ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 464, 12 January 1850, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Visit op the Late King and Queen oi the French to the Lord Mayor. — Yesterday, the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor audjhe Lady Mayoress were honoured with a visit from the Count and Countess de Neuilly at the Mansion House. At the request of Louis Philippe the reception was as private as it could have been made under the circumstances. The drawing-room and the lofty corridor were prepared for the reception of the illustrious guests with equal care, and in the long parlour a dejeuner d la/ourchette was laid, consisting of every delicacy of the season, and wines of the finest quality. Louis Philippe having intimated by letter to the Lord Mayor that he would drive down to the Mansion House at half-past two o'clock, his lordship invited to meet their late Majesties — the Governor and Deputy-fGovernor of the Bank- of England, the Chairman of the East India Company, the Deputy-Chairman of the East India Company, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Mr. Masterman, M. P., and a number of distinguished citi&ens. At the appointed time the Count and Countess de Neuilly, accompanied by the Duchess d'Orleans, the Comte de Paris, and the Corale de Chartres, *«d attended by the Duchesse de Marisier, the Marquise de Vms, General the the Comte de Chabannes, General the Comte de Dumas, and Colonel the Comte de Moutguyon, arrived at the private door of the Mansion House, where they were received by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, amidst the cheers of a multitude who had assembled in Charlotte-row to welcome the venerable Louis Philippe. At three-o'clock it was announced that the dijeuner was ready, and the Lord Mayor conducted the Countess de Neuilly (preceded by the sword-bearer and the mace-bearer) into the long parlour, followed by the Count de Neuilly,. who conducted the Lady Mayoressrsad the Lord Provostof Edinburgh, who conducted theDuchessd'Orleans. The Lord Mayor proposed " The Health of her Majesty the Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albert," which was drunk with the customary honours. His lordship then proposed " The Health of the Count and Countess Neuilly, the Duchess of Orleans, the Count de Paris, and the Duke de Chartres," who had honoured him by visiting the Mansion House. He regretted that he was prevented by the request of his principal guest from more strongly indicating the high respect he entertained for so illustrious a man — a man who could not but be illustrious under any circumstances, adverse or prosperous, by which he might be surrounded. (Cheers.) The Count de Neuilly said, he felt deeply grateful for the honour done him by the Lord Mayor and the company by whom he was surrounded, and it was with the greatest pleasure he proposed '-' The Health of his Lordship, and prosperity to the city of London." (Cheers.) Soon after four o'clock the Count and Countess de Neuilly, the Duchess d'Orleans, the Count de Paris,, and the Duke de Chartres, took leave

of the Lord Mayor and the L*dy Mayoress. They were accompanied to the door in the same form and with the same ceremony which awaited them upon their entrance. The moment they entered their carriages the crowd, which completely filled the wide space of Charlotte-row, burst into loud applause. Several gentlemen shook hands with the late King tff the French when he Was seated in his carriage, and* all exhibited towards him the most profound respect. — Times, August 24.

Pensions from the Civil List. — The Queen has granted the following pension* from the Civil List : — Mrs* Cureton, widow of Colonel Cureton, killed in action at Ramnagger, £150 per annum; Mrs. Pennycuiclr, widow of Colonel Pennycuick, killed atjbe battle of Chillian wallah, £150 per annum ; Mrs. Sarah Austin, the well-known transla-" lor of German standard Works, £100 per annum ; Mrs. Grant, widow of a sergeant of the 45th regiment, killed Nov. 4, 1848, by several armed ruffians, whilst guarding some public money in charge of Major Phibbs, paymaster of pensioners, on a car, near Roscrea, in Ireland ; he refused gallantly to surrender the money, and was shot — £20 per, annum ; Lieutenant Waghorn, the active and' enterprising projector of the overland route to India — in addition to a pension of £100 a-year conferred on him by the East India Company — £200 per annum; Mr. William Sturgeon, Manchester, an experimental philosopher, and who effected an improved elec-tro-magnetic apparatus, &c. £50 per annum. Observer.

