The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-14 00:00:00

ruE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 14, 1857

CONSTANTINE is, as it were, upon the eve of
crossing the Channel to set foot upon the soil of
England. The hearths, he has been principally
instrumental in desolating amongst us, are yet
saddened by the remembrance of many cruel be-
reavements. The graves are still fresh upon
Cathcart's Hill and among the cypresses of Scutari.
The horrors of the Trench, and of the Hospital,
are not yet entirely obliterated from our remem-
brance. It cannot so easily be forgotten (here at
least !) how wantonly the allies were dragged into
the war by Russia—how wilfully the stipulations
of solemnly ratified treaties were violated—how
gratuitously Turkey was assailed, her indepen-
dence was set at nought, her frontiers were crossed,
her provinces were occupied ! From the
incursion beyond the Pruth, to the ulti-
mate downfall of Sebastopol, every in-
cident of that protracted and deplorable
struggle, lives at this instant with frightful vivid-
ness iu our recollection. And for all those miseries,
for all those sufferings, for all the wretchedness,
for that lavish expenditure of blood and money,
History will hold two men chiefly responsible.
One of those two men has gone to his account—
the Czar NICHOLAS. The other still survives—
the second son of the late Emperor of All the
Russias—the present guest of the Western Powers
of Europe—the arch Duke CONSTANTINE. Remem-
bering which : remembering that that cruel war,
that war so wantonly and pitilessly provoked, is
but just over : remembering that 11 e have but
just buried our dead, that we are still paying for
the fruitless sacrifice of so much treasure, that we
(the Allies) have to endure the double pang of losing
simultaneouslyloo,ooo lives and 100,000,0001.—
we must protest against the miserable and indeco-
rous farce of strewing flowers in the pathway
(among all visitors) of this Arch Duke CON-
STANTINE ! For Diplomatic purposes let the
warlike Russian have a court fdte or two at
Osborne or Windsor, as he has recently enjoyed
the same Sybarite luxury at the Tuileries and
Fontainebleau—but let his reception be restricted
t that, so far as England is concerned. We can-
not believe that our municipalities are in any
way solicitous to be dangling in the train of this
worthy son of a worthy sire—to be lacqueeing at
his heels as though lie were some groat good man
the benefactor of his species, whom the nation
would delight to honour. We have even heard
enough and to spare in complimentary reference
to the military genius, to the strategical
ability, and to the chivalric prowess of
the Muscovite Commanders. To our think-
ing, the vast engineering powers of a
TODLEBEN, and the indisputable magnanimity
of a MOURAVIEFF, while beyond all doubt indi-
vidually entitled to our admiration, ought not at
the same time to diminish by one iota our ineradi-
cable horror of such dastardly atrocities as those
which in the lata war imparted such evil fame to
the maritime and military forces of the Muscovites
—atrocities such as the massacre at Sinope, and
the assassin-ambush at Hango-Udd, and the
stabbing and rifling of the wounded upon' the
" foughten field" of Balaklava I If you are just
to the Russian Heroes —be just also, in
Heaven's name, to the Russian Miscreants !
Let us not forget, in the midst of frivolous com-
pliments—what at the same time is deserving
of everlasting detestation. And if—upon the
advent amongst us of the Archduke CONSTANTINE
—it is remembered that the war with Russia is
ended : let it not be forgotten for an instant that
that War wantonly provoked and cruelly persisted
in by the Russians, has cost the Western Allies,
as we have already repeated—(as we cannot tire
of repeating—while tho guns are firing, and the
flags flying, and the drums rolling, and the
trumpets sounding at the approach of the Arch-
duke CONSTANTINE)—that that Horrible War has
cost the Allies, to no purpose, the frightful expen-
diture of 100,000 souls and of 100,000,000/. !

