ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 263, 27 April 1860, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

(From the StfSneyMorning Beratd.)

Mr. Rareyhaslectured to cab and omnibus drivers on his method for the management of the horse, and was listened to with attention and approbation. A cotton mill at Blackburn, containinS 25,000 spindles, has been destroyed by fire, and thus, for a time, putting some hundreds of persons out of employ. ~, ; The masters and officers of American ships appear, from a number of cases recently brought to light, to be committing great cruelty upon the colored portion of their crews, -resulting in the deaths of many. It appears -from the Navy Estimates that our steam navy comprises 244 ships at present, being the exact number of the available navy of France, while Russia has 187 ships afloat. During the ensuing financial year there will be launched 10 line-of-battle ships, 12 frigates, 4 ironcased ships, 4 corvettes, 15 sloops, and 23 gun-vessels, making, with the steam-fleet now in^commission 312 vessels, exclusive of sailing ships, of which there were 116 in commission on the Ist December last; 85,500 men and boys have been voted, of which 18,000.are marines. Considerable objection is raised by all classes of politicians against the article in the Anglo-French treaty, which .binds this gantry not to prohibit the export jpf" coal for a period of 10 years, as in case of a war with France this country might be seriously compromised if we were "obliged to supply France with an article which might be considered contraband of war.

Lord Elgin, it is announced, will undertake a second Embassy to China, in the hope of obtaining the ratification of the treaty, and secure a cessation of hostilities. So much objection has been raised against reprisals on China, that the Government are desirous of avoiding a renewal of hostilities.

Russia opposes the proposition of England for a settlement of the Italian question, while Prussia accepts them; but with this very important reservation, which negatives the whole, namely, that she will not approve of any combinations which may be in opposition to the principle of legitimacy upon which the Prussian monarchy is formed. The negociations between France and England, &c, for a settlement of the question are Btill going on, but what with one conflicting interest and another, difficulties here and difficulties everywhere, there seems no probability of reconciling all to one uniform action. Except, in my opinion, forming Central Italy into an independent State, freed from Austrian, French, or Sardinian rule, either in the shape of a Free State, like those of Germany, or into a Republic. Into a kingdom it cannot be raised, except by favoring one of the three Powers referred to. The state of the case is in a few word just this—Austiia wants that the Archdukes should return to their states. This Sardinia., won't allow, nor will England, if it be accompanied by force. Sardinia wants Central Italy, but this .Austria won't allow. France wants Savoy, but this Sardinia won't consent to. Central Italy Wants to be ceded to Sardinia, but this Austria won't consent to. So that there are four different interests to reconcile, which are all clashing the one with the other, and together make up as pretty a political difficulty as any one could desire. The official reply of Austria to the propositions of England have been deferred, Count Richberg having informed Lord John Russell and Mr. Thouvenel, by telegraph, that they require very careful consideration. Nor does this imply that Austria is about to give way. Nous verrons. The Government have cleverly kept their Reform Bill to the last, so that, if defeated in toto on the budget and they resign, they may not show their cards to the opposition. Mr. Dv Cane last night gave notice that he will, on the House going into Committee of Supply, move an amendment to the efiect that it is " not expedient to add to the deficiency in the revenue by. diminishing the ordinary revenue," and that the House is not prepared to disappoint the just expectations of the country by largely increasing the income-tax. His motion is in consequence of the decision of the Conservatives, and at once puts the budget of Mr. Gladstone on its trial.

In the premable of the Commercial Treaty the object is stated to be " to draw closer the ties of friendship which unite the two people, and to improve and extend the relation of commerce between the respective countries." I enclose copy of the treaty.

The Some News says with regard to the London Wool Market:—

Considering the active state of trade in the northern markets, a better demand for wool had been anticipated, but political and home affairs have led to caution, and* all parties prefer " hand to mouth" operations to entering into any transaction of a speculative character. • The discussion on the budget—which, with good, has many objectionable features—may be productive of great circumspection, and but little business is expected here till our next sales, which commence on the Ist of March, at which a fair sprinkle of New Port Phillip will be offered, the general character and growth of which as so far seen is satisfactory. The range of prices that may be then established will depend entirely upon the aspect of home and foreign affairs; but looking to the fact of present stocks in the north and large sales'in May, prices can scarcely be expected to average equal to November last.

The Home News of tha 18th of February gives the following report of the produce markets:—

Hides.—Notwithstanding the large import of Australiun hides, there has been a brisk business done, and prices have advanced fully J to |d per lb. The sales have offered a good quantiry, and nearly all sold at the above advance. 1922 wet salted, ex Lloyds, sold at 4sd to 6|d; 710, ex John" Bunyan, average, 40§ lbs., at ssd; 6243, ex Centurion, first heavy, 6£d to 6£d, seconds, 5£ to s£d ; thirds, 4£ to 4|; light, 3|d to s|; and 10S, ex Norfolk, 6d. per lb. Six balea glue peices^ex Swiftsure s Wl* in diamond,, 3£d.

Leather.-—A fair business has been done at very fall prices,»only twelve bales tariSeii-'aides,, ex Phoenician, marked E V, diamond, have been offered on sale, which sold at 10£ dto 11 Jd per lb. Skins.—ly bales sheeps' pelts, ex Swiftsure, sold, JT and S, 20s. 30 bales, mark^S triangle at 17a..-., 26 bales, ex Orwell, JT and-S, at 18s 6d. per cwt.; and 2986, ex J. Biinyan, at Is per dozen. , ■ • . '*■■■

Horns.~Tb.eße sell steady at firm prices. .5047 Australian, ex Centurion, average, 13f ozs, sold at 41s. 6d. 3406, ex British -Empire, average, 15 ozs., sold at 43s 6d.

Bones, &c.—The following parcels have, been offered and chiefly sold, viz.:—ll3 bags, ex Centurion, shank, il9 12s 6d. 46 cwt, ex Lansdo wne, £8 123, 6a. 2 tons, ex Norfolk, shank, £17 10s; hoofs, £9 ss. 16 tons, ex Swiftsure, shank, £15 15s and £\9; hoofs, £9 ss; knuckle, £4 ss. Bark.—There is no Mimosa now here; some parcels of Cape bark have been sold at £2 10s per ton.