ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume X, Issue 969, 15 November 1854, Page 4

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Preparing Winter Quarters on the

Danube.-— Late news from the seat of war stales {bat English miners iind carpenters were busy at work at Schnmla and Rustchuk, in constructing barracks to aerve as winter quarters for tbe troops. A great many, mechanics had likewise been sent from all patts of tbe country to Silistrla, for the purpose of repairing or re-building tbe booses damaged and destroyed during the late siege. On (he 6th instant tbe Ottoman firman was published, enjoining the inhabitants of the Provinces concerned to receive tbe Austrian troops as friends and allies, in the event of their crossing the Ottoman frontier. — Leeds Mercury, July 29. Thb Late Coxonel Moore. — The Queen has granted to Mrs. Moore, the widow of Colonel Moore, of the 6th Dragoons, who perished at tnt pott of duty in tbe burning "Europa," a pension of £200 a-year, and apartments in Hamp-ton-Court Palace. But Her Majesty is not alone fn her noble recognition of the brave old soldier. Colonel Moore was about to sell out, of the service ; but when he beard that his regiment was ordered abroad, he resolved to forego that ease to which his age and long services so well entitled fiira. The officer next in seniority, Major White, lad been in treaty for the purchase of the lieute-nant-colonelcy of tbe regiment ; hut the unexpected and melancholy fate of his gallant com-manding-officer gave'him the promotion as a death vacancy, and the valne of Colonel Moore's com■iriifiion was consequently lost to his family. Major White, with a generosity beyond all praise, iplnced £2000 at the disposal of the widow and 'family of his late friend, an act of which tbe -Officers of tbe British army may be justly proud. Austbia. — Negotiations appear to be still the order of the day at Vienna. Lieutenant-Colonel Manteaffal has been very busy there, " enforcing • fbe views'* of Prcssia. On the 21st he bad an interview with Count 8001, and an hour later an - interview with the Emperor—- the second since he arrived at Vienna. In tbe evening there was a cabinet council ;, and the, next day it was reported, tfiat "PritfceGortschakoff had completely failed." ' The Vienna telegraph, under date July 23, says - that "an official communication of the Russian . answer was forwarded yesterday to London and Paris/ Meanwhile, Austria has mustered '34000 troojis out of the recent levy of 95,000 ; and is raising a loan. The official Gazette of Vienna published on the 21st a first list' of subscriptions to the new loan, at tbe bead of which stands the Emperor for 1,200,000 florins, the reigiing Duke of Lichtenstein for 2,400,000 florins,'' tbe banking-hdose of MM. Simon Essina for 5,000;000 florins, and that of MM. Arnstein and Eskelez for 3,000,000 florins. A letter from Vienna of tbe same date states tbat tbe commune Vienna haa subscribed for 3,000,000 florins, that of Trieste, for 2,000,000 , florins the town of Debreczin 1,000,000 florins, the Northern Railway Company 3,000,000 florins, J -the States. of Styria 1,000,000 florins, Prince •Scbwarzenberg for 1,000,000 florins each. Tbe jankers of Vienna will it it said, subscribe foe a I total torn of 30^000,000 florins, an 4 the Imperial ■Pamijy for 20;000.000 florini, to be taken from its private' domain. General Hess was still on the #4tb, inspecting the Wallacbian frontier ; and a' movement of troops upon tbe Buicowina is .mentioned. This would further outflank the .Russian's, and at the same time furnish defences tfor Gallicla. .General' Schlkk arrived at Lemberg, bis head-ijnarters, on the l2ih,—rSpect«tor i tfnly 29. The Djiatth op -Captain Pabkeb. — The @a**Ue of lt*t night contain* a despatch from

