The Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald

OUTLINES OF THE WEEK. —— THE news from America is important. The success of General Sheridan following close upon the achievements of Farragut and Sherman, has been perhaps hastily, said to have ensured President Lincoln a certain if not an easy victory. The details of the battle are very few, and the com- binations involved were obviously simple. Sheri- dan and Early stood watching eaeh other near Opequan. The latter was deceived by a false report that a certain broken bridge of the Balti- more and Ohio Railway, which crosses the Opequan Creek at about twenty miles from where he was stationed, had been repaired. He sent a division of his army to break it down again, and this force was unexpectedly attacked and overpowered. It is stated that the Confederates were taken at a disadvantage, and that General Sheridan, who has always had the reputation of being a most skilful military commander, attacked the enemy before they had time to put themselves together. The Confederate General Early, how- ever, maintained his high reputation by seizing on a position which cost the Federal troops dearly. The latter appear to have lost 4,000 men, whilst the loss of the defeated army is stated as 6,000. This battle was much less important than the former victories at Mobile and Atlanta, for here the Confederates have lost no ground that has not been lost or won before; but it makes the third Northern victory within a short time, and it comes as a climax of success to the present Government immediately before the presidential election. If that contest were to come on immediately, Mr. Lincoln would be quite certain of success; and, indeed, there is little probability that' a more popular candidate than the present President will seek the vote of the nation. M'Clellan is weekly decreasing in popularity since he has declared that" for abolition merely he would not fight," and has thus forfeited all right to the support of the anti-slavery party. SPEAKING of America, however, an address has been very quietly prepared in England, which is on its way to the United States. It is a very humble, yet at the same time a very unselfish and kind-hearted call to the American people to pause in their work of slaughter. This address was forwarded with an explanatory note to the Governor of New York by Sir Henry de Hoghton, in the steamer which left England a week ago. There are 350,000 signatures appended to it. The list comprises the names of nobility, clergy, mayors, and members of town councils, heads of colleges and public offices, leading merchants, members of the learned professions, &c. The signatures are said to cover some 700 yards of canvas, and are arranged in four parallel columns which, if taken consecutively, would extend beyond a mile and a half in length. The names of a large number of the Catholic clergy of Ireland are also appended to the address. This document will, we hope, convince the American people that England desires their welfare; that she looks with pity upon the loss of life and property which is going on; and that she wishes.that a permment peace may be established, and that the country may be again prosperous and the people happy. A HOPE is now expressed that there may be a speedy termination to the war in New Zealand. The poor Maories are short of food, and their sur- render is therefore anticipated. It will be re- membered that some discussion has taken place as to how tbt: native prisoners taken in war should be treated. Technically, they are rebels, and are liable to be shot or hanged; but humanity shud- ders at the thought, and the Secretary for the Colonies has addressed a letter to the Governor of New Zealand, which has given general satis- faction. Mr. Cardwell writes in a very authori- tative strain, informing his correspondent that he will be held responsible by the Home Government for any acts which may appear to the Government and people of England to be unnecessarily severe or unjust, or which would have a tendency to prolong, without sufficient object, a civil war. We therefore trust such a peace will be concluded with the poor natives of New Zealand as will cement a permanent friendship between them and the British settlers. PHILANTHROPISTS hail with. delight anything which treads upon superstition, and makes man ■ so man. so near akin. Wasterr civilisation isi1 I being felt even in Tudia; and the fact that a mar- riage has recently taken place between a Hindoo widow and an Indian law student in Calcutta, both being of different castes, has created a sen- sation in many parts of India, and is considered an auspicious forerunner of the death of caste prejudice, which has hitherto been the great obstacle to reform in India. The introduction of railways has done something towards this desired end, as men of different castes now freely mingle together in the railway train-a proceeding which was looked upon as utterly impossible a few years since, when Indian railways were first projected. LOOKING at home news, we are sorry to see that there is likely to be distress in the cotton districts in the ensuing winter. Reports from the relief com- mittees of Blackburn, Burnley, Middleton, and their immediate neighbourhoods, are very unfavourable. It is even stated that in some of these districts the distress is as heavy as it has been since the beginning of the cotton famine, and the authorities have been obliged to put in force those extraordi- nary means of relief which were adopted during the height of the crisis. In the Manchester dis- tricts, however, mills are going, and the people generally are employed. It will be wise for