The Sun.
London, England, 1844-04-23 00:00:00

itifintinff-*ITAL

LONDON, TUESDAY. APRIL 2:1, 1844.

The House of Lords met last night, but tbfy trans-
act,-(1 no business, and adjourned at an early hour.
In the Commons, on the Order of the flay for
the third reading of the Northern British Rail-
way Bill, Colonel WYNDHAM moved that it be
read that day six months, and on a division the
amendment was rejected by a majority of 79. The
Bill was passed.

In answer to a question from Mr. P. BonTuNVICK,
Sir R. PEEL said he was not aware that any instruc-
tions had been given to British officers commanding
oil the coast of Spain, further than that they were
to obierve a strict neutrality between the contend-
iihng, parties. In the case of Colonel BONET no specific
the stations had been given, and he would say that
statements Published in the newspapers could not
be true.

Lord Jouz; RUSSELL, asked Sir ROBERT PEEL,
whether he had any objection to desire Captain
DRUMMOND to-furnish a statement of the transaction,
as far as regarded Colonel. I3o;sET?

Sir It. PEEL said such a statement, as a matter of
course, would be furnished to the Admiralty ; and he

took that opportunity of expressing his horror and
disgtist at the sanguinary proceedings which had
been sanctioned by the constituted authorities of
Spain in that quarter. Barbarous nations, he be-
lieved, would observe greater humanity in their con-
tests than had been observed by both parties in Spain
Sir JAMES GRAHAM moved the Order of the Day
for the third reading of the Factories Bill, and said
the discussion on the Bill, he trusted, would take
place on the House going into Committee.
After speeches from Mr. ROEBUCK, Mr. T. Dux-
COMBE, Mr. AGLIONBY, Mr. M. PHILIPS, and Mr.
FERRAND, which exhibited great excitement on this
difficult question, the Bill was read a second. time.

On the motion that the Bill be committed, in
order that it be postponed, Mr. ROEBUCK put a ques-
tion to Mr. FERRAND. He said, that Hon. Member
had stated that a Minister of the Crown had used his
influence to induce a Poor-law Commissioner to
make a false return, in order to crush an lion. Mem-
ber of that House. He wished to know who that
Minister was, and what Member he intended to
crush ? This question led to a very amusing discus-
sion, which we have adverted to in a separate article.
These Tory Members will be the death of their
friends.

After the uproar was over, the Committee on the
0111 was fixed for Friday.
Dr. NICHOLL moved the second reading of the
Ecclesiastical Courts Bill.

Sir G. GREY moved as an amendment that the Bill
he read a second time that day six months. Consi-
derable discussion followed, and on a division the se-
cond reading was carried by a majority of 69.
The County Courts Bill was read a second time.

In answer to a question from Lord J. RUSSELL,
Sir R. PEEL said that he did not mean to bring on
the Irish Registration Bill before the 6th of May.
The other Orders of the Day were then disposed
of, and the House adjourned at a Quarter past Twelve.

The discussion, of which the Member for Knares-
borough—the Honourable Member we presume we
ought to call him—his speeches and statements, formed
the subject last night in the House.of Commons, gives
a most instructive lesson to the gentlemen of the
FFRRAND school, and not only to gentleman scholars,

but to gentlemen teachers and instructors in such

schools. For it cannot be denied that Mr. FERRAND
:3 the chosen pupil, an 4 the first class representative,
of that body, by which, at the general election of
1841, the Liberal party in this country was run down.
Abuse, misrepresentation, falsehood, in short, every
vile art that the ingenuity of the most thoroughgoing
partizanship could suggest, were resorted to on that

o"casion. The actors were cheered on by the loud
acclaims 'of the Tory party ; they delighted in the
melee ; " they cried havoc, and let slip the dogs of
war ;" they worried their game, and gloated in the
triumph. But, the chase over, the dogs would not
return to kennel quietly; and the greatest curse to
PEEL, since his advent to power, has arisen from the
furious bloodhounds that his own party reared, petted,
and pampered.
What a specimen of a British Legislature does

last night present—humiliating in the extreme, and
%et how deserved is the humiliation. Sir JAMES
GRAHAM is no favourite of ours—renegades deserve
no favour; hut if Mr. FERRAND did not feel the cas-
tigation which Sir JAMES inflicted, he has the skin of
the rhinoceros. Let us just look at the proceedings :
After a debate on the Factory Bill, in which Mr.

