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S^ifs of % gag.

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S^ifs of gag. (BII an Occasional London Correspondent.) (The remarks under this head are to be regarded as the Expression of independent opinion, from the pen of a gentlc- Oiaa in whom we have the greatest confidence, hut for which We nevertheless do not hold ourselves responsible.] The principal Topic of the Day this week is the unhappy fate of the Emperor Maximilian, who at the early age of thirty-five has fallen at Queretaro by the guns of a firing party told off as his executioners. Tioyal executions are happily matters of rarity, and society does not easily recover from the shock occa- sioned by the intelligence of such a melancholy event. Twice before have the annals of this century been stained by the wilful spilling of royal blood, when the puke d'Enghien and Joachim Murat were sacrificed, but neither of these monarehs could boast blood so kingly as that of the Hapsburgs, nor was the mourning \°r etiem so deep or so wide spread. The papers of the 'u&y still continue therefore to refer to the subject and Publish every scrap of intelligence which serves to throw any light upon the last moments of the ill-fated Maximilian. According to the political and social tendencies of the respective prints their opinions of his Executioners vary. Some denounce the Juarists in Hngry term? as bloodthirsty regicides, while others look upon them merely as the instruments of causing those who use the sword to perish by the sword. Lottie declare that the Mexican chiefs are justifiable, tind in support of their views quote the slaughter of every king since the cive whom Joshua hanged while Others, referring to the past lives and brutal conduct ?f the Juarists, brand them as savages whose delight is ln blood, and who, not satisfied with death, would ^'reak their vengeance on the body of their late Peror. All, however, unite in regretting the death ol Maximilian as a man, not merely because it has plunged the courts of Europe into mourning, but be- cause the heroism which he has displayed, and the Sorrows against which he has had to contend, have Von for him the admiration of the common people of fcvery country but that of his adoption. Many eagerly ask can his 'death not be avenged and the wild chiefs who have slain him graced with hempen collars ? Un- fortunately such a conclusion to the matter is not likely, but a revenge from the stern hand of the Great Avenger is Ho less sure. It is certain that if they are let alone the members of the court-martial which condemned the Emperor will cut each other's throats. For the last fifty years throat-cutting has been a time-honoured custom of the country. The population is made up of a very few of the old Spanish dons, a considerable tlumber of Indians and negroes, and an immense variety of half castes—the result of intermarriages ^ihong these people. Such. people are like mongrel chrs, and while displaying a certain amount of courage, Or rather of blood-thirstiness, lack the nobler qualities 9* their race. Years ago their Emperor, Iturbide, fell beneath their hands, and after his death faction after action ruled in the land, those out of office indulging l.n shooting those in office whenever and wherever the Opportunity presented itself. Assassination and pillage were every-day occurrences, and gashed corpses smoking farmsteads told not unfrequently of the propensity of some so-called patriot. Out of this SjiaoB Maximilian, backed by the bayonets of the French, sought to bring order. The vain attempt has cost France more soldiers quietly shot from ambushes than Napoleon would care to tell, the Empress of Mexico her reason, and the Emperor his life. Mexico as returned to her normal condition, and the end is *tear. Juarez is no savage, as many suppose, but an *hdian who has raised himself from the humblest Nation to the legal bench, and the presidency of the Jjoimtry. His judgment is good, but his passions are fierce. His chiefs will ill bear restraint, and each ^fivies his supreme power. Certain disagreements will *rise among them. The disaffected will rob the mails ahd waylay travellers, and end by either having their £ ^n throats cut, or cutting the throats of their rivals. the game will go on, until the Americans, spying Jj&eir opportunity, pour in through Texas—and add Mexico as another state to their union. A consumma- tion devoutly to be wished." Last week was intended to have been a gala week throughout Europe, but the official intimation of the Mexican catastrophe greatly dimmed the display. It 111 rarelv that the happy people, who have money in their pockets and time at their disposal, have so many great events occurring in the space of eight days, all10ng which they may pick and