required information. 3. Hydrogen gas, gene-
rated by the decomposition of water,- would enable
balloons to be inflated in whatever locality desir-
able.

galloons may also be made the vehicles of lay-
ing a'temporary electric wire or thread in any direc-
tion required. A large revolving drum beneath the
car might contain many miles of thin wire, and
pay it out as desired. Certain indications would
be required to mark its course, but this could be
easily managed.
"In this way a net of electrical communication
might be established. Like spiders the balloon
could spin away in various directions, and if one
part of the web gave way the main lines might be
depended upon to convey intelligence

NIGHT SIGNALS FOR SEAAIEN.—An important
benefit to mariners has been conferred by the invention of
a signal light, two only of which are needful to enable ships
at sea to communicate by night easier than by day, up to
three miles. The invention is that of a naval medical
officer, who has for eleven years laboured to benefit seamen
by lights. The contrivance is very simple —a circular lens
and two cylinders (like tumblers without bottoms), red and
green ; once hoisted up the lamps are never moved till the
signal is complete, all changes being made from the deck.

HWY El MARKET AND CITY NEWS.

CITY, Two O'CLOCK.

Tho advises received from the manufacturing
districts are generally or a satisfactory character.
At Manchester during the past week there has been
a moderate inquiry for heavy goods ; articles suit-
able to the Indian markets have also been in fair
demand, and prices show a slight improvement. At
Leeds the attendance of buyers in the various
cloth halls has been above the average, and a satis-
factory amount of business has been done, chiefly in
heavy and medium fabrics, for the autumn and
winter. Wools have been at full rates. Worsted
yarns at Bradford have been in moderate request,
at firm prices, and piece goods have been rather
largely dealt in both for the home trade and for the
United States. The hosiery trade of Leicester con-
tinues active ; and several branches, particularly
the worsted department, have been more animated
than usual at this season of the year. At Notting-
ham there has been little improvement to record in
the lace market. At Birmingham the general trades
of the town and neighbourhood have Undergone
little alteration ; prices, however, continue steady.
At Wolverhampton and Sheffield there has been
no material alteration in the state of the iron trade,
business in most departments being exceedingly
dull.

Adi-ices from New-York report continual firm-
ness in the rate of exchange upon England, and in
consequence of the efflux of gold, the specie in the
city banks had been reduced to £4,640,000.

The arrivals of specie this morning include
£51,644 from the Brazils, by the Tyne, £7,000 by
the Alhambra from Lisbon, and £100,279 by the
City of Washington from New York.
The increased activity occasioned in discount
circles by the commercial engagements due to-day,
the 4th of the month, and the numerous payments
which have been completed during the last few
days, in connexion with railway calls, have im-
parted more firmness to the rates of accommodation;
but the alteration, after all, is merely fractional,
and is likely to be of a temporary character. Up
to the present time commercial as well as joint-
stock enterprise is too much restricted to promise
an immediate and important extension of the de-
mand for money, and, under these circumstances, a
permanent reaction in the tendency of the market
is scarcely anticipated.
In the Market for Public Securities to-day a
moderate amount of business has been transacted,
and prices have advanced nearly a per cent. This
improvement is attributable to the favourable
advices from the Paris Bourse, which have induced
a few purchases. Speculation, however, is dull, as
usual, just before settling day. Consols have been
931 a, and they are now 931 1. The New Threes
have improved to 931 94 ; the Reduced to 931, 94 ;
and India Loan Scrip to 9411. Exchequer Bills
are steady, at 235. to 245. prem.
A very limited business has been transacted in
the market for Foreign Securities, but an improve-
ment has taken place. Turkish 6 per Cents. have
been 76-i to 774 and 76 to 78 ; the New, 63 to 64,
being now 62 to 64'; Spanish 3 'per Cents. were
414 ; ditto Certificates 4; Austrian 5 per Cents.
47 to 48 ; Mexican 18 to 181 ; and Brazilian 41 per
Cents. 92.

A moderate degree of activity has prevailed in
the Railway Share Market, and prices have fully
sympathised with the improvement in Consols.
Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee, North-Eastern
(Berwick),.and South-Eastern, have improved ss. ;
Eastern Counties, Great Northern, Great Western,
and Midland, 10s. ; and South-Western, £1; North-
Western have declined about 100., and Brighton,
£l.

The Foreign lines are inactive hut prices are firm.
Lombardo-Venetian old shares are 71, 7, and the
new 7 to 71.

In the Colonial Market prices are also a shade
firmer. East Indian have improved to 1021 ; Grand
Trunk of Canada to 34 35 ;. and Great Western of
Canada to 15 ; Great Indian Peninsula are steady
at 98,!--, 99.

