ENGLISH MAIL, VIA SUEZ.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4344, 20 February 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

ENGLISH MAIL, VIA SUEZ.

The Albion, with the English mail o£ the 25th of December, via Suez, arrived at the wharf at half-past 9 o’clock yesterday morning. The mail was a day late in reaching Melbourne, in consequence of heavy weather experienced by the Galle steamer, but the Albion, although losing a day by calling at Timaru to take on board 150 tons of grain, has delivered the mail here punctually to date. The journals to hand nro only ten days later than those received by the San Francisco mail, and the unroported news they contain is limited in variety and interest, but from the files received we make the following extracts : ENGLAND. ' The Court is at Osborne for the Christmas - holidays. The thirtieth birthday of the Princess of Wales was celebrated on Ist December with the customary honors paid to member’s of the royal family. Early in the morning and at intervals during the day the bells of the Chapel Xloyal of St. George, Windsor, rang merry peals, flags were displayed by the royal tradespeople, and at 1 o’clock salutes of twenty-one guns were fired from the Artillery in’ the Long Walk and the Royal Adelaide, frigate, and Fort Belvedere, Virginia Water. The day was also observed in the usual manner at Sandringham, where a large party of guests are assembled. Among these are the Duke of Connaught, Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Count and Countess Gleichon, &c. All the scholars belonging to her Koyal Highness’s schools of Sandringham, Wolferton, Babingley, West Newton, and Dersingham were provided with tea and cake in a large room of the Koyal Mews. The Princess of Wales and the other membera of the royal family paid a visit to the youthful party, in the ’ education of whom then- Koyal Highnesses take great interest. During the past year a new school has been erected by their Royal Highnesses for the Wolferton children, and alteration and improvements made in the West Newton school buildings. The Marchioness of Hastings gave birth to a son and hen* on the 6th Dec. at Sir George Chetwyud’s temporary residence in Gros-venor-place. Her ladyship and infant are doing well. It is stated that the marriage of the Princess Lortise of Belgium to Prince Philip of Saxe will take place during the mouth of February next. The princess will enter on her* eighteenth year on ISth Feb, The prince is twenty-one years of age. Their Koyal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, with the infant Prince Alfred, left Eastwell Park, Ashford, on 12th Dec., en route for Windsor* Castle,-on a visit to her Majesty. At Windsor a deputation, consisting of Mr. William Hnderfray (Mayor of Windsor), Aldermen John Junes (ex-mayor), Deverenx, and Wellman, Councillors H. W. Jones, Lundy, and Brown, and Mr, H. Darvill (town clerk), awaited the coming of the duke and duchess, in order to welcome them to the royal borough. . The assembled Grand Lodge of “ Antreut, Free, and Accepted Masons” of England met for the first time on December 2 under the Grand Mastership of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, at Freemasons’ Hall. District Grand Master of Bengal, Hugh D. Sandeman, presided, Lord Tenterden filling the Senior Warden’s chair, • Colonel Whitwell being in the Junior Warden’s. On Tuesday, the 29th December, Mr. Gladstone completed his 65th year, having been born on the 29th December, 1809, and on the 31st, Mr. Disraeli his 69th year, his birthday having been on the 31st December, 1805. The residents of Windsor, Eton, and Slough have been shocked by the occurrence of a dreadful outrage, which fortunately has not terminated fatally, like that at Purfleet. A little girl named Hawkins, aged ten, the daughter of respectable parents residing at Slough, Bucks, went in the course of yesterday afternoon to visit a relation living at Old Windsor, about three miles distant from her own -home. After the visit the girl left Old Windsor, about five o’clock in the evening, on her return to Slough, passing through Datchet on her way. Leaving the village behind her, the child took a short cut across the fields between Eton and Datchet, and while walking along a path near “the Mirk,” a lonely spot, she was stopped by a man respectably dressed, who, in spite of her resistance and cries, perpetrated a fearful outrage upon her, and left her in a dreadful condition. After the commission of this offence the man made away across the fields in the direction of Slough. The child returned home, when she was attended by Mr. Brickwell, surgeon, of Slough, and information was at once given to Mr. Superintendent Dunham, of the Bucks Constabulary. A remarkable sale of Channel Islands cattle took place lately at Hargrave Park, Essex. The prices realised by Mr. Walter Gilbey’s Jersey cattle were unprecedented. One cow realised 255 guineas, and the average obtained for the cows and heifers was 70 guineas. The Duke of Bedford, Lord Rosslyn and Lord Ohesham were purchasers or bidders. , The sum necessary for the tablet about to bo erected in Westminster Abbey to the memory of Horrocks, the English Astronomer, who in 1639 predicted and observed the first transit of Venus ever seen, is already subscribed and in the hands of Professor Adams, the treasurer of the Observatory, Cambridge. The Dean of Westminster has consented to write the inscription. It is suggested .that those who have carried the work so far should found a Horrocks’ scholarship at Cambridge, his old University, or, better still, at Owens College in his native county, and such a proposal, it is believed, would meet with a hearty response. The Western Morning Nem of a late date says that a woman alighted at Plympton station of the South Devon ■ Railway, leaving behind her in the carriage a small hamper uncovered and apparently containing clothing. At the next station a passenger called the. guard’s attention to the fact. The hamper was taken out and 'put in the parcels office. An hour afterwards a porter observed a movement in the hamper, and presently he heard a child cry. Ho fetched female assistance, and then it was found that it contained a fine baby six months old, a feeding bottle,' some sweets, and a note giving directions for its proper and kindly treatment when found, and saying that the mother of the infant was a domestic servant who had left it in the writer’s care, but not having paid for its maintenance the writer wished to get rid of it in order to avoid constant disputes about the child ■with her husband. She hoped the child would find a kind home. The little foundling has been taken to the workhouse, and as the station-master and porter both saw the woman who so heartlessly abandoned it, there is a chance that she may be apprehended. Sir-Wilfrid Lawson, speaking at Whitehaven recently, said the present Ministry was a Government, devoted to three I’s—ignorance, idleness, and intemperance, as was proved by their measures lowering the standard of education for poor children, dealing with women’s work in factories, and increasing the hours of sale in public-houses. “Bendigo,” formerly a well-known prizefighter, and “ Champion of England,” delivered a religious address on Sunday, November 29, to a crowded audience at the London Cabmen’s Mission Hall, at King’s Cross. Mr. John Dupee, superintendent of the mission, a former companion of'Bendigo .at Nottingham, conducted the services. . The reporters state that Bendigo, who is now sixty-three years of age, “ stands as straight as a dart,” and his address isf described as “simple, though coarse.” He said he was the youngest of twenty-one children, and his father dying when he was thirteen, he was placed in the workhouse. Ho began fighting when ho win sixteen years ,of age, and gave it up when he was forty. Two years ago, after spending his time alternately in the police cells, the prize-ring, and the pub-lic-house, he was - converted as if by a miracle. Ever since he had been the happiest man alivo, and he should be happier still it he could only learn to read the Bible for himself, and not hear it from others,

