GENERAL SUMMARY.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 250, 22 December 1847, Page 3

GENERAL SUMMARY.

[[From the Home Newt, August 24.] Our latest news of the Royal Squadron up to last night was from the Inland of loha, a lamp in the dark ages that shed floods, of light across the ocean and its isles. 'A cloud now in this age of light*. A right royal and most pleasant progress the Queens-voyage has been. On Wednesday evening, the Victoria and Albert, with their consort steamers, weighed anchor from the Isle of Wight, and although the fiend of fog beset them, and threw cloudy barriers across the ' Channel, which compelled th'e squadron to make the beautiful harbour ol Dartmouth before nightfall, it was^but a shade after all, to throw out the bright' lights of this first picture. The sun set on that first night while the squadron sat like a little flock of black swans in the land-embraced bay. Brightness on the waters and on the shore — on the strand crowded with homage bearers, on the water covered with dancing boats, some rowed by lady hands, and on the royal deck where sailors danced and sang, ' and playedj and the Prince of Walei in sailor's gear joined in and e njoyid their mirth,' while the Queen sketched

the scene before her. Moru dawned and the early birds wing still down Channel, still closer in shore, still enjoying scene ■ of beauty afterscene of beauty, silence broken by the echo or shout from the shore, or by the salutes of cheering from the ships at sea. Even to the Land's End that pleasant partysteamed away.' At nightfall they dropped anchor, and at dawn•they weighed : resting here, landing there, and steaming away at an eagle's pace again. There were trips in the Fairy or the Rnyal Barge, to see the wonders natural and mechanical of the Menai Straits, a landing, a visit,a gathering of shells and plants, and pebbles, and on board again. A Sunday at sea. A sketch at sea. A sketch of the Caernarvon Bay and Castle. A sketch of Beaumaris. A sketch of the Britannia Rock. Will Mr. Alderman Moon publish the Queen's portfolio in the first year of his mayoralty ? He might introduce himself in the fog as a benighted iroon. Prince Albert ran over to Bangorand .Penrhyn Castle,^ *g4 again at daybrea^ away steamed the squadron from the Welsh coast' down the Channel, and away, away for the Isle of Man. The Manxmen turned out bravely, and many a boat put off from the shore, but the " Keys" were not to be found \ the authorities of the island were equally without a boat and without an address, and af- . ter awaiting their visit awhile, the Victoria' and Albert made sail, or rather got up the steam. There was no salute either, for although a bishop's see, there is not a cannon in the island. Amid a cheer of hearty roaring, however, her Majesty and her escort glided away for the Scottish coast. The Prince of Wales was seen running about the deck in a Guernsey frock and canvass trousers. That evening Loch Ryan was attained, and crowds of steamers gathered round the squadron as its guard. There was again a landing of the Prince and the royal children, but the Queen, continued on deck sketching, even till the bonfires were lighted all around upon the hills. On Tuesday morning, the squadron made up the Frith of Clyde for Dumbarton. Never did that noble estuary look more beautiful : the day was bright, but a thin, soft, gauzy haze veiled it. The noise, and smoke, and bustle of Greenock, and the parnassus of a hill on which Dumbarton Castle stands, were seen, across the waters, that were alive, as the shores were, with animated crowds. A Queen of England, a Prince of Wales on the rock of Dumbarton — the sword of Wallace sprang to the royal hand ! But the fortified rock must be left, and the Fairy steers away for Loch Gar, and Loch Long, and the Holy Loch, and Kirn, and Dunoon, and Rothesay. There is the Duke of Rothesay and Duke of Cornwall in the Prince of Wales. Prince Albert holds him up, and shows the boy ruins that gave him a ducal title. Here, again, was' a beautiful sight ; when the vessels anchored for the night, the whole was illuminated. On Wednesday morning, the Kyles of Bute are passed, Lamont Point is rounded, and Loch Fyne is entered, presenting its magnificent view. The Queen on board the Fairy sails: to Inverary Castle, where the Clan Campbell in their tartans, are assembled to greet her. Having lunched at the castle, the Queen again embarks and sails down to Ardrishaig. The royal yacht lies in Loch Crinan, and thither, through the canal, the royal barge is borne. The squadron anchored for the night in Loch Crinan, and on the next morning, Thursday, Oban, Lismore, and Tobermory were passed, and the Isle of StafFa won. The royal boats were out, and the Queen and Prince sailed into the caves, and wondered at the vaulted roof. — Aboard again, and sail away for the famed lona, the Columb Kill, with its tombs of the 15th century, and its ruins of earlier ages. There is no college to supply its place, none tot the seminary of Lisraore, and the papal bulls that founded St./ Andrews, Aberdeen, and Glasgow, will hardly be invoked in favour of their restoration' now. The gentlemen of the party landed and inspected this " sacred storehouse of the kings of Scotland and guardian of their bones." The flotilla steamed on again for Port George, which it reached on Friday, and Prince Albert ascended Ben Nevis. That day Fort Augustus was reached, and on Sa- ' turday Loch Langan, which is the ultima ihule of the expedition. The next event of importance presents a fearful contrast to the happy scenes we have just been contemplating. In France, the discovery of corruption and perilous conduct in the trusted classes, has been followed by (the yet more appalling discovery of a horr,i— , ble murder committed, as i,t is feared,' by thY Duke de Choiseul-Pras3in, upon his Duchess, a most amiable woman, the daughter of Marshal Sebastiani. She and the Duke returned to Paris from the country last Tuesday night, and the servants were allowed leave of absence, and encouraged to leave the house ; the Duke aud Duchess retired early to their several' apartments, between which there wa,s* a communication. The servants heard. a bell in the Duch'ess'sroom rung violently, at' about three o'clock in the morning, but wnVnthef

