The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-12 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

In accordance with orders received at Chatham
I from the Horse Guards volunteering has been
opened among the infantry corps at that garrison
for the newly organised Military Store Staff Corps,
now being raised according; to the terms of the re-
cently-issued royal warrant. The qualifications for
volunteers are that they shall have served at least
two years as soldiers, and be men of good character,
who can be recommended by their commanding
officers. The scale of pay authorised in the new
corps is—sergeants-major, 5s per day; colour-ser-
geants, 3s 2d ; sergeants, 2s 4d ; corporals, is 7id ;
second corporals, is 6d ; and buglers and privates,
is 3d. In addition to the regimental pay the mem-
bers of the corps receive working pay varying from
is 6d to 6d per day. Immediately the announce-
ment was made of volunteering being opened a large
number of men announced themselves desirous of
joining the Military Store Staff Corps, but only a
small proportion of those volunteering could be re-
ceived, the number being limited. The men whose
names have been selected by the authorities would
leave Chatham this morning for the headquarters of
the corps at Woolwich.
A detachment of 35 non-commissioned officers and
men of the Royal Engineers will leave headquarters,
Chatham, this morning for the Royal Military Col-
lege, Sandhurst, to assist in the instruction of the
students at that establishment.
Lieut. W. S. Jemmett, 2d Battalion 15th Regi-
ment, and Ensign P. Edgcumbe, 3d West India
garri-
son, to undergo a course of musketry instruction at
Regimentdeta
chmen,
tlgeftCh
selected
th
farmomg atrhreis
do n on
depots
Saturday with
Hythe. Parties of Royal Engineers also proceeded
from headquarters, Chatham, to the schools of
musketry at Fleetwood and Hythe, and also to
Southampton.

The undermentioned officers, corporals, and pri-
vates belonging to regiments stationed at Aldershot
were on Saturday ordered to proceed by train from
the North Camp station of the South-Eastern Rail-
way to Hythe School of Musketry: Lieut.N.R.Slator,
two corporals, six privates, 31st Regiment; EnsignH.
Taylor, two corporals, six privates, 31st Regiment ;
EnsignW.Bigg,t we corporals,six privates,3lst Regi-
ment; Lieut. R. F.Strike,t wo corporals, six privates,
69th Regiment; Ensign A. J. Campbell, two corpo-
rals, six privates, 74th Regiment ; Lieut. C. F. Dash-
wood, two corporals, six privates, 92d Regiment;
Ensign K A. Jolland, one officer's servant, Ist bat-
talion 13th Regiment ; Lieut. D. M. Irvine, one
officer's servant, Ist battalion 17th Regiment.
On Thursday Mr. Spencer Clark, the coroner for
North Hants, concluded an inquest at Aldershot on
the body of Capt. W. Samuel Marson, of the 63d
Regiment. It appeared from the evidence that on
the previous Sunday night Captain Marson went to
his bedroom apparently for the purpose of retiring
to rest. Mrs. Marson followed a few minutes after-
wards, and was horrorstruck to find her husband
suspended by a leather strap to a clothes-peg. She
immediately summoned assistance. A servant and
Capt. Hunt, of the same regiment, promptly made
their appearance, and thelatter wrenched the peg
from its holding and loosened the strap from Capt.
Marson's neck. A medical man was sent for, but
life was already extinct. The surgeon's evidence
went to prove that death resulted from strangula-
tion, and that from three to five minutes would be
sufficient for a man to' die in the position in which
the deceased wasi found_ Marson and other
witnesses stated several circumstances which indi-
cated mental derangement on the part of the de-
ceased officer; and the jury, after a short consulta-
tion, returned as their verdict, "that the deceased
hanged himself while in a state of temporary in-
sanity."

The appointment of commanding Royal Engineer
of the Chatham district, vacant by the retirement of
Col. R. C. Moody on full pay, with the hon. rank
a-Major-General, has been conferred by the Duke
of Cambridge on Lieut.-Col. E. W. Ward, from
half-pay.