There is now in Plymouth, having arrived by the mail steamer Pomerania on December 6, a Chinese official of high rank, dressed in full costume. He visits England on behalf of the Chinese Educational Mission, to ascertain, by personal inspection, the respective merits of the public schools for the education of Chinese students, as the Imperial Court intend forward a large number of intelligent Chinese youths to this country to acquire sound educational attainments in physics- the English language, to be afterwards disseminated at the public expense among their less fortunate countrymen. A serious explosion occurred at one of the pits of the Biguall Hall Colliery, near Audley, Stafford, on December 24. Twenty-two persons were known to be in the pit, and it is feared that, all arc dead. Five dead bodies have been got out, and efforts arc being made to recover the remainder.

Mr. Samuel Warren, Q.C., D.0.L., has resigned his post as Recorder of Hull. The resignation, although received in Hull with regret, he Raving ably discharged the duties for twenty-two years, was not altogether unexpected. . From a general report, just made by Captain Tyler to the Board of Trade, the total lengths of railways open and working in the British Empire at 31st December, 1873, were 27,564 miles. FEARFUL EXPLOSION AT SHEFFIELD. A terrific boiler explosion occurred at Sheffield, on the premises of Mr. Hyde, cutlery manufactory, Hollis-croft, on the 22nd December. Mr. Hyde occupies a large portion of his premises, and the remainder is let off to what are known as small masters, persons who rent room and power and who employ only a few men. Each engine has been hard at work for some days in consequence of the men working overtime, aud the boiler has been constantly at boiling-point. It was egg-shaped, and was situated in the centre of the building, which is open to two streets, and forms a complete square. About seven o’clock the boiler suddenly exploded, carrying away the brickwork in which it was embedded, dashing right through some bone-cutting shops, and alighting several yards off. The effect of the collision was terrific. The centre and lower part of the building was blown completely away, leaving the top storey intact, but how supported it seemed difficult to see. A number of men were in these top rooms, aud for a little time they appeared to be in great danger of being embedded in the ruins, but ultimately they were rescued by ladders placed against the ruined walls. Much of the steam was sent into Mr. W. Hyde’s warehouse, where he and a number of his workpeople were. These were all severely scalded. Some men were also hurt by the debris, and it is not yet known whether any are underneath. The greatest excitement prevails. The cause of the explosion was a defective plate in the boiler. The boiler was seen a short time ago by a boiler-maker, but it was worked, inasmuch as it was believed the defect was uot of a serious character. _ The injured were taken to the hospital. It is believed that no one is killed. Men are being employed in clearing away the debris, to ascertain if any of the workmen are buried, but the search up to a late hour had not resulted in any discovery- The boiler had been down for thirteen years, and it is said that it has been leaky for some time. Much of the damage was caused by the boiler turning a complete somersault aud then falling upon a block of workshops, but even more damage resulted from the volumes of steam which escaped from both ends of the boiler and then rushed into the adjoining workshops. The rooms were filled with it, and, being unable to find any escape, it blew away the roofs, and in one instance forced out tho whole bach of one of the buildings, leaving only the top story intact.

A SCENE IN COURT. An occurrence, perhaps without a parallel, was witnessed at the close of the assizes at Chester, of which the Manchester Guardian gives the following account : —“ Mary Lancaster, thirty-three, was indicted for the manslaughter of her husband, John Lancaster, at Birkenhead. The deceased had long led the prisoner a -wretched life, and on the 13th of September he came home drunk, and kicked over the meat which she was preparing for his dinner. He then thrashed her, and in a passion the prisoner threw-at him a sharpening steel, and caused his death. The prisoner was a hard-working woman, and in spite of her husband’s brutal treatment of her, had done her best to make his homo comfortable. The jury found the prisoner guilty. Mr. Justice Brett, addressing the prisoner, then sard ; I believe that if I thought it right to act according to your own feelings, I should say nothing about this unhappy husband of yours. As far as I can see, you were a respectable, hard-working, well-behaved wife ; and I feel bound to say a greater brute than your husband was, I have seldom heard of. There arecircumstances in the depositions even worse than those which have been brought forward. They show that, even on the very last day you were together, you were doing all you could to make his home comfortable, and to make him happy. With a bnrtality, which made me shudder when I read it, he cast away that w’hich you had prepared for him. He has been beating- and ill-treating you for months, probably for years, and it is nothing but the tenderness and forgivinguess of the woman and wife which prevented you from having him punished for crimes he committed against you time after time. It was only when he had driven you to desperation by ill-treating you the whole day, and I daresay was on the point of ill-treating you again, that you, in a moment of passion, took up a formidable weapon and threw it at him, I believe, without the intention of striking him. It did strike him, and you immediately ran for assistance, and did all you could to save him. All the real right in this case was on your side—all the real wrong on your husband's ; and God forbid that I should punish you. I will be no party to it. I will not even make this judgment complete. I will not allow it to bo said by anybody that you are a convicted felon—(hear, hear) —for a conviction is not complete until a sentence is passed, and I mean to pass no sentence at all. (Loud cheering, which for some time the officials of the court "vainly endeavored to suppress.) I shall merely ask you to enter into your own recognisances to come up for judgment if called upon, and nobody in the world -will ever call upon you—God forbid they ever should. (Renewed cheering, during which the prisoner left tho dock,)”

