The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

T O W 1ST TALK. BY OUR SPECIAL CO BBESPONDSTNT. --+- afhtf readers will understand that ce do not now. ourselves respon- sible/or our able Correspondent's opinions. AT this pre-parliamentary period, politics are at a stand-still; so, seeing that Government seem to have satisfied even their critics by giving the lucrative appointment of a seat in the General Council of India, vacated by able Sir C. Trevelyan, to Mr. Massey, M.P. for Salford-whose talents have been manifested quadruply as lawyer, his- torical writer, Chairman of Ways and Means, and Under-Secretary for the Horne Department-but little is to be said on that score. True, the chiefs of the party in esse and those of the Opposition have issued invitations to their respective supporters to rally around their dinner- tables—to listen, perhaps, to soft, political talk-on the 6th inst., and much speculation is afloat as to what will be said touching their se- parate programmes for the ensuing session; but then, you see, it is, after all, only speculation, and so scarcely worth talking about. The other day it was positively affirmed at a certain important club, and on sup- posed good authority too, that the great oc- togenarian was hors de combat in fact, you know, "breaking up consequently it was very doubtful whether his lordship would put in an appearance at the opening of Parliament. But alas! for poor quidnunc, the following day brought the news that the hale old veteran had ridden with the Hursley hounds, with all the vigour and freshness of a man some twenty years his junior- say, for instance, sixty. A terrible example for the c n dit makers in general, wasn't it ? In commercial parlance, political talk has been at a discount; social chat has been at a pre- mium: notably, the Queen's circular letter to railway directors, touching the safety or otherwise of her lieges while on the iron roads, has caused almost as much discussion in certain circles as the Pope's late famous 11 encyclical"—about which, by the way, having a wholesome fear of excit- ing the odium. theologicum, I remain judiciously silent. Now certain persons, who enter- tain the mediaeval notion that sovereigns are born with crowns upon their heads, as cocks with combs, and that Royalty is as inseparable from the crown and sceptre, and other regalia, as a Lord Mayor from his gingerbread coach and men in armour, are trembling in their shoes for fear that her Majesty's letter has given a blow that will, at least, slightly crack our Constitution. "For," say they, such a letter has the force of a State document; therefore, instead of being issued by irresponsible Privy Purse-keeper Sir C. Phipps, it should have been signed, or at least counter- signed, by Secretary Sir George Grey. Poor old ladies.! what a pother! what a storm in a tea- cup moreover, what ingratitude! But then, you observe, they could not foresee that English people would regard it but as another contradiction direct to those who will have it that her Majesty is keeping herself hidden in selfish sorrow from her people. The truth is, that the Queen's most womanly letter, though not a State paper, is an historical document—a reflex, in fact, of the un- uttered thoughts of thousands, from the peer to the plough-boy; and how logically worded! "You directors," says her Majesty, virtually, through Sir C. Phipps, "have monopolised the whole of the roads, and upon them accidental homicide is of common occurrence; yet these mis- fortunes are not at all the necessary accompaniments of railway travelling. As a proof of this, when I travel, the extraordinary precautions you take render all concern for my own safety unnecessary. Such being the case, and inasmuch as the lives of so many of my subjects are in your hands, I hope you will take the same precautions for them meaning, of course, that "if you can ensure my safety you can ensure theirs." Is this or is it not reasonable? and, to judge by the immense amount of flunkeyism shown by railway authorities when Royalty travels, I think that, in this case, "a queen's name will prove a tower of strength" more mighty than any Act of Parliament, through which, the proverb runs, any clever person "may drive a coach' and six." How timely, too, this letter comes we may judge, when we know that London may speedily become a huge gridiron, for the parliamentary deposits this year on account of new railway projects alone have amounted to 