The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-17 00:00:00

THE SUN._ LONDON, MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1842.

• centre of the old piazza, being Charles 11., in a
Roman habit, by Spiller. A melancholy inci-
dent attached to this, not only illustrative of the'
enthusiasm of genius, but recordatory of one
who at a premature age, found the chisel that
was to have been his glory, drop and fade from
his fingers. Spiller, this young and classical
sculptor, was proceeding in the midst of this
work,when, owing to the inroads consumption was
making on him, he was advised by his medical
friends to desist from working at the marble.
The energy of his labour, and the strong excite-
ment of his feelings bad already made him half
a martyr. But no—be was willing, he said, to
die at the foot of his statue. The statue was
raised, and the young sculptor, with the shining
eyes and hectic flush of consumption, beheld it
there, returned home, and shortly was no more !
GRESH AM, THE KING'S MERCHANT.—Before
this Knight's time, our merchants assembled in
the open sir in Lombard-street, subject to all the
inclemencies and inconveniencies of the weather.
But in 1531, the year of his Sheriffdom, he pur-
chasedothe ground, cleared away the buildings,
and at an expense of 4,0001. erected that which
will stand in our chronicles as predecessor to the
present. Swan-alley, New-alley, and Christo-
pher's-alley, with a host of other intolerable
little purlieus, were swept into oblivion, and in
the name of the whole citizens, Sir Thomas, on
the 11th of June, in the year 1566, laid the foun-
dation stone of the new Bourse.
QUEEN ELIZABETH'S PR OCL A NATION OF THE
NEW EXCHANGE.—It was about six days later
than that which is chosen for the present occa-
sion, namely, in the January of 1770, and on the
23d, that Queen Elizabeth, after dining with
many of her nobility at Sir Thomas Gresham's
house, in Broad-street, proceeded through Corn-
hill to the new Bourse, and " after she had
viewed every part thereof above the ground,
especially the Pawne, which was richly fur-
nished with the finest wares of the city, she
caused the "same Burse, by an Herralde and a
Trompette, to be proclaimed the ROYA LL Ex-
CHANGE, and so to be called from thenceforth,
and not otherwise."

THE PEARL BANQUET.--OH this Royal occa-
sion, and at the banquet which took place, the
following piece of courtliness occurred. It is
-traditionally stated that, during the flow of the
feast, her Majesty's loyal host Sir Thomas drank
to her health in a glass of wine, into which a
very costly pearl, reduced into powder, had pre-
viously been thrown. This circumstance is
alluded to in an historical play, printed in
quarto, 1623, consisting of two parts; the first
representing the troubles of Elizabeth during
the reign of her sister, Queen Mary; and the
second the defeat of the Armada, and the build-
ing of the Exchange. Sir Thomas says :
Here fifteen hundred pounds at one slap goes
Instead of sugar, Gresham drinks this pearle
Unto his queen and mistress : pledge it, Lords.
This pearl had been refused on account of its
price to many of the first nobility, and the act,
if to be discredited, nevertheless is in union with
.the romantic gallantry of the time.
THE VAULTS OF GRESHAM'S EXCHANGE,----,
Whatever was the stateliness of the structure
above, yet it is certain, as appears from the
Ward-book of London, now before us, that
the vaults were appropriated to very inde-
corous . uses: an entry therein _ runs thus :

" Presented. William-Grimbel for keping typ-
linge in the vaults under the Exchange, and fur
broyling of herringes, sprotts, and bacon, and
other thinges, in the same vaultes, noisome to
the merchaur.ts and others resortinge to the Ex-
change." Master Grimbel we believe was here-
upon ejected, and " the offending Adam" as it
were " whipped out."
LAMENTATION POR THE EXCHA NOE.—A Reve-
rend of the name of Samuel Rolle, on the occa-
sion of the conflagration and destruction by fire
of the Gresham fabric, bewails it in terms which
precisely apply to the last occurrence. Among
his " Meditations" he thus descants:—

"What a princely foundation was that Royal
Exchange? and of how great use? Was not
that the centre in which those lines met that
were drawn from all parts of Europe ? Rich
merchants, I mean, and other eminent trades-
men, and great dealers, not only English, but
Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese, and
Swedes? Was not the place a little epitome,
or rather representative of all Europe, if not of
the greatest part of the trading world, renewed
every day at such a time, and for so many hours?
As London was the glory of England, so was the
Royal Exchange one of the greatest glories and
ornaments of London.

