The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-18 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FTRBRUARY 18, 1857.

summate effrontery to rise from his place in the
House of Commons, and assert unblushingly that
promotions in the navy are riot regulated, or in-
fluenced, in the smallest degree by parliamentary,
or family, or political considerations. Actually
pointing to the " Navy List" itself for corrobora-
tion of this most astounding announcement ! Not
a jot less preposterous, this, than the cool assertion
of the farceur—" Black is the White of my Eye."
' Here is Merit trammelled, hampered, clogged in
every way—supposing, that is to say, that it is
simply Merit—Merit without any backstairs in-
fluence whatever, political, family, or parliamen-
tary. The "Navy List " proves it. The cata-
logue of retired and half-pay officers
proves it. Everything proves it—everything
bearing in the smallest degree upon the matter.
But Ministers can't, for the life of them, see what
is obvious to everybody else. Or—this is perhaps
more " the English of it "—won't, on any ac-
count, recognise what it would be the height of
inconvenience to recognise. And so the Matte::.-
of-course Motion of the hon. and gallant member_
for Bath is, as a matter of course, quashed. Ra-
ther inconsistently on the part of the authorities,
if they are so very secure as to the correctness of
their acgumentseeing that that motion is, after
all, simply one for the appointment of a Select
Committee of Inquiry ! A Committee that—sup-
posing the Ministerial assertions to be so
very accurate, to be so entirely borne out
by the "Navy List," to be so wholly
undeniable, and so completely corrobo-
rated by circumstances—one would expect must
be rather sought after eagerly, than avoided sedu-
lously, by the Members of her MAJESTY'S Ge-
vernment. But no--investigation—mere inves-
tigation is so pertinaciously refused, as to amount
to a virtual acknowledgment on the part of
Ministers that their position in this particular
question is altogether untenable. Captain SCODELL
pleads in vain. And yet so, for that matter,
used Mr. VILLIERS to plead in vain in behalf of
Free Trade—as Mr. WILBERFORCE had pleaded
before him in vain in behalf of Negro Emanci-
pation. And, yet, after all, Protection was abd-
lished—as Slavery had previously been abolished !
As promotions by favour rather than by merit,
both in the Army and in the Navy
must, in the end, infallibly, be abolished as a sys•
tern, whatever may be said or done by a partisan
Administration. Sooner or later the desired
amelioration will come—political influence, family
influence, Parliamentary influence, to the con-
trary, notwithstanding. The solitary water-drop
dropping, dropping, dropping—wears away in
time the solid granite. And so will it be with
Mr. BERKELEY'S annual motion for the Ballot,
for example, as a means of securing the actual as
well as nominal independence of the constituen-
cies. And so will it be in due time, please Gory,
with reference to Captain &ODELL'S generous, and
consistent, and persevering advocacy of Merit as
the metive power—of Justice as the regulating in-
uence in the complicated system of promotions
in the Royal Navy of England.