DUNCOMEE, as usual, unmasked hypocrisy, and spoke
forcible common sense, Lord ASHLEY shuffled, and
Mr. ITINDLEY received a well-merited flagellation
from Mr. MARK PHILIPS, the Bill was read a second
time.

Mr. ROEBUCK then put a question to the llon.

Member for Knaresborough. That Hon. Gentleman
had stated that a Minister of the Crown had used his
influence to induce an Assistant Poor law Commis-
sioner to make a false return to that House, for the
purpose of crushing a Member of that House, and
Mr. ROEBUCK said he was justified in asking who
was that Minister of the Crown who had thus used
his power ; who was the officer whom the Crown
employed; and who was the Member sought to be
crushed ?

Mr. FERRAND, after a deal of beating about the
bush, at length ended by charging Sir JAMES GRA..
lIAM as the party using his influence—Mr. Marl' as
the officer employed—and himself as the Member
sought to he crushed. Upon which
Sir J. GRAHAM said, until the last words which

fell from the llon. Member, he had looked with great
indifference both to the charge and to the discus-
sion itself. The Hon. Alember had deliberately as-
serted that which he (Sir J. GRAHAM) had hardly
thought he could have taken upon himself to assert
,3f him, much less in his presence and before that
House, viz., that he (Sir JAMES GRAHAM) had used
his official power to obtain a false report. He
(Sir JAMES GRAHAM) did not think it worth while
t,) move that the words be taken down, which
vas the usual course in such cases. But there was
•io mistake that the Honourable Gentleman had

distinctly stated, after some deliberation—because he
avoided unnecessarily the question in the first in_
stance, and the queztion was then repeated—that he
vas prepared to assert that he (Sir J. GRAHAM) had
used his official power and influence to obtain a false
r.-port for the purpose of crushing him (Mr. FER-
RAND). He thought it would be impossible, con-
s:dering that assertion, and considering the position
which he (Sir J. GRAHAM) held by favour of her
MAJESTY—considering that the assertion was deli-
aerately made—he was quite sure the Hon. Member
.vould, as well as himself, feel that it was impossible
to demand redress then ; but he hoped that the Ho-
murable Gentleman was prepared to take the proper
::nirse to substantiate the charge.
Mr. HOME said there was another question which
!ta deemed of greater importance. It had been
asserted that the Right Hon. Secretary of State hail
.nade use of his official influence to induce Mr. HOGG,
.shen Chairman of the Nottingham Election Com-
mittee, to commit perjury.
Mr. FERRAND denied that he had so asserted.
Mr. WARD then alluded to a statement made by
Mr. OASTLER, that such was the sense entertained by
the House respecting the Factory Bill, that the Right
ilon. Baronet at the head of the Government had
stated on one night, when leaving the House rifler a

d,scussion on this Bill, that the Christian feeling of the
House had beaten the Government on the factory
question.

Upon which Mr. FERIZAND remarked, that he was
not Mr. OASTLER'S keeper, and made a slight explana-
tion of hii remarks, as to Mr. HoGG's conduct.

