THE WEEK AT HOME.

THE political thought of the nation has been simmering feebly under the stimulus of a new parliamentary session, but. without as yet giving much sign of immediate activity. The speakers out of Parliament refer to the past rather than to the future. If there be (as Zadkiel seems to assert) a sidereal influence devoted to promote the downfal of walls and other such human structures, it is at present surely in the ascendant. The Hartley Colliery accident seems to draw a multi- tude of smaller calamities of a like nature in its train.

Pourtcsr..—The chief extra-parliamentary event of the week has been Mr. Milner Gibson's speech to his constituents at Asliton-under- Lyne. After bearing testimony to the fortitude with which the working classes of Lancashire endure the distress caused by the American war, and vindicating as a Churchman the vote which he gives, and is prepared to give, for the abolition of church rates, Mr. Gibson came to the main object of his speech : the effect of the French treaty on the one hand, and of the American war on the other, upon the trade of England in 1861, which he was able to give for the first time. The following table will show his most important results :

DECREASE OF EXPORTS DI 1861 AS COXPARED WITH 1860.

Value. Per-centage.

On Total exports £10,776,000 8 per cent.

On Cotton piece goods 4,252,000 101 „ On Woollen and worsted piece goods 1,022,000 8 „ On Bar and rod iron 1,557,000 16 „ On Linens 1,857,000 19 „ showing that the linen and iron manufactures have suffered in pro- portion to the general value of the trade more heavily than the cotton. The total exports in 1861 were valued at 125,115,000/. as against 135,891,000/. Mr. Gibson showed that after the commercial crisis in 1857, between November, 1857, and May, 1858, there had been a considerably greater proportional falling off in our export I rade than during last year. In those seven months the decrease was 1.0,260,0001. in the value of our exports, being very nearly as con- siderable as the whole deficiency of last year. He then analyzed the specific influence due to the American war, showing how much the calamity had been alleviated to us by the new trade opened with France under the commercial treaty. Our exports to the United States have fallen from a value of 21,667,0001. in 1860, to 9,080,000/. in 1861, or about 60 per cent [more nearly 58 per cent]. The total loss, then, in the export trade to the United States was about twelve millions and a half sterling, or nearly two millions more than the total loss in the value of our export trade altogether. To other countries, besides the United States, our exports have fallen off, and to other countries besides France they have increased, but the prin- cipal compensation for our American loss has been our French gain.

EIPORTS TO FRANCE, DEDUCTING CORN.

Per month.

2662,060 437,058 £225,002 Nor does this represent the whole gain, for it was only in the autumn, in October, that the whole treaty came into operation. Hence the gain was greatest in the last quarter :

EXPORTS TO FRANCE IN 1861.

Total of Total of first 8 months. Per month. Last 4 months. Per month.

4,374,912/. 546,864/. 3,569,8121. 892,4531. Hence it appears that if the rate of the last four months be main- tained, the exports of 1862 will amount to at least ten millions sterling instead of five—i. e. will be doubled. Mr. Gibson showed that the positive increase in our imports from France in 1861, is very nearly exactly equivalent to the increase of our exports thither, viz. 2,650,0001., so that what has in fact taken place is simply an in- creased exchange of products between the countries. Our imports will prove to be valued at 15,433,000/. in 1861, as against 12,783,0001. in 1860. Our consumption of French wines in particular had doubled in 1861, as compared with 1860, and had trebled as com- pared with 1859, the amounts being: French Wines Imported. Gallons.

1859 695,913.

1860 1,125,816.

1861 2,227,000.

Mr. Gibson also mentioned that our exports to Italy last year had increased by more than a million and a quarter sterling (the chief increase taking place in the trade to Naples and Sicily) ; the figures being for 1861, 5,780,9801., for 1860, 4,414,2871. 1&. Gibson then mentioned that the fear entertained by English paper manufacturers with regard to the abolition of the excise had proved illusory, and stated that he had inferred from personal observation in France daring the recess that the French paper manufacturers, instead of having so

Total.

1861 27,944,724 1860 5,244,713 Increase . £2,700,021

great an advantage in rags as is supposed over the English, are really obliged to import much of their raw material from -England. Ad- dressing himself to the subject of the American blockade of the Southern ports, he said that the North of England was unanimous in wishing to abide by their principles in the matter and to respect the blockade. Nor could he, he said, imagine that any considerable party in England could really desire the establishment of a new State based politically on the institution of slavery and the extension of that in- stitution. He concluded by a remonstrance with Lord Derby on his disapproval of the principle of Neutral Rights sanctioned by the Con- gress of Paris in 1856, and argued for its extension.