Promotion in the Army, not loss (nay, if that
be possible, even still more) than Promotion in
the Navy, is notoriously and (let us add point
blank, in one unmistakeable word) infamously
regulated—not by a sense of public services or of
individual merit, but by the merest social, poli-
tical, and Parliamentary considerations ? Do we
want a signal and glaring indication of this de-
plorable fact ? There is the memorable case of
Colonel TIILLOCH ! And with it that of Sir Jonx
M'NEIL, his able and gallant co-Commissioner I
What can possibly be more infamous in its way
than the miserably scurvy treatment experienced
by these brave officers at the hands of a shuffling
and ungrateful Government f Everybody
knows the enormous difficulty, the oppressive
responsibility, the exquisite painfulness of the
almost unexampled task entrusted to them.
Everybody knows, moreover, how well, how
wisely, how wonderfully they tracked the thin
clue of truth, with unerring sagacity, through all
the mazes of the Crimean Labyrinth of Confusion-
Worse-Confounded. Uninfluenced, in every stage
of their inquiry, by any considerations save those
affecting the good of the Army, the honour of
the Crown, and the advantage of the Common-
weal ! Yet the very men who are acknowledged
by the Prime Minister to have so conducted this
most important inquiry, in their capacity as Com-
missioners, as to have " performed their duty en-
tirely to the satisfaction of her MAJESTY'S Govern-
ment, and very much to their own credit—with
I great ability, great perseverance, and great minute-
ness of research"—are, after all, the very men
(actually) who are, so to speak, chosen out of the
vast concourse of the public servants for the ex-
press purpose of being overlooked I Nay, Lord
PALMERSTON not only confesses to this (virtually)
on Tuesday evening, in the course of his brief
reply to Mr. EWART, but immediately after-
wards, in further reply to the supplementary
inquiries of Mr. LAYARD, actually goes the
length of observing, almost petulant'y, that
Colonel TULLOOH has not (even) been " promised "
promotion He had previously remarked, this
magnanimous Premier of ours, that her MAJESTY'S
Government had not the smallest intention in the
world of " stepping out of the ordinary way"
(that is his Lordship's graceful mode of putting it)
" to ask the Crown to give these gentlemen addi-
tional honours." He endorses this gracious avowal
directly afterwards, as we have said, by observing
that Colonel ToLLocu had not even the empty
solace of a shadowy "promise" of any further
promotion ! Encouraging, this, wonderfully en-
couraging, to all Public Servants who may hence-
forth be entrusted with responsibilities almost as
overwhelming in their magnitude as in their cha-
racter they are extraordinary ! An assurance that
they cannot hope to look for even the Promise of
Reward. Not that we set much value, it must be
confessed, upon mere promises—particulary the
promises of a Government. Un 'Gen,' says the
old French proverb, est mieux due deux tu auras
But at any rate a Promise is so far valuable as a
Symbol—a symbol in this instance of the recogni-
tion of services as yet unrewarded. But, even
that, Ministers grudge to men like Sir JOHN
M'NEIL and Colonel TuLLoca—even empty pro_
raises ! While at the very same time the Crimean
Culprits, impeached, and not only impeached, but
convicted, by the daring and sagacity of these con-
temned Commissioners, are covered with a gaudy
and glittering shower of ribbons, stars, crosses,
medals, and promotions ! Nay, While with a
monstrous inconsistency, other officers much
lower down upon the list, aro pitchforkod over
their heads—for no services whatever that the
public can in any way comprehend or recognise !
Colonel RUNILEY, for example, 123 lower down on
the list of Colonels than Colonel TuLLoca, being
appointed a Major-General—although never in
the Crimea, let
us say, either as a Culprit, or as a
Commissioner I Col. STORKS,
again—never in the
Crimea in either capaei ty —Colonel STORKS, 124
below Colonel TT:rumen upon thQ same catalogue,
being nominated a K.C.8., while Colonel TULLOCH
has not even a grip of the fairy-gold ()f a. Pro-
wise ! Colonel RUMLEY promoted to a Major-
Generalship over the head of the Crimean Commis-
sioner (and over the heads of 122 o'ther Colonels,

besides)—because, forsooth, he had gloriously
commanded a portion of the depBts at
Malta l Colonel STORKS, in like manner, being
advanced over Colonel TIILLOCieS head to
the rank of a K.C.B. (and over the heads of 123
other overlooked and overleaped Colonels into
the bargain)—because (0 most heroic K.C.8.)
the said Colonel STORKS had valorously taken
charge for a while of some wretched hospital at
Smyrna ! Never, perhaps, was there more mon-
strous or more flagrant inconsistency. Pity, Col.
TULLOCH was not born a German !

The Chancellor of the Exchequer soems to think
that there is but one class with whom it is neces-
sary or desirable to observe strict faith. Every-
thing is to be done for the receivers of public
money, but nothing for the tax-paying commu-
nity. Even the expectations of the former must
not be disappointed in any way. A di-
rect and positive promise to the latter
may be evaded or violated with impunity,
and the Right Honourable (!) Gentleman will
chuckle at the notion of obtaining a few thousands
additional from the pockets of those who had the
simplicity to confide, not only in the express pro-
visions of an Act of Parliament, but in a distinct
and positive answer from himself, stating the
period at which additional duties are to be with-
drawn and a more moderate tariff substituted.

We cannot feel surprised at the excitement
manifested by the importers and dealers in tea
at the very inequitable and impolitic proposal of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer to retain for four
years longer a considerable portion of the war
duties on tea, levying no less than 972,5001. on
that important commodity within the ensuing
year, and 3,790,000/. altogether, more than
he would receive under the existing law.
Men of all shades and varieties of political opi-
nion have apparently concurred in deprecating a
retrograde policy, or recurring unnecessarily to
the indirect system of taxation. Of the many
heavy duties levied on the products of foreign
nations, there is none in every respect more ob-
jectionable than the duties on " the cup
that cheers without inebriating," and on " the
corn of the tropics." They are the chief comforts
•f the over-toiled and worst remunerated portion
of the labouring population. They may, indeed,
be regarded as actual necessaries. There can be
no objection to their unlimited use. They are
strictly domestic comforts, which improve those
who adopt them in place of more exciting articles.
The husband and father who enjoys his
tea or sweet dumpling with his family
is a " better and a wiser," although far from being
a sadder, man than his neighbour who expends
his time and money in the gin-palace or the beer-
shop. The miserable sempstress who—