" How full of riches was that Royal Exchange !
Rich men in the midst of it, rich goods both
above and beneath ! There men walked upon
the top of a wealthy mine : considering what
Eastern treasures, costly monies, and such things
were .laid up in its cellars. As for the upper
part, it was the great store-house, whence the no-
bility and gentry of the land were furnished with
their glory. Here, if any where, might a man
have seen the glory of the world in a moment,
as the Devil showed to Christ from a high moun-
tain. . . . . .

" But what quick work can fire and destruc-

tion make? }ow did the strong building vanish
of a'sudden, as if it had been but an apparition !
How quickly was it taken down, as if it had been
but a slight tent. So ti.ll that noble structure,
overladen with pride and prodigality—and great
was the fall thereof."

The late Exchange was commenced to be built
on the 27th October, 1666, and was completed
July 12, 1676. The total expense of this hand-
some structure was 33,0001.

GRESHAM'S GRASSHOPPER.,--TO this wonderful
insect, which was once the sign of Sir Thomas
Gresham's shop, and thence transferred to the
top of the Royal Exchange, there was extant a
prophecy, the lines of which were as follow :
" The Grasshopper upon the Royal Exchange,
and the Dragon upon Bow Church, shall meet
together upon Stock's-market, and shake hands
_like brethren." Strange to say the prophecy did
take place, for during the repairs of the late
building and Bow Church, both vanes were
actually deposited together in one yard, though
not at Stock's-market, which now forms the site
of the Mansion House.
LAYING THE STONE BY CHARLES IL—On the
23d of Oc.tober, 1667, King Charles 11. went to
the Royal Exchange, and placed the base of the
pillar on the west side of the north entrance.
He was entertained on the occasion at the joint
expense of the City and Company with a chine
of beef, a grand dish of fowls, ham, dried
tongues, anchovies, caviare, &c., and plenty of
wines. The entertainment was provided under a
temporary shed, built and adorned for the pur-
pose upon the Scotch walk. At this time his
Majesty gave 201. in gold to the workmen. On

the 314-of the same month, James, Duke of
York, laid the first stone of the same pillar, and
was regaled in a similar manner; and on the 18th
of November Prince Rupert laid that stone which
is on the east side of the south entrance.

The Exchanges abroad are, 'and have been,
most of them, sumptuous and _fine buildings.
The Romans had their places for the merchants
to meet in most of the considerable cities' of "the
empire. That called the Collegiiim Meretztorm
f
whereof it is said that even to this day pairie,f•
mains, and called by the Romans of t 6.2 ne
Loggia, or " Place of St. George," is said-' Ack.'''4
been built at Rome in the year of the C4i*O,
being 493 years before our Saviour, undexpgii.
Consulateship of Claudius and Servilius. ~, ' ,
That of,Antwerp was inferior to none ; the
trade was transferred to Amsterdam, forming the
present considerable Exchange at that place.
It is a large building, 230 feet long and 130
broad, round which runs a peristyle or portico,
20 feet wide. The columns of the peristyle,
amounting to 46, are numbered, for the •conve-
nience of finding persons. The Bourses at Flan-
derS; Holland, and France : the Places de Change
at Paris and Lyons, the Colleges of Merchants
in the Hanse Towns, and the Bolsa in Spain, are
all capacious fabrics, and worthy their merehants.
That the structure which is to adorn the me-
tropolis of greater cities than those recited, will
be of dimension and make, worthy of its, purposes
and poSition in our city, it is to be hoped neither
labour, taste,_ nor execution will be spared. It is
to become the .centre-point of attraction to the
merchantS, traders, and interpreters of almost all
the emporiums and marts of the world ; it is to
be the palladium and safe-citadel of all the
weighty commercial transactions between men
and even kingdoms; dedicated, to use the expres-
sive words of the original founder's own inscrip-
tion—

A CANTICLE FOR THE DAY; OR
v.-A-ROYAt EXCHANGE CAROL.