On Wednesday night, the anniversary banquet of the Australian Association took place at the Freemasons' Tavern, several of- the Ministers being present. Sir J. Palmer, formerly President of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria, took the chair. Lord Clarence Paget, in answering to the toast of "The Navy," said that he might mention one fact which had not yet been made public, that during the late American crisis "The Duke of Somerset and his colleagues had taken ample precautions for the defence of our magnificent colo- nial dependencies," and for the protection of the gold ships and other valuable trade with them. The Duke of Newcastle spoke to the toast of her Majesty's Ministers. He described the greatdifference in the duties imposed on a Colonial Secretary of the present day, and on the same Minister a few years ago. Now, his task was not to overrule, but to influence, and if possible to modify the hasty acts of Colonial Govern- ments. He stated that advice of this kind from the Colonial Minister was now much more respectfully listened to than formerly, and men- tioned a recent instance in which one of the Australian colonies had accepted a suggestion from him for the alteration of a money bill, a peculiarly dehcate matter. He repudiated the notion that the art of colonization had been lost, and also Mr. Goldwin Smith's suggestion that our larger colonies should be abandoned to their own resources. The Duke gave some interesting Australian statistics, which we may tabulate thus :

AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

Joint population . . . . 1,250,000 Joint revenue0 • • • • 6,5 0,000 Tonnage employed in export trade . 1,500,000 Value of exports . . . . 21,000,000 imports . . . . 25,000,000 Of this 25,000,0001. of imports, 16,000,0001. are sent from England alone. No less than 100,000,000/. worth of gold had been exported from Australia in the last ten years, and instead of the gold trade's de- stroying the wool trade, as was feared, the latter trade had in the same period increased in value from 800,000/. to 2,000,000/., while the acres under cultivation had increased from 60,000 to 300,000. The Doke de- plored the ultra-democratic spirit prevalent in the colonies, but hoped to see it considerably modified in the future. Especially he feared the influence of democratic ideas on the Judiciary. He suggested that the appointment of these officers should be always made or sanctioned by some authority independent of the rapidly shifting colonial govern- ments, though not by the Colonial Secretary at home. He proposed that some eminent retired judge should be invested with the duty of making those appointments. The Duke ended by saying that England would never again fight to keep the colonies in subjection, but that the relation between England and the colonies would not be on that account the less permanent. Sir John Pakington echoed the Duke of Newcastle's anti-democratic aspirations for the colonies ; Lord Stanley proposed the Governors and Legislatures of the Australian Colonies, enlarged on the responsibilities of both, and depicted the great career before these colonies if they were worthy to run it. The election for Lincoln has issued in another triumph for the Conservatives ; Mr. Bromley Moore polling 715 votes, Mr. Palmer (the Liberal) only 685. Mr. Layard, the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, made a speech on Thursday at Fishmongers' Hall, but he merely eulogized the foreign policy of the Government, and declared himself the ardent admirer and supporter of Lord Palmerston and Lord Russell ;" which, of course, in his position, is only right.

Nom AND MILITARY.-It has been announced that the line of fortifications for the protection of the Bristol Channel has been de- termined on by the Government, and is to be the line of hills extend- ing from east to west at the southern extremity of Uphill Bay, near Weston-super-Mare, and connected with the opposite coast near Penarth, south of Cardiff, by two islands called the Steep and Flat Holmes. Batteries will be established on Brean Down, on the Somersetshire coast, on the two islands, and on Lavemook Point, below Penarth, on the Welsh coast; thus effectually pro- tecting Cardiff and the mouth of the Severn. Under Brean Down, on the Somersetshire coast, on the northern side, it is proposed— but we do not understand that Government has yet adopted the pro- posal—to construct a deep-water harbour, under cover of the batte- ries, where vessels laden with South Wales coal can securely dis- charge their cargoes. This harbour will be connected with the Bristol and Exeter and Central Somerset railways, and so with the metropolis.

The principal military event of the week has been the court-mar- tial held upon Captain E. W. Robertson, of the 4th Dragoon Guards, for conduct unbecoming the character of an officer and a gentleman, in accepting a gross insult from Lieutenant-Colonel Dickson without complying with the provisions of the 17th article of war, which requires, or recommends, the officer insulted to submit the matter to be dealt with by the commanding officer of his regiment. He was also chaved with falsely stating that he had been "Intimidated" into , applying to retire from the army by the sale of his commission. The trial has hitherto borne reference to the former charge, and Colonel Dickson has been examined at some length, the cross-examination eliciting some excuses, at least, for Captain Robertson's apparent delay in calling him to account.

COURT.—The treaty for the marriage of the Princess Alice with Prince Louis of Hesse has been published. It settles 30,000/. on the Prince and Princess, for their joint lives, giving it, after the decease of both, in equal shares among their children, if any. In the event of there being no children, the capital is to go after the death of both as the Princess herself may appoint, and in default of appoint-. ment, to her next of kin. Besides this sum, a life in come of 6000/. a year is given to the Princess for life, to her sole and separate use. The Grand Duke of Hesse engages in return to give a jointure to the Princess in case she is left a widow, of from 2000/. to 4000/. a year, according to the circumstances of the case—the former if Prince Louis were to die before he becomes immediate successor to the Dukedom, the latter if he be the immediate successor at the time of his death.

The Princess of Prussia is expected on Saturday, on a visit to the Queen, the first since her father s death.

azilica,.—Both houses of Convocation in the Province of Can- terbury, met on Wednesday. The chief discussion in the Upper House was on the removal of the restriction on the opening of the theatres during Passion Week, Good Friday excepted, which is still a dies non. It seems that hitherto theatres have been allowed to open for concerts, and that this permission has rendered the greater license a practically slight change. The Archbishop of Canterbury undertook to represent the invincible repugnance of Convocation to the new step to the Lord Chamberlain. In the Lower House, the report of a committee recommending the subdivision of populous dioceses was received and considered.