14,275,010, of which Y,189,235 was in cash, X258,500 in exchequer-bills, and 13,824,275 in stock. Speaking of her Majesty, reminds me that a leading feature in the Exhibition of the Royal Academy this year will be Mr. Frith's great pic- ture (commissioned by the Queen) of the Wedding of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales; and from what I can judge of it on the easel, it will not only prove one of the greatest attractions of the art season, but one of this great artist's happiest efforts; indeed, in grouping, colour, and portraiture, it is excellent. En passant of art-the ladies have this year taken precedence. The Exhibition of the Society of Female Artists," in Pall-mall, has just been opened, and keeping in mind the lines of the dramatist— 'Tis not in mortals to command success, But we'll do more, Sempronius—we'll deserve it," the fair artists, as a rule, have eschewed high art," and, by wisely keeping within the scope of their' powers or opportunities, have—at least the majority- topped mere mediocrity. For gallantry's sake, I regret t cannot' say more; but I can't, and that is the truth. "By Jove!" exclaimed a young nobleman tô,. me, one evening; "we idle men-aristocrats you call us-must bestir ourselves and get our houses in order, or, like the old French noblesse, we shall come to grief, for the middle and working classes are taking the shine out of us." Now, this is verbatim et literatim-not' that I see any parallel in the case my friend introduced, but I only men- tion the fact to show the present feeling of the upper -ten," as the Yankees would say. A more correct indication of this feeling was iiie peculiar interest illustrious members of the same order took in the late Working Classes' Exhibition at Is- lington also in the Operative Coachmakers' Ex- hibition, which has been opened in their grand old City Hall, under the auspices of the Marquis of Lansdowne, Viscount Torrington, &c., sup- ported by several leading members of the trade; and again, in the establishment of the London Dressmakers' Company (Limited)," which has just been inaugurated, at the head of which is the Earl of Shaftesbury, the Bishops of London and Oxford, several countesses and other ladies of rank, with the glorious author of" Tom Browne," Mr. Thomas Hughes, as their honorary secretary. As you may imagine from the foregoing names, the object of the latter company is to improve the condition of working dressmakers generally, with whom there has been so much sympathy since the days when Tom Hood wrote the Song of the Shirt." Literary quidnuncs—who, by the way, suggest opposition to every scheme they don't themselves suggest chiefly men who are en- gaged upon a portion of the daily press, snarl at the movement as impracticable, and, begging the question, say that Lord Shaftes- bury has headed this movement as a kind of "sop in the pan," instead of in- troducing a bill into the House of Lords which would extend to overworked, ill- treated, under-paid needlewomen the provisions of that Factory Act which his lordship took such pains to carry through. Now, according to the strict law of political economy, it is wrong to legislate for the management and working of any especial trade, inasmuch as the rate of pay is governed by the laws of supply and demand. But then, even political economy is not infal- lible and without touching the question of legis- lation on this subject-which, by the way, you may depend the earl will not forget-the very fact of noble lords and ladies (themselves con- sumers and leaders of, fashion) interesting them- selves in the welfare of the workers, must tend to the ultimate benefit of the young women, or "young ladies," as, obviously to their own detriment, they are foolishly called. Another topic which has been current in town during the past week is, that three comets are now visible in the heavens. •This, perhaps, may account for the very changeable weather and the dense fogs—which again, perhaps, accounts for the lack of illustrious visitors in town. I am informed, on pretty good authority, that the rumour of the betrothal of her Royal High- ness the Princess Helena of England to the Hereditary Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar is alto- gether unfounded. It originated in some remarks made by a German paper, which, when quoted into English papers, became exaggerated into facts, and generally believed, whereas there is not one word of truth in the statement. Z.

