The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

It PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS. IIA I THE new Reform Bill has absorbed all interest in the House of Commons since the Easter recess, and although much business of a private nature has been transacted, it has been discussed by a scanty number of members. It was only when the question of the Reform Bill was on the paper that the House filled, and that strangers congregated in large numbers in and around St. Stephen's. Much comment was afforded the gossippers by the absence of Mr. Gladstone from the chief seat on the Opposition bench during the first three days of the after Easter meeting. The Achilles of the Liberal party, though absent, seemed, not forgotten, for his accustomed seat was left unoccupied, as if he were expected, or as i? no one else was fitted to fill his place. Oa Thursday, the 2ad of May, however, it was known that several clauses of the Representation of the People Bill" would be introduced before the committee. Would Mr. Gladstone be there ? was the question I heard asked on all sides. We were not long left in doubt. About half-past four o'clock the ex- Chanceilcr of the Exchequer walked slowly up the floor of the house and took his old seit, on the front Opposition bench. Liberals cheered lustily, but it seemed not in the slighte&t degree to move the right honourable gentleman, whose pale and anxious face gave indications of a dissatisfactory state of things, and as he cash a look around he seemed rather to reprove his friends than respond to the overtures of those who had deserted him in his need. It was some time be- fore the House could get into committee, as numerous questions bad to be answered by the Government; concerning their policy, which was guardedly responded to by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. At length Mr. Dodson took the chair, and members crowded the floor of the house and the galleries; there was evidently a division coming on, aad both parties eyed each other as if another combat was about to take place. Almost the only member who looked calm, regardless of any storm which Daight arise, was Mr. Disraeli. In his accustomed manner, he folded his arms and looked upon the ground, as if he would say, "Go on, my fine fellows, your opposition is all nonsense; but I ialust grin arid bear it." Well, Mr. Dodson, as chairman of committees, called out, Clause 3; whereupon Earl Grosvenor rose from the Adulia- mite bench, and stated that he had certain amend- ments on tae paper concerning a X5 marginal line, but, having consulted his colleagues, they had come to the conclusion that it would be better to Withdraw them. This was received with cheers from the Ministerial side of the House; but the peculiarity of his lordship's speech was the constant use of the1 plural pronoun we," as if he spoke authorita- tively; and sundry gossippers say that the Adulia- mites are about to join the Cranboine Alky party, and seek to form themselves into a puty strong enough either to oppose the Government or take their seats on the Treasury bench. For myself, I see no probability of this. At present they are numerically exceedingly weak. Their new 'Organ, the Day, brought into existence early in March, has faded into night, and Constitutional Liberalism" is no longer advocated. The principles may be good, but in this instance they did not pay. THE MINISTERIAL DEFEAT. As Mr. Dodsoa proceeded with other clauses of the bill, he came to that which neces- sitated a two years' residence, upon which Mr. Ayrton rose to propose that it should ba les- sened to twelve months. The hon. member for the Tower Hamlets was very conciliatory in tone, and avowed that although be thought six months' residence quite sufficient, yet he proposed twelve as a compromise, and urged the Government to accept it. Every one thought that Mr. Disraeli would immediately coneedetbe point; but ne, there he sat immovable, and Sir J. P kington rose oa the part ot the Government to say tbat this was not a vital part of the bill, but they were net willing to reduce the term of occupation with- out taking the sense of the House. Always gen- tlemanly and always argumentative, the right hon. gentleman is listened to with great attention. On this occasion, however, he was evidently playing with the House; there was no deep sincerity in his speech, and he appeared to be cunningly argu- 109 on false premises. After Sir J. Pakington rose Sir Rout) del I Palmer, who was terribly ironical about what were the principles of the bill and what were not, and, of course, contended that if the Government were beaten upon this point, it was tantamount to a defeat. His speech was that of a special pleader, wonderfuUy logical and eloquent as his speeches always are, but it failed to elicit a cheer, for positively mem- bers were not inclined for deliberation; they seemed to know the amendment would be carried and the point conceded, and they thought the sooner it was done the better. Afttr the late Attorney-General sat down, up rose Mr. Bass. He sits on the same bench as Mr. Bright, and they have hitherto been close friends—indeed, last autumn Mr. Bright was the guest of the rich brewer at his residence on the Spey, where they fished for salmon, picnicked, and ruralised together; but the member for Birmingham cannot forgive political renegades, and in his recess speeches he called all the tea- party men, of whom Mr. Bass was one, anything but gentlemen, and now the latter member took opportunity to recount to the House the many hard names he had bean called by Mr. Bright and