BASS STRAIT, AUSTRALIA. FLASHING LIGHT ON CAPE SCHANCK. Official information has been received at this office, that a lighthouse is in course of erection on Cape Schanck, the southern extremity of the peninsula separating Port Phillip from Port Western, on the south coast of Australia. The light will be a fixed white light, varied by short eclipses, placed at an elevation of 328 feet above the sea, and should be visible in clear weather at a distance of 23 miles. The light will probably be exhibited early in the year 1859; of which due notice will be given. FIXED LIGHT ON WILSON PROMONTORY. Also, that a light will be established on Wilson Promontory, the southernmost point of the Australian continent, Bass Strait. This light will be fixed, white, placed at 324 feet above the level of the sea, and should be visible from a distance of about 20 miles in clear weather. It will probably be exhibited early in the year. 1859; of which due notice will be given. ROCK OFF CURTIS ISLAND. The English vessel Clarendon, on the 2d of December, 1857, whilst in a heavy sea off the coast of Curtis Island, Bass Strait, at half tide, struck on a sunken rock, from which the highest part of Curtis Island bore W. by S., and the inner Sugar Loaf rock, S. W. by S., distant 3 miles, No soundings were taken, but it is said that the rock was seen, and supposed to be about 15 yards in circumference, with 10 feet water over it. CAPE FRANKLAND ROCK, FLINDERS ISLAND. Captain Denham, of H. M. surveying vessel Herald, has reported that the rock hitherto placed in the Admiralty Charts at 2 miles to the westward of Cape Frankland, on the northwest side of Flinders Island, at the eastern entrance of Bass Strait, is found to be upwards of 4 miles in the same direction from the cape. The rock, which is awash at half tide, and shows 5 feet above low water, lies in latitude 39° 52′ 2′′ S., longitude 147° 41' 11" east of Greenwhich, with Cape Frankland, E. by N. easterly 4 miles, and the hill (513 feet) on the north part of Hummock Island, S. E. S., nearly 11 miles. It is about 10 yards in diameter, steep-to on the seaward side, but having a projection to the eastward for nearly one-third of a mile, with 5 and 6 fathoms over it, from the extremity of which the weed rises to within 2 fathoms of the surface. Sister Islands apparently open a sail's breadth of Flinders Island, bearing N. E., lead outside the rock; and Chappell Island mount, its breadth open of Hummock Island, S. E. by S., leads through the fairway between the rock and Cape Frankland. All bearings magnetic. Varation 10° E. in 1858. By order of the Lighthouse Board, THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary. WASHINGTON, May 22, 1858. FIXED LIGHTS IN KING GEORGE SOUND--AUSTRALIA, SOUTH COAST. Official information has been received at this office, that since the 1st of Jan., 1858, a light has been established on Breaksea Island, at the entrance of King George Sound, on the south coast of Western Australia. The light is a fixed white light, placed at an elevation of 384 feet above the sea at high water, illuminating all round the compass, and visible in clear weather from a distance of 25 miles seaward between Bald Head and Cape Vancouver, the foot of Mount Gardner, or the bearings E. by N. and S. W. W. The illuminating apparatus is dioptric, or by lenses, of the third order. The light-tower is of iron, rising from the center of the keeper's dwelling, and the whole 43 feet high. It stands on the summit of the island, 1,200 yards within its eastern extremity, in latitude 35° 4' 18" S.; longitude 118° 3' 20" east of Greenwhich. When approaching King George Sound from the westward, the mariner is cautioned that although the light may be occasionally seen, it does not become fairly open until bearing N. E. N.; and it should not be steered for until bearing N. N. E. E., when the vessel will be to the eastward of the Maude and Vancouver reefs. The light also will be hidden to a vessel passing north of Michaelmas Island. FIXED LIGHT AT PRINCESS ROYAL HARBOR. Also, that from the same date a harbor light has been exhibited from Point King, the northern bluff of the narrow entrance to Princess Royal Harbor, King George Sound. This light is fixed, white, 37 feet above high water, and should be visible in clear weather. through the approaches to the harbor, from a distance of 10 miles. The illuminating apparatus is