The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-08 00:00:00

THIRTY-FIRST EDITION.
Illustrated by 26 Anatomical Coloured Engravings on Steel.
3N PHYSICAL DISQUALICATIONS, GENERATIVE LECAPA
CITY, &ND IMPEDIMENTS TO MARRIAGE.
Sew edition, enlarged to 196 pages. Just published, price 2s. 6d., or
by tort, direct from the Establishment, 3s. Cd. in postage stamps,
TTHE SILENT FRIEND, a Medical Work on
the infirmities and decay of the generative system, from
ossivc indulgence, infection, and the inordinate use of m :reury,
•rith remarks on Marriage, and the means of obviating eel t sin d:3-
ittaliileatiorui. Illustrated by 26 Coloured Engravings. By R. and
I. PERRY and CO., Consulting Surgeons, 19, Earners-street, Ox.
'4rd-street, London. Published by the Authors : said by Strange,
21, Paternoster-row ; Hannay, 63, and Sanger, 150, Oxford-street ;
3tarie,23, Titehberne-street, Haymarket; and Gordon, 146, Leaden-
sail-street.

PAur I. treats of the anatomy and physiology of the re-prodactive
rgans, and is illustrated by Six Coloured Engravings.
PAILT 11. treats of the consequences resulting from excessiveindui-
fence, and their lamentable effects on the system, producing mental
and bodily weakness, nervous excitement, and generative neapacity.
illustrated by Three Explanatory Engravings.
PART 111. treats of the diseases resulting from infection, either in
ae ,Tllnary or secondary form, and contahus explicit directions for
iNcir treatn)wot. Thts :lection ts illustrated by Seventeen Coloured
EngraTbigs,

1-1/. contains a Prescription tbr the Prevention of Meow
a 41,inple appticatieu, by which the danger of infection le ob-
viated. This ir.•aportant part of the Work should no tecr,e the
seder's notice.

Pane' Y. is devoted to the consideration of marriage, and its
des& The ceases of unproductive anion are also sozsiderecl, and
the whole subject critically and philosophically inquired into.
TaxCoanikt. BALM OF B1MIAOW( is axe/furl—Ay employed in treat-
!ng norvous and sexual debility, impotence, asc., DS. and 335. per
bottle. The Concentrated Deterslie Yeseuce, an anti-syphilitic
remedy, for purifying the blood ir cages ofinfectien, secondary amp-
toms, eruptions, and the abuse srf n' :curt', I Is. and 335. per bottle.
Perrv's Purifying Aped& F".ls, 2r. 9d., 45. 6d., and I Is. per box, a
certain remedy for gonorrhcea, fleet, stricture, and chronic inflamma-
lon of the bladder. ,onsultatiou fee, if by letter, 11. A minute
detail of the case is !aqui: ed : age, habits, and position in society.
reacts, w 1441 advice, to be had at the Establishment only, by
vbich the (0%11., ir saved. Messrs. Perry, Surgeons, are in atten-
Rune ,nar.- et 19, tferners-street. Oxford-street, London, from Ele-
ven till T.grn eartri T.w• fr. Vlrhl •sx, grirrizo. "row. Woos, to M.

BANK OF FRANCE.
The following is a return of the situation of the Bank
of France on Jan. 3:—

A SSETS.

Cash and ingots
Ditto in branch banks
Bills past due ••• ••• •••
Bills falling due in Paris, of which
17,095,980 f. 79c. were received from
the Branch Banks ... ..• ... 45,896,021 90
Bills in the branch banks ... 76,840,681 0
Advances on coins and ingots... ... 4,982,800 0
Ditto by the branch banks ... 539,137 0
Ditto on French public securities ... 18,955,614 40
Ditto by branch banks... ... 2,456,959 0
Ditto to the State on Bons du Tresor... 50,000,000 0
Ditto on the loan of 150 millions ... 50,000,000 0
Loan of 3,000,000 f to the city of Mar-
seilles ..• •.. ... 1,075,000 0
Rentes of the reserve fund ... 10,000,000 0
Routes, disposable funds ... 42,514,988 13
investments of the new branch banks in
the public funds ... ..•
Motel and furniture of the Bank ...
Real property of the branch banks ...
Interest
in National Discount Bank
Ditto branch banks ..
Bills protested at Paris ••• •..
Ditto at the branches
Expenses of administration of the Bauk
Ditto of the branches ...
Miscellaneous

... f. 301,343,427 8
. . 131,163,383 0
453,838 57

12,826,541 39
4,000,000 0
2,975,278 0
200,000 0
230,000 0
2,226,438 94
1,687,270 0
1,835 75

32,997 0
1,756,488 14

f. 762,158,699 30

LIABILITIES.

