The Aberystwith Observer

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. On Friday, during the short sitting of the Lords, the Arch- bishop of York moved for papers relating to the proceedings of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and entered into ex- planations in defence of that body against the impression which exists in the public mind as to the inefficiency of their operations. After a short debate, the motion was agreed to, and their lordships ad jo timed. In the House of Commons, on the report of the address being brought up, Mr. Whiteside commented on the omis- sion of all mention of Ireland from the Royal speech. He described the condition of the agricultural class there as being fearful; pointed to the drain from emigration; and implored the Government to do something to stanch the bleed- ing wounds of that country Sir R. Peel followed, and said things were not so bad in Ireland as they had been represented, and that in fact the country was recovering from the depression under which she had been labouring for the last two or three years. Mr. Bentinck went into foreign affairs, and declared that all the disturbances on the Continent were caused by the development of Liberal principles. He wailed over the de- fenceless state of England, and snubbed Mr. Disraeli for hav- ing talked of bloated aimaments." Mr. White commented upon the bombardment of Kago- sima, and condemned it. He also lamented the absence of all mention of reform from the speech. Mr. O'Hagan came forward to defend the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, who had been assailed by Mr. Whiteside; and several other members, having spoken, the report was received, and the address ordered to he presented to her Majesty. After disposing of some other business, the House ad- journed at ten minutes to nine o'clock. The House of Lords sat only a few minutes on Feb. 8, and no business of importance was transacted. In the House of Commons, Lord Palmerston, in reply to a question from Lord Robert Cecil, stated that her Majesty's Government had remenstrated with the Prussian and Austrian Governments on the steps taken by them beth in Holstein and Schleswig in reference to the proclamation of the Duke of Augustenburg, such proceed'ngs being utterly inconsistent with the good faith which ought to have been qbserved by those Governments, admitting, as they did, the binding nature of the treaty of 1852, by which they were bound to acknowledge the King of Denmark as king of those states, and inconsistent with the declaration that they wiM maintain the integrity of the kingdom of Denmark. The Prussian Government had stated that they disapproved of the proceedings in Schleswig, and orders had been Issued from Berlin to put matters right. With regard to Holstein, that duchy was occupied by troops acting under the authority of the Diet, and therefore not under immediate authority of the King of Prussia. The Prussian Government had not denied the positive declaration that they intended to abideby the treaty of 1852. The meaning of the despatch read the other night was not very clear, but the conclusion of it implied that whatever question might arise, thePrassian and Austrian Go- vernments were prepared'to discuss those measures in conctrt with the other parties to that treaty. It was alleged in Berlin that if resistance were made in Schleswig, it would lead to war, and that war put an end to treaties. That was a most preposterous doctrine, and if it were once established, any ktrong power which had an inconvenient treaty with a weak power would have nothing to do to free itself from that engagement but to make an unprovoked and unjustifiable attack, and then to say war had broken out, and that therefore they were free from the engagement. That was a doctrine which no government which had any respect for itself would maintain. The Prussian Govern- ment, however, since the adoption of these measures, had informed her Majesty's Government that it will abide by the treaty of 1862, and will maintain the integrity of the kingdom of Denmark. Sir C. Wood, in moving for leave to bring In a bill to con- tinue Sir John Lawrence's pension while Governor-General of India, stated that by law any officer having a pension, and obtaining subsequent employment In India, had the pension deducted from his pay, but exceptions were made when the pensions had been granted for special services, and in no case was the exception mo1t deserving than in the Ottse of Sir John Lawrence. Lord Stanley and Colonel Sykea expressed their approval of the bill, and leave was given to bring it in; The Chancellor of the Exchequer rose to move for leave to bring in a bill to allow the making of malt duty-free to be used in feeding cattle. He said,—Sir, the House is well aware that the subject of the operation of the malt duty in restricting the employment of malt fortiia feeding of cattle has long been a matter of serious COH^K £ and great con- troversy. There are, I think, auth^Bof great weight and intimately conversant with agnRHreral affairs who are of opinion that the matter is not of great practical importance, and that it never will be found gainful to make an extended use of malt in the feeding of cattle, even if the occasional me of it should be expedient. But, on the other hand, there are many who do not hesitate to say that they have made trial, and judging by the effect upon their own interests, they are well satis- fled with the result. Now, whatever be the truth of this question, it is very desirable we should get at it If it be the effect of fhe malt duty to restrict and indeed, prevent the employment in the feeding of cattle of a material really useful for that purpose, it is im- possible to conceive a heavier charge or greater objection to any tax levied under the authority of Parliament. If, on the other hand, that material be not of great importance for that particular object, it is certainly much to be desired that the minds of those interested In the subject should be satisfied and enabled to arrive at a right conclusion. At different periods experiments have been made under the authority of the Government. in order, if possible, to arrive at a clear conclusion; but, what- ever may have been the result of those experiment*, I do not think that perfect satisfaction would be given to the persons interested if the matter were allowed to rest there. It is, therefore, with great satisfaction I have found that the authorities of the department of Inland Revenue have arrived at the conclusion that it may be in our power, with- out any serious risk to the great revenue dependent upon malt, and without imposing any onerous or vexatious re- strictions, to bring the matter to issue in the broadest and freest manner by authorising the erection of mal (houses where malt should be made free of duty for the exclusive purpose of feeding cattle. I anticipate no objection to the introduction of this plan, and, undoubtedly, I should be exceedingly well pleased if it be found that the most sanguine expectations of those who have recommended the employment of malt should be fulfilled, because the effect of the measure in that case would be—first of all, a vexatious restiiction would be taken out of the way of legitimate trade and, secondly, a very important addition would be made to the materials and resources of one of the most extensive classes of British producers. The provisions of the bill will speak for themselves. Of course we cannot permit that malt should be made duty-free for the feeding of cattle in the same premises as malt for purposes of brewing. That would be attended with difficulties entirely insur- mountable in the levying of one of the most important branches of the public revenue. Therefore, separate pre- mises will be required. The great security, however, to which we look, and it is the only important restriction im- posed by the bill, is that the malt to be used for the feeding of cattle shall be mixed with linseed meal or cake in the pro- portion of at least one-tenth of the weight. That restric- tion can, I think, in no case operate as a sensible burden, and we.-have arrived at the conclusion that it will be a eufficient protection to the revenue, inasmuch as it will effectually prevent the employment of the same malt by the brewers. We propose, as I have often found the mostcon- venient course in such matters, that the bill in the first instance should be only for a limited period, viz., for two years from the passing thereof and until the end of the next session of Parliament—that is to say, for somewhat more than three years. That will give a fair opportunity for trying the effects of the measure, and, if necessary, for introducing amendments before it receives the final sanction of Parliament. I beg leave to move for leave to bring in the bilL Sir F. Kelly congratulated the House on the appearance of this, which he characterised as the first measure which had been brought forward in favour of the agricultural interest during the last thirty years. Colonel Barttelot did not think the agriculturists would be induced by this measure to relinquish their attempts to get a reduction of the tax with a view to its ultimate repeal. Mr. Fenwick said that parties who had tried the experiment found that barley was more valuable-for feeding purposes than malt, and 'he warned the Chancellor of the Exchequer that by this measure he would be leading persons astray and opening the door to frauds upon the revenue. Sir B. Leighton approved of the measure, and Mr. Ben- tinck thought it was to be regarded only as an instalment of justice. Mr. Bass remarked that brewers had been much ma- ligned if they never used anything worse in the manu- facture of beer than linseed. Many persons would be glad to brew beer from malt duty free, even if it were mixed in the proportion of one-tenth with linseed. After some observations from Mr. Newdegate and Mr. Caird, The Chancellor of the Exchequer said he would extend the duration of the Bill to five years. Leave was then given to bring in the bill. The Chancellor of the Exchequer also obtained leave to bring in a bill to alter and amend the laws relating to the collection of the land tax, assessed taxes, and income tax. Sir G. Grey moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the Act 3 and 4 William IV. cap. 54, entitled An Act for making further Provision for the Confln ement and Mainte- nance of Insane Prisoners." After giving an exposition of the present law, under, which the recent case of Townley had occurred, he proceeded to state, in very full detail, the circumstances of that case and his own course of action from the letter he received from Mr. Baron Martin imme- diately after the conviction of and sentence on the pri- soner, calling his attention to the case. He maintained that. upon principles of law as well of humanity, the learned judge was justified in this intervention; and he asked the House whether, his attention having been thus called to the case, it was not his bounden duty to act in the matter. He explained and justified the steps he took, and read the communications which had taken place