Aistrliantotts.

The Rangership of Windsor Great Park, which has just been con- ferred upon Prince Albert, has hitherto been held by the Sovereign. The emoluments of the office, independently of the patronage attached to it in the shape of various appointments in the gift of the Ranger, are represented to be considerable.

Prince Albert has made considerable progress, say the daily papers, in collecting "the most extraordinary pack of beagles in the kingdom": they are extraordinary for their beauty and diminutive size; the largest not weighing six pounds, while four or five weigh no more than three pounds and a half. Fourteen couples were hunted for the first time in Windsor Great Park, on Tuesday.

The King of Hanover has given directions for the dismantling of his apartments in St. James's Palace : waggon-loads of valuable articles are daily sent off—Globe.

The Duke of Sussex has quite recovered from the indifferent state of health under which he had suffered of late.

The Riband of the Order of the Knighthood of St. Patrick, vacant by the death of Earl O'Neill, is to be conferred on the Earl of Arran.

Our obituary records the death of General Sir Ronald Ferguson; a name equally dear to the Army and to the friends of civil and reli- gious liberty. General Ferguson entered the Army as an Ensign on the 3d April 1790, and attained the rank of Major-General in 1808. On several occasions he distinguished himself as a gallant soldier and most able leader ; but in the midst of his brilliant career in the Peninsula, he was compelled by a severe indisposition, in which his life was in imminent danger, to withdraw for a time from active service. By his death the Celonelcy of the Seventy-ninth Regiment of Foot, or Cameron Highlanders. becomes vacant. General Ferguson has survived his bro- ther, the late Robert Ferguson, only a few months. Both were devoted supporters of the cause of civil and religious liberty during the worst of times. To both,the people of Scotland were devotedly attached, and will long cherish their memories. From the first appearance of General Fergu- son in the House of Commons, [representing, under the old system, the Kirkcaldy district of burghs, where the family of Raith had large pro- prietary as well as personal influence,] to the present time, he has on all occasions stoutly advocated Liberal principles. On all those occa- sions which try men's constancy and firmness, General Ferguson was at his post. Thus, for instance, though a soldier, who had much at stake, his name appears in the minority for Sir Thomas Turton's amend- ment, and in the minority against the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the famous case of the Duke of York. He voted against all the unconstitutional measures of 1819 and 1820, which tried the principles of not a few of the Whigs. But, in short, why should we par- ticularize, when on all occasions he proved himself the stanch and unbending champion of the rights and liberties of the people ? During his long Parliamentary career, he uaiformly displayed the most uncom- promising political consistency. Sir Ronald Ferguson represented the borough of Nottingham before the passing of the Reform Act, and has continued to sit for it ever since.—Morning Chronicle.

It has been decided by the General Commanding in Chief, with the concurrence of her Majesty's Government, that Major-General Sir George Arthur, whose recall from Toronto had been decided on in consequence of the recent union of the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, shall be continued upon the staff of British North America un- til further orders.—United Service Gazette.

Commodore Napier arrived at Liverpool in the Oriental, the Me- diterranean steamer, on Wednesday. The steamer was placed in qua- rantine. The Liverpool merchants intend giving the Commodore a public reception.

Lord Holland left town on Saturday evening for the Continent, on his return to his mission at the Court of the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

Lord Francis Egerton, M.P., has given the munificent donation of 600/. to the fund of the Manchester and Eccles Church-building Society.

A monument to Lord Collingwood is about to be erected at Tyne- mouth : it will stand on a pedestal forty feet high, and the top of the figure will be seventy feet from the ground.

Dr. Cockburn, who was deprived by his Archbishop lately of the Deanery of York, in pursuance of the decision of Dr. Phillimore, the Archbishop's Commissary, has written a letter to the Times, reasserting that Dr. Phillimore had no authority, stating that the writer has appealed for redress to the law, and deprecating a premature judgment on his conduct. He admits, by excusing, the intemperance of his own language : "if my language," he says, "appeared to be intemperate, how could it be otherwise, when I was assailed with shouts and yells the moment I began to speak." Dr. Cockburn still signs himself" William Cockburn, Dean of York." Dr. Phillimore has also written to the Times, denying the accuracy of Dr. Cockburn's representations, but abstaining from a newspaper discussion.

