ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 313, 29 July 1848, Page 4

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Enrolled Pensioners. — The Duke of Wellington has issued orders calling out the enrolled pensioners. A circular order, issued from the war-office, orders that all men discharged from the army on permanent pensions during the past year shall be examined by the staff officers of pensioners, wilh the view of adding to the enrolled force as many *as may be capable of bearing arms. Genoa, March 1. — The pupulace have entered the house of the Jesuits, which they sacked. Everything was broken and thrown out of windows, wilh the exception of the things connected with the chapel, which were respected. It was said that the Jesuits, not being able to find any place of safety on shore, had gone aboard a vessel in the roads. The Nouveiliste of Marseilles affirms, on the faith of its Naples correspondent, that Messina had been again bombarded for fortytwo hours by the royal troops. The Porto Franco, or warehouse, had been burned. The property destroyed in the latter building alone was estimated at £400,000. A sanguinary conflict took place on the 26th, at Maggeta on the Piedmontese and Milanese frontier. Mount Vescvius. — Nature would seem to sympathise with the moral excitement of that region. Vesuvius, like the popular heart, is giving out its pent-up fires. The report of the mountain, dated the 220 d of February, sent by our correspondent, is as follows: — "At six hours of night, a large mouth has opened beneath the crater, whence are issuing three streams of lava. 23rd, in the direction of Erba the current of lava has arrived at the foot of the crater. 28th. — At 7 a.m., a column of about forty feet in height issued from the mountain, having all the colours of a rainbow. At 10 a.m. issued ten circles of flame, with three colours — green,. white, and black (the original colours of 1820, by the bye). The.v formed a cone 8 pal. 8 in height, under which and whence are issuing two currents of lava, which are wiuding about like snakes. In the direction of Mandro the lava opened, and flames issued which became- so many streams."

Mortality op Troops in China. — The Carnatic, troop-ship, landed at the royal arsenal at Woolwich, the remains of Major

Greenwood's company of royal artillery (8 battalion) under the command of Lieut. E. J. Paterson, the only offic -r who returned with the troops. The company which, when it left Woolwich in Nov. 1841, amounted to nearly 100 rank and file, has dwindled down to 19 men, the whole of the rest having either died or been inval ded. Before the Carnatic left Hong Kong, Lieut.-Col. Eyre had arrived and relieved Capt. A. G. Hamilton, upon whom the command of the royal artillery in China had temporarily devolved. It appears from the Irish newspapers that the conviction and transportation for life of William Frewen, at the Limerick assizes, for the offence of concealing that atrocious murderer, William Ryan alias Puck, has struck terror into the hearts of the peasantry, and has thus destroyed the principal security of the Irish assassins. The law against accessories, especially now that it has been freed from a great defect, by the amendment ot the Honourable and learned member for Hull, which renders accessories after the fact liable to punishment, even in cases where the principals escape from justice, seems likely to be the means of depriving criminals of the impunity which they have so long enjoyed in Ireland. Mr. Thomas S. Duncombe, M. P., by the death of his father, comes in for £200,000, and pays off debts to the amount of £80,000 by insurances. The King of Denmark has received so favourable a report as to the fertility of the Nicobar Islands that he is about' to establish a colony on them. The frigates Feria and Minerva are fitting out for the purposes of the first expedition.

The Edinburgh Review. — The correspondent of the Daily Net's writes, " The Edinburgh Review has now only a nominal connection with Edinburgh. On the insolvency of Messrs. Constable & Co., in 1826, it became the property of Messrs. Longman & Co.; and on the present death, in the beginning of the present year, of Mr. Macvey Napier, the editorship was transferred to England ; and in future the printing is to go thither also. The new editor is understood to be Dr. Empson, professor of law in Hertford College, and son m-law of Lord Jeffrey.

The Praslin Affair. — By his will the late Duke de Cboiseul-Praslin left to Mademoiselle Deluzy-Desportes, the Governess of his children, a life income of 3,000f. After her release from prison she commenced an action against Marshal Sebastiani, the guardian of the duke's children, who had, it appears, declined to pay over the legacy. Yesterday the case came before the Civil Tribunal of tie Seine, when a demand was made in the name of Mademoiselle Deluzy that the legacy of 3,000f. a year left her by the will of the Duke, which was dated Feb. loth, 1843, should be paid to her; that a book case, containing about 100 volumes, some articles of porcelain, crystal, and silver, several gowns, and articles of dress, together with the furniture oi her chamber, and many other objects which she specified, should be given up, she attaching great value to them on account of the greater part of them having been given to her by the Mademoiselles de Praslin, her pupils ; and, finally, that a sum of 5,000f., which she had economised out of her salary, and placed in the Duke's hands, without, however, receiving any written acknowledgment, should be restored. On behalf of Marshal Sebastiaui, it was stated that he made no opposition to the payment of the legacy, that he was ready to give up every article that belonged to Mademoiselle Deluzy, but that with respect to the sum she had left with the Duke, as it was really only 4,000f., uot 5,000f., he was not prepared to pay more than 4,000f. The Tnbuual, by its judgment, declared that the legacy of 3,000f. a year shall be paid half-yearly to Mademoiselle Deluzy Desportes, with the arrears due from the 24th of August last : that she shall receive 4,000f. (instead of the 5,000 she had demanded) with interest from the date of her demand ; and that all articles belonging to her shall be restored.

