The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

il. WOBKING MAN'S FIRESIDE. A Drunkard Rotating His Wife. the Office, on Saturday, be- Messrs. Jaffray, Holhday, and Bawlins, William ^bett, of Croas-piace ^ough. atwet^ a plane makerj charged with aasaulting hi8 vpife on Taesday last> ^ie wife said:-I have been married only thirteen ^eeks, and he has beaten d the fire often. On Tuesday last h9 o'aZ bom0 at «Wven o'clock at night and asked me to get his 'cause he had not been home to dinner, but °'-lt drinking and gaming, and he to a me to Warm him "Iltrie broth and I told him to 0 1 ltnself at that hour. I put out the fire, because he Put me on the fire times when he came home. P °afc the fire Jfhen he came in, and then he knocked y head on the floor, and a gentleman is here as seeo. mm u1.UB6 5Be. v Mr. Eawlins When did he put you on the fire last ? Wife Last Thursday night was a week. Mr. Jaffray How did he put you on the fire? Wife He lifted me right on to the fire clean. Magistrates' Clerk: Was he trying to cook some- thing for himself when you poked the fire out ? Wife: No; I was always afraid he would burn me to death. Magistrates' Clerk: Did he threaten you that sight ? Wife: No; but I knew he would do it, and I poked oat the fire, and told him to get it (the broth) himself. Mr. Jaffray: How could he get it himself when you put the fire out ? Wife I put the fire out before he asked me for it. Jaffray: That did not make it easier for him to Warm the broth without fire. Wife: Well, why did not he come home to his inner, and not be drinking and gaming. Magistrates' Clerk: What have you to say, pri- EioTIerr The Prisoner I had a great deal of beer that night, and I don't recollect anything of the sort happening. Mr. Jaffray: You were very drunk ? Prisoner Yes, sir, I was. Mr. Eawlins That is the effect of getting too much wages. Prisoner I wiBh I had a little more of it. Magistrates" Çlerk: You don't make a right use of what you get. W James Allport was then examined. He said he heard the woman screaming, and on going to the place saw the prisoner holding her in his hands and dashing her about the house very savagely. Mt". Holliday (to the prisoner): Your wife, atatm you put her on the fire on two oecasions. Prisoner: Not that I recollect, sir. In a general way she is as comfortable as anybody. "Wife No, sir, I could net be. Last week he cried to me, and said he would make home different from what it was if I would not go to the men and say any. thing. I had threatened that—because he brought me such a little money to keep house with—I would go to the men and let them know- what he was to me, with his drinking and playing cards all day. He has always given me £1 a week to keep house, and he gave me 35s. once, but last week he brough t me home 10a. to keep house with, awl then I saia I would tell the men of his doings. Mr. Jaffray (to the prisoner): You are sentenced to a month's imprisonment, and I hope when you come out of gaol yoa. will treat your wife well.

