South Wales Daily News

^.8°lve<J tor;°t-Club, at a meeting on Saturday evening titles Bili lou the House of Lords against the Eoyal

NOTES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. [BY AN INDEPENDENT WELSH MEMBER.] It may be taken as a proof that a strong and growing feeling exists in the country against the Royal Titles Bill, that discussions respecting it are constantly cropping up in the House of Commons, in a manner J and with a degree of warmth totally unexpected. How this feeling is ascertained it is hard to say. No public meetings have been held, no petitions have been presented against this measure. But it is somehow in the air. In all social circles there seems to be but one sentiment—that of extreme distrust and repugnance in reference to the proposed change, though, perhaps, it would not be easy to put in a very definite form what is the ground of that sentiment. Even now, though it has passed the third reading, we have not done with it, as Mr Fawcett intends to reopen the question in the form of an ad- dress to her Majesty, praying her not to assume any title other than that of Queen. No doubt the popular dislike of what has been done has been greatly aggravated by the manner of doing it. Ihe most de- voted admirer of the Prime Minister cannot but admit that he has managed this business most unfor- tunately. No doubt he had a difficult task in hand. He had to commend to the acceptance of Parliament and the country a change which shocked a traditional sentiment deeply rooted in the English mind, and to suggest as an addition to the Queen's title an appellation which was sur- rounded with many disagreeable and some ignoble, associations, and he had not really a single presentable reason to offer in support of his proposal. But one would have thought that, at any rate, such arguments, good or bad, as he bad to assign, would have been marshalled and set in array at once, so as to fortify to the utmost of which it was susceptible so vulnerable a position. Instead of this, however, he has brought them out piece-meal, and in such a way as almost to appear, though we must of course acquit him of any intention of doing that, a3 if it were a studied affront to the understanding of the House of Commons. He seemed to say—" There, that is a reason good enough for you, or if that does not satisfy you, I will give you another bone to pick." But his speech on Thursday night was really felt by many, if not by all, to be an insult to Parliament. The House of Commons is a good- tempered assembly enough, and is perfectly ready to be amused without being at all critical as to the quality of the jokes at which it is expected to laugh, especially when coming from men in authority. But, when on a subject of so much gravity we have the letter of a school girl, and the blunder of an almanack, adduced as a proof of the public opinion of the country, it was impossible not to feel that the Prime Minister was trifling with us in a way that was intolerable. But bad as his frivolity was, his solemnity was still worse. When he proceeded to disclose the important political considerations to which on former occasions he had referred in so mysterious and oracular a tone' the House was naturally on the qui vive. But it really was difficult to believe ene's ears when a man occupy- ing a position of such responsibility as the First Minister of the Crown, proceeded to adduce the progress of Russia in Central Asia, as his great and final reason for giving to the Queen the title of Empress of India, and ended his Epeech with the magniloquent boast that' it was the resolution of Par- liament to uphold the Empire of India. Surely a more indiscreet statement never fell from a man in a high position. It was by implication an. obvious impeach- ment of Russia as intending to assail our Indian do- minions, and an acknowledgment-the effect of which in India it is not difficult to divine—that we are so afraid of Russia that we find it necessary to put forward the title of Empress as a bulwark against the aggressions of that Power. The only hope one can have is that the avowal is so ridiculous as to be deprived to some extent of its dangerous character. If we have no better security for our Indian dominions than what consists in giving the Queen the title of Empress as a set off against the Emperor of Russia, our tenure of the country must be precarious indeed. Mr Lowe, in a speech of extreme pungency, in which he used language that now and then seemed to trench on the very verge of admitted Parliamentary licence, did his best to turn the edge, and to neutralise the portentous importance of the Prime Minister's words. A remarkable incident in the debate was the speech of Mr Cowen, the member for Newcastle. Mr Cowen's friends knew well that he was a singularly able and "earnest man, and could address public audiences with a force and effect which few could rival. But those who knew him best were taken by surprise at the combination of extensive knowledge, powerful argument and stirring eloquence, and above all the perfect skill with which he adapted himself to the tone and spirit of the House of Commons, which marked his address on Thursday night. But it is curious to observe the way in which the reporters deal with Parliamen- tary speakers. They carefully record whatever falls from the occupants of the Treasury bench, or from the great Opposition Bench, as though the fact of a man holding or having held an official position is proof infallible that all his utterances are worthy to be carefully registered, while the speeches of others, how- ever impressive or successful, are abridged and muti- lated in the most merciless fashion. No one could have the slightest idea from the Times' report of the real character of Mr Cowen's powerful speech, or of its en- thusiastic reception by the House. It is pretty clear that the Ministers are in danger of becoming involved in another awful mess in reference to Mr Cave's Egyptian mission. The Government sent the right hon. gentleman out with great solemnity to enquire into the condition of the Khedive's finances. He has done so, and prepared an elaborate report, and now the question comes—"What will he do with it ?" Everybody expected, of course, that it would be made public. But the Khedive objects,no doubt for very good reasons, to have his affairs exposed to the public gaze, and Mr Disraeli tells Parliament so, and forthwith all sorts of Egyptian stock tumble down in a most alarming manner. Lord Hartington is going to ask that a day should be fixed for the dis- cussion of the whole subject, and it will be a wonder if the Government passes that ordeal without being seriously damaged.