in the several stages of the subsequent inquiry with the Lunacy Commissioners, the magistrates, and others, up to the time of the removal of the prisoner to Bethlehem Hospital, which was in conformity, he said, with the uniform practice under the existing law. He then adverted to what had afterwards occurred, and to the evidence which the whole case afforded of the defects of the law, especially in allowing the machi- nery to be set in motion, not by impartial persons, but by agents of the prisoner. He then expiained the modifica- tions he proposed to make in the law—alterations which he thought, would prevent such a miscarriage of justice as had happened in this case. In considering what course should be taken with the prisoner he had conferred with the Lord Chancellor, who had concurred with him in opinion that, under the circumstances of the case, it would not be right, but would be straining the law, to carry the original sen- tence into execution. After some remarks by several hon. members, leave was given to bring in the bill. After leave was obtained to bring in various other bills of minor importance, the House adjourned. In the House of Lords on Feb. 9, Lord Sydney brought up aJd read her Majesty's answer to the Address on the occasion of the assembling of Parliament. The Earl of Malmesbury said he had given notice in a private note to the noble earl, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that he would ask him a question this even- ing with respect to the state of affairs in Denmark. The noble earl, having referred to the condition things were in when he was in office, went on to remark upon the arrangement which had been entered into some years ago by which the Duke of Augustenburg received about 350.000Z. English money, on the understanding tnat he would not interfere wIth the succession to Denmark. The question he wished to ask was whether her Majesty's Government had obtained any material guarantee from Austria and Prussia that they would consent to evacuate Schleswig as soon as the November Constitution was with- drawn, and whether, in the event of those Powers consider- ing that the treaty was invalidated by the outbreak of war they thought their obligations at an end. Earl Russell said her Majesty's Government had received no guarantee. In reference to the second question, he could not consider that the treaty would be in any way abrogated by the outbreak of war, so far as regards the different Powers. It was quite impossible that the treaty made with France, Great Britain, Russia, and Sweden can be abrogated as regards those Powers by war between Austria and Denmark. ,&The Earl of Derby said the explanation of the noble earl was clear and, on the whole, satisfactory. He was sorry that the Government had no guarantee from Austria and Prussia, and he trusted they would not cease to press this point on them. The noble earl also gave notice of a question for Thursday in reference to the despatches of Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams with respect to the claims on account of the depredations of the Alabama. In reply to a question from the Earl of Hardwicke, The Duke of Somerset explained the measures the govern- ment have taken and are taking to arm the navy with guns capable of piercing iron-plated ships. Their lordships then adjourned. In the House of Commons, Lord Proby, the Comptroller of the Household, brought up the following reply from her Majesty to the Address:— "I return you mythank3 for your loyal and dutiful Ad- dress. I receive with sincere satis'action your cordial con- gratulations on the birth of the Prince my grandson, and your assurances of devoted attachmpnt to my person and family. You may rely on my willing co-operation in pro- moting whatever is conducive to the welfare and happiness of my faithful people." In answer to a question by Mr. Peaeocke, Lord Palmerston said he had seen a statement in the papers to-day referring to very serious disturbances in Copenhagen. The Government had no accounts bearing out that statement. Such as they had, which were late, contradicted that state- ment. When the news reaehed Copenhagen, the treatment of the army had created great dissatisfaction, and those who lived at home at ease" were very ready, as in many other caSe8, to condemn the conduct of others who were compelled to form very hsuty judgments, and to act upon them with great rapidity. It was not for the Government to express any opinion in reference to the conduct of the Danish army. There had been riots in the streets of Copen- hagen, but they had been speedily suppressed by the military and the police. Lord Robert Cecil asked the Under. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the papers upon the Danish question weuld be laid upon the table. Mr. Layard said he could not state the day, but he was very much afraid that three weeks must elapse before they could be produced. sir John Pakington asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it was his intention to take any steps with a view to promoting greater uniformity in the diet and discipline of county and borough prisons, or other- wise adopting the recommendations of the committee of the House of Lords last session on prison discipline, Sir G. Grey was understood to say that he hoped to lay a plan on the table of the House without delay. In answer to a question by Mr. Disraeli, Lord Palmerston said that what he meant to state last night was, that notions had been broached in Gennany and some quarters of Berlin, that a state of war which might be established between Austria and Prussia and Denmark would release the two former Powers from the treaty engagements they had entered into. It appeared that they acknowledged the binding nature of the treaty of 1852, and adhered to their intention of maintaining the integrity of the Danish mo- narchy. The treaty was not between Austria and Prussia on the one hand, and Denmark on the other. That common treaty could not be set aside by anything whioh took place between the two Powers and Denmark separately. And after an answer to an inquiry by Mr. Disraeli on the same matter, his lordship moved that the House at its rising adjourn to Thursday. This motion gave rise to a short but sharp discussion on the foreign policy of the Government, in which Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald, Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Hennessy, and Sir Hugh Cairns took part; and in reply to the further questions put, Mr. Layard stated that the despatch of the 11th July from Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams, in which he was instructed to demand reparation for the losses sustained by the Alabama, and which was amongst the diplomatic papers laid before Congress, had not been communicated to her Majesty's Government. The motion was then agreed to. Mr. Buxton then moved, That this House, while only imputing to Admiral Kuper a misconception of the duty imposed on him, deeply regrets the burning of the town of Kagosima. as being contrary to those usages of war which prevail among civilised nations, and to which it is the duty and the policy of this country to adhere." He said he should shrink from saying that Admiral Kuper was guilty of cold- blooded cruelty; but he contended that the admiral had shelled the town of Kagosima on purpose, and he quoted various extracts from the despatches of Earl Russell and Lieut.-Colonel Neale, our consul, for the purpose 01 showing that he only acted acted according to instructions from the government. The burning of Kagosima was, he maintained, against international law, and he quoted Vattel and other writers in support of this view. Mr. Longfleld moved, as an amendment, the omission of words" while ouly imputing to ddmiral Kuper a misconcep- tion of the dmty imposed on him." He stated that, in his opinion, Admiral Kuper only carried out his instructions, and he protested against his being made a scapegoat. Lord Stanley said he should be glad to hear a better de- fence of this proceeding than was to be found in the papers which had been laid before the House. He could not under- stand a double claim being made, one on the Tycoon and the other on the Daimio, for compensatian for the murder of Mr. Richardson, and the amounts, 100,0002. and 25,OOOl., he considered were exorbitant. Lord Robert Montagu observed that the mover of this re- solution had great sympathy for the Japanese, but he ap- peared to have none for Mr. Richardson, who was murdered on a road which was open by treaty. He thought Govern- ment would have been deserving of condemnation if they had not demanded reparation. True, we got 100,000?. from the Tycoon, but ill was requisite also to punish the offender. Mr. Layard saJd that no sooner had the admiral taken the Japanese steamers than the Japanese batteries opened a tremendous are of shot and shell upon them. He did not blame the Japanese for that, but he and that House would have blamed our admiral if he had not returned the fire. If he had not done so there would have been a cry through- out Japan that the English fleet had been defeated, and the life of no foreigner would have been safe. The second day shells were thrown into the palace, but it was some consolation to know, that it did not appear there was any great loss of life. The Government had the cordial assist- ance of the French and Dutch Governments in their pro- ceedings in Japan. After various other members had spoken, Lord Palmerston said, in his opinion the treaty with Japan was a wise and beneficial arrangement. It was concluded with the treaty- making Power in that country. After the outrages which had been committed on British subjects in Japan, it would have been criminal in the British Government not to demand redress. They were asked why they had demanded a double reparation? The fact was there was a double default. The crime was committed on a road specially set apart for the use 01 the Europeans, and there was default in the govern- ment of the Tycoon in suffering such an outrage to take place. The Tycoon granted reparation; the Daimio refused, and the Government took measures to enforce it from him, not so much to punish him, as to deter others, and to teach them that though they might defy the Tycoon, they could not commit outrages on British subjects with impunity. In firing on the batteries it was impossible to prevent the ahot reaching the town. The firing of the town the first day was not the result of intention. The next day the cutle of the Daimio was shelled, which was a proper conne, the object being to push the Daimio. There Wall a high wind prevailing at the time, and by that means It was that the town was set on fire. He thought his hon. friend might be satisfied with the tone of the debate, and that he should not press the motion to a divifion. Mr. Buxton said he would withdraw his motion, but there being loud cries of No" from the opposition, Lord Palmerston moved the previous question, and, on a division, the previous question—that the motion be now put —was negatived by 164 to 85. The motion was consequently not put. After some further business, the House adjourned.