of the fifth order. The lighthouse is a small wooden square tower, 17 feet high, with the keeper's dwelling attached, and presents the appearance of a cottage. It stands on the edge of the point, W. N. W. W., 7 miles from Breaksea Island lighthouse, and in latitude 35° 2' 35" S., longitude 117° 55′ 12′′ east of Greenwhich. All bearings are magnetic. Varation 5 west in 1858. By order of the Lighthouse Board, THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary, WASHINGTON, May 22, 1858. FIXED LIGHT WITH FLASHES ON CAPE BUSTO-ATLANTIC, COAST OF SPAIN. Official information has been received at this office, that the Minister of Marine at Madrid has given notice, that on and after the 1st of April, 1858, a light would be exhibited from a lighthouse on Cape Busto, Bay of Biscay, in the province of Oviedo, Asturias. The light is a fixed white light, varied by red flashes every 2 minutes, placed at an elevation of 311 English feet above the level of the sea, and should be visible in clear weather from a distance of 12 miles. The illuminating apparatus is dioptric, or by lenses, of the third order. The lighthouse consists of a rectangular building, with a decagon tower rising from the center, and the whole is colored white. It stands on the extreme point of the cape, in latitude 43° 36′ 10′′ N., longitude 6° 28′ 48′′ east of Greenwhich, according to the latest Spanish position given. SHOAL IN AROSA BAY. Also, that a shoal has been discovered off Barbafeita Point, on the island of Arosa, in Arosa Bay, Finisterre. The shoal, which is about 20 yards in diameter, with an irregular surface, and a least depth of 12 feet upon it at low water springs, lies with Barbafeita Point S. by E. easterly, 3 cables' lengths; Campelo Point E. by S., and the outermost point of Pedregosa Island, S. by W. It is steep-to on the outside, and there are 4 and 5 fathoms between it and Barbafeita Point. The bearings are magnetic. Variation 23° west in 1858. By order of the Lighthouse Board, WASHINGTON, May 22, 1858. THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary. FIXED RED LIGHT ON FORMICHE ISLET-MEDITERRANEAN, SICILY. Official information has been received at this office that the Sicilian governmens has given notice that on and after the 1st of March, 1858, a light will be exhibited from the northeast point of the tower on the larger of the two Formiche Islets, off Trapani, west coast of Sicily. The light will be a fixed red light, placed at an elevation of 85 feet above the sea, and should be visible in clear weather at a distance of 10 miles. The lighttower stands in latitude 38° 00' 46" N., longtude 12° 29′ 00′′ E. of Greenwich. By order of the Lighthouse Board, WASHINGTON CITY, March 3, 1858. THORNTON A. JENKINS, Secretary. JOURNAL OF INSURANCE. Premiums received in last financial Name of Company. Assets. year. MUTUAL MARINE INSURANCE COMPANIES IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. Premiums Losses Commiss❜ns, paid returned and adjusted prems, re in the last insurance year. & expenses. Premiums not marked off in previous year. Commer. New York " C. 978,408 769,679 1,038,526 Atlantic Mutuala $4,071,304 $3,682,583 $1,438,889 $3,942,812 $2,616,983 $522,111 719,256 760,127 215,012 749,224 *580,096 118,136 Mercantile " b. 931,150 297,074 822,099 865,955 372,608 108,333 1,113,136 1,090,477 262,782 95,005 53,662 Orient Mutual e. 1,144,793 Since our last synopsis of marine companies was published, the following named companies have gone into liquidation, viz. :-Atlas Mutual, Astor Mutual, Globe Mutual, and International Fire and Marine; and a new company has been established, namely, the Columbian, which commenced in 1857. a After receiving $1,700,000 of profits, the company pays off 50 per cent of certificates of 1856. Total profits for 15 years, $7,657,420, of which $5,464,190 paid off in cash. The dividends of 7 per cent per annum and 7 per cent, were payable in cash on February 5th, 1858. e This statement embraces only about three months of 1857; the time for closing the present year was extended to July 1st, and the scrip was recalled to be reduced 70 per cent. d Net earned premium was $24,828, which was reserved and no dividend made. e. Profit of the year was $161,215 24, being 234 per cent. f Net profits were $152,216 75. All the unredeemed scrip of 1851 paid in cash, and $78,219 added to reserved capital, which, thereby, exceeds $1,200,000. h Seven-and-a-half per cent on premium notes reserved as a fund to meet losses on same. Net profits were $158,740 19. This amount includes expenses. LONGEVITY OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS. The annexed statement, prepared by order of the Legislature of Massachusetts, may be serviceable to life insurance companies, as showing the mean average of life attained by individuals engaged in various employments :- Some curious statistics, in relation to life and its chances, were given in a paper that was some time since read by Dr. Barton, of New Orleans, before the American Medical Association. Among the results stated, were the following, showing the comparative mortality in eight of the cities of the New World :- The following relates to nine of the leading cities of the Old World :— The following curious table shows the ratio of deaths in 100,000 persons in Figures like the foregoing, says the Philadelphia Inquirer, are well calculated to induce one to pause and meditate. It will be seen that in five years the mortality rapidly diminishes; and at 10 the probability of life is 48 years. At 20, it is 40 years; at 30, 34 years; at 40, 27 years; and at 50, 20 years. It should be remembered, however, that much depends as well upon the mode of living, the temper, the character, and the occupation, as upon the location. This may be readily inferred by the comparative mortality in the cities above named, as well as by an examination of the chances of those who are engaged in the various trades, occupations, and employments into which the members of the human family are divided. A modern French philosopher has endeavored to prove that the life of man might, as a general rule, be extended to a hundred years. This, however, may be regarded as doubtful, although it is quite certain that with care, caution, and prudence, much might be accomplished in the way of longevity. POSTAL DEPARTMENT. BRITISH POST-OFFICE-MAILS FOR LIBERIA. In our notice in April, 1858, (vol. xxxviii., page 495,) of the postal convention between Great Britain and the Republic of Liberia, which went into effect April 1st, 1858, we summarily stated the rates of postage from the United States and Great Britain to Liberia. We now publish the details of the official notice, not because of their own intrinsic importance to the commercial world, but since they exhibit and illustrate the general regulations and comparatively low rates of British ocean postage to distant countries. The following rates are substituted for those previously levied :— Letters not exceeding oz., 6d. ; above oz. and not exceeding 1 oz., 1s. ; above 1 oz. and not exceeding 2 ozs., 2s.; above 2 ozs. and not exceeding 3 ozs., 3s., and so on, adding two rates for each additional ounce or fraction of an ounce. The postage must in all cases be prepaid. Letters addressed to Liberia may be registered, provided the postage, together with a registration fee of 6d., be paid in advance. Newspapers addressed to Liberia, and posted in conformity with the usual regulations, will be chargeable with a postage of 1d. each, which must be paid in advance, and no charge whatever will be made on the delivery of the newspapers in Liberia. Book packets may be forwarded to Liberia at the following reduced rates of postage, which must be prepaid, and no further charge will be levied in Liberia :-For a book packet not exceeding 4 ozs., 3d.; above 4 ozs. and not exceeding pound. 6d. ; above pound and not exceeding 1 pound, 1s.; above 1 pound and not exceeding 1 pound, 1s. 6.; above 1 pound and not exceeding 2 pounds. 2s., and so on, adding 6d. for every additional pound or fraction of a pound. A book packet may contain any number of separate books or other publications, prints, or maps, and any quantity of paper, parchment, or vellum; and the books or other publications, prints, maps, etc., may be either printed, written, or plain, or any mixture of the three. Further, all legitimate binding, mounting, or covering of a book, publication, etc., or of a portion thereof, will be allowed, whether such binding, etc., be loose or attached; as also rollers in the case of prints or maps, markers (whether of paper or otherwise) in the case of books; and, in short, whatever is necessary for the safe transmission of literary or artistic matter, or usually appertains thereto; but no patterns or books of patterns (un |