The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

SUMMARY OF PASSING EVENTS. » ♦ ■■ THE reconstruction policy of the United States is occupying considerable attention at the present moment. Whether the Southern States are to have representatives in the next congress, or whether their acts have for ever disfranchised them, is the matter of discussion. President Johnson thinks that the former Southern pro- prietors of the soil, now that peace and tranquillity exist, should exercise their old privileges; whilst the members of congress, as at present consti- tuted, are by no means satisfied in admitting to their Government assembly the men who directly op- posed the administrative powers and desired to se- parate themselves from the general body. This has placed the President in direct antagonism to congress, and appears likely to be settled by a qualification franchise, which will empower every man in the Southern S^tes to vote for a repre- sentative, who will take formal oath or make affirmation that he has neither directly nor in- directly taken part against the Government of the United States. THE conduct of Maximilian in Mexico is some-. what extraordinary. The French troops have been orderedr, to withdraw. The American Go- vernment has taken .this to mean the abdication of the Emperor, and has- pointed to Juarez, the Republican representative, as the man who should fill his place. The European world appears not a little surprised at the telegraphic intelligence which conveys, direct from the lips of Maximilian, that he will not abdicate, but appeal to all believers for support. Whether this is only bombast we are not enabled to say, but nothing more rash on the part of a semi-potentate can by any possibility be conceived. M. FOULD the French Financial Minister, has introduced hia budget, and it is a highly satisfac- factory document. For once in France there is a balance of revenue over expenditure, and by this means the French Government will be enabled to pay off expenses incurred in Mexico without im- posing any additional taxation. M. Fould points to the commercial prosperity of France in general ft terms, anticipating a surplus revenue in lobo ot I 121,000,000 francs, until which time the work of re- organisation of the French army is to be postponed, with the hope that the State will then be in possession of more than sufficient resources to meet thepe requirements. M. Fould, in conclusion, seeks to pacify the public mind with reference to a neces- sary increased expenditure in army and navy matters, in order to keep pace with other nations. He says, Some apprehensions are created by the new military organisation of the, army, which will, however, be dispelled by the certainty that the proposed changes have only been caused by the necessity of placing the military forces of France on a footing equivalent to her posi- tion in Europe, and to the development of military institutions of other States. The country will see in this measure a fresh guarantee ef peace and security for the future." The French nation, like the English, seem to believe in the old maxim of Wellington, that the best preser- vative of peace is to be prepared for war." THE inquiry into the terrible colliery explosions in Staffordshire and Yorkshire- have, during the last few days, afforded much additional evidence bearing on the extent of the catastrophes, and the noble and heroic conduct of the men who risked their own lives in their endeavours to save the lives of others. In the case of the Staffordshire explosion there is too mucli, reason to suppose that it was caused by carelessness on the part of some of the miners, as a lamp given out on the morning of the accident has been found with its top un- screwed. At Barnsley, in Yorkshire, everything has been done to quench the fire raging in the mine without effect up to the time we write. It is pleasing to see the sympathy which is excited in persons living in the localities, and also amongst all classes of the community for the poor sufferers. The Archbishop of York visited the village of Barnsley the other day, and delivered an aifec- tionate and sympathetic address to a great number of the widows, children, and other relatives of the dead, and in every portion of the kingdom sub- scriptions are being raised for the benefit of the poor forlorn creatures who are left destitute by the loss of husbands, fathers, and brothers. As the close of the year arrives, we are fur- nished with important documents illustrative of our greatness as a nation. For instance, the Peninsula and Oriental Steam Navigation Company have just published their statement for the year, by which it appears that no less than fourteen separate establishments are maintained by this company, and, in various ways, the business carried on gives employment to no less than 12,500 persons. Something like half a million is paid every year for coals, for the transport of which to the different stations, 170 sailing vessels are employed. The regularity with which this vast business is carried on may be judged from the fact, that on no single occasion has this company had to pay the penalty attaching to even a day's delay in the despatch of the mails during a space of twenty-five years, though on the Indian and China route alone no less than 4,000 journeys have been made. During the last twelve years the number of passengers carried has averaged nearly 20,000 per annum, and while, during a quarter of a century, at least half a million of persons have been conveyed by the company's vessels, not more than five or six lives have been lost by wreck or accident. UNFORTUNATELY, we have had to record many accidents by railway latterly, and we are convinced that Government will step in at an early period and enforce greater precautions than have been hitherto exercised. The one, however, which oc- curred the other day on the Metropolitan Railway has excited considerable attention. The trains have to pass the site appropriated to the Smithfield Dead Meat Market, where preparations are going on for the opening. To form an entrance from the railway station certain arches are necessary, and as one of the iron girders for this purpose was about being placed in its position, the trains running at the same time, down it fell on one of the .carriages and killed two passengers at the moment, a third dying ia the hospital. Whether there was neglect on the part of the officials a coroner's jury will decide. PASSING away from all these topics, however, let ys point to Christmas, with its pleasures for the many, its pains for the few. The, former, who husbanded their resources, and, by pleasing in- dustry, set aside something for the festive sea- son, happy in the bosoms of their families, have set Care aside for the moment and have rested from their labours, thanking God for all His mercies, and have determined to enter upon a new year with fresh hopes and energies. The pains of the few are severe, because by negligence, want of thought, and mismanagement, they find them- selves poverty-stricken and miserable. Some there may be who by chance circumstances are thrown into difficulties- chances which were not under their control-these have our sincerest sympathy, and to such the philanthropists have been liberal. The workhouses, even, have sup- plied roast beef and plum-pudding to the pau- pers on Christmas Day; whilst public and private charities have given the open hand to the suf- fering poor. A mild and genial season we have had hitherto, and we are thankful to say that less misery exists amongst the working population generally now than at any period we can refer to. Of course, there are some excep- tions f amongst the shipping builders, for in- stance, there has been distress, but there is no cotton famine, no general calamity. The able artisan has plenty of work, the ordinary labourer is paid better than formerly, and the nation at, large may be said, in a commercial sense, to be in a prosperous condition. For this we should be thankful; and we trust we may go on increasing in prosperity. To conclude' however, we desire, in the old Saxon form—and we say it with sincerity "May all our readers spend- a merry Christmas and have-a happy New Year." m iU1B —— + — r. r■ V •' *'•