Lord Cardigan cannot keep in the background. "An Old Soldier" sent to the Morning Chronicle of Wednesday the following "plain state- ment "— " A private of the Eleventh Hussars was drunk on leaving the barracks at Brighton, and was subsequently tried by a district court-martial, and sentenced to corporal punishment. His trial took place on Thursday, and the approval of the Court-martial was received at Hounslow on the Sunday morning. On Sunday, the Eleventh Hussars were marched into the riding-school for divine service. Prayers were read and a sermon was preached. On the conclusion of divine service, the trumpet-major was ordered to make things ready for corporal punishment; and in this riding school, and on a Sunday, where not an hour before the whole regiment were engaged in prayer, Private Rogers of the Eleventh Hussars was tied up and flogged, receiving one hundred lashes."

A pamphlet is in circulation, entitled " Daily Bread," which recom- mends to the industrious poor a new species of practical protest against the bread-tax, as a likely means of exonerating themselves from its severe and unjust pressure. The scheme proposed is for a penny sub- scription from so large a number of the working-classes, aided by the contributions of those who also suffer from and are opposed to the food monopoly, as may suffice to freight one or more vessels with Continental corn or American flour, and bring it into some English port : on its ar- rival, a distribution amongst the owners to be formally claimed, and if refused, as it of course would be, to proceed to the public destruction of the cargo.—Morning Chronicle.

The Dublin Pilot of Monday contributes another to the burlesque threats in which the Irish indulge just now, perhaps as a substitute for the other stimulants which Father Mathew has forbidden- " The following piece of unguarded lamentation we find in the last Chro- nicle— ." The remainder of our India express has at length arrived, thanks to the tardy tolerance of the French Government, which first allowed our courier to start, allowed him to pay postage-dues, and start en regle. When he had thereby incurred all the expense, the said Government or its postmaster steps in, and at an intermediate post stops the courier and seizes his letters. In any

other country one might hope redress for such injustice; but France " And what is the reason you cannot get satisfaction from France, Mr. English Journalist ?—lt is because you dare not exact it. What is the reason you dare not exact it :—Ireland—your treatment of her."

The Paris papers, which have been received up to Wednesday, are more interesting than they have been lately.

Out of the debate in the Chamber of Deputies on the extraordinary credits of 1841, which began on Monday and was continued on Tues- day, two questions arose—the position of France in the East; and the responsibility of the Thiers or Soult-Guizot Ministry for the war ex- penditure. With respect to the first question, M. Berryer objected to sanctioning the large grants demanded for 1841, as they might prove a useless draught upon the resources of the country should a general peace be established ; and the Count de Valmy called upon M. Guizot for an explanation. M. Guizot was very guarded in his replies. He said that if the present negotiations, arising out of the treaty of July, were carried into effect, they would enable France to resume her due position in the East, without concurring in acts of which she disap- proved ; and the peace of Europe would be consolidated, without sacri- ficing the dignity of France. But he deprecated any change, negotia- tions pending, in the proposed military strength of the country, not only on its own account, but as it might be taken to indicate a want of harmony between the Government and the Chambers.

M. Gouin, the Finance Minister in the Thiers Cabinet, then com- plained that the present Ministry sought, by means of mixing up the estimates of a succession of years, to swell the apparent deficiency caused by the former Government. M. Humann, the Minister of Fi- nances, at once admitted that his predecessor had left an important amount of reserve ; but not more than was required to meet the ine- vitable financial exigencies of the time. He argued, however, that the expenditure of subsequent years was in reality to be set down to the Thiers Cabinet; whose policy had made it necessary, while they exaggerated the resources of the country, to stave off opposition to their projec:s-

