The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

THE MISSING COIN; • • OR; ■; 1 LOVER'S CONSCIENCE. — ♦ r ..■ — CHAPTER IV. When the strong-and weaker blend 1 We may hope a iappy.wd Whenever strebgtlt with softness joins, When with the rough the mild combines, Then all is union, sweet and strong. Consider ye who join your hands, It hearts be twined in mutual bands, 1: .C For passion's brief, repentance long." T.ro,nszationf)-oni Schillor. ■ 'ONE evening, not long after his conversation with Naomi, Harrison went is search of Doctor David. He found him alone in the little study, where pa- tients in;general were received; 1 When he saw that the .doctor was alone, Boss lost no..tiime in exhibiting on his broad palm the gem circled shekel. I- The doctor's face betrayed intense delight. With- out a word he took the coin, drew Ross's arm in his, and -led ;the way upstairs. They ascended step by step, like the famous twins of Siam. The doctor clasped the asdatantafc the curiosity shop as if he had been a long-lost son, whilst his eyes gloated upon the treasure in his other hand. But," said Boss, as they climbed the stairs, "Do you know that I am a thief." How is this ?" said the doctor, as he paused on the landing, and then looking with a clouded face at Boss, repeated, How is this? "Ten or a dozen years ago—it might be more," said the young man—"I found that shekel in the mud-in the stret;-onthepa,veIlleI).t." "Oh, well, if that's all, it's all right; come on." The doctor took Harrison's arm again, and they walked on to his sanctum. "I thought you were about as much a thief as that;" said the doctor, laughing—he could now afford to Jugh, Harrison did not join jn the merriment, 1: o wf>yc?r, .No—you suspected me! he said. Did I? "For that reason, because you believed you might suspect me, I have done what gives you the right to suspect me all my days." I understand you; I know all about it-you mean you've kept the shekel ever since you found it.. I don't oare how is is now that I have got it once again." "Hear me out, doctor," said Boss. I lost it as soon as I found it. This is the third time that shekel has been in my hands. Until to-night I have barely touched it even with the ends of my fingers. It only came and went. But, mind, I tell you I am a thief. You will be so good as to ask no more." I'm satisfied. I'll ask no more. I know well enough that you are an honest fellow. If anybody is wronged an atom's worth by this business, you'll tell me, I know, and, however great his loss, I will com- pensate him." No one is wronged." And your mind is easy about it ? "Perfectly." '"We'll see if the" shekel fits into its socket, and if the jewels are all right. I won't make the examina- tion alone. I want you to see and be convinced that the treasure is nrdne." The doctor brought the case from the safe with haste and with anxiety, in spite of his confidence. As he anticipated, and as Boss, too, expected, the coin fitted exactly into its place. The jewels had never been disturbed. Harrison's business with the doctor was ended when proof was given him that the precioua coin was in the possession of its rightful owner. He saw it, and. would have departed instantly. The doctor, in true English style, shook the young man by the hand so repeatedly that it was positively surprising the arm was not wrung off. Had he no- thing to tell? really nothing? Had there been no risk, no expense, no danger? The doctor was curious; but Harrison was dumb. There was the coin. There, too, was the ring. The shekel was the dootor's- nothing could be clearer. The secret was Harrison's— that also was clear. Plainly, nothing could be done with the yoang man from Braham's. The doctor was, therefore, con- strained to let him go; constrained to keep the ring, Service had been rendered that was not to be re- warded. When Boss departed the doctor paced up and down the room, exclaiming all the time— Wonderful, wonderful! That young fellow's a study; he's honest, but his master's a rogue. I must do something for him-I must take him out of that wretch's hands." When Boss reached his master's house, he went* into the small sitting-room occupied by Naomi. The young lady looked him wistfully in tte face, and gave him her hand. She saw that the ring was gone. She smiled, for now she knew that his promise had been fulfilled. Boss blessed her for that smile; and, as she asked no question, he blessed her for her silence. CHAPTEB V. "L,ove, that's the world's preservative, keeps all souls of things alive, i; Controls the mighty power of fate, And gives manktad a longer date- The life of Nature. That restores As fast as time and death devours • And to it the world doth bwe Not only earth, but Heaven,too; For love's the only trade that's driven An interest of state in Heaven." WHEN Braham walked about again, the first thing he did, of course, was to visit his collection, and this he teok good care to do at a time when he knew he should be undisturbed. To his horror he did not, in the very first moment @f his search, lay his hand on the shekel of Baroho- chebus. He had calculated, as he lay on his bed, how he could send his daughter on an errand that would cause her to be ton minutes absent—the exact time it would require for him to creep down the stairs, open the secret safe, and bring thence the .shekel. Naomi, according to her father's instructions, had departed on her errand. With stealthy step Mr. Braham ap- proached the secret cupboard. He reached down the box, and lo. t e p ace where the coin should be was vacant It was obvious however long he should stand there, that delay w-'tLId effect nothing. Still he did not stir till warned by a creaking door, and an advancing footstep; then he retired up the stairs again, and fell gasping on his bed. it took him all the interim of time until his daughter reached his bedside so to dispose of himself that this feat of his should not be suspected. He was cautious; but