ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume X, Issue 967, 8 November 1854, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

The Gun and Despatch Boats for the Baltic. — The first of the six gun-boats ordered hy the Admiralty from Messrs. Green and Messrs. Mare and Co. was put into the water on Monday last. She is named the Wrangler, and like the others tliat will follow in a few days — Arrow, Beagle, &c. — will be at once fitted with her machinery, and will proceed to the Baltic. These vessels were ordered only about nine weeks since, and the most extraordinary exertions have been made to turn them out of hand. The tonnage is about 470 ; length, 160 feet ; and breadth, 25 feet 4 inches. Messrs. Maud«lay, Messrs. Perm, and Messrs. Humphrey are constructing the engines (160 horse power), and it is expected that within the next four weeks four at least will be ready for sea. Unfortunately with so much haste in launching the Wrangler the pumps were obliged to he kept going on board yesterday in the dock. It would* perhaps, have been safer and more workmanlike, and in the long run time would have been saved^. if she had been further advanced on the stocks, and not have been sent into the water in so unfinished a condiiioc ; but we believe the slip waa wanted for another vessel. As it is she is in th» dock, and she must be kept afloat and completed there. We stated yesterday that the Admiralty had ordered two gun boats to be built also in the Royal Dockyard, Deptford. These are to. be regular gun-boats, and not despatch vessels, likethe others. They are to be above 220 tons, 100 feet Ing, and to have high pressure screw machinery, by Perm, of 60 horse power. The larger boats all draw about 11 feet 4 inches, but the smaller class are to draw ooly 5 f eet 6 inches^ and then all the machinery will be under the water line. There are to be six of the smaller class built at once— f«ur of them by contract. It is expected that the despatch boats will average a j speed of ll£ to 12 knois, and that the gan-boats will average at least 10 knots. The former, as we have stated, to carry 6 68-pounder broadside guns, and two 95 cwt. pivot guns, 10 feet long. " It is rumoured that the present Rear-Admiral (Superintended W. F. Martin) will have command of

a Channel fleet, and that Lord Adolphua Fitz-, clarence witl succeed Admiral Martin as the; 'superintendent of the Portsmouth dockyard.—, London Morning Herald, Dr. Cumming on the Eastern Question. ( — The following extract from Dr. Cumming's' lecture, entitled " The Moslem and his end,"--is illustrative of a portion of the author's views o.n the Eastern question at this moment: — So striking are prophetic dates relating to the exhaustion of the Ottoman Empire, that one interpretation of prophecy in 1840, fixed the period of its end in 1849 at the earliest date; and almost every stu» dent of prophecy, of any note or name, Dr. Elliot, Dr. Keith, Mr. Bickersteth, and Mr. Birks, were unanimous in regarding its utter overthrow as just at our doors, before the present invasion of Russia, Ido not ss y that our views of unfulfilled prophecy are to regulate cabinets, but it is interesting to us calmly, yet patiently* to look on the present roraplications in the East as the irresistible harbingers of the speedy extinction of error ;.and vre almost regret that .our gjreat nation ■bould be dragged into the war to avert what we regard as a foregone conclusion, prophetically viewed, and a consummation which, on other, grounds, we would hasten-rather than delay. Stu-/ dents of prophecy are neither fatalists nor prophets, but investigators of those glimpses of the future which the Author of the Bible has been pleated to, reveal. The aame prophetic record that thus indicates the near downfall is to make way for the march of Kings from the sunrising." Whether this refers to the Jew's, as I believe, or, to the emergence of the ancient Oriental churches, is a matter of dispute. But this is plain that the, Christians in the East will gain in all respects by the warring of the Crescent, and prove a better obstruction to Russia's ambition than the Turks. Now, it seerai clear from the words of Daniel's prophecy, that the great Mahometan delusion — for such, as Christians, we must regard it — and its head and strength', the Ottoman dynasty will not be struck down by a blow as Russia expects, but must, if prophecy be trne, gradually and progressively expire. It dies out ; its waters are literally evaporated ; it expires, of age, decrepitude, and decay. I do not believe, from prophecy, that the Russian eagle will be allowed to tear it to pieces, or to have the Sultan's palace, for its eyrie. I do cot believe that it will be suffered to disappear, till the last pulse beats feebly in the Mahometan heart. But whether there is peace or war, Turkey is equally exhausted. If Russia persists in her infatuation, Turkey, as a Mahomedan power will be destroyed; if Russia is compelled before the bayonets of Europe, to retire to the Kremlin, the Turkish exchequer will be exhausted ; and in either «ase, the prophecy of its expiring will be fulfilled. It will be broken without hand ; the waters of the great Euphrates will gradually evaporate,. Result of the-Enquiry into the Charges mape against Irish, Members. — The report of the select-coramHtee of privileges appointed to inquire into the " calumnious , reflections on the Irish members." contained in the Times " article" of the 6th February last, has appeared. The foundation for the inquiry was, l_aid by M,ri' Christopher Kelly and Dr. Gray &Vp t ublic dfnnet at Tuam, which took place in Janqajy. These gentlemen in the coursa of their after, dinoejr Bpeeches made general charges of corruption ag : ainst"a section of the Irish members as regarded the disposal of patronage ; end, particular, instances were given. Upon the allegations so -made the article in the Times was a commentary. Tkf r. Kelly and Dr. Gray were asked by the committee to make good their statement^ : they ( did their best to produce proof and to tell where it, could be got. The inquiry extended : witnesses who could not advance a step beyond mere rumour, mentioned persons who knew all about the foul play; these in their turn came to be examined, with the like fruitless results. The com--mittee state that they gave every facility to the accusers to support their charges, and " extended -their inquiries to a latitude which has npt un« frequently involved them in the reception of. idle gossip and the investigation of groundless calumnies." Mr. Kellys statement involved Mr. Patrick Soroers, the late member for Sligo, in a discreditable transaction connected with the sale of a stipendiary magistracy : the committee's decision is, that " Mr. Kelly has failed in substantiating the charge." Dr. Gray's endeavour to maintain the truth of his assertion on fte r subject of an attempted purchase of a paid guardianship, is found to rest upon the statement of an apprentice to a solicitor, to the effect that in 1848 he *ad been in negotiation with the Dublin agent, of Mr. Patrick Somers for the purchase ( of such an, office. Other persons mentioned by Dr. Gray as possessed, of information which would bear out -his allegations of corruption were examined"; and the committee state that the result " has rioj sus l•tafned the expectation of Dr. Gray/ With regard to Mr. Somers, the. committee state " that no proof has been made toimplicate'him in any improper or corrupt transaction." Mr. Burke Roche and Mr. Daniel O'Cbn'nell were implicated by Mr. Lucas, upon. the strength of "rumours": the committee, after hearing what Mr. Lucas bad to -say, find **, that" both these gentlemen hay just' reason to complain that they have been made the subject of, false and injurious reports and imputations." Mr. Lucas had taken Mr. Keogo severely to task in the Tablet, charging him with *' corrupt conduct" and other offences : but on examination, be disclaimed any intention of ira- > puting to Mr. Keogh that " he had been'conneqted i with the sale, of places for money," or that he Had heard such a practice alleged, or that he had ' given votes corruptly to obtain patronage. The j distinct charge against Mr. Keogh of having ob- I tajned bill accommodation in return for an ap- i pnintment in the Excise, fs pronounced by the t Committee to be "false and unfounded." The \i general finding of the Committee is, that " the ;i persons who have preferred against a section of jt tjj» Irish members the charges which have led to \ tfti* inquiry, 'have failed to support them ;" and it j is added-—-" Your Committee are of opinion, that '< those who gave to the public these statements 1 ought to have b.een prepared to support them ; and c they cannot but regard it as matter both of regret i tnd animadversion, that even, the excitement of s political passion should have induced gentlemen t to place before, the public allegations 'so vitally v affecting the honour of one class.* of Irish repre- i sentatives, allegations which, when, they had the t .opportunity of sustaining them, they failed to sub- t Wantiate by any' reliable proof."— Spectator, i Jflly I. '.Public Feeling in, Sweden. — The follow- t ing rapy serve ' to show the extent of feeling J

,1 .among .the men of th« North. We, of course, I do not include oar Northern Premier, who de-i „ clnres it " impossible to entertain hostility " for .the ,Czar. The Ystad Gazette states that a rich , inhabitant of that town — -a Swedish one.sitqatej !,' "nearly opposite the Danish island of ]Bornbolra,j . in "the Baltic, has promised to give 1,000 dollars 8 i .banco to the poor, o» the day that he receives - certain intelligence of any important defeat of \ the Russians^ *We read in the Aftonsbtad of p Stockholm, the following speech, delivered By bis i Majesty, the of Sweden, on presenting new . colours to a baUtjlioiji of Smaland grenadier.B : — " On the colours which I present to jou this day is inscribed the word ' Luizen.' That war recalls to ,my memory the glorious time in which Sweden's king fought and conquered in the cause of enlightenment. That name will remind you also of the courage with which the Smalanders, supported him in that holy contest. You possess,' therefore,, an ancestry of 200 years. Great re1 miniscences impose great duties, and the victories of one's forefathers exhort to fresh exploits. The days of warfare and honour are not yet over. Even now you may be called upon to defend your , native land, and to combat for the dearest of all j earthly possessions. Should Fatherland and I call on you, my brave Smalanders, to gather round jhese flags, you will prove that a lo_ng and happy peace has not weakened these arms which in tranquil times cultivated the Swedish soil, and that the