ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 400, 2 June 1849, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

The Electric Light. — Tins light, of late so much talked of, was exhibited to the public last night, between the hours of eight and vine o'clock, from the portico of the National Gallery. A better s-ite for such an exhibition soon attracted to ihe *>pot a large assemblage of spectators, \vl o fi U-«i the street and terrace opposite the gaiiery, as well as a great portion of the square lielow. The moment the experiment commenced, the large open space in front was rilled w jth a flood of light which paled the lamps, not only in the square, but also some distance duwn Whitehall. So intense w,.s it, tl>a\ when thrown upon the people, one could *.cau the countenance of those who were most distant from the gallery, and discern the cut of a man's coat or the pat em of a lady's dress at the outskirts of the crowd. Every hum and then a strong pencil of light woull be thrown upon Nelson column, bringing it out from the surrounding obscurity, from its base to its summit. The light was as steady as it was intense, and the shadows which it cast were as deep and positive as those which accompany

the strongest sunlight. On the whole live experiment appeared to be successful iii the hands ot ihe operator, and sati.Nfactory to all who witnessed it. — Giobe^ Drc. 20.

Brutality of Rosas. — A tetter from Buenos A) res sajs that Rosas has expelled the Sardinian charge il'dffahes aivd insulted the Dutch consul. It adds — " A dreadful atrocity w*s committed hy him a few days ago. A young priest, of the name of Gutierrez, ran off with a young woman, daughter of O'Gormau. To hide their critni ial intercourse they removed to Goya, where they maintained themselves by keeping a school. It happened (hat th« Irish priest, Gannon, fell in with the unfortunate Gutierrez, recognized him, and gave information. The offenders were sent to Buenos Ayres prisoners, to be disposed of according to law, and, on their arrival, they were sent to the Campamento, and both shot; the wretched woman in the eighth month of her pregnancy. Her conduct excited the commiseration even of her savage executioner. She showed no violence, but calm, .tranquil submission. Kverybody is disgusted, but no one dare say a word." We learn, from another source, that previous to the execution holy water was poimd down the throat of the woman to Christianize the unborn infant. At the execution so horrid was the scene that one of the soldiers fainted. The first discharge was unsuccessful, and it required another discharge to extinguish life. The we man's name was Camila O'Gorman. — Liver} 00l Albion, Dec. 4.

National Emigration. — As emigration will soon be pressed on ilie aitention ol the legislature, it becomes necessarj to report on the progress of the question. For our own part we cannot think the case to be exactly the same now as it was in January, 1847, or even in January, 1848. Since the lormer date half a million of souls have left these shores; and since the latier date this unexampled emigration has assumed the form of a spontaneous and regular stream. Nor is there any visible abatement of t\ c locomotive furor. We may, therefore, conclude that, ior some time to come, nearly the whole annual increase of our home population will take wing. * * * At present the Bri-ti-h Government does not assist emigration from the public resources. With but lew exceptions, whatever amount and degree of assistance is now ghen is from the colonial funds. The colonial ptymasters have a general preference ior English and Scotch labourers, as being better up to their work, and therefore more worth iheii money. Government, therefore, is not at liberty to apply these funds and locate the deposits for colonial emigration where some people may think thnni most needed. It is merely in the pontion of a factor or agent. The i'aud is but small. Any attempt to assist general emigration must needs be cosily. A million would be nothing among so many. But the country cannot afford a million just now. There is a dire necessity for reducing the national expenditure. Neither manufacturers nor agriculturist* on this t>ide ol the Channel will agree to spare a million for such a purpose, not absolutely necessary. What we say of spending we say also ol lending, for lending and spending in these days aie j retty much the same thing. As lar as regards the condition and prospects of the envgrants themselves, neither Canada nor the States exhibit any signs of repletion. Loyalty will prefer Canada and other British colonies. The geographical and political circumstances of Canada prevent, and indeed supersede, that minute attention on the mother country, which we cannot attempt wiih the remote and comparatively infcint colonies of Australia. Al' that the British Government cm do with emigration to that quarter is to see that the t migrant is not forced from his v native soil, trepanned by fradulent auents, or is not expose I to disease, starvation, or shipwreck, by dishonest shipowners, and is not lauded absolutely helpless. We wish that something could be done with the selection of emigrants. But we have passed the opportunity of a really national emigration, and now find the movement beyond our control. — Times, January 3.