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Aft I(& vur Jnnban Cmcsjjsitat rWe deem it right to State that we do not at all times Identify ourselves with our correspondent's opinions.] Lord Palmerston, a night or two ago, in his usual clever and good-humoured style, drew attention to the way ia which the time of the House is taken up by endless discussions in committee. There wan he no doubt that much time is thus spent, but it is remark. able that in these wordy discussions on the points in- volved in any bill, the public arc more intimately con- cerned than they seem to be aware of. I have often -watched the progress of a bill in its last stages, and have noticed that features of the bill about which the public had previously been meeting and protesting have been completely altered, or altogether neutralised in committee so that when the measure has become law the public have not been able to recognise that in which they had taken so much interest. The mass of legislation has now become so great that the public get tired and confused with it, and there sadly wants some better record than we now have, so that at any time the public may see in what state any particular bill may be. Meanwhile we ought to bear with hon. members who take pains to sift and purify the details of a bill at the last moment; for when once a mistake becomes law it may not be altered for many a year to come. In reference, also, to the discussions in the House, I may say that the feeling is now bacoming general that the Estimates ought to be brought on at an earlier period of the session. The later they are brought forward the more chance there is that the public money will be squandered. We sadly want, in any case, another Joseph Hume to watch over the financial interests of the public. The mantle of that eminent man has not fallen upon the member for Lambeth, who, partly on account of the unjust and silly badinage of Punch, and partly from a want of real talent, has compara- tively little weight in the House. Whoever may be the Chancellor of the Exchequer next year, will do wisely to bring forward his Budget earlier, so that the Estimates may come on earlier. This year both have been unreasonably late. Parliament will now be hard at work till the end of the session, and three morning sittings a week, added to the usual evening sittings, will be no joke. What with the nice balance of parties and the arrears of legislation, our modern members of Parliament have to work like horses. Outside the House the interest in political matters is beginning to flag. A sure sign of this is that the Times has started grievance. They always do this in the dull season. One time it is bad cookery; another the tyranny and ignorance of servants; another the enormity of English hotel charges; now it is the diffi. culty of getting our daughters married, or rather the difficulties under which match-making mammas labour. I have reason to believe that that very clever letter pur- porting to emanate from seven ladies of Belgravia was written by one of the Times' staff, and that some of those which reply to it were also written by the same or other equally practised hands. On which side the truth lies -or whether it lies with both-the readers must decide. I believe, as in most of these discussions, there is truth on both sides. This grievance, however, is not a re- cess grievance. It is confined in interest to the upper classes, and will soon die out. But we shall soon have some other grievance cleverly written upon in letters to ourselves." Let me suggest two or three subjects -the want of better homes for our poor, the necessity of recreation grounds, and the advisability of swimming baths for the densely-crowded inhabitants of cities. I am in a happy state of ignorance about the move- ments of that low, brutalised, and degraded portion of the community called the prize-ring; but I see in a sporting journal the rumour that Heenan is coming over to challenge Mace, the present champion of (the blackguards of) England. If so, we shall have the Times heralding his movements and the sycophantic Punch crying, Hear, hear." Nowil ask whether it is not high time-whether this rumour is true or not—that the Legislature should put a stop to this sort of thing. There are so many in the Houses of Lords and Com- mons who are secret patrons of the prize ring, that it might not be possible at the first trial to get an act passed to prevent prize-fighting, but at all events the effort might be made. In any case, we should then find out who are our aristocratic supporters of the ring and the low sparring entertainments.- If some talented and Enterprising member of Parliament were to make this his hobby, he would have the support of the most influential portion of the public and the most respectable part of the press. At present the law is openly defied, and the efforts of the magistracy and the police to put a stop to it are beneath contempt. Scotland-yard can employ detectives for everything but prize-fighting, but here they are either ridiculously powerless or officially stupid. Speaking of detectives, reminds me of a statement that has been made to me by a reliable inform- ant, that the movements of the Orleans family in thia country are closely watched by a French detective in the pay of the Minister of the Interior. How true the statement may be I have no means of judging, but I incline towards believing it. That there are French detectives in this country who watch the movements of certain exiles of a very different- class, who have not chosen to accept the Imperial clemency," as the phrase is, I happen to know, and it is just possible that there may be other detectives who keep an eye upon a family who have obtained a large share of respect from all classes in this country. If the Orleanist family are anxiously watching and patiently waiting, they must indeed be blessed with no ordinary amount of patience. The London Review, which is rather fond of the solution of literary problems, has an elaborate exami- nation of what it calls the mystery of Shakspeare's sonnets Those who feel an interest in this sort of thing must be few, as far as my experience goes, for I never knew any one who had heard of any one who had read the sonnets. But I remember that many years ago a hoax was played upon the editor of the Athcnceum by some one who published some of Shakespeare's Konneta as his own. They were very smartly reviewed, and the supposed author cut up root and branch, when, lo! it turned out to have been a hoax from the first. I believe there are many works of which wo talk, which might be partly republished, and critics be none the wiser than he of the Athenceum. A few new publications are making their appear- ance, some of them utterly destitute of a chance of success, and I hear of many which are to start towards the fall of the leaf, when the paper duty comes off. When the gates of the Temple of Literature are, as it, were, thrown wide open, we may well conceive that there will be a sudden rush of eager aspirants for literary fame, as well as of hungry speculators but great will be the disappointment—yea, great the slaughter. But many ventures will be, of course, suc- cessful, and, on the whole, the public at least will be the gainers. I see that Miss Emily Faithfull was amongst the presented at Court at the last drawing-room. This I n dy, as most persons are aware, has devoted her energies t,, the establishment of a printing-office where young vomenshal be employed. A great deal of fuss has h en made about this office, and an outcry has been raised on the one hand about employing women as printers, while on the other there has been a good deal of mock philanthropy about opening up a new field for female labour. The fact, however, ip, that as a female ) t rintera' establishment it is a failure. The class of oung women who are employed a* printers have j <'tn found wanting in that education which printers require, and the consequence is that a number d men have also been employed to make up for their efficiencies in this respect, as well as to perform those o-her duties which are too heavy for the softer and eaker sex. When any visitors arrive to see the establishment, these men-workers are carefully kept (1:1; of sight. But the capacity of fairly-educated ,t,oinen for the printing business cannot be disputed, t-d there is no reason why they should not be thus t-uplojed, except that ever-recurring difficulty-that ) st in the proportion that work is given to women, it nust be deducted from the men. I can vouch for the a crlice being admirably conducted. The idea, by the v iy, is not at all new. On the Continent it is very c immon to employ women as printers, and there have b en many female printers in our own country.
