The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-08 00:00:00

SWITZERLAND.

BERNE, Tuesday.—The Federal Council has ad-
dressed a proclamation to the Swiss people. In
this document the council recalls the examples of
patriotic resistance contained in Helvetian annals.
Whether it is to be peace or war is still undecided,
but whatever the issue of the difference Switzer-
land is certain of obtaining sympathies and sup-
port. There are hopes of an honourable peace, but
in any event the popular enthusiasm is ready for
the greatest sacrifices. All needful measures are
taken to harmonise the exigencies of military
arrangements with humanity. The country will
look to the fate of the families of the citizens called
upon to defend it.
A letter from Berne, in the Brussels Indepere-
dance of Tuesday, states that the Duke of Saxe
Cobourg Gotha is displaying great solicitude for
the pacific settlement of the dispute, and is anxious
to act as mediator.

The Federal Government of Switzerland has
addressed to the governments of the cantons the
following circulars concerning Swiss soldiers who
have been in foreign service :

Faithful and dear Confederates,—We regard it as our
duty to communicate to you our own opinion respecting
the very considerable materials for the defence of our
country in the event of foreign aggression which exist in
the soliiers who have served in foreign countries. Some of
their officers have offered their services to us ; but, in
order to obtain a comprehensive view of the forces al-
luded to, we beg you will draw up a list of the persons
who have seen foreign service and are now disposable,
and transmit the same to our military department.
Colonel Bourgeois-Doxat has published the fol-
lowing order of the day to the troops under his
command in Switzerland :

Officers, Sub-officers, and Soldiers, —The High Federal
Council has just ordered under arms the third division of
the army. It is to me that the honour of its command
has been confided. In calling you out, the object has
been to protect the independence of the country and the
inviolability of the territory. The enthusiasm with
which you have come forward proves that you are fully
penetrated with zeal for this high mission, and that you
will not hesitate at any sacrifice to accomplish it. You
evidently understand the importance of the object in
view, and you will know how to show, in the execution
of the orders trasernitted to you, the dignity and the
coolness which characterise true courage, joined to that
energy which is *parted by the justice of your cause.
Soldiers of the ad division, rely on the devotedness of
your chiefs, as they rely o❑ yours ; and with the aid of
the Almighty we shall preserve our dear country from
any attack on its honour, its territory, os its institutions.

RUSSIA AND THE TARTARS.
ST. PETERSBURG, DEC. 28.
Amongst the many Imperial ukases lately pub-
ished, one in particular deserves more attention
han it is calculated to attraot from the laconic,
manner in which it is worded. On the recommen-
dation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the
Emperor grants a pension of some thousand roubles
to the head of the district of Ala-Tau, which is
now incorporated with the former district of the
"Kirgeses of the Great Horde." In order to judge
of the importance of this measure, it is necessary
to state that these "Kirgeses of the Great Horde"
inhabit the south-western parts of Siberia and the
north of Turkistan, and have hitherto maintained
rather an independent position towards Russia,
Khiva, and the Kan of Chocand. For some time
past it has been the object of Russia to subjugate
this almost unknown nomadic race. Russia suc-
ceeded in establishing friendly relations with them,
and a Russian commissioner was appointed to orga-
nise their government under the superintendence
of the Foreign-
office. A short time ago a clan of
these Kirgeses, to the number of 2,000 families,
publicly recognised the sovereignty of Russia at
their chief town of Semipalatinsk, and by a recent
ukase the Sultans of the Kirgeses are acknowledged
by Russia, and are permitted to wear officers' epau-
lettes and swords with the Russian Porte-epee, of
which flattering distinction these ambitious sons of
the desert are very proud. The frontier between
the Russian territory and Chocand is formed by a
tributary river of the Sir-Darja flowing to the
westward. The Ala-Tau is a mountainous region
running through Chocand in the direction of east
to west. In those distant and in a great measure
unexplored districts the line of boundary is of
course not very strictly defined, but within the last
few years great improvements have been made in
these countries, and Russia has even formed a ft°.

tilla of war steamers on Lake Balkatch, whilst ,
detachments of Cossacks have been gradually '
pushed southwards from Semipalatinsk, so that
the whole of this territory has quietly fallen into
the possession of Russia, and now appears for the
first time mentioned in an official document.

