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" Callie Deapatcne?. .PARIS, February 14.-Ministerial changes, conciliatory'of the liberal party, aro currently ru mored. FLORENCE, February 14.-Answer? ing Q Parliamentary question. Afona brea stated that the Goverumeut had despatched seven ships to tho river LaPlatte, but gave no particulars. IVuW* Items. WILMINGTON, February 13.-A dis? astrous fire is raging in this city. It originated at half-past S o'clock this morning, in Market street, in thc store occupied by Charles Guthman. Thus far tho following establish? ments have been destroyed: Charles Guthman, clothing; li. T. Waldron, dry goods; Dr. T. Bi Carr, dentist ; Drs. Avrington it Everett, dentists; lt. II. Munson, dry goods; A. W. Ronski, clothing; C. M. Vauersdell, photographer; the Wihuiugtou Poa/, newspaper; Allen ?fc Evans, grocers. One section of tho block is destroyed. It is thought that the fire is the work of an incendiary. At tho present moment it is impossible to estimate tho damage which has been done. The telegraph offico will probably be lost. GALVESTON, TEXAS, February 13. The Stormy Tartar, from Browns? ville, brings Mexicau news to the 8th. A revolution is forming in Puebla, ia the interest of Ortega. Daylight robberies and kidnapping for rausom are frequent. Gen. Diaz has re? signed. Tho telegraph lino between San Luis and Mutauioras has been commenced. Corona was sent from Guadalaxahara, on tho 22d, to pul down the revolution iu Siualon, Do mingo. Rubi Bendecard has beet proclaimed Governor of Mexico in stead of Escobedo. HAVANA, February 14.-Capo Hay tieu dates of the Kith state thai Cocas was within twenty miles o Capo naytien, and had captur?e thirty of Salnave's followers, iuclud ing a general-several of whom wert shot. Salnave's fall is regarded cer taiu. A British man-of-war has gout to tho Bay of Sanauia, to watel Federal proceedings there. CHARLESTON, February 14.-Ar rived-Steamers Key West and Vir ginin, Now York. Sailed-Stearne E. B. Sonder, New York. ROME, GA., February 14.-Ex Comptroller-General Burns was av rested to-day by order of Gen. Mead and is now confined in barracks, fo refusing to deliver up tho records o his office. The IlccoiiMtructlou Convciitlous. CHARLESTON, February 14.-In th Convention, the day waa spent in fin ther discussion of the new Constitn tiou. Nothing of special interest. RICHMOND, February 14.-Th Convention proceedings were unitr portant. Gen. Schofield has issued an ordc vacating all tobacco inspector office on the first of March, where tho occn pants cannot take the oath of office RALEIGH, February 14.-Convei tion engaged in discussion on bill c rights. Nothing done. TALLAHASSEE, February 14.-Th excitement .among the delegates ht beou intenso during tho past foti hours; there aro serious apprehei sions of a collision between tho Bi lings faction and the majority of tl p Convention. The civil authoritit and tho military aro protecting tl capitol from tho possibility of violet demonstration. The Bill of High was adopted, declaring tho equ rights of all mon, incorporatiii provisions of the Vermont and Mi souri Constitutions. Legislative, ji dicial and administrativo articles we adopted. The Bill of Bights deelar that tho State shall ever remain member of tho Union and tho poop a part of tho American nation. A ordinauco was passed to repeal ui equal taxation respecting the scho tax on freedmen. NEW ORLEANS, February 14.-Tl was the sixty-fourth day of tho sc siou. Tho Constitution will bo reat for action on Monday, together wi suggestions of tho Committeo t Amendmeuts proposed. Adjourn till Monday. A despatch from Galveston sa tho Convention hos undoubtedly be carried. ATLANTA, February 14.-Tho IC Section of tho report of tho Fri chise Committee was stricken oui wi wither negroes shall bo eligible oflico or not-and it is left to thc I gislature. < 'oui; i CM io nu I. WASHINGTON, February l-l.