THE CASE OF MURDER AND PIRACY ON BOARD "THE FLOWERY LAND." In London, last week, the trial for murder and piracy on the high seas of John Lyons, 22; Francisco Blanco, 23; Ambrosio alias Manricio Duranna, 25; Rasilio de los Santos, 22; George Carlos, 20; Marcus Watter, 23; Marchelino, 32 Miguel Lopez, alias Joseph Chances, alias The Catalan, 22; took place. All were sailors, and were charged with the wilful murder of George Smith. The charge was explained to the prisoners through the medium of an interpreter, and they all pleaded Not Guilty." The particulars are as follow;— It was on the 28th of July last that the Flowery Land, as the vessel was called, left the port of London. She was bound for Singapore, with a general cargo, which comprised a considerable quantity of wine, ana her crew numbered nineteen persons, officers included. The composition, however, of this crew is one of the most remarkable features of the story. Six of them were Spaniards, one was a Frenchman, one a Greek, and another a Turk. The carpenter was a Norwegian, the cook and steward were Chinamen, and a boy em- ployed as a lamp-trimmer was of Chinese origin also. One of the seamen was named Frank Powell, and might be supposed, therefore, to be an English- man; but he, too, was represented as being really a foreigner of Sclavonian birth. At the least, there- fore, fourteen persons out of a crew of sixteen were of foreign extraction, and collected, it would seem, from all parts of the world. It was found necessary, indeed, to engage four different interpreters at the trial, such a Babel of tongues did the dialects of the prisoners and witnesses express. The wonder is how the work of the ship could ever have been carried on, for the captain, we are told, could only speak a little Spanish, though that was the language generally used on board, and one only of the eight sailors brought to trial could converse in English. The prisoners elected to be tried by an English jury, and Watter, when he was asked whether he was guilty or not, replied, They made me stab him." The Solicitor-General, in opening the case for the prosecution, gave a narrative of the circumstances under which the charge was preferred against the prisoners. The principal facts will be fresh in the re- collection of the public, but, however, we will recapitu- late them:— It will be remembered the prisoners formed part of the crew of the Flowery Land, which sailed from the port of London on the ?8th of July on a voyage to Singapore, carrying a cargo of wines and other goods. Twenty persons appear to have been on board the vessel, consisting of the captain, John Smith, the first and second mate, the cook and steward, and a boy called the lamplighter; there was also a passenger, George Smith, brother to the captain, and the rest, in number 14, were seamen, composed of different nations, there being two Greeks, three Spaniards, one German, a Frenchman, and some English. Most of them understood English to some extent, and some spoke it quite well. The crew, it appeared, after getting to sea, from time to time showed some slight signs of insubordination, and some trifling punishment and correctiom were necessary, the mate having to use the rope's end to some of the crew, and on one occa- sion punishment of a greater severity was inflicted on the prisoner Carlos, who would not attend to his duty, and was strapped to the rigging; but the captain interposed and caused him to be released. The man said he was ill, and the captain oidered him medicine and sent him back to his berth. Nothing appeared, however, to have transpired to cause any suspicion that an organised mutiny was afloat- much less such a crime as had been perpetrated. On the night of the 9th or 10th the chief mate was on deck, in com- mand of the watch, and the captain and other officers were below, and at three o'clock an attack was made on the first mate by the crew, with handspikes, and he was killed. He called for help, but was unable to make any communication with the captain. Some of the crew were down below, and the captain left his berth, having probably been disturbed by tie noise above, and reached the cabin, where he was attacked, and was killed by stabs from a number of daggers. His brother, hearing the noise, left his berth, and WaE, proceeding up the c0mpanion ladder, when he was seized and thrown into the sea. A rope was put round the neck of tlae captain's body to haul him up, and throw him overboard, when the second mate i ntellered,and asked permission to sew the body up in canvas, and perform as well as possible the last office to the dead. This, however, was denied, and he received a blow which knocked him down. The captain, the first mate, and the captain's brother having been killed, the ship was searched, and all the propelfcy, including about 701., which was in the "captain's desk, was brought out for division. The second mate, who had locked himself in the cabin, was made to come out, at first declining, fearing that his life might be taken, but on receiving ;in assurance that he would not be hurt, he released himself, and he was compelled to divide the property. The prisoner Watter, it ap- peared, wanted the spoil to be divided amongst eight of the crew, but Lyons said that it should be among seventeen. The second mate, and those of the crew who took no part in the affray, declined to have any portion of it, but the second mate was told that he must divide it amongst the seventeen, which they compelled him to do, and he locked his portion up in one of the captain's drawers. The ship's carpenter also declined to take any, as well as some others c/ the crew, but they weie told that they must have it, and they took it. The second mate was compelled to navi- gate the ship, he being the only one on board capa- ble cf doing so, and on the 2nd October in the day- time they sighted land. The second mate, then, as on several other occasions, was threatened with viplence for bringing them so near land in the daylight; but he was spared at the intercession of Lyons. The carpenter was then ordered to prepare the vessel for scuttling, and then was compelled by means of threats to bore four holes In the fore and four in the after parts of the vessel, after which the boats were taken to. The cook and the boy were left on board and allowed to go down with the vessel, and the steward appeared about that time to have met with his death. The crew afterwards landed at Moate Video, where a story was told that the ship had foundered some 500 miles at sea, and that the captain and some of the crew had gone off in one of the boats, and bad not been seen or heard of since. The second mate and one of the crew, a Frenchman, then managed to their escape to a settlement, where they *<nmd ■■■ "];'J 1 spoke English, and gave inf d. and the result was that the eigat, pihui.ers ai.d two other j men were apprehended and taken belore the Naval Court, and afterwards brought to England. The two others, who wew named Frank Howell, or Paul, and Jve Williams, were (1 discharged, there being no evidence to show that they were in any way connected with the crime. All the prisoners were found guilty of murder, except Carlos, who was tried the next day, convicted of casting away the ship, and sentenced to ten years' transportation. The scene in court on Thursday evening, on the announce- ment of the verdiot, and when the convicts were called to receive judgment, was in many respects remarkable. During the trial, which lasted two days, the prisoners had sat in a ciicle in the dock, and those of them who under- stood English, especially Lyons and Lopez, listened to the proceedings with intense interest. They are all very young men, little over 20, except Marsolino, who is upwards of 30. Five or six of them, including Lyons, are natives of Manilla. Watto is said to be a Turk, and Carlos, who was acquitted of the capital offence but convicted next day of scuttling the ship, is a Greek. The Manilla men are all exceedingly swarthy, except Lopez, who is so fair that he might be taken for an Englishman at first sight. Above all the rest, Blanco is remarkable for apparent ferocity, as he is also for height and personal strength. Marsolino has rather a docile look, and his share in the mutiny, so far as it came out in evidence, appears to have been confined to striking Anderson, the Norwegian carpenter, on the back of the neck with a handspike, when be interposed to save the mate and was about to alarm the captain. When the seven convicts were asked in the usual way by the deputy clerk of arraigns, if they had anything to say why sentence of death should not be pronounced np"n them ac- cording to law, three or four of them made each an animated address in Spanish, which was interpreted in English, and in this way more than an hour was consumed. Of all the seven, Lyons and Marsolino alone remained silent at this crisis. The others appeared to be under the impression that it was incumbent upon them to give each his version of the mutiny and murders. Baron Bramwell was evidently reluctant to control their right of free speech at that awful moment, and he only interposed, and that in the gentlest manner, when Blanco and Duranno were talking wide of the mark by relating circumstances which appeared to have transpired before the voyage actually commenced, while the ship lay in the docks. Once or twice, addressing such of the members of the bar as then remained in court, the learned judge said the only legal course that the prisoners could take at such a time was to move an arrest of judgment. But jit would probably have been a vain effort to explain such a mode of procedure to the convicts or how to go about it, and they were allowed to run on, each telling his own story as if he were a witness giving evidence. By this time -between 7 and 8 o'clock-the court had become exceedingly crowded in allparta. The jury, released now from the awful sense of responsi- bility which had weighed upon them for two days, looked on with the rest of the spectators. Blanco related with great gesticulation a number of grievances which he said the crew had suffered at the hands of the captain and chief mate, espe- cially with regard to the victualling of the ship in the early part of the voyage. By the mate especially, he said, they were assailed with abusive language when they ventured to com- plain. On one occasion, when they spoke to the captain of the offensive condition of the water they had to drink, he told them there was plenty outside the ship, and that it was good enough for coolies. The captain, he said, used also to beat them, as did both the chief and second mates. On one occasion Marsolino said they must put a stop to that, but some of the rest said they had better put up with it until they arrived at Singapore, where they could complain to their consul. On another occasion, when the mate had struck some of them without any just cause, Duranno said the time had come when they must do something. The car- penter Anderson and the English boy Early, he said, had nothing to do with the mutiny but the rest of the crew on the night of the 10th of September knew that something was about to happen. Duranno, he said, killed the mate, and Lyons, with five others, Carlos being one, killed the captain's brother. The only two not guilty were the carpen- ter and the boy Early. The second mate suggested that they should scuttle the ship, and it was through him that she was sunk. Such was the substance of Blanco's statement. Duranno next spoke, but he broke down in a statement he had appa rently arranged in his head, at which Lyons, Watto, and Marsolino smiled. Taking umbrage at this, he said with an indignant air that he had plenty more to say, but it would be of no avail to him now, and he stood back in the dock Santos, who spoke with much animation, asserted that Duranno, Lyons, and another fint killed the mate, and then went into the cabin, and killed the captain. For himself, he declared that he had no hand in their deaths, but he knew that they were killed. Lopez, who addressed the Court last, and who was the only man among them that betrayed any emotion, declared that four were concerned in the three murders, and no more; that Marsolino and two others had no share in them; and that the two men who had been discharged were the most guilty of all. The sentence was then pronounced, and the pri- soners were removed from the bar; Blanco, as he left, saying "Thank you" to the judge, and waving his hand with a defiant gesture.