SUICIDE OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN AND HIS MOTHER. Nine weeks ago a French gentleman applied for furnished apartments at 2, Norfolk-road, Paddington, stating that he and his mother desired: a drawing-room floor and a bedroom, and added that he was a French nobleman, who, from political motives, had been compelled to leave his country. The laadlady of the house Mrs. Connor, asked for references, which were given, and which comprised the names of some of the high dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church, and the inquiriss having proved satisfactory, the apart- ments were let to the Frenchman and his mother at 25a. per week. Sinee then several weeks elapsed, when the landlady found that she need not expect any rent from her lodgers, and she further discovered that the Frenchman and his mother were living in a state of semi-starvation; that, notwithstanding they were in the habit of constantly receiving visitors, the majority of whom came in their carriages, very little food came into the house for them. Last week Mrs. Connor gave her lodgers notice to quit, the said notice to take effect on Thursday, the 25th. The gentleman asked her the latest hour he should be allowed to remain, and he was told that he and his mother might stop until eight o'clock on the Thursday evening. He then informed his landlady that on the day in question he should be certain to receive some money frem. France, through his friend the French consul in London, when he would pay her for all rent due. In the interim the Frenchman wrote a great many letters, but received very few in return. At half-past eight o'clock on Thursday night Mrs. Connor went upstairs to inquire the reason why her lodgers had not left, and on knocking several times at the door and receiving no answer she concluded they had gone tobed; mt ae she was going downstairs the old lady came out of the room and said it would be all right on the following morn- ing. At ten o'clock next morning Mrs. Connor again went to the door of the rooms occupied by her lodgers, and after knocking for several minutes and receiving no answer she became alarmed, and sent for the police. Sergeant Hawtree, 1 X, was speedily on the spot, and he effected an entry into the room by way of the back window. From what he saw he sent for Inspector Egerton, and they found the Frenchman and his mother suspended by cords from the opposite ends of the window cornice roller, and both of them quite dead. The Frenchman was suspended by a piece of window cord, and the mother had hung herself with a small rope pulled from the bed sacking. There were indications showing that after the nooses were affixed both mother-and son stood on a high footstool at the centre of the window, and threw themselves off simul- taneously; at that moment the end of the cornice pole, which suspended the mother, splintered, which caused a depression at the other end, the consequence being that the feet of both parties touched the ground but so determined were they to commit suicide that both of them drew up their legs and thus consummated their purpose. With their legs bent in this wise they were found by the inspector, who at once sent for Mr. J. S. Beale, of Porteous-road, the police surgeon for the X Division, who pronounced that life had been extinct several hours. On a sofa near the window was found on one end the Frenchman's coat, cravat, and collar, and on the end the-woman's cap and silk ribbon. On an adjacent table were several articles of antique jewellery, evidently heirlooms, and letters from several English and French noblemen. Close to where they lay were two sheets marked with ink in large letters. One was marked "This for myself," the other "This for my mother." On the table was found the following letter:— 'Mrs. Connor,-You are a Christian and a Catholic, there- fore you will know how to fulfil the last prayers of a dying woman, and that it is a holy duty. My beloved son and myself are just going to die; we ask from you to look over that, and see that our dress is not taken from us, and that my son's false leg (the gentleman wore a cork leg) be not taken from him. I have prepared two pieces of bed sheets, and I wished us to be wrapped in them, all dressed. I also wish you to take care we are both placed in the same grave. My beloved son has struggled against his enemies with a courage that a good conscience alone can give. We have suffered a great many humiliations and privations, and we have been consenting to bear such sufferings so long as our religious feelings would permit us. God does know our thoughts and consciences. He will forgive us. We shall pray Him for you for what you saw not. Do by yourself what I ask from you; take care that it is done. I thank you for your kindness to us in our misfortune, and I regpret the trouble we are giving you now; but I wished to die here. I leave to you, like a reward, eight cards (pawn- brokers' duplicates) of very good clothes. They are in for 98; their value is indeed thirty guineas. I had not had the means to give something to the man who has rendered to us some service, and who in this last moment will have something to do. I leave him all the clothes of my son. I speak of what I give to you, because I am persuaded that I do not know; but I think our property in your house has been a security for our expenses up to this time. You may have the two hats of my son's, but burn all which you consider should be thrown away. For a long time I have seen my son suffering and slowly dying. God only knoweth all the torments of my soul. I pray you again to do all that; God will bless you. A. DE CALUWE. Close to the man's body was the following letter: I should be obliged that the woman upstairs arrange our two bodies, and give her what she likes. There is other linen in the wardrobe, if wanted. Everything we have on us is very old. I leave a great deal of old linen dirty. I leave eight coats and a lot of other clothes. My mother, dear, asked that our faces be covered with linen. I leave 6s. We have suffered very much, and I trust Mrs. Connor you will do my mother's requests. F. DE CALUWE. Other letters went to show that the gentleman was thirty-five years of age, and his mother seventy years of age.

