Miscellaneous.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 367, 10 May 1856, Page 7

Miscellaneous.

The New Concordat. —Tt is stated that tlie English " Times" is to he excluded from places of public res»rt in Austria, for sneaking nut on tlip Concordat. Tlie correspondent of the " Sydney Morning Herald says: —" The effects of the concordat are beginning: t0 "fiatiifes t themselves in f.omhardy. The Archbishop (if Milan is said to have agreed with his bishops to undertake a crusade against the press. Tlie Archbishop demanded the assistance of the Government to repress the impertinence of the editors, and the Government made no reply. Then the printers were summoned and threat- [ ened. At Beriramo the Crepuscnfa, a naper published at Milan, as well as the works of Schiller, were prohibited by ecclesiastical authority, but no attention was paid to such^ prohibitions there or elsewhere, and the bishops reproach the Government with not maintaining the joncnvdat. It is, indeed, a strange si-rut to see the Austrian Government protecting the press against the attacks of the Italian Bishops -, hut the difference is that the Government allows publicity so lone: as politics are not touched up"", while the Church would suppress everyihuitr." 1-va.i.y.—General della Marmora, arrived in Turin, January the (>th, about A p.m., haying landed at Gen-ia in lliemorninjr from Marseilles. Me was met at the station here by all the Ministers of the Crown and the English Minister, Sir James Hudson. Soon after his arrival he had an audience with his Majesty, hut in consequence of a fall on board the. steamer between Marseilles and Genoa, whereby lie severely hurt his lejr, he has been confined to his bed'almost ever since, and it is doubtful if he will be able to proceed to Paris for the council of war. To-day the Council of Ministers assembled at his house previous W reeling tl'c King in Council at a later hour j

A Navat, Ofpickr Sentexcisd to Dkvth.— On the 11 th of December a court-martial assembled on board the Valorous, in Kazatch Bay, to try Mr. Philip James Deniiftby, second master, in charge of the despatch-vessel Lynx, Lieutenant Commander C. M. A,yusley. Captain Buckle was president, and the members comprised some of the ablest captains in the squadron. Mr. D^nneby was charged with disobedience of orders, and with having been absent from his station when tlie Lynx was under the fire of the enemy. The circuinsiancevS are altogether singular. Mr. Denneby was second master of the Hannibal, but, under the impression that the Lynx would furnish him with better opportunities for distinguishing himself, and of thus gaining his promotion, be solicited and obtained the appointment. He proved himself a must indefatigable officer, always up at four o'clock in the morning, and never leaving the deck until all the duties o( the day had been fully performed. Under his care the Lynx became a pattern of good order, and the discipline was unexceptionable. Some years ago he served on the coast of Africa, in the brigantine Dolphin, and evinced much commendable gallantry in the rather trying actions with the natives at Lagos. His whole character seems to belie the implication that the conduct for which he was arraigned aiose from the want of what is commonly called "pluck;" yet were the charges declared proven, and he has been sentenced to death ! The accusation arose out of circumstances at the reduction of Kinbutn. Mr. Denneby unquestionably was unwell—he was temporarily incapacitated from doing his duty, and was not on the deck when bis services were in request. Some coolness had arisen in the mess, and it is possible that the evidence of the medical officer had the effect ol giving a badcolour to the affair. Mr. Denneby had been, it is said, unwell the niijlit previously, and was, in consequence, nervous and unfitted for the trying business of the day. In bis defence he adduced numerous first-rate cettificates, and from some excellent officers. He could not refule the allegation, and could only plead indisposition as the reason. It may be argued that, had he wished to evade the consequences which he miuht have expected to result from neglect of duty under such circumstances, he would have placed himself on the sick-list; but be did not do that, and, therefore, had no right to be off deck when be was. The court had no alternative. The Articles of War decree the punishment of death, and no other sentence can lie passed upon, any one found guilty of neglect of duty under such circumstances. We think it improbable that the sentence upon Mr. Deuuebv has been, or will be. carried into effect. 2no one will believe him guilty of " cowardice or disaffection,' although it is unhappily true that he was guilty of neglect of duty under suspicious circumstances." There are several instances of officers who subsequently gained honourable distinction in the service," who, bad their first essay b«su taken as a fair test, won'w! ha\e been isrnominiously dismissed it. — baited Service Gazette. How Auotic Explorers pass their Time. —The steward on board the '•Advance," the vessel abandonee! by Dr. Kane, gives bis experience in life in the Arctic regions alter tins fashion - — Life on shipboard was regularly and orderly.' There was a time for everything, and evervtl.in- in its place. Captain Kane and the officers ware untirinir in t'"e di.-ehar^ ol the duties of their posts, and the men appeared contented and happy. The shin was abundantly provisioned, and the diet was wholesome and v«yiou«. At seven b*lls, or about halt past seven in the morning all hands turned ouL Breakfast was taken at eight. The rimes ot the ship were then performed, the nee** *ere cleansed and things were put in onlt-r for the ,!av Sleil-'O parties wore then apportioned, tor the sake of "exercise, and short nips were maue in different directions for two or three nines. By the time the parties bad all retun.eu to the ship it was nearly noun. At Am be.ls-twa o'clock—dinner was served. Ai.cr tins the re was nothinsto d«. except to mul, ta:k, kmgn, if there was any thing to iau-h a:, k ep »■> •" and be pllv. Another meal s.k-ii huun ub and at i> to 10 o'clock at night the sh,p and al in it were silent; tbeli-bts, except those aboiio deck, were extinguished, ami the watcd-s w^rs set This with very slight variations,^-* '">-' regular routine on board the ship unr?"g t.ie whole period of nearly &o years—^>..••';*« batbara Gazetic>