Ibimus ! Ibiinus !
Quocunque precedas
Carpere iter, comites parati.—Holt.

Jocundly broke the noon I ween,
As Bow, from his peeling steeple,
-Forth from the road, the hall, and green,
Summoned the morning people ;
Gaily arrayed in their holiday-gear,
With looks and laughters beaming,
Thronged merry thou Sands from far and near,
Along the street-ways streaming.
Sing up, heart ; sing up, heart ;
Beat to a merry-made measure,
Londoners all bear gladsome part,
In this day's joyous pleasure.
Gossips for many a distant day
Will tell, in eventful story,
How England's Prince came forth to lay
This stone of the City's glory
And maidens and boys will prattle long
Of the glassy bright brick thereunder, .
While minstrel-men, with harp and song,
Shall chaunt of the hidden wonder.
Sing up heart, &c.
Other strange marvels these, too, shall join:—
The trowel's silver brightness---•
The glassy box of the buried coin—
Shall charm old tongues to lightness ;
While richly red in the Calendars
The day shall down be set,
And round its date a ring of stars
In jubilee be lit.
Sing up heart, &c.
Wants there now but a few white moons
Aloft in the clear sky shining,
E'er one o' them, fraught with dulcet tunes,
On a lovely cloud reclining,
Shall pause awhile o'er the City-haunts,
And pour her argent gilding,
To grace, as it falls, the noble halls
Of the new and Royal building.
Sing up, heart; sing up, heart;
Beat to a merry-made measure,
Londoners all bear gladiome part
• In this day's joyous pleasure.

ANTI-CORN-LAW CONFERENCE

AT EDINBURGH.

THURSDAY, JAN. l3.—The Conference met at ten
o'clock, when Provost Henderson, of Paisley, was. called
to the Chair.

The Rev. Mr. YOUNG, of Dunfermline, seconded the
resolution which had been proposed the previous even-
ing by Mr. George Thompson, and, in the course of his
remarks, adverted to the state of trade in the town with
which he was connected.

The Rev. Mr. STIRLING, of Coatbridge, supported the
resolution, contending that the rate of wages was never
dependent on the price of food, but on the amount of
employment.
The Rev. Mr. ELus, of Saltcoats entered into a variety
of statistical statements with respect to Steventon, Ar-
drossan, Dairy, and Newmills. In Saltcoats the wages
for working certain fabrics had fallen within fifty_years
800 per cent., and the average of wages now was ss. 6d.
per week ; those who earned `so much as 10s. being en-
gaged in work of a superior description, and being be-
sides very few in number, not exceeding a dozen. In
Newmills, where there were 900 weavers, these men had,
within the last four years expended 3,000 k to furnish
Jacquard machines, being at the rate of nearly 4/. each,
while wages were, within the same period, reduced 42
per cent. The value of money was a great deal less to
the poor man than to others, because he purchased in
small quantities, and the shopkeepers in the locality
which were referred to, said that while they were em-
ployed as much as before in the sale of articles of con-
sumption, the amount of money drawn was considerably
diminished. After some farther observations the Rev.
Gentleman concluded by expressing his cordial concur-
rence in the resolution, and by observing that the prin-
ciple of self-preservation should impel them to support
Dissent, which was the cause of truth and liberty.
Mr. J. THOMSON, from Dunse, described the condition
of the rural population in the district with which he was
connected. He had made a list of farms let in the neigh-
bourhood of. Dunse for the last three years ; one of
which (the old rent was 1,3021.) had let for 2,006/., being
an advance of 42 per cent. Lands of which the old rent
was 149/., now let for 181/., being an advance of 21A-
per cent. Another, of which the old rent was 1201.,
now let for 1461. A farm in Buncle, of which the old
rent was 800/., was now let for 1,050/., being an advance
of 31 per cent. A farm in the same parish, which was
formerly let for 350/., was now let at 650/, being an ad-
vance of 85 per cent. A farm in Pogo had risen from
1,0001. rent to 1,350/., being an advance of 35 per cent.
The rural population was almost stationary, while that
in the towns was decreasing ; and from the statements
he had read, it would be manifest that to the farmers' in-
terests the Corn-laws were as injurious as to the general
interests of the country.
Mr. J. H. BVmsoN, from Aberdeen, said, unless a
speedy change were effected the prosperity of the city of
Aberdeen was gone for ever. Their shipping interest
was fast decaying. For a period of seven years it ap-
peared from statistical tables (which Mr. Wilson read)
that their imports by British vessels had remained
stationary, while those by foreign vessels had increased
to an immense extent. In all articles requisite for ship-
ping the foreign market had the advantage—an advantage
which they owed to the Corn-laws,
The CHAIRMAN having put the resolution, it was car-
ried unanimously. _ _