Joint-Stock Bank and 'Miscellaneous Shares con-
tinue to support previous values. Bank of Lon-
don and Union of London are at former quotations;

Canada Land improved to 113 ; Red Sea Telegraph
to 101 10:4 ; and Royal Mail Steam, 521.

BRITISH FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
3 pct. Cent. Reduced Annuities 93 K
Ncw 3 per Cent. Annuities ....... 931 if 4
India Stock
Ditto Debentures
Ditto Loan Scrip
°nulls for Account (July 8)
•• xchequer Bills, £l,OOO, 11d .. 23 4 p
itto £5OO 23 4 1 p

FOREIGN FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
Brazilian 5 per Cent.
Ditto 41 per Cent. 1852
911
Ditto 1858, 41 per Cent
Chilian, 6 per Cent.
Ditto 41 per Cent.
11Iexican 3 per Cent.
Ditto Account
veruvian 41 per Cent
Ditto (Uribarren), 41 per Cent.
Portuguese, 1853, 3 per Cent.
Russian, 1822, £ St., 5 per Cent lO6 •
Ditto 41 per Cent.
Spanish 3 per Cent 4ll
Spanish Cora. Cert. of Coup. not funded 4
Turkish 6 per Cent
Ditto Account
Ditto New Loan
Ditto Account
Dividends on the above payable in London.
Austrian, 10 Fl, 5 per Cent 4B 7 8
THREE O'CLOCK.'
Consols for Account, July 8 .... 934 4 X d

COURT.-( THIS DAY.)

OLD COURT.

The July session of the Central Criminal Court com-
menced this morning before the Lord Mayor, the Re •
corder, Aldermen Moon, Salomons, Mechi, the Sheriffs,
and the other civic authorities.
The calendar contains names of 55 persons for trial.
Two, viz., Thomas Smethurst and Williani. Abraham
Moore, are charged with murder, eight with burglary, nine
with uttering counterfeit coin, three with forgery, three
with manslaughter, five with feloniously wounding, and
the remainder with offences of a minor description.

The Recorder, in charging the grand jury, said he was
very glad to say their duties would bo very light in conse-
quence of the short interval that had elapsed since the last
session. The cases in the calendar were few, and none of
them presented any difficulty. There was a charge of
murder against a person named Moore,• but in this there
was little doubt but that the blow which pro-
duced the death of the unfortunate woman was
struck by the prisoner. No person was present when the
wound was inflicted, so it would be for the prisoner to show
that anything occurred.which would reduce the crime from
that of murder. There was a charge against a foreign
coloured seaman, named John Bardee, for stabbing a police-
man ; and the circumstances connected with the case were
somewhat peculiar. It appears that the prisoner had been
purchased by the captain of his ship—who it was grati-
fying to find was not an Englishman—as a slave, and ho
had made two or three voyages to and. from this country,
without knowing that be had acquired thereby his freedom.
On the last occasion when the ship left London, he was too
ill to proceed, and was left behind, in charge of some per-
s?n, until another ship belonging to the sane owner ar-
rived, when ho was to be again shipped. During this
period he appeared to have learned that he had acquired
his freedom, and for some cause or other which
would more clearly appear as the trial proceeded, he bar-
'leaded himself in his room and the aid of the police was
called. In consequence of what they were told they pro-
ceeded to his apartment with 'a view of taking him into
custody. The prisoner, who was unacquainted with the
English language, naturally thinking the police were en-
deavouring to recapture him as a slave, made his escape
through the window on to the roof of the house, where he
was Mowed by Oliver the policeman. The constable
seized him, when. Burdoe, who was armed with
a knife, struck Oliver a blow which it was quite
a marvel did not instantly deprive him of life.
There were certain circumstances connected with this case
what would render it desirable to have it inquired into more
fully than it could be before the grand jury, so all they
would have to ascertain would be whether there was suffi-
cient evidence to justify them in returning a true bill
against him. The effect of finding a true bill would not be
to finally settle the case, but only to put it into a state to
undergo a thorough and searching investigation in this
court with a view to ascertain the causes that induced the
police to interfere. There was nothing further to call for
remark from him, but in the event of an unforeseen difficulty
. arising the Court would readily render the grand jury every
assistance.
The jury then retired to their room, and the trials pro-
ceeded.

FORGER-Y.
John Lockhart Morton, 32, merchant, was indicted for
forging and uttering two bills of exchange for the respec-
tivesums of £5OO and £485 10s. with intent to defraud.

The prisoner pleaded guilty. I ..
The Recorder postponed passing sentence till next ses-
sion.

THE CASE OF DR. SMETHURST.
The trial of Dr. Thomas Smethurst, who stands indicted
for the wilful murder of Isabella Bankes, is fixed for Wed-
nesday. The Lord Chief-Justice of England, Sir Alex.
Cockburn, will preside,