The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-26
Foreign Intelligence
Correspondence OF tho Commercial Adsenissr.l

LONDON, May 10, 1858.
Affairs go smoothly both regards politics and
business, but nothing exceed the dulness thai pre-
walls, and which perhaps solely TO be attributed TO the
state OF the weather. Ii Is nov ten months since any
thing like agreeable condition OF the atmosphere has
been iet except al short and uncertain intervals, and the
la OF moisture, which commenced IN September lasi,
aod continued throughout the winter to extent
cedened even IN this country is s experienced with
undiminished steadiness From September up Febru
ary the Hoods Were accompanied by high and unseason-
able temperature; when severe frosts ueny set
IN, they were accompanied with heavy falls of snow,
ana these nave now changed 10 hail. slee and rain and
long days OF darkness During the present week storms
OF this description have prev aed all over the country
the thermometer falling 10 the freezing point during the
night and often remaining far below temperate through
out the day Ihe same peculiarly Is observable the
continent; and IN many parts OF France aud Belgium the
ground has been covered with snow. As lar its ef-
feels on agriculture are concerned practical fatmera in
this country 10 regard II as favorable rather Than
Otherwise; but whether the conclusion is formed
on the continent remains TO be ascertaned. The whole
Of ihe period are kabe, that
strange results, either on the side OF abundance or
scarcity this year or the next may fairly be anticipated
since, If IL be logical TO look for average crops in
average season. must be equally correct in abnormal
season TO calculate on some strange departure from the
usual extent OF production This departure may not be
manifested Immediately, but il is impossible TO avoid the
supposlton that during the next lew years will be easy
TO connect many variations in agricultural experience
with the unusual phenomena that now in progress
The proceedings in Parliament have been without in
erest The OF the various financial measures of
the government is considered to be beyond question: and
IN division last night on that part ot them relating 10
an increase even on his original large majority This
augmentation OF strength is to be attributed partly to the
manner in which the public at large have expressed their
approval OF the budget WHOLE and partly to the
damaging effect OF recent disclosures with regard
TO corruption pracsed by the Derby ministry during their
short tenure OF Office last year.
Foreign politics, although quiet. are working to the
inevitable end long ores.en by all friends OF freedom
In Prussia, change OF ministry is expected which will
result in still more despoc system than that which has
prevailed since lS4S In Turkey, the Sultan has given
way 10 the demands OF Austria and Russia, and has con-
serted 10 expel all refugees, however notensve they
may have been. In Switzerland Piedmont, and Hol-
land, Romanlst influences are increasingly at work to
subyert the existing constitutional systems and finally at
Vienna the new congress OF Kings is likely TO end in a
fresh holy alliance under compact to aid each other
in carrying on the work of universal reaction until it
shall have been completed on durable basis by the res
toration of Henry Of France.
Tne Stale OF trade in Engaad continues to show an in
creasng prosperity beyond all former record The break
oil the recent speculation IN the iron trade far from
nuring that branch OF manufacture, has been OF great
benefit 10 It's legitimate progress. the demand oS the
tera having been previously checked by the preposer
GUS rise which frightened all persons from taking sup
ply beyond their most urgea wants. Confidence is
established, and oIdets are given without hestaon and
everything goes on actively. The demand is extremely
large Tor plates foi iron ships and also for rails while
heavy commissions are constantly received from Aus
traa. An extensive speculative business is at the same
time carried on In the manufacture OF iron houses also
| for that colony
The tendency OF the operative classes to insist upon
higher wages and shorter hours is still MANIFEST moi wh
standing the excslent pay they now obtain III almost
every department OF abor and there can be ile doubt
that this will continue, and be subject 10 other ma-
ton than such may be furnished by attraction pre-
sened 10 the pald and oppressed artisans OF the CONT
nent
The Bank OF England gave notice to-day that they
prepared TO receive the applications oil those persons who
be disposed 10 convert their per cent stock into
any OF the three securities offered by the gov
eminent The exient Of ,is conversion is limited 10
Ei0 900 600, and such applications received this
afternoon were Tor the new "a per cent stock guaranteed
tor 40 years. aud OF which eio 10 be gwen for every
fl00 OF 3 per cents
report Just ,ranspired that letters have been
ceved from Shanghai, five days later than those by the
last overland mai, stating that the authorities had ap
piled 10 the British consul for assistance against the
ebes and that the consul had referred The TO the
governor OF Hong Kong The authenticity Of the state
ment doubtful, bat II 10 believed To have founda-
ton; and the next mail will consequently be looked for
with tie greatest interest.
The English funds have been IA, during the last few
days, chiefly IN consequence ot rather sudden increase
in the demand for money, which, however, ia in some
slight degree subsldng. Consois at the last date
quoted 1901 and they have left OFT this afternoon al looi
The Liverpool cotton market this week has opened
with hrmness.
10 the grain market there has been much hcaviness,
owing TO the large mporialons OF foreign wheat that
have been taking place for several weeks AT the
kat yesterday sales were effected with difficulty at de-
cline OF IT, per quarter.
The next steamer from this side will be the Europa on
the liih OF May. Oar last dates from New York to
the 26lh of April SPECTATOR.
GREAT BRITAIN.
On the evening OF May 10 there was long discussion
in the House OF Lorls-Ear rey Ia opposition min
moving address the Queen, praying that there
nigh, be change In the arrangements with respect 10
the transportation OF convcts until Parliament had been
consulted on the subject. III defended the reormatory
system ending 10 transportation, introduced by himself
which he described having worked admirably, and
being peculiarly adapted. By its severity, 10 deter the
vicious IRON the commission oil crime.
The Earl OF Aberdeen coutended that the government
had a right 10 decide that convcs should be
10 any colony, and this without consulting Parla
ment With respect TO transportation in general, he
thought that very great nbe ofcases other kinds
OF reformatory punishment might be successfully intro
dused, and the propositions Of the government on the
subject would shortly be laid before the House but in
the time he must protest against the notion that
transportation TO be altogether abolished because
the government had found necessary 10 discontinue II
10 the case OF Van Dieman's Land. The matter
pushed To DIVISION and Earl Grey's motion reject
ell by majority OF seventeen.
In the House OF Commons, on the same evening n
member Mr. r. Chambers, moved for leave Introduce
an important BILL VIZ one 10 facilitate the recovery OF
personal liberty In certain cases. especially in the case
of those detained in establishments aganst their
will. In the course OF his speech
He enumerated the reasons which had produced the
impression bs the Roman Catholic nunneries were not,
alleged societies OF conieniei and happy females but
ba the inmates retained there their incli
nation, though entitled 10 their liberty by British law
lie anticipated oh econs 10 legislation upon this subject.
one OF which that II Invasion of religious
liberty but the object not TO interfere with elsIou-
but TO protect civil liberty /, appeared that there
IS Roman Catholic nunneries 10 Ensland and Wales
hut there Were likewise. perhaps loJ Anglo -Sathohc
nunneries which required quite as much looking alter
The inmates of these establishments, he observed, were
subjected TO irresponsible ~ ser exeTcisei IN secrei inc
fair inference was, that The law should hs viguant IN
/ IA. rf,..ia pla uYG