The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-05-23 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER

Eiberpoot :-;)tanbarb.

FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.

MONDAY MORNING.

THE subjects of legislative pastime daring the week have
"been multifarious in character, and the consideration of
them has exhibited diversified results. The Peers, although
busily and no doubt profitably engaged. have not made any
very extensive display of their legislative functions, but
have, in a great degree, confined their operations to sedate
cogitation, enlivened now and then with a practical appli-
cation of those principles of Conservative deliberation for
which their proceedings have acquired distinction and re-
nown. The other branch of the legislature, " the people's
house," has been engaged in various and erratic gyrations,
in the practice of which they have included or glanced at
.nearly every possible and impossible subject of legislation
or inquiry, from the regulation of Church property tIS the
securing of personal liberty against the aggression of
priestly intolerance—from the conduct of the war to the
operation of bankers' cheques—from the making of malt
and the distillation of whisky, to the circulation of the
Times a the success of a farthing monthly periodical.
So wide litnge of legislative vision has necessarily re-
vealed many curious facts, and brought to light a consi-
derable array of individual and ministerial peculiarities.
On Monday, the performances began by Mr. J.WILsoN—
in answering Mr. C. COWAN, one of the representatives of
the Northern Athens,—stating that it was the intention
of government to introduce a bill for the regulation of
assurance associations ; but, in giving the intimation, the
hon. member for Westbury omitted to say whether it was
the ministerial assurance association, or that for the re-
formation of the excise laws, which was to be the chief
object of the government solicitude. Probably, in the
absence of more distinct information, it may not be un-
charitable to assume that both associations feel the
desirableness of parliamentary protection for their assu-
rance, and that the patriotic efforts of the government
will be disinterestedly devoted to obtain a general recog-
nition of the pretensions of each. The second and principal
ministerial performance of that evening, was a consi-
deration of the bill for imposing additional duties on malt
and spirits, which, according to the order of business, was
to be read a second time that night,—Mr. CATLEY,
member for the North Riding of Yorkshire, meeting the
proposal with a motion that it be read a second time that
day six months. The hon. member for Westbury (who,
in the absence of Mr. GLADSTONE, appeared as guardian
of the measure,) relied upon the house having pledged
itself to the war as being "a just and necessary" one,
being bound to supply the means by which alone it could
be prosecuted with vigour and brought to a successful
termination, and urged, with more truth than kindness,
that, for producing the sinews of war, the malt-tax was a
source of income which was never known to fail. Sir
JOUN PAUINGtON and others urged the unfairness, and
also the inadequacy of the tax proposed, as a means to
meet the exigency ; and spiritedly as well as truthfully
impugned the pusilanimity of the government, who had
not the manliness to vindicate their measures. This taunt
could not be withstood; so the gladiator of the Coalition
buckled on his panoply and speedily took ground, bedecked
with helmet and shield. On entering the arena, however,
it was soon observed that Lord JOUN was armed only with
a wooden sword, suitable, no doubt, along with his brazen

shield, to parry a thrust, but utterly worthless as a weapon
of offence. Instead, therefore, of rushing boldly at his
antagonist, as has been his wont, in this instance he
sneaked behind his shield, and contented himself with
putting it to the house to say whether, when a formidable
military power threatened to swallow up one of our allies,
a paltry ls. 3d. per bushel upon malt was too great a
sacrifice to save him. The subterfuge was too glaring to
escape detection ; its audacity too flagrant to pass uncasti-
gated ; and his lordship, along with his brethren of the
" talents," received a flagellation at the hands of Mr. Dis-
BAELI such as will not readily be forgotten. Nevertheless
their point was gained—the bill was read a second time ;
and, as success is said to be sanctified by suffering, they
will, without doubt, anticipate a double measure of
benefit from the project they have so far carried
amidst sorrow and reproof. Tuesday night R as chiefly
devoted to one of the crotchets of Mr. MILNER Ginsos,
who sessionally, monthly, hebdomadally,.and nightly, tor-
ments himself, bores the house, and pesters the country
with interminable allegations, inquiries, and suggestions
about stamps, newspapers, and cheap knowledge, without,
probably, being aware that the knowledge he has acquired
and distributes with such merciless pertinacity is exceed-
ingly dear in being listened to, and cruelly expensive in
swallowing up the public time and attention. Every one
thought that a month ago he had for the season slain all
the giants which he annually creates out of the newspaper
stamp, and nobody was prepared to see their ghosts again
" revisiting the glimpses of the moon" till they had been
once more purged by the glowing suns of summer, and
cooled and farther blanched by the rains and snows of
winter. The advocates of the unstamped press had for
the hundredth time exhausted all their arguments, and
shown that they had no fresh ground on which to rest
their case, nor any additional facts by which to strengthen
their exploded averments ; but, profiting by the wise man's
intimation that " perpetual dropping of water weareth
away stones," they seem resolved to make up by importu-
nity for their deficiency of reason. The question was once
more debated on Tuesday night, and the debate unfolded
one or two particularities worthy of note : the first was
the continued and, if possible, growing hostility of Brother
BaIGUT, of Manchester, to an independent press. That
meek ornament of passive resistance never missing an op-
portunity of launching a poisoned arrow at the Daily
News, with which, it is said, he was not long ago pecu-
niarily connected, but which, finding the terms of his
advances in support of a free press somewhat hard of
digestion, was, it is whispered, under the necessity of dis-
carding its phlegmatic adorer, and hence his love has
turned to hate. Another notable matter was the " special
aptitude for business" manifested by the noble HOME
SECRETARY, who, with the practised eye of a parlia-
mentary chief, detected at a glance that the ministerial
squadron had no chance against the arrayed phalanx of
Mr. GIBSON'S supporters, if he pushed his proposal to a
division. Instead of risking this humiliation, or submit-
ting to display a reluctant acquiescence, as a less adroit
tactician would have done, Lord PALMERSTON affected a
patronising indifference, but with his blandest grace sug-
gested a trilling alteration, merely to obviate the chance
of misinterpretation. The cheap literary champion, now
roused sufficiently to see his momentary strength,
refused to give way, but volunteered a declaration
• that no such meaning was implied or intended as
that suggested to the fertile imagination of his lord-
ship, who, declaring himself satisfied with the explanation,
withdrew his opposition, mid Mr. GIBSON secured the
empty triumph of a committee to inquire into the
state and administration of the newspaper stamp-laws,
at some time " to the prosecutor unknown," as the canny
Scotch lawyers express themselves with regard to crime.
The manoeuvre of his lordship was complete, and, what
was more, it was completely successful, and that is more
than any one will say of his colleague, Mr. GLAnsTosz's,
financial coups.
Wednesday saw the consummation of another minis-
terial move, which, though not nearly so well played as
the one above referred to, was nevertheless so far success-
ful that its object was achieved. This was the.withdrawal
of the Marquis of BLANDFORD'S Capitular Estates Bill, a
measure which, however, possessed the very negative
virtue of pleasing no one. Its second reading had to
be moved on Wednesday night ; this was opposed by
Lord A. VANE and others, on various grounds, which
afforded Lord Jon' RUSSELL an opportunity of draw-
ing one of his well-known wind bills on futurity, in
the manufacture of which spurious sort of currency his
lordship has acquired more celebrity than fame,—as wit-
ness his famous Durham diatribe and Ecclesiastical Titles
Bill; his new parliamentary reform project, cum multis
aliis guce nunc prescribere longum est. The present
case afforded him an opportunity of drawing a picture
-sufficiently luminous and brilliant to dazzle the eyes of
Church reformers. It is indeed true the outline was vague,
but the colours were glowing, of that great healing mea-
sure by which the Government intend, when they can get
time, to abate the grievances and cicatrise the wounds
which rankle in the ecclesiastical body corporate, and by
the application of which they will convert the Church into
a mundane elysium. The good time coming" was no
doubt indefinite, but the bait took, and the bill, such as it
was, was withdrawn for the session. The time when his
lordship's promised proflt may be expected to become Lois
may be guessed by the fact that never, in any session, has
he been able to redeem the promises made at its com-
mencement, and from' that deducing the probable period
he will require to perfect one, of which neither the shape
nor the date has been adventured on. Much has been
written, and an incredible quantity of eloquence has been
expended in condemnation of the conduct of what has
been termed a tyrant majority ' • but it has been reserved
for our own day, and has fallen to the lot of the rampant
liberals to aid in the creation of a tyrant minority, and to
justify their acts in bringing the functions of the legisla-
ture and the business of the country to a dead-lock, by a
hypocritical and mendacious adoption of the forms of the
House of Commons, and so twisting them as to effect ob-
jects directly at variance with the poes for which they
were originally framed ; and, worse than all, this tyrant
minority has been abetted in thei?rac practice
ice referred to by
Ministers of the Crown.
This will be readily understood
by reference to the proceedings on Mr. CHAMBERS' motion
for a committee to inquire into the management of con-
ventual and monastic institutions. The principle as to
the propriety of inquiring had been conceded by the
House after full debate, and in opposition to every means,
legitimate, dubious, and illegitimate, which the hostility
of the Popish faction could bring to bear upon the general
question. The tactics of the Vatican were not exhausted
with the defeat of those preliminary obstacles which their
ingenuity had conjured up ; nor were they satisfied with
the most determined opposition its adherents could offer,
and so obviously are they afraid of investigation, that,
instead of relying upon the vaunted purity of the institu-
tions which they defend, they have again strained the
utmost limit of their unscrupulousness in preventing
the appointment of any committtee. The committee
was to consist of fifteen members, and every available
form of amendment was brought forward against every
individual named,—not, be it remembered, on any al-
legation of personal unsuitableness, incapacity or individual
bias of judgment, but simply because the college of car.