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT,I
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT, I In the House of lords on Thursday, .T n 17, the r.sw Lord Chancellor took his asat upon the woolsack, and. v.-as congratulated by several noble lords. Several petitions on varioussubjects were presented to the House. The Bishop of Chichester, with a few words of explanation, withdrew the Church-building Acts Amendment Bill, which stood for second reading H: befoul shortly to be able to introduce another bill which would not meet with the objec- tions which had encountered this one. Lord St. Leonards asked the President of the Council whether any steps had been takrii to provide a separ&t" gall ry for the Turner pietm-cs in connection with Mis Natlona1 Gallery, in accordance with tne provisions uncer which the pictures were bequeathed to Uie nation. After some farther miuov business had been 'transacted their lordships adjourned. In the House of Commons, after the transaction of some private business, Sir F. Heygate asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if an unrevised report of the result of the Census in Ireland, similar to that lately furnished for England and Wales, would be presented to the House and if IW, how soon it might be expected. Mr. Cardwell said he understood that he should be able to bring up the report about the middle of July. Viscount Raynham asked the President of the Poor Law Board whether the authorities of workhouses are not bound by law to admit at all times all persons who apply to them for admission, and therefore if, on the application of any person for admission into any workhouse, the portion of that establishment usually allotted to the casual poor should happen to be filled, the person in charge of such establish- ment is not compelled to And for the applicant accommoda- tion in some other part of the premises, or a free iodgiug elsewhere, and whether it is lawful for the authorities of workhouses to place persons admitted in a el; an condition In the same room with those who are not. Mr. Villiera said that the workhouse authorities were bound to admit persons under such circumstances if there was room. With regard to the latter part of the question, lie believed that all persons were cleansed on their admis- sion. Lord Naas asked.the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Captain Crofton had intimated to the Government that, in his opinion, great difficulties would arise in carrying on the business of the Irish convict department, owing to the re- duction that has lately been maJe in the number of the directors of the convict prisons; and whether Captain Crofton had in consequence announced his intention of re- tiring from the service. Mr. Cardwell said that Captain Crofton had given such an opinion, but Captain Crofton's services would be retained. Mr. Alderman Salomons asked the Secretary of State for the Home department if he proposed making inquiry into the circumstances attending the commencement of the re- cent fire in Tooley-street, with a view of ascertaining whether thero was a sufficient supply of water in the mains of the company supplying the district. Sir G. Lewis said he had made inquiries of the Commis- sioner of Police, who had ascertained that at the outbreak of the fire there was not a sufficient supply of water. He did not know what benefit would arise from this inquiry. On the consideration of the East India Council, &c., Bill, as amended," Mr. H. Seymour, in the clause providing for an additional member of Council, moved an amendment, striking out the words shall be and inserting may be." The House divided-For the amendment, 60 against it, 165. Majority, 95. Thasunendment was lost. On the motion that the Speaker should leave the chair in order that the House might go into committee on the East India Civil Servica Bill, Mr. H. BaUlie said that the ruten- tion of Parliament in constituting a covenanted service in Inuia was to secure Wtll educated and efficient public ser- vants, and to prevent the patronage of India falling into the hands of the Crown. Colonel S/kes said the judges and collectors who were ap- pointed in IFdia to the control of districts larger than German principalities were formerly required to submit to a preliminary examination of their requirements. The House then went into committee on Clause 1, when Mr. Ayrton suggested words to the effect that where a class of offices had heretofore been filled by uncovenanted servants then the same class of offices might still be filled in a like manner. Sir C. Wood said all that was wanted was to continue the power of making appointments, which up to the present time no one had questioned but the law officers. After a few words from Mr. J. B. Smith, the committee divided on the question that the words be expunged, when there appeared—Ayes, 31; Noes, 46. Majority, 15; and the clause, as previously amended, was agreed to. Clauses 2 and 3 were also amended and agreed to. Tue House then went into Committee on the East India (High Court of Judicature) Bill, when Mr. Scully proposed to limit the judges in Bengal to a number not exceeding 12. As the bill stood the Secretary for India would have an un- limited power of appointing judges; a state of things which he deprecated. Mr. Vansiuart asked the right hon. gentleman in what manuer vacancies in the number of the judges were to be filled up. Sir C. Wood said that the judges would be appointed by her Majesty. Mr. Vansittart then moved an amendment making it neces- sary that a barrister shall be of ten years' standing before being eligible for a judgeship, instead of five, as proposed by the clause. Sir C. Wood said that five years was the present qualifi- cation. Mr. Scully supported the amendment, and the Com- mittee divided:—For the amendment, 41; against it, 99; Majority against the amendment, 58. The House then went into Committee of Supply, and Mr Peel moved that a vote of 25,0002, be granted on account of the packet service, and the vote was agreed to. The other orders of the day having been disposed of, the House adjourned. In the House of Lords on Friday, June 28, Lord Stratford de Redclifle delivered a speech of some length upon the state of Turkey, and asked the Government for information relative to the policy likely to be pursued by Sultan Abdul Aziz. Lord Wodehouse stated, on the authority of the Turkish Ambassador, that the new Sultan would continue the foreign policy of his predecessor, and carry out important Internal reforms. After a few remarks from Lord Hardwicke, condemning the policy of England in Turkey, the subject dropped. Lord Carnarvon called attention to the occupation of Northern Savoy by France, and to the position of Switzer- land as connected with that question. Lord Wodehouse stated that the question remained in pre- cisely the same position as last summer, and that no negotia- tions had taken place in regard to it, because the other great Powers, parties to the Treaty of Vienna, had not thought it desirable to enter into such negotiations It would not be consistent with the dignity of this country, or even politic, to continue discussions that could lead to no practical result. The subject then dropped, and their lordship", after a long conversation on the opening of the Glasnevin Botanical Garden to the public on Sundays, adjourned. In