GLEANINGS FROM THE PAPERS.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 109, 1 November 1879, Page 2

GLEANINGS FROM THE PAPERS.

Recently a Loudon minister related tlie following aneedotein his pulpit:—A friend of his lost a gold watch, quietly advertised for it, and paid for its recovery £lO to a man who confessed that he had stolen it. Being anxious to know how it had been done this eoudoner of felony asked for the story. The thief, having the ton sovereigns safe in his pocket, stated that he had run up against him in Bow Lane, and so abstracted the watch and showed how. With admiring attention the owner of the watch showed the thief out of the house, and returned to congratulate himself and tell the story to his wife. When he got inside again, however, ho found the watch gono a second [time, and the £lO with it. During the demolition of some old houses in Brook-street, Holborn, a collection of newspapers, periodicals, &0., of the dates 1705:70, was discovered among a quantity of lumber, and disposed of as " waste " at one of tho shops in the neighbourhood. Among the packages thus sold a MS. was found, and on examination a dramatic poom in blank verse was brought to light numbering nbout 100 lines, and perfect, with the oxreptiou of tho first fow pages, which howover apparently only contained the title, and and possibly dedication. The poem is signed with tho capital C of tho Saxon alphabet, and is now believed that it is from the pen of the unfortunate Chattertou, who committed suicide in a house in Brookstreet, iu 1770. The poem deals with love and revenge, is laid in the Second Charles's days, and abounds in many striking passages. The MS. is iu the hands of Lord Houghton, who is of opinion, with Dean Stanley, Mr. Swinburno, and other mon of letters, that tho MS. is genuine. Arrangements are being made for its publication at an early date. Some interesting experiments have lately bcon mude iu raising sunken vessels, or other submerged objects, by a plan' invented by a Vionnese engineer. Tho Berlin Tribune says that the employed to lift tho sunken objects is carbonic acid gas, generntod below tho suriaco of tho water. In an otherwise oniply balloou u bottle of sulphurio acid is placed, embedded in a quantity of Bullcr's salts, and an arrangement is provided by which tho bottlo and tho salts is taken down by a diver and securoly attached to the object to bo laised. The bottlo is thou broken, and the sulphuric acid thus set free percolates tho salts and generates carbonic acid gas, which inflates tho balloon, and alter u time causes it to riso to tho surface, bringing with it tho object attached to it. Tho trials which liavo bcon made with this new apparatus havo as yet been only only a comparatively small scale, but Ihey are stated to havo bean, no far eminently successful. A small vessel, weighing several buudrod weight, was

sunk in 60 feet of water, t. diver w*j sent down and attached the balloon to it, and in a very short time the machine appeared on the surface of the water bringing the vessel with it. On another occasion five sacks filled with sand were thrown overboard in 50 feet of water, and in a few minutes were similarly recovered.

According to the papers, and especially to the Capitate, which is understood to he fully informed in all that relates to Garibaldi, the General will appear before the Courts in a few days to obtain adoolaration of the nullity of his marriage with the Signora llaimmidi, celebrated in Comb some 15 or more years ago. Immediately after the marriage ceremony and before the bride had changed her dress, Garibaldi received a letter telliug him that she had deceived him before marrying him. Ho laid the letter before her. She confessed; they parted there and then, and some months later the lady gave birth to a son. It was stated soon after Garibaldi's arrival in Rome—and this news confirms it—that one of his chief objects was to obtain the settlement of the remainder of his pension on his children. It will be remembered that the Chamber voted him 100,000f por annum, with the remainder of 50,000 per annum to his heirs, but who they were was not specified—an oversight which was somewhat remarkable in the circumstances. Garibaldi has two families of children, but neither born in wedlock. The first were by Anita, who died in 1849 ; the second, Manila and Clelia, by the Signora Francesoa, born since his unfortunate marriage with Signora Raimond. But, all these being illegitimate, the law cannot take cognisance of their existance, and hence the curious complication has arisen that it can only recognise as his legitimate son a young man who is no child of his, but who, as things now are, is entitled to succeed to the remainder of his pension. Garibaldi, therefore, seeks to obtain a decree of nullity of his marriage with Signor Itaiuiondi, that he may prevent this, and, by marrying their mother, enable iTaiilio and Clelia to inherit the remainder.

