The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-24 00:00:00

views.

The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post
(second edition) says :
"I have just received a communication from
an authentic source, which says, yesterday the
Persian Envoy declared that he was in a position
to sign the bases of peace.

The Vienna correspondent of the Times (second
edition) says :

" Then) is reason to believe that an important
fact was communicated to you by me before it
occurred. Some days since you were told that
Austria had addre9sed a very energetic note to
the Sardinian Government ; but, as the document
did not leave Milan as soon as it was originally
intended, it did not reach Turin until the 13th
inst. Reliable information has to-day been given
me that the bearer of the note was Count Paar,
the Austrian Minister at Turin, who, before he
left Milan, received information to break off his
diplomatic relations with Sardinia, if the satisfac-
tion demanded for the insults offered by the press
to the Emperor of Austria since he bad been in
It sly is not given. It is whispered thtit the
Minister of Finance is about to raise a loan of 160
millions of florins."

Letters have been received in Paris from the
China Seas. They announce that on the 3d inst.
the Mard.arin Syb, Governor of Shanghai, died sud-
denly. The news is said to have produced great
fermentation among the lower classes of the popu-
lation, who accused the Europeans of his death.
For two days serious disturbances were appre-
hended, but owing to the presence of the French
and English ships and the energy of the comman-
dant of the Tartar troops, who co-operated with
them, tranquillity was maintained. According to
the latest accounts the town was tranquil.

The Swabian, _Mercury says that a new cause of
division has arisen among- the great powers on the
subject of the Danubian Principalities. " England
and Austria," it says, " though in accord on the
question of the union of these principalities, are
not so with respect to the guarantee of their integ-
rity—Austria desiring that such guarantee shall
only be given by tho powers whose territories join
those of the Principalities; that is to say, Turkey,
Russia, and herself ; whilst England thinks that it
ought to be given by all the powers whicla took part
'n the conferences of Paris."

Letters from Athens of filo 14th state that the
Senate has rejected the arrangement relative to the
financial commission of the three protecting powers.
Th;s resolution has been communicated to the re-
presentatives of the said powers, who will delibe-
rate on it.

PRANCE.
PARIS, MONDAY EVENING.
The Emperor yesterday received several foreigners
of distinction, who were presented to his Majesty
by the Austrian Ambassador and the Sardinian and
Dutch Ministers.

war.

BOURSE, Feb.23.—The following were the last
quotations

Cash. fr. c.
4i por Cents
3 per Cents 7O 10
New Loan —
Bank Shares 4,2 '0 Roman ...
Credit Mobilier 1,520 Austrian
Belgian Fives ...... .. 99.) Spanish Threes
Piodmontese (5) 9l 25 Home Debt
RAILWAYS—FOB CASH.

End of Month.
-fr. - -c.
70 35

fr. c. fr c
Orleans 1,407 50 Western
..... 825
Northern 945 Strasburg
Lyons 1,430 New Ditto
Mediterranean 1,825 Grand Central ...... 613 75
Lyons Geneva — Teste -
Cott°

A Berlin letter PRUSSlA.yquestion of Neu-
chatel still occupies much attention in Govern-
mental circles. It is certain that the Prussian
Cabinet will not relax from the conditions which it
has already made known. The title of Prince of
Neuchatel forms one of them. It is not until
Switzerland shall have accepted purely and simply
the preliminary conditions laid down by the Prus-
sian Government that Prussia will, on her part,
renounce her rights of sovereignty over Neuchatel.
The period for the conferences of Paris cannot be
fixed until after the satisfactory solution of those
preliminary questions. With regard to the
Danubian principalities, the Prussian Cabinet is
decidedly in favour of their union under a prince
chosen from one of the sovereign houses of Eu-
rope • but it wishes that the people of Moldavia
and Wallachia Phan freely express their opinion on
the subject, through the divans ad hoc. The in-
structions of Baron de Richtofen, who is to leave
for Bucharest about the middle of next month,
wilt be drawn up in this sense.