the House of Commons, at the morning sitting, on the order for going into Committee upon the Irremovable Poor Bill, Mr. Villiers gave an exposition of the object and provisions of the measure. He corrected a misapprehension that it introduced a new principle into the law of settlement; it merely carried out, he said, more effectually tbe miin object of the bill passed in 1847. In 1858 a select Committee ap- pointed to inquire into this subject had agreed to certain resolutions recommending the reduction of the period of residence from five to three years, the extension of the area of residence, and improvements in the mode of raising the common fund. The bill was based upon thole recommenda- tions. He believed that the mode of contributing to the common fund proposed by the bill, according to the rateable value of each parish, would tend to relieve the feeling of injustice which now prevailed, and, as there was an organised movement for aa equalisation of poor-rates, he warned the House against giving it strength. Mr. S. Estcourt also supported the bill, and after a dis- cussion which lasted to nearly four o'clock, the mot'oa was carried by a maj ority of 143, but it was then too late to make any progress with the bill in committee. At the evening sitting, Mr. Baillie Cochrane, whose opinions on foreign politics are well known, called the atten- tton of the House to the existence of the Garibaldi Fund Committee to promote the Unity of Italy, with which Mr. Craufurd, Mr. White, and other members of Parliament, are connected. The hon. gentleman moved a resolution to the effect that the existence of such a society in tliis, country is inconsistent with the principles of non-intervention; and he called upon the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and the law officers of the Crown to support him in the views which he had expressed. Lord John Russell, however, gave the hon. gentleman very clearly to understand that he did not intend to move in the matter. TnJp. called up Lord John Manners, Sir G. Bowyer, and other members, who criticised Lord John's remarks. The Solicitor-General refused to be drawn into a discussion on an abstract propositon," and Mr. Craufurd, one of the persons aimed at by the motion, considered that the subject was foreign to the jurisdiction of the House, and very pro- parly declined to enter upon any defence of the Garibaldi Committee. Ultimately, Mr. Biillie Cochrane, with com- mendable prudence, withdrew his motion, and thereby saved it from a certain defeat. Lord Palmerston then called attention to the state of the public business, and urged the importance of hon. members abstaining from bringing forward questions on the motion for going into committee of supply, unless they were of great public importance. The views of the noble lord were sup- I ported by the speakers who followed. Lord John Russell made some important remarks on the subject. The House then went into committee of supply on the Army Estimates. After the votes for the Military Estimates had been dis- cussed and agreed to, certain votes on account, for the Revenue Departments, were subjected to the same ordeal, and the resolutions were ordered to be reported. The House then went into Committee upon the London Coal and Wine Dues Continuance Bill, and passed all its clauses In a Committee on the Inland Revenue Acts, on the mo- tion of the Chancellor of tho Exchequer, certain resolutions wore agreed to. The Report of the Committee of Supply was brought up and agreed to. The East India Council, &c., Bill was read ajthird time and passed. The Crown Suits Limitation Bill and the Book UnionsTBill were read a second time. Major Edwards moved that the Speaker do issue his warrant for a new writ for the electing of a burgess to serve in Parliament for the borough of Wakefield in the room of Mr. w. H. Leatham, whose election had been determined to be void. Mr. Stitjeant Pigott thought that at that late hour the House could not do justice to this important question, and moved that the House do adjourn. A long discussion, in which three divisions occurred, ensued upon the motion for adjournment of the question, and Major Edwards ultimately consented to the adjourn- ment of the debate till Friday next. The House then adjourned. In the House of Lords on Monday, July 1, Lord Brougham, on moving for a copy of a memorial addressed to the Secre- tary of State from Jamaica respecting the annexation of San Domingo, attacked the conduct of the Spanish Govern- ment in regard t > th" slave trade, and vehemently Drotested agaitiso the annexation of San Domingo, as it would give an increased stimulus to tilat odious traffic. The Dake of Newcastle assented to the motion, express- ing at the same time his opinion that the constant recur- rence to this subject in a censorious manner did more to in- crease than diminish the evils complained of by Lord Brougham. With regard to San Domingo, the Spanish Government had expressed their determination not to per- mit the revival of the slave trade in San Domingo in any form whatever. After some remarks from Lord Stratford de Redcliffe con- demning the conduct of Spain, the motion was agreed to, and their Lordships adjourned. In the House of Commons, on the Report upon the Appro- priation of S r.ts (Sndhtiry st-d St. ALl'ns) Dill, as amended, Mr. Duncenv e obj-ctcd that the altemtions made in the bill r<:nL:. r-d it a new measure, which had never been read a second time; and that it ought to bi.) recommitted, or given up, and a new bill introduced. He moved to defer the consideration of the amendments for three months. This motion was seconded by Mr. Scully and Mr. Coning- liaoi; it was opposed by Mr. Dent and Mr. Hadfield. LMd J. Russell thought Mr. DuncomSe had made out no case for the rejection ot the bill. He denied that it could bs considered as a new bill. The propositions of thy Go. vernment as to the disposal of three out of the four sea's h id teen assented to by the House, which had rejected their proposal as ro the fourth. Tiiey now proposed to give that a .at to the West Riding of yorltshira, and to divide that Riding. Lofd Fermoy upbraided the Government with want of manliness in not standing up against a majority in that Rouse got together to act on different views and principles, and in not appealing to the people. Upon a division, Mr. Duncombe's motion was negatived by 204 to 28. Mr. Stirling moved to leave out clause 1, giving an addi- tional member to the Southern Division of Lancashire, and, in lieu thereof, to insert clauses empowering the Universities of Scotland collectively to return one member to Parlia- ment. Sir G. Lswis said, the motion called upon the House to rescind a decision come to after discussion and a division. Although the constitution of the Scotch Uuiversities had been altered, and a system was at work by which they were gradually acquiring a body capable of ^exercising the franchise, it was not at present desirable, in his opinion, to give them this right. At some future period their claim would be entitled to be fairly considered by the House; but, at present, he thought they would not be justified in giving it a preference over that of South Lancashire. Mr. C. Bruce supported the amendment. Sir J. Graham said he had given notice of a motion to bring before the House the claims of the London