OUTLINES OF THE WEEK. THE news from the seat of war in America is of an important character. The second expedition against Wilmington has proved successful, and Fort Fisher, which was one of the principal protections of the harbour, has been assaulted and captured, together with a garrison of 2,500 men. Prior to the assault the fortress underwent a bombardment lasting fifty-four hours. The loss to the Federals is variously computed from 500 to 1,000. This capture, though very material, cuts off but one channel into Cape Fear River, as Fort Caswell, commanding another entrance, remains on the south side, heavily manned and armed, besides which there are other works which guard the approaches to Wilmington. Nevertheless, that which has been done will make blockade running almost impossible. It is asserted by the Richmond papers that President Davis has consented either to receive or send peace commissioners. Again, in the Federal Congress a resolution was introduced into the House of Representatives, recommending President Lincoln to send or receive a peace depu- tation, and by rational means lead to a cessation of hostilities. This resolution was, however, re- jected on a division by 84 against 51. We are not without hope that eventually such a recommen- dation will be adopted, and that the horrid, cruel war, which has now lasted nearly four years, will cease, and peace be restored. WHATEVER may be the result of the American campaign, we feel certain that slavery will shortly be abolished all over the world. We hear its death-knell ringing everywhere. The latest re- ports show that a strong anti-slavery feeling is ex- hibiting itself even in Cuba, which was once the hot-bed of slavery. It is dying-Tout all round South America, and in less than half-a-dozen years we may look upon the bondage of our fellow- man as only a thing of the past, and one never to revive again amongst intellectual nations. WE see marks of progress and love of freedom exhibiting themselves everywhere. It is even said that the nobility of Moscow have addressed a memorial to the Emperor of Russia, asking him to establish a representative system for Russia, with an Upper and Lower House. This seems a bold thing to demand from a despot like the great Czar; but the present ruler is said to have liberal tendencies; and politicians who have studied his character assert that in their opinion he will con- sent to the popular feeling of the country. To the progress of political freedom, however we must put down Prussia as a contrast to other countries. For three successive sessions the despot King William has been at variance with his Parliament. He appoints his own ministers and makes his own laws; One thing only the representatives of the people claimed the privilege of voting upon, viz., the money grants for the national expenditure. The Chamber have thought that the King and bis ministers have engaged far too much in war; the peopled representatives objected to an increase in the army; yet, in defiance of them, an increase was ordered but when the Parliament were called upon to vote an extra sum for that purpose, they declined, and for three years the King of Prussia and the representatives have quarrelled upon this subject. The Chamber stuck boldly to their first resolve, and the King as stubbornly insisted upon their carrying out his views; and now that the new Parliament for 1865 has opened, the King on the one side, and the representatives on the other, show evident indications of mutual mistrust and iealousy, not to say positive antipathy. They both talk about the necessity of compromise, but neither seems disposed to take the first step. His Majesty will not give up one iota of his military project, and the legislative body will not accept it. The Minister of the Interior last week flatly de- clared to the deputies that the King would not yield a single poiat. He therefore advised the Chamber to select another test of constitutional prerogative-its right to vote the budget. This defiance has had the effect of stimulating the determination of the Houses, and they have taken a bold, defiant ground, refusing to sanction the addresses in reply to the speech from the throne. What the end of all this will be no one can tell, but King William had better look out, or he might find he is not reclining on a bed of roses. WE shall say little about politics this week, for, as the -Parliamentary Session is so near, we had rather reserve ourselves for what is actually done than speculate upon probabilities. Perhaps of the Ministerial members who addressed their con- stituents last week, the speech of Mr. F. Peel is the most noteworthy. He explained to his audience that X10,000,000 of taxes had been re- moved since 1860 without loss to the revenue, and illustrated the remark by saying that prudent removal of taxation was like thinning a plantation; the more it was cut away within the bounds of prudence the more vigorous was the growth of what was left behind." He had also a metaphor for the Reform Bill. The franchise might be extended to a certain point. It was like extending a telescope when the tube was pulled out. The object then became more distinct, improved in appearance, had a clearer outline, had every feature in detail defined; but if the tube were pulled out indefinitely the object became vast in appearance, but lost its distinctness." We presume, from this, Mr. F. Peel goes in for a gentle, steady reform. IN domestic matters we are happy to find that the differences between masters and men of