A few days ago the body of a soldier named John
Helzeufelt, a private in the 92d Gordon Highlanders,
was found in the Basingstoke-canal at Aldershot.
The deceased, who was a Prussian, about 46 years
old, was missed early on the morning of the 11th of
January, which was dark and snowy. When found
the body was considerably decomposed, and there
were more marks upon it which an ordinary observer
would have surmised were produced by some blunt
instrument. These circumstances, and the fact that
the deceased had previously informed his comrades
that he had won £450 in aHamburg lottery, at first
induced a suspicion of foul play, but the medical
evidence went to prove that death had been caused
by drowning and not by violence. The jury returned
an open verdict, " That the deceased was found
drowned, but there was no evidence to show how."
An Admiralty order received at Chatham directs
the screw frigate Ariadne, 26, 3,214 tons, 800 horse
power (unarmoured), attached to the steam reserve
at that port, to be removed round to Portsmouth,
where she will undergo the requisite repairs to her
hull and machinery before being again commissioned.
It had been intended to carry out the contemplated
repairs at Chatham, but the only available docks at
that establishment are required for commencing the
new turret ship and the other ironclad ordered to be
laid down.
A number of shipwrights and other mechanics are
employed at Chatham dockyard until 10 o'clock at
night on board the ironclad frigate Bellerophon, in
order that she may be out of hand and ready for un-
docking on Saturday next, as ordered by the Admi-
ralty.

A large sailing troopship arrived at Spithead yes-
terday morning early, but the excessive violence of
the weather prevented any communication being
held with her. She was believed to be the Tweed,
from India, with the remainder of the 72d Regiment
on board.

The Salamis, 2, paddle despatch
.vessel, Com-
daetr
1:
irydmeros
uttoweather sufficiently
h •
mmoadnedrearteSsu.ttsieh,eics
aullus sail from ports.
mouth for China as soon as the
Channel, and afterwards at on her way down
Madeira
The following appointments and Ascension'
the Admiralty;--Lieut. A have been made at
A. Jacob, to the •T. W. Tandy, chief e Simoom ;
Lieut. E. F. Brickdaln engineer, to the Favorite ; Sub-
Fred. A. Air
--(IRBY, Sub- •
e, to the Favorite; Sub-Lieut.
D. Lieut. H. Russell, and Sub-
Lieut. C. Stuart to the Doris;J. Anderson,R.,
Burg., to the Favorite; Dr. T. Cann assist -surg
tor the Impregnable, for service in the' Squirrel ; J.
T. Comerford, assist.-surg., to the Cumberland, for
service in the Reserve ; Henry Macdonnell and W.
' Roche (a), assist.-surgs., additional, to the Bristol;
Alexander Scott, assist.-surg., to the Favorite ;
David B. Thomas, assist.-surg., to Greenwich Hos-
pital; John M. Campbell and Dr. Wm. J. Rankin,
acting assist.-surgeons, additional, to the Victory,
for service at Haslar Hospital; Edward W. Legit, .
acting assist.-surg., additional, to the Royal Ade-
laide, for service at Plymouth Hospital ; James K.
I Bell, assist.-paymaster, to the Victory; T. Silk,
assist. paymaster, to the Princes Charlotte ; Walter
T. Warren, nominated to a naval cadetship; John
B. James, engineer, to the Favorite ; E. Clark, Ist
class assist.-engineer, to the Simoom ; J. Dingman
and J. Muir, Ist class assist.-engineers, to the Fa-
vorite ; and Ivie A. Couper, 2d class assist. -engineer
to the Simoom.

Two farmers disagreed about a balance of accounts,
ono claiming $7 1 le., the other $l5 50e. The former
sued. Result—forty witnesses an array of counsel. Ver-
dict for plaintiff, $3 27e. ; whole expenses about $l,OOO.

LONDON, MONDAY, FEB. 12, 1866.