University but, having consulted the authorities of that University, he, with their concurrence, abstained from obtruding its claims upon the House. Those claims had been favourably con- sidered upon former occasions, and he hoped that, in future cases of disfranchisement, justice would be done both to the London University and to the Universities of Scotland. Upon the present occasion, however, there being only four seats to be disposed of, and threa having been already appro- priated, he should give his support to the proposal of the Government for the disposal of the remaining seat. After some further discussion the amendment was with- drawn. Sir G. Lewis then moved one of a series of clauses dividing the West Riding oi the County of York into two Divisions, to be called the Northern and Southern divisions, and giving two members to each division, thereby appropriating the seat not already disposed of by the bill to this Riding of the county. Mr. Bains objected to giving three borough seats to the county constituency, and to dividing the Riding. The motion was agreed to, and the clause was added to the bill. A good deal of discussion followed on the details of the other additional clauses, and some verbal amendments were afterwards made in the bill, whieh is to be re-committed. On the ordbr for going into a Committee of Supply, Captain Jervis moved a resolution, that it is the duty of her Majesty's Government, before applying to this House for grants of mon"y to construct harbours of refuge, to take steps that the natural harbours of refuge of this country be maintained. He referred particularly to the state of the harbour of Harwich. After an assurance from Mr. Gibson that the subiect should restive the serious attention of the Government, he with- drew the motion, and the House went into Committee of Supply upon the Civil Service Estimates. Various votts were discussed, and, among them, a vote of 20,895i, to complete the Houses of Parliament, was subj etfd to a rigid scrutiny, which extended to the frescoes, tiie cauie of their decay, the preservation of tIN external stonework, the statues, including that of Oliver, Cromwell, and other incidental topics. It transpired in the course of the discussion, that the vote was for completing only those portions of the building which are now in hand, exclusive of that portion to be built in New Palace-yard, and of the filling up of the rough wall in the clock-tower. With reference to the four statues of Sovereigns of England proposed to be placed in the Royal Gallery, Mr. Gregory conceived there had been a departure from an understanding last Session that they were not to be in a chronological series, but to be selected from our most distinguished princes, and moved that the sum of 3,2001, proposed for the statues be omitted from the vote. This amendment was, however, negatived, and the vote having been agreed to, The Chairman reported progress. On the report upon the East India (Hi gh Courts of Judica- ture) Bill, as amended, certain amendments were moved by Mr. Butt, and negatived, and others moved by Sir C. Wood were adopted. The report of the Committee ot Supply was brought up and agreed to. The report upon the Inland Revenue Acts wa s likewise agreed to, and a bill was ordered to be brought on. The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment (No. 2) Bill was read a second time. Sir G. Lewis moved the second reading of the Windsor Suspended Canonries' Bill, explaining its object. Mr. Bouverie and Mr. Deedes strongly objected to the bill upon principle and after a short debate, the bill was read a second time. The County Surveyors, &c. (Ireland),' Bill passed the committee, Mr. Cardwell having given up the clauses relating to superannuations. Othor bills were forwarded a stage, and the House ad- journed. In the House of Lords on Tuesday, July 2, the Marquis of Normanby gave notice of his intention to move for cer- tain papers on Monday next. It might be advisable that he should state the purpose of his motion now. For some months past charges had been made against a deposed Prince, the Duke of Modena, and had been asked by the friends of the Duke to bring the matter before their lordships. Ha should not have taken up the question if the charges had not been specifically adopted by the Chancellor of the Exctu quer, but under existing circumstances he considered it his duty to do no. Lord Brougham put it to his noble friend if it would not be better that the charges made by the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer should ba answered in the presence of the Chancel- lor of the Exchequer, (a burst of cheering arose here, and continued for some time). He thought this the more im- portant, inasmuch as the noble Marquis probably intended as much to attack the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to de- fend the Duke of Modena (loud cheers). l'he Marquis of Normanby would have taken advice from the noble lord if the opinions dictating it had been the same that they all admired ten years ago, but he certainly should not now (Opposition cheers). Lord Brougham rose, but his voice was drowned by cries of Order from the Opposition benches. E.irl Granville rose to order. He agreed with the cries of Order from the other side of tne House but he thought the noble marquis himself much more out of order in making his original speech than the noble lord (Lord Brougham) was at present. (L)ud cheers.) The Maiquis of Normanby attempted to speak, but his voice was overpowered by crits of Order lrom the right of the woolsack, and the subject was put an end to by tne Housa pasting to the order of the day. Lurd Lyttleton moved that the House go into committee on the Subdivision of Dioceses Bu), and defended the bill as it stood from the objections that had been raised against it by the episcopal bench. Tae Bishop of London opposed the bill. He went over at some length the arguments that he has previously ad- vanced against the bill. With the view of showing that no great advantage would be obtained by splitting up large sees into several smaller ones, he instanced the bishopric of Scdor and Man. Without saying anything against the excelUnt administration of this see, he must say that he had never heard it advanced that its government was much better than ihat d the gigantic sees of London or Winches- ter. What wm wanted in the Church was not a multiplica- tion of machinery, but an increase of working power. He wished that the cathedral churches could be made more serviceable to the general Church. In the House of Commons, on themotion that the House should go into committee on the Parochial and Borough School (Scotland) Bill, Mr. Black said b" did not think this bill would meet the wishes of the people of Scotland, who de- sired a more national and less sectarian system. He did not approve of the bill, but he should not oppose going into committee on it, in the hope that, though there was no chance of making this a good bill, yet that it might be made a little less bad. The House then went into committee on the bill. Con- siderable discussion arose on some of the clauses, and the Chairman was ordered to report progress. The White Herring Fishery (Scotland) Bill, the L-)rd Advocate announced that it was his intention to issue a commission of inquiry on the subject The sitting was then suspended.