HEAVY SNOWHTOiar. The metropolis and its suburbs have been visited with an exceedingly heavy fall of snow accompanied by a sharp wind from the oast, and in some parts of the suburbs the snowdrifts wore two and throe feet in depth, and the roads being in some places well nigh impassable, locomotion was very difficult, and omnibuses and tram-cars had three and even four horses, an d many cabs two—in some cases driven tandem. On the railways' the traffic was also very much delayed. The Kent and Surrey hills are clothed with snow, and in the valleys it has drifted to some depth. Hunting operations have been suspended, and in the royal parks at Richmond and Hampden the herds of deer were driven into' the deer-yards and fed with hay. The Midland Counties have also been visited by one of the heaviest snow-storms that has occurred for several seasons, the ground being covered to the depth of five or six inches, and traffic being obstructed. In the lower part of Berkshire a largo quantity of snow has fallen, and the appearance "of the country is winterly in the e> treme. There was a groat fall of snow in the Windsor district. It covered the roofs of the towers of the castle and the town, as well as the adjacent country for miles, to the depth of several inches. A heavy fall of snow took place in the Monmouth district, which caused much inconvenience by delaying the early London and other mails. Owing to the great depth of snow in the Forest of Dean the mails were about five hours beyond the usual time of arrival. Never- since January, 1854, has there been such a fall of snow in and near Blackburn, and in the North-east and Northwest Hidings of Yorkshire the fall has been so heavy as to render cutting through an imperative necessity. In North and North-east Lancashire the fall has been heavy, and railway trains on the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway have been impeded.

CHEAT FIRE AT OXFORD. On December 15, early in the morning, ’a fire was discovered in the premises adjoining the Randolph Hotel and Collins’s carriage factory. It was speedily communicated to other buildings, owing to the high wind and scarcity of water. The flames raged with great fury for several hours, and the fire was not extinguished for some hours. Collins s coach factory, including large workshops and scores of carriages; Banner’s dyer’s- shop; Roddes’s premises; Mr. Hewitt’s grocery shop and warehouses, and Mr. William’s, baker’s shop, in Friar’s-entry, wore all completely destroyed, and the damage is estimated at from £20,000 to £30,000. The cause of the fire is unknown at present. Heavy snow fell the whole time. Many valuable vehicles,- the judge’s carnage included, are destroyed ; as also are workmen’s tools. No accident to life or limb is reported. The property is only partially insured. Most unfortunately more than an hour elapsed after the fire had been discovered before any water could be obtained. The telegraphic communication with_ the waterworks broke down, and even when information had been given by messengers the supply of -water was delayed. In consequence of this the flames made great progress. The visitors at the Randolph Hotel made every preparation for a hurried departure, and the large hall was filled with luggage, furniture, &0., ready to be removed if necessary. The wind, however, which was very high, the opposite direction, and the hotel, being very substantially built, escaped. The houses that were in flames were of lath and plaster. As soon as water was obtained, and the engines had got into full work, the progress of the flames in the front was checked. The lack of water is strongly commented on throughout the city, and great indignation prevails in reference to it. The authorities have had every warning, which renders their negligence still more inexcusable, for so recently as last week a fire occurred in the city, and it was nearly half-au-honr after the arrival of the engines, before water could be obtained. If on that occasion the wind had set in in another direction much property would have been consumed. Few places in England have so many treasures for a fire to play havoc with as Oxford, and surely the ordinary preeairtion of supplying the streets at night with watershould never, under any circumstances, be neglected.

LIVINGSTONE S TOMB. On December 24 a large black marble tombstone was laid over the grave of the late Dr. Livingstone, ■in Westminster Abbey. The stone bore a lengthy inscription in gold letters as follows: Brought by Faithful Hands, Over Land and Sea, HERE RESTS DAVID IIYI N G-STONE, Missionary, Traveller, Philanthropist, Born March 10th, ISIS, At Blantyre, Lanarkshire, Died May Ist, 1573, - At Chitambo’s Valley, Ulala.

For thirty years his life was spent in an tmwenriert effort to evangelise the native races, to explore the undiscovered secrets, and abolish the desolating Slave Trade Of Central Africa, Where with his last wards he wrote, “All I can do in my solitude is, may Heaven’s rich blessing come down on every one—American, English, Turk —who will help to heal this open sore of the world.”

On the right-hand edge of the stone are the following two lines: — Tantus amor veri Nihil ost quod noscoro malin, Quam Fluvii causas per Scecula Tanta Latentes. And on the left-hand edge the following text:— Other sheep I, have which are not of this fold, They also I must bring and they shall hear My voice. SCOTLAND. The weather in Scotland in December .vas remarkably severe. After a short thaw, frost set in with increased intensity. On parts of the Highland line the dislodged snow stands as high as a two-storey house. About 500 head of deer have descended to Glenisla, Perthshire, in search of food. They appear quite tame. There has been much lightning at Wick. The Sutherland railway has been blocked by snow for some days. Statues are about to be erected in Edinburgh of Dr. Livingstone and Sir James Simpson. The sites chosen are St. Andrew’s-square and Frinces-street. Dean Stanley, as Rector of St. Andrew’s University, has appointed Lord Elgin as his assessor at the University Court. The Rev. Lewis Campbell, Professor of Greek, the author of several editions of Greek classics, has intimated to his students that, acting under the advice of his medical advisers, he had resolved to spend the remainder of the winter on the continent, and that Mr. Rhodes, Warden of St. Andrew’s College, would discharge his duties after the Christmas holidays. In the Court of Session, Edinburgh, on December 23, a trial was commenced before the Lord President and a jury for the reduction of the will of the late John Todd, of Glenduffhill, Lanarkshire, conveying his property to his son-in-law, James Mackenzie, of Glentore, manufacturer of methylated spirits, Glasgow. The pursuer, a nephew of the testator, maintained that the defendant impenetrated the will from deceased while he was not of sound ’disposing mind. The evidence shows that testator was much addicted to drinking, and never talked, whether drunk or sober. The trial will last several days. The estate is worth £90,000. IRELAND. Two important verdicts against railway companies have just been confirmed on appeal in Dublin. In one, the plaintiff, a widow, recovered £1,250 of the Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford railway in compensation for her husband’s death. In the other the plaintiff recovered £9OO against the Midland Great Western for injuries sustained. A very serious.outrage has just taken place at Kilmeague, in the county of Kildare, by which the life of a most respectable farmer and poor-law guardian has been placed in the utmost danger. It appears some persons, four of whom are in custody, assembled for the obnoxious custom of blowing horns, &c., at a wedding which was taking' place in the village, and as Mr. Philip Stronge proceeded to remonstrate with them, he was brutally assaulted, receiving five dangerous wounds on the head. Later accounts state that his lifo is despaired of. Tho assailants have been arrested.

The Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland have determined on taking a very practical step to advance good husbandry in the country. They'have determined to follow the example of the sister society in England, and to offer prizes for the bestmanaged farms in the province in which the society’s show will bo held each year. The society purposes to give two prizes annually—one to farmers valued over £l5O per annum, one to farmers below £l5O ‘and over £SO per annum. The competition will bo confined to tenant farmers, and the points, by excellence in which the prizes will be won, fife —general management with a view to profit; productiveness of crops ; goodness and suitability of live stock ; management of grass land ; state of farmhouse, offices, and yards, gates, fences, roads, aud general neatness. On December 4 the police entered a house in Dunoan-streot, Cork, and seized fourteen Enfield rifles, eight breach-loading rifles (Sniders and converted), fifteen ring-look bayonets, four sword bayonets, and a box containing two revolver bullet-moulds and a quantity of rifle and revolver cartridges, caps, &c., besides various gunsmith’s tools. McCarthy, the proprietor of tho house,, was taken into custody. A number of rifles and revolvers have also been seized by the police at the offices of the Cork Steamship Company. They were labelled “ glass.”

ANGLO-NEW ZEALAND ITEMS. Hi*. Anld, the Agent for Otago, whilst arranging for a quantity of salmon .ova for New Zealand, on board tho Timaru, sailing for Port Chalmers on tho lust day of the year, fell down the hold of the ship, sustaining a fracture of the right arm, and other serious injuries. Vice-Admiral tho lion. Joseph Denman has just departed this life, and his demise -will occasion much regret throughout the Australian colonies, where as Captain Denman lie was so many years engaged in the scientific expeditions in tho southern hemisphere. Recently this distinguished officer was actively

engaged' in the suppression of the slave trade, and not long since he retired from active employment while holding the position of com-mander-in-chief in the Pacific.

The Singapore, the fourth steamer built for the route between England and Queensland via Torres Strait, has just been completed. She sailed from the Clyde on her trial trip on the 17th December, aud steamed at the rate of seventeen knots. She is an excellent specimen of marine architecture, and will doubtless be found a most useful vessel.

Among those who escaped from the late accident on the Great Western railway at Shipton were the. Rev. James Stack, of New Zealand, missionary resident at Portsmouth, who was accompanied by Miss K. H. Stack ; the rev. gentleman and Miss Stack were almost miraculously preserved from hurt, ns he made several attempts to enter that part of the train destroyed. MISS FAITHFULL ON NEW ZEALAND. At the second meeting of the current session of the Victoria Institute, held on the 15th Dec,, Miss Emily Faithfull read a paper entitled “ A Year’s Experience in connection with Emigration Work in New Zealand.” She _ said : “ New Zealand offers the greatest attractions to those who take advantage of the inducements held out to them by free and assisted passages. New Zealand is exempt from the great extremes of heat aud cold we find elsewhere. It has a most genial climate —society and laws similar to our own; good food is to be obtained at a far cheaper rate than in the old country, and labor is mpre highly remunerated, Having procured these facts from friends living in the colony, who were well able to counsel me, I felt X could conscientiously advise emigration to certain people under certain circumstances.”

Speaking of tho right, sort of emigrants, she gave the case of a well-educated girl who applies for the particulars as to a free passage to New Zealand:—

“At first,” said Miss Faithfull, “ I feared the companionship and hardships she would have to endure during the voyage. I described them, but found she had no fears on this score. She said she was quite prepared to rough it if she could only attain the end she had in view. I inquired into her history and object, I found that she was the eldest daughter of a family of six, the boys being the three youngest, she only .nineteen years of age. Her father was well connected; during his prosperity she had obtained her education, now her sole fortune ! Troubles and trials had come, and had broken down the father's health. After consulting with her mother she came to me, and we tallied over the few chances open to women in remunerative pursuits here, and finally, the brave girl adhered to her resolution of doingsomething for herself before tlie father’s means were exhausted, anxious to relieve the sick man’s mind in the hope that his life would then be preserved to his family. I found that she was well able to teach, knew her own language—a rare acquisition—thoroughly understood Latin, and possessed a few accomplishments. In addition to this she could make a dress, cook a dinner, and ‘ loved children.’ Those I knew were excellent qualifications for a colonial life, as she was at the same time healthy and strong. So I yielded to her wish, and consulted a lady who had lived in New Zealand. My friend put before her all the discouraging sides of the question, made her carry homo a bundle ■of colonial newspapers, advised her to take another week for her decision, and in the meantime to talk the matter over with her parents, and determine if in the event of her failing to get the situation she expected, she would be willing to take one as a servant. On the appointed day she returned more resolute than ever. From what she read in the papers, she saw there was work for the willing, and she resolved to try for it. I used my influence aud obtained her the post of snbmatron—she was not considered old enough to be ‘ the matron’—hut before she had been a month at sea, she proved to be the one the more fitted for the post. Illness broke out, and this young girl was busy in tho hospital as nurse to the sick. Any spare time was spent in teaching the ignorant and poor on board to read and write. The Sunday afternoon was devoted tc> a Bible-class ; in the week days she showed the girls how to make puddings and cakes. She thoroughly identified herself with the interests and welfare of the sixty women on board, aud the captain and surgeop were not slow to appreciate her manifold services for her poor shipmates. On her arrival in New Zealand they gave her the testimonials she had richly earned, and she at once obtained a situation, witli £SO per annum, as a teacher in a Government school, with permission to read up for her examination, which, when passed, will enable her to obtain £l5O. When she last wrote home she had secured the entire confidence of those who had placed her in this situation, and having mastered the subjects for examination, was quite at ease about her ultimate success. Meanwhile she sent for the second sister, begging that the boys, might be kept at school, as her new-made friends in the colony have promised to employ them as soon as they are capable of filling the good situations which will be offered them. So there are already two mouths less to feed at home, two girls less to clothe, and a future for the young brothers, and when oil are at work, the parents, if unable to join them, may at least hope for a comfortable income in their declining years from grateful and prosperous children.” AN AUSTRALIAN IN TROUBLE.