the building trades in the Midland Counties have now terminated. The discharge note," at which the men grumbled so much, has been unconditionally withdrawn by the masters, and most of the men have returned to their work. Masters and men have had meetings, and mutually agreed to terms. This is far better than either one or other showing an obstinate resistance. If masters are agreed upon the fair merits of the case, a mutual understanding can generally be arrived at; but workmen unfortunately have oftentimes sharks about them, who pretend that their grievances are greater than they are, and, by an assumed advocacy of their cause, live well upon the workman's association, whilst the operative himself is in a state of semi-starvation. WE have frequently alluded to the necessity of emigrants taking the utmost precaution, and making searching inquiries before they undertake a voyage to foreign countries. An instance has come before public noticeTthisVeek which proves how prudent and necessary our advice has been. Some twelve months ago a band of Nonconformist settlers went out to Port Albert, Middle Island, New Zealand—a country represented as one "flowing with milk and honey." After their arrival, however, they found there was little or no provision made for them. Their privations were indeed terrible, owing to the loss of a small cutter which they depended upon for stores, and absolute famine stared them in the face. They were not supplied with sufficient capital to form a settlement, consequently" could not exist long enough for a return of crops. They had, there- fore to scatter, and walk many miles to other parts of the colony to seek for employment. THE pneumatic weaving machine is a subject which is likely to attract universal attention. It is only within the last three weeks that it has been introduced, but large results are expected from the change which must come over a,great portion of our present manufactures. The inven- tion is described in a very few words." Instead of throwing the shuttle by a side blow, like a round- hand cricket ball, a puff of compressed air through a tube sends the shuttle with equal force. The gain lies in the increase of work, as the pneumatic apparatus gives five strokes to the shuttle against three of the old principle; besides which it pro- duces the work clean and unsoiled; it has also a closer texture, whi,ch is visible to the eye by com- paring the work that the old and new looms have accomplished side by side. The cause of the close texture is the absence of motion in any part of the machine. This is the invention of a poor man; but the engineers who have seen it think that eventually it will cause a great revolution, second only to that produced by the introduction of the spinning-jenny some years ago. ♦

Slavery Abolished in Tennessee.—Following the example of Missouri, a Union State convention in Tennessee has unanimously decreed the immediate abolition of slavery throughout the State, and its pro- hibition for ever; and it was further decreed that there should be no compensation to slaveowners. These propositions are to be submitted for the ratifi- cation of the people on the 22nd of February, when, doubtless, the same popular elements which brought together this convention will establish its work as the future organic law of the commonwealth. An Unseemly Employment.—A local con- temporary says that a young woman named Ann Proudfoot, eighteen years of age, daughter of William Proudfoot, labourer, met her death the other day on the farm of Dinwoodie Mains, parish of Applegarth. The girl was engaged as a day's worker, carting out dung to one of the fields on the farm, and in returning with the empty cart, while taking a sharp turn, the vehicle upset, and, falling above her, killed her upon the spot. Jane Thomson, a neighbour servant, was only a short distance off with another horse and cart when the accident occurred, but from the angle in the road she did not see .the cart capsize. She heard the cry of Oh dear and hurried to the spot, and there found the cart upset, the horse on its back, and Proudfoot under the cart, the seat-board lying across her breast. Assistance was immediately procured, and the cart upraised, but it was found that the poor girl was quite dead. We cannot but consider this melan- choly accident as a telling comment on the practice of entrusting horses to the care of women in the work of the farm.

J-h- Gognell and Cherry Tooth PIS.te, ptikw It. 64. Decidedly the best prepawiou lor cleansing and preserving the teefek. Sard hv Ü !,{3rilJHH;'r"P Jnrt etU21m.t$.lllhre hlnt. lA3robfl.l'd-st..J,.(J Baker and Baker's true uncoloured tea combines fine flavour with lasting strength, and is more wholesome than frhe tea in ordinary use. Sold by Chemists, &c., in most towns. Agents wanted for a well-known Manure, which commands a ready sale, is highly recommended by customers for several years, and sold car- riage free. Liberal terms given. Addi ess, B. C., Pall-mall East, London. iJr.iSKJge'a J'jsSs-ih (Cooked) fCoort,satisfying,strengthening, sootti- iiig, for Infants. Agreeable, ai«es"-4ble, oounshinn,for Invalids. Noaeidity or wind; the cheapest food. Of chemists. Canisters, 4d.,8d., Is., or 2s. Gd. Tiie Himalaya, Tea Co.'s Pure Tea is moderate in price and,of excellent quality; being ths purest Tea in we it is the most The Himalaya, Tea Co.' s Pure Tea is moderate in price and,of ex¡;e1),cmt quality; being ths purest Tea in use it is the most ■wMwmtf, therefore the best and cheapest. Sold only in packets.

