The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

SUMMARY OF PASSING EVENTS. THE Jamaica question has been the great topic of discussion ever since the news reached us of the slaughter of so many individuals. That the mutiny, if mutiny there was, is now quelled, ap- pears certain by the latest accounts; but the details we have yet received appear to point to undue severity on the part of the Government officials. Poor wretches were killed without dis- crimination and it is thought that although many, perhaps, have justly suffered, the innocent have, in some instances, at least, been made to bear the sins of their fellows. As the Govern- ment have assured us, however, that a strict inquiry will be made into the matter, and that Governor Eyre, as well as his subordinates, will have to defend the course they have taken, we-can- not charge with guilt any one until it is proven. The first question raised will be whether Governor Eyre did not transcend Jaw and override justice in taking Mr. G. W. Gordon from a peaceable district, where he was peaceably settled, into a part where martial law prevailed, and here, without an opportunity of defending himself, hewas ordered to be_executed. The thrilling letter he wrote to his wife on the eve of his execution has created great sympathy for him in England, as, with certain death before him, he is supposed to have spoken the truth. Again, it will be asked, was the sacri- fice of so many human beings necessary, was there such absolute danger to the State, that the fleeing multitude should be slaughtered wherever oppor- tunity offered, where no blow was returned or any defence made ? Only the utmost necessity can palliate such a crime; and when the English Parliament meet, doubtless with full evidence before them, the high officials in the island of Jamaica will be put on their trial. THE settlement of the difficulty between. Spain and Chili cannot be said to have progressed, although the most active measures have been taken by the diplomacy of Europe, and especially of England, to terminate a struggle which is, if possible, more disastrous to neutral and peaceful nations than to the actual parties in the dispute. It was hoped and believed that the decided tone taken by the English Government would have induced Spain to forego a claim upon the Chilian people that was unjust, or at least, to suggest that such claim should be submitted to arbitration. We heard at one time that hostilities had been sus- pended, but the later accounts from Madrid do not justify such a conclusion. It is affirmed that great naval preparations are being made for blockading purposes, and that the Spanish Government will not accept the' mediation of any foreign Power. Perhaps, of all places in the world, Chili is one of the most difficult, as a small State, to blockade. She has an immense line of coast;'in fact, Chili may be said to be all coast, running from Peru nearly down to Cape Horn, being a narrow slip of land between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. It is, therefore, most open to foreign commerce, which is carried on mainly by foreign ships. Chill has great resources, fall of mineral and other wealth, and is very tempting to the enterprise of foreign traders, who carry away the precious metals and supply the wants of the Republic. Thus, if war continues, blockading will be in constant requisition. It is still hoped, however, that the active steps taken by .the British Government will not be unavailing in bringing about a reconciliation between the Republic and the mother country, which will not only be advan- tageous to the parties at issue, but to the whole commercial world. Spain has decidedly behaved ill; but she has too much pride to acknowledge this; whether she will be forced to eat humble pie by the Western nations, or be allowed to carry on a war of oppression, is another thing. MEXICO claims some attention at the present moment. The Americans express dissatisfaction at the occupation of Maximilian, and, it is said, that the American soldiers who are now released from active duty in the United States are joining the Republican President, Juarez, to oppose the pre- sent rule. At the same time it is asserted that the Emperor Napoleon is smuggling large bodies of French soldiers into Mexico to protect the empire. Again, rumours reach us. that Maximilian feels very unsafe upon his throne, and is ready at any time to make a bolt." THE young King of Greece realises at an early period of hislife and reign a bitter experience of the many cares that encompass a crown. Thenumerous changes of Ministry within thespace of afew weeks; the suuimary dismissal of his only confidential friend and adviser, Count Sponneck; the general disorganisation of the country; the discontented vacillation, cf the capital—must have filled his heart with disappointment and dismay. Oheparty wishes for ref,,)Xm, end anotltei-to:preeerve, the old insti- titutiona of the country, while others quarrel amongst themselves for place at any price. The king, under English influence, it is said, and ad- vised by Count Sponneck, proposed a reform which would give additional privileges and liberties to his subjects, but his Parliament would not accept it. IN home politics there is not much to say. Mr. Bright, in his speech at Blackburn, notwithstanding the thunderbolts he hurled at the Tories, professed his willingness to accept moderate measures from Earl Russell, and would be satisfied if the fran- chise was extended to Y,6 in boroughs, and .£10 in counties. To show, however, how little difference there is in politics, it is asserted that Lord Stanley has been earnestly pressed to join the Russell Administration. According to the Man- chester Guardian, the reasons assigned by his lord- ship for rejecting the offered appointment were entirely personal and not political, and that they had reference in part to his disinclination to place himself in a position of necessary antagonism to his father, and in part to an opinion that a public man who has had the confidence of one party cannot, with safety to his own reputation, accept singly the official confidence of his op- ponents. THE trial of the Fenians in Dublin has occupied too much thought and two much space; those who have been found guilty have had their just reward. More impartial trials could not have been awarded them, and the only feeling we have in the matter is surprise that men such as Luby and O'Leary should not have had common sense enough to see that their intentions were based upon absurdi- ties, and that their efforts must be fruitless. It is a-great pity such things should be, however; for while we hoped, on the one hand, that religious discord was ceasing, and that capital and labour were working hand in hand to raise the country to an equality with the sister isle, this foolish, absurd Fenianism comes in, to lessen the confi- dence of the nation in the well-directed efforts they were making. THE trial of Captain Corbett for a breach of the Foreign Enlistment Act was brought to a close last week in the Court of Queen's Bench. The Solicitor-General ably argued the case for the prosecution, whilst Mr. Edward James as ably defended the prisoner. The Chief Justice having put the case to the jury, they returned a verdict of "Not Guilty." Some nice questions of law were raisecf before the verdict was taken. We really hope and trust, now that the vessel which has been the cause of so much discord between this country and the United States is sent to our Transatlantic friends as a prize, we shall hear no more about her. THE 30th of November was the last day of rail way notices of new bills to be deposited, and if any one had been down at Westminster upon that evening, and seen cab after cab loaded with docu- ments, and the mad rush into the clerks' room, he would have wondered what was happening. It is the general practice of English- men to leave things to the last moment, and it was quite ridiculous to see the excited air of each individual as he looked at the clock, and rushed forward with his pile of papers. The Times says that the number of tPittices this year is 450, against 415 last year, and that the money undertakings will exceed £ 100,000.000. There is something here to engage the attention of lawyers, engineers, and committee-men. IT is suggested that Government have some important measures to introduce in the next Session, and that they will exercise an authority over, railway companies such as they have not hitherto done. That travelling by rail should be safe and regular is even more important than it should be speedy. Yet many companies seem either studiously to ignore the claims of those who wish to know what time is needed for a journey, or make their general arrangements on a scale which is inconsistent with the carrying out of their promises as to time. One after another of these bodies are constantly coming under the lash of disapprobation. Railway Reform of a, most practical and tangible character is loudly called for.