Notwithstanding the many exciting topics which
are now engaging the attention of our English
politicians, there is still some interest to spare for ,
the proceedings of our transatlantic friends. Not-
withstanding their much-loved Itepublica-n form of
government, founded on the wishes of the people,
we sec very much the same drama played out on the
political stage that is continually rehearsed under
older and more elaborate systems of authority.
There has been for some time past a struggle going
on between two rival parties, and it is evident from
the news brought yesterday by the Asia, from New
York on the Ist of the month, that the
balance of power still remains suspended,
and neither side has yet achieved a decided
victory. In the House of Representatives the
Radical party so strongly preponderates, that there
is but little doubt of any measure which is strongly
supported by its leaders being passed without delay.
We hear by one mail that a bill is in contemplation
by Mr. THADDEUS STEVENS, or some congenial
spirit, and by the next ship we learn that it has been
adopted. Thus we heard a short time since that
there was some agitation respecting the proposed
appointment of the representation to the number
of the population, exclusive of those to whom the
suffrage is denied on account of colour. This,
which at first sight may seem fair enough, is in
reality a movement directed against the South, since,
from the relative proportions of the two races,
such an arrangement would materially affect the
Southern representation. Basing the representa-
tion on numbers, and omitting from those num-
bers a
large proportion of the population, the South
would lose many of her members, the loss being
variously estimated at from 11 to 15. It is evident
that by such a measure the power of the Southern
States must be materially diminished, and that sup-
posing the Radicals to be forced to abandon their op-
position to the admission of Southern representatives
they would, by means of this new scheme, be able
to weaken their influence. There is a double
motive for this. Not only are they animated by
their hatred of the South and its people, but they
have every reason to anticipate that the
Southern members, if admitted, will swell the ranks
of the Democrats or Conservatives, or at least will
adhere to a very moderate party. It is not to be
will join the Radicals, who
believed that they
are therefore very ill disposed to admit
them to the floor of Congress at all.
The party of which Mr. STEVENS is a prominent
member has now such an easy ascendancy in the
Lower House that it is very unwilling to alter the
relative positions of political parties. Accordingly,
we find that the resolution reported from the Re-
construction Committee for a constitutional amend-
ment, basing the representation on the number of
actual voters, not ou the population, has been
adopted by 120 to 46 votes. During the debate
Mr. STEVENS animadverted strongly upon the con-
duct of the PRESIDENT in having permitted his
views 011 the constitutional amendment to be made

known through the press, while the House was
legislating on the subject. There is one aspect of
the case, however, which English readers require to
bear in mind while reading of American representa-
tive struggles. The Lower House at Washington
does not correspond in influence or authority to our
own House of Commons. If our Lower House passed
a measure like the one referred to, it would be ten
to one that it would become law ; but with the
American House of Representatives the case is not
equally conclusive. In the same way the PRE-
SIDENT, though in a very different position
from our QUEEN, exercises a more direct
and immediate influence on the Legislative
Assembly, and while it must be a very serious
national crisis when her MAJESTY refused to give
assent to the measures approved by her Parliament,
it would be by no means surprising if the President
were to put his veto on these very measures of the
Radical party. The struggle is being watched with
the keenest interest. The feeling of all enlightened
and temperate men is in favour of Mr. JOHNSON,
who by a wise course of conciliatory policy has so
far succeeded in regaining the confidence of the
Southern people, and in bridging over the gulf
between Federal and Confederate. Those who still
retain in peace the virulence and intolerance of war,
who triumph over a fallen and humiliated enemy,
and aim rather at widening the breach than at clos-
ing it, may be very eloquent orators and very good
party leaders, but they are very bad friends to their
country at large. The commercial interests
of America are deeply interested in the res-
toration of tranquillity to the fertile plantations
of the South, and unless the ultimatum of the ex-
treme Radical is to be carried out, the white popu-
lation deported, and the estates divided among
the blacks and their prominent advisers, it
is quite time that a more satisfactory tone
was infused into Congress. So long as the
Southern representatives are not admitted to the
popular assembly there will be a sense of injustice
and hardship which cannot be got over. It is cer-
tainly not in accordance with the theories of Ameri-
can statesmen that some millions of white people have
no right to any voice in the Government. They have
expressed an eager desire to legislate for themselves
but they have been denied that privilege. Are they
then to be refused a share in the government to
which they are forced to submit ? If so,
we shall have to look among the most
oppressive despotisms of Europe to find a
parallel with the free American Constitution. The
Southern armies were forciby subdued, on the
ground that the real feeling of the people was in
favour of the Union, and that the leaders of the
Secession movement had no power to break the
Union. It is, therefore, only reasonable to
infer that the triumphant party bas no
power to break the Union, to degrade
certain states into a species of subjection or vassal-
age, and to disregard that part of the Constitution
which provides that all States shall be represented
in the National Assembly.
The general news is interesting. Mr. SEWARD
has returned to Washington, having been well re-
ceived at St. Thomas's and Havannah, and having
had an interview at the former with SANTA ANNA.
It is reported, though with what truth is uncertain,
that Mr. SEWARD informed SANTA ANNA that the
United States would never permit the permanent
establishment of the Mexican Empire. At the same
time:there is evidently no desire at head-quarters to
precipitate matters, since Mr. STANTON and the
PRESIDENT have informed Congress that it is incon-
sistent with the public interests to furnish the cor-
respotdence respecting the affair on the Rio Grande.
General SHERIDAN has also refused to permit emi-
grants
to leave New Orleans for Mexico. It is said
that Mr. SEWARD has received the answer of the
French Government to his note as to the recogni-
fins of tho Moriean empire. though what its pur-
port may be is not stated.
We have an amusing instance of American cool-
ness in the report on the Reciprocity Treaty which
has been laid before Congress. It proposes to con-
tinue the present treaty for one year from March
next, provided that Canada repeals the duties and
taxes on certain articles, raises the internal taxes
on other articles, and discontinues her free ports on
Lakes Huron and Superior ! There are some other
advantages to be secured to the Americans before
she will kindly consent to renew a treaty which, ac•
cording to their own merchants of Detroit, is mainly
for their own advantage ! It would teach these
humble-minded gentlemen a useful lesson if Canada
would quietly decline their offers and leave them to
find out their mistake. However, there is little
doubt that the Canadians will find some means to
bring them to reason, since they can never consent
to such extortionate demands.

