English News.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 135, 9 February 1877, Page 7

English News.

Germany does not intend to take part in the Paris Exhibition of 1878. Nearly £8000 has already been subscribed towards the Leeds Musical Festival of 1877. Henry Kingsley, the novelist, left his widow destitute, and a fund for her relief is being raised in London. The Mohammedans of Calcutta have appointed a committee to collect and send money to the Turkish Government. The son of Prince Milan, of Servia, has been named Alexander, at the request, it is said, of the Russian Emperor. Her Majesty bas conferred the honor of knighthood on Captain iNares for his services in connection with the Arctic Expedition. The choir of Salisbury Cathedral has been opened after being in process of ; restoration for fourteen years under Sir Gilbert Scott. Count Arnim, on the eve of his recent condemnation, sold to his son his last remaining great estate in Prussia foi 600,000 dollars. Tooth-and-mouth disease, which had nearly been stamped out from the herds of cattle in Surrey, has again broke out among- 1 dairy stock. A grandson of Sir Robert Peel, of England, lives at Springfield, Illinois, where he is an assistant in the oflice of the Secretary of State. The Glasgow Burns' Monument Com mittee resolved that Mr Ewing's statue of the poet should be unveiled on 25th January with becoming ceremony. Stringent measures are about to be adopeted by General Chanzy, Governor of Algeria, to check the incendiarism of forests, which is now very prevalent. it is stated that Chinese women are sold and bought every day in San Francisco, and that sales of these poor creatures take place on the arrival of every steamer. The Queen has appointed the Right Hon. George, Earl of Haddington, to be Lieutenant of tbe County in the room of George, Marquis of Tweeddale, deceased. The second European visit of fhe Slu-h of Persia will be made in 1878, ;.t which time he will attend the Paris Exposition, accompanied by his son, who is now about twenty-two. Mrs Jackson, a sister of Rev. Charles H. Spuvgeon, tbe popular English divine, has commenced preaching. She is very talented, and becoming almost as eloquent as her gifted brother. Lord Falmouth proposes that foreign horses shall not be allowed to run on English courses unless English horses are, permitted to contest all races in the country to which the hordes belong. The Times understands that Mr Gladstone is engaged on a translation of the Latin preface to the Welsh version of the Bible, published byBishop Morgan in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The Highlanders living in the Vale of Leven district entertained themselves to a feast at Balloon the other day. They dressed in Highland costume, and admitted nobody to the table who could not speak Gaelic. The Berlin Post ofthe 19th November, states tbat several gentlemen had arrived at St. Petersburg from the United States, and had applied for letters of marque to beeinployed against English shipping in the event of war. Sign or D. de Vivo, De Murska's firmer manager, has become the lessee and director of the New Orleans French Grand Opera-House, which he was to have opened on the 15th December with a grand Italian Opera Company. | Mr James Adam, advocate, has been elevated to the Bench as one of Lords of Session, in room of the late Lord Ardmillan. Mr J. H. A. M'Donald, advocate, has been appointed Solicitor General for Scotland, in room of' Mr Watson, now Lord Advocate. The Morning Advertiser, commenting upon the decision of the Board cf Inquiry of Melbourne into the collision between the Barrabool and the Queensland, says it is direcrly at variance with all the Courts of Inquiry in the United Kingdom in the case of similar occurrence.

The foundation for the erection of a statue to the late Sir Robert Peel is now in active course of preparation in Parliament-square, Westminister. Some years ago a statue ofthe late statesman was erected in Old Palace-yard, designed by Baron Marochetti, but it was universally condemned and ultimately destroyed.

Mr Marwood Tucker is succeeding in life pretty ranidly. Frst an outside writer for the Press, then editor of the Globe, next a rising barrister on the Western Circuit, next, son-in-law to the great Mr Batavian Grace, nnd now attache to the embassy which his noble uncle-in -law has undertaken to pilot about the diplomatic shoals at Constantinople. Who can see the Book of Fate ? Mr Tucker may yet become a governor-general. — Atlas, in the World. A. large number of families havebeen rendered homeless by the recent floods in tbe north of Scotland. Her Majesty

has written expressing sympathy with the sufferers and offering £35, provided a public subscription is opened in their behalf. 'J he magistrates of Aberdeen instructed the town clerk, to thank the Queen for her offer, and to say that a public subscription will not be required, as the local .relief will hd sufficient for the occasion.

