The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS. IN London during the past week nothing has been talked about so much, both within the Houses of Parliament and without, as the riots in Hyde- park. Every well-thinking person concurs in the feeling that it is a pity such a thing should have occurred. It was not the desire of the Reform League that riotous proceedings should have attended their meeting. It was not the wish ef Government that free discussion upon political matters should be prevented. It was not the artisan, or those who may properly be called the "working man," who took part in these riots. Placards announced that a meeting would be held in Hyde-park to consider the question of Reform, which was followed by an official notice from Sir Richard Mayne, as Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, that such meeting would be illegal. As we all know, the gates of the park were closed, the park railings were thrown down, the rabble, the scum of London, rejoiced in an opportunity for mischief, and hence the result. I do not think that members of the Reform League took any part in the work of devastation, but rather prevented it whenever they had an oppor- tunity. However, it is not my purpose to record what the newspapers have given so fully, but I may give a little insight into the manner in which it was brought about by my own observations on the second day of the riot. I entered the park in the morning there were the iron railings lying full length on the ground all the way from the Marble Arch down Park-lane almost to Apsley House, and, in fact, wherever it was possible, on the Bayswater-road and the Knightsbridge-road, the fencing was rased to the ground. The flowers in the ornamental grounds were in many parts trampled down, young trees torn from their roots, and general havoc was observable amongst seats, hurdles, &c. I looked round me and saw a crowd of young urchins, perhaps averaging fourteen years of age—none older than eighteen. Many of these belonged to what are termed street Arabs; they had made profit during the night of the occur- rence. With chisels, hammers, and such like instru- ments, they had extracted the lead from the mortice holes where the iron rails had rested, and disposed of their plunder to marine-store dealers, who were quite ready to purchase. Some boasted that they had made two shillings, others eighteen pence, some a shilling, &c. Strange to say, the policemen did not interfere with the lads whilst this abstrac- tion was going on. At midday about 1,000 of these idle boys mustered in a body, the leaders carrying sticks, and those who possessed such an article as a pocket handkerchief floated it as a banner. I did not see a man amongst them. As long as they quietly marched from one end of the park to the other no notice was taken of them, but presently they commenced knocking down the seats which had not previously been interfered with; then they espied a water-cart on the bank of the Serpentine. This they seized, and with wild hurrahs backed it deep into the water. Three policemen coming up at the time, many of the young wretches fled, but presently you heard some voices shouting, "Keep together," "Keep together, lads," "Here's a lark," &c. Then a hob- bledehoy of about seventeen called out, "Sticks-- now fire!" and away went about fifty of those missiles at the devoted heads of the policemen, who, finding they could not hold their ground, took to their heels, followed by this juvenile mob, looking like so many hares before a hungry pack of hounds. The policemen had not gone far, however, before they were met byabout half-a-dozen more of the force. They then made another stand, but the lads were too much for them, and drove them fairly #V*V. PS'SHi A ftoi' this the little rascals lanciecl ttiey Iiaa the park to themselves, and, sur- rounding some young trees, tueyiam., <_ ,.1,^0. cu™ down. Shortly after this about 30 policemen made their appearance, when the lads formed in lines and pelted them with sticks and stones until they were obliged to seek further assistance. Matters were becoming serious; the police had tried to take several of the ringleaders into custody, but they were invariably rescued by their fellows. At this juncture Captain Harria appeared on horseback, followed through the Marble Arch by about 60 policemen. On they came full trot, and drove the mob of youths before them some hundred yards, then halted. They had no sooner done so than the lads, who had got behind the hurdles, pelted them with sticks and stsnes; they had formed themselves into two attacking parties, and when the policemen directed their attention to the right the missiles came from the left, and vice versa. A further number of the force having ar- rived, Captain Harris ordered the whole lot to charge with their staves the mob, and follow them up. It was a curious sight; over the hurdles went the policemen, and any one in their way they turned over or pushed along without inflicting punishment; but some of the youths got behind, and away flew sticks and stones. Captain Harris then gave orders for several policemen to pick up the missiles when thrown, and armful after armful were safely deposited. This seemed to have the desired effect, and I thought all was over; not so, however, in a few minutes up came about 2 000 or 3,000 boys, all armed with sticks or brickbats, and again charged the policemen, who were then ordered to use their staves effectively, and some very ug y blows were given, the unfortunate part of it being that the innocent had to suffer with the guilty, for every one who stood in the way had a ckance of being knocked down. Your correspondent, can assure you, had as much as he could do to ^eep out of danger, and after looking round at bloody noses, wringing of arms and legs with pain, and sundry cries of agony, I thought it best to depart. I merely, however, give you