Strife and discord still prevail in Berlin, and each
fresh item of intelligence only seems to confirm the
unfavourable impression already entertained of the
state of affairs over there. The Government seem
resolved to push things a l'outrance, and alternately
bully the Deputies and treat them with neglect. On
Saturday the debate was resumed in the Chamber
of Deputies on the motion protesting against the
decision of the Supreme Court restricting liberty of
speech in the Chamber. The discussion was a very
stormy one, and Count BISMARCK and the Ministers
of the Interior and Justice richly deserved the de-
feat they subsequently met with on account of their
vehement manner and intolerant language. They
censured the Deputies in strong terms for the course
they had taken, and even went so far as to declare
that they opposed the independence of the courts of
justice, in order that they might be free to give
vent to their " expressions of insult and calumny."

It must be evident to all who hear this that these
officials committed themselves the very error of
which they accused others. What can be more in-
sulting than for Ministers to adopt such language
towards the representatives of the people, and, con-
sidering the course pursued by the Prussian Depu-
ties, can anything be more calumniating than
to address them in such terms. At any rate it
is satisfactory to find that their conduct was re-
garded in the right light, and, after a debate on the
subject, the limn adopted the motion of Herr
VoN lIOVERBECK, thus recording their protest
against the decision of the Supreme Court by a nu-
merous majority, 263 to 35 votes. This does not
speak very much for the favour and influence which
Ministers possess in the Chamber, and, indeed, it is
long since they met with such a rebuff. It is high
time that the Prussian Deputies should vindicate
i themselves from the charge of neglecting the in-
terests of their order, and of being indifferent to the
rights and privileges of those they represent. It is
difficult to form an opinion as to what course Minis-
ters will now pursue in Berlin. Will they set at
defiance the opinion of the • House, or will they
modify their plans in some degree ? Time must
show all this, but meanwhile it is no matter of
doubt that the Government have got themselves
into a complete fix, and how they can extricate
themselves with anything like dignity to themselves
and success to their projects remains to be seen.