Dr. JOHN RITCHIE, of the Potterrow,_ proposed the
next resolution, which was to the effect that the general
system of free trade was most consonant with the prin-
ciples of civil and religious liberty throughout the world.
There was a yawning gulph between the higher and the
lower classes : it was the business of those whom he ad-
dressed to step into that gulph—to mediate between the
two classes. It was a terror to him to look on the pre-
sent state of the country; everywhere it seemed as if the
crater was soon to burst forth, and the lava be scattered
far and wide. If they stood fast to their cause, if they
held on their way undismayed, he ventured to predict
that their triumph was certain, and that the country
would escape those dangers which seemed impending.
The Rev. Doctor concluded by moving the resolution.
Rev. CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON, Edinburgh, seconded
the resolution, and observed that he took up the question
as a deeply religious one. It was a question of life and
death. He felt it a humiliating task to stand up before
such an audience, and in the nineteenth century second
such a resolution as that now made. So long ago as the
sixteenth century, when Henry AUL sent an embassy to
Naples to form a commercial treaty, that monarch had
urged the duty of free commerce among States; and here
after successive monarchs had sat on the throne, and
350 years had passed away, still were men explaining,
still resolving, on precisely the same subject. The Rev.
Gentleman then proceeded to enter into some historical
details with respect to the principle of free trade ; and
concluded by urging the necessity of energy and union,
which had before destroyed monopolies; and if Scotland
were firm and unanimous in this instance as in others,
these Cor -laws would by the combined efforts of their
opponents soon be at an end.
Mr. THOMAS MILLS, farmer, from Perthshire, in sup-
porting the resolution observed, that farmers were as
much interested in the abolition of Corn-laws as others,
because these laws failed in the very object which they
professed to effect, namely, in keeping up the prices of
grain.
The Rev. Mr. LEECHMAN, of Irvine, moved the eighth
resolution :—" That looking to the increased facilities
which would thereby be afforded for the more extensive
propagation of the gospel of salvation, and favourable
reception of the word of life, free trade may be justly re-
garded as one of the means of the final triumph of Chris-
tianity ; and considering the great and many privileges
which Britain has enjoyed above other nations, this
meeting is of opinion that every Christian within its
limits, is bound from a sense of duty, gratitude, and love
to Almighty God, to use his strenuous efforts to accom-
plish such a desirable result." The resolution was
seconded by the Rev. Mr. Kennedy, of Paisley, who
made various statistical statements with respect to the
'depressed state of trade. , • ,;;.,
iy•The Rev. lIENny likwreN, of Kelso, propallattfrthe
ninth resolution That this meeting toepresti thArlrigh
satisfaction, that the Anti-Corn-law League have called
'a meeting of Delegates from all parts of thekiriedm to
assemble at London on the Bth of Feb. next, to consider
the best means of promoting the total and immediate re-
peal of the Corn and Provision-laws, and earnestly re-
commend to the friends a the cause throughout Scot-
land, to send deputations to the said meeting, and
to urge upon it, irrespective of any measure whiCh
may be announced by her Majesty's •Government,
and in order to test the opinions of the professed
Representatives of the people, the adoption of the
most effectual means for securing an early division of
the House of Commons on the question of the total
and immediate repeal of these unjust and oppressive
laws. And, impressed with the vast importance and
necessity of active and combined exertions on the part
of the members of this Conference, and the other friends
of the cause throughout Scotland, this meeting further
recommend that in every locality immediate and ener-
getic measures be taken for informing the public mind on
the various bearings of this question, especially those of
a moral and religious nature, and organising Committees
and Associations to secure continued co-operation, and
the transmission of petitions to Parliament, numerously
signed by members of dissenting congregations and others
on or before the Bth day of February next." The Rev.
Gentleman observed that all they had done and heard
were only means to an end ; and if they trusted to their
proceedings at that meeting, they would have effected
little of what it was fitted and ought to produce.
Provost HENDERSON, after a few observations, left the
Chair, to which Mr. Wigham was called ; and after a
vote of thanks to the late Chairman the Conference ad-
ourned to the evening.
EVENING SEDERUNT.
Mr. STURGE and Mr. MA.sstE in succession addressed
the meeting, which was more crowded than in the early
part of the day.
The ninth resolution was unanimously adopted.
Mr. ADAM BLACK, seconded by the Rev. PETER MAC-
DOWAL, Alloa, moved that an address to the Queen be
adopted, as embodying the sentiments of the Conference,
and that the Right Hon. Lord Dunfermline be requested
to present it to her Majesty.
Rev. A. SOMERVILLE, Dumbarton, seconded by Mr.
D. DEWAR, Dunfermline, moved that an address to the
people of Scotland be adopted, published, and circulated.
Rev. J. DOBIE, Langholm, seconded by the Rev. J.
TAYLOR, Pt, Andrew's, moved that petitions to the Lords
and Commons be adopted, and presented to the House
Of Lords by the Right Honourable Lord Dunfermline ;
and to the House of Commons by the Hon. Charles Pel-
ham Villiers, M.P. for Wolverhampton ; and that a

