The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS. As the season advances for the opening of Parliament all manner of speculations are afloat as to the new Reform Bill, the extension of the franchise, &c. Cabinet councils have been frequent, but as yet the Ministers have not dis- closed to the world their policy, therefore, I shall Dot hazard any assertion. It will be time enough when it comes before Parliament for 1n to disclose to you some of the arguments in fatourof one side or the other, and the little diplomatic tricks of office. Setting politics aside for the moment, there- fore, let me take the reader with me to Minster, and show him things as they-exist at the Present moment. On Friday I took a walJr over toe great hall of St. Stephen's. „ Everything looked blank and melancholy. A few lawyers' °lerka and secretaries of railway companies were te only persons who appe*re<* have any Energy about them. These people were rushing We and there to various committee-rooms, to deposit the 8 per cent. of capital on railway bills that Parliament has natie necessary before the pro- moters have complied ith the standing orders." This was the last da-y allowed them; and if not deposited before midnight, the bill would have to stand over for another Session. In each of these offices one clerk only was in attendance, who took the deposits of thousands of pounds with the Utmost indifference, even yawning as if for re- lease from duty. In former days it was the custom for all persons who "humbly petitioned ,-he British House of Commons to be permitted to carry out some important public work, should be compelled to show that they had the power to carry their proposed plan into effect." Parliament required that any body of men, desirous of making a railway or a dock, or buildin g a new market-house, setting up gas or water works, should join together in a subscription contract, by which ;?ey bound themselves and their legal representa- -^es to subscribe towards and to pay up a sum elual to three-fourths of the estimated cost of the depositing 8 per cent. of the neces- Sary capital. Clever men, however, soon found out a taode of evading this prohibitory law against Public improvements; and subscription deeds, Slgned by men of straw, were lodged to give a ;ourable compliance with these standing orders. Government were made aware of this, and in °58 the order relative to subscription contracts Jas repealed; the deposit system, however, has ways been continued the amount so deposited *?as to remain in the hands of the Accountant- capital needed by the has been expended on the works; it is then lVen up to the directors. I remember that dur- last Session a Committee of the House of Commons stated in their report upon standing oders for public works, that a deposit under the Cutnstances which I have described was no test of the lowl-fid.es of the promoters of an un- dertaking, or of their competency to carry it out. hey contended that, a few individuals with suf- JJient credit might obtain a temporary loan under e restrictions named, with no power over the Arrowed money, in order to make a colourable de- ^til they saw whether, during the progress Shffi • foil through Parliament, they could enlist a J number of supporters ot" their scheme. have no doubt this is done to a con- querable extent; and although I would not for a foment set aside the claim of 8 per cent, deposit, f Would have iii addition a select committee to iDquire into the solvency of the projectors of every railway bill, for it is a well-known fact that companies are got up in many instances for the sole purpose of benefiting secretaries and direc- tors. I feel assured that not one-third of the bills to be brought before Parliament will be passed; I jet these would-be" promoters of this, that, or the other ridiculous deviation by which half a can be saved in twenty, harass and annoy ^Bsional gentlemen, tradesmen, and others 0_, ^°tices to quit, &c., to the great detriment r business transactions. v let us turn from lawyers, railway secreta- ries, and committee-rooms to those parts of the Par- ^ament Houses which in a few days will be the gene of so much ceremony, and where Acts of Poliament of the greatest moment will be passed. ave you ever, gentle reader, visited a ballroom i .9 next morning after a large assembly had been during the night? Have you noticed the aoelancholyappearance where everything seemed gay a few hours before ? Such was my when wending my way to the House f Lords. Accompanied only by one friend, our "Otateps echoed in the empty lobbies and halls ) S if we were the only tenants of that vast and l'd)y building-" that banquet-hall deserted." g te and there we found painters at work, Cartelling up the ceiling, which between the *escoes is now being painted light blue, instead *he oaken colour it before had. Newly painted Uidows have been placed in the lobbies, which light in places which before were compara- bly dark during the day. The House of Lords '°°ked as if everything connected with it had put !al>a ^^ding-sheet. The throne, the huge cande- even the seats were all wrapped in canvas j I was glad to take a hasty glance and