The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

OUTLINES OF THE WEEK. ♦ THE war in America is still raging, and the Federals are said to have the best of it at the pre- sent moment; both belligerents, however, are making great efforts far the mastery, and we are afraid that the end is not yet. We are too much sickened with details which are continually re- peated of the slaughter of human beings on the one side or the other to dwell upon this subject. While emigration is going on to such an extent from this country, we would rather point to the distress which is experienced amongst the masses of the people, even in the most prosperous of the Northern States. We are assured that excepting men cooss the Atlantic for the purpose of taking part in the war, and becoming hired assistants, there is no legitimate employment to be obtained whereby they can earn more than they do in their own country; and that provisions of all kinds, both in the Federal and Confederate States, are at such an enormous price that there is a difficulty in obtaining the necessaries of life; and as to women we will not repeat the harrowing scenes which are recorded of fallen creatures with lost virtue, who are living in a deplorable state; but we read of virtuous women striving hard for an honourable existence, both in Philadelphia and New York, who are driven to the greatest distress, as their 1 scanty earnings are insuffieient to support them. < The New York papers tell of large meetings being held in both the cities we have mentioned, i at which the women have put forward their I grievances, and petitioned the State- to no pur- g pose. For making soldiers' pantaloons they get only from six to eight cents each, paper money; and for shirts one dollar per dozen, including button-holes and all complete. For tents, with sixteen button-holes, they get fifteen cents per tent. When we remember that, in sterling coin, the cent is only equal to a halfpenny, and the dollar to about four-and-eightpence of our money, we shall see how scant is the payment; but when this is reduced to at least half by the paper cur- rency, how miserably are these poor wretches paid! Surely such a state of things as is here exhibited should prevent our countrymen and countrywomen from emigrating to a country where they may fare worse than at home. THE poor Danes are evidently dissatisfied with the terms of peace. The Parliament (or Rigsraad) was closed last week, and the King's message read by the President of the Council, in which it was announced that, when needful, he would convoke the Chambers for an extraordinary session. This was taken to be the period when the ultimatum shall be signed that gives to the Germans a portion of the Danish territory. There were many mur- murs within the House of Assembly, but more in the crowd without; and the Danish papers hint that obstructions will yet be thrown in the way before the terms] proposed for peace will be finally accepted. The Danes are extremely unwil- ling to agree to the financial settlement proposed, which enforces them to pay the greater portion of the expenses of the war, and will cripple the com- mercial interests of their* little kingdom. It is said that certain portions of the community are desirous of breaking off the negotiations that have been entered into, and wish to renew the war, de- claring that Denmarkjcoiild not lose more than she is likely to do by accepting the Austro-Prussian terms. But we believe these cannot be the clear- headed or well-thinking portion ofjthe inhabitants. No one who wished :his country well could dream of renewing a war in which Denmark must finally be conquered, with a probability that even more territory and treasure might be exacted from her. The agreement proposed:by:Germany is a despotic one; but the poor Danes, left to their own resources, have not the :power to enforce better terms. WE have not much to'say'about politics. Lord Palmerston, ever active, was at Hereford, to unveil the statue of his former colleague, Sir George Cornewall Lewis; and his lordship, in very apt language, pronounced a high eulogium on the character of the deceased statesman, and held his career up as a lesson for the young men of the present day. The noble Premier appears even more active than his less aged coadjutors. We find him the next day at the Foreign Office, in London, where he transacted certain necessary business before he returned to his rural residence. A FORMER colleague of Lord Palmerston's has opened his mind upon naval matters. We allude to Mr. Stansfeld, who has'.been sojourning during the vacation in North Wales, and the good people of Aber dovey thought him* worthy of a testimonial of their regard, inasmuch as he had nobly striven to discharge^official duties, and at the same time maintain a'sterling independence of character. An address was presented to him to this effect, and the member for Halifax ex- pressed his gratification *at| the; reception he re- ceived, but, avoiding personalities, entered upon his views of the navy, I saying^that the days of the wooden walls of old England, which had proved such an inexhaustible topic to poet and painter, were