Mr. Gladstone. The language of the former he characterised as harsh in the extreme, particularly when it came from the lips of a friend. The hon. gentleman seemed to wish to say a great deal more, but his oratorical powers failed him. He delivered a few reproaches to his former guest, but toned them down by praising his abilities and stating his belief that he could occupy the highest position in the House with honour. As regarded himself, Mr. Biiss remarked that it showed a man conscientiously performed his duty when he differed from his friends occasionally; it showed that he studied for himself, and was willing to be convinced. Mr. Bright declared, in answer, that he never thought of his friend when he made certain observations in his speeches; "if the cap fitted, however, he must wear it." Perhaps, if it had been any other man he was replying to, Mr. Bright might have been severe, but he passed over Mr. Bass, and went on to rea- son with the party opposite, and very cleverly he did it, not being offensive more than once or twice during the whole speech; indeed, his tone was persuasive rather than dogmatical. 16 was now near seven o'clock (dinner hour), and the Solicitor- General rose, amid a Bhuffle and noise peculiar at this period. Not more than sixty members re- mained, and they were perfectly careless what the learned gentleman said. Divide, divide was murmured every now and then; still he continued his speech for about half-an-hour, and a quarter of a column of the Times was all that was given to him next day. Mr. Denman followed, and by this time many members had returned from a hasty dinner in anticipation of a division, and, perhaps, anxious to return to their convivialities, they positively shouted at the top of their voices the words "Divide, divide" until nothing that the speaker said could be heard. At length the magnetic bells were set ringing. The motion put was, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question." That is to say, that the two years originally inserted should remain. Ayes to the right, Noes to the left," said the chairman; but it was soon apparent which way the majority would be. There was no sensation. however; Colonel Taylor, the Government whip, sat on the Treasury bench, not even inviting a single way ward friend to follow him into the lobby. When the tellers announced that the Ayes to the right were 197, and the Noes to the left were 278. there was a slight cheer from the Opposition. It was not a hearty one, however. There was something derogatory in a private member carrying an amendment when the great leader of their party failed to do it. Mr. Disraeli rose, with great gravity, to ask that Mr. Dodson "report progress," saying, "It would be necessary to consult his colleagues before proceeding with the bill, and agreeing as to the course they should pur- sue." When the motion was put, sundry "No, noes" proceeded from the back Ministerial benches, and then, for, the first time, Mr. Gladstone rose, and said He could not understand what the negatives he beard around him meant, a3 the Chanceilor of the Exchequer had stated that the vote of the House required the consideration of himself and bis colleagues. It was quite impossible for the committer to go on with the bill." There was not much in the wordi of Mr. Gladstone, but the tone in which they were spoken, and the manner ia which he acted, betokened that he was still the leader of the Opposition. THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. On Friday Mr. Disraeli took an early oppor- tunity of stating the views of the Government on the vote taken the previous evening, and said that the two years' tenure was intended to insure the locality of the voter, but the Government did not think it inconsistent with their principles to defer to the opinion of tbe House. This was well re- ceived—a general cheer greeted the announcement —but the gr(,at feature of the evening was the answers given concerning the Hyde-park demon- stration on the following Monday. Tae House did not seem satisfied with the vague information given, but they were bound to be content with the assurance that everything would be done to preserve order without undue severity t) the masses assembled. Mr. Walpole introduced a bill for the more effectually and better securing the use of certain parks. This was received with cheers from all parts of the house; most persons were, however, ignorant of its clauses or what it attempted to affect, and put it down to the un- certainty of the present law upon the matter. Such is not the case; Mr. Walpole relit s upon the ancient records as to the full right of the Cro wn to exercise authority within the parks; but as the law at present exists, their power only extends to turning persons out of the parks who are there without permission. The new bill has a clause which makes it a crime, punishable with a .£10 fine or a month's imprisonment, for any persou who, contrary to orders, enters any of the Govern- ment parks or grounds; and, more than that, any such person can be taken into custody as OnCe without warrant or summons, and be dealt with summarily by the magistrate. It was anticipated there would be another party fight on Monday. The lodger franchise was to be introduced by Mr. Torrens. The House crowded as usual, but Mr. Disraeli was determined not to have a division, and with admirable cool- ness he parried the blow, expressing his desire to introduce something of the kicd, but saying this was an inopportune time. Thus retarded at every step, much exertion will have to fee used to pass any Reform bill this Session.

