The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-19 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA.

The Liverpool and Australian Navigation Com-
pany's steam clipper Royal Charter, Taylor, com-
mander, arrived at Liverpool on Saturday morning,
from Melbourne, after a rapid passage, with dates
to the 14th of August, 118 passengers, and 84,000
ounces of gold and 24,000 sovereigns in specie on
freight. She had also an extensive and valuable
cargo, consisting of 279 bales of wool, 1,352 skins,
64 hhds, of hides, 137 packages of tallow, 2 hales
of horsehair, 93 packages of British goods, 1
package of woodwork, anti 13,625 bass of copper
ore.

At Sydney the floods were subsiding. The
amount of gold coin issued by the Sydney branch
of the Royal Mint during the week previous to the
Bth of Augusl,, had been 5,0001. in half-sovereigns ;
the quantity of gold received for mintgage 8,456
ounces, of which 7,000 ounces were for Melbourne
account. The escort from the Sydney goldfields
had taken down a total of 3,438 ounces. Fiour
firm without alteration in price. Liquids a little
easier, but holders not disposed to sell in any
quantity except at full rates. Boor in bulk and
bottled ale and . porter commanded quotations.
A parcel of Eagle and Lion negrohoad tobacco from
the United States had been nearly all disposed of at
advanced prices. Speculative buyers were in the
market, but the trade and dealers required all that
was likely to arrive of marketable brands. Sugars,
with small stocks and anticipated short supply in
Manilla, were expected to advance considerably for
both raw and refined. In groceries little doing,
buyers withholding purchases until the weather was
sufficiently settled to admit of a better supply of
carriage to the interior. The quantity of wool sold
for the week, 93 bales, was larger than that offered
during the few previous weeks, and some of the lots
excited much competition, prices being decidedly
firmer. Eighteen bales of superior scoured lamb
had realised 2s. 6d. per lb ; fleece, ls. 10d. to 2s. ;
handwashed, 21d. to 22111 Few sales of sheep-
skins, but prices well maintained. 1,794 sold at
from B.ld. to 101 per lb. Tallow in small supply ;
station realised 495. to 5Cs. 61 ; beef, 475. to 48s.
Hides steady, and prices ranging from 15s. to 28s.
We have Adelaide journals to the Bth inst. The
Register thus represents the present position of the
government : " It iS now perfectly clear that tie
government can by no possibility carry the pro-
gramme with which they came before the country
at the opening of the present session of parliament.
Their most important measures aro either nega ivecl
or kept back, and the policy of the opposition is
triumphant in the house."
Commercial readers will be interested to know
that the gold coin of Sydney was to be proclaimed
a legal tender in South Australia as soon as notifi-
cation arrived of a siaii!ar step having been taken
in Victoria. The only other topic worth speJial
notice is the departure of a party under Captain
Freeling to make further explorations into the now
Lake Torrens Paradise discovered by Mr. Goyder.
We take the following from the Melbourne Herald
of the 12th of August :
" Our last summary of local events was prepared for,
desuatch by the Columbian, which left with the colonial
mails on the 23d ult. The uncertainty under which we
labour as to the departure of the next regular mail in-
duces us to avail ourselves of the opportunity afforded
by the sailing of the Royal Charter to publish a brief
resume of the events which have occurred during the
interval:--

" GOLD.

"The gold escort returns for the last three weeks show
an increase upon the quantities brought down during
the corresponding peeiod of last year amounting to
40,087 ounces, the quantities being respectively-
-1856. Ozs. Dwts.
Week ending July 26
Aug .2
71 Aug. 9

124,233 0
1857. °ZS, Dwtg.
Week ending July 25
PP Aug. 1
~ Aug. 8 58,124 0

164,320 0
"The quantity shipped since our last summary bas
been—

Ounces.
Week ending July 25 79,393
PP Aug. 1 8,637
PP Aug. 8 70,181

Total ounces shipped 158,211

"Mount Ararat has, up to the present time, exceeded
the expectations which were entertained of its proving
an extensive and rich gold field. The population is
variously stated at between 50,000 and 60,000, and, as
the reports of its richness continue to be most favour.-
able, there is no immediate likelihood of any material
decrease in the number. The auriferous deposits ars
said to extend over a very large area of country, aul
the mining is not difficult. At present we are in no
plaition to give an estimate of the weekly yield of the
Ararat diggings, as the quantities of gold thence are
included in the escort returns of Ballarat and others of
the older mining localities.