Mr. Hoca, in a tone of manly indignation, replied :
" Sir, it becomes incumbent upon me no longer to treat
the matter with indifference or contempt, but to call
upon the lion. Gentleman to substantiate his charge.
I do not want him to substantiate the charge. I call
on that Hon. Gentlemen to rise in his place, and leave,
he can, upon the mind of this House a doubt
—or leave upon this House the slightest suspicion,
that in the discharge of my public duty, I was in-
fluenced by dishonest or dishonourable motives.
If he should raise that doubt—if he should raise that
suspicion—let me be covered with well-merited ob-
loquy, and let me depart this House as a man no
longer worthy to take his seat, being no longer
worthy of confidence. But there is another view of
the question. If that Hon. Gentleman cannot raise
that doubt in the minds of this House—if he fail to
satisfy this House as to his grounds for doubting my
honour and integrity, then let that Hon. Gentleman
he branded as the ass.!rter of foul and false calumnies
—let him stand convicted as such before this House
and before the country, and it will be then for him to
consider whether he is worthy longer to sit in this
assembly, or command respect as a gentleman."
Mr. l'Eaamsia writhed
after again explaining, u
Sir
j.nGdenrmtilAiims
rroesbeuakned,
saaindd;
" Sir, there is no haggling,' or' haggling' here. We
; are in the British House of Commons; and the lion.
Gentleman has accused me, as a Minister of the
Crown, of having exerted my influence as a Minister
to obtain a false report for the purpose of crushingTo
him. There shall be no surprise. .
morrow I will not appeal to the generosity or the
fairness of the Hon. Gentleman, but I will appeal to
the generosity and the fairness of both sides of the
House, and I expect that to-morrow the Honourable
I Gentleman will come down with a specific charge
against me—not only as a Minister of the Crown,
but as a Member of this House, whose honour he
impeaches and whose official character he impugns.
I call on him, or rather I call on the House to com-
pel the Hon. Gentlemen, to be specific in his allega-
tions ; and I challenge the Hon. Gentleman to any

inquiry before any tribunal." To which Mr. FER-
RAND replied—" I expect that to-morrow the Right
Hon. Baronet—for he is on his trial as well as my-
self—will be able to explain to the House in what
manner he became possessed of that report which he
drew out of his box, and which he used against me
almost immediately, if not immediately, on my re-
suming my seat in the debate on the new poor-law.
" Mr. HOGG—I hope that I. shall be permitted to
bring the report to which the Hon. Gentleman has
referred, and to read that report to the House; and
if it should not be liable to the imputation which has
been cast upon it by him, I hope the House will call
on that Hon. Gentleman to disavow that which he
has uttered, or to require him, in any manner you
please, either before this or any other tribunal, to
bring his proofs ; and I will be satisfied, if he should
raise a doubt or suspicion as to my integrity, to
gubmit to the consequences. If, on the contrary, he
should fail to do so, I hope the House will visit him
in the manner he deserves."
Lord JOHN RUSSELL made some very pertinent
remarks on the real question at issue, and Sir R.
PEEL utterly denied the language which had been at-
tributed to him ; and the subject then dropped.
Now, are we not justified in calling such a scene
humiliating to the character of a British House of
Commons, when a mere mountebank's exhibition shall
occupy the time of Parliament, whilst claims of high
moment press for consideration ? And are we not
justified in calling such humiliation deserved, when a
Government holds office, which it obtained by imple-
ments that it now despises, and would gladly get rid
of, but which cling to, and parasite-like, will ulti-
mately destroy it? The PEEL Government came in
on the sliding-scale—they got to the top easily—
they are now on the descent, and they will gradually
slide down, until they reach the very lowest abyss of
popular odium.

Now, that the trials at the Old Bailey are over,
and sentence has been pronounced, after a verdict
which, we must confess, appeared to us inevitable
from a perusal of the evidence, we may express our
hope, that something will be done to prevent the
recurrence of such crimes as those of which
FLETCHER and BARBER have been found guilty. It
is far better to suppress the crime, and take away the
incitement to it, than to punish guilt, and wreak
vengeance on the offender. There can be little
doubt that men who in the common transactions of
life shall be scrupulously honest, and in all matters
between man and man shall:-punctiliously regard the
strict line of honour, when the question comes be-
tween an individual and the Government, totally over-
look the necessity of doing as they would be done by,
and defraud the revenue without the least qualm of
conscience. The ingenuity exerted one day to bring
over a box of cigars free from duty, shows itself upon a
larger scale upon another -occasion ; and whether the
object be to deprive the Custom-house of its enormous
dues, or to rescue from the hands of the State
money which it only acquired for want of a claim
by the right owner, the moral turpitude in the minds
of a large portion of men shall not be distinguishable.
What right, say such men, has the Government to
unclaimed dividends, or to the stock whence they are
derived ? Why should the public take that which is
the property of individuals ? And from these in-
quiries, thus made or suggested, spring the first in-
citements to share in the plunder.
The remedy we should suggest i., that whenever
dividends are unclaimed beyond a certain time, say
this year, a list of such unclaimed dividends should
be thrice published in the Gazette and in each of the
London daily papers. That such list should contain
the names and description of the parties appearing as
owners of the stock, and the date when the first divi-
dend unclaimed became due; and, after such publication,
repeated a proper number of times, a period fixed by
law having: elapsed without a claimant and proof of
right, the stock and dividend should be absolutely
cancelled and appropriated to the public benefit. By
this plan every relation of the party would have
notice, within a time easy of proof, of their right; no
suppression would be chargeable to the Government,
fraud would be prevented, and all temptation to that
talented trickery taken away, which delights in de-
ceiving those who appear only too eager to grasp at
all that they can 'lay their hands upon. So long as
information is withheld, which every party has a just
right to, so long will ingenious clerks sell their
means of obtaining it. A CHRISTMAS will be found,
so long as it is worth while to pay him ; information
will always fetch its price; and far better for society
that JOSEPH ADYs should abound, openly proffering
their twenty shillings' worth, than supplying in
secret the means of plunder, and pandering to forgery
and other crimes.