A CANADIAN EMIGRANT. 'I Mr. Carpenter sends the following communication to the Ma/iichi's:er Examiner.—"Many of our readers will be inter' i in an extract from a letter, lately received from o? a_of the emigrants sent out by the Manchester committee. The writer was a monitor in one of the tncheater adult schools, who had edu- cated himse] in the time many others spend in drink- ing. He suffered much at first in Canada from too severe work but his boss,' thinking hypa too good a fellow to kill,' changed his employment, and he is now cashier in a large mill." I remember, at the meeting we had in Lever-street now cashier in a large mill." a fellow to kill,' changed his employment, and he is now cashier in a large mill." I remember, at the meeting we had in Lever-street School, Manchester, Councillor Rumney addressing the factory operatives: Oh, my poor fellows, don't go to Canada, you will die of hunger and cold; 'frost, ice, snow, six months in the year; certain death to factory 1 operatives.' I wish Mr. Rumney could just take a peep into our house; he would see the family of a factory operative just as far from dying of either as ever he was. It is Sunday noon, Church I service over. Around our dinner table are five young, happy, smiling, expectant faces, pleasant to look at in their curled hair and snow-white pinafores. Their mother, handsome in her matronly way, dis- penses the fare with liberal hands. There is a fat turkey (fit for an alderman), a piece of roast beef, a portly plum-pudding, plenty of potatoes and cabbage, with a jug of clear cold water in the midst. The at- mosphere inside is quivering with heat, so' We open the window, and, asking God's blessing, we sit down to what he has provided for us. Look around There, in the woodhouse, are thirty-two loads of firewood. Half a load a week keeps the temperature up as high as we can comfortably bear. This wood shed com- municates with the kitchen, so that my wife has not to go outside for her fuel. Beneath the shed is a warm, com- fortable fowlhouse, where live, in peace and plenty, ten geese, as many ducks, an d about twenty cocks and hens. These promise plenty of eggs, feathers, and many a good Sunday's dinner. In a little recess, under the stairs, stand two barrels of good family flour, each containing 2001b., which my wife has made a point of not touching till the frost really sets in for the winter. My house is comfortably furnished; my wife and children comfortably clad; we are in high health and spirits, and deeply grateful to God for all these mercies. This state of things has been brought about by his blessing on my honest endeavours and perse- verance under difficulties. Look on this picture, and on the same family forced to live on the fare doled out with reluctance and insult by the officials of the poor- law. Look on both these, and say have I not a right to bless and pray for those who brought about the change?"

'METROPOLITAN WORKING CLASSES' INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITIONS. The extraordinary success which attended the recent North London Working Classes' Industrial Exhibition has induced other districts to emulate the example set by the working men of the particular district referred to, and no doubt the laudable object will be consider- ably aided when the probability is made manifest that the Government will doubtless carry a small Act in the ensuing session of Parliament, giving the same protection and security against any piracy of their in- ventions to the working classes exhibiting the produc- tions of their genius on such occasion, as was afforded to the manufacturers and exhibitors of every nation on the occasion of our great International Exhibition. The great difficulty, however, which these district associa- tions for such purposes have to contend with, is the find- ing a pla:e sufficiently capacious to properly display the various works of art likely to be contributed. In Mary- lebone the Baker-streetBazaar, the Polytechnic Institu- tion, and the Colosseum, have been mentioned. In Lam- beth, the large building near the Elephant and Castle, and in other places capacious school-rooms have been proposed, but they have all been found to fall infinitely short of anything like the requirements necessary for properly displaying the ingenuity of the working classes even of a district. In this respect the com- mittee of the North London Working Glasses' Exhibi- tion were singularly fortunate in securing such a place as the Agricultural Hall at Islington. A move- ment is, therefore, on foot, the object of which is, instead of throwing time and money away in isolated efforts, that there should be an amalgamation of all, and that there shall be an industrial classes exhibition during the present year for the whole of London in this building. The experience of the old executive of the late North London Exhibition would be of immense advantage in carrying out the project, and we have authority for stating that not only would they take upon themselves the task, and co-operate most cheer- fully, but that, from the confidence they have secured by the successful manner in which they carried out their first effort, they have had the promise of support not only for the raising of a guarantee fund, but in the active and public assistance of some of the most eminent statesmen in the country of all shades of political opinion.