-In I House, Gen. Grant was directed furnish th? House his correspondci with Hancock. ? A resolution was offered, taxing Federal bonds 2 per cent. In tbe Senate, tho President was asked whether ho had created a now military department here, nnd under what law. Tho bill regarding filling vnnpn/?!n<j passed; lt prOTidca timi offices vacant by sickness or otber W?SB moy bo filled by the President for ten days; provided, that the ap? pointee's salary shall not bo in? creased. The Government is pushing its chums against Confederate agents abroad. Some $7,000,000 property has been attached in France. Tho claims nguinst Mr. McRea approxi? mate $12,000,000; he also soTfi twen? ty-six ships to various parties, pro? ceedings against whom aro about being instituted. The whiskey tax from 1803 to 1807 has averaged $27,000,000 per annum. An official proclamation was issued to-day, creating the new military division ot' the Atlantic, comprising the department of tho lakes East and Washington, commanded by General Sherman, with headquarters at Wash? ington. Thc President orders Grant to make no permanent assignment I for tho division of Missouri. Grant assigns Sheridan to temporary com maud of tho division of Missouri. Internal revenue receipts, to-day, $213,000. FINANCIAL. AND COMBIBUCIAli. NEW YORK, February l-l-Noon. Corn !*?@lc. lower. Pork heavy, nt 23. Lard heavy, at 14@14%. Cot? ton a shade lower, at 20','. Freights quiet. Gold 40'.,. Sterling 9% 7 P. M.-Cotton '.?..c. lower; sales 2,000 bales, at 20J?@20??. Flour less active and prices un? changed. Corn closed heavy-mixed Western 1.2C@1.28; Southern white 1.21(7?. 1.28. Oats HI "... Mess pork new 23;'?; old 22 '.. ' "Lard 14@142?. Freights dull-cotton sail %\ steam Gold excited during tho afternoon and reached ll1;), but closed ut 40,'oO'10 BALTIMORE, February 14.-Cotton dull and nominal, at 20'... Floor active-low grades city mills shipping extra 10.75@11. Corn lirni-prime white and yellow 1.20. Oats active, nt 78@80. CINCINNATI, February 14.-Flour steady. Coru 83(ff}85. Mesa pork 22',.* Shoulders 10',; clear sides 13'4. CHARLESTON. February l i.-Cotton declined ViC^'-'? sales 000 bales middling 19??@20; receipts 1,020. SAVANNAH, February 14.-Cotton dull and nominal; sales 1,509; re? ceipts 3,271-middling 19>4(ijU9*?. AUGUSTA, February 14.-Cotton market activo but easier; sales 1,140; receipts 700-middling 18J^@18%. NEW ORLEANS, February 13.-Cot? ton irregular-middlings 20'.?; sales 4,000 bales; receipts 3,400. " Sugar and molasses receipts very light prices firm and unchanged. Flour easier-superfiuo 10.50; treble extra 12.25; choice 14. Pork market near? ly bare-25.25. Bacon firm-shoul? ders ll,'J; clear 14'.j. Gold 40. NEW ORLEANS, February 14.-Cot? ton easier, at 19%-sales 2,700 bales; receipts G,487; sales of week 34,50.); receipts 33,181; stock 121,814. Gold 39|.i@40. Bacon scarce-shoulders ll'.,'; clear 14'..'. Mess pork 25'.{(Vf> 2SM. . MOWLE, February 14.-Sales of cotton 200 bnles-closed flat and no? minal, at 18)?@19; sales week 11,900; receipts 12,400; receipts to date 279,764; stock 70,830. LIVERPOOL, February 13-Even? ing.-Cotton advanced LIVERPOOL, February 14-3 P. M. Cotton quiet; sales of the week 114, 000 bales; for speculation 19,000; ex? ports 25,000; stock 288,000. The amount of stock for Liverpool is 240,000, including 140.000 American. LONDON, February 14-Evening. Consols 93'?. Bonds 72',,'. LIVERPOOL, February 14-Evening. Cotton closed firmer-uplands 8'..(? 8%; Orleans 8??@8%; sales 10,000 bales. Manchester advices unfavor? able. Ininranrc. Thu /Etna Lifo Insuranco Com? pany is, we believe, regarded ono of tho most reliablo in tho country. Tho following article with reference to it, is copied from tho American Exchange and Review : Tho .?Etna Life Insurance Com? pany, at tho oloso of tho year 1807, bad increased its assets to nearly $8,000,000, being about double the amount at tho close of IKttf. Dunn g tho year, between 15,000 and 10.0(H) policies were issued, and thc annual incomeadvanced to $5,000,000 against $8,500,000 for the pre vi o ns year. In view of the unparalleled competition encountered by the .?Etna during tho year, and the strenuous and per? sistent antagonism by which it was assailed,; tho past year's operations cannot be ranked among tho least of the company's annual triumphs! Tho great eminence attained by tho /Etua Life, and which it bids fair to hold, marks it out for special obser? vation, nud gives great importanco to every fact in relation to it. Its re I cord comprehends uo inconsiderable ! portion of our entiro American lifo insurance, and it illustrates in n strik? ing