The Emigration Commissioners in England have thought ie necessary to issue another notice warning intending emigrants from going to Brazil. Accounts received quite recently show that some persons are still deluded to go there, and that they are in a lamentable condition. A statement made by one of these unfortunates to the British Minister at Rio, which the latter authenticates, gives unmistakable proof ofthe manner in which the emigrants have been deceived.

In the Court of Session, Edinburgh, Lord-Ordinary Rutherford-Clark has

given decision in the case of Alexander James Russell, C.S., a{:a'nst Mr Wm. Macdonald, of Kinloch Moidart, Inver-ness-shire. By the will of LieutenantGeneral James Robertson, Mr Macdonald succeeded to an estate on condition of his taking the name of Robertson. Latterly he has ceased to use this name, and Mr Russell, as next heir, sued for the estate on the ground that Mr Macdonald had forfeited his right, and the Lord- Ordinary has decided that this is the case, and the right to the estate now devolves on Mr Russell.

Mr Alexander Robertson, formerly of Dundonnachie, has received a letter from the Secretary of the Lord Chancellor, stating that his lordship has considered Mr Robertson's complaint and petition against the Duke of Athole, and that the charges which Mr Robertson had made against His Grace are such as should come before a court of law. Mr George' Anderson, M.P., has promised that if the people of Perthshire wish the matter brought before Parliament, he may undertake to do so, seeing it is not likely to be done by thei. c iinty member.

The Lorn 1 Vnvor of London, being anxious to :>ive expression to the universal feeling of congratulation upon the safe re'nru of .he member.-? of the Arctic Expedition after their long and hazardous enterprise, is about to invite the wAilp ofthe cews of Frier Majesty's ships Alert and Discovery to dine with him at th" Mansion ]luu>e. llislord-sh-'p lias also since enlertained Captain Nares and Suplmnson and the other oficer-s of thr* ves-nls nt a banquet at the Mansion Hou=e, at which a large and distinguished company were invited to mnet them.

We read in the World that a visit which The Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lome were to have paid to Prince Leopold, and for which, as well as for the reception ot a party of distinguished guests, Boyton House bad been undergoing a general furbishing up, has had to be indefinitely postponed in consequence ofthe serious illness of His Royal Highness. The young prince, in addition, of course, to the superintendence of his medical adviser, is directly under the care of his former tutor and subsequent governor, Mr R. H. Collins, whom His Royal Highness has always treated as a personal friend, and to whom he is much attached. It is believed, therefore, that the royal invalid will remain at his Wiltshire residence, at least for the present.

An interesting- social fact has been elicited and proved to demonstration by the United Kingdom Temperance and General Pro ident Institutions. The society is an ingenious one, with nearly two million assets. The institution keeps distinct accounts of its operations with temperance and those with tbe general run of assurers. The quinquennial claims for the period ending in 1875 (inclusive) were as follows : — MORTALITY 1871-75. Expected Actual No. Amount, No, An ounfc. Temperance - 723 - £139,819 - 511 - £97.773 General - 1296 - 267,450 - 1330 - 245,092 It thus appears that whilst the temperance deaths were 30 per cent, below expectation, tbe general deaths were 5 per cent, above expectation. This is a strong argument for the abstainers.

The Navy says : — We have every reason to believe that Russia, if war should break out, will find matters conducted in a very different manner to that of 1854. At that time a distinguished Indian officer suggested, nay urged, the necessity of a flank move from India on the Asiatic possessions of Russia. He was not even listened to. This excellent advice, however, appears to be fully appreciated now, for we hear on good authority that Mr Gathorne Hardy is fully impressed with the wisdom of such a proceeding, and in consequence, any number of eager, practical volunteers speaking the language and knowing the country, are ready at the shortest notice to make such a diversion on the Ilussian very extended lines of communication as wiil really make the " Bear " dance such a dance ns has never entered into his imagination.

