The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

OUTLINES OF TOIE WEEK. -+- THE news from America still tell of the advance of the Federals on to Wilmington, and the de- struction of the forts that defend it. We will not, however, discuss the war, but trust we see peace looming in the distance. Both belligerents ap- pear heartily tired of warfare, both are crippled in finances, and the commercial prospects of both are becoming darker and darker by a long-pro- tracted war. The efforts of Mr. Blair, a Quaker, to restore peace, are not so puerile as some might suppose. If the Federals give him a pass through their country, and if the Confederates admit him to Richmond, and allow him to enter into negotia- tions with them, his efforts cannot be considered as thrown away. He will at least have proved that both sides are willing to listen to argu- ment. We observe, also, that the press have become less wild in their denunciations one against the other, and the Monroe doctrine is suggested as a.pacific idea. It may be useful to explain what the Monroe doctrine is. The gentleman of that name was once President of the United States, and he suggested that it should be taken as a fixed principle in American politics that the whole continent of America should be entirely free from European control. Each separate State was, however, to govern its own taxation and legislate for itself. The adoption of the Monroe doctrine at the present moment would interfere with Maximilian's rule over Mexico; but as the British possessions were agreed to by the former Constitution, it would not affect them. We may say here that we believe it to be quite a mistaken notion that the better- informed Americans are at enmity with England; a few rowdies and grumblers may make such senti- mants appear general, but persons best acquainted with the country say. that such are decidedly in the minority. IN Canada the Government have acted honour- ably and manfully in repairing the wrong done by the French Canadian Judge Coursel and the French Canadian Chief of Police in the matter of the raiders into the United States. The judge has been suspended from office, and a bill has been introduced into the Legislature to repay the 50 000 dollars handed over to the robbers of St. Alban's Bank. The Canadian Parliament has been recently opened by Lord Monck, as Governor- General, and his lordship informed the House that a detective police had been organised, and a volunteer force called out, in order to prevent the organisation of enterprises hostile to the United States; but the Government needed stronger powers to deal with the persons, who, by availing themselves of the privilege of asylum, are un- mindful of the implied obligation to obey our laws and respect the declared policy of our Sovereign. H The time," continued his lordship, has arrived for the creation of a new nationality, and the basis of a Federal union has been laid; the Imperial Government has granted its cordial support, and it now rested with the public men of British America to decide whether the country they inhabit should be consolidated into a State, or whether its provinces should remain in their present fragmentary and isolated condition." The Canadian papers, however, state that an unexpected opposition is manifesting itself to the amalgamation of the British provinces under one head. THE Emperor of Brazil, whose great source of wealth rests in the traffic of slaves, refuses to renew diplomatic intercourse with this country until what is called the Aberdeen Act—which gives the power to English cruisers to stop all vessels carrying the Brazilian flag which are sus- pected of being employed in the slave traffic-is repealed. He considers this Act to be an insul upon his sovereignty. We suspect that few Englishmen will care about the renewal of rela- tions with Brazil, if the open toleration of that trade is to be the price paid for the privilege. THE new Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord Wodehouse, does not take so gloomy a view of the prospects of the country as was formerly enter- tained. At a recent banquet given by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, he stated that there were in cul- tivation last year 300,000 acres of flax, against only 100,000 in preceding years, and that the woollen manufactories had increased from nine to forty-eight., There is hope for Ireland yet; she is rich in resources; and when industry and capital come to bear, she will yet prosper, and we trust her people will be happy. WE are led to believe that the great party cry in the present session of Parliament will be the malt tax. A large meeting was held in the past week in Nottingham, and a resolution was passed to I raise money for the purposes of originating a systematic agitation. Since which time a general 'r meeting has been held at the Freemasons' Tavern, in London, at which resolutions were passed in favour of the abolition of this tax, which they asserted pressed heavily on the agriculturist. THE trial of Mr. Humble, on the charge of en- listing men for the Confederate