LIFE RAFTS. The melancholy loss of life which attended the foundering of the London steamer in the Bay of Biscay, and which has resulted from the many ship- wrecke3 on our coasts during the late storms, haa pro- duced numerous suggestions for the improvement of existing means of saving life at sea. Among the many plans which have been put forward there is not one which commends itself so strongly to our minds as likely to achieve the desired ;result as a life raft, designed by Captain Hurst, who has been many years engaged in the mercantile marir e, and who, conse- quently, brings to bear upon any proposal of the kind he may submit the benefits of long and practical ex- perience. This gentleman proposes a raft, formed of two light metal pontoons, braced together by iron rods, and supporting a light flush desk. The sides are Protected by cloth or tar pauling fixed to light move- able stanchions. The pontoons are constructed in compartments, and may be made available for a ^derate amount of stowage. The raft can be worked 1("h ten banks, or any less number of oars, and light Tim i for a felucca sail and gib can be readily set. bio antl0^Dg °f the raft from the deck or sides of a «»j??^ars to he a comparatively easy matter, much f1 than that of any other process of boat /I flat w I oonsfcraction of the raft, being broad and na ouid appear to possess great advantages in a heavy its chances of upsetting are reduced to a minlinu j!, be swamped with any amount of seas, as, « e deoka of the Monitor turret ships of America, tnere^are no gunwales, and there are no bulk- heads or cabins to fill. When Gn the gea ifc can be readily handled and steered, either on a wind or before it. A raft of thir y reet m length would be sufficiently large to carry seventy people, with a good supply of stores. Another advantage which the raft possesses is its portability and facility of stowage on board, and it may even, if necessary, be hung flat against the side of a ship, from which position it can be readily lowered. The raft has been submitted to the principal members of Lloyd's, and other seamen, and no adverse opinion has been pronounced respecting its merits.- Observer.

COLLIERY ACCIDENT NEAR WIGAN. Thirty Lives Lost. A terrible colliery accident took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Wigan coalfield. The spot was Messrs. Mereer and Evans's Highbrook Colliery, situ- ated about a mile from the high road leading from Wigan to Ashton in Maokerfield, and about three miles from the boundary of the borough. About thirty* man and boys were killed by an explosion of fire-damp. About fifty colliers, drawers, and day labourers descended to follow their employment. They were lowered into the shaft by the engineer be- tween five and six o'clock- in the morning. William Marah, who had been in the pit from four o'clock, re- ported that the pit was perfectly free from gas- in fact, that it was "as clear as a bell," and the men pro- ceeded to their work without fear of danger, three of the party, a collier and his two sons, descending for the first time. All, as was customary, had safety lamps, and these it was the duty of the fireman to examine. All went well till noon, at which hour the fireman, who had not left the pit during the morning, proceeded to the pit eye to get something to eat. His repast over, he started to return to the further workings, but he had not moved more than a few yards away when there were indications of a terrible explosion, a blast of wind coming along the road with such strength as to lift the hooker on at the mouthing off his feet, to whirl his cap into the shaft, together with a cloud of dust, which was carried some distance upwards. The underlooker, Henry Aacroft, was down the other pit at the time, in the five-feet seam, and information of the explosion being promptly conveyed to him he joined Marsh in afew minutes, and an examination of the workings was at once made. They first explored a slant to the right of the main jig brow, but it was soon evident that the gas had not fired here, as the men, about a dozen in number, who had been working in this district were met running towards the mouthing. They then proceeded along a brow, running straight from the pit eye, until they reached a tunnel which runs through a number of faults until the seam is struck again, and in this tunnel three lada were found, two almost in the last stage of suffocation. Their names were Thomas Morris, a boy who attends to the wagons at the bottom of the jig brow, John Ashcroft, a pony driver, and Thomas Watkinson, and though they had sustained some few bruises, they quickly recovered on being conveyed into the fresh air. It was soon placed beyond doubt that all who were alive in the pit had new been recovered, for a short distance farther in the tunnel it was found that an arch over the return air course, and forming part of the floor of the tunnel, had been blown down by the explosion, and the venti- lation of the mine was therefore completely impeded. Before any further steps could be taken to examine the remainder of the workings this arch had to be repaired; and as by this time there