The Sun.
London, England, 1859-03-10 00:00:00

HAY MARKETS.

SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, £2 15s to £4 10s ; clover,
do., £4 Os to £5 ss; and straw, £1 6s to £1 lOs per load.
A moderate supply, and a fair demand.
CUMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, £2 18s to £4 103; clover
do., £4 Os to £5 5s ; and straw, £1 6s to £1 lOs per lead.
Trade firm.

WitrrEcnAPEL.—Meadow hay, £2 15s to £4los ; clover
do., £4 Os to £6 ss; and straw, £1 6s to £1 lOs per load.
A firm trade.

THE MEDITERRANEAN.

MALTA, MARCH 2.
The Grand Duke Constantine is indefatigable in
his inquiries, searching into everything himself.
He is very brusque in his manner, demanding ex-
planations rather than asking questions. On board
her Majesty's ship Conqueror, he examined every
portion of the ship, and, lanthorn in hand, crawled
into every crevice and out-of-the-way place, in-
quiring most minutely the reason for everything he
saw. The engine he most closely inspected, and
appeared to be most thoroughly acquainted with
it ;in fact was master of every particular. Still
he continued to closely catechise those connected
with it, and would repeat his questions till he had
completely satisfied himself.
When he was at the Rifles' Barracks, the regi-
ment went through various evolutions. He closely
inspected the men, their clothes, their accoutre-
ments, and everything about them ; went into the
sergeants' mess rooms, the soldiers' rooms, and
officers' private room, examining everything, in-
quiring its use, weight, &c.
There was a rifle instructor from each of the
regiments, with specimens of their various rifles,
which were shown and explained to him. He asked
numerous questions, although he evidently was as
well informed as those he was interrogating.
Captain Knox, the Rifle Instructor of the Rifles,
was introduced to him by Sir John Pennefather.
He asked the captain in which of the attacks on the
Redan he lost his arm, then examined the Victoria
Cross on his breast, and inquired 'why it was be-
stowed on him. His manner was frank and open,
but commanding. He remarked in the course of
the conversation that he was a good shot himself.
The only thing he did not at first quite understand
was the Lancaster rifle, and that was fully explained
to him. Nothing appeared to escape him, and
nothing appeared too trivial for him to inquire the
use of.

The Grand Duke not only is a first-rate sailor
himself, but appears to have instilled into his
followers a thirst for nautical attainments. They
are very anxious to buy books treating on naval
subjects, and marine steam engines, always asking
for the books that the young English midshipmen
learn from.

Many balls are given, the Grand Duchess ap-
pearing one night in a blaze of diamonds, and the
next in a blaze of emeralds ; but she is so beautiful
a woman that she scarcely needs anything to set
off her attractions.

Captain Wise, of her Majesty's ship Weser, is
dead. Lieutenant Johnstone, the flag lieutenant
to Admiral Fanshawe, is appointed to the Weser,
and gets the promotion. Lieutenant Mainwaring
becomes the flag lieutenant, and Mr. Trollope, of
her Majesty's ship F.uryalus, gets the lieuteuant's
vacancy.
Her Majesty's ship Princess Royal has arrived
from Camila, being out of provisions.

MARCH 3.

The Grand Duke Constantine and fleet proceeded
to sea, leaving a very favourable impression on all
who have been thrown in his way of the high
abilities of his Imperial Highness, and his devotion
to the improvement of the Russian navy.

THE DRAMATIC, MUSICAL, AND EQUESTRIAN SICK
FUND ASSOCIATION.—The third anniversary dinner of this
highly meritorious association was held last night at Willis's
Rooms, Mr. Robert Keeley in the chair. After the usual
loyal toasts had been most enthusiastically received, the
chairman, in proposing the toast of the evening, observed
that the benefits conferred by the institution during
the past year had far exceeded the former efforts of
the association. The society had in that time relieved no
less than 634 cases of distress, and had extended its
benefits not only to members, but to those who,
although non-members, were still connected with the
above profession. He alluded to the recent attacks of the
Rev. p . Close, and, after stating that the profession was
more sinned against than sinning, exhorted the assembly
to show that, if they were sinners, still they were not with.
out that quality which covers a multitude of sins. In con-
clusion, he drank success to the society, and hoped that it
might flourish for ever. The toast of " Prosperity to Dra-
matic Literature" was most eloquently acknowleged by Mr.
Tom Taylor. Tho vocal exertions of the evening were most
successful, the services of the Misses Isaacs, Poole, Mas-
kell, &c., and of Messrs. St. Albyn, S. Cowell, and P.
Coni being rendered gratuitously, under the leadership of
Mr. Hicks. Mr. Anson, the secretary, announced during.
the evening that the collection amounted to upwards of
1160.
MUNIFICENT DONATIONS OF THE MAYOR OF
LIVERPOOL TO THE LOCAL CHARITIES.--Mr. William
Preston, the Mayor of Liverpool, who is allowed £2,000 a
year to maintain the dignity and hospitality of his office,
after laying aside the sum actually expended in the year by
the mayor for carriages, 80-, has handed over the sum of
£1,300 to the various local charities, the cost of the civic
hospitalities, on even a more bountiful scale than usual,
being defrayed out of his own purse.
PRICE OF GOLD. ; The quotation of gold at
Paris is about at par, and the short exchange on London
is 25.121 per £1 sterling. On comparing these rates
with the English Mint price of £3 17s. 101 d. per
ounce forstandard gold, it appears that gold is about 2-lOths
per cent. dearer Pans
than in London. By advises from
Hamburg the price of gold is 424; per mark, and the short
.
exchange on London 13.411 per- £1 sterling. Standard
gold at the English Mint price is, therefore, at about
the same price in London and Hamburg.