The New York Herald Newspaper, January 1, 1855, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, \ AND FULTON 8TS. 8, cash ‘ THE Weeks y HERALD every Saturiay oe hs cout ger spy, or $8 per annum ; the European Kiition : Fs “a rt of Great Brituin, and $5 to any part of the Con th to.ductude postage. TERS by Mail for Subscriptions or with Adver- thements to be post [OF sl fle soit, wy Ae oy 7 ot remilted. VOLUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, containing impor eampiien wolieited ‘rom oapqneren es ie ew used an ” “gg. Oun FoRmion Conameron- ered ‘a ¥ REQUESTED TO SEAL ALL eee aes ee ‘eturn those rejected. “OB PRINTING executed AMUSEMENTS THIS DAY AND EVENING. BROADWAY THEATRE, Brosdway—Guv Manni "am. BOWERY THEATRE, Gowery— Twoevre—Massaone or MromiLLIMAKi a Jaosers oy Bivx—O1p Oax Cuxst—Larir NIBLO’S GARDEN, Brondnsy--DARaUtaR, Grau—Mv- moat O110—Savaor AnD THE MAIDEN. BURTON’S THEATRE, Chambers street—Sorura’s Sur- per—Nice Youne Man—Arou.o in New Yoru. WALLACK’S THEATKE, Brosdway—Tue Sisrens— @unrieman Prom luetanp—Antevi Doperr. METROPOLITAN TH But Rinors or B Sam. Bvoning—Tue Ri Win—Ovr on Tue Loos: AMERICAN MUSEUM—Morning—Ronser’s Wire— ‘Sasn . Afternoon, at 2 0’clock—Comar BUCKLEY'S OPERA HOUSF, 599 Broadway—Buox- av’s Erniorian Orexa Troure. New York, Monday, aary 1, 1855. Malls for E: ‘THE NEW YORK MERALD—EDITION FOR EUROPE. The Cunard mail steamship America, Capt. Lang, will Mave Boston on Wednesday, at 12 o’clock, for Liverpool. ‘Bho European mails will close in this city at a quarter 20 two o’elock to-morrow afternoon. ‘The Heratp (printed in English and French) will be pablished at ten o’clock to-morrow morning. Single eopies, in wrappers, sixpence. Subscriptions and advertisements for any edition of the New York Henan will de received at the following places in Europe:— Laverroot, . John Hunter, No. 2 Paradise street. Lonpon..,,.Edwards, Sandford & Co., No. 17 Cornhill. “ ‘Wm. Thomas & Co., No. 19 Catharine street. Dane.......! Livingston, Wells & Co., 8 Place de la Bourse. The contents of the European edition of the Herawp will embrace the n-ws received by mail and telegraph at the office during the previous week, and to the hour of publication. ‘The News. No paper will be issued from this office on Tues @ay morning. The afternoon editions will be pub- Wished as usual. ‘The steamship Atlantic, with Liverpool dates to 20%, arrived at her dock yesterday afternoon, at bal-ast five o’clock. She left as usual on her re- gular day, (16th,) but met with an aceident to her wadder, and was obliged to put back to Liverpool, @hich she left on Monday. As might have been ex- pected, she brings no news of importance from the seat of war in the Ciimea. Notwithstanding the Reavy siege armament of the allies, the wet ditches azound the fortifications prove an insuperable bar- ster to an sseault. o attempt to storm without a esuseway, cr without completely silencing the bat- @xies opposite, would be to ran upon certain death. A report from Sebsstop2] says that 5,000 Rassians hed retired from tne recond line of defenve. Omar Pacha is about to embark for the Crimea with 15,000 wen. Phe Queen ovened the British Parliament on the dey fixed. Aer speech, which qill be found else q@bere, contains nothing that was not fully known Before, acd of course asd vo appreciabls effect on he funds or prices. [t refersto the Reciprocity ‘Breaty, the treaty with Austria, and the necassity fer reinforcem*nts. After the reply was moved, the Bari of Derby made a furious onslaught on the poli @y of the government in the conduct of the war; @e mivist:y was defended st length by the Dake of Newcastle. The point of the debate is given else where. Toe remarks of Lord John Rassell in re- gard tothe treaty of ailiance with Austria pro- @aced a sensation and knocked down the funds, ‘The English were inclived to believe that the so- eailed treaty will not secure the sincere and effotive — of Austria with the Western Powers & Will has been introduced into Parliament for the employment of foreign mercenaries, entitled “the Foreign Enlistment act.” It had created mon excliement. Mr. Daniel E. Sickles was a passenger in the At- laatic. Be urdoubtedly brings despatches from Spain, anc from England relative to the Central American treaty. A new ministry has been formed in Denmark. The cotton market st Liverpool was weaker. BoMers were pressing their stocks for sale, and sub- mitied tos declixe of j to 3. Breadstuffs were stea- @y, with an advance of 1s. on flour. Consols had fallen to 92. Boveys from Kokan and Dost Mahomet have ar Bived at Peshawur to seek protection agatast the Raseiane, the Affzbans paving decided in favor of Bgiand in the present war. ‘The last ships of the Baltic tleet have left Kiel. ‘The packet ship Queen of the West and the :lip- per Pride of the Ses have been wre ket, the former a Carmarthen bsy, avd the latter near that place. Baturday, being the last business day of the year, trade in 4 general way was rather alack, bat prices fer most descriptions of produce closed firm. Flour om) grain were firm a: anchanged prices Among the rales of the former were said to be 6,000 barrels of Btate braods, deliverable in February, March, ad April, ov private terme. Pork sold