choose.. At Rome, centenary of St. Peter and the canonization of a batch of saints. At Paris, the great triumph of 8.u unparalleled exhibition, a real live Sultan to gaze II.t, and fetes to enjoy, and at London, a royal review fthd an Egyptian Viceroy. The Roman festival took Place with all pomp. Far above 100,000 visitors Crowded the Eternal City, priests of every country and grade crowded its street. St. Peter's was illumi- nated from cross to basement (doubtless at the cost of ^Veral lives as usual), rich hangings fluttered within, Ce&sors swung, and loaded the air with heavy incense, one poor man, in a fit of religious enthusiasm, tabbed himself to death, and amid the acclamations of a multitude, a number of individuals were added to alreadylengthy roll of those whose names are greeted ^ith Ora pro nobis The first part of the French *^tes also took place, but the ffites in honour of the ^ultan and our own review were at once_ counter- manded when the Mexican news was officially con- hrmed. The postponement of the Review at the eleventh hour -was a sad blow to the Londoners who had made VP their minds to enjoy themselves. The great ma- jority of those who intended being present were yarned in time, and did not venture towards the park, "ht numbers of the non-newspaper-reading classes Started, armed with bag and flask, only to be met by troops returning to their country quarters, or by posters witimating that the great event was postponed. It is Understood that it will take place a fortnight from the original date, and will be graced by the presence of the Sultan. It is, therefore, to be hoped that it will be a greater display than was at first intended, and that Qiany more regiments will take part in it. Meanwhile the balconies in the park remain covere wi Pauling, and guarded by policemen, and form objects of interested contemplation to innumerable gamins. It was understood that the Princess of Wales would grace the review with her presence, and many had ill- tended being present merely to see her once more. Of bourse they had to swallow their disappointment as best they could. On Saturday, while I chanced to be between Rotton-row and the fashionable carriage drives by Knightsbridge Barracks, I observed a com- motion among the carnage folks, and stepping up to the rail was just in time to get a good look of the Prince and Princess of ales as they drove along. Their ap- Pearance was so unexpected that there was no time for any great display of loyalty, but on every face there Was an evident satisfaction at seeing her Royal High- Hess look so well, and, indeed, at seeing her again at alL The riders in the Row having an inkling of what was going on, dashed to the lower end, and had a good ^ie\v of the carriage as it passed by the northern banlc of the Serpentine, and from the excited manner in which both they and the carriage folks waited, it was evident that they would be greeted by a hearty cheer OQ their return. They did not come back, however, and our loyal intentions were frustrated. The Viceroy of Egypt, after disappointing us the "eginning of last week, arrived on Saturday. It seems now to be a matter of contention among us to who shall show him the greater honour. •J'1-1 ■Dudley has put his mansion at his disposal, -he -Uu <e Sutherland, the municipality, and the ^m,f Service Club are to fSte him, and he will share tne general festivities of the season with his noimpa faster. Certainly the Viceroy seems bent on enjoying himself and making the most of his time, for although he only arrived at Charing Cross on Saturday evening, a few hours later he visited the Italian Opera House, so began his experiences of English society. It I8 Understood that the Sultan will come about the 12th 1nstant. He will find plenty to entertain him. The Say after .his arrival he -will visit the Queen at Windsor, then he will have a municipal banquet, a State banquet and ball, a naval review, a military review, the Wimbledon gathering, and the grand rifle oa 11 in the Agricultural Hall. Surely that is enough to occupy any man's time for a fortnight! For the reception of the illustrious visitors who are to grace our capital during the next fortnight, we seem to be pulling our public buildings to pieces. Ten rooms of Buckingham Palace have been decorated in the manner which our upholsterers deem Oriental, the Guildhall has apparently b<?en turned inside out, and the Agricultural Hall would not be recognised by its Christmas visitors. The last-mentioned building is decorated with peculiar grace, and seems admirably suited for the grand ball in honour of the Belgians, which is to take place within its walk. The Belgians are expected in this city on the 12th instant. The Wimbledon shooting has, however, already begun, and 18 being carried on as enthusiastically