" It has been said that the extraordinary expenditure of the Cabinet of the 1st March did not a-ount to a very large sum : but i: is not denied that impor- tant contracts were entered into, that the fortifications of Paris were under- taken on the ground of urgency, and that the creation of new regiments has matetially augmented the permanent expenditure. The truth is, gentlemen, that a very deplorable financial position had been left to us, and the Cabinet which succeeded to that of the 1st March was necessarily compelled to place the responsibility of that position upon those to whom it really belonged. The country knows well that the causes of this position are not due to us, and that we are not responsible for the sacrifices which are imposed upon it. This state of things does not, however, appear to have terrified the Cabinet of the 1st March. The alienation of the forests, and the raising of loans, appeared to them to be inexhatistille resources. These were dangerous illusions. Thus, for instance, tao milliards were reckoned upon by the sale of the forests. We possess 1,000,000 hectares of forests; of which about 750 are more or less bur- dened. The net revenue arising from them is twenty-seven millions: calcu- late then, gentlemen, whether a revenue of twenty-seven millions can produce, even under favourable circumstances, a capital of two milliards." France, he contended, could not or would not imitate the example of England in effecting the immense financial operations which a war would require— As to loans, I have often heard that it was an easy matter for a country to find lenders. We see, however, that many Governments seek to borrow, and cannot effect thtir wish. Call to mind, gentlemen, without going out of France, the walks of Louis the Fourteenth with Samuel Bernard in the garden of Versailles, and the patriotic loan of Necker. We frequently hear a neigh- bouring kingdom tited, where loans are attended with no difficulty. I answer, that there exists in that kingdom a sentiment of nationality and unanimity which renders the people capable of the greatest efforts. (Murmurs on the Left.) There, notwithstanding the greatest embarrassments, exists an admirable order in finan- cial matters. In that country were invented both the steam-engine and the spinning-machine : two men of genius doubled, as if by enchantment, the pro- ductive powers of their country : and still, gentlemen, what would be the situation of that country with its debt, of twenty milliards, if on any single day of the last half-century it had been abandoned by its good fortune. (Sensation.) France has an immense credit; and this credit will maintain itself firmly, if but one intelligence pervades the mass. In my opinion, the Cabinet of the let March was mistaken in its plans and resources, when it desired to support, by the measure which it prepared, a tedious war against the whole of Europe. Such efforts are not, in my opinion, possible, except under a dictator and a system of absolute government.' (Loud marks of dissent from the Left.)

M. Thiers combated this depreciation of the resources of France— '1 must remark, that there exists here a political party which seeks to

prove that the country cannot sustain a great effort against the world, even' if that effort were just, necessary, and indispensable. Observe, that at the tinie of the discussion of the address, it was said that if France went to war, the maintenance of internal order would be impossible. Now it is said that if a war took place a dictator would be necessary. Thus it is argued that we could not support a war against Europe, because in war-time it would be im- possible to maintain internal tranquillity. This theory has often been deve- loped and discussed at the tribune. What was formerly said with respect to. internal tranquillity, is said now with respect to finance. What was the aim. of those enormous deficits which have been so artfully made out ? We will examine them."

He then, more in detail, repeated M. Gouin's charge against Ministers, of setting down an excessive deficiency to the account of their prede- cessors ; which he treated as an electioneering trick. His armaments too, had been exaggerated : but why, if his policy was reversed, need Ministers continue his scheme of expenditure, rendered useless by the change ?-

lie denied that Isis projected armaments were for 900,000 men: they were for 600,000 men, and 300,000 mobilized Nationnl Guards. But now, instead of 493,000 men under arms, there were but 426,000; instead of 50,000 horses to be bought, but 35,000 were purchased. This would occasion reduction in the estimates. Too much was charged for the interest of the future loan. Ile could prove that there was not need of more than 150 millions of the loan up to the end of next year. And as to the increased military expenses of 1842, they ought to be erased from the budget altogether ; it being absurd to keep up armaments and at the same time rejoin the alliance of Europe. The Mi- nister was right to refuse discussion on this point ; but the facts were consum- mated. He bad promised to sign a treaty as soon as certain conditions were fulfilled at Alexandria ; and these would be fulfilled. The treaty guaranteed the D.rdanelles against the passage of ships of war, and was in itself utterly insignificant, except that France accepted what had taken place in the East, and guaranteed the East as it had been organized against her. The treaty might he considered as signed. M. Thiess accounted rather oddly for the facility which Ministers experienced in changing about the national policy- " France is a country of extraordinary activity of mind. It must always have a passion In 1832 and 1833, the passion for politics prevailed; it ex- pired in the general calm. And then came a passion for public works. In 1833, the Government modestly proposed to terminate the works, canals, 8cc. that had been commenced; but the Chamber took fire, and the passion for works carried away not only the Chamber, but the country, Departmental Councils, and Municipal Councils: one wanted a canal in the South, another in the North ; and one road or one canal could not be voted without voting the same in other localities, to avoid jealousy. Thus were 520,000,000 francs voted for public works. And they could not be avoided; for Ministers depend on Deputies, and Deputies upon electors." M. Barrot here observed, that truths of this kind should not be told.

