The Principality

PROVISIONS. MONDAY,—The Irish Butter market was steady during the past week, and a fair amount of business done, at little or no alteration from the rates of this day se'nnight. The finest mild sorts are most in demand, owing to the best Dutch having advanced 4s. per cwt. In the bacon market there was an advance of about 3s. per cwt. obtained for prime parcels of sizeable meat, but no im- provemcnt to notice in other descriptions. Hamburgh sold freely at all adiance of 3s. to 4s. per cwt. In the English butter market we experience a pretty good de- mand for the best Dorset butter, and really fine dairies may be quoted 2s. per cwt. dearer. Stale and middling things are, how- ever, without any movement. Dorset, fine 76s. to 78s. per cwt. Do., middling 60s. 66s. Fresh Os." 9s. Od. per doz. lbs.

BREAD. The prices of wheaten bread in the metropolis are from fid. to 7d. and household ditto 5d. to 6d. per4ibs. loaf.

HOPS. MONDAY.—Our market wears a dull appearance, and the few- sales effected are rather in favour of the buyer. Accounts from the plantations speak favourably of the growing crop, and witfi fine weather the estimated duty ot £ -0,0J0 is probably not ever set.

HAY. SATURDAY, AUG. 10. SXITHPIELD.—Supply tolerably good, and trade dull. C'usiBEBLAND.—A fuli average supply, and a sluggish demand. WHiTECfJAPEL.—Trade ülul ut lace rates.

WOOL. LEEDS, AUGUST 9.—The large quantity of goods that continue to be delivered to order causes our market to be very scantily sup- plied, and in consequence there was little done at our Cloth-halis, either on Saturday or Tuesday the lower qualities of goods are a shade higher, but in other sorts the prices are steady. 'There has. j been a .number of the .larger buyers in the town tuis week, who generally have pretty freely, and a "large quan ity of winter goods have changed hands; the shipping nouses continue brisker than usual at this season.

OILS. Linseed, 33s. 6J. to (h. Od. per cwt.; Rapeseed, English, refined 37s. Od. to 0s.; brown, 36a. Od.; Gallipoli, per tmi, £ 42; Spmiish gil Sperm, £85 to E-- bagged, £ 83 South Sea, £31 to E- Seal, pale, E31 —s. to E Os. dittlJ coloured, £ — Cod, £35 Os. to £-- j Cocoa nut. per ton, £38 to E40 Palm,

TALLOW. MONDAY.—Advices from St, Petersburg?!, dated the 2nd inst., state that 3,000 casks of tallow bad been disposed of at 107 to 10$ roubles to New Ukraine, For August delivery, the price was 109 roubles. The last statement of shipments gives a total export of 22,807 casks this year against 25,628 do. in 1849 40,612 in 1848 and 42,210 do. in 1847 to the same period. Since oar last report only a moderate business has been doing, and in some instances the quotations have had a downward tendency. To-day, p, Y.C. oa the spot is selling at 36s. 6d.; and for delivery during the last three months, 37s. 6d. per cwt. Town tallow, 35s. 3d. to 35s. 61. per cwt. net cash; rough fat, 2s. per 81bs.

COLONIAL. TUESDAY.—SIJGAH.—The West India market has been steady, and 990 hogsheads sold, but the public sales of Mauritius went off heavily the importers bought in about 4,000 bags out of the 11,500 bags offered, and the price of Friday last were scarcely sus- tained, but the qualities were generally out of condition, and in- ferior to good current descriptions. 4,400 bags only of Bengal offered, of which half only found buyers, at about previous rates. Three cargoes of foreign sold afloat by private contract. Refined remains steady, the demand, however, has been chiefly for low qualities; grocery lumps, 50s., 51s. 6d. COFFEE.—The public sales have not been large to-diy. About 80 casks plantation Ceylon sold at last week's currency. 100 bales Mysore bought in at 45s., and 1,100 bags Bahia withdrawn, 42s., 45s. RICE.-The market opened active, but closed with rather less spirit about 8,000 bags sold at prices which averaged those of yesterday.. RUM.—This article wears a firm appearance. COTTON continues dull of sale, but prices are reported firm. TIN'—An advance of 5s. is declared on British. East India has been in fair demand prices are said to be rather unsteady. TEA.—The market remains firm. TALLOW remains dull at 35s. 6d. SuxDiiiES.—Jamaica ginger, sold, 63s. to 90s.; lac dye, bought in, Is. lid. to 2s. 3d. East India tortoiseshell, sol 1. 21s. to 27?, teil oil, sold, 33s. 9d. coir yarn, sold £ 24 to £ 42 5s.; coir twine, sold, £ 25 to £ 40 coir junk, sold, £ 16 to £ 20 15s. In other articles no alteration. The public &uics were confined to sugar and coffee.