degreo all the salient points of tho system itself. Tho title "iEtna" seems destined to no second placo iu tho depart I ments of underwriting practised in the United States. Such title, asap I plied to tho company under consid? eration, was not the result simply of choice, as it is an outgrowth of the /Etna Fire Insurance Company, or, rather, has its corporate tit lo from the same parentage. In 1819, the Act incorporating the /Etna Insur? ance Company was passed by the Le? gislature of Connecticut, and ap? proved by Gov. Oliver Wolcott. The year following, a supplementary act was passed, authorizing the /Etna Insurance Company to transact lifo insurance and auuuity business upon the basis of what was called an an? nuity fuud of $150,000. This fund was to be paid in and iuvested in the same way as tho stock capital, but was to be exclusively held as a se? curity for the liabilities of the annuity fund department. There was yet, however, scarcely a field for the ope? ration of a life department. The low average wealth of the community as compared with tho present standard was perhaps its practice, and t hen were other obstacles not necessary tn mention here. Tho life branch wai accordingly kept in abeyance, ami the history of tho lifo business show that the directors were wise in hiding their time. They devoted their euer gies and abilities to the lire branch and tho great result is to-day o world-wide renown. The lifo department Was organized in 1850. This brauch of insulano had at the time about emerged finn its experimental stage in the Unitci States, and the basis was well laid to tho security and extension of tb .system, as it had become generali; understood that tho rules and thea ries pertaining to marine and fir insurance aro in no wise applicable ti whole life risks-that is, that th conditions of tho lifo contract relat to mathematical facts, and not t contingent disasters. Whatever dt grce of uncertainty might as yet however, attend lifo insurance open tious, were well considered by th managers of the /Etna. The severos actuarial critic iu the country at th time, who had investigated the prat tico of lifo insurance both in Oreii Britain and tho United States, thu defined the business of the office i its first year: "Low premiums and payment r policies guaranteed by a largo paie up capital and secured to the insurer The policy of this office is to requii a detiuite premium, subject to n futuro contingencies, and to pay 1 tho assured such fixed and ccrlai amount as the circumstances of tl party in his own judgment require. The phrase "low premiums" bei simply indicates that the yEtua uuitc in tho re-action against tho extrav gant rates originally charged. Whi Stato Legislatures were passing cha ters uniting the fire and lifo busine in ouo company, tho managers of tl /Etna concluded that tho risks on li should bo subjected to a separa supervision and control from tl risks on property, ns well as from ai conjoint hazard of tho funds. ? Act was, therefore, secured, changii tho naruo from /Etna lusuranco A unity Fund to the /Etna Life Inst ance Company, and providing for separato bonni of directors. The t\ departinouts so becamo two distill corporations, but the directories each bave always been partly co: posed of tho same gentlemen. Tho cash tables at reduced ra; adopted by tho /Etna Lifo at t start aro the non-participating tab! of the company, now in use. Coi punitively higher rates, with di (lends, (according to tho expertes of this office,) seem to be prefer? by the general public ?to lower rat' without dividends-people genera having an intuitive perception tl there is essentially a profit in t business, ami in this profit they wi to shara, lu September, 1861, tho compu adopted its tables of rates, givi dividends to its policy-holders, and introduced other improvements. This was the initiative of a remarkable pro? gress. Comparatively limited as were the operations of the /Etna Life in its earlier years, they were yet signifi? cant of tho fnt.nro It v:zc thc fr. vorito life office in more than ono locality. It won confidence by its dealings, and tho position it once at tai ned it never lost. In the year 1861, 589 policies were issued, and tho annual receipts were S78.533.67. Passing over the figures showing