no more, and in their place we had ugly floating arsenals. Guns, he considered, should be our first consideration, ships the second, and sailors last of all, and that as few of the latter should be employed as possible ;that the real merit of the navy was to be measured by its offensive capabilities, and to the development of these he would have the Government direct their attention. Mr. Stansfeld then entered upon the system of economy which ought to be adopted, and said that the Government accounts and calculations could be greatly improved. Whilst he was in office he endeavoured to bring about such a system as would tell the country within a penny the cost of a ship, and would account for every farthing of wages and money spent. MB. ROEBUCK has also made one !of his odd speeches at Sheffield; in general, it was an expo- sition of the importance of the responsibilities which a member of the House of Commons takes upon himself, and a confession "of the presumption of which, as a young man, he was guilty in seek- ing to incur for himself those responsibilities. A member of Parliament, he said, represented all England, and influenced the whole'world, and to be a good member a ma,n must have knowledge, honesty, and courage. Then he entered upon something that no fellah can understand." Courage," he said, was especially necessary, because there were buzzing flies, not simply bred in dirt, but nurtured in dirt, whose only object was to be uncomfortable to cleanly people." We presume he meant to point to the place-seekers, and that he was the pure creature that they annoyed. There is one thing, however, to be said for Mr. Roebuck when in his place, in the House of Commons, he does speak his mind, and is care- less whom he offends or whom hej>leases. THE committee appointed by Government to take into consideration the comparative value of breech-loading rines have reported unanimously in favour of them, stating that the rapidity of loading is a wonderful benefit to a regiment engaged ia. warfare, and far outbalances anything that may be said against extra weight, or other objections. Earl de Grey immediately acted upon this suggestion, and we are pleased to see that the noble lord has thrown open the contract for altera- tion to general competition. A notice, published this week, calls upon all manufacturers of small- arms to send in suggestions for the conversion of the Enfield rjfles into breech-loaders. The prin- cipal conditions are that the cost must not exceed .£1 per barrel, and that the rifle must shoot as well as before. Six rifles will be delivered to the authors of the best. suggestions, five weeks being allowed for the alteration. TURNING to domestic matters, we are horrified to see the number of murders and suicides which the papers daily chronicle. The latter are vastly on the increase; and jjwe believe that if juries more frequently returned a verdict of felo de se, whieh would not allow the corpse Christian burial, it would serve to lessen the number of suicides. There ife a latent feeling within every one to aesire a decent burial. We remember reading of a regiment of soldiers quartered at Corfu, in which not a week passed that some one or two did not commit suicide. At length the commanding officer ordered that the next who committed this act should be buried like a dog- a hole to be dug for him, and stones heaped upon his body. This was accordingly done, and no more suicides followed. If such a salutary measure will prevent the repetition of those acts, we think it should be adopted in England. AGAIN, we notice a wise judgment given by a magistrate at Westminster. It has been the feeling in workhouses that a gaol was quite as comfortable as the big house," as it is termed; every now and then the paupers break out in rebellion, and are sent to prison for three or six months, and rather like the change. But a pauper being brought up at Westminster Police-court for breaking the windows of a workhouse, the magis- trate, reflecting upon the different rules and regulations of a prison, ordered the woman so charged to have only a fortnight, knowing that for that short period she would have only bread and water to sustain her, whereas if he gave her a more lengthened term she would have good food. The pauper was astonished, and will doubtless not repeat the offence. THE accounts of the harvest are on the whole gratifying; the yield will not be so good as last year, but the cereal orops have all been well har- vested, and both the quality and quantity will, it is believed, be far better than was at first pre- dicted. The long drought, however, has stopped the growth of the green crops, and in most parts of the country the swedes, mangolds, and turnips are a complete failure; whilst in some places, for weeks past, the farmers have been obliged to re- sort to hay to keep their stock alive, the herbage in the grass fields being reduced to nothing. The genial rain ha.s at length fallen, however, and we trust we may yet have a growth of grass; but this will not compensate for the lack of roots for winter feed, and we fear that before the winter is over, butcher's meat may become exceedingly dear.