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE. Mr. Humphreys, coroner, held an inquest, on Satur- day, on the body of a German, named Peter Bedger, who was alleged to have committed suicide under very singular circumstances. Rose Bradford, residing at No. 6, Albert-square, Shad well, deposed to having known the deceased, a young German cabinet-maker. He was in the habit of visiting her, and stopped with her during the last week. He became ill on Friday week, apparently from the effect of poison, but he refused to say what was the matter with him. From that time until Monday his thirst was incessant and uriquenchable, but he could eat nothing. On Monday morning, upon his craving for more tea, she made it a condition that he should tell what was the matter, and said, Peter, you shall certainly have the tea; but whatever have you done?" He then said, I have poisoned myself with phosphorus. I bought a halfpenny worth of ratsba-no at an oil shop at the corner of Canon-street, on Friday, and I swallowed it beeause I was tired of life." Upon being pressed he stated that the reason he wanted to commit suicide was that he had been cheated in business by a comrade of his, and that he could not endure such treatment. Dr. Woodman, who attended the deceased, said he was in intense pain, and his limbs were trembling. He con- fessed that he had poisoned himself from taking phos- phorus. He died on Wednesday, notwithstanding the administration of antidotes. He must have suffered excruciating agony from the effect of the poison. Nothing could be ascertained as to the friends of the deceased or his habitation in London. Verdict, "Suicide while in a state of unsound mind." — •»•