depart, ajay say much the same about the Commons' °use, except that there was not so much white there being less to preserve; but let me, owever, take the* reader with me to that noble Camber called The Prince's Robing Room. lo?ere'Jv^^ reached the threshold, we heard sharp controversies. Were they re, spirits departed ? We stopped Could it be a rehearsal "Vli the Queen's Speech by the obp, i jVe r and'ili legislators ? We gently P ned the door, we saw, not ladies with ,traiES °r f1., but about a dozen li ters of t0llnaway at a mag- Geri^ new carp was to cover 13 room before My friend was a ogt reverend but jolly' sort of ather O'Flannagan' ^Presence did not the sweet murffl111 **eard, without. were- stitching away ecjtiiJae, and, yet :°^8ive me, ladies, true to their sex, they were scandal as fast as their J^gu<bs could *"8- "I don't think much ot said Oh, I never liked her from the tost t1]Qae J Irae laer," said another. When I Slw her 1,t sr 1(1 a third, she was dressed up to theii1 <fee. e* When Mary had been discussed another ale n ^e was introduced, and her form, featured, nd vOtlduct thoroughly discussed. But though the f women took off my attention for a moment, struck with the beauty of this chamber, gainst the wall which separates the throne-room, ^M just at the back of the Royal seat, her Most ^I'acious Majesty Victoria is represented -in ^^ble, life size-—as Victory, holding her sceptre :ttld wearing a laurel crown, typical of governing ruling, the laurel being considered emblematic J-j* the honour conferred on intellect and valour. A he back of this marble throne is surmounted by expressive of British strength and courage, 11d the footstool is adorned by sea horses, to SIgnify dominion upon the ocean—the horse being 11 emblem of war. On the right of the Sovereign stands Justice, and on the left Cltmjncv„ The former holds a sword and balance. Round her neck is suspended the image of Truth. The Expression of Justice is inflexible, whilst that of -leillency is full of sympathy and sadness, on ac- c of the constant sins brought to her know- I ledge. With lenity she keeps her sword sheathed, and offers the olive branch in token of peace. Upon the front of the pedestal is a basso relievo of Commerce. Upon the right is Science, designated by a youth pondering over a geometrical problem, and upon the left a figure denoting the useful arts. In the background are represented the steam-engine, telegraphic wires, and other evi- dences of the material progress of the period. The walls of this chamber are decorated with portraits of eminent personages of the period of the Reformation. First we notice the bluff King Hal; on his right is his first and ill-used wife, Katharine of Arragon; on his left are his other five wives, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katharine Howard, and Katharine Parr. Does this arrangement indicate the opinion, of the committee of taste on the validity, or otherwise, of Henry VIII.'s first marriage ? The other noble personages whose portraits hang on these walls are, Edward VI., Mary, Philip, Elizabeth, Louis XII., Princess Mary, Duke of Suffolk, Marchioness of Dorset, Lady Jane Grey, Lord Gerald Dudley, James IV., Princess Margaret, Earl of Angus, James V., Mary of Guise, Francis II., Lord Darnley, Henry VII., Elizabeth of York, and Arthur Prince of Wales. Besides these, the lower panels are crowded with oak carvings of historic interest, and of merit far beyond that which is usually witnessed. From this room we proceeded through an im- mense hall or chamber which leads to the Queen's robing-room, neither of which is at all near com- pletion, and will, I dare say, occupy artists and decorators for the next twenty years. The only picture finished in the great hall is an immense one of the battle of Waterloo, and opposite to it is one nearly completed of the battle of the Nile. There are about twenty panels yet to fill with paint- ings on subjects connected with the later periods of British history. The Queen's robing-room will be very magnificent when completed; the ceiling and decorations are of the most gaudeous charac ter, and the panels will be decorated with historical pictures, none of which are yet visible. The Queen will use a. temporary room for the coming cere- monial, which is fitted up with every possible con- trivance for comfort. From this we went through miles of corridors, someleadingtomembera' smoking rooms, to dining-rooms, and to refreshment-rooms, where subordinate officials dine at Is. 6d. per head. But I have not space to dwell upon the varied departments connected with the great halls of Westminster. Let me only observe, however, that we ought to have grandeur there, for the votes that are given every year for improvements are something extra- ordinary. I notice that in the estimates to be introduced this Session is a sum of £ 124,200 for improvements in St. Margaret's Church, which is the chapel used by members of Parliament. How many churches would this build? Again, there is an estimate for X563,000 for new approaches to the Houses of Parliament. What an immense sum this appears but I believe it includes the purchase of lands in the vicinity.

p FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE LONDON, CHATHAM, AND DOVER RAILWAY. The disasters of the late snowstorm have culminated" in a sad accident on the above railway. One of the bridges spanning a running stream in the vicinity of Beokenham gave way on Sunday morning at an early hour, and precipitated a goods train into an obseare stream, where the engine and tender, with thirteen trucks, were all buried in one conglomerate mass. The midnight train from Victoria and Blackfriars to Chatham and the early goods train following had passed over the bridge in question safely, but the later goods train, duo at Beckenham junction shortly before four a.m., was that to which the accident has occurred. After passing the Penge station, the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway traverses a district which is here and there intersected by brooks tributary to the Ravensbourne river. These brooks are for the most part crossed by flat iron girder bridges, and one of these, within about a couple of hundred yards of the Beckenham junction, was the unfortunate scene of the disaster. The train to which the accident oc- curred left Blackfriars station at.balf-ptist one a.m.and after the usual stoppages at Herne-hill and other stations topiok uptruoksLwas approaching the Beckenham junc- tion at five minutes to four o'clock, when, without any previous warning of danger, the engine and tender, with thirteen @f the foremost trucks, were precipi- tated into a streani known as the Ruaher-brook, ordi- narily a mere ditch, but swollen by the late flood into a small river. The engine fell on its right side, and happily the driver was thrown into an adjoining meadow, where he sustained only temporary injuries. The stoker, who most probably was attending to his break, was less fortunate, and, falling with the engine, was buried under it, and his body was not extricated till Sunday evening. The guard, who was travelling in a tender immediately behind the engine, suffered severe contusions, but a projecting girder saved his life, and he escaped through one of the windows of his van. The crash was heard by the Beckenham junction signalmen, and at the earliest moment messengers were dispatched for assistance, all traffic up and down the line being immediately stopped. The means at hand were quite ineffectual, but before seven o'clock Mr. Mills, resident engineer of the line, and Mr. Martley, locomotive superintendent, were upon the spot. A cursory examination showed that the foundations of the bridge had been seriously affected by the late floods, and that the portion of the structure carrying the down line of rails had given way either immediately before or at the moment the last goods train was in tho act of passing over it. The engine-driver, who was on the spot, and sufficiently col- lected to give his version of the disaster, stated that just before the accident he was going on as comfortable as could be," and that the next moment he found him- self thrown into the adjoining meadow. Mr. Mills, after surveying the state of the bridge, at once decided that the firs^ thing to be accomplished was to secure in a perfectly safe condition the remaining line of metals, so that the traffic of the railway might not be interrupted, the outside down rail alone having been de- stroyed by the accident. To this end the exertion of a large body of labourers were devoted during the whole of Sunday, and there appeared to be reasonable hope that this result would be accomplished before midnight. Meantime the ordinary traffic of the railway was carried on by trains on either side of the bridge, the passengers alighting north or south of the scene of the accident and walking over the partially destroyed bridge) no through train having passed either above or below the Beckenham junction. The accident is attributed to the swollen state of the tributary stream passing beneath the bridge. In ordinary weather this stream merely carries ofF the drainage of the fishponds of Mr. Hoare, the banker, and Mr. Fortescue, residents in the neighbourhood, but the recent heavy snow-storm and rapid thaw have con- verted an ordinary rivulet into a rushing river, the force of which, it is feared, has weakened the lounda- tions of the bridge, and hence the disaster. It is proper to state that the foreman of the permanent way for the district had specially examined this bridge at four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, when, as lar as he could judge, everything appeared to him to be m perfectly safe condition. ■. Upon visiting the scene of the catastrophe on Mpn- ? large numbers of men were still at work eQ56fVourina to remove the fallen bridge and train, ana to extricate the remains of the unfortunate stoker who was orated to death between the engine and tender. So great was the mass of ruin under which the p°or .eHow ]ay buried, that it was expected his body could not be recovered before night. The remains ,of the broken girders of the bridge and the dSbns 01 tne train formed a dam across the stream, and were P110.?0 » height greateif than that of the level of the bridge before its fall. When the bridge gave way. and _traiu fell over, the engine caught the telegraph wires and. dragged them dowp, into the stream, completely catting off telegraphic communi- cation between s>ecKenham and the neighbouring station. This aeotffenj Nearly involved serious conse- quences, as the talD. next due after the goods train was the mail train, and owing to the destruction of the telegraph it was only with the utmost difficulty that by means of messengers and danger signals the j mail was warned of the danger m its path. The name of the fireman has been ascertained to be John Maxted. He entered the employ of the com- i pany only a week since. His father and sister came i up from Whitstable on Monday, to be present at the recovery of his body from underneath the ruins.

