The Aberystwith Observer

UPS AND DOWNS! ,.A8 a? tbe ups and downs of commercial life inAm t^e following history of a few years in the life 0 ^r in the present Congress, who was recently imprisoned for debt in the oil region of Pennsylvania, 'elea^«d by the interference of Congress, his arr g a violation of privilege, is of interest :— Charles VernonCalver.thepersonreferred to, made his first appearance in the oil reg oiw six years ago, at the out- set of the petroleum exeUe^nt and opened on borrowed capital a small banking county. He was J^V, >»<,great juavity, and soon won a l g M#thodigt c'hu^g by an unobtrnsive luteMSt charity, both of and occasional exhibitions o rap^iy gained which are «' taking" in A™eri^gl,,eegs P New York popularity and extended hU'bust e de bn,lne,8 city became familiar with nls name, anu pvrended as connections there and at Philadelphia, wb became rapidly as the petroleum excitement, and Mr Culver became tbe great "oil capitalist," as Johnny S ee'eJ!. nii aire." In a freniy of exottement the Republicans of diittfot nomlnawa Cairn lor Congrsi* in 1884» wul elecwa him to an nnsonght seat in the Souse of Representatives. He never took his seat, however, his extensive business not permitting luch a Waite of time; but he remained In the petroleum country, building Reno, a flourishing town, with a daily newspaper, constructing a railroad at a cost of 1,560,000dole., with General Burnside as its chief engineer, and erecting a magnificent private residence, filled with rare and costly works of art. When Sir Morton Peto and his party were in the oil region, they were his guests, and he feted them with lavhh prodigality. Confldenoe and credit in him and his houses in 1{ew York and other places were without limit, until a few months ago, when the petro- leum business had waned, a sadden draught on his New York house found not enough lands In their safe to pay for it. and Culver, Penn, & Co. failed for liabilities estimated at 6,000,000 dollars. At once there was a rush of creditors, a seizure of such assets as could be captured, a general smash up of many in the oU rejrlOD8 with whom he had dealings, Including th, Venango National Bank, and finally the arrest of i £ r. Culver for fraudulent Indebtedness, and his lodgment in gaol at FrankllD, not one of his many former friends being willing to be bail for him. The Republicans who In 1861 had so ostentatiously sent him to Confess, without his consent, would have nothing to do with him in 1866, and he remained under arrest until Congress met in December and released him. He has not yet taken his seat, and probably will not take It. Beginning on nothing six years ago, Mr. Culver made 10,000,000 dollars in five years, lost every penny of It, got 2,000,000 dols. in debt, and Is now a beggar. He Is still a young man, however, and may yet retrieve his fortunes

THE LAW OF LIBEL. The following Is the arrangement of the clauses of tbe bill to amend the law of libel, and thereby to secure more ef- fectually the liberty of the press, prepared and brought into the House of Commons by Sir Colman CLoghlen and Mr. Balnes:— No proprietor of a newspaper or periodical publica- tion shall be liable to an action or prosecution for a faithful report of a speech at a public meeting, unless he shall decline to publish, if required, an explanation or contradiction of the statements complained of. A speaker at a public meeting shall be liable to be sued and prosecuted for defamatory matter spoken by him at such meeting, as if he had written and published the same. The privilege of parliament or other public bodies shall not be affected by this act. In actions for libel the defendant shall be at liberty to pay money into court in discharge of the action. When the sum paid into court is not accepted by the plaintiff in dis. charge of his action, the defendant may require the plaintiff to give security for costs. When the damages in an action of libel do not exceed five pounds, the plaintiff shall not get more costs than damages. Without the sanction of the law officer of the crown, no private prosecutor shall be at liberty to prefer an indictment for any libel other than a libel published with intent to extort. The defendant on the trial of an indictment or information for libel may offer him- self as a witness, and so may the defendant's wife or husband. The truth of a libel may be pleaded in a short form. When so pleaded the plaintiff may get a bill of particulars of what is intended to be relied upon by the defendant. The act is not to extend to Scotland.

SINGULAR IDENTIFICATION OF A DROWNED MAN. On the night of the 6th of December, 1865, a resident at Shrewsbury, named Evans, left the house of a friend with the intention of returning home, but mysteriously disappeared on the way, and was never again seen, either dead or alive. The affair created some excitement at the time, and a reward was offered for any information that might lead to a solution of the mystery, but none transpired, and it was at length concluded that Mr. Evans had fallen into the Severn, and that his body had been carried away by the stream. His wife, however, steadfastly refused to believe in his death, and even continued to pay his usual subscription to the club of which he was a mem- ber, in the expectation of his ultimate return. After a lapse of fourteen months all doubt has now been set at rest by the discovery of the body of the unfortunate man in the Severn, at a place called Cressage, six miles distant from the spot where he probably fell in. An old woman gathering wood on the bank accidentally caught sight of it clinging with outstretched arms to some bushes which had arrested its further progress down the stream. The only articles of clothing remaining upon it were a necktie, a collar, a pair of stockings, and a surgical elastic sock on the left leg. On Mrs. Evans arriving at Cressage, one day last week, she was at once enabled to identify the body of her long-lost husband by means of the elastic sock. There were no marks of violence upon the body, and considering the long period during which it had been in the water, it was in a remarkable state of preservation.

A ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP ON COMPULSORY EDUCATION. Dr. Goss, the Roman Catholic bishop of Liverpool, attended the annual meeting of the Liverpool Catholic Reformatory Association on Thursday, and expressed his views on compulsory education, and what he termed "compulsory reformation." He regretted the enact- ment of the reformatory laws, because they "took away the freedom" of children who had not legally transgressed, but were without any means of obtaining a livelihood. He also thought that the government ought to defray the entire cost of reformatories, and that it should not be thrown on the particular body of religionists to whioh the criminals belonged. With respect to compulsory education, he said such a process would be trampling on the rights of parents," and interfering with the liberty of the subject; and be hoped the Catholic body would endeavour to prevent it. His views did not meet with any expression of assent, but, on the contrary, were freely dissented from, especially with regard to government support of reformatories, by the Rev. Father Nugent. The latter gentleman did not enter the room until after Dr. Goas had concluded his speech, and his expression of such dissimilar views caused much amusement. Mr. John Yates also upheld the present mode of supporting reformatories.

DEATH OF A FAMOUS "BRIGANDESS," The Italia of Naples announces the death of the famous brigandess" La Gizzi, who was for some time the terror of the Volturara district. La Gizzi, was a tall, muscular woman with beetling brows, covered with a thick mass of black shaggy hair that fell over her shoulders and breast, and was so bloodthirsty that she voluntarily performed the office of executioner on every captive doomed to death by her band. It is related that on one occasion, after stabbing three of her captives, she collected the blood that flowed from their wounds in a jar and then poured it over the head of her lover, telling him that should be his baptism of blood. Being sharply pursued by the troops, her con- sort and herself took refuge in the cottage of a peasant at Petrosa, and compelled him with frightful threats to give them food. The peasant laid some provisions before them; but while they were busied with their meal he seized an axe, and attacked them with such fury that he struck both La Gizzi and her companion to the ground before they could defend themselves. He then ran to the neighbouring village of Ricigliano, collected the national guard of the district, and returned with them to his cottage. Here they found the two dead bodies, and after decapitating them carried the heads of La Gizzi and her lover, together with their conqueror, in trumph through the district.