approached the door was locked ; help was obtained, and it was broken open. The Duchess lay on the floor bathed in blood, with many wounds, and quite dead. There were proofs of a violent struggle, and there are the most condemnatory evidences of the Duke's complicity, if he be not the real actor in this fearful, tragedy. He is under arrest, and the Court of Peers is convened by special ordinance of the King to try him. An Italian governess, with whom the Duke is said to have been more than intimate, is also under arrest.. In Switzerland, the contest is still held off, but the young men in the Radical cantons burn with impatience, while the Catholic cantons are daily and hourly strengthening their p.osition, raising and drilling troops, importing arms, and making preparations for a most vigorous defence. , The details of the Roman plot are still dark, and must remain so till the trial of the prisoners of St. Angelo. It appears doubtful yet whether the Romau authorities really feared a popular outbreak on the festival day, or whether the Austrian interests laboured to prepare one for their own ends. Naples has demanded of the Pope a trial for Grassellini tbe. extruded governor. The provisional Deputies are to meet in November. At Ferrara, the anniversary of the execution of the brothers Bandeira has been solemnised in the very beards of the Austrian troops, which have been withdrawn from the city into the .fortresses. It is remarkable that on the festival of Saint Ignatius this year, the Pope did not visit the Gesu as he did last year. The absence of his Holiness presses on the public mind against the Jesuits. An extract of a lady's letter will show how the matter of the conspiracy is regarded by the English in Rome :—": — " Qh ! these wretched assassins of Austria! They ought to be held up to the horror and contempt of all Europe. I long to hear from you, dear Charles, whether it is probable that our liberal government will allow poor Italy to be crushed in her first virtuous efforts to rise from her long degradation Lord Pa'merston's speech upon Portugal gives me hopes that Austria will not be allowed to triumph, particularly when he declares it is the part of England to encourage a people battling against difficulties in the pursjuit of their rights ; and, even if occasion require, to lend, them a, helping hand to bear tltim, up against, the, obstacles which they have, to contend with. The Pope has sent a SGitamn protest against the entry of the Austtians into the town of Ferrara, and all Rome are anxiously expecting the tenor of the answer. The people have no confidence in the sincerity of Louis Philippe's friendship, and the King of Sardinia has once before proved treacherous ; but all are ready to trust England, l whose task it is,' says Palraerston, 'to lead the way and direct the march of other nations in moral, social, aud political civilization.' Oh : I hope something will :be quickly done for the poor little Roman states, jeady, to be devoured by those harpies — Austria to the north, whilst that hateful King of' .Naples is waiting on the confines of the south, with a considerable army, (to be sure they are Neapolitans,)., waiting for the least movement as an excuse for entering. It is •euch an interesting moment that I cannot beaj to 'cave Rome." A letter, signed "Anglo-Romanus," in the Timef, and attributed to Dr. Wiseman, urges •the necessity of an immediate arrangement between Rome and England ; and an evidently authorised reply declares that that would be. easily arranged if Pope Pius IX. would do what the Popes have never done, recal the denunciations of Elizabeth, and acknowledge th# right of Victoria to the throne of England. The harvest, which is now nearly garnered, is, happily abundant in all kinds of provisions, and; in all parts of the country. The quartern loaf in London now is little more than half, last winter's price. It then ranged from tenpence to one shilling and a penny ; it is now sixpence halfpenny to eightpence, according to the, quarter of the town and consciqnqe, of the tradesmen, which appear to haygvspme secret relation to each other. The granaries are filled to repletion, cargoes from abroad arrive daily, and the whole produce of the country is preparing for the market. With such plenty following dearth, it will not surprise the reader to learn, that in the corn market many monopolists have suffered most seriously. , So late as last Saturday, the failure was announced of the house of, William R. Robinson & Co., whose senior partner is Governor of the Bank of England. T,he liabilities are £105,000, of which 15s. in the pounii is expected to be realized for the, creditors. The failure is attributed to speculations in wheat, and was in some degree foreseen. It is a remarkable fact that of the last nine Governors of the Bank six have been insolvent at the period of the election for that office. This comes of bouse ljsts G and.. dbiie ? elwjipn.B. Tie advantage .of , thp oppo^-

