The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-17 00:00:00

STATE OP THE Tit IDE.

The supply of beasts being very large, and of excellent
quality, the sale for all breeds was in a sluggish state.
The absence of the usual number of country butchers ope-
rated against the demand. A few very supbrior animals
suld at 5s 6(1 per 81bs, but this price was by no means gene-
ral. The best large oxen produced 5s 2,1 per 81bs.
Arrivals from Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and North-
amptonshire were about 2,200 shorthorns, &c. ; from other
parts of England, including Norfolk, 1,600 Scots, ;
from Scotland, 1,000 Scots and crosses ; and from Ir eland,
700 oxen, &c.

The show of sheep was very moderate, but most breeds
came to hand iu good condition. The demand for all
breeds ruled steady, at an advance in the quotations of 2d.
per 81bs. The best Downs and half-breds sold at Gs. 4d.
per Sibs.

Calves were in moderate supply, and fair request, on
former terms, viz., from 4s. Bd. to ss. 10d. per 81bs.
In pigs—the show of which was good—very little was
passing, at the late deolino. The top figure was 4s. Gd.
per Sibs.

There was a good supply of foreign stock on sale to-
day for the time of year; but the demand for it was in-
active, at about stationary prices.

Wo noticed some very gOod Dutch cows offering, and a
few pens of shorn sheep from Germany.

Several arrests were made in Da,lin, on Satur-
day, and in the house of one of the prisoners, Denis
Downey, a tailor, the police found several revolvers, three
muskets, and a quantity of ammunition. Our Dublin cor-
respondent states that he had some of the letters which
have recently come into the hands of the authorities after
the arrest of Fenian sympathisers, and that they all point
to what the writers term the " rising," as fixed to take
Place between the 22d and the 26th inst. Nothing, so
far, has been ascertained as to the lurking place of
Stephens, but wherever he may be, it is highly probable
that he has arrived at the conclusion that, after all, it may
be necessary to postpone his threatened " rising."
ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.--The rumour that
Signor Costa was to be replaced next season in the part
which ho has filled with so much ability at the Royal
Italian Opera since the establishment of that institution
is incorrect. That able contrabassist, chef d'orchestre, com-
poser, and arranger, Signor Bottesini, has entered into an
engagement with Mr. Gye, but not in the capacity of
musical director.

GUILDFORD ELECTION.—The nomination of can-
didates for the representation of the borough of Guildford,
rendered vacant by the elevation of Sir William Bovill to
the judicial bench, is fixed to take place to-day. There is
likely to bo a strong contest between Mr. Pocock (Liberal)
and Mr. Garth, Q.C. (Conservative), both of whom have
been prosecuting an active canvass during the last few
days. The polling will take place to-morrow.

STEAM-ROLLER IN THE PARKS.—At last a steam-
roller has been set to work in the parks. It is a cumbrous-
looking machine, and is worked at night. One result of its
working may be seen on the Kensington side of llydr,
park, where some newly-laid granite was transformed
into a smooth and compact mass on Friday night.
A NEW PASTIME.—Some American genius has
invented a now pastime. It is a sort of parlour skittles,
played billiard fashion, the chief instrument of the game
being called a "cue alloy." The Springfield Republican de-
clares ,ithat it is just the jolliest, prettiest, uniquest game
out ;" and strongly recommends it as "combining amuse-
ment, exercise, good-humour, and social affections, all in a
compact form."

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Cirraith:

HER MAJESTY, &c.

OSBORNE; Sunday•

The Queen, their Royal Highnesses Prince and
Princess Christian, Princess Louise, Prince Leopold,
Princess Beatrice, and Prince Henry of Prussia an'
rived at Osborne yesterday at 10 minutes before
th-fec,,

Her Majesty crossed over from Gosport in the
royal yacht Alberta, Captain his Serene Highness
the Prince of Leiningen.

Seamen's Lifebelts.

TO TIIE EDITOR OF TIIE SUN.

SIR,—At the present stormy period, when ma'
of our sailors and fishermen are perishing from the
want of more simple buoyant means to support
them for a short time until the arrival from the shore
of a lifeboat, or some other means to rescue them?'
trust you will allow me, through the medium of
The Sun, to call attention to a cheap and handy
cork lifebelt which the National Lifeboat Institu-
tion has introduced on the plan of Captain J. 13-
Ward, R.N., its inspector of lifeboats, with the
view of meeting such emergencies. The value of
these simple and inexpensive instruments has been
proved in too many cases to need any argument is
their favour ; and no doubt is entertained that their
general adoption in our merchant and fishing vessels
would be the means of saving many valuable lives.
I may state that sample chests of two sizes may be
seen at some of the principal custom-houses of the
United Kingdom. The smaller chests contain
belts ; the largest ones twelve. The cost of these
belts is 4s. 6d. each when bought in chests, or ill
any number above six ; and that of a single beltss.
These belts have been extensively supplied to the,
coastguard, and partially to the fleet. The price of
the chests alone varies from 15s. to 21s. Both belts
and chests are manufactured under the superinten"
dence of this institution by Mr. J. Birt, 4, Dock-
street, London Docks, from whom every informaci
tion regarding them can readily be obtained. I ha ,
the pleasure some months ago to send you one o.`
these belts, in order that you might yourself judge
of its quality and handiness.
I may add that the Pakefield lifeboat, in connec-
tion with the National Lifeboat Institution, Was
happily the means of saving, in connection with the
Lowestoft steamtug of the Great Eastern Railway
Company, one poor fellow from the fishing lugger
William and Mary, of Yarmouth, which was
wrecked off the Suffolk coast on Wednesday last,
nine others unhappily having perished before tu,
arrival of the lifeboat, but who might probably
have been saved had they worn an efficient lifebelt•
---I am, yours faithfully,
RICHARD LEWIS, Secretary,
Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
John-street, Adelphi, Dec. 15.