was no lack of assistance, the work progressed rapidly, but still it was not till a couple of hours after the explosion that the exploring party could advance. Between two and three o'clock the first dead body was found a few yards from the top of the jig brow, which is formed by the tunnel we have already mentioned as running through the faults. At the top of the brow three or four more were lying, probably drawers, who Jiad brought full tubs of coal to the spot; but even this could not be stated with certainty, as the scorched and blackened corpses were not to be recognised in the dim light of the mine. Beyond this lay the working places, and the discovery of the remainder of the bodies now progressed slowly but steadily as the places could be ventilated. As each body was found it was forwarded to the pit eye, where shortly after ten o'clock, when the whole of the mine had been examined, lay a grim row of thirty corpses, some ealmly reposing as if they had died without a struggle, and others so hideously disfigured 8r8 to be almost unrecognisable. On the pit bank hadlMea witnessed the heartrendingsoenes which always accompany a catastrophe of this description. By eleven o'clock all the bodies had been drawn up to bank, but the anxious watchers who crowded round the fires which had been lighted, and who hoped for a look at their lost friends and relatives, were dis- appointed, as, under the superintendence of the police, of whom a strong force was in attendance, the corpses were placed in a train of coal wagons and sent down by rail to the fitting shop, at the central portion of the works, where they were laid out and preparations made for their identification the following morn- ing. The cause of the exploaionis at present enveloped in perfect mystery, and it is scarcely expected that the coroner's inquest will throw any strong light upon it.

THE MURDERESS CHARLOTTE WINSOR. It will be remembered this prisoner was convicted of murder of the most horrible character at Exeter, and sentenced to be hanged. On the ground of some technicalities, however, a writ of error was obtained to set aside the verdict. The case occupied several days iatka Court of Qaeen's Bench, and was tried before the Lord Chief Justice, and Justices Black- burn, Mallor, and Lush. The Lord Chief Justice summed up very clearly against the prisoner, and in favour of the conviction; the other justices were also of the same opinion. His lordship, after referring to the fair trial the prisoner had bad, and remarked upon the discretionary power of a judge which was not im- properly exercised in this case, said I question whether, inasmuch as this system of coercion has been handed down to us by our ancestors, if a judge is not to take upon himself the exercise of this discretion, the sooner the Legislature interferes the better it would be for the administration of jus- tice. It is not the duty of this court to review the learned judge's discretion; and I am at a loss to know how I should have acted if I had been similarly situated. It was a position of great difficulty, and one in which, if the exercise of a judge's dis- cretion was ever called for, he should have exercised it, and unless it can be shown he had not that discretion, it is a case in which we ought not to say it has been improperly exercised. That brings me to the second question, viz., is it competent in us to review it? I think certainly not. And the first question I ask is, how is it to be-feviewed ? It appears to me a fallacy to say that a mistake ia a question of law. It may be a rule of law or a practice to say that a judge shall not discharge a jury except there be a necessity for it, but the question of necessity is to be drawn only from the facts and circumstances of the case. If it cannot be so taken advantage of, it has been urged, it is a matter of plea; but on a traverse, who is to try the facts, the judge or the jury ? It seems, therefore, impossible that we can deal with this as matter of error. That was the opinion of Justices Patte- son, Coleridge, and Erie in the case of Newton, and of Lord Chief Baron Pollock, Baron Martin, and Mr. Justice Hill in the ease of the Queen v. Davidson. Whether the judge's discretion has been properly exer- cised or not is not a question to be raised on a writ of error, but by impeachment. An abortive trial is no bar to a second trial.—After some further remarks on that point, the Lord Chief Justice said it had been urged that the evidence of a partner in guilt has been improperly admitted in this case. Now, that is a matter which we cannot take into consideration. It is urged that the accomplice in this case gave evidence under peculiar circumstances. They were both joined in one indictment on the first occasion, and they were tried together. On the second trial one was allowed to give evidence against the other, and there is no doubt that her evidence had brought about the present state of things, and in this particular it has placed the prisoner at a great and grievous disadvantage. We are, however, not dealing with that now; but I must say I felt the force of Mr. Folkard's observation with reference