The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-17 00:00:00

RAILWAYS.

Cash. Account.
Orleans

Northern
New ditto BO5 .. 802 50
Lyons and Mediterranean 832 50 .. 833 75
Now ditto
Geneva
Midi —
Southern
,
Western 595 .. 595
;astern 677 50 .. 675
Grand Central

555 -

Sardinian 407 55 .. 410
Austrian

Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 15c.; money,
25f. 121 c.; three months, paper, 241. 971 c. ; money, 24f.
95c.

SPAIN.

The Madrid journals of the 10th have arrived.
The proceedings in the Senate and the Chamber of
Deputies on the preceding day were not of any
political importance. The Government had sus-
pended the recruiting of men for the army of
Cuba, but had ordered it to be continued for Porto
Rico. M. Rios Rosas, ambassador at Rome, had
been obliged to stop at Barcelona, from indisposi-
tion, on his way to Rome. This had given rise to
the report that he had interrupted his journey, not
from indisposition, but from the determination of
the Pope to insist on the execution of the concor-
dat and of the convention of M. Mon, and to refuse
to enter into negotiations for the modification of
them. The Duchess de Montpensier, says the
Correspondancia Autografa, is in an interesting
situation.

MALTA.

A letter dated Malta, Jan. 10, says considerable
sensation has been created here by various changes
introduced by the governor on the first of the year,
consisting principally in the appointment of young
and active men in place of those whom long ser-
vice had enfeebled. Hitherto, in Malta, appoint-
ments have usually been filled by seniority, and
promotion is slow. The head of a department is
generally old and worn out ere he reaches that
much coveted elevation.

It was alleged, and I fear with some truth, that
places were made for people in Malta. This is cer-
tainly not the case in the late appointments. The
person best calculated to do the duty has been the
one selected, without undue preference or party
favouritism. The only official, influence has been
that of the Crown Advocate ; but evidently, how-
ever great the weight he may have with the
governor, the latter has in every instance satisfied
himself that the person recommended was fit for
the place. The salaries of many of the officials, and
especially of the subordinates, have been increased..
The following garrison order has been the source
of much bitterness :

" All guards to turn out to the Archbishop of
Malta, and all sentries to carry arms and present
arms when the Host passes."
Capt. Sheffield, of the 21st R.N.B.F , having re-
fused to obey the above, has been ordered under
arrest, and will in all probability be tried by court-
martial. It is a case of conscience with Capt. Shef-
field, who, it is reported, is ready to submit to any
punishment rather than do homage to the Host.
This presenting and carrying arms to the Host
has long been a cause of complaint with the Pro-
', testant soldiers at Malta, particularly the presby-
terians, when Highland regiments have been
stationed here. Some years ago, General Aitchison,
now Governor of Dover Castle, while commanding
a company of artillery at Malta, was dismissed the
service for refusing to salute the Host.
Her Majesty's ship Swallow proceeds to England
to-morrow to be paid off.
The Caradoc is ordered to proceed with any
telegram of importance to Cagliari. The cable, it
is supposed, is broken about 30 miles from Malta.
The admiral offered any assistance, but the engineer
preferred waiting for the steamer Elba, which ar-
rived yesterday.
We had rough weather during the night, and a
Greek brig loaded with wheat drifted on shore and
got bilged. The merchant steamer Dutchman is
lost in the Sea of Marmora—crew saved.