SHOCKING DEATH OF A LADY FROM DESTITUTION. An inquiry was held by Mr. Humphreys, Middlesex coroner, at the Earl Vincent Tavern, Philpot-street, Commercial-road, on Wednesday, respecting the death, uader very painful circumstances, of Miss Lucretia Jeffreys, aged twenty-four years, the daughter of a well-known paper manufacturer. The jury proceeded to No. 5, Stcnor-street, Philpot- street, to view the body of the deceased. The family occupied a small shop (not used as a shop) and a room behind it. Upon entering the shop the sister of the deceased was seen lying on a parish bed on the floor. She was in a state of great exhaustion, and looked as if she -was dying. She said to the coroner, It is overwork has reduced me to this stale." The sole furniture in the room consisted of a box and a broken chair, which had been lent by a neighbour. As the jury passed through into the back room where the dead body of her sister lay, she raised herself and looked after them with an expression of agony painful to witness. The back room contained a parish coffin, in which lay the emaeiated body of the deceased. The place was otherwise empty. It was stated that when Mr. Badenhurst, the relieving officer, entered the place on Sunday, deceased was lying on the floor in the corner of the back room dead, and her sister was dying to all appearance, on a piece of oil-cloth, in the shop. The first witness called was— Mr. Henry Jeffreys, who said: I now reside at No. 5, Stonor-street. I was a bleacher and paper manufacturer in a large way of business. We came from Maidstone to London. The family consisted of my wife, two daughters, and two sons. I had studied chemistry in France as a guide to the arts, sciences, and manufactures. Since the circum- stances of the family became altered I contributed to their support by selling chemical bottles, but it was necessary for my daughters to assist. They worked for a slop-seller near Bedford-square, whose name I have foigotten. They were paid 2s. a dozen for making flannel shirts, and for blue and white ones they got 2s. 6d. a dozen. Lucretia has made four shirts in one day. By working very hard she made two dozen in a week. My eldest daughter, who is ill, could only earn one-third as much, as she could not work so quick. One of my sons got ill, and I tried to do his share (in selling bottles} as well as my own, and I got ill. My other son, who had to take a situation at a woolstapler's met with an accident-a bale of wool fell on him, and we lost his guinea a week. Both my daughters then became ill from overwork and anxiety. The altered position of the family preyed upon their minds. The earnings of the family for the last eight weeks were nil. We pawned and sold everything to keep body and soul together. The clergyman of the parish gave us 4s., and I borrowed 2s., which was all we did borrow. We determined to apply to no one but to struggle through anything, and pass through the storm rather than trouble any one. We felt certain that within a few weeks we should receive a sum of money sufficient to supply all our wants. Coroner: Did the deceased die from want of food ? Witness No; I think it was her mind that did it. We sold everything to get food. Coroner: But had she sufficient of a proper kind of food ? Witness: No, she had not. She refused on Wednesday last to allow a doctor to be brought in, saying that she did not want to be practised on by doctors; but I think her real reason was that she was afraid to let any gentleman see us in the awful state in which we were. She said, "Father, if you bring one, I will make awav with myself." I was afraid she might do so, as an aunt of hers had, three years ago, while ill, secreted a silver spoon in the bed, and choked herself with it in the absence of her friends. I removed all the poison and chemicals out of my daughter's reach On Sunday I saw she was dying, and I went for a parish doctor. I thought I had only to go for one and he would come as the person was dying, but I had to go to three places before I could get an order. As it became so late-I was out for several hours-I went back to see how she was getting on. I found her dead. Since her death the neighbours and the relieving officer have been very kind. We only came into that house on Friday last. The rent is 4s. 6d., but I do not know where it is. to come from. Before that we were in Philpot-street, and the rows and threats of the landlord about a month's rent that we owed, and his continually saying he would bring in the brokers and take all we had got (we had, in fact, nothing, for we were obliged to sell everything forfood), had a dreadful effect upon my daughter. Mrs. Jane Clarke said that the family were in a dreadful state of privation. They slept on the bare boards at night, as they had no bed. Witness gave them a chair and a bit of oilcloth. Witness lent them 2s. on Friday night. Mr. Stephens said that the condition of the surviving sister was very serious, but nothing could induce her to go into the workhouse infirmary. xi Drj Robillson> parish surgeon, said that he was called to the deceased, and found her dead. The body was much emaciated. The