Austria is rapidly becoming a very dangerous
Power to Prussia, and if she will only make the best
use of her chances the present affords an excellent
opportunity for her to escape from the thraldom in
Which she liar too long been held by her arbitrary

and encroaching ally. Many things seem to betoken
that, the time has passed when the Government of
Vienna will give in as heretofore to the decisions of
the Berlin Cabinet, and, however much they may
secretly object to their proposals, in the end yield
directly andindirectly to theirdemands. Count MENs-
DORFF'S last note to the Austrian Ambassador at
Berlin announces the significant fact that Austria
declines to entertain the "protest of Prussia with
reference to the late public meeting at Altona."
This is comprehensive enough, and the Presse also
adds that in this note Count MENSDORFF alludes to
the Gastein Convention, in which he declares that
the two great German Powers possess equal rights
in the ruling, those possessions being equally
divided between them. Ile furthermore indignantly
desires the right of Prussia to address complaints
to Austria respecting the administration of Holstein.
The Prussian despatch seems to indicate that
Herr VON BISMARCK is getting uneasy at the
independent attitude assumed by Austria, and he
declares that the present state of things will not do
for any long continuance, but he does not state at
all clearly what is required to remedy the deficien-
cies complained of. It does not appear to lookers-
on that the present will be a favourable opportunity
for the Berlin Government to enter into an alterca-
tion with Austria. France has turned a deaf ear
to the wily proposals of BISMARCK, and at home the
most untamed sentiments are entertained towards
the arbitrary measures of the Government of King
WILLIAM. The comparative calm which has reigned
for so long a period during the progression of the
schemes, and the working of the plans of the subtle
Prime Minister of Prussia seems likely at any
moment now to be exchanged for the excitement
and irritation that will usher in a storm that he
may not have power to quell.

Not much news is brought by the European, but
so far all seems tranquil and proceeding in a satis-
factory manner to the despatch of business. The
Legislature met on the 17th of January for the
purpose of considering the demands of the new
Governor. His Excellency opened the session with
a brief but emphatic harangue, in which he declared
that he had requested the attendance of the mem-
bers for the purpose of submitting to them a bill
that should empower the Royal, Commission to
compel the attendance of witnesses, and also to ex-
amine them upon oath during the inquiry into the
origin, nature, and circumstances of the late dis-
turbances in the island. The Ilouse of Assembly
agreed to the address proposed by Mr. DE GOnDOVA,
in which the Governor was assured of the intention
of the House to give the Commission such statutory
powers as appeared necessary to facilitate and
render efficient this " important inquiry." A bill
introduced by Mr. WESTMORELAND to authorise
her MAJESTY'S Commissioners to inquire into the
disturbances, to enforce attendance, and to examine
witnesses upon oath, was read a first time, and the
rule was suspended in order that it might be read a
second time and committed. No doubt is enter-
tained of the passing of the measure, which is so
far satisfactory, because the sooner all parties are
informed of the particulars of this disastrous affair
the better, and there would be no end of confusion
if the examinations were made in an uncertain and
unauthorised manner. It must be said that the House
of Assembly has displayed great judgment in this
awkward business, and show that they will not
allow prejudice and disapproval to interfere with
the conduct of business and the necessary steps that
should be taken to serve the demands of justice.
When the European left the prisoners from
Morant Bay and Port Antonio were being brought
up for trial before the Commission, as also were
the witnesses against them. The 20th of Janu-
ary was the time at which it was thought pro-
bable the members of the commission would ar-
,;,c ; and therefore it is not nicely that much
time will have been lost in inaugurating the affair.
The public in England as well as the inhabitants
of the colony will await with eagerness the result
of the labours of the Commission, although no
reasonable doubt can be entertained in the minds
of efficient judges as to what will be the decision
they will come to.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Sunday Evening.

The only political news of interest to-day is from
Spain. The ltlo' niteur is silent on the subject, but
a private letter from Madrid states that great agita-
tion Prevails there, and that another insurrection is
probable. There was a report of an attempt upon
the life of Espartero. The accused was a sub-officer
of cavalry, but was recently dismissed.
A tremendous storm has prevailed at Paris all
day, and no doubt it was very heavy at sea last
night. The letters and papers from London of
yesterday's date have not been delivered.
Two rival hairdressers have appeared before the
Juge de I'aix to make known their grievances. The
complainant, M. Prechard, is a man dressed with
precision, and redolent of the divers perfumes of his
shop. The defendant, M. Lionel, is of plainer ex-
terior, attired with the simplicity that seems to de-
note the opinion that a good-looking man " needs
not the foreign aid of ornament." " What do you
want," said the Judge to M. Prechard ! Com-
plainant—" I want M. Lionel to be restrained from
decoying away my customers who come to have
their beards shaved and their hair cut and curled."
Defendant—He complains that I entice his patients
away from him. The Judge--Don't quarrel here.
Explain to me how M. Lionel injures you. Com-
plainant—l obey. They say that good wine needs
no bush and no sign-board to recommend it, but in
my business you can't do without a sign. I con-
sidered about it for a long time, and at last I
hit upon a sign very appropriate for a hair-dresser.
The Judge—What is your sign? Complainant—
It represents a man of middle age, decently dressed,
hanging by the hair to a tree. It is Absalom, that
image of the son of David, who never combed his
hair. The Judge—Your sign, then, is Absalom ?
Complainant—Yes, sir, and underneath is a verse
in biblical style, which runs thus :—[Your corres-
pondent is a man who in general writes plain prose,
but he invokes the Muses for once, and thus renders
the " biblical" writing on the sign-board.]—

