The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-01 00:00:00

AQUATICS.

SCULLERS' RACE FOR EIGHTY POUNDS.
The scullers' race between May and Hill, for 40/.
aside, which has cawed some betting amongst sporting
men acquaiutt.d with their merits as rowers, took place
yesterday evening. The distance was from Putney to
Mortlake with tide ; and May, who is a member of the
Thames Unity, was the favourite at sto 4. At a little
before six o'clock both men made their appearance,
accompanied by their cutters and several other boats.
Hill had the best station, and went off with the lead,
which he, however, only retained for a minute, when his
opponent became scull and scull with him, and then be-
gan to shoot ahead. From this moment Hill never had
a shadow of a chance. May went well away, and won
as be liked, Hill not rowing all the distance.

Messrs. Lucas Brothers have terminated the construc-
tion of a wall exceeding two and a-half miles in length,
which meioses and forms the boundary of the entire
premises constituting the Royal Arsenal grounds at
Woolwich. The new wall extends as far as the limits
of the artillery practicing range in the Plumstead•marsh,
and contains five spacioufi and well arranged entrances,
secured by ornamental and substantial iron gates, each
guarded by a police station. The order for the exclusion
of strangers from the Arsenal is strictly observed.

MAGAZINE DAY.

Blackwood.—" All-Fools' Day" is the appropri-
ate title of a hugeouS absurdity in the way of a
most inopportune satire upon her Majesty's Go-
vernment. It comes forth at a moment the moat
ill-timed imaginable. Precisely at the juncture
rendered remarkable in the constitutional history
of the country, by one of the most complete and
astoundingly overwhelming triumphs ever gained
by an Administration. Lord Palmerston can afford
to be laughed at nominally by the great mon.hly
organ of the utterly discomfited Opposition. For
in reality that Opposition is at this present instant
i n point of fact laughing—at the wrong side of its
mouth ! The character of this extravagant and
futile effort at facetiousness on the part of Black-
wood may be readily understood, upon the merest
glance at some of the motley dramatis persona in-
troduced. First and foremost the Prime Minister
is brought upon the stage under the exceedingly
transparent and not by any means funny name of
" Pammerstein, afterwards Harlequin !" Lord
John figures upon the scene in the no less trans-
parent guise (we won't call it disguise) of " Hans or
Little Jack, afterwards Pant tloon." Sir James
we may conjecture tt; be discoverable in the person.
of " Grime, afterwards Clown." Lord Panmure ap-
pearing under the soubriquet of " Fuchsen-maul,
afterwards Seararnouch." Roebuck under that of
"Ribaldo, afterwards Spi it e." Bernal Osborne trip-
ping down to the footlights as "Ralph°, the Comic
Robber." The. Attorney-General as " Beetle, a
Prosing Robber"—and so forth ! " Shoddy, a
Demon," being, of course, no other than King
Calico, otherwise the Political Bagman, otherwise
Richard Cobden, the ex-member for the West
Riding, and the ignominiously Rejected of Hud-
dersfield I The emptiness and frivolity of the whole
production being sufficiently indicated by the
rather significant circumstance that before one line
of the Extravaganza in Blackwood—appropriately
designated "All Fools' Day, or the Rival Robbers"
—can have been uad, Sl.oldy, the Demon, has
been exorcised ! The charming "Athelings," in
this its eleventh instalment, comes suddenly in view
of the denouement, or ecclaircissement. Charley, no
longer the big boy, but a young man nearly six
feet high, returns home from Italy to Pentonville
—(whither he has been preceded by his kith and
kin—fresh from the sweet country air familiar to
the Old Wood Ledge)—bringing with him, in
the person of an antiquated Romeo and
Juliet sort of a Nurse—proof positive of
Louis's legitimacy ! The lest of the disclo-
sures consequent upon this opportune arrival
may be readily anticipated. From a critical arti-
cle, headed "Remonstrance with Dickens"—a re-
view of Little Dorrit, sternly condemnatory of the
story as a work of art—we extract the following
delibious description of the consequence of—
RECOLTACTING Pickwick IN CHURCH !
" One of the most shameful recollections of our almost
irreproachable life lies at the door of the road wag Dickens.
We were attending service in a cathedral in a city where
we were a stranger, and had been shown into a pew al-
ready occupied by two respectable old ladies. For a time
we behaved with our wonted decorum, till some absurdity
committed by the elder Weller, of which we had been
reading the night before, rose up to haunt us. Had we
been in the open air a good laugh would have at once re-
Roved us, but cabined, cribbed, confined, as it was, the
risibility expanded till our form swelled visibly, our face
grew purple, and we saw a medical man in the next pew
feel in his waistcoat-pocket as ho anxiously watched the
veins of our forehead. The choral symphonies of the
anthem invested Mr. Weller's image with fifty fold
absurdity, blending him, as they did, in his top-boots and
shawls with angels ever bright and fair. Despairing of our
ability to prevent an explosion, and feeling the danger be-
coming each moment more imminent, for india-rubber it-
self must have given way under the accumulating pressure,
we suddenly dived with our head below the shelf on which
the prayer-books rested, and laughed silently, while our
tears dropt like rain upon the footstool. We were begin-
ning to grow calm when, looking round, we saw the two
ladies regarding us with pious horror through their spec-
tacles, and sidling off to their own end of the pew. This
set us off again, and down went our head in a vain ostrich-
like attempt at concealment., for our shoulders and back,
convulsively agitated from nape to waistband, told of the
internal struggle, to say nothing of sounds that occasion-
ally broke forth, noways resembling responses. Conscious
that prebendary and preceptor were regarding us from
their eminence, we again raised our head with desperate
gravity, and shall never forget the agony of shame with
which we beheld an aged verger sternly approaching,
while two churchwardens were quitting their pews with
the faces of men determined to discharge a painful duty.
Nevertheless, at the instigation of Old Weller, off we went
again in a fit now quite
..audible, and were eventually
marched down the centre aisle, between rows of faces
fixed in devout horror, with our handkerchief crammed
nearly down our throat, and our watery eyes starting out
of our head like a land-crab's, and so, turning a corner, out
under the old Saxon archway, where we exasperated
the verger and churchwardens to frenzy by sitting down
upon a tombstone and giving full vent to our mirth. Next
day, all repentant, we waited upon the dean, who, being
himself a Pickwickian, gave us absolution in the most
kindly way, and we caused a copy of Pickwick to be bound
in Morocco and gold, with the inscription, ' from a peni-
tent Sabbath-breaker,' which is to this day conspicuous
on a shelf of the episcopal library, for he is now a bishop.
We are glad to say that, regular church-goer as we have
ever since continued, we have never again remembered
Old Weller in our orisons except with shame anti con-
trition."

