AMERICA. [From the Melbourne Argus, March 22]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 806, 23 April 1853, Page 3

AMERICA. [From the Melbourne Argus, March 22 ]

By the Quito, recently arrived from Panama, accounts were received of the destruction by fire of the American steam-ship Cily of Pittsburgh, of 2000 tons, in Valparaiso. This vessel, it appears, was bound to San Fiaucisco, and intended to ran between that city and Panama. It was presumed the fire was occasioned by the spontaneous combustion of the Chilian coal. The crew and passengers lost all their effects. The imports into the United States last year were 207,240,161 dollars; the value of domes tic products exported, 149,861,911 dollars; and 17,204,026 dollars foreign goods re-exported* lv specie, there was exported, 42,507,285 dollars, and imported from foreign countries, 5,262,643 dollars. Daniel Street and wife, father and mother of four children, deck passengers on board the steamer Jsraes MiHiujer, from St. Louis to •Louisville, recently committed suicide, When near Evjnsville, the wife seized the youngest child and jumped into the river. She was imt mediately followed by her husband. The three remaining children were taken care of by the passengers. A girl is now exhibiting in Charleston, U.S., who is represented to be only IS years old, weighing 512 pounds, measuring two feet four inches round the arm, and five feet round the waist, and remarkably well proportioned. A friend in speaking of California, says, " If you call a physician he generally relieves you ; if not of the disease, of your pocket book. For three ' a-hema' and a * ho,' I paid twenty-seven -dollars." The oldest printer in the United States is a man named Carley, in Yorkville, South Carolina, 97 years of age. He worked with Ben Russell, on the Boston Sentinel, half a, century ago, and yet sets type by candle-light. With regazil to the Nicaragaa boundary, and tie ships' canal, negotiations are still iv progress, and vrith a favorable prospect. This route across the continent to the Pacific is of the highest consequence to commerce; equally so to Eiiglaud and Europe, as well as to the United States. The rebellion in Mexico is coming to a head, the revolutionists having had & battle with the Government troops at Sonora, in which the latter were defeated. The Japan expedition is a prominent theme. It seems that Commodore Perry is iustrucied to obtain from Japan some relaxation of the inhospitable am! anti-social system which it bas pursued for about two centuries ; the advantages to be enjoyed by all other maritime powers. This is as it should be, and gives general satisfaction here.

Another Nbgro Stampede.—A number of slaves escaped on horses from Bourbon County, Kentucky, on Sunday last. It is supposed that about twenty-five fled. Some of them were recovered in the neighbourhood of the Blue Licks, but more of them are still fugitives. A number of Kentucky officials were in the city yesterday in search of a squad of four, who are suspected of crossing the river opposite Fulton.—Cincinnati Gazette, Nov. 6.

The (Bloomer) Fashions for 1852— 53. —Mrs. Bloomer —who must be the best authority in the world —publishes the following important information relative to the Bloomer fashions for the season, in the last number of the Lily, a very pretty little monthly quarto, edited and published by her at Seneca FalU :— " We have several letters of inquiry about the style of making the short dress, and also what style of hat is to be worn the comiag winter. It is a little perplexing to us to answer such questions for we know very little about fashions, and we do not wish to set ourselves up as a pattern for oiliers. We are uot nware that there is any particular style for making the short dress, or any new fashion for it. At least we have none, but make ours just to «uit our own fancy add comfort, and we hope others will do the same. We believe our dress does Dot differ materially from those woru by others, except in the length of t'ne s>kirt and bodice, and iv our jriviug ourself 1 too'ii * i br'scs'.ie trttiv, a.nl d w li*-^ -'in our own ' »<*>.-i l'"'.,; ,eid vi <viM'Porti-». to» suppnu ; and ;t'« «i. -<nsij ,• ull >?nxi'tfl»ii HtitU>f ii* "irt ' ' ''''' r >'?*',: . A:« . «.- :r:n(s,ii, : >»' .':■>-■

tion which we urge upon our lady readers is, the supporting of under skirts by elastic suspenders (the same as those worn by men, an«l worn in the same manner), instead of letting them rest upon the hips. They are perfectly easy, and far preferable to " straps." We arc happy to know •that they we now worn to a considerable extent, and thai they will be generally adopted when their advantages become known. The prettiest style of cloak for the tbort dress is a full circle, or Spanish cloak. Too sacque looks well, and is very convenient, as it leaves the arms free. Both bonnets -and bat 9 are worn. If a hat the heaver is preferable, though they may he made of ■ilk or velvet. The trousers are made mostly straight and plain, or with "spring bottoms," though some still prefer them full, and confined at the ankle. The large number of ladies who attended the meeting beie on the 14tb ult., dressed in short skirts and trousers, proved the falsity of the statements made by some of the papers, that this style of dress has become extinct. The number present on that occasion was, by different persons, estimated as high as fifty, and these came from different sections of the State. Lucy Stone, whom all so much admired, we are happy to see, still adheies to this style of dress.