service, came to an end last week, when several witnesses were examined for the defence, and among them mem- bers of Mr. Rumble's family, who endeavoured to prove that the allegations made by the witnesses for the prosecution were false. The Lord Chief Justice, in, summing up, commented with some severity on the arts that had been used to entrap witnesses, or engage them, to give evidence for the prosecution; and said he hoped, for all their sakes, that the men who were guilty of such things were not Eng- lishmen. After a short deliberation, a verdict of not guilty was returned, and this was received with applause by the people assembled in I the court. The jury, who had been engaged for four days, asked for compensation for their ser- vices, and the Solicitor-General, on the part of the Crown, agreed to give them four guineas each. A SAD effect of drunkenness was exhibited at Limehouse last week. A poor little girl died of starvation, and the coroner's jury returned a ver- dict of manslaughter against the father, who it was proved could have constant work at two pounds a week, but was so lazy and drunken that he parted with everything for intoxicating liquors, his children being often left for four-and-twenty hours without food. THE Queen's Speech, delivered by commission on Tuesday, was just such as was anticipated. The most prominent features are a declared neutrality in American affairs; the peaceable settlement of the Japanese question; a desire to conciliate the native tribes of New Zealand; the amalgamation of British American dependencies; her Majesty's satisfaction with the state of affairs in India; the gratifying condition of the revenue, and the grow- ing prosperity of Ireland. The only reforms indi- cated are in the relief of the poor, in public schools, and in law generally, intimating that a measure will be proposed during the Session, which her Majesty hopes will be a step towards the forma- tion of a digest of the law. We may add that one point alluded to in this, is a condensation of the general laws of the country into a comparatively small space, each act being indexed for easy infor- mation. This work has been occupying the atten- tion of the Government for several years past, and it is believed that it will be a great boon to the public.

A PARENT'S NEGLECT. Verdict of Manslaughter against a Father' The adjourned inquest on the body of Jane Ireland, aged four years, was resumed before Mr. Humphreys, Middlesex coroner, at the King and Queen, Limehouse, on Saturday. Mr. West watched the proceedings on behalf of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children. The man Ireland, the father of the deceased, is under arrest for negligently causing the death of his daughter, a child of tender age, by not providing her with proper food and clothing," He was a ballast- getter, able to earn 6s. 8d. a day at his calling if he chose to work. But he was a lazy, drunken man, who sold the last dish of the family for a penny to get beer. Three weeks since his family were found to be in a deplvirabie condition in Heath-street, Mile- end, but before they could be taken to the work. house he removed them to No. 9, Brook-street, Ratcliffe. There Sergeant Cox discovered the three children lying in a corner, covered only by a worn-out oilskin table-cover, starving. The deceased was moaning piteously. Their faces even were covered with vermin, which had eaten holes in their heads. Mr. Willenhurst and Mr. Wright, the relieving officers, were sent for, and they gave the children brandy to revive them, and had them removed to the Children's Home, where the deceased expired during the night. Dr. Hawkins described her as being pale, flabby, and bloodless; she was horribly covered with vermin, her scalp being completely eaten through. Death arose from disease of the lungs, accelerated by exposure and neglect. Mr. Sweepstone stated, for the guardians of Stepney, that they had resolved to prose- cute the father for his shameful conduct, and the coroner expressed his satisfaction that the matter would be so dealt with. Additional evidence as to the idle and drunken character of Ireland and I- his disgraceful neglect of his family was taken, aad it was clearly proved that he could earn amply sufficient to provide for them. Mrs. M'Cabe, 103, Heath-street, said that, while the accused lodged in her house he had frequently left hia children for twelve hours together without food. On I one or two occasions he left them for twenty-four hours without food. He got rid of his furniture. The coroner having summed up, the jury unanimously re- turned a verdict of "Manslaughter" against John Ireland,' otherwise Hyland, for feloniously killing and slaying his daughter, Emily Jane,$n infant of tender age, in the custydy and care of the said John Ireland. The jury expressed their satisfaction with the conduct of Sergeant Cox for the intelligence and humanity which he had displayed in the case. The accused was subsequently brought before the magistrate at the Thames Police-court, and the depositions having been completed, was fully committed for trial.