Admiral Dundas, with enclosures from Commander Powell, of the Vesuvius, andother officers cdgaged in aa attack, on the Bth July, upon a stockade battery at the Sulina mouth of the Danube, which resulted in the death of Cnptain Hyde Parker, of the Firebrand. In describing the action, Commander Powell writes as follows : — " Captain Hyde Parker directed a strong party of boats from the Firebrand and Vesuvius to accompany him up to the Danube for the purpose of destroying some works which were occupied by the Russians. At 2 p.m.. the boats entered the Danube, Captain Parker's gig in advance. At the bend of the river, opposite a number of houses on the right bank and a large stockade on the left, a sharp fire was opened upon him, and his boat was nearly riddled. Some of his men were wounded. The heavy boats were coming up, and Captain . Parker at once pulled back to them, hailing me to land the marines, and be ready to storm* This order was execnted by the marines and a detachment of seamen in tbt same gallant spirit with which it was given. Captain Patker then dashed on shore in his gig, and at once advanced with a few men. He was in front, and greatly exposed. A tremendous fire wai soon opened upon them by the enemy ; and, a few minutes after landing, a bullet passed through their leader's heart, and in a moment this gallant soldier ceased to live. Thus died an officer whose merits, sir, are well j known to yourself. His conduct on this occasion leaves an eximple of valour that never can be erased from the memories of those present. The command devolved upon Commander Powell, who, after bringing the heavy guns to bear upon the place, carried it at a run by a detachment of seamen and marines. The works, enclosing stables, Government bouses, and magazines, were demolished, and the town of Sulina destroyed, except the principal street. Our loss was Captain Parker killed, arid six wounded. Acting-Lieutenant Lyons, of the Firebrand, Lieutenant Jull, of the Marines, and James Shade, A.8., are highly commended in the despatches. Acting Lieutenant Lyons is appointed Lieutenant by commission.— Spectator, July 29. The New Dress for the Infantry of the Line has, it is said, been at last finally determined on. We are told that the present cap will be replaced by a shako, very light in regard to weight, soldier-lite and graceful in appearance, not unlike the cap of years back. The small ball, the substitute for the feather, will be retained, and the number conspicuously displayed. Speaking as Ye are, of course, of the officers' uniform, the coat will be in the shape of a tunic, or frock, scarlet in color, and double-Lreasted, with the facings of the regiment. The collar will be low and open, with embroidered gold lace in heraldic crowns and stars, shewing the 'rank of the officer. The shoulder-belt and breast-plate will be discontinued. In lieu thereof there will be a white patent leather waist-belt, with gilt ornaments in front. Epaulettes and dash will be abolished. The black trousers will be continued for' the wlnter, r and bluish texMire for the I snmmer. The Guards, so long free from innovation, will, it is stated, soon undergo a change in uniform. The cavalry uniform patterns have not yet been sealed. It is supposed the change in the latter will be on a limited scale. A Proposed Railway ok the Thames. — The Thames Central Railway (observes a writer in the Household Words) is a bold scheme, and to many will seem a wild one ; yet it is propounded by an engineer who has done, and is doing, great things ; and we must be cautious how we venture to smile down anything from such a quarter. At present, legislative sanction is wanting ; but the day may arrive when both skill and capital will be forthcoming to complete the work. Let us imagine a railway rising boldly above the level of the Thames, and running along nearly equidistant between its shores. It will run from Westminster Bridge to London Bridge. Its supports will be so light and graceful as to offer no obstruction to the view from Whuehall Gardens and the Temple Gardens, And the few other spots whence a view can be obtained. The railway will, In effect, be a station nearly from end to end,, whereby the greater railways may form a junction. There will be a waterway for barges and small craft beneath, and two waterways for steamers between the railway and the respective shores. By means of floating fenders connected with the supporting columas, the river traffic will be definitely arranged ioto distinct | trains or streams perhaps with greater facilities for river trade than if na railway existed. There will be approaches from all the bridges, whereby to pick up passengers from everywhere to everywhere — always provided that the existing companies will carry their lines from the present termini to the banks of the