The Committee on the Charter of the Hudson's
BIT Company has been duly nominated. It now
consists of 20 Members, Mr. CHRISTY having yes-
terday been added to the 19 gentlemen previously
appointed. It is to be hoped that no time will be
lost in bringing their important labours to a com-
plete and satisfactory conclusion, and rendering
available for the benefit of mankind a vast tract
of country now kept in a state of comparative
desolation and barbarism, in consequence of the
monopoly so long exercised by a private trading
corporation. It is not absolutely incumbent on
them to inquire into the legality or the policy of
the original grant, or the nature of the influences
by which it was obtained—although much could
be said on each of these points by its opponents.
The rapidly-approaching termination of the
Charter, according to the admissions of the
Company, may dispense with the necessity of
such a scrutiny. The chief point to be ascer-
tained is, how far the interests of the world, and
more especially of our North American colonies,
are affected by the existing system which prevents
legitimate trade and commerce, and prohibits the
settlement of this enormous territory by the
hardy pioneers of civilisation.

The Company pride themselves on the good
order maintained in the districts under their con-
trol and management. But what is there to be
preserved ? Where is the property to be pro-
tected—the human beings to be preserved ?
" They make a desert and call it peace" They
shutout, so far as practicable, mankind, save the
hunters and trappers engaged in the pursuit and
capture of the wild animals, to whose use the en-
tire region is devoted. It is not for the pur-
poses of sport, as it is termed, that humanity is
so rigorously excluded. It is not for the
amusement of "the select upper crust" that,
as in the case of the deer forests in Scotland.
the country is depopulated. No ; it is merely a
question of £ s. d.—that the company should be
enabled to obtain a larger amount of furs and to
sell them at higher prices than if the wide-spread
district were opened to the commerce and enter-
prise of Great Britain, and placed under the pro-
tection of English laws and English civilisation.
Surely under such circumstances there can
be no possible difficulty as to the course which
justice and policy alike demand. An isolation as
as complete as that which the inhabitants of the
flowery land affect must. be broken up. Any
change must be for the better which sub-
stitutes the British Government for that of
a private company, which enables hardy
emigrants to found happy homes in the
wilderness, and to reclaim lauds now barren and
unproductive. It is impossible to say that order
has been maintained, as asserted, in those bound-
less but deserted districts. Who can reveal "the
secrets of the prison house ?" Who can tell what
robberies and murders may have been committed
by Indians or half-castes—or whether many
wanderers may not be kept in hopeless cap-
tivity in these dreary abodes of desola-
tion ? It is impossible to know these things ;
and it is only by inviting and encourag-
ing colonisation that full security, which is a
plant of tardy growth, can eventually he obtained 1
But we ask, what right has the Company, or
even the British Government itself, to maintain
such a rigorous system of Exclusion. Our Trans-
Atlantic brethren are fully, aware of the real

value of these districts, and will be well inclined
to take possession of what we neglect, and we
could scarcely act the part of " the dog in the
manger" by refusing to others that which we
were ourselves unable or unwilling to use. We
cannot, for a moment, conceive what shadow of
right CHARLES 11. had to transfer his Sovereignty
in so vast a territory, without the assent of
Parliament. As well might he have at-
tempted to dispose of Ireland or Scotland,
either of which lie would have been quite willing
to part with for a " consideration !" Besides,
large and reclaimable districts have been taken
possession of by the company, without a shadow
of claim. There is manifestly no title to the
lands ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of
1761, but which the Company have unscrupu-
lously annexed to the coasts of the Bay and
Straits, and usurped authority over.
We trust then that the committee now ap-
pointed may promptly and efficiently discharge
the arduous and important duties confided to
their charge, and that a large proportion of the
lands now lying waste and unproductive may be
brought into cultivation, and that smiling home-
steads may be substituted for the lairs of wild
animals, only sought aftsr to be destroyed. There
will still be sufficient furs for every necessary
purpose. But were it otherwise, the interests
of humanity should net be disregarded for such
a cause and such an object.