to a fellow-prisoner coming forward to give evidence with- out first being convicted and sentenced or acquitted. I think that is much to be lamented, because such a wit- ness ought to be in such a position as to be able to come forward and'give evidence with a mind free from all the corrupting influence of what tha effect of her evidence might be upon her own fate. Whether that is a consideration that should have any in- fluence elsewhere is not [a question for us, farther than to advert to it and pronounce an opinion on it. His lordship then said that, upon a careful consideration of all the arguments, he was of opinion that the judgment of the court should be for the Crown. The other learned judges concurred. The prisoner then, according to precedent, was or- dered to be taken back to Newgate, and from thence conveyed to Exeter, to uTKltWgo seo.tenoe of death ac- cording to law, and the sentence that had been passed upon her. During the arguments the convict betrayed no emo- tion at her awful position. She kept her head down during the whole of the time, and appeared to pay great attention to what was passing. The Lord Chief Justice had not delivered many seatenees of his jUdg- ment before she peroeived its bearing, and then she gave way to tears and wept continuously until she was removed in custody.

MELANCHOLY DEATH OF LORD ST. MAUR. With deep regret we have to announoetbe death of Lord Edward St. Maur, the second son of the Duke of tl Somerset, under very melancholy circumstances. His lordship arrived in Bombay from Marseilles in the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Jeddo, on the 9th November. He became the guest of the Governor, and accompanied his excellency to Dharwar. His lordship there joined Shaw Stewart, Esq., collector of Canara, and they travelled together on their way to Carwar. They were subsequently joined by M'r. Brand, an officer in the Guards, and by Mr.-Walker, the civil engineer of the district. On the 14th inst. these gentlemen were out bison stalking, but being in a jungly district could not keep close together. Aa he proceeded, Lord St. Maur came unexpectedly across. a bear, at which he fired his pistol, lodging the con- tents in the breast of the animal. It then attacked him, when, drawing a sheathed stalking knife, his lordship thrust it into the bear, inflicting a mortal wound. In the scuffle, however, they had both ap- proached a precipice, over .which they together fell. Here the beaters came up, and relieved Lord St. Maur from his adversary. His presence of mind did notjforsake him, and-he wrote with a. pencilon the sheath of his knife (having no other appliances) to his fellow sportsmen who were in the vicinity, informing them of his condi. tion. They having arrived, a great difficulty was ex- perienced as to removing him from the ravine into which he had fallen, and the only means of doing so was to set about clearing a pathway up to the high ground above. This being accomplished, the poor sufferer was removed to Yellapoor, where an apothe- cary was found, who rendered all the service he could, and whose treatment was fully approved of on the arrival subsequently of Drs. Langley and Kilroy. They, however, had to be sent for-the one from Dharwar, the other from Belgaum; this necessarily caused a delay of about seventy hours. Amputation of the leg was at once resolved upon, to which the sufferer submitted heroically. He soon, however, began to sink from the combined effects of the opera- tion and the shock his system had sustained. He died on the 20th instant at two a.m., and was buried at Yellapoor, near the spot where lies also buried a Mr. Carpendale, a young officer, who died there a few years since. Lord St. Maur sustained his sufferings in a way that commanded the admiration, while it moved to deepest sympathy and grief the two or three friends who were at his side. He had every attention that the circum- stances admitted of and that human aid could render; and he died as he had suffered, calmly and resignedly. Mr. Shaw Stewart was most earnest and unremitting in his attentions and watchfulness to his suffering friend. Lord St. Maur was on a visit to India for the pur- pose of observing the condition of the country and its people; and of acquiring that amount of knowledge on these subjects which an intelligent observation and- an earnest inquiring mind invariably gathers. We are well assured that the deceased nobleman was very earnest in thia purpose, and was ex-oaedingly de- sirous of acquiring such information aa would be practically useful to him as opportunity would serve on his return to England. It was his full intention ts have gone from Dharwar to Nagpore to be present at the exhibition, but he changed his mind, and ex- pressed his determination to visit Carwar to see the works both at that port and in its neighbourhood. It was on his way there that he engaged in the diversion which proved so lamentable in its results. Lord Edward Percy St. Maur was the second son of the Duke of Somerset; hia brother Edward Adolphus Ferdinand St. Maur being the eldest son and heir pre- sumptive to the dukedom.-Tines of India, Deo. 28.