The first anniversary dinner of the Governesses'
Benevolent Institution took place on Saturday last
at the City •f London Tavern. The object of this
Society is three-fold—first, to assist governesses in
temporary difficulties; secondly, to place money in
the funds, from the interest of which permanent an-
nuities may be granted to aged governesses; and
thirdly, to assist them in purchasing annuities for
themselves. These objects, based as they are, on the
truest principles of charity, cannot be too warmly
commended ; nor are we acquainted with any public
institution which puts forth more urgent claims on
the support of all thoughtful, considerate, and liberal-
minded individuals. Justly and feelingly observed
Mr. CHARLES DICKENS, who was present at the
dinner, "he knew no member of society
more useful or more honourable than the imparter
of knowledge ; at the same time he knew none who
was so generally despised, and whose talents were so
ill-rewarded. Now, if this were true in general
With what peculiar force did it apply to those un-
kind, ungenerous slights which patient merit of the
unworthy takes' in the person of governesses ? It
was very well to say that knowledge is power,' but
how often did they forget that it was the source of
weakness too ! Knowledge had not its right place in
society, and he believed that it did not obtain a just
recognition and reward anywhere." This is notori-
ously the fact in the case of governesses, who, though
from the peculiar character of their very delicate and
difficult vocation, they must necessarily be intelli-
gent, accomplished, and well versed in the art of
imparting useful instruction, are but too often treated
with contempt and indifference, and regarded in no
higher light than that of a sort of upper servant. And yet
the unfortunate individuals thus cavalierly dealt with,
are many of them—as we see by the daily advertise-
inents—sprung from good families ; have known what
it was in early youth to enjoy the luxuries of life and
the pleasures of society; have been the objects of
consideration, respect, and affection; but having
"fallen from their high estate," by the improviden2e,
or it may be, the ill-luck of their parents or guar-
dians, have been compelled to make those accom-
plishments administer to their necessities, which in
better and happier days, were cultivated only for the
sake of the refined, intellectual pleasure they af-
forded. Any institution which has for its object the
improvement of the condition of these ill-starred in-
dividuals, deserves the cordial support of every real
gentleman and every real lady.

In advocating, as we have lately done, and as we
shall still continue to do, the Ten Hours' Factory
Bill—that righteous and equitable measure, which
Lord AsuLur has thought fit to surrender, if not in
so many express words, at least in effect—we have
been influenced solely by a strong sense of humanity;
and should deem that we were performing only half
our duty, were we not, from the same vigilant regard
to the rights of humanity to, advocate also the total
and unqualified repeal of the accursed corn-law:—
those laws, which for the enrichment, or
fancied enrichment, of the Few, impoverish
the Many ; which indirectly, if not directly,
narrow the field of enterprise ; which cripple
the powers .of industry, and hang like a mill-stone
round the neck of the people, bowing their energies
to the earth. It is in vain to hope that the situation
of the poor operative and his toil-worn family can ever
be materially or permanently improved till these
laws, which are the disgrace of the Statute-book, are
wholly abolished. A Ten Hours' Bill may do some-
thing towards ameliorating the sufferings of his lot in
the manufacturing districts, and therefore it has our cor-
dial support—for we regard it as a sort of instalment of a
great debt owing by the rich to the poor—but, after
all, it is to the total abolition of the corn-laws only,
that the oppressed and destitute operatives must look
for substantial and lasting relief. We call, then, on
all those who from motives of kindly and humane
feeling have advocated the ultra-discreet Lord
ASHLEY'S Bill, from the same. - gbnerous motives,