site practice is exemplified, observes the Times, at the India House. j la Ireland the harvest is especially plentiful, and we hope we may rely on the assurances which we receive from several quarters, that the people are generally better clothed and fed at this moment than they have been for many .previous years. Agricultural labour is in demand partly because of the increased breadth of cultivation ultimately accomplished, although so long delayed last year; partly because of the extensive emigration to America, the colonies, and England ; and partly to the dreadful sacrifices of human life through starvation, — all combining to produce a scarcity of labour. Harvest time is the period of high wages, and it now seems able-bodied wielders of the sickle secure 3s. 6d. a day, and good binders (generally women) 2s. 3d. The elections, which are but just over, have caused a considerable expenditure ; and soch is the influx of provisions, that cargoes of Indian corn are offered for the freight, and wheat has been offered in the market at 13d. a bushel, without obtaining buyers. It is a fortunate time for the carrying out of those acts which are in progress for the restoration of a better state of things in Ireland. The public works of manifest utility are to be assisted, and there is no charitable employment to be given or demanded. The railroad works for which provision has been made are progressing. The soup kitchens and relief committees are given up, and the parish poor are being taught to look for support to the parish and its officers. In one night from the present time, Ireland must support her poor. Vagrancy is no longer tolerated where the new laws are being put in execution, and the apprehensions chiefly entertained now are on the part of the landowners and the rich, lest the operation of these remedial measures should confiscate their property. They are called on to pay for what has fallen into arrear, and at the same time to provide for ever-occurring distress. The tables are turned. The impunity with which the landed interest of Ireland has been allowed to call itself not only the law-maker, but the executor of the law, and to absorb the whole produce of the fields beyond a bare existence for the cultivator, is no longer needful — property is at last made responsible for pauperism. Property begins to feel its duties as well as its rights, and the change appears to be effecting itself with little violence, and with less opposition than was anticipated. The result of the elections is a gain of four or five votes to the Repeal party. That is, nominally! Some gentlemen .will not answer to the whip at Conciliation Hall, nor swell the confederation cry. Mr. Anstey, for instance, who is returned for Youghal with the mark R, is a repealer because he is an enemy to centralization. He is for repeal in Yorkshire as well as in Ireland, as far as local government is concerned. He will not be persuaded to vote with Mr. John O'Connell, or Mr. Reynold, or Mr. Smith OBrien, if they introduce the Repeal question on their grounds. There is a curious correspondence in the Cork Examiner, which reveals the effor.ts, made by the Dungarvon electors to secure a Conciliation HaU Repealer to oppose Mr. Sheil ; they, imply that John O'Connell's indifference or insincerity in promising first Mr. O'Neill, and then Sir J. Scott Lillie, neither of whom appeared, was the cause of Sheil's return. One thing is very clear from the elections in all parts of Ireland, that the repeal feeling is deep and strong, and general, and that its depth and strength are no where less felt than by the professed, leaders of the party in Conciliation Hall — they evidently do not understand their own position. The leaders quarrel or become indifferent, the people unite more closely, and more firmly adhere to the principle of repeal. The fortnight's history of Scotland turns chiefly on the now concluded elections and the Queen's visit. Edinburgh is preparing for gaiety without either ; .Rachel is going there, Grisi is going there, and Jenny Lind is engaged to sing at a concert, all the tickets for which are already sold.