freely at $12 75, iceinding one parcel at $12 87, Beef awa leo in good request, at steady vrices. Cotton was without farther change, whie sales were moderat-. The Court of General Sessions, for the mouth of Senusry, will be opened to-morrow morniug, at 11 @elock. Sidney H. Stuart, recently elected City Judge, will preside. The calencar is not heavy, bat prevents the uenel variety of crime. i in wtated asa certainty toat Dr. Beals has re- eeived a pardon from the Goveroor of Pewarylvania, oud that he will be set at liberty in a few days, Three of the Supreme Court Jodges gave written pimions as to the illegality of the verdict of the fury. We continue the publication of our statistical tables this morning, among which may be founia very carefully and eisdorately compiled statement @ the proceedings of the iaw courte forthe past year, which shows that a vast amount of business hea been transacted in the legal tribanals of this during that period A serious accident occurred at Philadelohia on Sa ‘arday. While about » dozen men were engaged in benling lomber in the Navy Yard, from the wharf do the ship house, the derrick which was used on the occasion fell, instantly killing one mao and 80 severely injaring two cthers, thut they died the next morning. Three others were badly bat not mortally burt. Shortly after tre a cident happened the Navy Yard became ceneely crowded by the wives, chil- dren and friends of the workmen engaged there, whove distress caused the greatest excitement. The indabitan's of the diferent wards of this hy are rapidiy organizing a sociations to afford retief to the suffering poor in the Bighth ward. The commisees have heen ap vinted, and are now about to enter npon their abor of love and dbecevo- tenee. Donations from the charitable may be sent to No. 173 Prince street. A number of the inbabi bhente of tho Bix eeoth ward invite their feliog- aitizens to met at.the corner of Twenty-third and Fighth sveune, on Wednesday evening, at 8 wolock, to concert meana for the relief of the poor of that ward. NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1855. ‘The Past Year. The year which ended with yesterday will hereafter take rank among the most momentous of the present century and of modern times. At its birth it found America and most of Eu- ropeand Asia at peace, nationally as qell as commercially; it leaves them plunged in na- tional wars and financial trouble. All was quiet on the Ist of January last in nineteea- twentieths of the globe; it is now difficult to find a spot which is not a prey to some unna- tural convulsion. Twelve months have entirely changed the aspect of the world. On the 1st January last, the United States enjoyed tranquillity and prosperous times. Sunk as the administration was even at that time in public esteem, it had not been deemed capable of doing much mischief, and in the heyday of successful trade, politics had been left to vagabonds and idiers. For every man had apparently been making a fortune. Money had been plentiful, dollars had flowed into every pocket, prosperous enterprises had in- vited investment on every side. With the lst January, 1854, the change began. Many, sick of political corruptions, sought to form a new party on 8 basis of honesty; the Know Nothings made their appearance jast at the right time: crowds flocked round their banners, and on the 9th January a Koow Nothing was elected Mayor of Boston. This victory was followed by others. In the same month it was ascertained that the administration had offered Santa Auna s gift-of twenty millions of dollars, nominally as the price ofastrip of barren land; such wholesale corruption gave a fresh stimu- Tosto the new reform party. A tremendous at- tempt was made by a few whigs and hungry poli- ticians to make political capital out of a bill introduced to regulate the government of the Territories of Kebraska and Kansas; and for a while their intrigues availed so far as to pro- duce a widespread agitation throughout the North. But the hollowness of the scheme was soon disclosed. The people saw that, party against party, the anti-slavery men were ascor- rupt as the whigs and democrats, and far less safe; eo they Jeft their leaders in the lurch aftera six months compaign, und held fast to the Kaow Nothings, who gave substantial promise of pro- bity and sobriety. Eurly in the year, too, a bold attempt was made by the Legislature of New York to introduce the first of a series of sumptuary laws in the shape of a prohibitory liquor law; this was fortunately vetoed, aud the spread of drunkenness being traced to the example of political Jeadera at elections, the new party derived additional strength in con- sequence. Every event seemed to favor its success. All over the country, in New Engiand, New | York, Missouri, Ohio, and Loaisiana, the turbulence of the Irish caused bloody riots, and the millitary were called out. Abroad, several nominees of the adminis- tration conducting themselves disgracefully, fresh discredit fell upon the old political system under which they were appointéd. A piratical outrage on a defenceless city in Cen- tral Awericas, committed vy « Uniced States sloop-of-war acting under orders from the Pre- sident, wrought the public feeling to the