this sketch to show how in a population like London the evil-disposed create mischief and the well-regulated get blamed for it. A friend of mine suggested that it Sir Richard Mayne had ordered so many fire-engines to be brought and deluged this unwashed lot of boys with pure water, they would have driven them away as from the face of an enemy they could not withstand. As to what occurred in Parliament the news- papers have given a faithful record of the debates. Palace-yard, however, had a peculiar aspect on Monday night. There was an evident feeling that members of Parliament were in danger, and every cab and carrIage was carefully examined to see if the occupant was a veritable member, before he was admitted to the entrance of the House. One almost fancied that a (iuy Fawkes' conspiracy was -about to be enacted. The members themselves laughed at this extreme caution, and, seeing no crowd and only a number of policemen, they won- dered what it all meant. The reporters were the worst off. A ticket is given to each privileged member of the press, which admits the bearer upon all occasions to the gallery of either Lords or Commons; but as they are all well known it is not customary to carry these tickets with them, and as one after another was challenged as he attempted to enter Palace-yard on this occasion he became indignant, and it ended in some instances by the reporter turning back, in others by the policeman accompanying him to the door to be convinced by the messenger of the right of entrance. The night wore on, however, without anything being said in Parliament. Ominous whispers there certainly were, and the members' smoking-rooms were more than ordinarily filled. Here the meeting in Hyde- park was discussed, and many an exaggerated tale reached the ears of members, so much so that they began to fear the danger of a drive home. It was net till the Tuesday's sittings that any notice of the riots took place. All the Ministers were in their places at an early hour, and Mr. Bernal Osborne was the first to break the ice. In a sarcastic tone, he asked the Home Secretary if he would be kind enough to state to the House what had occurred in reference to the meeting proposed to be held that evening in Hyde-park. Before Mr. Walpole could answer, Mr. Ayrton moved "the adjournment of the House," in order to enable him to make a speech upon the subject, in which he carefully avoided all approval of the rioters, but mischievously suggested that their acts had been provoked by the unfair, special appropriation of the park to the upper classes. He then made an onslaught upon the Government for attempting to close the gates against the people. "Oh, ohs" were uttered from the Minis- terial benches, whilst cheers greeted him from Opposition members below the gangway. Mr. Walpole then rose very nervously. He was visibly affected, and as he proceeded his voice trembled, and at times he almost lost his power of expres- sion. I thought he was going to break down, but the right hon. gentleman gathered courage as he proceeded, and at every sentence the House cheered him lustily, as if to indicate that his motives were above suspicion. His reference to Mr. Bright's letter, which he said had encouraged the people to act in defiance of the Government, with- out daring himself to be present, was loudly ap- plauded, whilst sundry "Oh, ohs" were heard from Opposition members. Mr. Oliphant followed Mr. Walpole, and spoke with authority as an eye- witness. He was all for the people and all for the police, but all against the authorities, upon whom, he eontended, rested the blame of bring- ing the people and the police into conflict. Mr. Cochrane thought the Government were right, but Mr. Layard had quite a contrary opinion, and said a great deal about the people's rights and privileges, but in such an unconnected manner that he lost his point, whereupon a con- stant laugh was kept up by the Ministerial side of the House, which caused the hon. gentleman to sit down quite disgusted. Sir George Grey did his best to gallantly support his successor in office, and considered that Hyde-park was not a proper place to meet for political purposes. Mr. Cowper thought the people should have some place where they could assemble for such purposes, and sug- gested Primrose-hill. Mr. Mill was very indig- nant with the Government, and got into such a passion, that his voice, never very loud, could scarcely be heard by reason of its guttural accents. He denounced the Ministers for having perpe- trated a job which it would take much wiser heads than theirs to put right." Mr. Disraeli, in his happiest manner, approved of public meetings generally, because when held at a proper time and place they conferred an advantage upon society, but he repudiated, with indignation, the feelings and motives attributed to the Government by Mr. Mill. The opinions which they had expressed with regard to the illegality of using Hyde-park for the purposes of public meetings had been equally expressed by the highest authorities on the other side of the House. The working classes, he said, were sensible and loyal subjects, but there was a floating scum in every large town, composed ofspersons always ready to take advantage of such circumstances as that afforded on the previous evening. He asked only for the fair consideration of the House. When the subject was again brought on in the forthcoming evenings, members were in better humour; even Mr. Mill apologised for Mr. Beales, and the Government and the Reform League agreed to submit the right of entering the public parks to the legal functionaries of the Crown-the latter undertaking to hold no more meetings in these places until something definite had been settled. Mr. Hughes (Tom Brown) took the bold step of saying he would withdraw nia suv-r. • <.1-. T a, "1 hO atxr/wn in «. Hpftttiftl constable if this determined conflict was to continue.