• AMERICAN ELOQUENCE! The result of the elections being known, and the material of the two houses of Congress about to meet, We can form some idea of the proceedings which are Probably to be entombed in the volumes of the Globe, and embalmed in the columns of the News Letter, (we are quoting from the San Francisco Hews Letter). ^ture standard speakers and elocutionary treatises will hand down to generations yet unborn as our orator would say) such specimens of American elo- quence as the following[From Mr. Jones's great Speech on the Army Estimates.] "Mr. Speaker: The Sent who has just sot down is trying a little game oi bluff yith this honorable House; but if this House Knows herself, she can see him and go him a few 5° tr" "Roes the gent reckon he can ring in a cold aeci on the boys, and rake down the pot without snowing his hand ? Not while this child, can size his pile, you bet you This House will copper any such proceeding. The gentleman has made reether too many splits lately for me to believe that he's dealing on the square, and before we have another turn, I Want this little thing looked into. Mr. Speaker, I demand a fresh deal all round. I demand a new hand to keep the case. Them Treasury clerks are all jn with old man, and they just mark the cards to suit n way things are now, it's a reg'lar put P thing, and an outsider's got no more chance than a cat in -without claws! Sir, is it for thin that » 'TF B^t and bled at New Orleans and Buena this that their sons laid down their lives uvu-hiii r>ono?r at Fredericksburg and Antietfam ? Forbid it, Providence! Forbid it, Boston!"

A SKETCH OF THE "BLACK ROD." 10 an article entitled" lone! Life of the House of Com- mons," in the lUustratea Txmes the following persond •ketch is given of the Black Hod, at the opening of Par- Two o'clock was the time fixed, but her Majesty was rather late; and it was quite a quarter Past before •Black Rod arrived. As soon as Mr. bpeaker had re- ceived notice that the Queen had arrived, he mounted to his chair. Here, by-the-way, was a slight deviation from old routine, just a step out of the deep-trod footmarks of ancient custom." TT»nally, Mr. Speaker does not take the chair until the knocks at the door announce the arrival of tbe Black Rod but on this occasion he moved from the table to the chair as soon he was told that the Queen was on the Throne, I eason for this slight divergence from the lice was rJwr 'ormer occasions there were unseemly rto't?'1 and joBtlings, and whisperings at the bar to rebnk °1if °* ^ords. Mr. Speaker wished mildly inm and6* members for their disorderly proceed- would exPre88 a hope that on this occasion they whilst Bla^T>ettOT' and this he did from the chair, words. Heh^ was on way, in a few stately the doom a Bcarcely closed his exhortation, when by the dSelTrg °P^' ."BIack?°Jd ^shouted Clifford, Gentleman Tii ,n S,,r Augustus was dressed*^6*^ n* ? i embossed and trimmed w M of the order of the Bath ^h the blue ribbon ln^ of £ 2 ««. Such a blaze, indeed, the iwv^ j tJU ^f^med as if he were made for tSd to £ 6B' \i Cl0thes ior him. Sir Augustus ySrs Very 8tatel&nT al4 excellent actor. In WiXP^J?°«TV Pl £ y hk Part as he could. H "*1 what infinite grace he used to hnw tn Mr I and witfh what ease and accuracy, and even dignity, he performed the difficult task of marching backwards! He did all this as if he were to the man- ner born. But Sir Augustus is now very old; he is on the shady side of eighty; and, though he is still as upright as his official rod when he plants it on the table, his back is not so pliant as it was, and that backward maroh is evidently now a trying task. In nautical phrase, he gets adrift and is in danger of running foul, aa he would have said in his young days; for Sir Augustus was not bred a courtier, but a sailor, and was for many years at saa. Heentered the Navy in 1800, and during the great war saw service in Egypt, and many other parts of the world. But in 1833, lcng after ^he war was over, he left the quarter-deck ior the Court; for in that year he became Gentleman V sner of the Black Rod—with a comfortable salary, a splendid house, and, besides these periodical marching little to do.

The AMERICAN YACHT "HENRIETTA." The following correspondence between Mr. James Gordon Bennett, jun., and his Royal Highness Prince Alfred, has been permitted to be published, as the sentiments expressed in his Jvoyal Highness's letter are of public interest, and tend to show the feeling of England towards the United States :— Off Cowes, Dec. 31, 1866. Your Koyal Highness,—At Lord Lennox's dinner on Friday last you were pleased to match your yaoht the Viking to sail tbe Henrietta, around the Isle of Wight next August, ) for a cup worth £100. I wou'd not say so then, because I was bound to make the match proposed but, tn fact, this arrangement will somewhat interfere with the disposition whlon I had determined to make of my yacht incase she should win the ocean race. I beg that you will accept as a New Yeat's gift to an English yachtsman from an American yachtsman the Henrietta, as she now lies in perfect order off Cowes, and I have instructed Captain Samuels to hold her subject to your orders. Theunbounded hospitality with which the Amerioan yachtsmen have been received by all classes in England will always be remembered In the United States with the warmest gratitude, and I sincerely hope that you will not deprive me of the opportunity of asknow- ledging this most cordial reception by presentieg the win- ning yacht to the representative of English yachtsmen. I have the honour to remain, very respectfully, yours, J. G. BENNETT, Jun. Claresoe House, Jan. 22, 1867. Dear Mr. Bennett,—I find it difficult to express how grate- fully I appreciate the kindly feeling which dictated your letter ot the Slat ult., as well as the splendid present which you offer to my acceptance, but IlIOllt ot all the delicaoy with which you seek to diminish the personal obligation under which you would lay me by giving to your generous offer an international character It is, indeed, this last consideration only which has led me to hesitate in replying to your letter, for personally it would have been impnsslole for me to accept so costly a present, tout I felt bound fully to consider the question in the light In which you were good enough to plaoe it, and if on full consideration I feel compelled to decline your generous offer, I trust that neither you nor your gallant competitors, nor your countrymen at large, will believe that the yachtsmen of England less appreciate, or less reci- procate, the feeling of good fellowship which prompted the offer. The Henrietta is a vessel which any man may feel proud to pos.ess, and 1 trust she may long continue in the bands in wblch she has accomplished so triumphant a success. We must try to find a lival to her, and do our best in common with all Englishmen. I sincerely hope that such friendly rivalry may be the only description of contest in which our respective countries may ever be engaged. It has given us great pleasure to offer a cordial reception to you and your companions in England, and I feel assured that if my professional duties in command of one of her Majesty's ships should ever take me to your shore, I should there meet en the part of my brother seamen with a reception not less hearty than that which we have been happy to afford you here. Believe me yours, sincerely, ALFRED. Of course, one of its rivals, the Boston Advertiser, could not let the above opportunity pass without a little hit at its opponent—the New York Herald—and gives the following under the head of Condensed Correspondence":— It was necessary, we suppose, to telegraph the whole of the letters, in order to add to the eclat of Mr. Bennett. Otherwise, we might have suggested a condensation, which would have been much cheaper, at the present cable rates. For instance "Mr. Bennett to Prince Alfred. Off Cowes, Dec. 31. 1866. Your Royal Highness—I'm going to give you my yacht. My regards to your mother and the royal family.—Tours, J. G. BENNETT, JR." Prince Alfred to Mr. Bennett. Dear Sir, I must decline with thanks. This establishment does not advertise in the New York Herald.—ALFKED. The New Yorh Tribune has also the following "say" on the subject:— James and Alfred were two good boys, who had little ships, and James's ship sailed over the pond. Alfred was so glad that he asked James to dinner, and they had gingerbread. So James offered to give Alfred his little ship as a proof that all James's countrymen were so glad Alfred had given him such a nice dinner. But Alfred wouldn't take the little ship because it was too good for htm, and so both boys were glad, and hoped their families would never quarrel. For further particulars see cable despatches.