" With fingers weary and worn,
With eyelids heavy and red,"
labours at her monotonous and wearisome task, is
only enabled to pursue her almost incessant labours
by means of her only exhilaration, her cup of tea,
that forms her chief sustenance. The consump-
tion of this very important article is, however,
checked by the exorbitant duty, which far exceeds
the first cost of the inferior samples, and which is
charged at the same rate on the " Bohea," or
" good rough Oongou," of the long-suffering nee•
dlswoman, as on the high flavoured Hyson, supe-
rior Pekoe, or curious Souchong of the peeress.
Nor is it merely for domestic benefits that its use
should be encouraged. There are many cogent
reasons set forth in the elaborate Report of the
Committee on the " Tea Duties" which induced
Parliament to sanction a very considerable reduc-
tion, by which the duty would eventually be re-
duced to ls. 3d. from and after April, 1857, and
ls. in April, 1858. The exigencies of the war
required that the reduction should for a
time be stopped, and both the importers
and dealers, although seriously injured by
the unexpected alteration, cheerfully acqui.
esced in the propriety of the suspension. But
the very terms of the Act provided that the addi-
tional war duties should terminate on the 6th of
April, after the signing of a definite treaty of
peace. There was, apparently, no possibility of
a " pettifogging quibble" here—no question of
" ratification." The most strained construction
of the law could not torture the words from their
ordinary meaning. For once, the intention of
Parliament was carried out. But to make as-
surance doubly sure, some of the leading importers
questioned the Government as to the time when
the reduced duties would come into operation,
and received a distinct and positive answer that
it would be in April next. Acting on this une-
quivocal statement they entered into new engage-
ments. The stock in hand has been greatly
increased in consequence of that reply,
which was without any qualification what.
soever. They may now suffer considerably
in pocket from their credulity. But if so, they
will of course be more cautious for the future,
and the revenue may suffer very considerably from
the culpable equivocation of the Financial Minister,
while the general public will share in the loss that
primarily falls on importers and dealers.
We trust that Parliament will interpose and
prevent this discreditable proceeding. We have
already shown that the money is only required for
the purpose of unnecessarily paying off Exchequer
Bonds, that may, and in justice to the people
ought to, be renewed, and which could not pos-
sibly be regarded as a " fresh borrowing." By
the assistance of the Derbyites Ministers may suc-
ceed for the time being ; but it will be a dan-
gerous triumph—one that will pave the way for
their eventual humiliation and ejection from office.
The tea-dealers have proposed a compromise, to
pay 19. 4d. per lb. for the next three years,
but Sir G. C. LEWIS has returned no answer.
They ou gbt rather to stand on their rights, and
firmly and energetically protest against the palp-
able swindle. They may be assured that the
voice of public opinion will be uplifted in their
favour, so that even Sir G. C. LEWIS, or, pos.
silly, his successor, may be ashamed to profit by
the fraud. Let them boldly appeal to Parlia-
ment and the country for justice, and, sooner or
later, they will obtain it.

The struggle on the Income Tax is fixed for
Friday. The great question will then be decided
as to whether the "pettifogging quibble" shall be
even partially successful. Sir G. C. LEWIS has
attempted to compromise, and hopes that by re-
luctantly and ungraciously surrendering Oil. he
may be permitted to retain the other 2d. in the
pound for the next three years. But Parliament
should not take any question respecting the impost
into consideration until the Act of 1855, into which
the word ratification so strangely found its way, has
been wholly repealed. " The slight convenient en-
trenchment in the distance," to which the Times
so significantly alluded, should be cornpktoly dis-
maLtled, in the first instance, so that neither
party could be in any way influenced by its use.
It was the original intention of Mr. DISRAELI tO
have moved for that repeal, in which he would
have received the decided support of the inch:—
pendent members, and even of many Minis-
terialists, who would have been afraid to face
their constituents with the brand of being sur-
porters of fraud and chicanery. They will, how.,
ever, find a plausible excuse, of which they msy
avail themselves, in the double operation of the