Thames. Barges and craft will receive goods from the railway, or supply goods to it, by a due arrangement of the space between the columns. Passengers and goods from Aberdeen (the John-o'-Groat's Grand Extension is not yet finished) to Dover, or from York to Brighton, or from Harwich to Southampton, may crossJ.be Thames^(perhaps) without leaving their carriages. Bishopric of New Zealand. — In the House of Commons, on Thursday, on the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Sir J. Pakington moved that the house should to-morrow resolve itself into a committee to consider the following question : — '' That an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that the may, be graciously pleased to give directions that the salary of £600 heretofore voted annually to the Lord Bishop of New Zealand shall be paid for the years 1853 and 1854 ; and assuring her Majesty that this bouse will make good the same." Mr. Williams said, if the colony of New Zealand wanted a bishop, they ought to pay his salary. Sir G. Grey admitted that, with regard to the two years in question, the bishop had a right to i the salary in question, and he hoped that the representation which be had directed the acting governor to make to the Legislature of New Zealand, for its payment would be successful. But if the application were not successful, then lie admitted the. bishop would have an equitable j eltira upon this countiy. Sir J. Pakington said j that, after the assurances of Sir G. Grey, he j would not*prets the motion. The motion was consequently withdrawn. — Bell's Messenger, 31st July. Union Bank of Australia. — The Times of July 18th, reports the proceedings of a meeting of the Union Banking Company of Australia, hetd.qn the previous day. The dividend tor the half year was declared at £4 per share, or at the rate of 32 per cent, per annum. This wag a re-

•duction compared with that declared on, the last -occasion, md was owing to the alteration in,tihe rate of exchange, and the consequent diminution of the profit! obtainable by «purcbasing gold du«t. The bank h«d sustained no loss by bad debw, whilst the reserve held against possible loss todd been increased by sums recovered, out of securities formerly reckoned as bad. The branch at Nelson in New Zealand had been re-opeaed, and a n'e*r branch opened at Brisbane, Moreton Bay, The statement of accounts showed a profit for the year of £295,963, out of which £164,000 was pdid at Christmas; and £698 ' carried to the rest of undivided profit, leaving £131*262 of profit available for the payment -of dividend as above. Tbb Cholkra. — St. 'Bartholomew's HdsPital. — Eight cases of cholera have been admitted into St. Bartholomew's Hospital, but although they were severe, providentially only one has proved fatal. FAlmouth, At7GUB* 2.— [By Electric Telegraph.] — The Cholera. — The Lima, emigrant ship lost the cook by the diiease on board. Yesterday the carpenter died. To-day her sail-maker is very low, and one of her passengers was taken by the malady this morning. The InriH Militia.— The Irish militia, tff be organised next year, will consist of thirty-eigbt regiments, 'amounting tb 21,000 rank and file. At present there are fourteen adjutancies vacant, and the total staffs of all grades is only 170 on paper. 1 It is anticipated that there v will be some difficulty ib raising this force, in consequence of| the great emigration, " the comparative abundance and increased prices of labouring employment," and the general eulistment for the regular army now in progress. — Spectator July 29. Death of the Bishop op Kilmotve. — Dr. Leslie, Bishop of Kilraore, died on Saturday last, at Cavan, in bis eighty-second year. He j was consecrated , Bishop of Dromore in 1812, translated to Elphin in 1819, and, under the Church Tempttra'Hiies Act, took possession of Kilmore in; 1841. By bis death a large sum ■ will come into the hands of the Ecclesiastical Commisiib'ners.'— lbid, July 29. The Assault of Giurgevo.