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"THE PROGRESS OF CONSTITUTIONAL…
"THE PROGRESS OF CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY." The tendency of the day," wrote Mr. Disraeli, in 1841, which seems to be towards democracy, may be really towards a now development of monarchy aud the events which followed 184S seemed to prove his prescience. The wild outburst of that year, when nationilties, republicans, and anti-sncid leader, all surged together to the surface, was followed by a retmrkable development ot tue autoenti c principle. Previous t" that year tije sovereigns of Europe, who had not, been seriously monaced for thirty years, bad begun to think their power supported oil opinion. They became, therefore, gradually gentle, and in every country of Europe social reforms were promised or granted from the throne. The Cnurch everywhere was restricted to its functions, and Europe saw with hope rather than amazement a Pope promising constitutional reforms. ,r anhappily, as it may prove, the opinion on which these monarubs leaned w^s not a genuine opinion, was u tuere ac- quiescence varnished over with official courtesy. It gave way at the first shock, and the ruling class found itself, just as it started from sleep, on the brink of the abyss. The sovereigns, thoroughly rouseJ, fell back at once on force, and as force is pro tanto, a real source of power, found themselves restored for the moment to more than their old position. The reaction was accelerated by the strange turn taken by the second French revolution. A man chosen by the people for the sake of the name he represented, suddenly seized the throne, and developing abilities as unexpected as portentous, built up a monarchy more individual than Europe had witnessed since the Western Empire fell. His fellow monlcrbs strove eagerly to copy the great examphtr, The Austrian Emperor dechred his ministers responsible to himself, abolished his constitution, and avowedly ruled his kingdoms by the sword. The Prussian Government, ullwilling wholly to retrace its steps, still reduced the Par- liament to a court for the registration of its decrees. The Emperor Nicholas, always absolute, pressed the yoke down closer on the necks of his patient subjects. The minor sovereigns eagerly followed suit. The petty German princess recalled their liberal constitutions. The King of Denmark ignored his promise to the Holsteiners. The Queen of Spain became, with the tacit consent of her sub- ieicts once more absolute. The sovereigns of Italy, with one exception, threw off all restraint, and ruled rather like tyrants of the old world than kins of any type modern society has seen. England and Piedmont alone of the more civilized monarchies stood firm. England, well governed, as she had escaped the Revolution, so she saw no cause to enlarge the sphere of the Executive. The defeat of the 10th April saved her from a 2nd December. Piedmont, which had suffered terribly, was fortunate in It king in whose miud one master passion, the craving to avenge his father s name, had extinguished even an hereditary lust for power. But throughout the rest of Europe, from Archangel to the Medi- terriupan the result of 1818 was a reaction which changed the iiiild severe igilti(,s of 1847 to hard suspicious autocracies lifting avowedly on force. Then followed ten years of fierce resentmen s, repressed by yet fiercer exhibition of ferocity Everywhere, in France as from 1 arma, from the cells of Bohemia as from the dungeons of Sicily, went up a cry of suffering, which drove sympathising hearts half frantic and caused calm observers to predict, that the next revolution would indeed, wade through a Red Sea to reach the Pro- mised Land. '1 hey had underrated both the goodness of Heaven and the docility of mankind. The suffering intelligence of Etirope-f.,r it was the peculiarity of the reaction that its severity fell wholly on the educated classe.learnt, indeed, from their misery;, lesson of perseverance but they learnt also the value of patience and moderation. The ten years, so to speak, annealed the glowing mass, and when the cycle was accomplished, and the fillger of time once more tra- versed the appointed hour, the sovereigns f und themselves confronted by taces against whose new energy their dearly bought experience was of no avail. They were accustomed to vtolence. They could meet barricades by scientific artil- lery. They cared little even for regular insurrection, for the combination which had crushed Hungary could afford to laugh at feebler imitations. But they were not prepared for moral opposition, for the moral resistance of a people who seemed suddenly imbued with the wise instincts experience sometimes gives to politicians. They met wer, where they expected boys, and found their threats and their tempta tiuns alike "unsuited to the age. When the Duke of Modena threatened a fusillade, the people smiled and dismissed him, loaded with the silver handle filched from his own palace. When the young King of Naples granted a constitution, the people again smiled at the bride their fathers would have grasped. The Emperor of Russia tele- graphed his amazement at an emeute in \Yaisaw made by unarmed incii and the Austrian Kaiser, with an army able to crush Hungary, is paralyzed by a resistance which never violates the law. The reaction of 1818 has, we believe, spent its force; and. as the great pendulum swillgâslowly back, the signs Of a better order of things begin gradually to np- near. This time it is not The Revolution, .in the old sense of that terrible impersonation, which triumphs for the Nothing in the history of the past twelve mnuth? is more marked than the progress made by the cause of constitu- tional monarchy. The new Revolution beats down the republicans as thoroughly .s the autocrats, erases the Mazziuians as completely as the ty.au-s whose oppression gave them biith. A monarchy controlled by law, and acting in witil opinion, whether expressed by assemblies or in auy other mode, seems the intimate out turn of every political emeuie. Throughout Em ope the o:dt sovereigns not even in appearance colistitu'ional are the CZar and the Sultan—the Czar who has jut liberated forty millions of slaves, and the Sultan who promises to limit his ficpeuditute in accordance with the necessities of the ad- ministration In France, after a fair trial of autocracy, the Emperor, tired of a Cnamuer of scrviles," has con- ceded a large measure of liberty of epeech, an 1 altered hi,s financial arrangements in deference to the opinion of a par- liamentary majority. The Emperor of Austria, twelve, months ago absolute, has granted a Constitution after the Fnglish model. The Emperor of Russia creates tn Polaud a State Council, avowedly intended to represent the people. The King of Denmark offers the Holsteiners a "ConstiLution absolute, which, if accepted, would be as free as that of Britain The Prussian Chamber has recovered its freedom ot speech and stops the march of armies by a vote. The Chamber of Bavatia formally rebukes its King. The Chamber of Wurtemberg rejects a concordat already signed by the sovereign. Above all, a new Parliament, of the first class, a Parliament free as that of Great Britain, yet devoted to the monarchial regime, has replaced the pettv tyrannies of Italy. Nowhere, save in Turkey, does the royal authority remain unfettered, and in turkey it is still theoretically absolute only because the Sultan is also Caliph, and as vicegerent of the Deity can only submit informally to restraint. Nowhere (ilher has this new revo- lution brought gain to the republicans. In Italy the whole population, supposed to be infected with Mazzinian ideas, has voted deliberately over and over again for Victor Emmanuel. In France the liberals plead not for the over- throw of the throne, but for the restoration of authority to the law. Throughout Germany the republican party seems temporarily defunct. In Prussia and the smaller states the liberals, instead of struggling for authority WIth the throne are urging the King to assume the leadership of Teutonic unity In Russia, the struggle as yet is for social freedom rather than political liberty, and the few who whisper of a republic, intend by the phraso an nligarey modelled on that of Venice. The liish movement, which was partially repub- lican, though not nominally hostile to the throne, has died away. But, above all, the tendency to republicanism, a tendency far more important than any momentary direction d political strife, seems visibly on the decline. The excesses of 1848 shocked the educated class, who are sure perma- nently the bear rule. The want of administrative capacity so marked in the republicans of Southern Europe, and which is the defect of their wonderful leader, disgusts all who see that to contend with bayonets the populace must be sub- jected to restraining discipline. The events now occutring in America, the palpable inefficiency of republican institu- tions to bind a determined minority, have uisheai tened those leaders of opinion who alone on the Continent learn wisdom from foreign politics. Above all, the prostitution of uni- versal suffrage, which in France sanctions a despotism, in Savoy authorizes plunder, and in America gives the victory to slave-owners, has deprived the republicans of their best weapon-a creed in which mere logic could find no fla w. Add to this the increasing tendency of Europe to aggregate itself in masses, and the consequent necessity for strong administrations-a necessity acknowledged as cheerfully