MYSTERIOUS AND DREADFUL MURDER IN ST. GILES'S. On Monday morning great excitement was ex- perienced in the neighbourhood of the Seven Dials, owing to the discovery of a. boy, apparently about six years of age, who was found dead, suspended by the neck, and with his hands tied behind him, in a cellar, at No. 1, Neal's-passage, Earl-street. Neal's-passage is a poor neighbourhood, in which the tenements are let out in separate apartments. For the facility of those who might be out late, the street-door is constantly open, or such means afforded for opening as would render a key unnecessary. One cistern of water supplies each house, and is situated in a kind of cellar approached by eight or nine stairs, and in which place there is a convenience." In mid- day, when the sun may be shedding its rays on the exterior of the few houses in the row, the place to obtain the water is scarcely discernible. The discovery of the dead boy was made by a young girl named Mary Ann Cotter, living in the first floor of No. 1, Neal's-passage. She went down-stairs to obtain water for breakfast for the family-the time being about five miniutes past seven—when she saw in the indistinct light something hanging by an up- right post which was placed beside the cistern. She ran up the stairs into the street in a state of alarm, and aroused the neighbourhood. A plumber living the next door or so went down, and there saw the dead body of a boy suspended by the neck with a stout cord to the post mentioned—not to a nail or hook, but noosed round, the weight of the body tightenisg the noose. The hands were tied behind the back with part of a red silk handkerchief -not closely together, but six or eight inches apart. Life appeared extinct. The man turned the body round by the chin for the purpose of cut- ting it down, but found he was without hIS knife. Some one went for the police, and in his agitation he seemed to lose all power. He, however, saw that the boy's head was about 5ft. from the ground, and that his eyes and mouth were closed. The police speedily arrived, when the body was cut down, and medical assistance called by one of that body, Dr. Harvey, the divisional police-surgeon, of 3, Southampton-street, Strand, being brought to attend. The body was pronounced to be dead, and having been stripped, it was conveyed to the dead- house of St, Giles's Workhouse. There are many opinions as to how the murder was committed. It was sa.id that more than one was con- cerned in depriving the poor boy of life, as even if his hands were secured without screams being heard in the nouse, the rope could not have been placed round his neck and noosed to the post at five feet from the ground without assistance to suppress cries or other- °ry advanced is that, judging from 1 and mouth, the placid countenance of,% g°w ?, in8 bo?. and the hands tied, but sepa- rate?dntVE'T msans were used to procure in- se^s macj"g e 6 murderous and effectual attempt fStL stated thrtthe deceased wt^tched^way'on bSerlngon HolborntekwtoSJ sister s up till two o clock, when & was fetched awav by his father. No person saw the deceased with either man or woman after that time. enner It is stated that the parenta of the deceased are separated, and that the mother is living in concubinage at Kennington. 9 The case is one of a very mysterious character whioh the police are attempting to unravel. TJp to Tuesday evening the stepfather of the poor lad who is supposed to have either been murdered in No 15, Neal's-passage, or taken there after having been strangled, has not been arrested by the police. The cistern in winch the body was found hanging fc situated on the basement floor. This compartment is in a wretchedly fiuhy Btaw>, contaming every kind of refuse, and except by the people residing m the house, an entrance to the place is only obtained with the aid of a light of some kind. The door of the house left unsecured at Eight, ana access to the cistern nnnld not have been attended with difficulty to anv OE0 acquainted with the place. The stepfather and mother of the boy are not known in NeaFs-pnssage. The aunt of the boy, who, with the mother, is in cus- r tody, states that the stepfather called at her house about two o'clock on Monday morning, and brought the lad away, saying that he wanted to take him into the country.