THE KINGSWOOD MURDER.
THE KINGSWOOD MURDER. On Monday morning the German, who gives the name of Augustus Salzmann, but who is suspected as being Johann Carl Franz, one of the men concerned in the murder of Mrs. Holliday, was examined before the Surrey magistrates at Reigate, where evidence was given that the prisoner had been seen in that town with another foreigner, on the 10th ult.; that they had been seen together in the Cricketers' Arms, in Reigate on that day; and that some cord which it was previously proved they had bought of Mrs. Pitcher in Reigate. resembled the cord with which the legs of Mrs. Holliday were bound. Mr. Coward, superin- tendent of police, proved that on showing the prisoner the book which had been found in the room in which the murder was committed, he looked at it for a moment, turned pale, and then hung down his head, and seemed absorbed in thought. When the prisoner was asked about the book, he said it had no reference to him, that there were many Germans about that place, and the description given in the book of the owner might apply to any other Ger- man as well as to him. He persisted in denying any knowledge of the murder. Mr. Coward then applied for a remand, saying he had every reason to believe that by the next examination he should be able to es- tablish the identity of the prisoner with the owner of the book. The magistrates remanded the prisoner, and he was taken back to prison.
IA STEAMER DESCENDING NIAGARA…
A STEAMER DESCENDING NIAGARA FALLS. A correspondent of the Buffalo Courier writes from Niagara Falls, under date of June 7 The monotony of life at Niagara Falls was broken to-day by an episode. It was rumoured that the little steamer Maid of the Mist was about to attempt an exploit. Report said that Mr. Buchanan had sold her to parties on Lake Ontario, to be lelivered on that tranquil sheet of water, and that least one indi- vidual in your city had a lien on ner which would be seriously invalidated in case the Maid should succeed in finding anchorage at a British Dock. It was said moreover, that said individual was making quick time hitherward to prevent the absquatulation of his pro- perty. But the idea that anythmg made of wood could outlive a voyage down these terrific rapids was regarded absurd. The prospect of its being tried, however, drew at least three or four hundred people to the banks of the river. AU day there had been a bustle of mysterious pre- paration on board the steamer. Hatches were being nailed down and everything made taut, but no satis- faction could be had by inquiring minds. A little past three she cut loose from her moorings, about a quarter of a mile above the bridge, and steamed gallantly up towards the Falls. There were on board her engineer, Robinson, famed for deeds of daring in these parts, and, I believe, three others. The Maid came down with the current, and hung, quivering, hIt otherwise motionless, just opposite her dock. It seemed as if the daughter of the spray were undecided. The moments were long before she made up her mind. In an instant before a spectator could wink, the die was cast, and she puffed a farewell to her home under the cliffs. Another second, and she swung in the sinewy sTasp of the mighty river, speeding like an arrow down the stream. Tiitirc was a rush of excited beholders for the bridge, and looking up thence it was a brave and thrilling sight to see her coming down and dipping like a water-fowl under the spray. No one thought she could live through it, but after the first moment of hesitation she leaped into the gorge as though Niagara had been her father. As she passed under the bridge the crowd rushed to the other side, and trembled for the safety of the daring crew, for the critical point was yet to be reached. Again and again she shot overhead in foam, and again and again, as she all but disappeared, it was thought that the river had claimed its own. But the Maid was native to the cataract and bore a charmed life. With one blow of seething breaker her smoke-stack was levelled with the deck, and then every- body gave her up. At last she had run the terrible gauntlet, and emerged dripping and quivering upon the calm water of the whirlpool. That Chary bdis was easy after the Scylla she had weathered. A wide sweep with the current, and she was lost to sight. The Maid of the Mist was built, almost in the spray of the cata- ract, about six years ago. The thousands who have sailed with her under the sheet of Niagara will be pleased to hear of her elopement.
THE GREAT FIRE IN LONDON.