in Berlin as in Paris, by Ilerr von Vincke as by Jules Favre- and "e have a body of opinion fatal for the hour to the dominion of extreme politicians. The men who are striving to secure national existence will not risk tlHt great and substantial gain for any principle whatever, least of all for one which logically tends always to disintegrate great States. How long this new movement may endure is not a point we can discuss at the fag end of an essay like the present. There are signs abroad that the Revolution has only post. poned, not abandoned, its distinctive tenets that the vic- tory of constitutional monarchy is only tolerated because social equality cannot exist without national independence. But we may observe, as a fact bearing directly on the politics of the future, that the must pronounced passion ol the day among all classes is material progress, and that mateiiul progress is most rapid and most secure under a monarchy exempt from change, yet capable of progress and controlled by lav/. —Spectator. PROGRESS OF CONSTITUTIONALISM IN FRANCE, i _.1. f-h. f, ..li '1 "First the blade, then the ear, aiierwuiuN uio »ui u»ni i» the ear." All growth is interesting-for growth is the manifestation of life. It is especially interesting ill its earlier stages, partly on account of its contrast with the past, partly on account of its promise for the future. Who can walk ahroad at this season of the year without being charmed by the general budding forth of nature? How we all rejoice in the brightening verdure of hedgerows and meadows before the recollection of the terrible rigour of winti r has faded out of our mind? How the feeling of joy is enhanced by the anticipation of that fuller and more matured loveliness to which the first flushes of spring- time distinctly point our attention With feelings very much akin to these intelligent Englishmen will have watched the expansion of political life in France ,-is indicated in the debates on the Address which have the Legislative Chambers. Freedom of speccl 13 the arlipst flower which marks the return of CrJllstltutlOnal Like the primrose, it reminds us of the long hard now happily gone, while it tells us of other and beauteous flowers which are surely coming. Our readers will remember that the Emperor )¡ :lp,dCOll spontaneously initiated the reform which has given a tongne to Franee. At the moment when this concession \Vas made we rated its worth somewhat more highly than those of our contemporaries who looked at it only ill the broad light of our own free Constitution. We confess, however, that we were not prepared to witness such a rapid develop- ment of the politicalvis viteeiu consequence of the seemingly slight relaxation of the Imperial system as the late debates have displayed. We are not about to criticise them in regard either to their literary, their oratorical, or their political merits or demerits. It is no part of our intention to discuss, whether with a view to praise or to censure, the opinions expressed by the various speakers. We are quite alive to the fact that very much of what was uttered on this occasion would find no echo in the hearts of Englishmen. IJut one conclusion we must all feel bound to admit—and, after all, it is precisely the one conclusion which ought to be most satisfactory to us-and that is that the debate hu been a reality that those who took part in it spoke in no muffled tones that whatever the views which were pro- pounded by the various speakers, both in the Senate and in the Corps Legislatif, they were enuueuted with singular boldness; and that all parties in Era ice, even those most opposed to the policy of the Emperor, have been fearlessly represented without M or hindrance. If it was, as we believe it was, the desire of Napoleon III. to ascertain what was really thought and felt by French- men on the leading topics of public interest, the desire has I been unhesitatingly responded to. There has been no mincing of terms—no adulatory or timid suppression of convictions — very little of that restraint that indicates the secret pressure of prerogative. True, the Address was voted in both Chambers just as it was proposed, and was only a formal reiteration of the thoughts embodied in the Speech from the throne but every paragraph it contained was searchingly discussed. and the defence of Government was anything but a holiday pastime. In a word, the Emperor has stood face to faci with political parties in France, has submitted to have his proceedings thoioughly canvassed in the hearing of the nation, and has vindicated his policy by explanations an,1 arguments. And this, call it what we will, is Consti- tutionalism in the germ. In the germ, we say, for either it must be stifled or it will grow. It cannot remain just as and what it now is. Political freedom, when once instinct with life, expands by a law of its own nature. The recent debates may convince us that, however crabbed, cabined, and confined" it may he in France, under the forms and restrictions imposed upon it by the Impeiial will, it is yet a living tiling. It not only fit's the entire space allotted to it by the Emperor, but it presses upon its confines. It cannot do otherwise. Its inherent elasticity is part of itself, and can only cease to operate when that of which it is an essential quality ceases to be. Once quickened into vitality, no matter in how diminutive a form, it will either kfll Absolutism or Absolutism must kill it. Its growth may be slow, its pro- gress may be oscillating and unsteady, but it will advance as surely as a flowing tide. Freedom of debate is the form to which the life of Con- stitutionalism is at present confined in France. But now let us observe its inseparable concomitants and its inevitable tendencies. Let us admit that it is as yet devoid of all legislative virtue. Nevertheless, it is as great a reality as life from the dead. The Speech from the throne at the opening of the Legislative Session, uttered, as it is meant to be, in the hearing of all Europe, states the main facts in which France is interested, and announces the policy asso- ciated with those facts. The Address in response to the Speech is there, as it is here, a faithful echo of both its statements and its sentiments. But every paragraph which it contains undergoes searching criticism, is looked at by different speakers from different points of view, and the policy which it embodies is submitted to as many tests as there may chance to be political schools represented in the Chambers. The speeches are published in extenso in the Monitcur, and may be copied into every newspaper in the kingdom. All France, therefore, so far at least as it is in- telligent and educated, may be regarded as present at this unrestrained discussion of its leading public affairs, and thus becomes acquainted with whatever may be said for or against the action of the Government. "What is this but an invitation to all France to think, to weigh reasons, and to adopt conclusions touching the principal movements of the ruling authority ? In other words, what is it but a solemn appeal to public opinion ? But it will soon be found that an appeal to public opinion, in order to be safe, necessitates two conditions -first, an ex- tension of the freedom of debate in the Chambers to freedom of comment in the press and, secondly, a modification of policy by the Government so as to conform it in its essential features to the ascertained sentiments of the nation. A free press and a responsible Ministry follow in the wake of free discussion in the Legislature. The first of these results will, after a while, be deemed necessary for the sake of the Government. It is now at an obvious disadvantage. It is assailed in the Chambers from the most opposite quarters and every assailant has leisure to choose his point of attack, to elaborate his arguments, and to put his case into the most convincing form. Replies can only come from one or two members of the Administration, and must, to a great extent, be unpremeditated, and, in many respects, defective and unsatisfactory. In fact, the policy of the Emperor cannot, under the existing system- have fair play in the discussion. The deficiency will, no doubt, be supplied by means of the press -at first, perhaps, by pamphlets, but afterwards, on account of their greater convenience, by the newspapers. The liberty which Go- vernment may be expected to claim for itself it will be obliged, in part at least, to extend to its opponents. The discussions commenced by the Legislature will have to be continued, competed, exhausted by the press. The re- strictions by which it is fettered will gradually fall into desueiude, and, no doubt, experience will show in France what it has shown in England, that there is no safety- valve for popular disquietude equally efficacious as what our forefathers used to fall unlicensed printing." A practically responsible Ministry follows as a matter of course. Public opinion cannot be at the same time sys- t -niatieally appealed to and systematically disregarded. No formal concessions of this constitutional privilege may be made for many years to come, but freedom of debate will ensure it in substanoe. Policy will be shaped, modified, explained, defended, with a view to win a verdict from pub- lie opinion and this, in effect, means Ministeiial responsi- bility. We may detect the rudiments of it in the late debates on the Address and unless the privileges recently granted to the Legislative Bodies be revoked, which we do not anticipMte, those small beginnings will