Capital • ... f. 67,900,000 0
Ditto of the Branch Banks 23,350,000 0
Reserve fund ... ~• 10,000,000 0
Ditto of the branch banks ... ... 2,980,750 14
Reserve-irnmobiliere ..• 4,000,000 0
Notes to bearer, in circulation ... 378,518,900 0
Ditto of the branch banks ... 71,019,325 0
Ditto to order (post-bills) 2,011,977 0
Account-current with Treasury creditor 72,067,120 69
Various accounts current ..• 78,343,866 21
Ditto in branches
... 29,657,313 0
Bills payable at sight ... ... 4,704,000 0
Ditto at branches
... 1,391,607 0
Bills of the branch banks payable by
the Bank ... 6,800,825 0
Ditto of the Bank payable by branches.. 3,781,504 0
Dividends payable ... • ... 3,959,308 0
Liquidation of the Algiers Bank ... 151,282 99
Discounts, interest, and expenses ... 551,990 0
Ditto branch banks
... 150,934 0
Re discounts of the last six months ... 135,244 27
Ditto in branch banks
•. ... 285,184 0
Miscellaneous ...
..• 367,568 0

f. 762.158,699 30
Certified by the Governor of the Bank of France.
D'ARG OUT.
The foregoing account shows that the cash in hand
has increased by 1,500 000 E The commercial bills dis-
counted have increased by 6,500,000 f. The bank notcs
in circulation have increased by 13,250,000 E The
balance to the credit of the Treasury has decreased by
3,500,000 E, and the sundry accounts by 750,000 f.

PEERS WHO DIED IN TIIE YEAR 1849.—George,
E .rl of" Auckland, G.C.B , Charles, Earl Talbot; George
R.bert, Earl of Buckinghamshire; John, Lord Carteret
(title extinct); Archibaki, Earl of Gosford; Charles
Joseph, Viscount Monck; John, Earl of Mayo; Wil-
liam Aubrey de Vere, Duke of St. Albans; Joseph
Henry, Lord Wallscourt ; Henry, Earl of Thanet (title
extinct); Thomas Oliver, Lord Louth; David, Earl of
Airlie; Paul, Lord Methuen; Mason Gerard, Earl of
Aldboroueh; Richard Wogan, Lord Talbot de Male-
hide; William Charles, Earl of Albemarle; William,
Lord Alvanley; Henry John George, Earl of Carnar-
von ; John, Lord Colville, of Culross.
BRITISH BENEFICENT INSTITUTION.—Cbas. Dixon
has recently presented 501. to this valuable charity;
L )rd Faversham, 211.; Lord de Manley, 211; and Mon-
tague Chambers, Esq., Q.C., 21/.

GENERAL COURT of WARDMOTE.
Yesterday a General Court of Wardmote was held
at the Guildhall, for the purpose of receiving the
returns of the ward inquests. The Lord Mayor
took the chair at twelve o'clock. There were but
few aldermen present, but it is proper to state that
Plough Monday is the day on which the mere routine
business of receiving presentments and swearing in
officers is transacted, so that a numerous attendance
of the magistracy is not required for the performance
of the duties. A Court of Aldermen had been ap-
pointed for one o'clock, in order to receive a commu-
nication from the Court of Assistants of the Honeur-
able Artillery Company, on the subject of what is
considered in the City to be a contemplated invasion
of the privileges of that body.
The Ward Inquest of Aldgate Ward made a return
to the effect that two gentlemen who had been re-
turned to serve as Common Councilmen were in-
eligible by the new Corporation Act, which required
that the names of candidates for the office should be
put upon the list of voters for Members to serve i❑
Parliament. The candidates alluded to are, it
appears, qualified in every other respect, and have
been for several years members of the Court.
The Tows CLERK stated that the return and peti-
tion should be presented to the next Court of Alder-
men, and that those who were interested should be
duly informed of the proceedings in the case.
In the presentments of several of the wards returns
were made of non-freemen, and in some cases the
foremen complained grievously of the obligation they
were under by their oaths to interfere with such
matters.
The Foreman of the Aldgate Ward Inquest said
that he and his brethren were exceedingly desirous
to be released from so painful an obligation ; that
they were constantly presenting non-freemen ; but no
notice was taken of the fact, and that they considered
the Court of Aldermen were treated with contumely
in their persons.
The Tows CLERK said it was impossible to release
the inquest from the obligation under the existing
state of the law. He, however, informed the various
inquests that application bad been made to the
members of her Majesty's Government, suggesting a
beneficial change, and that although no decision
had been yet announced, a modification of the
present practice would, it was hoped, take place.
Mr. RICHARD TAYLOR, foreman of the inquest of
the district of St. Andrew's, in Farringdon Without
Ward, in presenting the return, called the attention of
the Court of IVardmote to the large number of non-
freemen on the list, several of whom had declined
to take the freedom, from their sense of the injustice
of compelling retail dealers to incur the expense to
which wholesale dealers were not subjected. There
were 165 persons returned as non-freemen from the
district which he represented, and the inquest com-
plained, not that steps had not been taken to compel
wholesale dealers to become free, but that those to
whom the charge was an object were obliged to sub-
mit to the penalty from which all others were exempted,
and that the right of voting had thus become limited
to the retail dealers. It was also a grievance to which
he had been directed to call the attention of the Court,
that the new Corporation Act aggravated the evils of
which the citizens of London had so much reason to
complain. (Here Mr. Taylor read a resolution to
which Farringdon Ward had agreed at a recent meet-
ing held upon the subject of the vindication of their
corporate rights )
Several of the Aldermen intimated to Mr. Taylor
that he must be aware the subject could not be dis-
cussed in the Court of Wardrnote, and assured him
that due attention should be paid to it at the Court
of Aldermen.
The several returns, with the exception of two,
which were not received in cons(quence of infor-
mality, were then ordered to be laid before the Court
of Alderman, by whom they will be taken into con-
sideration on the next Court day.
THE ROYAL ARTILLERY COMPANY,
The Lord Mayor was informed that a deputation
of gentlemen from the Court of Assistants of the
Honourable the Artillery Company were in waiting,
and desirous to present a communication upon a
matter of great importance as regarded their rights
and privileges, in connexion with the rights and pri-
vileges of the Corporation of London. There was not
a sufficient number of aldermen to constitute a court,
but his Lordship, as the case was consicle4 urgent,
informed the deputation that he would receive their
communication, and introduce it formally at the next
court.