there Was another still more cautious. If any untoward result had attended the old man s performance, Ross Harrison was at hand to serve him as a son. Justice had seized upon that old villain who had rejoiced in deceiving othets Now his heart throbbed with pain at the very idea that he had himself, been deceived, cheated, asd robbed. w It was a horrible meditation to which Braham was now Qoomed. His daughter Naomi told him the day she brought the shekel that she had secured the coin in the plaoe. where she found it. The key of the safe was fastened to the cord about his neck. With her own hands ahe had secured it. He believed his daughter. He was firm in his attachment to her) and felt sure she would nt>t deceive him. All that day hiB subttq brain was working—all night he watched and thought. But he asked no qùestiobis. He only wanted to get upon his feet again, and go aoout his business-he should then not need assist- ance to search out this mystery.. He depended upon usual subtle tact to recover his ioat treasure. He arose from his bed the third day after he had i discovered his loss, and descended to his shop, and in sPite of nature went to work again. He laughed at expostulation, warning, and entreaty. lie wanted -to now what Boss and Mason were a out.- Nobody tell him. He must for himself discover. » He dared not breathe his loss to Harrison. He pre- eired to charge Mason with theft. It was not eredi- 3 e that Harrison was in any way implicated by that! ^appearance. iabou had been in Braham's employ thirty years dis>,Jaoie" Hever been detected yet 'ill any alw aeS'y' an<* hi* hard work and "little pay, had had^8 111 ^th his master's entire approbation.-• He ear managed merely to exist on the wagea he had 'With n by inches from disease, iig 'n j M economy, he would not leave enough in ■No TT*8*' kuy a headstone for his.grave, poor man. jn^anf .suspe,cte.d him, a»d now he wwacqjjhim. Watch him he did. In his going out and coming in. In his work and at his rest. In his speech and in his silence. Examine infinitesimals through a micro- scope--what will you discover ? Leviathans—monsters that rival the creatures of whom, in pur own behalf, we say, it is well they are extinct. Ancient chaos alone could endure them. And if you watch P. man what will you discover ? A vast variety of thing you did not anticipate. Habits, tastes, tendencies, weak- nesses, follies, slips; perhaps virtues. Mason, on inspection, .unconsciously on exhibition, was not the Mason he had been in his master's eyes formerly. » His case was not improved when the poor creature discovered that for some reason he had incurred Mr. Braham's displeasure. He endured a great deal of abuse with patience, because he saw, as nobodycould help seeing, that Braham's days were numbered. But one day, when even his meekness had been tried beyond endurance, and he was about to leave the shop, that words might be avoided which men speak only to repent of, Braham called to Boss, who sat in the window at work. _0 A time, had. come, Mason felt, when ali must De cleared up, when the soul of the Jew must leave its mortal coil. He had stopped short, turned around, and began to return, even before his ma-,ter shouted- "Come back J "Let down the blinds and get alight," said Braham to Boss. Imagine how he said it.. SBoss obeyed—he also knew a time had come. I Now, sir, wheel up the little safe, You, Mason, J come here and look on. I want you by, when I count | those coins again," Mason came up with quiet intrepidity, till he stood within reach of Braham's hand. That han<3 might J conceal dagger or pistol, by the aspect of the man; f but, no, the pulsation was visible through his whole I frame, he had no nerve for fire-arms. I Boss wheeled the safe to the chair on which his j master sat. I Braham had the keyfm his hand, He himself un- | locked the door. Take out the upper range first." j Boss Spread the priceless boxes on the table. How I awful was the glare that Braham fastened on them How fearfully swift the enumeration 6f _those aged eyes! Well for Naomi she was spared this spectacle. All the gold of California could not have recompensed her for what she must at that instant have felt. These were all Jewish coins. Mason, look here! said the Jew. Isn't this a pretty sight?" It's a, precious pile] you have there," answered Mason. All complete," said Braham, and over the words his thin lips closed with the exactness Cía vice. j All complete, sir; I suppose so," echoed Mason, gently. He was afraid. He looked now for the first time, and uneasily, at Boss. He thought his master's reason was forsaking him. Brat Boss stood motionless, like a man without perceptible fear or hope. He was merely waiting. Braham laughed. Well, give me bask what's missing and it will be all complete." Is anything really missing, sir ? Braham looked at Mason with an awful threat, whitet the glare of de-ith was visible in his eyes. And Ross surveyed the two. How long was he going to watch this struggle? Unto its very end? Why not? These men were standing both of them on the very verge of death—why not let them go on in their own way ? But what if the curse of Naomi's father should fall on his head? Braham was still struggling to utter the word's he had ready for Mason when Boss said, with a sort of quiet authority— fE Yes,, there's one coin missing, Mason. A shekel. It had a setting of,precious stones. It was a shekel of the time of Barchqchebus, the impostor. I've seen it lately in the collection of a Jew. Braham sprang to his feet—his hand fell on Mason's shoulder like a thunderbolt. How did it get there, thief-mon ster-wretch you whom I have kept from starving, whose very life was in my keeping—tell, tell me where is my coin ? Mason shrank at that question, as it appeared, to a mere atom of manhood. The words seemed to blast him. Biit a voice now spoke thata,ppeared to poor paralysed Mason to alone preserve the universe from instant