assuredly ripen into a hll-formed principle. It always has been so else- where it will eventually be so in France. And now our readers will see why so much importance is to be attache! to the first vigorous exercise of the right of free discussion under the Imperial system established across the Straits. Possibiy the Emperor himself has been taken by surprise at the manifest tendency of his own concession. But his sagacity will be sure to see that his position, instead of bfiiifj weakened, has been strengthened by the ordeal of criticism to which his policy has been subjected. Having taken one decided step in the direction of Constitu- tionalism, he will best consult the interests both of his own dynasty and of France by taking such others as circum- stances may seem to require. Peradventure it may yet be his glory to lead on France through successive changes to a system of well-ordered and permanent political and com- mercial freedom. If so, his country and Europe will forgive and forget the acts by which he raised himself to the Impe- rial throne. —Illustrated Loudon News. I THE SHEFFIELD "TEAR'EM." It is not a month since Mr. Roebuck surprised, if not his enemies, at lea-t his friends, by his su Iden avowal of sym- pathy with Austria. On that occasion the House of Com- mons had to lament the unhappy breakdown and complete failure, from a moral point of vipw, of Tear'em, the British watchdog. Tear'em had made great pretensions to ferocity. At a banquet given some time ago by the master cutlers of Sheffield, he had pointed out the duties he meant to per- form, and enlarged, with apparent satisfaction, upon his own fidelity. He had, in the first instance, confidently and perhaps hastily, christened himself by the name in question. "I am the British watchdog," he had said, amidst the cheers of the master cutlers, who from that moment ceased to feel insecure; "lam Tear'em." It was understood thenceforward that England was safe under his protecting care. It was his duty to worry "emperors and kings, to bark whenever he was spoken to by foreigners, and to make himself generally as disagreeClhle as possible to the world. For some time after this announcement it was acknow- ledged that there was no part of his duty which he left un- discharged. "Tear' em," said the Englishmen of Sheffield, never is asleep. Tear'em has got his eye upon the Em- peror of the French, and things in general. No danger is to be apprehended from any quarter." If, in the hour of festive pride, when he appointed himself to his new office, some Master Cutler had risen, like a shadow at the banquet to say, Remember, Tear'em, that even tbou art mortal!" the injudicious monitor would have met with no sympathy at Sheffield. But things are altered during the last few months. Tear'em has been travelling on the Continent, and foreign experience has given to the British guardian of the flock a touch of foreign manners. The member for Sheffield, after a bath of Vienna air returns home a Vien- nese. The Austrians have been taking a lively interest in him, and he, iu consequeuce, begins to feel a lively admi- ration for the Austrian Constitution. Tear'em, the sternest and stanchest of Britons, has become a diplomatist, and learnt to entertain serious doubts about the propriety of Italian unity. He is afraid that Garibaldi, after all, is but ( what the Americans would call a filibuster. He is for taking a broad and expansive aspect of Continental politics. lie has been studying the map of Europe He wishes to look at. the status of Italy from the point of view of universal statesman-hip. Accordingly, he demands that enlightened Austria should retain Venice, lest, if Italy become too power- ful, she may fall too much under the influence of France. Then, again, there is Russia. Gracious heavens how awkward it would have been for a politician like Tear'em to ha*e forgotten Russia! The steady advance of Russia to- wards ihe East naturally requires that Austria should be left in possession of the bank of the Mindo. In Austria says the honourable member for ShetE?td, British interests '.?iH ever find "a protector." "Austria is our natural Continental ally." :This is very strange language from Itadieal lins. We think we liked Tear'em better before he had seen the world and come back with the diplomacy and foreign travel on him. No wonder that the Master-Cutlers of Sheffield are disconcerted at the remarkable transforma- tion that has taken place. inese are curious manners lor the English watchdog to put on. Can anybody, they say, have bet n creating the faithful creature a Count of the Austrian empire ? What can have put all this nonsense into his brain ? Somebody, beyond all doubt, has been p:ittiiig (itir Tear'ein's head. From a correspondence which has this last week appeared in !he daily papers, it would seem that a few of the Shef- field electors who look upon their representative s odd behaviour with little favour, have issued an i ti,it-,tti(,u to summon him to give an account of himself at a meeting of his constituents. Every member of Parliament knows what such an invitation portends. The prospect of meeting their constituents prematurely is sufficient to cloud the it de- pendent minds of all those very disinterested politicians who happened to have changed their opinions since they were last elected. To be reminded that even Parliament, die, and that members do not always survive them, is a wholesome, though unpalatable check upon the soaring fancy of great but versatile statesmen. Mr. Horsnaan had scarcely time to elaborate a new and original theory of the British Constitution before he felt a pull at the string whioh was tied round his leg, and knew that the electors of Stroud began to take an inconveniently close interest in his pro- ceedings. Mr. Roebuck has just developed a grand political view of European affairs, when the Sheffield collar, in an unaccountable way, is suddenly tightened round his neck. After being placed in a position of European notoriety, it was very trying to Mr. Horsman to be threatened with political extinction by the good people of Stroud. Mr. Roebuck's situation may possibly prove quite as undignified. Sheffield does not understand about Russia advancing to the East, nor how a united Italy is leiis likely than a dis- united Italy to be at the feet of France, nor what her member says about the necessity of an Austrian camp upon the Po, Some of her incredulous citizens seem to look at Tear'em as if they suspected him, and were unable to com- prehend the important political airs with which ho is walk- ing up and down. They appear to be of opinion that what- ever be the talent wnich he shows for political travels for ,commeroial enterprise, and for dealing with Continental matters from a grandly diplomatic point of view, Tear'em, viewed relatively to Sheffield, is a moral wreck. Tear'em, on the other hand, is sagacious enough to look with sus- pieion 11 pon all their overtures for a personal inici'dew at cloic quarters. Upon being called upon to explain himself, lie shows a natural dislike to what he knows '.s before him. It is rather difficult for anybody to succeed in whittling him in. Perfectly alive to his situation, he prefers sand- ing and looking at his masters from a little distance. Tear'em would very much like to be able to close his ears both to menace and to blandishment. He would rather not go home to Sheffield tilt everything has blown over. If at last he consents to a conference, it is reluctantly and because he cannot help it. We confess that it is with more amusement than pity that from a little distance we watch the embarrassment of Tear'em. These violent professions of patriotic Liberalism have often violent ends. Having started with so loud a cry, he should have taken care not to terminate his pro- ceedings in domestic disgrace. Nor are we sorry to see a speech so damaging to his political reputation as his last visited with gentle severity upon his own head. In ancient States, it was the custom for this or that citizen of note to take under his especial protection the interests of some foreign nation to which he was bound by friendly feeling, commercial intercourse, or ties of hospitality. It was his business, his pleasure, and perhaps to his advantage, to espouse her cause, to assist her in difficulty, and to act as consul to her flag. We are not anxious to see the custom reproduced again in these times. Austria has her own am- bassador, and does not want a Proxenus. Mr. Roebuck, so far as he is a member of Parliament, is a representative of the claims, not of Austria, but of Sheffield. We have no wish tosee him stand to the former in the relation in which a statesman of still greater ability, and of as pronounced views, for a year or two past has stood to France. Mr. Cobden is a man of whom we do not wish to speak without respect; but the peculiar character of his position at Paris, coupled with his commercial views, has rendered him in- capable of looking at Continental politics except from the point of view of cotton. The honourable member for Shof- field is not a man of Mr. Cobden's distinction. He has never converted a country to Free-trade. There is no. danger of his converting any Emperor to auything. Indeed, it seems to be more possible that he may bll converted him- self by the first comer. But even were he all that he is not, we do not care to have amongst us an Austrian Cobden.