to come forward and support the unqualified
abrogation of the food-tax, when the question is next
mooted in the House of Commons. The same sense
of duty which induces them to support the one mea-
sure, should induce them also to support the other; for
we cannot at all understand, or sympathise with, a
one sided humanity, which can strain at such a gnat
as a Ten Hours' Bill, while it can contrive to swal-
low such a camel as the own-laws.

We have accounts from Madrid to the 14th inst.
The new decree against the liberty of the press had
come into operation, and had extinguished one jour-
nal, the Mantic), though a supporter of the Govern-
ment. In announcing the fact, it states, " the decree
respecting the press having appeared yesterday, we
must cease to appear to-morrow." The decree, it is
said, was drawn up by BRAVO himself, who, while
editor of a journal, was the most licentious and scur-
rilous writer in Spain. Some of the journals an-
nouncc the " glorious" capture of a Moorish boat by
a detachment of militia, at Melilla, on the coast of
Africa, when several Moors were killed and wounded.
This contemptible Government seem anxious to go
to war with Morocco to please France, and no doubt
they will find a sufficient reason, if France finds the
money.

The Three per Cents. were done at 36} cash, 37
5-16 at 60 days, and the Fives at 23k at GO days.

The Paris papers of Saturday are almost entirely
occupied with the discussion in the Chamber of De-
puies on Friday, and the documents presented by
the Minister of Foreign Affairs relative to the late
transactions at Otaheite. M. BILLAULT, put for-
ward as is generally believed by M. TIIIERS, com-
menced the attack on M. GUIZOT (for against the
" stranger" all the batteries of the Opposition are di-
rected), and after recounting the history of this con-
temptible and thread-bare subject, he said, " the
Government, in striking at Admiral DUPETIT
TROUARS, forgot the deeds of Queen PoMARE and
the intrigues of the English agent. Your blow has
only fallen on your own flag ; it would have been at
least as just that Commodore NICOLAS should lose
his command as that you should recal the French
Admiral. This disavowal of the acts of an Admiral,
known for his courage and his patriotism, will have
the most disastrous effects. Whilst our seamen are
afflicted by such a proceeding, they will meet the
English officers, whose arrogance will be increased
by the disgrace which has fallen on our Admiral,
without affecting the Commandant of the Vindietive.
I have heard that the English Consul has been re-
called. If that has been done by negotiation, I here
demand that the documents connected with it be pro-
duced." In conclusion, he distinctly stated that in
bringing forward the motion he had no idea of making
it a Ministerial question, and the majority of the
Chamber had determined to keep the present men in
power until their unpopularity at home and their
humility abroad brought about their. downfal. M.
GUIZOT, however, cut the debate short in **brief
speech, and laid at least thirty documents upon the
table. As these must be read to be understood, the
debate was closed and the Chamber broke up. The
affair probably is at an end, for the French public
it seems take little interest in the question, and as
the Opposition profess their inability to turn out the
Ministry no object can be served by, renewing the
discussion. M. GUIZOT made a manly and straight-
forward speech in reply to M. BILLAULT. lie stated
distinctly that there were two parties interested—
the English and the French authorities—and
that it was his bounden duty, as far
as possible, to act impartially, and, at the same
time, to withhold any documents that might have
the slightest tendency to cause a bad feeling be-
tween the two countries. In adverting to the re-
peated attacks made on himself, he made a few re•
marks which the ChamWr listened to with much
attention. " When I first' entered this arena," said
he, " I anticipated and accepted the certainty of
many a struggle, many a casualty, many an injus-
tice, and many a trial ; but I confess I never expected
what has taken place with respect to this question—l
never thought that the truth could be misconceived
or misrepresented to such a point Ido not, however,
complain, nor am I astonished—there are, in fact, im-
putations which do not merit the honour of exciting
astonishment. I have listened in silence to what has
been said, and I shall reply as VI was not myself con-
cerned in the question. It doest not, I acknowledge, cost
use any great effort to act thus—l pretend to no merit
for remaining, in the midst of this discussion, tran-
quil and confident in the judgment of my country.
I shall take the utmost care in what I am about to
say, not to sin against any Parliamentary rule by any
word direct or indirect. I prefer submitting to cer-
tain disagreeable matters, rather than, by picking
them up with my own, to throw them back on those
who have flung them against me."—(Loud cheers
frequently interrupted the Minister, who, after some
further remarks gave the following sound reasons for
not producing all the papers):—