The carrying out the sentence of the law in the case of so many prisoners is likely to be attended with some difficulty, as the execution of several persons at one time is an event which has not occurred for a great many years. In former days, indeed within the present century, before the criminal law underwent so many im- portant ameliorations and capital punishment was in- flicted in many cases in which it is now abolished, it was not at all an unusual occurrence to see after every Old Bailey session, as it was then termed, before the esta- blishment of the Central Criminal Court, eight or ten unhappy wretches executed on the gallows in front of Newgate; but the scaffold was then of a totally different description to the one now in use, and it is upon record that no less than nineteen prisoners have been exe- cuted at one time. It would, however, be quite impos- sible to carry out such a proceeding at the present time, and it is computed that it will be necessary to make some extensive alterations in the apparatus of death now in use before it will be possible to execute the seven persons. It is said that an endeavour will be made to save the lives of two of the prisoners, Santos and Marchelino, upon the ground that, according to the evidence and the statements of the other prisoners, they had nothing to do with the actual murder of the captain, but it is not expected that it will be sue- cesssful, but that the law will undoubtedly take its course upon the whole of these desperate criminals.

On the morning after the trial, Mr. Nissen and Mr. Cave, Sheriffs of London, accompanied by the Under-Sheriffs and by Mr. Jonas, the governor, and the Rev. Mr. Davis, the chaplain of Newgate, visited the seven men now under sen- tenceof death for the murder of the captain of the ship Flowery Land, and announced that the 22nd of February had been fixed for their execution. Each of them is now confined in a separate cell, and since their sentence such of them as are Spaniards, six in number, have been attended by a priest of their own creed and nation, as, indeed, they were previous to trial, through the kindness of the Spanish Consul. It is said that since the Gato street conspiracy there have never been so many persons under sentence of death in the prison of Newgate for one crime at the same time.

The Morning Star, in a leader on the above subject, re- mark*, on the swift retribution which followed the crime:- The hand of English justice has stretched away to the South Atlantic, and laid its grip upon the cold- blooded murderers of Englishmen. The spot where the victims who were slain on board the Flowery Land perished is six thousand miles as the crow flies from the prison in which their assassins now lie con- demned to die. They fancied, no doubt, that by landing upon a far-distant shore, they would become absorbed in the native population, and would be se- curely out of the reach of our own tribunals. But they reckoned without their host. That ship which they turned into a slaughter-house remained a portion n, of English soil, no matter in what far-off seas it might be afloat, and all who were on board had a right to the protection of English law, which, if it could not ensure -their security, could at any rate punish their murderers. This case certainly suggests some curious reflections. Justice has overtaken these men, whose crime was committed in another hemisphere, and some two hun- dred and seventy miles from the nearest point of land; but the assassin of the poor girl in George-street, St. Giles's—one of the most densely-crowded districts in the metropolis of the British empire—still walks the streets unscathed. We know all the details of the horrors enacted on board the Flowery Land; but the transactions of that night in which little Francis Saviile Kent was put to death still remain wrapped in mystery.