annihilation. If there's a thief in the-business, Mr. Braham, you must look farther than Mason—you must look as far as me. I restored the shekel to its owner. Braham's lips could not give utterance to the,gigan- tic curse that-sprang from his heart. His lips moved, "biit no sound reached the ears of his listeners. Speechless and inanimate, BOPS Harrison and Mason carried their old master to his bed. Boss Harrison, seeing the dangerous condition his master was in, set aside all scruples and went im- mediately to Dr. David and implored him to visit Mr. Braham. They arrived at the sick man's bedside he had not stirred, and scarcely breathed. Naomi had by this time arrived, and, sobbing loudly, she said- Oh, doctor, what can we do for him ? Nothing at,present; he will retire just now, and I will then give him some restoratives; but let me tell you that he is Seriously ill." "You'll do all you can for him, doctor?" said Naomi. "Of that you may rest assured," and away went the doctor to his surgery to prepare fiuch remedies as he thought advisable. On his return, the patient gave a low moan, and Dr. David suggested- that his daughter had better speak to him. Father," shesaid, are you ill ? I'm better than I have been, my child. How long ,have I been asleep ? he said, in a weak voice. Only half an hour." Only half an haur! What wonders can the Almighty reveal in that short time! In those few minutes I have gone through my whole life, and found little to applaud. The only cheery spot in it is my r love for you, and the protection I have afforded to ftioss. Gold gives me no pleasure now. I feel that I must be called away." The doctor quietly handed some restoratives, and Naomi said— "Father, dear, drink a little of this, I'm sure tit will do you good." i He swallowed a few drops, and appealed to revive. The doctor whispered," Give him a little, more," and the sound caught the invalid's ears. Instead of frowning he smiled and said— "Come here, doctor, I have eause to thank you. You are returning good for evil. I dreamt you had recovered your Barchochebus. Is it so P It is, I am glad tosay. v, "So am I, now. The lad is more honourable than his master." "Where is he?" "I am here, sir," replied Uoss. Sit down beside me—there; and you, Naomi, take another chair beside Rim. I have much to say, but must Be brief," Ross H &me is Braham; yon. are the! arrison,- your n of my first cousin he and I were brought up as bfotheis, I succeeded in the woild, he failed, a«n^. left you!" poor orphan: I did not know your where- about till I picked you up that eventful evening when you had found that coin of which I robbed you. bmce then I have taken to you as I would to a son. An, an. J. am getting weaker. Where is your hand, and yours, Naorai P, You are one-the only earthly treasures I now care for." His voice got weaker, and for a few moments he could say no more. On reviving a little he beckoned Dr. David, and with trembling voice said, "Forgive me From my very heart," said the doctor. That boy, pointing to Ross, has saved me much pain in my last moments m acting honestly. A good conscience is the noblest thing a naan can possess. I would I—I— Here the poor Jew fell exhausted, and though he rallied a little once after this, in forty-eight hours he was a corpse. i Dr. David became the confidential adviser of the young pair, who, as our readers may anticipate, were no,. long in getting married after they found it was Mr. Braham's expressed wish they should do so, he having left them all ,hia fortune on this condition; and the doctor then discovered the mystery of his lost coin. and that a lover's conscience had been sorely tried, but had come out of the ordeal pure and. un- sullied. ->

A RAMBLERS JOTTINGS. ,+- IF any one had taken up the Court 'Newsman during this month, he would have seen it solemnly affirmed that London was "quite empty," that every body was in the country or at the seaside, and nobody—or to put it more explicitly—only the nobodies remained in town. Well, if any one had accompanied me to Putney on the 8th inst., be would have wondered where on earth all the people could come from that crowded the steamers and boats and covered every available spot on the banks of the Thames. Amongst per- sons fond of aquatic pursuits this was the gala day of the year, the competition for the championship of the Thames was about to come off, and the competitors were well-known men who had many friends. The one being a Newcastle man, and the other a London one, it created a kind of rivalry between the metropolis and the North, and the excitement long before the day was very great. It, is now nearly six years ago since the redoubt- able Robert Chambers, a Newcastle man, wrested the .proud riband of the Thames from his opponent and conqueror, Harry Kelly, of Pulham^ which he held until his late defeat. From an early hour of the morning of the race Putney exhibited the usual signs and symptoms indicative of a high festival; flags flaunted from every mast-head, tower, and fk.g-staf? in most picturesque confusion; it seemed as if every availably bit of bunting within the limits of the metropolitan postal delivery had been pressed, into service on the occasion. As the morning advanced the motley crowd mustered in increasing force; Tyne- siders were shoulder to shoulder with the UIl- mistakable cockney "cad," and there were itine- rant vendors of every commodity under the sun, from ginger-bread to electric shocks, &c., whilst roughs, fighting-men, pickpockets, members of the swell mob, some artisans, and a few respectable tradesmen and gentlemen all got huddled together in ^heterogeneous mass, and to make matters worse, the irrepressible nigger" would scream c-.i..t his blatant melody, drowning even the prevailing din of voices, and making the confusion more con- founding. The men were to row from Putney-bridge to Mortlake. The Mite amongst the spectators paid their 10s. and went on board steamers which