ACTION AGAINST AIR. SAUL ISAAC. M.P. Mr Saul Isaac, M.P., was examined on Saturday, at Nottingham, in the action brought against him by Mr Marsh to recover 28,000 for wrongful dismissal, and also certain sums paid on behalf of defendant's candidature. Mr Isaac said that plaintiff was dismissed on account of misconduct. Public interest in the case centres in the revelations which have been made concerning the management of the last Parliamentary election, part of the plaintiff's claim being for services rendered by the promotion of a requisi- tion to Mr Isaac, asking him to offer himself as a candi- date for this borough. t Letters addressed by Mr Isaac to Mr Marsh were read in court, and created mnch amuse- ment, as they contained many references of the progress of a requisition which Mr Isaac subsequently spoke of in public as a" voluntary and spontaneous" requisition froai the electors, and also several not over-complimen- tary remarks upon the Conservative party, by whom Mr Isaac was returned. In addres- sing the jury for the defendant, Mr Metcalf, Q.C., contended that the claim for money spent during the election was originated with a view to hold a whip over Mr Isaac under the threat of the exposure of his private letters to terrorise him and injure the Conserva- tive party. Mr Marsh had been put forward to make a political attack on Mr Isaac, and Mr Mellor had made a strong party speech for the same proposer, but he trusted the jury would not be influenced thereby. The case was adjourned till to-day.

The Lords of the Treasury have given notice that the sum of £280,150 10s., being the amount of the New Sink- ing Fund for the year 1875-76, will be issued in the current quarter to the National Debt Commissioners, to be applied in the redemption of debt;

FOOTBALL MATCH BETWEEN WALES AND SCOTLAND. (SPECIAL TELEGRAM). The first annual football match, played according to association rules, between eleven of all Wales and eleven of all Scotland, took place on Saturday, at Partick, Glasgow. The teams were brought to the ground in an omnibus drawn by four greys, and were greatly cheered as they drove along the highway. It is estimated that there were over 12,000 spectators present. Scotland, win- ning the toss, played down hill. The Welshmen assumed the defensive, as they were playing at a disadvantage,but well did they execute this difficult task, for time after time did Scotland receive corner kicks from the ball being sent over the Welsh lines by their own team, but these corner kicks came to nothing because of the splendid back play of Evans and Kendrick and the careful goal keeping of D. Thompson. This state of matters con- tinued for thirty minutes, when one of the Scotchmen shot the ball towards the mouth of the goal. The goal- keeper caught it beautifully, but whilst he was endea- vouring to take his kick, another Scotchman charged him, and the ball passed under the tape, thus securing one goal for Scotland. Some splendid runs were made by Edwards and Thompson, but as they were not suffi- ciently supported by the other Welsh for- wards, these tactics were frustated by the Scotch backs. A severe struggle ensued for the next 15 minutes in Welsh territory. Sides were then changed, and Wales played down the hill. The Welshmen scattered themselves more over the field to try to make goals, but this was probably mistake, for the Scotch had recourse to their favourite style of passing the ball, acting as one man. Before time was called, the Scotch team scored three other goals, making four goals for Scotland, Wales none The Scotch goalkeeper never touched the ball. The Welshmen afterwards were hospitably entertained to dinner. WALES.—D. Thomson (Shropshire Wanderers) (goal- keeper), W. A. W. Evans (d. John's College, Oxford), L. L. Kendrick (Shropshire Wanderers), Capt Backs, K, A. Cross (Wrexham), W. Williams (Druids) (half- backs), J. H. Edwards (London Wanderers), G. F. Thomson (Woodford Wells), A. Davis (Wrexham), W. H. Davis (Oswestry), J. Jones and W. Gray (Druids) (forwards). Umpire, Mr Strang Smith (Wanderers). SCOTLAND.—A. M'Geoch (Dumbreck) (gaol), J. Taylor (Queen's Park), and R. W. Neil (Queen's Park) (backs), C. Campbell (Queen's Park) (captain) and A. Kennedy (Eastern) (half-backs), W. Mackinnon, T. Heriott, H. M'Neili (Queen's Park), J. Ferguson (Vale of Leven), M. M'Neil (Rangers), and J. J. Lang (Clyesdale) for wards). Reserves H. Miller (3rd L. H. V.), P. Andrews (Eastern), and J. Davidson (Eastern) (forwards), G. M. Wilson (Clydesdale) (back), A. M'Lintock (Vale of Leven) (half-back). Umpire V7. Cf Mitchell (Queen's Park). Referee, R. Gardner (Clydesdale).