The deputation, which consisted of the following
gentlemen, Captain Parker, Captain England, Mr. J.
Britten, jun., Mr. Truman, Mr. Dupree, Mr. Girdler,
and Mr. White, the secretary to the company, then
entered the chamber.
The deputation said they were most anxious to
appear before the Court of Aldermen, in order to
receive the support of that body on the subject of the
contemplated attack upon their privileges. The Court
were aware of the change meditated by the Govern-
ment in the constitution of a corps which had for a
great number of years acted in a military capacity
when called upon at periods of disturbance and peril,
and had performed its duty to the satisfaction of the
presiding authorities. It was hoped and believed that
the Aldermen would not hesitate to come forward in
vindication of rights which had been so clearly esta-
blished, and which involved those of the city of
London, for which that body had always most reso-
lutely contended.
Alderman COPELAND expressed surprise at the
apprehension which seemed to be anticipated, that the
precipitate decision
Governmentupon
sack a wouldquest comequestion,
an dt o d
he thought it very
improbable that the Secretary of State would act
before the Artillery Company communicated with the
Court of Aldermen.
Alderman FAREBROTHER said he believed that Sir
Georgerparty to a sudden
in
of the corps, and that
would
privileges no be a
every thing reasonable was to be expected from a
gentleman who had uniformly acted with courtesy to
tefren Greyee with w
the
those c
whose interests were likely to be affected by any
publi measure.
The deputation said the Secretary of State had not
fixed any specific day for an answer to their petition
upon the question of their privileges, and they wished
for the concurrence of the Court of Aldermen in
astheir views
pfoross thiblee preservation of their independence
soon as .
Sir P. LAURIE said it was difficult to imagine how
the Government could propose to interfere in the
arrangements of a corps of gentlemen who were so
efficient, and so ready at all times to assist in quelling
tumults and insurrections.
Several:Aldermen said they had not been given to
understand that a petition had been sent in to the
Government, and declared that the present was the
first intimation they had received upon the subject.
The deputation said they had sent in a petition
fully detailing the particulars of the contemplated
violation of their rights and privileges, and the nature
and foundation of their claims, and they had addressed
the petition to her Majesty.
Alderman Wresost said the Court of Aldermen had
good reason to know the value of the services of the
Artillery Company, as upon every occasion on which
a riot or disturbance was expected in the city of
London the first military body which they came
in contact was that company, and there had occurred
no instance in which the thanks of the Government, as
well as of the Corporation, had not been promptly and
warmly rendered to that body.—(Hear.) The re-
cords of the Corporation testified in the most unques-
tionable manner to the correctness of that statement,
and it was quite impossible that the Secretary of
State could come, at all events, to a conclusion unfa-
vourable to the views of the petitioners, without
communicating with the Court of Aldermen upon the
merits of their application.
Alderman FAREBROTUER said in his mayoralty,
when some apprehension was entertained by the Go-
vernment for the safety of the City, Lord Melbourne
sent to him a message to the effect that the Lord
Mayor was expected to adopt means for the preser-
vation of the public peace in his jurisdiction, and
upon that occasion the Artillery Company came
forward with an alacrity which showed what reliance
could be placed upon their exertions at all times of
danger.---(flear, hear.)
The LORD MAYOR said he would feel much plea-
sure in presenting to the Court of Aldermen a docu-
ment containing the substance of the petition to her
Majesty, and he felt satisfied that the Court would
most promptly and unanimously join in the applica-
tion to the Queen.—(Bear, hear.)
The deputation then expressed the gratification
which they felt at their reception, and stated that they
would draw up a document in concurrence with the
suggestions of his Lordship.
The following is the petition to the Queen, which
is now in the hands of the Secretary of State :
" That your petitioners beg leave humbly to ap-
proach your Majesty with the most profund venera-
tion, and the most lively sentiments of steady and
respectful attachment to your Majesty's person and
Government. That the Artillery Company of
London, which is believed to have previously existed
from a very remote period, was revived in the year
1610, as appears from ancient records in its pos-
session

" That it is composed of citizens of London, and
others engaged in commercial and professional pur-
suits in the metropolis.