The Judgments Execution Bill was, yesterday,
read a second time, by a majority of 38—the
numbers being 137 for, and 99 against. It was
strenuously opposed by the Irish members, who
exhibited a strange unanimity on the question,
Honourable Gentlemen, of all shades and varieties
of political opinion, waiving other differences,
and co-operating energetically against the measure.
The principle of the Bill, as described by its
learned proposer, Mr. CEA UFIYED, seems unobjec-
tionable. It is merely that a judgment obtained
in a competent Court, in any part of the United
Kingdom, should be sufficient to entitle the party
to issue execution in any other part thereof, with-
out the delay and expense of instituting new pro-
ceedings, to give efficiency to the former judg-
ment ! Many questions of detail may arise, but
those would rather be for discussion in
Committee. Indeed, from the nature of the
objections, so forcibly urged by Messrs. M 'MAHON,
WHITESIDE, BLAND, and AYiaTON, it seems essen-
tial that the entire measure should be subjected to
the scrutiny of a select committee, who by a care-
ful consideration might remove every valid objection
to its details. The main difficulty appears to be
the facilities for obtaining judgments in Scotland
without notice to the defendants, or in fact afford-
ing them any opportunity of being heard in their
own defence. The fact too, referred. to by the
Hon. and learned Member for the County of Wex-
ford, that the agent employed for a defendant
becomes liable for all the costs of an action, creates
an impediment in the way of putting forward even
a valid and bona fide answer to the demand that
cannot be disregarded. We believe, however, that
these matters may be satisfactorily arranged.
There are good points as well as bad points in the
laws of each country, and we have no doubt
that the investigations respecting Mr. CAAUFUILD's
bill, may be very useful in smoothing away all
difficulties in the assimilation of the laws of the
three kingdoms, and enabling English and Irish
barristers and Scotch Advocates to practise in the
Courts of either country. We have no doubt
that such a system of forensic reciprocity would
be beneficial to all parties. There would be no
necessity for disturbing the judicial establishments
in Dublin or Edinburgh, but there could not be
the slightest objection t) every member of these
benches being constituted a Judge of the United
Kingdom, and exchanging duties for a time with
their learned brethren of Westminster. We
would wish to render the Union in every respect
efficacious, and would for that purpose seek to get
rid of the distinctions that are still retained with-
out any possible utility arising therefrom. And
the sooner that object can be attained, the better
for all parties concerned, whether English, Irish,
or Scotch.

The smelters have given notice of a reduction of 31.
per ton on common tin and 4/. on refired.
The Hotspur, from Calcutta, has arrived off Porte-
mouth, having left the Cape of Good Hope on the 17th
of March. The advices from the Cape will be four days
later than those previously received.
_ _ _

On the 26th inst., Mr. Ayrtoa will move for a select
committee to inquire into the cause of the inequality of
the pocr rates in tbo metr3politan district, and whether
any measures should be adopted to render the rates more
equal.

•To-night Mr. T. Duncombe will ask the Secretary of
State for the Home Department, " Why Win. Cuffey
bas not participated in the general amnesty granted in
the spring of last year by her Majesty to all political
prisoners ? "

SHIP STRUCK BY LIGWTNING.—The steamer City of
Washington brings word that the Arabella, from Apa'-
chicola to Liverpool, with 2,325 bales of cotton, was
struck by lightning, April 14, and totally consumed.
Tye crew landed at Halifax.

The suspension has been announced of Messrs. Barker
and Co., timber and stave merchants, of Southwark.
Toe liabilities are supposed to range between 60,0001.
and 1.00,000/., and it ia feared the liquidation will be rather
unfavourable.

A letter from Trieste of the sth, in the Austrian
Gazette, says f--" The Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian
arrived here quite unexpectedly this morning on board
the steam frigate Elisabeth. This visit was connected
with naval matters. In the evening the lArehduke re-
turned to Venice."

The council of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce
have appointed Professor Leone Lev.i, as London agent
of the chamber. Several chambers of commerce have
unitylat el o
y f
action combined
hasin thisbee been
pi
riptorion‘.lced t
uin the proceedingsraent, whereby a greater
of these valuable institutions.

LOWERING SHIPS' BOA'23,—Ttie Lards of the Admi-
ralty have just issued t;aneral orders to the officers at
the various dockyards, that all transport ships are to be
fitted with Clifford's new method of lowering boats in
revigh weather, or when vessels are " under way ;'' and
at the prese❑t tame Adventure, Assistance, Cordelia,and
Leopard, about proceeding to China, are being so pro-
vided.