amendment of which the night Honourable
Gentleman has given notice I We trust,
however, that amendment may succeed,
unless Sir G. C. Lms capitulates, and consents
to render the impost more equitable and less op-
pressive in its operation.
We long since warned Ministers that the tax
could not possibly be maintained in its pre-
sent form, that there was no alternative
save its modification or its abolition. Sir
G. C. LEWIS has, however, turned a deaf
ear alike to our admonitions and to the wishes
and feelings of the country. His sole desire has
been to gratify the moneyocracy—of whom he is
the very obedient and dutiful servant. He must,
therefore, abide the disagreeable consequences
ofn hisres
and we earnestly -trust that no
liberalas or independent member will
professing
interpose to acts,
save him from the painful humilia-
tionrtoep
lie has so eminently merited. The fate of
the tax on proits now depends on the independ-
ent members. If they cause it to be clearly and
distinctly intimated through the Whipper-in, that
their votes will be given for the abolition of the
onerous burden, unless they receive a distinct
and positive pledge, that the wide difference
between fixed and permanent incomes aris-
ing from accumulated and realised pro-
perty, and the precarious and fluctuating
profits of industry will be recognised and fairly
acted on, Sir G. C. LEWIS will yield the point.
He has already proved that he is made of very
squeezable materials, and the salutary lesson
should not be lost sight of.

Major REED and Mr. Merraz have already
postponed the motions of which they had given
notice, and the discussion whereof might have
materially helped to Ministerial enlightenment.
We trust, however, that the Honourable
Gentlemen will afford no further proofs of their
accommodating dispositions. The independent
members as a body, and these Honourable Gen-
tleman in particular, are now on trial. It will be
seen whether they merit the confidence of the
community or not. Every excuse will be closely
criticised, not only at present, but subsequently
on the hustings ! It will not do to speak one way
and vote another. If the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer succeeds we shall be permanently saddled'
with the intolerable burden. No matter what
may be its amount, the unanswerable objection
of gross and palpable injustice will remain as an
indelible brand, whether it be sd. or 16d. in the
pound. The new firm of DISRAELI, GLADSTONE,
RUSSELL, and Co., pretend that it is impossible
to make even an approximation to an equitable
assessment. They therefore insist on the abate-
ment of the social nuisance. If their premises be
right, they are unquestionably warranted in the
conclusion. In order to retain the tax Sir G. C.
LEWIS must show that it can be ameliorated and
more equitably appoitioned. That duty devolves
upon him. He asks to obtain more than 61 millions
by its means within the next three years, without
giving any binding pledge for its ultimate removal.
He must take one course or the other: show that
it can be improved, or that it shall be relinquishc 1.
The onus is on his shoulders, and as he acts so
will the independent members vote.

GERMAN .RAILWAIS.—Saxony and Prussia have just
concluded a treaty, of which the object is to establish
between the two countries a new communication, by
means of a railway to connect Leipsic and Berlin by a
direct line. This line will form a junction at Bitterfield,
with the railway which uniteo Witternberg to Halle, by
way of the Elbe and Bitterfield.

BREAKING INTO A THEATRE. -Between Friday night
and Saturday morning the treasury of the Queen's
Theatre was broken into, an iron safe opened by means
of a false key, and upwards of 701. carried off. The
depredators are supposed to have remained concealed
in some of the lobbies of the house after the perform-
ances were over, and to have escaped, climbing down the
outside of the theatre, from the window of the treasury
to the ground.—Edinburgh, Express.

_ -
ACCIDENT ON ALIORTINa FROM A RAILWAY TRAIN.
—An action was tried yesterday, in the Court of Com-
mon Pleas, to recover damages from the North-Western
Railway Company, for injuries received in alighting
from a train at Aber, a station on the Chester and Holy-
head Railway. It appeared that the plaintiff, a lady
named M'lntosh, was a passenger from Euston•square
to Aber ; on the train arriving at the station it passed
the platform, and plaintiff was requested to alight from
the carriage on a bank, which she objected to. Ulti-
mately she was persuaded by the attendants to leave the
carriage, and on her being assisted therefrom by the
station-master she fell and her leg was broken. The
jury gave the plaintiff 450/, damages.
FATAL GAS EXPLOSlON.—Yesterday an inquest was
held on the body of El'ab Bcx, aged 64. The deceased,
who was in the employ of Mr. Parkinson, gas-meter
manufacturer, City-road, was, on the 15th ult., engaged
on the premises of Messrs. Myers, builders, Lambeth.
He had, for the purpose of gauging water to drill four
holes in a gay-meter. He had drilled three, and com-
menced the fourth, the candle he worked by being close
by him, when an explosion took place, and he was
thrown some distance. He was picked up in a state of
insensibility, and conveyed to the Westminster Hos-
pital. where he gradually sank, and died from exhaustion
on Friday last. A verdict was returned of "Accidental
death."