THE JAMAICA QUESTION. Governor Eyre's Address. The magistracy, clergy, and other inhabitants of the parish of Trelawny have presented an address to Governor Eyre, sympathising with him in regard to the heavy responsibilities, and expressing the greatest pleasure in stating that his Excellency discharged them with so much wisdom, energy, promptitude, and decision of purpose. From no selfish consideration, but under a deep sense we feel assured, of your Excel- lency's duty to our beloved sovereign, to the loyal in- habitants of this island, and all its best interests." To which his Excellency made the following reply Mr. Custos, Reverend Gentlemen, and Gentlemen— It would at all times afford me sincere pleasure to receive sush a gratifying assurance of the good opinion and approval of the numerous and highly-respect- able and influential gentlemen of Trelawny, who have signed the address presented to me by your respected Custos; but it comes doubly welcome to me at a time when the acts to which you refer, undertaken from a deep sense of my duty to my sovereign and to the colonists of this island, and with a full and anxious appreciation of the painful responsibility of my position, have been so malieiciusly misrepresented, and so URjustly maligned by a section of the English press, and by parties at home who have no sympathies with their fellow- countrymen suffering under the atrocious barbarities inflicted by savages, because those savages have' a black skin; though they do not hesitate to call the ust retribution which overtook the ruthless rebels of St. Thomas-in-the-Eaat, by the names of 'murder' and 'massacre.' It was trying enough, gentlemen, to have to encounter the harassing and anxious duty of putting down the rebellion and taking steps to pre- serve peace and tranquillity in the other districts of the colony, but it is very hard and most un- expected to have ta rebut accusations founded upon exaggeration, misrepresentation, and un- truth. I shall have much pleasure in transmitting your address to her Majesty's Government, as a proof that in the island where the actual circumstances ought to be best known, and where the magnitude and immi- nenoy of the danger to the entire colony can best be appreciated, the foul aspersions disseminated by a portion of the English press are unjust and unde- served. I thank you, gentlemen, most gratefully for your loyal address, and for the hearty expression of your willingness to co-operate with me, in any measures necessary for the protection of life and property and the peace and welfare of the island at large. On my part, I would assure you that I shall ever be ready to do my duty faithfully, and will never shrink from assuming any amount of responsibility which the public safety requires me to undertake. (Signed) E. EYRE."