"The winter hay been unusually dry, and the minors
have accordingly laboured under great disadvantages in
consequence of an insufficient quantity of water. Ac-
counts frjm the various mining districts are, on tho
whole, favourable.

"AGRICULTURAL.

"In our last summaries we gave an abstract of the
agricultural returns of 15 of the 21 districts into which
the colony is divided. Since then two more counties
have been finished, and the remaining four are so n ar
completion that their contents may be given approxi-
mately.
"In Moynington there were 156 cultivators, 3,433
acres, 2,057 sown with wheat, 827 with oats, and 420
with potatoes. Yield-39,98S bushels of wheat, 19,616
of oats, and 1,181 tons of potatoes.
" In Dalhousie-583 cultivators, 12,590 acres, 4,276
of wheat, 2,303 of oats, 1,975 of potatoes, and 3,540 of
bay. Yield-82,494 bushels of wheat, 72,510 oats,
3,525 tons of potatoes, and 4,678 of hay.
" In Hampden the returns are in, but there were about
25,000 bushels of wheat.
"In Pol.varth it is estimated that there are 60 culti-
vators, and that the produce is 30,000 bushels of wheat,
and 20,000 of oats.
In Grant it is computed that there were i,200 cultiva-
tors, who had 40,000 acres under crop, of which 22,000
were sown with wheat, 6,500 with oats, and 7,660 f,,r
hay ; the yield being 490,000 bushels of wheat, 172,780
busheli of oats, and 10,800 tons of hay.
"Iu Burke the following figures are, as nearly as
possible, correct :-1,800 cultivators 55,000 acres, 20,000
acres of wheat, 6,000 ditto of oats, 20,000 ditto of hay ;
yield 400,000 bushel; of wheat, 120,000 ditto of oats,
and 20,000 tons of hay.
"The grand total of the whole of the colony is
therefore in round numbers, as follows :-6,258 cultiva-
tors, farming 163,000 acres of land, of which 76,700 wt :e
sown with wheat, 21,000 with oats, and 45,750, with
oats for hay, the remainder of the ground being occuplut.
with potatoes, barley, male!, gardens, vines, and
tobacco; the yield was 1,700,000 bushels of wheat, or
22 bushels to the acre ; 530,000 bushels of oats,. or 25
to the 'acre ; ;Ind 58,000 tons of hay, or about a tun
and a quarter to the acre. •
"Thos result is most gratifying ; in 1855.6 there were
only 1,151,000 acres in cultivation, and in the previous
year only 54,715. In South Australia last year there
were 203,423 acres under crop, so that we nearly equal
our great agricultural neighbours, and next year we shall
have passed them, as from the vigour with which farm-
ing operations are now being pursued, we may safely
calculate that there will be 220,000 acres under crop
next year.

" Land still maintains a very high price. ,At a Go-
vernment sale rece❑tly held at Crowiclr, near Ballarat,
fair agricultural land, rather badly situated as regards a
market, sold at from 31. to 41. per acre. Crown land
eight miles from Melbourne, of very inferior quality,
sold two days ago at an average of 301. per acre.
TRADM AND COMMERCE.

