The Aberystwith Observer

Foreign intelligence. AMERICA. f Week the Africa has brought New York papers *2 *he 19th of January and telegraphic news by way 'Halifax to tne 21st. The Federal appear to be stirring with new expeditions. General Giimore had s°ne to Hilton Head to organise a force, with which jj18 supposed he intends to cut the railroad between °avannah and Charleston. This would be an attack QPon the latter city from a new direction, and, if seriously majCj will render necessary all the strength •hat the Confederates can put forth to protect the long ~e8ieged place. They appear to have made the harbour stronger than ever. The Federals are reported to nave ^ded at Morehead City, North Carolina. am journals of that State continue to urge peace wi f^orth, and there is beyond doubt a strong Un existing. Longstreet, at last accounts, 0 he advancing upon Knoxville. Another attempt by the Confederates to releasethe If «mers in Fort Johnson is stated to h^e been planned but the Federal Government will doubtless J* able to meet and defeat it. Me«»time every effort 18 being made to commence the spring campaign with renewed vigour. Many of the Federal regiments whose tune of service had expired bave re-enlisted, and a York paper says that with fine weather two large armies will move upon Richmond—one by way of the Rappahannock, the other along the peninsula. The diplomatic correspondence had been laid before Congress, at Washington. The most interesting part, so far as this country is concerned, is that relating to the building of war ships for the Confederates in this country. The result appears to have been satisfactory alike to this Government and to the Government of the United States. With regard to France, M. Drouyn de 1'Huya bad urged the recognition of Mexico as a monarchy by the Washington Government. Mr. Seward had firmly declined and while avowing that the United States would adhere to a policy of non- intervention, he expresses a belief that the establish- ment of a monarchical Government will be found neither desirable nor easy.

THE DANO-GERMAN WAR. In defiance of the remonstrances of the British Government, Austria and Prussia have entered on a war with Denmark. The Aiistro-Prussian forces at an early hour on Monday morning crossed the Eider into Schleswig, and passed on to the Kronenwerk, which the Danes evacuated after firing a tew shots. The Danes withdrew behind the line of the Sorge, after having blown up the bridge and destroyed the raHway. Large masses of the Austro-Grerman troops were pushing on northwards, and an early battle was ex- pected. The King of Denmark left his capital on Sunday night amid the acclamations of the people to join his army. His Majesty, accompanied by the Crown Prince and the Pre- fer, Bishop Monrad, reached Flensburg at noon yesterday, and immediately went to inspeot the fortifications of the Dan- newerke, where the grand resistance will be made to the German invaders. A provisional law has been issued at Copenhagen, tor enabling an accelerated assembly et the 1 BJgsraad. I FLBRSBURG, Tuesday. > The Danish dragoons and a small division of infantry, forming the forepost, have engaged the Federals. They lost three, wounded, and took five prisoners. All the material **■» *a?ed, and all the bridges were cast off. The King and ™ePremier remain in Schleswig. The Crown Prince is still •* ^jopenhagen, where he takes the command of the Guards, ae is expected here in a few days. I TUB GERMAN ACCOUNT. J Kihl, Tuesday, 0.15 p.m. A revere engagement, lasting three hours, took place this afternoon near Missunde, on the SchleL Troops ofAll arms were engaged, especially artillery, i The Danes were repulsed at the Tete-du-pont f THE DANISH ACCOUNT. COPBSHAOBS, Tuesday, 11.41 ..m. The following dispatch has been received here this evening:— "Schleswig, Feb. 2, 8.80. p.m. The German attack upen Mlssunde commenced at 10 untU 4 p.m. to-day. £ ,otwithstanding repeated assaults, all the works re- mained in poueuiou of the Danish troops. One regiment and a half of the Banish Infantry were engaged. The engagement between the outposts, which took place near Breckendorf, was unimportant." J REPORT OF THE DANISH GENERAL. COPEKHAGHN, Tuesday, •w.. following official report has been addressed to the Minister of War by General De Meza:— „ February 1,1864,11 p.m. he enemy advanced inconsiderable force this forenoon "eamBt Eckenforde, whereupon the 1st division of our army _UP a position on the Schlei, and occupied the works near lligsunde. «v "2 a.m. enein»> important has occurred during the night. The A sHoh* outposts are probably near the Sorge and Bistenso. and Th enSagement took place between the Esbernsuare chan»ij>r an<* 8ome Prussian batteries. Shots were ex- "t>ea, and the ships then went out to sea"

i EFFORTS OF ENGLAND TO AVERT WAR. I .r. BHRLIN, Jan. 30 (Evening). that tr1ia*'on has been received here of the statement at .^gland's efforts to induce France to take a mutual ) it hitherto proved abortive. The Emperor Napoleon, ) «YT^ea^s' 's n°t disposed to commit himself by any decided hi* » »?n °' opinion in favour of the London Treaty, and i -^sadors here and in Vienna hare seemingly re- fnr »i» "ections to offer feeble support to the proposition none^tajj"' delay-euch as In fact, amounts to offering none at all. Engird, however, is said to be pursuing her endeavours to engage Russia and Sweden at any rate, failing France, to decided support of the integrity of Denmark, ac- "JnjPanyjnff, as one of the Berlin papers observes, her commendation witb 8°neral warnings and vague threats."

GENERAL ORDD OF FIELD-MARSHAL WRANGEL. A d HAMBURG, Jan. 29. hete^Jays0^^ puSed armies when enc»m nn tf" 480 Austrian and Prussian • now? whgef '"S? ttruegle> wore th* ^me Praised leads tlilm n„.i t' cannot he sufficiently they are (o adonHht ? Moulder to shoulder into battle, of a whh« w ,P the of old. This consists already Kpon round the left arm. Several officers have

The POSITION of the BELLIGERENTS PLAINLY TOLD. # At the last moment the two Powers have modera- tion on their lips, and are binding themselves by reite- rated and solemn statements of their intentions (re- marks the Times). It is to take Schleswig as a material guarantee, to hold it until King Christian convokes the Rigsraad and repeals the November Constitution, and then peacefully to restore it to him, that the allied force, according to the assertions of the two Governments, has crossed the Eider. With the Federal corps of occupation in Holstein they have nothing'todo; theproceedingsof the Prince of Augusten- burg they ignore and condemn. All that they require from the new King is the completion of tbe engage- ments entered into by the old and their only reason for seeking a guarantee is that they are convinced of the obstinacy and deceit of the Danes. Such is the position of the two invading Govern- ments, and they are somewhat angry that full credit should not be given to their assertions. The means taken for the accomplishment of their task are such as in their opinion must insure success. They desire that the Danes should be convinced of the hopeless- ness of resistance, and for that purpose they are bringing into the field an army which is, probably, twice as numerous as their enemy. If the Danes have at the most from 35,000 to 40,000 men, the two Powers will, if necessary, march to the Schleswig frontier a force of 80,000 to 100,000. Seldom have German Governments at any crisis shown such alacrity. France her.elf could hardly set her legions on foot more speedily, or press them on more actively to the scene of war. In a week or ten days more it is probable that the whole Austro- Prussian force destined for the campaign will be to the north of the Eider. It need hardly be said that the very efficient preparations of the Danes for re- sistance have been mainly the cause of this promp- titude. The two Governments have not been without a..suspicion that the demand for time by Denmark arose more from military considerations than a con- stitutional scruple. They found that the Danes were fortifying night and day. and using every means to free from ice the waters which they look upon as a protection from invasion. Frost could not be relied on late in February, and it was desirable to take ad- vantage of whatever remained of it. Fortunately for the Germans, there has been a fall in the temperature, and the Schlei 'and Treene may once more become useless to the Danes as moats to defend the castle of their nationality. During the next week the Governments of the two Powers will no doubt hurry forward their troops, and endeavour to strike a blow before the Danes are again favoured by a thaw. Rumours in such a case are various. In the opinion of most observers, the pro- vince will be defended with spirit; but some think that, if pressed by a vastly superior force, the Danes may retire, and leave the two Powers to carry out their intentions, whatever they may be. Assuming that the allies gained possession of Schleswig, either by the retreat or the defeat of the Danes, it will be- come a matter of interest to know what course they will take in following up their advantage; whether they will strictly limit themselves to their programme, and only occupy Schleswig until the stipulated con- ditions are fulfilled, or whether they will endeavour to coerce Denmark more speedily by an entrance into the northern part of the peninsula. Unless, however, unforeseen circumstances inter- vene, it is likely that the Danes will make a stand for the Duchy of Schleswig, and if the Austro-Prussians can be brought up in force before the frost comes to an end, the great preponderance of their numbers must give them an advantage against which patriotism and courage may possibly avail little. At present there can be little doubt of the determination of the Danes to defend the province. Bishop Monrad, the President of the Council, in his speech to the Rigsraad, says :— I will tell yon, gentlemen, for what we are about to fight. We are about to fight to prevent a foreign Power forcing itself into Schleswig; we are about to fight to expel those from the province who intrude into it. The programme is not to allow a single German soldier to pass the Eider without oifering the best resistance in our power, and to use every effort to expel from Schleswig all who shall venture to intrude. Thus, while the Rigsraad is summoned for the pur- pose of repealing the Common Constitution, the King and bis Ministers are omitting nothing which will enable them to resist the enemy. Whatever may be the course of events, the courage and resolution of the Danish people are worthy of all praise.

