English and foreign Items.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 768, 10 March 1870, Page 3

English and foreign Items.

The month has been prolific in Fenian outrages. On the 14th December, four men entered the shop ,of Mr Dowliug, gunsmith, Dame-street, Dublin. One presented a revolver at an apprentice behind the counter, saving that if he made an alarm he would be shot; another placed a shutter acrose the door leading to the dwelling-house. The two shop-boys screamed, and Mr Dowling, who was at breakfast, came down stairs, and, stumbling over the shutter, asked what all the noise was about ? One of the party levelled his revolver and fired, saying, "That's it." Bowling was not hurt. Finding the alarm given, the men went away. At the door one of them fired again, but without effect. The fourth man had a carpet bt>g They escaped down Eustace-street, giving a cheer. —In half-an-hour afterwards the shop of Mr Parkinson, gunsmith, Arranquay, was entered by four men, apparently the same persons, and a similar scene occurred. The porter who left the shop to raise an alarm was fired at but missed. Mr Parkinson, hearing (he noise, came down and ho was fired at without effect, lie went into the hall for assistance and the party escaped, three of them getting into a cab waiting for them in the lane. The police were informed of the oceurrenc, but no arrests have been made. One of the gunsmiths whose shops was visited at Dublin states in a letter to the papers that he was directly fired at, and that the bullet pierced a sheet iron sign standing on the counter. The burglars took from his shop two guns, as well as two revolver pistols. —On 16th December, the residence of Mr O'Connor, Moorock Lodge, in the King's County, was attacked by four men. Airs O'Connor opened the door, and was detained in the hall by one of the party, while the others went into her bedroom and took two guns. They" then dragged Mr O'Connor outside and cut off his nose. Meantime, an alarm was given at the neighboring residence of Mr Bailey, who, with his two sons, proceeded to Moorock and captured one of the party. On the 2ist December it was reported that another arrest had been made.—A robbery of inns in Clonakilty has also been leported. Three men with blackened faces accosted •i farmer outside the town, and wrested from him a gun which he was carrying to get repaired at a gunsmith's shop there. — A daring outrage wes committed on the 2Qih December, near Beleek, in the county of Armagh, on Charles Murphy, a bailiff on the property of C. H. L. Ward, of Strat-ford-on-Avon. A party of armed men entered his house after fifing shots, and stuick him on the head with a pistol. He ran into a corner, and they assaulted his wife and daughters. One of them handed him a book and wanted him to take an oath but he refused. They smashed the furniture and windows, and then went away. He supposes that they accuse him of being instrumental in getting some of their rents raised, although there is no foundation for the charge. In February last he received a threatening letter, and a party of men broke in his door. On the same day a notice was posted on a Eoman Catholic Chapel at Carrick, county Donegal, cautioning the tenants against paying any increase of rent to the Messrs Musgrave, of Belfast, who lately purchased some property upon which they were expending large sums in improvements. An edict against moustaches has been issued by a large mercantile firm in the city. One of the greatest whisky raids made in the neighborhood of New York since the passing of the revenue laws took place on the 3rd December on the Fifth Ward, Brooklyn, in a section adjoining the Navy Yard, known as Irishtown. Extensive arrangements for the attack were made, as it was apprehended resistance would be made. General M'Dowell ordered 500 regular troops to co-operate with the revenue officers under Commissioner Pleasanton. The distilleries are twenty in number. The troops formed in line, and revenue officers attacked the distilleries. Thousard's of gallons of whisky Were allowed to run from the vats, as a number of slills'were running at the time. Thirtyfive barrels of whiskey were seized, and three destroyed or captured. The party were attacked in a little street by a crowd numbering near two thousand people. Several persons were injured by bricks thrown from the housetops. The presence of the troops, however, prevented a serious outbreak. The crowd followed the troops to the Navy Yard, keeping up an uninterrupted volley of missiles.