The Mormon Tithing System. -The Salt Lake Union Vidette gives the following :—" When a man joins the Mormon church, as it exists ia Utah, he is required, as a proof of his sincerity, to donate to the tifching. office one-tenth of all his possessions—no matter what they are, or how extensive they may be. A man with 100,000 dollars is. money must, upon hia entry ihto fellowship, give the tithing office 10,000 ■ dollars of it. This is the first grand principal of Utah Mormonism. If the man during the year makes 40,000 dollars by a judioions investment of hia re- maining 90,000 dollars, he must give the tithing office 4,000 dollars of the amount. This is the second grand principle of Utah Mormonism; and upon these two principles hang all the law and the profits. If a man has no money or other property, he is required to give one-tenth of his labour to the tithing office; thus ha labours nine days for himself, and the tenth he gives to the church in such manner as he may be directed-" I' Hotning Impossible.—xue srreatest ana most iisefni- invention of the day, AQUA AMARELLA. — Messrs. JOHN GOSNELL and Co., Red Bull-wharf, 93, Upper Thames-st., Landon, perfumpi'S to her Majesty .respectfully offer to the public ma I'vel- Jous fluid, which gradually restores the human hair to its snristine iius— no matter of what age. The Agria Amarells has none of the propertiej I of dye,; it, on the oontrary, is beneficial- to the system, and when tha hair is once restored one application per month will keep it in perieat colour. Price one guinea Perbottle; hallbottles, 10s. 6d. Testimonials from artists of the highest order, and from individuals of uudouhud respectability, may W inspected. Messrs. John Gosneil an-i Co. hs, < been appelated perfumers to H.R.R. the Frkumo of Wils, 1

FRANCE AND ROME. PARIS,, Sunday Evening. It has now been finally determined that the Empress Eugénie shall not pay the contemplated visit to Rome. General Fleury returned to Paris this morning from Italy. ———

THE WEST INDIES. LIVERPOOL, Deo. 23. ,The steamer Bolivar, from Port-au-Prince on the 2nd December, has arrived here. Miraguano, in Hayti, has been entirely consumed by fire, and the whole of the warehoused crops destroyed. The fire was the work of incendiaries. Colon, Jamaica, and Hayti are healthy, and the congestive forma of fever which prevailed in Colon have disappeared.