THE GREAT FIRE IN LONDON. The fire in the vaults remained unextinguished on Situr-lay, and water having failed, about a dozen of the patent fire annihilators had been brought to the spot, and efforts were being made to place them in a position to command the fire. They were tried in the afternoon, but when they were introduced into the vaults it speedily became apparent that they were useless for putting out the fire. The remains of Mr. Scott had not. been found. Large numbers visited the scene on Sunday, but the flames were not so visible, as the inflammable matter is now pretty well exhausted. The estimates which have been made by Mr. Scovell of the goods destroyed in his portion of the premises taken as a measure of the extent of the loss on the other property, lead to the belief that the total amount will not be so great as at first supposed. Including the buildings and the whole of their contents, the loss will not exceed 1,300, OOM. This, though an enor- mous sum, is not more than one-half of that which was reported during the past week. All estimates of the loss now made must, however, be mere conjec- tures. Some time will necessarily elapse before the several insurance offices will be called upon to pay the amount of the policies which they have open, and whatever salvage may be effected, which will certainly be a very large sum, will reduce the loss. Tallow and hides, though sadly deteriorated in quality, will still be available for various purposes; the tallow may be melted and separated from the dirt, and the hides, if they will not make leather, will be useful for the manufacture of glue and size. Of the two thousand and upwards of chests of tea it is not probable that much will be saved. Of the sugar, immense quantities have either been burned or wetted with water, but any that may be saved will still be useful for manufacturing pro- cesses. Flour and rice, though damaged, may be em- ployed for conversion into starch. The oil may be purified. Even the ruins in the neighbourhood of the oil and tallow stores may be made to give back the fatty substances which they have absorbed. Probably when the accounts are made up, when the bricks and charged timber, and iron and lead, and other substances are cleared off, the net loss will not greatly exceed 1,000 000k. There is still considerable doubt as to the imme- diate cause of the falling of the particular wall under which Mr.' Braidwood was killed; but the notion that it was due to an explosion of saltpetre appears to be pretty generally abandoned. The whole area over which the fire extended forms an irregular piece of land, the greatest depth from Tooley-street to the river being about 400 feet, and its river frontage about the same extent. On this block of land there were Chamberlain's, the Customs or the Depot Wharf, and Hay's Wharf. Under the Metro- politan Buildings Act, no single compartment was allowed to be built beyond certain dimensions, and this has involved the necessity of covering the area with a large number of compartments, each separated by party walls, which are of three feet thickness in the lower and two feet six inches in the upper portions. Of these walls there w<-re nearly fifty, most of them raised to a height of seventy feet, and supporting altogether five floors above the cellars, and of these there is not one which has not either fallen wholly or partly, with the exception of that which forms the boundary of the warehouses at the side of the dock, beyond which the fire did not advance. It is perfectly clear that salt- petre was not stowed in the whole of these warehouses, that the falling of the other walls could not have been owing to the explosions of this substance, and it is at least probable that some other cause may have led to the falling of this particular portion of the wall )f Cotton's Wharf. On Sunday afternoon the Rev. Mr. Curling delivered a most impressive sermon in St. Saviour's Chureh, at the foot of London-bridge. The sacred edifice was crowded, and over 3,000 persons who came to hear the sermon were unable to enter for want of room. Several police inspectors, sergeants, and 142 constables came lu t ckurch> as well as a large number of firemen of the London brigade and different parishes. There were also several of the Royal Society's escape conduc- tors present. The rev. gentleman delivered a very im- pressive sermon in which he highly eulogised the character and services of Mr. Braid wood.
ILIABILITIES OF THE INSURANCE…
LIABILITIES OF THE INSURANCE OFFICES. The Phoenix and the Sun Offices are in the unfor- tunate position of being the heaviest sufferers, the former to the extent of about 225,000?., and the latter not much short of that amount. The Sun losses, from the high position of the office, would have been much heavier if it had not been the practice of the company, relatively, to keep down its mercantile risks. The Alliance will, in all probability, be the third in the list of sufferers; and following, in respect of the amount of loss, the order in which we place their names, the Royal, the London Assurance Corpo- ration, the Royal Exchange, the Atlas, the Globe, and the Liverpool and London, form a group with the Alliance. A third group will be formed by the Man- chester, the Northern, the Imperial, and the Lan- cashire. From this point the losses will be found diminishing in amount through the following series of offices :-The Unity, the Union, the General, the Westminster, the Queen, the Leeds and Yorkshire, and the West of England, which last-named company will be found to have got out of the fire with the comparatively small loss of about 5,000?.; and a less sum even than that will be found sufficient to discharge the respective liabilities of the Guardian, the Church of England, the Hand-in Hand, the Law Union, the Royal Farmers', the Provincial Welsh, and the Yorkshire. The County Office has entirely escaped; its business chiefly consisting of the insurance of private dwellings and the property they contain. The losses of the Law, in respect to the extent of its transactions, will, from a like cause, be found to be very light. The Scottish offices—namely, the Scottish Union, the Caledonian, the North British, and the Scottish Provincial—had no primary risks on the property; but they will be sufferers to some extent, by guarantee to other offices. From the preceding details, upon the accuracy of which our readers may place great reliance, the entire amount of loss sustained by the whole of the insurance companies may be estimated at about 1,200,000?., a sum that will probably not fall far short of the premium income for the present year, so that the richer class of companies will have to draw upon their reserve funds for the payment of all other losses of the year, whilst in some few cases, in order to make provision for such payment, it may be necessary, where the capital is not fully paid up, to make a call on the shareholders. A meeting of the managers of insurance offices has been held for the purpose of devising some combined plan of action for their future security; when it was suggested that on specific policies the rate of premium should be raised from 33. 6d. per cent. to 7s. 6d.; and on floating policies, which have hitherto run on a sliding scale up to 21s. per cent., the scale should be carried on to 35s. per cent. After much discussion and various suggestions as to new conditions respecting property of a hazardous class, the whole matter was referred to a committee to be formed of the managers of the Sun, Phoenix, London and Liverpool, Royal Imperial, Alliance, Atlas, and Globe.
MONDAY.