(From Friday's Gazette.) BANKRUPTS.—Richard Groves Ward, otherwise Richard Ward, Browniow-street, Drury-lane, cuach currier — Thomas William Dornford, Suffolk-lane, Cannon-street, wine merchant -Frederick Hennett, Clapualu rise, Ciapham, soda-water manufacturer —Edwiu "I ;tell Hyroas, J dm-street, Tottenham-court-road, pianoforte manufac- turer— Henry Charles Knell, Belvedere-road, Lambeth, timber merchant—Thomas Clarke, Newport, Monmouthshire, grocer — Samuel Parnell, East Looe, Cornwall, grocer—George Willis Hinclreljtfc, Sheffield, manufacturer — William Briddon, Beetle, Lancashire, manufacturing chemist. (From Tuesday's Gazette.) BANKRUPTS.—Samuel Adauis, William Bridges A3.,tma, and. Gerard Ralston, Bow, engineers.—William iionry De Wolf, Liver- pool, merchant.—Henry Edward Ford and VViiiiam Reeves, Leadenhall-street, City, ship agents.—Edward Ground, Wis beach and Parson-Drove, Cambridgeshire, draper. James HiiJbL; Bishopsgate-strcet Without, City, oilman. — Daniel M'lntyre, Man- chester, manufacturing chemist.John Robinson and Edward Moore, Wakefield, Yorkshire, spinners.—Jonathan Steele, Piough- road, Deptford, tar Stephenson, Richmond, Surrey, builder.—John Whitwell, Mark-lane, City, corn factor.

TREATMENT OF THE CONVICT HO BERT PATE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY NEWS. Sir,—I beg t) forward you a statement of facts respecting the most extraordinary treatment of the miscreant, Robert Pate, convicted of striking the Queen, since his admission to the Milbank Prison, till his clandestine removal on Monday last to the William Jardine, convict-ship, at Portsmouth, about to sail with convicts to Norfolk Island and Australia. Pledging myself to the accuracy of the statement, which you can use as you think proper, if worth inser.ion in the columns of your paper. I enclose my name and address. Aug. 3. A CONSTANT READER. From the time of Pate's admission to the Milbank Prison he wore his own linen, had an officer's room appropriated to his use, a separate yard to exercise in, an officer especially to attend on him, mutton chops for his dinner, and no officer under the rank of chief warder allowed to visit him i and, moreover, the room he occupied could be visited by the governor, Captain Groves, at any hour, without any of the prison officers knowing it. The master tailor was sent by the especial order of the governor to measure him for his clo.hes, and to mind that they titted him well, a circumstance never before known, as the clothing is all made to sizes, no particular attention being paid as to the fitting. Pate was removed from the prison on Monday last in a very suspicious manner, not even the reception warder being allowed to be present; the governor only and the infirmary warder being in charge of Inm. I think the country has a right to know why the rules of the prison are violated in this man's case. Is it because he b longed to the Junior United Service Club, to which Captain Groves belongs ? If so, further comment is un- necessary! But I_ wish to ask whether the same treatment is uieteu out to the soldier who was sentenced to seven years' transportation for striking a non-commissioned officer, and sent to the Mi!bank Prison on the same day with Robert Pate for striking her Majesty and also whether Robert, Pate is sent out as a ticket-of-leave man, or as an incorrigible, as these two classes are going out in the William Jai-diiie

MONEY MARKET. LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING. The Funds have been very dull again, and the settlement of the Accoaut occupies chief attention. Consols heHe been market 961 ï for Transfer, and 98i a for September 14. The New Three-and-a- Quurcer per Cents, have realised j. Bank Stock has been fmn at 211 to 2i2. Exchequer bills have been quoted GGs. to (39s. premium. Foreign Stocks have been quiet. Mexican Bonds have fhIlen to 2;"4l | for money, and to 2¡) t for account. Buenos Ayres at 58. Spanish Five per Cents, have realised 171. Banish Bonds are 102.} and Dutch Two-aad-a Half per Cents, nominally 57 to 4.