SALE or POISONS.—Lnst week, a servant-of-all-work,
named Anne Boxilc resident in the house of Mrs.
Adams, at Petersfield, committed suicide by taking a
dose of '' mouse powder" (Buttle's " vermin-killer"),
which contains the deadly drug strychnine. It was pur-
chased by a fellow-servant at a druggist's shop. The
doctor founid the wretched girl in a state of spasm. , On
endeavouring to raise her bead (to which she strongly
objected), in order to introduce the tube of the stomach-
pump, he found it impossible to force open her mouth.
She repeatedly expressed a wish to have her legs rubbed,
and also her feet. He was about to use chlo-oform,
when she expired in great pain. The stomach was found
to be very much inflamed, and showed the result of an
active poison.—Sussex Express.
PRICE OE GOLD..—The quotation of gold at Paris is
about 6 per mille premium, and the short exchange on
London is 25'20 per U. sterling. On comparing these
rates with the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 10Id. per
ounce for standard gold, it appears that gold is nearly
s.loths per cent, dearer in Paris than in London. By
advices from ilamb,rg the price of gold is 424 per mark,
and the short exchange on London is 13.41 per 11. ster-
ling. Standard gold, at the English Mint price, is there-
fore nearly 2-10ths per cent. dearer in Hamburg than in
London. The course of exchange at New York on
London for bills at 60 days' eight is 1081 per cent.,
which, when compared with the Mint par between the
two countries, shows that the exchange. is nominally
against England ; but, after making allowance for
charges of transport and difference of interest, the present
rate leaves no protit on the transmission of gold either
way between the two countries..
FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT ON THE LONDON AND SOUTH
WESTERN RAILWAY.—A frightful accident took place
on the London and South-Western Railway near the
Barnes station, on Monday, which will no doubt ter-
minate fatally. From the particulars obtained, it ap-
pears that the wife of the switchman noticed her child
upon the line just as the whistle of a goods train was
sounded, and which was making rapid progress to-
wards the station. The unfortunate woman rushed
across the metals to save her child, which she succeeded
in doing, but before she could gain the platform she was
thrown down upon the line, and her two legs neatly
severed from her body by the passing of the wheels of
the carriages over her limbs. The poor creature was
placed in a train, removed to the Waterloo terminus,
and afterwarde placed in a caravan and taken to St.
Thomas's Hospital, but little if any hopes can be enter-
tained of her recovery. No blame can be attached to
the company's officers, as the melancholy event was
occasioned solely by the poor woman rushing upon the
I Lae to save the life of her 60.

NAPIER AFTER MEANEE.—Nineteen long letters from
Lord Ellenborough ! He has made me Governor of
Scinde, with additional pay ; and he has ordered the
captured guns to be cast into a triumphal column, with
our names. I wish he would let me go back to my wife
and girls ; it would be more to me than pay and glory
and honours ; eight months now away from them, and
my wife's strange dream realised ! This is glory !is it
Yes ! Nine princes have surrendered their swords to
me on fields of battle, and their kingdoms have been
conquered by me, and attached to my own country. I
have received the government of the conquered pro-
vince, and all honours are paid to me while living in
mine enemy's capital I Well, all the glory that can be
desired is mine, and I care so little for it, that the mo•
ment I can all shall be resigned to live quietly with my
wife and girls ; no honour or riches repay me for
absence from them.—Life of Sir Charles Napier,
SAILORS' STRIKE AT HULL.—The Hull papers state
that the seamen at that port are on strike in consequence
of a proposed reduction of wages. At a meeting of
sailors last week it was resolved that the following
should be the rate of wages :—For the East Indies, 3/.
per month; Mediterranean and West Indies, 3/. 10s. ;
and America and the Baltic, 4/. A small placard ham
also been issued, in which it is expressed that the ship-
owners of Hall will take these terms into consideration,
for their own benefit as well as that of the seamen, the
former " well knowing how many ships have suffered
out of that and other ports through taking men unable
to do their duty." A foreign sailor, who was alleged to
have signed articles to go in the Dowthorpe from Hull
Bombay at reduced wages, ♦iz , 2/. 104. per month, was
set upon by a party of English seamen and hoisted on a
pot crate, but the assailants decamped on the approach
of a posse of police constables.