THE STORM TNG OF MISSUNDE. I'LKN'.sBcni;, Wednesday, 10.30 a.m. o??1 a hundred wounded arrived here this morning from Th ^Hssnnde yesterday. treated0*15"13 "ero rePuIsed four times, and finally re- PRI PRUSSIAN HEAD-QUARTERS, Wednesday Morning. fi>« oft Frederick Charles of Prussia employed 74 guns in me attack upon Missunde yesterday. Highness was convinced that the Danes would vance ser'ous resistance to the Austrian and Prussian ad- Th encaffI~Were nearly 100 killed and wounded in yesterday's cement. The troops behaved with great valour. tire e Tanguard and the 11th Infantry Brigade was under Misstmde was in flame?. -ft, RBNDSBCRO, Wednesday. wer« >Ttta'sh prisoners taken in the attack upon Missunde Drought in here yesterday afternoon.

j Histtllaiittins |iMipct, | HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. ternf'^Sl?' A^( "Fiddlers."—The colloquial eaxly n»p h«fn & setm to have been in very Chaucer «T>/ even before instrument fiddle" was formerly the chief ingg anj '< f„Li ln»rant Per^ormer3 at merry-mak- the hmnbi- :7e" wer! frequently included among term was vervfw!?*™ tlle, &r6at and/Wealthy, the low hal.ito frequently used as a reproach, implying Tbio tif servitude (says the London Review). to O«T« l? Taming of the Shrew" Hortensio is made "t compo m of being called "rascal fiddler," and to 8 Jack," with twenty such vile terms. Even day 'fiddle" and "fiddler" are almost y a8Bociatc(J with something trifling and htinatVoi convey an impression rather of street than of that refinement and importance culii„4?roperi5r attach to the violin and its modern Uai.im?n* To apply the term "fiddler," therefore u sometimes done), to a skilful and intelligent 011 the violin is a solecism in taste and orA. SKETCH FROM DENMARK.—The lower order anv f?68 comparison with that of other country for strength of body and bright- g^of mind (says a writer ia Oricc a Week). A peaaant would not generally have much t>er "e °/8Uooe8B in a village, such as have all over w^ere every one can read and write, and house and a plot of land. It is Mr. Cobden'a Preti186 reali»ed. Some of the peasant girls are very We k ♦ .with Pale yellow hair and rather long noses. vgoticed several faces not at all unlike the Princess i^T^es. The country girls set themselves off with coloh0^8 aI1<i bright gowns, without much regard to Ken* I have seen a yellow dress worn with a ma- of gb Garibaldi. This last is the most favourite colour iftte»r..But the costume of the fish women is far more gen, ting than these Modern mixtures, being the ^e Friesland costume. Malt TAX AGITATED.—.An interesting °°kn?lori on the propriety of repealing the malt tax '.■Ottdrv6 on Monday evening, at the Farmers' Club, in ^0hof«! paper, strongly advocating the entire aboli- the tax, was read by Mr. Williams, a farmer, near the r^°rd, in Berks. Mr. Fisher Hobbs advocated ta.x of malt for fattening cattle, on which the niajj 0.^d as a prohibition; and Mr. Punnett, the chair- a leftf Central Malt-teix Repeal Association, taking that u, 0111 of the Liberation Societ) 's book, urged in the farmers should cast aside all political fed. I vote only for those who would advocate total ygj'ijr: Some of the members of the club opposed the dent^n> but though no vote was taken, it was evi- of tv. strong feeling of the meeting was in favour Qe repeal. ALDEBSHOT WITNESSES.—The cup is filing Ur ri8ays the United Service Gazette). Captain Weir, *hstn Adjutant Fitzsimonhave all received balf^c^0ns that they are forthwith to be placed on the •> -J' without reason assigned. We cannot see in ^dence of Captain Weir, the veteran who has ■ rom the ranks, and who has thirty-five years of | 'e service, the slightest symptom of that i • the heaviest crime in the military I *-o injury, the communication I ~'v0d was couched in i \e 6th Dragoons d return to his honourably ao. ;e, will, of course, presumption in ang fcrgivenesa. is regiment with birth, and was nON.-In most rs the Time?- ia servant if ejrvan*- Death aoefssion. Any- jot off a long lowest ranks of J -s a carter; the v becomes the shop. «caan, tblt foreman t a partner: the partner has it all to himself. Even in an attorney's office, the errand-boy has often become the chief. A ploughboy employed at three or four shillings a week to mind the gluepot, and sharpen the tools, and move the pieces of wood, is now contracting for the building of churches in the most elaborate style. We have known a housemaid marry an artisan, and have a son who now occupies ;he professional position which her mistress's eldest sonorghtto have occupied, but did not. We have known clergymen gratefully recognised by substantial tradesmen, in every variety of business, reminding them that they were once in their village schools. Indeed, we doubt whether I there is any village f-chool in the kingdom which will not supply several instances. A DREADFUL AFFAIR !—In the Tyrol a husband and wife were fighting, when a man who rushed to separate them was shot dead by the former. Two gendarmes attempted to secure the murderer, who killed one of them and wounded the other. A neigh- bour got on the roof to watch the murderer, and was shot dead as he looked through a hole in the roof. The man was then barricaded in his house. As no one would now venture to risk his life in the attempt to make the capture, two small cannon were brought and two shots were sent against the house, followed by a volley from small arms. The murderer now sought refuse in the chimney, whence, after much resistance, he was dragged by the crowd. THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL'S QUARTERLY RE- TURN.—The general result of the quarterly returns is favourable. The marriage rate was above the average during the first nine months of the last year for which we have returns, and it is well known that they afford a good indication of the opinions which the people themselves have of their prospects in life. The births are returned for the last quarter of the year, and greatly exceed the average, while the deaths are also above the average, but to a much less extent. The birth-rate of the year 1863 is the highest that has been observed in England, and the rate of mortality, owing chiefly to the prevalence of fever and of scarla- tina, is also higher than is usuaL WOMEN'S EIGHTS.—The custom of employing ladies as clerks in the public departments at Washing- ton is meeting with increased favour. It is said that, generally speaking, they write more correctly than the men, and as they receive much smaller salaries, the gain to the Government is considerable. A STARTLING ADDRESS !—Colonel Montgomery Blair, a Federal officer, famous for his wanton de- struction of towns and villages in Florida and South Carolina.. recently addressed hi s negro troops on the enormity of the offence of which they had dared to be guilty, in demanding the same amount of pay as white men. He said :— Scoundrels! you have been deluded by the notsy Abolitionists. You ought to be glad to pay for the privilege of fighting, instead of squabbling about money. You are a race of slaves. A few years ago your fathers worshipped snakes and crocodiles in Africa. Your features partake of a beastly character. Your religious exercises in this cAnp are a mixture of barbarism and Christianity. Your features cannot be improved. Your yellow faces are evidences of rascality. You should get rid of this bad blood. My advice to you—the lightest of you must marry the blackest woman. A BARBERS' CONFERENCE.—The native barbers of Bombay have held a public meeting, at which it was resolved that for the shaving of his head a Hindoo should be charged two annas, a Parsee four, a Mahomedan five and a half annas, and a Guzeratee nine pies. The Europeans were not disturbed, for, being able to shave themselves, any attempt to raise their rates might drive them to self-protection. There were 2,000 barbers present, and the local paper pscribes the oombination to the present dearness of the necessaries of life. THE RUMOURED RESIGNATION OF EARL RUSSELL. —A correspondent says that the rumour of Earl Russell's resignation arose from the following cir- cumstances :— About a month or six weeks ago Lord Derby was to have visited the Queen, but he was obliged to beg off because he m as not well enough. As you may have observed, one of the Ministers waite upon her Majesty every week, and on Wednesday last Lord Russell happened to be the Minister that did so. It so happened that the Foreigh Secretary came up to town on the same day that Lord Derby went down and what more obvious" than the fact Hi at the one had resigned and the other had been "sent for? "I knew it must be so," said a well-known political quidnunc, "for I saw them both coming and going by the railway." Such was the origin of the fable, and the case is but one of a myriad exemplifying the mode in which men set down as known and veriflod that which they only infer from the most trivial occurrences as something that must be so and so. IVORY.—Few persons are aware of the immense demand there is for ivory in our days. At the close of the last century England did not work more than 192,0001b. of ivory per annum in 1827 the demand had risen to 364,7841b., which supposes the death of 3,040 male elephants per annum, yielding C,080 tusks, averaging 601b. each. At present England consumes a million of pounds per annum, or upwards of three times the consumption of 1827; and therefore the number of elephants killed for England alone must be 8,333, or thereabouts. About 4,000 men lose their lives annually in the pursuit after ivory, that is, to provide the world with combs, knife-handles, billiard- ball^, &c. A tusk weighing 701b. is considered by the trade a first-class one.—The hippopotamus also yields ivory, which is much harder and less elastic than that of the elephant, besides being of much smaller dimen- sions. MR. THACKERAY IN NEW YORK.—Mr. Thack- eray's first visit to this country was made on the invitation of the Mercantile Library of New York to deliver his lecture on the" English Humorists of the Age of Queen Anne;" and he was so successful and liked American ways so well, that he came out again on his own venture to deliver his lectures on the Four Georges (says the New York Independent). He felt himself entirely at home in New York though he said in his first visit that our fast living almost took his breath away; but always showed himself to be perfectly self-possessed, and was per- fectly frank in declaring his opinions. The day after bis arrival in New York an article appeared In one of the morning papers in which he was mentioned as a snob. In the evening he was invited to meet some literary gentlemen at the house of Mr. Putnam and the first person he was introduced to on entering the room at the head of the stairs was the late Dr. Uriswold, who, he had been informed, wrote the of- fensive article in question. "So, you are Doctor Griswold,' said Thackeray, looking down upon him with a sort of good-natured contempt; "well, sir, do I look like a snob ?" CHRISTIANOS • AD LEONES !"