THE LATE DR. WOOLLEY. A meeting was held on Monday afternoon in Wilis's- rooms for the purpose of organising a fund to be applied for the benefit of the late Rev. Dr. Woolley, principal of the University of Sydney, and one of the ill-fated passengers by the steam-ship London. The chair was taken by the Very Rev. Dr. Stanley, dean of Westminster, and the audience comprised a large number of influential gentlemen. The chairman referred, in opening the proceedings, to the noble conduct of the passengers of the London, and especially to that of Dr. Woolley. Having spoken in feeling terms of the lamentable loss of life occa- sioned by the foundering of that vessel, he said it seemed to him the only consolation which could be drawn from such a calamity was the opportunity if gave the friends of those who had perished to fill up the void which had been left by their deaths, and to minister to the wants of those who had been bereaved. His acquaintance with Dr. Woolley dated from the time when they were fellows at the University of Oxford together, and he afterwards renewed that acquaintance when Dr. Woolley was master of the Grammar School at Norwich. From that time they had constantly corresponded, and the last time they met was on the first of the Present month, when Dr. Woolley was about to take a final leave of England for Australia. # The next news that he (the chairman) heard of his friend was that he, along with upwards of 200 human beings, had perished at sea. Sir C. Nicholson proposed: "That the death of the late Professor woolley, under the melancholy circum- stances eonnected with the wreck of the London, has awakened feelings of deep regret and sympathy on the part of his numerous friends and pupils that, in token of their regret and esteem for his m^)0r^' anc* deep sympathy for his family in their sudden bereavement, it ia resolved that a subscription be forthwith opened for their benefit; that the amount thus raised be secured to the family of the deceased in such a manner as shall seem proper ta a committee to be appointed." Mr, > G. Macleay seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The Rev. Dr. Plumptre, Master of the University of Oxford; Mr. Merryweather, late Chancellor of the University Sydney; Lord Alfred Churchill, and several other gentlemen, spoke in the A k!? *.en?B • Woolley's character and ability. A subscription list was then opened, and a committee, ° £ yhich the Dean of Westminster was appointed chairman, and Mr. Keightley, Registrar of the Charter-house, secretary and treasurer, was chosen to carry out the objects of the resolution. A vote of thanks to Dr. Stanley for presiding closed the pro- ceedings.

REMARKABLE LETTERS OF STEPHENS. The New York Daily News of the 13th Jan. says "The following letters from James Stephens, C.E.I.R., will be read with intense interest by everv Fenian in the United States and Canada. They arrived, by messengers, from Europe, at Head Centre O'Mahony's head-quarters, yesterday, and their im- portance, as bearing upon the present condition of the F. B. here and in Canada, has been deemed sufficient to warrant their publication in the New York News. Were we at liberty to print the story of the way in which the messenger succeeded in securing the letters from the vigilant eyes and fingers of the eager authorities, it would prove almost as interesting to many as the contents of the letters themselves:— "'To John O'Mahony, Esq., Representative and Financial Agent of the Irish Republic in the United States:- "•——, Dec. 22,1865. Brother and Friend,—The only misunderstanding ever possible between you and me has been occa- sioned by what I deemed your drag-chain policy. Knowing the absolute necessity for action within a given time, and aware that you did not agree with me in this, it has been a constant fear with me that, so far as the F. B. was concerned, the time would come pid find us unprepared. This apprehension has kept me in a state of pain and irritation also, and so I have often said and written things which must have hurt you most keenly. For all this I now sincerely ask your forgiveness. Let me add, however, that I would not do so, though you were on your dying bed, and I on mine, if yon had not entered, albeit very late, on the only path of salvation for our land and race. Treason and baseness in every shape have been at work around you, and to such effect as to have put the cause of Ireland in serious peril. Before my escape from R-onmond Bridewell, I should have looked on the actual state of things as all but certain rain. That event, for it is nothing less, has given such mar- vellous strength to our work, and to me sua h influence, that I can now undertake to hold our forces together for some time longer. Still it is of the utmost urgency to make this delay as short as possible; for delay in our case is of more than proverbial danger, and I could not long hope to hold against the strain- of time but, as you are on the right path at last, I rely on your bringing affairs to a speedy issae-to break with trea- son and baseness of all kinds,to.,brancl it, smsh it was the policy—and I rejoice at your having made it yours. The manhood of Ireland rejoices at it with me, for it indicates the justice of their judgment regarding a wretch, P. J. Meehan, whose advent to this country was an insult to our reason, manhood, and patriotism. Wishing