THE AUSTRALIAN MAIL SERVICE.—It is in the con•
semplation of the Post-office authorities to place clerks
on board the Australian mail packets between Alexan-
dria and England, in order that the mails may be sorted
on board. -
THE AUSTRALIAN gAILS.—SOUTHAMTTON, Monday.
—The screw steam ship E na will leave here to-morrow
at two o'clock with the Australian mails. She will take
out a small cargo and 30 passengers. The Etna being
the first vessel of this line, from Southampton to Malta
and Alexandria, the route is as yet but little known,
and she consequently carries but few passengers and
little cargo. She is beautifully fitted up with first-rate
accommodation, and her speed is said to be great. She
has a pretty large mail for Australia.
THE MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Mondays—The United
States' mail steamship Hermann, Captain Higgins,
arrived this morning from Bremen, and will sail hence
on Wedneslay, with the English, French, and German
mails, passengers and cargo, for New York. The
Spanish screw-steamer Barcelona, Captain Brunet,
arrived to-day from the Spanish ports, bringing 40,000
dollars in specie (4,0001. sterling) for England, a cargo
of fruit, partly for England and partly for Hamburg, and
several passengers.; she into sail for Hamburg on Tues-
day. The Hamburg and Brazilian Company's steam-
ship Petropolis, Captain Gcele, arrived to-day from
Hamburg, and will sail again on Wednesday, for Lisbon
and the Brazils, with a very full cargo, and between
70,0001. and 80,000/, in specie.
EMBROIDERY.—IQ the year ended the 31st December
the value of embroidery and needlework imported was
70,3711. ; in the preceding year it wat 42,5431.
THE FREEHOLD MOVEMENT IN SCOTLAND. —A move-
ment has been commenced in Scotland, originating with
the Rev. Dr. Begg, of Edinburgh, with a view to an
Act of Parliament being obtained extending the 40e,
freehold qualification for voting in the English to the
Scottish towns and counties. The feeling of the public
has declared itself already very strongly in its favour.
PROPOSED CRIMEAN MONIIMENT.—SHEFFIELD, Mon-
day Night.—At noon tc-day a large meeting presided
over by Mr. Pye Smith, the mayor, was held at the
Town-ball, to adopt measures for the erection of a monu-
ment to perpetuate the memories of the soldiers—na-
ves of Sheffield and neighbourhood—who fe 1 in the late
The movement originated With a body of working
men. Having obtained the approval of Miss Nightingale
to the project, a deputation went to London and ob-
tained an audience at the Horse Guards with the Duke
of Cambridge to solicit him to lay the first stone.
MIDDLESEX REFoRM MEETING.—A numerous meeting
of Liberal electors, from various parts of the county, was
hell yesterday, owing to the very genera) feeling ex-
pressed that a new Reform Society should be esta-
blished. Resolutions were unanimously passed, to the
effect that the society should be organised, and that leoal
committees should be formed. The general committee
was appointed, consisting of Baron Rothschild, M.P. •
J. A. Roebuck, Esq., M.P.; Major Reed, M.P. ; P.
H. Le Breton, E q., and other influential reformers.
D. Nicoll. Esq., was elected treasurer; and R. Pratt,
Esq., of No. 19, Es- ex•street, Strand, hon. solicitor.
DEATH OF A MAN UNKNOWN FROM LAUDANUM.--
Yesterday morning, at an early hour, a man unknown
was discovered by two police-constables lying on the
pavement, near Shoreditch Church, in a state of insen-
sibility. He was removed to the station of the G divi-
sion, as it was supposed that he was suffering from the
effects of liquor, bet it was subsequently ascertained that
his condition was the result of a narcotic. Two bottles
were found in his pocket, which were labelled " Lauda-
num, poison." He was conveyed to the London Hospi-
tal, where he expired from the deleterious mixture. The
reporter *as unable to obtain a description of the de-
ceased's dress, or any other particulars relative to the
mysterious case. Mr. W. Baker, the coroner, will hold
an inquest on the body to-morrow.
EXTENSIVE ROBBERY.—A daring barglary and exten-
sive theft were committed at Edinburgh in the course of
Friday night or Saturday morning. The shop of Mrs.
Lennie, jeweller and optlian, Princes-street, an attrac-
tive and large establishment, was entered from the ter-
race over she windows, and the whole frontage being
exterior to the building itself, the burglars obtained ac-
cess by simply tearing up the'zinc, sawing through the
wood, and breaking the lath and plaster. On descend-
ing to the shop they carries' off a large quantity of jewel-
lery, valued at from 1,2001. to 1,5001., and consisting of
several hundred rings, guard chains, brooches, &c. On
the night of the robbery there was a party in the tem-
perance hotel above the shop, the windows of which
looked out upon the terrace, nevertheless the thieves
escaped detection, and no trace has yet been obtained
either of them or the property.
FORTIFICATION OF SWANSEA HARBOUR.—It has been
officially announced' as the intention of the Government
to fortify the harbour at Swansea by mounting two
heavy guns on the salient angle of the east pier. This
is in accordance with the recommendation of the com-
mittee of inquiry, consisting of Colonel Gordon, Colonel
Marryatt, Captain Westniacott, R.E., and Captain Hew-
lett, R.N., which sat a few months since at Swansea for
the purpose of determining the best site, and who have
altered the position from that originally proposed. The
War-office have requested information as to the capa-
bility of the pier to bear heavy ordnance, as from a
recent report the pier is not stable enough for a battery
of guns. In reply, the authorities have been informed
that there is every likelihood that thepier will be rebuilt,
and that the War Department can erect any masonry
that may be required for protection and the efficiency
of a battery.
.SEIZURE OF A SLAVER.—Some time in the month of
December last a Cuban or Spaniard arrived in this city
from Havannah with a wel!-filled purse, the contents of
which he intended to invest in the purchase of a cargo of
"black ivory." Before he had eaten the first meal in
his hotel his presence and intentions were known to
some of the detectives attached to Uncle Sam's civil ser-
vice, and a watch was set upon his actions. After some
consultation with certain parties here, whose business
mainly consists in advising adventurers .of this class, the
schooner Jane P. Glover, of Harwich, Massachusetts,
was purchased, and the usual quantity of water casks
stowed in her hold. Having a coasting licence, she then
put off for a certain place on the Connecticut River;
where she was to take in water, fearing detection
should she attempt it here. Atter that she was
to meet a t-lsop somewhere near Saybrook or New
London, and receive from her the captain, crew,
and owner,, together with the usual stores of
beans, rice, castor oil, and other requisites for a trip
to the African coast. These proceedings were all known
to the authorities, but it wafrdeemed advisable, in view
of the ruling of the courts hereabout as to the amount
of evidence sufficient to warrant a conviction, to give the
negro-stealers a taste of Connecticut justice. B
yZ
emo n
out, e
means the information sent by District-Attorney
to his colleague in Connecticut leaked and after
taking in her water the schooner got wind of the chase
and suddenly hove anchor and put off into the Sound,
whether the sloop followed her. Frightened by the
action of the Connecticut 'marshal, the schooner would
not take her stores on board, and they were therefore
sloop, surreptitiously trans-
brought to this port by the
ferred to the bark Pampillia, and are now probably in
Havannah, or very nearly so, together with the pur-
chaser of the schooner. After beating about for some
time the schooner returned to this part, and was last
week seized by the order of Distzict-Attorney litzeon
ail Player.--Ntio glibtftie.