The will of the lato Prince Imperial of Franco was opened on Thursday. It contained no political allusion. The whole property was left to his mother. He appoints Priuee Victor Napoleon as his successor.

The Conservative, Ultramontane?, Poles and Alsatians in the German Ruichstag appear to havo come to an understanding, which secures to the Government a majority on the tariff question.

At the recent synod in the canton of Berne, the Unman Catholic delegates participated and out-numhered the old Catholics—os to 35—electing the otlicehearers and Synodieal Council for tho nest four years. The poll-tax established by Peter the Great has been abolished, and duties ou interest-bearing paper, or incomes of persons subject to military service, and on buildings outside of towns, have been instituted.

The French Government Look precautions against any demonstration at tho mass of requiem for tho Prince Imperial. Troops in the noighb mring barracks were confined to their quartern, and tho police were ordered to arrest anybody indulging in Bonarpartist cries.

The following singular paragraph is translated from a Spanish paper:—" A member of the English Parliament has had the curiosity to give the following statistics relative to the state of matrimony in the city of London and countv of Middlesex :—Wives who have lei't their husbands, 1572; husbands who have fled from their wives, 5371 ; niarriod people-divorced, 4720; married people living in perpetual warfare, 191,022; those who hato each other, but dissimulate in public, 1G2.300; thoso who livo together in perfect indifference, 510,152 ; those who are apparently happy, 1102: those who are relatively happy, 135 ; those who are really happy, 0." There is an oft-quoted saying to the effect that wo must go away from homo to find out the good things we possess. M. Bachet, the foreign importer of French and American goods, of Barrack-street, bus shown us a lamp for burning kerosene or petroloum under rather peculiar circumstances. Tho lamp is provided with a stone wick. The stono is of so porous character that it sucks up tho oil like any ordinary wick, whilst, liko a sieve, it at the same time deprives it of all injurious qualities, causing tho flame to be beautifully bright without the boat ordinarily given out by kerosene. The sediment is removed in tho ordinary manner. Outside tho wick (which is almost everlasting), thore is a brass tube, which protects the chimney from tho flame, so that a light can be produced equal to that of gas. Anothor peculiarity is that the stone of which tho wick is made is found in Queensland; but it has taken our Ameican cousins to discover its properties and tho uso to which it is so suceessfuly applied, The will of the lute Baron Lionel do Rothschild was sworn under £2,700,000. Tho will is iu the handwriting of tho deceased, and is dated July 24, ISO'S, New Court, St. Swithin's Lane. Tho document occupies two ordinary shoot* of letter paper, which wore sown together with silk and sealed. His sous, Sir Nnthaniol do Rothschild and Mr. Alfred do Rothschild, aro tho executors of the will. Tho testator luavos to his wife £IOO,OOO, and a life interest of £50,000, arising from tho houses at Frankfort and in London, together with tho residence in Piccadilly, and tho estate at Gutmoisbury.

.. request is made that "my good wile" ili<jl give £IO,OOO to Jewish charities and :5000 to others. Annuities in connoc;ion with which the mother is to exercise dtocretiouary j-ower are made in favour of sous and daughters. Excepting the immediate members of his own family (above referred to) no other name or legacy is mentioned iu the will. The testator adviFes his sons of the happy unity that existed between him and his two brothers, to which he attributes the success of tlio firm, and hopes that the jsauio kind feeling will contiuue to mainitain the position of the houso.

A Newark husbaud who, when he courted his wife, was constantly sighing for the " Sweet by-aud-by," doesn't think so much of it now that it is attained. He complains that it has been buy and buy until ho is about disgusted. The Ballarat Courier "reports that an occurrence, which was nearly resulting in a tragedy, took place a few evenings since, between a newly married couple residing not a great distance from the Ballarat post-offico. It seems that, a fascinating widow—fair, but slightly over 40 years—being tired of her, weeds, bad fixed her affections upon a young fellow less than half her age, which resulted in the two being made one about a fortnight after their first acquaintance. Matters went amicably enough on tho marriage day, but on the day following the silken fetters of the young Benedict chafed considerably, and with a determination of doing something desperate to sovor his bonds, he procured a pair of pistols, intending to shoot his wife. Armed with these weapous, the rash and foolhardy young feliow ..proceeeded to his wife's chamoor arid and presenting the pistol at her breast tired; but owing to her having quickly divined his intention, she pushed tho pistol aside and the bullet glaiiced off the wall of the room, and lodged in the ceiling. The wife then unarmed the would-be wife-slayer, and having subjugated him completely he is now content with his lot.