high- est pitch of excitement; and every man of honor or substance sought to sever himself from a party whose chief could perpetrate such infamies As the year wore on commercial disasters aggra- vated the unessiness of the public mind A partial failure of the crop, and the absorption of gold by the Sub-Treasury and the foreign despotism which Mr. Pierce had undertaken to support on our borders, precipitated the revulsion which ten years of prosperity and extravagance were eure to entail. Discredit and distrust paralyzed trade on every tide. In the midst of all, the fall elections took place: proviog nothing, a0 dis- jointed and disorganized were parties, bat that the masses all over the country were disgusted with the party in power. olltically, a8 well as commeroialiy, the year 1854 has been in this country a year of destruction and confusion: it is Jeft for 1855, or more probably for 1856, to rebuild the shattered editice. Early in January, 1854, the Turks, under Omer Pacha, nobly defended their conutry egaiast « Russian invader, and opeaed the year’s work by capturing Citale. Shortly af- terwards, fearing the growing power of Russia, Great Britain and France made common cause with the Suitan, and declared war sguinst ihe Czar. A fleet was sent to the Baltic, which accomplished nothing. An army was despatch- ed to the Danube, but the Turks defended their own border successiully; and an expedition set out against Sebastopol. It landed at Bupato- ria, marched towards Sebastopol, carried the Alma, ® strongly fortified position, aad invest- ed the port oo the southern and eastern sides, the fleet being the basis of operations. A ca- valry skirmish at Bulakiava cost the British balf that arm. A eortie at Iakermaon was re- pulsed, but sixteen thourand men on both sides were left on the field. The siege still continues Meauwhile, the Western Powers seek to obtain an alliance with Austria, thus absadoning all pretension to principle in the war. In Asia, the first months of the year wit- nested the conclusion of a treaty between the United States and the Emperor of Japan, which will probably be the prelude to a thriving ‘rad: between that ewpire aud oar Pacitic posses sious The revolution in China bas contiaved throughout the year, the insurgents being wen- erally successful, aod holding the eatire c try touth of the Yeaug-tse-Keang, Naokio i clusive) The imperialists are driven to Pek: and the neighborhood. Burmab and Afghanis- tan bave been quiet Sprin bas been visited by two revolutionary movement+—one proceeding from the throne and causing the exile of several popular lewi ere; the other from the people, compelling the rerignation of the ministry, the flight of the Queen mother, and the submission of Isabella. Germany bas been the scene of constant and generally diereputable fatrigues, in which Pras. sia bad plotied sgainst Austria, and Russia againet the ailied powers. Sweden has been allowed to preserve neutrality without cost British fleets have with difficulty restrained Denmark {rom open sympathy with Russia, and internal convulsions seem to promise an ap- proaching revolation in that country. and Hungary emoalder in silence The Dictator of Mexico bas waged an ansne- cersful campaign against his former Licu Polead Alvarez, who bas held the mountain fost ot the west against the whole power of Santa Apna. Recently, a semblance of a popular election, conducted with the customary fraud and violence, has consolidated the rule of that despot, whore throne will shortiy be consolidated by the remaining three millions to be given him by Mr. Pierce, Central and South America have been quieter than usual. Ware Tege of course, from the Pacifig to the Atlau- tic, and from Buenos Ayres ‘0 ‘ue Mexican border}; but in general the constituted au- thorities have been successful, sud uo revolu- tion is immediately apprehended. Such is a hasty outline of the leading events Conpition or THE NEWSPAPERS IN THIS Country.—-During the past year the journais of the United States, both city and country, have suffered # greater depression in their basi- ness affairs than was ever experienced in any preceding twelvemonth. Hard times bas lain his withering fingers upon them, as well as upon nearly every other branch of business, and its efiects may be seen ia the sickly exist- ence that attaches itself to a large number of what have been previously considered well pay- ing and profitable papers. The year 1854 will date the demise of many an influential journal in this country, whose proprietors had Jabored under their burdens and struggled almost against hope to sustain their enterprises, but were ultimately weighed down by overpowering exigencies until their capital, their ambition, and their fondest hopes sunk into one common grave, Others have been forced to curtail their dimensions, thereby materially reducing their expenses, and con- tributing to eke out an existence fraught with financial difficulties, and encompassed with ail the other troubles incident to a revulsion in trade and a general tightness in monetary affairs. Nearly all have been compelled to lessen their expenses in some way—the greater portion by redacing the number of men in their employ, and using larger type in their news