TAFF VALE RAILWAY. TRAFFIC for Week ending Aug. 10, 1850 £ 2,477 6 10

SEEDS. The seed market was dull for most articles. Canary could only bs placed in retail at the late decline, and rapeseed was likewise ditlieult of disposal, at tho recently reduced rates. New winter tares appeared, for which 5s. Gd. to ds. 6d. per bushel was paid. BLUTISH SKEDS. ( s. s. Cloverseed, red — to — t'ine — Cow grass (nominal) Linseed, sowing per qr. 5i 56 Crashing 40 42 Linseed cakes (per 1,0110 of 3 lbs. each) 130 ISO per ewt. 11 18 iiapeseed, new, perlast, £ 24 to £ 26 calce toii 110 Mustard, white. per bush. 6 8 Brown 9 13 Coriander perewt. 16 21 Canary, new .per quarter 58 65 Tares, spring., prbush., 3s od 4s Oct s. d. Carrawav per cwt. New'. 30 32 Turnip, white per bush. — — Ditto, Swedish 11 FOKBIUK SF.KBS, &C. Clonr, red perewt. — Ditto, white. Linseed, Baltic' per qr. — — Odessa — — Linseed cake per ton — — Rape cake —. — Linseed cake per ton — Rape cake — Hye grass per.qr. [Coriander perewt. 16 21 Hempseed, hlllal.per qr. — I)utcli — — Tares, small — — Large

SMITHFIULD. -i MONDAY.—Daring the week ending on Saturday the import of foreign stock into London was on the increase, and somewhat large, even the time of year considered. The total arrival was 6/250 head. Large numbers of beasts and sheep having been landed from the Large numbers of beasts and sheep having been landed from the Rotterdam, and Harlingen steamers this morning, the show of foreign stock was large, but of very middling quality. From our own grazing districts, especially from Lincolnshire and Leicester- shire, the arrivals of beasts fresh up to-day were considerably iu excess of those reported on Monday last; but at least a moiety of them were beneath the middle quality. The attendance of buyers was good, and the primest Seots, ,De vons, Hereford?, &c., moved off steadily at about stationary prices-táe extreme value of the first-named breed being 8s. 8d. to 3s. lOJ. per 81b.; otherwise the beef trade was in a sluggLJl state, and in some instances the quo- tations had a downward tendency. The numbers of sheep were again Oil the increase, and, for the most part, of full average quality. The primest old Downs were disposed of, at last Monday's cur- rencies, viK., 3s. lOd. to 4d. per 81b., being a decline in those of Friday last of 2d. per 8ibs. but all other breeds met a slow in- quiry, at unaltered figures. We were tolerably well, but not to say heavily, supplied with lambs, from which the demand ruled steady, at late rates. Prime small calves soid to a fair extent, but inferior qualities of veal commanded very littie attention. Pigs were in moderate supply, and heavy inquiry. In prices we have no change to notice. Price per stone of Sihs, (toaink the offitl). s. d. s. d. Coarse and inferior beasts 2 6 to 2 S Second quality do 2 10 3 i Prime large oxen 3 4 3 6| Prime Scots,~&o 3 8 3 1"> Coarse&inferior sheep 3 0 3 2 Second quality do 3 4 3 6 s. d. 3. d. Prime coarse-woollcd 3 6 10 3 10 Prime Southdown do. 3 111" 4 0 Large coarse calves. 2 10 H 3 0 Prime small ditto 3 2,, 3 10 Large hogs 3 2,, 3 6 [ Neat, small porkers 3 8 4 to is. Sd, Suckling calves, 18s. to 21s.; and quarter-old store pigs, 16s. to 21s. each. HEAD OF CATTLE ON SALE. (From the books of the clerk of tho market.) TOTAL SU..PPl.¡LlŒ Beasts 4,109 I. Sheep and Lambs 31,92!> Calves. 2 8 Pigs 20a j FOKEION SL'PI'LIKS. Beasts 887 Sheep 3,820 Caives 185 Pigs 29 A statement and comparison of the supplies and prices of fat stock exhibited and sold'in Smithheld Cattle Market, 011 Monday, Aug, 13, 1849, ami this da i' Monday, Aug. 12, lsso. Per 8 lbs. to sink the ofi'als. Aug. 13, 1849. Aug. 12, 1850. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Coarse and inferior beasts 2 8 to 2 10 2 6 to 2 8 Second quality ditto 3 0 3 2 2 10 3 2 Prime large oxen 3 4 3 8 3 4 3 6 Prime Scots, <fcc 3 8 3 16 3 8 3 10 Coarse and inferior sheep 2 10 ,,3 0 3 0 3 2 Second quality do 3 2 3 4 3 4 3 6 Prime coarse-woolled do 3 6 3 8 3 8 3 10 Prime Southdown do 3 10 4 0 3 10 ,,4 0 Lambs 4 0 „ 5 0 3 8 „ 4 8 Large coarse calves 2 10 ,,3 2 2 10 ,,3 0 Prime small do 3 4 ,,3 8 3 2 ,,3 10 Large hogs 3 2 3 6 3 2 3 6 Neat small porkers 3 8 4 0 3 8 4 0

