ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 853, 5 October 1853, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Lord John Russell has announced that the Government Education Bill will not be proceeded with this session. By a small majority an 'amendment in favour of the total abolition of the advertisement duty has been carried against the 1 Ministry, who proposed to levy a duty of 6d. The quarterly revenue returns present a very satisfactory array of figures. The revenue for the three months ending July 5, 1853, was £14,200,000 : that for the corresponding quarter of last year was £13,055,000; showing an increase in the quarter's revenue of nearly £1,150,000. The increase in the twelve months ending July 5, 1853, Ira's been little short of £2,000,000. The Customs, Excise, and Stamps, are the branches of revenue in which the largest increase has taken place, a good evidence of the improvement in trade of the country and the condition of the people. Santa Anna, the Mexican dictator, is said to have already suppressed upwards of forty newspapers. He is organizing an army of ninety thousand men, and using very warlike language against the United States. The American correspondent of the Times, who has hitherto spoken favorably of President Pierce and his Cabinet, now asserts that their management of the national affairs is disappointing their friends. The causes of this change of feeling are not very clearly indicated; it is merely stated that the appointments of some of the foreign ministers are considered to be injudicious. It is too soon, however, to judge of the character of the new administration. The Boomerang propeller was tried in the Conflict screw-sloop on Saturday, at Portsmouth. A previous tiial had been made with the screw propeller, and the results noted : the speed was 9. 008 knots per hour. With the boomerang it was 9.125— n0 great excess ; but then it is said that wind and tide were unfavourable on Saturday, and that the revolutions of the boomerang were less rapid than the screw, causing a saving of fuel,

The Emperor of Russia and his Minister. — During the present dearth of political intelligence of interest in the north, the following anecdote, recited 6f the Emperor of Russia, may be worthy of note. It recently occurred that an eminent personage, chapcing to proceed on business to the palace, lost a pocket-book containing the value of 20,000 roubles in notes, and which he notified to the police. Next morning a young man, a supernumerary in a public office, appeared before the president of police, and presented the pocket-book and contents, stating how and where he had found the sarrie, and declaring that he neither wished nor expected pecuniary reward, but adding, when pressed, that if he could procure some small place, with a salary, in the department whereof he was a supernumerary, his utmost desire would be gratified. Thereupon the president, well pleased with the young man's honesty and frankness, replied, " Take the book and money to his Excellency, state to him your wish, and then return and report the result." The young man did as he was bidden. After waiting a couple of hours he was admitted, delivered the book and money, and then humbly communicated his wish. He was, however, very coldly received, and desired to wait. At length an attendant appeared, gave him a sealed letter, and ordered him to depart. This he did, but not without opening tTie envelope, in which he found fifteen silver roubles. His next step was to the president of police; who merely answered, " Give me the envelope and money, and await results." Three or four, days later, the young man was summoned to th'e imperial palace, and, trembhng, entered the presence of the emperor, who ordering him to narrate his story, commanded hi fa to appear at a given hour and day at the residence of the owner of the recovered money. At the time indicated, the young man made his appearance in the antichamber, where he had scarcely arrived ere the czar made his appearance, at d passed rapidly into the great man's cabinet, bidding the youth to follow. The following scene and conversation then took place: — "* My dear , you lost a pocket-book containing so much, which was returned to you by this honest fellow, who declined a 1 reward ?'* With how much did you tempt him to forego his resolution ?" " With fifteen roubles, sire," replied the other, full of confusion. *' So," ejaculated the emperor, " 15 'oublea lor 20,000 is not ruinous t Now.dear , yon ought to know that s law .exists where finders of treasure

are entitled to one 7 third ; therefore you will no doubt hasten to comply with the laws of which yon are one of the guardians. As to another third, that you will doubtless make over to this honest man as a recompense, and think yourself fortunatt that your money did not fall into •bad bauds, whereby you would hate lost the remaining third. Tben(added ihe czar), ai honest •men are scarce now a : days, you will pleate to make out a warraut tot. this youths-e mployment to a paid place." The czar's commands were 'fulfilled to the letter, with mere tatishction, as may well be imagined, to the object of , his protection than to that of the quiet and wealthy personage to whom his majesty gave this sharp' lesson. Such is the story as it is generally related at St. Petersburg. — Berlin Correspondence < tqf the Morning Chronicle.