"A GREAT PUBLIC INSTRUCTOR In the Globe of Monday evening appears the follow- ing criticism on the performances of its great morning contemporary of the same day:— The Times is a great public instructor. Read by more parsons than any other newspaper, when it errs a goodly part of the empire is likely to err with it. We do not refer to opinion, but to facts. An im- pression produced by a misstatement of facts remains long after the misstatement has been rectified, unless it is rectified in the same columns where the error appeared. These considerations should make the Times, when it deals with the facts, say of the Ameri. can war, a little more careful. This morning, in relating the capture of Fort Fisher, our contemporary contains a misstatement unique in its kind. The passage we refer to is this- The expedition, under Admiral Porter and General Terry, arrived off the fort for the second time on the 14th inst.; at noon the next day the fleet opened a heavy fire, which lasted fifty-four hours. The assault was then made. The fighting was desperate, the Confederate garrison of 1,200 men using the advantages of its position to inflict heavy loss on the enemy. But after seven hours' fighting the Federals prsvailed. Now, the blunder here is truly prodigious. A fleet is said to have arrived off Fort Fisher on the 14th, and to have commenced a bombardment at noon on the 15th. That bombardment is said to be sustained for fifty-four hours, that is, until six o'clock on the 17th of January. Yet, turning to the columns of yes- terday's Times, second edition, we find f| telegram da,ted Jan. 16 (misprint, we suppose, for Jan. 19 or 17), and read the%e words:- At noon on the 15th the fleet opened a heavy bombard- ment, which lasted for three hours, when the army made the assault. It is qaite true that in a telegram dated Jan. 19, it is stated that Porter bombarded Fort Fisher, for 54, not three hours, as at first reported." Now this might have been true, because, as it is indubitable that the Fort, and all the other works, were taken on the 15th, Porter might have begun at some time on the 13th. In the reprint of the telegrams to-day, however, the first we have quoted is changed into this form:— At noon on the 15th the fleet opened a heavy bombard- ment, which lasted 54 hours, when the army made the assault. And this change of form in the first telegram deprives us of the supposition that the writer imagined the bombardment to have begun on the 13th. For con- fusion of statement, both in the telegrams and in the commentary upon them, the specimens we have quoted have never been surpassed. Very superficial attention to dates would have saved all concerned from a series of amusing blunders. Instead of being, as the Times has been unaccount- ably led to represent it, a fight of more than two days and nights," this brilliant combat began and was over within twelve hours. —

-+-- AMERICA, NEW YORK, JAN. 14. Important but doubtful rumours regarding move- ments preliminary to peace negotiations are in circu- lation. These movements are said to have grown out of a resolution adopted by the Confederate Congress on the 17th ult. Fifteen commissioners, including Vice-President Stephens, Boyce, and Orr, of South Carolina, acd Smith and Singleton, of Mississippi. Beeves, of Virginia, and Leech and Gilmour, of North Carolina, are reported to have been appointed to confer with commissioners to be named by Federals. The Richmond Enquirer of January 10 says that a call has appeared in a Virginian paper (name not given) for conventions of Confederate States, to revo- lutionise the revolution, to depose Mr. Davis, wipe out the Confederate States, appoint a dictator in his stead, and perhaps surrender to the enemy. The Richmond papers of January 10 have contradic- tory intelligence from Sherman. Some say Grahame- ville, thirty-four miles north of Charleston, has beeiur' occupied by Federals. It is dsubfcful whether he aims at Branchville or Charleston. One corps is reported to have gone to Beaufort by water. Beauregard summarises an official report from Hood, acknowledging his complete defeat before Nashville. He says he lost fifty cannon in the second day's fight. The Government warehouses and other public pro- perty at Charlotte, North Carolina, were burnt on Sunday. The loss is estimated at several millions of dollars. The Missouri State Convention has passed an ordi- nance of immediate emancipation. The salt works at Louisville have been burnt; the loss is estimated at one million dollars. General Baniss, in his report of the Louisiana election, says it was participated in by two-thirds, if not three-fourths, of the voting population. He says that the Emperor Napoleon would, on a convenient pretext, plant the French flag on the west bank of the Mississippi. General MsClellan sails for Europe in February, to be absent two years. Fighting is reported progressing near Mobile; the city is being threatened on every side. General Butler intimates that his removal from command was because he refused to recklessly sacri- fice bis troops. The removal was ordered by Grant. The Tribune says Butler was the ablest man the war has developed. Peace rumours are thicker than ever, but the press, without excoption, declares success impossible. It is rumoured that the Confederate Congress has adopted resolutions, appointing thirteen commissioners to treat on outstanding questions of difference between the two Governments. Independence must, however, first be acknowledged. The trial of the raiders is postponed thirty days to procure evidence from Richmond. A document from President Davis, authorising the Lake Erie raid, was read in court, but objection was made to receiving it.