DEATH OF THE DEAN OF CANTERBURY.—We regret to
announce the demise of the Rev. 'William Rowe Lyall,
D.D., Dean of Canterbury. For some months past the
venerable gentleman has been suffering from an aggra-
vated attack of paralysis, which almost deprived him of
• sensation, and at 11 o'clock yesterday morning death
released him 'from further pain. Mr. Lyall was ap-
, pointed to the deanery of Canterbury in the latter part
of the year 1845, and during the ten years he has he'd
the post his unvarying kindness and Christian charity
have gained for him the respect and love of the inhabit-
' ants of the metropolitical city, in the prosperity of which
be ever evinced a warm interest. Previous to this ap-
pointment Dean Lyall held several livings in different
parts of the country, but more especially in Suffolk ; he
was the first archdeacon of Maidstone, and during a
brief period filled a canon's stall in Canterbury. He was
' also private chaplain to the late Archbishop of Canter-
bury when Bishop of London. Upon the news of his
death this morning the great bell of the Cathedral—used
only on the occasion of the demise of any of the church
dignitaries—was tolled for an hour.
WHITEHALL PREACHERS.—The Lord Chamberlain has
issued the following list of Whitehall preachers for the
ensuing Lent ;---Feb. 25 (Ash-Wednesday), Dr. Saun-
ders, Dean of Peterborough ; Feb. 27, the Rev. Henry
Howarth, 8.D., rector of St. George's, Hanover-square ;
March 4, the Rev. Henry Moseley, M.A., canon of
Bristol, and one of the 'Queen's Inspectors of Schools ;
March 6, the Rev. Sir John Hobart Seymour, canon of
Gloucester ; March 11, the Rev. Thomas Randolph,
M.A., prebendary of St. Paul's ; March 13, the
Rev. Edward Bouverie, ILA., prebendary of
Salisbury and chaplain to the Queen ; March 18, the
11ev. H. Melville, 8.D., canon of St. Paul's ; March
20, the Rev. Heneaee Finch, M.A., vickar of Oakham ;
March 25, the Rev. J. R. Wood, M.A., chaplain to the
Commander-in-Chief ; March 27, the Ven. Da. Tatham,
archdeacon of Bedford ; April I,' the Hon. and Rev.
R. C. Boyle, M.A., chaplain to the Queen ; April 3,
the Rev. M. J. Wynyard, M.A., rector of St. Martin Pp
York ; April 8, the Rev. G. A. F. Hart, M.A., vicar of
Arundel ; April 10 (Good Friday), the very Rev. Dr.
Johnson,-dean of Wells.
4 MERCANTILE MITNIFICENCE.—Messrs. John Crossley
and Sono, the eminent carpet manufacturers at Dean
Clough, near Halifax, at a recent soiree of the Halifax
Mechanics' Institution, subscribed 1,5001. towards the
fund for defraying the debt on the new hall, amounting
to 3,0001. Mr. John Crossley has within the last few
weeks undertaken the erection of a new college at Hali-
fax, at a cost of 20,0001. A munificent public park,
adorned with shrubbery, terraces, asphalted walks,
fountains, and sculpture from Italy, to be opened in
August next, is the gift of Mr. Frank Crossley to the town
of Halifax. A handsome pile of almshouses, 23 in number,
has recently been built and endowed by the last-named
gentleman. Messrs. Crossley employ 3,000 work.
people, more than one-third of whom are male adults in
the receiprof wages ranging from 20s. to 25'. per week.
The firm at 10 days' notice recently manufactured 1,100
yards of velvet pile carpeting for the residence of the
Empress Dowager of Russia at Nice. The cross of the
Legion of Honour has been bestowed by Napoleon 111.
on the senior member of the firm, Mr. John Crossley, in
acknowledgment of the superior quality of the carpets
exhibited by him and his partners at the Paris Exhibi-
tion. The extensive carpet works at Dean Clough are
at present being considerably enlarged.
PAUPER CHILDitEL—From a return moved for by
Mr. M. Gibson, M.P., it appear.; that on the Ist July,
1856, there were altogether 58,243 children in Engllnd
and Wales attending day schools at the co•I of parents or
relatives; 3,986 attending day schools at the cost of the
poor rates ; 39,857 attending schools at the cost of other
parties (charity or free schools) ; 52,434 who were not
attending any day school ; and 35,827 children at work.
ROYAL LONDON OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL. —The annual
general meeting of the governors of this noble charity
was held at the hospital on Monday last ; Mr. Lahou-
chere in the chair. The report showed that the recent
enlargement and improvement of the hospital, which
have been effected at a cost of nearly 2,5001., had been
met by special and other recent subscriptions, and that
the number of admissions during the past year was
10,665, being an increase of 568 patients during the
year. A number of resolutions were passed, one con-
veying a testimonial to Dr. Farre, the consulting phy-
sician, who has been for more than 50 years identified
with the interests of this institution. The Right
Hon. Sidney Herbert, M.P., and the Loid Mayor
for the time being, were appointed vice-presidents,
and Miss Nightingale an honorary life governor ;
after which several emendations in the rules were pro-
posed and agreed to, when the meeting separated.