.III. THE RUGBY TERCENTENARY. A meeting of Rugbeans was held on Saturday at Willis's-rooms to consider the best course to adopt for commemorating the tercentenary of the foundation of the school. The chair was taken by the Right Rev. Dr. Claughton, the newly appointed Bishop of Rochester. Dr. Temple, the head master, pointed out the necessity which existed for establishing foundation scholarships at Rugby. The public school commissioners had recom- mended this step, and his acquaintance with the wants of the school had led him to see the advantages which would result from the adoption of the recommendation of the commissioners. The trustees would not be able, even it they were possessed of the requisite amount of funds; to establish these foundations unless authorised to do so by Act of Parliament. With respect to school- rooms there were at present 500 pupils in the school, and it was absolutely necessary that the school-rooms should be increased in number. At the present time it was desirable to widen the course of education, and in addition to the classics to teach experimental and natu- ral physics. This could not be doae unless additional accommodation were provided. The enlargement of the chapel, which was built when the school was much smaller than at present, was also urgently called for. The chapel in its external aspect, too, was not altogether an architectural work such as Old Rugbeans would wisk to see, for it was planned nearly 50 years since, when so much attention was not paid to the merits of archi- tectural details and effects. After having provided for these more important matters, he would be glad to find that the overflowings of the Old Rugbeans' beneficence would enable the trustees to provide a gymnasium and a boys' library. The establishment of such a library would be of the greatest value to the school, as calcu- lated to give to the boys a desire and a taste for the literature of their country. Whether the chapel be re- built or enlarged was a matter which the Old Rugbeans would have to decide for themselves. There were many old associations connected with the chapel, and if it were to be pulled down it should be rebuilt in a style of such magnificence as would compensate to some extent for the loss of those old associations. Over and above all these matters, he suggested that, on the occasion of the tercentenary of Rugby, occasion should be taken for a festive meeting, and he recommended that a dinner should be held at Rugby on the occasion of the Rugby cricket match, on the 27th June (hear). Colonel Hanmer moved the following resolution:— That it is desirable to commemorate the tercentenary of the foundation of Rugby School in one or more of the following ways: By founding scholarships, by building additional school rooms, by rebuilding or enlarging the chapel, by establishing a gymnasium and swimming bath, or by establishing a boys' library and I reading-room." Mr. Thomas Hughes, M.P., seconded the resolution, which was agreed to unanimously. I The several resolutions having passed, the Rev. Dr. Collis, in proposing the appointment of a committee to carry out their plan, congratulated the rev. chairman on J the dignity to which he had been raised of the see of ¡ Rochester, and expressed a confident opinion that in the I laborious work which he had undertaken he would earn the hearty goodwill of all with whom he came in contact as fully as he had in Worcester (cheers). The committee which he proposed consisted of the Bishop of Rochester, I Marquis of Westminster, Lord Stanley, Mr. Horsman, M.P.; Mr. Goschen, M.P.; Lord S. G. Osborne, Rev. Chancellor Massingberd, Sir J. Fergusson, Mr. C. Calde- cott, Mr. S. C. Glyn, Mr. T. Hughes, M.P. Warden of All Souls', Dean of Westminster, Mr. Arthur Mills, Mr. Mathew Arnold, Rev. Dr. Temple, Rev. C. J. Arnold, and Rev. T. *NY. Blake, which was also unani- mously agreed to. In reply to a cordial vote of thanks to him, the chair- man said that the propositions which had been agreed to were eminently deserving of the liberal support of I Old Rugbeans, and stated that an additional claim on their benevolence was to be found in the fact that already the masters of the school had raised a sum of £ 8,000 towards the tercentenary commemoration, of which X3,000 was from the chapter, and £ 5,000 from the schools.