post-mortem examination showed that there was effusion into the ventricles of the brain and into the chest. There was only a little fluid in the stomach. She would have required nourishing food, bedding, clothing, and warmth; and the want of these necessaries was the accelerating cause of death. Witness was now attending the other daughter, and he could not get her to go into the workhouse. The Coroner, in summing up, said that the case was the most distressing one that had ever come before him. It was no doubt to be regretted that Mr. Jeffreys had not earlier applied for medical and other aid; bat the omission to do so was the result of an error of judgment on the part of a gentleman naturally unwilling to succumb to a reverse of fortune. The jury returned the following verdict: That Lucretia Jeffreys was found dead on the floor of a certain room from the effects of effusion of serum into the brain and chest, and that her said death was accelerated by fatigue from overwork, by absence of stimulants, nourishment, and of clothing, and other necessaries; and the jury expressed their regret that, through an error of judgment, the father of the de- ceased should have allowed his daughter to be so long without the requisite medical and other assistance, and their -hope that her surviving sister might be induced to enter the Mile-end Infirmary with the view of saving her life." — « SJJ? m»n«#nr«l neglect is manifested by maey petaom

who pay uttle ittentioa to the preservation <->f tue'r henlfch. flood health is the greatest blessing we can enioy, which fact is often din. covered when too late To insure freedom from sickness of «nv sort every family in the kingdom should keep a sup-ply of PAD E W0C5 WIND PILLS. Thsusands can testify they are invaluable for Indfzeju to-. BUiousiiesB, io. Sold everywhere, in M" Horniman's Tea. ia choice and strong, moderate in price, and wholesome to use. These advantages have secured for this Teaa general preference. It is sold in po cfeets by2,280 Agentp

-+- CAPTURE OF MULLER, WITH MR. BRIGGS'S, HAT AND WATCH UPON HIM. A telegram received via Greenock, and dated New York, August 26, states that the Victoria had arrived at New York, and that Muller had been ,aorrested. The hat and watch of Mr. Briggs were found in his possession. Muller protested his innocence. The legal proceedings in reference to his extradition were progressing. NEW YORK, AUG-. 27, 10 A.M. Muller was brought before the United States Com- missioner Newton yesterday. Mr. Francis Marbury appeared for the Crown, and submitted the depositions taken by Mr. Henry, th& Bow-street magistrate, regarding Mr. Briggs's'murder. Mr. Death, of Cheapside, jeweller, identified Muller- positively as being the man who bartered Mr. Briggs's chain with him. The cabman Matthews also swore to the identity of Muller. Mr. Briggs's hat and watch, found in Muller's chest on ship-board, were also produced in "Court.. The case was then adjourned until to-day. < Muller's surrender is considered certain.

AMERICA NEW YORK, AUGUST 19. General Grant reports that his operations on the- north bank of the James River were favourable, but not decisive. The Confederates lost 400 prisoners,. and left their dead and wounded on the field, including- two brigades. General Grant's loss' was 1,000 men. killed acud wounded. Sheridan's cavalry has defeated Longatreet's cavalry at Front Royal. The Confederates lost 300 prisoners. The Confederates have refused the surrender of Fort Morgan, Mobile. Farragut ordered an attack on the fort on the 9th. It would receive an enfilading fire from the fleet and land forces. Granger's forces have cut off communication with the fort in the rear. It is rumoured that Sheridan has been defeated, and has retreated to Harper's Ferry. Grant has made a reconnaissance to Fair Oaks, his right wing lying four miles from Malvern Hill towardB: Richmond. Admiral Farragut demanded the unconditional sur- render of Fort. Morgan on the 9th. The Confederate commandant refused, stating that he had requisite forces as well as provisions for six months,, and would hold out to the last extremity. Dispatches from Mobile oftHe 11th to the F>Acfymon< £ Examiner announced that a battle, between the fort and the Federal fleet had been in progress for three days. ;™ Later dispatches (from the Richmond Sentinel) state- that on the 15th the Federals crosRed the Dog River- bar and opened fire for three; hours upon the other land batteries and the Confederate gunboats, doing no damage. Firing in the direction of Fort Morgan stil continued. Secretary Stanton announces that dispatches from Sherman report no further operations. Sheridan reports an engagement between his own and a body of Confederate cavalry, near, Front Royal, on the 16th, in which the latter were worsted, losing: 300 men. A train of 70 wagons and 300 mules for: Sheridan, with its guard of 150 men, were captured by Mosby near Berryville on the 13th. A great peace convention was held at Syracuse, in this State, yesterday. Addresses were delivered by, Yallandigham, Fernando Wood, and others. The-, resolutions denounced Mr. Lincoln, and appealed to the people to unite in efforts to bring about an armistice and a convention of the States, .