copy of these resolutions be transmitted to all the Mem-
bers of Parliament for Scotland.
A Committee rtir4S then„oppointed to see the resolu-
tions carried into effect, and thanks were voted to Mr.
Duncan M‘Laren, Mr. Ewart, ALP., Mr. Wallace, M.P.,
and Mr. George Thompson, to the Session and Ma-
nagers of the Chapel in which the Conference met, to
the families who had accommodated the strangers, and
to the Chairmen, Committees, and Secretaries.
The meeting then separated.

-ANTI-CORN-LAW DEMONSTRA-
TION AT GLASGOW.
,This important Convention, , the assembling of which
has been looked forward to with feelings of much inte-
rest and anxiety, commenced its sittings on Friday, at
twelye:o'clock, at the Trades' Hall, where it had been
arranged to receive the Reports of the Deputies from
arious parts of the country, as to the state of trade, and
the operation of the Corn and Provision-laws upon the
state of the country.
After a preliminary meeting of the Deputies had been
held in the Saloon, they moved into the Hall at twelve
o'clock, at one end of which a large platform had been
erected. Mr. Walter Buchanan (in the absence of Mr.
Alexander Johnstone, M.P., who was detained from in-
disposition), took the chair. Upon the platform we ob-
served a number of the gentlemen who_ have taken an
interest in the Anti-Corn-law movement in Glasgow, in
addition to a large body of deputies from the country.
The body of the Hall was well filled, a considerable
number being the members of the working classes, whose
very existence may be said to be bound up in the early and
equitable settlement of this momentous question.
The reports of the deputies were such as amply to
prove that the mass of the working-population of this
kingdom have reached that point in depression—and that
trade and credit are in that disorganised position which,
must call for an immediate remedy, otherwise anarchy,
ruin, and national bankruptcy, are the certain result.
The banquet took place in the evening at six o'clock,
when upwards of two thousand persons assembled, and a
great number of applicants were disappointed, in not ob-
taining admission. Independent of the mere numbers,
the meeting was by far the most influential of the kind
ever held in Glasgow, both in point of wealth, talent,
and general respectability. The chair was filled by James
Oswald, Esq., M.P. for the city ; and John Tennant,
Esq., of St. Rollox, Walter Buchanan, Esq., James Lums-
den, Esq., of Yoker Lodge, Alexander Graham, Esq., and
Wm. Gray,- Esq., officiated as croupiers. At the Chair-
man's and croupiers' table there were, amongst others,
A. G. Spiers, Esq., of Calcreuch; Charles Gray, Esq.,
Chief Magistrate of Gorbals ; Mr. Sproul, farmer; Mr. -
Duncan, M.P. for Dundee; Rev. Dr. Heugh; R. Wal-
lace, M.P. for Greenock; A. Rutherford, M.P. for Leith;
Hon. F. Maule, M.P.; J. Oswald, M.P.; Rev. Dr. Ward-
law; 'Wm. Ewart, M.P. for the Dumfries burghs; Pro-
vost Bain, Greenock; Provost Henderson, Paisley; John
Wigham, jun., Edinburgh; Robert Bartholomew, Esq.,
Chief Magistrate of Calton; Rev. Mr. Love; P. M.
Stewart, M.P. for Renfrewshire; , George Ord, Esq.,
Councillor; John Whitehead, Esq., do.; John Hamilton,
Esq., do.; Wm. Bankier, Esq., do.; C. J. Tennant, Esq.,
St. Rollox; W. Gray, of Blairberth ; John Pattison,
Esq., merchant; George Crawfurd, Esq., writer;
George Anderson, Esq.; Alexander Graham, Esq.,
