The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-16 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

--
atintyr of maim-
The effects of the eri:,is are now showtr; tlFm-
selves in Pru3:;ia, where a gl eat nfaeturers are oblil;el, more or lev,, to suspewl thsir
works.
The total number of failures or bankruptcies that
have taken place in all Prussia since the commence-
ment of the late crisis amounts to 134.

A Vienna leiter of the 10th,, in the German
Journal of Frankfort, says The decree rela-
tive to the next year's conscription has already
been published, and the authorities have alreaiiy
received orders to make the necessiaTy preparations.
The contingent will he. the same as last year—
nearly 9),00 '.Pais decree puts an end to a
report which his become current that a new law
on recruiting would be made which would very

considerably modify the organisation of the Aus-
trian army. The Emperor has also ordered that
all the military constructions which are not indis-
pensably necessary shall b 3 suspended. This
measure will relieve the budget very considerably,
and be of great advantage to the progress of pri-
vate buildings, which had beers checked by the
high price of materials caused by the numerous
constructions which are being carried on by the
State.

The King of the Belgian 9, the Duke and Duchess
of Brabant, and the Count de Flandre arrived at
the Palace at Brussels yesterday from Laeken
The King and the Duke gave a private audience to
Baron de Rothschild. His Majesty afterwards
received the Marquis d'Antonini, the Neapolitan
Minister ; and the Duke gave an audience to
General Pletinckx, the Commandant of the Na
tional Guard of Brussels. In the evening the King
and the Princes returned to Laeken.

The Second Chamber of the States-General of
the Hague, in its sitting of thal2th, adopted, by a
majority cf 53 to the budget of ways and means
for 1858. It afterwards unanimously passed the
bill allowing a credit of six millions to the War
Department, and then adjourned to February 9.

Advices from the Hague state that Colonel C.
F. van Mours, director of the artillery, has just
been named Minister of War.

The Madrid journals of the 10th contain no poli-
tical news. The Bank of Spain had resolved to
coin 25,000,000 reals in silver.

" Letters from Vienna," says the German Jour-
nal of Frankfort, "state that the Porte intends to
grant a constitution to the Principalities ; but it
would evidently have no right to do any such thing.
It may propose plans of organisation, but it is the
Congress of Paris alone which can definitively de-
cide the question."

According to a Vienna letter in the Borsenhalle
of Hamburg, a dezpatch from Constantinople an-
nounces that M. de Thouvenel is shortly to pro-
ceed to Paris on leave.

TJfb7 MONf;TAgY CRIsIS IN THE
NORni OP EUROPE.

HAMBURG, DEC. 13. —This is the first time, for
several weeks, that we have the pleasure to com-
municate a certain revival of that mercantile
spirit and confidence the want of which has
created such melancholy results among the trad-
ing community of this city, and the effects of
which will be severely felt for a considerable
time to come. The decision of the Senate, sanc-
tioned by the unanimous approbation of the Here-
ditary Burgesses, in yesterday's assembly, to use
the ten millions of banco so generously advanced
by Austria—and for which aid the Assembly gave
their public thanks to the Emperor—has ultimately
turned the scale, and all classes are now quite satis-
fied that the Senate could not have acted with greater
wisdom than in upholding thixe strong pillars
of the mercantile community, Merck and Co.,
Gossler and Co., Goddofroy and Sons, Lutterroth
and Co., C. 11. Donner, of Altona, w,th some
others, who have not only been keeping up their
own credit hitherto, but doing much to assist
others to effect the same purpose.
Accounts from Copenhagen, Stockholm, Chris-
tiana, and other towns in Danmark, Sweden, and
Norway, state that parties are doing their utmost
to meet the crisis, when called upon by their re-
spective Governments and other civic authorities.
At Stockholm some important failures have taken
place. The Government is expected to grant a
loan of some millions, to put a speedy stop, if pos-
sible, to any more.

A ORTIIUM BERL AND AND DUBEI A M
BANK.