—A revival of the above-mentioned ancient sport, a great favourite with the citizens of old Rome, is now being looked forward to with considerable interest, by alllover-t of such exhibitions residing within half a. mile of the Agricultural Hall, Islington.—Punch. ONLY AN APE !—The reputed fossil man of Neanderthal, is declared to be but an ape, by Pro- fessor King, of Galway, after a careful examination of the remarkable remains found in a cave in that dis- trict, and spoken of as human by Sir C. Lyell, but with some doubt by Professor Huxley. Mr. King says, after accurate ineasurement of these bones and a close comparison with human remains, he has come to the conclusion that they are those of a gigantic ape rather than of a man. DISEASED PIGS.—At the weekly meeting of the Liverpool Health Committee, last week, it was formally reported that Mr. Lewis, the steward of the Rainhill Lunatic Asylum, had, on the 12th inst., sold 80 pipp to a pork butcher in that town, and he had been induced to do so because lung disease had broken out among the pigs at the asylum, of which it was usual to keep from 100 to 200, and that number was found barely sufficient to supply the consumption of the establishment. Finding that a virulent disease had broken out among the animals, which neither a veterinary surgeon who was called in, nor the medical superintendent of the institution, could cure 8r counteract, Lewis, with a view to prevent loss to the asylum through the death of the pigs, sold them to the butcher referred to. Some of these pigs had been in such a condition as to be fit to be driven off the premises; but others had to be carted in consequence of being unable to walk. It is believed that these pigs were slaughtered in Liverpool, and were con- sumed as human food. Others of the pigs which were left at the asylum died, and were buried; but it is believed that another sixteen of these diseased pigs have been sold. A copy of the report was ordered to be forwarded to the county justices, and a strict in- quiry was ordered to be made in the matter, with a view to have the guilty parties punished. A PARALLEL—The Court Journal" remarks on one of Mr. Bright's recent speeches :— This gentleman complains of the condition of the agricul tural labourer. We have expressly inserted the following paragraph for his perusaL It appears, then, that in the hotbed of cotton industry there are "two rows of houses stretching along an open space which was once a cemetery, but ia now covered with most noxious deposits. The inhabi- tants are so bad, that decent folks cannot live among them; there are no schools, no sanitary arrangements, no signs of even the beginning of civilisation. The rich desert the in- habitants of such spots; the law, which might at least com- pel education, takes no heed of them till they have gra- duated in crIme; and as Manchester grows rich and rolls to the suburbs, the neglect increases every day." If our name be not enough to support the above statement, Mr, Bright will perhaps inquire at the Manchester Guardian, and then show us by a logical eonclusion that the great who draw their'wealth from the industry of the city have less to do with the population than the great who draw their wealth from the industry of the soil have with the popula- tion on that soil. THE STRAWS WHICH SHOW THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND !—At one of the theatres of St. Petersburg a piece is naw being played, entitled A Profitable Place," byM. Ostrowski, the popular Russian dra- matic author of the day, The comedy shows up the abuses and collusions in practice in the Government offices in Russia it is rapid in action and witty in language, and does not conceal the truth. The attack is directed against the old Russian party, against which the Government allows a war to be carried on by the press andbysatires, of which the Russians are passionate- ly fond, and which the censorship allows to be brought upon the stage as if before the bar of a tribunal. These facts are curious to observe, and are considered as symptoms of the tendencies of the Emperor Alex- ander. ONCE MORE !—The Yelverton case again turns up. In the Court of Common Pleas, on Saturday, Mr Bruce, on behalf of Mr. Thelwall, plaintiff in the suit "ThelwaII v. Yelverton," applied that the service of a declaration and notice to plead upon the defen- dant's solicitors should be held good service on the de- fendant. It was said Major-Yelverton is keeping ontot the way to avoid payment of the debt and coats in the actionized in Dublin. The judges refused to make the order, on the ground that it had not been shown that due diligence had been exercised in endeavouring to find Major Yelverton.—On Tuesday Major the Hon. William Charles Yelverton presented a petition to the House of Lords, and which was served the same day on the Hon. Mrs. Yelverton's agent, in which he concludes by saying, "That the 'only' question for the consideration of their lordships upon this appeal was whether the respondent was the lawful wife of the appellant. The petitioner concludes by asking that their lordships will be pleased to fix an early day for the hearing of the said appeal." MR. PEABODY'S GIFT TO THE LONDON POOR. — The first of the buildings which has been erected by the trustee3 to whom the disposal of Mr. Peabody s munificent gift to the city of London was referred will be ready for occupation in the course of the present month. The building, which has cost 22,000/. is situate at Bethnal-green. The number of appli- cations for rooms far exceeded those to be disposed of, and some difficulty has been experienced in making a selection of the occupant*. There is every expectation that the speculation will be most successful, as the building has been formed with the view of affording the utmost accommodation to the occupants. liooms have been constructed of the dimensions of 12ft. by 15ft. Gin., a sufficient size for a email family. There are rooms of a smaller size, and some for single men. There are also shops on .the basement floor with suites of rooms adjoining, and which, It is believed, can be let at a rental of about 60L a year. The domestic comforts of the inmates have been carefully studied. There are separate lavatories for the men and for the women and children, a plentiful supply of water and excellent ventilation. The remark is made, however, that the rent which jtvill be charged for the rooms (which will be from 2s. to 3s. and 5s. week) will be above the means of the poor for whom Mr. Peabody mainly intended his gift. THE NAVY ESTIMATES.—The Navy Estimates for the approaching session of Parliament are now in the hands of the printer (says the Army and Navy Oazetle\ We have heard a rumour that the amount of command money, which has failed to give satisfac- tion amongst those for whose benefit it was originally instituted, is likely to be increased in the cases of captains, commanders, and other junior officers in command, and of certain flag-officers who may be ap- pointed to particular stations. It is also reported that a sum has been taken with a view ef increasing the half-pay of old officers. This last-named act, if car. ried into execution, will be one of great popularity. A CASE FOR A SOLOMON !—In a London County Court an action has been brought to recover com- pensation from a defendant, who is a chemist and druggist. The case was this :— The plaintiff said she was a widow, and on the 30th Dec. last she went to defendant's shop, and asked him for one pennyworth of nitre. He supplied her with something, which she afterwards discovered was laudanum. In ten minutes' time she returned to the shop and told defendant of the mistake. He said there was no mistake, for she had asked him to let her have laudanum. He afterwards gave her some nitre. In consequence of the mistake, plaintiff was ill for four days, unable to do her work, and compelled to have some person up with her all night to prevent her going to sleep, for if she had gone to sleep, she believed she would never have woke again. Defendant was called, and he positively stated plaintiff asked for laudanum. The quantity supplied for Id. would do no harm if taken. His honour decided that plaintiff had not made out her case, and therefore the verdict would be for de- fendant.—Verdict for defendant. THE DANISH COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.—A con- temporary has published a letter from Flensburg, in which the following account is given of the Danish general >— With the general-in-command I have the honour to be well acquainted, having frequently dined at his house. He is a tried soldier, and was the hero of the greatest battle (Istod) which the Danes fought during the war of 1848-51. This general is a character his coolness is extraordinary, During the heat of the fight to which I have alluded his white kid gloves were bespattered with bløod; he quietly drew them off, threw them away, took another pair from his pocket and put them on, as though nothing had hap- pened. He is also a good linguist, speaking perfectly some eight languages, and is, moreover, a composer. He was the right hand friend of the late, and an intimate one of the present, king. LIFE AND DEATH IN THE CHRISTIAN LAND !