departments, Two great eauses of the suffering among newspapers has been the high price of paper and the great falling off in advertising patron- age, the latter of which is as essential to the prosperity of newspaper establishment as food is to man’s existence ; and when the re- ceipts from this source begin to diminish, and the expenses of paper increase, two vital stabs are made, and the life of the journal is in dan- ger. Then comes the struggle under difficul- ties, as has been the case during the year just closed; and if the signs of the times indicate aright, will continue so to be for some time to come. The end is not yet, and we shail be prepared soon to see more of our cotempora- riee, even some of great preteusions ia this city, passing into that uudetined bourne, never to return. Amid all this wreck, all these difficulties, these suspensions, reductions and curtailments, the HERALD has moved on, and will coutinue to move, in the even tenor of its way, supported by an enlightened public and patronised for its usefulness. CrnanaL Sratistics ror 1854—We lately published an annual list of the criminal statis- tics of the year 1854, from which it appears that the number of arraignmants bofero +1 Conrts ut General and Special Sessions has been less than those of the year previous, In the Court of General Sessions, during the year 1858, 835 persons were convicted of felonies aud mirdemeanors, while during the year 1854 | there were onlyf 544 convictions. So in the | Court of Special Sessions there were 5,149 | convictions in 1853, while in 1854 there were only 4,878 With euch a mixed population as ours it i somewhat curious to ootice the diferent specles of crime to which different nationalities are ad- dicted. We heard a learned judge of great ex- perience im the criminal courts of New York once remark tiet nearly all the murders, riots, aod Violent assaults were commitied oy [rish men; daring burgtaries and highway robberies by Englishmen; petty thefts and larcenies by | Germans; and adroit forgeries, obtaining goods under false pretences, and similar offences by Americuus, From our own observation we are enabied to endorse this statement as being perfectly cor- rect. But the proportion of native bora orimi- nals is trifling compared with those of foreign birth. We venture to say, without fear of con- tradiction, that withia the limita of the New York, there are five ‘imesg.as many frish- men convicted as native Americans. During | the past year there were upwards of one hun- dred and fifty convictions for crimes of a vio- jent natare, instigated by revenge or by wanton brutality, and often committed under the in- | ! i fluence of strong drink. These are mosily, it uot witogether, attributable to the [rish vag \ish criminals are ecarce in aamber, but wich | ws they are they have rendered themselves suf- | ficiently notorious by daring rovberies and bur- giaries, They are composed chiefly of mea who | first earned an unenviable repatation in their | own country, and, being hunted down by the police, escaped to continue their depredations here notil they are brought to trial and con demned io the State prison. Germans tignre largely in the lisé as pervetrators of potty jarcenies, receivers of stolen goods, aad aot unfrequeatly os parties to assault and batiery. On the other hand, where some grand scheme is set on foot for obtaining money, and inzeai- ous frauds are practised on the public, au American, with rare exceptions, is sure to be the head acd front of the offence. -\n examination of these criminal statistics gives us another reason to rejoice at the rise and progress of the present native Amer van perty. By no principle of justice can we be expected to receive amons: us the offscou of the Uuropean popuistioa. This kiad o! im migration during the past few years has inulti- plied vice in all oar large cities, bas filled our prisous, and has been the cause of lewiing many of our young men from the path of virtae. It has obliged us to iacrease our po- lice force, which is still too feeble aud too bwily Inenaged to protect life and property. But we trast that through the influence of Know No. thingism, this vice, now on the decline, will be checked, and European governmenta wili be taught that this country is not to be regarded hy them as a receptacle for their cast-olf eon- victs. } ae ge} Financia axp Comwexcian Review vor rae Yrar.—The money article in this-day’s paper contains tablesshowing the foreign trade of the port for the year, quotations for the leading speculative stocks in this market at the close of each month, and the returns of the banks for each week of the year jost closed. These tables sre valuable and interesting, as they show ata clance the movements in the leading depart- ments of tinance aod commer Tt bas been a most disastroas year, perticulariy the latter portion of it. e Jone last we have passed through the severest ordeal we have ever en We have been visited with whole chepter of secidents and disasters Everything calculated to dishearten and de- stroy has come wlopg ia quick succession, but countered the | en the other hand ihe destitution of | of bushels cover cur loss | alone, uccordimg to the estimates of an average the community