MORE FAILURES IN THE CORN TRADE.—On Saturday
two otter failures in the corn trale were spoken of in
the Cork Commercial Rooms. One mentioned was that
of a merchant in a seaport town in the county Cork,
whose liabilities are set down at 12,0001. It is expected
the assets will realise some 4s. or Si. in the pound. The
other stoppage was that of a gentleman in the city,lwhose
liatities are 7001.
PI LIC INCOME AND EXPENDITURE.—An account
of the gross public income and expenditure for the year
ended the 31st of March, 1857, was published yesterday
by order of the new House of Commons; The grand
total of the income amounted to the sum of 72,334,
0621., and that of the expenditure to 75.588,6671.,
leaving a deficit, or excess of expenditure, amounting to
3,254.6041. The Customs duties yielded 23,321,842/. ;
the Excise, 18,165,0001. ; Stamps, 7,372,2091. ; Taxes
(landed and assessed), 3,116,0461. ; Property-tax, 16,
009,933/. ; the Post-aifice, 2,886,000/. ; Crown-lands
(net), 284,857/. ; and miscellaneous sources of revenue,
1,098,173/. Of tie expenditure the sum of 23,631,
176/, was appro`priated to the interest and management
of the public debt ; 1,773,726/. to charges on the Con-
solidated Fund; and 45.133,7641. to the supply rervices.
Toe army took 20,811,242/. ; the navy, 13,459,013/. ;
miscellaneous services, &c., 6,626,7331. ; and the
salute's, &c., of revenue departments, 4,2367751. The
balance in the Exchequer on the 31st March, 1857,
amounted to 8,668,370/.
THE SOUND DUES.—Yesterday was published a copy
of the Treaty, Protocol, and Convention for the redemp-
tion of the Sound Dues, signed at Copenhagen on the
14th of last March. The compensation for the Sound
Dues thus surrendered by Denmark, is fixed at the total
sum of 30,476,325 rigs.dollars, of which Great Britain
is to pay 10,126,855 ; France, 1,219,003 ; Holland,
1,408,060 ; Prussia, 4,440,027 ; Russia, 9,739,993 ;
Sweden, 1590,503 ; and other States smaller sums. The
said sums may be paid in 20 years by 40 equal half
yearly payments, which shall cover both capital and the
interest on instalments not due. There is a separate
convention between England and Denmark, the former
Government engaging to recommend Parliament to pay
the amount agreed on, which is (if converted according
to the proposed rate of exchange), 1,125,2061. The
Treaty and Convention are accompanied by a report from
our Minister at the Court of Copenhagen, Mr. Buchanan,
on the negotiation for the redemption of the Sound
Dues, dated 22d of March Last.

We have authority to state that it is her Majesty's
intention to hold drawing-rooms at St. James's Pal; en
on Saturday, the 6th of June, and on Tuesday, the 23d
of June, and a levee on Thursday, the 18th of June.

A matrimocial alliance is about to take place between
the Earl of Stradbroke and the widow of the late Colonel
Bonner, of the 10th Hussars.

LORD ELGIN'S MISSION TO CHlNO.—After having
crossed the Isthmus, Lord Elgin will find the Ava
awaiting him at Suez. This ship will convey him to
Singapore where he is to remain till the arrival of the
French Commissioner.

We are pleased to state that Bishop Blomfield has en-
tirely recovered from the indisposition mentioned last
week, and his lordship now lies in the same state that he
was in previous to the attack.

LIVERPOOL, May 13.—The steam clipper ship Royal
Charter went into the Mersey yesterday, and wilt sail fur
Meibourne on Friday with a ship's mail, a large cargo,
and about 400 passengers. The British and North Ame-
rican mail steam ship Arabia will sail for New York on
Saturday.
EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA.--LIVERPOOL, Wednes-
day.—The Black Ball ship Euroelydon takes her de-
parture this afternoon from the Mersey, for Melbourne,
with above 300 passengers and a large cargo. This is
the second vessel despatched to Melbourne in the course
of one week by the Black Ball line, carrying in all nearly
1,000 passengers and about 4,000 tons of merchandise.
The screw steam clipper Royal Charter is at present in
the Sloyoe, takinc, in her passengers, luggage, &c. She
has a full cargo of fine goods on board, and will sail at
noon on Friday next, her advertised day, for Melbourne.
, She will carry out a large complment of passengers, and
will be commanded by Captain Taylor, late of the Fal-
con, Australian liner.