of Lancefield ; Mr. Perston, of Thornwood ; Pro-
fessor Gordon ; John Tennant, Esq., of Saint
Rollo' ;. John. Wilson, of Auchindean; Robert Graham,
Esq. ; James Lumsden, Esq., of Yoker Lodge ; A. Gal-
braith, Esq., Oakbank ; Edward Baxter, Esq., Dundee •,
Mr. Graham, of Capilly ; the Provost f Ayr ; Samuel
Higginbotham Esq. ; Mr. George Thomson ; Professor
Buchanan ; air. Mitchell ; Rev. Patrick Brewster, of
Paisley, ; D. Bell, Esq., Councillor ; John Small, Esq.,
do. ; John Ure, Esq., do. ; James Turner, Esq., do. ' • J.
Anderson Esq., do. ; R. Brand, Esq., do. ; J. Graham,
Esq., of Anderson,.
; Walter Crum, Esq. ; D. Murray, Esq.,
writer.; Alex. Tennant, Esq. • James Dunlop, Esq., of
Clyde; Laurence Hill, Esq., of Barlanerk; James Acland,
Esq. ; Mr. Howie, Manchester ; Archd. Harvey, Esq. ;
A. Liddell, Esq. ; W. Brebner, Esq. ; Andrew Ruther-
glen, Esq. ; Robert Hutchinson, Esq., merchant.
The whole proceedings were of a most striking and
impressive character.

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.
OXFORD, JAN. 15. —Th e junior Proctor has given notice
that he will receive the names of those Undergraduates
who intend offering themselves for the responsions this
term, on Wednesday next, from one till three, and the
next day from twelve till two o'clock.
On Thursday, Feb. 24, the examination of candidates
for the Vaughan exhibition will commence; they are re-
quired to be natives of Merioneth, or natives of any other
English or Welch county, one of whose parents shall be
a native of the county of Merioneth.
Candidates must not exceed 19 years of age, nor, if
members of the University, must have passed the third
term for matriculation.

Declaration in writing of the nature of their qualifica-
tion, with certificate of baptism and testimonial from mas-
ter or tutor, is to be transmitted to P. Walsh, jun., on
or before the 16th, of Feb.

The appointment of Assistant Minister of St. Mary's
Episcopal Chapel, Reading, has been made to the Rev.
E. H. Haskins, of Queen's College.
The Rev. H. Downing, of Trinity College, has been
presented to the curacy of Wolverley, Worcestershire.
The valuable appointment of Deputy Judge-Advocate-
General has been conferred on F. N. Rogers, of Oriel
College.
The Prebend of St. Nicolas Penffoes, in. the Cathedral
Church of St. David's, has been given to the Rev. Natha-
niel Davies, of Pembroke College.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
observed in your correspondence a
short time since an account of the comparative
strength of the Liberals and Tories in the Coun-
cil of the borough of Plymouth, but your Corre-
spondent omitted to inform you that, on the
choosing of the nine Committees of'that body,
the Liberals in the Council nobly did their duty,
by not permitting a single member of the Tory
party to be on any one of the Committees. A
further check has been given on the recent elec-
tion of Committees of the Commissioners under
the Paving, Lighting, and Improvement Act ;
wh en,al though a much greater number ofCommis-
sioners were present than usual, and some Tories
appeared who are never seen except on an occa-
sion of this sort, the result (as officially de-
clared this day) is that they are completely
beaten, and Liberals were, with but one exception,
chosen on all the five Committees. Tins has
been accomplished by union on the part of the
Liberals.