M. Thiers said he mentioned facts, without blaming them.

M. Beaumont—" You should blame them, and not mention them."

M. Thiess resumed. " The result was a mass of public works ; and amidst them the budget of the War Department was neglected. When the Cabinet of the 15th of April wanted 25,000 men for Algeria, I laboured, though in opposition, to get them voted. But it was impossible. All military works and interests were postponed to civil ones. And the moment it was necessary to set about military works, arrears of expense were requisite. A milliard de- ficient was the result."

However. M. Thiers thought that, with economy, a considerable armament might be maintained-

" I would not insist on keeping up 490,000 men, but 400,000 might be kept up, at an expense of 310 millions. You grant 127 millions to the Marine ; some years back, the budget of Marine was one-half of that : fix it at 90 millions, and then there will be a reduction of 64 millions in the budget of War, and of 37 in that of Marine. The revenue of the country, which in- creases twenty millions a year, will meet this." M. Humann seemed to accept M. Thiers's overtures towards a more moderate policy : it would not be difficult to reestablish the equilibrium between the receipts and expenditure, if all parties were disposed to cooperate in the measures necessary for that desirable end. M. Ha- mann said that the increase in the revenue was not so great as,M. Thiers calculated ; but if the taxes were collected as they ought to-be,. the augmentation would be not twenty millions, but forty or fifty mil- lions; yet nobody seemed disposed to give to the Government the power of effecting this important amelioration.

The general debate closed on Tuesday; and then began the discus- sion on the separate votes, which had not terminated when the post left on Wednesday.

It was proposed at the beginning of the session of the Chambers to diminish the duty on the importation of foreign cattle, which is fifty- five francs the head. Since that time a considerable rise has taken place in the price of meat. The Journal des Debats publishes the fol- lowing facts, showing the decreased consumption of meat- " From 1819 to 1829, the annual consumption of Paris was 76,000 oxen, of 360 kilogrammes each : from 1829 to 1839 it was not 70,000 oxen of 325 kilo- grammes, though the population had augmented one-sixth._ In 1825, 830,000 inhabitants of Paris consumed 46k millions of kilogrammes of butchers meat : in 1838, 920,000 only consumed 444 millions of kilogrammes. In 1789, La- voisier estimated that the Parisians consumed 75 kilogrammes per head in the year ; now they consume but 48k. The consumption of wine, the other great source of strength to the working population, is also greatly diminished ; it is not one-half of what it was in 1801" One of the great causes of this diminution is the octroi, or duty on entering the gates, which is for meat nearly as much as that paid on any ox passing the frontier. Both together amount to 4/., or 100 francs— between one-third and one-fourth a the price.

On Maundy Thursday, the Popish ceremony in commemoration of washing the Disciples' feet was celebrated, for the first time since 1830, in the chapel of the Tuilleries, in presence of the King and the entire Court. " It was believed," says the Commerce, " that his Majesty would wash with his own bands the feet of the poor who personated. the Apostles ; but it appears that this part of the ceremony was put off until next year."

A Spaniard has been arrested in Paris for discounting forged bills. He uttered such bills in London, about six weeks back, to the amount of 2,0001.; and then went to Paris. He was followed by handbills. announcing the fraud and describing his person. A few days ago he called upon a money-changer in the Palais Royal, and presented six hundred-pound Bank of England notes for change into French money. The bill announcing the robbery was hanging in the shop ; but before the money-changer could compare the numbers, the other caught sight of it, and immediately grasping the notes, which he had laid on the

counter, ran out of the shop, and was out of sight before the money- changer could procure the means of arresting him. He was afterwards taken at his lodgings in the Rue Lepelleder. It is questioned how he can be proceeded against by the Englishmen whom he has defrauded. In a recent ease the French Government refused to give up an English swindler who was pursued by the police ; and this man is a Spaniard, and therefore less likely to be surrendered.

Intelligence has been received from Madrid to the 7th instant. Committees of the Senate and the Deputies had reported on the abdication of Queen Christina, and declared that act legal.

Some questions were put to Ministers, in the Chamber of Deputies, as to the marriage of Queen Christina : they said that they had no official information on the subject.