the authorities in those districts where poverty is likely to prevail, to seek out improvements which will be of permanent service to the community, and employ the people who have no other occu- pation. THE strike amongst the colliers in South Staf- fordshire has caused some sensation during the past week, and, lest the quarrel between masters Vud men should be misunderstood, we will endea vour to explain it. The price-of iron has fallen, and the iron-masters, who generally own collieries, not only reduced the wages of the iron-workers, but those of the colliers, whose produce had not fallen in price. The colliers, thinking this unfair, struck, and the masters have been en- deavouring to obtain coal from Wales to keep their works going. The colliers thereupon asked their fellow-workmen in Wales to prohibit any master from sending coal into Staffordshire; but they were unable to carry their object, and the strike continued. It must be remembered that coal is used to a great extent in the manufacture of iron, without which the'ironstone could not be calcined in the first instance, or melted in the second stage; therefore the masters con- sidered coal one of the principal features in the production of iron, and, at the present price of that article, thought they were justified in the reduc- tion. Lord Leigh, the Lord-Lieutenant of War- wickshire, made a humane effort to bring about a reconciliation between the disputants, and an early settlement through his means was antici- pated. The men offered to go back for a month at the wages the masters proposed, provided the old rate had effect afterwards; but the employers refused to give an absolute pledge, though they undertook "to watch for the first opportunity to advance the price of iron and increase the colliers' wages." The men, however, refused to accept this, and the strike, which has been going on for fourteen weeks, is still continued. We trust that before many years are over our head we may see some national means devised for arranging dis- union between masters and men, for the present system is a bitter mockery, entailing much sor- row and suffering on those whose lot is sufficiently arduous under the most favourable circumstances. WITH these slight drawbacks we may con- gratulate ourselves on the prosperity of England. Her revenue returns for the quarter that ended on the 30th of September show that the income of the country surpasses even the most sanguine expectations of the Government. During the financial year no less a sum than ^870,373,944 was paid into the national exchequer.1 There is an increase in the revenue of the last quarter as compared with the corresponding quarter of 1863 of .£380,985. The increase is chiefly under- the head of excise, which now realises .84,352,000 instead of .£3,992,000 at the same period of last year; and in the Post-office, which is now credited with .81,045,000, instead of = £ 905,000—an increase of = £ 140,000; whilst the total decrease of taxation upon the various items introduced by the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer is .£340,000. This will be something for Mr. Gladstone to boast of when he introduces his next budget. IT has been often said that a coach and four could be driven through an Act of Parliament, and this appears to have been somewhat exemplified last week. At the Petty Sessions at Banbury, the district surveyor summoned several people whose cattle he had impounded with the view of recover- ing the penalty of £ 5, imposed by a new Act passed last session; but on proceeding to give judgment in the case, the magistrates discovered that the amended Act renewed the power to im- pose the fine for straying cattle, but gave no authority to impound the cattle consequently an injustice had been done to the owner rather than to the person whose land had been trespassed upon. A contemporary has urged that this inci- dent is worthy of being noted as affording a practical argument in favour of Stuart Mill's notion that purely legislative business—that is, the business of the construction of the laws of the' land—should be taken out of the hands of great miscellaneous bodies, like our Houses of Parlia- ment, and entrusted to a smaller body, selected with a view to that special work, paid fairly for their trouble, and retained in office without refer- ence to party politics. THERE has been no new feature in politics during the past week. Mr. Disraeli has a second time addressed the farmers of Buckinghamshire, and, in answer to an accusation brought against him of lowering the price of wheat, in consequence of his eulogy of the past harvest in his former speech, he humorously replied that, had he not made the statement he did, our porta would have been crowded with foreign grain, and the fall in prices would have been as large again as it is. Mr. Doulton, member forLambeth, has rather surprised his constituents with his doctrines. Taking a view of the Session, he said that the Tories were not exactly Whigs, as he had previously thought, and should now consider the defeat of Lord Palmerston a "great calamity;" reminding his audience that a change of Government always cost money, and that we were now paying £50,.000 a year for dis- charged servants* Lord Enfield and Mr, Lindsay, M.P., have each addressed the Middlesex Agricul- ( tural Society's meeting, held at Uxbridge. The ] noble viscount expressed an earnest wish that the blessings of peace might be soon restored to the American people; at the same time, he hoped England would not yet attempt to play the part of mediator between the combatants. Mr. Lind- say, according to his invariable custom, stuck up lustily for the South.

INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION AT THE AGRICULTURAL HALL. Great preparations are making at the Agricul- tural Hall, Islington, for a North London Working Classes' Industrial Exhibition, to be opened at that vast establishment on Monday, the 17th inst., by Earl Russell, who has undertaken to preside on so interesting an occasion. The object of this Exhibi- tion is to bring together as large an assemblage as possible of works of an artistic, scientific, and use- ful character, the production of the artisan who is the exhibitor, manufactured in the ordinary way of business, being specimens of superior workman- ship, or of novelty in design; new inventions or I original contrivances to economise labour or time, and useful, artistic, or ornamental articles, which may have been produced in spare hours, whether by working men or working women. For the most superior productions in the various departments, prizes are to be awarded in the respective classes, and although during some of the day exhibitions the Agricultural Hall is to be opened to the general public at a charge of sixpence, with a view of en- abling working people to see it, and to bring its advantages within the reach of every member of the industrious and humbler classes of society, the ad- mission fee is to be reduced each evening from seven till ten o'clock to twopence. A series of public meet- ings have been held in various parts of themetropolis in support of the project, and at the last, held on Friday evening at the Parochial School Rooms, Amwell-street, Clerkenwell, Mr. W. 1. Watts, of the general superintendent's department of the London and North Western Railway, the hon. secretary, gave some interesting details of the pro- gress and prospects of the forthcoming exhibition. He stated that the society had disposed of 1,500 space papers upon application for space, and up- wards of 800 had been already returned, duly filled up, stating the amount of space required and the character of the work to be exhibited, and no doubt the whole of the remainder would be received by the day and hour specified in the ensuing week, so as to-be included in the catalogue. The Agri- cultural Hall was almost ready for the recep- tion of articles, and on Monday morning the committee would commence with the reception of pictures, which would require artistic arrangement, and the whole of the preparations would have to be completed by eight o'clock on the morning of the opening day, Monday, the 17th. The guarantee fund, from noblemen, gentlemen, and others supporting the movement, now amounted to over £350, and Mr. Samuel Morley had also given his guarantee personally for £ 100. The programme of the inaugural ceremony, which will be very imposing, includes the services of Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Leffler, Mr. E. Gayler, Mr. Lewis Thomas, and other of our first-rate pro- fessional artistes, and a choir of upwards of one thousand voices, the musical arrangements being conducted by Dr. James Wesley, of Winchester Cathedral, who will preside at Willis's grand organ. Earl Russell, K.G., will be conducted to the platform, as chairman, at three p.m., by the committee and officers, and on being seated the choir will sing the hundredth psalm, All people that on earth," &c. At its conclusion Mr. W. I. Watts, hon. sec., will read the report, and the chairman and company inspect the exhibition. On returning to the platform Earl Russell will deliver an address, and declare the exhibition open. A special ode, composed by W. H. Bellamy, Esq., and set to music by Dr. Wesley, will then be sung by Miss Louisa Pyne and others; and prayer having been offered up by the Rev. Robert Maguire, M.A., incumbent of Clerkenwell, the inaugural ceremony will conclude by the choir and assembly singing the National Anthem. The object is an excellent one, and the support it is receiving from the in- dustrious classes themselves, as well as the general .public, is calculated to insure for this novel and useful exhibition the most perfect success.

