The English mail arrived on the 8th inst., with papers to the 2tst October and telegrams to the 14th November. Nearly at the same time the Appin arrived from Tientsin, with Kiachta telegrams to the 15th idem. And we have since received three days later advices, vii Calcutta, by the coast steamer Venus. Negociations for an armistice have been broken off, in consequence, it is stated, of the Prussians refusing to allow Paris to provision, pending its duration. Active fighting is reported, in various directions; and the French seem tohave gained a considerable success at Orleans, which they have retaken. The bombardment of Paris is delayed, in the hope that it will be compelled to surrender from want of provisions. The bombardment Montmédy is imminent. Lyons has been placed ina thorough state of defence. Of the German army before Metz two corps hare marched Southwest, two Northwest, the remainder to Paris, The anticipation that some movement on the part of Russia was imminent, is justified. She proposes to abrogate the neutralization of the Black ca, insisted on by England and France ter the Crimean war, Prince Gortschakott's circular has naturally excited much sensation, and has called forth an identical protest from England, Austria, Italy and Turkey. The existence of a panic on the Stock Exchange may perhaps indicate the import. ance attached to this movement. Prince Amadeus of Italy has-been elected by the Cortes to the throne of Spain, by 192 against 120 votes.
In consequence of the reduction of the French mail service to a monthly steamer, we are without a mail to Europe this week. But a mail for America by the P. M. steamer Oregonian leaves to-morrow morning.
The most interesting event of the week has been the inauguration of a statue to Admiral Protet, Those who were living in Shanghai eight years ago, will remember well the circumstances of Admiral Prote! death, at the attack on the Taeping stockades at Najow. A subscription was opened here to erect a statue to his memory it is the completion of this design. w have now to record. An account of the ceremony, which took place on the 10th inst., will be found in another part of the paper. It was largely attended both by the general public and by the subscribers to the memorial, Detachments of the Volunteer Corps from both sides of the Yang-king-pang, of seamen from the French ship Coetlogon, and of the Franco-Chinese drilled troops, lent eclat to the proceedings.
A Grand Lodge of English Freemasons was held on the 7th instant, under the Presidency of the D. G. M. A report of such of the proceedings aware fitted for publica tion, will be found elsewhere.
A meeting of delegates fron the various Companies of the Shanghai Fire Department washeldon Wednesday, for the purpose of nominating Chief and District Engineers. The following yentlomen were put in nomination:—For Chief Engineer, Mr. C. P. Blethen; for District No. 1 (Hongkew), Mr. J. L. Hammond; No, 2 District, Messrs. W. E Stephenson, 0. Bullock, F. E. Gwyn, and R. Mackenzie; and for No. 3 District, Messrs. Soverians, Teillot and Fajard. Mx. John Thorne, who has for the past year been acting chief, declined to stand, preferring to resign the position back to Mr. Blethen, the former chief.
The Racket handicap has-been finished—Hyslop winning the A. and Cooper the B. sweep. A table of scores will be found elsewhere.
A tie between Capt. Can and Lieut. Annett, for the second prize attached to the Council's Challenge "Cup, which was held over from the late Rifle Competition, was shot off on Thursday, and resulted in favour of the former. Three shots were fired by each at 600 yards, besides a sighttial name was a' bye-word. We fus- of Thionville has commenced, and that of j ing shot, and the scores respectively wore:—
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.