— An inquest has been held in London on the body of a young woman who all but died of want in the public etreet. Her case was a deplorable one. She was a native of Ipswich, and had come up to London in the capacity of a domestic servant, but was induced to live with the apprentice to a printer, whom his parents afterwards sent abroad to break off the connection. After this she pawned her clothes, even to her petti- coat, and when carried dying into St. Luke's work- house, she was almost in a state of nudity. Atnightshe slept sometimes in refuges and sometimes apparently in the street, for she had marks as if she had lain down in the mud." She was admitted to the work. house in an insensible state, and she was wholly unable to partake of food. She died the same afternoon. The parents of the woman being bedridden, could not come forward to idvntity the body of the deceased, but they averted that she was a very dissipated young woman, and they were by no means sorry to hear of her death. Medical evidence having been adduced, the jury re- turned a verdict of Death from abscess on the brain." CALICO BALL I-An American paper states that the Sanitary Fair at Cincinnati has been wound up by a. calico ball, which has netted about 2,COO dols. The suggestion of the managers that the ladies should appear in calico and avoid all costly costume, jewelery, and other decorations, was by no means universally observed, many of those appearing in calico being prominently conspicuous for their wealth of diamonds and costly head-dresses. The cheap dresses" were of every shade and character known to the dry goods profession. A POET'S GRAMMAR CORRECTED.—The "Lounger at the Clubs, writing in the Illustrated Times, says:— I came across the following in a lady's album thQ other day Mont Blanc is the monarch of mountains, They crowned him long ago But who they got to put it on Nobody seems to know.—ALBERT SMITH. I know that Albert wrote in hurry. To criticise I scarce presume; But yet methinks that Lindley Murray Instead of who had written whom. W. M. THACKERAY. A COOL RECEPTION FOR HEROES !—For days past I have watched the thousands of returning soldiers from the war (writes Manhattan"). Never did I see such a melancholy set of men. They look as sorrowful as if they were chief mourners at a funeraL Not a cheer greets them. They pass up the streets in solid columns, objects of deep pity. Thousands have no word to say, but their looks express pity. Large bodies of citizens regard these broken regiments with horror, and say, Those are the fellows that have been down South, shooting and stabbing their Southern brethren." There is no sympathy for them; there are no more receptions—no more divners-no more grand ovations. ADSUM !—Thackeray's death has been widely lamented in this land (writes a New York correspon- dent). One of our first poets has written two verses commencing in this way:— AD3UM. By R. H. STODDARD. (December 23-4, 1863.) And just as the last bell struck, a peculiar, sweet smile shone over his face, and ho lifted up his head a little and quietly said, "Adsum and fell back.—The Newcomes. The angel came by night (Such angels still come down), And, like a winter cloud, Passed over London town; Along its lonesome streets, Where Want had ceased to weep, Until it reached a house Where a great man lay asleep. I think it would be a good idea when editors, re- porters, correspondents, writers, literary men, and others of high rank die, to have a funeral on a grand scale upon this side of the water as well as in London. MARCHING HOME !— Four hundred of the 115th, 117th, and 118th lndiana" six months' volunteers were ordered to report at Indianapolis, their term of service having expired (says an American paper). They left Tazewell, and were marched over the mountains through the cold, some of them without shoes on their feet, and with but little clothing. They were compelled to march day and might with but a scanty supply of food, and a number of them actually died from starvation. In one party of 102, 24 died before reaching Camp Nelson, and after reaching that place 50 men of the same party fell down from sheer exhaustion and died in a few hours. Out of the 500 who left Tazewell but 350 reached this place, the remain- ing 150 having died from exposure and the want of food and proper care. One night two men belonging to company A of the 115th Indiana had become so weak from starvation, tnat they fell by the way side, and actually died crying for bread. These facts were related to us by both officers and privates belonging to the different regiments named above. The men who arrived here presented a most pitiable appearance, being but scantily clothed, and having been almost without food for several days. THE CONVICT TOWNLET.—Mr. Leech, the attorney for this prisoner at his trial, in the course of a letter to a contemporary, writes J— The local commissioners" were organised and completed without any expense or cost, and the imputation that the prisoner was saved by expenditure of money" is quite undeserved Upon this part of the subject I would add that Dr Forbes Winslow (who has been accused of receiving a large fee for his services as a psychological expert) refused to enter upon an examination of the prisoner's mental con- dition unless he were permitted to do so unfettered and un- influenced by any pecuniary engagement, and up to this moment he is without fee or reward. A SAD DIVORCE CASE.—Mr. Thomas Charles Llovd. son of a Russian merchant, married a Miss GorSh at Madeira, in 1853. In 1859 they were hv- in" at iWhal, when a Haytian war steamer came to Funchal, commanded by Captain Lionel Jobert Arrived. Captain Jobert visited at the house ot tne A fortnight or throe week, rftor to »rml Sias, Lloyd left her home about eight o clock one mtmmg, saying that she was going to see her sister in-law, went down to the landing-place on the beacn, got on board a boat belonging to the war steamer, ana commanded by the first lieutenant, and was takenon board the steamer, which immediately afterwards went out of the harbour. She took with her a box which one of the servants had carried to the beach for her, before embarking she took off her bracelet and sent it to her mother. About three weeks afterwards her mother received a lett«cfrom her, saying that she was on board the steamer wHnrSsptain Jobert, and that she was in great distress of mind, and was sorry for what she had done. Mrs. Lloyd only remained for a short time with Jobert, and was now living on the Con- tinent with her own family.Jobert, who was served with the citation at WsSfimgton, is now an officer in the Federal army. A divorce was granted. HORRIBLE AFFAIR.—Jacob Schriner and Adam Snowberger, both married men, lived near neighbours, and it is said that Schriner has been living in criminal intimacy with Snowberger's wife Agnes (says an American paper). About three weeks ago Snowberger suddenly disappeared, and on inquiries being made as to his whereabouts, Schriner replied that he supposed he had gone to the army, or to Ohio to visit his father. On Tuesday of last week Schriner's wife, Elizabeth, died very suddenly, and was buried the next day. Suspicions of foul play were aroused among the neigh- bours, and Schriner was arrested. Search was made, and Snowberger's body was found in a brush heap, twenty or thirty rods from Schriner's house, his head split open with the sharp edge of an axe. Schriner confesses that he killed Snowberger while working together. He says that he was put up to it by Snow- berger's wife that he was to kill Snowberger, and she to kill hia (Schriner's) wife. THE LAST ACT OF THB PLAY !—The last scene of that forensic drama in which Charles Rann Kennedy, barrister, and Patience Swinfen, widow, have alternately amused and scandalised the public, has at length been played out (remarks the leading journal). The curtain falls upon the marriage of the persistent widow and the discomfiture of the too clever lawyer. A Court of Ultimate Appeal has ordered that Mr. Kennedy shall deliver up the deed of gift by which the lady settled upon her advocate the estate he had won for her, and that he, besides being mulcted of his exorbitant fee, shall pay all the costs of the suit. Whether this is the perfect poetic justice which we look for in a dramatic catastrophe may very fairly be doubted, and whether Mrs. SwinfenIs entitled to her unmixed trinmph and Mr. Kennedy merits his total defeat may still be questioned by impartial lookers-on but we may hope, at any rate, that there is at last an end of this affmr, add that this contest of checks and counter-checks will vex the public ear no more. GREAT SUFFERINGS OF A SHIP'S CREW.—By the Shetland mail information has been received of a very sad character, regarding the sufferings of a ship's crew. a large portion of whom are reported as having died in consequence. The vessel is said to be a large iron ship named the Victoria, on her voyage from Calcutta to Liverpool, with a cargo of coals. Seven- teen of the crew landed on the west coast of Shetland on Saturday, from a boat in which they had been tossed about at sea for four days without food. Two had died and three had become insane. Of another boat, manned by the captain and 13 others 02 the crew, and who left the vessel at the same time, intelligence, not fully authenticated when the steamer left, had been received to the effect that phe had reached the west side of Shetland on Monday with only two sur- vivors. The sufferings of both crews, exposed with out food in open boats for four and six days respectively, were most dreadful, resulting in the death in all of 14 men and the insanity of three. NEW FACT IN ELECTRIC SCIENCE.-Medical men state (and, curiously enough, it also stands to reason) that a certain amount of electricity is conveyed to the system by the receipt of a telegraphic message. The worths which have run along the wire convey the fluid to th? clerk, who transmits it to the paper which you receive. It is, the doctors say, a very healthy thing to take a course of telegrams, and their efficacy is increased by the shock which it gives most people to receive a telegram at all. We had not looked at the matter in this light, but shall immedi- ately begin curing all our sick friends by incessant transmissions of electrifying jokes.—ranch. NEW YORK EXPORTS.—Among the leading items of export from New York last year were 15,842,513 bushels of wheat, 7,553,270 bushels of corn, 420,156 bushels of rye, 126,218 bushels of oats, 2,608,525 barrels of flour, 41,990 barrels of beef, 198,928 barrels of pork, 272,715 gallons of whale oil, 545,108 pallons of sperm oil, 21,141,845 gallons of lard oil, 24,521,0001bs. of butter, 42,327,1001bs. of cheese, 188,095,0001bs. of hams, 120102,7001bs. of lard, 46,116,5001bs. of tallow, 64,543 hogsheads of tobacco, and 36,004 cwts. of manufactured tobacco. The value of these items was 136,000,000 dollars. AN ARDENT IRISH LOVER.