As the construction of the first steam newspaper machine was due to the enterprise of the late Mr Walter, of the Times, so the construction of this last and most improved machine is due in like manner to the enterprise of his son. The new "Walter maebine " is not like Cowper and Applegarth's, and Hoe's, the improvement of an existing arrangement, but an sdmost entirely original invention. Its principal merits are its simplicity, its accurate workmanship, its compactness, its speed, and its economy. While each of the Sen-feeder Hoe machines occupies a large and lofty room, and requires eighteen men to feed and work it, the new Walter machine occupies a space of only about fourteen feet by five, or less than any newspaper machine yet introduced, and requires only throe lads to take away, with half the attention of an overseer, who easily superintends two of the machines while at work. Tlie Hoe machine turns out 7,000 impressions printed onj both sides in the hour; but the Walter machine turns out 11,000 impressions completed in the same time, The new invention docs not in the least resemble any existing printing machine, unless it be the calendering machine, which has possibly furnished the type of it. At the printing end it looks like a collection of small cylinders or rollers. The paper, mounted on a huge reel as it comes from the paper mill, goes in at one end in an endless web of 3,300 yards in length, scorns to fly through amongst the cylinders, and issues forth at the other in two descending torrents of sheets, accurately cut into iongths, and printed on both sides. The rapidity with which it works may be inferred from the fact that the printing cylinders (round which the stereotyped plates are fixed,) while making their impressions on the paper travel at the surprising speed of 200 revolutions a minnte. As the sheet passes inwards, it is first clamped on one side by being carried rapidly ove>' a cylinder which revolves in a trough of cold water ; it then passes on to the first pair of printing and impression rollers, where it is printed on one side; it is next reversed and sent through the second pair, wb?re it is printed on the other side ; then it passes on to the cutting cylinders, which divide the web of now printed paper into the proper lengths. The sheets arc rapidly conducted by tap., s into a swing frame which, as it vibrates, delivers them alternately on each side, in two apparently continuous streams of sheet.-?, which are rapidly thrown forward from the frame by a rocker, and deposited on tables at which the lads sit to receive them. The machine ia almost entirely self-acting, from the pumping up of the ink into the ink-box out of the cistern below-stairs, to the registering of the numbers as they are printed, in the manager's room above. Such, in a few words, is the last great invention made in connexion with newspaper printing —which reflects no little credit on the enterprise of Mr Walter and the inventive skill of the gentlemen of the Times' staff—for it has been entirely designed and manufactured on the premises—to whom he has entrusted its execution. There is no truth in the story of Mrs Lincoln's intended marriage to a G-erman Baron. She lives in retirement at Frankfort, The Welsh fasting girl, Sarah Jacobs, died on the 17th December, a little before 4 p.m. She became delirious a short time previously. Her parents refused to offer her any food, and she abstained from taking any nourishment to the last. The four nurses who had been sent from Guy's Hospital were present when she died. The Times says:—No sooner are precautions adopted to insure that the fasting girl really does fast than the natural effects of abstinence are produced, and the poor girl dies in delirium at the end of a week. By some means or other she must have contrived hitherto'to obtain nourishment enough to sustain life. Her end is as piteous as it is extraordinary. At the age of 13 she has deliberately accepted a lingering death. The Times asks whether it can be doubted that if Sarah Jacobs had chanced to be born in some corner of France or Italy in which Romanism flourished unchecked, her prolonged fasting, after great devotion to religious reading, and her pious submission to ecclesiastical ordinances, would have assumed all the circumstances of a miracle. Had there, moreover, been priests and sisters of mercy at hand, ready to welcome heavenly visions, who can say what a number and variety of appearances the holy virgin might have vouchsafed to the exalted faculties of this 1

excitable little maiden ? This is the way: in which miracles like those of La Salette either grow or are concocted. —The Daily News . observes that it must now be rendered evident even to the most sensational lovers of the marvellous that, however Jung the Welsh fasting girl might have kept what was called her fast when only her parents were watching her, she could not keep it under the new conditions of a strict and disinterested wateh. At the touch of really serious investigation the ease breaks down, as all sensible persons knew it must. Now, however, arises the rather serious question as to where the responsibility of starving the girl to death rests. Is it with the girl herself, with her parents, or with the watchers ? The News will not venture an answer to this question' and will not even venture to say that it must or should be answered. One thing however, is and must remain clear for all future time—no Welsh fasting girls must any more be treated with this fatal seriousness. It is not science, but supersti'cion, even to inquire into the possibility of any human being living a conscious life without food. The very profession to do so is either disease, fanaticism, or imposture, and should be treated as such. —The Telegraph says that it is perfectly obvious that all the circumstances attending the history of Sarah Jacobs must be submitted to rigorous inquiry. While there remains the shadow of a possibility that in the maintenance of the miracle she may have met with injurious treatment, the conscience oi the public will not be at peace, and the immediate circumstances of the girl's death are such that it is legitimately the duty of the authorities to clear up, so far as possible the doubts on the matter.—-The Observer cannot but think that the authorities of Guy's Hospital were ill-advised when they consented to send down four of their most experienced nurses to watch by the bedside of the " Welsh fasting girl," with the view of discovering, if possible, the sources whence she derived her nourishment. It might be quite true that there was collusion between the child and her parents, and that she poor girl of eleven years of age, as she lay upon her bed, "decorated as a bride," and adorned with wreaths of flowers, was a party to a silly imposture, in which she was probably encouraged, for unworthy motives, by her parents. Is is quite probable that, for the strict vigilance of the watchers, the girl would have been still living ; and it is a question therefore, how far, with the best possible intentions, and a determination to expose deception, the authorities of Guy's Hospital may not have hastened the death of the girl. It is important, no doubt, that fraud and deception should be detected but the penalty of death is a heavy one for this poor childish imposture. —Of course a hundred pens (says the Echo) will be employed in writing her down an impostor, and this, no doubt, she was, though probably not to the extent which will unkindly be imputed. Something in her death must certainly be set down to the terrible ordeal of being watched with a fixed purpose while in such a miserably low state of health. —A meeting of the committee who undertook the watching of the " Welsh fasting girl" was held at the Eagle Inn, Cross Inn, Llanfihangel-ar-Arth, on the 18th December. The Rev. E. Jones, viear of the parish, was voted to the chair. j he chairman called upon the sister nurse from Guy's Hospital to read the report of the nurses for the eight days during which they watched the " Easting girl" prior to her death (which, as has already been announced by telegram, occurred at 3 o'clock on Eriday afternoon the 17th December.) The report was as follows : —" Dec. 9 (Thursday) : Attrick and Palmer (two nurses) on duty at night. Dec. 10 (Eriday): Nurses tell me that the girl slept until two o'clock, and then was only awake for five minutes. She then slept until six o'clock, when I found her the same as yesterday ; no change. At half-past seven she began to read in a loud voice until eight o'clock. She reud at intervals during the morning. 2 p.m.— Nurses tell me she was very cheerful. Went to sleep at a quarter past seven until a quarter past eleven. Slept after that till iwo o'clock. Her sleep was restless up to that time. She then slept until half-past five o'clock quietly. I and Jones at night. —Dec. 11 (Saturday, six o'clock.) Assisted nurse to remove the girl from her bed. She did not faint, but allowed me to assist in dressing her. She thanked me and said I did not hurt her. Left her at seven p.m., reading, looking very cheerful and happy. Two p.m. —Nurses tell me she has been cheer; ul, reading and talking to