" That after its arrival in 1612 it was organised as
a military body by authority of an order of council
of his late Majesty James the First, by which order,
after reciting a petition of certain citiz !ma of London
(after example of other states, and the precedent of
other citizens theretofore, exercising in arms), to be
permitted to exercise in arms in the Artillery-
garden, by direction of such officers as they should
make choice of. It is declared that their Lordships
(the Lords of the Council) do see no inconvenience,
but that the said company of citizens might train and
practice arms by instructions of Captain Edward
Painter, or such others as should be thought fit, and
might admit any other citizens into the company,
and make choice of such officers as they should think
fit, on approbation or allowance of the Lord Mayor
of every such officer.
" That from thence to the present time the com-
pany are under permission from the Crown, united
with its civil privileges a military organization, of
which the right to elect its own officers has always been
a pervading and fundamental principle. In modern
times this permission has been conferred by warrants
under the royal sign manual, and has been free from
the veto given to the Lord Mayor by his order of
council already referred to.
" That the only known exceptions to this elective
principle have been some occasional instances of a
direction from the reigning Sovereign of these king-
doms, that the company should not, at its then,
meaning as usual, election, make any change in the
officers previously elected ; and secondly, the modern
reservations to the Crown of the appointments of the
field officers and adjutant.
" That your petitioners humbly conceive that this
tprivilege of election was founded in a just apprecia-
bion of; and was wisely adapted to the difference
etween a voluntary association of the classes of
society composing this company and the regular
troops, and that it has always been exercised with
judgment and discretion, and in such manner as that
it has in practice combined a sufficient independence
in the officers, with an adequate amount of protection
to the privates.
" That to the harmony and mutual good under-
standing subsisting between all parts of the company,
under this system, your petitioners conscientiously
attribute the uninterrupted continuance of the com-
pany as a military body for so long a period, while
numerous other volunteer bodies, not based upon
similar principles, have in the interval risen, flourished
for a short time, and become extinct.
" That from its origin to the present time this
company has always maintained itself in its military
as well as in its civil capacity at its own cost, and
without any expense to the State, the members
equipping themselves at their own individual cost, and
providing by annual and other subscriptions for all
other exigencies of the company.
" That in order to better secure its independence,
and to provide a permanent fund for its occasions, a
capital sum of about 10,0001. was, in the beginning
of the present century, raised by the voluntary con-
tributions of members, and invested in the building
of houses upon the estates of the company, which
form the staple of its present revenue.
" That for many years past the company has ex-
pended upon its military establishment an average
amount of upwards of 2,000/. annually. That within
the last ten years it has expended in the maintenance
of its armoury-house, and in rendering it more
defensible and commodious, additional sums of money,
amounting to not less than 4,000/., whereof a large
part has been laid out within the last two years
under the cognizance, and partly according to the
suggestions, of the Lieutenant-Colonel, the 'lon. Henry
Fi!zroy.
" That the whole of such expenditure has been
incurred and provided for by the company, in the
undoubting confidence that the military constitution
given to them on their petition in 1612, and renewed
to the present time, would be continued to them
without interruption.
" That in addition to the maintenance of its ordi-
nary establishment, the company, in 1798, when the
exigencies of the public service required the pecuniary
assistance of all loyal and well-disposed persons, raised
by an extra-voluntary subscription amongst its
members the sum of 1,0001. in aid of the Government.
" That under such a constitution, and under elected
officers, the company has always been ready, accord.
ing to its opportunities, to do loyal service, and has
on numerous occasions of civil commotion vigorously
and effectively, in a spirit to be expected from a class
deeply interested in upholding the institutions of the
country, assisted the municipal authorities in rester
ing and preserving order, and has frequently received
the thanks of the Secretaries of State and the civic
magistrates for the aid they rendered.
" That the members now belonging to the com-
pany joined it and incurred individually all original
and annual expenses consequent on their so doing,
upon the faith that they, like their predecessors, would
continue to enjoy the right of electing the officers by
whom they would be commanded.
" That the understood permanence of that right
received a national confirmation in the addition of
two companies to the regiment in 1848, when the
gentlemen composing those two companies stipulated,
through the Lieutenant-Colonel, as a condition of
their joining, that they should be allowed to form two
separate companies, and to elect their own officers.
" That your Majesty has lately been graciously
pleased to issue your Majesty's royal warrant to this
company, whereby thus its ancient right of electing
its officers is annulled, and the appointment of com-
missioned officers is reserved to your Majesty, and
other provision is made for the appointment of non-
commissioned officers.
" That your petitioners are deeply and gratefully
sensible that your Majesty intended this alteration as
a mark of your Majesty's royal favour, and they know
how great a reproach must attach to any apparent
insensibility to such an act of your Majesty's royal
condescension, but, believing, as they do, that to the
peculiarity of its original constitution the long and
successful continuance of the military organisation of
this company has been owing; feeling, as they do,
that it is a loyal body, and believing that it is a useful
one, arid that the withdrawal of its ancient privilege
(even though to substitute for it so high an honour as
that graciously intended by your Majesty), will, by
entirely altering its character, endanger, and probably
ere long, destroy its existence, your petitioners would
be failing in their duty if they did not represent this
their humble conviction to your Majesty.
" That your petitioners have been given to under-
stand that the objects of the change intended to be
effected by your Majesty's royal warrant are twofold,
the one being to secure to the officers a greater
independence, by the abolition of the elective prin-
ciple, the other to insure increased military efficiency.
" That although believing that the abolition of the
right of election will tend to the subversion of the
equality between officers and privates in their civil
stations, and to the establishment of distinctions
which have never hitherto prevailed, and which will
operate prejudicially to the vitality of the company,
your petitioners are nevertheless satisfied that a dif-
ferent adaptation of the elective principle might lead
to military improvement of the company ; and while
they express their conviction that such modification
thereof as is next suggested, would have met, and
will meet, with the ready acquiescence of the whole
corps, they humbly submit to your Majesty that
the objects of independence and efficiency would
he perfectly obtained by the company's enacting
laws for transferring the election of commissioned
and non. commissioned officers from the respective
divisions in the company to the company at large ;
for subjecting officers to a preliminary examination;
for requiring them to pass through all successive
gradations of subordinate rank ; for reducing officers
not passing examination ; for establishing a veto
against the re-election of officers so reduced; and for
extending the term of election to two or three years,
instead of one year, as at present.
" That your petitioners are also convinced of the
entire and cheerful readiness of the company, under
such a modified constitution, to reconsider, with a
view to render them generally acceptable, all laws of
the company in which alterations may be thought
expedient to the security of the two principal objects
of independence and efficiency lastly alluded to.
" Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray your
Majesty that, these premises considered, your Majesty
will be graciously pleased to restore to this company
its ancient right of electing its commissioned and
non-commissioned officers (except the field officers
and adjutant), under such modifications as afore-
said, or such modifications as to your Majesty shall
seem fit.
" And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever
pray, &c