FENIANISM. Dublin, Tipperary, and Waterford Pro- claimed. The Irish Government have proclaimed the city and county of Dublin. Saunders's News Letter, referring to the proceeding, says Many were of opinion that this step would have been taken long ago, but the authorities doubtless deferred it as long as pos- sible, hoping that the prosecution and punishment of the Fenian leaders would produce the intended effect, I and that they might be spared the necessity, of inflict- i-ago such an indignity on the Irish metropolis. Whether the Government have received any secret information which has urged them to the adoption of this course, we are unable to say, but events that have recently happened-the continued manu- facture of pikes, and, more lately, the seizure of a number of persons .in the act of running Minnie rifle bullets afford. a sufficient justifi- cation for the measure. It is perfectly right that all the disloyal and disaffected persons should be disarmed, and that the police should have greater facilities than they possessed to search for the arms which there is but too much reason to believe are concealed throughout the city. By placing Dublin under the provisions of the Peace Preservation Act, the police will be enabled to carry on a systematic search for arms, and the penalty incurred by a viola. tion of the law is such that we do not anticipate they will meet with any resistance or difficulty in the dis- charge of their duty. The proclamation of the Lord- Lieutenant named the 16th inst., as the date from and after which the Act was to be in force in the county and the city of Dublin. Under it any person not duly authorised to carry arms will be liable to one year's imprisonment, if, after a day to be subsequently named, he, knowingly, has in his possession any gun, pistol, or other firearm, or any sword, pike, or bayonet, or bullets, gunpowder, or ammunition. All persons not licensed. will be required to deposit any arms they 'may possess at the nearest police- station or barrack. Persons will be appointed to issue licences, and we have no doubt they will be freely given to all respectable citizens. The Lord- Lieutenant has also proclaimed the whole of the county of Tipperary and the county and city of Waterford. The propriety of this act will be generally I conceded. We are glad, however, to learn from a correspondent that although around Clonmel, Mullir,&: hone, and Thurles there may be a good many enrolled Fenians, the numbers throughout the North Biding are not very considerable, and no greater hostility is entertained against them than by the Catholie clergy and the farmers of the district." The Freeman's Journal adds the following particu- lars:—"Soon after the proclamation had been pub- lished anxious groups were to be seen collected read- ing it on all the places where it was posted, and the police received information that pikes, pistols, swords, ammunition, drill-books, &c,, were being made away with as quickly as possibly by concealing them in most ingenious places, or by throwing them into the river and canals. Many who had not read the pro- clamation attentively, or who had been misinformed concerning it, thought that the search for arms, ammunition, &o., would commence at once, and for that reason the greatest vigilance was exercised by those who were afraid of the police visiting their houses, to make an overhaul' for pikes, re- volvers, &c. On Monday evening, some constables 'v"'O" of the E division proceeded to a field in the neigh- bourhood cf Harold's Cross, where in a haystack they found twenty pikes ready for immediate service. In the same locality on the road a bundle was found, which, on being opened, was discovered to consist of a military cloajc, of green cloth, with red facings* and secured at the collar with a solid gold chain and clasps; also two green tunics, with red facings, bearing the initials of 'The Irish Republic.' All this uniform was elegantly finished, and was evidently the property of some person who had recently returned from America, as the cloth and style of workmanship are foreign. In the Grand Canal uniform coats of a similar kind were found."