The reviewer gratefully avowing a little further
on—
" For our own part, when we had read Pickwick over
again for the third time (all three readings being consecu-
tive and unintermittent), we were ready to start on a
pilgrimage to Mecca► with peas, uuboiled, in our shoes,
if we could at the end of our journey, an. incurable bug
still enthusiastic cripple, have hoped to catch one glimpse,
one word of him, who had so delighted us."
Dispraise from so genial a reader of Dickens as
this right humorous reviewer in Blackwood thus
proves himself to be, comes all the more painfully,
of course, to the author of Little Dorrit. A fact
sufficiently obvious even to ourselves—sympathis-
ing, as we do not at all, with that treatment of
Mr. Dickens, which has been, for some time past,
so strangely popular amongst the crowd of critics. Re-
viewers who can do little else, when writing about
that illustrious author, than csrp, and cavil, and sneer,
and snarl at everything falling f, om the hand of
the glorious writer of the immortal "Christmas
Caro!," and of incomparable " David Copperfield."
A third " Letter from a Lighthouse," and an-
other cluster of " Scenes from Clerical Life," are
conspicuous among the April contents of Black-
wood. Besides which, there are four other con.
tributions not sufficiently important to need par.
ticularsiation.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day.)

BANKRUPTCY COURT.
(Before Mr. Comtnissioner liolrOyd.)
THE ROYAL BRITISH BANK.