PROTECTION MEETING AT lIADDINGTON. 011
Friday a meeting of the East Lothian Agricultuaal Pro-
tection Society was held at the George Inn, lladding-
ton, at which, according to the ScotAmin, about 100
persons were present. The chair was filled by Sir
Robert Houston, Bert. A number of resolutions in
favour of a return to protection were agreed to. Tho
meeting was then addressed at great length by Mr. W.
B. Ferrand, late M.P. for Knaresborough, who ut pre-
sent is residing in East Lothian. The principal topics
of his speech were attacks upon Mr. Cobden, Sir Robert
Peel, and other free-traders. In conclusion, he chal-
lenged Mr. Cobden to come down to that county and
meet him at a public meeting, and there discuss the
question of protection.

THE PASSPORT SYSTEM.
A few weeks ago we had the satisfaction of in-
forming the public upon unimpeachable authority,
that the French Government had conclusively deter-
mined upon abandoning the system of passports, and
that, as far at least as English voyegars were con-
cerned, the abolition of so detestable an impost upon
the time and patience of travellers might be considered
un fait accompli. We cannot, of course, doubt the
sincerity of the pledge by which this easy and de-
sirable reform was stipulated, but we are compelled
to state that instances have coma to our knowledge
which show very plainly that the good intentions of
the President and his Cabinet aze as yet made of no
practical account whatever. Relying willingly
upon so welcome an announcement, travellers have
recently omitted the provisions formerly customary,
when, to their surprise and annoyance, they have
found themselves subjected to the same inquisition
and detention as before, and compelled to procure,
under conditions more vexatious than ever, one of
those ridiculous certificates by which nothing what-
ever is certified but the extortion through which it
was obtained.
Could we assume these occurrences as fair exam-
ples of the system in fature to prevail, they would
evince nothing less than a breach of political good
faith, As nothing could he clearer upon this point
than the true policy of the French Government, so
nothing could be plainer than its professions. The
system of passports was to be reconsidered with a
view to its abolition, and' by way of inaugurating this
most simple of reforms the road from London to Paris
was to be boldly thrown open at once, that all parties
might see how little was lost and how much was
gained. The effects of the change were visible
even at its first notification. The removal of these
obsolete barriers gave an immediate impulse to traffic.
The intercourse between the two great capitals of
the world was accelerated to a degree which even
twelve months ago would have been thought
incredible, and the triumph of common sense
was symbolized by the actual accomplishment
of a journey which will bear comparison with any
feat of locomotion upon record. In furtherance of
the good work a thorough revision was instituted of
the traffic and tolls of the line which had thus become
a :clear and continuous highway between London-
bridge and Notre Dame, and the terms decided upon
were so remarkable, and so well calculated to promote
the commercial and social advantages of both nations,
that we willingly gave them all the encouragement
which publicity could afford. Under such circum-
stances as these, the retention or renewal of the ex-
ploded system could only be warranted by the dis-
covery either in politics or finance of some notable
reason for a change of opinion—an event almost
beyond the bounds of possibility.
For what is the system of passports ? It is a
system in which every single assumption is contra-
dicted by daily practice. A passport pretends to
certify that the bearer thereof has undergone a
personal examination by the officer whose signature
is attached, and who thereby testifies to his Govern.
ment that the traveller, of whose appearance and
address an elaborate description is added, is proceed-
ing on a lawful errand, and deserves the aid and
comeort of all authorities under whose jurisdiction he
may come. Such a custom as this, even if thoroughly
and effectually carried out, can only presume a con-
dition of things equivalent to a perpetual state of war,
or, if the illustration be more acceptable, a perma-
nent state of siege. But under such circumstances
as actually characterise its operation it is a monstrous
farce, effective for no good, and instrumental solely
in sharpening and pointing those extortions to which
travellers, even under the best of regulations, must
always be partially liable. The officer who gives
the passport neither sees nor communicates with the