AUSTRALIA.

LIVER POOL, WEDNESDAY.

By the mail packet-ship Montmorency, Captain
Kiddie, one of the Black Ball line of Australian
packets, we have received advices from Melbourne
to the 16th of October. She has brought 100,000
ounces of gold on freight and 95 passengers.
The Mermaid, hence, arrived at Port Philip
Heads on the 16th of October.

The latest advices from England at Melbourne
were to the Bth of July.
Further discoveries of gold are announced. It
bad been found in the Victoria branch of the Mur-
ray River. .

The discoveries at Dunolly diggings continued to
attract thousands, but there was an absence of that
hopeful spirit which usually pervades a prosperous
itish. Some very large nuggets are reported to have
been picked up. . _

At M'lvor diggings the mines were yielding very
satisfactorily.

There had been a rush upon a reef on the eastern
side of the Eureka line, near Ballarat. A China-
man was the pioneer. Sulky Gully was in high
favour, and the greatest activity prevailed.
At the Ovens the only movement was an onward
one, with the exception of a few diggers who con-
tinued to hover around the relics of bygone riches.
At the new diggings adventurers were doing well.
At the El Dorado mines considerable damage had
been occasioned by floods.
The Courier of the Mines announces that at Ben-
digo 280 ounces of gold had been obtained from
nine tons of quartz.
According to the Argus, every vessel whose date
of sailing from England was known had arrived at
Melbourne. This was cousiderecl a favourable
symptom for importers. The advices, too, from
England were favourable. Owing to bad weather
the markets were dull.

The money market was without change. Inac-
tivity prevailed in the wool market. The export
fir the year was expected to be considerably smaller
even than that of the previous year. The time
was at hand when the prices of the season would
be established. Prices were unaltered, viz.—For
sooured wools, 19d. to 21d. per lb. ; handwashed
and slipe, 12d. to 161 d. per lb.
A good demand existed for tallow for shipment.
The quotations were—beef tallow, 351. to 361. per
ton ; mutton, 381. ditto. For hides no alteration
in prices had occurred. Good country salted, 14s.
each ; town cured, 153. 6d. to 16s. A steady de-
mand for all kinds of labour continued. Several
married couples without families had been engaged
at good rates. Single women were very scarce.
The weather had been so cold and uncertain that
settlers were only then looking out for shearers
and washers. The quotations for servants were as
follows :

" Married couples, without family, for private houses
or home stations, 811. to 100/. per annum ; ditto, farms,
&c., 701. to 801. ; ditto, with family, 601. ; shepherds,
351. to 401. ditto ; hutkeepers, 251. to 301. ditto ; stock-
keepers, 651. to 701. ditto ; ploughmen, 30s. per week ;
general farm servants, 255. ditto ; or 521, per annum ;
thrashing and cleaning, Is. per bushel and no rations ;
hay cutting end trussing, Bs. ditto ; gardeners, 701. per
annum ; bullock drivers, o❑ stations, 50/. to 551. ditto ;
ditto, roads, 303. per week. Customary rations, 121 b.
meat, 101 b, flour, klb. tea, 21b. sugar."
Sheep stations were in demand.
The Melbourne Herald, of October 14th, says :
" The City of Sydney, which arrived in Hobson's Bay
yesterday, brings intelligence horn Sydney to the Bth.
With the exception of the electioneering proceedings
consequent upon the contests which were taking place
for the seats vacated by the members of the new Minis
try, on their accepting office, the news is uninteresting.
"The revenue of the colony for the quarter ending the
30th of September had been published. The total
receipts during that period amounted to 281,0271. 103.4 d.,
being an increase on the corresponding quarter of 1855
of 13,645, 4s. sd.