Shipping to India. — A letter has been received from Captain Charlesworth of the Royal Saxon, dated Booby Island, the 11th June,, posted by the Equestrian, which, vessel entered the Straits in company with her, stating that the. former vessel had encountered a severe* hurricane off Wreck Reef, which lasted forty- eight hours, and in which she lost fourteen horses. On the 9th of Jane she anchored under Cairn Cross Island, and seeing a fire on the desolate spot, Capt. Charlesworth landed, and happily rescued two English seamen from the last stage of starvation, who stated that they had been cast away from a schooner belonging to New Zealand, called the Isabella. The two men confessed to have killed one of their comrades, and eaten him. The men recovered their strength in a few days.

Terrible Ravages of the Cholera in. the United States. — Philadelphia, July' B—The8 — The mortality produced by the cholera inmany of the large cities ©f the United States, and the widely spreading, prevalence and increase of the fatal pestilence, exclude almost every other subject from the public mind* la the west it is desolating beyond belief. Contemplate the condition of St. Louis, with more than 500 deaths last week, and full 700 the week before — nearly all from cholera. At Cincinnati the deaths range from 100 to 150 per day, chiefly among the Gferman and Irish , emigrants. Ar Louisville there were 17 cases in two small houses (Irish), and 15 deaths 1 The steam boats on the western rivers arrive at the different ports,, parlly freighted with the dying and the dead. The tract towards California*,, from Independence, Missouri, ac.oss the prairies,, is no longer t marked alone by the footprints of men and horses, and the ruts of wheels ; but a letter-, writer graphically says : — " It is dotted and lined on either side with newly-made graves." In the Atlantic cities, and on the sea-board, the pestilence is not so fatal, although the mortality is great, In New York the deaths range from 20 to 40 daily; in Philadelphia from 1 0 to 25. In both cities, at the suggestion of their Boaids of Health, public celebrations, both civic and military, have been postponed and abandoned altogether, from a well founded apprehension that any great public excitement must tend to augment the disease. The ship Guy Mannering, which ar~ rived at New York from Liverpool, with 779 passengers, had 35 deaths by cholera on her passage, and landed several sick passengers at the quarantine. New Orleans still suffers under the scourge, and on several plantations in Louisiana there have been from 40 to 80 deaths among the negroes, within brief periods of a few days only. Indeed,, most of them die almost suddenly, and without premonitory symptoms, Frayers- are publicly offered up in all the churches - Y cholera hospitals are located in different districts of the large cities ; and mtfch excitement, anxiety, and alarm prevail — especially as the calamitous visitation may be expected to continue, with greater or less intensity, during the entire hot season.- I—News1 — News of the Week.

Emigration to California.— The plains, as we term our vast territory west of the Mississippi and its tributaries, present at this moment a most curious spectacle — curious not only, but grand. Cooper has invested the journey of a single family over the prairie with inteFest and dignity ; but what shall w& say of our Anglo-Americau Scythians who are now threading their way in thousands to the land of gold. After leaving the Kansas,

- a writer informs us that be passed at one time 3()6o teams, that be was never out of sight of the emigrant trains, and that for miles a long white waving line could be seen girdling the landscape. A thousand mounted riflemen in the United States service added to its length. Officers at full gallop rode up and down to control its movements, like the whipped in at an English hunt, and a strange orderly confusion marked the scene. How singular is the American character ! What daring enterprise, what fortitude, what perseverance mark their progress ! At what do they aim ? Nothing seems to daunt their efforts, and they are for ever in search of something more than they have. We are a riddle to ourselves. — American correspondent of Daily News.