-— Saturday Review. I COUNT CAVOUR ON ROME. It is only in Italy that we find the powers of the Admi- j niatrator, the intriguant, and the debater, each displayed in the highest degree, all united in one man. The Count Cavour who organised Piedmont till the little Stite became all sinew, who, in 1855, forced the diplomatists of Europe to sanction the first move towards Italian independence, and who, in 1860, while accepting the peace of Villafranca, changed it from a treaty into an unfortunate hypothesis," is the same Count Cavour who, to-day, controls the stormy Parliament of united Italy. We question if he considers the last the lightest of the three tasks. So dolicate are the relations of the monarchy to its allies, so intricate some of its internal complications, that the readiest of English debaters might well shrink fiom the task the Italian noble so readily undertakes. What question, for example, could be more formidable than that of the volunteers. These men, scattered all over Italy, feel that they have given two kingdoms to Victor Emmanuel, and have received only their dismissal in return. The mere discussion of their claims excites them to madness, yet it is essential to refuse them, without an irreparable breach between the Gari- baldians and the monarchy. In the midst, however, of an ordinary discussion on the Army, Brofferio brought up their services and their treatment. General Sirtori, foaming with excitement, declared that they had been treated from the first as foes, and in a few moments the House would have been split into Piedmontese and Southerners. Count Cavour, however, was equal to the occasion. After an unavailing appeal to General La Marmora, he called lor the division, the House acceded, and after outvoting La Marmora by an immense majority, passed to subjec's which can be discussed without lashing the speakers into madness. This was a mere instance of official tact, but in the debate on Rome qualities much higher than Parliamentary tact were demanded and displayed. It is difficult to imagine a situation more embarrassing than that of the Italian Premier. M. Audiuot demanded that Rome should be the capital of Italy, that the Minister should explain ail great obstacles that stood iu the way of that great end. It was necessary for Count. Cavour, in reply, to prove that he desired Rome as ardently as his countrymen, yet to abstain from menacing Catholicism to explain the policy of his government, yet avoid giving a hint of its plans to resist the French occupation of Rome, yet to arouse none of the susceptibilities of the most susceptible of European peoples. To say that he attained all these objects, so various and so conflicting, is to express but half the merit of his s peech. Without a word which could be interpreted as an indication of his plans, without losing for a moment his air of deference to France, he contrived to leave on his hearers the impression that the question approached solution, that the Italian troops were, so to speak, already in March to Rome. Italy, he said, could not be con-titut d without Rome, and the declaration cleared away a thousand doubts which had hung around his policy. It was the one distinct utterance of his speech, and the one to which half Italy looked in jealous fear, lest Naples or the Marches should be subjeeted, not to -an Italian metropol s, but to an Italian province. The national sentiment thus soothed, the Premier turned to the Catholics. He repudiated al- together the notion of atbchiug spiritual power to tem- poral authority. That plan, he argued, with a double glance at the Papacy and the Napoleons, proiuce.1 a h- hommedan regime. lie denied that such a couise could ever be pursued in Catholic Italy. The object of ItAy not to destroy the Papacy, but to reconcile it with civil government. The temporal power must disappear, but the independence of the Pope would thereby be increased. The concordats and other shackles which fettered the Papacy were necessary only because of the temporal power. As for the guarantee of independency, it should be de- clared the fundamental law of the monarchy, i.e. placed we presume beyond the authority of Parliament. That indepence once secured, Catholic opinion would permit the Emperor of the French to withdraw his troops from Rome. Force against France could never be employed, for Italy would not imitate the ingratitude Austria had displayed, when, at the Congress of Paris, she resisted terms of peace for the Power which had saved her in 1819. And so the Premier sat down, having affirmed the right of Italy to Rome, repudiated ingratitude to France, and reassured the Catholics as to the independence of the Church, to bear the Parliament decree by an unanimous vote that the Italian metropolis was Rome. There are many who will deem vote and speech alike mere words, contributing nothing towards the removal of the 20,000 bayonets by whom, and not by the 1 ope, Rome is at at present isolated from Italy. l hcse worshippers of force mistake, however, the key to the situation If Louis Napoleon were determined per j (i,v ant nefas to remain at Rome, bayonets would doubtless be more valuable than oratory. But this is by no means the case. Aot to mention that a Prince who ieigns by universal sutliage cannot afford to break wholly with the Uevolution, the Emperor is plainly desirous to quit Rome. All he asks is to quit it without offending either the self-respect of the trench army, or the Catholic feeling of the French peasants. Both these feelings will be soothed if Italy, while deferring to France, guarantees the independcnce "f the Papacy. I he C^atholics of Europe cannot officially declare the Pope less free when protected by three hundred thousand Catholic Italians, than when receiving orders from the General of twenty tnousand Ilrench. Nor can the French army be insulted by an ad- vance avowedly postponed for months, only because Italy was unable to cross bayonets witii France. Ihe only real difficulty in the way is the -Pope himself, who may, ns he threatens, resist even when the Italian troops are mounting guard at the Vatican. But his resistance, to be effective, must be followed by flight, and the Pope once gone, the excuse for the French occupation is destroyed. — Spectator.
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ERSKINE AND HENKIETTA.—At a dinner party Erskine was seated near Miss Henrietta ———. commonly called Miss Hennie who had been celebrated for her beauty, but was then somewhat passed the meridian of lire. '« They say yon are a great man for making puns," saId Miss Hennie to the wit; < ould you make a pun on me r Ab, Iie»nie," was the cruel rejoinder, ye are no chicken ANALYSING TIIG SL-Two German chemists, working together in their laboratory in Heidelberg, have analysed the body of the sun. Fabulous as it IDaY "ee:n, tilis is literally true They arrived at the result of their analysis solely by close examination of the rays of light., By this means it is ascertained, in a manner quite convincing to those who have witnessed the experiments, that the body of the sun contains large portions of iron and other metals and earths common on this globe of ours. THE USURER'S FATI:.—In recounting the strange story of the avaricious family of the Etwos, Sir Bernard inter- poses a remark which for moral significance is perhaps un- eq,ialled. Warriors, statesmen, merchants, and lawyers," says he, all have originated great and fl mrishiug houses; but misers are rarely the patriarchs of families of enduring prosperity. *The same remark may be made in reference to those who gathered gain by the slave trade-they never flourished. It has been ascertained as a positive fact, that no two generations of a s lave-dealer's race ever coutinued resident on the estate acquired by the unholy pursuit of the founder, and a similar observation applies to a certain ex- tent, to the pronts of the usurer. A very learned friend of mine, deeply versed in the vicissitudes of genealogy, assures me that he never knew four generations of a usurer's fam ily to endure in a regular unbroken succession."—Burke's Vicissitudes of Families. A STORK STORY. — Mr. Horace Mayhew, in his new work on Jutland, tells the following stop- :—" An English ma^i- facturer settled somewhere iu ZeiUand, amused himself by changing the eggs laid by a stork, who annually built her 1 nest on his house, for those of an owl. In due course of time the eggs were hatched, and he was startled one morn- ing by a tremendous row going on in the nest of the parent storks. The male, in a violent state of excitement, fiew round and round. his nest the female chattered away, protecting her nestlings under her wings; it was quite evident that the stork was not satisfied with the produce of his helpmate; there, was something louche about the whole affair; he would not recognise the offspring. After a violent dispute the male flew away, and shortly returned, accompanied by two other storks, birds of consequence and dignity. They sat themselves down on the roof, and listened to the pros and cons of the matter. Mrs. Stork was com- pelled to rise and exhibit her children. Can they be mine?' exclaimed the stork. 'Happen what may, I will never recognise them* On her side Mrs Stork protested and fluttered, and vowed it was all witchcraft—never had stork possessed so faithful a wife before. Alas alas how seldom the gentle sex meets with justice in this worl d when judged by man, or, in this case, by stork kind. The Judes looked wondrous w ise, consulted, and then of a sudden, without pronouncing sentence, regardless of the shrieks for mercy, fell on the injured Mrs. Stork, and pecked l ei t death with their long sharp beaks. As for the young owls, they would not defile their bills by touching them, so they kicked them out of the nest, and they were kule in the tumble. The father stork, broken-hearted, quitted his abode, and never again returned to his former building* place."
IMISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.…
MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. The inhabitants of South Australia are making great pre- titrations to be well represented at the Great International Exhibition of 1862. The Princess Mary of Cambridge is expected to succeed to the rangership of Greenwich Park, vacant by the death of the Earl of Aberdeen. The Gazette contains an official notice that it is not ex- pecle(I that the public should anp<>ar in mourning for the iate Duchess of Kent after the 11th of April. His Royal Highness Prince Alfred is expected to visit Canada in June next, and take the same line of travel through the provinces as that taken latt year by the Prince of WalAs. The Ho a. Mrs. Yelverton is once more to appear in a public character, but this time under happier circumstances. Mr. Bentley will shortly, it is said, publish a book written by that lady. The ltisca Coal and Iron Company, unable to carry on business by reason of the heavy losses sustained from the late disastrous explosion in the colliery, is being wound up. Mr. Brassey, with his usual liberality, lias recently con- trib ited -OSOO towards the cost of a working man's church at Birkenhead, on condition that the sittings in the body of the church be free. An American paper states that at a camp meeting recently held near West Baltimore, Montgomery, county Ohio, Bishop Russell forbade anyone with hoops on to partake of the sacrament, affirming that they would not be welcome as the table of the Lord. The ILelbonnte Argus, referring to the volunteers of Australia, says The whole volunteer force now numbers some 4,200 men, of which a little over 3,000 are riflemen, 600 artillery, 350 cavalry, and about 2,)0 forming a naval brigade. Garibaldi, according to the correspondent of the Leeds Mereuri/, is going to have a handsome present from London and Scotch friends, who have purchased a Bible for him in Italian and English, which is splendidly bound, and con- tains an address from his friends. During Mr. Charles Dickens's last provincial tour it is stated that he cleared upwards of P,20,000 after paying all expenses and that his companion and secretary, Mr. Arthur Smith, brother of the late lamented Albert Smith, received t,2,000 by way of commission." All the communions in Poland are uniting in one patriotic feeling the Jews have offered to the churches of Warsaw magnificent silver crucifixes, and the Catholics have pre- sented the synagogues with ornaments used in the Jewish rites. The committee for the Garibaldian Fund for the purchase of a million of muskets, has published its accounts, from which it appears that it received 1,939,567f., which were all employed in purchasing arms and stores for Garibaldi's expedition. The committee, in conclusion, declares itself dissolved, the object for which it was formed having been ) attained.. The usual Easter entertainment was given by the Lord Mayor on Monday night at the Mansion House, to a nume- rous and distinguished Company. The proceedings were marked by no feature of special interest, the whole of the Ministers being absent, and political allusions generally eschewed. A few days since a marriage ceremony was performed at Charles Church, Plymouth, between Mr. Langmead, a gentleman of the mature age of 8.5 years, and Miss Laura Field, a lady whose years number half a century. The bridegroom has been severa times married, and has twice approached the hymeneal altar since he attained the age of 80 years. In the Court of Common Council on Tuesday, a report of the Bridgehouse committee, recommending that Black- friars bridge be demolished and a new one built, was adopted. The committee are of opinion, after taking the advice of some of the leading engineers, that the present bridge is so hopelessly unsound at the foundation that it will cost much more in the long run to maintain it than to build another. A few days ago, a postboy named Solly was driving a commercial traveller from Ledbury to the railway station, Malvern, when the hoise ran away. At the turning of the Graham-road, Malvern, the wheel of the phaeton struck against the kerb of the pavement, and the vehicle was upset. Solly's skull was fractured, and he died in about two hours. The traveller's skull was also fractured, and he lies in a precarious state. The Malton Elocution Class and the members of the 1st North Yorkshire Volunteer Corps made an endeavour to give a public dramatic performance at Malton, but broke down in the attempt. All went well until the middle of the farce, when Private R. Bankes forgot his part, and asked I:.c lady with whom he should have sustained the dialogue to "please to repeat the words of the play," which caused roars of laughter. At the Salford police-court on Thursday week, a man named White and a woman named Bury -ere committed to the assizes, charged with having committed several bur- glaries. The woman is of a diminutive stiture, and the police have no doubt that she accompanied White in his midnight adventures clothed as a boy, as she boasted to police officers that she had been with her colleague at eight or nine burglaries. At Aylesbury, IIIr, mis, a farmer, has obtained a verdict against the London and North-Western Railway Company for dam iges alleged to have been caused by a heated coal or cinder ejected frolll a locomotive into Mr. Boss's stack- yard, thcr.-by causing a conflagration. One question was whether the stackyard was placed too near the litir-, and the j'lry decided that Mr. Bliss was not guilty of culpable ueglig nee in planting his ricks within forty-three feet of the line. By the arrival of the Tasmania at Southampton, we have news from the West. Indies and the South Pacific. Prince Alfred had left Barbadoes, after experiencing the most enthusiastic recepti >n, for St Vincent, from which isianl he intended to make a tour of the northern islands, terminating at Jamaica. The islands continued healthy, but the weather was rather unse: tied, and impeding the operations of sugar making, except in Barbadoes, where the work was proceed- ing vigorously, and large shipments were bring made. In the various manufacturing districts of South Lan- cashire it is estimated that there are now nearly 24,000 operatives unemployed. Of these the greater portionare idle by their own act, refusing to resume work until their demands art, complied with. Strong etfoits are also making by the turn-outs to induce those still at work to join them in the strike. Notwithstanding urgent appeals, there ap- pears to be no great enthusiasm on the part of other trades to furnish funds for the contest; a shilling or two a-week being all that can be raised in most places by way of a dividend. Interesting news of the enterprising Dr. Livingstone has been received at the Cape through a Mr. Baldwin, who encountered the Doctor at a Kaffir village, with his band of 70 Makololes. The whole party was in excellent health, and Dr, Livingstone would appear to have been most suc- cessful in his present expedition, having penetrated as far as lat. 14. 1 S, where he found soil and climate suited for all kinds of tropical produce. Sunday morning being the last Sunday for the appearand of Mr. Spurgeon at Exeter lIall, previous to the regular Sabbath services in the New Tabernacle, though the weather was very unfavourable, the hall was densely crowded. Be" fore naming the text, Mr. Spurgeon said that was the last occasion of worshipping there. They were about entering re^ulaily their new place at Newington, and he blessed God tney did so quite free of debt they owed no man anything, but God much, for His goodness every farthing was paid, even for the furniture and the greater portion of the seats were already i,t. In the eveiiiiig -Air. Spurgeon preached in his new Tabernacle to an immense congregation. The doors were thrown open at six o clock to ticket holders, but long before that time a vast number assembled. At a quarter past six the duors were open to the public, when some ex. citement arose, simply from the fact that all wanted to be in first. The spacious building was quickly filled, not a standing place was left unoccupied, and the gates were obliged to be closed, and numbers left outside. On Monday an action was brought at the Kingston assizes before Lord Chief Justice Erie, in which a forsaken swain sought to recover damages from his faithless lady-love for refusing to carry out her promise to marry him. In order to avoid such unpleasant revelations as must be disclosed in such cases it was ultimately arranged to stay the proceed- ing's, a mutual agreement being made to return all the t)reciotis billets-doux, rich laden with their phrases of en- dearmeiit and vows of ever-dying love. And so the matter ended.