swords which have long* reposed in their scabbards are not only as sharp, but that they will be as valiantly borne as they were on Lutzen's battle-field." This speech was follor/ed by enthusiastic cheering* His Majesty afterwards presented new colours to the National Militia of the above island, and in doing so, uttered similar sentiments. They are woitby of a successor of Gustav'ui-Adoiphus ; let us hope the acts of the Government may correspond with the feelings of the Swedish people. The Rights" of Women. — It is sometimes asked, what would be the consequence if ladies were eligible to sit in Parliament f One result of admitting individuals, of the fair sex to vote in the House of Commons might be to increase the practice of pairing. — Punch. Extraordinary Attempt to carry off an Heiress. — An extraordinary attempt at abduction has been made near, Clonmel. It seems , that for some time past ? Miss Arbuthnot, daugh-i ter of the late George Arbuthnot, Esqr., of Elderslie, Surrey, has been on a visit with her sister, who is, married to the hon. George S. Gpugh, the son and heir of the hero of Sobraon, and who resided at Rathronan House, distant about two miles from Clonmel. This young lady, who is reported to be the possessor of a large fortune, has had several admirers Jn this, part of the country, to none of whom, rumour says, ha* she gjyen anycountenaoce. Amongst them was Mr. John Carden, J.P*, D.L,, of Barnape, -Teinplemorej § gentleman of considerable property, and held in general esteem throughout the locality where he resided, and he, too, is said to have shared a similar fate. On Sunday last, Mr. Cardeb, having breakfasted at Hearn's Hotel in Tjpperary, proceeded to Ratbronan Church, where he attended service, at which Miss Arbuthnot and her sister, the hon. Mrs. Gough, were present. "While the congregation were in church, a groom was observed leading a very handsome pair of horses along the road— a carriage, too, was stationed a short distance off, to which a dashing, pair of thoroughbreds were harnessed, and six .strange men were noticed as loitering about, having apparently no particular business in the neighbourhood. Miss Arbuthnot and her sister had driven :to church in an outiide car, and to the fact of a ! shower of rain having fallen, and-to the care of her coachman, who returned to Ratibronan house for a covered car, may she attribute her es;cape from being bqrne away by her disappointed 1 admirer. When church service was at an end, Mr. Carden was observed to walk towards the horses, and to carefully examine their housings, &£>, looking to the tightness of the girths, and the freedom of the reins. At the same time the 1 strange men were observed to draw near the 'churchyard gate ; in a short time Mrs. Goughs 'car made its appearance. In it there were but !the two sisters, the hon. Captain. Gough being at present in Dublin. Most fortunately fpr. Miss Arbuthnot, she sat farthest in the car, which, when passing Mr. Cardeo, was stopped by one of his men, and he himself rushed ttvo v the door, and ■attempted to seize, the lady.. She streamed loudly jamTstfuggled bard against him, and her cries imimediately brougfit (o her assistance several of the 'congregation, including some of- the retainers at jßathronan, wbp.sturdily battled for the siste.r of 1 their! lady. A determined and, serious conflict i then ensued. Mr. Carden and his men were all 'armed with pistols, and " skull-Crackers ;" and the. defenders with sticks, stones, and such, qtber ■ available weapons as chance threw- in their way . t Most 'fortunately no shot was fired in the encounter, and some severe bruises are the only mis- ! haps., resulting from. the. affair. W.hile Mi . Car^ ■den held Miss Arbuthnot in his arms he was struck down by a blow of a stone, inflicted, by a young man named M'Grath ; and then seeing they wer.e becoming ove/powerejd by numbers, whiph were every moment increasing, Mr. Carden's men covered, his retreat to the carriage (Capt. Gopgh's car, with its ? fair, inmates, who were half dead with terror, having, in the meantime, driven off to Rathronan), which, he entered, and two men having mounted tbe> saddle-horses, the party 6et offV at a speed that seemed to defy pursuit, leaving the defenders to wonder at, the daring which, prompted the attempt, and at the fortunate escape of the young lady, whose liberty was thus threatened. Measures, however, were taken to secure the fugitives, They were pursued, and, after a u cbase,of twenty miles, overtaken. After lan affray they were disarmed, and marched priso[ners "back to Cashel. A six-barrelled revolver, a double-Jbarrelled pistol, and a life-preserver, : were ,t§ken from , the person of Carden, who now ■proceeded' quietly with his captors. When the carriage was turned back to Cashel one of the horses, a beautiful mare worth £150, dropped dead ! On Monday jafternoon three men, Henry Atkinson, Patrick Kenneally, and James Atkinson (the latfeV of whom, wbb wounded!) were brought in custody to the Police Office, charged witb- aiding andlabettißg Mr. Carden. A private investigation was held, before the , magistrates, at, tbe termination, of which all the, persons were consigned to Cl'ommel gaol. On .Monday,, " seve-, r'alot the gentry visited Mr. Carden in prison." The injuries he received in the melee are said to be not of a serious nature.— Liverpool Albipp, JulylO. '" ' ' !