QUEEN'S SPEECHES ON REFORM. Some interest is attached to the terms in which the Queen has, on 80 many occasions, been made to refer to Reform. In 1852 we find the following paragraph produced under the auspices of Lord Russell:— It appears to me that this is a fitting time for calmly con- sidering whether it may not be advisable to make such amendments in the act of the late reign, relating to the representation of the commons In Parliament, as may be deemed calculated to carry into more complete effect the principles upon which that law is founded. I have the fullest confidence that In any such consideration you will firmly adhere to the acknowledged principles of the Consti- tution by which the prerogative of the Crown, the au- thority ot both Houses of Parliament, and the rights and liberties of the people are equally secured. In 1854, under Lord Aberdeen, we have the following:— Recent experience has shown that it Is necessary to take more effectual precautions against the evils ot bribery and corrupt practices at elections. It will also be your duty to consider whether more complete effect may not be given to the principles of tbe aot of the late reign, whereby Reforml were made In the representation of the people in Parliament. In recommending the subject to your consideration, mT desire la to remove every cause of just complaint, to Increase general confidence in the legislature, and to give additional stability to the settled Institutions ot the State. In April, 1857, Lord Palmerston disposes of the matter more summarily, thus :— Your attention will be called to the laws which regulate the representation of the people in Parliament, with a view to consider what amendments may be safely and beneficially made thereon. In 1859, we find Earl Derby approaching the sub. ject in these words :— Your attention will be called to the state ot the laws which regulate the representation of the people in Parlia ment, and I cannot but think that you will give to this great subject a degree of calm and impartial consideration pro- portionate to the magnitude of the interests Involved ln the result of your discussion. In 1860, under Lord Palmerston :— Measures will be laid before you for amending the laws which regulate the representation of the people in Parlia- ment. and for placing that representation upon a broader and firmer basis. The paragraph devoted to the subject in last year's Queen's Speech, was, however, perhaps, the most straightforward and manly of the lot. It ran thus :— I have directed that information should be procured In reference to the rights of voting in the election of members to serve in Parliament for counties, cities, and boroughs. When that information Is complete, the attention of Par- liament will be called to the result thus obtained, with a view to such improvements in the laws which regulate the rights c.f voting in the election of members of the House of Commons as may tend to strengthen our free institutions, and conduce to the public welfare. The catalogue is completed by the paragraph from the Queen's speech of last week :— Your attention will again be called to the state of the representation of the people in Parliament, and I trust that your deliberations, conducted in a spirit of moderation and nratml forbearance, may lead to the adoption of which, without unduly disturbing the balance of political power, shall freely extend the electoral franchise.

THE LOSS OF AN EYE. "in the Court of Queen's Bench the cause of xtenney v. Blakey" has been tried, and was an action to recover compensation for the loss of an eye through the alleged careless shooting of the defendant. The plaintiff, a labourer in the employment of Mr. Farrant, a farmer at Shenleybury in Herts, on the 24th of August last, was employed with several others in mowing wheat. Mr. Farrant and Mr. Blakey, a neighbouring farmer were in the field shooting rabbits as they ran from the wheat to a wood close by. When the wheat was nearly cut the plaintiff left off work, and was told by his master to stand at the corner of the wheat. While there the defendant shot at a rabbit and hit the plaintiff in the left eye, totally de- priving him of sight in that eye. The plaintiff's statement was corroborated by several of his fellow- TheTdefence was that the accident was caused by the plaintiff's own negligence in running into the line of fire to pick up a rabbit, after being warned of the d*lfwaB°ultimate^y arranged that the plaintiff should have a verdict for 50J. -==-

A "SPOONY" KING. The gossip who contributes the "Echoes from the Continent" to the Herald and Stan ia ahmitt^in in his last communication writes as foil wit> approaching marriage of King Louis of A5 the Princess Charlotte of Austria :— Their mutual affection dates from Infancy, but it waw only at the recent ball given by the King to the officers otM9 army that his Majesty dared to atk the hand of the young Princess. Toe King left the ball-room only when the sun had risen and instead of returning to the palace he tooK a ong drive. On his return he wrote for some time, and hen ordered a letter to be forwarded at once to the palace of the Duke Maximilian, with pressing instructions to deliver his miseive to the Princess Charlotte as soon as she should awake. At noon the King came himself to the duc" 1 pahce, and tremblingly asked the Princess "Charlotte, will you be tbe Queen ot Bavaria ?" On this the Pall Mall Gazette remarks "The love for his beautiful cousin must be very strong indeed, because such a direct question was rather astonishing from his Majesty, proverbially so very timid and diffident with Jadies! and yet (adds this dreadful tale- bearer) ladies have been very partial to the King."

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION. The following—according to the monthly paper of the Protestant Alliance—is a copy of a printed paper Issued from one of the churches in London :— Saint Alban the Martyr, Holborn.—A priest will attend in the sacristy to hear confessions at the following times :—Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 12.30, 2.30 to 7.45, and after evening service for any who may desire it. Friday 2 to 6 p.m.; for women only. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 12.30, for any one; 2.30 to 6 p.m., for men only; 6 to 7.45, for girls only after evening service, for any one. Those waiting for con- session are requested to take their places in the side seats of the north aisle, as near the chancel aisle aa possible, but not in the aisle itself. Those at the back will fill up the places in front of them as they are vacated, but are earnestly desired not to come into the saciisty out of their turn. Having made their confession, they will return into the nave of the church for private prayer. If any cannot possibly come at these times, they should speak to one of the clergy, but all are especially entreated to conform to them, if possible.

AN EXTRAORDINARY SECRET SOCIETY. The Calcutta Englishman gives the following particulars of an extraordinary secret society This new brotherhood are called kokay or kiree lee, the former word meaning, we believe, a repeater or number of prayers; and the latter, a religious devotee. The origin of the society, which is now some four or five years old, is attributed to a carpenter who resided in the neighbourhood of Loodianah; but who, it would appear, came originally from Umritsur. The sect are said to be deists; and, unlike our High Church party, do not recognise idols, pictures, or any objects of material worship. We were in error in say- ing the other day that the society is open to all the religions of Upper India; as Christians, Mahometans, and Jews are not eligible for admission, which is con. fined to Sikhs and Hindoos of the lowest castes for the most part; though some Khalsa Sikhs of family and position are amongst the members. From all that we can learn, the sect is founded on the creed and principles of the Gooroogrunth;" and the ceremony of admission is believed to consist in some oath of secrecy being administered, a drug or libation being also given, which is considered to seal the obligation. The members are also said to accept the condition of poverty, as fakirs; but we believe that this is not absolutely necessary to qualify for admission. It is further believed, as we stated the other day, that this sect has at present no political significance or im- portance but the members state that they will declare themselves, and, as we understand, show their flag, nusheen, when they have a lakh of men." The sect is now believed to number about 1,000 or 1,500 members; but its adherents are fast increasing, especially in the Puttiala territory; where, and in the Punjaub, its existence is well known and watched with considerable interest, of which perhaps it is also deserving elsewhere.