Capture of Fort Fisher. — NEW YORK, JAN. 17. lhe House of Representatives has concurred in the resolution of the Senate to give notice for the termi- nation of the Reciprocity Treaty. Mr, Edward Everett is dead. It is officially announced that Fort Fisher, below Wilmington, was carried by assault on the 15th inst. by Ames division, with a, brigade of the 4th army corps, aided by a battalion of marines and seamen aU under the command of General Terry. The assault was preceded by a heavy bombardment by the fleet and was made at three o'olock in the afternoon, the' whole fort being captured by ten p.m. The Federals occupy all the works south of Fort Fisher. The garri- son, estimated at 2,500 men, including Gen. Whiting and Colonel Lamb, was captured on the extreme end of the peninsula; seveuty-two guns were also cap- tured. The Federal loss was estimated at 900 men. Mr. Blair has returned to Washington from Rich- mond. f The Richmond Examiner asserts that Presi- dent Davis, at an interview with Mr. Blair, delivered to him a letter for President Lincoln, declaring his willingness to receive peace commissioners or to send peace commissioners to Washington.. Northern and Southern journals place no confidence in the result of the Blair movement. The New York Times says the Government seeks peaoe through war only. A Richmond despatch says the South would spurn Blair's proposal; the South will never return to the Union. It'is stated that Sherman will move on Branchville next week. Extreme activity prevails on General Grant's left, and early movements are expected. Mobile papers announce that 4,000 Federals occupy an unassailable position at Franklin Mills, on the Dog River. A resolution has been introduced into the Federal House of Representatives recommending Lincoln to send or receive peace commissioners, or by rational negotiations secure the cessation of hostilities and the union of the States. The resolution was defeated by 84 to 51. NEW YORK, JAN. 19. Mr. Stanton announces that General Sherman has transferred two corps under Howard to Beaufort, whence they moved upon the line of the Charleston and Savannah Railroad to Pocataligo, and occupied a position across the railroad covering the approaches eastward of the latter place. The Confederates have abandoned the works in the vicinity of Pocataligo.

RAILWAY ACCIDENTS. Letter of the Queen. The following letter, which the Queen had ordered to be written to some of the railways centred in London, was read by Mr. Watkins, M.P., on Wednes- day, at a meeting of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway:— Sir Charles Phipps has received the commands of her Majesty the Queen to call the attention of the directors of the to the increasing number of acoi. dents which have lately occurred upon different lines of railroad, and to express her Majesty's warmest hope that the direotors of the will carefully consider every means of guarding against these misfortunes, which are not at all the necessary accompaniments of railway travelling. It is not for her own safety that the Queen has wished to provide in thus calling the attention of the company to the late disasters. Her Majesty is aware that, when she travels, extraordinary precautions are taken, but it is on account of her family, of those travelling upon her service, and of her people generally, that she expresses a hope that the same security may De ensured for all as is so carefully provided for herself. The Queen hopes it is un- necessary for her to recall to the recollection of the railway directors the heavy responsibility which they have assumed since they have sucoeeded in securing the monopoly of the means of travelling of almost the entire population of the country. "Osborne, Dec. 27, 1864." t

A Connubial Compliment.—A lady, walking with her husband at the seaside, inquired of him the difference between exportation and transportation "Why, my dear, he replied, if you were on yonder vessel, leaving England yOU woaid >OQ exporfce(3 and j should be transported!" p Pig^ts-A novel question has arisen m ^ford respecting the rights of ladv governors o. the Radcliffe Infirmary. At the October quarterly court two ladies entered the room and ten- dered their votes on the election of a committee This, of%nive3vpe1?nted °,ircum8^°e, and the master le2e> who presided on that occasion would only receive the votes under protest. At the C0^rt iast week five ladies attended, and a ^USSlon ntook. Plaoe> two propositions being submitted-one denymg the right of attending, and the other proposing that counsel's opinion be taken on the question. The advocates of the former urged the usage of eight years, and relied on a phrase in the • 3 subsoribing as governors," as implying a_distinction between them and the other sex. On the other side it was shown that ladies had the privilege of voting by proxy on certain occasions, and that proxies invariably conferred an additional and not a limited right. This view eventually prevailed, and it was consequently considered unnecessary to obtain a legal opinion. Professor Westwood has, however since published a letter which, while admitting t'r e right to vote of unmarried ladies, contends that this is a chattel interest, which in the case of married women is vested in their husbands. The dispute will therefore, be probably revived.