— At the Liverpool assizes, on Saturday, another action for breach of promise of marriage was tried, the parties being a publican, named Bentley, the defendant and the plaintiff a tfirl who had lived in his house as servant. There appeared to be but little evidence in support of the alleged promise, and an attempt was made by the defence to make out general immorality of conduct on the part of the eirl. The jury returned a verdict for the defendant. Mr Charles Lunglev, shipbuilder. Deptford, working o° the ideas of Charles Wye Williams, has produced the model of a ship, which you may s t on fire, dash against rocks, stave in, and tear to pieces, but which, it is asserted, you cannot ink, His plan consists in dividing the lower part i of the ship, or vessel, in to two or more closed water-tight compartments, and in affording access to these compart- ments for the introduction of cargo or stores by means of water-tight trunks or passages, led up from them to such a heiaht that their upper or open ends shall never, in any practical position ot the ships be brought quite down to the level of the water. Compartments thus formed may be used as ordinary cargo spaces, store rooms, chain lockers, or lor any other like purposes, ana may De venUlateO oy suitable trunks or tubes, always providing that all trunks or tubes of every kind which enter them shall be made water tight, and shall rise to the height before mentioned, in order that, if by any mischance either compartment should be broken into. and the sea be admitted to it, the water should have no means of escaping therefrom into any other part of the ship. The details vary with the class of the vessel, but the principle is the same in all. Sir John Pakington expresses a very favourable opinion of the value of Mr. Lungley's labours.—Athenaeum. The cold, bleak, and drenching weather of Monday seri- ously interfered with and marred the outdoor pleasures of the metropolitan holiday-makers, who were fain to seek amusement in the public exhibitions and institutions, espe- cially in the Crystal Palace, where the torrents of rain would not interfere with their comforts. It will, however, give much pleasure to all to he ir that our gallant volunteers were more favoured by the skyey influences at Brighton, where the sham fight appears to have been a great success. Lord Ranelagh's exertions have been rewarded as they de- served and the fineness of the day, the beauty of the scenery, and the proficiency of the volunteers, combined to afford to the visitors and the residents of Brighton a spectacle such as is rarely witnessed in England. About 8,500 men of all ranks were present—one account states the number at 9,800, and the other at 7,600—and the evolutions were performed with great precision, and within the hours originally specified. The metropolitan volunteers who assembled at Wimbledon were not so fortunate as their comrades at Brighton the weather, indeed, was so unpro- pitious that ii. sadly marred the proceedings. Both volun- teers and spectators were wet through several times in the course oi the day, and the ground was so saturated that it wat reduced to a complete state of mud and slush, and seriously interfered with the movements of the troops, which, however, were gone through with great hardihood and energy by both officers and men, and afforded proof, if such were wanting, that our volunteers will prove equal to every emergency. Detai's have been received of the total loss of the transport ship Miles Barton, with troops from Hong Kong. Fortu- nately, however, with the exception of one private, who lost his hie throug-h the upsetting of a boat, the crew and sol- idiers on board were safely landed. The disaster occurred on the night of the Sth of February, when the vessel struck on a reef of rocks off the west coast of Africa, remaining fast: Shortly after she broke in two. Much valuable property has been lost with the transport, comprising amongst it many rare articles of loot from the famed summer palace of the Emoeror of China. A COUXTY ANALYST, —At the Gloucester sessions it was resolved that an analyst should be appointed for one year, and that a suitable person should be advertised for, who would be willing to accept the office without pay, the question of remuneration to be decided upon at a future f-essions. Ax IMPROVEMENT ON THE INCOME I AX. — It is stated in the last published series of reports from our consuls that in New Granada there is direct taxation, and the citizen who cannot present a receipt for his quota is not only de- barred from voting, but cannot even be plaintiff in a suit. TifF. KINODOM OF ITALY. — We are informed that an j exchange of notes has taken place between the Maiquis d'Azeglio and Lord John Russell, from which it appears that j King Victor Emmanuel will hereafter be recognised as King of Italy at the British Court. — Times. APPROACHING MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.—The mar- riage of Miss Victoria Russell, eldest daughter of Lord John Ruc.sell, and Mr. Villiers, son of the Bishop of Durham, is appointed to be solemnized on the 16th instant. GARIIIALDI. — According to the Italian journals, several Deputies, following the example of the Government, have presented a proposition for granting to General Garibaldi, by way of national recompense, a pension of 150,000 francs a year, revertible to his son. The retirement of Garibaldi to Caprera has not lessened his popularity, and the Milan journals state that deputations of the workmen's societies from all parts of Italy are assembling at Genoa to proceed to the island to pay their respects to the General. THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.—We, 2sottinqham Journal, believe we may announce that his Grace the Duke of New- castle has been appointed Governor General of India, as successor to Viscount Canning, whose term of office is ex- pired. The probabilities are that the noble duke will leave England during the month of May. We have al<o heard that the office of lord lieutenant and eustos rotulorum of the county of Nottingham will be beld,pro tern, by the Right Hon. the Speaker. Arrangements hive also been made that the family seat of Clumber shall he occupied by the Earl and Countess of Lincoln during the probable five years' absence of the noble duke. RETURN OF THE RIGHT HON. SIR DAVID DINDAS TO THE HousE OF COMMONS.—The Right Hon. Sir David Dundas, who has just been elected without opposition mem- ber of Parliament for the county of Sutherland, in the room of the Marquis of Stafford, now Duke of Sutherland, will be welcomed back to the House of Commons as a Par- liamentary veteran and a popular ex-official of the Whig party. LONDON AND N ORT H WESTERN RAILWAY AND THE 011- SERYANCE OF THE SABBATH. This company has just issued instructions to the effect that every officer and servant (including the engine drivers) throughout their system of lines shall in future have one half of the Sunday free, so as to give them the opportunity, if they should so think fit, of attending Divine service, either at the com- pany's own churches at Wolverton and Crewe, or else- where. LOCOMOTIVE OR SELF-MOVING CABS- IV e hear of an invention (a French one) in which hydraulic power is to be brought into use for the propulsion of street vehicles. This idea of applying some simply and easily-worked power to such vehicles we have repeatedly suggested and are very confident that ere long we shall have them traversing streets and roads in, at least, such shapes as those of cabs and broughams, Bath chairs, and velocipedes.—Builder. SECESSION FROM THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND,—The Rev. Thomas Rawlinson, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, has left the Church of England for co-mruunion with the Church of Rome. Mr. Rawlinson was ordained in 1849, and was for a considerable period curate of St. Matthias, Stoke Newington, where ultra High Church practices have long prevailed. The first incumbent of this church (Mr. Pope) also left the Church of England for the Church of Rome. DEATH OF A TRAFALGAR OFFICER —Commander Francis Daniel Lauzun, R N., whose death has just been announced as having occurred at Trafalgar House, Stoke, Devonport, entered the navy in October, 1800. and served as aide-de- camp to the Earl of Northesk at the battle of Trafalgar. From 1808 to 1803 he was much employed with the in-shore squadron off Brest and Toulon, and in 1809 proceeded to Corunna and assisted at the embarkation of the army under the late Sir John Moore. -i report has been current in THE ADMIRALTY AGAIN.—A report has been current in naval circles for some days, that either owing to Mr. W. S. Lindsfty's 'cop ternplited motion, or to the recommendation contained in the Royal Commissioners' report, orders have been sent from the Admiralty to Chatham to discontinue all work in connection with the iron-cased ship lately ordered to be built in the dockyard.—Army and Xavy Gazette. A DANGEROUS NAP.—A singular accident occurred to a passenger an evening or two since travelling on the North Kent Railway. It appears that he took his seat in a third- class carriage by the 9.20 p.m. train from London. When between Gravesend and Rochester, the train travelling at a very rapid rate, he suddenly got up from the spat on which he liad been sleeping, and opened the carriage door, when he was observed by a young man, the only other occupant of the carriage, to throw himself out of the carriage. The occurence was so sudden that the young man was unable to prevent its taking place, and on be train arriving at Highan information was at once given to the station-master, who immediately despatched servants of the company to search along the line. On proceeding to the spot indicated they found the unfortunate man apparently in a dying state and insensible, he having sustained a severe fracture of the skull. lie was at once convtyed to the Gravesend in- firmary, where, on recovering consciousness, he had no re- collection whatever of jumping from the train, although there is no doubt he he did so while in a state of somnam- bulism. He still remains in a precarious condition. PETER'S PENCE. On the occasion of ihe collection of Peter' Pence, made a few days ago in the church of St. Polycarpe, at Lyons, the following note was found in one of the poor- boxes: —" It is a shame to take from the poor a tribute used in paying for the luxury of the Court of Rome, and in carrying on war in Italy. It is not necessary to have so much money to fulfil all the spiritual duties of the Papacy. I undertake to perform the functions of the Pope for 5,000f. a-year." CoivituPT PRACTICES ACT.