person requiring it, nor does he, directly or indi-
rectly, acquire any information respecting the
traveller's actual business. The whole transaction,
with all its multitudinous appendages, may be
managed by the intervention of any slipshod waiter
or porter, whose agency may be readily purchased
fur tenpence, and who procures the desired indul-
gence duly signed and sealed, but with as little
knowledge or care on the part of those whe delivered
it as the Pope of Rome had of the souls which he
released for a similar consideration.
Nor can it be said that though small fishes thus
slip through the meshes of the law, great ones are
secured. If nobody ever travelled from one town of
France to another in spite of the police, there would
be something to be said for a system which at least
kept a curb upon the guilty-minded, though at the
daily cost of the innocent. Bat we know well that
the very reverse is the case, and that even when the
wits of officials have been expressly sharpened the
instrumentality of the passport system has utterly
failed in tracking or detecting the most conspicuous
fugitives. The Duchess de Berri went whithersoever
she pleased, and after traversing the whole south and
west of France, wasonly discovered by the treachery of a
strvant. The Pretender to the Crown of Spain threaded
his way through every bureau and barrier between
Paris and Bayonne ; and we should fearlessly ask the
President of the French Republic, whether in his
own adventurous escape from Ham the question of
a passport ever gave him the smallest apprehension or
trouble. Nor are these facilities confined to single
travellers ; they are equally at the disposal of whole
bodies of men. During the recent political troubles
sworn bands of destructives transferred themselves
from one scene of mischief to another, across any
frontier, and through any town, with as much ease
as they could have walked from the Tuileries to the
Triumphal arch. In fact, the papers of these gentry
are always most scrupulously en regle, and if the
passport system does indeed contain anyone method of
detecting a troublesome subject, it must apply to
those cases where its exactions have been most literally
complied with. We appeal to the candour of the
officials themselves to state whether any person de-
tained for want of proper papers ever proved to be
more than an unhappy Englishman who hal fallen
a victim either to his obstinacy or to his ignorance.
These are slight troubles, it will be said, and so
perhaps they are, but they are exactly of a kind to
produce a serious effect. No persons know better
than the present Ministers of the Republic how small
a prohibitory duty will damage a productive corn
merce. A passport is a tax in its very worst form.
It is levied with the maximum of annoyance, and the
minimum of profit. The whole French people are
sufferers by the mischief it works, whereas no cog-
nisable class is a gainer by the produce it yields. We
would not be misunderstood in this matter. We do
not pretend to any superiority over our neighbours ;
on the contrary, we frankly admit that if an English-
man in Paris has but his wits about him he gets more
than he gives. Still, the presence and sojourn of
SO many of our countrymen in the French capital
is a fair element of its legitimate trade. We fill
its hotels, we patronise its spectacles, we purchase
its trinkets, we drink its wines, and we encourage
its cafes. For a moment, indeed, during the fer-
ment of revolutionary projects, it seemed as if the
preservation of the tutelary art of Paris was com-
mitted to Englishmen alone. We are not left to
descant on our own merits, for all parties have con-
curred in acknowledging our services, and it has been
the desire of all in turn to retain in the capital so
conspicuous a symbol of internal order and pledge of
civic prosperity. Nothing can tend so surely to the
accomplishment of this end as the abolition of the
absurd system on which we have been remarking,
and the prompt termination of the present state of
suspense and ambiguity is rendered still more impera-
tive by the natural deportment of officials under such
provocative circumstances. They are in their week
of grace. They know that their occupation is gone,
and they derive a malicious gratification from prac-
tising their trade as sharply as possible on the few
occasions which remain. These unexpected oppor-
tunities may be very conducive to their consolation,
but they are not calculated to promote the intercourse
between France and England, from which both coun-
tries will gain so much. Which is the more valuable
of the two objects the French Government can decide
for itself.—Times.