APPREHENDED RIOTS at CHESTER. On Monday evening a rumour prevailed in London and other towns that an attack by a considerable body of men, supposed to be Fenians, and chiefly from Liver- pool, was premeditated, if it had not been actually made, upon Chester Castle. For that rumour, it will be seen, there is some ground in the subjoined tele. graphic communications which was received in London:— CHESTER, Monday, 9 p.m. Ever since noon to-day several hundred young men of from eighteen to twenty-five years old, apparently of the labouring and operative class, have been pouring into this city, and have repaired to various parts of the town. The number is variously estimated at from 500 to 800. No definite Information is given by any of them; bat It is certa'n that in their spontaneous arrival from Liverpool, Preston, Manchester, Halifax, and other surrounding towns a premeditated action of some kind must be in A magistrates' meeting, presided over by the Mayor, was held at eight o'clock, and, owing to the crowded state of the streets and the uncertain cause of this extraordinary gathering, they intend sitting all night, to meet any emer- Special constables have been enrolled, and are parading the city. The volunteers and police are also at bead- quarters, ready for Immediate action. Jewellers have re- ceived a hint to close their shops early, which most of them have done. The general Impression Is that It is a Fenian gathering, with intention to seize arms stored at Chester Castle. The city Is in considerable anxiety. A company of soldiers arrived from Manchester at noon. LIVERPOOL, Monday, Midnight This afternoon a rumour reached Liverpool that sym- ptoms of Fenian disturbances existed at Chester, but no credit was given to the report. It appears, however, that this morning from fifty to sixty men were noticed departing by the railway boat for Cuester. Major Grelg, our head constable, Immediately telegraphed the tact to Chester, and took precautions to prevent disturbances in Liverpool In the course of the morning a large body of ruffians made their appearance In Chester. The city police were at once armed, and the Regulars and Volunteers were ordered to assemble ln the C»stle, an attack being apprehended. The Mayor of Chester and the chiet constable, 1t Is said, endeavoured to ascertain from the strangers on their arrival at the Chester station what their business was, but could obtain no information. Mr. Binger, the superintendent of the station, at once made arrangements to pull up the rails at points on the Birkenhead line if necessary. At eleven o'clock two companies of the 61th Regiment and the Volunteers mustered in the Castle, and the latter were Informed that they would be armed If the necessity arose. About one o'clock another company of the 64th ar- rived from Manchester. The jewellers and other shops were closed, and special constables paraded the streets. From nine o'clock on Monday night a special train was kept in readiness at the Euston-equare terminus of the London and North-Western Railway by order of the Quartermaster General, and at half-past two on Tuesday morning the 1st battalion of Scots Fusileers, under the command of Captain Phlpps, left for Chester. The lroopp, 600 In nnmber, were marched from the St. George's Barracks, the special train conveying them consisting of twenty-seven carriages.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. The following is a summary of the information in the hands of Mr. Fenwick, the chief constable of Chester, the doubtful points of which appear to have been In a great measure confirmed by the experience of Monday:— The Fenians have recently organised in New York a band of 50, whose special mission it is to proceed to England and Ireland, and endeavour to resuscitate the dying brotherhood. These men are understood to have arrived in England. Fifteen of them are sta- tioned in London, and there form a Directory. Eight of them are ex-officers of the American army. There are also similar Directories at Liverpool, at Man- chester, at Leeds, at Glasgow, and at Birmingham. For some time past these Directories have been mak- ing arrangements to concentrate their forces upon some place which was to have been named on Friday last. This was not done, but a meeting was called for Sunday at Liverpool, and it was then resolved to at. tack Chester Castle the following day, saiza the arms deposited there, cut the telegraph wires, tear up the rails, and make good their escape by rail to Holyhead, and trust to fortune to get across to Ireland. What arrangements were to be made for their reception in Ireland has not transpired. It was also understood that they would attack the banus and jewellers' shops. It was also given out freely at the meeting why Chester Castle was selected. Up to midnight on Sunday Chester was not protected by more than half-a-dozen soldiers, on guard at the Castle, and twice as many unarmed policemen in the city. Under their protection were no less than 9,000 stand of arms (a few weeks ago there were 30,000, but the bulk have been removed for con version into breech- loaders), 4,000 swords, and 900,000 rounds of ammuni. tifvn, in addition to powder in bulk. There were also stored in another part of the Castle 900 stand of arms belonging to the Militia; and in a small building in the city were 200 stand of arms belonging to the Volunteers. It was stated that the whole force stationed at the Castle was one company of the 54th Regiment, and that they were disaffected. It was stated in proof of this that they had admitted Fenian officers, shown them through the barracks, the armoury, and in fact, permitted them to acquaint themselves thoroughly with the place. # The first intimation received in Chester of the m. tended raid was at 12.30 a.m. on Monday by Mr. Fenwick from Mr. Superintendent Ryde and Detec- tije Inspector Carlisle of Liverpool, and was to the effect that an ex-officer of the Ametidto army? who produced his commission as an officer in the Fenian service, had revealed the whole plot to them. The Mayor of Chester lives at Broughton-hall m Flint- shire, so Mr. Fenwick at once saw Mr. Maysmor Williams, the Deputy.Mayor, and from him went to the commandant of the detachment at the Castle. Prompt measures were taken, and the commandant telegraphed to the Assistant-Adjutant-General at Mandfiester for a reinforcement. They next went to the station, and gave instructions for the trains to be watched as they arrived. At 2.30 a batch of 30 fellows arrived from Liverpool, and were evidently under the command of an offfcer, They marched up and down the platform by twos and threes, and at length took possession of the first-class refreshment- room. They were soon followed by further detach- ments of from thirty to sixty from Liverpool and some from Manchester, all of similar appearance. These dispersed quietly into the town. Early in the morning the Volunteers were called out, but as there was some doubt whether they could act except in case of invasion a telegram was sent to Mr. Walpole. and his answer was that Volunteers ought not to be employed in their military capacity in quelling disturbances, but in point of l^y would be justified in acting as individuals in aid of the civil power, and in a serious emergency they might use their arms if necessary. The Volunteers were here. upon sworn in as special constables. By the assistance of the police at Liverpool and Manchester the Chester police were kept iapprised of the different departures of suspected bodies of men. At three o'clock it was ascertained that over 500 of these men had arrived. About the same time it was ascertained that a number of their officers had been in Chester over night. Early in the afternoon the strangers became much bolder, and assembled in threatening bodies. Fortunately at this time a com- pany of the 54th Regiment arrived from Manchester, and the police are strongly inclined to think that this fact saved the Castle from an attack early in the evening. Affairs went very quietly up to four o'clock, when a train from Manchester and Staleybridge brought a reinforcement of 400 in one batch. Later on 40 men arrived from Halifax, and 70 from_Leeds. Shortly after five it was ascertained that the Fenians numbered from 1,400 to 1,500. A number of men who were supposed to be their leaders collected at a house where the police had been informed they would meet for orders. Spies and scouts had been sent but among the Fenians early in the day, but found them extremely reticent and could get no clue from them. At six p.m. these scouts brought information that the men were forming in column on the Liverpool and other principal roads. Captain Smith, the county chief constable, had draughted a body of the county constabulary into the Castle to assist the military. Telegrams were for. warded from time to time to the Secretary of State. A copy of the following anonymous letter sent to Major Greig, chief of the Liverpool police, on Monday morning, was received by e,1?wi; ,m the evening, and coincided singularly with the infor- mation already in his possession:- Dear Sir,—You could do your country much service, as at present there are 60Q men in Chester, to be Increased by night to 700, to take the arms and ammunition of the garrteon and, as the garrison is disaffected it is supposed that they will do It with little loss. They are to leave Birkenhead by every train from the flrIt In the morning All to be there by seven at the latest. They leave ln numbers ol from thirty to sixty In every train. At night, Mr. Johnson, the Mayor, convened a pub- lic meeting, which was most earnest; and over 500 citizens were sworn in as special constables, and para- ded the town in large bodies throughout the night. The Mayor and other magistrates were in constant attend. ance for the purpose of swearing in special constables, and for advising on the action to be taken. It was deemed desirable to call out tbe yeomanry, and for that purpose the permission of Lord Crrosvenor and Lord de Tabler was telegraphed for. Lord Grosvenor replied that he would come down by the night mail, and, accordingly, he and Lord Richard Grosvenor arrived in Chester at 12.48 on Tuesday morning, and remained with the magistrates through the night. Before leaving London Lord Grosvenor coumunicated with the Commander-in-Chief, who at once telegraphed that he had ordered a Battalion of Guards by special train at Chester. During the night the Fenians evidently came to the conclusion that the preparations were too much for them, and as the night advanced parties of tens and twenties were seen leaving on foot for War- rington and other neighbouring towns. Although all danger of any serious attempt had died away after the town's meeting, the police were kept on duty, as many suspicious characters were still to be seen in the streets. About 9 o clock on Tuesday morning two haversacks with green bands and a quantity of ball cartridges of private make were discovered on a piece of vacant land close to the railway station. Shortly after this three or four sus. picious-looking fellows were arrested in the station yard, and being unable to give any satisfactory account of themselves were sent back to Manchester, whence they said they had come. After this all was quiet again, ex. cept the assembly of a large crowd in the station-yard, until a quarter to 11 o'clock, when a special train, conveying the 1st Battalion of the Scots Fusileer Guards, from London, drew up, and as they formed on the platform, 500 strong, they were received by the inhabitants with a cheer which showed how much their anxieties were removed by their arrival. They were divided into two detachments, one of which was. accommodated at the refreshment-room of the Railway Hotel, and the other at the Assembly Rooms until arrangements could be made for quartering them. AU Chester turned out to welcome their defenders, and it was conceded on all hands that with such material for defence Chester need no longer fear a Fenian raid. In the afternoon the city magistrates held a meet- ing at the Grosvenor Hotel, the Mayor presiding. Much satisfaction at the prompt arrival of the Scots Fusileer Guards was expressed, and it was thought that their presence afforded the city ample security without the necessity for swearing in more special constables. Among the ammunition found in the morning were a number of revolver bullets. It has beeD suggested that the "strangers" went to the city for the purpose of witnessing a prize fight, and that the same precautions taken against the ex- pected attack on the castle rendered the other event impossible. The authorities, however, appear to have taken a more serious view of the matter, and circum- stances appear to justify the measures which they adopted. The Home Secretary was aware of the anticipated raid on Sunday morning. A telegram from Chester on Tuesday night stated that all the strangers had left the town, and that all was quiet.