At the Marlborough-atreet Police-court, on December 22, Mr. Thomas Butler, staying at the Bedford Hotel, Covent-garden, was charged before Mr. Knox with being drunk and stabbing Thomas Mitchell, a potman, living in Bear-street, Leicestor-square. The prosecutor said :—About five minutes to one this morning I was standing at the corner ■of Bear-street when the prisoner knocked against me. ' I said, “ Keep your own company, old fellow ! ” and the prisoner struck'mo on the chest. I saw a knife in his hand, and felt tho blood trickling down. The constable took me to Charing-cross Hospital, aiid on returning I saw the prisoner in St. Mftrtin’s-lane struggling with some females, and I gave him intocustody. By the prisonei’: I am certain you are tho person. I don’t know what you were doing with a knife in your hand at the time, but I know you did it. You were by yourself. Hr. John William Taylor, house-surgeon at the Charing-cross Hospital, said there was a small punctured wound on tho prosecutor’s chest, but it had not entered the cavity of the cheat. It might have been inflicted by the small blade of the knife produced. By tho prisoner : It was not a scratch, but a wound. Mr. Thomas Frank Kavanagh, barrister, staying at the Bedford Hotel, Covent-garden, said I arrived with the prisoner yesterday in London from Australia, and went to the Bedford Hotel and had supper, there being a third gentleman present. We had n bottle of port wine each, and then went to the Argyll Rooms and stayed a few minutes, and were returning to the hotel, when we called at the Black Swan ; and because I offered an Australian half-sovereign I was charged with passing bad money. I left tlm accused and our friend in Ryder’s-conrt, I think, and came back in ten minutes, when I found the prisoner gone. I was taken to the Vine-street Police-station about the half-sovereign. All tho voyage the prisoner was perfectly sober, only drinking one bottle of beer a day. Mr. Knox : The prisoner will ho remanded till tho surgeon tolls mo that there is no fear of danger, and until then I must refuse hail. FRANCE. Tho Emperor of Russia has conferred on .Marshal MaoMahon tho highest rank in the Order of St. Andrew. Tho insignia were accompanied by a letter, in which tho Emperor says lie had long desired to give the Marshal this special mark of eatcenu and regard, and that tho passage of tho Empress through Franco and tho touching attentions lavished on her on its soil hive given him a happy opportunity of realising that desire. MARSHAL MACMAHON’S MESSAGE. On December 8 Marshal MacMahbn delivered his message to the French Assembly. He said that during tho recess he had endeavored to strengthen peace and maintain order. The relations of the Government with foreign Bowers had become more anil more friendly, and tho economic condition of the country had at tho same time sensibly improved. There

-had been an exceptionally good harvest, the prosperity of the country was increasing, and a larger revenue might be expected from existing taxation. In passing thi’ough some of the departments he had everywhere been struck with the love of order displayed, and, the desire prevailing that the power he exercised should be strengthened in order that it might fulfil its mission. The House would shortly be called upon to examine this question, and he hoped that an understanding would be arrived at. He would not shrink from responsibility, nor would the intervention of his Government be wanting. He accepted power not to serve a party, but to carry out the work of social .defence and national restoration, and in the accomplishment of his duty nothing would discourage him. He would remain at his post to the last, with unshaken firmness and a scrupulous respect for the laws. A BOLD BUT BECKLESS SPECULATOR. The Assize Court of the Seine has just condemned to five years’ imprisonment a man. named Mussot, well-known in financial circles. Mussot had led during the last twenty years a curious life of adventure. When eighteen years of age he was a barber and hairdresser, at twenty he was a soldier, and after having served six years, established himself as a wigmaker. Soon, afterwards he married and emigrated to St. Petersburg, where he carried on the lucrative trade of selling articles cle Paris. After he had been for a few years in Russia, he was seized with the very natural desire of returning to his own country. ,He came back with as many good recommendations as banknotes, and made such good use of the former that the Baron Rothschild intrusted him with the care of his front door. He was a model porter and ivas held in great esteem by hjs employer, who took every opportunity of putting a job in bis Svay. But this influential post was the origin of Mussot’s ruin. Every day for many mouths he saw going past him an army of clerks, cashiers, discounters, bankers, waggons heavily laden with bullion, and an everlasting swarm of clients, who from morning till night came and went every moment. He caught the fever of speculation which reigned about him ; he dreamt of that first million of .francs which is said to lead to vast fortune; and "one fine morning he left the checkstring of the /rout door to set himself up as a financier, Mussot, who appears to have known how to make friends, immediately founded a banking and stookbroking house. In the short space of one year he was doing such a thriving business that he was able to establish seven branch houses in different quarters of Paris, employ a numerous staff of. clerks, and attend to the interests of innumerable clients. Then, when he had made the coveted million, and had but to stand still and let the golden tide fill his vaults with many more, his head became giddy with success, he took to gambling, and led a fast life, entertaining everybody, keeping carriages and horses, and living in luxurious apartments. Mussot’s million could not, of course, be expected to produce enough to pay for all these expenses. Mussot began by making debts, then spent the greater part of his capital and made more debts. When he found himself unable to pay these last, he did not hesitate to take out the securities which had been intrusted to him by his clients aud to change these into money. This last financial operation was carried on until his clients had been despoiled of 480,250 f. aud a warrant for his arrest had been obtained. Mussot fled to England on March 2, 1873, and shortly afterwards, in virtue of the Extradition Treaty, he was handed over to the French police.