thorn. Ido not think she is looking ao well. Went to sleep at half-past seven. Dec. 12 (Sunday, sis o'clock in the mora" ing).—Nurses tell uie she has had a quiet night. Slept until five o'clock, and then went to sleep again until a quarter past six. Found her looking very cheerful. She asked for her book to read, and then read aloud for some time. Her face was flushed, and her eyes bright during the morning. Went to sleep at a quarter-past seven p.m. ■ Dec, 13 (Monday) : Girl awoke at half-past five in the morning. Quiet night. Assisted nurse to get her out of bed. She did not faint. We changed her night-dress, and I was for some time combing her hair. She appeared cheerful and pleased, and I left her reading aloud. Two p.m.; Nurses tell me she has been cheerful, and that she has amused herself by reading. She looks the same. Eight p.m.; Was obliged to change her bed. She was not so much fatigued as may have been expected. She tells me she is very comfortable. Nino o'clock. — She is now sleeping soundly. Dec. 14 (Tuesday) six o'clock. Nurse tells me the girl slept until four o'clock and then was only awake a short time. Slept until halfpast five. L found her reading. Shortly after I came in the water bottle she had ac her let t fell to the floor (cord of sacking having given way) and startled her. She then .had a light fainting fit, but soon recovered. I don't think she is so well — her voice in reading is not so strong, and sue has been much flushed; her lips are dry. Ten o'clock, p.m. —Nurses tell me she has been much the same as when I left her. She went to sleep at a quarterpast six, awoke at nine, and did not remain awake, along. Dec. 15 (Wednesday) six six o'clock morning.—ahe has had a wakeful night, not restless. She does not complain of having any pains; face flushed* Nurse assisted me to remove her from her bed ; she did not faint. Two o'clock pm. —I found her much the same as when I left her. Seven o'clock, p.m.—She went to sleep, but I found her restless, iloi' i'eet were cold. 1 had to get warm flannel to put to them. Eight o'clock.—She is now sleeping quietly. Dec. 16, Thursday morning.—Nurses tell me she has had a bad night —no sleep until three o'clock. She wished the bed made and they made it. Then she slept lor about ten minutes at a time, not more, and still threw her arms about. Six o'clock,—l found her looking very pale and anxious. I think it is for want of Bleep. She suffered much during the night from cold; they gave her warm flannels. The is now much warmer. Dr Davies came at a quarter past twelve o'clock, and thinks there is no danger.— Ten o'clock : Found Sarah Jacob j much worse. Has been restless and throwing the things off all the night. Was very cold ; two hot bottles in bed and hot flannels, but could not get warm. The : father then wished the little girl (ayounger sister) to be put in the bed, and I consented, because I thought Sarah was dying. I told the father and mother to get near the bed to her, but I still watched to see they gave her nothing. She has not asked for food from the first day we began to watch her. Had she asked, I would have given her some. Dec. 17, Friday: very restless, but quieter than during the night. She died ut three p.m. 1 was present at her death." The nurses replied to several questions put to them. They had no suspicion of any one attempting to give her food. The parents, especialy the father was apparently very fond of the child. They gave the nurses every facility, and manifested great concern for the welfare of the child. It was untrue that crumbs of bread had been found in the bed, and that one of them had seen a female disappear from the room in the night. Mr John Daniel, one of the committee, and uncle of the girl, deposed to offering her food on Friday morning. She made no reply, but appeared to go off into a lit.— Mr Davies surgeon, deposed to informing the father of the condition of the child on Friday morning and offering to take away the watchers. The father refused to allow the girl to be given food, but afterwards saiu that if he (Mr Davies) wished to convince himself whether the girl could swallow or not he might offer her something. He did not do so as it was too late.—A vote of thanks was passed to the nurses and the chairman.—At the inquest on the body, Dr Thomas, who made the post mortem examination, stated that he found, on opening the chest, a fine layer of iat, one inch thick. The chest, lungs, heart, liver, in fact all organs were perfectly healthy. He found no malformation or traces of disease.