have borne up under the fre- | principles of economy, prudence, and withal, of quent calamities bravely, aud the belief is now daily gaining ground that the worst is over. It is estimated that more than three hundred million of property bas been destroyed during the last year by the numerous di alluded to. The actual annihilation of property by fire and flood exceeds anything ever before known in the same length of time. By the drought the injury is beyond calculation. Two bundred million is in our opinion » small estimate. The depreci- ation of property in market valae by the va- tions frauds aod defalcations which have from time to time been developed amounts to scores of millions of dollars, A carefal examivation ofthe monthly quotations for stock securities will show an enormous amount of losses ir that class of investments. Fifty million woo! be @ saie figure to put down for the decline in the value of stocks. It will, therefore, be seen that oar estimate of three hundred million is not extravagant, Individual losses have been immense, and many have been obliged to aus- pend payment; but the community at largecan bear up even under the enormous burden put upon them. All have suffered more or less; bat we do not look for wide spread bankruptcy. The financial and commercial systems of the country are sound ut the core, and as soon as the diseased part has been removed the whole will came out sound and healthy. It is always darkest jast before day. One more season of good crops, with strict economy in the meau- time, will give 4 new start to every interest, and put us all on our feet again. The Year 1854—1ts Drawbacks and Calami- tes=Dark Side of the Picture. The whole civilized world will doubtless ex- perience # sevsation of relief that the year 1854 is ended—that the book is cloeed—that its melancholy chapter of accidents, drawbacks, and of general and local calamities, is among the things of the past—that we are done with it, and that with this day open 4 new calendar, gloomy enongh under the surroanding circum- stances, yet full of promises and expectations of better things. Better times may be before us, of more merciful dispensations to mankind, of more genial seasons and more auspicious harvests, With anticipations such as these, we may recur to the dark side of the picture of the old year, and turn it back again to the wall, and pass on with a spirit of hope into the future. Seldom, indeed, within our recollection has there been @ year so darkly overshadowed by general calamities, national misfortunes, and local dieasters and sulferings as the eventful and gloomy year which bas just expired. The great financial and commercial revulsion of 1837 did not bring to us, with all its train of bankruptcies, explosions aud gene- ral ruin, so much of positive suiferiag to the working classes of our great cities as the combined causes which bave brought about the axisting lamentable financial and commercial depracsaion. The year 1847, of the Irish famine and the Mexican war, with ail its evils elsewhere, was to us a year of un- exampied prosperity; for while upon the one hand our armies marched triumphantly into the Mexican capital, and dictated a peace and the cession of a goldenempire to the United States; freland was stayed by ibe voluntary contributions of our people from their superabuadaace of bread. There are no suchredeeming contrasts in the record of 1854, between our fortunes aud those of other natious. 1 the cholera has decimated the Russian and allied armies of the East; if it has spread ter- ror and desolation along the shores of the Me- diterranean ; if it has fearfully added to the | bitter cup of misery of unhappy Mexico, it bas not left us exempt trom its ravages, as the ce- meteries from Long Island to the western shores of the Missiesippi will abundantly tell. If the vioeyards of Madeira and i'rance have been blighted ; if “the isles of Greece” and the fertile fields of the Holy Land have been wast- ed by drought, we, too, have shared, and are | now realizing, the disastrous consequences of # suspension of our usual summer and autum- nai rains. Thousands and tens of thousands of cultivated scret have failed to yield a tithe of their expected returns—and vast districts of valuable forests and tieids, rendered inflamma- ble by the continuous sammer heats, have been coneamed by fire. Would two buadred millions in indiana coru crop, in the gveat corn growiag States, from Virginia to Missouri? We know not; but, ia connection with the vas accessions to our po- pulation from Europe, we fecl the pressure in the existing famine prices for breadstuifs aad provisions. All the country over there may be nearly an average crop, 43 eompared with other years, from the larger quantities of iaad cultiveted; but there is uo large excess for our increased population, while Iodiau corn, as | ao article of export, commands a price which is steadily diminishing our supplies, It earthquakes have prostrated cities, and if jocuste have laid waste whole provinces ap- propriated to man’s subsistence in Central America aud Mexico, jires, ators and inua- dations have been scarcely lese destructive to us, The bountifa) rice crops of South Carolina and G corgi, harvested, and ready