Thu German Press (says the Herald's Berlin correspondent) has indeed received the news of the perfection of the treaty with Samoa very favourably. Geruiuus emigrate in vast numbers! to America, Australia, New Zealand, and the Gape, und their number lias during the last 50 years been estimated at 4,000,000, and the capital thereby lost to the State, inclusive of productive power, at about 15 millions ot marks (shiilings). The population of Germany which in the beginning of December, 1871. was 41,055,00t) .touls has in four years increased by 11 ,1)68,000, apart from lUose who emigrated land it must have been growing continulally in the same proportion. The auuua! [increase is now reckoned at 1A per cent., 'while before it was only 1 or l\. Th.) population of Germany must therefore at the end of the century, number 60,000,000 souls. This sum gives rise to the fear whether tbo Empire will bo able to employ and support such a quantity of subjects, and thus the population will grow poorer, whereby again the Kiciul question will become more and woie critical. It stems therefore very urgent for Germany to found colonies in order to direct the stream of emigration to them, and thereby to preserve to tho mother-country that force and capital which the emigrants represent. For all these reasons the initiative of the Government has been joyfully greeted by the majority of tho population. The gift of Queen Victoria to the Emperor and Empress consists in a splendid majolica salver, of 24 inches diameter. The ground is richly gilt, and tho flowers and amorettes painted on it in natural colours stand out in relief. Tho ocntre is adorned with tho arms of the Emperor and Empress, surmounted by tho Imperial crown. Tho border is decorated by dancing genii, who hold garlands of orango blossoms and myrtles tied by turquoise blue ribands. A larger figure holds a shield with the date 11th Juno 1829, and 1879. Tho salver is indeed a masterpiece of ceramic art, and was worked in the factory of the Mintons. Four weeks of day and night work have been necessary to complete this splendid piece, which will adorn one of the side-boards in the Imperial palace. The Grown Prince aud his family aro all at Potsdam, at tho new palace. Their Highnesses pass much of their timo at Bumstedt, where the Crown Prince is busying himself with agriculture, and where the Crown Princess has erected a school for orphans, so that both satisfy there some of their inclinations. Berlin is as yet very crowded ; few people have loft for watering places and summer journeys. The weather, after having been very hot for about four or fivo days is again very rainy and cold sitico a week, and is therefore 'not at all inviting to leave coinfortablo houses and lodgings. Besides tho Exhibition brings daily new visitors, and everybody has, of course, country cousins to receive and lead about. Great interest kas given to tho exhibition of all the addresses which woi'O sent to tho Emperor and Empress for their golden wedding. All the Gorman princes havo mode a present of a monument to be erected very uear tho Imperial palace, Just beforo tho windows of their Majesties rooms; tho monument is to bo mado of white marble. Tho German Princeshoh, sixteen in number, havo mado a collection amongst themselves and contributed 24,000 marks, which wore destined to go to the fund of tho Augusta foundation, tinder protection of the Empress, whole daughters of fallon officers aro to he educated without, pay. Besides thoso opulent offerings other splondid gifts arrived from near and far, allonoin tho wish that they might long bo s|nat.l to their

family, to their country. Particular pleasure was given to the Royal family by all those addresses which came from abroad, and which proved that all those Germans, who had sought and found a home in foreign countries still regarded themselves as one with the mother country, and expressed those feelings in warm cougratulatious. Tho address from the Germans at Sydney was not the least amongst' this class, and I myself, can assure my countrymen amongst you that the address was fully appreciated; In the great hall where the addresses were exhibited, it had found its place on tho same centre-table where tho gifts of the lloyal Family were laid out, and where also the present of tho Queen of England, and tho casetto witli tho gift of the Princesses was placed. Its very tasteful and beautiful writing and drawings wore much admired, and have not passed unseen amongst tho 800 or 900 addresses.— Sydney M, Herald's correspondent.