AN OFFICER CHARGED WITH POISON- ING A BEAMAN. At the Liverpool Police-court, on Saturday, James M'Taggart, chief mate of the schooner Manchester, was charged with having caused the death by poison- ing of Thomas Smith, a seaman on board that vessel. The Manchester returned to Liverpool on Friday evening after a voyage to the coast of Africa. The master died on the 10th of May after leaving Lagos, and the chief mate (prisoner) took command, but being incapable of performing duty through intem- perance, the steward, a coloured man, named Sullivan, took charge of the ship. On the 18th of May, Thomas Smith, one of the crew, was taken ill, but during the three following days, he was getting better. On the 21st May the prisoner was seen by Sullivan to get a. bottle of croton oil from the medicine chest, and pour nearly half its contents into a vessel containing castor oil. Smith entering the cabin soon after, the prisoner said to him, "Here's some medicine for you; take it;" and gave it him. Smith swallowed it and died next day. Prisoner ordered his body to be sewn up and thrown overboard, cautioning the rest of the seamen not to say anything to the steward about it. The steward, however, learned of course what had taken place, and being wishful to get rid of the command of the vessel, on nearing the line he fell in with and hailed a Dutch vessel, asking for assistance. An offioer was sent on board, who took charge of the Manchester, and put the mate in confinement. On arrival at Liverpool he was given into custody. When under examination by the magistrates Sullivan, the steward, was asked why he did not interfere to prevent Smith from taking the croton oil, and the mate from giving it to him. He said that he did not like to interfere with the chief officer of the ship, but that he did tell him it was not fit medicine to give to the man. Dr. M'Caul said that half a drop was sufficient to begin with, a drop was a full dose, two drops would be enough for a horse, and half a bottle of croton oil was almost sure to produce death. The prisoner, in reply to the charge, merely said he was not guilty. He was remanded.

THE DOUBLE MUBDEB IN SOMERS- TOWN. Dr. Lankester resumed the inquest on Saturday, at the Rising Sun Tavern, 130, Euston-road, on Emma Butcher, aged three years and six months, and Agnes Butcher, aged 12 months, supposed to have been drowned in a tub of water by their mother, Mary Butcher, who afterwards attempted to drown herself in the water-butt at 67, Wilstead-street, Somers-town. Inspector Frazer presented the following certificate from Mr. Butt, the surgeon of St. Pancras Infirm- ary:- "I hereby certify that Mary Butoher, aged 39, has had a very bad night, and is this morning unable to attend the court. (Signed) "W. F. BUTT, Surgeon, St. Pancras Infirmary." The following additional evidence was then taken John Brown, of 67, Wilstead-street, stated that he had known the Batchers for about 18 months. The last week Mrs. Butcher appeared to be strange in her manners. Last Saturday morning he heard some moaning in the yard, and went to ascertain the cause. He found Mrs. Butcher in the water-butt crouched up. The water was up to her neok, and her head was lying on one side. He knocked the tap out of the butt to let the water out quickly, and having obtained assist* ance she was taken out. Witness then called in the assistance of Mr. Jackson. Margaret Brown, wife of last witness, said she was intimate with Mrs. Butcher. On Saturday morning she saw her lying on a bench in the yard. She ap- peared to be insensible. When she recovered she asked for the children. She said she wanted to suckle the baby. The husband said they were at the grand. mother's. Witness did not think she knew, even at the present time, that they were dead. About a quarter to eight witness, with Mrs. Bradford, were endeavouring to restore Mrs when Mrs. "■?—how- soundly the children were sleeping. The father then went to the bed, and touching one of them, exclaimed, Good God, she's dead!" He touched the other, and found her also dead. He took Emma, the youngest, out of the bed, and walked about the room kissing her, and calling her his dear angel, and exclaiming, Oh, my pretty angel—it's dead, it's dead!" There was a tub of water in the room, in which were some children's clothes. One of the deceased had on a bedgown, but she could not say whether it was wet. There were three other children in the room when Mrs. Butcher was carried in, the eldest being ten years of age. The coroner here made inquiry as to whether any of the surviving children could give any account of the matter. Inspector Frazer said he had questioned the children, but neither could say anything about it. The eldest child said they were all asleep. William Butcher (the father) also stated that on questioning the children they stated that they were asleep. The coroner, having referred to the case, asked the jury whether at this stage they were prepared to come to a verdict, or whether they would adjourn for the attendance of the woman. The jury preferred an adjournment, as they hesi- tated to return a verdict without having seen the accused. An adjournment was then agreed to.