EXAMINATION OF MR. APSLEY PELLATT.
To-day was appointed for the examination of Mr.
Apsley Pellatt, formerly one of the Board of Directors.
The Court was crowded as on previous occasions.
Mr. Linklater appeared for the assignees, and Mr.
Voss as the legal adviser of Mr. Pellatt.
Mr. Linklater said that he now proposed to examine
Mr. Pellatt, who became a director on the 12th February,
1849, and retired from the bank in 1850. He had
examined Mr. Esdaile principally with reference to
the latter period of the transactions of the bank, and he
should now examine Mr. Pellatt as to the formation of
the bank.

Mr. Pellatt, in examination, said he was formerly one
of the directors. Thought he lint joined in Feb., 1849,
aed was introduced to Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Cameron, and
Mr. Ritchie, when it was proposed that the bank should
be formed under the 7th and Bth Vict. At that time it
was his impression that it was to be a bank of limited
liability. It was so stated in the prospectus. Thought
he should not have joined if he had not thought
so. Did not become acquainted with the fact that
it was unlimited liability until some time after
on perusing the charter. He was introduced by
Mr, M'Gregor, who was at that time a per-
sonal friend. Thought he saw Mr. Learmouth at the
fir t board, but could not recollect whether be ever say!'
him there afterwards. He might have seen Mr. Es-
daiie. Did not see Mr. Menzies acting as secretary.
Was not aware that it was originally proposed that the
capital was to be 500,000/., to be increased to a million.
Mr. Learmouth refused to take up his shares to qualify
himself as a director.

After some further answers,
His Honour asked Mr. Linklater whether it was
at 4,11 necessary to enter into all the preliminaries which
were not agreed to, but a very different arrangement at
length come to
Mr. Linklater said that the object of the inquiry was
to inquire as to the formation of the bank, and to see
whether the shareholders had been deluded when they
were induced to join.
The examination was then continued at great length,
and a great number of minutes and a voluminous cor-
respondence, to ascertain whether Mr. Menzies was act-
ing in the capacity of secretary in obtaining shareholders
at Newcastle and the north. Mr. Pellatt's impression
was that Mr. Menzies was not the secretary, and never
saw him acting as such at the board.
His Honour said that iu July, 1849, Menzies was in
Whitecross-street Prison.
Mr. Linklater—He was inquiring as to April and
May.

A letter was read from Mr. Cclgon, dated the 9th of
stating it had been mentioned in Parliament that
the prospectus of the Royal British Bank tended to mis-
lead, but he was prepared to defend it in all its details.
Mr. Linklater read several letters, which he contended
proved that the persons connected with the board were
studiously concealing from the shareholders, at New-
eastle, the real state of the affairs with respect to what
had taken place in Parliament, and Menzies wrote up to
say that the speech of Mr Readlaw bad made an un-
favourable impression at Newcastle, but they (Mensies
and Co.) were counteracting it as far as possible, and
recommending that the Charter should be obtained as
speedily as possible, when all obstacles would be removed.
Mr. Voss hoped Mr. Linklater did not intend to imply
that Mr. Peilatt was cognisant that these letters had been
written

Mr. Linklater said Mr. Pellatt could speak to that.
Mr. Pellatt said he might have heard of them, but bad
no distinct recollection.

(The case was proceeding when we went to press, and
not likely to be concluded this day.)

MONEY

YfARKET

AND
COMMERCIAL lITTELLIGENCF.

CITY, Two o'CLoCK.
Letters from Liverpool mention that the Cc.tton
Market, yesterday, manifested a firm but quiet
appearance, and previous prices were fully main-
tained. Tho sales amounted to 6,000 bale 4., The
Railway Share Market- closed actively, and prices
of all the leading stocks have slightly advanced.