for the thresh- er, were toa great extent destroyed ia a single | equiuoctial, If the fleets and transports of the sities have been pertialiy swallowed up by the tempestuous Kuxine, oar commercial marine steamers and sailing craft, from the banks of Newfoundland t the Mexican rail, has suiTered almost in the same proportion, And if oar Northern border States have been paralyzed by the cholera in their business operations, the States of the extreme South lave suffered even more deeply from the yellow fever. Again—if the Russiaa war has deranged the financial and commersial a‘fairs of Western Eu- rope, we fee! the disturbance through every vein and artery of our vast commercial and financial exchanges, superadded to the confa- sion, distrnst and distress created by Schuyler frands, bank explosions and commercial ant manufa@uriog failures, Neutral, in a military rense, We area party to the European war with Ruseia and the allies, in ite derangements and suspenrions of the business interests and enter- prises of peace. We are in the position of an innocent sufferer from the wranglings and quar- rels of bis neighbors, and hence we have coun seled the right and the duty of our government to interpose with the European belligerents iu bebalf of @ pacitication But the long, wasting and disastrous year has ended; its chapter of accidents and calami ties are among the things of the past, though we fear that the worst of our experience of the consequences has yet to come. We are admon shed of the necessity of practising the saying | | | did not come. 8 liberal and wisely directed system of public and private cherities. The unemployed and the destitute must be relieved through the win- ter. There should be no famine in our midst, while we are exporting breadstuffs and provi- sions abroad. Meantime, while short crops with us, on the one hand, and the blockade ot Russia on the other, have cut off the main supplies of the rest of the world for grain, flour, beef and pork, to meet their local deficiencies, what is our mani- fest policy in an agricultural view? Plainly that our farmers, with the return of spring, should appropriate as much land as possible to wheat and corn. They will thus open their fields of inviting labor to thousands of unem- ployed, but willing and able workingmen. In his view our farmers might do much even now to diminish the number of willing hands with nothing todo. Peace or continued war, good prices for breadstuils aud provisions may be re- lied upon, however large our crops of the pre- sent year. Let our farmers act accordingly. There may be an abatement of the evils of the existing depression with the return of spring; but there can be no established and general re- lief to our commerce or our manufactures short of abundant crops of breadstaffs and “provisions for the year 1855. In view of this achievement we wish our farmers and the whole American people a Happy New Year. Tae New York TukaTREs—Bvsiness FOR THE Past Year—Foururg Prospecrs.—As we have eight regalar theatres in this city, wit oc casional sprinkling of opera and conce@) thousands of persons are directly or indirectly supported by these establishments, and as they receive and disburse not less than fifty thou- raud dollars per month—it seems proper that they should be thought of in making up the ac- counts for the year. On New Year’s day, 1854, we had seven theatres and three concert rooms open, vis,--—. The Broadway, Burton’s, Wallack’s, Nitlo’@” the Bowery, the Chatham, and the Museum, The season up to that time had been a brilliant one, and aj) the mauagers had handsome bal- ances on the right side of their cash books. At the Broadway two spectacles had proved very successful, and the theatre closed on the 9th July atter a profitable season. It was again opened on the 21st of August, and since that time the nights have been occupied by stars—Mr. Forrest, Miss Davenport, Mr. Da- vepport, and others, The Pyne and Harrison English opera troupe has played two very suc- cessful engagements. Burton’s theatre, after a season which had been signalized by the production of two Shaksperean comedies, the “Tempest,” and “A Mideammer Night’s Dream,” closed on the 20th May, and was re-opened on the 4th Sep- tember, since which time the business has been eWvatlack’s theatre closed on the 19th June aud opened on the 7th September. The mana- ger has played an engagement of thirty or forty nights this season, tv the great delight of hie admirers, old and yousg. We have had two opera eeasons this year. Mr. Maretzek arrived from Europe aad opened at Castle Garden on the 30th of June, with an Italian company, selected abroad. The season wae not & profitable one, and it was closed on the 2lat of August. The second was the Grisi and Mario season, which commenced at Castle Garden on the 4th of September, was continued at the new Academy of Music, and has just ended. The history of Italian opera here, this year, is history of tailares, Jullien gave hie last concert at Castle Garden on the Sd ot Jane, and seon after sailed for Europe. Madame Anna Thillon commenced her farewell engagement at Niblo’s on the 5th July, and a few weeks afterwards returned to Europe. The Ravels were at Niblo’s through- out the summer, and