THE CANDIAN INSURRECTION. VIENNA, DEC. 21. The Vienna papers publish the following intelli- gence, dated Athens, 15th inst., via Trieste :— "The British gunboat Assurance has brought 340 Cretan fugitives from the province of Selina to the Pirieus. General Nalergis transmitted the thanks of King George to the captain of the gunboat. The British minister promised to assist the fugitives in case the means at the disposal of the committee should prove insufficient. The Greek steamer Pan- hellenium has returned undamaged from its seventh voyage to Candia, and the captain of the steamer has been congratulated by the English minister. Intelli- gence-from Candia announces that the insurgents had failed in an attempt to capture the fortress of Kissa- amos. Koroneos and Zimbrakakis were uniting their foroes, and MustaphaPacha was also effecting a concen- tration. Great discouragement prevailed among the Egyptian troops. Fresh proposals had been made by the Porte to the Cretans, but had been refused. The British vice-consuls at Piraeus and Athens have been appointed corresponding members of the Philo-Cretan committee. The appointments have been accepted, with the approval of the English minister. An un- successful attempt has been made to bring about an understanding between Bulgaris and Comonduros." The Vienna papers also publish intelligence from Constantinople of the 15th inst., stating that the Viceroy of Egypt is about to send two fast steamers to reinforce the blockade of the Island of Candia. It was rumoured that Fuad Pacha was about to be sent to Candia, and would be entrusted with full powers.

AMERICA. NEW YORK, Dec. 12, Morning. The House of Representatives has passed the bill excluding from the next Congress the representatives from all States not recognised by the present Congress. The frigate Susquehannah, with General Sherman and Minister Campbell on board, arrived at Vera Cruz on the 27th ult. An offer made by French officials of an escort to the city of Mexico was declined by General Sherman. The Sasquebannah left Vera Cruz on the 3rd inst. for Brazos, Texas, from which place Sherman, after an interview with Sheridan, set out for Monterey via Matamoros. Sherman has released Ortega, and ordered the arrest of General Sedgwick. A proclamation has been issued at Vera Cruz declaring that the Emperor Maximilian has not left Mexico. The Emperor is reported to have formed a strong alliance with the Church party, securing impor- tant monetary advantages. It is, also stated that he has offered to turn the government over to Miramon, Marquez, and Marin, and appeal to the popular vote to,deeide upon a new government. The republicans are concentrating their forces for an attack upon San Luis Potosi. A Fenian privateer is reported to have escaped from Newburypbrt. A British vessel has started from Halifax in pursuit. (B.Y ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.) NEW YORK, Dec. 20. The Emperor Maximilian has announced that he will not abdicate. The North German Lloyds steamship Deutschland arrived out to-day.

FATAL GAS EXPLOSION. Shortly before six o'clock on Saturday evening an explosion of a very serious character hap- pened in one of the densely populated thorough, fares in the neighbourhood of Leather lane, Holborn, which has resulted iu the death of three persons, and serious injury to several others. The explosion happened in a narrow thoroughfare known as Summer's.street, Eyre-street-hill, lying between Little Bath-street, and Back-hill, in which several men had been employed for someday previously, under the Chartered Gas Company, in laying down a gas main in the centre of the roadway. Themen so engaged, it is said, left off work on Saturday at about two o'clock, and at a quarter to six o'clock the inhabitants were startled by a loud explosion,, and soon after two of the houses in the thoroughfare, Nos. 4 and 5, fell with a crash. The ruins at once became ignited, and the greatest excitement was created, the shrieks of the unfortunate persons who had fallen with the houses being heard by those around. The first thing done was to send for the engines, a number of which soon arrived, and the fire was not long in being extinguished. The house No. 4 was at the time of the occurrence occupied by Luigi Brazini, an Italian, who it was stated let out portions of it to his countrymen, some of whom were street musicians, but in oonBe- quence of the explosion happening at so early an hour in the evening most of his lodgers were from home. The other house was tenanted by Joseph Balls, a pipe manufacturer. Two inmates of the house No. 4, namely Luigi Scartici, aged 62, and Mrs. Susan Gregp, aged 63, fell with the house, the latter from the first and the former from the second floor, and also a nephew of the occupier, named Pietro Brazini, a boy aged 15 years. At the same time Mrs. Domenica Villa, a married woman, aged 30; William Cole, a labourer; and another labourer, named Joseph Ince, fell with the house. The whole of these, after some delay, with the exception of the boy Pietro Brazini, were soon got out of the ruins, and at once removed, some to St. Bartholomew's Hospital and others to the Royal Free Hospital. After the fire had been extinguished the search amongst the ruins was continued, and at about midnight the body of the poor lad Pietro Brazini was discovered, he being quite dead. The body was removed to the dead-house of the parish, where it now remains, awaiting the coroner's inquest. Inquiry last night elicited the fact that two 01 the sufferers who were taken to the Royal Fre° Hospital died on. Sunday. One of them named vVimam Cole, a labourer, aged 48, received a most severe iraoture of the nose and skull; and the other, Mrs. rvlme,IilQa Villa. Cola was, we are informed, standing ?" the door of the house No. 4 at the time of the explosion, and he at once rushed upstairs to save OIlle hof tag inmates; but upon reaching the landing e wag carried with; the falling house, ana, as stated, severely in- jured. He has left a wife and five young children. The poor woman Villa was severely burned about the body. The other sufferer at the Royal Free Hospital is Joseph Ince, a labourer, who is saffering from severe injuries to the spine. »es iri a critioal condition. Every attention was paid to tneir case by Mr. H. H. Fagge, the house surgeon. At St. Bartholomew's Hos- pital. Mr. R- V. Moore, thehouaesurgeon, has under his caretwo sufferers, namely, Luigi Scartici, aged 62, arid Susan Grego, aged bo. The latter has receded a com- pound fracture ef the left; leg, a fracture of the rightfopt and two severe scalp wounds, and is much shakeii. She lies in a dangerous condition. It is stated that she was standing on the landing on the first floor of one of the houses at the time of the explosion, and her son', a young man aged about 23, was attempting to save her, when ehe fell through the flooring into the ruins. The eon then took a younger brother in his arms and made his escape with him through the back part of the house and over the house tops. The in this hospital, has received a scalp wound and several contusions, and is much shaken.