GERMANY. It is stated that instead of expelling priests, who return to their parishes and occasion great trouble, the Island of Rugon, in the Baltic, will be made a clerical penal settlement, to which they will be sent. The trial of Count Arnirn, which commenced on the 9th of December, terminated on the 15th of that month. The Count, at the close of his trial, declared that the documents relating to his conflict with Prince Bismarck, constituted in his mind a grave, in which he buried the old friendship of his youth. Furthermore, notwithstanding every endeavor, nothing would be found from which it ceuld appear that he had acted in opposition to his instructions. This short address was characterised by strong emotion, manifestly kept under by an exertion of will, which was plainly indicated by the deepening tone of his voice, his quick-drawn breath, and his contracted brows. He protested his innocence in language that seemed to come , from the depths of bis heart, and he concluded by referring to the old purification oath, obtaining in Prussia a century ago, by which an honest man could clear himself of unjust accusations. “Were that oath still admissible,” be said, raising his voice, “ I would here solemnly pronounce it, that I have not committed the crime of which I am accused.” Tlie chief judge made a passionate and dramatically emphasised statement that his court, as well as the preliminary examination before the tribunal, had been actuated by feeling’s aud principles inspiring true Prussian judges. Judgment was delivered on Saturday, the°l9th of December, and the accused was found guilty of having purposely made away with official documents that should have been kept. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, and the' payment of the costs of the proceedings.

a SPAIN. ” The Carlist leader Lozano was shot, on 3rd Dec., at Albacete for the crimes of assassination and robbery committed by himself or by the men acting under his orders. News from Hendaye speaks ' of a battle having been fought on Deo. 14 and 15, on the road to Tolosa. The Republican troops entered Harnani . on 15th December and took Urnieta. The Republican right wing advanced as far as Audoain, but the centre was repulsed, notwithstanding the very gallant conduct ,of the troops engaged. They were charged four times by the Carlists with tho bayonet during their retreat. Tho guides of Don Carlos and the first aud second Guipuzcoan battalions had heavy losses. The Carlist chief Morgrovejo was wounded in the chest and arm. The Republican troops lost about 700 men. General Loma has returned to San Sebastian. . The weather is very bad, and prevents further operations at present. Don Carlos is at Vergara. , PRINCE ALFONSO’S ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE. , Prince Alfonso, son of tho ex-Queen Isabella of Spain, has issued the following manifesto in reply to various letters of congratulation forwarded- to him on his birthday a short time since;—

“ I have received from Spain a great number of congratulations upon the anniversary of ray birth, and some from countrymen of ours resident in France. ’ I desire to convoy to you, as well as to all those who have congratulated mo, the expression- of my gratitude, and also that of my opinions. All tlioso who have written to me show themselves equally convinced that tho re-establishment of the Constitutional Monarchy can alone put an end to the oppression, to the uncertainty, and to the cruel disturbances experienced by Spain. I am told that, this is recognised by the majority of our compatriots, and that before long all those who are sincere will be with me, whatever may have been their political antecedents, feeling sure that they have to fear no exclusion from a new and unprejudiced monarch, or from a system which is impesed, to-day, because it represents union and peace. I know not when or how, if over, this hope is to be realised. I can only say that I will omit nothing to make myself worthy of the difficult mission of re-establish-ing in our noble country legal order and political liberty at the same time as concord, if God in His high designs, confides it to me. In virtue of the spontaneous and solemn abdication of my august mother, whose generosity is only equalled by her misfortune, I am the solo representative of Monarchial right in Spam. This right rests upon tho legislation of ages, confirmed by all tho precedents of history, and it is indissolubly united to the representative institutions which never ceased to act legally during tho thirty-five years which passed from the beginning of my mother’s reign, until I, being still a child, set foot with all my family on foreign soil. The nation being now bereft of all public rights, and indefinitely deprived of her liberties, it is natural that she should turn