—Calliston, ayoung tailor, residing in Mullabawn, county Armagh, fell in love with a carpenter's daughter. Incredible as it may seem, he has been known to sit perched in a tree all night, convenient to her house, that he might catch a glimpse of her when she made her appearance at early dawn. The girl, however, avoided him. Deter- mined to attract her attention, he went to church with a pistol loaded only with powder, and, at a certain part of the service, he inclined the muzzle to his body, and discharged the pistol, the only fatality attending which was the alarm it gave the congregation, for, being merely charged with powder, the hero dwindled down to a bumpkin. He was arrested, and sent to gaol for two months. ALLEGED PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.—Startling announcements of preparations for war appeared in two of our daily contemporaries of Thursday (says the Army and Navy Gazette.) One said that the Government had resolved upon placing from 20,000 to 30,000 men on a war footing, in order to enforce its views with respect to the integrity of Den- mark upon the Austrian and Prussian Governments. Another described the Horse Guards all in a state of superhuman activity, arranging for the despatch of artillery and Armstrong guns to the Eider, and that a Oimean general of fair reputation—what a wide field for conjecture I —was to lead an expedition to the North Sea. Both these announcements had been preceded by an erratic statement that the 2nd Brigade of the Royal Artillery was placed under orders for Copenhagen. Either powerful imagination, or an erroneous applica- tion of the theory of probabilities, must have been. at the bottom of thia sensation intelligence. Certainly truth had nothing to do with them, 1Jp to the present moment the principal work of the War-office has been to work up its ordinary estimates for Parliament, with an especial view to combine economy with efficiency, while the Horse Guards is in its usually placid condition. PRUSSIA'S COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO The Paris journals quote, in illustration of the manner in which England is viewed at this moment throughout Ger- many, an article in the German Gazette, the official organ of the Berlin cabinet, wherein it is said :— No one can suppose that the two-great German powers can see in the attitude of the English cabinet a motive for departing even a hair's breadth from the just demands which they have made from Danish arrogance. The moment is perhaps nearer than England thinks in which she will reap the fruits of the policy which has within the last thirty- five years so altered her position towards the re3t of Europe. There ought to be no delusion ou this head the England whose traditions go back to the first twenty years of this century no longer exists. Another England has replaced the old, and if her traditions have been sufficiently powerful to cause public opinion to forgive the present for the sake of the past, that possibility does not exist now. As to us, we do not deceive ourselves about it—we no longer seek in this new England assistance for Germohy. FROZEN TO DEATH !—About thirty miles from the boundary line between Michigan and Indiana, in the latter State, about midway between Centreville and Crown Point, lived a German, with his wife and five children, named Krutzer (says an American paper). The eldest was a boy of seven years of age, the next a boy of five, and three girls of less age than the boys, the youngest but an infant. The driver of the stage coach coming from Crown Point to Lake, via Centre- ville, found that Krutzer's dwelling had been burned to the ground, it is supposed the night previously, but none of the family were to be seen. About a mile further on, however, he was horrified to find the father and two boys frozen to death. The boys were in the father's arms, and it is supposed that he had fallen with them after having been so affected with the frost as not to be able to proceed. The three corpses were placed in the stage, but before it had proceeded a quarter of a mile on its destination, the body of the oldest girl was found in a snow drift, with a shaw" wrapped closely around it, where it had doubtless been deposited by its weary mother while yet alive, in the hope that some chance traveller might rescue it from an impending fate. This corpse, too, was placed in the coach, and again it started on it way, only to find, after travelling a short distance, the lifeless re- mains of the mother with the two youngest children. The body of the mother was standing erect in a snow drift, with the children In her arms, the youngest one being at the breast. A NEW YEAR'S SCENE IN VIRGINIA.—A Cor respondent of the Boston Commonwealth, writing from Norfolk, Virginia, says: The New Year came into Norfolk in a high gale. Did you hear the wind turning over the 'new leaf,' at one o'clock this morning J" said the daughter of John Brown, of Oasawa- tomie, as she sat at my elbow. And we looked on, while the day wrote on the new leaf its strange history. With music, and banners, and triumphal marching, the coloured citizens, with their wives, proclaimed anew through the streets of Norfolk the triumph of the President's Procla- mation of Emancipation and General Butler marched with them, with his staff- General Wild joined them, with his brigade of negro soldiers. General Getty and his staff were there; and General Luaiow and General Hickman marched forth with their staffs. Gen. Barnes, too, our noble military Governor, did himself avdhis staff the honour to swel} the high acclaim. The banners thanked God for freedom; called Abraham Lincoln Our Mosesmade a pictured red coffin bear the Remains 0f Slaverytoasted bravely of The Flag," which truly now— waves o'er the land of the free, Once the home of the slave!" In the dark day,when Nehemiah Adams, taking notes for his book, came down to peep through the lens of slavery, he said he expected, when he crossed Mason's and Dixon's line, to see sable-skins, on bended knees, uplifting their clasped hands and manacled wrists, and rending the aicwith the cry, Am I not a man and a brother?" If he had taken a peep at the new order oi things on New Year's-day, he would have seen sable sknoS" mighty host—standing erect as God com- manded them to ao, and thanking Him for having made them men and brothers—thanking Abraham Lincoln too for let- ting them be what God made them to be, and for letting them alone. THE LAST SCHLESWIQ-HOLSTEIN AFFAIR.—At such a time it is interesting to call to min<* the pro- gress of the campaign of 1848, when General von Wrangel marched into Schleswig in the same manner as the allies are now entering. After the battle which took place in April of that year near Schleswig city, that place was captured bv them, and soon after Flens- burg also fell into their hands. The Danes then left the main land and retired to the islands of Alsen and Funen. No sooner was this done than the Prus- sian general, though he had come only as the liberator of Schleswig, sent a large part of his army into Jut- land, which is pure Danish and Scandinavian terri- tory. This led to the interference of Sweden, which made strong remonstrances to Prussia, and went so far as to land a force on the island of Funen, the Kussian Government following up the movement of its ally by sending a fleet to cruise in Danish waters. The result of these proceedings was that the Prussians were compelled to withdraw from Jutland, and the tide of events turned in favour of Denmark, which wa" enabled for 15 years longer to keep its antagonists at a distance. We trust that the memory of this failure will check Prussia in any desire to repeat the events of the last war. On the assumption that vic- tory or a military arrangement gives them and their ally possession of Schleswig, it will be their wisest policy to be content with the programme already put forth, and to abstain from carrying further this boot- less war. CNARGE AGAINST A FRENCH PHYSICIAN.—The Paris Droit states that another charge has been insti- tuted against the physician at present confined in the prison of Mazas, who is accused of having poisoned his wife shortly after having insured her life for a sum of 550,000f. (22,000?.) An investigation is now going for- ward as to the death of his mother-in-law two years since under suspicious circumstances. The judicial proceedings in the latter case have given rise to the ex- amination of a great number of witnesses, and to a che- mical analysis, which has not yet been concluded. It is said thattheprisonerisnotatall dejected in consequenee of his confinement, nor dismayed at the heinousness of the crime of which he is accused. He is described as of a very violent temper, and it is further said he occupies his time in writing satirical descriptions of the magistrates by whom he has been interrogated. GOING # OUT FOR A LITTLE SHOOTING.—The Crown Prince of Prussia passed through Hamburg this morning on his way to Marshal Wrangel's head- quarters (writes a correspondent). Prince Frederic of Augustenburg—or the Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, as he is now invariably called in these parts—has left Kiel for a few days' shooting on the estate of Colonel Buchwaldt, at Neuendorf, about 20 miles from that town. There Me a geod many people going out shoot- ing just now m that direction, and we may hear of some very big bags being made before many days are over. You will probably have learnt by telegraphy that the Danea have begun to retire from the Eider. For some days past it has not been expected that they would make a stand on this side the Dannewerk. That is their stronghold, their "quadrilateral," a,d they are not going to risk a SoUerino by engaging (superior forces in front of the good defensive position it affords. The universal opinion here seems to be, so far as I have had time to ascertain it, that thev cer- tainly will fight. There is great irritation on" boilh sides, and the conflict, when once engaged, ought to be both fierce and stubborn. The forcing of the Dan- newerk seems considered tantamount to the expulsion of the Danes from Schleswig. AN ECCLESIASTICAL AUCTIONEER.—The "New York Times" amuses us with apiece of truly American intelligence:— PEW SALE.—At the commencement of the new year the usual meeting was held in the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher's church to dispose of the sittings for the year. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity. Precisely at 7 o'clock Mr. Beecher appeared on the platform, and in a few words stated the object of the gathering and the terms of sale. Was it on the platform that Mr. Beecher appeared ? According to our English notions, the reverend gen- tleman should have appeared in the pulpit.-Punch.