dinals will not have a committee at all. Thus, to the
nomination of Mr. WALPOLE, although no personal ob-
jection is taken to or understood to exist against the
appointment of the right honourable gentleman, not
fewer than eight separate notices of amendment were
given on the question that he be appointed, each one of
the amendments involving the certainty of a complicated
and protracted debate. Ex-uno disce omnesahns clearly
establishing the impossibility of appointing any committee
during the present session. This mockery of legislation,
and entire check to parliamentary proceedings, is hypo-
critically censured in terms of mild reprobation by Lord
JOHN RUSSELL, who yet adds an expression of his satis-
faction at the practical defeat of Mr. CHAMBERS' inquiry
through its agency : the factiousness of the course pursued
is admitted, adopted, and defended by Mr. BRIGHT, yet
both these honourable gentlemen are great sticklers for
the freedom of debate, the privileges of parliament, and
the liberty of the subject. In the face of so singularly-
constituted, yet so mischievously effective an opposition,
Mr. CHAMBERS had obviously only the alternative of
withdrawing his intended inquiry, which he accordingly
did on Thursday night. The defeat of his proposal is a
matter deeply to be regretted on its own merits, but
doubly so as demonstrating that, how carefully so ever we
may guard ourselves against the usurpations of Popery,
it is an unquestionable and dangerous fallacy to proclaim
that the POPE has and shall have no power within this
realm. Though the proceedings of Thursday evening in
the House of Commons commenced so uncheeringly, the
true interests of the state were advanced to no inconsider-
able extent by measures discussed, and suggestions thrown
out at an after period of its deliberations ; conspicuous
among which must be recorded the sensible and judicious
remarks made on the Merchant Shipping Bill by your
sober-minded and intelligent member, Mr. HORSFALL.
His observations and hints on the various subjects he
introduced were so obviously the emanations of thorough
knowledge, that they made a deep and lasting impression
upon the house, and as such redound to the honour of his
constituents, while they establish for himself a reputation
for sagacity and usefulness, as valuable personally as it
will be practically beneficial.
If the past week has been legislatively a busy and a
varied one, among the members of the beau monde it
has been equally busy and important, though less varied
in its complexion, which has generally been one of gaiety
and grace, the leading event being the state ball given by
HER MAJESTY at Buckingham Palace. This entertain-
ment was on a scale of grandeur and magnitude unpa-
ralleled in the court annals of our gracious SOVEREIGN,
rife although these are with records of tasteful splendour,
combined with virtuous gaiety. The whole of the state
apartments were devoted to the gorgeous pageant, and
were radiant with all the magnificence which taste and
art united to rank, beauty, and elegance could confer.
The assemblage was numerous and noble beyond former
precedent, comprising seventeen dukes, and sixteen
duchesses, eighteen marquisses, and sixteen marchionesses,
eighty-four earls, and seventy-two countesses, thirty-six
viscounts, and thirty-three viscountesses, one baroness,
eighty-one lords, and a galaxy of ladies, numerous and
sparkling as the stars which gem the firmament ; in addi-
tion to all which there was a gathering of honourables and
right honourables of both sexes, of naval and military
officers, and of learned and grave civilians,

—Thick as the leaves that strew
The brook of Valambrosa.
The accompaniments of this fete were on a scale of regal
pomp seldom equalled, and never surpassed. The saloons
were charmingly decorated with groups of flowers dis-
playing the most brilliant blossoms, and rendering the air
odourous with their rich perfumes ; " gold and gems, and
jewels and bright eyes," displayed beneath a flood of
ambient light which streamed from chandeliers and crystal
lustres, from glittering sconce and sparkling girandole,
gave animation to a scene of gorgeous beauty unmatched
in even the poet's dream. Conspicuous among the noble
host which thronged those stately halls, marked chiefly
by the severe though elegant simplicity of her attire and
her winning gracefulness of manner, was the honoured
and loved lady of our land, who welcomed and cheered her
royal and noble guests with an ease and beauty of
demeanour
_ Which charmed all hearts and loosened every tongne..