MURDEROUS ASSAULT AND ROBBERY. Mr. Sheffell, residing at No. 3, Merrow-street, Camberwell-gate, was attacked late one evening last week by two men, who, after robbing him of a sum of money in gold and silver, left him in a state of insensibility. From inquiries made of the police it appears that Mr. Sheffell had, on the same afternoon, gone to one of the banks in the City in order to cash a check, and had afterwards returned to the vicinity of his own home at Cam- berwell, and there can be but little doubt that his footsteps were dogged for many hours by the per- sons who assaulted him. In the course of the evening he was seen in the "Queen Elizabeth" publichouse, Merrow-street, which publichouse is nearly opposite his own door, and it seems that he stayed there rather late with some friends, and did not leave till shortly before twelve, when he was followed by the parties who had probably been watching him all the evening. However that may be, he had not proceeded above thirty or forty yards towards his own residence when he was set upon by the two men. He was knocked down and beaten fearfully about the head with some blunt instrument, besides being horribly kicked about the face and temples. After his pockets had been hastily ransacked and eight or ten sovereigns abstracted, and while the thieves were endeavouring to secure his watch, some persons were descried com- ing down the street. His assailants at once made off. On coming up, the former found Mr. Sheffell ouite insensible, blood was flowing copiously from all parts of his head. He was at once conveyed into his own house, and Dr. Crisp was sent for, who pronounced him to be in a highly dangerous state, and at first held out no hopes of recovery. For two days the wounded man lay between life and death, but on Saturday he took a favourable turn, and recovered his reason, when he stated that he should be in a position to identify one, at least, of his assailants if brought before him. He also stated that when he left the "Queen Elizabeth" he had eight sovereigns and some silver in his pos- session, as well as a carving-knife and fork, which he had that afternoon purchased, and a silk umbrella. He further stated that, although he had partaken of several glasses of wine, he was not intoxicated. On making inquiries it was dis- covered that the carving-knife and fork had been picked up shortly after the assault and had been taken into the public-house, and they were after- wards given up to Mrs. Sheffell by the landlord. The umbrella and several other articles were, how- ever, missing, but the watch and chain were, as was before stated, not taken, the thieves being disturbed in their work. The potman at the Queen Elizabeth" states that he should be able to identify a man of low appearance whom he had seen follow Mr. Sheffell from the house. ♦ ——

On the 17th inst. the English traveller may pro- ceed, by the opening of the remainder of the railway, direct by rail from Paris to Nice without stepping out of the train. The Empress of Russia is expected at Nice on that day, and the railway will thus be inaugurated by her. H. Walker's Patent Ridged Eyed Needles for rapid sewing. Nothing like them for speed. Pafentee of the Penelope ™ FuootoP'° Crochets. Samples free for Is. of any dealer. Queen s « orks, Alcester, and 47, Gresham-street, I/ondon. John Ciosnell and Co.'s Cherry Tooth Paste, price is. 6a. Decidedly the best preparation for cleansing and preserving the tectl Sold by all perfumers and chemists.—12,Three Kin<?-ct., Lombard-st .E. C. Have you seen the New Lock-stitch. Sewing Machine, called the Wanzer ? the latest invention, espe- cially applicable to Families, Dressmakers, and Tailors; re- markable for simplicity. Manufactured by the Wan zer Se win g Machine Company (Limited), 4, Cheapside, E.C., London.0 markable for simplicity. Manufactured by the Wan zer Se win g Machine Company (Limited), 4, Cheapside, E.C., London. °