" The inevitable consequence of their productions would
have been to envenom the question, and cause irritation. I
know that out of this assembly there are people who do not
fear to raise hostile questions, who, on the contrary, seize on
every opportunity to throw oil on the flame of discord ; for
our own part, as friends of peace, that is not a part of our po-
licy.
Ia t hasgran bees
ele implied just now that this was not, in any
sense,diplomatic discussion. But, gentlemen, it
ce
is impossible to close one's, eyes on facts ; no one can
deny the lively interest that Is felt by a great number
of people in England in this question, and the importance
which on its own account alone it acquires with the Eng-
lish Government. We should have been blind, senseless,
imprudent, not to have paid great attention to this ; •we
have not on that account acted with complaisance towards
England, but we have taken care not to irritate the question,
nor to throw before the public details which would have ( nly
tended to have inflamed passions, and it is for that reason we
have stopped in communicating the details demanded.—
(Approbation). But I will state another reason more spe-
cial, and not less powerful. The recal of the Consul
Pritchard was just now spoken of. He is, in fact, recalled.
He is removed to another post two or three hundred leagues
from Otaheite.—(Murmurs on the Left). We wished for
this, ; we opened no negotiations on
the
we have, therefore, no documents to produce.
subject but
we
;
I am astonished that we have met with a reproach on the
subject." not ask i t
The Funds on Saturday continued firm, the Five
per Cents. closing at 122 f. 20c., and the Threes at
83f. 70e.

TIIE BOURSE---SATURDAY, APRIL 20.
Fiat Highest Lowest Last
Prise. Price. Price. Price.
French Five per Cents•• •• •• 122 15 .• 122 20 .. 122 15 .. 122 15
Four per Cents • • •• • • 106 30 • • 10G 30 . • 105 GO .. 10G 30
Three per Cents.— "3183 83 70 83 75 83 Go 83
Go
Bank of France—
.• • • • • • ."..3100 —3098 75 ..3100
Belgian Bank ..• • ....... 690 .. 695 .. 690 .. 695
1841.-•••••••1110 —lllO ..1110 ..1110
Belgian Fives, 1831.. •••• • • • 103-1 • • 103} • • 103 .. 103
1840 •• •• •• 1061 .. 1061 .. 1061 .. 1061
1842 •• •• •• 108 .. 108 .. 103 .• 108
Spanish Active •••••• • • • • • • 341 • • 341 .. 341 34;
Threes ••••••• • • • • • 361 • • 37 • • 361 • • 37
Passive .• •,• •••• • •• 61 .. 61 .. GI .. 61
Portuguese Five per Cents• • 451 • . 461 .. 451 .. 451
Neapolitan lOl 80 .. 102 05 .. 101 80 .. 102 05
Roman 106 .. 106 .. 106 .. 106

AILWAY SHARES.
St. Gallia!' • • 832 50 832 50 .. 832 50 .. 832 50
e'er-allies, R.B. ............375 .. 375 .. 375 .. 375
L.B - 245 .. 240 .. 245
ltouen ......
Rouen to Havre 707 50 .. 707 50 • • 705 .. 705
Orleans .• • • • • • • • • • •• 933 75 955 .. 950 .. 953 75
Strasburg to Bale 280 .. 285 .. 200 .. 285
RAILWAY SHARES, FOR THE ACCOUNT.
St. Germain
Versailles, R. 8.• ••• • • 378 75 .. 380 • • 378 75 .. 380
L. 8.• •• •
Rouen
Rouen to Havre ...... • ••• . 707 50 .• 707 50 .. 705 26 .. 706 25
Orleans
Strasburg to Bale. . 280 .. 282 50 - 280 .. 282 50
Av:guon to Marseilles.- 765 • 765 762 50 • • 762 50