On Thursday evening, HER MAJESTY, accompanied by
Prince ALBERT, attended the Royal Italian Opera, to wit-
ness the performance of BELLINI'S "I Puritan;" and on
Saturday she held a drawing-room in celebration of her
birthday, which was numerously and brilliantly attended.
The period fixed on for opening the Crystal Palace, at
Sydenham, the 10th of June, draws on apace, and the
preparations for the great event are being rapidly pro-
ceeded with, and every exertion is made to render the in-.
auguration worthy of the occasion. Her MAJESTY, as I
previously intimated, having consented to take part in the
inauguration ceremony, the Governments of France, Bel-
gium, and Prussia, and several other foreign courts have
intimated their intention of sending representatives to
take part in the inauguration pageant, the effect of which
will be heightened by a grand musical performance, which
will be executed by upwards of a thousand members of
the Sacred Harmonic and the new Philharmonic Societies.
To prevent danger, inconvenience, and undue crowding,
the directors of the Crystal Palace Company have wisely
resolved to limit the admission of the public on the opening
day to the holders of season tickets.
From the turmoil, and the glare, and the glitter of
London life —from the small contentions and vapid whis-
perings of its coteries, few asylums present more grateful
or winning allurements than those offering themselves
in the picture exhibitions by which the numerous public
galleries are annually filled in May. The season, which
by its buds and verdure animates the hopes of the hus-
bandman, and stimulates the expectation of the florist, is
one in which the artist enjoys his triumph and reaps his
reward ; to him, at this season, the exhibition-room is the
world—in its atmosphere his excitable heart swells with
the elation of the hour, and he is, for the moment at least,
a proud and a happy man. The creations of his teeming
fancy—the concentration of his mental study—the graces
of his intellectual culture—and the skill derived from his
incessant and laborious exertions, are placed before the
eyes of what, to him, should be a worshipping world, and
for the time being he is supremely blest. Your artist is
generally a man of ardent temperament, of simple desires,
and guileless habits, and, while pleased himself, he sheds
a radiance of delight around him ; and, as some such happy
being is always sure to be met with in an exhibition-room,
a lounge within its precincts is at once a cause and
an effect of pleasure. The place is in general moderately
filled with people more or less intellectual, at least it is so
before the hour at which the dictate of fashion congregates
within its embrace the credulous VERYSOPHTS and sim-
pering ANGELINAS, who meet but to be seen themselves,
and who have no admiration to bestow on ought that is
not personal ; and an assembly of intellectual people, sur-
rounded by the emanations of intellect, is at all times a
place of interest and gratification. English art has fre-
quently been charged with the crime of being merely
imitative, rarely soaring into the realm of fancy, and sel-
dom attempting to realize the poetry of high imagination.
A glance around the walls of the Royal Academy Exhibi-
tion rooms would prove that this, though partly true, is
generally false. The artist, however imaginative he may
be, is, ex necessitate, compelled to deal with material.
things, and will only be successful so far as he succeeds in
rendering these with a fidelity at once appreciable and
striking ; the higher attributes of his calling being to
I invest these material things with new and elevating qua-
lities, and to display them under circumstances which
draw forth generous and ennobling sentiments. It may
indeed be a matter of difficulty to invest a landscape with
the moral grandeur pertinent to the embodiment of an
important historical event—and cannot be a matter of
easy accomplishment to imbue the portrait of a green-
grocer with the intellectual superiority of a sage—still the
ever-varying aspects of nature, and the ceaseless diversity
of human expression furnish ample opportunity to the
artist for displaying his learned appreciation of her works
—his deep and lively sympathy with all her numberless
meanings. Such sympathy and appreciation, duly worked
out, will be found to constitute the basis of true greatness
in art, and their application is well marked in the pro-
ductions of our artists whose genius enables them to clothe
a common-place landscape in the gentle softness of ely-
sium, and to elevate the smug features of a Wapping
crimp into the simulated dignity of a senator and a sage.
In all the departments of art, as practised in this, and it
may also be in other countries, there is much affectation ;
but in none does this peculiarity evince itself so strikingly
as in the line of portrait. Much of this is no doubt owing
to the vagaries of the artist, but tenfold more is charge-
able against the whimsies of the sitter. It being under-
stood that the artist must produce a portrait which shall
at least be recognizable as representing the individual
meant, how can he do so without perpetrating an ab-
surdity, if the original insists on arraying his countenance
in a guise which might well excite the envy of a Gardafui
' negro ? In gazing on the numerous representations of the
" human face divine," which annually bedizen the walls of

the. exhibitions, I have often been struck by the singu-
larities by which individuals seek to distinguish them-
selves from the common herd. At one period the rage is
in the direction of a fold-over shirt collar and an exposed,
throat; to this succeeds a desire for immortalising hu-
manity in all the stiffness of starched cravats, and collars
as stark as a knife-board, with edges only less keen than a
razor. Here we have a gentleman, who, seemingly sensi-
ble that learning is advantageous, and doubtful of his
ability to show his claim to that distinction, clothes that
head in an academical cap, on, or in which, we may look
in vain for any other symbol of erudition; vis a via to the
pseudo scholar, we have, occasionally, a gentleman of tiny
enough proportions, wearing a hirsute thatch of such out-
rageous magnitude and bristling uproar, as seems to favour
the conjecture, that, knowing there is nothing in his head,
he has resolved to show how much external furnishing it
can be loaded with. In spite of such puerilities and bad
taste on the part of sitters ; and of unworthy sycophancy
on the part of inferior artists, we have still numerous and
noble specimens of portraiture ; and we may rest assured
that that branch of art which was not considered un-
_ _

-
worthy of the pencil and the genius of TlTlAN—which
conferred the highest claims of RE3IBRA.NDT upon pos-
terity—to which VANDYKE owes his fame, and REYNOLDS
his reputation, has, in itself, something more to ensure it
public patronage, than its power of ministering to mere
personal vanity. In addition to the consideration it (1::-
§erves as a means of indicating and gratifying family
affection, it possesses also high claims as a branch of philo-
sophical and scientific art, and in no country of the world
does it meet with a more sedulous or intelligent -cultiva-
tion than in the English school of pictorial art. Its dig-
nity and importance are fitly and substantially vindicated
and maintained by not a few of the artists whose works
grace the collection in Trafalgar-square ; nor are champions
of its merits wanting in several of the other exhibitions,
which at present solicit the support and woo the coun-
tenance of an educated public. In the other walks of art
the collection is also strong, and although it lacks many
of the melo-dramatic features which form so striking a
characteristic of the French school, and is deficient in that
ethical mysticism which so predominates among the Ger-
mans, an exhibition which contains chefs d'ceuvres from
the hand of MA.CLISE, of WARD, EASTLAKE, LESLIE, and
FAED ; which is enriched by the labours of LANDSEER, of
ANSDELL, and of LANCE, some of whom the British nation
may be justly proud of, possess a high claim upon the
public regard.
Many of your readers, in common with all lovers of art,
will learn with much satisfaction, that the government has
"decided on appointing a salaried director of the National
Gallery," a fact, announced in the House of Commons on
Thursday evening. Another artistic fact of some import-
ance has also been bruited, not in the House of Commons,
but in well-informed literary and artistic circles ; it is,
that if peace is maintained in central Europe, a Great
Exhibitieu v 1 Qualm Art t 9 take pliwc

COMMERCIA.L 4 MONETARY NEWS.