I'ere Hyaeinthe, in the course of arecent lecture upon true and false Catholicism, told his followers in Paris that the Saviour gave the disciples the supernatural power of forgiveness of sins. After recognizing confession confession in principle, he quickly passed from tin-dogma-tical to the practical consideration of the question, lie admitted that under tho certain circumstances confession was of a purely moral and social utility. When some blaineable deed had been done, the want was felt in a friend to whom one could freeely open one's heart. But there wore many things which one ought to say but which could not be said. There were certain confidential communications which would not strengthen the bonds of friendship, but which would rather make a breach between a guilty and a confiding friend. There were things which wives could not speak of to their husbands. In these cases the priest should Le sought after, and the confession used to him would be holy. Priests, however, should be allowed to marry. There was no more danger of their imparting secrets to their wives than was the case with regard to doctors or lawyers. And confessors should not be young men twenty-four years of age. They should be persons of some experience and knowledge of tho world.

James Orion Woodruff, tbo proprietor of tho "Woodruff Scientific Expedition round the World," Las died at New York, just as he was on the point of carrying out the scheme of his life. It was while studying his favourite books that the idea of a rloatiug college, with professors to teach the pupils geography and science in a practical manner, first suggested itself in his mind. The idea grew, and for over twelve years he has worked steadily and persistently to get it into practical shape. It took practical shape in the projected "Woodruff Expedition ltonnd the World," but its originator has been called away before the execution of his magnificent project. The death of Mr. Woodruff will not interfere with the execution of this project, for an expedition round the world. New interests have been enlisted in behalf of this scheme, ample capital has been secured, and a new prospectus will be issued giving to tho public all tho details of the new arrangements. Out of respect to the memory of Mr. Woodruff the namo of the expedition will remain unchanged. A London artist having painted a picture in oils from a photograph taken by a local photographer of Old Maidstone Bridge, the latter sued him for having, as he alleged, infringed his copyright After hearing tho evidence, the Judge ordered the artist to pay a penalty of a guinea, and to forfeit the picture, which was valued at thirty guineas, to the plaintiff. Tho photographer presented tho picture to the Maidstone Museum.

It is proposed to illuminate the Falls of Niagara by night with a number of Brush electric lights. The spectacle is expected to be very weird, and embellished with artificial rainbows. An attempt will also bo made to light up the falling cascado from behind.

A very ingouious application of clectrioity to the purposes of navigal ion has recently teen effected by -Mr. Henry A. Severn, of Heine Hill, who has succeeded in producing a mariner's compass which enables the captain or ottieer in charge, to hear, by the ringing of a bell, when tha vessel is out of the ordered course. The whole of the apparatus is contained ia a small box whioli is easily carried about, and is intended, its a rule, to be placed in the captain's cabin. Over the card are two index hauls whioli can be adjusted to any angle allowing of greater or less deviation in steering to cither tho port or starboard sido. Assuming tho captain, on quitting tho deck, to have given instructions to stoor tho ship on a eoilnin course, he sets the indos hands to a certain angle, allowing tho steersman a given latitude for deviation either to port or starboard of his given course, Instead of having to be constantly watching tho compass as at present, to boo that his orders aro curried out, lie leaves the instrument to tell by its silence if they are, and by its sounds if thoy aro not obeyed. Should tho ship be steered off her course beyond tho limit allowed on either sido an electric alarm-bell rings instantaneously, and, moreover, continues ringing until the right eourso is resumed, l'lio index hands can bo raised away from tho card, when the bell becomes disconnected aud the compass can be used like an ordinary one. The arrangement is simple and compact, and tho invention promises to subsorvua very useful purpose in navigation. ' The friends of" (ho Claimant" scorn determined to Icavo no itODO uuluined to prove hjs idoutity with Roger Tioh-

borne. A few days ago a certain "Captain Barry arrived "in England after" a residence of fifty years in Australia.- lie was at once sought out by Mr. Guildford Onslow, arid the two went together to the Portsea Convict Prison, where Thomas Castro is now undergoing " hard labour." Wo are told that they found him looking remarkably well, and in excellent spirits, and the gallant captain at once recognised him as the Thomas Castro he know in Australia, while the Claimant immediately recognised the Captain, and spoke of a black boy who acts as his servant. The Earl of Beaconsfield has Leon written to, asking that the case may be reopened, but he declines to present any petition to Government about the subject.

