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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 16, 17 October 1861, Page 3

It will be remembered, says the Plymouth Jovrnvl, that some time since, Madeline Smith was put upon her trial for poisoning her sweetheart a Frenchman, hut after a long investigation the case was declared, in Scottish legal phrase, to havebeen “ not proven.” it was said that this young lady immediately afterwards had been sent to -Australia, where it was hoped that, amongst the. great family of the Smiths, her , name would bo altogether lost, and that she would be able to retrieve her position. However, she has lately turned up iu the neighbourhood of Plymouth. A great deal has been done here of late "in the way of Homes for Fallen Women, and one of the clerical gentlemen, who has been very prom in ant in Ibis peculiar business, has had a' fascinating young lady in Ills house and under Ins care, for whom it is said he was receiving £2OO per annum. This syren, like the famous ladies of old, shot her arrows into many a. heart, but aft the younggentlemen who came near her -were mysteriously cautioned not to he entangled. But where is the man who could withstand the blandishments of youth and beauty and coquetry ? Half-a-score of the sterner sex were struck to the heart hyherin no time. Although she was permitted to see society, aud went to church on all proper occasions, she . was, we are informed, never formally introduced. St'ft, the want of that formility was no want to. her, as is proved by-the fact that, during the present week, she hasTeft our home circle and gone away to be married to an inspired lover of the line arts. The Empress of Austria sailed on the 23rd of June for Corfu, accompanied by the Archduke Ferdinand Max and Professor Skoda, the physician iu attendance on the august patient. A large aud handsome private house, with an extensive garden, lias been engaged in the capital town of the islands for the use of the empress daring her stay. The liofJfe of the empress’s recovery to health is considered at Tienna as very faint. The physicians have recognised the existence of an abscess in the lungs. Her majesty, it is said, left for Corfu with a presentiment that she would never return. Blondin ix Liverpool. —Talking of Blondin we may as well go on to say that he has continued his performances with unabated prosperity, making a dash into the provinces on days when he is not engaged at Sydenham. His last exploit was at Liverpool where he wheeled a lion cub over the rope at the Zoological gardens—a boisterous wind prevailing atthetirae. The lion which is 18 months old was strapped in the barrow. Scores of glasses were raised, and when the head .of - the cub was observed with las eyes wandering about, as if anxious to know what was to become of hblithe clapp'ng and cheering become very great. Having adjusted (ho barrow, Bloudm began to move apparently trembling with the weight of his load. A gye was attached to the harrow, and as it was let out by his assistant it by some means or other got entangled after lie had proceeded some 30 or 40 feet. Blondin halted and the gye rope fell to the ground. The heart became sick at looking ,at him. He evidently could not go on and he began to.move backward cautiously and slowly Women tern' Bed as if they ■ were witnessing «n execution. A deep silence prevailed, which was only broken when Blondin landed safely on live platform. Again the barrow was adjusted and Blondin moved on this time without a gye rope. Gradually he reached the cent ro and after vesting a short time, began to push iris load up the incline. The wind seemed to impede ban very much and it was really frightful to sec the barrw roll back occasionally about a foot as if he who guided it had not sufficient strength (o push it on another inch*. The morning litany of an old laird of Cu.ltoquhy, as ho look his morning draught at the cauld weft, was in these terms : “ Fra’ the ire o’ the Drummonds, the pride o’ the Graemes, the greed o’ the Campbells, aud the wind o’ the Murrays, gude Lord deliver us ” On being reproved by the Duke of Atholo for taking such liberties with noble names, lus answer was, “There my lord, there’s the wind o’the Mimray !”— Reminiscences of Scottish Life amt Charade;’. Lieu ally Obeying Orders. —Mrs. Campbell gave him very particular instructions regarding visitors, explaining that they were to be shown uto the drawing-room, and no doubt-using tho Scotticism, “ Carry any ladies that call up stairs.” On the arrival of the first visitors, Donald was eager to show his strict attention to his mistress’s orders. Two ladies came together, and Donald, seizing one in his arms, said to the other, “ Bide yc there till I come for ye,” and, in spite of her struggles and remonstrances, ushered tho terrified visitor into Mrs. Campbell’s presence in this unwonted fashion.— Reminiscences of Scottish Ife and Character. A lunatic named Backer attempted to assassinate the King of Prussia. The British Government intend to adopt a strict neutrality on the question of the difference between Austria and Hungary, and attaches much weight to the maintenance of the AustrianJEmpiro as a great power in the centre of Europe.