THE "GREAT DIVORCE CASE" AGAIN! The celebrated divorce case, "O'Kane v. O'Kane and Lord Palmerston," has taken a new turn. The petitioner, according to an affidavit put in by his soli- citor on Tuesday, says the case has been compro- mised, but he insists that he was in a condition to prove all the charges he made. He does not say with whom the case was compromised, and the solicitor for the lady makes another affidavit, on her part denying that she was any party to the com- promise, and the solicitor added that he was informed by the solicitors to Lord Palmerston that they too knew nothing about a compromise. When the case came before the court, Mr. Browne, for the petitioner was at great pains to state that neither respondent nor co respondent had anything to do with the compro- mise. The Queen's Advocate, who appeared for Lord Palmerston, said he had not even seen these affidavits, in consequence of which the Judge refused to proceed, and adjourned the case.

The subjoined are the documents and affidavits re- ferred to above:— Her Majesty's Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes. Between Timothy Joseph O'Kane, petitioner, and Margaret Alatilda Augusta O'Kane, respondent, Henry John Temple Viscount Palmerston, co-respondent. I, Thomas Wells, of 47, Moorgate-street, In the City of Londo'ji, solicitor, make oath and say: 1 That I am the solicitor to the petitioner on the record; that the particulars required by the order of the co-res- pendent on the 17th day of November, 1863, were imme- diately prepared and ready for delivery, but were delayed being filed solely because negotiations for a settlement of the cause were soon after commenced and which were only completed on Saturday, the 16th day of January, 1864, aud when my costs were paid. 2. That I am informed, and verily believe the petitioner and the respondent were married at a house in St. George's- in-the-East, in the county of Middlesex, on the 2nd day of October, is51, by a Catholic priest regularly ordained, and acting with full jurisdiction for celebrating the marriage with all the rites and essential formalities of the Catholic ur a,i that thej' lived and cohabited together as man and wife up .o about the 10th day of October, 18G3, and were known and respected as such by good society. !t 13 wholly untrue that the petition was presented a^«,d arK!,SerVea f0/ th° purposes of extortion, and that So! l } ,ln',tT'Cit:0Ils' al,d 10 the best of my know- m d 56v the rt'^erhad a good case upon the n pvfoi- tre, e are'J°, t !1e best o £ knowledge, no facts hPl,v^ o f £ om wLuoh ,said Charles Ilorsley could n 6 hf' sworn m tLe last Paragraph of his affidavit nied in this motion. tht Th?t 1 h?ve been instructed to stay all proceedings in ■Shil {aMlicnedvei1 from m*' cIient» ^e petitioner, of which the following is a true copy:— "47, Moorgate-streat, City, Jar. 16, 1861. Myself v. Palmerston and O'Kane. "Dear Sir,-Yleldlngto the advice of my friends, I bave oecided to drcp the above suit; and I hereby Instruct you to « proceedings. I adept this course solely for ?.°.vny children, and not from any Inability to establish the allegations contained In mv petition, or to prosecute the suit to a successful conclusion, as the letters &81, T .z. ;«■ tu" ,a lo yon. and the evidence laid before ycu, offered, prima facie, every probability of tuccees. Oa the inters and correspondence, fortified by the oplnit,n of ET"!1; yr.U u?fejt?ck «he suit by my instructions, aod I feel perfectly satt* fled with your professional conduct at well «s that of your managing clerk, Mr. We,ton, who was not deterred from undertaking the just came by the frantic howl of a venial and coi ruptprese-the cause of right against might. I beR you to give the most complete contradiction to the assertion made by some of the London and other papers, that I was in the employment of either of you-my own resources and those of my friends having enabled me to live independent of such aid. I was lawfully married to my wife, the respondent in this suit, by a Catholic priest regularly ordained, and acting with full jurisdiction, and celebrating the marriage with all the rites and ecclesiastical formalities of the Catholic Church. This could have been satisfactorily proved had the case gone into court As to the alleged acts of adultery, the correspondence aud other evidence would leave no doubt had the case gone to a jury -I am. yours truly, T. J. O'KANE." The following is the affidavit of Mr. Horsley in reply I, Charles Horsley, of No. 2, Staples-inn, solicitor for the respondent, make oath and say:- 1. That I was, on the morning of the 27th day of January last (the day after the rule nisi for the dismissal of this petition was obtained), served with a notice from Mr Thomas Wells, the petitioner's solicitor, stating that this suit had been compromised. 2. I thereupon, on the said 27th day of Jan., wrote and sent to Mr. Wells a letter, of which the following is a true copy:— 2, Staples-inn, Jan. 27,1864. "O'Kane Divorce Petition. Sir, In consequence of the receipt this moment of a notice from you, 4 that this suit having been compromised (and of which you must be fully aware), I "am inatructed by the petitioner to withdraw from it as his solicitor, and there- fore refuse and decline to receive any more notices or letters from you in it,' I beg at once to inform you that neither directly nor indirectly have I heard a syllable of the suit (by which I presume you meant the petition for a divorce) hav- ing been compromised. And I further beg to inquire from you when, where, by whom it was, as vou allege, so com- promised ? Unless you prove "to me that the petition has been compromised by the respondent, I shall on Tuesday next proceed exactly as if your notice had not been received. And I beg further to give you notice that I shall use this letter in evidence before the court.—Yours, &c., CHARLES HORSLEY, solicitor for the respondent." ,rs No answer of any kind has been returned by the said Mr. Thomas Wells to my said letter. 4. Up to this time no further step has been taken by or on behalf of, the petitioner In the prosecution of the said petition, as I have ascertained by Inquiry at the proper office of this honourable court in making this my affidavit. 5. Upon requisition of the solicitors of the co-respondent on the 30th of January last, whether they had heard or knew of any compromise of the said petition by or on behalf of their client, I was assured that no such com- promise was known to or had been heard of by them on the part of the co-respondent. 6. Xo compromise of this petition, direct or indirect, has emanated from, been sanctioned by, or known to me, as solicitor to the respondent; and 1 am informed by the respondent, and verily believe, that no such compro- mise has been suggested, sanctioned, or heard of by her, and that no person has seen her upon the Buhject ol a compro- mise thereof. CHARLES HOKSLEY.

DRESSING THE WINDOW. Quoth that Prince of Shop-walker* and Principals, Pam, To his bock-keeper Glidstone, and John, hit head shop- man. "I should know the public, yet puzzled I am What article's best In the window to pop, man. L<*st year trade was languid there seemtd nothing doing, Then our stcck di,ijilc tske, and i he ru ¡lic held off it, Till, on striking our balance, for all Gladstone's tcrewing, Tcere appeared on the bcoks scarce a penny of prefix. "From its those unprincipled cbapi. o'er the wiy, How to drees their own window have managed to learn And doi>'« mind (from our shop to draw custom away), That untiadesmarl ke fshehcod—you know—'s»me con- cert.' What is to be done? Hen's the Sasson besiunirg, A id unless we find something th. pu lie to fix, I'm afraid, gents, that so far a fortune from winning, The concern will be bink, upt, and dividend nix. "Our book-debts are heavy; on sev'ral occasions, Thanks to you, Master Johnny, we lye largely o'e -bought; That lot of Reform checks-your recommendation's Been on hand ever since not a penny they've brought. "There's an awful back-stock in those pigeon-holes yonder, And of bad bills, I know, there's a box at the bank full How to save the concern when I ask you to ponder, All you can suggest to one's, Rsstrand be thankful.' As for Gladstone, he does try to keep down expenses, But he is such a begger to argue and reason, He'll prove black whitA, spite of a customer's senses, And to carry his point, would risk losing the Season. If it weren't for my manners, my style of shop-walking, And shaving the ladies-or gents, for that matter; Of Pam & Co. Is smash soon the town would be talking, Spite of Johnny's smart letters, and Gladstone's glib patter. "There's one comfort, if people our goods ain't quite nuts or. They fancy still less that chap's over the way Though the very samepatterns the counter he puts on, And tries all he knows, he can't make the thing pay. We do keep a conscience (if it's a rusty one), But a conscience don't suit Derby, Dizzy & Co. Their shoddy stock's worse than our fly-blown and fusty one, And where we've one dummy, they sport a whole row I" [Punch.

