... IF we are to believe the Americans, in that land of republican simplicity and Spartan virtue there is not a little of base alloy. The recent report of the Investigating Committee of the House of Re- presentatives, says an American paper, discloses a state of corruption among public men in this country which is replete with disgust to the most lukewarm patriot. It reveals a state of things ...

... The Speaker took the chair at four o'clock on Monday. At that hour there was an unusually numerous attendance of members; the Opposition benches were fully occupied, those on the Ministerial side of the House rather more sparely. Many members, even at this early period of the sitting, were driven up to the galleries, on ordinary occa- sions, at the same hour, almost untenanted. The Strangers' ...

... The Observer says it is understood in the highest political circles that the motion for the second reading of the Government Reform Bill will be rejected by a majority of from 80 to 90 votes, and that the resolution of Lord J. Russell will be carried by a majority of from 60 to 80. It is at present considered extremely doubtful whether the government, in such case, will resign office or ...

... MINCING-LANE, MONDAY, MARCH 14. SUGAR.—A larger steck than last year, many public sales announced, and only small contracts were concluded to-day prices ruled for Havannah of brown quality at 37s to 40s; yellon- 4.0s fid to 46s .fioretts 4-Cs 6d to 48s; white Bengal 42s 6d to 47s and grainy 44s to 47s. For REFINED SUGAR a slow sale, and _rates easier: stoved goods selling at 52s 6d to 59s; wet ...

... DUNMOW FLITCH. Weare informed that it is the intention of the committee at Dunmow to offer for competition in the course of the present year the usual prize for the highest degree of excellence in connubial felicity. It appears also that a Mr. Jackson, of Hull, having both time and money at command, proposes to extend presentations of this nature to all the large towns in the kingdom seriatim. ...

... FRIDAY, FEB. 25. COLLECTION OF RATES.-Earl GREY moved for a select committee to inquire into the operation of the Act 13 and 14 Vic., for amending the assessment and collec- tion of poor rates and highway rates upon small tenements, and of another act passed last session, respecting the municipal franchise. He believed that in consequence of these acts the constituencies by whom the town ...

... CAERPHILLY. A DOG's GRASP.—A tolerably-sized terrior dog was sporting with boys the other day by fetching sub- stances from the brook. The animal failed to find a stone which was thrown in, but it brought out another that was 6 inches thick, 1G or 18 inches long, and weighed 241bs. How it could have grasped so large a substance and brought it out of the water, was a marvel to many who ...

... FOUR LIVES SAVED BY THE ROYAL SOCIETY'S EscAPE.-At a few minutes past one o'clock on Monday morning. Police-constable 55, of the C division, disco- vered that the premises belonging to Messrs. Dawson, No. 18, Vere-street, Oxford-street, Marylebone, were on fire. The officer immediately raised an alarm, and in the course of a few minutes several persons made their appearance at one of the front ...

... FOREIGN CLEANINCS. IRON TRAM-ROADS IN PARIS.—The carriages which run on the iron tram-road to St Cloud, Sbvres, and Versailles, and which have hitherto started from the entrance of the Cours la Reine, on tlje Place de i corde, now take up passengers in the RnP T • front of the Colonnade. order that thP part of the tire of the wheels of those carriaD-o?10' m? injure the road of the Quai des ...

... THE EARL OF DEVON.—We regret to announce the death of the Earl of Devon, who died on Saturday at Shrivenham, the residence of his brother-in-law, the Yen. Archdeacon Berens, in Berkshire, after a very short illness. The late Earl of Devon, William Courtenay, was eldest son of Henry Reginald, Lord Bishop of Exeter, and nephew of the first Viscount Courtenay, by Lady Elizabeth Howard, daughter ...

... CONISTON RAILWAY. -The directors of this railway expect the line will he ready for opening in the course of the sunumer. LORD A. HERVEY was on Monday returned for Bury St. Edmunds, in the place of his brother, Earl Jermyn, now Marquis of Bristol. A SCOUNDRELsomen ghtsago droppedsomecombustible matter into the letter-box at the Davenport post-office, and nearly caused the destruction of the ...

... PRESTON - -YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIANASSOCIATION. INAUGURATION MEETING. A public inaugural meeting of the Preston Young Men's Christlan Association was held in the Corn Exohange, on Thu.sday evening. Between 200 and 300 persons were preseut. Mr. B. Townley Parker presided. The meeting having been opened with prayer by the Rev. J. Woodhouse, The CHAxRImAN said: Gentlemen,--In opening the pro- ...