BIDES. LEADBXM ALT,.—Market hides, 5dib. to Sllb., 1 Jd. to l|d. per lb. ditto, 6lib. to 721b., lid. to 2d.: ditto, 721b. to 80ib.,2 £ d. to :2(;1.; ditto, 801b. to 831 b., 2$d. to 3d. ditto, 88lb. to 9Glb., 3d to S^d.; ditto, 961b. to lO.flb., 3|d. to SJd. ditto, 1041b. to 1121b., 4d. to — b; Calf-skius, light, 2s. 9d to 3s. 6d. each; ditto, fall, 4s. Od. to5s.6d. Horse hides, 6s. 6d. to Os. Oll. Polled sheep, 0s. Od. to. 0, 0" Kents aul Half-breds, 0s. Od. to Us. Od. Down. 0s. to 03 Od,

PONTYPRIDD.- Auc«. 10. s. d. s. d. Wheat pgr bush. 5 6 to 5 0 Barley 3 0 — Oats 2 4 2 5 Beef per lb. 0 5 0 6 Mutton 0 6 0 6^ Pone 0 0 0 0 "0 0 6 Lamb „ 0 6 0 6 s. d. s..i, Butter, Vrcsb per lb o 11 to 0 H Do., Salt 0 8J (1 (J Cheese 0 4 t)- j Geese — — Duuli: per coupIc Fowls Ejgs per down — New Potatoes 18 its. I) 6 0

CARMARTHEN.—Auu. 10. Our corn market is rising to-day. Prices as follows s. d. s. d. 5 0 to 5 6 Barley 3 2 Oats 10 a a Beef 0 21 0 5 ,Nliitton 0 4 0 V,!al (I 3 0 f,inib 0 4 0 6 Pork n « 00 ,r,i,llo-,v p 03t Cow Hiùe: 0 I o I i. Butter I) fij 0 6J ,v. d. t. d Turkeys enclt = = Gt-ese — — 1 4 0 9 12 Cheese per act, 2Z 0 23 0 Kggs two for 0 1 « U Plants for setting-, 120 0 0 CC N ewflotatoes I lb. 0 0 0 Herrings two Salmon per lb. 0 9 0 0 Sewin 0 0 0 0

MERTUYli.— ACQ. 10. s. d. s. d. Mutton per lb. 0 6 to 0 7 Ileef 0 5 0 7 Pork 0 5 0 G Ve,il 0 5 0 7 L,,tiiil) 05 0 Dried Salmon. — 0 1 Onions — — Fre,li B,ittc,-f, 1 0 1 2 I)oL., Salt 0 8 0 9 Ii. d. 3. d, Skimmed Cheese perlb. 0 4 to Caerphilly — Single — -j- Dueks percouple 3 0 Fowls 2 3 2 9 Geese per lb. 0 6 Turkeys ,,0 6 Es?gs per 12 0 6 Potatoes, 14 lbs 6 — New do — •— Potatoes, 14 lbs 6 — New do