MONDAY. MONDAY. On Monday the fire still continued to burn in the cellars with great vigour. There seems to be no other remedy than of simply allowing it to burn itself out. A number of gentlemen, at the direction of some of the committee of the London Fire-engine Establish- ment, made some experiments on Monday night for the purpose of trying quite a different means of extin- guishing the flames. A gallon of sulphuric acid (oil of vitrol) was mixed with half a ton of water, and was then discharged through the hose of the fire-engine upon the names, but the effect of the fire was nil as far as decreasing its violence, but, on the contrary, it appeared to add fresh vigour to the flames. Several ex- plosions of saltpetre took place during the day, but, as far as could be learned, they were fortunately not fol- lowed by any accident. TUESDAY. There was but little alteration in the appearanceo f the great fire on Tuesday, and it still rages with great vehemence in the vaults, the flames frequently starting high into the air. About fifty or sixtv vans are engaged in recovering whatever they can from the ruius in the shape of salvage; but there is reason to believe, irom the present indicate s, that the property recovered will be bo seriously dam .g. d as to be of but little value. Scaffolding has now be-n thrown up around the most dangerous walls, and these were being pulled down, and the rubbish cleared away, in order to enable the brigade to get more readily at the vaults. The extent of the fire raging below may be imagined-! when it is stated that there are nine cellars, each 100 feet long and 20 feet wide, and in them at the present time about two feet of palm oil and melted tallow is floating on the water, and is alight over tbewhole surface. A subscription has been set on foot for the fire brigade and the firemen of Mr. Hodges' establishment, whose exertions were so praiseworthy on the first night of the fire. We are happy to say that the subscription is rapidly progressing. Mr. Scott has not been found; but although the hope of finding him is now very faint, the workmen are continuing their exertions.
THE THIEVES AND THE TALLOW.
THE THIEVES AND THE TALLOW. At the Southwark police-court, several men were brought before Mr. Combe, the magistrate, charged by the police with having in their possession seven or eight tons of tallow, which floated in the river and sewers from the great fire at Cotton's and Hay's wharves, Tooley-street. The majority of the prisoners had cartloads of the tallow which they were conveying away for the purpose of disposing of it. Some of the prisoners said that they had worked in the river, and collected Lhe tallow at the risk of their lives, and they thought they were entitled to it. It was hard to be deprived of their hard earnings by the police. Mr. Combe told them that they had no business with the tallow on the river it was no more their property than a piece of timber floaiug on the Thames. He should dischargo those who had collected it from the river, and the tallow would be detained until claimed by the persons properly authorised by the owners to receive it. The other prisoners had purchased the tallow from persons who had collected it in the sewers. Mr Neal, who appeared for two men who had 16 cwt. of the taliow, said his clients purchased it of two collectors, giving the market value for it. Mr. Combe told him they had no right to purchase the tallow, as they must know that the collectors were not en- titled to it. Had any of the parties who took it from the sewers been brought before him he should have dealt with them severely. Tae destruction of property by thisllre had heen enormous, and it could not be tolerated that the vast quantities of tallow should be appropriated by any thief who chose to lay his hands on it. Mr. Neal urged that some of it came from the river, and the parties who collected that were abating a nuisance. Mr. Combe said that was all nonsense. They cared nothing for the nuisance. They collected it for their own benefit. He should not punish the prisoners this time, but the tallow must be detained until claimed by the in- surance offices. Mr. Neale considered it very hard, as his clients had given the fair value for the tallow, and did not know they were running any risk. Inspector Moore, M division, informed his worship that bills had been posted in every available spot, cautioning the puolic. The following is a copy:—"Notice.—Any person found stealing tallow from out of the sewers, or receiving the same, knowing it to have come from the sewers, will be prosectit,ed according to law." Mr. Comhe said that they must have been aware that they had no right to it. Late in the day, Richard Simpson, a dealer in marine stores was charged with having upwards of a ton weight of the tallow in his possession. The prisoner said he had a perfect right to the tallow, as it came to him in the way of business. Mr. Combe Then you justify the act of purchasing stolen tallow ? The prisoner said he did not do that, but the tallow was brought to him and he bought it. Mr Combe said he should discharge him, but make an example of him for his impertinence. He must pay a fine of 61. or go to prison tor one month. The fine Was reluctantly paid, and the tallow detained by the police.
THE FUNERAL OF MR. BRAIDWOOD.
THE FUNERAL OF MR. BRAIDWOOD. The funeral of Mr. Braidwood, the late lamented chief of the London Fire Brigade, took place on Saturday. No event of the kind has excited so much general interest since the burial of the Duke of Wel- lington. Iu the City business was very generally suspended, and it appeared from the crowd which as- sembled along the whole line of route to Abney Park Cemetery, as if all London had turned out to pay a last tribute of respect to the lamented deceased. The pro- cession, which was of a very imposing character, con- sisted of the London Rifle Brigade and the 7th Tower Hamlets some 1,500 policemen, including superin- tendents and inspectors; the firemen connected with the various brigades; and the hearse and mouraing ooaches. Dr. Cumming conducted the religious services in the cemetery, which were at once simp le and earnest in their character. The Doctor said:- 0 God of mercy look on us and bless us, we beseech Tbee. 0 holy and blessed Spirit, come and abide in our hearts and make us sincere, we beseeci; Thee. Whom have we in Heaven but. Thee, and th:1re j" D,e upon the earth we desire beside Theo. When our flash our hearts fail us, Thou wilt be the strength of our hearts and our portion for ever. And be Thou to those who are left behind in this world of tears and sufftrings-be Thou the strength of their hearts and their portion for ever. We rejoice to know that the soul of our dear brother which has just left, us shall be quickened at that last great day, and shall come forth, and form one of that grand company who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The public has lost a great man the Church Militant has lost a useful member, but the Church Triumphant has gained a glorious accession. Lord bless us, and cause His face to shine upon ua, that we may be saved. The rev. gentleman then closed with the usual bene- diction. The doctor further said that we bowed under a great loss, and prayed for Divine help for the sud- denly-made widow and her bereaved children, and then exclaimed with emphasis This is not our home, aud we go now to the grave to com- mit this sleeping dust to the earth till the resurrection; every atom of this dust sleeps in the hope again to rise. It was half-past six when the coffin was lowered into the deep grave. At the bottom of the grave could just be seen the coffin of Mr. Braid wood's son-in-law, Mr. J ackson, who perished in a similar way several years ago. The police and firemen lined the footpath to the grave—a necessary precaution, for the cemetery was full of people. At this moment, sud denly, and in the most startling way, a young man, decently dressed, with his head uncovered, stepped up between Dr. Cumming and the grave, and said loudly pointing to the grave, "I am the Son of God. I forbid this burial. That man is alive." He repeated this twice, his face the white of an ashy pallor, and his eye heavy and fixed, presenting a Ktrange contrast to the wild excitement of his words. He was of Course at once removed by the police, but with difficulty, still shouting as he went, his wild language being heard for some time above the hum in the cemetery. The firemen then passed round the grave, taking a look into its depths, and a last look at the coffin of their chief. The followers then returned to town, but not in formal order. The Rifla band marched back through Stoke Newington, playing "Auld Lang Syne."