"The unsatisfactory character of the latest commer-
cial advicos from England has had an extremely preju
dicial effect on the operations of trade- since the arrivat
of the mail steamer, inasmuch as renewed indications
presented themselves that borne shippers, uninfluenced
by former experience and deaf to the remonstrances of
colonial correspondents, were preparing to send forward
excessive supplies of those descriptions of merchandise
with which the market in this direction is already over-
stocked. As a natural consequenco of this threatened
glut of consignments capitalists are wholly disinclined to
enter upon large transactions in imports, and prefer to,
invest their money in the various joint-stock, undertak-
ings, which offer more tangible inducements than are to
tie found in the speculative bi?siness of buying, to bold
for a rise. It would be impossible to lay too much stress
on the vital importance of impressing the necessity upon
merchants in the mother country of withholding further
outward shipments to this colony until large por.
tions of the stocks now on hand are absorbed. The
business of regulating suplies by a reference to our re-
quirements is unquestionably a task of considerable
difficulty, and can only, be effected hy•house
acquaintance with, the fluctuating conditions whose
govern the Australian trade is at least sufficient to pro-
tect them against the grave errors
.committed by ' out-
foreltlhe mercantile interest of
side' shippers. Fortunately
e yieldede s i
o f time, to o a class o
permitf
proceedingsthtreairders
Victoria this latter race is nigh extinct, and bai
principles of caution, and their will doubtless, in pro-
sionally arrested bywho
ve
ventures
ttuorebse governedt
o be oe
occa-
sionally
such a desirable
neces-
sarily the dictates of prudence. Pending
consummation, however, there is
an absence of that confidence which obtains in
other and wore settled markets.
"Tee irregularity which unfortunately marked tL •
initiation of the postal enterprise undertalten by the B
and A. Company
has aided in increasing the-prevailing
&hums.
"la presence of the opposing influences to which w,
have referred, business in the import market is limited
to purchases f it immediate consumption ; and, althougi.
the demand for the interior is steadily improving the
anintatmu caused by if does not extend beyond seowid
hands. Thera is a slight tendency towards advancing
Bates in the market for. bottled ales and beer, but tb;
pries I of bulk goods still ruie.s low. -The rates obtained
for prime samples of butter have again receded, and
sales at 121-d. and 131. are reported. Same speculative
dealing in Belmont sperm candles has been going
forward ; an impression having gained currency
to the effect that the present value of thu '

article (about 14) will range higher subsequent to the
arrival of the June mail. In the flour and grain market
the prevailing inactivity has made itselt telt, and quota.
tions have accordingly been w avering. Fine Adelaide
flour may be bought at from 241. to 251. 10s. Scotch
oats are selling at 9s. 9J. to 10'. per bushel ; colonial,
at 11'. 91. to 12s. ; Irish, 10,. 6d. to 103. 9d. Maiae is
held for 10s. ; and wheat realities from 9s. 3d. to 9s. 9d.
Notwithstanding the firmness in the price of Eastern
produce, transactions in sugats and tea are not heavy,
Tilde Patras rice issupplied at 191. to 191. 10s. For wines
(port and sherries) the inquiry has not been so well
sustained as was anticipated at the date of our last
•ummary, and quotations therefore remain unchanged.
The movement in first-class brandies has likewise been
temporarily checked, and sellers have submitted to a
:nodification of the demand, Martell's being- in the
maniet at 19s. 61. Geneva (JDKS brand) may be
placed at 235,, and W.I. rum, 20 to 30 0.p., commands
sale at from 6'. 63. to Os. 9i.

" The money and share market presents an aspect of
annness. Colonial Bank shares have risen in the esti-
mation of inveBtment seekers, and have changed hands
at 25 per cent, premium. Bank of Victoria are worth
51/. ; Mel'aourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company's
shares are coming forward at 801. to 821. ; and Geelong
and Melbourne Railway stand at 201., and interest.
Victorian Government debentures have recently been
much inquired after, and have boon done at 1021. 10s.
(due 1859.)