A TRAGEDY IN BELGIUM. Vague rumours were in circulation throughout the capital of Belgium last week that there had been an attempt at murder during the morning, and that the would-be assassin had taken to flight. Subsequent inquiries proved the truth of the rumour, and that the first crime was only the prelude to others of a far more serious nature, which had much shocked the in- habitants of the localities in which the various acts of the drama had taken place. So far as the circumstances have yet come to light, it would appear that in the Rue Saint-Josse-ten- Noode, a marble mason and his family dwelt quite close to the police-station, and that an old soldier, formerly belonging to a carbineer regiment, was re- ceived as a friend of the family. For some time unpleasant discussions had arisen between the head of the family and his wife respecting the mys- terious disappearance of small sums of money which had been placed in a secretary, and as the wife entertained suspicions that the old soldier was concerned in the abstraction of the money, she resolved to closely watch his actions. It would seem that she nearly lost her life in carrying out her purpose. The suspected man was in the habit of taking his breakfast with the family, and on Saturday morning, finding that only the children were in the house, he inquired for the mother, and, in pursuance of a previous arrangement, was told by the little daughter that her mother was in the upper part of the house making the beds. He asked nothing further, but immediately proceeded to the apartment on the first-floor in which the secretary was kept. The mother, instead of going to the bed-rooms, had placed herself in such a position that she could observe aU that took place in the room mentioned. She soon saw the pretended friend enter stealthily, and by the aid of a false key open the secretary, from which he took a handful of coin. Without reflecting that as the money was marked it would have been simply necessary to call in the police and her neighbours, the woman, influenced by the indignation she naturally felt at witnessing the base action, rushed from her concealment, and, seizing the thief, tried to drag him to the police-station by main force. This being the situation of affairs the culprit did not hesitate to attempt the concealment of one crime by the commission of another far more serious. The poor woman was soon thrown to the ground and strangled by the ruffian, who, leaving her for dead, fled the house. After same time the little daughter, finding that her mother did not come down, went to seek her, and found the poor creature lying on the floor sense- less in a most pitiable condition. The child's screams soon brought help, and, after unremitting care pur- sued for some hours, the mother was restored to con- sciousness, and she narrated what had occurred. The criminal continued to elude all search made for him till next morning, when it was ascertained that he had proceeded to Charleroi from the Luxembourg station. On arrival at Charleroi he sold his watch and bought a brace of pistols, which he loaded with ball. These preliminaries accomplished, and after having sought to drown reflection and stifle irresolu- tion by copious libations of spirits, he proceeded to the village of Ceroux-Mousty, in the arrondissement of Nivelles, where resided a young woman whom he had married, it is said, two months previously, and who had borne to him an infant. Now came the cul- minating point of the tragedy. For some inexplicable cause the scoundrel sought the lives of these poor creatures, and with savage fury he fired his pistols at them almost point blank, crowning his work by re- loading and blowing away the top of his skull. These new victims of the assassin's rage are, however, likely to escape death. The poor mothar, though her jaw was shattered by one of the balls, actuated by maternal instinct, sought to protect her child by dropping it out of window at no great height from the ground, and thus, in all probability, the babe was saved.