-The act for the prevention of corrupt practices at elections expires this year, but it is proposed to re-enact certain of its provisions, with modi- fications and additions. The Home Secretary has brought in a bill upon the subject, from which it appears that the election auditors are not continued—the scheme proved a failure; but all payments arc to be made through an authorised agent. The pecuniary penalty for bribery, treat- ing, or undue influence, is reduced from £50 to £20, aud tiiat for accepting a bribe to ;CIO. The offence of treating is extended to the corruptly providing entertainment by a candidate for persons other than electors, with a view to influencing the election, and the votes of all woo corruptly accept such entertainment, and of voters paid for furnishing it, are to be void. No money is to be given to a voter for travelling expenses, but conveyance may be provided for him at county elections. It is made a misdemeanour for a person employed by a candidate for the purposes of an flection to vote thereat. County polling districts may be altered on the petition of fifty voters. These are the prin- cipal provisions of the new measure, but there are others relating to petitions for bribery, recovery of penalties, &c. A AYRSHIRE FAGAN.—A fellow, answering in some respects very closely to Dickens's celebrated Jew, Fagan, is at present comfortably quartered in the prison of Ayr. His name is Frank Reid, and the spot favoured with his enter- prising spirit was the small 10wn of Saltcoats, where he ikept a large store. It had long been suspected that Frank j had dealings with queer characters; but he was cunning enough to ward otf detection, favoured by the facilities afforded by his business. A few weeks ago, however, he took it into his head to become a bankrupt, an 1 his credi- tors took personal security by lodging him in the prison of Ayr. On a search being made, in his own house and in the dwellings of known accomplices, property to the value of Y,1,000 was discovered. In Reid's own house a press was discovered, built in the chimney, in which were found a number of silver spoons, gold and silver watches, and other valuable articles. One of his accomplices, named Taylor, was found, according to his own statement, very ill in bed, but being aided out of his helpless condition, a gold and two silver watches were found beneath where he was lying. In another house a woman of his acquaintance was found nursing with great solicitude a sick infant, ten months old but on examination a bag was found slung to the child's back, containing money to the amount of J6142. It is sup- posed that he harl in all about forty accomplices, male and female, acting under his direction in Saltcoats. Many of the articles have been identified, and several charges of forgery and robbery art about to be investigated. POCKET PICKING IN A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH:—At the Gaelic church in Hope-street, Glasgow, at a revival meeting, on Friday night, one of the first who spoke to the Rev. Mr. Macgregor, the minister of the church, on the state of his soul, was a plainly-dressed young man who pre- tended great anxiety. While he was speaking to the reverend gentleman he succeeded in cutting his chain and stealinz his gold Yatch. Very soon after he had left him Mr. Macgregor discovered his loss, and as the thief had not had time to escape, the doors were closed and guarded while the police were sent for. On their arrival they were not h'ng in finding one of their -well-kuown acquaintances, whom they at once proceeded to search, and on the seat beside the pseudo anxious inquirer" was the watch found. He was at once taken into custody. His name is John Hughes, and he is we:l known as an expert English thief. COCKNEY HIFLE SHOOTING.—The pioprietor of some premises known as Spring Vale Gardens, at Bow, James Beazley by name, "as charged, at the Bow-street police court, with permitting rifle practice, the same being dangerous to the lives of her Majesty's subjects." Several witnesses came forward, who deposed, one that a bullet had passed close by his head when within 100 yards of the defendant's premises another that a bullet pasaed over his head, while two others buried themselves in the sand at his feet when he was close to his own door; and a third whose house is also in the vicinity of the defendant's practice ground, that a bullet from a mine rifle passed through his bedroom window, split a lath of a Venetian blind, and re- bounded from the opposite wall to where it was picked up some yards distant. The magistrates decided to send the case before a jury, the defendant being admitted to bail. HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND OINTMENT.— Liver and Stomach Cowplaitile.-In the present day our large cities teem with these distressing disorjers, which display themselves in the sallowness of the complexion, the offensive breath, the flatulency and general indisposition and debility, always accompanying diseases of the liver and stomach. After eating, the food ferments, and instead of nourishing the body only forms foul gases, which render the blood impure, and throw mind and body out of order. Holloway's Pills and Ointment soon remedy these disasters, speedily setting liver and stomach in order. They act as powerful alteratives, purge gently, aud at the same time improve the digestion I and regulate the secretions Thus, these remeaies not only remove the present malady, but cleanse the whole body. ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERIES.—In medicine, as well as in mechanical science, the most remarkable and beneficial dis- coveries are frequently the result of mere accident. In alluding to one of the finest remedial agents of modtrn times, Dr. de Jongh's Light-Brown Cod Liver Oil. Mr. Thomas Hunt, the eminent Surgeon to the Western Dispensary for Diseases of the Skin, in coinmuncation to the Med teal Tunes and Gazette, remarks I had never heard that Cod Liver Oil had been found extensively useful in Skin Diseases (excepting those of strumous oritiin) until 1 happened to meet with the widely-circulated observations of Dr. de Jongh. I resolved to put it to the test of experiment, and I have now prescribed it in about one hundred and twenty cases of Skin Disease. It is bare justice to Dr. de Jongh to say, that the success atteuding its use in dispensary practice tully saisties me that he has not exaggerated its value. To avoid the chance of adulteration, and to secure uniformity of quality, I have invariably prescribed, in the cutaneous cases herein alluded to, the Oil sold in bottles with Dr. de Jongh's seal upon them." ADMIRALTY ORDERS.—The Admiralty have lately issued a most important order, which we trust will not, for the sake of the well-b,itig of the service, have a contrary effect to that which its framcis originally intended. It has been decided that the crews of the coastguard ships are not to be paid off periodically, but on balancing the accounts in these ves-lels at the end of each }'e::r (financial) all the men on board are to be dealt with in the following mander-viz continuous service men are to be discharged to the books of the flagships at Shecrness, Portsmouth, Plymouth, A-c., as they may themselves decide upon. They a'to be granted oOdays leave of absence, on the expiration of wLich they are to join the particular flagship on board of which their names are borne for general service. Non-continuous service men are to be discharged to the shore; but such as hold the ratings of petty officers, leading, able seamen, and 1st cla-s ordinary seamea and stokers, m ,y be allowed to re-enter the guardships, with the privilege of also taking 30 day> leave of absence. Marines and seamen gunners are to be relieved at the expiration of three years' service. Officers are to serve for the latter named term, but will receive timely notice of the intention of the authorities to supersede them. These regulations appear to have been conceived in a very fair spirit, as now both those officers and men who may have served abroad will hate the opportunity of enjoi ing a three years'commission at home; but, if the regulations are to take effect from the 31st ins: the present coastguard ships will lose nearly the whole of their petty officers and seamen, which, in our opinion, will be attended with considerable inconvenience, if not positite injury. The time for the annual summer cruise is not far distant, and new captains would, in the a bsenee of the old hands, accus- tomed to deal with the "raw materials" of which the Naval Coast Volunteers are chiefly composed, find it no \erv pleasant nor easy duty to get their temporary crews into that state of discipline and efficiency which they could wish. This may probably have (scaped their lordships' attention if so, it is to be hoped there is yet time to fiuti a remedy for the probable inconvenience.—A'rmy and 2\avi Gazette. t EXECUTION AT EXI,TER.