MONDAY NIGHT.

IF the condition of the money market, as judged
of by the price of the public funds, may be taken
as a fair test of the state of commercial affairs, the
latter may be considered very satisfactory, not-
withstanding the dulness which still prevails and
the apparent total absence of speculation. The
Funds have gradually improved in value, and
although the accounts from the seat of war have
been in some degree conflicting, they have expe-
rienced but little fluctuation. The returns of the
Bank of England show a very small diminution in
the stock of bullion, it being only £18,713 ; but it
may be remarked that, during the week included
in the return, the receipts of gold from abroad
were but small, whereas during last week the
imports were considerably in excess of the exports
of the precious metals. For commercial purposes
the money market has been rather tight, and the
rates of discount have been higher, reaching as
much as six per cent. on first-class paper ; still
there have been no failures of any magnitude, and
nothing to distrust the confidence which appears
to prevail as to commercial security. It would
appear that the demand for money for legitimate
purposes has led to an increased rate of interest,
the advance on the part of the Bank of England
having been in no way influenced by any appre-
hension as to mercantile stability.
In the manufacturing districts there is no actual
improvement, buyers still holding off on the chance
of pieces being still lower, and confining their
purchases to immediate requirements. Opinions,
however, are gaining ground that activity will
shortly be resumed, and that very soon the trade
in home manufactures will be on a satisfactory

footing.
The Corn trade has experienced a considerable
impetus during the week, and Flour has advanced
no less than 2s. 6d. per barrel. This is owing, in
some measure, to the protracted dry weather and
the backwardness of vegetable crops, which during,
this season of the year usually enter into compe-
tition with the consumption of bread. There is
still, however, a good prospect of an abundant
harvest ; and as arrivals have been large, there is
no great confidence in any further advance.
Our SHARE MARKET has been very steady all
the week, with the tendency of prices decidedly
upwards. There has been a larger business also
than of late. Local stocks are in good demand,
and continue to improve with the market generally.
We annex this day's quotations:—Caledonians, 271;
Edinburgh and Glasgow, 28; Great Northern, 21-1;
Lancashire and Yorkshire, 6041 4 8 ; Liverpool,
Crosby, and Southport,. 111 ; London Stock, 961
1 4 ; Ditto Eighths, la ; Midland Stock, 581
; North British, 7,1 ; South Eastern, 18* 1.16 ;
Poltimore Copper and Gold Mine, Id; Shrewsbury
and Chester gar. 8 per cent. pref.'. 16*; Borough
Bank, 11.-1 ; Lancashire Insurance, ip ; Liverpool
United Gas, 198.
The return from the Bank of England for the
week ending the 6th of May gives the following
results, when compared with the previous week :
Public deposits ... £2,748,437; Increase £409,615
Other deposits 10,587,010; Decrease 101,521
Rest 3,214,89 T; Increase 10,035
On the other side of the account,—
Government securities £11,625,492; Decrease £941,115
Other securities ... 15,144,039; Increase 391,579
Notes unemployed ... 4,713,280; Increase 812,850
The amount of notes in circulation is £21,143,990,
being a decrease of £830,310; and the stock of
bullion in both departments is £12;589,366, showing
a decrease of £18,713, when compared with the
preceding return.

, I SALES. IMPORTS. STOOK
oasontrrion. PRICES. Week Previ- Week
ending ously endingl This
May 19 thisyr. May 19
--
Sea island ll (430 6011 8540 Year. MaYl9
i
Stained 33 73 40 580 1 5800 2702701
Boweds 33 63 9730, 159270
Mobile , 4 63 6480 80470 } 526100 549240
New Orleans. 33 83 20710 320910
Pernams, &c. 61 83 460 18680 .... 12151 16980
Bahia, &c 63 61 390 10910 .... 10018' 10040
6066
Maranham
Demerara,&c 1 330 ... 164 110
Egyptian 53 10 1280, 43660 3048 17713 58860
Com.W.l.Bic. 7 8 10, 2130 .... 1186 3030
Surat
Madras
Bengal 3 20 1170 .... , 974,1 3660
--,--
45130 772310 16933 972132 87166

PRODUCE.—WhiIe the markets generally during
the week have been very inactive, the amount of
business done being small, and prices almost
nominal, the interest has been centred in the pro-
posed alteration of the Sugar Duties. We give
the following remarks on the subject from the
circular of Messrs. T. and H. LITTLEDALE and Co.,
published this morning :
" The proposal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to
impose an addition of 15 per cent. on the Sugar duties,
Colonial and Foreign, caused a suspension in the article
for some days : but last week,. since the proposition has
been more clearly understood, a large business has
been done in Colonial, favoured by the slight ad-.
ditional protection to the sth July, and the fact
that, after that date, (though the duty is to
be equalized with Foreign,) it will be at the sate
of 12s. per cwt., instead of 10s. as before fixed ; but what
is more important, the standard samples, by which the
duty will be levied, are to be raised in quality, and a gra-
duated scale of duties imposed, so as to admit all low dark
Muscovado kinds at is. less, say lls.—at which rate we
anticipate Khaur, low kinds of West India, and possibly
of Brazils and Manilla, but only of the lowest class, will
come in,—whilst it is surmised that the better descriptions
of Bengal, white Benares, and Cossipore and vacuum pan
West India, will be charged the higher rates, say 14s. and
16s. It must be apparent to all that these changes are
simply a boon to our home refiners, who do seem to watch
over, and succeed in protecting, their own branch of the
Sugar trade much more effectually than the importers can
do ; but to raise the duty on one class of Sugar—such as
Benares, for instance—hitherto admitted at the ordinary
Muscovado rate of 10s., whilst others of the same class are
positively reduced, without any previous notice, is simply
an act of legal fraud against the importer. Of course,
these remarks are merely by anticipation, and we yet hope
that the opinion, particularly of the East India body, may
have sufficient weight to induce some consideration being
shown to such imports as shall arrive to the 31st Decem-
ber next, being purchases made on the faith of the exist-
ing law."
To-DAY there has continued a steady demand for
Plantation Sugar, the sales, including Saturday's
business, comprising 80 hhds., 400 barrels Bar-
badoes at 345. to 395., 50 hhds Demerara at 365.
up to 425. 6d. for grainy, 30 hhds. Jamaica at
345. 6d. to 355. 6d., 30 hhds. Antigua at 355. to 365.,
20 hhds. St. Vincent at 31s. 6d. to 345. 6d., a small
lot of Trinidad at 355. 6d., 1300 bags Madras at
31s. 6d., and 5,000 mats Mauritius, from the quay,
at 345. 3d. per cwt. Large transactions have
taken place in Rum, upwards of 500 puns., chiefly
Demerara, having been disposed of, but the exact
terms have not transpired. No transactions to
notice in Coffee. 80 bags Para Cocoa are reported
at 275. 6d. per cwt. We have no sales of moment
to report in. Tea ; common sound Congou may be
_quoted at 11d. per lb. The Rice market is again
rather higher, 1,365 bags good middling Bengal
having chiefly realized 13s. 9d., and a small parcel
of cargo .11s. 6d., besides which, 600 bags damaged
Arracan were sold at 10s. 6d. per cwt. for first
class. We have also to notice 40 boxes Pearl Sago
at 21s. 6d., 30 barrels Rio Tapioca at 425. per cwt.,
and 30 bales white Bombay Hemp at £26 per ton.

