Summary Of News For December.

manufactures , and alluded to the intention of the French Government to provide a working man ' s exhibition—showing everything that can lead to the improvement of the moral and social condition of the industrious classes—in a separate department of the forthcoming exhibition to be opened in Paris in May , 1855 . Mr . Grace Calvert , of Manchester , has since delivered a most interesting lecture on the products derivable from coal , in which he showed that the refuse—formerly so considered—of gasworks , would produce the most valuable dyes , perfumes , and it was believed—medicines—yet known ; and that , too , at the most economical rates .

MISCELLANEOUS . At the half-yearly meeting of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company on the 6 th , a dividend of five per cent ., ancl a bonus of one pound per share , was declared for the past year . The position of the company appeared to give general satisfaction . A postal agreement has been entered into with France , by which letters will be conveyed between England and France at a uniform postage , payable in advance of

four pence each , providing such letters do not exceed a quarter of an ounce in weight . During the month Sir Joseph Paxton . has been returned to Parliament as member for Coventry , vice Mr . Geach , deceased ; LordEbrington for Marylebone , in the place of the late Lord Dudley Stuart ; Mr . Holford , of Westonbirt , for East Gloucestershire , in the room of the late Sir M . N . Beach ; Sir S . Bignold for Norwich , vice Mr . Peto , resigned in consequence of having taken a government contract ; and Sir R . Ferguson , who is serving with his regiment in the Crimea , for Ayr .

During the past month , several convictions have taken place under tho Smoke Consuming Act , and various penalties inflicted , but in the majority of cases , the payment of the fines was suspended , to give the parties time to comply with the Jaw . The following is the estimated loss at the great fire of Liverpool , and the respective amounts claimed from the under-mentioned offices : —Liverpool and London , 19 , 740 / . ; Royal , 15 , 035 / . ; Lancashire , 8270 / . ; North British , 6060 / . ; County , 5730 / . ; Guardian , 5260 / . ; Phoenix , 4105 / . ; Globe , 3950 / . ; Atlas , 3200 / . ; Sun , 2870 / . ; West of England , 2210 / . ; Scottish Union , 2150 / . ; Alliance , 2100 / . ; London ,

1820 / . ; Anchor , 1200 / . ; Yorkshire , 1200 / . ; Royal Exchange , 610 / . ; Manchester , 600 / . ; Imperial , 500 / . ; Norwich Union , 200 / . ; Norwich Equitable , 200 / . ; District , 125 / . ; North of England , 108 / . ; Leeds and Yorkshire , 90 / . ; total 87 , 333 / . Salvage estimated to realise from 10 to 15 per cent . From an official return just published by the Registrar General , it appears that iu the Months of April , May , and June there were 40 , 389 marriages in England , being an excess of 54 over the corresponding period of 1853 . The births registered

for July , August , and September were 154 , 735 , being 7 , 154 more than in the same period of last year . The deaths in the third quarter of the present year were 113 , 930 , being an excess of 21 , 607 over the corresponding period of last year . Taking the difference between the births and the deaths , it shows an increase in the population on the summer quarter of 40 , 796 , but in the same period 91 , 900 sailed as emigrants from the United Kingdom . It appears from a parliamentary return just printed , that in England and Wales ehere

are 480 savings banks' , having 1 , 068 , 994 accounts open , the total amount owing to depositors being £ 29 , 467 , 831 15 s . llrf . In Scotland , there are forty-five savings banks , with 116 , 113 accounts open , the amount invested being £ 1 , 837 , 103 lis . Sd ., and in Ireland there are fifty-one such banks , with 34 , 470 depositors , whose accounts amount to £ 1 , 587 , 448 lis . 6 d . There are two savings banks in the islands of the British Seas , having 12 , 953 accounts open , amounting to £ 335 , 009 IS * . 2 d . The total number of savings banks in the United Kingdom is 616 and the total amount

, which they owe to depositors , £ 33 , 227 , 394 4 s . 3 d ., distributed over 1 , 253 , 685 accounts . The Emperor of Austria has present 3 d through the Consul-general in L onion , a donation of 100 guineas to the Seaman ' s Hospital Society in consideration of the services rendered to Austrian Seamen .