EPITOME OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN, A railway porter died in London, last week, of hv. drophohia. He was bitten by a dog in November last. It was as much as four or five men could do to hold him. He suffered indescribable agony. It is stated, on good authority, that the fees paid to the counsel for defending the murderer Townley were as follow Mr. Macaulay, Q.C., received 150 guineas; Air. Serjeant O'Brien, 75 guineas; and Mr. F. Stephen, 25 guineas. The aggregate steam power of Great Britain is set down at 82,685,214 horse-power, or equal to 400,000,000 men, The power of steam makes England, with a population of 20,000,000, produce wealth representing the labour of a po- pulation twenty times that number. The journals of Hanover mention that the tenor Niemann has been fined 15 thalers for having changed as has beeu stated, certain words in an opera by Marschnerj ia which he was singing. Instead of saying, Rejoice proud England," he had exclaimed, "Shame on you! proud Eng- land." We understand that Her Majesty the Queen of Den- mark and her eldest daughter are expected to arrive in this country at the close of this or early in the ensuing month from Copenhagen, on a visit to their Royat Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, in order to be present at the christening of the infant Prince. Lord Palmerston's acquaintance with Mrs. O'Kane, otherwise Miss Morris, the respondent in the "great divorce case," is said to have arisen from the fact that Miss Morris was a governess in the house of Lady Jocelyn, who is nearly related to Lady Palmerston. Hence Miss Morris was not an unfrequent visitor at Cambridge House. The great preponderance of gentlemen applicants still continues, and so many men of wealth are now on our books, that 30 ladies may be suited at once cartes of each on hand ladies waited upon."—From the address of a Man- chester advertising agent. The emigration returns from Liverpool for January show a decrease as compared with last year, still no fewer than 4,431 persons left the Mersey as emigrants during the past month. Of these 1,000 sailed for Australia, and above 3,000 for the United States. The majority went from Ire- land, but thenumber of English and Scotch emigrants comes very close to the other. A novel and attractive mode of etelebrating the three hundredth birthday of Shakspeare has been started in Bir- mingham. It is to found a memorial library, containing not only the complete works of the Bard of Avon, but all those of which they have been the chief origin. It is computed that 5,000 volumes will thus be brought together; and, as many books have already been received, and 300/. in dona- tions given for the purpose, there is a likelihood that the project will be carried out. One of those lamentable incidents, called "trades" union outrages," occurred in Wigan on Sunday morning. The boiler of a brick yard was blown up with gunpowder, and there is no doubt It was done maliciously. Eight men were apprehended,on suspicion, and afterwards discharged. We read the following despatches in a Paris paper, but by aecidert they lack a stop between them, and the sen- tences flow on in this sense:—"M. the celebrated litterateur, has arrived in Naples, the brigandage has re- doubled. The Cassel Gazette announces officially that the af- fairs of Prince Frederick of Hanau, son of the Elector, have been provisionally placed under the control of trustees, in consequence of the" dissipation" of the prince. Thirty editors and printers were among the killed and wounded at Chickamauga.—American Paper. From a list of ironclads in the British naw iust published, it appears we have ten afloat, three launched and fitting out, six nearly ready for launching, and five laid down, making in all 24. The iron navy of France is made up of six frigates afloa ai.d ten building. Cabinet Councils have been held in quick succession this week, it being an anxious time. On Saturday the first portion of the valuable and ex- tensive stores of the steamship Great Eastern, which have been recent.y seized at the suit of Mr. Parry, ship-store merchant, of London, for a balance of upwardsof 5,000* were sold by auction at Liverpool, under a sheriff's warrant, and by an order of the Court of Queen's Bench. The sale was a harvest for the purchasers, and great bargains were realised. For example, the tea, which was said to be Of excellerit quality, brought from 8d. to lOd. per lb., wlnlst one of the lots of ale, consisting of 40 dozen quarts, was Knocked down for 10s. The following contains the alphabet" John P. Brady gave me a black walnut-DOX oi quite a small size." A new application of photography has been made by a Mr. Shirras, of Aberdeen, to transfer photographs from paper to china. A certain Mr. David Fender, popping the question in a letter, concluded thusAnd should you say yes, dear Mary, I will truly be your D. Fender." The absence of specie (says an American paper) is giving a new cause of uneasiness. When young Speedy, the °Af I'i/v, i £ ls father threaten that he would cut him °K wun a uollar, he looked in his face, and coolly asked him where he would get the specie. At a late Council in Paris, one of the Ministers timidly ventured to suggest the expediency of a disarma- ment, on which the Emperor slowly raised his head, and merely said, Desarmer, Messieurs with a look and tone that made the" Excellency" in question feel very sorry he had ever mentioned the subject. The truth of the story is vouehed for by those who relate it. The magistrates of Derbyshire have replied to Sir George Grey's last letter on the Townley case. After dis- puting several statements referred to in the Home Secretary's letter, they state that one of the medical men on whose cer- tificate Townley was spared is not a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and therefore was not qualified to act. They call on the Home Secretary to apply the latter portion of the act as he has already applied the former—to apply to the authorities of Bethlehem Hospital for Information as to the present state of Townley's mind, and to act upon it, whatever it may bo. A young lady of property and good position r. c,:nth- I eloped from Edinburgh with a ycung shopman, af^r bell* married to him a week. They were pursued by an indijrusii't brother, and traced to Paris, in apartments in a fashiona'1 > hotel. Finding that his siater would not come, the brother threatened her husband with personal chastisement; ir.f, in attempting it, to his astonishment he found I.IIU-A kissing the carpet. The police took the brother off to pri- son, from which, next day, be was only released through the explanation of the young husband. We understand that it is the intention of her Majesty to hold all levees and drav.:ri £ r-roon»s herself during the ensuing season, but to reside at Windsor Ca<iV, merely coming up to London, when necessary, for State vc- casions. A letter from Tilsit, in Prussia, mentions that ft dwarf, named Lipke, aged thirty-four, and only two fe. t- high, had just been married to a young woman aged eigh- teen. The bride was of ordinary stature. It is calculated that since the conquest, upwards of thirty years ago, France has spent three milliards of franc In Algeria, and at this moment in all the vast tracts of Afii can soil subject to her rule there are not 200,000 colonists. A man and his wife, named Stokes, have been com- mitted for trial at W est Bromwich for brutally ill-treating tneir son, a lad eleven years of age. The Federal Navy Department have given orders for the construction of four 7,000 ton ships. The other day a noble lady was out with the hounds, when she was thrown. Fortunately her skirts caught the crupper, and held her suspended. Her life would, however have been endangered had her skirt not given way below the v 'ee/' ia!"? en?bled her to gain her footing. What with tin: short skirt and long trousers, the appearance of her ladyship must have been somewh" ludicrous. The Record states that the Archbishop of Canterbury has invittd all the prelates of England and Ireland aiul such of the colonial bishops as are now in England to meet at Lambeth Palace, "to confer on six subjects important to the welfare of the Church, the chief of which are diocesaii synods, the burial service, subscription to the articles and an American proposal to amend the English authorised'ver- sion of the Bible." An Englishman lately arrived from Siberia, whither he had gone to arrange telegraphic communication with China, saw an unfortunate Irishman labouring in those snowy wilds. He was loaded with chains, and treated like any lole; and it appears that he came to this grief through having deserted the British army before Sebastopol. There are stated to be several spurious money orders in circulation in Scotland. A seaman'8 daughter has sent to the National Life- boat Institution 201., being the produce of her needlework. "Sleeky.- Windsor.-I have learned vour sufferings, and humbly thank God you are better. In mercy write Four long weelis of intense anxiety. Constant watching.- KATE."—Advertisement in London "Times." The colliers at Bradley, near Wolverhampton, have been successful, after a strike of five weeks, in obtaining 3d. a day additional wages from their employers. At Rockingham-house, the seat of Lord Lorton, in Roscommon, the roofs have been literally stripped of sheet lead and leaden pipes, several tons in weight, by thieves. There is a rumour, which will probably turn out to be well founded, that the next Gazette, or one very soon after it, will contain a notice of the distribution of the Kertch prize-money to the Royal Navy.