Birtlis. On the Sth instant, at Bridgend, the wife of Edward LoyelucK, Draper, of a son. On the Illth instant, at Colney-hatch, Middlesex, the wife of Alfred Cmw- sh;;v of a son. On the 13th instant, the wife of Mr. Davies, Draper, Duke street, of a daughter. '11:f 3H a trap. Gn the 9th instant, at St. Mary's Qhurch in this town, by the Rev. W. A. Conway, Air. George Nicholas, t:) Mary jMmca. On the I I ti, instant, at St. ivlary's CIiui cli, in this town, by the Rev. W. A, Conway, VIr. Thomas Palmer, Carpenter, to Cecil Llewelyn. On the 1 Ith instant, at St. Mary's Church, in this town, by the Rev. VY. A. Conway, Nlr. John Webber, to Mary Davies. On the 12th instant, at St. Mary's Church in this town, by the Itev. W. A. Conway, Mr. Thomas Harry, to Mary Ciampitt. On tiie 14th instant, at the Baptist Chapel, Pontypridd, by the Rev. J. Richard, Mr. John Evans, mole catcher, Traliwu, Pontypridd", formerly of Glyn Taf Kglusjs Ilan, to Miss Jane Davies, lately of the i'wll House, Lan- wanno, Glamorganshire. Druths. On the lnth instant, at Tynyrodyn, Mrp, Powell, late of Dow lais, and sister of the Itev. Enoch Wilbamp, Baptist Minister, Swansea. On the 29th of May, at I',uel.er, East India, Mary Ann, the beloved wife of Ensign Thomas Young, of H.M. 22nd regiment of foot. I Printed and Published by DAVID EVANS, at his Office, High-street, in the town of Cardiff, on Fridav, August the lfitli, ISM). I LOSDON A G RNT8. if,-k- Messrs. Barkerai)d\Vhite,33,1'lcet- street. Mr. Mnnden Hammond, 27, Lom-I bard-sreet. • Mr. Samuel.Deacon, S, WaibrooK. Mr. George licyneli, 41, Chancery- lam. Mr, W. Thomas, lit) C therinc-stixvt, Strand. I By whom the PfiiscipAur? is regularly fitea. V. t- > 1 i.