— -Further accounts of the assault and capture of "Giurgevo describe it as having been one of the most hard fought arid bloody of the war. Properly speaking, it begat) on the stb, when the Turks, with a rush, won the island of Mokan, lying midway between Rustchuk and Giurgevo. On the 7th, erroneously supposing that the Russians had abandoned the place, the Turks crossed the river in detachments, and then discovered their mistake, A (all cliff offered a fallacious shelter; but the Russians, surmounting it, inflicted a murderous downward fire. It is reckoned that the Turks lost about 300 in killed, and 600 in wounded*; tbeßussians, about 190 killed and 760 wounded. The Turks, however, after a bloody fight of nine hours, remained masters of the field. Three British officers, who were at Rustchmk, fell at the head of the Turks id this engagement ; Lieutenant Burke, Royal Engineers.; Lieutenant Meynel, of the 75th; and Captain Arnold, of the 3rd Madras Native Infantry. The Russians fell back upon Fratescbti, and thence behind the Argisch, where they would still appear to be posted. — Spectator, July 29. h . The French Troops for xme Baltic. — The following is the number of men of the French army on board of the war vessels and transports dispatched for the Baltic: — Hannibal, 891 men; Royal William, 1,353; St. Vincent, 1,271; Algiers, 950; Sphinx, 123; Stromboli, 90; Termagant, 367; Belgravia (transport) 629; CHfton (transport), 344; Colombia (transport), 377; Julia (transport), 221; Prince (transport) with 21 horses, 1,142; Herefordshire (transport), 829 ; Edwin Fox (transport}), 477 ; total, 9,064. The number tif officers accompanying them is 242. The French men-of-war embarked at .Calais camp equipage and in immense amount of ordnance stores, besides 550 engineers and artillery and 78 artillery horses. The gfand total, therefore, of the embarkation is 9 856 officers and men, and 99 horses. — Leeds Mercury, July 29. The Baltic Ahmt of France. — The Constitiitioml announces the proximate departure and, embarkation of a second 'division < of Ibe'ex-^ peditionary corps of the Baltic; the division tocobsist of the following regiments : — First Brigade—Eighth Battalion of Chasseurs tje'VtoceW oes, Fifteenth and Twenty-third Regiments <ot the Line,; Second Brigade — -Forty-first and. Fifty-sixth Regiments of the Line. Several other regiments and battalions are dn their march* for the camp- at Boulogne. — Spectator, Jiilyd29. *

NfcwfcfFßOM England' to A r M#ilicA i-fc'Fd&TT* Seconds. — Lieutenant Maury, whose authority; in the department of science to which he ha« r devbted himself is held in universal and deserved 1 respect (we qu6te> from- the iritirnatiohdl'Jotitnal? American), has! satisfied fhiroself of the practical bility of establishing a submarine telegraphic; communication between the coast of Newfound-, tofrid add' lreland, 'and submits tbcgrouhils of-hifr conviction Ao the. isecretary of (fie ■ navy in ;thtfc brief but-very interesting statement. It reveals* the'extrabrdfinary and hitherto, we believe, unsus-, pected Vatta,' 'first, tbaVtnere'is'an extended pl'ateUu" lying between the sfcbres?of : Newfoundland «fd< Ireland, neither , too deep nor too shallow; bat, apparemly'adapted by nature for the very purpose of supporting telegraphic wires ; and ' sec'ctodly, that the surface of this plateau is 'beyond- lite; reach of any, oceanic or tidal 'currents, anchor*,; icebergs, or drift 3 of any kind, and the water on it withal so shalloV, " : tb" at ' wires may readily 1 be ltfdgßd^oa* its bottom, the process' li^liiclO these conclusions were reached, deserve to rank, amoug the> marvels of modernrscience. The sew company are pusbirig forward "their pre'par'atldbs, andUn v SepTemb'eFnext' the 'Atlantic •' States^nft^ Newfoundland will probably be connected hy3 telegraph. The Collins steamers are engaged t^ touch at Newfoundland on their way from Europe. It is- the intention of the company to supply thepress with all the European news, markets excepted, at a very low charge. The markets will, !be reierved. The company, wiirhave a } pr)'ntingi I press in their office in New York, on which slips, | of the market news will be thrown ofi^ andde- : posited in small apartments similar to our .post- | office arrangements. When they have ; printed^ enough, to place a piece in each subscriber's box, the door will be thrown open^ and. the merchants will enter and receive their slipi of market news, all at the same time. ' In three Iye«rB, 1 ye«r8, the lelegraph will be completed across the Atlantic — aa enterprise on a parallel in importance with the? greatest achievements of the day.