THE CATTLE PLAGUE. Dr. Lqtheby, the medical officer of health to the City of London, has just presented his annual report to the Commissioners of Sewers, which contains some important particulars in reference to the cattle plague. In the first place Dr. Letheby shows the disease to have been imported; and indicates Hamburg, Rotter- dam, and Utrecht, as being probable channels for the transmission of the disease to England. It is farther frightfully contagious, though the nature of the infec- tious matter is not yet discovered. The means far arresting the disease are the entire stoppage of cattle traffic, the isolation of diseased animals, the disinfec- tion of infected cities, while, to effectually destroy contagious matter, the animal which has died of the disease must be dissected, and all parts of it exposed to a temperature of 212 degrees, thereby saving the fat, bones, &c., of the animal. Though no specific cure is known for the malady, rational medicine may be employed to assist nature. # The practice which has been found most'successful is that of supporting the vital powers, and favouring the elimination of the poison—a warm stable, with good ventilation, and nourishing drinks, are the first among the palliative remedies. Dry foods are espe- cially to be avoided, for after death the first stomach is always found to be gorged with them. The stimu- lants which are used are diluted alcoholic drinks, and the preparations of ether and ammonia. In addition to this, the action of the skin should be promoted by warmth, by brisk rubbing, and by the use of mild diaphoretics. It is further observed; that as the bowels in the early stage of the disorder are somewhat. constipated, a gentle laxative as sulphur or linseed oil, may be advantageously given; and for the subsequent diarrhoea, the best remedy is chalk and opium. Lastly, when the animal shows a desire for food, it should be cautiously fed on easily digestible substances, as boiled carrots, or turnips, or meal." As to the flesh of the diseased animal being unfit for human food, Dr Letheby points to several Conti- nental authorities who say that the meat is not in. jurious to health; but he thinks it would be very dangerous to allow the unrestricted sale of such meat. On the Continent stringent measures are taken to arrest the sale of this meat—measures much more stringent than those obtaining in London. Dr. Letheby concludes hia report with the following characteristics by which good and bad meat may be distinguished:— Good meat is neither of a pale pinkish colour ÍlO of a deep purple tint. The former is indicative of disease, and the latter is a sign that the animal has died from natural causes. Good meat has also a marbled appearance from the ramifications of little veins of intercellular fat; and the fat, especially of the internal organs, is hard and suety, and is never wet; whereas that of diseased meat is soft and watery, often like jelly or sodden parchment. Again, the touch or feel of healthy meat is firm and elastic, and it hardly moistens the fingers; whereas that of diseased meat is soft and wet; in fact it is often so wet that serum runs from it, and then it is technically called wet. Good meat has but little odour, and this is not disagreeable; whereas diseased meat smells faint and cadaverous, and it often has the odour of medicine. This is best observed by cutting it and smelling the knife, or by pouring a little warm water upon it. Good meat will bear cooking without shrinking, and without losing very much in weight; but bad meat shrivels up, and it often boilt to pieces."

_r_—■ + The Revolted Zouaves.—A letter from Mexico gives some account of the measures adopted with res- pect to the Zouaves who had revolted at Martinique. It says "On their arrival at the Mexican capital they were received on the plain in front of the citadel by the whole of the French garrison, forming a square, and with arms loaded. A battery was also pointed in their direction. The marshal ordering the new-comers to draw up in line commanded them to pile arms and then to advance twenty paces. Whilst they were exeeut- I ing that movement, two companies came behind and got between them and their arms. All attempt at disobedience was then impossible. The gendarmery npxtcame forward and took into custody twenty-five, whom they handcuffed and took to prison. The others inhabit an old convent where they are to remain until they pass before a military tribunal."

John GosneH and Co.'s Cherry Tooth Paste, price is. 6d Decidedly the best preparation for cleansing and preserving the teeth. Boid by all petfumere mud chemists. -12,Three King-ct, Lorabard-st, E.G.