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. AMERICA After the battle near WinchelterT Sheri'dfn pursued Early beyond Strasburg, and again attacked him at i isner s-hill. Sheridan's report states that the right ot the Confederate army rested on the north fork of the bhenandoah, extending across Strasburg valley westward to the North Mountain, and occupy- ing apparently an impregnable position. After much maneuvering Crook's command was trans- ATrr?i! tit ? .extreme right of the line of the North Mountain, and attacked the enemy's left carrying everything before him. Wbilst Crook drove away the enemy, and swept down behind their breast- works^ the 6th and 19th Corps attacked the rebel works m front, and the whole army appeared to be broken up. They fled in the utmost confusion, and sixteen guns were captured. The darkness only saved Early's army from total destruction. On Thursday night Sheridan pushed on down the Shenandoah valley. Two divisions of cavalry went down Luray valley. Sheridan says, "If they push on to the main valley the result of the engagement will be still more signal." Correspondents' letters assert that Early's loss in prisoners in the first day's fight will approximate to 5,000. Among the killed and wounded were the Confederate generals Rhodes, Ram- som, Gordon, Terry, G-oodwin, Bradley, Johnson, and i? ltzhugh Lee. The Federal lQSS in the same battle is estimated at between 2,000 and 4,000 men General Sherman is strongly fortifying Atlanta. General Price has crossed the Arkansas River for an invasion of Missouri. General Shelby is co-operating. The Missouri militia retreated before Shelby from Charleston to White Water River. Fremont and Cochrane have withdrawn from the Presidential canvass. Postmaster-General Blair has reared from the cabinet, at President Lincoln's request. The Democratic peace party have resolved to support General M'Clellan. The Richmond Enquirer contains a report that Sherman has proposed an informal peace conference with the Governor of Georgia and Vice-President btephens. Numerous other peace rumours are current. The Persia, Borussia, and the City of Cork have arrived out. No fighting has taken place at Petersburg. The Confederate pirates on Lake Erie have been captured. „ m, NEW YORK, SEPT. 24. On Ihursday night Sheridan continued the pursuit of General Early as far as Woodstock, where he halted to rest. Sheridan reports that he thinks there never was an army so badly routed as that of General Early. Three thousand Confederate prisoners have arrived at Winchester. CO, A J.i NEW YORK, SEPT. 27. Sheridan on Saturday was six miles south of New- market, and in dispatches forwarded on that day reports that he had driven the enemy from Mount Jackson without bringing on an engagement. The enemy were rapidly retreating. Sherman captured 20 guns and 1,100 prisoners at Fisher's Hill. Richmond papers admit the defeat in the first day's fighting in the Shenandoah Valley, and estimated the Confederate loss at 2,500 men, and that of the Federals at 6,000 men. Generals Rhodes and Godwin are killed, and Fitz- hugh Lee and York wounded. Sherman reports Hugh to be moving towards the Alabama line. Forrest with 8,000 men and ten guns is operating in Sherman's rear. He captured Athens with the garrison and destroyed the railroad between Decatur and Athens. Forrest is moving to capture Pulaski, Franklin, and Shelbyville, and the inter- mediate block-houses. Rousseau had taken the field against Forrest. A doubtful report from Cairo states that Mobile had been captured. It is reported from Louisville that the Governor of Georgia had tendered Sherman, propositions of peace, and that the latter had sent commissioners to confer with the Georgian state authorities. NEW YORK, SEPT. 29. Grant reports that Ord's corps advanced this morning, and carried the strong fortifications of url Chapin's Farm, capturing fifteen guns and: 200 priso- ners. Ord was wounded, General Birney advanced simultaneously from Deep Bottom, and carried the Newmarket-road and entrenchments, scattering the enemy, and taking a few prisoners. Birney is now marching towards Richmond, and has arrived at Junction-hill. The Newmarket and Richmond roads, and the whole country, are full of field fortifications. n ™ NEW T0EK> OCT. 1. tyrant reports that .Warren yesterday carried the enemy s line on the right, and was following tip-his success. General Meade has moved from the left and carried the enemy's lines near Poplar Grove. Butler has repulsed an attack on his line. The operations on the north side of the James River are successful.