The budget had been presented. The expenses of the country were estimated at 1,106,324,302 reels, and the revenue at 885,126,551 reels; leaving a deficiency of 221,197,751 reels (2,220,0000 It was stated that Queen Christina had not received any part of her pensiou ; and that in consequence of the poverty of the treasury, Queen Isabella, like all the other pensioners of the civil-list, had only received one-third of the pension settled on her.

Private letters from Berne of the 6th instant state, that notwithstand- ing the recent decision of the Federal Diet against the right of the Canton of Argan to suppress the Catholic convents of the Canton, the Argovian Government was proceeding as actively as ever with the spoliation of those institutions. The Catholic population, on the other hand, emboldened by the admission of their rights by the Legislature, were preparing, with the aid of their allies, to enforce the execution of the decree. The Conservative party at Lucerne were ready to support the Catholics of Argot by force of arms. The representatives of Austria, Russia, and England had taken a strong part in urging the Diet to oppose the proceedings of the Argau Government.

A change of Ministry has taken place in Belgium. The following are the new names—M. de 14Iuelenare, Foreign Affairs; M. Nothomb, the Interior and Public Instruction, the Arts and Sciences ; M. Van Volsem, Justice; Count de Briey, Finance; M. Desmaisieres, Public Works. General Buzen, War Minister in the late Cabinet, still retains his post. M. Nothomb has issued an address to the Governors of the provinces, in which he intimates that the late Ministry resigned be- cause the King bad refused to dissolve the Chambers ; which he did in order to avoid needless popular excitement. From the tenor of M. Nothomb's address, it seems that the present Cabinet is to be considered as a coalition of opposite parties.

On the 6th of this month, the British postage on letters passing be- tween the United Kingdom and Hamburg and Lubeck was reduced from Is. 6d. on letters posted in London, and from Is. 8d. on letters posted in the country, to a uniform rate of 6d. The Hamburg Post- office has also reduced its rate on British letters from about 4d. to 2L; , so that upon London letters there lies been a positive reduction ls. 2d., .and on country letters of Is. 4d., as respects Hamburg correspondence.

The Leipsic Gazette, under the date of Vienna, 2d instant, mentions that Prince Metternich had lately declared, that "if the treaty of Lon- don was not executed in the spirit of humanity in which it was con- ceived towards Mehemet Ali, Austria would withdraw completely from it, and leave to the authors of a war, which would then become inevit- able, all the responsibility of such a calamity."

A note addressed by the Conference in London to Chekib Effendi, the Turkish Ambassador, dated 13th March, has been published. It recognizes the power of the Sultan to deal with his submissive vassal, the Pasha of Egypt, as he may see fit ; but refers to former documents for the exposition of "a rule for those amicable explanations which the representatives of the Four Powers may yet be called upon to offer to the Sublime Porte."

The Paris Temps of Wednesday gives the subjoined announcement as official- " The Five Powers who signed the convention of Landon prepared a treaty of defensive alliance against France. Lord Palmerston wished that it should be signed immediately. Lord Melbourne, more prudent, communicated it to Sing Leopold, his habitual mediator in those kinds of communications. Leo- pold, in his turn, informed the principal person interested. This step put an end to all irresolution; aud we reenter the European concert, on condition that the other Powers will renounce the idea of forming an alliance against us."

Private letters from Constantinople, of the 26th March, announce that the whole country abut Diarhekir was in a state of insurrection. The militia had been disarmed, the civil and military authorities assassinated, and the dissolution of the Osman monarchy openly proclaimed by the rebel tribes. A report that Russia had seized Constantinople had been circulated in the district.

The course which the Porte would pursue towards Egypt was still unknown.

The Christians of Candia have revolted against the Porte, and appealed to the commander of a British frigate for support in asserting their right to an independent government under the protection of England. They form a majority of the population of the island ; and they enjoyed immunities under the rule of Mehemet Ali of which they are now deprived.

It is stated in letters from Teheran, dated February 14th, "that the differences existing between Persia and Great Britain had been satis- factorily arranged ; the Shah of Persia having declared himself ready to cede the fortress of Gurian, taken by his troops in the last war." It was consequently expected that the British Embassy would return to Teheran forthwith.