Panama: Progress oe the Surveys. — It was announced some time since through the public prints that the proprietors of the grant from the government of New Granada for the construction of a railroad across the Isthmus of Panama had sent out a corps of engineers for the exploration and survey of the country through which the proposed work was to pass, with a view to ascertain its adaptedness to a railroad, and the obstacles which would require to be overcome. We are now enabled to state that such progress has been made in the surveys as to show beyond a doubt, not only that the construction of a railroad across the Isthmus is entirely practicable, but that the grades 'will be comparatively easy. By the discovery of a summit level thirty feet lower than had ever been ascertained before, it is found that, on the whole route from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the highest grade need not exceed fifty feet to the mile, and may be reduced to forty, while the greater part of the distance will be under twenty. Contrast this with some of the grades on the Boston and Albany Railroad, which rise to eighty-three feet per mile, and it will be seen how completely the bugbears of travellers and tourists have completely disappeared before the light of science and persevering research. The prospects which are thus opened to the proprietors of the Panama grant are truly magnificent ; for not only are the terms of that grant exceedingly liberal, but the cost of constructing and operating the road will be much less than was anticipated, while its capacity and efficiency will be greatly increased. — Netc York Journal of Commerce. — We have received a copy of the engineer's report ; and we regret that lack of space should prevent its insertion in detail. We may mention, however, that the documents describe the climate through which the projected route cuts as most delightful and salubrious. Hitherto the reports of travellers have united in depicting the country in strong contrast with this more authentic description. — Ed. Liverpool Albion.

Austria and Hungary. — Austria has been termed by statesmen, an European necessity. And recent events have more than ever confirmed the necessity of a strong empire, as the barrier of central and eastern Europe ; but they have not proved that Austria possesses the essential strength and conditions for such a barrier. Quite the contrary. The aggregation of her provinces is weak, the policy of her government is vacil- j lating, and she has neither produced nor apparently promises to produce a cabinet, or even a single statesman, capable of reconstructing or sustaining the tottering framework of her empire. Should Hungary come out of the present struggle victorious, should her i liberal institutions attract and consolidate around her the various races now disunited by | Austrian misgovernment, the physical, social, and political characteristics of Hungary are well fitted for such a station. She was in former times the advanced guard of Europe against Turkey; and the strength and extent of her north-eastern boundary constitute her a natural and most tenable frontier against J Russia at -the present' period — a period quite as critical. the Sultan was, the Czar is. Her municipal institutions are so many schools of self-government and rational freedom ; her military vigour is unimpaired : and the proud title of Seminarium Heroum, is as applicable to the nation in 1849, as to the chivalrous supporters of Maria Theresa. Relieved from the jealousies inspired by Aus- | tria, her subjects would become at first united, and hereafter elevated under her sway. Relieved from the minute, absurd, and oppressive restrictions of the Austrian customhouse, her produce would make i s way into the European markets, and the English manufacturers find eager customers in her numerous and enterprising population. A rich, united, and intelligent people, who have proved their attachment to liberty by three centuries of resistance to absolutism, and who now arje engaged in an internecine struggle for their rights, would succeed to a corrupt and superannuated empire, which has not only pressed heavily on 18 provinces and 36,000,000 of subjects, and been the causa causans of most of the misery of Italy am? Germany — but which, by its recent acceptance of Russian aid, has forfeited all title to

respect or allegiance. The constitutional vitality of Hungary would be equally effective against either extreme — a Cossack ascendancy, or a Red Republic. — Edinburgh Reviey.

Prince Metternich. — It is- said that this nobleman is suffering from softening of the brain, and exhibits unequivocal symptoms of this disease. He is in a complete state of apathy, greatly depressed in mind, and so far sunk in dotage that he did not recognise his daughter, the Countess Sandor, who made a journey to England for the arrangement of family affairs. — Bell's Messenger.