-V1 a of Boiling Tar -Ihe North Bntish Ma%l records a shocking afcidcnt as having occurred at Kelvin Foundry, last week to a man named M Shee. It appears that a large vat twenty feet deep by ten feet in breadth, is kept fiS M'Sheetaf stLd" PUIP°S0 nof hon pipes, mouth <Tf ^1Df °n^tw° planka laid across barrel of fJ e of emptying a to thA Jl* A was kemg lowered by a crane on planks. As soon as the barrel rested on them • a ^Ve way> an"- man was precipitated overhead into the vat of boiling tar. He rose to the SurfaCe and threw out one of his hands, which was caught by some of his fellow-labourers. He was thus speedily rescued, and conveyed to his house, where he remnina. with but little hope of recovery. The rat at tha ticae of the accident contained about fifteen feet of

Gross aud unnatural neglect is manifested ? iPW little attention ti the preservation of thpir persons health is the greatest blessing we can enjoy, whic). f 2: ?. covered when too late To insure freedom from ™is often dis- every family in the kingdom shouM <eep a supply of any sort' Wise P.L1.S. Thousands can testify they are inv,i,,?Mf ^°°D tioa, Wind in the Stomach, Biliousness, &c r at is. 1 Jd., as. 9d., and 4s. 6d. 8old everywhere, in boxes, Horniman's Tea is choice and stroma • and wholesome to use. These Tea a general preference. It is gol(j cketa by 2^280 Ar* ntw

TO "W" 3ST TAL K.. • BT OTTR SPECIAL CQBKESPONDENT. Our readers will understand that we do not hold owscteea fepott- sibhfor our able Correspondent's opinions. -+-- IN political circles the chief topic of the week has been the Franco-Italian Convention, so lately ratified at Paris and Turin, by which it is pro- vided that "six months after the document has received the sanction of the Italian Parliament the Government shall be established at Florence instead of Turin, and that in two years from the same date the French troops shall evacuate Rome." This convention has received the cordial approba- tion of all who wish well to the cause of Italian unity; because the Italian Peninsula can never be- come really one so long as it is governed from Turin, by Piedmontese, whom the Central and Southern Italians persist, however wrongly, in thinking and speaking of as foreigners, and because it is taken for granted that the Italian Government, in moving to Florence, is taking an im- portant step towards making Rome the capital of Italy. On the other hand, I hear that this object, so desirable in itself, and for which the Press and peoples of Italy have been so long ■ and loudly clamouring, is unattainable for, say politicians, There can be no doubt that a secret treaty exists between Louis Napoleon and Victor Emmanuel, under which the latter binds himself to relinquish all designs upon Rome, under any combination of circumstances whatever." But even should such a document exist, neither the French nor the Italian Sovereign can live for ever; the vox populi must ultimately assert itself, and in such an eventuality the people will remember the maxim of certain crowned heads, that there are exigencies :when treaties are but as waste paper- Last week' I announced the promotion of Lord Wodehouse to the Viceroyalty of Ireland. Well, on all sides I hear the appointment spoken of approvingly. Even the Opposition say, Lord Palmerston never, not even including his bishops, made a more judicious choice." It would, perhaps, have been more flattering to the Irish if he had picked out a man of greater wealth and '^higher rank; but the plain Baron Wodehouse is a practical, trained man, in the very prime of his energies. Besides, he has done the State some service, and that, 'too, in affairs requiring delicate treatment. You know, he was Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under the Clarendon Government; then he went to St. Petersburg as Minister Plenipo- tentiary, just" after the proclamation of peace; lastly he has worked well and hard in the Under- Secretaryship he has now vacated. What, how- ever, will :please otr neighbours most, per- lp haps, is that Lady Wodehouse is herself an Irishwoman (daughter of the late Earl of Clare), and fully capable of performing the part of Vice- Queen with delicacy, judgment, and dignity. At all events, Lord Wodehouse will do extremely well for the last of the Viceroys, and that he will be the last you may take my word. The Government are only biding their time to suggest a mode of Government for Ireland somewhat more in ac- cordance withTthe rule of the rest of the United Kingdom. Quite time too, for £27,000 per annum for a mimic sovereign and his entourage is somewhat too expensive,"especially when we know that the real work of the