to work harmoniously with the F.B., I put a curb on my temper in presence of this shallow knave, and even risked my reputation in order to set him fairly with my friends. His professions and letter to you (were they sent ?) together with my representa- tions, did away with much of the disgust and indigna- tion stirred up by his presence. But, even before he left, the cloven foot was again visible to all. Ha sneaked out of the country. Well, I saved his life, as I so often saved that of his kindred carrion Gaula. Brand him now without pity. It grieves me to hear that Miahaol Scanlan is in the ranks of cowardice and treason; but. what- ever I may have once thought of him or anybody elw. the instant they prove false to Ireland, I would lash them away from me like so many dog. Away with all such fools and rogues at once. If our ranks be somewhat thinned by this summary riddance of traitors, our reliable strength is but increased. By the way, some good men were sent over here by Scan- lan. We know how to appreciate them. Bat he sent over others of so vile a kind that, at their first interview with me, they, in confidence, accused eaah other of robbery, and I know not what! It may be that such scoundrels would fight; but, till we are actually in the field, fellows of this stamp would be a standing sham- and danger to us. Thank God, they have sneaked away —some of them at the merest shadow of danger. May they never pollute our shores! Cut and hack the rotten branches around you without pity. This can be done safely at your side, because the stag is harm- less there. I am pressed for time. This is of little conse- quence, I hope, as almost all you could need to know will be found in the letter of the M. C., brought out by General and anything that letter may lack the general is the very man to make good. "'The accompanying document confers on ymtin America, Canada, &a., the absolute and unquestion- able authority of representative aud financial agent of the Irish Republic." With the old friendly feeling, I am yours fraternally, JAMES STEPHENS, C.E.I.R. To the Members of the Fenian Brotherhood and the Friends of Ireland generally in the United States of America, Canada, &o.: — Deo. 23,1865. "'Countrymen and Fr-ands,-A-,vare that certain members of the Fenian Brotherhood, and notoriously the "Senate" of that association, have madly and traitorously moved to a mad and traitorous end, raised the cry of "to Canada! instead of the cry to Ire- land and aware that John O'Mahony, known as Head Centre and President of the Fenian Brotherhood, has wisely and firmly, and in duty bound, opposed this mad and traitorous diversion from the right path—the only path that could possibly serve our eountry and our race—I, in consequence, hereby appoint the said John O'Mahony representative and financial agent of the Irish Republic in the United States of America, Canada, &c., with ample and unquestionable authority to and in all other ways in which, to the best of his judgment, he can serve Ireland—that land to which he has devoted life and honour. I hereby authorise and call on him to do so. JAMES STEPHENS, C.E.I.E.' »

CRUEL CASE OF DESERTION AND death. Henry Patmore, described as a sailor, was brought up at the Maryleooae Police-court on a warrant by J imes Scoble, warrant officer of St. Marylebone work- house, charged with desertion. Mr. Tubbs, Msistant overseer, who attended to prosecute, said tile prIsoner was charged with desert- ing his wife Jessy Patmore and her child, and leaving them chargeable to the parish. He had ,.e'm away from her about twelve months, and in April last the wife became an inmate of the workhouse, Thw she was °? J of that month confined. She re- mained tor about three weeks, and then went out. About three months afterwards she again applied wi-hthe certificate produced from the district medical onicer, stating that the child was dying from the want • Pr°P6r food, and from the effect of syphilis. Every- thing was then done for the child, but it sank and died. The mother again tried to get her own living until Deoember last, when she again applied, and was relieved by the board, who ordered a warrant to be issued. Every endeavour to find the prisoner was useless until this morning, when he was captured just as he was embarking on board the Utenaige. The prisoner had never, from the day of his marriage, con- tributed one penny towards the support of his wife. These facts having been proved, The Magistrate said there was no doubt it was a bad case, but it would be necessary to prove that the prisoner did desert his wife. Mr. Tubbs said there was some difficulty, as he could not put the wife in the box as the law of evi- dence at present stood; but he had no doubt that he should be able to supply that link by the wife's mother. The Magistrate said he would remand the prisoner for the witness to be produeed. Mr. Tubbs said he was about asking for his worship to do so. Bad as the prisoner's conduct had been, he did not think it would benefit any party to send the husband to prison, through which he would most likely lose his ship. He trusted prisoner would con- sult his friends, and make some reasonable arrange- ment for his wife, who was a very respectable, industrious young woman. The Magistrate remanded prisoner till Friday, and said he hoped then the prisoner would make up hia mind to leave her half-pay.