MR. BRIGHT ON THE VOLUNTEER…
MR. BRIGHT ON THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT At the meeting at Rachdale the other day Mr. Bright de- livered one of his usual philippics against the Volunteer movement. In the course of his speech the hon. gentleman said :— Well, I meet these Volunteers very often, as we all do, and I notice a great many of them are fond of a short pipe.-(Laughter.) That leads me to suppose that they are rather an easy-going set of young men.- (Renewed laughter.) They are good natured, and for the most part credulous. Depend upon it, there is something in tobacco that marks these qualities to a certain extent. —(Laughter.) I have no doubt that there are many men amongst the Volunteers who have joined the body with intentions, and I will say motives, which everybody must more or less approve of and admire.—(Hear, hear.) There can be no doubt whatever of it. But I know what a quaint old Y orkshireman said about it, though it was rather too severe he said when the Volunteers were raised they always knew that there were a great many fools in the country, but they never before had found out a way of pikeing" them out.—(Roar0 °f laughter.) I say that old Yorkshireman was too severe upon them. What I complain of is on behalf of the Volunteers. I say that an immense amount of fine physical force and courage, and some considerable amount of fine and admirable motives, have been been made a jest of, and all this has been brought out on the cry of "Wolf," when there was no wolf, and possibly some time— though I hope it may never come-when there may be a wolf, it may not be forthcoming.—(Hear!) I saw the other day, a few months ago—and it curiously happened upon the 1st of April—a telegraphic dispatch from Brighton, where there was a great display of Volunteer enthusiasm upon the Downs, which brought this message—" the evolutions (describing them briefly) consisted of opposing and keeping back of imaginary invaders, and were continued with considerable spirit until half-past five."—(Laughter.) That is just what I complain of-I say the Volunteers were got up for the purpose of opposing and keeping back imagin- ary invaders. There are no real invaders of this country. -(Cheers.) Thirty millions of people at least, less dis- satisfied with their Government than ever before, better fed and clothed, more intelligent and better organised than ever before-do you think there is, out of a strait- jacket, out of Bedlam, any man in the whole world who dreams or has dreamt for many years past that a suc- cessful invasion could be made upon the shores of this country. (Loud cheers.) I complain of this Volunteer system, not of the men who have engaged in it, but those who have led them into it by false pretenoee and
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& s. A- Drainage 7 0 J Subsoiling or deepened cultivation 2 0 Removal of hedgerows, trees and improve- ment of roads 2 0" Covered yards and good farm-buildings 7 0 f Suitable residence for a tenant of capital 5 0 (I Steam machinery for various purposes 2 10 (I Burnt clay, chalk, or lime 5 0 0 Guano, bones, and other manures 3 0 0 Sewage Irrigation where practicable 3 So here is a total of landlords' and tenants' imp'0 p ments which, conjointly, would certainly result individual and national profit. I am speaking practically on the matter, and I k'^ that it would be a happy circumstance for the genera* of clay land farmers to have their present rents douoJ "J or even tripled, provided that the increased re "j, represented a fair interest on a sum expended on lords' improvements. Whether these improveniyj{ are to be effected by individual or associated capital is Dot for me to say, but it does strike one as » ordinary that ready millions can be found for al»^ every undertaking or scheme, British or foreign, for the amendment of British agriculture, the safest all and the most required. ej> This proves to me that the national mind has not be sufficiently directed to this object, or disbelieves in >, cultural investment as a source of profit. Oura riot tural shortcomings are, indeed, enormous. If the J siduum of the 40,000,000J. worth of foreign com we have just consumed had found its way to the l^j by irrigation, instead of poisoning our rivers, it w0lL have resulted in a large profit to the British pe°P, j Farmers would have considered such a waste Buid4* and insane had that amount of corn been consumed by their animals and so disposed of. ag Taking the acreage of the United Kingdom our gfJN agricultural capital may be estimated,—As landlorO", investment, 24Z. per acre; tenants' investment, 4'. 10.; to 51. rental, ll. produce, 31. 15s. per acre. Th*'> figures are humiliating as compared with the be instances of agricultural progress, which represent ff>u, more than double these amounts. A paltry increase« produce equal to 6s. 8d. per acre (the average value one bushel of wheat), would, on our acreage of 60,000,0^' give us an addition to our food of 20,000,000? nearly double the amount of our average anni foreign corn importation.. 0 I know that this, and very much more than this, be done with profit to the agriculturist and to t1 country at large by even moderate improvement. c>f shall then no longer present the humbling spectacle J a nation which, having by enormous investments &I'd exertions clothed the universe, has yet neglected j. produce a sufficiency of food for its own people. long experience has taught me that nothing is m~V0 certainly profitable than judicious agricultural impro* ment.