Ovebxand Route — Isthmus of Suez. — " This long wished for communication is actually in progress of heing carried into ttfect to the fullest extent of the most ardent expectation, and what is still more pleasing, by the original genius and skill of a native British subject — without a railroad — or tramroad — or canal ; what then, you will ask ; By a new contrivance applicable only to the state and condition of a desert and sandy locality. By this means, the passengers — their luggage — the mails, with the entire cargo of the largest steamer in the service of the P. and O. Company, may be conveyed across the desert in one trip within the short period of 2 or 3 hours ! and the entire cost of the machinery &c, required to produce this extraordinary effect, is guaranteed not to exceed £3,000 ! the project and proposal have been already made by Mr. Maxton, lately arrived here as chief steam engineer and mechanist to his Highness, and successor to the late Mr. Taylor. This gentleman stakes his reputation (which is well known to stand high) for the i

success of his project, and the plan has been communicated to Mr. Davidson, superintendent of the P. and O. Company, who Jaid the same, with the drawings, before Mr. Consul General Murray, who promises his co-opera-tion and influence in carrying out the measure. Further, the Pasha himself has countenanced the proposal — Mr. Maxton undertakes to manufacture the machinery at the Boulac Iron Foundry, under his own immediate inspection rather than in England, for many reasons, but the Pasha wishes it to be executed in England." The letter accuses the French Engineers of having, through jealousy,instigateil the Pasha to request a conference to be composed of all the wise men that surrounded him. " Mr. Maxton declared on the high ground of ability and of his professional character,to perform what hepromised ; and that he held himself responsible as well for the design, as for the execution — and lastly — that he considered himself worthy the confidence of his Highness, and required no foreign aid, assistance, or suggestion, being deteru ined to rise or fall on the efficiency of the project. This is a -matter of vast importance to the public, and involves, much individual anxiety, and I am therefore persuaded that the proprietor deserves to be honestly protected in his rights, on these grounds — and having some notion of the contrivance, you will permit me «o send you a brief outline of its leading principle. The conveyance over the desert from Cairo to Suez is tobe effected by means of a locomotive steam engine, of a sufficient power, having three wheels only, the foremost a small guiding wheel similar to that of an invalid's chair — the two hinder wheels, which give motion to the vehicle, are to be of peculiar construction, and immense magnitude probably about 90 feet in circumference, with iron rims of 20 inches broad ; these wheels are to make one revolution at every stroke of the crank, giving a motion forward of 90 feet in two seconds — or 2700 feet in a minute — something more than 30 miles per hour. The great feature of Mr. Maxton's plan is, the vast diameter of the moving wheels, their position and construction ; further details for the present would be useless and uninteresting to the general class of readers ; so much I mention because generally known, and cannot now be kept a secret : and I now give it publicly through your spirited journal in order to prevent treachery or piracy being committed upon undoubted talent and original genius." — Bombay Courier.

A Guide to Goveknmekt Situations. \ — Now there are so many young men in search of employment, our benevolence induces us to give a hint or two, to assist them in getting places under Government. Capital colonial appointments may be bad in Botany Bay, Sydney, and Norfolk Island. They are sometimes held for life, but more generally for periods of fourteen, or seven years, according to the acquirements of the individual. A good way to obtain these is making personal application to a tradesman's till, or banker's safe. A good handwriting, with a facility of imitation — is a strong recommendation, and testimonials from the Inspectors of Police will be found of service. The passage to the colony is defrayed by the Government, and the individuals are taken the greatest care of, and not even allowed to land alone, lest they might suffer through their want of experience. The uniform is grey, and it is customary to wear chains and rings. Home situations are more easily obtained. Among others, there are vacancies at Brixlon. To obtain these, candidates should show a facility in accommodating themselves to the habits of others, &c. A good display of pugilism on the person of a policeman will often prove effectual. The hours of business are regular, and time passes in an even round. Promotion is by regular siens. — Man in the Mnon.

" Plain as a Pikestaff." — Q. What is the meaning of Tenants' Right in Tipperary? — A. Landlords' Funeral Rites. — Punch.