STEALING A FIELD-MARSHAL'S DECORATIONS. —Field-Marshal Benedek lives now at Grate, in Styria. A few evenings ago a thief broke into the house and car- ried off all his orders and decorations, some of which were of great intrinsic value. Strangely enough, money I and silver plate, which might also have been taken, were left untouched. A love of orders is proverbial in Germany..

MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. On Tuesday afternoon a murder was perpetrated in the parish of Lambeth, and the painful nature of the tragedy is added to by the attempt of the murderess to put an end to her own existence. It appears that a respectable mechanic, named Samuel Belcher, has resided for some short time at 26, Royal- street, Lambeth, together with his wife, Elizabeth Belcher, aged 28 years, and their infant son, Thomas Charles Belcher, who was about four months old. The mother was confined between three and four months since, at her relative's residence, of the first child, who has been the unhappy victim of the tragedy. Since the confinement the unfortunate woman has suffered from illness, and as fears were entertained that she would be attacked with puerperal mania, it had been deemed neces- sary to keep a watch upon her actions. Of late, however, she had appeared so mnch better, that her friends' alarm was appeased, and it was joy- fully expected that she would soon perfectly recover her health. During Tuesday forenoon there was nothing observant in the behaviour or appearance of Mrs. Belcher to create alarm, but on the return of her husband, at about a quarter to six o'clock, be was admitted to the house by the landlady, and proceeded to the apartments fcccupied by himself and family, where he was horrified at seeing his wife and son lying in a mass of blood upon the bed. The poor man, half frantic, at once raised an alarm, and several neighbours rushed to the scene of bloodshed. Medical assistance having been procured it was found that the woman was dressed, and lying on the outside of the bed-clothes. She had a fearful gash right across the front of the throat, severing the wind- pipe, and injuring the other arteries of the throat and neck. Beside the wretched woman lay the body of the little boy, which was also besmeared with gore. Upon the throat of the child several fearful cuts had been in- flicted, completely severing" all the muscles and large arteries of the neck. The child lay upon its right side, with the back turned to the mother. Upon examina- tion it was found that the poor little boy wus quite dead, and in the opinion of the medical man life had been extinct for upwards of an hour. The mother, who was sensible when she was first seen by the surgeon, was very faint from the loss of blood and the great shock she must have received to her system. A further examination of the place was then made by the police, several of whom had arrived, and amidst the bloody bed-clothes a razor, also covered with gore, was found. There can be no doubt that this is the weapon with which the several injuries were inflicted. Whilst restoratives were being administered to the woman, she uttered various exclamations in the most incoherent manner, such as, Oh, my poor child has gone to heaven &c. It was very evident that the child had had its throat cut some time before the wretched woman attempted her own life, for upon a side table were found lying several pieces of paper all besmeared with blood, and in very straggling and irregular characters were written disjointed sentences, the wet blood having evidently run from the fingers that held the pen by which the words were written. As may be imagined, the alarm which was raised caused the greatest excitement to prevail in this densely-popu- lated district, and in a short time a vast crowd assem- bled in the street, requiring the attendance of a body of police of the L division to keep the thoroughfare clear. As soon as the poor woman's wounds had been dressed, a cab was procured, in which she was carefully placed, and conveyed to Westminster Hospital, where she was received and attended to by the house surgeon and other members of the medical staff of that establishment. She was at once placed in bed, and although she appeared to regain some little strength, her injuries are of that fearful nature that little hopes were entertained of her recovery up to a late hour on Tuesday night. j