+NEWCASTLE, TUESDAY NIGIIT.
A special meeting of the shareholders of the Nor-
thumberland and Durham District Bank was held
in the Royal Exchange Hotel, in this town, this
afternoon ; Mr. Ridley, M.P. in the chair. Th ie
was a crowded moetin!. Mr. W. B. Ogden, acting
director, read a report. from the directors. It stated
that the calamity which had overtaken the esta-
blishment must unquestionably be referred in a
great measure to losses sustained by the bink, and
still more to the circumstance that many of the
securities were not of a nature to be readily con-
vertible. The directors were entitle I to say, as
they confidently did, that the difficulties arising
from this cause had been realised from what other-
wise would have been a total loss. The valuable
and profitable business enj,,yed by the bank also
allowed the appropriation, according to the an-
nouncements particularly contained in the reports
of 1848 49, and continue i in the subsequent re-
pris, of a considerable sum to meet the current.
yearly losses, and to operate towards the redemp-
tion of those of earlier dates. Though the bank
had sustained no general run, there had been a
gradual but constantly prevailing abstraction of its
resources. The attention of the directors, aided
by a number of influential shareholders had been
given to what was one of the oldest and incom-
parably the largest inconvertible advance of the
bank—namely, that due from the members of a
large manufacturing establishment in the neigh-
bourhood. They were now enabled to announce
that after an allowance had been Maple for the high
rate of interest charged Mr. Jonathan Richardson
had guaranteed the payment of nearly the whole of
this debt. (Applause.) Considering the rcspectt-
bility and resources of the partners, whole liability
remained unaffected, the shareholders might rea-
sonably consider the account as satisfactorily ar-
ranged. The repaymero, from the magnitude of
the engagements, would unavoidably extend over a
somewhat lengthened period, but the amount weied
bear interest at 5 per cent, per annum. The obliga-
tion thus entered into by Mr. Richardson was in-
consistent with his continuance as a director, and
his retirement was the consequence. Mr. Matthew
Robert Bigg's retirement arose from his being one
of the partners answerable for the debt. The mode
of meeting the engagements of the bank had
formed the subject o the director's deliberate
consideration, iihlo the collection of assets had
their best attention. They were aware, if they
hoped for indulgence from the creditors in point
of time, the latter bad a right to expect that an
effort should be made to meet the present emerge my.
With the concurrence of a considerable number of
the principal shareholders, the directors had an-
nounced, for these reasons, a call of 51. per share,
and placed it with the meeting to confirm that
measure. It was impossible at this early period to
form a decided opinion as to the precise time within
which the settlement of claims on the bank might
be made. With reference to the affairs of the bank,
it was difficult to arrive at definite conclusions, the
result depending upon tire value of assets, of which
a certain opinion could not at once be formed. So
far as the directors could form a judgment, though
calls were absolutely necessary in order to meet the
present demands, a small portion of the capital
might in the end be preserved. Further examina-
tion of the accounts has the full attention of the
board, who invited the appointment of a committee•
of shareholders to assist them. The directors had
considered, and would submit to the creditors, a
distinct propositiou for the liquidation of their de-
mands at the earliest date the result of the assets
would allow, which object they were most desirous
to promote.
Report adopted without discussion.
Messrs. John Richardson and Jonathan Priest-
man were elected directors, in the room of Messrs.
M. R. Bigge and Jonathan Richardson.
Messrs. R. Mackreth, C. Milner, E. Graham, J.
Joicy, and J. Ptiestman, jun., shareholders, were
nominated a committee to assist the directors in
investigating the affairs of the bank. It was ob-
jected that these were interested parties ;bttt after
a warm discussion the commitiee, with power to
add two to their number, was agreed to, with direc-
tions to report in three months.
The following resolution, after a somewhat ani-
mated debate; was adopted
6, That a call of 51. per share be now made payable in
14 days ; and that all payments hitherto made under Vie
call inacio by tug directors be considered a part, of the
payment."
An amendment for deferring it was negatived.
A SHAREHOLDER inquired it the portion of capital
which in the report was hoped would be preserved
was paid-up capital ?
The CHAIRMAN replied in the affirmative.
Another SHAREHOLDER asked if more calls would
be made 2

The CHAIRMAN said no more calls could be made
without another npeciarmeeting.
Mr. J. G. DusTON- announced the formation of
aHapwrikvsa,tesi iok,
bank on the premises, with gm ess
Grey, and PrieAmin, proprietors ;
thee-fourths of the profit woutt form a fund for
division among suffering shareholders in the district
bank. (Cheers.)
In answer to questioriF,
Mr. PRIESTMAN said it was intended to resusci-
tate the district bulk.
Mr. HAWKS stated that the vroprieters of the
new bank would be glad to transfer their powers to
the district bank when the liabilities of tee latter
were discharged.
A veto of thanks to thee pielaroirreemnagns.d proprietors
of th© new bank closed the

HOSRI3 iiteuGa ELECTION.— Ile following were the
numbe,r3 a. the dose 01 the _poll at 4 o'clock on Monday
aiterueen, aq etll,:lAy dtclared 373 ; Cayley,
280; majority for Dent, 83.

BIRMINGHAM INSTITUTIOA FOR THE
RELIEF OF DEAFNESS.