OUR GOLD FIELDS.
The yield of gold at the Fingal diggings dur-
ing the week ending Saturday last, was 12i ozs.
The number of diggers employed is one hun-
dred, moat of whom are at the Nook, from
whence 10i ozs. of the gold were obtained. A quantity
of Fingal gold is exhibited in the window of Mr. Tozer's
shop, Charles-street. The Hobart Town Advertiser of
Tuesday ham the following :—" A tangible proof that
we have a gold-field in Tasmania may be seen in the
window of Mr. David Barclay, in Liverpool-street.
There are two dishes containing gold from the "Nook"
and the " Black Boy" diggings, besides one ingot which
has been assayed at the Sydney Mint, weighing about
IE3 ounces, and three smaller ones, as well as a piece of
gold rolled out 13iincLes long and one inch broad. The
quantity of dust received from Fingal yesterday was
about 51 ounces, the whole of which is now on view at
Mr. Barclay's establishment. We need no stronger
evidence than the quantity of gold thus obtained, to
prove that there is A gold field in Tasmania, only
awaiting energy and perseverance to develop it. It
is therefore to be hoped that now the fine weather has
set in, we shall soon hear of further discoveries, and
more encouraging prospects, and we trust advantage
-sill be taken of the summer season to examine every
place likely to produce gold. As a further proof of the
extent of the auriferous quartz reefs of the colony, we
may mention that letters have been received in town,
announcing that the writer had traced, in a district to
the westward, one reef a distance of 17 mile. A bag con-
taining a small quantity is on its way to town to test its
value.—Launceston Examiner.

SPRING BAY GOLD.
We are credibly informed by a gentleman from Spring
Bay that a piece of quartz, impregnated with gold, bas
been picked jup a few days ago by a constable's wife,
near the New Coal Shaft, on the township of Triabunna.
The quartz is in the possession of J. H. Vicary,
J.P., who intends sending it to his Excellency the Go.
vernor in a few days.— li. T. Advertiser.

TASMANIAN GOLD.
We are glad to find that competent and gratify-
ing intelligence has been received by the Tasma-
nia from the Rev. Mr. Clarke relative to the value
of the quartz of this colony. The analysis of speci-
mens from the westward, in the vicinity of the
Frenchman's Cap, places beyond a doubt the certainty
of there being valuable deposits of gold in that locality.
Several specimens of quartz were forwarded to the Rev.
Mr. Clarke for analysis, and the result has proved the
truth of the productions of Mr. Clarke made more than
five years ago. Some of the specimens yielded upwards
of thirteen ounces to the ton. Every day adds fresh
proof of the richness of the mineral treasures at our feet,
only awaiting proper appliances to develop their inesti-
mable value.

VICTORIA GOLD CIRCULAR.
Saturday, 11th October.
The prices remain as before, viz. :

B. D.
Castlemaine and Bendigo
Maryborough-
Yorong
Avoca
Dun°lly
Fiery Creek
Ovens 76 6
Ballarat
The gold brought to town by hand seems to be in-
creasing in quantity, more especially the quartz gold, of
which several fine parcels have been received by us dur-
ing the week. A. most decided improvement may be
observed i❑ the quality and melting loss of many of the
parcels now forwarded to us ; some have been melted by
us with a lose less than on the alluvial dust. During the
week, propositions for a quartz fusion process have been
brought before the public ; the details of the method
involve no new facts. This appears to us to partake
more of a speculative purpose than a process reduced and
elaborated by experience within practical limits.
Some news of a rush to Malmesbury has reached us,
but no certain intelligence of its value, has yet arrived.
The crushing machine at Anderson's diggings will be
completed in about a fortnight from date. The expense
of the plant will be little short of 3,0001., and we
heartily wish them every success. There are some pro-
spects of new reefs being opened soon on the Yarra
c.bove and below the Creek.

76 •

RECEIPTS PER ESCORT.
Name of gold-field. Quantity.
ozs. dwts.
Castlemaine... 6,523
Sandhurst 11,34) 10
Heathcote 1,722
Ballaarat
Cres wick Creek
Avoca
Fiery Creek . 2,567 10
Mount Frauklyn 132
Amherst
Maryborough
Blackwood
Beechworth
Woolshed •••• • 183

Total 55,371 15
SPECIE EXPORTED DURING WEEK.
Ceylon, per Mari0n.....
ff Golden Era 15,000

£41,900