A GENEBOUIS LORD, # The Paris correspondent of the Morninj Star relates the following Interesting anecdote of Lora Gray of Gray, a Scotch baro., who has recently died, and whose death, the correspondent adds, has caused much regret In the English society of that city :— Lord Gray was one evening returning from his club, when he perceived the £ his pocket-book, con- taining forty bank-notes of 1,000 franca each (1,600J.) Lord Gray searched the pockets of his great-coat, but in vain. He quietly returned home. Next morning his servant went to his room at an early hour, and informed him that a lady in deep mourning wished to speak to him. Lord Gray desired that she should be speak to him. Lord Gray desired that she should be shown into his drawing-room. My lord," said his visitor, you dropped your pocket-book containing 40,000f. I bring it back to you." The voice was sweet and low, but so closely was the lady veiled it was impossible to guess her age or appearance. Madame," replied Ijord Gray, "you have rendered me a service for which 1 heartily thank you. Allow me to ask if I may venture to offer you some remem- brance of my gratitude. The lady then hesitatingly confessed that she had recently lost her husband, whose death had left her the charge of thiee little children, and that so utter was her destitution she had actually been tempted to keep the Pocket-book." Lord Gray reo turned it to her, mefely Baying, "You are my creditor —you or your children will repay me later." Lord Gray received a visitor five years after this scene oc. curred, who appeared a total stranger to him. It was a lady. She handedhim a velvet portemonnaie, on which his cypher and coronet were embroidered in gold within lay forty notes of l,000f. each. "You will allow me to retain the old purse in memory of your munificent generosity, she remarked.

WILL THERE BE A MINISTERIAL CRISIS ? (From The Times.) The next fortnight will test the sincerity of the House of Commons on the subject of Reform. The course pureued by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Monday night has undoubtedly smoothed the way both for those whose only wish is to shelve the question, and for the equally numerous class who desire, indeed, to see Bome measure of Reform adopted by Parliament, but have a still keener desire to regain office. Nothing could be easier than a union between those actuated by these two motives. A dozen Amendments might be framed on the Ministerial proposal to go into Committee on the Reform Resolutions next Monday week, any one of which will be fatal to the Administration. The House might, for instance, declare point-blank that it saw nothing in the method of proceeding by Resolutions but a means of delay, or it might decline to consider the special Resolutions proposed by the Ministry on the ground that they were totally inadequate to the occasion, and could not be modified so as to be- come the basis of a Reforna Bill which would satisfy the country. Either of these Amendments,—and they could be multiplied at pleasure,—would be a declaration of want of confidence which no Adminis. tration could survive. On the other hand, the House of Commons may boldly take the conduct of Reform into its own hands, may adopt such of the Resolutions suggested by the Ministry as appear. to be sound, may reject altogether those which are incurably vicious, and amend those which are capable of amendment, and thus fairly push a Reform Bill through Parlia. ment. If the former plan be adopted, there must be a Ministerial crisis, probably a change of Ministry, possibly a dissolution, certainly a postponement of any settlement of the question for another year; if the latter course be followed, a powerful Opposition will be reduced to impotency, and a satisfactory Re- form Bill may be secured. The nation will know how to interpret the conduct ot the Hou?e of Commons under these circumstances. Its character is even now not unaosailed, and if it shows a determination to sacrifice Reform to the advantage of a Party, its best friends will find it difficult to defend its sincerity.

A BALL TO ORDER The correspondent of the Morning Star narrates the ollowing:— If a stranger had arrived at Warsaw a few days ago, and had passed by the Merchants' Club-house, he would have observed that it was magnificently illuminated, and would have heard the sound of merry music from within. Had he then taken a peep inside, he would have found that a very grand ball waa going on, and would have been told that it was given by the inhabitants of Warsaw in honour of the Stadtholder. If the said imaginary stranger were an English tourist, he would, perhaps, return to England, and write a book to prove on what a friendly footing the RUHianl and Poles really stand towards each other, and that the inoorptnwon of thdr Cbuntry is regarded by the Poles as an occasion for dancing and feasting. But light toes are not an infallible symptom of light hearts, and our tourist would have done well to inquire into the origin of this spontaneous outburst of Polish love for Russian rule. A few days pre. viously General Witkowski, the president of the city, sent a message to several of the principal citizens, asking them to call on him. They, of course, complied; and he then informed them that it was very desirable that they should give a very grand ball in honour of the Stadtholder, and that they were to form a committee for that pur- pose under his direction. He saved them all the trouble of choosing the members of it, by appointing them himself. Nor did his kindness stop here, for he also gave them a list of the officials and citizens to whom cards of invitation were to be sent, fixing the price at the paltry sum of 20 rubles, or jnst about three guineas. The ball was to be arranged for 500 persons, and to cost about 1,500 guineas; but, to avoid any delay in the preparations from paltry pecuniary considerations, two of the richest members of the com- mittee were selected for the honour of advancing the money. As, however, the number of tickets sold was not sufficient to cover the expenses, the two rich com- mittee-men who were thus favoured will have to pay the piper and the fiddlers too. Balls are to be got up in the same manner in the provincial towns, and will at least convince the Poles that this spon. taneous loyalty is one of the dearest feelings in which they can indulge. Prince Stscherbietew (what a name !) has strictly forbidden the speaking of any word of Polish within the walls of the Government office, and has stationed a sentinel in each room of the building to arrest any person who should be guilty of such a high crime and misdemeanour.

THE CAMPAIGN IN BOHEMIA. The importance that attaches to the details of the losses incurred by an army in the course of a modern campaign will cause the Austrian returns of their killed and wounded during last year's war to be re- garded with particular interest. It appears that in all there were 9,671 killed, 24,096 wounded, and 37,500 missing. The army of the North lost 62,797 men (8,484 killed, 19,896 wounded, and 34,417 missing). The army of the South lost 8,470 men (1,187 killed, 4,200 wounded, and 3,083 missing). In the chief battles the losses were as follows Killed. Wounded. Missing. TotaL Huhnewasser 148 170.. 460.. 778 Nachod 44 91 248.. 383 Trantenau 681 1,703 1,206 3,690 Neu Rognltz 70.. 460.. 365.. 896 Skalttz.2,455 3,360.. 5,830 11,646 Konignihof 48 128 428 697 Gltschln 383 622. 1,681. 2,693 Schweinschadel 123 267 654.. 1,034 Koniggratz 4,220 12,016 21,684 87,919 Custozza 1,045 3,681.. 2,663. 7,389

AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE DISSOLVED. In the Divorce Court, the cause of Coombs v. Coombs has been heard. The petitioner was the wife of a baker at Grinton, Somersetshire, who prayed for a judicial separation, on the ground of cruelty. The marriage was in November, 1864, and for a short time it promised favourably enough but at length the respondent began, as was alleged, to give way to fits of passion, in which he committed acts of extraordinary brutality. This was, however, denied, and Dr. Spinks, Q.C., now appeared on benalf of the respondent to support his plea. In her evidence the petitioner gave a dismal account of the treatment she had received at the hands of her husband. Once when she had asked him to come to breakfast he had surlily replied that he would come when it suited him; and on her remonstrating he had thrown her down and given her a kick which had broken the terminal bone of her spine. On another occasion he had hurled a pot of boiling water at her, and she had narrowly escaped being severely scalded. He had also savagely bitten her, and been guilty of numerous other acts of violence. The witness was severely cross-examined; but Dr. King, of Savile- row, having proved that she had really sustained a fracture of the os coccygis, Dr. Spinks abandoned the defence. Sir J. Wilde then pronounced a judicial separation.