The Peace Congress in Paeis. — The i Peace Congress, formed on the principle of ' settling international disputes by arbitration instead of war, commenced its sittings in the French metropolis on Wednesday, in the > splendid hall of St. Cecilia, a building cai pable of accommodating about 1800 persons. , M. Victor Hugo occupied the chair. M. Visi chers delivered the prize awarded to M. Bara. ' Mr. Cobden read a letter from the Archbishop ! of Paris, approving of the objects of the Congress. The chairman in an introductory oration, depicted the miseries of war, and concluded by inculcating the doctrine of universal brotherhood. The lion of the meeting was, however, Mr. Cobden. But of all men in the world Mr. Cobden ought to eschew foreign affairs. His dictum about the state of France so immediately belied by the revolution of February was not more unfortunate than his description of Russia a fortnight ago, illustrated by a piece of crushed paper, and the immediate elevation of that power through the conquest of Hungary to be the first military power of the continent. A coi respondent of a contemporary, alluding to the meeting on Wednesday, says, * hardly had Mr. Cobden set his foot on the platform, before news arrived that Russia, the object 1 of his contemptuous vaticination, had become mistress of Moldavia and Wallachia — was holding Transylvania — held in her hands the fate of Hungary — bad reduced Austria to vassalage, and paralysed the power of Turkey. It is worse than idle to preach peace to France at a moment when the sword is weighing heavily on nations whom she feels she has injured by her example and by her follies. The doctrines are sound in the abstract, but the moment is unpropitious ; and however disagreeable may be the confession, it must be allowed that the Peace Congress will win no sympathy in Pans.' The Minister of Public works has opened all the palaces, monuments and public institutions to the members of the Congress. The meeting closed on Monday, 23rd Aug. i The two speeches delivered by M. Victor < Hugo to the Peace Congress, and the manner i in which he presided over the assembly so I captivated his auditors that they resolved to i give him a signal testimony of their satisfac- i tion. The Americans and Germans proposed i that a medal be struck in honor of the cele- ; brated writer, but the English thought that ; the remuneration should be more in harmony t with his poetical talent. They accordingly t suggested that a silver oak crown be offered i him ; and their opinion was adopted. t

An Italian Verger. — " I am not aware of the precise nature of the appointment of the English clergyman invested by our ecclesiastical authorities at home with the duties of the church at Rome ; duties which at any rate have teen performed iv a most exemplary manner, and for a long time, bbyy v the present incumbent. The period of his attendance, however, is limited to the season or time that the English and foreign visitors may be supposed likely to remain, namely, from the first Sunday in October till the end of May inclusively. The good understanding which subsists between the Roman ecclesiastical authorities and the English Protestants on matters of their religion, cannot be better illustrated than by the simple fact, that the permanent duties of verger, or clergyman's assistant, are performed by a Roman Catholic subject of the Pope appointed on purpose. The individual appointed accordingly, in addition to the office of investing the clergyman with his surplice and cassock, and opening and shutting the doors of the pulpit, chancel, and vestryroom, regularly conducts all manner of persons, whether subscribers or strangers, to the seats among the congregation. This little, slender, upright old gentleman, remarkably vivacious and active, with black, bright, smiling eyes, and pale complexion, invariably dressed in a decent suit of black out of compliment to his employers, and a black velvet skull-cap over his short- clipped silver locks, for the sake of his own health and convenii ence — may be seen continually at his post during church time, either waiting at the top of the staircase, at the door, or most cleverly and adroitly making his way between the thickest ranks of the congregation. On occasions when the church is particularly crowded, it is extraordinary with what a peculiar degree of nimbleness and affability he contrives to find room for the stranger he is conducting, in places where one would think it impossible, and, exercising good-humour and gallantry towards the ladies, prevails upon

— nay, almost compels — to sit close together those even who under other circumstances would be the most reluctant. By such a uniform ond thoroughly obliging line of conduct to persons of all ranks and conditions, every*' body more or less feels grateful for his assistance ; and lie never 1 fails every successive season to secure a host of friends and acquaintances among the English visitors, though thoroughly unable to speak any other tongue than his native Italian." — Sir G. Head's Rome.