ac- companied the boats, whilst there were barges moored at certain distances on which persons could take their stand upon paying a certain fee. Again' there were parties ranged on spots which were private property-thus, from Fulham Church to the end of what is called Bishop's-walk, there were numerous groups of ladies decked out in summer dresses of every conceivable hue, whilst, of course, their merry smiles added "enchantment to the view." As your correspondent I "roughed" it, and went with the crowd, hoping to gather something original from what I saw around me; but if I may be pardoned for making this one attempt, I will promise never more to try the experiment, for with all my care, I came,home with a damaged hat and clothes besmeared with something less sweet than eau de Cologne. As the hour appointed for the start drew nigh, the crowd, both afloat and ashore, became momen- tarily more dense and unwieldy. Every available bridge, boat, bank, or wall, was assiduously be- sieged by a struggling mass of eager sight-seers, whose ranks every moment received fresh acces- sions from the ceaseless stream of human traffic which poured continuously from the flood gates of the South-Western down the quaint old High- street of Putney. Now the swell mobsmen and pickpockets carried out their schemes. The former would profess a high position in society, and make bets any way with strangers, so that they posted their money; and many Tyne men deposited their cash uponthese:flash fellows' own representation of honour; but had they won, and applied for their money at the ad- dress given them, they would have found no response. As to the pickpockets, they swarmed, forming themselves into little bands of five, and six, and under pretence of looking for some lost friend in the crowd would jostle their victim, and whilst he was charging one of them with rudeness, the others would be picking his pockets. I saw one Newcastle man looking des- pondingly upon his broken chain, and in a pitiful tone said to his next neighbour, I carried the watch that was attached to this chain for five-and- twenty years, and I would not have lost it for fifty pounds. I never felt it go. It's my opinion they are a queer lot about here." He sought a policeman, but of course did not recovernis lost treasure. Well, rmust not linger on details. The start- ing was fiked for half-past two, and a few minutes before thie time Kelly made; his appearance and paddled to the starting point. He is a fine stalwart fellow, and looked in good condition. The old English hurrahs that greeted him were tre- mendous; but these were outdone when Chambers, a few seconds afterwards, became visible. Then, in Northern dialect, the Tyne men shouted Bravo, Bob Had away, man!" Gan on, Bob! <c. Show them St. Nicholas to-day, my lad! Divvent disgrace awd Harry". (meaning his trainer, Harry Clasper); Show 'em what the North can do," &c. &c. Then the row amongst the betting fraternity (" I'll take odds J" Here, I'll take three to two no one names the winner!" &c.), the chaff of the London boys, the interohang-e of badinage among the wherry men, the hiss and .splash of the steamers, and the mingled strains of harps, fiddles, piccolos, and cornets, each.instru- ment playing a separate tune, and on remarkably foee and independent principles, are things to be remembered. I believe it will be one of the remi- niseencés of my life that I never shall ferget, and yet scarcely think of with pleasure. The papers will tell you it was a gallant contest, and that Chambers' prestige and undoubted skill, ap- proved in many a gallant struggle, made him the pet of, the betting fraternity; but from the first his friends entertained a respectful dread of his opponent, who, in fact, won -the race., by about five or six lengths. It will be tedious to say more concerning this rowing match, because my Teaders will doubtless have seen an account in other columns, but I mjist. observe that the rowing of the two men is very dissimilar Kelly takes short repeated strokes, which he does with elegance and ease, whilst Chambers takes the longest stroke of any man on record; he carries his hands for- ward far ever his toes, and then bends till his back almost touches the boat, which, with one stroke, is impelled several yards. Death has laid his ruthless hand upon a man well known and much respected, though, perhaps, scarcely heard of in the country—I mean Mr. Joseph Parkes. Any one accustomed to walk down Pall-mall or near the Reform Club, could not have failed to meet occasionally a tall old man, rather bent with years, but exhibiting a merry countenance as he turned to look at you. Almost every other man whom he met would stop to speak, and have something particular to say to him. He always seemed to have somebody by the button- hole, and to be engaged in secret conclave. If you asked who the gentleman was, Oh," would be the reply, "it'3 Joe Parkes, of the Beform Club." His nanae was always associatedwith thelatter, although of late years he held no office there, but merely went in and out as an ordinary member. But then he was so good-natured that every one asked his advice and assistance, and he was a thorough practical politician besides. In early life he was | a solicitor in Birmingham, and in" partnership with Mr. Solomon Bray, the first town-clerk of the Birmingham Corporation. At the time of the Birmingham Political Union, Mr. Parkes dis- tinguished himself as the adviser of Mr. Attwood, who was the leader of that movement, and by This means became acquainted with the members of Lord Grey's administration. After this, bis services being considered valuable, he became a political agent for the Whigs, and the Reform Club taking him by the hand, he removed to London in 1832, where he practised as solicitor and Parliamentary agent till about the year 1850, when he was appointed Taxing Master to the Court of Exchequer, an office he held until his death.