S:G>rou LABLACIIE.—We understand that this great artist has j s: given a new proof of his loyalty to the director of Her A a esty's Theatre, by signing a fresh engagement with that gen- tltmin for a term of three years. It is rumoured that Miss Harriet Reeves, a sister of our re- nowned English tenor, Sir. Sims Reeves, is about to make her debut a; a vocalist. Report also speaks favourably of her vQ and talent. 1 c ■DESTRUCTION OF Mits. GRAHAM'S BALLOON.—Mrs. Graham made a night ascent from Cremorne gardens, on Wednew-day, under circun-stauces of great disadvantage, owing to the state of the atmosphere, and the heavy rain that had fallen during the afternoon and alter a somewhat hazardous trip, descended in a field near the South-Eastern Railway, at Edmonton, but in so doing, owing to the incautious conduct of some person who came to her assistance, the remainder of the gas contained in the balloon was ignited, and the balloon totally destroyed. Mrs. Graham was much scorched about the face. The fatigue the had undergone, and the loss of her balloon, so affected Mrs. Graham that she had to be assisted Into Edmonton, where she received every attention, and soon after recovering, she took a post-chaise and returned home. DOMESTIC COMFORTS IN THE ARCTIC REGIONS.—The thermo- meter varied from 29 deg. to 40 deg. below the freezing point; ■which would not have been unpleasant where there was a fire to warm the hands and feet, or even room to move about; but where there was neither the one nor the other, some few degrees more heat would have been preferable. As we could not go for water, we were forced to.thaw snow, and take only one meal each day. My waistcoat, after a few weeks' wearing, became so stiff fro MI the condensation and freezing of my breath upon if, that T had much trouble to get it buttoned. One cause of discomfort to me was the great quantity of tobacco smoke in our low aid confined house it being sometimes so thick that no object could be seen at a couple of y r.ls' distance. The whole party, with the exception of myself, were most inveterate smoken; indeed, it was impossible to be awake for ten minutes dur n the night without hearing the sound of the flint and steel stiijk ng a light. Of course I m;ght, to a great extent, have put a stop to this but the poor fellows appeared to receive so ■isiuch comfort from the use of the pipe, that it would have been cruelty to do so for the sake of saving myself a trifSing inconvenience On the 7th (February) a man named Ak-kee-ou-flk, who had promised us four seal skins of oil, arrived and said that he could only let us have one, be- cause the bears had brwkerv into his cacheP and devoured nearly all its contents. This story I did not believe at the time, and I afterwards found out that it was false, I felt a good deal amoved at the man's not keeping his promise, be- cause we had depended much upon this supply for fuel and li ht. To save the former, we had, during part of last month, taken only one meal a day, and discontinued the comfort of a cup of a tea with our evening repast. Of oil our stock was so small that we had been forced to keep early and late hours- ramely, lying occasionally fourteen hours in bed, as we found that to sit up in a house in which the temperature was some degrees below zero, without either light or fire, was not very picasaiit. Fortunately, we all enjoyed excellent health and o-r few discomforts, instead of causing discontent, furnished us with subjects of merriment. For instance, Hutchinson a- out this timo had his knee frozen in bed and I believe the p or fellow (who, by-the-by, was the softest of the party) was afier.v.rds very sorry for letting it le know.), as he got so hear ily laughed at for his effeminacy.—Rae's Expedition, DESCENDANTS OF THE PIIOTECTOH.—The Cromwells were of cousxiicrauon' a id high county standing in Huntingdonshire, seated at the fine old n.ansion of Hinclunbroke, and descended in the female line from Cromwell, Earl of of the .time of Henry VIII. Its chief, as well as many of its members, fought manfully under the royal banner. At the present time, seven peers of the realm trace descent from the Lord Protector viz., the Earls of Motley, Chichester, Rothes, Cowper, Clarendon, De Grey, and Rip m but, as a contrast to this fair side of the picture, we must honestly confess that, within a hundred years after Oliver's death, some of his descendants were reduced to the depthn of poverty, almost begging their daily bread. It is a singular fact, that an estate, which was granted to George Monk, Duke of Aibermarle, for restoring the monarchy, should, by intermarriages, eventually vest in the late Oliver Cromwell, E..q., of Chcsbuut, who died in 1821, being then the last male descendant of the Protector. REPRIEVES.—William Ross, who was convicted of the crime of murdering his wife by means of poison, before Mr. Justice <. rtsswell, at the York Assises, and who was left for execution Saturday, the 10ch instant, has been respited for a week- that is, till (Saturday next, the 17th instant, in order to give time for inquiry into the facts of his case, and for a thorough investigate i of ail the allegations contained in the memorial pre euted on ius behalf. The Daily New? says:—" We have strong h-pes that within a week additional evidence may be forthcoming to :-ati.iy the Home Secretary that the unfortunate yo'ia; mall is not guilty of the crime of which he is convicted." —■ William Chadwiek, convi ted capitally as an accessory before the fact, for the murder, by poison, of his wife's uncle, at the Stafford Assizes, before Mr. Justice Williams, has been respited duiing pleasure—a course of proceeding which is virtually tanta- mount to a commutation of the extreme punishment into trans- portation for life. THE BIBLE, Tim KOKAN, AND THE Vkj>AS.