EMBEZZLEMENT OF UPWARDS OF £ 3,000. George James Porter, a respectable-looking young man,was charged at the London Guildhall, with forging a bill of exchange, on the 10th of January last, for the sum of .£237 Is., with intent to defraud, against the statute, &o. Mr. Humphreys, of the firm of Humphreys and Morgan, prosecuted, and Mr. Lewis, sen., of Lewis and Lewie, of Ely-place, watahed the case on behalf of the prisoner. Mr. Humphreys said the prisoner had been originally apprehended at the instance of Messrs. Blenkiron and Son, merchants, carrying on business at No. 123, Wood-street, Cheapside, on the charge of forging a bill of exchange for £ 237 Is.; but, after making every search, they had not been able to find the bill. He, therefore, did not intend to proceed with the charge of forgery, but he would prefer two other charges against him—one for embezzling the sum of X12 7s., and the other for stealing a cheque for j £ 43 5s., which the pro- secutor had signed for the purpose of paying an account to a person he did business with. The prisoner was clerk and book-keeper to the firm of Messrs. Blenkiron and Son, and it was his duty to reseive sums of money, enter them in the cash-book, post them into the ledger and aceount to the prosecutors for them. He had also to pay away money and enter it, and in fact to keep the books. The prosecutors had engaged the services of Messrs. Chatteris and Nicholson, the accountants, to check the accounts of the prisoner, and the prosecutors were therefore satisfied that no fraud could be perpetrated on them by any of their clerks, or even by the prisoner himself. He was sorry to say that in consequence of the neglect of the accountants the prisoner had been able to commit frauds upon the prosecutors to a large amount. He had confessed to £2,800, but the prose- cutors had discovered other defalcations of considerable amount, and he feared they would not come off with so small a loss. It had already been ascertained to be over < £ 3,000. The way the frauds were committed was this:—After Messrs. Chatteris had checked the books for the month they never examined the previous month's account to ascertain whether they were in the state they left them or not; and the prisoner, taking advantage of that course of proceeding, altered the back month's accounts and c. cooked them to his own advantage. The books, on examination, were found to be full of erasures. Some evidence being taken, the prisoner was re- manded.

Miss Bright, the fair young Quakeress, daughter of Mr. John Bright, M.P., was wedded to Mr. William Stephens Clarke, of Street, Somersetshire, last week. The ceremony took place in a Quaker's chapel, and was followed by the usual rejoicing. The bride was dressed in a Quaker-coloured silk dress, a large bournous cloak, and a tulle bonnet. A certificate was read, and I the marriage ceremony was plain. The assemblage was large and respectable. t

OUR CITY" ARTICLE. ON Saturday, notwithstanding the satisfactory intelligence that the armistice between Prussia and Austria had been renewed for four weeks, and that the preliminaries of peace signed by the plenipotentiaries of the two Powers had been carried to Vienna for ratification, the stock markets were very quiet. In the price of Consols for the account there was a reduction of y per cent. In the other departments of the Stock Exchange the chief business consisted of prepa- rations for the half-monthly settlement. Foreign stocks were inanimate, and prices were mostly unaltered. American securities were heavy. As regards home railways, some were higher and others lower, the principal movements being a rise of 1 per cent. in South Eastern, and a decline of like amount in Metropolitan. Grand Trunk of Canada Railway stock was in renewed demand, and closed at an improvement of i per cent. Indian Railway Stocks were rather flat, several of the chief companies being again in the market as borrowers. Bank shares were dull. The indications of approaching ease in the money market are becoming more distinct. At the Bank discount office the demand has been very moderate; and in the general market, owing to a further increase in the supply of money, the rates seem to be breaking down. Good three months' bills could be obtained at rates ranging from 8 to 9 per cent., and very choice paper at 6t to 7. Holders of money are apparently becoming afraid that they will miss their market if they hold aloof any longer. In consequence of the severe re- strictions which the state of the money market has lately placed upon business, not merely the supply but the actual creation of mercantile bills has been checked, and this at a time when, owing to the satisfactory commencement of the harvest, the increased firmness of the exchanges, the diminu- tion in the demand for gold for export, the abso- lute cessation of the demand for silver for the East, and the fall in the value of money abroad, there is a growing disposition to let out money. Under these circumstances there is a strosg be- lief that the long expected fall in the Bank rate of discount will not be deferred beyond this week. In the Stock Exchange the rate for short loans on English Government securities was 6 to 6-1 per cent., with a large supply of money and a light demand. The official business in Consols maybe reported as follows:—Three per Cent., for money, 88f, t; ditto, for account, 