An OLLA PODRIDA from NEW YORK. The following amusing items of news from New York are taken from the latest letter to the London Standard by the eccentric Manhattan," mingled as there, news and gossip, scandal and philosophy, jokes and statistics, &c., &c. NOT QUITE AT AN END YET We are once more filled with delight in this city at the near approach of the end of the rebellion. Our journals contain columns upon columns of articles, from the most authentic sources, that the rebels are at the last gasp. They have no guns or gunpowder. The freshwater springs have all dried up, and they find it impossible to get pure cold water. As a consequence, men and horses are dying hourly of thirst. There is no food, and even dog and cut meat is getting scarce, and worth fifty dollars a pound. Full one-half of the rebel soldiers are employed in keeping the other half from running away and joining the Federal armies. Several of the Southern States are just ready to return to the Union. Charleston and Mobile have made proposals to surrender, and the old United States is expected to resume business with the old partner on or before the next 4th of July. These are the stories circulated, and are generally believed. Children ought to know better Facing us are the stern facts that Lee's army is in full vigour, and menaces the city of Washington. It has never been so dangerous as now. The conquest of the South, or its sub- mission, is deemed a certainty, to come about within a few days. No one seems to dream to the contrary. I conversed this morning with one of the most sagacious of our city merchants. I was talking about a purchase of real estate, that I could buy at such a price as would give me 12 per cent. interest on it by renting. "Do not touch it," he said, the war will close in a few days. The soldiers will be discharged. There will be no more millions of dollars to pay every week. The Government will at once use its enormous revenues to buy up greenbacks, and money will be tight, and real estate will fall heavily." Is not this ridiculous ? In spite of this advice. I purchased numbers 90 and 70 West Twenty-seventh-street, and will run the risk of losing by it. DRIFTING INTO A DICTATORSHIP I have frequently said in former letters that we should drift into a dictatorship. Where are we now ?" What President ever did what he has done ? His proclamation of amnesty, his Emancipation Act, his Confiscation Act, his Conscription Act, are all unconstitutional, and he 13 backed In them by an unscrupulous faction in Congress. Lincoln has only to do one thing more. If he is not re-elected, he will seize the office, and will hold it, as indicated by Mr. Seward, to carry out the election of 1860, to be President of all the States, which he claims that he has not yet been, but is entitled to. CRIME IN NEW YORK. Our darks are improving in civilisation. We have had a most romantic murder and suicide in the highest class of coloured circles. It occurred at 217, Sullivan-street. The victim was a married lady, named Mrs. Mary Ann Shipley. She was loved by Eli Brown. He wished her to marry him and become Mrs. Brown, although she had a husband, who was in a coloured regiment and not dead. Mr. E. Brown started at nine o'clock yesterday morning for the.residence of Mrs. S. As soon as he saw her he fired a Colt's revolver. She fell de id. He blew his own brains out and fell upon the corpse. The coroner held an inquest upon both at the same time. I saw the parties an hour after. Brown was a good-looking negro, about 30 years old, and she was a lively mulatto. No event has occasioned more excitement recently. It goes ahead of the arrival of the negro regiments. Crime is on the increase with us, and I think it will be still more increased by the return of the troops after the war is over but as that event is not likely to happen for a few years, it does not give us any additional cause of uneasiness. One great cause of the fearful crimes that are committed in this city, and its precincts of Brooklyn, Jersey city, Hoboken, (te., is the fact that there is no punishment for crime. Any one that has money can escape. If one commits a murder and is found guilty, he cannot be hanged for a year, and this gives ample time for his friends to get a pardon from the Government, or to get a now trial when the year is nearly over. We have not had a State hanging for some years. Federal officers hang occasionally. A REMARKABLE PROPHECY FULFILLED! In looking over some old papers this morning I found one printed in 1805. It was a prophecy by John Pentard of what the city of New York would reach by 1900. The print I send will be evidence to yen that it is genuine. I must add that ever.' ten yeara the census his greed with tiii* prophecy in i'i»rkable manner, no*"v ,ry»'8 over a h.i"dr«>! from 13tO rfiATisiiCAi.—By tne enumeration of the inhabitants of this city (recently published], the progress of population for the last five years appears to be at the rate of 25 per cent. SfwUld our City continue to increase In the same proportion SfwUld our city continue to increase In the same proportion during the present century, the aggregate number at its close will far exceed that of any other city in the whole world, Ttkin not excepted, as will appear fromthe following:— m Progress of population in the city of New York, computed at the rate of 2.5 per cent. for every five years —1805. 75,770 1810. 94,715 1815, 110,390; 1820, 147,987; 1825,184,983 1830, 231,228 1835, 289,035; 1840, 361,293; 1845, 451,616; 1850, 664,520 1855, 705,650 1860, 882,062 1865, 1,102,577 187'J, 1,378,221; 1875, 1,722,776; 1880, 2,1.53,470; 1885,2,691,837: 1890, 3,364,796 1895, 4,205,995 1900, 5,257,493." From th s it appears that the population of this city 60 years hence wi 1 considerably exceed the reputed populations of the cities of Paris and London. Cities and nations, however, like in- dividuals, experience their rise, progress, and decline. It is hardly probable that New York will beso highly favoured as to prove an exception. Wars, pestilence, and political convulsions must be our lot, and be taken into calcula- tion. With every allowance, however, "for the nume- rous ills that flesh Is heir to,' from our advantageous maritime situation, and the increase of agriculture and commerce, our numbers will in all probability, at the end of this century, exceed those of any other city in the world, Pekin alone excepted. AN INSTITUTION THAT MIGHT BE DISPENSED WITH. Cora Hatch is one of our institutions. She Is pretty, and of course popular with all our old grey heads as a spiritual medmm. Judge Williams believes in her. So does the Quaker philosopher Barney Corse. She is a medium on Sabbath mornings, price of admission 12J cents, children, half price. Cora is only 17, and has a husband aged 50. He is trying to get a divorce. Last Sunday Cora was delivering an address from General Washington. After the close she requested any spectators to make remarks. Young John H. M K!!)!"y rose and stated that Cora was living In adultery with his father. A row occurred. Of course Cora will now have still larger crowds of followers, and her prices will be doubled. OYSTERS A GREAT NECESSITY OF LIFE Oysters make up about one-third of the food of our popu- lation. Without oysters—stewed, fried, roasted or raw- we should die. The price of this great necessity of life has always been 12 J cents (or sixpence sterling) for a stew. Now it is doubled, and all kinds of oysters are in proportion. We OWJ this melancholy state of things to General Butler. His con- duct to the women of New Orleans was atrocious his con- duct to all classes in New York is barbarous. While in com- mand of Norfolk and the gIeat Virginia oyster districts he has not permitted oysters to be gathered, except by a few favoured negroes. They sell to pet oyster boats, and their cargoes now bring in New York five to ten thousand dollars. It is said that General Butler will make a fortune by his per- mits to certain traders. It is suppoted he gets half the profits on most of the cargo es. STAND BY TOUR RELATIONS We all feel anxious that the Schleswig-Holstein difficulty will grow into a European war. We like war so well, and find in it such a prosperous state of things, that we want our neighbours to try it. We do not see clearly any excuse for England not aiding the Danes, and seeing the King through his difficulties. If England does not stand by her own relations, what is the use of marrying into a good family? GOOD WISHES FOR THB PRINCESS OF WALES. The steamer Canada brings the news that the Princess of Wales has presented the English nation with a son. There will be considerable rejoicing among the subjects of her Majesty the Queen in this city, and everybody else will be pleased, for both the Prince and Princess are favourites in the city of New York. The visit of the Prince to our city was an event of great magnitude to many of our citizens. He will always have our best wishes.

No man that ever lived has ever gone astern so fast as Major General M'Clellan. There are very few Americans of any party now so poor as to do him reverence. All sorts of dodges are resoried to in order that his name may be kept before the people, and not be forgotten when 11 is time for the Democrats to nominate a candidate for the Presi- dency. Even Mrs. M'Clellan has to be dragged in. The last effort of that kind is in reference to an Indian squaw, named Polly, that is said to have nursed Mrs. M'Clellan. Polly sent to the wife of the general a photograph, re- questing a return. It was sent, as also a likeness of the general, with a few hundred dollars.

Last night there was a serious alarm at the Bowery Theatre. A part of the ceiling fell down. An alarm of fire was raised. The crowd rushed to the doors, and there got jammed. Several were nearly trampled to death. Had there been a fire, not a solitary person would have escaped. This applies to every theatre In New York city. If any one of our public places of amusement was to catch fire during a performance, the loss of life would be fearful.

Whisky fell in this city yesterday 40 cents per gallon. There are parties who hold a million of gallons, and to be caught with this on hand, and have to pay 60 cents would beruinous. That is the viewtaken bymany of the Whisky Bill. I do not think it will pass Congress It involves forty millions of dollars. Both Houses are made up of humanity, and can be purchased. If the bill passes, it will be a miracle, and I shall think the country safe, and not so corrupt as was supposed.

The Expreet, evening daily, is still in oourt. It is a curious trial. Clark, who pretends to have been a partner, is now one of the editors of the Tribune. It is quite evident that the prosecution is a malicious one, for he tries to prove that the concern is a rotten one, and to depreciate its value before the sale day comes. Probably he wishes to buy it. His associates go still further. They wish to ruin the Ex- press, which is Democratic, and opposed to the war. James Brooks is in Congress. He married a Richmond lady, and, of course, Is not a savage editor. Peter B. Barnum, the great museum man, now opens that

institution on the Sabbath Day. He was at one time pious, but he cannot resist the temptation to pick up a few extra dollars. I passed his place last Sunday evening while on my way to the evening service at St. Paul's Church (opposite), and found the museum all in a blaze with gaslight, admis- sion 25 cents.