OUR CITY ARTICLE. 4. AN opinion, long entertained by a large class of practical thinkers, is daily gaining ground that oar monetary system rests upon too narrow a basis, and that consequently it is too limited in its operations to meet the legitimate wants of our enlarged and constantly enlarging trade and commerce. Our exports have doubled within a very short space of time, and our imports exhibit signs of even greater magnitude and proportion. Population goes on pari passu with our growing wealth and prosperity; and there is no lack of the energy and skill which are required to keep our productive capacity fully up to the mark. Joint- stock ,enterprise, has called into existence an industrial power which is unparalleled in its results, and the repeal of the old law of unlimited liability has stimulated enterprise and speculation to open up fields which before were left barren and neglected. Yet, with all this expansion of our industrial powers, we are mainly confined to a single source for the supply of the means we re- quire to keep them in activity, and are dependent i upon a single body of men who have the power, in a grea,t measure, to determine the price we are to pay for those means. Centralisation is highly inimical to English feeling when! applied to political affairs, but it is tolerated with the utmost, equanimity when money matters are subjected to its rule. Strange to say, we per- mit by law the Bank of England, with its solitary fourteen millions odd of capital, to control the hundreds and thousands of millions of capital em- ployed in our trading and manufacturing callings, but would resent with extreme indignation any interference with our municipal or parochial rights, however trivial and insignificant it might be. We, in short, respect individuality in almost all ur social and political duties, but in the rule and regulation of monetary affairs we submit, it is fairly alleged, to the most contradictory and paralysing monopoly. Without subscribing unreservedly to these views, we must confess that it is a debatable question— whether the Bank of England, with its compara- tively limited capital, and with its multifarious responsibilities, State and otherwise, should have the same directing power over the currency that it had some quarter of a century ago—even as- suming its right of direction at that distant period. The expansion of capital, and its in- creased productive power, by the establishment of new companies; the addition to our industrial force generated by the augmented dividends of the new banks, and the profits earned by the large discount establishments, would imply the necessity of some change, some modification, in the system which presumes to regulate our monetary affairs. Let us illustrate our propo- sition by a few figures, which are the symbols of highly important facts. For example, we may take the banking and discount companies, several of which have but recently sprung into existence. A careful analysis of the share-list shows us that there were for some years established:— No. Nom. Cap. jSanking companies 26 X31,100,000 While the new banks number 47 ■ ^851,000,000 To these must be added the new credit and discount, t "0 companies competing with banks, in so far as they lend money and receive deposits 24 34,150,000 j Augmented competition 71 XS5,750,000 these figures establishaninereaseof 275 per cent. on, the nominal capital employed a few years ago. The premiums, too, on these new companies amount to upwards of XI,0,000,000, a sum almost equal to the whole paid-up capital of the joint stock banks' preceding the recent expansion and development of those establishments; yet the capital of these numerous bankers and discounters is mainly con- trolled by the Board of the Bank of England; and a single turn, on any Thursday, of its well-known H screw," will either augment or diminish the value of that capital, as though the Bank's regu- lator were endued with unerring sagacity, and the most prudent, practical foresight. The recent ad- vance of the rate