her. eyes to her accustomed constitutional rights, and to- those free institutions which neither prevented her irom defending her independence in, 1812, nor from terminating, in 1840, another obstinate civil war. bhe owed to them also many years of constant progress, of prosperity, of credit, and even of some glory; years which it is not easy to blot out from the memory when there are still so many who remember them. It is doubtless from all these reasons that the hereditary and representative monarchy alone inspires Spain with confidence, since she regards it as the guarantee —for which no substitute can be found—of her , rights and interests, from the working classes up to the highest. In the meantime, not , only has everything been overthrown which existed in 1868, but also everything which it has been attempted to create since then. If facts have abolished the Constitution of 1845, that which was formed in 1869, upon the basis, no longer existing, of the ; Monarchy, has also been abolished facts. v Tf a junta of senators and deputies, imconstituted by any legal form, decreed the Republic, the only Cortes ■convoked with the deliberate intention of establishing that system were very soon dissolved by the bayonets of the garrison of Madrid. All political questions are thus pending, and even reserved on the part of the present rulers, to be freely decided in the future. Fortunately the hereditary and Constitutional Monarchy possesses in its principles the necessary flexibility and the needful conditions of success for the solution, in ; conformity with the desires and, interests of the nation, of all the problems involved in its re-establishment. Let no one expect me to decide anything hastily or arbitrarily. Without the Cortes Spanish Princes never transacted important business in the ancient times of the Monarchy, and this most just rule of conduct will not be forgotten by me in the present state of things, and when all Spaniards are already accustomed to Parliamentary proceedings. When the time comes, it will be easy for a true-hearted Prince and a free people to understand each other, and to agree upon all questions which may have to be decided. Nothing do I desire so much as that our country should be truly free. To this the hard lesson of the ’present times must powerfully contribute, a lesson which least of all will be lost, upon the honest* and laborious men of the people, who have .been victims to prefidious sophistries or to absurd delusions. All that we are witnessing shows us that the greatest and most prosperous nations, where order, liberty, and justice are best united, are those which have the greatest respect for their own history. This, in truth, does not not prevent them from observing attentively and following with secure steps the progressive march of civilisation. May, then, Divine Providence grant that one day the Spanish people may be animated to. follow these examples. For my part, I am indebted to my misfortunes for being in contact with the men and things of modern Europe, and if Spain does not obtain a position in it worthy of her history, and at the same time independent and deserving of sympathy, it shall not be my fault, whether now or in the future. Be my fate what it may, I shall not cease to be a true Spaniard, nor, like all my ancestors, a true Catholic, nor as a man of my own time, truly Liberal,—Yours, &c.,

* “ Alfonso de Roei.ov. “ Yorktown, Sandhurst, Dec. 1, 1874.”. ITALY. In the sitting of the Chamber of Deputies on December 13, several proposals were read in favor of bestowing an annual income upon Garibaldi. Signor Minghetti agreed to a discussion of these plans, and added that the Government also desired to bring forward a Bill for the same object, and would reserve its right to submit the measure to the committee. The next day the resolution was unanimously taken into consideration, On the 19th the Bill was carried by 207 to 25 votes. Archbishop Manning writes to a London paper from Nice, under date of December 12, to contradict a rumor which has been circulated in London.—“ Your correspondent in Rome informed you that in my audience with the Pope a scheme in relation to the British Government was submitted by me for approval. This statement is wholly without foundation.” SWITZERLAND. The Swiss National Council, by seventy-two votes against thirteen, has adopted the first clause of the Bill relative'to civil marriage and registration. It provides that the registration belongs to the department of the civil authority, and that the ofiicials entrusted with the registers must be secular. The National Council and the Council of State have resolved that priests shall henceforth not be allowed to keep the civil registers. Father Hyaointhe, who has for the last three months held services at Geneva, has, at the request of several families, commenced ministrations in the large hall of St. Peter’s Casino. More than 500 persons were present on Sunday, December 6, at the opening of this Christian Catholic’Church. ’RUSSIA. Advices from Petro-Alexandrovski, dated October 27, speak of the garrison preparing for a two months’ campaign against the Turcomans. To prevent English suspicions being aroused, the campaign will be confined to narrow limits. In consequence of the introduction of universal conscription, one hundred million roubles are to be expended in constructing barracks and military prisons in Russia. FOREIGN MISCELLANY. A sort of epidemic of armed robberies, burglaries, and even murders, has broken out in Sweden, where life and property are visually so secure. Families in all ranks, down to the poorest cottager, have found it necessary to procure arms for self-defence. Prince Nicholas Borolajovsk, a Servian noble, died the other day in the Rue d’Amsterdam in Paris. He had been obliged to leave his own country, where he could no longer remain from the idea among the country people that he belonged to a family of vampires, the eldest sons of which for three generations came out of their graves to suck the blood of living ppople. It is said that five days before his death he was conversing with his landlord, and told him that it would be well after his decease to remove his heart so as to prevent his rising from the grave. - The New York Tribune says :—“ The strikes in this city are all virtual failures. For every man who quits work there are ten idle ones eager to take his place at any sort of wages. It may be some days yet before the strikers see the mistakes into which they have been led by blind leaders. But then it may be found that the vacant places are permanently filled. Wo have a hard winter before us.”

An employe in the French courts, says the 'Sematne des Families, asked half-a-dozen friends to dinner and gave them choice edibles and exquisite wines, served with all desirable appurtenances in plate and crystal. But there was something in the steelware which shocked everybody like a false note in music. The joints were carved with a butcher’s knife, the partridge with a hunting knife, the guests were provided with dagger knives, and the dessert was helped with a razor. When an explanation was at length asked it turned out that the host had collected the cutlery during thirty years of connection with criminal affairs, and that every article represented an assassination which had been dealt with during that period. The explanation ended the reunion, much to the surprise of the collector, who had intended to give his friends a treat. Denmark is indicating the approach of the Millennium pretty much after the same fashion as the other nations of the world. All the young male Danes are to serve eight years in the army of regulars, and a second eight years in the army of reserve. The navy is to be reorganised also, at a cost of nearly five millions of crowns.

Several lives were lost by the falling in of the roof of the-Market Hall, at Angers,-on Dec. 16, through the weight of the snow , that had accumulated upon it.

George Francis Train, having been converted to vegetarianism, asked the newspapers to take no notice of- him. He has given 400 acres of town lots in Omaha, valued at as many thousand dollars, to the city for a public park, stipulating that the city assume certain

mortgages and taxes amounting to about 90,000 dols.; also that there shall be no vote of thanks or monumental compliments. He says he does not want to do any death-bed advertising, like Astor, Peabody, and others, hut considers property in these communistic times as unsafe to hold, and wishes to hedge against the coming storm by twisting out of the minds of the community that he is rich. Those who remember the man when in Australia in 1853 will hardly be astonished at anything he may do.