There was a fire on Saturday night in the Protestant convent at Brighton. This is the estab. lishment in which Constance Kent made her oonfes. sion of the Road murder. The building and its contents were much injured. In consequence of the Reduction in Duty., Harnimtm'» Teat ARA supplied by the Agents EXGHTPEIMJIS per lb. chaapaar, Genivi-Ao Pwluta are signed Hcmima-n.4 C1& London."

TEE POPE'S FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE FRENCH ARMY. The Unita Cattolica, an Ultramontane organ ap. pearing in Turin, publishes the text of the farewell address delivered by the Pope to the officers of the French army at Rome on the 6th inst. It is headed The Real Discourse of Pius IX. and the language attributed to his Holiness, particularly in the last paragraph alluding to the Emperor of the French, is more pointed and energetic than appears in the version of this speech published by the Journal des Débats a few days ago:— I come to salute you, my children, on the eve of your departure. Your flag, which left France eighteen years ago, bore with it the wishes and desires of all the Powers and all the Catholie nations. It now returns to France. I trust that it may meat the same greeting, but I greatly doubt it. "I learnt that Catholic hearts ate discouraged in reflecting upon the difficult situation in which the Head of the Church and religion are now placed. As I have already said to your other companions in arms, we must not deceive ourselves. The revolution will make its way here. This has been declared and pro- claimed. You have felt it, you have understood it, and you have seen it. "It has been said by a great personage that 'Italy is constituted, but not yet completed.' For my part I will say that if she be not yet completely undone-if she exists such as she is-it is because there is still a strip of earth, where I am, in which reign justice, order, and peace. When this shall be no more, I foresee the revolutionary standard float- ing over the Campidoglio; but I also see that the Tarpeian rook is not far distant. Five or six years ago I had a conversation with a representative of France. He asked me before leaving Rome what he should say to the Emperor. I replied: 'Tell him that St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippoiae, seeing the eity besieged by an army of barbarians, and knowing the terrible scourge that would fall upon the inhabi- tants if the barbarians should enter the oity, prayed to God, "Vouchsafe that I may die before witnessing nm?a i^touction." Say that from me to the Emperor.' Ihe French ambassador replied: Most Holy Father, reassure yourself the barbarians will not enter.' He was not a prophet, but he was an honest man. 11 Another French representative, now highly placed, said to me Rome cannot be the capital of a kingdom, it is in no way suitable, while there is every reason that it should remain the capital of Catholic- ism.' These words afforded me great consolalion. But I repeat, the time may come. I am weak. I have DO resource upon earth. Nevertheless I am tranquil, since I put my trust in a power that will afford me the strength which I need. That power is God. Go, my children, go with my benediction and my love. If you see the Emperor, tell him that I pray daily for him. They tell me he is Buffering, and I pray that he may be restored to health. I am assured that he ia dis. turbed in mind, and I pray God to grant him tran. quillity. Bat if I pray for him he should do something for me, since he bears the title of Most Christian, and France is the eldest son of the Church. It is not enough to bear titles; they should be justified by acts. It is necessary to pray with perseverance, humility, and faith. With such confidence in God, the head of a nation who ia respected by alibis made strong, and can obtain all that he desires. I see that the world is not tranquil. As for my. self, I trust in the mercy of God, and fear nothing. I give you my benediction, which will accompany you at all times in the difficult journey of life."