88t, f; Three per Cents. Re- duced, 87^, f; New Three per Cents., 87 i, f; India Stock, 207; ditto Five per Cent., 102J, 3-]-, 2f; ditto Four per Cent. Debentures, IOOi. 4' The India Five per Cent. stock was dull. The March Exchequer Bills were quoted 4s. dis. to par, and the June 2s. to 6s. prem. The transactions in foreign stocks have been u,aim unimportant, and prices have fluctuated very little. Russian funds of 1864 and Sardinian rose 1 per cent. and Mexican t, while Peruvian of 1865 declined 1, and Turkish of 1865, -81- At Paris the Three per Cent. Rentes have averaged about 68.85 for the account. There has been less excitement in the shares of the companies whose exertions have just succeeded in establishing telegraphic communication between the Old and New World than might have been anticipated. Atlantic Telegraph Eight per Cent. Preference shares declined 2s. 6d., obtaining only 3t to 4 per .£5. The few transactions which took place consisted chiefly of sales to close the ac- counts of speculators for a rise, who are very numerous. Anglo-American Telegraph shares, however, have been firm, closing at I2k to f, or 2t to 2t prem. The transactions in bank shares have been upon a very moderate scale. City, London and West- minster, and Oriental were flat, and declined .£1. Alliance also receded 5s., while Imperial Ottoman improved 2s. 6d. Alliance closed at 3| to 3J dis.; Anglo-Austrian at 1 to Ot dis.; and Imperial Otto- man, at It to If dis., ex div. Financial shares presented no change, with the exception of a rise of 2s. 6d. in International. Prices closed as follows :—International Financial, If to It dis.; General Credit, It to If dis.; Lon- don Financial, 12t to Ilt dis.; Credit Foncier and Mobilier, 3| to 3 dis., ex div. (, £ 8 paid). National Discount shares were last quoted 8 to 8J prem.; and Hudson's Bay, 15| to |, being s 2s. 6d. lower. The only change in miscellaneous shares was a reduction of 10s. in Quebrada Land and Mining. United States 5.20 Bonds were flat, and declined | per cent. Illinois Central and Erie Railway shares also receded £ Prices closed as follows:- 5.20 Bonds, 69k to -Š Erie Railway shares, 41 to t; Illinois Central, 771 to Atlantic and Great 4 4 Western Railway Debentures, 49 to 50; ditto Con- solidated Mortgage Bonds, 44 to 45, ex coupon. All the Stock Exchange markets on Monday were decidedly flat in the earlier hours of business, and the English Funds were especially heavy, owing to the paucity of business and the reported indisposition of the Emperor of the French. Later, however, there was more firmness, and, upon the whole, affairs at the close did not present a very unsatisfactory appearance. At the Corn market there was a moderate sup- ply of English wheat, but it was only in limited request, because the fineness of the weather and the prospects of an excellent harvest induced buyers merely to supply their immediate require- ments. Miscellaneous securities have been remarkably passive for the last few days. The only alterations have been an advance of i in Anglo-American Telegraph, at 12-J- to J; and of -J- in London General Omnibus, at 317 and a fall of t in Atlantic Telegrayh, at 3! to 4.. Credit Mobiliers had an I improved appearance, rising 10s. per share. In the colonial and foreign produce markets only a limited business has been done, but a good inquiry prevails for most of the principal articles, and rates generally are firm, supplies on offer being moderate. The sales of cinnamon, however, were flat, and fetched lower prices. We extract the following from S. W. Silver's and Co.'s circular, published at 66 and 67, Corn- hill, and 3 and 4, Bishopsgate Within, every month, on the arrival of the Australian mail:- VICTORIA.—Malt is now being made in Geelong from grain grown in the neighbourhood. Yield at the gold-fields con- tinues; some fine nuggety gold discovered at Talbot. SOUTH AUSTRALIA.—Moonta Mining Company have de- clared a dividend of £ 5 per share. The construction of a railway from Port Augusta to the Far North is contem- plated. "Wheat, 63. Hid. to 7s. NEW SOUTH WALES.—Sample of sugar prepared from canea grown at Port Macquane is reported good. There has been a rich yield of gold at the Box Eidge Eeef. (QUEENSLAND.—100 bales cotton from Captain Town's plantation, to be shipped for London per Lochnager. The completed°n and Western Railway nearly NEW ZEALAND.—Resolution passed in the Nelson pro- \VestC oast'10^ ^avour constructing a railway to the CAPE COLONY.—It is reported that gold has been dis- covered m the vicinity of the Crocodile River, Transvaal. NATAL. War being over, business has much improved Emigrants much needed. Gold reported in Transvaal Silk culture occupying some attention. ^|CANAI>A.—Trade in mosfe prosperous condition. Delegates are leaving for England from this colony and from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to obtain Imperial legislation for the settlement of the Confederation scheme during the current year. ♦

Stoppage in the Iron Trade.—The Olobury furnaces, near Birmingham, for many years carried on by Captain Bennitt, a gentleman highly respected in the trade, were closed on Tuesday. The depressed state of the iron trade, combined with Captain Bsn- nitt's inability to meet certain engagements, is under- stood to be the cause of tha stoppage; 200 or 300 m3n will be thrown out of employ in consequence of the stoppage.