- The value of the gold production of Nova Scotia from the autumn of 1860 to the close of the year <1873, at £4 sterling per ounce, amounts approximately to one million pounds sterling, of which £919,893 7s. are distinctly traceable and officially accepted. Uf this sum, £896,950 3s. 6d. was derived from vein stuff, and £130,043 3s. 6d. from alluvial washings. Since the Ist of January, 1863, leaseholders and millowners are compelled to make returns, upon oath, of the quantity of material raised and crushed, the gold obtained, and the number of days’ labor expended. The West Africa settlements having been divided after the termination of the Ashantee war,'into two governments. Captain Strahan was appointed Governor of the Gold Coast and Lagos. For the two other remaining settlements of Sierra Leone and Gambia, Cornelius H. Kortright, Esti., has now received the appointment of Governor. The news from the diamond-fields at the Cape of Good Hope is not encouraging. The mines are only kept clear of water at a uast expense. Accounts from the goldfields are contradictory. No new rushes are reported. A SINGULAR BUT DISCREDITED STORY. A trial, which represents the administration of justice in Bulgaria in a curious aspect, has taken place at Missivria, terminating, contrary to public expectation, in the acquittal of the prisoners—two brothers—-who were accused of the murder of their uncle, a rich old Odessa merchant. The old man having retired from active life, and wound up his business, returned from Odessa some years ago and settled down in Missivria, his native town. Here he gave much in charity to the poor, and behaved handsomely to his nephews, with whom he lived, and whpm he helped out of poverty into a respectable position in local trade. Three years ago the old man suddenly disappeared. No serious inquiry, however, was made to Ascertain what had become of him. His nephew? made liberal donations to the churches, and inherited the old man’s wealth. On a certain day in the • early part of this year, however, an bid woman asked for an audience of the cadi, and, on being admitted, made a deposition as follows :—“ It was a dark, stormy night,” she said; “ the wind had several times blown in my window-sash, putting out my lamp, and causing the embers of my fire to fly about the room. Suddenly, amidst the howling of the storm, I heard a shriek, then a moan. Strange sounds followed, which seemed to come from the house of my neighbor, the Odessa merchant. I crossed myself and drank a little raid to keep up my courage, and then I remembered that there was a’ crack in the wall of my closet through which I could see into the house of my neighbor, the merchant. Thither I went, and applied my eye to the crevice in the mud wall, 'and this is what X saw. Two men were pressing down a pillow upon the face of another man, whom they kept prostrate, and a woman was holding a light. The old man—l recognised him—was very strong, for he overthrew his nephews, although Ids throat was cut, and blood gushed from the wound. He would have escaped, hut the woman struck him in his face with a chair. His head was bent backwards as though he could not keep it in its place on account of the gash across his throat. Still his eyes flashed fire. He staggered towards the window ; but there he was again struck down by his nephews. Then they sawed away at his throat till the head was separated from the trunk.” The accuser went on to say that she threatened the murderers with a disclosure of the crime which she had witnessed, but that they promised her “hush money.;” that, as she was poor, she agreed to hold her tongue, and that she washed the blood from the floor of the room where the old man had been put to death._ The “ hush money,” however, had not been paid, and, as she was starring, she determined to make known her story. The story was told in March or April, but no proceedings .were taken until August. The accused parties were then arrested and confined in the Zaptich “ Oda.” The old woman, too, was put in prison, and was flogged and half smothered between mattrasses night after night, until the trial ended, and the persona whom the vox populi still stigmatises as murderers were declared innocent.

SCIENCE. Danger op Chloroform after Chloral. —From a late discussion in the Surgical Society of Paris we ( Lancet) find that several members have been much alarmed at the profound stupor which seized patients who, after having taken syrup of chloral, are made to inhale chloroform. The opinion of the various speakers was unanimous in condemning the use of the two agents. It would, however, appear that hypodermic injections of morphia are useful in preparing for the action of chloroform. It was stated that M. G-uibert, in the south of France, always injects parturient women with morphia, and then narcotizes them with chloroform. He had met with great success. There is, however, in the society a strong feeling prevalent respecting the advisability of graduating the amount of aniEsthesja to the importance of the operations.

Cavities in the Lungs. A peculiar method of treating pulmonary cavities in phthisis, pursued by Professor Hosier, of Wiesbaden, is described as consisting in the injection of certain drugs through the wall of the chest, and leaving the cauula in, so as to repeat the operation at discretion. He has even made an incision into the wall of the cavity, inserted a silver tube or elastic catheter, and succeeded in drawing away the secretion and in disinfecting the pyogenic walls by means of weak carbolic acid lotion. It is stated that no difficulty was experienced in the operation, and the condition of the patient was improved, the cough becoming less troublesome and the febrile, symptoms apparently moderated. One point at least is regarded as settled—and it is certainly one of great importance—so far as could be by a few experiments of this character, namely, that the local treatment of pulmonary cavities is undoubtedly practicable, and that the lung is really more tolerant of external interference than has been generally believed.

A Deadly Medicine. —The evidence given before a recent inquest at Manchester deserves attention, as proving the great danger attending the use of certain drugs that have come into fashion during late years. A man named Alfred Holme, being troubled with some sort of nervous headache, was recommended by a friend to try hydrate of chloral as a remedy. Following this foolish advice, he sent for a 6-oz. bottle of the compound one day, and within twenty-four hours he was found dead. According to the medical evidence, the man’s death was syncope cordis, produced by the action of the hydrate on a weak heart. The doctor who gave this testimony also stated that hydrate of chloral is very little understood even by medical men, he himself being ignorant as to whether its effects are cumulative. This allegation of general want of knowledge regarding the power of the medicine was corroborated by the chemist who sold the dose to the dead man. Yet, although •it was his opinion that the hydrate of chloral ought not to be given except under medical advice, he appears to have made little enquiry when making up the prescription brought to hifn by Holme’s daughter, a little girl about ■ eight years of age. As the bottle contained G oz., while the label directed a tablespoonful to be taken every two hours, the unfortunate man was virtually instructed that he might with safety drink nothin every four-and-twenty hours what was almost certain to kill any one with a weak heart. The sad results following the use of the medicine in this case will, it is hoped, render hydrate of chloral and similar strong physio less fashionable. Unless perfectly acquainted with their constitutions, people who fly to those remedies for relief may inadvertently be running the risk of death.