Two vessels arrived at Liverpool from New York on Thursday morning—the Tarolinta packet-ship, which left on the 26th March, and the Caledonia Halifax mail-steamer—which brings papers and letters to the 1st instant. Contrary to all expectation, the news brought by both is unimportant.

President Harrison had been ill, but he was recovering. Some ac- counts represent his indisposition as severe, others as slight.

Mr. "%Pieced's trial had not taken place. The March term of Oyer and Terminer should have been opened at Lockport on the 29th; but the Clerk of the Court had only given five instead of six days' notice of the drawing of the Jury,—a technical error which rendered it neces- sary to postpone the holding of the Court. Mr. M`Leod had been arraigned, and had pleaded "Not guilty." Two Commissioners for the examination of witnesses had been moved for by his counsel, and granted by the Circuit Judge ; the one for the district of Colombia, to take the depositions of Mr. Fox and Mr. Webster, the other for Canada, to examine Sir Allan M‘Nab and several other witnesses in that pro- viuce. The trial, therefore, even if it had not been postponed in con- sequence of the informality already mentioned, cannot take place until both of these Commissions have been returned ; and the execution of the latter especially must be a work of time, as one at least of the witnesses is said to be in England. An application was made to the Circuit Judge to allow a certicrari to remove the trial to the Supreme Court, since the presiding Judge at Lockport might be overruled by the County Judges; but it was refused, because nothing appeared to show improper bias on the part of the County Judges; and any error in the proceedings of Court, it was observed, could be corrected after the trial. But affidavits were admitted, showing the excited state of the county on the subject; and opportunity was afforded to the pri- soner's counsel to move the Supreme Court to change the venue to some other county. No time is mentioned when the trial is likely to take place.

In the meanwhile, Mr. Crittenden, the Attorney-General of the United States, had been at Albany to consult with the Attorney-Gene- ral of the State of New York, and had examined with him all the testi- mony in the case ; from which he had arrived at the conclusion that there was no evidence to convict Mr. IllaLeod of participation in the destruction of the Caroline. The latter will be able, it is supposed, to establish an alibi. A perfect understanding appears to exist between the General and the State Governments in relation to the case, and the usual forms of law will be gone through without interruption from any quarter. These facts, it is expected, will be stated by Mr. Webster in his reply to the British Government, in the hope that they will prove satisfactory. According to the regular legal process, Mr. MsLeod would not be liberated until October next.

General Scott had sustained some injury by a fall from his horse, and was detained at Albany by its effects. He was proceeding, however, to the frontier ; where it was rumoured, some indications had been shown, by lawless persons from the Canada shore, to attempt a rescue of the prisoner. The Lochport Courier says that orders have been issued to repair Fort Niagara, and to place it in a state of complete defence.

In the Legislature of Maine, the Chairman of a Committee on the North-eastern Boundary had submitted a very voluminous report on the present position of the question. It does not advise any immediate ac- tion by the State, nor in iicate definitely any future period when the State ought to act ; but proposes to call upon the Federal Government forthwith to repel the existing invasion of the State, and, if necessary to secure it against future invasion, to take military possession of the disputed territory. One of the resolutions accompanying the report declares that the proceedings connected with the proposed joint British and American commission ought to be closed within the present year.

Letters had been received at Salem, stating that the brig Richmond. of that place, had been searched by a British cruiser, off the coast of Africa, on the groundless suspicion of being employed in the slave-trade. This makes the fifth Salem vessel which has been sulejected to search by the British.

Parties in the new Congress are expected to be very nearly balanced, with rather an uncertain Government " majority for practical pur- poses," or a "working majority " as it would. be called here. The New York Herald calculates that there will be a nominal majority of more than forty.

The States of New York and Virginia were at issue upon a common subject of dispute between the several members of the Confederation— the surrender of offenders agaiust the laws of one State who had taken refuge in another. Virginia admitted the validity of the demand of New York for the surrender of one Robert Curry, and promised to give him up, whenever three persons, Peter Johnson, Edward Smith, and Isaac Gansey, felons under the laws of Virginia, were surrendered by New York. Curry is charged with forgery ; the other three are ac- cused of stealing a Negro slave ; and the Governor of New York says that, by the laws of that State, they cannot be given up until they have been tried by a jury.

