The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-05 00:00:00

THE BANK OF ENGLAND.

Whether the Bank will adopt any new measures of
restriction tbis week is a question that will depend upon
the figures of the return to be published on Friday nE xl7.
As the last return was not unfavourable, and the late
Mexican arrival has furnished a supply of silver that
will go far to provide far the mit remittance to India,
an opinion is entertained by many that, notwithstanding
the continuous nature thus Jar of the drain to the conti-
nent, the necessity for any immediate change may have
been removed, and that with the prospect of some large
receipts from Australia and a further considerable arrival
of silver by the West India packet due on the 17th, it is
ever probable that a return to higher rates may be alto-
' gether averted. This possibility is strengthened by the
fact that the existing state of the money market is found
to exercise considerable influence in causing an economy
of the coin circulation throughout the kingdom, as well
as by the anticipation of occasional remittances of sove-
reigns from Constantinople, and the tendency observable
during the last fortnight to a reduction in the rates of
some of the continental banks. There is l'kewike reas
to infer that the natural course of trade must soon ope-
rate to produce an easier state. It has for a considerabli

time been a cause of perplexity that the existing peessur,!
should have been so long maintained. If the trade of
the country, it might be asked, is more active and our
profits larger than ever, how is it that these profits do
not place us in a position of greater monetary case ? A
high rate of interest may prevail al! over the world as a
consequence of the abundant openings for the empl ►y•
meat of capital, but, however high the general rate may
be, England, if she is drawing profits from other cou►:-
tries, should, at least, be relatively better supplied than
any of them. A contrary result might be exl2lained
by commitments to foreign loans or public works, but it
is certain that, even allowing for the Indian outlay, we
have not gone in these matters to any undue length.
Assuming the correctness of these views, the cnly solu-
tion that presents itself is that the demand must have
been cased by private operations, partly consisting of
an exteueien of enterprise by individual firms who have
furnished their coirespoudents with capital for employ-
ment abroad, especially in India and Ct.-dna, and partly
of continental investments and advances induced by the
depreesion on the various Bourses. In that case it must
clearly be impossjble to speculate as to the period when
an alteration will be witnessed. It may occur forth-
with, or not for many months. If capital is being em-
ployed in the purchase of foreign produce or securities
to an extent to drive up the value of money here and
lessen consumption, while it creates an inflation of prices
at the producing places, the check will ultimately be
found in the losses of the operators. If, on the other
hand, nothing of this sort is carried on, there will be
ground to rely that no long time can pass before we
shall at least experience that degree of relative pecuniary
ease which is the inevitable result of uuwasted gains.—
Times City Article.

THE 'FEATHER AND THE PARKS.

- ___o ---

The opening of the Houses of Parliament has caused a
great influx of members of the nobility and gent►y to
the metropolis, most of whom have visited the different
royal parks to witness the thousands of persons who were
enjoying the exhilarating exercise of skating. From the
early hour of eight in the morning the carriage-drives in
Hyde-park were literally studded with the rich equipages
belonging to the aristocracy, filled with members of the
nobility and their friends.

The announcement that a eight skating match was to
come off caused a considerable number of ladies and gen-
tlemen to congregate upon the banks of the Serpentine,
and not fewer than 15,000 persons were upon the ice.
The Royal Humane Society's icemen were distributed
oyer this river by direction of Charlier, the secretary,
and Mr. Williams, the superintendent, and by the pie-
cautions thus adopted many lives were saved.
The thermometer at the Royal Humane Society's re-
ceiving house at Hyde-park during Tuesday night re-
gistered 26, being 6 deg. of frost. At 9 yesterday morn-
ing the mercury rose 1 deg., and even at noon in the sun
the quicksilver rose no higher than 33, being only 1 deg.
above freezing point ; but it did not stop at that point
long, and at 5 o'clock last evening the glass had gone
down to as low as 30 deg., and the mercury was then
gradually descending, showing that there was every
chance of the present severe weather continuing. The
wind yesterday was north-east, and the weather remark-
ably fine.

The proceedings upon the Serpentine were of a very
animated character, and comprised many matches of
fancy, ornamental, and sharp skating, in which a great
many gentlemen and ladies, as well as a large number of
soldiers belonging to the Royal Horse Guards (Blue), and
Scots Fusiliers, took part. A great many prizes were
won during the day. At dusk a large number of linen-
drapers' assistants, belonging to the early closing move-
ment, proceeded to the Serpentine, and with lighted
links disported themselves upon the ice for hours. The
reflection from the flambeaux bad a singular and at the
same time picturesque effect. Mr. Superintendent Wil-
liams, upon seeing so great a number of persons upon
the ice, had a number of icemen sent out in ca,e of any
accident taking place ; but it was some hours before the
parties could be induced to leave. Not less than 10 per-
sons were removed to the Royal Humane Society's re-
ceiving-house with severe cut heads, by falling upon the
ice, or by being cut by the points of skates, where their
wounds were dressed.

TliE LONG WATER IN KENSINGTON-GARDENS.--Seven
thousand persons, including several elegantly-dressed
ladies, ventured upon the ice, and about 40 got severely
injured by falling. A great many noblemen and gentle.
men belonging to the Skating Clubs amused themselves
for hours upon the ice, and several persons were much
hurt by being tripped up. A great number of fashionable
ladies also skated very gracefully upon the frozen waters
during the day, amongst whom was the Countess of
Desart, who wore a pair of Paget's patent skates.
THE ROUND POND.—About 3,000 ladies and gentle-
men, and also several soldiers, went upon the ice yester-
day, but no immersions took place of any importance.
THE REGENT'S PARK.—Ten thousand skaters and
sliders went upon the ornamental waters in this park
yesterday, and a great number of parties were injured by
being thrown down upon the ice, and cut about the head.
THE VICTORIA PARK had several thousand persons
upon the ice yesterday, and the Royal Humane Society
has sent down a new set of apparatus in case of accidents
occurring ; but nothing yet of a serious character has
taken place.

The Parks at Clapham and Hampstead were both well
attended by skaters and sliders.

EXECUTION AT LINLITHGOW.—The unfortunate man
Peter M'Lean suffered the extreme penalty of the law
on Monday morning at Linlithgow.
INCOME TAX MEETING AT CHELSEA,—A. crowded
meeting against the income tax was held last evening at
Lloyd's Assembly Rooms, Chelsea ; Mr. R. Malins,
Q C., M.P., in the chair. Resolutions in ip.vour of the
immediate removal of the "war 91," and condemnatory
of indiscriminately taxing precarious and permanent in-
comes were carried unanimously. Messrs. West,
Hawkins, Archbott, and other gentlemen, took part in
the proceedings,