DEPARTURE OF THE INDIANA.—The European and
American Company's screw steamer Indiana left South-
ampton yesterday for New York. She took out nearly
500 passengers, chiefly Germans from Bremen, and about
200 tons of goods. The Southampton Chamber of Com-
merce are endeavouring to get some relaxation of the
stringent regulations of the Government Emigration
Board. If a steam-ship calls at Southampton from Bre-
men, Hamburg, Antwerp, or Havre, and takes on board
one English passenger, the English Emigration Board
steps in and enforces the emigration regulations respect.
ing the foreign passengers, thereby imposing a great
amount of trouble on the owners of the ship, and up-
setting the whole arrangements which have been made
abroad.

RAILWAYS IN PORTUGAL.—The Avon, which arrived
at Southampton yesterday, brings Lisbon dates of the
9th inst. The bill for Mr. Peto's railway contract had
gone up to the Peers, and was likely to be reported
upon by committee the day the Avon left. The Mini-
sters expected to get it passed during the succeeding
week. Meanwhile the British Minister, Mr. Howard,
was rendering most efficient support to the agent re-
presenting the late railway contractors in the negotia-
tions for a settlement of their long-pending claims ; and
hopes were entertained, when the packet left, that a
fair compromise would be effected in a few days, and
thus leave Mr. Peto's projects free from existing em-
barrassments.

The Austrian Government has just published an ac-
count of the financial situation of the empire for the year
1856. According to this document the ordinary receipts
amounted to 268,501,796 florins, or 10 millions more
than in 1855 ;*and the extraordinary to 4,058,480 florins,
or 624,490 less than is the preceding year. The ordi
nary expenses amounted to 324,377,664 florins, or 24,
millions more than in 1855 ; and the extraordinary (for
the army only) to 14 millions, or 871 millions lees than
in the preceding year. The total of the expenses is 67
millions less than in 1855. These returns, though con-
sidered satisfactory, had not produced any effect on the
public funds, or inspired confidence in the money mar-
ket, where great discouragement is described as still
prevailing.

THE COLLIERS' STRIKE NEAR BARNSLEY.—At a meet-
ing of the men on strike at the Wharneliffe
held on Monday, the chairman stated that the deputation
appointed had had an interview with the masters, and
that the latter had agreed to allow the men to blast
with powder as before, but that they were fully deter-
mined not to allow the use of candles. One of the
speakers warned the meeting against entering upon a
strike without the means of successfully carrying it out,
adding that his own experience of strikes had proved
their fallacy. He recommended the men to give the
Davy lamp a fair trial before placing themselves in col.
lision with their employers. A resolution was unani-
mously passed that the men should return to their work
so as to give the lamp a fair trial.
ROYAL FREEMASONS' SCHOOL FOR FEMALE CHIL-
DREN.—The 69th anniversary of this admirable institu-
tion was held last evening at the Freema-on's Tavern,
under the presidency of Lord Panmure, the Deputy-
Grand Master of the Order. The children, who are,
generally speaking, the orphans of deceased brethren,
went in procession round the room during the evening,
and their general appearance was such as to excite uni-
versal sympathy. One of the girls is annually selected
by her schoolfellows, for a mark of distinction, and this
year the choice fell on Louisa Badley, who was intro-
duced by the secretary (Mr. Crew) to the chairman.
The chairman placed a medal round her neck and
addressed her in a kind and affectionate manner, praising
her for her excellent conduct, and pointing out to her
the great advantage of a good character. Several other
pez,,,s were bestowed upon the children. The matron
received the congratulations of the company upon the
healthy appearaoce of those placed under her charge.
The subscript:on in the room amounted to 1,8501.
LORD WESTMINSTER AND THE CHESTER RACES.—The
Chester Chronicle states that the Marquis of Westminster
has intimated that he has for some time entertained
duubts as to the propriety of :Towing his name to be
connected with the races. His hardship holds in much
deference the very serious views entertained by conscien-
tious persons in Chester and elsewhere of the immorality
that unfortunately prevails at the,s meetings, which does
not occur at assemblages of a different na.ttre which it
is the duty of all to encourage. The Marquis adds that
be is the last person who would in the slightest possible
degree diminish the legitimate amusements of the people,
but rather considers that it would be most desirable they
should be increased. But, as recording an act of ap-
proval of a doubtful proceeding by any new act is differ-
ent from going a step further, and withdrawing from
contributing to the amusement of the races after haying
been for a considerable time connected with them, Lord
Westminster does not feel himself called upon to with-
draw "The Plate" so long run for as his gift, although
he admits that he has felt serious dmbts and hesitation
on the point.
THE NEW ARCTIC EXPEDITION.—The Fex steam-
yacht, fitting out at Aberdeen for Lady Franklin's final
search, under the command of Captain M'Clintock,
R.N., is rapidly progressing in her equipment. She
will be a "model Arctic." Ono hundred men are now
at work upon her, besides others employed about her
machinery. The Fox will carry with her a speaking
reminiscence of former expeditions to the same ranions.
When Lady Franklin fitted out the Prince Albert in
Ibsl, Prince Albert presented an• organ to the expedi-
tion, which went out in the vessel named after his Royal
Highness, wintered at Batty Bay, and in 1852, before
returning to England, the organ was lent to the North
Star, at Beechey Island, where it spent two years, and
was always played at church service. In 1854, after
having spent three year+ and a half in the Arctic re-
gions, it was safely brought home. Lady Franklin
naturally prized it the more highly, and had it put to
rights at considerable expense, and now the same Royal
souvenir is about to be shipped ence more to the Arctic