A Millionaire. — The late- Mr. Denison, M.F. for West Surrey, and senior partner in the banking firm of Denisons, Heywood, and Kennard, has died worth more than two millions of money, the principal part of which is settled upon Lord Albert Conyngham and his heirs. The Yorkshire estates of this wealthy man are valued at more than £500,000, those in Surrey at £100,000; the remainder of the property is in the funds and other securities. We are glad to hear that the Marquis of Conyngbam has not been forgotten ; his deceased relative having left him a handsome legacy. Ihe whole property is valued at £2,300,000. — Leeds Mercury, ] Bth August.

Cost of a Boundary Line. — 7 he boundary line between the United States and Canada, run in accordance with the Ashburton treaty, cost the labour of 300 men, 18 months. For 300 miles a path was cut through the forest 30 feet wide, and cleared of all trees. At the end of every mile is a cast iron pillar, painted white, square, four feet out of the ground, seven inches square at the bottom, and four inches at the top, with raised letters on its sides, naming the commissioners who run the line, and the date. — Montreal Morning Courier.

The Forest Fires of New Brunswick. — A letter fiom Fredericton, under date of June 15, says :—": — " There have not been such fires in the woods for many years as there are at present. The riveis and the streets are completely covered with embers and burnt leaves : persons are now at work carting water to their places of residence, and the engines are in waiting — the soldiers are confined to barracks, all to be in readiness in case the fire should enter the town. People are alarmed to a great degree ; the smoke in town is so dense (hat you cannot see the sun ; in fact I can compaie the city at present to nothing but a smoke-house. lam almost blinded from the effects of it. The Supreme Court, now in sitting, adjourned till to-mor-row, the room being so dark as not to admit of their going on with business without the use of candles. It is very calm at present. Should the wind spring up, there is no accounting for what will follow." In addition to the above, we learn from the Head Quarters that a large quantity of wood, standing and cut, has been destroyed in that vicinity ; and that one farmer, Mr. Duffy, has lost several hundred pounds' worth of property in this way. In the eastern section of the province the fires are also raging to a fearful extent. Seventeen houses have been destroyed in Albert County. The woods on both sides of the road between Maguadavic and Musquash are burnt the entire distance, except in occasional places. The Mitamichi Gleaner says, " that the steam saw-mill, owned by Mr. A. Frazer, jun., at Chatham Head, was destroyed by fire on the 12th of June." — News of the World.

Strange Provision in a Treaty. — It has been the destiny of the royal family in Sardinia for ages to maintain their precarious position between the rival ambitions of the house of Bourbon and the house of Austria. In a treaty between one of the late Charles Albert's ancestors and the Empress Maria Theresa it was expressly stipulated that the forces of Savoy should be at liberty to change sides on a six weeks' notice, and this strange covenant characterizes the whole policy of the Court of Turin. — Leeds Mercury. An Equivocal Compliment.— One of the toasts drank at a recent celebration — was " Woman ! she requires no eulogy — she speaks for herself."

Audacity of the Swell Mob. — Last week as Lord John Scott was standing npon the race course at Goodwood, a member of the London swell mob advanced in front of his lordship, and coolly snatched his gold watch and chain, with which he was making off, when a party of soldiers on the ground came to Lord John's assistance, and the fellow was secured. Instantly a gang of about thirty rushed upon them, Lord John and the soldiers were beaten off, the fellow rescued, and the party got clear away, giving three cheers, and carrying with them his lordship's property. — Observer, 13th August.