Commercial affairs throughout the States have slightly improved. The rate of Exchange on England for the packets was 7 to 7i per cent. premium, and a good deal of business was done for the Caledonia. The vessels which crossed the Atlantic last month had experienced extremely severe weather. The Caledonia, on the outward voyage fell in with a large field of ice, in latitude 44 deg. 54 min. longitude 57 deg. 59 min. The Acadia had not arrived at Halifax, having been fifteen days out from Liverpool. The British Queen had been driven out of her course, and obliged to snake for Halifax, after undergoing a gale which lasted for ten successive days. She lost every float from her larboard paddle, and many from the other ; and every sail was split or blown from the bolt-ropes as soon as set. She reached Halifax on the 30th March, and was to proceed for New York on the 2d instant.

The Canadian papers come down to the 27th March. The elections were proceeding with the utmost activity in both Provinces, and hitherto upon the whole in favour of the Unionists. Out of the 84 members of which the United House of Assembly is to consist. 55 had been elected ; and in those 55 the Unionists had a majority of 17. A great many of the returns, however, are made under protest. Several of the Govern- ment candidates had been elected. The most marked reverse of the Ministerial party is, perhaps, the success of the Family Compact candi- date, Sir Allan M'Nab, over the Government man, Mr. Harrison, at Hamilton. The contest had in some instances been conducted under circumstances of brutal violence. The chatter of incorporation of the New Zealand Company is now in print ; occupying twelve folio pages. Its most remarkable points relate to the capital, the management, and the functions of the Com- pany. The Company are required to raise the amount of their pre- sent capital of 100,000/. to 300,0001., in twenty-five pound shares— two-thirds of which must be paid up or invested within a twelvemonth from the date of the charter : the Company are permitted further to in- crease their capital to 1,000,000L, if they think fit ; and they are em- powered to raise a loan of 500,0001., secured on the profits or property of the Company. The management is vested in a Governor, Deputy- Governor, and Directors, of any number not less than twelve nor ex- ceeding twenty-four ; the Governor and Deputy-Governor to be reckoned as two of the number: the present Governor, Deputy-Governor, and Directors, are continued in office until May next : at that time, and at the same period in each succeeding year, a number equalling as nearly as may be one-fourth of the whole Directors are to go out of office ; their successors to be elected by the shareholders, at a general meeting to be held annually for the purpose ; the outgoing Directors to be capable of r6lection. The objects of the incorporation are shown by the follow- ing extract from the charter- " And we do hereby ordain and declare, that the said Corporation is and shall be established for the purpose of purchasing and acquiring, settling, im- proving, cultivating, letting, selling, granting, alienating, mortgaging, charging, or otherwise dealing with and making a proht of lands, tenements, and heredi- taments in our said colony and its dependencies; and of laying out settlements and towns, and of working therein all mines, pits, and quarries, and all minerals and metals ; and for the further purpose of conveying or contracting for the conveyance of emigrants to any their place of destination in our said colony and its dependencies, (subject, however, to such regulations respecting the convey- ance of the said emigrants, as it shall from time to time seem fit to us, our heirs and successors, to make and promulgate in that behalf,) and of furnishing to emigrants all things that may be deemed requisite and suitable for their immediate settlement in our said colony ; and of exporting the produce of the said colony and its seas, and of importing such articles as may be required for the furtherance of any of the purposes aforesaid ; and for the further purpose of lending and advancing money on the security of land and other property situate in our said colony and its dependencies : 'Provided always, that it shall not be lawful for the said Company to carry on the busi- ness of banking, by keeping cash of or for any person payable on demand, or by borrowing, owing, or taking up money on their bills or notes payable on de- mand, or at any less time than twelve months from the borrowing thereof, or for a less sum than one hundred pounds ; or in anywise to engage in any com- mercial operations in the United Kingdom, or in our colonial possessions, for the purpose of making a profit other than as aforesaid : and for the further pur- pose of executing, erecting, contracting for,and subscribing towards such public works and buildings, and also of establishing and maintaining, solely or con- jointly with others such public institutions for the improvement of our said colony, and the comfort and wellbeing of the said emigrants, as may be pro- posed, undertaken, or sanctioned by us our heirs or successors, or the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or person administering the government, or by any person duly authorized in that behalf in our said colony and its dependencies."

This indicates bold and grand schemes, which have now the sanction of the Government and all the support which the law can give.