Law.—The principal criminal case of the week has been the forgery of the Russian rouble-notes case, on which the evidence amply justified the commission of the five Polish Jews for trial. The ma- chinery employed had been very elaborate. The coroner's jury on the body of Mr. Wincot, the Maryle- hone butcher, killed by the costermong,ers, have returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against the four men—Quail, Cox, Walsh, and Poulton.

MISCELLANEOUS.—Two terrible catastrophes have marked the weak in the downfal of houses in the Waterloo-road and at Hackney. On Monday a very extraordinary species of accident happened in the Waterloo-road. South of Waterloo-bridge, a short terrace, called Wellington-terrace, runs down the east side of Waterloo-road to Stam- ford-street. It is carried some thirty to forty feet over the Belvidere- road, which is nearer to the level of the river bank, the former being propped up above the level of the houses in the lower road. It is flagged for the most part, with here and there a grating to light the area below. On this pavement a crowd of people had collected to witness a struggle between a bailiff and the occupants of some little houses in Wellington-terrace, when the grating, and some part of the pavement, gave way, and from twenty-five to thirty persons were pre- cipitated into the way beneath, a depth of nearly forty feet. There are twenty-five sufferers named. One of them James Robins (and as yet only one) has died, and the inquest on his body will, of course, elicit the whole circumstances of the accident. The accident at Hackney happened on Wednesday in the Amherst-road close to the Hackney Station of the North London Railway. Two houses, in course of erection by Messrs. Amos, and part of a third already finished, suddenly fell down, killing three men and seriously injur- ing at least eleven more. Nearly twenty men were buried in the ruins of the fallen houses, most of whom were injured. The calms of the accident will, of course, appear on the inquest.

There has been, also, a serious fire in Camden-town.

COMMERCIAL.—The negotiations for the proposed loan of 4,000,000/. to the French Government having fallen through on Tuesday, the Money Market assumed a more quiet appearance, and the general rate receded to rather below the Bank minimum of 21 per cent. It has been subsequently reported that the amount has been taken privately, but this statement is not yet substantiated. On the Stock Exchange money was at one period very much wanted, but the present terms for loans on stock are only 11 per cent. The funds remained rather dull until yesterday,when some purchases caused a rise which, however, has not been altogether maintained. Consols closed this evening at 93 to * for money and account, showing an advance of about an eighth per cent. Stock has been scarce in the market for delivery, and the quotations for money and account are, therefore, identical. In other Government securities, Exchequer- bills, after a rather severe fall, have partially recovered. India -Five per Cents closed at 106f, 1061, or a fraction higher than last week. A large business has been transacted in foreign stocks, the chief demand having been for Spanish Passive. Several other de- scriptions, however, have also advanced, especially Russian. The Moorish loan is steady at 5i prem. The Railway Market, this week, has again been firm, Caledonian and South-Eastern having especially risen, the former on the favourable dividend. Other descrip tions have been steady, except Great Northern, which has expe rienced a temporary reduction. Great Westerns had, at one

time, improved considerably, but have now partially relapsed. Colonial Stocks have been rather dull, the improvement in Canadian descriptions having been barely supported. Indian Guaranteed are steady. Cape Town shares are higher. The prin- cipal feature in the Foreign Market has been a demand for Brazilian shares, especially San Paulo for investment. Lombardo-Venetian are also higher. The chief attraction in Miscellaneous Securities has been a rise in Ottoman Bank Shares, on the announcement that the proposed dividend for the past half-year is at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum. The arrivals of specie this week comprise about 95,000/. from New York, 90001. from the West Coast of Africa, sad 123,6001. from the West Indies. The exports include 289,3351. to Bombay, chiefly silver, and 11,8821., in gold, to Brazil. About

BRITISH (Closing Prices.)

5000/. in foreign coin was taken from the Bank to-day.

3 per Cent Consols 934 Ditto for Account

3 per Cents Reduced

New 3 per Cents

934

Annuities 1880

Annuities 1885

Friday Bank Stock, 5 per Cent 241 India Stock, 104 per Cent 226 Exchequer Bills, 2d. per diem ...

—PM

Exchequer Bonds, 5001 16 India Bonds, 4 per Cent

FOREIGN FUNDS.

(Last Official Quotation during the Week ending Friday Evening..

Austrian. 5 p. Ct.

Belgian 44 — 534 Ditto 24 —

Brazilian. 5 —

Buenos Ayres a

Chili= 6 —

Danish a —

103

Ditto 3 —

Dutch (Ex. 12 Guilders) —24 — 641 Ditto 4

French 3 — —f.—c. French 44 p. Ct Mexican 3 36 Peruvian. 44 —

Portuguese 1853 a — Russian 5

1011

Sardinian 5 —

Spanish 3 —

at

Ditto New Deferred. 3 —

Ditto Passive

Turkish 6 —

Venezuela. S — 254