WOOL—The attendance of the trade still con-
tinues to be engaged with the public sales in Lon-
don, which are progressing at an average decline
of 2d. per lb. This series opened higher than was
expected ; but, as we anticipated last week, have
since given way to about the expectations of the
trade. There is nothing new in this market, the
general state of dulness which has characterised
the trade for a considerable length of time still
prevails. There has been part doing in English
and Irish combing skin at 114 d, to 134, Ea 04

Yorkshire market, and the new clip of Irish, which
is finding its way to the market very slowly, is
selling at 15s. 6d. to 16i. per stone. Imports for
the week, 354 bales,—viz., 60 Buenos Ayres ; 81
Mediterranean Ports ; 119 West Coast America ;
84 Irish ; 2 Scotch : and 8 Coastwise.

A VERY " GREEN" FELLOW at Ulverston lately boiled
his watch in salt and water to clean it, acting upon the
suggestion of a friend who was fond of a practical joke.
When he opened it subsequently he found it all verdigris
and as green as himself.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND EDUCATION SOCIETY.— The
first anniversary of this society will be held at the Royal
Amphitheatre this day. The chair to be taken by the
Rev. Dr. M`Neile.

TIIE NEW BIILLET.—The government have presented
Mr. Pritchett with 81,000 for improving the bullet which
they have adopted.
RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—On Thursday the boiler of a
locomotive engine exploded on the Penthar branch of the
York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway, near Sunderland.
The engine-driver was scalded, and was otherwise severely
injured. Two or three other frersons were also injured,
but they are likely to recover. The engine was driven
off the line, but no considerable damsge was done to pro-
perty
ON FRIDAY MonNING, his Royal Highness Prince Al-
bert went to Sutton, accompanied by the Earl of Derby,
the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, and the Hon. W. P. Tat•
bot, and attended by Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey and
Captain Du Plat, for the purpose of inspecting the site
offered in that neighbourhood for the Wellington College.

SHERIDAN'S OPINION OF THE POWER OF A FREE
PRESS.—" Give me but the liberty of the Press, and I will
give to the minister a venal House of Peers—l will give
him a corrupt and servile House of Commons—l will give
him the full sway of the patronage of office—l will give
him the whole host of ministerial influence—l will give
him all the power that place can confer upon him, to pur-
chase up submission and overawe resistance—and yet,
armed with the liberty of the Press, I will go forth to
meet him undismayed—l will attack the mighty fabric he
has reared with that mightier engine—will shake down,
from its height, corruption, and bury it amidst the ruins
of the abuses it was meant to shelter."

A HINT TO SANITAET REFORMERS.-If, as sometimes
happens, a snail creeps into the hive, the bees immediately
sting it to death. The body is far too heavy for the bees
to drag out, and yet, unless precaution be taken it would
petrify, and make a stench in the' hive. To prevent this,
they entirely embalm it with propolis ; and which is stilt
more remarkable, should a snail with a shell intrude into
the hive, it withdraws its body within its shell at the first
sting, and the bees, as if they knew that the shell would
not corrupt, in such a case spread no propolis over the
shell, bat merely fasten up the orifice:—Lindley Kemp's
Indications of Instinct.

GAMBLING.—The lower walks of life abound with
characters once steady and industrous, but, owing to their
propensity for gambling, they have become bankrupt in
character as well as pocket. Weeping wives- and neglected
children too plainly testify that the ale-house, with its cor-
rupting appendages is the constant resort of him, who,
though fallen himself, earns a precarious subsistence by
decoying others. In the higher ranks, the seductions of
the gaming-table have acted with Satanic spell in leading
its votaries from all that is respectable, to infamy and dis-
grace. Fortunes inherited through a long lined ancestry
have completely disappeared, and the reekless•possessors
have found themselves deliberately stripped of everything,
and turned penniless on the world.—Rev. S: Moore's
" Original Tales and Sketches."
FORT-AUGUSTUS.-BACHELORS, WHERE ARE YOU P-
A paragraph underthis head appeared lately in the Ladies'
Journal, stating as a remarkable fact that all the shops in
Fort-Augustus were kept by young unmarried females,
all fresh, fair, and twenty. We beg to offer as a still more
remarkable fact, and probably the cause, not the effect, of
the prior fact, that not only is this so, but that the provost,
„the minister, the' schoolmaster, the doctor, the inspector,
the lock-keeper, the exciseman, the baker, the flesher, the
shoemaker, the tailor, the carpenter, the piper, amFthe
fiddler of this very remarkable village are, all of them,
'singular to say, luting in single blessedness ! Without
• inquiring into the laws of • sympathies and antipathies
connected with these facts, or how they seem to be so
nicely balanced here;. we should like to watch what effect
a smart tax on bachelors (to help this budget in these
.warlike times) might have in destroying the anomaly, and
converting some of our friends into flaming Benedicts,—
'/hverness Advertiser.

Tun NEW MILITIA. Acr.,. which has received the royal
assent, is now in operation. The militia may be embooled
whenever a state of war exists, and her Majesty, since the
Act was passed, has sent' a message to Parliament, on
which steps have been taken to embody the force. It- is
provided that the tiine ofr training may be extended after
a corps of militia is called out. The time of drill is not to
be reckoned. Further, it'is provided that notice of the
'time and place of meeting-is to be sent by the command-
ingofficer by post to the- residence of the men as stated in.
their attestations, and to=-lie deemed sufficient notice.
PEsTn.—Two emissaries of Kossuth's were hanged' on.
the 29th ult. at a place called St. George, in Transylvania.
Their names were Joseph Varady and Franz Bartalls.
Two of their companions were reprieved, but will hav3 to
endure an imprisonment' for 18 years in irons and with
hard labour.
NARROW ESCAPE OF' TIfE KING OF HOLLAND.—A
letter from the Hague, of the 10th, says :—" The Krug
yesterday incurred some danger, in consequence of the
horses running away with his carriage, and gallopping at
a fearful rate through several streets before the coachman
could pull them in. His Majesty remained quietly seated
in the carriage, and in that way escaped all injury. After
a short delay, the coachman was able to drive en to
Maison de Bois, the palace where the King was goiiig to
when the incident occurred."