Drunk in the Pulpit.-The Beright, a Flemish journal; published at Diest (Belgium), gives the fol. lowing account of a. disgraceful scene which occurred last week at Engsbergs, near that town, during the religious solemnities on the occasion of a jubilee :— Two Redemptorist friars of St. Trond had been invited to preach at Engsbergs. One of them accord- ingly ascended the pulpit with staggering steps, whether from excess of emotion or some other cause the congregation could not at first imagine. Their doubt, however, was not of long duration, for though the choir was still chanting and the organ playing the preacher at once began his sermon, which he said would be on. drunkenness, and the dangers of that shameful vice. The people soon saw that the preacher was well advanced in his subject, being as far intoxi- cated as a man could be who retained his powers of speech. The cure of Engsbergs endeavoured to per- suade the friar to leave the pulpit, but the latter, with all the obstinacy of a man in drink, refused, and kept en talking strangely, to'the amusement of some of the congregation, and the disgust of others. An attempt was then made to drown his voice with the swell of the organ, but he went on gesticulating and shouting more. furiously than before. In his wild movements he at last knocked down one of the tapers lighting the pulpit, and set hia hair on fire against another, The people, fearing the place would be set on fire, then left the church, and the rev. father was' takes down from the pulpit and carried to bed.

MADAME VALENTIN. This complicated case, which bids fair to rival even the renowned one of Jarndyce v. Jarndyce," appears to be cropping up at every step in some new phase or another, but the most recent and certainly the most novel proceeding has just been accomplished by the indefatigable solicitor for Madame Valentin. It will he remembered that upon the examination of Madame Valentin on t>h<> of perjury at Guildhall, of which that lady was subsequently convicted /:IoUÙ 1- diately afterwards pardoned by her Majesty, that a warrant was applied for and granted against a person named Coulane, who, it was alleged, had committed perjury on previous proceedings against Lafour- cade, Coulane, however, not deeming it pru- dent to stand his trial on such a charge, quitted the country and entered the army of France, and his evidence being now material for the prosecution against Hall and others for conspiracy, &c., Mr. Leverson applied to the Foreign-office for an assurance that the Attorney-General should be in- structed to quash all proceedings against Coalaneupon his appearing at the trial and turning Queen's evidence. A communication wa,s at once addressed through Lord Clarendon to our chared d'affiite; at Paris, requesting him to endeavour to obtain the consent of the French Government to the appearance of Coulane at the forthcoming trial. That request was complied with by the Frenoh Minister of War upon the faith of his lord- ship's assurance that Coulane is not to be subjected to any criminal proceedings or detention in this country, and a semi-official intimation has also been conveyed to Coulane, that if he shall give his evidence in a truthful and straightforward manner her Majesty will be advised to grant him a free pardon in respect of the matter charged on the warrant now out against him.

FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE VALE OF NEATH RAILWAY. At Swansea, on Wednesday morning, about six o'clock, an accident occurred on the-Vale of Neath Railway of a somewhat remarkable character by, which the lives of two persons have been sacrificed. Within a short distance of the terminus of the railway at Swansea a telescope bridge spans the North Dock for the running of trains on the above line, and also allowing an opening in the bridge for the ingress and egress of the shipping. The scene of the accident was the North Look. which forms the main entrance to the Town Float. At the time above named the usual coal trains were in motion, preparing to cross the bridge that spans the lock of the North Dock. This bridge is erected on Sir William Armstrong's hydraulic principle, and is worked by the most simple and efficient code of signals that modern scienee and railway engineering could de- vise. By some strange and apparently utterly inexcusa- ble negligence upon the part of the signalman, how- ever, the signals were made to give information pre- cisely the reverse of the truth. The bridge was open at the time, but the signalman, instead of tele- graphing to this effect, gave the signal line clear." The consequence, of course, was that the train rushed on, and upon reaching the bridge fell over into the lock below. The two men on the engine were killed on the spot. The fact of the bridge being open in- volved the showing of the "red," or danger signal. This light was seen by the guard, who was at the end of the train, and, as the light was in front of the train, it is only reasonable to suppose that the men on the engine must have seen it. The danger signal or red light is inevitably shown when the bridge is open, as this is the result of the mechanical arrangements in the construction of the bridge. These signals were, spoken of by the Government in- spector when the line was inspected previous to its opening, as perfect as it was possible for them to be. They are not in any way dependent upon the atten- tion or inattention of the servants of the company, but are the result of the working of the bridge. The bridge is not affected by the accident, and the traffic on the line was resumed after a few hours. The signal- man is taken into custedy.

