The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-12 00:00:00

A witness named Peate, who had been a confi-
dential clerk with the testator, stated the circum-
stances with respect to the execution of the second
will. He stated he was called into Mr. Billing's
room one morning by that gentleman shortly
before his death, when he told him he was
greatly distressed at the will he had already made
in favour of a Miss llootan, with whom he had been
on terms of intimacy. Testator said he thought it
was a great injustice to his wife and family if carried
out, and he therefore wished privately to execute
another, leaving Miss Hootan. only £lOO. lie
directed Peate to write to his dictation another will,
which was done, and after being read over to
Mr. Billing, who kept it in his possession for
two days, when Peate and one of the testator's
brokers witnessed its signature. The testator,
before his death, told Peate that he knew
matter,here
a t
they would all have to
fight it out. lie (testator) said his object in not
letting Miss Ifootau know of his altered intentions
towards her was that she was of such a violent
temper that she would do him some personal injury
if she did. Witness was decidedly of opinion that
the testator when he made the will was quite
in possession of all his faculties to the fullest ex-
tent.
There are a great number of witnesses to exa-
mine, and the case being connected with others to
follow it will occupy the Court until its rising,
and then most probably be adjourned.

ADMIRALTY COURT.
(Before Sir J. Phillimore )
TIIE GREAT EASTERN STEAMSHIP.
This was a suit instituted against the Great
Steamship Company for work and labour done.
This magnificent, but unfortunate vessel, it will
be recollected, was chartered by a French company,
to convey passengers from America to Havre during
the French Exhibition, but the project turned out
an utter failure. Before the ship sailed a great
amount of money was laid out on her repairs,
and liability incurred for others. Amongst one
of the works performed was the painting the ship's
bottom, and when the bill was sent in to the Great
Steamship Company they denied their liability,
and said that the French charterers were the persons
responsible for the cost of painting. Sir J. Andersonl
commander of the ship, was examined at great
length. He said he had been appointed to the ship
by the Telegraph Construction Company, in the
first instance, and on returning from laying the cable
he ceased to be captain as soon as she anchored in
at Sheerness. He commanded the ship on the occa-
sion of the laying
the second cable, and after that
quitted the ship at. Liverpool. He was next appointed
to the ship by the French charterer, and when the
ship sailed he received a letter from Mr. Yates, the
secretary of the
Ship Company, appointing him to
act for them, so that he considered he had to act
for both parties to the best of his ability. He had
to sign bills and give orders after his appointment,
but he never directed the bill for the painting of
the ship's bottom to be sent into the company's office
at Liverpool. He could hardly say he had ever been
actually appointed captain of the Great Eastern by
the company. The French charterers were liable
for many of the charges, and the present one, he
should say, was one of them.
The case will last until the rising of the Court.

MARKETS—(Ihis Day.)

CORN.

The weather continues fine, and farming operations are
making steady progress.
The country markets are in some cases rather firmer,
and in ono or two instances dearer. The French markets
are also higher.

At Mark-lane this morning there was only a moderate
attendance, and a quiet demand prevails for most articles
of the trade, but the tone was firmer.
English wheat met a limited sale, but the rates of Mon-
day were well upheld.
Foreign wheat sold slowly, but all prime qualities wore
quite as dear.
There was no quotable change in the flour trade.
Malt unchanged in value, with a limited demand. •
Barley, beans, and peas firm, at Monday's quotations.
Oats moved off steadily at rather more money.
TALLOW.

The market is quiet, and barely so firm. Y. C. on the
spot, 42s 6d ; Mara, 42s 9.1 to 433 ; last three months
43s 6d.

NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL.

MEAT. —The mutton trade is brisk, with a moderate
supply, and firm prices :—Wethors, 3s 8d to 3s 10d, for
middling, and 4s to 4s 4d for prime ; ewe, 3s 4d to 3s Bd.
Beef, a dull sale, and prime beasts quotable are 4s, while
coarse can scarcely be bought under 3s 4d. Veal very
scarce, and a very slow sale, but dear—prime small, 5s 4d :
large, 4s Bd. Pork dull, at 3s 4d to 4s, for coarse to
prime.

COTTON MARKET.
LIVERPOOL,
Feb. 12.—Market opons strong, still ad-
vancing. Sales probably 15,0u0 bales.

A rough sketch of an improved building plan for
the new Central Courts of Justice Palace has been pre-
pared by Dionisis Vericchio, of Venice, and forwarded to
the Lords' Commissioners for consideration. It appears
to be very excellently laid out, and many of the requirements
absent in the plans already considered have been provided
for in the most convenient manner.

THE ITALIAN CURRENCY.—The Italian Govern-
ment, as already mentioned, has recently put in circula-
tion a great quantity of paper and copper money, and
speculators have been making a large profit by exchang-
ing the golden Napoleon of 20f. for more than 23f. in
copper. The authorities of Nice have just issued a notice
inviting the public there to refuse all copper money of
foreign coinage, and the dealers of that town have since
declined accepting payment in that form. Orders have
also been given at the frontier to prevent the entrance of
it .1L copper long.