M A MIDNIGHT VISITOR. ) John Welsh, who had the appearance of a labourer, r was charged at the Wandsworth Police-court, on Tues- day, with having committed two offences. I John Whitburn, a wheelwright, living in Clifton-street, Clapliam, stated that, shortly after twelve o'clock in the I night, while he was in bed asleep, he was awoke by his wife, who heard a noise. He got out of bed, and on looking through the window he saw the prisoner trying to burst the door open. Before witness could open the door the prisoner had opened the window, and was in upon the bed. He caught hold of the prisoner's leg before he got into the room, but he said he would go in, and in he did go (laughter). The room was on the ground floor. He spoke to the prisoner through the window, and asked him what he wanted, but he did not make any answer. Witness called a constable, who came and took the prisoner into custody. He remained in the room until witness returned with the constable. The prisoner was not sober. He stated that he had been there before, and that he knew witness's wife. He (witness) had been married 14 years, but neither he nor his wife knew the prisoner. During the time witness was away for a constable the prisoner had an opportunity of leaving the room if he had liked. The prisoner now said he was very drunk, and thought he was at his own lodging. Police-constable Reasey said that he was called to the house, when he saw the prosecutor and his wife in the yard dressed only in their night clothes. He looked through the window, and saw the prisoner sitting down. He went into the room, and asked him what business he had there. He replied that he came to sleep. He refllsed to leave the room, and had to be removed by force. Police-constable May said he assisted in taking the prisoner into custody. He threw himself on his back, and kicked witness on the side, knocking the breath out I of his body, and he fell. While in the dock at the station the prisoner struck witness in the face. The pri- soner had been convicted several times for assaults, and he had recently been liberated from prison, where he was committed for two months for an assault on the police. The prisoner said the police knew that there was not a more quiet man than he was when sober. He was I very sorry for what had happened. The father of the prisoner was called, and gave his son a good character. He said the prisoner had sup- ported him for several years. I Mr. Ingham told the prisoner that if it had not been for the good character which his father had given him he should have sent him for trial, for this kind of unpro- voked assault was very serious. He would, however, give him one more chance. He committed him to pri- son for two months with hard labour.

— -0 THE BOAT-RACE ON THE TYNE.—ACCIDENT AND Loss OF LIFE.—On Monday the boat-race between Kelly and Chambers for the championship came off on the river Tyne. Both men looked well prepared for the contest. There was a good start; Kelly went off with the lead, and after some slight fluctuations maintained I it throughout the race. Chambers rowed satisfactorily, but proved unequal to his antagonist's aquatic powers. Kelly won by 150 yards. The race was universally con- sidered to be a hollow affair Chambers' best days are be j lieved to be over, and from the first his success was doubt j ful. At starting the betting was equal. The assemblage of spectators was very large. A sad accident occurred by j the giving way of a gangway by which several lives were lost. Some bodies have been recovered in the river. Drawing and Sketching from Nature Made Easy.