THE LAW OF MASTER AND SERVANT. Faults on Both Sides. An action was brought in the Court of Exchequer by a man, named Wiseman, to recover damages for a wrongful dismissal by Mr. Rogers, his master, and also for an assault. The plaintiff is a journeyman copper-plate engraver, and was employed under a written engagement for eighteen months to work for the defendant, a copper-plate engraver at Hastings. This agreement was entered into in June, 1864, and in the following October the defendant complained that a caricature which had been placed upon the printing- press within the workshop was intended for him. He charged the plaintiff with having sketched the carica- ture, and also with having written the lines under it, as follows:— The most drunken printer as ever was seen, Was little Bill Hooper- of Clerkenwell-green." (Laughter.) This the plaintiff denied, and it was ex- plained that the caricature, which was drawn by a person named Burt, had reference to a workman named Hooper, one of the persons in the defendant's employment. It would, however, appear that the defendant refused to receive this explanation, and he charged the plaintiff with having fre- quently neglected his duty. This led to some words, r, y when the plaintiff, in reply to the defendant's charge, said "You lie." The defendant thereupon rushed upon the plaintiff and seized him by the throat, and was only induced to relinquish his hold by the inter- ference of his wife. The plaintiff shortly afterwards went out of the workshop, and did not return until between six and seven o'clock in the evening, when the defendant told him that he did not want him any further—that he was discharged. The plaintiff called again next morning, but the defendant refused to admit him into the workshop, and thus the present action was brought upon the agreement entered into between the parties and for the assault. It was alleged that the defendant, previous to the occurrence in question, had expressed to one of the workmen that he intended to get rid of the plaintiff. These facts were deposed to by the plaintiff and two other witnesses. The defendant denied the truth of the allegation, and added that the caricaturing transaction led to the whole of the disturbance. He did not, however, seize the plaintiff in the way stated. On the contrary, it was the plaintiff who so seized him when he went to remonstrate with him on having used the word lie to him. The plaintiff afterwards left, and returned at five minutes to seven o'clock, when defendant told him he did not require his services further, and the next day defendant again said plaintiff was discharged. The latter then said he would bring his action. Mrs. Rogers also denied that her husband had seized the plaintiff by the throat on the occasion in question, but that the plaintiff had so seized the defendant; and the defendant's female servant corroborated the state- ment. She added that she frequently saw the plaintiff idling away his time. Another witness gave evidence of a similar character. Mr. Philbriok, for the defendant, contended that he was justified, under the circumstances of his being told he was a liar by the plaintiff, in dismissing him. Mr. Laxton (with whom was Mr. Kefop) urged that the caricaturing occurrence had been unjustly taken advantage of by the defendant to get rid of the plain- tiff, he having determined upon pursuing that course without having any just reason for doing so. The learned judge, in summing up, laid it down that, in point of law, a master was justified in dismissing a servant for calling him a liar," or in asserting that what the master had said was "a lie." If the jury were satisfied that in this case the plaintiff called the m defendant a liar," or, that he had told a lie," then the defendant was justified in dismissing him from his service. The jury would, however, have to consider who committed the first assault, which, it was ad- mitted on both sides, took place on the occasion, and in the event of their finding that the defendant was in fault they would give damages accordingly. The jury having consulted together for a short time, they found a verdict for the plaintiff for the assault- damages £20, and they found for the defendant on the ground laid down by the judge, that he was justified in dismissing the plaintiff Hinder the circumstances stated. .1

— — — --=-- "7 TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. --+-- AMERICA. NEW YORK, JAN. 21. Admiral Porter reports from Wilmington on the 16th that the rebels destroyed the works on Smith's Island. He says that "if they do Dot destroy Fort Casswell, as it is of no use to them, we shall get it after a little while." He declares that the Malakoff would not compare in size and strength to Fort Fisher. The New Yorh Tribune asfierts that the Confederates are contemplating another extensive raid from Canada. Mr. Blair has proceeded to City Point in a Govern- ment steamer for another visit to Richmond. Admiral Porter reports that his gunboats at Wilmington have hermetically sealed the river against blockade runners. It is rumoured that the Confederates have blown up Fort Casswell, at the entrance of the Cape Fear River. The gunboats are preparing to advance