" Passers-by, stop, read, beware,
Here is Absalom hanging by the hair ;
This death so cruel, and so infra. dig.
Would ne'er have been had he but worn a wig."

The Judge—lt is a very good sign, but I don't see
how it proves that your opponent wishes to injure
you in your business. Complainant--Ah ! there it
is ; but it is by means of this sign that he has stuck
the blow at me. It is through my sign that he
wounds me. He has just got a sign which,
by implication at least, criticises mine,
for he gives another turn to the incident
which mine pourtrays. " Describe it," said
the judge." "Indeed,'' replied the complainant,
" I shall not soil my lips with poetry only fit for
the guardhouse. Let him describe it himself if he
likes." Defendant—l will tell you about this sign
which he considers insulting. Every one has the
right to do honour to his profession, and my sign
has this tendency. The judge--Give me an idea
of it. Defendant—Nothing is more easy. In the
first place, it has not more to do with David than
if he had sent one of his children to the Hospice St.
Paul. An honest man is about to drown himself.
In fact, he is supposed to have jumped into the
water. A courageous bystander plunges into the
river and seizes the suicide by the wig. Alas
nothing but that work of at remains in his grasp,

for the man sinks and is drowned. Underneath the
sign is verse—again I attempt a liberal translation—
" Sad sight is here—a man is drowned.
It may be long before the body's found.
An accident so sorrowful and so forlorn

Would not have happened if a, wig he'd worn."

The poetry seemed to please the audience. They
laughed, the judge laughed also, so did the two bar-
bers, and the judge cut short the hilarity by dis-
missing the case.

The Marquis de Boissy, who made such a display
of himself last year by his vulgar attacks upon
England and the English in the Senate, is at it
again. In the course of a rambling speech, in which
he talked upon almost every subject extant, he said
he was by no means of opinion that the meeting of
the French and English fleets was any proof of ami-
cable feeling between the two countries. French
and English sailors might appear to be great friends,
but they were enemies in their hearts in reality. If
the French sailors could have done as they
liked, they would have cried heartily, " Down
with the English navy !" and the English sailors
would have cried, " Down with the French
navy." There was in reality nothing amicable in
the meeting of the two fleets, and the Queen had
declared that it was intended as a demonstration
against America. England was too weak now to
make real opposition to France, even if the question
were the annexation of Belgium to France. He
thought it important to prove the weakness of
England. After accusing England of fomenting
the insurrection of the Southern States of America,
the Marquis expressed his very great gratification
that England was surrounded with difficulties. The
Marquis, in spite of the interruptions which con-
tinually assailed him, and in defiance of the mild
remonstrances of the President, thanked God
that England had to contend with another
tremendous difficulty in the shape of Fenianism
in Ireland. He then accused England of
fostering dangerous secret societies, and with
supplying money for the purposes of assassination.
England had done her best to promote revolution
abroad, but now she was furnished in kind by revo-
lution at home, for the Fenian conspiracy was the
first step towards revolution. The silly but mis-
chievous orator contended that France ought to
support Fenianism in Ireland. His next point was
to deprecate the expressions of regret contained in
the Emperor's Speech, at the death of King Leopold,
who had been, since 1812, the most cunning, dan-
gerous, and inveterate enemy of France. His
venom upon political topics being at length ex-
hausted, the Marquis commenced another discur-
sive range upon all sorts of subjects, beginning with
that of agriculture.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

SPAIN AND CHILI.