—At the late an- niversary or UiiUrtii-.ui society, the Hon. Edward Everett., I te President of Harford University, said:—"I have several times in my life attempted to read the Koran. I have done so Ltcly, 1 have app:oac!:ed it with a highly-excited literary curiosity. I have felt a strong desire to penetrate this great mystery of the A rain-in desert. As I have in some Turkish town (for in the provincial Turkish towns there is little of the bustle of our Western life), listened, at the close of the day, to the clear, calm voice of the muezzin, from the top of the graceful minaret, calling the faithful to evening prayer, as I have mused on the vicissitudes of all human things, beneath the venerable dome of St. Sophia:—I h'1VH, I may say, longed to find some rational ground of sympathy between Christianity ai.d f-lamism but anything mote repulsive and uninvitfiig. than the Koran I have seldom attempted to peruse, even when taken up with these kindly feelings. And yet you are well aware that it is not con- ceived in a spirit of hostility towa ds the Old and New Testa- ment, but recognises them both as a divine revelation. With I such portions of the sacred books of the Hindoos as have fallen in my way, the case is far worse. The mythological system contained m them is a tissue of monstrosities and absurdities, by 'urns so revolting and nauseous as to defy perusal, except from some strong motive of duty, or of literary curiosity, which would prompt the invests" aiion. I really believe th,.t f. w things would do more to raise the Scriptures in our estimation, than tl) com- pare the Bible w (h the K. ra i at d the Vedas. It is no a coursj 0" reading to,e generally ec mmended. The books a e scarce, and, as I have sa d, their (on eminently repulsive but I wul venture to s y to those wh >se profession 1 u y i so main- tain the sacred c a' ct r of he C ristian Scriptures, that I know of scarce any I n' of wadb-g which might be Liken up with greater advant; ge for the purpose of fair compari on, than that of the sacred lo k-i, as they are called, of the Mahometans and Hindoos." IMPKOVSMSNT IN STSAM-VESSEL PIIOPULPION. — It is a long rstablishea scientific fact that the paddle-wheels of steam- vessels are only effective propelling agents until each float board gets baaeath the centre of rotation, and that, from that point, as they successively rise to the surface, every float in its turn becomes a retarderof speed. The consequence is that an immense amount of the steam-power is lost, variously estimated by different parties tit from one quarter to three-quarters of the whole efit etive power of the engines. Among the various plans to supersede so ex- peasive and ineffective a machine is a pair of propellers invented by M". Lupfcon, which were offered to the Great \Vestern Steam- si.ip Company "in 1811 and, with some modTicati ms of their engineer, were fitted up in the Great Britain, bHiore her unfortu- nate last voyage, in preference to Smith's screw. It is stated that the speed attained in crossing from Liverpool to the Irish coast, "11 that occas'ori, had so exceeded the captain's reckoning, that it was the cauce of the disastrous catastrophe, making the Irish coast when he thought he was miles away, and it was sanguinely espec ted th-d she would have completed her trip to New York in seven days. These propellers are 3.1 fie", in diameter, pro- jecting little more than two feet from the vessel's side, and en- tirely immersed six inches beloW the surface of the water. The inventor calculates that two 11-horse engines, giving the pro- peJh rs 5U revolutions per minute, would be aoeql a e; and that vessels from 150 to 200 feet long, with two pair of propellers, ton-" p-oportionate engine-power, would do the work of paddle- wheels propelled by 500 or 600-horse power engines, and reduce the time of the voyage across to the Atlantic to seven days. Mr. Lupton cnfidently considers that 20 miles an Lour might be aUaitud unitr all circumstances, and that as an auxiliary to a s -iiing v, ss d, with a fair wind, his plan would atta'n great speed. That the pre.-ent system of steam-ship propulsion is h ghiy deft c- th r is no doubt, and should this propeller posses.3 the merits t :.itwerf for if, it would be well worthy of introduction by per- s ins who l ave it in their power to do so. It having been adopted m the Great Britain speaks highly in its favour, and the caiamity by which he fair trial to which it was then subjected was st, p- ped, has le n probably a great loss to steam navigation LOBD DUKHAM arrived from London at the British embassy at Florence, on Government business on the 31st ult. A COUNTRY NEWSPAPER PARAGRAPH. — The Kent Herald states tint" while a party was carousing at the fstar Tap, in this city, on Tuesday evening, a brick was seen to move, a,d forthwith up sprang a large mushroom. ROXBURGHSHIRE.—Lord John Russell i to pay a visit to his noble father-in-law,in this county, towards the end of the pre- sent month. His stay is likely to be for some time.—North British Mail, DEATH BY Four. Ain,-Oti Sunday afternoon, James Ailar- dice, 7 years of age, son of a coiiier at .Fergushiil, Kilwinning, was playing with some companions ncaran old air pit in that neighbourhood, when he ventured to descend a ladder left in it. He had done so only a short way, when, under the influence ol the foul air, lie dropped insensible to the bottom. On the alarm being given, his father rushed to the pit, aul on descending also dropped insensible. Another man named White, who followed to the rescue, shared the same fate and they must all have inevitably perished, had not the caution been taken to tie a rope to the next man Reid, who succeeded in coding it round White and Allardice, who were dragged up apparently dead, but are happily now in a .-air way. The boy's corpse was not got up tiii some time after. -Ayr Advertiser. MELANCHOLY OPPUHRKN-SB.—FIVE MBX DROW-NF.,D.