LATEST IVC4VS.

The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post
(Secoxd Edition) says :
"After the promising aspect of coming to an
arrangement with Persia, which existed a few days
ago, I presume later despatches, received by the
Shah's Envoy at Parig, have not been so conci:
liatory as anticipated. At all events, Ferouk
Khan's journey to England, I hear to-day, is en-
tirely put off. It was understood that he would
have taken to London the material for a new treaty
with him ; but now it appears a delay at least has
occurred in the peaceful march of events.
"Intelligence from Constantinople comes down
to the 9th, and confirms the information you have
already received, to the effect that the Commission
for the delimitation of Bessarabia expected to con-
clude their labours by the end of February.

" A report from the Russian Minister of War
declares that the truce concluded with Schamyl
during the Eastern war expired in the month of
May, 185 G, and that operations against that leader
have been begun along the whole line of the Cau-

CaSUS.

"Communications from Frankfort, dated Feb.
14, inform me that the Legislative Assembly had
sanctioned the proposed literary convention, after
an animated debate.

'" The Prince and Princess of Wurtemburg will
visit Nice towards the close of the month.

"M. de Kisseleff, the Russian Ambassador, ar-
rived in Paris from Nice yesterday."

PRUSSIA AND PERSIA.

The ratifications of the treaty signed between
Russia and Persia on the sth of January last were
exchanged at Teheran on the 18th of the same
mouth. This treaty cedes to Russia a tract of land
on the frontiers of Turkey. This tract is situate
between Bayazid and Nakhshivan. This new pos-
session will give Russia a complete command of the
strategic road from Trebizond on the Black Sea to
the Persian frontier by Erzerouw. The Russian
Governmenthas been endeavouring, since the treaty
signed with Persia the 22d February, 1828, to ob-
tain the advantage which Persia has now granted.
It is asserted that orders were immediately sent
from St. Petersburg to construct a line of fortresses
on the territory lately ceded'.
The last accounts received by the French Go-
vernment from Persia announce that Fezlali Khan,
who commands the advanced guard of the Persian
army in Farsist9.n, had sent forward, on the 25th
of December, a strong reconnoitring party of cavalry
as far as 50 miles in a Ivance of Shiraz. This de-
monstration, though so far from the British camp,
had given rise to a report of an approaching attack
on•the English lines by the entire Persian army ;
but this is impossible, for the Persians, who have
been joined by, the Turcomans, have none but
irregular cavalry in the province of Fars, with which
it would be impossible to make an impression on the
well-fortified position of the English army at Bushire.
A letter from Bushire, dated December 28, pub-
lished in the Moniteur de l' Armee, gives some in-
teresting particulars relative to that town. The
period of the! greatest splendour of Bushire was
during the reign of Shah-Abbas the First, sur-
named the Great, and seventh prince of the dynasty,
of the Sophis. He formed the interior port, con-
structed the fortifications, established a dockyard,
arid collected a fleet. At the celebrated battle
of Ormuz, which he fought in 1623, he com-
manded 75 ships of all sizes. This battle made
him master of the island and of all the pos-
sessions of the Sultan Hanniz, whose eyes he caused
to be put out. Shah-Abbas was one of the most re-
markable men of his time, but he ruined his repu-
tation by his atrocious cruelties. He commenced
his career by dethroning his father and putting his
two brothers to death. His custom was whenever
he captured any distinuguished person to cause him
to be blinded, which he said was the most certain
mode of preventing him from commanding again.
This Prince, at the close of his career, formed
an alliance with the English Government, and
granted the British merchants trading in the
Persian Gulf important commercial advantages.
King James I. sent a brilliant embassy to Shah-
Abbas. The splendour of Bushire continued until
the close of the reign of Nadir Shah. This great
conqueror increased his marine considerably. He
opened five ports in the Persian Gulf, and collected
a fleet of 200 vessels of war. His flag was seen in
the Indian seas, and was respected equally with
any European flag. He wrote to the Great Mogul
after the capture of Delhi that he was as formidable
by sea as the other by land. Nadir Shah was as-
sassinated in 1747, and from that period Bushire
declined.