DEATH OF LIEUT.-GENERAL NICOL, C.B.—On
Sunday, the 6th instant, this general officer died at
Clifton, near Bristol. His commissions in the army as
ensign, lieutenant, and captain were all dated in the
year 1795. Having joined the army in the Peninsula,
he became a lieutenant-colonel in 1811, and in 1813
commanded the 66th Regiment at the battles of Vittoria,
the Pyrenees, Nivelle, and Nive. For his services on
the last occasion ho received the gold medal, and the
silver one was also conferred upon him f'or the battles of
Vittoria' the Pyrenees, and Nivelle. Afterwards Lieut.-
Colonel Nicol proceeded to India, and in the Nepul war
of 1814, 1815, and 1816, ho commanded a divizion of the
army under Sir David Otcherlony's command. In 1831
Colonel Nicol was nominated a Companion of the Bath,
and in 1846, having attained the rank of a lieutenant-
general, he was appointed to the colonelcy of the 68th
Regiment. This lucrative appointment is again at the
disposal of the Horse Guards, as well as the colonelcy of
the 80th Foot.
FIRE AT MILE-END NEW-Towri.--Yesterday
(Monday) morning, a little before three o'clock, a fire,
nearly attended with disastrous results, broke out in the
premises occupied by Mr. T. J. Peterken, a bread and
biscuit baker, carrying on business at No. 7, Clarkson-
street, Mile.end Newtown. In spite of the exertions of
tho firemen the flames could not be subdued until the
premises were burned down, and the stock in trade, fix-
tures, and wearing apparel of the inmates consumed'.

Mate—Murray T. Parkes (1832), from the Victory,
flag-ship, at Portsmouth, to the Enterprise, Arctic
ship, fitting at Woolwich.
Second Master—J. P. M‘Clune (1849), to the
Dart, 3, brigantine, to be commissioned at Sheerness,
for service at the Cape of Good Hope, as a tender to
the Castor, 36, flag ship, to be employed in that
station. The Dart will be navigated to the Cape,
under the convoy of the Hermes.
Assistant-Surgeon—John Rowe (acting), to the
Gladiator.
Clerks—Thomas J. Ley (1849), to the Hermes;
W. Wiltshire, to the Excellent ; A. 13. h
additional to the Castor, for service in the Dart.ostler,
Midshipman—G. W. Strong, to the Hermes.
Boatswain—Frederick Robertson and Carpenter
W. Thornlinson (late of Sir James ROSS'S expedition)
to the Hermes.
PLYMOUTH, JAN. G.--DEVONPORT DOCKYARD.
Mr. F. Lobb has been promoted to first draughtsman ;
Mr. Goss, third, to be second ; and Mr. James
Augean, shipwright, to be third draughtsman, vice
Goss. Mr. Davis is to be superintending lending man
of painters, and Mr. Ross is to be leading man vice
Davis, promoted.
Captain Goldsmith, flag captain to Admiral the
Earl of Dundonald, in the West Indies, has kindly
forwarded a donation of 51 to the funds of the Royal
N..val and Military Free Schools, with an intimation
that the ship's company of the IVellesley would present
the school with the full amount of the stopped grog
money, on the return of the ship to England.
The Express packet was paid wages in advance on
Friday.
WooLwlcn, JAN. 7.—The Hermes, commissioned
by Commander Fishbourne, is in an advanced state, and
her armament is to be increased from 6to 9 guns. The
following guns have been received from the Royal
Arsenal, and are now ready to be put on board :
One 8-inch gun of 53 cwt., four 32-pounders of 25 cwt.
each (iron), two 24-pounder brass guns of 12 cwt.
each, one 9-pounder of 6 cwt., and one long brass gun
of smaller calibre.
The Niger steam-sloop had a great number of men
working upon her until ten o'clock on Saturday
night last, and a number of riggers and workmen are
employed upon her to-day. The whole of her
armament has been received from the Royal Arsenal.
Her former guns consisted of one 68. pounder, of 95
cwt. ; one 10 inch, of 85 cwt. ; and six 8-inch, of 65
cwt. each. But these have been replaced by one
68-pounder, of 95 cwt. and 10 feet long, on pivot
slides and carriages; one 8 inch gun, 9 feet 4 inches
in length; and twelve 32-pounders, of 32 cwt. each
and 6 feet long. She has also taken on board 130
10-inch, 130 8-inch, and 900 3.2 pounder shot. The
Niger only carries about 220 tons of coals, and
during some of her recent trials was said to have
consumed fifty tons per day ; and, therefore, it is
not expected, as some imagine, that she will accom-
pany the Enterprise and Investigator as far as Ma-
&Ara. Her present orders are only to accompany
them to Devonport, where she is to be kept as an
advanced war steamer.
The Enterprise, Captain Cullinson, C. 13., and the
Investigator, Commander M'Clure,were visited to-day
by the Prussian Minister, Chevalier Bunsen, and
party. The Fart of Mulgrave also went on board
these vessels lying in the stream. They were also
visited by Captain Sir George Back, R.N., and a
number of naval officers and others.