SOUTHAMPTON, FEB. 12.
Valparaiso dates by the Atrato are to the 2ud
ult.

The successor of Admiral Pareja has raised the
blockade of Coquimbo, and concentrated the Spanish
squadron at Valparaiso and Caldera. Only two
ports are now blockaded.
The Spaniards appear to be afraid of separating
their vessels and exposing them singly to Chili.
The new commander of the Spanish squadron,
Mernery, has raised himself to his present position
by his bravery ; but it was not expected that he
would attempt anything decisive in the war until
fully in communication with Madrid.
An attempt had been made by the launches of
Spanish vessels to capture a Chilian steamer at Cal-
derilla, but after getting possession of her they
were driven off by Chilian soldiers firing from
shore. Several Spaniards were shot.
On the arrival of the news of Admiral Pareja's
death at Valparaiso, the Intendente offered to per-
mit the interment on shore ; but an answer was
returned that he was already committed to the
deep.
The trade of the country progressed briskly,
especially at all the unbiockaded ports, and there
was not oualCient tonnage to Clear the products of
the coast, which were waiting for shipment. The
price of copper had risen considerably, but a reac-
tion was expected. Wheat and flour were in de-
mand for Australia. The general state of the
markets was little changed. Bar copper, per ggl.,
$l7. Exchange on London, 46k to 47 ; on Panic;
4.85.

THE WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAIL.
SOUTHAMPTON, FEB. 12.

The Royal Mail Company's steamship Atrato,
Capt. Jellico, has arrived. She left St. Thomas
on the 29th ult., and experienced fine weather till
the 7th instant ; since then heavy south-westerly
gales with heavy sea, and- in the Channel a terrific
gale, with tremendous sea.
The Atrato brings 58 passengers ; specie,
$1;133,562 ; pearls, $3,300 ; and 1,619 packages
of cargo, chiefly indigo, tobacco, cochineal, cocoa,
bark, and blubber.
The Commissioners from the Canadas and other
British North American provinces bad arrived at
.Demerara for the purpose of consulting with the
Governor and the merchants of the colony as to
the best means of developing the trade between
British North America and Demerara, the West
Indies, and South America generally. This had
caused a feeling of general interest.
Tonnage at Demerara was abundant freight
for sugar to London and Liverpool ls. Gd. The
past year shows a large increase of sugar and rum
exported over the amount for 1864, and a decrease
in timber, shingles, charcoal, and cocoa nuts.
The Copenhagen, from Calcutta, had arrived at
Demerara, with 360 immigrants. Exchange per
£lOO, 90 days' sight, $476.
The weather at Barbadoes showery, but in every
way favourable to the planters. The crops promise
to be good, and the sugar of finer quality than here-
tofore. The deepest interest was felt by all classes
as to the result of the Jamaica inquiry. Sugar-
making had commenced on several estates. Health
of the island good.

PERU.
CALLAO, JAN. 13.

It is the general opinion that General Prado, the
dictator of Peru, has evinced further capacity for
supreme power, and continues to push forward re-
forms in all departments of the State, and by deter-
mination and honesty has gained ascendancy in
the country. In order that the revenue from the
guano may not be the only resource of the State,
taxes are to be levied on produce exported ; silver,
cotton, sugar, rice, tobacco, and saltpetre are to
pay 5 per cent. ad valorem duty ; brandy, 40 per
cent. per arroba ; rum, 40 per cent. per gallon.
It is reported that a 3 per cent. income tax
will be proposed. The old Bolivian money
will be abolished on the Ist of April,
and a currency established on the basis of sons and
cents. An immense saving has been effected in the
expenditure by the reduction of pensions on the
retired army list. The establishment of railways all
over the country is to be prosecuted. A commission
of foreigners interested in the trade of Callao has
been appointed for reporting the best means of in-
creasing shipping facilities.

The Dictator, at a reception of the Chilian Pleni-
potentiary in Lima, said :—" I can assure you that
Peru, in presence of the Chilian conflict with Spain,
whether considered in its origin or tendency, finds
it altogether essentially a Peruvian question.
The ship Countess of Ripon,
1,209 tons, with