A NEWPORT WILL CASE. In the Probate Division of the High Court, on Satur- day, the President and a special jury heard further evi- dence in the case of Skinner and Brady v. Gane. The will in dispute was the will of the late Mrs Emily Dyson., widow, of Watford. It was propounded by Mr Thomas Skinner, surveyor, of Newport, and Dr. B ady, the executors, and was disputed by the family of the tos. tatrix. The testatrix succeeded to half her husband's property, and, having quarrelled with her family, who, together with herself, were, it is said, given to habits of intoxication, she sent for Skinner and Brady, who ad- vised her in the management of her affairs, and in whose favour she subsequently made a will. This will was opposed on the ground that the testatrix, when the in- strument was signed, was of unsound mind, that undue influence was used by the plaintiffs, and that the tes- tatrix did not know or approve of its content. Charlotte Howard deposed that she lived at Watford, and was formerly in the service of Mrs Dyson. During the time witness lived with the testatrix she constantly drank brandy and seltzer water. She had seen her drunk. She was often ill, and subject to fitzo, tue result of drink. She had seen brandy bottles in her bedroom. She was in the habit of going to bed about two o'clock in the morn- ing. Witness had known Dr Brady to be alone with the testatrix for an hour late at night in thu dining-room. They always locked themselves in. Witness had got up in the middle of the night to give the testatrix brandy and seltzer, and to bathe her hands in cold water. On these occasions she was invariably tipsy. She had told witness that she did not like Dr Brady, but she did not know th reason why. In cross-examination the witness stated that she had never seen the mother of the testatrix take brandy. Henry Carman stated that at t ie time of the making of the will he was clerk to Mr Pugh, in whose employ- ment he was for four months. He was asked to go and witness the will. Previous to that he had engrossed it, and copied the christian names correctly. He sccom panied Mr Pugh to have the will executed. He was in the roam where Mrs Dyson was, and was present during the whole of the proceedings. The testatrix was seated in an arm chair close to the table, and the pen and the will were placed before her. When they got into the room Dr Brady was there, but at M Pugh's request he with- drew. Mr Pugh then ask d her how she was, but she made no reply. He then said. Don't you think I had better step round to-morrow morning about eleven o'clock?" To that she made no reply. The remainder of the will was then ptoceeded with, but in witness'* opinion the testatrix was unconicious all the while. She was handed drink on three different occasions during the time the will was being executed. Frederick Anthony stated that he had married a sister of the testatrix. tie was groom to the late Mr Dyson and he remained with the testatrix after his dea h. He lived in the house, and he knew Dr Brady. Before his master died he was in the house almost everv night. He was in Mr Dysons service when that gentleman was married to the testatrix. The night after t;ie marriage Mr Dyson went to bed about Dine o'clock. Soon after Dr Bradv came to the house, and was there when witness went to bed, at one o'clock. He was in the dining room with the testatrix There was brandy and seltzer in the dining room. The same thing occurred frequently afterwards during Mr Dvson's lifetime. He came to the house on the night o; Mr Dyson's death, and remained the greater part of the night locked up in the drawing rooua with the testatrix. He was a constant visitor, and remained till lata hours up to the time the testatrix sold off her furniture, in May 1875. The testatrix sometimes went to Or Brady's house at night, and remained till all hours in the morning. On one occasion witness went to fetch her from there. He went about eleven. He saw Dr Brady, who told him the testatrix was there, and she would be home im- mediately, but she did not come home till after four in the morning. The testatrix's mother was very kind to her. Witness never saw her strike the testatrix or illtreat her in any way whatever. He never faw the mother the least the worse for drink. The testatrix was very much given to drink. Other witnesses, were also examined on the part of the defendant. The case, so far as the evidence was concerned, was brought to a close but on Wednesday, to which day the cause was adjourned, the learned counsel will sum up the evidence given pro and con.