-And quite time The Pittsburg Chronicle says that two brakesmen, on the Oil Creek Railroad, were frozen to death recently one of whom rolled off the car, and the other was found at his post, his hands frozen to the breakwheel. A new sign for a tavern has recently been invented —Dew-drop Inn (do drop in). It is said that the Archduke Maximilian declines to go to Mexico without he can get a loan of 10,000,0002. It is said that Sir W. Atherton realised upwards of 30,000i. in the years 1SSL and 1862 by patent fees alone. The London Haymarket theatre makes the curious advertisement announcement that Lord Dundreary has been "remodelled." Heenan is still suffering in health from the effects of the late fight, and has been so much reduced in weight, that he now barely weighs 12st. 71b. Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales is still making the most favourable progress. The family of General Lee live in the plainest way at Richmond, renting two rooms only. Between Foynes and Limerick a sportsman recently shot, with one discharge of a punt gun, 224 grey plovers. The Channel Squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Dacres, C.B., is quietly waiting for further orders in the Tagus. The Austrian army has sent 32,000 men to the Duchies, but only 28,000 are fighting. The Emperor has given orders for 60,000 to be in readiness. The Prussian Government has for the present plenty of money, the revenue exceeding the expenditure, and there being an available reserve of some 6,750,000.a very large sum for Prussia. General Grant, of the Federal service, was formerly a farmer in the neighbourhood of St. Lewis. and used to convey wood to the market there lor sale. He was also a collector of debts. The peace number of the Danish army is 22,000 men. The navy consisted, in September. IS02, of 19 sailing vessels with 701 guns, and 28 steamers with 340 guns. A deputation of paper-makers waited upon Mr. Milner Gibson, last week, and laid their grievances be- fore him. They represented their trade to be in a,, realiv ruinous condition" in consequence of the free admission of French paper into this country, while the export oi rags from France is saddled with a considerable duty. Her Majesty honoured Professor Tyndall with an Invitation to Osborne, in Grder that the Professor might de- liver two lectures on electricity, for the instruction of the younger members of the Royal Family. The christening of the infant Prince will take place at Buckingham Palace on the 10th of March, the wedding- day of its Royal parents. The first two names of the young Prince will be Albert and Victor. The Royal tomb-house at Windsor is being deco- rated at the expense of the Royal children. The spaces be- tween the carved stone ribs of the roof, which spring from the capitals of the finely-cut pilasters of the walls, are being filled with the richest enamelled mosaics, consisting or thousands of pieces, arranged in the most costly and beauti- ful designs. John Wood, a private in the Royal Marines, was tried by court-martial, at Chatham, for striking an officer, destroying his clothing, and insubordination. Be was es- corted into the court only partially clothed, and using bad language. He said his judges were a set of curs, and became so unruly that he had to be fastened with ropes and laid upon the floor. In the Corps Leginlatif of France, last week, Duke Moray said, If we all had our wish, if by raising our finger we could spread satisfaction over the map of Europe, he for one would cordially hasten that millennium. He would give back Venice to Italy, rescue the Lebanon from the Turk nay, more, if the Pontiff could be prevailed on to ac- cept a guaranteed position suited to his high functions, he would let the Romans manage Rome, and recall our garri- son, which must ever remind them that they are kept down by foreign byaonets."

THE MARKETS. MARK LANE, MONDAY. Moderate supplies of home-grown wheat were received fresh up to our market to-day, and the condition of the pro- duce was, on the whole, tolerably good. The warlike news at hand from the Continent was unproductive of any acti- vity in the demand either for red or white qualities; never- theless, factors were firm, and the bulk of the supply was disposed of at last Monday's rates. With most descriptions of foreign wheat the market was fairly supplied. The transactions, however, were, for the most part, of a hand to mouth character, at previous quotations. The demand for cargoes of wheat and spring corn afloat ruled steady, and previous quotations were supported. The supply of barley, both English and foreign, on offer was moderately large. For malting qualities the trade ruled firm, at full currencies but in inferior descriptions sales progressed slowly, on former terms. Malt changed hands slowly, yet i,o change took place In its value, compared with Monday last. With oats the market was moderately sup plied. The trade, generally speaking, ruled steady, at full quotations. Very moderate supplies of beans were on sale. For all qualities there was a steady demand, at quite pre- vious rates. Teas ruled firm in price, and in most descrip- tions a fair business was transacted. American flour moved off steadily, at full prices. English and French qualities supported previous rates, with a moderate inquiry. Prices BRITISH. B. s. WHEAT ..Essex, Kent, and Suffolk, white, per qr. 42 to 41 BARLEY ..Malting, 27 to 30 OATS Essex and Suffolk 18 to i>;¡ BEANS Mazagan, new 29 to 31 Tick and Harrow 30 to a* PEAS English, white. 36 to 38 Ditto, gray. 30 to 31 FLOUR English, town (per sack). 36 to 40 Ditto, 2nd town. 32 to34 SEED Canary per qr. 50 to 04 Carra way. per ewt. to Rape per qr 62 to C, r) Ilempseed per qr. — to 43 MARK LANE, WEDNESDAY. Fresh up to our market to-day the arrivals of home-grown wheat were but moderate, and in consequence of the com- mencement of hostilitieslin Schleswig, factors were very firm in their demands. Millers were, however, indisposed t > operate at any advance in prices, and very little business was transacted either in red or white qualities, at about Monday's currency. There was a fair show of foreign whear. on the stands. The trade was very firm, and all descriv tions were sold atienhanced currencies. Floating cargoosox grain ruled Arm, and prices had an upward tendency. With barley the market was moderately supplied. Malting de- scriptions sold steadily, at full currencies but inferior de- scriptions were in slow request, at late rates. Malt chanced hands to a limited extent, on former terms. The oat trale was firmer, and prices had an upward tendency. The show of samples was moderate. Beans ruled firm, at pre:cti: rates. Peas tupported Mondays quotations. For flowv there was a fair average inquiiy/at full prices. LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY. Tc-day's market has been well attended, the advance in wheat has made further progress, and «e have to i|uote »l!> classes of American red now fully 5d to 3d per cental dcaiej' than on Friday last. Flour is <3d per barrel and Is per sacC higher, but does not move freely. Indian corn attracts n good share of attention, and we ruse our quotations 9d DCL- quarter. Oats and oatmeat show no alteration. BeanS peas, and barley eachlremain steady, at late rates. The market closes very strong for the leading articles of tho trade, and speculators seem still disposed to follow up the advance. METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET, MONDAY. There ab^t ai\average time-of-year supply of foreign sta,°j J to-day's market, and the demand l..i- it Prices quite equal to last week. We we re f J So t 1 v not to say heavily, supplied with hotne- vr, i ,ut their general quality was not quite equal to Monday last. From Scotland the receipts were good, and JP condition. From Ireland the supply was smalt. On the whole the beef trade ruled steady, at quite last week's quotations. The primest Scots and crosses realised 5s 2d per 81b. The show of sheep was again only mademe". The quality of most breeds, however, was good. The mutton trade was tolerably firm, and late rates were freely supported. The general top figure was 0s, but a few very superior Do" 11s realised 63 2d per 81b. About 600 shorn sheep were nt-\ offer. They sold at, Is per 81b, beneath those in the wonl. There were a few lambs on offer from Hampshire and Surrey, and thty changed hands at from 6s 4d to 7s per gib. Wc have to report a firm trade for veal, at very full prices, namely, from 5s te 6s per 8ib. The pork trade was steady, at lull currencie?. POTATOES. The receipts of home-grown potatoes at these markets have increased. The trade for all qualities is in a sluggish state, and prices have in some instances given way. The •urrency is as follows .—Yorkshire Regents, 70s to 90s ucy 's ditto Flukes, 903 to 100s; ditto Rocks. 653 to 75s: Scotch Regents, 60s to 80s; ditto Rocks, GOs to 70s; Kent and Essex Regents, 60s to 80s per ton. WOOL. lOwing to the dearness of money, the amount of busines doing in English wool is very moderate. Prices, however, are without material change from last week, owonial wool is held at full quotations, but the demand rules far from active. The following are the quantities at present arrived for the next public sales :-N ew South Wales and Queensland 7,758 bales; Victoria, 2,053; Tasmania. 3<x}. S,mth Australia, 1,003 New Zealand, 1,060; and Cape, 10,521; total 22,800. HOPS. The supply nf home-grown hops on sale is very moderate but the show of foreign produce is tolerably extensive. The trade for all qualities is firm, and previous quotations a, e well supported. The imports last week amounted to :i?4 bales from Antwerp, 298 bales from Bonogne, 112 bales frt.ill Bremen, 30!) bales from Ootcnd, 3G bales from Rotterdam, ill bales from Dunkirk, and 111 bales from New Vork :—.MR arid EastKents, 120s to 190s Weald of Kents.ll5s to 145s; Sussex 105s to 130s; Bavarian, 105s to 103s; Belgian, 80s to 951>; American 105s to 132s per cwt.