MARRYING A WARD IN CHANCERY. We have got a good marriage law in Ireland now, but the best laws are worth nothing unlesa they- 8;8 honestly and impartially enforced, and the Wilful VIO- laters of them suffer exemplary punishment (writes the Times Dublin correspdndent on Saturday). A case which was before the Master of the Rolls to-day is so gross and audacious, that if theguilty parties be allowed to escape with impunity, there will be no protection 0 for the honour of any family in the country, Protes- tant or Catholic, where there is a young girl, entitled to property, on whose affections schemers may be tempted to practise. Susannah Quinton is a minor, who h .s lived with her uncle; who is also htrguardian, near Tempo, in the county Fermanagh. She is en- titled to a fortune of 1,000J. She met at some enter- tainment a young man named Peterson, an attorney's clerk at Enniskillen, whose mother, a widow, with whom he lives, keeps a small shop in that town. An attachment grew up between them, and they agreed to get married. But her guardian peremptorily refused his consent because Peterson is a Roman Catholic, and is otherwise unsuitable, being without a. penny to sup- port a wife. But as the young lady was resolved to have this per- son and no other, she was made a ward of Chancery, to prevent her taking the rash step and to save her for- tune. The Master of the Rolls threatened Peterson and his abettors with imprisonment if they proceeded further in the matter. In defiance of this authority, it is alleged, Peterson got a licence at the registration office by making a false declaration of the lady's age. A licence was then obtained by him from the Roman Catholic Archdeacon authorising a Roman Catholic curate to celebrate the marriage, provided the young ladv was not under age. The particulars are best obtained by reading the evidence given before the Master the Rolls, as under Mrs. Bridget Peterson was the first witness examined. She said I am the motber of Daniel Peterson, and live in Enniskillen. My husband keeps an hotel there. I have known Miss Quinton since Tuesday week last. On last Tues- day week, Miss Quinton was brought to my house, and she stayed there till the order of the Master of the Rolls was served upon her. In the meantime, Miss Quinton was mar- ried to my son by a Roman Catholic clergyman, whose name I do not know. I think my son went previously to a clergyman to see if he would marry them, and he refused to do it. That clergyman was the Rev. Mr. M'Loughlin. He told me Mr. M'Loughlin would get somebody else who would officiate. The person that came to marry them was dressed in the usual garb of a Roman Catholic clergyman. I knew the girl was a Protestant, and so did my son. Mr. M'Loughlin knew it also. Mr. M'Loughlin told me the strange person was a priest, and that he had brought him there to perform the ceremony. The Rev. Mr. M'Loughlin stopped awhile after the ceremony, and dined with us and with the bride and bridegroom. The Rev. Mr. M'Loughlin stayed to have dinner and a glass of punch. He wished her many happy days, and shook hands with her as Mrs. Peterson. When the clergyman came he went into the bedroom and spoke with her. My son said he had been speaking to a clergyman about getting married, and that the clergyman had said there would be less danger if she became a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and she said she would have no objection to that. When the clergyman came next day he was told she had no objection, so, after the marriage ceremony, she was baptised by the Rev. Mr. M'Loughlin into the Roman Catholic Church, and made her profession. After the marriage Mr. M'Loughlin took her by the band and said she was lawfully married. Th no'i cotne into the room while the ceremony was going on. The strange clergyman who performed the ceremony got no money, but I gave Mr. M'Loughlin a sovereign for the baptism. Daniel Peterson, jun., examined I am Roman Catholic, and was in the employment of Mr. Dane as clerk until last Thursday week. I know Miss Quinton about six months. I sent my mother for her on Tuesday, the 26th of January. She brought her to my father's house on a car, and she remained until the next day. I went to Clones to the Re- gistrar of Marriages. I did so because Miss Quinton wished to be married there. I knew she was a Protestant. I con- sulted a Roman Catholic clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Clifford, and he told me he could not marry us because the lady was a Protestant, and the rules of the Roman Catholic Church would not allow him to marry us. The Rev. M'Neil gave me a letter, saying that he gave liberty to the Rev. Mr. M'Loughlin to marry Daniel Peterson to a lady with whom he said he had eloped, provided she was of age. My mother told me that the Rev. Mr. M'Loughlin would marry us. The Archdeacon said he had no objection to give the dispensa- tion, provided I could get a clergyman to marry us. I did not know then that Miss Quinton was under age. I wrote to the Rev. Mr. M'Loughlin to come and marry us, as the lady was in town, and that I would pay whatever the marriage fee was. 1 saw him next day in my tamers snop, and he said he would get a clergyman to marry us, and that he could not marry us himself, as be would be amenable to the law If he did. He did not tell me who the clergyman was, but I understood from him that he would come soon, as I told him that I feared Miss Quinton's relatives would force her away. He then went out, and in almost half-an-hour came b&ck with a person dressed like a clergy man. I did not see that person before. He came up stairs with the Rev. Mr. M'Loughlin, and was about to marry us in my mothor's bedroom. I went to my bedroom to fix myself and comb my hair, as I was going to be married. (Great laughter.) Mr. M'Loughlin told me on the landing outside my mother's door that that was the person he brought to marry us. He told my mother that we were not to inauire who the strange clergyman was. We first knelt inside my mother's bed- room door, and the strange clergyman stood outside. Mr. M'Loughlin, who stood outside, said, Here is the man who is going to marry you." We just knelt down at once. I went for M'Manus to stand sponsor. I did not know whether he was a clergyman at all, but he was dressed like one. I knew we were married according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church. I was at confession to Mr. M'Loughlin before the strange man came up. The strange clergyman did not ask whether Miss Quinton was a Protes- tant, but commenced the ceremony at once. After the marriage he called Miss Quinton Mrs. Peterson. I have lived with her since as my wife. Mrs. Daniel Peterson, alias Miss Quinton, examined: I re- collect going to Mrs. Peterson's house on Tuesday week. Mrs. Peterson met me on a car, and I went there with her. I remained there on Tuesday night. I went next day to Mrs. M'llroy's house. I remained there on Wednesday night and came back to Mrs. Peterson's on Thursday evening. I slept there that night. The next morning I was spoken to about the marriage ceremony. Mrs. Peterson and young Mr. Peterson spoke to me about it. They did not say any- thing to me about changing my religion then, nor during the day. I recollect a person, apparently a Roman Catholic clergyman, coming to Mrs. Peterson's. She introduced him to me as a Catholic clergyman. I do not know who married me. I saw the person before. Cross-examined: Did any person perform a marriage cere- mony between you and young Peterson ? Yes, sir.—I re- collect having been told to kneel down, and the ring having been put on my finger. Mrs. Peterson did not tell me who performed the marriage ceremony. There were two gentle- men there. She told me that one of them was the Rev. Mr. M'Loughlin. I think only one of them took part in the ceremony. Further examined Had you any conversation with either of them ? I had, with the Rev. Mr. M'LougMin.—yon had rtn w i'h • her of thQ priests until after the 1 ccit; ny »\is perfwv.e-I in Mrs. Peterson's bedroom. I saw only one priest. The priest whom I don't know went away after the marriage, and I never saw him again. I had a conversation with the Rev. Mr, JffiLoogblla afterwaydo It was Something about the baptism. This was in the drawing-room. He asked me whether I wished to become a Roman Catholic, and I said I did. He did not say anything then. He went through the ceremony of baptising me. The Master of the Rolls then said that for the pre- sent he would not make any observations on the matter; but, if Mr. Daniel Peterson attempted to hold any further communication with the minor tili the further order of the court, he should be lodged in gaol forthwith. The same order of the court applied to the other members of the Peterson family. Miss Quinton, or Mrs. Pete? eon, who is a very good- looking young lady, then left the court in charge of her guardians. Mr. Peterson also left with his friends. There is nothing remarkable about hi., appearance he is rather a common-looking individual. He is clerk to Mr. Dane, solicitor, Enniskillen. Mi?s Quinton, or Mr?. Peterson-if she is to be called by that name—iB entitled to about 80m., left her by her father.