MATRIMONY.—A Barcelona journal, the Corrco, re-
cently inserted the foll Owing advertisement :—"I am a
widower, without children:; am forty-five years old, am
tolerably good-looking (at least so it is said), and possess
in one of the most populous districts of this town a shop,
which does a good business. I want to marry again. I
will give my name toany honourable woman, even if she
should have my own age, provided she possesses some
fortune. Apply to. the. Correo, of Barcelona." "In
less than seven days,"' says the Correo, " not fewer than
twenty-eight females, young, middle-aged, and old, pre-
sented themselves•at our office to demand the address of
the advertiser." _

_
GREAT FIRE. PORLAR.-04Friday morning, about
three o'clock, a fire of a most alarming and destructive
character broke, out in the extensive range of premises
belonging to the London Manure Company, situate at No..
40, New Bridge-street, Plough-wharf, Cubit's-town, Isle •
of Dogs, Poplar. There was a large quantity of oil, vitriol,.
and other matters in the building, which burned with in-
tense fury, spreading destruction to all around: It, was
nearly eight o'clock before the fire was finally checked,.
and not until-property to the amount of several thousan(b li
pounds was consumed.
RECITATIONS PRO3I MEMORY. From an advertise-
ment it wilL be seen that Mr. G. Melville will, this
evening, recite from memory Shakspeare's play of "Ham
let ;" and on Friday, the play of " Macbeth," in the
Concert-hall, Lord Nelson-street. Of the unique and
pleasing nature of Mr. Melville's performances, the press
speaks in terms of high commendation ; and from what
we learn a great treat may be anticipated.
SYRIAN NOTIONS OF MEDICAL. SKILL.—A. doctor is
thought nothing of here unless he resorts- to violent
remedies. I was told a curious anecdote of a seidisant
doetori. who acquired a great reputation in Beilan. He
was much given to administering emetics, and having a
very•delicate patient, resorted as usual to this method of
cure, leaving in the hands of the patient's brother three
strong doses of emetic, which he directed. should be ad-
ministered at intervals of threehours. The brother, finding
the first powder had no immediateeffect, gavethe unfortu-
nate invalid the remaining two within five minutes. The
result was violent sickness, succeeded by spasms and cramp,
which in a few hours terminated fatally. Next day, the doc-
tor was astonished to learn, on inquiry, that his patient was
dead, and evinced his concern in his face. " Never mind,"
said the brother, "it was so fated, but, Mashalla! you are a
great doctor : the medicine you gave never ceased opera-
ting till the moment of my brother's death. It was a
fine medicine, and if it couldn't cure him, nothing earthly
could."—Neale's Eiyia Years in Syria.
OUR IMPROVIDENT CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCITE,

QUERa.—The Worcestershire Chronicle tells the follow.
ing amusing anecdote :—" The Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, on his way from Hagley to London, to resume his
official duties after the Easter recess, was called upon to
pay his fare for the journey at Worcester. But when, he
came to examine the state of his personal exchequ*r, he
found, to his discomfitures that he had not enough cash
to meet the demand, owing, we suppose, to an under-
estimate before starting of his probable expenditure. In
this fix what was to be done ? There was no making up
the difference with ' a deficiency bill,' and the Bank of
England was not at hand to assist the minister in his
emergency with a loan. The Chancellor was relieved by
the courtesy of the booking-clerk, who, recognising his
person, raised his hat, and said he presumed he was
speaking to Mr. Gladstone. The Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer admitted his identity with that gentleman. The
clerk intimated that it was not customary, that he was
aware, to give credit for railway fares, but if he (the Chan-
.

cello'. of the Exchequer) would remit the amount of the
fare he wasdeficient in postage stamps, he would make it
right. Mr. Gladstone thanked him, undertook to do so,
and, we are glad to say, was saftly conveyed to his desti-
nation. With a punctuality which many lesser persons
might well copy, he forthwith remitted the deficiency.
We can only hope that in dealing with the public finances
the right hon. gentleman will not cut matters so close as
to run the risk of ' stumping' the nation as hewas 'stumped'
at the railway station."

THE AMERICAN EXPEDITION TO JAPAN.—This expe-
dition left Hong Kong on the 14th January, and when
last heard of was at Loo Choo, a dependency of Japan, but
governed by its own King. An officer of the party thus
describes Loo-Choo :—" You cannot, or rather it would be
difficult for you to imagine the beauties of this island, with
respect to the charming scenery and its marvellous per-
fection of cultivation, its ancient bridges, paved roads,
canals, dilapidated works of defence, &c. There are
five palaces in the city ; the one we visited is of
very great extent, probably covering a space of three
acres, with massive walls, quite equal to many of the old
castles of Europe. The island contains a population of
160,000 or 200,000 souls, and we have as much control
of it, and the authorities and people, as if it were a con-
quered country ; and, what is singular, not an unfriendly
act or an instance of \ coercion has occurred in bringing
these things about. We have explored the whole interior
of the island, and surveyed the entire coast. The people,
wherever our parties go, attend upon them and sup-
ply them with lodgings and provisions. At first they
would receive no compensation; but the Commodore
insisted that nothing should be accepted unless it was
paid for, and there is now little difficulty in that way.
Hitherto our whaling ships have never dared to enter the
ports of this island ; now they can do so with perfect
safety, and be furnished with supplies at fair prices. As
an evidence of the confidence we have in their peaceful
intentions, we shall leave a party on the island in charge
of a depth of coal established here this very day. The
Regent has promised to take good care of them during
our absence. 'We sail in three days for Jeddo Bay, the
, Southampton, and LeziAigt9u
hying3llacedonariaQn“,tisVgaonadcal/,a