MR GLADSTONE ON ADVERTISING. Speaking at the annual meeting of the House of Chanties for Distressed Persons, in London, Mr Glad- stone, in referring to the difficulties which the promoters of the society bad in bringing the institution into public notice, said: It is an institution of peculiar modesty, and it is hardly possible to commend it to public notice and support by any of the means that are most usual among us in these days, and are becoming, from day to day, more and more notably important in order to bring about what is usually called prosperity. We perceive here that you are not deemed unworthy of the valuable, or I may say rather the invaluable assistance of the press, but in the present time, whether it be owing to the ab- sorption of human energy in other directions, which seem to have a greater spontaneous attraction, or to whatever due, it would seem that even the effective reporting of the proceedings of such an institution does not avail to give it proper place in the mind of the public, unless it takes advantage of the machinery of what is called advertising. Now, this advertising is undoubtedly a very effective instrument, but it is one very difficult to handle. It is scarcely possible to handle it without going to a very great expense; and if it cannot be handled without going to a very great expense, it at once ap- pears that it cannot be used effectively on behalf of a small institution, The power of this mode of gaining publicity is enormous. It seems, if we consult those who have been accustomed to work successfully this very extraordinary instrument, that it depends wholly upon producing an impression on the public mind by iteration, by repetition of the same thing. To see the growth of this very singular vehicle, we must observe, what has struck the eye of every one in this late years as an entire novelty, that now it is a common thingto repeat, not only at intervals, and from day to day, but to repeat abso- lutely many times over in succession, the very same thing in the same newspaper, with the prominent word printed in large letters. This betokens a very singular state of the public mind. It shows that there is relatively acertain amount of dulness with reference to these matters, and a great keenness of attention which no one expects to get unless by, as it were, a good many strokes of the hammer, which compels people to notice what is going on. This machine has been used lately with enormous effect in certain great religious movements, and there are even those notadversely disposed, who think of those remarkable operations of Messrs Moody and Sankey last year in London, that they could have had no considerable success, nor have obtained a place in the general view of the public, unless sustained with the same energy and pertinacity and wholesale advertising which, until quite recently, was better known to the inventors of certain descriptions of blacking and certain kinds of medicine.

UMBRELLAS RE^ COVERED and Repaired carefully and j promptly at tiie Manufactory, W. Pedler, 31, St. Mury-a reet, Cardiff 6066 1

CARDIGANSHIRE_SPRING ASSIZES. The commission for these assizes was opened on Friday afternoon, when Mr Justice Grove arrived in Cardigan about 3.30. Having opened the commission at the Shire- hall his lordship, accompanied by Mr G. G. Williams, the High Sheriff, attended Divine worship. On Saturday morning his lordship took his seat at 10 o'clock, and having congratulated the grand jury upon the small amount of crime and litigation which prevailed in that happy county, the business was proceeded with. CHARGE OF STEALING AN OVERCOAT. Thomas Llewellyn (24), collier, was indicts d for steal- ing an overcoat, value 10s, on the 18th of February last, at Llwynbach, in the parish of Caronysclawdd, the property of one John Felix. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr North appeared for the prosecution, and the prisoner was undefended. For the prosecution it was shown that the prisoner had takca the coat from a stable at Llwynbwlch. It was admitted that a man named David Williams had told the prisoner to take a coat, M a loan, but it was con- tended that the coat the prisoner took wa9 not the one lent him. The prisoner, in his defence, said that he was told to take a coat, and that he took the wrong one. The Judge said the case was a peculiar one, but thought it would be very unwise to convict the prisoner. After a bribf consultation the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. STEALING A SHIRT AND TOBACCO. John Lee (52), labourer (alias Michael Hinton, or Linton, or James Rowe), pleaded guilty to stealing a shirt, value 7s, and two ounces of tobacco, on the 6th of October, 1875, at the parish of Pentwyn, the property of one James Thomas. The prisoner pleaded not guilty to a previous conviction at Clonmel, Tipperary, for arson, and another at Cashel for stealing bread. Mr Jowley Lascelles, instructed by Mr J. H. Evans, Newcastle- Emlyn, appeared for the prosecution; the prisoner was undefended. The convictions were proved, and the Judge said that prisoner had been guilty of many pecu- lations, but he thought the case might be met by a sen- tence of 16 months' imprisonment with hard labour. BREAKING INTO A DWELLING-HOUSE. John Hutchinson (alias Ginger, alias John Thomas Hutchinson), 20, labourer, and James Paxton (alias Thomas Atkinson), 20, labourer, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering the dwelling-house of John Jones, on the 17th of January last, at the parish of Llanbadarn- fawr, and stealing one black cloth overcoat, one pair of gloves, and other articles. They also pleaded guilty to a previous conviction. Mr Thomas (instructed by Mr Hughes, Aberystwith), appeared for the prosecution. Each of the prisoners were sentenced to 18 months' im- prisonment, with hard labour, with a caution as to their future conduct. CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD AT ABERYSTWYTH.- Elizabeth Jones and Abraham Jones, mother and son, were indicted for obtaining, by false pretences, quantities of tea, sugar, rice. oatmeal, biscuits, oranges, and figs, of the value of 15s 10d, the property of John Jones, grocer, Aberystwith, with intent to cheat and defraud him of tho- same and in a second count the female prisoner was charged with receiving the goods knowing them to have been stolen. Mr Henry Allen, instructed by Mr Griffith Jones, Aberystwith, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Bowen Rowlands, instructed by Mr Hughes, Aberystwith, for the prisoner. The jury, after deliberat- ing about half an hour, returned a verdict of guilty against both prisoners. The prosecutor recommended the boy to the mercy of the court, as he believed the lad had been led into error by his mother. The female prisoner was sentenced to nine months, and her son to four months' imprisoLment, both with hard labour.

THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. The annual dinner of this incorporated society took place on Saturday evening at Willis's Rooms. Covers were laid for 231 persons, and there was scarcely a vacant seat. The Chair at the dinner was occupied by Mr George Robert Stevenson, the president. The Earl of CARNARVON, in responding for her Majesty's ministers, said: Some governments live by letters, some by science, some by arts, some by legisla- tion some by tiie conduct of great wars; but perhaps those governments and those nations live longest in the memory of men who live through their public works. (Hear, hear.) They exist when almost everything el".e is forgotten; what they leave remains a visible, tangible proof of the greatness of former generations. (Hear, hear.) If there be anything which engineering skill has developed it has been the great colonial empire of this country. It has been by your skill and your ability thac you have developed new lands, that you have called into being new countries, and that you have set your foot- maiks and the seal of your power everywhere-I must say, to borrow a quotation from another kingdom' yux regio interns, .Nostrinon plena iaburis?" I will look merely to the two great engines and imple- ments of modern civilisation—railways and telegraphs- and I say that, through your agency, they have over spread like a network, even now, the face of that great colonial empire. Within the last ten or fifteen years I believe something like 7,000 miles of railway have been constructed and within the last seven or eight years 1,500 miles of railway have been built in Australia alone. The Cape, New Zealand, Ceylon, and other places are all joining in the same race. It was but a few weoks since I heard that the Governor of Natal had turned the first sod of a railway destined to run through a most arduous and difficult country, and to the resources of a known but unexplored region, rich in gold, and even more valuable minerals. As it is with railways, so it is with telegraphs. In the great continent of Australia there are at this moment not less than 20,000 miles of telegraphs open. The whole of the eastern side is now surrounded by the electric wire, the great coloniesof New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia, and within the last few days New Zealand itself, have all been brought into confraternity with each other, and I would venture to say still moröt. into close relationship with the mother country. (Cheers.) These are great triumphs to have accomplished, and if the colonial empire be, as I believe it will be. the great- est monument which will be left of English power, of English creativeness, of English practical genius, this at least will be equally remembered in times to come, that of the best credit and honour of that great work, the Civil Engineers of England bear at least their full share. (Cheers.) Mr LOWE, M.P., in responding for the House of Commons, id We were always understood to have de, i ed our civilisation from the Greeks. They were all aware that the Greeks were divided into two different schools. There was a set of philosophers who went in the direction of physical science, and another who speculated chiefly upon man. It seemed at one time as if the physioal philo- sophers were going to carry the day. There was an ex- traordinary development of engineering talent in the hea- then world-witness the names of Archimedes aud Deme- trius but the personal character of Socrates and the elo- quence of Plato somehow or other overpowered the ten- dency towards physical science, and mankind gave them- selves up to hazy metaphysics instead of looking to natural philosophy to better the condition of the race. lie thought it was not too much to say that if the other school had prevailed, the frightful catastrophe which overthrew the Roman empire, and condemned mankind to a thousand years of barbarism and misery, would have been averted. (Cheers.) And he believed that the works of engineers in recent days would prevent a similar catastrophe which many persons had apprehended- the overrunning of civilised countries by any modern Attila or Alaric. While many men had been spending their lives in grammatical researches,in writing bad poetry or execrable history and biography, it was a gratifying reflection that they were now celebrating the triumphs of a profession which had not only enriched its members, but bad been the means of securing the world against the most awful calamity that could befall it—a far advance into civilisation, and then a relapse into barbarism. (Cheers.) The PRESIDENT, in a few graceful sentiments, proposed the toast of The distinguished visitors," coupling with the toast the name of the Netherlands Minister. The NETHERLANDS MINISTER, who was loudly cheered, having made some preliminary remarks respecting engineers in his own country,Laid: I hope that before long we will give to the world ,a new proof of our hydraulic undertaking spirit. I mean bv the drying up of the Zuyderaee 1 expect, though I am not yet quite sure of it, that this great question will be decided in the present session of our chambers and, as far as I am acquainted with the particulars of this great scheme, the costs of which will amount to nearly sixteen millions sterung, it will give to my country, when accomplished, a new area of 750,000 hectares of good, cultivated land, clay, and sand, and it is foreseen that this great work may be finished in less than sixteen years. This will be one of those peaceful annexations, of .which the topographical history of my country shows already so many successful examples, while at the same time the enormous sum of money expended on the undertaking will give well deserved earnings to all those concerned in the matter. Mr GOSCHEN, in proposing Prosperity to the Institu" tion of Civil Engineers," made an amusing speech. He observed that if engineers wanted to get up steam they knew that with a certain amount of fuel they could gene- rate a certain amount of force which would move a certain mass. But did statesmen and politicians know as much of the forces at their command. (Laughter.) Many a politician had got up steam, but had failed most egregiously to move the mass. (Laughter.) To borrow a simile from a department over which he had once had the honour to preside, a naval engineer could calculate to a nicety the curve of stability of a ship, and knew the precise point of inclination be- yond which the ship would upset; but the profoundeqt thinker would be unable to gauge the moment when any moral or political institution would have reached the maximum of its curve and stability, and would be upset. (Laughter.) He congratulated them, therefore, on the successful conditions under which they worked as compared with statesmen. The toast was acknowledged and the company broke up"