OUR "CITY" ARTICLE. « Money has been plentiful in the general market during the past few days, notwithstanding the high rate of discount demanded by the Bank of England. The reason of its comparative abundance is mainly the payment of the half-yearly dividends on Consols and other public securities, which com- menced on Tuesday, the 9th inst. This had the effect of throwing into the hands of the general public large sums, which, for the most part, speedily found their way into the market through the Stock Exchange and other ordinary channels. The total amount thus paid by the Bank was very nearly four millions sterling-, as seen in the weekly return, under the head public deposits." The exact decrease in this item was £ 3,935,799. In. other respects the weekly Bank return was a more favourable one than has lately appeared. The other securities," whieh represent the dis- count demand, had decreasedaB largely as they had risen during the previous week, and showed a decline of < £ 2,400,495. The private deposits were augmented by rather more than a million and a half. The" rest," which represents the actual profit made by the Bank on its transactions, had increased by X133,805, The reserve of notes was larger by £ 25,005. The demand for gold was mere moderate, the decrease in the stock of coin and bullion being £ 218,354. It must be noted, however, that the total reserve of bullion in the hands of the Bank is at a low point, almost as low as was touched at any time during the past year. It is now £ 12,887,829; and mmy persons who claim to be considered as authorities on matters of finance, have asserted that it ought never to be allowed to range below fourteen millions. This question of the Bank stock of bullion Qnd its weekly variations, is of more importance than that portion of the public not immediately interested in the condition of the money market is apt to. consider. It is one, in- deed, that vitally concerns the notional credit and welfare. The Bank's reserve of bullion is the reserve of the country—the only available supply of actual cash out of which to meet the demands of the nation, and the claims that may be made upon it from abroad. A run upon the Bank," meaning thereby the national establishment, has not been witnessed in our own day, in the full and ominous meaning of the term. But such an event has Occurred at periods gone by; and it is the duty and the constant study of the Bank authorities to be prepared for such an emergency at any time, by maintaining its reserve of coin and bullion at a good round figure. While this reserve remains low, as at present, the exports and imports of bullion are anxiously watched as likely to exercise a considerable in- fluence upon the attitude of the Bank and the future course of the money market. Just now, the outgoings, so far as they can. be calculated upon, are principally in the form of silver for the East, in payment for supplies of cotton and other raw produce. This, however, has received a check since the advance of the Bank rate, and there is no reason to believe that it will remain incon- veniently large. About half a million of specie is known to be on its way from Australia, X170,000 of which is now du.e. On Saturday, too, a supply of =6270,000 was received from the West Indies. These circumstances combine to make an improved condition of the reserve probable within the next few'days." The currentàiscount charges in the general market are somewhat lower than those noted last week. They are now --For bills of one to four months, 71.tto t per cent.; for six months' Bank bills, 7lper cent.; for trade bills of the same period, 8 to 8t per cent. Money, from day to day, ca,n be obtained on the Stock Exchange on Govern- ment Securities as lowas 3 to 4 percent. The allowances for money on deposit with the discount houses, &c., remain as before; The market for English Government Securities was depressed early in the week. Consols were done at 86t and 87 for two Or three days succes- sively. Later on, numerous transactions occurred in connection with the deposits to be made on railway and other public bills to be brought before Parliament next Session. This had the effect of improving prices, which were last quoted '87 to k for money, and 87f for the February account. Reduced and New Three per Cents, were 86i,7;. Bank Stock, 245:|; India. Five per Cents., 1870, ;z 1023 In the market for Foreign Stocks, the chief alteration noticeable was in Spanish, the unsatis- factory condition of affairs in Spain having its natural effect on these'securities. A decline of 1J to 2 per cent, was apparent in the Passive and Deferred descriptions. Most other classes of Foreign Stocks were done at firmer quotations, but the market was without much animation. American Securities are stilltending upwards; United States 5-20 bohd$were last 64f to 65. There is little alteration to notice in railway shares. After some fluctuation, they generally remain at about the prices of the previous week. The last official list quotes Caledonian, 127; Great Eastern, Ordinary, 41; Great Northern A Stock, 144J; Great Western, 58; London, and North 4 Western, 125; South. Western, 94,t; South Eastern,73f Metropolitan, 1311 Midland, 122-J; North British, 57t; South Devon, 55. The total traffic receipts for the last week of 1865 were £ 640,105 on 12,299 miles. In the corresponding week of the previous year the amount was £ 586,330, and the number of miles 11,889. The shares of colonial and foreign lines were dull atprevitlapdces. Grand TrunJt of Canada were 24f; Great Indian Peninsula, 101; East Indian, Mtdras 5 per Cent., 99|; ditto 4! 4 per Cent., 92. Among foreign, Great Luxembourg were 15f; Dutch Rhenish, 22t; Sambre and Meuse, 8. Bank shares are steady. In the miscellaneous market busihes3 is dull. Credit Foncier and Mobilier of England were last quoted8 London Financial Association, 18|; Overend, Gurney, and Co., 20-f Hudson's Bay, 15 J Crystal Palace, 34. 4 The Stock Exchange committee adheres for the present to its practice of granting or withholding a special settling day for the shares of any new company that may be started, and has issued some new rules, by which it is proposed to regulate its action in this respect for the future. They are to the effect that, before this measure of countenance will be afforded to a new undertaking, its pro- moters must submit to the committee the baSIS upon which they propose to proceed, the articles of association, and the like, together with a state- ment of. the number of shares applied for, deposits received, and such other information as may afford proof of the genuineness of the concern. These new rules stand over for confirmation or otherwise until Monday, the 22ad instant.