"SUCH IS LIFE!" In the Court of Common Pleas, In London, on Monday, the cause of "Welch v. Pcske" was tried, and was an action for a breach of promise of marriage. The defendant pleaded that he did not promise, and that the supposed promise had been obtained from him by fraud when he was drunk. It appeared from the opening statement of the learned c»^nsel for the plaintiff, that the plaintiff was a young person, about thirty years of age, living with her aunt at Croydon, who kept a baker's and con- fectioner's shop, and that the defendant had been an officer in the army in the East India Company's ser- vice. In the year 1861 the plaintiff, while attending in her aunt's shop, was frequently seen by the de- fendant, who, after asking permiseion to walk out with her, eventually wrote to her making her a promise to marry her, and on the 6th of May, 1861, I promise you faithfully you shall be my wife." After this promise the plaintiff had frequently visited him at his lodgings, and once during an illness had taken him some delicacies from the shop. On the 8th of the same month of May the defendant had writ- ten to Mr. Dennis, a grocer in Dorking, and a friend of the plaintiff, telling him how much he admired Miss Welch, and, asking him to procure a licence for him to marry her, and also a wedding-ring. Miss Welch had lent the defendant 61. or 71., and shortly after he chose to pay attention to a Miss Slatter, the daughter of a linendraper in Dorking, whom, to tbe great distress of the plaintiff, be had pa- raded up and down before her aunt's shop, and had afterwards married Miss Slatter, .which had been a heavy blow to the plaintiff. The defendant, he should show, was well off, and after the death of an aged rela- tive he would come into possession of 2,7002. a year. Mis. H. Jones, the aunt of the plaintiff, proved that her niece was about 30 years of age, and sometime* served in her shop, which was a confectioner's. The defendant, in March, 1861, was living at Dorking, under the care of a medical man, and in April he came to her shop for almond cakes and French rolls, and asked if Miss Welch was her daughter, and if she might be allowed to take a walk with him some even- ing. She replied, No, not with^ my consent." He asked, When did she walk out?'' and she told him "Sometimes in the afternoon." He afterwards told her that he had proposed to Miss Welch and she had accepted him, and witness told him, "She was old enough to do as she liked." This was about the middle of April. He came again, and said, "I do not think you have told Mr. Jones," and I said, I have not;" and the next day he wrote the plaintiff an offer of marriage. After that they walked out toge- ther, and he came two or three times a day to my house and saw the plaintiff. I thought that they were upon the point of marriage. I saw the defendant write this letter :— 20th April, 1861. My dear Miss Welch,—I have been greatly disappointed in not having the honour of escorting yourself and Miss Graham to Wescott this evening. Such ia ILe. I walked all the way to the above named place, but was obliged to return without meeting you and yjnr friend. I suppose I must take it philosophically. Hoping to see you at church to-morrow, and thai you will contribute your mite towa d, the Indian famine, ever you s, THOS. PASKB. Mr. Robinson pointed out that there were six dashea under "ever." Mr. Justice Byles Do you mean this is for ever and something beyond ? The defendant had afterwards written the lettei containing the promise— My dearest Eliza,—I promise most faithfully that you thall be my wife.—Believe me ever yours most faithfully, THOS. PASKB. There are three dashes under "dearest," and three under "ever," and one under "most faithfully." This is also in the defendant's writing (Private.) May 7th, ]S61 My dearest Eliza,—Do please come up as soon as possible, for I feel far from well. If you really love me, I expect to see you immediately.—Ever yours, TH. PASKE. P.S.—Kindly bring for our good Mrs. Harding a piece of cake, as she is not at all well. The defendant ceased coining frequently about June, and he ceased altogether to come early in July. Soon after he ceased to come I saw him walking before my house with Miss Slatter. Mr. Robinson: A highly respectable lady, I believe 1 Witness We]], middling. When my niece saw the defendant passing with Miss Slatter she nearly ana arc the end of the year l'he had a serious fit o illness. Cross-examined by Mr. Hawkins The defendant was living with Dr. Curtis, and had also a lunatic brother living in Dorking. The defendant at first used to go to her shop to buy almond cakes twice a day. The first time she saw him he had two-penny- worth.of almond cakes, and he asked to be allowed to go into the back sitting-room to eat them. He had two almond cakes for a penny, so he ate eight almond cakes a day, and sometimes he had two French rolls twice a day. She did not know whether her niece took him port wine when she visited him, or whether the 71. the '-efendant owed her niece was for port wine. She Iwi brought an action against him to recover that sum. She could not tell when nor where this action was commenced. Mr. Francis H. Dennis I am a grocer at Croydon, and a friend of the plaintiff's. I received this letter from the defendant May 8,1861. Sir,—I take the great liberty of writing a few lines to ask you if you would kindly procure a licence for me to be married to my dear friend Eliza Welch. I am a widower. Your compliance with my request will greatly oblige-Yours truly, TH. PASKB. P.S.—Try and secure a wedding-ring, and I will pay your expenses when I see you, or if you want the money in advance, I will send it to you. I did not procure the licence, but at the end of May I wrote to the defendant, saying that he was acting quite different to what he eaid," and asked what he intended doing and I received the following answer 4th June, lgQl. Dear Sir,—I beg to apologise for not answering your letter. I have been very unwell, and trust you will kind y make every allowance. I have great regard for Mins Welch, but I am not in a position to marry at present —Believe me, yours respectfully, TH. PASKB. Afterwards T received another letter from the de- fendant, dated the 23rd July, in which he said Dear Sir,—I received your letter this morning, and beg to inform you that I have no intention at present of quitting Dorking, though I should much like to do so, in consequence of a few Jyi' g, scandalous people residing in it. Some kind friend must have misinformed you as to my taking my de parture from this very kind country town. You may rest assured that I will pay Miss Welch. Mr. Velley, of Chelmsford, the attorney to the' trustees under the late Mr. Haylefoot's will, was called to prove the defendant's means and expecta- tions under that will, but this evidence was objected to and rejected. The defendant had changed his name to Haylefoot. It was attempted to put in the Royal licence obtained to change his name, which recited his expectations under Mr. Haylefoot's will, but this was also objected to as a copy, and rejected, his Lordship saying, if necessary, he would adjourn the case to give time to obta;n the requisite evidence. Mr. Debenham, an attorney, who had served the defendant with a copy of the writ in the action, was called to prove a conversation in which the defendant said, They think, because I am entitled to a large property, they will get something handsome, but they will be disappointed." Mr. Paske was in a great passion because he had served him with the writ, and said. His wife was a lady, and in the position of such.' He did not know that this action was a speculation of Mr. Young, the attorney for the plaintiff. This was the plaintiff's case. Mr. Hawkins was proceeding to address the jury, and said this action was a warning to all gentle- men who had a passion for almond cakes," when the junior counsel, who for some titnA had been endea- vouring to effect an arrangement, at last did so, and Mr. Joyce announced that it had been agreed between the parties that there should be a verdict for the plain- tiff for 2001. damages, the judgment not to be enforced until three months after the death of Mr. Haylefoot, the tenant for life of the property to which the defen- dant is entitled. Verdict accordingly. Mr. Justice Byles said the plea of fraud ought not to have been pleaded, and had his strong disapprobation.

HAVING A GOOD OPINION OF THEMSELVES! The debates on the Address in the English Parlia- ment, and the explanations of Lord Palmerston and Lord Russell on foreign policy, do not give much satis- faction to the inspired press of Paris. The Nation consoles itself that on the Address all is not yet over, and it announces For the benefit of such of our readers as may be ignorant of the facts, that it is treated in Parliament like any ordinary Bill—that is to say, it must be submitted to the formality of three readings, and consequently to three successive debates, if necessary. The French press cannot criticise its own Govern- ment, or its own Legislature. It certainly has carte blanche in the matter of eulogy, but blame is pro- hibited and as perpetual praise is monotonous, it may employ its energy in this way on Lords Palmerston and Russell as much and as long as it pleases. The paper which particularly distinguishes itself for its ex- travagant encomiums on the French Government, and for its bitter invective of the English Cabinet, is the Memorial Diplomatique, which is known to be under the especial patronage of the French Foreign Office. In its last number it declares that it is impossible to deny that the Emperor Napoleon is at this moment the arbiter of the world's destinies. He holds in his hands peace or war—the salvation of States and of peoples and it is on his abstaining from or intervening joe grave questions which occupy the minds of men tnat tne maintenance or the re-establishment of the iiuropean equilibrium depends. The grand idea of the general Congress was a proof of his Majesty's wonderful fore. sight, as of his profound knowledge of the real condition of Governments and of peoples; but what challenges the greatest admiration is the sovereign act, the marvellous tact with which, combining the concise- ness of Tacitus with the animated elegance of Cæaar, he knows how to appropriate the truths which he enunciates to the circumstances which render them necessary." His opening speech on the 5th of November was a masterpiece, which Europe is not yet tired of admiring; his address to Cardinal Bonnechose was the very model oi calm reason and of the most elevated good sense, and his reply to the Legislative Body expressed ideas so just and so sincere as to bo accepted and applauded as the very voice of France. "Never sovereign," it adds, "waa so truly the incarnation oi the genius of his people" Noweowed the turn of the English Cabinet. As for any Ministers bei^g able to put in Queen Victoria's mouth language in the remotest degree comparable to that of the Emperor, that is, of course, out of the question but such as it Is, that speech bestravs t,hfl embarrassment of the Cabinet. It is all very well to talk of the pretended liberty of debate in England but in all that regards serious and profound discussion the English Parliament is not to be spoken of in the same day as the French Chambers. Take the English Address, for instance. It was merely voted in Parliament, but not discussed as the Address was in the Legislative Bodv. The speeches of Lord Derby and Mr. Disraeli gave merely the sem- blance of a debate, but not the reality ) and by re- serving their rights the Opposition seem to have felt compassion for the precarious position and the flagrant contradictions of the Palmerston Cabinet, The inco- herence of thought and the uncertainty of the conduct of the English Government have never been more manifest than in the exhibition made by Lords Pal- merston and Russell during the debate on the Address the French Chambers would never rest satisfied with such flimsy declarations as theirs. Besides these general remarks as to the vast superiority of the French Government and the French Legislature over those of England, this favoured journal seems anxious to recal to life the bitter feelings of other days. It seems the Emperor's first thought was to raise France— From the prostrate condition into which thg disaster of Waterloo had plunged her, and which no Power haa :bused so much as England. Did not Lord Palmerston say in W after the Treaty of the 15th of July, that he should mak* France pass through the eye of a needle? And ever since the public feeling has not ceased to obtain reparation for that affront by seeking to restore to the country the place it had held, and the rank it was entitled to in the councils of Europe. The Emperor has done nothing else for the last twelve years; every one knows the popularity and the power it has gained for him. It is clear that the intention of the writer of this article (or rather of the inspirer of it, for it bears the signature of "Secretaire de la Redaction") is to damage as much as possible the English Cabinet; and from what is said in another paper of the same stamp, the overthrow of that Cabinet and the accession of Lord Derby and Mr. Disraeli is an event not only desirable, but would seem to be counted up«n. The Patric is not displeased that the speech of Lord Derby terminates with a categorial declaration that "it 18 impossible to have any confidence in the men who now direct the affairs of the English nation." All this betrays a feeling of profound irritation among official people against Lord Palmerston, and there is little doubt that the best chance of Parliament regaining the smiles of the French Foreign Offica is to turn out the Cabinet. Yet it is doubtful whether much would be gained by a change (remarks the Timcaf correspondent)