THE SCARCITY OF NAVAL I ARTIFICERS. The scarcity of naval artificers on board some of Her Majesty's ships has become so great that in the case ot the Warrior, lying at Portland, some of the work which was capable of being done on shore, has been sent to the workshops of the convict establishments at Portland.

FIGHT AT A VESTRY AIEETING. A fight occurred at a vestry meeting at Chadderton, near Oldham, on Saturday. The Conservatives made a rush to close the doors at four o'clock, and the Liberals attempted to prevent them. The list of overseers, nomi- nated by the Liberal party, was carried, and the proceed- ings were closed amidst a riotous scene. Several members of the local board took part in the fight,and a hand-to-hand encounter, during which the contending parties clutched each other by the throat, lasted about a quarter of an hour.

The London correspondent, of the Dundee Advertise says :-It will be of some interest to your readers to leurn that the young lady whose letter Mr. Disraeli quoted is Lilv Craven, the daughter of an insurance broker in the City. She will be surprised to find herself quoted as an authority of the Prime Minister of England. Mr. George Anderson's spirited allusion to the Lord Mayor's toast of The Empress." at a dinner in the City last Saturday, expresses iUe thoughts of many people outside the House of Commons. The incident to which Mr. Anderson referred was. as many incidents are, omitted from the reports of tho dinner published by the London newspapers. The Lord Mayor (who is looking for a handle to his name), in proposing the first of the Royal toasts, dropped the usual form, and substituted The Empress of India." The word Empress" caused a most unseemly scene, and the Lord Mayor, trying to hold by the word, was stopped by loud cries of Queen." The affair has created a somewhat painful sensation in City circles. It is feared that the snobbish indiscretion of the Lord Mayor is only the first of the series of indiscretions which may make the loval toasts the signal of hot poli- tical strife. The tendencies of City liverymen, always looking for favours from above, are notoriously syco- phantic. and livery nature will change very much if the word" Hempress does not become very common at City dinners. I hear that at one of the coming levees there witlbe a wholesale presentation to Majesty of the female relatives of the illustrious seven who last week deserted the Liberal party and voted for the Titles Bill.