An amusing* story is told in the Highlands of the Queen's first visit to Crathie Church, near Balmoral. A fine large dog belonging to the clergyman followed him up the pulpit steps, and lay down against the door during the sermon as " still as a stoneA* The next day Sir George Grey, who was then on attendance on Her Majesty, met the clergyman, and remonstrated with him forHdlowing his dog to be on the pulpit steps, feeling assured that it

would annoy the Queen. The clergyman at once politely promised that his pet should be kept " out of church " next Sunday. During the following week the clergyman was honoured with an invitation to dinner- with the royal

family. After dinner, in conversation, the Queen inquired why the dog was not on the pulpit steps as before. " Please your Majesty, I kept my dog at home last Sunday, as Sir George thought it would annoy your Majesty/ was the reply. " Oh, no," replied the Queen ; " let him come as usual. I wish that everybody behaved at church as well as your noble dog !" The question of what course England will take if Russia and Turkey go to war is often discussed. The Financier, a London j-ournal of some authority, writes on the subject as follows : " We can state with 'every confidence the course the British Cabinet has resolved upon it Russia invades Turkey. In such case a British army corps will occupy Constantfnople and defend it against all attacks. It is calculated that not more than 25,000 troops are needed, and British engineer officers are already making surveys for a thorough defence of the Turkish capital." The Financier adds : v England's object is not to participate in war between Turkey and Russia^ who may fight out their own quarrel whether in Asia or Europe, but to protect Constantinople and the Dardanelles from seizure by Russia. England would simply hold Constantinople in pledge temporarily on behalf of other Powers and the world at large, and as soon as a neutral state was formed on the Bosphorus, or such other arrangements effected as Europe may ultimately determine upon for the wardenship of the Dardenelles, England would willingly withdraw." A good deal of unfavourable comment has been indulged in of late in reference to acts of nepotism committed by Dr Jackson, the Bishop of London. That dignitary has lately appointed his three sons-in-law, who are all quite young men, to important and lucrative charges in his diocese, which have hitherto been regarded as the reward of long and faithful service, accompanied by talent. Each case has been worse than the preceding one, and an attempt to explain away the matter by stating that the appointments were made by the Bishop at the request of the churchwardens after he had failed to c,-pt moderate men of standing to accept' them, has met with the incredulity and ridicule it deserved. The fact is. the Bishop has eleven marriageable daughters, three of whom are now comfortably disposed of, and bachelors in orders are boa-inning to bethink them of killing two birds with one stone by marrying the other eight; and thereby securing professional advancement as well. Dr Jackson is an excellent man, hue be has two little faults which have gained him much unpopularity— he sees nothing but harm in Dissent-as, and nothing but excellence and talent in his daughters' husbands.

The World says that ns more than one preposterous paragraph, professing to describe the position, &c, of Colonel Valentine Baker at Constantinople, has gone the round of the press, it is advisable fo give some authentic information on the matter. Colonel Baker has not, up to the present time, accepted service in the 'I urkish army ; and consequently has not been able to forward the views of the numerous applicants— one hundred and fifty- — to serve under him. His whole time has been taken up in elaborating a plan for the defence of Constantinople, which be laid before our own military authorities in July, and which is now receiving their most serious attention. This plan he has also urged upon the Turkish Government, and it is very favourably regarded by the Sultan ; but want of money at present prevents any decided action. -Should Russia take up a position hostile to the views of the English Government and attack the integrity of the Ottoman Empire, Colonel Valentino Baker will probably accept theposition of a Lieutenant-Genera! on tbe staff of the Turkish army in the field.

Mr Peter C. Campbell, of Maria, ■ Province of Quebec, is on his way to Scotland to prefer a claim to the wealthy . Breadalbane estate. On the deaih of the late Marquis of Breadalbane, which took place about twelve years ago, the estate fell into the hands of Campbell of Glenfalloch. The real heirs were supposed to be in Canada, and the lastnamed srenfleman was vested with tho title and estate until the real heir should be found. The title has been contested by several distant relatives, but all have failed to prove their claims. The first named gentleman had his attention called to the matter, and he immediately began to look up records and titles," and' the result is that he lias .a well-established claim. He is noting on behalf of an older brother, Mr John U. Campbell, who is a lineal descendant of Duncan, Lord Ormalie, whose claim was. even superior to that of fhe Marquis. Among other things, Mr Campbell has in his possession the signer, ring and seal ol "Duncan of the Sword," also a tortoise-shell snuff-box, with a silver cover, upon which ii engraved the monogram of Duncan — " D.A.C." A very interesting fact is that the engraving is executed with as much skill as any work of tbe present day. These relics are probably 200 years old. The estate has an annual income of 600,000 dollars.