—" The LimDcr" (Rbgistsi-ed). Invented by Ge< rua Bell, Esq., late of the Government School of Design. This ingenious invention enables any person (old or joung) to copy engravings, drawings, paintings, photographs, &c.; to sketch landscapes, flowers, portraits, architecture, &0. &c., from nature, without any previous knowledge of draw- ing or painting. The instrument is so simple in its appli- cation that a child may use it. Engravings, &c., of the mast elaborate kind may be copied in an incredibly short space Of time; it also teaches perspective in a most effectual manner, without reference to the ordinary rules; and the price brings it within the reach of all classes. The Limner price 2s., forwarded to any part of the United Kingdom on receipt of27 stamps. C. Nash & Co., proprietors, 40A, King I "William-street, London-bridge. The public are respectfully referred to the opinions of the press and testimonials. Orders should be forwarded without delay, 30,000 having already been sold. An agent required in every towa, A liberal discount allowed. I'"

OUR Ia CITY" ARTICLE. --+- IN the Consol and foreign market the tone has been good, and the prices of speculative stocks have been a little higher. Among JtaiIwavs, bouth-Eustern show a further fall of 1-, while | Great Northern A have improved i to Ii. South- eastern have fallen 4i- during the last few days, J t e announcement of a meeting to raise additional capital having contdrmted to the decline. Brighton has receded 2*. Great Northern stock have fallen fA stock no less than 8| during the last eight days. Considerable sales of the latter are reported to have been made on behalf of bankers with whom the stock had been deposited as security tor loans. There has been a brisk demand at the Bank, and an active demand outside. The rates Tema at 2J to 3 per cent. Consols have slightly improved. The following are, the officially-recorded transactims:- Tbre I per Cent. Consols, 91, ditto for account, 91i • Three per Cent. Reduced, 89 £ |; New Three oer Cent., 89|, J; Bank of England Stock, 251-. 3; India Stock, Ten-and-a-half perCent., April, 1874, 219; ditto Five per Cent., July 1880,110f, i"; ditto entaced paper, Five-and-a-Ealf per Cent., JYIIV, i 1879, 108; ditto Bonds, Five per Cent., nz.der .£1,000,52 prem. In foreign Stocks, Seven per C'cnb. Egyptian has improved 1; Italian 1861, t; M.f:xica, and Tarkish 1865 are Q better; and Peruvian 1865 declined tr, and Egyptian second issue .£100. I Bonds are 1 lower. At the close, Greek were I quoted at 13, 13g; Italian, 48|, 4-9; Mexican, 16, 16 £ Spanish Passive, 20 £ 2t)§ ditto, Cer- s tificates, 13, 13|; Turkish 1858 52. 53; ditto ¡ 1862, 53, 54; ditto 1865, 29i, 29$j Pasha-of Egypt's Loan, 69, 70. The following are the I recorded transactions: Five per Ceut. Brazilian 1865, account, 72f, S:x per Ctnt. Chilian I Scrip, £ 20 paid, 4|, dis. Seven per Cent. Danubiau Principalities, 61 Seven per Cent. (I Egyptian, 82; ditto £ 100 Bouds, 82J; ditto 1864, 80,}; ditto £ 100 Bonds, 82 ditto Government Kv. 1 way Debentures, 80; Five per Ceat. Greek 1824-5, ex Cotaps. orig. attached, account, 13; j Kv. 1 way Debentures, 80; Five per Ceat. Greek 1824-5, ex Cotaps. orig. attached, account, 13; j Three per Cent. Mexican, accouar, 15|, 16; Five per Cent. Peruvian 1865, account, 68; Five per ff Cent Russian 1862, 85, 4J, 51, ex div.; ditto 1864, 4 8n; dItto Anglo-Dutch. 1866, 851 Toree per Cent. Spanish, account, 34i; ditto Passive, account, 20J; ditto Com. Cert. of Coup, not funded, account, 13k; Six per Ceat. Turkish 1858, account, 52-1; ditto 1862, 100 Bonds, 56; ditto 1863, 46; Five per Cent. ditto 1865, account, ) 291, f, |; Four per Cent. ditto Guaranteed, 101: 2 4 Five per Cent Italian 1861, ex. 251, account, 49, I 8, t. ,f s- In the mining market there has been great ex- citement, West Chiverton opened at 69, 71, and fell rapidly to 65 sellers; Great Eetallack in good 'demand; Wheal Seton have improved X5 per share. On the Stock Exchange not a single transaction in British mines has been recorded. In foreign miaee, Anglo-Brazilian Gold hive beeo dealt in at 1, 3-16, 1-16; Don Pedro North del Ray at 1, 11-16, -1, 9-16 prem.; Front ma and Bolivia Gold at 7-16; Sc. John del Rey at 554; and Yndanamutana. at t. Tae quotations of British mines are subjoined:- Chiverton Moor, 5^i; Clifford Amalgamated, 4|, f; East Bassett, 15, 17; East C-iradon, 5 £ East Lovell, 8|, 9Jr; East Bus-ell, 2f Ease j 4 -1 3 Wheal Grenville, 21, Great Laxey, 17 g, I 18A Great li stallaek, 3-1, 41 Great Wheal Van 17h, 18; Marke Valley, 4^ §; North Ciolty, 4|, 5 Prince of Wales, 52s., 54s.; Providence Mine*, 27, 29; South Condurrow, 12" Idii, Tuicroft, I 1213Jj; West Chiverton, 621. 