RATHER INGENIOUS! A note inserted in one of the late numbers of the Moniteur announces that a studio of photography has been established in the Palais de l'lndustrie for cartes. All exhibitors will have a right to their portrait gratis. Season tickets will be distributed at the rate of lOOf. for gentlemen, and 60f. for ladies. These tickets will not give their purchasers a right to visit the building before the opening day. Although, in exchange for the receipts of money paid in advance, the season tickets will be issued on the 1st of March, they will only be available from the 1st of April. In case of a dropped season ticket being found and made use of by a dishonest visitor, the individual detected in the act will be imprisoned as regards the loser, he will easily obtain a duplicate by sending in his name and address to the commission. Season tickets, bearing the photograph of their purchaser, will admit them to the Palace by all the entrances, whereas a season ticket bearing the signature only of its proprietor will only admit him by four entrances. Foreign exhibitors who wish to profit by this privilege are requested to send their photograph or carte de visite to the respective commissioners. It is necessary that their surname, Christian name, nationality, exact address, and the class of goods exhibited by the applicant, be clearly inscribed on the carte de visite. The sooner exhibitors forward their photographs, the sooner they will receive their tickets of admission. In case of an ex- hibitor being unable to forward his carte de visite, the Imperial Commission has inserted a clause in its statutes by which an exhibitor has the right to be photographed gratis, at the photographic atelier attached for this purpose to the Palais de l'lndustrie, Champs Elysees, Porte four, where al exhibitors who can present a certificate proving their name to be inscribed on the Exhibition catalogue, may procure the photograph of themselves, which will appear on their ticket of admission. Already subscriptions have been received for 1,700 season tickets.

A CENTENARIAN VETERAN- The oldest of the superior officers of the French army, and probably of any army in Europe, Colonel Andre Marchal has just died at Chalons-sur-Saone, in his 103rd year. He was born at Lyons in 1764. He entered the service in 1781 in the Cantabrian Hussars, —a corps which became in 1791 the 5th battalion of Light Infantry. He was corporal in 1783, sergeant in 1785, quartermaster-sergeant in 1788, sergeant-major in 1791, sub-lieutenant in 1792, and lieutenant and adjutant in 1793. As major in 1794 he first com- manded the 5th battalion of the Chasseurs of the Eure, then a battalion of the Demi-Brigade of the Eure-et- Landes, and one of the 17th Demi.Brigade of the Line. He was made prisoner at the battle of Trebbia in 1799, and returned to France after the peace of Luneville in 1801. In 1805 he made the campaign of Austerlitz in 1806 he was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 102d of the Line; and in 1812 Colonel of the same regiment, in which he continued till June, 1815, when he was placed on half-pay. He then counted thirty-four years active service, twenty-two campaigns, five wounds, and he had repeatedly distinguished himself. He was a Knight of the Empire, Officer of the Legion of Honour, and Knight of the Military Order of St. Louis. Only two years ago the Emperor Napoleon III. con. ferred on this gallant veteran the cross of Commander of the Legion of Honour.

EXTRACTS FROM A DEBATE OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES ASSEMBLY. Quia Timet" has sent the following letter to the London Times of Monday:- Mr. Kinglake said the other day, at Bridgwater, that though constituencies might be made worse by lowering the franchise, members would not, or words to that effect. I beg to call his attention, and that of your readers, to the following extracts from a debate in the Assembly of New South Wales. They are taken from tiie Sydney lIforning Herald of the 24th of November, 1866. The subject of debate was a picnic given to its supporters by the Government, for wlu.? it was alleged that free railway tickets were lUega y issued, and at which much drunkenness w have prevailed0DOosi«on: Was It because Mr Cowper, leader of ijghone*t transnctlon that members were implicated in • J"™" thM?Uni°sX I°f anyon^ barged hid with drunkenness ^.fl'JnHvhsdlhe would say it was a lie. Mr Dienam descrlbes the picnic "I travel np the river Mr. Dfenam aescri God knowg my Khin wa3 wrliminir wet VVgoin for a feed, and then I slip off We had saddles ofmatton and wMt d'ye call it, and everything that's nice. There was no mlstske about it. It was a flttmmocker (what eVMrtlMaepherson charged Mr. Martin, Attorney General and Premier, with "a miserable and despicable dodgt?' Mr. Martin: It Is false. Mr. Macpherson: he has uttered the greatest lie that he bas uttered since he swore a lie. Mr. Martin, Premier: If the honourable member acensed him resorting to a dodge, it was false as hell. If he (Mr. Martin) held any other posttion than he now held, such language would be followed by personal violence. Mr. Buchanan: The Botany Bay aristocrats were the most unmannered dogs he had ever seen. If the language had been used to me I would have gone and wrung the honurable member's head oil," &c. Now, this Assmebly was elected by ballot and man. hood suffrage. It sits for a colony where there is an excellent University, where there are good schools, a well-educated clergy, a highly intelligent mercantile class, and an excellent Bar, which is, as every one know*, resorted to by youne men o! good family and gmtlezn&nlik* mannett KwMaB a fl«Id for success- ful industry. Can we trace any of these elements of civilization in such debates as these? Or is it not quite evident that, whatever language the Assembly speaks, it is not that of those portions of the community best entitled to influence its opinions and conduct? Imagine the feelings with which men of property and cultiva- tion must read these debates of their House of Com- mons, and consider, not whether it is wise to establish such things here, but to make any considerable advance towards them.

AN APPEAL FOR A SEBASTOPOL HEROINE! A committee has been formed, with three princes for patrons, and a subscription is being raised, for Mrs. Seacole, who kept a hut of entertainment in the Crimea twelve years ago, and was known universally as a kindhearted, good creature, ever ready to help our distressed and wounded soldiers in the remarkable siege of Sebastopol. We (Lancet) do not know much of Mrs. Seacole's doings since that time but we are told that during the recent epidemic of cholera she renewed those kindly exertions for the helpless for which she was formerly famous, and that she is now in difficulties. She ought not to remain unbefriended. It would be a disgrace to this country if this humble woman, who, out of the sympathy of her large heart, volunteered generous service during a time which was as disastrous as it was glorious, were allowed to feel the want of succour she so unsparingly supplied to others. Looking back now to Saturday, the 8th Sep. tember, 1855, we can well remember that, amongst the motley crowd which assembled in a storm of wind and dust on the ground near the Picket House during the final assault of Sebastopol, Mrs. Seacole was con- spicuous. On horseback, with a basket of restoratives at the command of anyone of that long string of wounded which trailed up for hours from the trenches, she braved the shells which were bursting every minute overhead, and busied herself in helping the poor blackened and wounded soldiers whose condition compelled them to retire from the front. So much we vouch from our own personal observation. As to the little acts of kindness she was constantly doing for our suffering men, they are written in the remembrance cf hundreds of those who still survive the Crimean campaign, and are buried with the remains of many more who rest in the far-off land famous henceforth in the history of England.

AN EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE. At the Shire-haU, Nottingham, on Saturday, the Rev. Charles Forth, of Basford, near that town, was charged with the following extraordinary offence: A suit is pending between Mr. Forth and his wife in the Divorce Court, and a fortnight since one of his servants went to London to give some evidence as to the matter. When she came back the reverend de- fendant forced her into a chair and asked her what her evidence was. She made no reply, whereupon he said, I suppose you have been to say that you saw me strike your mistress." The girl replied, Yes," and the defendant then rushed away to get a piece of paper, on which he wrote words which in effect af. firmed that the statement she had made was false. He then seized the girl and forced a pen into her hand, at the same time compelling her to sign the docu- ment, the young woman being too frightened to re- fuse. The magistrates treated the matter as a common assault, and fined Mr. Forth 42s.

