MELBOURNE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) August 8.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2238, 22 September 1864, Page 5

MELBOURNE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) August 8.

Up to within tho last week tliere has literally not been anything to wnto about, aud such, a dull month has scarcely been known. Everybody has been anxiously expecting the mail, anticipating that with the last advices there was a probability of England being engaged in a war. But we have this month received our usual telegraphic siunraaiy of Emopean and American intelligence unusually eaily, and all doubts are now set at rest by the announcement that the Schleswi" - Holstein question is at an end, and that England has declined to .illow herself to be drawn into the quarrel. Tliere are now two prominent ques>tions» which absorb the attention of the people of Victoria— the forthcoming elections and the subject of transportation to Wehlern Australia.

H.M. b. 'Curagoa' has recently paid us a visit. Commodore Sir William Wiswiau courteously permitted the public to iuspect Ins fine ship, and some thousands of peisons availed themselves of the opportunity which presented. Sir William lcviewed the Volunteer Naval Brigade, and expicsscd his adnulation at their efficient state The Commodoio and his officers during their stay in this poit have been invited to several entertain nionti. Henceforth, we are to have an annual agricultural show in the colony similar to those held iii England, under the auspices of the Itoyal Agiicnltiual Society. At a meeting of the Bo.ud of Agriculture, a sum of £1,000 was devoted for the pin poses of the fii&t show, to be hold at tho close of the present year This fiction will no donbt tend to impiove the bleed of cattle and stock geneially, as piucs wotth competing for will bo ofteied On tho 22nd ultimo a dejeuner was 31 veil to Captain Gray, the commandei of the ' Gieat Britain 1 steamship, by many of his passengeis. Tho enteitainment passed off most successfully. Tho 'Gieat Biitain' has bi ought to this colony a gi eater number of persons than any other shi|> on the line Theie seems to be some chance now of bunging the New Zeal md wai to a close. Tt seems umleistooil that when the time for tho depaituro of the hoops ai rives the 14th Regiment .110 to be sent to Melbourne Fiom what 1 know of tho legunent, I think that they would be well leoeived heie, and that the officeis and men will have no cause foi giiimbling at the destination assigned to them. The Lytor Opera Company, after a successful season in Vietona, have depai ted foi Duuedin. I undeistmd that at the tei initiation of their engage ments in tho South, they will giadually woik thenway up wauls to AucUmd. The success which has attended them in all the Australian colonies will bo quite sufficient leeommendation. I only hope that they will do well in yoni city. At the two nval tlieaties of the Royal and Haymaiket, the managers are 1 mining each othei haid. Mi. Bairy Sullivan is not at all populai with the upper classes heie, and they bestow their patronage on the Haymaiket. Mr. Sullivan consequently cndeavoius to foiestall his opponents 111 playing all the pieces winch they announce. Lady Don still continues a gieat fa-\ourite with the play going public, and Miss Emma Neville (Mis. G. Lodei) is fast lining 111 the public estimation as a painstaking and clover actiess 111 the walks of comedy anil biulesque. Mis Geoige Case (Miss Giaco Egeitan) will make her tiist appeaiauce to monowat the Polytechnic. If it was known that taleut -was snppoited 111 Auckland, I think I might promise you some stai^>, foi I am sine 111 these dull tunes, with no active opeiations going on, Auckland must lequue something to enliven it There aie no vessels 011 the boith now loading for Auckland, aud nothing fuithei lias been said or done in lefeienco to the dnect steam communication. Flom is quoted at £22 to £22 10s , and -wheat at 9=. 9d. to 10s. SeAeial ai rivals of bieadstuffs dnect f 10m England have taken place. Tho ' Lightning' the othei day brought 4,000 bags wheat from London.