There must shortly be an election in this town
for three Life Commissioners to replace as many
Tories who have been selected by that renegade
Sir James Graham, to fill the office of Magis-
trates (with how much honour to themselves and
the Board time alone will show), when the Libe-
rals expect and are determined to replace their
worships by good men and true from the Liberal
camp.—Your obedient servant,
ONE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL.
Plymouth, Jan. 15, 1842.

SUNDAY MAIL-TRAINS.—At a Meeting of
the Town Council of Linlithgow, held on Monday last,
the Provost moved that the Council communicate to the
Directors of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Com-
paw,' their approval of running mail-trains on Sunday
morning and evening, care being taken in doing so to
give as little hurt to public feeling as possible ; which
motion being seconded, was carried by a majority of
fourteen to four, two declining to vote—the minority of
four being of opinion that the Council should not inter-
fere in the matter.

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. CHATHAM,
JAN. 15.—0 n Friday evening the head-quarters of the
6th Regiment arrived at Rochester from India. The
head-quarters comprise 123 rank and file, 10 sergeants,
5 drummers, and 6 corporals, 10 women, and 25 children,
with the following officers :—Lieutenant-Colonel Eve-
rett, commander ; Captain Dennis, Lieutenant Ralph,
Lieutenant Frazer, Ensign Loinsworth, Paymaster
Blakeman, Quartermaster Sheehan, and Sergeant-Major
Knox. The staff entered the city with its full band
playing, and the whole of the men appeared greatly fa-
tigued. The head-quarters disembarked in the afternoon
of the same day at Gravesend from the ship Candahar,
of 640 tons burden,. Captain John Ridley. The regi-
ment left Hull, in Yorkshire, in the year 1821, and pro-
ceeded to the island of St. Helena ; but in consequence
of the death of Napoleon the regiment was removed to
the Bombarestablishment, where they underwent more
duties than any other regiment during the last 16 years.
The staff is considered to have reached England in a
very healthy state, considering the privations the men
had to undergo during their passage. The staff left
Bombay on the 27th of August last, and embarked on
the 28th, and during their five months' voyage they lost
twelve men and one child. The disease of the men was
dysentery and remitting fevers, arising from the Indian
climate, and relapse upon the confinement on board
ship. The last 42 days of the passage they had• not a
death on board. The head-quarters left for Canterbury
this morning.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AND Loss Of LIFE.—•
A fire broke out in the house No. 8, Bride's-alley, be-
longing to a man named James Boyle, a furniture-
broker and coffin-maker, at about four o'clock yesterday
morning. The fire first commenced in the shop, but
soon after raged through every part of the house. As
yet the origin of the fire is unknown. Melancholy to
relate, two females perished in the flames—one a poor old
woman named Rebecca Snell, about 65, and the other a
young girl named Judith Grace, aged 18. They were
sleeping in a top back-room, and, before either they
could save themselves or any assistance could be ren-
dered them, were almost totally consumed. The head
of the old woman was literally burnt off. The head and
body of the girl also were much burnt. An inquest was
held on view of the remains of the bodies in the course of
the day, by J. E. Hyndman, Esq., one of the City Coro-
ners, in a house near the scene of the melancholy catas-
trophe. The half-consumed remains of the unfortunate
sufferers presented a horrifying spectacle. The Jury
returned a verdict of " Accidental death by fire."—
Dublin Evening Mail.
The Friendly Society of Benevolent Porters held
their annual festival at Mr. Harrison's, the Marquis of
Granby, South Audley-street, on Thursday evening last,
when fifty members and ten guests sat down to an excel-
lent supper.
Almost every Court day in Sunderland some
poor wretchis are brought before the Magistrates,
charged with being found by the police sleeping in glass-
houses,
aando det.ll*-6--I.CPaI fielse Journal.
of that description, having no
place
a f b
The money-order office, Liverpool, issued and
paid in three months, ended sth January last, upwards of
31,000 chectues ; the total amount being nearly 68,0001,

THE LEVANT MAIL,

TURKEY.