The Money Market. CITY, JULY 31.-There is Jittle business in the Stock Exchange to-day, apart from that connected with the fort. nightly settlement, which is now being completed. The tendency of the various markets is still rather unfavourable The transactions in English Government stocks consist chiefly of sales, and Consols exhibit a fresh reduction of i per cent., both for money and the account. The applications for discounts to-day are moderate but there is a rather good demand for loans in connection with the settlement to the Stock Exchange, where the rate for short advances on English Government securities is 7t to 8 per cent. The charge in Lombard-street for choice bills is 8 to 9 per cent. Consols are now quoted 88 to t for money and 88| to J for the account (August 9). The railway market is inactive to-day. London and North-Western stock is now quoted 118i to t; Great Western, 53| to i Midland, 125| to I; Lancashire and York- shire, 1245 to 125; South-Eastern, 68| to I; Great Eastern, 30| to f; Caledonian, 121t to 122J; Metropolitan, 130J to 131; Great Northern, 121 to 122; ditto A, 128i to 129|; and London, Chatham, and Dover, 21 to 22.

The Corn Trade. MARK-LANE, JULY 30.—Of English Wheat we ha.d a small supply at market this morning; but arrivals from abroad are again large. The weather being favourable for the commencement of harvest, we had an inactive trade, and English Wheat sold slowly. Foreign Wheat met a re- tail demand.-The Flour trade was dull.—Barley met a fair inquiry.-Of Oats large arrivals are offering ex ship. A fair extent of business was done.-At the forts of call liberal arrivals of all descriptions of grain have been reported the last few days. CURRENT PRICES OF BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR. Shillings per Quarter; WilEAT, Essex and Kent, white new 43 to 55 i, „ red „ 42 49 Norfolk, Lincoln, and Yorkshire, red 42 49 BARLEY 30 to 34 Chevalier, new 38 42 Grinding 29 31 Distilling 32 37 MALT, Essex, Norfolk, & Suffolk, new 59 68 Kingston, Ware, & town-made, new. 59 66 Brown 52 56 RYE 26 28 OATS, English, feed 20 to 25. Potato 24 30 Scotch, feed .20 26 Potato 25 30 Irish, feed, white 19 21 Fine. 22 26 Ditto, black .18 20 Potato 23 27 BEANS, Mazagan .41 43.Ticks 41 43 Harrow 43 47 Pigeon 46 50 PEAS, white, boilers 39 42 Maple40to42 Grey,new 36 37 FLOUR, per sack of 2801bs.. Town, Households .47 50 Country, on shore 36 tø 37. „ 39 43 Norfolk and Suffolk, on shore. 35 36 FOREIGN GRAIN. WHEAT, Dantzic, mixed .53 to 55 old, extra 58 61 Konigsberg .50 55:extra 56 57 Rostock 51 55 fine 56 57 Silesian, red.48 52 white 51 55 Pomera., Meckberg., and Uckermrk.red old. 50 53 Russian, hard, 43 to 47.St. Petersburg and Riga 45 47 Danish and Holstein, red 45 46 French, none .Rhine and Belgium. 50 53 American,red winter 50 to 56.spring 00 to 00, white — — BARLEY, grinding 26 to 28. Qistillingandmalting 35 39 OATS, Dutch, brewing and Polands 20 to 27.feed 18 23 Danish and Swedish, feed 20 to 21.Stralsund. 20 24 Russian, Riga 20 to 21.Arch., 20 to 21.P'sburg 21 24 TARES, spring, per qr 00 00 BEANS, Fi-iesiand and Holstein 37 42 Konigsberg .40 to 42.Egyptian — — PEAS, feedina-and maple 37 40.fine boilers 37 40 INDIAN CORN, white .30 32.yellow 28 30 FLOUR, per sack, French 37 40.Spanish, p. sack 37 40 American, per brl. 24 26.extra and d'ble. 28 30 LIVERPOOL, JULY 31.—The market well attended. Wheat slow sale, at low rates; fair business in flour, at Is per sack advance. Indian corn in moderate demand at 26s 6d to 26s 9d for mixed American. Beans and peas steady. Oats and oatmeal unaltered.