regions.
ART TREASURES EXHIBITION.—There was a fair At.
tendance yesterday, though the number of visitors was
less tban on some previous days. We believe it is in
contemplation to remove the orchestra, to make room
for a considerable number of works of art which have
never yet found a place. Within the next fortnight ; ro-
bably every department of the Exhibition will be put
into permanent form, the executive committee being in-
disposed to receive any further contributions, under my
circumstances, having no space for them. The shilEng
admissions commence next week, when we may expect
to see a much greater number of visitors, though, no
doubt, the great bulk of the working classes will post-
pone their visits until the Whitsuntide holidays. A con-
siderable number of members of the Society of Arts are
expected to visit Manchester for the Exhibition in a
body, and similar visits are spoken of from members of
the Law Society and other learned bodies during the sum-
mer. The Council of the Manchester Royal Institution pro-
poses to give a series of soirees weekly, during the time
the Art Treasures Exhibition remains open, as a moans
of affording a pleasant opportunity for reunions among
distinguished strangeril visiting Manchester.
MR. HARDY'S BEER BILL —An influential meeting
was held yesterday afternoon in the Manchester Town-
ball, to consider the provisions of Mr. Gaythorn Hardy's
bill for the regulation of beer-houses and other places of
public entertainment. The bill was the result of a c'in-
siderable movement in the West Riding. The Rev. Dr.
Bowers, the Dean of Manchester, presided, and there
were present Sir J. Potter, M.P., Mr. T. P. Bunting,
Mr. S. Fletcher, Mr. R. Gardner, Mr. W. R. Wood,
Mr. J. Heron, Mr. D. Maude, Mr. Alderman Neild,
Mr. C. 11. Rickards, the Rev. Canon Richson, the Rev.
W. H. M'Grath, and the Rev. Mr. Birch. Mr. W. E.
Foster attended as a deputation from the West Riding
Association, and explained the provisions of the mea-
sure, by which it was contemplated that all new beer-
houses should be licensed by the magistrates, like those
of the licensed victuallers. The feeling of the meeting ap-
peared to be that some new step was imperative for
checking the rapidly augmenting number of beer-houses
in proportion to the population, and a petition inviting
the attention of the legislature to the subject waN unani-
mously adopted. A deputation was also appointed to
see Lord Palmerston, along with the deputation from
the West Riding.
The new committee on the Bank Charter Act will
forthwith commence its sittings. It is composed of 25
members, comprising the Chancellor of the Exchequer
and four ex-Chancellors—namely, Mr. Disraeli, Sir
Francis Baring, Sir C. Wood, and Mr. Gladstone ; also
Sir J. Graham, Mr. Spooner, banker, of Birmingham ;
Mr. G. A. Hamilton, the Financial Secretary to the
Treasury under Lord Derby's Government, and chair-
man of the recently-dissolved London and Paris Bank ;
Mr. Glyn, London banker ; Mr. Wilson, the Financial
Secretary to the Treasury ; Mr. Cayley, a director of
the Commercial Bank ; Mr. Vance, a Dublin merchant;
Mr. Weguelin, the late governor of the Bank of Eng-
land ; Mr. Hildyard, Q.C. ; Mr. Hankey, a director and
formerly governor of the Bank of England ; Mr. Black-
burn, chairman of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway ;
Mr. M. T. Smith, London banker ; Mr. Fergus, a
Scotch manufacturer ; Mr. Hope Johnstone ; Mr. J.
L. Ricardo, a director of the London and Westminster
Bank ; Mr. Ennis, the governor of the Bank of Ireland ;
Mr. Tite, the chairman of the Bank of Egypt, and a
director of the London and Westminster Bank ; Mr.
Puller, Mr. Ball, and the Earl of Gifford, formerly pri-
vate lecratary to Lord ranratireo