of interest to 4 per cent, by the Bank, and the comparative torpidity which pre- vails in all monetary circles fully confirm this view of the case. Let us, however, turn from disquisition upon the Bank of England, and the power it at present possesses, to an illustration of the great success which may be obtaiaed under joint-stock manage- ment, despite the adverw influence of the Bank. The iiaJf-yearly meeting of the proprietors of the London and County -Bank has just been held, and StE. account of its stewardship during that period is faithfully given. It appears that-after pay- ment of all charges, interest, to customers, and making ample provision for bad and doubtful debts—the net profits of the bank amount to £ 106,821 3s. Id., which, added to X18,629 12s. 3d., brought forward from the last account, makes a total of £ 125,450 15s. 4d. for appropriation. The directors have accordingly declared the usual dividend of 6 per cent., with a bonus of 9 per sent., making together 15 per cent. for the half- year, which will amount to £ 111,790 8s. 4d., and leave-Xl3,660 7s. to be carried forward to profit and loss account. The Atlantic Telegraph Company, the fluctu- ation of its shares, and the uncertainty of the cable, naturally attract a great deal of attention both within and without what may be termed the speculative world. To speak with brother Jonathan, at the rate of four words per minute, through a medium which lies upwards of two thousand miles under the depths of the Atlantic will be a feat of no ordinary accomplishment. What the poet ^dreamt m the vividness of his brain, the hard-headed mechame has nearly hammered out on the anvil of his mind-he, and not the poet, will, in all probability, be the first to "Waft a sigh from Indus to the Pole." Coming, however, to the < £ s. d. view of things, it is necessary to remark that the company's pre- ference shares at one period fell to 3 discount on £:> shares, but on the receipt of more hopeful news (no news at all) they have recovered to 2| to 2 dis. Telegraph construction shares have re- ceded to I discount. Two of our great railway companies have just had their half-yearly meetings, and have declared dividends, which show some improvement as com- pared with preceding statements. The London and North-Wesrern Bailway stock is officially announced at 6 per cent. per annum, carrying forward a balance of £ 10,711 Is. 6d. The London and Soutb-Western Railway announce a dividend at the rate of 41 per annum, leaving a balance of < £ 746. The London and Blackwall Baiiway stock is also officially announced at the rate f 31 per cent, per^ annum, against 3| for the corresponding period of 1864, The unfavourable half-yearly re- port of the Midland Railway has caused a fell in its stock of fully 1 per cent. The demand for Money remains quiet, though the supply of available capital has been coaeideT- able, and little business has been done 4 per cent., even in the hefit short-dated paper. On the Stock-Exchange the rate for loans is frccaa 3l to 4 per cent,; and the joint-stock and disoamffli houses are allowing the first 3 per cent, deposits, and the latter 3 per cent. on money [t call. The London and Westminster, howew, allows 2 per cent, only on sums below £ 560, Finance and Credit shares show strength. Im- perial Mercantile Credit, 1:1: to f prem.; (leaersd Credit, Ii j London Finance, 63 to f prem.; and Credit Foncier and Mobilier, 3 to -1 prem.; Inter- national, | to 1 prem. Tie shares of Oreread, Gurney, and Co. are 2 to 1 prein.; Three Cent. Consols, 89t. 4

