GENERAL SUMMARY. London, Dec. 26.

Evening Post, Issue 12, 21 February 1865, Page 2

GENERAL SUMMARY. London, Dec. 26.

I The Australian October mails were delivered in London on the 13th and 22nd inst. The Queen is at Osborne. Much dissatisfaction is expressed by the leading journals at her Majesty's continued seclusion from public life. Parliament reassembles on 7th Feb. It is reported that Ministers will make application for an additional grant of £30,000 per annum to the Prince of Wales. The Garter vacant by the Duke of Newcastle's death has been given to Earl Spencer. Lord Lyons, English at Washington, arrived at Liverpool yester day. Mr. Seward peremptorily refused K Lord Wharncliffe's request to furnish succour to the Confederate prisoners. <£JL7,000 has been collected by a bazaar at Elverpool for this purpose. Lord Palmerston, at Romsey, proposed the liberty of the press in such" glowing terms as to attract the special attention of the French journals. Cardinal Wiseman is seriously ill. The reported plot against the Pope's life is declared a fabrication. Garibaldi has accepted the English yacht. He wrote a complimentary letter ot thanks. The Pope has issued a hill condemning all religious and political doctrines hostile to the Roman Catholic Church. A commission has been issued to enquire into the state of the middle class schools. Colenso's appeal against the Bishop of Cape Town has been argued before the Privy Council. Judgement was deferred. Another expedition is proposed direct to the North Pole, over the ice in the winter. The Dublin International Exhibition promises to be a great success. The Clifton Suspension Bridge was opened on the Bth December, with unusual grandeur. During last week 71 wrecks were reported, making a total in the year 0f 2131. All hope of the safety of the gold ship J. E. H., which left Melbourne on July the 16th, is abandoned. She has never been spoken. The ship Floating Light, from Bombay to Liverpool, foundered in St. George's Channel, all hands being lost. The cargo was valued at .£200,000. The transportation to Australia agitation has subsided." It is not further discussed in the leading journals. The famine cry in the north-west provinces of India and the Deccan is again heard. A crisis is inevitable. The scarcity is attributable to drought, and the dis-

placement of a utumnal crops of what, &c foa the purpose of growing cotton. i The Lancashire relief report is satisfactory. The distress is decreasing. The English Government intends proIsecuting the New Zealand war with in- j creased vigor should the Maoris continue disloyal, The Florida has been accidentally run down and sunk in Hampton Eoads. Report says that it was done on purpose, Assaults in railway carriages are still increasing. Karl Kohl's trial for the murder at Plaistow Marshes is postponed till next session. It is reported that Captain Craig, the governor of the Pentonville Prison, has absconded with L2OOO of the public money. Extensi re forgeries' and frauds have been discovered in the Savings' Banks department. General Post-office officers and witnesses are en route to Australia to arrest absconders. Mra. Douglas, the Australian pedestrian, has completed the task of walking 1000 miles in 1000 hours easily. The racehorse Blair Athol has been * bought by Mr. Fairfield; prke, 7500 guineas. The brothers Davenport will shortly visit Australia. The Bellerophon iron-clad, now buildl ing at Chatham, mounts two 300 pounder guns* in her bows, to fire straight ahead when going in chase.