-Ligllt men employed at the Hook Colliery, accompanied by a iad seventeen years of age, employed hy. Mr. Griffiths, ot Hook, proceeded on Wednesday last as far as to load u couple of lighters with timber, for the use of the colliery. Having accomplished their work, four of the men returned by land, while the other five startell by water in the boat. In vain did their comrades intreat them, to walk, as it waS blowing and raining haïd; however, in spite of intreaties, off they started. Their names are as follows ;—Absoiom James, Henry Phillips, William Foll-int, Benjamin .Phillips, an d Thomas Follant—the latter was the boy. The two FoBants wore brothers, and the whole party were closely related. They pro- ceeded with difficulty to Landshipping Ferry; but when off Picton Point, and in the act of turning the boat's head towards Hook, she shipped several seas, which nearly filled her. and all but the boy jumped into the water, and almost instantaneously were drowned by this time the boat filled. when the boy jumped overboard, and was within but a leur yards of the shore when he met with the same fate. The poor fellows were ob- served only by one woman, who lives in a lone cottage on the banks of the river at Pieton Point. The poor woman's cries for assistance were of no avail, and the thick mist prevented any one seeing them from Landshipping; therefore they were all drowned within a felY yards of the shore, although they were all known to be excellent swimmers. They were all fine young men, and one of them has left a widow and three young children. P,),T- OFFICF. -Fro in returns p-e.-ented to the House of Com- mons, giving the number of letters delivered in the United Kingdom for each week in which they were counted up to as late a period as practicable, it appears that in the week ending 21st February, 1850, the total delivered were—England and Wales, 5,784,213; Ireland, 728,010 Scotland, 727,739 gross total, United Kingdom, 7,239,962. For the year ending 5th January, 1850, the gross revenue for the United Kingdom was L2,165,349 17s. 9jd.; the cost of management, E 16s. 10(i. the net revenue, £ 840,787 0s. 111d. Postage charged on the go- vernment departments Y,106,923 18s. and net revenue, ex- clusive of charges of the government departments, E733,863 2s. llld. The payment made by the Post-office for the con- veyance of mails by railway in the United Kingdom during the year ending 5th January, 1850, was, for work done within the year, £ 128,713 .Is, 2d.; for work done in previous years, £ 99,583 lis. total E230,079 5s. 10d. In addition to this amount a sum of £ 25,000 was paid to the Chester and Holy- head Railway Company on account, but the portion for the work done in previous years cannot be distinguished, the rate of payment not being fixed. Of money orders there were is- sued fro:n 6th January to 31st December, 1849, in Eüghnd and Wales, 3,515,839-their amount, £ 6,880,885 Its. 2d.; in Ireland, 358,578—their amount, £ 592,50 4- 14s. 3di; in Scot- land, 374,474—their amount, £ 879,273 i2s. Id.—total, United Kingdom, 4,248,891 amount i:8,152,643 17s. 6d. The total of money orders paid in the same period in the United Kingdom was amount E3,159,353 14. The cost o management, stated above at £1,32.1,562 IG;, iijd., includes all payments out of the revenue in us progress to the Exchequer, except advances to the Money Order Olnce of the sum oi £10,307 10s.. disbursed in pensions, as follows to the Duke of Marlborough, 13,40"7 10s. to the Duke of Grafton, and £ 2,900 to the heirs of the Duke of Schotuberg. Inclusive of these pensions there appears a sum of £ 17,084 14s. 2d., 44 charges other than management," entered above ultder the" cost oj management." The expens.-s of the Money Order 0 me,' throughout the United Kingdom, during the year ending 31st December, 1849, were £ 70,24-8 the amount of commission, £ 70,570. Of tins £ 58,770 was for England and Wales, £ 5,69-3 for Ireland, and £6,105 for Scotland. WILFUL DESTRUCTION OF THE ORDNANCE MAI'S OF THE METROPOLITAN COMMISSION OF SEWEHS.—A most flagrant act of wilful destruction of a considerable portion of Hie Ordnance map of the metropolis has recently eotne to the knowledge of the metropolitan commissioners of sewers. After the necessary levels and other information had been taken by the officers of the Ordnance, they were regularly deposited at the District Sewers Office, in Hatton-garden, under the superintendence of Mr. Joseph Smith, who had been taken as a sergeant from the corps of Sappers and Miners for that purpose. From the in- formation so obtained NIr. Smith ordered the maps to be drawn preparatory to their being engraved, and several o" them for the more crowded districts of the metropolis were completed, and sent to the chief office in Greek-street. On the day the maps were so removed, several of the officers of the establishment saw them placed in drawers with great care, with the exception of some that were already in large tin cases. There being some occasion shortly afterwards to refer to them, on opening the drawers they found the greater part of them saturated with some powerful liquid, completely illegible. An immediate investigation was then made of those in the tin cases, and these appeared to have been injured ia a similar manner. The ap- pointment of Sergeant Smith to this situation appeared to h ive given great offence to one or two parties, which had manifested itself on many occasions by a disinclination to obey his in- structions. The commissioners, therefore, with a view to a thorough investigation of the facts, placed the matter in the hands of Mr. Field, of the detective police. Nearly twenty of the officers have been strictly examinedfas to the circumstances, and the result tends to fix the commission of the act upon two parties who had been previously suspected. An analysatiou of the liquid used has been made by Mr. Parry, of the Poly- technic Institution, who declared it to be nitrate of silver.