> The defeat of Sheridan by Early, and his retreat tcf Harper's Ferry, is reported rid, Philadelphia. The Tallahassee has been ordered away from Halifax by Admiral Hope. She escaped this morning. The- Federal gunboats are in pursuit. NEW YORK, AUGUST 22. On Friday, the 19th inst., the 5th corps of Grant's- army took up a position on the Weldon Railroad, where they were surprised by the Confederates, and. driven back with the loss of 3,000 men. The Federals were subsequently reinforced, and recovered lost ground. Fighting continues. Grant's troops have .recrossed from the north bank of the James River. Early's advance northward is creating much excite- ment in Maryland. NEW YORK, AUGUST 23. On Friday, the 5th corps of. Grant's army took up a. position on the Weldon railroad, and tore up the track,, but were surprised and driven back by the Con- federates, with the loss of 3,000 killed, wounded, and prisoners. The Federals were reinforced, and re- covered and maintained their lost ground. On Sunday the Confederates made a strong effort to drive Grant off, but were repulsed with considerable loss. A por- tion of Grant's force returned from the north side of the James River to reinforce the position on the Weldon railroad. On Sunday an engagement occurred between She- ridan and Early near Charlestown. There was con- siderable loss on both sides. Sheridan fell back to Halltown. Early is near Martinsburg. It is reported that Lee in person is. advancing up the Shenandoah Valley, with infantry and cavalry, to reinforce Early for a northern invasion. Sherman's position is unchanged. Colonel Kilpatrack has destroyed ten .miles of the- Macon railroad. Wheeler has cut the Knoxville and Chattanooga railroad near London. The Federals are advancing from Penaaoola, towards Mobile Bay. Granger's troops are within three miles of Fort Morgan. The Mayor of Mobile has ordered non-oombatants away, and has recommended the defence of the city to the last extremity. The New York Herald asserts that Judge Black hae gone to Niagara Falls to reopen peace negotiations on the part of the Administration with the Confederate Commissioners. Rumours of a movement by the Administration for an armistice continue. NEW YORK, AUGUST 26. General Grant maintains his position on the Weldon railroad. A semi-official denial has been given to the rumour that Mr. Lincoln has dispatched peace commissioners. to Richmond. The Confederates have sunk a steamer in Mobile- Channel, rendering all access to the city impossible- until removed. Grant's cavalry are operating on the Danville rail- road. His losses on Friday and Sunday were 5,000; men. Sheridan is in a strong defensive position on the- Upper Potomac, with Early in his front. NEW YORK, AUGUST 27. The Confederates are reported to be crossing into- Maryland above Harper's Ferry. The Tallahassee burnt twenty-two fishing vessels off the North Cape of Prince Edward's Islands on the 25th inst. — ♦ Map and Census, 1881—All of us have a lively

recollection of an inquisitorial Government paper being left at our residences in April, 1861, requiring our christian and surname, profession, and age; from which even the fair sex were not exempt. This col- lection we imagined was for the weal of the State, but are now agreeably surprised at the same being placed before us in a personally interesting form. This mani- pulation of otherwise dry figures has been brought out. in the form of a Map of England, that shows on the- railways the various towns, with the population ac- cording to the last census the counties are tinted and their names prominently coloured, so that the ready student, or the interested rustie, instantly traces his native place, the rail by which it is reached, and the number of the human family there located. In addition to this instructive information, we observe that he who runs (or rides) may read" against each place the name of the agent of Messrs. Horniman, who have caused this map of such wide-spread utility to be pre- pared, and exhibited for public view at the various railway stations throughout the kingdom. We do well in drawing the attention of our readers to this sheet, and would remark that, as good wine needs no bush," neither does tea that is "always good alike" require any recommendation. Nothing Impossible-—The greatest and most useful invention of the dav, AGUA AMAPVELLA. Messrs. JOHN GOSNELL and Co.. Three Kin?-oourt, Lombard-street, perfumers to her Majesty, respectfully offer to the public this truly marvellous fluid, which gradually restores the human hair to its pristine hue—no matter at what age. The Agua AraareIJa has none "of the properties of dyes; it, on the contrary, is beneficial to the system, and when the hair is once restored one application per month will keep it in perfect colour. Price one guinea per bottle; half bottles, 10s. 6d. Testimonials from artistes of the highest. order, and from individuals of undoubted respectability, may be inspected. Messrs. John Gosnell and Co. have been appointed perfumers to H.R.H, the Princess of Wales.