the wonderfnl growth of the company year by year, it is a sufficient illustra? tion of tho chango in position wrought by six years to state, that during the past year there were short periods of less than two weeks in which tho business was as great as it was in thc entire year of 1861. When it is considered that now the JEtuu concentrates in a single week tho cumulative results of a year not long since, tho present position of tho company would seem to have in it elements whoso financial value may bo pronounced incalculable. lt is, however, moro by tho charac? ter than by the extent of business, that the actual financial condition of a life company is to be determined, though it is a recognized axiom in insurance, that tho larger the busi? ness, the safer, other circumstances being equal; und it is worthy of no? tice, in the caso of this company, that it is to the "other circum? stances" that it takes especial pains to call the atteution of the public. Most prominent among its printed documents for general circulation are tho official figures, showing the rela? tive position of the various life com? panies in respect to the points re? garded by thc best authorities as settling the real financial structure. In the present eager and frequently censurable rivalry for business, pro? voking unseemly contests, the ma? nagers of the iEtua evidently regard such tabulated comparisons as their best and most sure weapon, and thc very preference for such, evidences great confidence on the part of the management in the soundness of thc institution, and a belief in its supe riority in many respects. These figures show that its vast new business has been worked up al a less per contage of cost than tin new business of any other company and at about two-thirds of tho ave rage or general cost of such business and Hint its risks havo been selected with care, is shown by the fact that i has a low ratio of claims to policies Its proportion of expenditure is si well kept down that it shows an ad vaneing ratio of assets to liabilities which bas already resulted in a ne surplus of about $1,500,000. Then is one noticeable circumstance which, though perhaps trilling ii itself, is not without moaning, in con nection with the monetary regula tion of tho office. At this early date we have not, of course, tho full sta tistics for 1807 at hand; but in turn iug to tho figures for previous years we observo the following growth, ii ratio of assets to liabilities, in tw< years, viz: December 31, 1805, ratii 118.00 per cent.; October 31, 18GG 120.97 per cent. ; December 81, 18GC 183.25 per cent. Such was ono c the conditions of an advance wilie1 placed the company first of all doiu business in New York, in regard t the matter of proportionate inereas of resources. The presidents and cashiers of th banking institutions of Hartford with tho officers of the iEtna Fir Insurance Company, in Novembei 1HG7, as in 1803, endorsed this corr puny as "reliable, responsible an honorable," and tho term honorabl applies to its interior arrangement n well as to its more public conduct It is homo testimony, borne by thoi well acquainted with the workings c tho institution. In its mode of op< ration, tho /Etna Life has doubtlet some peculiarities. It hus not carve out its great career by nubservienc ! to tho practices of other offices. . is a stock company issuing pelion upon the participating as well as uoi participating plan; but it is perlnq something moro than a stock con puny in the ordinary souse, and m degree is a co-operative assooiatioi lt aims to secure a careful superv sion of tho business by tho stool holders, as well us tho director through their pecuniary interest i the progress of tho company, apa from the mero earnings of tho stot capital. During tho eighteen yea which havo elapsed since the con mencement of business, tho stool holders have received less than 0 pi ! cent, per auuuui on their capitu j Tho expenses aro equitably borne I i the participating and non-participa t ing policios, tho accumulations Under ouch plan being kept distinct, and iu lieu of the stockholders receiving a per centage ou tho profits, ns is usual in most companies, they are paid what really amounts to a less sum. bciuy per eo->t. upon tho partici? pating premix.na