AMERICA NEW YORK, Nov The Secretary of the Navy has ordered the com- manders of the Philadelphia, Boston, and Portsmouth navy yards to reduce the number of the employes one- half. A large number of workmen have been dis- charged from Brooklyn navy yard. The Florida convention has adjourned, after abolish- ing slavery, annulling] the secession ordinance) repu- diating the rebel debt, and providing for receiving the testimony of coloured persons. The Mississippi As- sembly has passed a bill permitting negro testimony in certain cases. ° a TI, \t -tr YORK, Nov. 23, EVENING. Ihe New York Herald says that the Government must demand the crew of the Shenandoah from Eng- land under the extradition treaty. The other papers are silent o n the subject. f The Washington Star says that the movement o Federal cavalry to Texas is not caused by any hostile feeling of the United States towards Maximilian ,but because cavalry are much more serviceable in Texas than infantry. General Weitzel has superseded General Steel in the command in Texas. Steel's removal is reported to have been caused by his being intimate with the imperial officers along the Mexican frontier. ° The New York Times states that General Logan's appointment as Minister to the Republic was made in consequence of Maximilian's decree declaring the re- publicans outlaws, against which the United States will protest. The commander-in-chief in Canada, having had under consideration the possibility of Fenian raids during the winter, has called out six companies of volunteers, and ordered all volunteers to complete their number and hold themselves ready for active service. The liberation of the crew of the Shenandoah is stated to have caused a hostile feeling towards Eng- land in Washington.

ENGLISH ULTIMATUM TO THE HAYTIEN REVOLUTIONISTS. The West India and Pacific Steam Navigation Com- pany have received the following telegram, per Cuban, via Crookhaven:— HAYTI, PORT-AU-PRINCE, Nov. 10. The French gunboat Sulin, arrived from Cape Hayti, reports that the commander of her Majesty's ship Galatea has issued an ultimatum that Salnane and all the members of the revolutionary committee should surrender on board that vessel unconditionally. In case of refusal, her Majesty's ship, Galatea and Lilly would proceed, after twelve hours' delay, to bombard the ports of the cape. The time of the ultimatum would expire three hours after the sailing of the Frenoh corvette. Salnane's admiral had gone on board the Desoto, and offered to put the cape under the Ameri- can flag if they would protect them against the British. The offer was refused.

INDIA. BOMBAY, Nov. 14. The Viceroy has addressed a letter to the Bhootan Rajahs. The campaign has commenced, and Dewangr has been occupied. No Bhootanese have been seen. The chief, Kattiewah, has been detected importing Enfield rifles, and a consignment of those weapons has been detained pending reference to the political agent. A famine has broken out in Lower Bengal, owing to u XttUuro Ut tlxv, oi^Wc. is, s train at Nussera- bad. Numucn is closed to European soldiers until tlie new barracks are constructed. Kurrachee has been visited by swarms of locusts, which have destroyed the vegetation in the neighbourhood. A collision of two goods trains has taken place on the Great India Peninsula Railway, near Faunah. Two natives were killed, and several Europeans and natives were injured.

HEALTH OF THE KING OF THE BELGIANS. The Moniteur Belge of Dec. 2 says:—"At this moment fresh anxiety prevails in reference to the health of the King. In fact, we learn that for some days his Majesty has been suffering from an attack of dysentery, which causes great weakness." The same paper next day says:—"We learn that a sensible improvement took place yesterday in the state of the King's health."