We have some reason to believe that Government,
satisfied with having declared and vindicated the law
in the case of the Irish State Trials, by obtaining a
verdict, do not intend to proceed to sentence
against the traversers. They feel, with the
majority of the public, that it would be inexpe-
dient to go to such an extremity under the equi-
vocal circumstances attending the preparation of the
jury panel, and the imputed misdirection of the
Chief Justice.:

'We regret to learn that Sir James Duke is pre-
vented by severe illness from attending to his Parlia-
mentary duties.

THE WEATHER.—Never in the memory of that
venerable personage "the oldest man living," has such
an April been known in this country. Formerly
April was classed among the months of spring. This
year it has been hitherto a summer month, and bids
fair to preserve its character to the last. It is impos-
,ible to imagine finer weather than we have at present
in the metropolis. Westerly breezes, bright sunshine,
a high temperature, generally 67 degrees in the
shade at 2 P.M., the barometer above 30, every tree
and shrub in full leaf, pear trees covered with the
most luxurious blossom, and the blossom of the apple
trees just coming into life, are only a few charac-
teristics of this splendid season. The colliers' strike
and the mild weather have, fortunately for the poor,
come together. Every fire is extinguished, except
where heat is required for culinary purposes ;
the gay world have put on their summer dresses, pa-
rasols have taken the place of umbrellas, the cuckoo
and swallow are come, and the very Cockneys are on

the wing for their favourite summer retreats. The 1
kalends of May might have been appropriately cele- I
Y
brated on the Ist of April. We are glad .to find that SUMMAR OF NEWS
in Belgium, France, and most parts of the Continent 6
the same weather prevails, and that there is every
prospect of gooderops and a genial season.

FLANDERS MAIL.

BRUSSELS, APRIL 19.—The Patriote publishes the follow-
ing statement ;—" A letter from Guatemala informs us that
the spiritual head of the colony, Father Walle, had just re-
signed ; he has embarked with the French Consul, and re-
turns to Europe." 'We believe we may affirm that Father
Walle returns to Europe on busin'ss concerning his order,
which will probably oblige him to go to Rome, and that he
has not had any occasion to resign his post.
The Minister publishes in ten columns a report on the
colony of St. Thomas, in Guatemala, describing the climate,
the soil, the natural productions, &c. The report is on the
whole very satisfactory.

AND
Vitbitt Optitton.

:lONS Y AND COMMERCIAL NEWS
CITY, MONDAY EVENING.

" Who runs. may read."

Consols leave off firmly thii afternoon, and there has
been a good business doing, though not by any means
an extensive one. The latest bargains were at 99i both
for Money and Time. All the other British Securities
maintained the prices of the morning.
The Foreign investments generally were steady, there
being, however, but little speculation except in Spanish,
which- left off at 251 -a for the Actives, and at 37+ for
the Three per Cents. The .South American Bonds va-
ried but little. Mexican were at 354 for the Five per
Cents., and 15i for the Deferred. Brazilian were 801,
and Peruvian .291. The Dutch Two-and-a-llalf per
Cents. improved to 604.
The additional transactions in Railway. Shares have
been these :—Birmingham and Derby were 39, Ditto
Thirds, 41; Eastern Counties, 10i; Brighton, 6A- ; and
Greenwich, 7i discount. Bristol and Exeter have been
34; Chester and Holyhead, 2i; Edinburgh and Glas-
gow, 161; Great Western, 37; Harwich, 1*; Liverpool
and Manchester, 1211; Ditto Half, 58i; Newcastle and
Darlington, 23 to 1; South-Eastern, 3i to 21; Ditto
Scrip, 5,1- ; Whitehaven and Maryport, 1i; York and
North Midland, 67 to 68; Ditto Scarborough Branch,
161 to 16; Paris and Orleans, 171 1; Paris and Rouen,
171 premium. Union Bank of Australia Shares were
I premium.