THE MINOR STATES OF GERMANY RAMPANT. It would be useless to dissemble the grave doubta which every observant person must feel as to the con* duct of the two German Powers. It may be that the Danes have now lost Schleswig and Holstein for ever, and that the forty millions of Germans have ac- complished their one exploit of the half-century by teanng two little provinces from a. million and a half of enemies (remarks the Times) Every- where in these provinces the Danish authority is set aside, and the Royal officials are displaced in the terri- tory which Austria and Prussia profess only to hold as a guarantee for the performance of certain acts by the Danish King and people. The true voice of Germany, and we may say of Prussia also, speaks in thepres", and pronounces that Schleswig-Holstein is irreparably sundered from Denmark. The argument which Lord Palmerston so justly stigmatised on Monday night is urged by a semi-official Berlin paper in all its inso- lence and absurdity. It is said that, whatever were the obligations of Prussia before the war, they have ceased since the first shot way fired, because it is well known that war puts an end to treaties." Denmark may now be justly robbed of a province because a week ago that province was unjustly invaded. In every direction it is assumed that the engagement of 1852 is at an end by the fact of war, and the Govern- ments of Berlin and Vienna are alternately coaxed and threatened in order to induce compliance with the wishes of the multitude. The minor States were never more active. There is to be a conference of their Minia- ters in a few days, summoned by Bavaria, and then the most effective measures for enforcing their own policy on Austria and Prussia, under pain of taking from them the leadership of Germany by a common action of the minor States themselves, will probably be resolved upon. The politicians of Frankfort and Munich and Dresden are now straining every nerve to make irrevocable the revolution which has followed the entry of the Federal troops into Holstein, and of the Austro-Prussian troops into Schleswig. Europe is bidden to consider that these manifestations of public opinion cannot be trifled with that the Danish rule has been overthrown in the same manner as that of the Italian Princes in 1859 that whatever may have been the political traditions or the dynastic rights of the p »st, they have been overruled by this solemn declaration of the people. In short, it is argued that even though execution in Holstein ana the seizure of a guarantee in Schleswig be acts by which the Diet and the Courts of Berlin and Vienna do actually recognise the Danish King as Duke, yet these Powers are now incapable of restoring things to their former condition. Whatever may have been their grounds of action and their intentions in sending armed men into the Duchies, the authority, according to these critics, has now passed out of their hands. By giving the Schleswig-Holsteiners the power to make a revolution, they have brought into existence a state of things which they cannot remedy.

I ACTION AGAINST MR. WINDHAM. In the Court of Common Pleas an action has been brought by a M r. Hewson against Mr. Windham, of Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk. The plaintiff claimed a balance of 417i. 18s. Id., for selvices rendered and money spent in reference to getting up his suit in the Divorce Court against Mr* Windham and Signor Giuglini. The plaintiff was a Scotch writer to the signet, bu £ some time ago he left Edinburgh and came to London, and entered the service of Messrs. Chappell and Shoard, solicitors, who had charge of Mr. Windham's divorce suit. His salary was 3i. 33. a week. They requested the plaintiff to attend to the suit, and he did so. He, however, found the work very laborious and it was • consequently arranged that Mr. Windham should pay him for these services. What he did was principally to get up evidence in reference to alleged acta of adul- tery by Mrs. Windham, and also investigate similar charges which were brought against Mr. Windham. For this purpose it was necessary to pay frequent visits to various houses in the neighbourhood of the Har market by night and by day to pickup evidence. He was also engaged by Mr. Windham in settling his accounts with various fighting men, and he was employed to "square" a young woman named Cooper, who alleged that he had committed an assault upon her at FeUbngg Hall, of what nature the counsel said the jury might conceive. He was employed in this work for 19Sdayg, and his charge, which had been agreed to by Mr. Windham, was 21. 2s. a day, in addition to expenses. The total amount of charge was 692l.f 18s. Id.; but of this there had been paid 27ol., leaving the balance* 4171. 188. Id., due. The plaintiff deposed to the above facts, and said that after the divorce suit was arranged, he asked the defendant what induced him to become reconciled to his wife, and he answered Common sense." (A laugh.) Other witnesses were examined, including the defendant, who said:— I am at present residing in lrdgings at Cromer, in Norfolk. I was first introduced to the plaintiff at Mr. Chappell's office, as the clerk who was to attend toray business. I did go about with the plaintiff occasionally, but he never said he was to charge me two guineas a night. He said he did not think he was sufficiently paid, and he gave a long, rambling account of what he done at night, which I don't think was much. (Laughter.) I never said I would give him two guineas a night. I always paid his expenses. I said that I would see him paid what was just and fair, nothing else. I was in town only occasionally during I the investigation in the Divorce Court, for my business • called me elsewhere." Mr. Karslake: What was the plaintiff doing at Mr. Barnes', at the Haymarket?—Witness Gene. rally amusing himself by getting drunk, I should think (laughter), and also famusing himself by talk. ing about other things. He was in Norfolk a long time, but he might have done all he had to do for me there in three days. He stopped and annoyed me greatly by riding up and down from Norwich to Cromer on my coach, and I had to refuse other people scats on the coach. (A laugh.) More than once he has, at three or four o'clock in the morning, ordered my servants to bring up wine, and he has sat amusing himself with it. (Laughter.) He asked me to lend him 100l. or 2ool., and at my request, Mr. Bagg. my solicitor, gave him a cheque for 10M. Afterwards he asked me to lend him another lOOt., and I signed a bill for 2001. He was to pay Miss Cooper 2M., and he said the discount would be 201., and he was to bring the rest to me, but he never did (laughter), and he never paid Mi^s Cooper. Afterwards I wrote to him, asking for the 2007. This was on the 15th of June. There is an endorsement on my letter, which is in the plaintiff's handwriting. It is as follows :— Dear Windham,—I duly received your favour of the 15th late last night, and shall be happy to meet you at my own house to consult as to what should be done in a variety of important matters: I shall be at Barnes to-night, and if I see you, will appoint a meeting. Hoping you are happy and comfortable, believe me always sincerely yours. I was arrested for his claim when I was going for a cruise about Cowes, and afterwards in Scotland to shoot. Cross-examined I had not before this executed a bill of sale. I had given a kind of bill of sale to get bail. I was also arrested by Mr. Bingham, a tailor. Mr. Powell: You drove a coach, I believe ?—Wit- ness I was proprietor of my own coach. Mr. Powell: You said you have always paid the .plaintiffs expenses. Now, did he not pay you his coach fare?—Witness Certainly I am not going to lose a bre, (Laughter.) I lost other passengers by him, IIond I made him pay instead of them. (Laughter.) He-examined His fare was 3s., and he paid it twice. Mr. Powell: Did he also tip" the coachman ? (Laughter.)—Witness (indignantly): He might have tipped" my coachman, but he never paid me. The witness, in continuation, said that the plaintiff had never made any claim on him until he left Mr. Chappell's employment. The action lasted until Monday evening, when, after addresses by the counsel on each side, his lordship summed up, and told the jury there was no question that the plaintiff had received a sum of 2751., and whether that sum. was treated as a payment or as a set off, the question for the jury was, was it enough reasonably to satisfy the plamtifrs demand, assuming him to have done extra work for the defendant If they thought it enough, they would find for the defendant. The jury retired, and, on their return, found that the sum the plaintiff had received was sufficient. Thia was a verdict for the defendant. His lordship expressed his disapproval of the manner in which the action had been commenced, by ottusing the defendant's arrest, M a kind of extortion which ought net to hive >

At a ball recently given by Prince Borghese at Rome, the Princess Massimo lost a diamond bracelet, worth, it la said, 400,0001.) and no traoe of it haa since been found.