LATEST N E WS.

CLOSE OF THE PRUSSIAN CHAMBERS.

The Session of the Prussian Chambers was closed
on the 12th inst. by a Royal Message, read by M.
de Manteuffel.

The message enumerates the various nv asures
adopted during the Session ; it mentions likewise
the measures which have not passed ; it alludes to
the bill relative to the prohibition of payments in
foreign notes, and expresses the hope that a gene-
ral understanding on that measure will be come to
with other States. The Message expresses satis-
faction at the conclusion of the negotiations for the
settlement of the Sound Dues.

The Royal message does not make any allusion
to the Neufchatel question.

BERLIN, MAY 13.
The Empress of Russia was safely delivered of a
son on Monday.
The King of Prussia has presented Prince
Napoleon with the Order of the Black Eagle.
His Imperial Highness will leave this on Friday
for Dresden.

FRANCE.
PARIS, WEDNESDAY.
_ .

Decrees in the Afoniteur nominate six knights in
the Legion of Honour among old soldiers, for dis-
tinguished services.
The following are the amended provisions of the
bill for imposing a duty on transferable securities,
as given in the budget for 1858 :
" Independently of the duties established by the
law of sth June, 1850, every transfer of shares,
promises of sharps, or bonds, in any company or
undertaking whatsoever, will be subjected from
the Ist July next t(a a transfer duty of 20 centimes
per 100 francs of the value negotiated. Shares to
bearer, and those the transfer of which can be
effected without any entry being made in the
books of the company, are to be liable to an
annual and obligatory duty of 10 centimes per
100 francs of the capital of the said securities,
calculated on the average price during the pre-
ceding year. The duty on nominative securities
which cannot be negotiated without an entry in
the books of the company will be payable at the
moment of transfer. All securities liable to the
annual duty are to pay the amount quarterly, and
at the end of each quarter the companies are bound
to give au account of the said receipts. In companies
which admit the conversion of securities to bearer
into nominative ones, and vice versa, the transfer
duty is to be paid on the said conversion, but that
act may be effected without charge for the space of
three months from the date of the present law. Fo-
reign securities are subject to the same duty as
French. Any contravention of the law will be liable
to a fine of from 100 f.. to 5,000 f.
The following telegraphic despatches have been
received from Paris :

BERLIN, 12 t,l3.—The King of Prussia has conferred on
Prince Napoleon the grand cordon of the order of the
Black Eagle. His Imperial Highness was present at
the parade of the troops this morning, and in the after-
noon visited the Museum. Baron de Manteuffel, the
president of the council, closed the Diet this afternoon
in the name of hi; Majesty.
DARMSTADT, 12th.—A. telegraphic despatch has been
received at the court here from St. Petersburg, announc-
ing that the Empress of Russia has been safely delivered
of a prince.

MADRID, 12th.—Marshal Espartero yesterday sent in
his resignation as senator. M. Lafragua is expected
here to-day. The Duke and Duchess de Montpensier
are to remain here but a short time. It is thought they
will proceed to England.

BOURSE, May 13.—The following were the last
quotations :

Cash. fr. c. End of Month.
44 per Cents - —fr. --c.
3 per Cents 69 35 69 55
Bank Shares 4,400
Credit MOMliar 1,302 50 Roman
Do. Account 1,302 50 Austrian
Belgian 4, .. Spanish Threes 4ll
Piedmontese (5) 9O 10 Home Debt