PNEUMATIC RAILWAY UNDER THE MERSEY. On Friday afternoon, Sir Charles Fox met at Liver- pool a number of the local magistrates, town council- lors, members of the dock board, Birkenhead commissioners, and other influential gentlemen, for the purpose of explaining his plan for constructing a pneumatic railway between Liverpool and Birkenhead under the River Mersey. Mr. E. Lawrence, ex-mayor, presided. Sir Charles Fox explained that the prin- ciple of a pneumatic railway had been successfully tried on a large scale at Sydenham, and one was now being constructed under the bed of the Thames, between Charing-cross and the Waterloo Station. The proposed railway from Liverpool to Birkenhead was a mile and three-eighths in length. There would be two stations in Liverpool and one at Birkenhead. The cost was estimated at < £ 300,000, with borrowing powers to raise the capital to J2400,000. This estimated cost would, however, be much reduced if the bed of the river were found to consist of rock instead of quicksands. It was estimated that on £ 300.000 the traffic would produce < £ 30,000 a year, to pay a 5 per oent. dividend, and .£10,000 for working expenses. The speed would be at the rate of 20 miles an hour, and each train for goods and passengers would carry at least 500 passengers, who would be charged 3d., 2d., and Id., according to class. In answer to numerous questions it was explained that there would be no danger of collision, and the carriages—luxurious and well lighted—would always be in plenty of fresh air. It was also explained that no opposition from vested I- interests on either side of the Mersey was anticipated. Ultimately a vote of thanks to Sir Charles Fox was moved by Mr. Robertson Gladstone, seconded by Mr. Harold Littledale, and carried unanimously; several gentlemen resident on both sides of the river expressing their high approval of the scheme. ♦-—

Fall of a Railway Viaduct.—On Sunday morn- ing, at a quarter to six, the viaduct between Brock- holes and Thongsbridge, near Holmfirth, on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, gave way and fell to the ground. The viaduct consisted of abaut thirteen arches, and was 200 yards in extent. Whilst the viaduct has been undergoing extensive repairs the traffic from Brockholes to Holmfirth has been con- ducted by means of a single line; but the masonry, if not completed, was on the point of completion, plate- layers were laying the metals, and it was expected that the new double line would be opened for general traffic in a few days. The viaduct yielded in the centre, and the whole of the arches, from one end to the other, fell in with a tremendous crash. The telegraphic communi- cation does not appear to have been interfered with. The wires still span the abyss, but the posts have been carried away. It is supposed that the foundations of the new viaduct had been weakened by the rivulet which runs through the middle of the arches. Rail- way traffic between Brockholes and Thongsbridge will, in eonsequenee of this casualty, be stopped for some time. The Cattle Plague Curable by Homoeopathy. Over Seventy per Cent. Saved. A chest containing all the medicines necessary, with in- structions for their use, sent carriage free to any railway station on receipt of P.O.O. for 15s., 26s., 45s., or 72s., by Henry Turner and Co., 77, Fleet-street, London, and 41, Piccadilly, Manchester. Agents wanted. The Himalaya Tea Co. s Pure Tea ismoderateinpricf and of excellent quality; being the purest, Tea in use it is the most wholesome, therefore the best and cheapest Sold only in paclcetI. John (iotnall Co.'s Cherry Tooth price U. 64 Decidedly the beat preparation fox cleansing and preserving the teeth. Bold bj ail lierfonx*™ and ohemisrta. lS,Three King-ct. Xiomhard-et. B.C. "DAKBB and BAKER give the fall bene&t of the Jj Seduced Duty on ail their packet Teas, which are the best aDd cheapest. Good strong tea 2s. 8d. per lb. ltP..Ðt8". ,Y.JJ\l'iD.kn 11 «nnu: All. imtno »u<! »«rr»auent reltat SolsS by tJJ ClMminta. 18. '.id. ?tr easK't. Satisfying, Strengthening, Soothing1 for In- digestible, nourishing for Invalids, is DR. RIDGE'S PAT-kNl (cooked) FOOD. Prevents acidity and wind. The best an2 cheapest faod. Of Chymists, in canisters, 4d., 8d., is., and as. 8d. Compressed Pianofo.rtes. Without wishing to set the Thames on fire;" even in a *• limited "sense; C.Hampton begs respectfully to state that, after supplying some thou- sands of pianos to the trade since 1851j he is now prepared to, supply the public direct. Descriptive catalogues free.- 31. Oliarldtte-street, Fitzroy-squara, W.