One of the hereditary Crown Princes of Europe is at present under arrest. Ho is a youth of only ten yeai'o—Victor Emanuel, the son of King Lxuiubert of Italy, llu was playing a few days ago with the little daughter of the Marchcsa Montereuo, one of the Court dames of the Italian Queen. Luiing their game a quarrel arose, and the young heir of the House of Savoy cried out in a passion, "As soon as i ani King I will have your head chopped,ou." \Vhtu King ifusnbert heard of'll he condemned the young hot-head—wiio gave such early signs of a conception of royally which the regenerators of Italy would scarcely tolerate —to eight days arrest in his chamber, to the withdrawal of his houours at table and to forfeiture of military salutes for a defined period. We hope that the salutary lessou will teach 'Jio young Piiuco the difference between a national King and a despot of the Legitimist type.

Tho following address, delivered from the altar the other day by a French cure, alter he bad married two of his parishioners, is as choice a specimen of clerical fun as we have soon of late. Quota the reverend gentleman : —" It is from the bottom of my heart, Joseph that I congratulate you upon tho groat step you are taking. It was, indeed, sad to see you wasting your youth in a life of disgusting drunkenness. However, all is well that ends well, and it pleases me to think that you have said goodbye for ever to the wine shop. As to you, my poor Catherine, thank heaven hear Jly tuat you have been able, ugly as you are, to Hud'a husband; never forget that you ought, by an unchangeable sweetness and devotion without bounds, to try to obtain pardon for your physical imperfection, for, I repeat, you are a real blunder of nature. And so, my dear children, I join you in matrimony." If this was not civil, it had at least the merit of sincerity. Whether either bride or bridegroom had occasion to exclaim on leaving tho church, " Save, U save me from a candid friend; or anything to that clfect, is another matter.

Traoey Turnerelli, Esq., has toon positively _. suubbed. For the last live njqiitly the name of this individual has been luureor l«ss before the public in connection with a gold laurel wreath, which was to.be the spontaneous gift of .the working men of England to the Earl of Beaoonsliold to commemorate the " Peace with liouour," policy of Ids lordship. The idea originated with Mr. Turuorolli, and he undertook to collect the subscriptions. No one was to give more than a penny, and the author's wish was that each town should send enough money to pay for a leaf. After a few thousand pence had been received the Woikiug classes held back but wo are told that by dint of " immense labour" and "never yet exampled efforts," 52,000 pennies were obtained, quite sidiicicnl. to pay for a fairly respe.-.tablo wreath—at least so thought Mr. Turuerelli. The order for its manufacture was publicly and privately exhibited, royal personages Had expressed their highly approval of it, and arrangements had been niado with Major Flood Pago for the use of the (Jrystral Palace on the occasion of the presentation. Meanwhile Lord Beaconsfield had been communicated with, but Mr. Turnerelli's letter remaiuod unanswered on his lordship's table for a period of nine days. Finding no reply was forthcoming, a telegram was sent to his lord-ship which was quickly answered by wire, and the next post brought Mr Tumerelli a lottcr from one of the Premier's private secretaries —Mr. Algernon Turner —in which his lordship declined the wreath without even thanking Mr. Turuerelli for Ins " uuoxamplcd efforts." The fact is, his lordship saw through Mr. Turnerelli's little game. It appeai-s that for the last five years this individual has bcon thrusting his wrongs on the notice of the Government, au:l was especially troublesome to the l'reuiior. Theso and other facts coming to light, it was clear as noonday that tho wreath was ouly started in order that the promoter might hiuißolf obtain sorao reward at his lordship's liuuds, and the Premier voiy rightly declined the "tribute." The question now is, what is to bu done with tho wreath! We would suggest that the gold lie bu melted down, and that tho amount realised for it should, with the subscribers' consent, be given to some charitablo institution.

