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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 282, 30 November 1870, Page 2

" Gekmant held- a grand religious ceremony prior to the bombarelrnent commencing." Such is one of the items of intelligence received by telegraph. The doomed city of Paris was completely invested, aud the "big guns" were to open fire on the unhappy inhabitants forthwith. The sacrifice is bound to the hoins of the altar, and the hideous work of slaughter is about to bejiin; but the Germans are a Christian people, and followers of him whose mission was to promote peace on earth and good will amongst men, and so King William, with due regard to the religious sentiments of his subjects, turus himself to them before applying the torch to the human holocaust he is about to offer up, and piously ejaculates — Let us pray. And all Germany bends the knee in solemn devotion. The swelling tones of the orgau roll through the aisles of every cathedral in the land, the pealing anthem ascends on high, and the "grand religious ceremony " terminates with a pious appeal to the God who has said " Thou shalt not kill " that he will, in his mercy, crown with success his suppliants' humane efforts to sweep into eternity the largest possible, number of their fellow creatures in the smallest possible space of time. And then, the "religious ceremony" being over, the murderous work begins, and the thrilliog strains of sacred music give place to the horrid diu of war, — the loud blasphemies of the maddened combatants as they concentrate the whole of their energies on the killing and maiming of men who never did them harm, and whom they never before had seen, the hissing aud hurling of shells, the bursting of powder magazines, the roar of flames as building after building takes fire, the agonising screams of wounded men, and the pierciug shrieks of helpless women. Such are the sounds to be heard in aud around Paris, but, amid nil the wild uproar, it must be productive of no slight consolation to the Prussian King and his vast army to have it iu their power to reflect that their proceedings were opened with prayer, and to hope that there still might be lingering in the Divine ear the sweetly solemn notes of the white-robed priests, and surpliced choristers, as, during the performance of the grand religious ceremony, which formed the signal for the commencement of this work of ruiu and devastation, they chanted forth in melodious tones "Give peace in our time, 0 Lord." After this, can anyone be found rash enough to deny that refinement, religion, and Christian charity are the leading characteristics of the age in which we live ?

Public Lecture. — An interesting lecture on the American War, was delivered by Mr. Neave, at the Wesleyan Church, last night, when, notwithstanding the threatening aspect of the weather, a very good audience was assembled. We regret that want of space prevents our referring at length to the address which was delivered, and which abounded with interesting information. The Karamea. — From a conversation we had with two miners who have just come up from the Karamea district, we learn that the want of a track is sadly felt in that part of the country. At present there is a fair track from the mouth of the river about 20 miles up, but from that point to " the Bend," a distance of about 25 miles, there is no road whatever, thus precluding all possibility of getting provisions up from the coast. We are iu formed that the track, which wonld open up a considerable quantity of auriferous couutry, could be cut for about. £100. Cricket. — We are glad to learn that after a little coquetting, the Wellington cricketers have resolved upon paying a visit to Nelson by the Taranaki, which will arrive to-morrow morning. The match will be played at Victory Square, and all sorts of preparations are being made for celebrating the occasion ; amongst others, the Volunteer Band has been engaged to play during tbe afternoon, and we are glad to learn that the suggestion thrown out by one of our correspondents yesterday, to the effect that a tent should be provided for the ladies is likely to be adopted. In the evening the two sides will settle their little differences over M>. M'Gee's hospitable board , when the Nelson club hopes to fiud a large attendance of the geueral public assembled to do honor to their Wellington guests.