The condition of the Wool Market is thus com-
mented upon by Mr. Abram Gartside, of Liver-
pool :—" Since the commencement of this year
there has been a good and steady demand for
all kinds• of wool, and prices have been
well maintained. The public sales of colo-
nial and other wools coxmenced in London
on the 26th February and terminated on the 17th
March. About 22,640 bales Australian, 18,744
bales,Cape, 2,234 bales East India, and 5,341 bales
of various other kinds were offered. For the first
few days prices of colonial ruled 2d. to 3d. per lb.
above the November sales, and closed at about ld.
BnenOs Ayres are now arriving more freely. These
wools continuo to show a considerable improve-
ment in the breed and condition ; and, owing to
the improved machinery for clearing the burrs,
they are now more generally used by our English
manufacturers, and command a comparative value.
Cordova, of good quality, is wanted. Oporto
and Donskai continue in demand, and
the market is almost bare of stocks. East
India continues in steady demand, at former
rates. Peruvian—The stocks here are all of low
and middling quality, which are 'not in much
request. The, finer descriptions and merinos
find ready sale. Lima— This description is
wanted, and would sell at full rates. Alpaca
in active' demand, and prices are fully main-
tained. Egyptian during the last fortnight
has found ready buyers at very full prices,
and stock's are much reduced. Turkey, Bosnia,
and Servia, for combing, are of ready sale,
and the long coarse descriptions are held at too
high a relative yalue. Mogadore and flax in de-
mand ; stocks, light. English, Irish, and Scotch—
These kinds move off freely ; fleeces and sorts bring
fair prices, while combing .skin has declined lid.
per lb., which may be attributed to the large sup-
plies brought into the market at this season, many
of the fellmongers making it a rule to realise, and
the new clip being so near at hand. Scotch is very
scarce and more money is asked.
Some of the Continental Exehangea yesterday
afternoon were heavy, especially on Hamburg, and
a moderate business was-transacted.

About 100,0001. has been sent to the Cape of
Good Hope on Government account.
A meeting of the General Screw Steam Company
has taken place to-day; Raikes Currie, Esq,, in the
chair. A. discussion took place as to making an im-
mediate realisation of the remaining assets, the
stores being reckoned at 18,0001., besides the
steamer Bosphorus. A vote of thanks was given
to Mr. Currie and the direCtors, and they were em-
powered to dispose of the remaining assets for an
entire sum, to the best interest of the shareholders.
A meeting of the National Brazilian Mining
Association has just been held—Mr, Sheppard in
the chair; when, after some discussion, it was agreed
to form a new company, and to take over the pro-
perty of the old by issuing new shares of 51. each
deposit to be paid down. The liabilities of
the old could not yet be ascertained.
An active demand prevails for discount accom-
modation, which, coupled with the rapid drain of
gold, has given rise to an impression in some quar-
ters that an additional per pent. to the current
rate of discount may be deemed expedient. A
further sum of 125,0001. was despatched
from the Bank yesterday, which has na-
turally excited alarm, especially as there
is a continued absence of Australian arrivals. In
the course of a few days, however, supplies will no
doubt be announced, and La Plata from Mexico
and the West Indies, just in, brings 1,900,000
dollars, say 400,0001., which will render some
assistance. At present there seems no cause for
apprehension in regard to increased restrictions, as
the tendency of monetary affairs on the continent
is strongly in the direction of improvement, and
in a few days there is a prospect of some amend-
ment being apparent here.
A decline off to 1 per cent. has taken place in
the English Stock Market. This has been pro-
duced by the continued efflux of gold from the
Bank, and the fear lest its continuance should
lead to further restrictive measures by the
Directors. The consequence, therefore, is
that several sales have been made which have
caused the movement referred to. Otherwise the
favourable revenue return might have caused in-
creased firmness, but its influence has been entirely
neutralised by the appearance of the Money market.
Consols have been 93a and 93i for money, 931
93i for account (the Bth inst.), and 94k for May
7. India Stock is 224, and the Bonds 2s. discount
to la. premium. The March Bills are at par, and
the June ditto, ss. discount.
In Foreign Securities very few dealings are re-
corded. Turkish 6 per Cents. have declined to
974 to 98k, their present value being 97/ 98.
Spanish 3 per Cents. were 41k. Peruvian 4i per
Cents. 77, and Brazilian 5 per Cents. 982. Mexi-
can have risen to 231 owing to the news from
Washington, announcing a new treaty with Mexico,
embracing the acquisition of Souara and Smola,
with command of the Gulf of California, in consi-
deration of a sum of money.
The following are the nominal prices of Foreign
Stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 61 7 ; Mexi-
can, 221 ; Peruvian 4 per Cents., 77 9 • do.
.3
Rr Cents., 51 6 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents., 4-41 5& ;
ussian 5 per Cents., 106 8 ; do. 4-k per Cents.,
96 8 ; Spanish 3 per Cents., 411 ; ditto New De-
ferred, 25} ; ditto Certificates, 61 2 ; ditto
Passive,
.5i 6.