THE COAL-FIELDS OF AMERICA. Next to England the United States of America are the great depot of black diamonds." In that country there are four vast areas, covering, it is computed, between 60,000 and 70,000 square miles. The capacity of the Pennsylvanian mines is set at 20,000,000 tons a year, in Maryland the coal which the Ounarders" burn lies 14 feet thick, and 50 miles long. Professor Smeaton estimates the seams in nine counties of Missouri to contain 38,000,000,000 tons of capital fuel; and another authority puts the supply at sufficient for 3 000 years, if 100.000 tons were mined per day. Professor Rogers calculates the Illinois coal measures at 1,277,500,000,000 tons—a quantity six times greateT than that contained in all the coal-fields of Great Britain, and sufficient, he thinks, to last for 100,000 years; while Pittsburgh boasts that she has seams around her containing 55,516,430,000 tons.

ISisttllmitflus fntelligmte, HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. A BAND OF JUVENILE THIEVES.—A band of thieves, fifteen in number, and varying in age from fifteen to twenty-six years, were tried last week at the Tribunal of Correctional Police, Paris, on a number of charges of robbery ot all kinds, in lodging-houses, shop doors, and on the persons of drunken men in the streets. They had all undergone previous condemna- tions, and one as many as thirteen times each had also adopted some elegant or descriptive sobriquet, among the number being Le Mome, L'Oiseau-Bleau, &c. Three of the accused had been arrested for a robbery at Montmartre, when, one of them, being determined not to go to prison alone, split on his com- panions and gave such information as led to the arrest of all the rest. One was ac< uitted, the evidence being insufficient; another was ordered to be kept in a reformatory institution until twenty years of age, and the rest were condemned to terms of imprisonment varying from six months to two years, and with, in addition, from one to five years surveillance by the police afterwards. ATTEMPTED OUTRAGE IN A PIT.-At Chester- field a youth named Michael Cavan has been charged by Wm. Watson, engineer, with cutting a rope at the Old Hollingwood Pit, belonging to the Staveley Coal and Iron Company. It appeared from the evidence that one morning a man named Henry Goodwin heard some person hammering near one of the inclines in the pit, and on going to the place he found the prisoner there with an axe. He had chopped eight or ten wires of the rope in two. On being asked why he had done it, he replied that there should be "a —— mess there before the day was out." Had the outrage not been discovered, and had the rope broken while in work, no douht it would have been attended with 10811 of life. He afterwards admitted to Mr. Watson that he had struck the rope with an axe, and remarked tnat once he missed his aim and the axe made fire fly out of the brickwork. He was committed for fourteen days with hard labour, without the option of paying AN-OPINION ON THE "Pall Mall Gazette" remarks:- Mr Disraeli's sneech of Monday night wag a surprise to all hnt those memb^ of the Government who are ln the Cabinet To the Oppo*"10? a surprise and a satis- faction—to the °l Mr- Disraeli's own followers it waa a snmrise ot another character. So deep was the feeling that a blunder had been committed when Mr. Disraeli «at down, that we hf,lteT.e public will soon hear that one or two of the subordinate members of the Government propose two of the subordinate members of the Government propose to resign- Indeed, there was a rumour last night that one or more resignations had already been sent In. THWARTED IN THEIR DESIGNS!—A few weeks ago 10,000 Austrian uniforms, part of the spoils taken in the battle of Koniggratz, were disposed of by the Prussian War-office. The individuals who bought them were buoyed up with the idea that the Austrian Government would be too happy to repurchase at any price these unpleasant mementoes of defeat. But what wa.s their dismay on finding the Vienna authorities of a different opinion! Their offer was fl&tly declined, it beinsr as it seems, a point of etiquette in the Austrian scrvice to use no piece of military equipment which has passed through the enemy's hands. [Precedent makes us inclined to think that the discarded coats will eventually find their way across the ocean, to re-appear on the backs of the South American soldiery. The Creole States in those latitudes have ever been the best oustomers of this Government for old guns, muskets, shakoes, and such like articles. A NEW DISCOVERY.—A new glowworm, with two fires, has been found, remarks the Intellectual Observer, in the Grand Chaco, Argentine Republic.. William Perkins, Esq., F.R.G.S., writes from Rosario, Oct. 20,18R6, to William Bollaert, Esq., F. R G.S.:— "I think I nave made a discovery in natural history, and which you may make known to the scientific world. I found the female of the most extraordinary Elateride ever heard of, at least that I know of. It is a most brilliant glowworm, one inch and a half long, with two fires. The body emits a most vivid flame of the ordinary greenish phosphorescent colour,' while the head presents the appearance of a bright glowing red coal of fire. The reflection on a piece of paper is also of the two colours. I never saw any- thing so beautiful." Mr. Bollaert adds:—" This ia I doubtless one 01 the Chcuyos family. One, the Ptfro* phorus noctilucus, is described as the South American Cocuyo, or glowworm. Mr. Bollaert has noticed glow- worms in the West Indies, North and South America, but never in such abundance and beauty as in the wilds of Western Texas still he never observed but the one light, the green." EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE.—A man carrying a sack of flour over a level erossing at Longlier, near Luxembourg, when on a train approaching the driver saw him and blew the alarm whistle. The man either did not hear or had not time to escape, and was struck by one of the buffers. Of course the belief was that he must have been killed, but when, however, the stoker and engine-driver alighted to see in what state the body was, they were astonished to see the man crawl uninjured from under the locomotive. When struck he had caught at some part of the vehicle over his head and allowed himself to be dragged along until the train stopped! His escape was quite miraculous. AMERICANS GOING TO THE PARIS EXHIBITION.-— Mr. Morrill has stated in Congress that it is a very moderate estimate that 75,000 persons will leave the United States and cross the Atlantic this summer. He calculates that the expenditure will not average less than 1,500 dois. each, or a total of 112.500,000 dols, which in currency would be over 150,000,000 dols. Paid in specie it would swallow up the entire produc- tion of all the United States' gold and silver mines of the year; but he entertains the expectation that the payment will be in United States' bonds, disposed of as the exigencies of individuals may require. He allows that the number of travellers may be greater, and quotes the popular joke of a pretended cable despatch, announcing that the Emperor of the French has set apart four acres as a graveyard for American visitors who may not survive. He regards the drain of money as ill-timed, but there is no escape from it, and America may hereafter avenge herself by calling a world's convention upon the summit of the Rocky Mountains. AN OLD LONDON TRICK.—A gentleman sign- inghimself "E.M.P.» writesasfollows to The Times :—. When walking down George-street, Hanover-square, one afternoon, with my wife, my attention was at- tracted by a woman coming behind us saying that paste was on my wife's coat, and offering to wipe it off. I immediately turned round and found her velvet coat and dress splashed with large splotches of fresh paste. I said, How could this have happened ?" The woman instantly answered, How can we tell that, Sir," and produced sundry rags, evidently carried for the purpose, with which she proceeded to wipe off the paste. In the hurry of the moment I rewarded the woman, but onoonsiderationlamsoconvincedthat she must have thrown the paste at us with the object of getting rewarded for wiping it off, that I do not hesitate to ask you to wamrespectably-dreesed people bv riving publicity to this letter." RATHER ROMANTIC!—A singular incident has occurred in Paris (says a fashionable contemporary). The horses of a carriage took fright, a few days ago, in the Rue de la Paix, but a young man who wast passing rushed to them, and, not without some danger to himself, stopped them. In the carriage was a lady, and she, calling the young man to her, thanked him, at the same time stating that she was the Duchess de She then extended her hand, which the young man took, but she withdrew it directly, leaving a piece of paper in his hand. At the same moment she closed the carriage door and drove off. The paper was a bank-note! The young man, who was a gentleman, was covered with con- fusion at the idea of his devotedness being recompensed with money. But he immediately went into a cafe, and finding the address of the Duchess in a fashionable directory, wrapped up her note in one of a larger amount, and with his card sent both to her. The grande dame was greatly astonished at the stranger presuming to return her note, and to accompany it with one of his own. She consulted her husband, and it seems that he thought fit to consider the act as an impertinence. In" consequence it is not unlikely that there will be adueL A BARGAIN.—"The collection of curiosities and pictures belonging to M. Laborie, of the Rue du Caire," says the Figaro, had been announced for sale at the Hotel des Ventes. The notice has, how- ever, now been withdrawn, the whole having been disposed of. Prince Narishkine, a young Russian, known in the fashionable world of Paris for his im. mense fortune, waited on M. Laborie a few days back, and, after having carefully examined the beautiful objects collected, asked the price of the whole. 300,000f. was the reply. It is a bargain,' returned the other I will write you an order for the money, and you will hand me over the keys of the rooms. DEATH OF A DELHI REBEL.—The government of India has obtained reliable information of the death of Feroze Shah, the only great Delhi rebel who escaped punishment in 1857, (says the Friend, of 1 ndia.) After intriguing vainly against the British government both in Arabia and Central Asia, he became a pensioner at the court of the Ameer of Bokhara, who allowed him ten tnngus or Rs. 4 a day. He died of fever at Bokhara on the 23rd of August last, and was buried in the garden of Huzrut Imaum. This information was verified by our agents on the spot. [Would that we had equally satisfactory intelligence as to the end of the Nana to whom only Feroze Shah was second in infamy.] HEAD CENTRE STEPHENS IN PARIS.—The Paris correspondent of the Sunday Gazette says :— James Stephens, late Fenian head centre, has jast arrived in France by the Ville de Paris. It may be that tie is short of funds, for he crossed the Atlantic all a second-class passenger; but he endeavoured to keep dark, and may, therefore, still be considered as a conspirator. When I saw him on his way out to the United States to organize, he told me plainly that he should return to resume the thread ol his rebellion, and he has returned as far as this country, and and has now only to run the gauntlet, and get into some Irish port—that is to say, if be Intends going on with the dangerous game, from which very few persons rise ut win- ners. We shall probably soon know who are In tbe right, those who consider Fenianism played out, and Its chief in search of a quiet spot to spend what he has be"u able to lay by or those who believe in the conspiracy, and look for the coming of Stephens as Napoleon, as Hoche, as Humbert were looked for in times which were far darker than tbe present for England. A SLIGHT MISTAKE !—Mr. Sala gives the fol- lowing anecdote:— I knew a man once who had a season-ticket on the South- Weltern Railway, Richmond branch, and who for two yean and a-halt was under the Impression that he came np to town every morning with his Royal Highness the Duke d'Aumale. How he used to cram the scion of the House of Orleans down our throats With what stories did he enter- tain ns of the Duke's affability, of his not objecting to smok- ing, of his relating anecdotes concerning the French opera and ballet! I went down to dine with my Mend at Rich- mond one afternoon, staying all night, and returning to town witb^tlni next morning, recognised in the good-look- ing gentleman with an accurately-cut beard and moustache who occupied one corner of the carriage, aad bade us a bheery bonjour, NOT his Royal Highness the Duke d'Aumale, u, a highly respectable French hairdresser. THE Roxmo PASSION STRONG IN DEATH.—A remarkable instance of the ruling passion string in death was related to us (says the Court Journal) some time since in connection with the decease of a great pigeon-fancier, whose birds had won more races than any in the district. The poor collier was dying, and he had received great consolation from the minister. "I'll be sure to gang to heaven, eh, minister?" he said. Yes, I have no doubt about it, Johnny," said the minister "you have repented of all your sins, and you have not been a very bad boy." That's reight; I've done nowt very bad, and I'se repented of it all; and I'll be a hangel, minister ? Yes, Johnny." And have wings, minister con. tinued the collier, raising himself up in bed. Yes, Johnny, and have wings." "And will ye coom to heaven soom day ? the collier went on. I hope 8(, Johnny," said the minister. And will ye be a hangel, and ha'ewrings?" "Yes, please God," said the minister. Ay, mon, that's grand!" exclaimed Johnny. "I'll fly thee for a sovereign."