AN EGYPTIAN DEBT COMMISSION. The Pall Mall Gazette says:—"Amidst the conflict of rumour—nearly all the offspring of ignorance and panic —now prevalent as to Egyptian affairs any contribution of fact must be welcome. We have taken pains, therefore, to obtain a copy of the Khedive's decree for the estab- lishment of an Egyptian Debt Commission." This decree is the basis of the plan of reconstruction now in course of negotiation in Paris. That it is favourably regarded by the French and Italian Governments is shewn by the fact that both have named Commissioners already. And a variety of political considerations indicate that these Governments, though they may be wil- ting enough to work in concert with our Govern- ment at home, would rather do without it." The following is a summary of the decree :-A special commission is hereby created for the regular service of the interest of -lie general Egyptian debt—including both the oonsoli- ated and the floating debt-and for the amortisation of ucb debt, to be composed of three special Commissioners, ominated by his Highness the Khedive, on he presentation to him of each by the Govern- nents of England. France, and Italy respec- 'vely. These Commissioners will be appointed for "ve years; but their functions may be continued for a Abnger period. At the expiration of these five years, or in 2ase of the decease or dismissal of one of the Comrois- -,oners, the new appointment shall be made by the Klx-dive ,:1 the presentation of the Government to whose uttionality the Commissioner belonged. The task of the Commissioners will be to receive, and to demand, if necessary, the payments by the General Treasury of the sums necessary for the service and the amortisation of the general debt of Egypt; and to see that these funds are applied in the manner provided for. The commission will receive from the Egyptian Treasury chest, or the General Treasury charged with the duty of receiving the revenues of Egypt, such sums as may be necessary for meeting the service of the interest of the debt and its amor- tization. The only valid voucher for such payments by the officers of the Treasury chest or the General Treasury will be a receipt given by the Commissioner. The offi- cial collector of the revenues reserved for the service of the debt will be under the control of the Commissioners, and will have to make his payments direct to the commission, which alone will be able to give a legal receipt for them. The funds paid to the commission will be specially applied to the service of the loans ot 1863. 1864,1866, 1867, 1808, and ViTS, to the service of the new obliga- tions which are to consolidate the floating debt, to the bonds emitted in representation of that debt for the pay- ment to the English Government of the annuity represent- ing the interest of the shares of the Suez Canal, and for the payment of the tribute of Constantinople. The losses resulting from exchange, the expenses of insurance and of the transmission of cash abroad, and the commissions payable for the payment of the coupons, will be defrayed by the Egyptian Government. Every year, in the course of the month of January, the commis- sion will draw up an account of its administration, so far as regards the receipts and payments which it has trans- acted on the acoount of the Government during the pre- ceding year.

THE MUTINY AND MURDERS ON BOARD THE LENNIE. At Bow-street, on Saturday, Matteo Cargalis. Giovanni Carcaris, Paroscos Leosis, Pascalis Caludis, George Kaida. Charles Renken, George Green, Georgios Angelos. and Giovanni Savos Moros were brought up on remand before Sir Thomas ltenry,charged with mutiny and the murder of Captain Hatfield and the first and second mates on the 31st October last, on board the ship Lennie. in the Bay of Biscay.—Mr. Wolff defended the Greeks, Cargalis, Leosis, Moros,and Angelos and Mr. T. Beard the Turks, Carcaris, Kaida,and Caludis. The evidence given on the previous day by Petersen, the Dane, was read over and translated into Greek by an in- terpreter.—Cross-examined by Mr. Wolff: Had never seen the captain kick any man. He kicked witness once with a pair of wooden boots. ever heard him swear. Had heard him say, God dam. get up." (Laughter, in which the prisoners joined.) He never saw the first mate struck. He saw the first mate thrown overboard, but did not see him struck. He could not say by whom he was thrown overboard. It was not true he struck the mate five times with a marlingspike. He never heard of it until he was in the court and heard what the steward said. Never told the steward to take the ship to Gibraltar, and they^ wouid find Greece. —Sir Thomas Henry The steward never said so Mr' Wolff He said they were all present when he was told to do so.—Sir Thomas That's a very different thin".—Wit- ness was sure he went down to the cabin after the rest. When he went down, at half-past seven. Moros was sitting there m a chair. it Was not true thathe rubbed out the figures ou the log, as stated by the steward. Never saw any blood washed off the rifro-incr The men asked Mm what the fla*. „,s, 01,tfr^he was not like a dan-er flag. Witness said it was not like a danger flag" but did not tell them thit it was a police fl*g. So^e f the men said, "All right, there's Gibraltar. llearl Gargalis say to the pilot that it was an English ship It was not true that he made a .vSnu'n T h l steward ^at he did so because the ship should not be known. He was not searched or felt °,Ve,L Z b-f°re the>' ^ft the ship, as ^,ftehWaKd- Wltness did ^en told by the •J L thV )'Jat out>. that he did n°t think it could j n'irl n t Wlnd was blowing so strong to the west- Chldev RpnV 8eerm 6 steward P011^ a pistol at the head of tlwnHmtt ?n'_i e boatswain told witness when the ,ea,8ked him to save his life that he went down the aWnit tho 16 boatswain wag talking to witness the captain having given him something to keep the men in order he did not remember whether it was a revolver or a knuckle-duster. The steward spoke to wit- as the other men about leaving "R u P* This was in the presence of witness, rtenken and Moros. Witness and the boy would nave done so if they had a chance, but had not. r irst made a statement at Rochefort, and afterwards to inspector Wotton. The latter did not promise if he made a statement he should be called as witness.—By Mr. Beard: Angelos told witness that the man who went up the rigging Was Kaida. Angelos also told him it was Caludis no had killed the chief mate. The men never threatened him.—Renken, with permission, stated the following con- versation that be had had with Caludis in the House of Detention that morning :—" You know you have oom- mitted the murder yourself, Cargalis, Carcaris, Kaida, and Leosis then, why don't you confess V I have been in prison for six weeks, and am innocent, as you know." Caludis said, "Yes,we have committed the murder,and I will speak the truth by-and-bye.Caludis,through the Greek consul, denied this.—Cargalis said when the time came they would speak more clearly.—Sir Thomas Henry: Tell them they will all have an opportunity of making any statement they wish.—By Mr. Poland: He heard from some one that there was a slate on board, and he had it in his hand once or twice while in charge- of the ship, but had not written any- thing on it. Saw the 'chief mate thrown overboard, but did not see that anything was fastened to his body or who threw him overboard. Heard Renkeu say thit Moros was cutting up a flag to make it a Spanish one, but did not itse anyone doing so. ed. The prisoners were then remanded.