Money Markar. CITY, AUG. 16-0wing chiefly to the more favourable weather, the stock and share markets generally show a firmer tendency to-day. The (le.mand for Money to-day if to a -fair extert, and less disposition is shown to effect trans- actions at 3% per cent., 4 being' charged in most inafcaaec*. The rate in the Stock Exchange for loans from day to <1ri,Y is 3 to -J per cent. Consols are cow quoted 89J to t &r money, and 80| to$for the accouat (Sept. 7). The official business report is as follows :—Three per Cent. Coosot*. fur money, 89 £ £ ditto, for aeconnt, 89^, f; Three Cents. Reduced, 89|, 8», J; New Three per Cent > 89, i; Baa k Stock, 2i9, 250; India Five per Ce Stock; iO-5 and Exchequer BiiU, Is prem., £ i The railway market is rather firmer to-da.y, altho- t settlement, whieh will be completed this afternoon*, tiifi occupies a great deal of attention. Metropolitan stock h&g experienced a somewhat important advance, after allowing for the deduction ot the half-yearly dividend. London North-Western stock is now quoted 122* tqj Great Western, 65.¡¡to i; Midland, 129Jto f; Lancashire and Yorkshire, llfri to f, ex div. South-Eastern, 80i to 81; Metropolitan, ISi to J, ex div. Great Northern, 131 to 132: ditto A, 144 M 145,; London and South-Western. 99^ to 100! 5 Great Eastern -164 to 47 and Ci'ledoniaa, 133} to 134J. MA.TtK-LANE, EsDAY,,ALG. 16.—CURBEWT PBICBI1

ENGLISH. Ter Qr. WHEV'T. S. S, OATS Esx., Knt., rd., 1863 43 to +8 Scotch, feed 18 t.0 2f 1834 43 to 49 Scotch potato 24 to S3 Knt., w., 1863 45 to 54 Irish, white 20 to 25 » » 1864 *7 to 17 i „ black 19 to 34 Norfolk and Lin- BEAUS. colli, red, 1364 43'to 49 Mazag&n 35 -DO 3? Bari.EY. Tick 35 to 36 ,;k Malting to Harrow 38 to 45 1 Distilling- to Pigeon 38 tc tU Grinding to PEAS. MALT. Grey 34 GG Essex,Norfolk,and Maple 3f; to a? Suffolk 53 to 63 White 37- 4$ Kingston andWare 56 to 63 FLOUR. Brown 43 to 52 Town made, per EYE, 2S01bs 37 New to Household. 35 to M OATS. Country 31 50 -3S English,feed. 19 to 28 Norfolk & Suffolk, „ potato 24 to 28 ex ship 36 ic K. FOUR 1 AY. Per Qr. I Per Q- WHNAT. 3. a. OATS. 3. ii. Dantzic and Konigs- j Danish and Swedish 18 u -2J berg 48 to 56 Russian tc 24 Rostock & Mecklen- BEANS. hursr 43 to 50 Danish 34 to 33 Danish 40 to 42 I Egyptian B6 tc 37 Sussian, hard 45 to 47 PEAS. soft 42 to 43 Maple 84 te> 3f American, red 42 to 46 Boilers 36 3g „ white r 46 to 50 INDIAN CORN, BARLEY. I White 2fi "3 Grinding 20 to 24 Yellow 2!) Vs Distilling 24 to 23 PLOUB. Malting to French, per sack 31 to 34 OAXS. Spanish, „ 32 to 34 Dutch, brew 13 to 23, American, per barrel 23 to m »i 17 to 20 Canadian 22 •¥> LIVERPOOL, LLG, 15 ~^ne market well attended. vV heat inactive aemaaa, ooth for consumption and specula tion, at an advance of fully 3d since Friday. Flour, French Is to Is 6d dearer, and a good bu-iness done. Indian corn market cleared ct mixed at 32s; Galatz, 33«. Beans oat, and oatmeal very firm.

TALLOW, AUG. 16.—The market ia firm; pricey are otiotea; as follows1Town tallow, 43s 3d, net cash; Petersburg Y.C., on the spot, 43s 3d to 43s 6d; October to December, 43s 9d to 44s; December, 44s 3d to 44s 6d January to March, 44s 9d; March, 45e 3d. HOPS, BOROUGH, AUG. 16.—Messrs. Pattenden and Snutfc report no alteration since Monday last. COTTON, LIVERPOOL, AUG. 16.—Rather better demUDa at yesterday's prices. Sales about 8,000 bales. EGGS, AUGUST 14.-Supply of Eggs not much to exoess Of demand, and prices range for English, Scotch, and Irish" o ■Preach» 'k 6d to 4s 8d; large 6s 4d to 120 pan 53 5a ancl 0-tend, 6s 2d to 6g 8d pe POULTRY, AUG, 14.—Trade rather slack for Poultry anS supply has further increased: rates for geese are 5?^7s eacn; gosimgs, 4s 6d to 6s 6d; fowls, 2s 9d to 3e chfcken^ Is 9d to JS ducklings, 2s to 3s tame rabbits, Is 3d to Is 8d; dozen13' aac*live fow^3 an< ducks at 22s to 24s per FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, COVENT Tegetables continue abundant and good. What is termed soft fruit is scarce. For pineapples and grapes there is a. heavy sale. Apples and plums are beginning tQ come in abundance. Kent filberts continue to make theis appearance. French beans are exceedingly good and very plentiful. Good kidney potatoes fetch from Is Qil to 2s Od per dozen pounds. Flowers ehiefly consist of orchids, heaths, pelargoniums, carnations and picotees, mignonette, and roses. Pine-apples, per lb., 3s to 5e; Grapes, per lb., 3s to 6s; Peaches, per doz., 6s to lOB; Nectarines, do., 4s to Ss: Apricots (French), do., Is 6r1 to 3s; Figs, do., 2s to 4s; Strawberries, per lb., 19 to Is 66, Apples, per sieve, Is Od to 2s; Oranges, per 100,14s to 2k6 Lemons, per 100 8s to 14s; Nuts, COD, per 1001b,. 