CONSTANTINOPLE, DEC. 27.—The unremitting assi-
duity with which the Porte pushes its warlike prepara-
' tions, marching, even in the depth of winter, battalion
after battalion into Roumelia, and carrying its pugnacity
to the ektent of bending the sails of six ships of the line,
all ready for a start, in the arsenal form, together with
the perplexity of the Corps Diplomatique, is a burlesque
which, but for the inconvenience it is likely to entail,
would rival any other Christmas pantomime in absurdity.
When, however, as a consequence of these movements,
fleets are ordered into the Archipelago, and rush simul-
taneously to the arena of apprehended hostilities from
Toulon and the British Channel, the question undoubtedly
becomes more serious, and it seems really to be true that
the Porte vouchsafes no explanation of all this superflu-
ous bravado and these gratuitous demonstrations.
I have just been put in possession of a most important
piece of intelligence, to the effect that the Porte has re-
ceived despatches from Reschid Pacha, at Paris, inform-
ing it that he had positive assurances from M. Guizot on
the subject of the Turco-Hellenic differences ; and that
the French Government had already intimated to King
Otho its determination of enforcing a speedy and equita-
ble adjustment of the just demands of the Porte.
An Imperial firman is about to appear, directing an in-
quiry into the salaries and remuneration now received by
the functionaries and employes of the Sublime Porte, with
a view to necessary retrenchment and the abolition of
sinecure places.
The Porte has communicated to Mr. Bankhead its in-
tention of immediately conferring on the officers and
seamen of the British fleet the medals and decorations
which had been promised to them for their services in
the Syrian campaign.
I have got some details about Circassia at last. A.
great battle was in reality fought between the moun-
taineers and the Russians in the middle of October. It
commenced in the pass of Hamish, only about six miles
from the castle of Sotcha. The Russians had about
8,000 Georgian and Mingrelian cavalry, with 10,000 or
12,000 of their infantry; The former led the van, and
were attacked in the pass so vigorously that they were
put completely to the route. They fell back upon the
infantry, to whom their own panic was communicated,
and the whole fled en masse to the coast, hotly pursued
by the victors. The slaughter was dreadful, no less
than 3,500 of the Russian party being left dead upon the
field. Some escaped to the ships which, 49 in number, were
lying within gunshot of the shore ; others were drowned
in an attempt to swim off, and the rest of the survivors
made good their retreat in dreadful confusion to Solcha,
where they collected and entrenched themselves. Few
prisoners were made, for the Circassians, being less than
5,300 in number, could not embarrass themselves with
such an incunibrance, and put to the sword nearly all
such of the enemy as fell into their hands. All the
horses, and an immense quantity of arms and baggage
were the booty of the heroic mountaineers, whose loss
did not, according to their own account, exceed 450
men hors de combat. After this defeat the Russians
sued for peace, and got for answer that the Circas-
sians would make peace if the Russians would first
evacuate the fortresses on the coast. But they would
not treat without intervention. They proposed that after
the evacuation, a delegate from the Russian-General,
and another from the Circassians should be sent to Con-
stantinople, where a treaty should be made with the con-
currence and under the guarantee of the Porte and the
Great European Powers. This proposal not meeting
with the approbation of the Russians, they, after remain-
ing before Sotcha about 20 days, embarked in their
ships, sailed away, leaving the accustomed garrison in
that place. The Circassians intend to attack all the
castles on the coast (Anafa excepted) during the winter.
The harvest having been fine, they have abundance of
food for man and beast, and expect to be very successful;
since last winter, though suffering severely from the
dearth of provisions, they managed to sack five castles.
The Russians, therefore, in Circassia, do not recline on
beds of roses. The European Powers ought by all means
to interfere to stop the useless and demoralising effusion
of blood.