THE WEATHER AND THE PARKS.—The ther-
mometer of the Royal Humane Society's receiving•
house, Hyde-park, was during Sunday night as low as
26 degrees, six bel )w freezing point, and early yester-
day morning it was as low as 2.5 degrees. The sharp-
ness of the frost during the night had the effect of giving
to the ice a greater degree cf solidity then it had pre-
viously attained during the present winter. Thousands
therefore ventured upon the frozen waters in the various
parks. Owing to the admirable arrangements of Mr.
Superintendent Williams in distributing th ictmen and apparatus over the Serpentine, nut a
singlee accident
of any importance occurred there during the day. The
barometer at Hyde-park stood last evening at 29.94,
and the wind,: which had been during the early part of
the day in the north, veered to the north-east, a sign
of the contintfation of =She frost. The body of the un-
fortunate man who perished on Sunday, in the Serpen-
tine, has since been identified as that of Thomas Dray-
ton, who was in the employ of Messrs. Chalton and
Easton, tea-dealers, Charing-cross.
GAMEKEEPER SHOT.—on the afternoon of Satur-
day,st., abouteut
rme r ,
o '
w e laos p
c k ,
passing
slabourer n ign toll ea
emplot)h,e sth lost.,
fa
of
Mrtram-road, leading from the coal-pita belonging to Mr.
Cla.tmbers, of Tibshelf, in the county of Derby, when, on
reaching a field adjoining Newton-wood he observed a
man lying on the ground; he went up to the spot
for the purpose of scertaining who it was, when he dis-
covered that the man was in the midst of a large pool
of blood and quite dead. The labourer immediately
procured assistance and removed the body, which turned
out to be that of William Thorpe, gamekeeper to the
Rev. F. Sharpe, of Tibshelf, to his house, where, on
examination, it was found that ho had been shot just
above the right knee, the shot having torn the artery
open and caused his death from loss of blood. It
was soon afterwards ascertained that six men,
who had the appearance of poachers, had been seen
in the vicinity only a short time previous to
Thorpe's body being found, and he also having
been seen thereabouts after three o'clock the same af-
ternoon, it was suspected that they were the parties who
had been the cause of the poor foliose's death. Informa-
tionrsAl
was immediately forwarded to the police at
Mars-
field, Notts, and several of the party being known,
Superintendent Picker and police constables Radford
the suspected persons, and
and Page went in search of
after great exertions succeechd in taking the whole six
before four o'clock on Sunday xnerning The names of
are William Beighton, Henry Alsop,
a Marshall,
the prisoners, who are now in the Mansfield lock-up,
Thomas Marshall, James Ward, and Johan Monks, all of
inr i
ne N,
n.t
.he 'hnocdhentthei accompanied
i cka e er
apnl
da
hcteihmde.
Hucknall-under-lluthwaite, Notts. Some of them ap-
pear to feel the nature of the crime they are charged
other Great
and
praiset
wot h e
policeaisiv fdnul
constablesposition
e
fee the
tracing and energy
ehe and activity displayed by them in
apprnding the accused parties, as tle
had dispersed in several directions.
An inquest will be held early in the week.
THE DEFALCATION AT AYLESBURY.—The follow-
inf.); letter was found iu the drawer of S'ratton, t} e clerk,
who has absconded:—" When this is opened it will be
found out that I have done wrong. I leave property to
double the amount of my defalcation. I request that
the balance be given to my uncle Turner, of Tewkesbury,
fur himself and uncle Edwards, whose money I am
obliged to use to get away. I have taken no more than
necessary to take me to my far distant destination, and
kapo my self-infrcted punishment will satisfy all. Igo
to labour for my bread; am determined not to be taken
alive; if attempted to be arrested, the act will make my
wife a widow. I have only to ask forgiveness now, and
hope in a foreign land to learn lessons by the past." It
is expected that the defalcations will be amply covered.
The Right Hon. Charles Shaw Lefevre, the
Spaaker of the House of Commons, was unanimously
elected Chairman of the Hants Quarter Sessions last
week, in the room of Sir William Ileathcote, Bart., who
retired from bad health. The Marquis of Winchester
and Sir Jobn Pollen, Bart., proposed and seconded the
Right Ron. Gentleman.