The second report of her Majesty's Civil Service Com-
missioners came out. yesterday in the form of a large
blue-book. The report is partly the continuation of a
narrative of proceedings since May, 1855. The object
of the examination is-1. To teat the candidate's actual
fitness for his duties ; and, 2, to test his education and
intelligence generally. The number of candidates upon
whose cases the commissioners adjudicated from the 21st
of May, 1855, to the 31st of December, 1856, was 3,004.
Of these 60 were extra cetatera, 12 physically incompe-
tent, 10 devoid of satisfactory evidence as to charac-
ter,' 99 admitted without examination (on reports
from heads of departments), and 137 declined to
undergo the examination or withdrew without com
pleting it. Of the remaining actually examined
1,587 passed, and obtained certificates of -qualifica-
tion, 880 were rejected, and 219 were unsuccessful upon
competition. Thus, the rejections were in the ratio of
35.7 per cent. on those actually examined (not counting
the unsuccessful competitor). In the seven months
ended December, 1855, the ratio was 29.5 per cent.
Out of the 880 candidates thus dismissed it is reported
that no less than 425 were turned back for bad
spelling alone, or with other subjects, except arithmetic ;
147 for arithmetic alone, or with other subjects, except
orthography ; and 243 for spelling and arithmetic, with
or without other subjects ; so that only 65 have been
rejected since the commissioners commenced their duties
for deficiencies not involving spelling or arithmetic,
or botb. For four situations (three of them junior
clerkships and one a senior clerkship of 2001. to NM
a year) there were 46 competitors, including 28
sons of professional men and independent gentle.
men ; • 26 of the candidates had already been en-
gaged in some definite occupation ; 25 out of the 46 had
finished their education at one or other of the univer-
sities or colleges of London, and 16 of the remaining 21
were educated at public or grammar schools. A large
proportion of the candidates gave evidence of consider-
able information and ability, and the four successful ones
have been tried and not found wanting. Precious speci-
mens are given in the appendix of the orthography, or
rather the cacography, of rejected candidates " Beauty"
is spelt " beaughty ; " "Blenheim," "Bleu
"
,fe dnem bowels," " bowls ; ' "confederacies," "con-
r misis ; " character," " charik tar ; " " cavaliers,"
" Faveleirs ; " " credulity," " cred Deity ; " "injure,"
"inureg ;'' " into," intoe ;'' " elements, ' "elliments ;
losopher,"
" neighbour," "nabour ;" "monks," "munks ;" "phi-
" patriots,"
" pholisper •;" "panegyrics," " panageracs ;
"patrotes ;" recesses, "reuse ;" "reviews"
" rieveu ;'' "without," "whiout ;" warmth" "warmth •"
and the like. ,

Tin TEA TRADE, Feb. 23.—The deliveries in London
€Bfitoat cl for the week were 433,583 W., being a decrease
of 78,0621 b. compared with the previous statement.
We (Salisbury Journal) hear that Mr. W. R. Brodi
has been succeuful in discovering in the Purbeck beds in
Durleston. Bay, what Sir Charles Lyell states to be three
new genera of the oolitic mammal?. This is a consider-
able reward for this gentleman's untiring aotivity in
goarch of f 0,1411 um& itittaika