Irish Government is done by the Chief Secretary and his staff, at the cost of an additional £17,000 a year. As for the successor who is to replace Lord Wodehouse in the Under-Secretaryship he has vacated, I have heard the name of a distinguished Commoner mentioned that,7 however, is impossible — at least, without much inconvenient shifting and changing, for there are four Under-Secretaries already in the Commons, and more is not per- mitted by law. A peer must therefore be chosen, and that peer, it is now known, will be Lord Dufferin, the author of a couple of capital books, and the nephew, I believe, of those two beautiful women-the Duchess of Somerset and the Hon. Mrs. Norton—who, with his lordship's mother, were once called by the fashionable world the Three Graces. The Duchess, by the way, when Lady Seymour, presided at the celebrated Eglin- ton Tournament as Queen of Beauty." Anent the great explosion of gunpowder, which so recently nearly startled a fifty miles' radius of Englishmen out of their wits, I hear much indig- nation expressed at the laxity of a law which, while it contains provisions to limit the quantity of powder kept at any one-time, at the place of manu- facture, and the amount to be kept in hand by the licensed retailer of the article, yet puts no limit to the quantity which may be kept in the warehouses of the manufacturers and the wholesale dealers—an omission in the framing of this Act the more remarkable, inasmuch as the most stringent regulations exist in the naval and mili- tary departments for the protection of the Govern- ment stores. Surely, under thQ circumstances, and with, in all probability, other explosions imminent, it is hard the public should have to wait until the meeting of Parliament for a reme- dial, or rather preventive measure. Not forgetting -the homely proverb, that A stitch in time saves nine," I would -suggest: if it be not unconstitu- tional, an immediate II order in Council." The death of Mr. Commissioner Fane, the senior judge of the London Bankruptcy Court, is much regretted in legal circles, as indeed it is among all those who knew the learned gentleman inti- mately. By lawyers he was not, by any means, regarded as a great or even prominent judge; yet, albeit he was eccentric in manner, and given a little-perhaps too much-to indulge in witticisms that became a follower of the sports -to which he was devoted—rather than a judge (by the way, he once took his seat in court with his arm in a sling, the result of a fall from the hunting saddle), it is a remarkable fact that Mr. pane's decisions were rarely reversed. Then, apart from his personal qualities, his occupation of a seat on the bench for niore than thirty-two years, shed about him a halo of respect and regard. It is rumoured that the debased judge is to be succeeded by Mr. Registrar Winslow, who now sits as Commissioner; but such an appointment, if it be intended, must take place infuturo, for, under the last Act, no new judge can be named to the Basinghall-street Court until the number of those learned personages be reduced below three— the number now sitting. In certain interested circles there is much gloomy talk touching the prospect of another of those" little wars," which the Great Duke de- clared England could not afford, namely, in Japan. Our lamentable experience with China should have taught us to avoid these Eastern squabbles. But, no the last despatches tell us that, for the protection of a sickly trade, repre- sented by some sixteen commercial houses and twenty-one trading ships, the British people are put to the expense of keeping in Japanese waters no less than thirteen vessels of war, besides which the 20th Regiment has been removed from Hong- Kong to Yokohama, at which place not a day passes without two or more of the men dying from the influence of the climate, or the even more deadly sacki, that is supplied to them by the Japanese. And for what purpose is all this cost and suSering ? simply that we may, at the sword's point, compel a non-trading and unwilling race to purchase our goods or, in a sentence, that a few enterprising English traders may become rich more quickly than they could by a legitimate trading with people who really desired or sought for their goods. Of small talk, I may mention the great fight that was to have come off, but didn't, in Ireland. With shame I chronicle the fact that a vast num- ber of Londoners were frantic with excitement, gambling upon the overthrow of one or other of the pugilists, and almost mad with disappoint- ment at its not coming off. How long, I wonder, is our civilisation to be disgraced by these brutal gladiatorial exhibitions ? Z.