Melbourne is now lightel by gas. We take the
following from the Aryus of the 11th of August .
" The streets of this city were lighted with gas for
the first time last night, and the event was convivially
celebrated by the Mayor of Melbourne and his friends
at the Criterion. 0 wing to the extreme width of the
streets and the great interval which separates the stan•
dards from each other, the general effect was not so
brilliant as had been generally anticipated ; at the same
time the light given is immeasurably superior to that of
the oil lamps which have been superseded by this mode
of illumination. The event, however, constitutes an
epoch in our civic history.

"GOLD SHIPS.
" The following vessels have sailed with gold fraighte
since the departure of the Columbian, July 22 :

Oz. dwt.
July 22—The Columbian, for Suez
July 23—The .1.,,50n' for Calcutta 2,307 16
July 2i—The King Philip, for London 30,83 t 17
July 30—The Scotia, for Calcutta
Aug. 6—The Avon, for London
Aug. B—The Ocean Chief, for Calcutta 4,088 0
Aug. B—TheDauielltoss, fur Hongkong 10,472 0
Aug. 10—The Heather Bell, for London 19,617 15

Total
Amount shipped from Ist Jan. to 16th
July, 1857 1,262,604 9

Total amount ... 1,429,316 17
" Woor, SHIPS.
" The following vessels have sailed with wool freights
since the departure of the Columbian, July 22:--
Bales.
July 26—The King Philip, for London... 332
Aug. 6—The Avon, for London 872
Aug. 10—The Heather Bell, for London 5O

Total.
Number of bales shipped from Oot. 15,
1856, to July 19, 1l 57 43,630

Total bales

~ 44,834

FUNERAL OE EARL FITZLIA.RDINGE.

BERKELEY, OCt. 17.
The remains of this lamented nobleman were
this day interred in the family vault in Berkeley
church, and although it is market-day the occasion
has been observed with great solemnity, the houses
and places of business throughout the town being
almost universally closed. The coffin was made of
British oak grown on the estate, covered with rich
Genoa crimson velvet. On the breast plate WO
engraved the coronet and armorial bearings and the
following inscription :—" William Fitzhardinge
Earl Fitzhardinge, of Berkeley Castle, in the
county of Gloucester, claiming as of right to be Earl
of Berkeley by descent, and Baron de Berkeley by
tenure, born December, 1786 ; died October 10,
1857."

The coffin was borne from Berkeley Castle to 00
church without pall or covering upon a funeral'
car drawn by his lordship's favourite four greys'
The car was driven by the earl's favourite coach-
man, the horses being led by the chief huntsman'
the stud groom, and two of the hunt whips, The
cor te,ge was attended by upwards of a hundred of
the tenantry, by the Rev. Dr. Morton Brown, of
Cheltenham, by his lordships medical attendantB,,.
his three stewards, and domestics. The coronet
was horse by the chiefsteward, EL M. Boodle, EA?
on a cushion of black velvet. The mourners were
Admiral the Right Hon. Sir Maurice F. F. Berko'
ley, K.C. 8., the Hon. Augustus Berkeley, flo•
F. H. Berkeley, M.P., the Hon. Moreton Berkeley'
Captain F. W. F. Berkeley, M.P., Charles Page,'
Berkeley, Esq., James Maxse, Esq., Major caPe',
and Colonel ingseote. - The absence of the Son'
Grantley Berkeley from the procession formed,
subject of general observation. The hon. gentle,:
man was known to have come to the castle e'"
,„
Friday with the expressed intention of following
his deceased brother's remains to their final restio.!
place, and his name and place were duly printed
t.',3
the undertaker's programme. This morning ",
breakfastedwith the mourners, but about a qua,rte...
of an hour before the procession left the castle Oil
Grantley Berkeley suddenly quitted it.
The mournful cortege moved from the castlesoe:
after 11 o'clock, and proceeded through the to%
to the church, at the entrance to which it was 0e
,d
by the Vicar, the Rev. Seton Carr, by whom
funeral service was most impressively read. 2:t
the poplar point the bAy was removed toti,l4
fain ly vault and deposited with those of the °I;
Earls and Barons of Berkeley. The streets were
densely thronged, but the presence of a strong body
of police preserved a passage tor the funeral P°..
ssio a.