A Quixotic Bull. — Last week ai the coal train on the Swannington line was proceeding to Leicester, and when near Glenfield, the engine-driver suddenly perceived a fine bull appear on the line, and turn to meet the train, head to head with the engine. The animal run, butting, directly up to his fiery antagonist, and by the contact was killed on

the spot. There was no time to stop th< train before the infuiiated beast came up; i belonged to Mr. Hassel of .Glenfield.— • Ibid The system of electing the Officers triec in the popular army of the Pfalz, says ( German correspondent, hss totally failed ; am the evils it has produced are acknowledged bj the Governmsnt, but it is too late to remedj them. In the National Guard at Carlsrulu the election of a captain in one of the battalions elicited a novel test of military capacity, one candidate made a speech, - full ol ardour, promising to lead his men into the thickest of the fight, where they might all have the chance of dying gloriously for freedom. It was but coldly received, and his opponent was encouraged by the evident general disposition to be frank and candid. "Gentlemen," he said, "I promise at the very first cannon shot to lead you all out of the field." He was elected unanimously.

A Spinster's "Effects." — The following curious advertisement lately appeared in a provincial print: — "To be sold by private contract, a beautiful monkey, a parrot, two spaniels, and a tortoise-shell torn cat, the property of a lady just married, who has no further occasion for the same." — Leeds Mercury,

The state of the Nation. — In answer to public inquiries, we beg to publish the following bulletin :—": — " The nation continues pietty much in the same state. It has passed a quiet session, and is as well as can be exexpected — with the Whigs as Ministers." — (Signed) Punch, M.D. — Punch.

Mr. Pips his Diary. — A Railway Meeting. — Monday, July 2, 1849. — Comes Mr. Stagge to take me to the great Railway Meeting at the London Tavern ; and we up the Back Stairs to the Platform among the Directors, and glad of so good a Place ; bnt fearing to be taken for one of my Company, did get behind a fat Man to bide myself, The Shareholders below met to hear their Affairs debated, and what a collection of wry and doleful Faces ! Meihought the poor anxious Parsons and eager Half-pay Officers amoDg them was a pitiful sight. Looked hard about for the Railway King, but Mr. Stagge did say in my Ear he was not likely to show bis Face. The Secretary reading Bills to be brought into Parliament to join other Railways with this, and all the while interrupted by the Shareholders with Noise and Outcries : but at last got through. Then the Chairman did propose that the Bills be approved of; but ah Amendment moved with much Clapping of Hands tlat the Meeting do adjourn for one Month to examine the Company's Accounts ; which they do say have been cooked. "Upon this a long Speech from a Director, denying that it wa« so, and One made answer to him in a bouncing, ranting Harangue ; but to hear how the Shareholders did shout and cheer whenever he accused the Board of a Piece of Roguery ! He complained that Proxy Papers had been sent out by some for Votes, whereby to gain their own Ends at £900 Expense to the Company ; whereat more Uproar, in the midst whereof he moved another Amendment ; when the Noise greater than ever, with Groans and calling for Dividends ; and several in the Meeting strove to speak, but could only wag their Jaws and shake their Fists at the Chairman, and he imploring Quiet in dumb Show. Howbeit, one old Gentleman got attention for a Moment, and in great Wrath.and Choler did declare that the Directors' Statement was all Humbug. Then Another with much ado .to get a Hearing, did move a third Amendment ; and after that, more Wrangling and Jangling, until the only Man of any Brains I had yet heard, up and showed the folly of moving Amendment on Amendment. So the first and last Amendment withdrawn, and the second put to the Vote, and lost, and then the Chairman's Resolution put and lost also, and the Shareholders hooting and hissing, and shouting " Shame !" and crying that they could not understand the Question. So the Amendment and former Resolution both put over again, and both again lost ; whereupon the Shareholders stark mad, and rushed in a Mob on the Platform, raving at the Chairman, who jumped up in his Chair, throwing his Arms abroad, and shrieking for Silence ; till at last a Poll determined on to decide , whether for Adjournment or not ; and so the Meeting brought to an End in as great * Hurly-Burly as I ever heard \ and a pretty Chairman methinks they have to keep Order, and brave Directors to cook their Accounts, and their Meetings do seem as confused as their Affairs ; and think my Stars, I have not sank my money in a Railway. — Punch.