ATROCIOUS WIFE MUBDER FOUR YEARS AGO. At the Liverpool Assizes, before Mr. Justice Smith, Robert Reid was charged with the murder of his wife Anne Reid, on the 3rd December, 1862, in Liverpool. The case derived an additional interest from the fact that after the murder Reid escaped from England, and was only captured in August last, the arrest being made in the city of New York, and the pri- soher being brought to Liverpool by detective officer Marsden. Reid, when in Liverpool, woiked as a tin-plater, and lived with his wife and child in a cellar in Myrtle- street. About midnight of the 3rd of December, 1862, the prisoner entered the cellar in company with his son. His wife was sitting there together with a female neigh- bour named Rogers. The prisoner sat down. The cellar was dark, the only light being a faint glow from the fire. Reid appeared quiet, and Rogers did not notice any appearance of intoxication about him. Pointing to his lad, he said to Rogers, "Mary, is not that a fine boy ? After a while Reid asked his wife to sing a song. She did so, and when she ceased, Reid, after looking at his wife is a wild manner, began himself to sing" "Earabliug round the world for sport." He stopped in the middle of the song, and rising from his seat seized his wife by the hair, and dragged her towards the door. Rogers im- plored him not to do her any harm as she had not provoked him in any way. Reid did not speak, but he loosed hold of his wife. What followed is best told ia the words of Rogers herself: He left hold of her, and she crawled along the wall to the fire-place, and lay down with her back to the wall. She was Dot able to stand. When she sank down I saw two little fountains of blood coming from under her left side, right under her arm, like water from a tap." The prisoner stood a moment in the doorway, and when Rogers said, "Oh, Bob, you nave murdered the woman," and came forward a little, and saying to the boy, Johnny, coma On," he took him by the hand, and left the place, Rogers then gave the alarm, but Reid could not be found. The wife had been stabbed twice: under the arm, the wounds being from two to three inches in length, and she died in a few minutes afterwards. A witness naraed Adams saw Reid coming out of the cellar, with a bloody knife in his hand, and noticed that he afterwards dropt it down a sewer grating. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sea- tenoed to death.

ROBBERY OF GOLD AND SILVER WIRE TO THE VALUE OF X500. William Reynolds, a well-dreased man, aboul 28 years of age, residing at 62, Myddleton-street, Wai charged, at Clerkenwell Police-offioe, on Friday, witl stealing, within the past nine months, at No. 10 Green-terrace, Clerkenwell, between .£500 and XGO( worth of gold and silver wire, the property cf l. employers. Messrs. Henry William Johnson The facts produce-d in evidence showeu i tt, thi prisoner had been in the employ of the prosecuwts iü some time as confidential clerk, but a few days ail. they had to discharge him, as they suspected that h, had been robbing them to a large extent. On goini through the books they found they had been tamperei with, and in one oaee where 72 ounces of gol, wire had been old to a customer, and the prisone had prefixed the figure one to the 72, and had by tha means been able to steal 100 ounces. The prosecutor finding that, went with police-constables Jones, 16. G, and Knowles, 200 G, to the prisoner's residence and, seeing the prisoner, Knowles said he was 8J officer, and that he had called respecting a robbery a the prisoner's late employers. He also told him tha he would be charged with stealing gold wire, and tb prisoner said, It is quite right; it is a very bad job but is not more than I expected." In answer to furthe questions, the prisoner said he had sold the wire, an< then the officer remarked to him about the alteration of the figures in the book. The prisoner said "Yes; it's all sight. That was how I did it, and J am sorry for it." Mr. Barker remanded him for a week.

THE FRENOH MINISTER'S BUDGETL The financial report of M. Fould was published fe the firet time on Thursday. The Minister shows ths. owing to an increase of 45,000,OOOf. in the revenut, arising from indirect taxation, the Budget for 1866 will be definitively balanced. Relative' to the rectified Budget of 1867 the Minister estimates the surplus revenue, yielded by indirect taxes, at 90 millions, and points out other resources. He concludes, therefore, that this Budget will also be in equili- brium. Notwithstanding the considerable expenditure necessitated by new armaments, and the return to France of the troops from Mexioo, it will not be necessary to impose new taxes or to appeal to public credit. The Minister estimates that the ordinary Bud- get for 1868 will show a surplus of 121,000,OOOf. No credit is demanded in the Budget for 1868, in respect of the new organisation of the army, the Emperor having determined that the necessary expen- diture should be provided for by special bills on the presentation of the rectified Budget for 1868. M. Fould states that there is every reason to anticipate that the State will then be in possession of more than sufficient resources to meet these requirements.