50s to OCs- Brazil, per bushel, 18s; Almonds, do., 18s to 20s; Cabbages" per doz., Is 6d to 2s 6d; Frenoh Beans, per half sieve. 2s to 3s; Peas,, per sieve, 2s to 4s;, Potatoes, York Re- gents, per ton, 90s to 100s; Rocks, ditto, 60s to 70s- Flukes, ditto, 110 to 140; new, round, 8s to 12s ner cwt. ditto, Kidneys, 8s to 12s per owt.; Carrot* bunch, 6d to 8d; Carrots, new, per bunch, Is Turning bunch, 4d to 6d} Cucumbers, each,6d to Is Beeh rJCA-tT* Is 6d to 2s; Shallots, per lb., 8d; Garlic, Mr lh Lettuces, per doz Is Od; Endive, per score la o'a/S'! Artichokes, per doz., Is 6d to 3s; Horseradish ner bunfll- Is to 4s; Mushrooms, per pott., Is to Is fid doz. bunches, 2s to 4s.; Herbs, per bunch, 6d.' 1>er Cattle Market,

METROPOLITAN, AUSDST 14 Wo x. of beasts, but the average nnali^ JVt. aye ferior; consequently there is ^t^-e suPP^ ia very m- price1 of cboice descriptions Tho c ?h reduction. ;in the shorter than on Mondav W K 2 f,"pp,ly 01 18 rt^the* good: and nrica^ wo ut tbe demand is scarcely &s IT,' at loCr ^es 'S.oii^'T63- LambVe^ From PTp«mo^ ,yil01ce calves are rafcher dearer. sheS nd HoUaad there are 4,000 beasts, 12,830 25'heLf^' a?Td P^ Spain, 60heasts j Scotlard, the^'CS .?.orfolk and Suffolk, 140; and. 1,520 frox^ orthern and Midland Counties. Roof a ? of 81bs. s. d. s. d. Per stone of 81bs. e. C. s, t Best Scots, Hfd3. 5 2 5 4 Best Long-wools 0 G C fi Best Short-honip 4 8 5 2 Do. do. shorn 5 6 5 lft «iid. qual. beasts 2 8 3 8 Ewes & 2d. qoal. 0 0 0 ft 'ves 3 8 5 6 Do. do. shorn. 4 0 5ft Pigs .S 0 4 8 Lambs „ e « p o BestDna&bdSB. 0 0 0 0 45 Beasts atmarket, 6,320; Sheep and Lambs, 25.51C • (J¡¡Jv6ri 248; Pigs, 270. 1

The Produce Market. MINCING-LANE, AUGUST 14.-Suga.r: The refiners grocers are not; much disposed to do business thpr« several arrivals, and the market being freely eunnlif 11>°- currency has again rather fallen, and stock in bond aHr port has been increased to 103,000 tons. Barbadoes is 29s to 36s 6d; Mauritius, brown oAl;e, yellow, 31s to 34s; grainy, 33s 6d to 40s^■ oi»„J:OJ0s.6d f 29s to 29s 6d; ditto unclayed, 26s to 22a M xl MamlJa> brown, 29s to 31s; yellow, 31s 6d to 36* • WK? 5,avannaJ;)» 39s; white, 40s to 42s; Natal, 379 t0 34s; and Sugar for brewing purposes 2KayV o 6(1 t0 cwt. Flatness still prevails in tL „to 28s per trade: rates for brown lumps 42s • re»ned Sugar 42s 3d to 45s tittlers, 42s 3d to' 47Q I to grocery, pieces, 32s to 37s 6d; and bastard!, 9« 393 to 41s; Coffee still on the increase native p'* ?S 30s-—1Stock of at 65s to 72s, and fine, 73s to 7^o ylcin much in demand for plantation, and the n,rmn„ qUIet ,marinet) lowew' low midd. selling at 78s tofi, T li fi°e ord to 81s to 100s T)pma.,i ofiii » an<l midd. to superior, realised, being, fox red Trinidad 'fir f°r 1<?j?coa' tersua to f;5q _L A!+v>rv 1, mniaaa, 663 to 116s; and grey, 62s limited business withr!e!leraeafaf,Ce1. Te* °niy a low terms • th^ -n selIe.rs of bla-ck and green at previous this season" v again be heavy imports from China at 2^d Tp, fi*1?68 no\murjh required: black Pepper olfers cherrv T,kite' 5d to ditto XeiL- cnerry, 6„d to Is; Pimento, 2|d to 2|: Ceylon p;r,. 1 arnon, ls 4d to 3s; Cochin Ginger, 60s to 31b- ami Bengal, 2bs 6d to. 27s 6d.—A free sale for Provisions Irish Butter, as to quality, brings 96s to 118s; fine Freizlanr1 114,* to lies; French, common to fine, 84s to 110s bl.trd f ^2s to 124s; Devon, 114s to 116s; Irish Bricon 70s German, 70s to 74s; and Amedcaa, 57. to (or fme Jute at £ 22 to £ 2310s: other qualities M K? —-Silk further depressed in value, arrivals beinsr J-UV P of China, as -to quality, at 18s to 32s, and Japarfl^fo 323 The value of Sperm Oil is £ S3 to £ Q0; palfseal £ 40 L^l S.e,eC!' IIs' -E>alra> 36s 64 to 37s; foreign refined Rape- seea, 47s and Drown, 4^3 to 44s 6d.—Prices far Snp..r £ 22 bo £ 22 5s; Scotch Pi- I>W lor 5»pel.^r are numbers; and Straits Tin. t tn .«.% R.i'V.n'.C "=' -"<