Oil tho 15th of Juno (says the HoralJ's Borliu, correspondent) Iho christening of tlw hint daughter of tho Frin'oo mid VrincuH-s Hereditary of i>axo-Mouingeii daughter of tho Crown Priuue) took place in thu No* Palace at Potsdam. The red-room in thu Now Pulaoo had boon changed into a olmpol, tlio altar being orbcreil in a group of gieuiin, aud covered with scarlet velvet. Before tho

altar Stood a- christening table, on yb\eh were placed the golden ohristoning basin and jug which King William 111., father of the Emperor, had given as a present for the christening of the Crown t'liuee. The Emperor led the young mother in t:i the ceremony, while the jvuuug yithei lid the Empress. Then followed the l.'rown Princess, led by the Ltnke of Edinburgh, tlrj Grand Duks mid Grand Duchess of Baden, the Crown Prince, Prince William, his eldest sou ; Prince Charles, Prince and Princess Frederic Charles, Prince and Princess Albert, Duchess William of Mecklenburg Prince Alexander, Prince Leopold, Princess Victoria of Batlon, &o. Besides these Royal persons, the English Ambassador and ius wife, the sister of Lady Odo Russell, the Belgian Ambassador, and his wife, and other members of the Court circle were in* ited. Princess Marie of Soxc-Muiiing u, sister to the father, carried tha -Mid, and during the net of christening. Empress Augusta held her first gteat-grand-ohild, which received the name-el' Fctidora-. Queen Victoria is the godrii.itli.-r, lint was not present. After the usfo'Hioay the guests congratulated the ] 'iiciiU, grand parents, and greatgrand parents most heartily. Adcjeuuar: uiriatoire-was prepared in the shell-ball, during wjjjch the &.,iperor and Empress made a present to the young mother of a splendid bracelet in memory of the day of the e.iiri tuning. A special train led the guests from Berlin back to the capi tab'

A strange story is just becoming known in Dublin. In the annuls of the kit Fenian insurrection stands prominently forward the name of a man named Nagle an informer by whose evidence many of the Fenians were convicted. He had a pension from Government, which was paid through the police authorities, and, sometime back, they were surprised at his not appearing to receive the last Halfyearly payment. Very lately a man was found (lead under a railway arch near London, with his skull beaten in, and an iron bar lying beside liirit. Xo one knew him, and the coroner's jury returned a verdict of " Wilful murder of an unknown person by some person or persons unknown." The Dublin police, after inquiring, have come to the conclusion that it is Nagle who has been mysteriously sacrifice I to the vengeance of the Fenian Brotherhood.

The Prince of Wales, in proposing tho toast of the "Army and Navy" at a dinner on June 2d in aid of the West London Hospital, said :—ln proposing tho toast of the Army one's thoughts arc carried to a hind where a war is now raging. I allude to tho campaign in South Africa, and in referring to that campaign it is impossible for me not to allude to a subject which, painful as it is, is in the thoughts of everyone in this room. I allude to the untimely death r,f a brave young man, who was the guest of our country, and who has fallen in this war. I know that this event has caused grief aud pain to all in this country from the highest to the lowest. I know that my countrymen look with pride and pleasure to the fact that a young man like the late Prince Imperial should have gone forth to a distant country in order to assist in a war which we are carrying on, aud the hope might have existed that ho would return to show his thankfulness to our countrymen for tho hospitality which we gave him while he was in exile. When I speak of him personally, I can ouly say that a more ebarmiujr or more promising young man rarely existed. If it had been tho will of Providence that ho should succeed his father in ruling a great neighbourhing country, I have every reason to believe that ho" would have proved an admirable Sovereign, and that, like his father, lie would have been a tiuo and great ally of this country. It is not necessary to allude further to this subject hut 1 feel sure that all in this room will sympathise; most sin icroly with that august lady, his bereaved mother. It may be gratifying to this assemblage to hear that it is but a few hours ago that I wasatO'islehurst, and. though I neither saw nor sought to see the Empress, it will be gratifying for us to know that her health was more satisfactory.