Fruit and Vegetables. COVENT-GARDEN.—Since our last report fresh cargoes of West Indian jnne-appies have arrived in good condition, and the favourable weather which we have lately ex- perienced has caused supplies of English fruit to be so abundantly kept up, that great quantities of currants, gooseberries, and the earlier kinds of apples are even taken off to the northern and midland markets. Foreign imports also continue heavy; among them are apricots and green- gage plums. Peas are arriving in excellent condition. Flowers chiefly consist of orchids, heaths, calceolariao, pelargoniums, fuchsias, balsams, cockscombs, mignonette, and roses. FRUIT. s. d. B. d. B. d. s. d. Apples,p.hf-sieve 0 0 to 0 0 Peaches,per doz. 4 0 15 0 Grapes, per lb. 2 0 6 0 Pears,kitchen, dz. 0 0 0 0 Lemons,p. 100 8 0 14 0 I „ dessert ..0 0 0 0 Gooseberries qt. 0 3 0 6 Pineapples,p. lb. 3050 Nuts,cob,1001b 0 0 0 0 Strawberries,p. lb. 0 610 Filberts, pr lb. 0 0 0 0 Walnuts, pr bh. 0000 Oranges, p.100 12 0 20 0 Chestnuts, do 0000 VEGETABLES. S d s di s d B Ô Artichokes,per doz.2 0 to 4 0|Mushrooms,perpott.3 0 5 0 Asparagus,perbun.3 0 8 0;Mustard& Cress,p.p.0 2 0 0 Beans,kidney,p.100 0 6 1 OiOnions, per bushel.7 0 10 0 Beet, per dozen 2 0 3 0| pickling, p.qt.O 0 0 0 Broccoli, p. bundle 10 1 6: Parsley, per t sieve 2 0 3 0 Cabbages, per doz. 1 0 2 0 Parsnips, per doz. I 0 2 0 Carrots, per bunch 0 4 C 8 Peas, per qt 0 6 10 Cauliflowers,p. doz. 2 0 6 0 Potatoes, York Re- Celery, per bundle 2 0 2 6 gents, per ton 80 0 95 0 Cucumbers, each 0 3 10 Rocks, per ton 60 0 70 0 Endive, per score.l 0 2 61Flukes, per ton 10501250 Garlic, per lb 0 10 0 0 Kidneys, per cwt. 8 0 12 0 Herbs, per bunch.0 6 0 0 Radishes, p. 12 bn. 0 6 10 Horseradish, p. bn.2 6 4 0 Rhubarb, p. bundle 0 4 0 8 Leeks, per bunch.0 3 0 °ISeaKale,perpunuet 0 0 0 0 Lettuces, per score 1 0 1 6 Spinach, per bush. 2 0 3 0 Mint, per bunch .0 3 0 4jTurnips, per bunch 0 6 0 9

London Produce Market. MINCING-LANE, JULY 31. SUGAR. — The market has opened firmly, at the full prices of last week the demand is chiefly for brown qualities; the sales include a parcel of clayed Manilla, at 28s 6d; dirty, 93 4d. Refined comnioj brown lumps are not to be had under 45s; but the market is rather less active than previously reported. COFFEE.—Owing to large arrivals, the demand 1 active; but the parcel of plantation Ceylon sold has l> firm prices. rm,p Assam sales TEA.—The market privately is quiet. T^e are progressing without material chang RICE.—800 bags of whitewent off CINNAMON.—1The quartcrly pubKc prices, the finer flatly, at 2d to 4d per lb. below last eaie kinds showing the grea,test de • refraction 5| at 20s; SALTPETER.—About 400 bags refraction 7! to 61 atl-s oci■ hactive'than last COTTON.—The market i* steaay. » week. _— ■r,T>TTTTVR CHEESE, HAMS, &c., at per cwt. PRICES or BTTCTEB.^ UGs jersey, 90s to 104s; —Butter: Friesland, Fresll: per doz., 10s 0d to 14s 6d Dorset, n6s to 84s: Double Gloucester, 74s to 78s Cheese: Chesm_ Amerjcalli 66s to74s. Hams: York, new, .w, Cheddar,; sftuIllberland, new, 90s to 100s; Irish, new, 90s to i°0s° Bacon: Wiltshire, 74s to 80s; Irish, green, 70s to 74s. °COTTON, LIVERPOOL, JuLy 31—The market, though in anther auiet demand, continues steady in price. Sales foot un between 8,000 and 10,000 bales. FALLOW, JULY 31.—The market is quiet. Town tallow is quoted 42s 6d net cash j Petersburg Y.C. on the spot, 4is: October to December, 45s 9d to 45s 6d; December, 46s 9d to 46s 6d. BOKOUGHJULT 30.—Messrs. Patten den and Smith report the demand limited to the immediate wants of con- sumers. Stocks being very small, prices rule firm. Tbe prospects of the commg crop are barely so good as this day week the resuit, with favourable weather, will not exceed two-thirds of last year's crop HAY MARKETS I SmithSeld. I Cumberland, Whitechc,pet d. s. d.l a. d. s. d.S s. d. s. d. Meadow Hay.. 70 0 to 126 Oi 72 0 to 126 Oj 70 0 to 126 0 plover SO 0 140 Oj 80 0 140 0; 84 0 140 0 btraw 1 40 0 50 0i 40 0 50 01 40 0 50 0 —

During the pas* week 34 wrecks have been re- ported, making for the rtHssni year a total cf 1.181.