A milderate business has been done in the Rail-
way Share Market this morning, and prices gene-
rally have been rather buoyant. The variations,
however, have not been large. Great Northern,
North-Western, South-Western, and South-
Eastern have declined ss. ; Caledonian, 10s. ;
Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee, 15s. ; and
North British 1/. Edinburgh and Glasgow have
advanced 10s., Norfolk 10s., and Great-Western
and Lancashire and Yorkshire ss. In the Foreign
and Colonial Markets prices have also improved.
Grand Trunk of Canada have risen 11., L,mbardo
Venetian 55., Eastern of France 10s., Northern of
France 55., and Paris and Lyons 15s.
Mining Shares are inactive. Great Wheal Vor
brought GI, and St. John Del Rey 201.
Joint-Stock Bank Shares are at almost nominal
rates. London and County declined 10s. London
and Westminster and Ottoman Bank about ss.
In the Miscellaneous undertakings business has
been extremely dull. Australian Agricultural de-
clined 10s. Peninsular and Oriental Steam 15s.
Royal Mail Steam improved ss. European and
Indian Junction Telegraph Company are quoted
at 1.

BUTISH FUNDS.—CLOSING PRICES—THIS DAY.
(From the Officlca List.)
Busnu PI low;
3 per rent. Consols Annuities 93i i i
India Stock
Don. ionds, .i.:1111)0 ... ...
~ 3 d
Ditto, under £lOOO 2 d 1 p
Consols for Account
EtaAequer Bile, 2id March. 1 June.
..!1000
i'.s6a
small
PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS—THIS DAY.
Brazilian Bonds. 5 per Cent. --
Ditto New, 1852, 4: per Cent.
ttailian Bonds, 6 per Cent 1.02:i x d
Mexican 3 por 4rent 231-
' Ditto Account
Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent..
Ditto Account
Ditto 3 per Cent. ...
Ditto Account 54 x d
Rassian Bends, ltS22, t-.; St., 5 per Cent —
Ditto, 42 per Cent.
n
''PThi,h POWiS, 3 per Dent.
Ditty. Passive
Turki- t ',units, ii per cent 974 1
Ditto Account .. - Si i
,:. Ditto Guaranteed, 4 per Cent.
Ditto Account
'Venezuela Bonds, 4i per Cent
Ditto Deferred, la per Cent. . . l4l
.AlLnionot, on Leo anew ev,ble In Lorne n.
Dutch Exchange, 2 z per Cen.;., 12 Guilders -- -
Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates
THREE O'CLOCK.
Consols. money ' 03.1;
Ditto, Aceouut:(April 8)

77

St.
50
St.
St.

20
20
10
St.

20ii
100
100

SIR WALTER RALEIGH.—The life, the sorrows, and
the wongs of this ever memorable hero were the subject
of a deeply interesting lecture, by Dr. Daniel, on Thurs.
dayevening, 26th ult., at the Sussex Hail, Leadenhall-
street. A brilliant and instructive sketch of the Eliza-
bethan epoch, with its wonderful men and immortal
Queen, was presented, and Raleigh's genius and achieve-
ments, from his boyhood to the Fcaffold, were described
with an ability, power, and pathos, which deserved the
and applause that greeted the speaker. Manner, voice,
and originality, aro winning for Dr. Daniel a high posi-
tion among our most acceptable and popular public
lecturere.