see
The'annual meeting of the friends and supporters of
this institution was held in the Board-room, Cherry-
street, on Thursday last. The Rev. Dr. Miller (in the
absence of Lord Lytteltse) occupied the chair, and
amongst the gentlemen present were F. I. Welch, Esq.,
the Rev. J. B. Marsden, the Rev. John Dafton,
W. Dufton, and Mr. J. Seeking. A letter of apology
for non-attendance was read from Lord Lyttelton, who
was expected to preside, and Mr. Defeo also Announced
that W. Chance, Esq., the honorary secretary, was
prevented by illness from attending.
The report, which afforded strong proofs of the succees
and usefulness of the institution, was read by Mr.
DUFTON. We extract the folio ring :—" Your committee
have pleasure in presenting the annual report of the
surgeon, from which it appears that the number of
patients attending the institution during the past year
has been 290, of whom a large majority have been either
cured or relieved. The cases consist of dischares
from the ears, noises in the head awl ears, rheumatic
deafness, affections of the throat, producing deafness,
and several cases of fungoid growth and polYPiast
in
the ear. Your committee need not dwell upon the v
importance o' such a society as the Birmingham Insti-
tution for the Relief of Deafness, and the great benefit
it is annually conferring on the poorer classes of the
towa and neighbourhood. They would again express
their high commendation of the valuable services of
your surgeon, who devotes his time and attentien to
the interests of the Charity." The number of cases
treated since the commencement of the institution is
3,457. The surgeon's report showed that out of the 290
patients treated during the past year, 184 bad been
cured, 77 relieved, and 29 returned as incurable. The
finaucial statement was eqaally satisfactary. The ba-
lance from last year was 781., and with the receipts
from subscriptions and interest, made a total of 1371.
6s. 10d. The sum remaining in the hands of the trea-
surer at the present time is 861. 7s. 2d.
The CLIAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
expressed his regret at the absence of Lord Lytetlton,
and his warm sympathy with the object of the institu-
tion. He felt tbat deafness must be a great affliction,
and the prevalence of this disorder was a great hindrance
to the work of the clergy, inasmuch as they
appealed
through that exquisite organ, the ear, to the conscience
and the hearts of their congregations. He thought the
public of Birmingham and the neighbourhood had reason
to congratulate themselves on the fact that they bad
amongst them a medical man who devoted se much
time and attention to the cure of deafness, and to the
furtherance of the object of that institution.
Mr. WELCH seconded the motion, and congratulated
the friends of the institution on the large amount of good
it had effected during the past year. He dthat
, Mr. Dufton's labours would be rewarded by anincreased
measure of support, and an enlarged sphere of modul-
ar
Mr. J. SEEKING roved a vote of thanks to Lord *
Ward for his kindness in filling the of of President,
and in doing so remarked span the highly
nature of the surgeon's report. It was most gratifying
to find that so many persons had been under Mr:
Duf ton's care, and that of the patiente treated about
satisfactory
seven-eighths had been eithernured or relieved. This
fact alone was sufficient to show the value of such an
Institution, and he hoped also to ensure for it an in-
creased amount of support from the public. and
The motion was seconded by Mr. Dug"-
unanimously adopted.
—T"hTußatevtlee best ,j.B.
thanksiVitßEE of il
themeetingthepmoved b neste giv olutt t
nto ioh:
t the
surgeon, Mr. Dutton, for his careful attention
patients attending the Institution, and for his Yalu ewe
er.
during the past year." He remarked that ie.
Dufton had, during his connection with the instituttonA
reest
rendered great service to the town, and proved biror...
to be a skilful and gifted surgeon, t tions
profession. (Hear, hear.) Although othertnsti u
the
in the town bad obtained a stronger held urns, the
sympathiee of the benevolent, owing to the fact tha' .0
diseases which they treated were more distressing
and au honour
to his
the beholder, or more dangerous to life, yet he though!
that the deaf were entitled to more consideration though!
they at present obtained. The deaf man was generaollid
an irritable man, and the disorder was one, he ear 1
think, which must act very injuriously on he nerv-or
e
system. Those who were afflicted with deafness
prevented from profiting by the Gospel of Truth in the
house of God, and a large proportion of those foroa
ing the different congregations were so afflicted. AgelD"
there could be little doubt that deafness prevailed to 7.
great extent auto:, g the working-classes, and his own Dee
lief was that few labourers, and more especially out-doocri
labourers, who had arrived at the ago of 40 years, h!..
preserved the power o' hearing in a perfect state. This;
then, was another reason why the institution should b
liberally supported, He found that there one or two
similar institutions in London, which he feared ecarce to
obtained their fair share of public attention, It was
rather a proud thing for Birmingham that possessed so
efficient an institution, and under such able auspices.
The report read that day could not fail to make a deep
classes alone, but impression, and it must convince the public of the great
advantage 'derived, not by the working
by all classes of the community, from the self-denying
labours of Mr. Dufton, and from the great attention he
bad paid to this branch of his profession.
The resolution was carried by acclamation.
Mr. DUFTON moved a vote of thanks to the committee
for their past services, and their re-election for the ensu-
ing year.
Mr. SEEKING seconded the motion, and took occasion
to congratulate the meeting on tie prosperous condition
of the institution, and particularly on the fact that 00
large an amount of good had been realised by so compa•
ratively trifling an expenditure.
On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, it was resolved
" that the best thanks of the meeting be given to 'William
Chance, Esq., the hon. secretary, together with the ta
pressicn of the regret of the meeting that the state of.
his health had temporarily deprived the institution of
his services, and that he be respectfu ly requested to
continue his services for the ensuing year.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. WELCH having taken the chair, thanks wer co
eedted..
to the Rev. Dr. Miller for presiding, and the p
ings terminated.—Aris' Birmingham, Gazette.