FIFE AT AN ORGAN FACIORY.—On Sunday afternoon,
shortly after one o'clock, a fire broke out in a building
in Rose-yard, Rose-street, Soho-square, London, occupied
by Messrs. Bevington and Sons, organ builders, Mr. Lit-
tleton, music printer, and Messrs. Hopkinson and Purviss,
wholesale oil and colourmen. In the course of a few
minutes after the alarm was sounded, the Rrigade engines
and those of the West of England office kept pouring tor-
rents of water upon the fire, but nearly two hours elapsed
befare the configration could be extinguished.
THE RUSSIAN CAMPAIGNS OF 1828-29.—When the
Russians invaded Turkey in 1828 they lost 50,000 men by
sickness alone, by want of the necessaries of life, and
neglect of the commissariat department ; 50,000 Russians
died on the plains of Turkey, not one man of whom was
killed in battle, for their advance was not resisted by the
Turks. In the next year (1829) the Russians lost 60,000
men between the Pruth and the city of Adrianople.- Some
of these, however, a ere legitimately slain in battle. When
they arrived at Adrianople the troops were in so wretched a
condition, from sickness and want of food, that not 7,000
men were able to bear arms ; how many thousands of
horses and mules perished in these two years is not known.
The Turkish government was totally ignorant of this de-
plorable state of affairs at Adrianople till some time after-
wards, when the intelligence came too late. If the Turks
had known what was going on, not one single Russian
would have seen his native land again ; even as it was,
out of 120,000 men, not 6,000 ever re-crossed the Russian
frontier alive.— Curzon's Armenia.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.—In 1851 there were 2,407,6t2
scholars upon the books of the Sunday schools in England
and Wales. About three-eighths were in the Sunday
schools of the Church of England, the rest were divided
among the various denominations of Dissenters and the
Roman Catholics, the largest share being taken by the
Wesleyans (the original connexion), who had nearly half
as many scholars as the Church of England. The num-
ber of teachers was 318,135, chiefly young persons; 10,383
(almost all in the Church of England schools were paid
teachers, supposed to be mostly the masters and mistresses
of National Schools. It has been estimated that the
number of Sunday scholars under six years of age is about
a sixth of the whole number, and that the propor-
tion above fifteen is at least a tenth of the whole. In
the manufacturing districts the proportion above 15 is very
much larger than in London; the senior classes comprise
many young persons of eighteen or nineteen, and the course
of instruction in those classes is of a superior character.
Many: Sunday-schools sustain week-evening classes,
where the scholars are instructed in some secular art
or knowledge ; many have libraries for the scholars' use
(and it must be recollected that the books are often read
by the families of the scholars); and some have originated
for the senior scholars " mutual improvement societies,"
where lectures are delivered and other means of intellectual
progress are provided. Sick clubs, too, and provident
clubs, and penny banks are frequently established in
connexion with the Sunday-school. Excursions and festi-
vals, hi which the children and their teachers join in re-
creation, are uow universal. Thus there is in some degree-
(although too small) a constant kindly intercourse between
the (Efferent classes of society ; and thus, perhaps, are
being- gradually fostered in. the minds of the working
people. Juster sentiments than hitherto have been received
of the disposition of the class by fortune placed above
them. Bat in this department of its usefulness the
Sunday sehool is yet but in its infancy, awaiting, probably,
the time.when ministers and influential members of the
church shall recognise its undeveloped power for good.—
Census of Arducation.
SOLDIERS' STOCKS.—On Saturday last the Guards
were passed' in review in honour of the Queen's birthday,
and three or four men actually fainted on the parade-
ground. Thenten were at their best, well fed, fresh, and
young. Yet out of less than a thousand soldiers three
men fainted, while ten times their number crowded to see
them unharmed: The day was fine, and far from oppres-
sive ; even in the crowd, composed of men, women, and
children, not the' weakest of them sufrered, while three
young men out of a thousand picked' representatives
of their conntre& manhood fell senseless in the ranks.
How is this to be accounted for? It is but too
easy. The crowd' well dressed, ill diessed, or half
dressed, were at Mast dressed at their ease, while each
soldier was half strangled by a high, stiff, leather stock,
and strapped and braced in all directions. Tile stocks were
taken off, and the fairiting men instantly recovered. Surely
the time has arriveciffir finally discarding all such remnants
of barbarism and folly:. A man is not a better soldier, he does
not shoot straighter, march steadier, nor is bra more effi-
cient campaigner, because he is habitually kept on the verge
of apoplexy. This is a point on which civilians may speak
with as much certainty as all the field-marslials in the
world. The custom of-the stock is even as the• custom of
the pigtail, which, as may be seen in Hogarth's pictures,
was considered indispensable to the Guards in' his day.
Indeed, the pigtail was comparatively a harmless folly, for,
except'the trouble to which it put the wearer,- it could
scarcely interfere with his movements, save in case of pre-
cipitate retreat with an active enemy close in his rear. But
the stock ! We entreat any of our readers who may enter-
tain:any doubts about the matterquietly to tighten his cravat
until his veins swell nice -and blue about his temples, and
then to make a sufficient knot. Let him then hitch a
stiffly bound octavo under his chin, and in this condition
commence any active ezercise. The experiment should
not be a momentary one, for it must be remembered That
the soldier is bound to carry this instrument of torture upon
him on all services, and with a very heavy load of arms,
knapsack, &c. We will venture, however, to say that any
gentleman who will oLey the above directions, and simply
lounge about his room in a dressing-gown for ten minutes,
will have more than enough of it. The continental armies
have bad the good sense to discard an article of diess as
destructive of freedom of action as it is of health and life.
Any medical man will explain the manner in which con-
tinuous pressure at the particular point where the stock
makes itself felt acts upon the circulation, and the destruc-
tive consequences that must necessarily ensue. What the
stays are in the hands of the female mantuamaker the
stock is in those of the man-milliner who presides over
the accoutrements and dtess of the British soldier. If
those tall men in armour are posted at the Horse- Guards
rigorously to prevent the entry of common sense to that
mysterious building they are but too successful. Happily,
they are too heavy for service on the Danube, and; if we
must despair of improvement at home, we hope that there,
at least, the experience ()tour French allies may reach our
generals, and that we shall soon hear no more of half-
choked soldiers fainting- upon the parade-ground.— Times.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

THE WAR.

BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL.

The Paris Monitear-of Sunday says :—The government
has just received two despatches from Vice • Admiral Ha-
melin, commander-iwehief of the squadron of the Medi-
terranean, on the movements of the combined squadrons
in the Black Sea since the bombardment eg Cklessa. The
following are the-.principal passages :

" Ville de Paris, before Sebastopol,
May 1, 1864.

" Monsieur le Ministre—The fourth day after the bom-
bardment of the imperial fort of Odessa, the wind having
turned to the, north, the two squadrons set sail on the
morning of' the 20th of April, and took the direction to-
wards the western coast of the Crimea, as I had settled
with Admiral Dundas. On the 28th, finding ourselves in
sight of the land adjoining Eupatoria, I detached the
steam corvette the Caton, accompanied by the Furious, to
explore the bay to the south of that town. The Caton,.
in accomplishing her mission, captured three Russian
vessels, of which two were coasters. The Furious took a.
fourth, Already, in the morning, the Descartes, in
cruising ahead of the squadrons, had met with an Frig,
fish, brig which, having been captured on the previ-
ous- evening by a Russian frigate, had been precipi-
tately abandoned by the latter, when, perceiving the
squadrons, she had started with all her speed, to
gain the port of Sebastopol. Of these four prizes, two
have been sent to the Bosphorus; as regards the two
coasters, they were sunk. On the 29th, the wind having
allowed us to sail towards. Sebastopol, the combined squad-
rons sailed towards the entrance of that port, They lay
to there for some time, in order to see if it were. true that
the Russian squadron had determined to come out to meet
us, according to the report which the Russian, authorities
had caused to be spread in the Black Sea, as we were in-
formed by the prisoners who were interrogated on the
previous evening. If such, in fact, had been the intention
of the Russian fleet, never did a better opportunity occur
for its showing to the population of the Crimea that it was
anxious to avenge the humiliation of the check which had
been received in their neighbourhood at Odessa. The
weather was fine, the breeze was from the south joli frail
—that is to say, favourable for getting out of Sebastopol,
as well as for getting into it again. I shall add, that in
order to induce the Russian admirals to come out to meet
us, we directed two of our ships to keep out of sight of the..
land of the Crimea, hut in vain ; the Russian ships re-
mained immoveable at their anchors while we were thus
waiting for them.

