NEWS BY THE PANAMA MAIL.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 233, 30 April 1868, Page 2

NEWS BY THE PANAMA MAIL.

The chief item of New York news is the burning of Barnum's Museum, which occurred on the night of the 3rd March, together with the destruction of nearly the entire collection of valuable curiosities contained in the building. Only a part of the boasts forming the menagerie were saved. The scene was very exciting, the struggle and noises made by the animals causing many of the spectators to fear that they worild break loose. Some of the men employed in the building succeeded in saving the giraffe, which was taken out through Mercer street. It was severely burned. A small elephant, two kangaroos, a leopard, and several other animals wore saved through the Broadway entrance. About two o'clock, a tiger confined on the first floor burst the bars of his cage and sprang through a window to the street. In an instant he turned down Broadway, when a stream of water stopped him. A policeman belonging to the Fourteenth precinct then stepped up, and with three pistol shots despatched the bca=t, and allayed the apprehensions of the spectators. The destruction of propei'ty was very great, and it is supposed the losses will amount to half a million dollars. The insurances will not amount to more than half that sum. The firemen were fortunate in confining the flames to the buildings destroyed. The night was one of the most severe of the season ; tho hydrants were surrounded by snow and ice ; the hose froze, and the water froze upon the clothing of firemen, who in many cases stood in water nobly performing their duty, until their limbs became numb with exposure. The room in which the fire broke out was called the "Bird Department." 'lt is supposed that the fire originated from a defective flue. The room above was occupied by the giantess, fat woman, Circassian girl, and others connected with the Museum, all of whom escaped. The loss of the owners of tho Museum is estimated at 100,000 dols., on which there is an insurance of 150,000 dols. Tho safo is in tho ruins, and the names of the

companies are not knf.wn. Oao hundred and thirty-live persons are thrown out of employment by tlio fire. The Morning Post, in an editorial on the subject of Irish reform, says the plan which will ho pursued by th'o new Government under Mr Disraeli in regard to Ireland is as follows :—lst. The consideration of the Church question will be put off until the Commission on the Irish Church establishment, already appointed shall have made their report. 2nd. Another Commission will bo appointed to enquire into the relations of landlord and tenant in Ireland. 3rd. A charter will bo granted for a new i'oman Catholic University. 4th. The Irish railways are to be subsidized by the Government.

In the House of Commons, in reply to an inquiry from Mr J. Harvey Smith, Mr Grathorno Hardy, tho Home Secretary, stated that the police had been previously informed of the plot for blowing up one of the walls of the Clcrkenwell prison, and effecting the release of the Fenian prisoners. Their informer, who was within the prison, was to give notico when the conspirators approached to light the fuse, by throwing a white ball over the wall, whereupon the police were to seize the guilty persons. On the night before the explosion a cask of powder was seen in the street; but as no attempt was made to blow up the wall that night, the preconcerted signal was not given ; the powder Avas allowed to remain, and no arrests were made. The police supposed that the execution of the plot was postponed to the following evening, and were off their guard when the explosion took place unexpectedly during the day. In the House of Commons, in reply to Col. Sykes, Mr E. Egerton said that information had been received of the capture of Mr Burlinghame, the United States Minister at Pekin, who had accepted the office of Ambassador from the Chinese Government to the Governments of Europe. It appears that he had been stopped by a band of robbers 300 strong and detained 40 hours. He stated that he sent for assistance and that a party of blue jackets were the first to arrive—that they had travelled 45 miles in three hours. Other aid was subsequently received and his release effected. Mr. Burlinghame added that he wished to make known the most energetic and gallant conduct of Captain Dunlop of her Majesty's gunboat Dove. Papers in relation thereto would be laid upon the table.