as in former Years. The camp has been considerably extended to toeet the requirements of the volunteers, and looks extremely gay with its white tents and many coloured flags gleaming in the sunshine. The theatre and the club have again appeared, and excite as much interest as of yore wL' the post-office and the telegraph- office are m tuL •vork. It is intended that there shall be a grand demonstration in the camp on Saturday ^vhen the Belgians arrive. Every Belgian will receive a medal commemorative of his visit, and the Prince of Wales will address them from the grand stand. Alto- gether, the arrangements seem calculated to give the gether, the arrangements seem calculated to give the greatest satisfaction, a™ it seema certain that the Wimbledon gathering of 6/ will be a great success. It is satisfactory to observe that a move in the right direction has at length been m^ w>th regard to our soldiers. An order bas been issued from the War Office granting twopence a day of P' y. °ur red coated defenders. Certainly this „n]rK~r not come before it was needed. The life ox tnay, on the whole, be not a very liard-wrough, but at the same time the men are apt to be calle on to submit to great fatigue in time of peace and to be shot at in time of war. Surely fifteen pence halfpenny is not an extravagant remuneration for such hazards and the guardsmen are quite worth the two shillings and a farthing which they receive, as a. permanent London spectacle. But when we reflect that our army, besides being ornamental, has proved on many a hard fought field all that is brave and useful, we more thai ever rejoice that one of its standing abuses is removed, There are many more still to be swept away, but th< times i re moving onward and public feeling in tlu tnatter is daily growing stronger, so that ere long WI tnay hope to see soldiering as honourable as any othei trade, and the ranks of the British army recruited, 1101 from the dregs of society, but from those who ar< Untainted by debauchery or crime. NewsacainreachesusconcerningDr.Livingstone, an< this time of a hopeful character. Dr. Seward, who lenj ago came to the reluctant conclusion that the illustroui traveller had perished by th? hands of the treacheruu Mazite, now writes to the Bombay Government, pressing a hope that lie is s 7eV He bases hi hope upon a communication which he has receive! from the Governor of Kcelwa through the Sultan, ii which it is stated that Livingstone had passed on i"- the jjateriw beyond the point at which he wa* have been slain. The evidence of the slave traders is thus confirmed. Of coure no certain information will be received until the return of the Livingstone Search Expedition, but meantime it is pleasant to cling to the belief that ths report of Livingstone's death had its origin in the lying brain of Moosa, and that he is now pursuing the researches which have made his name so famous. For some time back there have been rumours that a great epidemic was ravaging the Mauritius, but no creditable information as to its natureor extent reached this country until a day or two ago. It proves to be more'appalling than the most lachrymose could have conceived. The old enemy, fever, has ravaged the beautiful islands from beginning to end. Almost everybody was taken ill, and quinine, the great febrifuge, was selling at 28l. per ounce. Those who could afford it willingly paid away their gold for the medicine, and those who had no money had to die. Scarcely one in a hundred of the population escaped seizure, and in some families nine or ten were ill at once, unable to aid each other. Carts moved through the streets, carrying off the dead, and hurrying them into pits, as in the time of the great Plague of London but many died unattended, and their putrid bodies poisoned the air. At length a ship having on board a thousand pounds weight of quinine arrived, and was hailed as the messenger of hfe. The drug was distri- buted and the plague was stayed. For many the relief came too late families had been swept away, and there was not a house in which there was not one dead. Indeed it- was as a Mauritian says, "as if the curse of God was on the place."

[No title]

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

PARTICULARS OF MAXIMILIAN'S…

THE TICHBORNE BARONETCY.

WHICH IS THE-BRUTE ?

A PLElsANT^moN.

A RAILWAY " COLLISION !"

THE OAKS COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

THE FATE OF DR. LIVINGSTONE.

THE WHITE NILE SLAVE TRADE.

A MELANCHOLY SUICIDE.

[No title]

THE RELIGION OF MINORS.

A DISPUTE BETWIXT TWO LEGAL…

THE LATE KING OF THE BELGIANS.

A CURIOUS CASE.

DESTRUCTION OF A SHIP B FIRE'

SALE OF SIR WALTER SCOTT'S…

ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE…

CHARGE AGAINST CAPTAIN SIMPSON.

DAILY LIFE OF THE QUEEN.

THE MARKETS,