FRANCE.
PARIS, TUESDAY EVENING.

Thelmperial Speech fills the columns of the Paris
journals, but has not been commented on in any
one instance. The only leading article published
this morning appears in the Debats, and is written
in defence of the financial policy of the Greek Go-
vernment. It is to this effect :

"For some time past serious complaints—not justified
by circumstances—have been raised against the pre-
tended negligence displayed by the creek Government in
the payment of the annuities of the loan of sixty millions
guaranteed by the three Po wers. The Hellenic Govern-
ment would be justified in its tarn were it to remark that
this loan, which might have proved of a certain utility
to it at the period when it was contracted, has in reality
rendered it but a trifling service, inasmuch as the memo-
randum on the employment of that loan, communicated
recently to the three protecting Cabinets, clearly proves
that only 12 millions were paid into the Treasury. At
the epoch of the installation of the royal Government
in Greece, the country issued from a war which had
exhausted every source of public wealth. It is scarcely
necessary to say that good finances are alone found in pros-
perous countries, and not in a country like the Greece of
833. It matters have since improved, it is still certain
that taxation cannot be increased to any extent without
checking the development of Greek industry, and depriving
the Administration of all popularity. It results from the
obnclusions of the memorandum that whereas the Greek
treasury only received the sum of 12,277,671 fr. from the
proceeds of the loan, it is indebted to the three Powers for
advances, sinking fund, interest+, commissions, &c., made
by them up to the Ist March, 1856, to the extent of above
36 millions. It is seen by these figures how loyal has been
the decision taken by the Greek Government to pay in
future, in a regular manner, annuities which, in spite of
the modest conditions with which they will be met, will
serve to liquidate the loan guaranteed by the three
Powers."

BOURSE, Feb. 17.—The following were the last
quotations :
Cash. ft. c. End of Month.
4i per Cents
3 per Cents — 68 85
New Loan —
Bank Shares .........4,150 Roman —
Credit Mobilier 1,345 Austrian
Belgian Fives — Spanish Threes....,.
Piedmontese (5)
RAILWAYS—FOR CASH. .

fr. C. fr o
1,376 25 Western ............... 813 75
Orleans
902 Strasburg .... . ....... 810
Northern
Mediterranean
eneva 1:3773:0(3
_—___
TNGeresawttiedDeitotnot.r.a.i ....... 747 50
Lyons y o n
602 50
Cette 765 -- Austrian Cum.
...... 777 50

PRUSSIA.
BERLIN, FEB. 15.
e
The two Chambers here were a long time before
gthreeaytgmoteaswurelel, toto
thew tle
work this
unsettled
session,state
efowing,the Neu
ina-:
chatel affair, which compelled the
Finance Minister
to keep back his budget. From the 29th of No-
vember, the day the session opened, up to Christ-
mas, the House of Deputies had but six sittings,
while the House of Notables took it still easier.
These six sittings were taken up for the most
part with the necessary business of getting the
House into working order, with electing its
officers, ecnstituting its committees or bureaux,
investigating the validity of elections that have
taken place since last session, &c. The said six
sittings offer little that is remarkable, but one thing
was worth noting, viz., the result of the toting,
which is thus effected here—each member on his
name being called out by the clerk deposits a card
in the' urn placed in front of the President, and in
full view of the whole house. It has, however,
already happened frequently that more cards have
been inserted in the urn than there v,tre mem-
bers present, an irregularity which of course
leads to much discussion to and fro, and
time. On the cards thus
thrown loss of us
thrown into the urn the member writes " aye,'
or " no," as may be, or the name of the person he
votes for; and it, moreover, often happens that
what is wr;tten on the card is illegible, and
very
no wr
• •
frequently also that there is writing at all ou
them. The voting for the selection of members
to
act as clerks at the table revealed a fact interesting,
perhaps, to those versed in natural history, vi;'
that, in addition to a Taylor and a Pilgrim•'" who
were proposed for that office, there were
nominated a Wolf, Goat,
Steer, Cock, e also
Fish,
Ostrich, Herrings, and Crab, i., their'
when tcanslated, would show this interesting
named,
aerie as proposed to be engaged in •rg !nen'
quill-driving;
for the home, 0 i