against Wilmington. The anticipations of early peace, together with the successful military operations, have caused a heavy decline in gold and stocks, NEW YORK, JAN. 25. General Grant reports that despatches from General Terry announce that the Confederates have blown up and abandoned Forts Caswell and Campbell, and the works on Smith's Island, Smithville, and Reeve's Point. The marines have occupied those places. The total number of guns captured is 162. A despatch from Admiral Porter, dated 17th inst., states that the gunboats had some difficulty in cross- ing the bar into the Cape Fear River. The Confederates blew up two steamers, believed to be the Chickamauga and the Tallahassee. Admiral Porter thinks the Confederates are burning everything in Wilmington, and getting away as fast as possible. A large force of gunboats occupies the river between Fort Caswell and Wilmington. The greater portion of the larger vessels have returned to Hampton Roads. Admiral Porter states that he will move carefully along, and believes he will be in Wilmington before long. He announces that the remainder of the rifled guns in the fleet have burst, and that the reputation of these6guns is ruined. It is rumoured that Mr. Seward will be appointed minister to London. The peace negotiations still remain without result. Five blockade runners were captured on the 18th in Old Inlet, Wilmington. Their names are un- known. The JRichmond Despatch of the 20th asserts that Sherman has been checked, and will probably be delayed a long time at that river. According to Southern accounts two monitors have sunk off Charleston. Thomas is erecting winter quarters on the Tennes- see River. The indications are that he will not move from his present position. NEW YORK, JAN. 27. Admiral Porter reports that the navy occupies Fort ,Caswell, Bald Head, Fort Shaw, and the earthworks on Smithville. The Admiral says:—" In each fort an Armstrong gun was found, with the broad arrow upon it. The British Government claiming the exclusive right to use these guns, it would be interesting to know how they came into rebel forts." The report further states that a telegram was found from Lee asserting that if Caswell and Fisher were not held he would have to evacuate Richmond. A message from Mr. Hall, a member of the Legisla- ture, has been read in the North Carolina Senate, stating that Wilmington is not likely to fall. General Terry had demanded the surrender of the city, giving Bragg until the 19th inst. to decide. The removal of public property is progressing, and much confusion prevailed. The impression was that Wil- mington would surrender, the people remaining it it. It is reported from Hilton Head that the Federals had captured 2,000 prisoners and three guns on. the Upper Broad River. Charleston despatches state that Foster's troops, 15,000 strong, advanced on Pocataligo on the 14th, and that the Confederates, after an obstinate resis- tance, retreated across the Salkahatchil rive r. NEW YORK, JAN. 28. Mr. Blair has returned to Washington. His mission is understood to be an utter failure, President Davis demanding that negotiations should be conducted as between independent nationalities, with an armistice pending negotiations. President Davis has signed a Congressional resolu- tion creating the office of General in Chief. It is rumoured that General Lee has Deen appointea to this office, and General Johnston to the command of the army in Virginia. Richmond papers of the 24th report no movement of the Federals on either side of the Savannah river. Press accounts of the 25th inst. report a large force of Sherman's troops to be moving on Augusta. —

Red Riding Hood Revived.-The following story, reported from the Forest of Ardennes, reads like a new edition of Little Red Riding Hood:—" A bady was sleeping, its mother was preparing broth for it, when, looking up, she saw a wolf entering the door and making straight for the cradle. The frightened mother seized a burning log of wood and hurled it at the intruder. Too late. The wolf caught up the baby and bolted. The mother followed frantic, crying,' To the rescue!' Three wood-cutters, returning frem their work, heard the cries, pursued, and overtook the grim thief, which was hampered by its prey, and finally assailed him. The beast showed tremendous fight, and was not killed till after a long struggle, in which the poor child was badly hurt. The wolf, however, was killed at last, and the child restored to its mother, who, returning home, found that the burning log which she had thrown at the wolf had set fire to and de- stroyed her house. There is a public subscription for her, and her house is to be rebuilt, not by a fai y-as Ir it should be-to keep up the story—but by the inhabi- tants of the village, who are to give each a day's labour." Hercules Fire and Life Insurance Com- pany.—This institution is growing so rapidly into public favour, that its first business promises have become too small. The directors have, therefore, been compelled to remove into larger and more commodious offices, which they have secured at No. 33, Poultry, one of the most central and eligible situations in the City of London.

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