were as successful as ususl. On the 13th July Mr. E. P. Christy closed his ball, 472 Broadway, where he had given negro concerts for thirteen years, and netted over one hundred and fifty thousand doliars. The National theatre closed on the 9th of July, and opened on the 2ist of August. But “Uncle Tom’s Cabin’, hed killed off this theatre, and the basi_ nets was ruinous throughout the season. Mr, Paordy has retired from the management. The Bowery theatre was not elosed during the sea- eon. A new aad very neat theatre bas lately been built in the Bowery, aear Bayard street, and opened for German plays. It is called the Stadt theatre, and is well patronized. On the 18th of September, the new Metro- politan theatre, oue of the fiacet buildings of the kind in the world, was opened. The season fat thie, as well as at all the other theatres, com- meneed well enough, but there bas been an alarming ‘ailing off lately. For the past three or four weeks, (anless on some first night of a ew piece,) the audiences have been thia, cold, and unsympathetic. This state of things bas not been brought about all at once. The thea- tres on the esst side of the city are chiefly mayported by mechanics, aud they began to sailer two months ago. Extra attraction was brought in—the “glories of the am- phitheatre were added to the atiractions of the regulac drams Females made wonderful as- cents oa tight ropes—splendid spectacles were produced, aod every effort was made to iuduce the people to come to the theatre. But they Those who had no work could not, and those who were still employed were raving every cent for the storm which they faw gathering. The up-town people—the higher classes, or the codfish aristocracy—were the next to de- sert their amusements. They have for years been talking about grand opera, in @ grand opera louse, and by great artists. This sea von they got it all, and it was a failare—the ttockbolders involved aad penitent—the stock 0 fur below par as to be almost invisible—the artisis disgusted—-the manager indignant. The five theatres on or near Broadway have not been so well patronized as usual. The English opera bas saved the Broadway theatre, while another company, which did not “hit” the public in the right place, has had @ dis. astrous seazon at Niblo’s. Messrs. Burton and Wallack have made the most vigorous efforts to please the people—they are the best mana gers in the world—and we presame that they have thus far paid their expenses and have something over. This is a great triumph over the “ star’ system, as these managers rely solely upon their stock companies. Wheo the other theatres came down to stock business the actors were pretty nearly as strong in nambers as the audience, as has been apparent on several occasions during the past week. We spprehend that business at the theatres will oot improve until the spring trade com_ merces, and the Seuthern and Western mer-? chants throng our city ry our goods and participate in metropoli loxuries. The managers in the meantime must make more vigorous attewpts to win public favor than ever. The manser who is afraid to spend » few dollars on any department of the stage cannot expect to be successful in the present enlightened age. Pouitics anp Po.kas.—OLp TaMMany I A Braze.—We have received the annexed circular inviting us to join ia the festivities of the chiefs, warriors and braves of Old Tammany, on the 8th instant :— FOUNDED IN 1789, “CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, THE GLORY OF MAN,’? ‘(THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESKRVED.’? SOCIETY OF TaMMANY, OR COLUMBIAN ORDER, TAMMANY HALL, New York, Dec. 21, 1854, Ean The. penart of your gmt is requested at Tammany Hall, on ihe evening of Moaday, the eighth of January next, to cclevrate tae fort.eth anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. From the organizstion of Tammany Society, it has commemuvrated by euitaole festivities the great. events of our history, au7 sought to maintain those sentiments of patriotism which constitute the safeguards of the republic and the efficient guarantees of its perpetuity. Among those events the victory of New Orleans stands conspicuous, not only vecause it drove the invading force of Great Britain from our shores, but also from its intimate connection with the name of Andrew Jackson, whose fame now shiues with the united lustre of soldier, statesman und sage. : On such an occasion, it is most fit that the distinguished advocates of the political principles of which he was the champion, should renew in ‘fammany Hall the i. sion of their attachment to the great national creed, of which his life was the unvarying exponent, There will be nothing local or sectional in our festivi- ties. We shall seek to maintain the ancient character of Tammany, in devotion to the Union of the States and their several rights , to the enforcement of all Consti-+ tution obligations; to the honor of our , and the one of Democratic Principles from all corrupte juences. in this spirit, and with » sincere extension of the right band of fellowship, we ask you to meet with us at old Wigwam. Very truly yours, &e. ‘BACHRMS. Daniel F. Delavan, ‘Abraham K. Pattison, George 8. Meseerve, V. Fowler, Thomas Dunlap, James Conner, Jacob M. Vreeland, Stephen H Feeks, Charles A. Denike, Henry Vi ter, Andre Froment, Stephen M. Drew. R. C. Montgomery, Casper C. Childs, Treasurer. J.B. Hetherington, Scribe Charles Mills, Sagamore. to the Council. R. D. Letter, Wiskinkie, George 8. Messerve, Father Stephen C, Buryea, Bec. of the yaneil.” ELIJAH F. PURDY, Grand Sachem. J.B, Hermminaton, Scribe. N. B.