PRICES OF BUTTEE,, HAMS, &c., at per ewt. —Butter: Friesland, 133» Jersey, 112s to 126s; Dorset, 132s to 136s. per dozLis to 18s Cheese: Cheshire, 66s to""79*} -Rouble Gloucester, 63s to 72* Cbeddnr.70s to7Ss; Americrui, 58s to.66s. Hams.-York, new' 90s to 104s; Cumberland. 90s to, 101s; Irish, new, 90s to 104s. Be con: 'Wiltshire, 70s.to 74s Irish, i:reen, 62^ to 64a. FALLOW, JAN. 17.-The market is steady. Town tallow is quoted 46s Petersburg Y.C. on the spot, 47B.0*d; Jan., A7q' 3d to 47s 6d March, 48s 3d April to June, 43s 3d to 48/ed; Oct to Dec., 49s 6d. HOPS, BOROTJGH, .JAN. 17.—Messrs. Pattenden and Smith report?prices very firm for all descriptions of hops, with a tendency to advanced rates for the few fine and good hops, lett on hand. The great excess of rain during the last few tnonthsought not to be lost sight of in any anticipations of the English crop of 1866. WOuL, LONDON, JAN. 15.—Since our last report this market has been in a very inactive state. Ssarcely any buyers have come forward, either for home use or export, and the quotations have consequently ruled almost nominal. To force sales lower rates must be submitted to for English Woot. Fleeces, at per lb.:—Southdown hoggets, Is 9-^d to Is lOd; half-bred ditto, Is Hid to 2s 0^d; Kent fle^ees, Is ll^-d to 2s 0|d; Southdown ewes and wethers, Is 8d to 1 S 8d; Leicester ditto, Is 101d to 2s. Sorts :—Clothing, Is 6d to is lid; combing, Is 5d to3 s. HAY MARKETR- ■; Sinithfield. Cumberland. Whiteclsap&I, s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. d: Meadow Hay.; 80 0 to 110 0 84 0 to 112 0 80 0 to 110 .0 O'over 160 0 135 0 105 0 132 0 100 0 115 0 Straw 36 0 40 0 37 0 42 0 36 0 40/0 ■. ♦ —

Instant Care of Toothache—Buntert Nerving inves intee» diate mud nerm. anent relief. Sold by all Chemists, 1b. Iflt. Ber wicket. Satisfying, Strengthening, Soothing- for In- fants, agreeable, digestible, nourishing for Invalids, is DR. RIDGE'S PATENT (cooked) FOOD. Prevents acidity and wind The betffc and bea¡;est food. Of Ch.vmists. in onisters, 4<1., 3d., IS.,a.nd 9s. Cd WotMng- Impossible.—The srreatftst and most, nsefni invention of the day, AGXSA. AM A HE LI# A. — Messrs. JOHN GOSNELL and Co., Three King-court, liombard-strees, perfumers to her Majesty, respectfully offer to tne public this fcruty marvellous fluid which gradually restore the nuraau hair to it3- pristine hue—ao matter of what age. The A?ua Am&reUa has none of the properties of dyes; it, on the contrary, is beae&cial fco *he system, and vrhe« th« hair is once restored one application put month aritl'keep it in perfect colour. -Price one gainer per bottle; haUbptttesUOa- Testimonials from artists of the highest order, and from incfividuatg of undoubted respect-ability* mtt7. inspected. Messrs. John ftosneti and Oo, b"n !I. ,LU, ti of r