" We have profited by the time while we were lying-
to before Sebastopol once more to explore the neighbour-
ing bays ; it was done by the Caton and the Furious.
Other steam-frigates presented themselves at the very
mouth of the port, and have examined with the greatest
attention of what the Russian fleet was composed ; it ap-
pears to us to consist of twelve ships of the line, three
sailing frigates, and a very considerable number of steam-
ers, the most of them of small dimensions. The Russian
prisoners interrogated pretend that the ships of the line
are to the number of 14, of which two, in truth, are not
in a very good state, and the steamers, to the number of
26, of which three are large. What would appear to con-
firm the report of the Russian prisoners is the fact that
two large vessels appeared from the top of our masts to be
under repair in the basins of Sebastopol, and might, con-
sequently, be the two ships of war in a middling state, of
which the prisoners had spoken."
" Ville de Paris, before Sebastopol,
May 6.

" Monsieur le Ministre,—Since the last letter which I
had the honour of sending to your excellency, dated Ist
May, the two French and English squadrons have not
ceased to cruise at a little distance and within sight of the
port of Sebastopol, where the Russian Ships persist in re-
maining immovable at their anchors. This immovability
not being calculated in any degree to slacken the opera-
tions of war which Admiral Dundas and I have projected
on the Russian coasts, an Anglo-French division starts
thin evening, tulag thc 01;a410134 9t. RM. 44ir0l Lyons,

to attack and destroy, as well on the coast of the Crimea
as on that of Circassia, the establishments and vessels of
the Russians, and to open ways of communication with
the Circassians, and especially with their chief, Schamy',
This naval division is composed of the English steam-ship
of the line the Agamemnon, carrying the flag of Rear
Admiral Lyons ; of the French steam-ship of the line the
Charlemagne, of five English steamers, and of two French
steam-frigates—namely, the Mogador and the Vauban.
"This last frigate and three of the English steamers
will operate their return to the squadron, when that naval
division, having executed all that is possible to be done
towards the Bay of Theodosia, will direct its course towards
the coast of Circassia, where two ships of the line and three
frigates will be transported.
" While these operations are being executed the remain-
ing seventeen ships of the two combined squadrons will
cruise in sight of Sebastopol, in order to keep the Russian
fleet in respect.

"Towards the 15th of May I have reason to think that
we shall be able to rejoin our naval division thus detached,
at the anchorage of Balschik, from which place I reckon
upon sending a steamer to Constantinople to give you
information with respect to the operations which may have
been undertaken or executed."
The afoniteur adds :

"The French steam corvette the Caton, and the English
steam-frigate the Furious, have captured a considerable
number of Russian vessels in the bay situated to the
north of Sebastopol—very near to the shore, under the
eyes and within the distance of a musket shot of 1000 or
1200 men forming the garrison of Eupatoria."
"The steam aviso the Heron, belonging to the squadron
of Rear-Admiral Le Barbier de Tinan, has sunk or
destroyed in the Bay of St. Nicolo two galliots convicted
of having got ready for piracy."

HAmstraGn, M*T. 20.—" The French fleet, under the
command of Vice admiral Deschenes, accompanied by
her Majetsy's steam frigate Bulldog, Captain W. K. Hall,
have passed the Belt in- safety, and are en route to join
Sir Charles Napier."
BgRLIN, MAY 20.—" News has arrived in this city that
the English have taken a fortress on the coast of the Gulf
of Finland, and that 1,500 Russians have been made
prisoners."
" KIEL, Mir 20.—Eight French liners, four frigates,
and' four steamers anchored to-day in Buelk-roads, and
leave on Monday."
"STOCKHOLM, MAY 13.—1 t is reported that Aland and
Revel have been taken."

PAILIS, SIINDA.Y NlGHT.—According to advices from
Malta of the 17th, more than 10,000 French have arrived
at that island since the Ist of May. The greater portion
of thii force has proceeded to the East.
" The 14th Regiment of the Line and some detachments
of the 17th Lancers have also gone on to Constantinople..
CorzNIDLGEY,• SATIIRDAY.—The • fleet is said to have
bombarded and taken Bomursund, in Aland, and Gustaf—
sorz, at Hangay RAJA. This requires confirmation.
The second edition of the Paris paper Patrie, published
at seven, on Saturday evening, persists in its assertion
that the capture of the Tiger is a faille. It says, an
English commercial: brig was taken and afterwards de-
livered by the•combined fleets, and suggests that this cir-
cumstance gave-riieto the report.

BY ELZCTRIC TELEGRAPH.

MONDAY EVENING, MAY 22.

LONDOX.—After - official hours, Consols recovered and
closed 88i buyers. Railways also improved.- On 'Change
business was dull. P. Y. C. Tallow 61s. ort the spot.
Linseed 4)% ns. 6.11 -to 38s. Scotch Pig Iron; 86s. Other
articles unchanged. Tea : Sales—Of 38,000. packages,
9,000 sold, and the auction closed flatly.

THE W A R.

THE BALTIC.

The-Times' city artiele says it is stated by the Finnish
captains of vessels that have been seized and'brought to
England by our cruisers, that there are numerous small
ports or docks similar to that taken by Admiral Napier
and that there is no chance of their holding out': it seems,
indeed, very questionable if the Russians should not have
evacuated them, so as to spare their forces for other purposes.
Letters report that prizes still continue to be taken by
the English.

FaarsaE.—The Times' Paris correspondent writes on
Sunday that rumours are again afloat of efforts made by
Prussia and:Austria to effect, even at this late hour, an
arrangement with Mugu.
TURICEY.—No later news of importance.

Accounts from Galata, state that lonian merchant ships,
had been captured by the Russian authorities there, and
the crews made prisoners of war.

ROUSE OF LORDS, MONDAY, MAYI

In reply to the Duke of BUC6LEUGH, the. Earl of
ABERDEux.stated that the Lord Advocate would imme-
diately introduce into• the other house a bill:for the pur-
pose of continuing the• assessment upon the • Heritors of
Scotland. for the .support of the parochial schoolmasters, so
as to increase their income to the amount which they had
enjoyed up •ta last November. The measure would, how-
ever, only be• of a temporary character, because it was
still hoped' that an augmented provision might be made
for them, connected with a general system of education.
A discussion took place on the subject of education, in
the course. of which Lord KINNA/RD withdrew the
motion. appointed for Friday next, for an address
for a Royal. Commission to inquire into the state of
education in. Scotland ; and the Duke of AuGYLu gave
notice. that when, the bill, of which notice had just been
given by Lord Aberdeen, should be brought in, he should
stata•in detail the views entertained by government upon
the important and extensive subject of education in
Scotland.

The Bills of Exchange Bill passed through eommittee.
Amendments made in the Law. of Landlord and Tenant
in Ireland Bill were reported.
The Earl of CLANCARTY and Lord REDESDALE gave
notice of amendments upon the-third reading of the Navy
Pay Bill and Manning the Navy Bill, which were seve-
rally read a second time.
The Boundary Survey in Ireland Bill was read a third
time and passed.—Adjourned at 50 minutes past six.