-The final sentence of the law was carried into effect at 12 o'clock on Saturday in front of the county gaol at Exeter in the case of Robert Hacked who was found guilty on the 12th of March, of the wilful murder of Sergeant Henry Jones, at Plymouth, on the oth of January last. The unhappy culprit rose at an early hour on that morning, and the ltev. James. Eeeles, the .H. ,mail Catholic priest, who has assiduously attended the nrisone- ) with a Vlew of prepanug him for his fate, visited the prison at an early hour, and remained with the wretched man to the last. Shortly before 12 o'clock the t'nder-Sheriff Alr. S. E. Drake, arrived at the gaol; and the Governor, Mr E. H. Rose, and the officials, at once proceeded to the j condemned cell, where the process of pinior.ine was jone through by Calcraft. As the clock struck tie hour ih procession moved towards the drop, and, the rope having been adjusted, the miserable man shortly afterwards ecasegd to exist. The culprit maintained to the last that he aid not intend to shoot Sergeant Jones, but attributed th d act to the effect of drink. He was attentive to his religioue duties up to the last moment. There was a great crowd o persons, but the admirable police arrangements of Mr. Dr Steel, the inspector, presented any confusion. ALEXANDRE DUMAS' DUEL.-A letter from Naples of the 21st, in the Tresse, says A challenge which M. Alex- andre Dumas has sent to the director of the Mazzinian journal It Popoh d'ltalia, has since yesterday, been the subject of general conversation. Two days ago a Republi- can journal published an article entitled Waste of the Public Money,' in which it affirmed that MM. Dumas, Cesari, and 1-erriju had received the enormous sum of 440,000 du ats (4f. 25c. each) without the employment of that money being legally justified. Scarcely did M. Dumas hear of this article when he proceeded to M. Nigra to request from him an official copy of the receipts which, at the time of the purchase of muskets made by order of the Director. he had delivered to M Depretis at Palermo, and to General Medici at Messina. That done he sent two of his fiends, Colonels Teleki and Winkler, to the office of the journal with the double mission of declaring to the editors that he was decided to bring an action against them for defamation, and of demanding personal satisfaction. M. de Boni, ail ex-priest, endeavoured in the first place to justify the asser- tion of the journal by saying that after the publication of the article documents bad been communicated to him to prove that M. Dumas had received only 91,( 00f. as the price of the muskets and revolvers sold to Garibaldi, but had not accounted for the rest. M. de Boui declared at the same time in writing that, not being able to name the author of the article, he assumed the responsibility of it. It was then agreed that, after the judgment of the Tribunal, M. de Boni would place himself at the disposal of M. Dumas, who gave the director the choice of either sword or pistol. So the matter remains at present." NORFOLK "TOMBLAND FAIR." —This important fair, which, as regards sheep, is one of the largest held in the country, took place at Norwich on Thursday. The day was bright and mild, and special trains poured in a great number of visitor from Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and the adjoining counties. The show of stock took place on the Castle-hill, which presented throughout the day an animated and picturesque spectacle. The supply of store cattle was considerable, and far in excess of the demand. Prices were about maintained, but saies proceeded sluggishly and a great proportion of the lots offered remained on hand at the close of business. The shorthorns were the breed most largely represented, but there were a few Scots, Devons, and Irish on the bill. Shorthorns were quoted 3s. 6d. to 4s., and, fresh in condition, 4s. Gd. to 5s.; Scots. 4s. to 4s. 6d. Devons, 4s. to 4s. Gd. and Irish, 3s. to 3s. Gd. per 141b. (estimated weight when fat). The number of sheep penned was larger than in many former years, and was estimated at 15,000 to 20,000. The exact total cannot be given, as the dues of the fair and weekly market are farmed by lessees, who have of course an interest in keeping the extent of their returns to themselves. The show of hoggets was excellent, and several lots shown by Lord j Stafford, Messrs. Bartram, Sharman, Crome, and other parties well known in the neighbourhood, were much admired Lord Stafford's lot realized the high price of 62s. per head, but this was of course an exceptional figure. Business was, however, animated, and an advance d of Is. to Is. (Jd. per head was generally noticed. The primest lots made .518, to 54s bill; and full of condition, 46s. to 49s. strong and useful, 40s. to 43s. middling, 33s. to 36s. and poor and ordinary, 25s. to 28s. per head. Fat sheep (naked), 8s. to 8s. Gd. per 141b. The part of the ground appropriated to horses was well filled, and some clever and fine-actioned colts were offered. A pretty good business was done in this depaitment, and fair prices were realized, On the whole the fair we'll supported its long-sustained reputation. THE COURSE or EVE.*iT.S. -Events point to an imminent rupture of the peace in Italy but, as Lord Palmerston stated at Tiverton, the storm is to pass away as it has done before. The Austrians ate strengthening the Quadrilateral, and reinforcing the several strategical positions held by them on the Mincio while, on the other hand, the Pied- montese, leaving Naples to take care of itself, are massing troops in large numbers on the Po. In the meanwhile Austrians and Piedmontese protest their pacific intentions, and France blows the coals" in her own fashion. The Governor of Venetia has, it is stated, rudely expelled several French journalists from Venice, and it is possible that this may be the cause of an imbroglio with Louis Napo- leon. In such a case Piedmont would be certain to promote an attack upon Venice by Garibaldi; and Austria, thus placed between two fires, would either have to relinquish Venftia, or to procure by some "dreadful sacrifice, the co-operation of Germany against France. This would be t-tnt amount to a general war. The discontent of Poland has taken a still more demonstrative form than before the whole nation is now in mourning. But the Russians are concentrating large bodies of troops upon Warsaw. The Hungarians remain in an attitude of armed truce towards the Austrian Kaiser, and it is clear that both mean mis- chief." It is satisfactory, however, t'J know that the latter cannot begin the battle and it is evidently the policy of the former to obtain all the concessions possible from the panic fear which seems to have seized him. Every Jstep taken in the right direction is a step gained in advance; and six months moie of the present state of things will render the national pesition impregnable.— Observer. MURDER OF Two CHILDREN. —A painful sensation has been created in Suffolk, by the murder of two children by their mother at Edwardstone, near Sudbury. The name of the murderess is Harriet Salmon, and she is the wife of a coal carter residing in the village. The victims are Eliza- beth Salmon, a child of five years, and Susannah Humphrey, an illegitimate child of the woman, three years older. The children were taken by her, together with an infant, a dis- tance of half a mile, to a thick wood where there is a large pond 10 or 12 feet deep and liere the tao eldest appear to have been forcibly held under water until they were drowned. The infant was destined for the same fate, but some boughs stretching into the water below supported it, and it was not sufficiently submerged to perish. The woman herself then walked into the water up to her neck, and, taking the children out, laid them on their faces on the grass by the side of the pond. She afterwards walked home and told a neighbour that her three childien were drowned, but that she believed one was still alive. At first it was supposed that the children had met their deaths accidentally; but the woman herself subsequently made the following statement to the police constable who was called in I took the little girl (the youngest and surviving child) and threw her into the ponil but she could not sink because she hung on the boughs and as soon as I had done that I saw the two other little dears in the pond and I rushed in after tbem. As soon as 1 g,y ot into the pond the cold water ,truck me, and I came to my senses and dragged the two children, noW iyinR dead, out. The little one I took out last. When I got It out I saw it breathe." She also said she did not know wlilOh way she went to the pond or which way she come honie, a,laiii, "If I did do it I d,,Il't kn,,w "Nttiing about it. It will be seen from thi. that the poor creature,. language and demeanour is incoherent, and she has bl en, it seems, in a high state of nervous excitement for the last six montha, i i jin herself, without any adequate reason, to be ab? ??un?r various d.s.a. ?he younger of the two d ? ch?ren had a contu.iou o?f the forehead, and the arms anneared to have been squeezed there were no contusions on the other one, but similar marks were observable on the aims as if they bad been piesst d or nipped. The facts stated above bave been investigated by Mr G. A. Partridge, the local coroner, and a verdict of "Wilfut Murder" has been returned against the woman. A warrant for her com- mittal to the county gaol at Ipswich has been made out, and she now awaiu her trial at the Suffolk Summer Awiie«.