THE MARKETS. MARK-LANS, MONDAT. Fresh up to our market, to-day, the arrivals of home-grown wheat were very moderate, while the condition of the pro- duce was poor. Good and fine dry samples commanded an improved sale, at the full prices of Monday last: bat damp produce met a slow inquiry, on former terms. At the com- mencement of business, the best wbea" were held at an advance on previous quotations of Is per quarter but factors were unsuccessful In obtaining more money. The supply of foreign wheat on offer was moderate. As increased amount of business was transacted, and all descriptions of produce changed Hands at fully late rates. Floating cargoes of grain were in fair demaudr at last Monday's currency. The market was moderately supplied with barley. In most descriptions sales progressed slowly, on former terms. In malt only a moderate business was transacted, at late rates. There was a fair supply of oats on the stauds. The trade was without activity; nevertheless prices ruled stationary. Beans were fn fair supply and slow request, at the late decline In prices. The supply of peas on sale was only moderate. The trade was quiet, yet prices were steadily supported. In flower about an average business was transacted, at late rates. Linseed and rapeseed met a slow sale, at about previous quotations. Agricultural seeds are beginning to attract attention; but as yet, a very moderate business has been transacted in them. Cakes were in fair demand, at late prices. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET, MONDAT. There was about an average supply of foreign stock on sale here to-day, in fair condition. Several lots of shorn sheep were amongst it. The arrivals of beasts fresh up from our own grazing districts were only moderate, but mostly ot prime quality. The receipts from Scotland were tolerably good from Ireland, limited. The demand for most kinds ruled steady, and, in some Instances, the quota- tions were rather higher than on Monday last. The best Scots and crosses realised 51 2d to 51 4d per 81b. From Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire we received about 1,800 Scots, shorthorns, &0.: from other parts of England, 600 various breeds from Scotland, 860 Scots and crosses; and from Ireland, 12S oxen, <fcc. Notwithstanding that the supply ot sheep was limited, all breeds moved off slowly, at drooping currencies. The best Downs and half breds, in the wool, sold at 6s to 6s 2d per SIb. out of the wool, 5s to 6s 2d. The quality of the stock was prime. Lambs—the sale of which was moderate—were inactive, at from 7s 4d to 8s per 8lb. Calves were in short supply, and steady request, at late rates, viz. from 4s 6D to 5s 6d per 81b. In pigs, next to nothing was doing. Prices, however, were supported. The top figure was 4s 4d per 81B. HOPS. There has been more activity in the demand, and buyers have shown more disposition to operate. Some transactions have been entered into for shipment to America. The im- port into London last week amounced to 20 bales from Oi- tend, 116 bales from Antwerp, 269 from Bremen, 41 irom Rotterdam, 18 from Humburgh, 8S from Bjnlogne, and 70 from Calais. Mid and Etst Ksuts, 1701 to 23ts F irnham and county, 170s to 226s Weald 01 Kents, 1688 to 1858; Sussex, 1Ms to 175s yearlings, 105a to 150s Olds, 56s to 95s per cwt. POTATOES. POTATOES. These markets are fairly supplied with potatoes for which the trade generally is tteaoy, at our quotations. The impor into London last week consisted ot 2 bags from Antwerp, 2 Bremen, 241 Dunkirk, 125 tons Rouen, l^Q-aen, 148 Rochfort 120 Havre, 146 sacks Dunkirk, and3 basfcewtrom Rotterdam. Yorkshire regents, 120s to 170s; flukes, 150 j to 180s; rocks, 100s to 130S; and Scotch regents 120s to 170s per ton. WOOL. The trade for English wool is quiet, but prices are un- altered. The few transactions which have taken place have been almost entirely on home account—next to nothing having been done for export. Colonial wool meets with very little attention. Last wet>k>. import consisted of 6,106 bales from Adelaide; 804 from Champion Bay; 100 from Bussorah; 1,935 from Sidney; and 28 bales from the Cape ot Good Hope. Fleeces: South Down hoggetts, is 7FRD to is 8^D hall bred ditto, is DID to is hort flesees, is 8d to Is 9D; South Djwn ewe3 and wethers, Is 7dt J Is 8D: Leicester ditto, Is to Is 4IL Sorts: Clothing, Is Qd to Is 10}4; country, Is 61d to 28. TALLOW. P.Y.O. Is dull, at 43s 9d PMCWT. on tee mot. Kough fat has fallen to 2s 3d peir 8M*. Town talloW, ASiMnelcaffl.