65; Wheal Chi- 2 2 verton/6, 6k; Wheal Seton, 90, 95. ¡ In American railways, Atlantic and Great Western Debentures advanced 1, to 31, 33; and the Consolidated Mortgage Bonds remain steady at 21,22; and Illinois Central shares have declined i At the close, Illinois Central were 75 £ 75f; Eh-ie, 41#, 421-: Erie Six per Cent. Debentures, 4 64,66. In British railways, South Western stock receded 2, and South Eastern a farther 1J per cent. lower; North Eastern (Leeds) and ditto York de- clined t. and North Western are t lower. On the, other band, Great Northern A stock recovered è. and Brighton stock is A better. Great E Astern, Great Western, and Metropolitan stocks are £ higher. The Produce Markets Revieiv has the following remarks on the recent large sales of Indian tea:- The largest public sale of Indian tea on record was held last week. Although only 7,000 pack- ages were offered, four days were occupied in dis- posing of a quantity which in a China sale would probably have been sold in one clay. The large number of very small lots offered lengthened the I' sale materially, a-nd it was devoid of any special interest. Towards the close great unwillingness ¡ was shown to give the prices realised at the com- mencement of the sale. The prices obtained for the Indian pekoes were irregular, and in many cases a slight fall is observable as compared with the last sale, held on the 9th April. Pekoe souchong and souchong appear to be unaltered in value, with the exception of the very finest kinds, which sold at a trifling decline, and the prices ob- tained for the Indian congou were hardly equal to those of the sale of the 9th ultimo. Very little business has also been done by private contract, and the demand for export has decreased. The inquiry appears to have been chiefly confined to the finer grades of congous and the finest Moyune green teas. The lowest kinds of scented caper are at present scarce, but for scented orange pekoe there appears to be no inquiry. A large public sale of China teas is advertised to take place next Tuesday, 25,000 packages having already been printed, the greater part to be sold without reserve. Although this sale is consider- ably larger than any that have taken place this year, due allowance must of course be made for the accumulation of stock during Easter week, when no public sales were held. From this large sale it must not be deduced that a great disposi- tion to realise is now manifest, however clearly circumstances may point to the likelihood of such a disposition being shows at no very distant date." On Tuesday the demand for money was fairly supported. About 3 per cent has been the average quotation; but some of the brokers work a frac- tion lower. The amount of capital seeking em- ployment is large, and it is expected it will in- crease in the course of a few days. The favourable progress of the discussion in the House of Commons in reference to the Reform Bill, the termination of the meeting in Hyde-park without any disturbance, together with peaceful news from abroad, has caused the markets for Public Securities to show a decided improve- ment, altbongh no very great amount of activity is visible. Operators, however, show more inclination to do business of a more general character, and prices in most cases exhi- bit an advancing tendency. Foreign Bonds are strong. Italian being especially in request. Other descriptions are fairly dealt in, and a slight rise is generally traceable. Railway shares main- tain considerable firmness. The report of the Brighton and South Coast is generally received as favourable. The stock has advanced, there being large speculative accounts open. Ia other cases prices are generally up from to 1 per cent. Bank Shares are steady. Miscellaneous are unchanged. American Bonds are flat. The Home Funds are quiet, the account having commenced.