received. This amounted in 18G6 to $40,500. This is considered as charging the partici? pating business with but its proper proportion of the cost of manage? ment; it is a puymeut for service, not a dividend, tho trustees and directors receiving no other. compensation. On tho general question of official expenses it is, however, suflicieut to say that the ?Etna does more for every dollar so expended than any other life office iu tho country. Tho far greater part of the. business of the compauy is, of course, dono on tho participating plan, and tho insured is given tho Option of nil cash or half-note premiums, wheu over 830. Practically, with the ?Etna, the policy holder's debits ou his pre? mium account are balanced by his credits through dividends-cash divi? dends, with nil cash premiums. Di? vidend of 1867, per fifty cent, com? puted upou tho entire premium. Tho loan against the policy result? ing from the credit allowed the iu sured equals but a small fraction of tho additional insurance Recured by it, while nt tho snme time the notes are continuously available for liqui? dating the company's obligations. A fair illustration of tho practical work? ings of the ?Etna's credit system was shown last year. Of the total losses paid, $342,306 30 were in cash, aud but 8l0,052.b0 in notes; and during thc same period, notes to the amount of $170,542.43 were liquidated by dividends, surrender of policies, See. Wo nppend to our issue this month a cut illustrating the new Philadel? phia ollico of the compauy. lu the new and handsome quarters, tho .Etna will have the needed accommo? dation for its rapidly enlarging opera? tions in the city of Philadelphia and vicinity. This branch, under tho chargo of O. II. Brush, Esq, now comprehends about one-tenth of tho company's business. Such is tho company's position in a city where life insurance has been longer prac? ticed than anywhere else on this con? tinent Among its 5,000 Philadel? phia policy holders are some of tho most eminent citizens of the State. Mr. Brush, who has been eleven years in tho service of tho company, took chargo of tho Philadelphia branch first in 1863. Then tho an? nual income of this branch was S10, 000; uow it is ?S500.000. Mr. Brush has proved his qualifications by his work. Wo shall take occasion to refer to the very capable management of other branch otlices. Wo think no right-minded person will dispute us when we say that tho ?Etna is one of tho most reliable and flourishing life insurance companies in tho world, and richly deserving of that generous patronago which tho people of this country everywhere are now giving it. Auction Sales United States Government Sale. BY D. C. PELX0TT0 & SON. WE will soil, on TUESDAY MORNING next, 18th inst., at 10 o'clock, in front of our Auction Storo, .1 Government HORSES. Conditions cash in United States cur? rency ._Feb 15 Foreclosure Mortgage and Sale Heal Estate. JACOB LEVIN, Auctioneer. UNDER power of attorney to mo bv deed given, by C. P. PELHAM, t? foreclose mortgage, and after twenty-one days public notice, to sell and convey cer? tain premises mortgaged by the said C. P. Pelham, to securo advances mado to him during tho year 18G7, and pursuant to tho t .-rms of said instrument, I will offer at public gale, at tho Court House, on tho FIRST MONDAY in March next, at the usual hours, tho following REAL ESTATE, in tho city of Columbia, to wit: POUR ACRES, more or loss, bciug a square, bounded by Gervais streut, on tho North; Winn street, on the East; Seuato street, on the South; barnwell streut, on tho West; affording eligible building sites. Terms: Ho much cash as will pay tho account due for advances, to wit: $1,198.02 and interest on said sum, at 10 per cont, lier annum, from November 15, 1867; and ezpenaos of ?ale. Italance on a credit of two years, with approved sureties. JOHN AGNEW, Attorney in fact of c. P. Pelham. Fobs_ J FOR SALE. _ AT Charles Logan's Stables, \P-? corner of Assembly and Senate .^JilTx-strects. a line lot of young Kon ll LES and HORSES, rub 12 f>* Administrator's Notice. ALL persons having claims against the (.-.tate of JOHN PANNING, deceased, will present them, properly attested; and all indebted will make immediate payment and savo costa. RICH I) FLAN IU AN, Dec H sl3 Administrator.