CLOSE OF THE ART TREASURES.
EXHIBITION.

.. _,.'

The Exhibition of Art Treasures at Mancheote
was finally closed to the public on Saturday., 0
was not, as had been originally intended, mac'e
reserved day for season-ticket holders, nor was 0,
marked by any ceremony worthy of the °cooled
The state of the exchequer, it may be protium: j
rendered it desirable that as much money ell,e
be taken as possible, whilst all intention of a gr't.
ceremonial was abandoned so soon as it was 38°.te or
tained that her Majesty was indisposed to grace. 0
proceedings with her presence. The adiniolelf,
were fewer than might have been expected, he r.
ever, under the circumstances. About 8,600 Peof
sons had entered at four o'clock, on payment dd
half a-crown each, and nearly as many more enter
~.a
with season tickets, making a total of betvn,
16,000 and 17,000 persons. "There were fewers),
missions on the closing day, therefore, by 10,uv-,a,
than on each of the two first days in the week. to
trophy of flags had been erected in front-
,
organ, and the orchestra had been strengthelle4,o
the bands of the 4th Dragoon Guards and of
34th Infantry having been engaged for the eeio,
stun. The music included selections from 10,8%4
Verdi, Venzona, Meyerbeer, Mercadante, Dem7..jait
Gang'', Weber, Lindpainter, Beethoven, SP°_,ll-304
Auber, Spohr, and Wagner. When the no
bands struck up "God save the Queen," to
finale, there was an attempt among the audieneuar
get up a voice accompaniment, but it was only Poo,
tial, and consequently failed in effect. At the.ioe
cluaion the executive committee.took up dpesl'
in the transept, and
Mr.
-.Ladies
an
T. Facr
geeanrtnlNem, chairman, spoke
Diy spokdeuastyforillo*:
k
pronounce the last few words of farewell, and totso
0
term you that when you have left this building
Exhibition of Art-Treasures is closed. I hope tt,(l
you will never forget the liberality which has enaw.ai
that Exhibition to be formed, and that hereafter;
a you will be enabled to realise, in reflecting 111)
this building and its contents 4.1 a%
, the truth of -
port'
s line—
" of beauty is a joy for ever."
„40-4
slin,e
Loud cheers followed this addiess, and the !it'd
ceediugs closed. One little incident only oce,ll`thi4
to mar the harmony and appropriateness jar
closing scene, and it was caused by some
ntediately after the cheering had subsided, dleis
spirit of vindictive feeling towards a few waiter,Prb•
the refreshment-rooms who had created a diot"for
Slice on tht Thursday, proposing three groans
that establishment, and in an instant all thougo
_a
art treasures and their elevating tendencies seen"
to have vanished, and that gay and fashionable 0.
sorublago seemed for the in.onieut.tJ have been tea"
formed into a Chartist meeting.
get
Great numbers of people continued to lip
•fie
about the building after the bell had sounded not
usual warning to depart, and the building was
entirely cleared until a later hour than usual. hob'
The admissions since the opening in May D'
been as follows (as nearly as the returns can v° °
tabled)

By season tickets ..... . 254,119
At a payment of is 865,811
At 2s. 6d. per head
At 6d. ea t%

Total 1,302584 , 03(3
The financial result will not be known for °.te
tittle to come. There we people who auticiPsiot
(Illicit of 10,0001., but the more sanguine tbiuk ;.t0
should the building fetch a good price the I'oo'so
from all sources will nearly, if not quite, cover
entire outlay. Ser
During the proceedings of the day, gr•cl'
&flour, ou behalf of the orchestra, presented a ,so
some silver cup and an address to Mr. Chaq• thou
the conductor, as a token of their high ipprolt`
of his services and, conduct.

s