THE NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 67, 20 March 1871, Page 2

THE NEWS BY THE MAIL.

The great event of the month, before which all others sink into comparative insignificance, is the fall of Paris, which may be looked upon as the beginning of the end of the war, for although the masses in one or two cities, which have not yet become practically acquainted with the horrors of war, are unfavorably disposed to coming to terms with their conquerors, there seems every reason to believe that the French have had enough of fighting, and that the next mail will bring tidings of terms of peace having been definitely arrangc^w In another column will be found furtherparticulars of the month's events in and around Paris, as also a proclamation from , the ex-Emperor Napoleon who has once more emerged from the obscurity into which he has sunk of late, and " uow, when the struggle is suspended, and all reasonable chance of victory has disappeared" thinks it time "to call to account the usurpers " (i.e., those who bad undertaken the Government of France), "for the bloodshed, and ruin, and squandered resources." Hitherto, people have been in the habit of attributing to Louis Napoleon the bloodshed, ruin, and mis.erjphat have fallen upon France, now, however, it appears that he disclaims the responsibility. The 19th ofKebruary (yesterday mouth) had been fixeu" for the triumphal entry of the Prussian army into Paris. To disinterested individuals this would form one of the grandest sights it* is possible to conceive; to the victorious army it will be a proud> and a glorious day; to the conquered nation it will be the Very dregs of the bitter cup of humiliation 'and defeat from which they have of late been forced to drink in such copious draughts. Parliament has been openeel "by* the Queen" in person, whose speech, in the present state of affairs in Europe, will be read with deep interest airo^er^lß world. It will be seen that, after referring to the war, and to the Russian and American difficulties, she tells her Parliament that England^ "relations are, as heretofore, those of, friendship and good understanding with the Sovereigns and States ~'<s the civilised world." The Conferee .on the Russian propositions was still sitting, aud likely to terminate peaceably, as England, althoug-Jyactively preparing for war, was williDg to make some concessions to Russia. With regard to America, a joint Commissions of the two nations^- as to meet at ""Washington, when, it .is hoped that all difficulties and ill feeling that have hitherto existed between • theak will be effectiiaMy and for ever removed/ The House of Commons has, on the -motion of Mr. Gladstone, unanimously voted a dowry of £30,000, arid an annual allowance of £6,000 to the Princess Loujke, whose marriage with the Marquis of Lorn has been fixed for to-morrow, the 21st of March. * The whole nation appears to be delightea at the proposed union a member of the Royal Family with one of

Her Majesty's subjects, and there is every reason to believe that a marriage which takes place under such favorable auspices will prove a happy one to the parties chiefly interested. A frightful accident has occurred on the Hudson Rivet- Railroad, Ihe particulars of which were thus telegraphed to the Netos of the World:— New York. February 7 — We have the following particulars of ihe terrible accident ou the Hudson River Railroad, obtained from eye-witnesses: "The freight train which caused the accident consisted of about twenl.y-five car?, most of which carried tanks of oil. Before leaving Albany every car was carefully inspected by workmen, and no defect, discovered. When the train reached a wooden bridge over Wapenger Creek, New Hamburg, a sudden shock passed through the entire train, almost throwing it from the track. On examination it was found that the axle of (he teuth car had broken, aud the car had then broken loose from the couplings and careened on one side, struck the framework of the bridge, and lay a. total wreck upon the track. At the same moment, aud before a note or sigunl of warning could be raised, the express train which left this city afc^eigfrt o'clock came rushing along at the rate of thirty miles an hour. The engine struck tho wrecked car with terrible force, setting fire to tho oil aud scattering the inflammable matcrinl and burning fragmeuts ia all directions. The force of the collision instantly threw the engine over the bridge into the creek. The ice was very thick, but was unable to bear the locomotive, which broke through and sunk. The lender also fell into the creek. Immediately behind the engines were two baggage cars, which were followed by a sleeping car full of passengers. The flames from tho oil-lank set fireJo these cars, which, after striking the^^cck, fell over into the creek a buruia^rtass. It is said that some passenggpTin the burning cars succeeded in hpfnug out in time to save themselves from death, but the rest were carried with the car over the bridge aud either drowned or bumrd to death." We hear numerous complaints of expected letters not having come to baud by this mail, and it is quite possible that they may have been lost in the mail train thus destroyed.