GREAT FIRE AT LIVERPOOL. On Friday night a fire of a, very destructive cha- racter occurred on the premises of Messrs. Jeffery and Co., drapers, Compton-house, Church-street. The establishment was one or the most extensive in Liver- pool, and contained property of great value when the fire fifcst broke out. The fire was first discovered shortly after ten o'clock in the collar in Basnett- street, and the alarm was immediately given. The establishment had been closed for some hours, and as the time for the numerous assistants engaged in it to return for the night had not arrived, the majority of them were away. Some, however, had retired to bed, principally females, who, when roused from their slumbers by the fearful danger which me- naced them, scarcely knew what to do to save themselves. They were with difficulty got out by the police and firemen, most of them in their night-dresses, not having had time to put any addi- tional articles of attire on. One young lady, it is said, was seriously injured. The fire-engines and brigade men were soon on the spot after the alarm was given, and the firemen went to work with great vigour, but owing to the combustible nature of the stock the progress of the flames could not be easily checked. From eleven o'clock the fire raged with ex- traordinary fury, the flames lighting up the streets and squares for a considerable distance around, and large flakes of fire rising up and falling into the neigh- bouring streets. The roof and floors ultimately fell in, and the fire simply abated for the want of material to feed it, by which time nothing was left but the blackened walls. The loss is estimated at < £ 200,000.

AN INHUMAN MOTHER. The Court of Assizes of Calvados last week tried a woman named Fortin, aged forty-two, charged with having, at Lisores, on the 1st October last, committed the crime of manslaughter on the person of her eldest daughter, named Marie, a girl eighteen years of age. Though the latter was a dutiful girl, and exceedingly well-conducted, the prisoner had for some time previous to the crime manifested the most intense hatred towards her, frequently beat her without mercy, and had, on more than one occasion, expressed a wish to see her dead. In the morning of the 1st October last, while the prisoner was cutting bread for breakfast, she began an altercation with her daughter, and in the height of her passion threw the knife at the girl with such violence that it entered her neck, severed the jugular artery, and caused almost instant death. The prisoner's two other children ran to inform the neighbours of what had happened, but when the latter arrived the poor girl was at the point of death, and the prisoner was eating her breakfast, using the still bloody knife with which she had just killed her daughter. She at first pretended that Marie had hurt herself by falling against a piece of wood, but as the post-mortem examination proved that the wound had been inflicted with a sharp instrument, she at last admitted that she had thrown the knife as stated by the two younger children. The jury having found the prisoner guilty, without extenuating circumstances the court sentenced her to twenty years' hard labour. ■»

MODERN TELEGRAPHY. A letter which appeared in the Times of Satur- day last says:—"The following are copies of a tele- gram received to-day from Lisbon (per the British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company), No. 1 as originally delivered to us, and No. 2 the repeated message from London. The agent of the said company informs us that the Continental Telegraph Company in London will not procure a repetition from the place from which the telegram was originally dispatched without the payment of 17s. for asking for it, and 17s. for the repetition. The demand for 34s. to rectify mistakes arising from the incompetency of some of the staff somewhere is little short of picking one's pocket to that extent. Moreover, the message was nearly three days in reaching us.—We are, Sir, your obedient servants, SHIPOWNERS. '"No. 1. .Preai arrived and verm sains ropers inferorm viaitoess lobb veut per continued.' "(No. 2. "'Preak arrived sud verm sains ropers inferorm vlstoess lobI veut per continued." «.

To the fand raised for the sufferers by the Sheffield inundation the Queen and the Prince of Wales each contributed .£200. The committee who had the management of the fund are now returning fifty per cent. to the subscribers out of the surplus re- maining in their hands. The Queen and the Prince having been corlsultedasto the way in which they desire to have the surplus of thefr subscriptions dis. posed of, have both directed that it shall be handed over to local cha-ritiea.