—It is requested that the amswer may be directed to Elijah F. Purdy, New York. The Custom House is expected to muster strong on this occasion, when the Union is to be further preserved by a few quadrilles, ag much champagne as the last month’s salaries can stand, a well directed attack on a supperin the coal hole, and a series of brilliant oratorie, cal efforts from the Collector, the Postmaster, the Surveyor, the Assistant Surveyor, the Naval officers, the Deputy Naval officer, and 4s many of the Clerks, Iuspectors, and so forth, as there is time for, Collector Redfield “ Father” Mevéerve will lead off the first dance, and it would “ add to the interest of the occae sion” if we could cee a nice little ineidental taliet by Sachem Purdy and Surveyor Coch- rape, representing them as they appeared “ holding the President in their arms.” Pro: menade all round. Tue Pouice Derartweyt.—In another part of to-days paper will be found a sketch of the present condition of the police department, and the expenses it incurs on the city, which will be increased this yeur nearly twenty per cent. That tbe police department, within the past two yeare, has improved in its effectiveness, we will admit, but there is plenty of room for ameliora- tion still. The divcipline and regulations are alone carried out iu Broadway and a few other public places, where the eyes of the people and authorities are siways upon the offenders. In other localities, however, they are yet very dilatory, when their aseistance in case of need should be rendered promptiy, Without prompt- ness of action, # police force is not worth a farthing. These flicials, in the different streets on both sides of Broadway, must be more brisk in their movements, It should not take them an boar or so to reach the scene of a difficulty or disturbance » few biocks off. We don’t sap- pose they can be abiquitary, but they might be at least twice as quick in their movements from one corner to another. Instead of lounging at grocery corners, reading a newspaper or chat ting on politics to:ome familiar acquaintances, they should be making as many circuits of their beats as possible within the time spporticned to them as duty hours, They sbould remember that they are not paid a hand. some salary for sanding, as it were, like statues on the corners of streets, when they should be traversing their beats and attending to their business properly. The rules, regulations an@ discipline of the Police Department are excele lent, if they could be only carried into effect. If the energy and effectiveness of the depart- ment would only increase every year in pro- Portion to the amount raised by tax for ita maintainance, why we would soon have a model police force, not even inferior to that of Lon- don or Paris; but such is not the case, we are sorry tosay. Iideed, we are behind all other great commercial cities ia this respect, and tor what reason we caonot imagiae, Oar police« Men are paid better—their work is not so la- borious or their discipline so severe, and yet withal they are for the most part as lazy a set of fellows as ever broke bread. The work of reform began within the past year mast be pro- vecuted with the otmost vigor and fearlesenesg, We hope the newly elected Police Commissions ers will at once devote a portion of; their time to the remedying of this long neglected evil. By doing +o they will receive the heartfelt congratulations of an ever indulgent public, who for so many years past have borne with the annoyance like martyrs. EEE THE LATEST NEW S&L BY MAGNETIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS, From Albany. THE MUSSAGE OF GOVERNOR @LARK, BTC., ETC. Anany, Dee. 31, 1854. ‘We have not been able to learn the decision of Gover, ner Clark relative to the transmission of his message to he New York papers in advance.of its delivery to the Legislature, The message is understood to be incom, plete as yet, but will probably be printed in season to despatch it east aod wost by the early trains’ on Tues. day morning, if not before. The State Prison Lospectors meet at Sing Sing, to-mor, row, and they will provably remove|thejagent, Lockwood, atonee, Among the candidates named for the office are Geo, M. Sayles and Christopher Batterman of this city, and Adrince of Otveg Pardon of Dr, Keale. PurLaoenriia, Dee. 31, 1854. The pardea of Dr. Beale has not been officially recefved, but bie friends i ly expect it to-morrow. Judges Black, Lewis and We of the Supreme Court, have given written opinions upon the case, styling the verdict ot the jury illegal ‘The Southern Mail, Baurimone, Dec. 31, 1854. By the arrival of the Southern mail as late as due we have received New Orleans papers of Saturday and Sunday, but they contain nothing of importance, The Glendon Lron Furnaces at Easton, Easton, Deo. Sl, 1864. The rumors in circulation of the failure of the @) \ \