It is rumoured in St. Petersburg, says the special cor- respondent of the Standard, that the Emperor Alexandex is weary of his position and intends to retire, and to vppoint the Cesarevitoh as Regent.

(FKOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS, RENTER'S AGENCY PRESS ASSOCIATION, AND CENTRAL NEWS.) FRANCE. VERSAILLES, Saturday.—The bureaux proceeded to-day to the nomination of the Amnesty Bill Committee. Of the ten members elected, two, MM. Lockray and Allain-Jarge, are in favour of a general amnesty being granted. The remaining eight, belonging to the Left Centre and the Left, are in favour of individual pardons. The Eleventh Bureau will elect a member for the Com- mittee.

THE INSURRECTION IN HAYTI. PARIS, Saturday.—A telegram received here from Port-au-Prince states that the insurgents have been beaten by the troops, and have taken refuge on board a foreign steamer.

THE PRUSSIAN RAILWAYS. BERLIN, Siturday.-In to-day's sitting of the Lower House of the Prussian Diet a Bill was pre- sented by the Government authorising it to con- clude conventions with the Empire for transferring to the latter the State railways, as well as all the rights and powers of the Prussian State over private lines, and its right of control over the different railway administrations.

THE ST. GOTHARD RAILWAY. BERLIN, March 25.-The German Government has received the note addressed by the Swiss Federal Council to the Powers instructed in the construction of the St. Gothard Railway. The Council therein invites the different foreign Governments to consider the question, and sug- gests that a conference might be held. BERNE, Saturday.—The Swiss Federal Council has nominated a Commission to investigate and make a complete report upon the position of the St. Gothard Railway up to the 30th April last. LAUSANNE, Saturday.—The Lausanne Gazette of this evening says it is inexact that M. Favre, the contractor for constructing the St. Gothard tunnel, has suspended the piercing operations. He has only asked the company for guarantees of payment.

RUSSIA AND RuUMANIA. BERLIN, Saturday.—Negotiations are to be com- menced at Bucharest for the conclusion of a com- mercial treaty between Russia and Roumania. A commercial treaty between Germany and Rou- mania will also shortly be negotiated.

TEE IRINCE OF WALES'S JOURNEY. SUEZ, Saturday.—The Strapis, with his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, arrived here this morning at eight o'clock. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales left for Cairo at a quarter to one this afternoon, accompanied by M. de Lesseps, Zaki Pasha, Casim Pasha, and Cherif Pasha. CAIRO, Saturday (6.40 p.m.).—The Prince of Wales has arrived here. His Royal Highness was received by the Khedive, the Crown Prince Mohamed Terofick, and Prince Hussein Kamil Pasha. The Grand Duke Alexis of Russia was likewise present.

THE OUTRAGES IN DAHOMEY. CAPE COAST CASTLE, March 5.—H .M. corvette Active, Commodore Sir William Hewett, with the other vessels of the squadron, assembled at Why- dah on the 2bid February. A court of inquiry. was then held, at which it was resolved that the King of Dahomey should be heavily fined for the outrage lately committed by his subjects against Englishmen. Three months are allowed to the King in which to pay the fine, and a blockade is threatened if it be not paid at the proper date. Notice of this has been served upon all the mer- chants. A gunboat remains off Whydah. The action taken by Commodore Hewett in this matter has rendered him very popular among the European community,

THE UNITED STAj ES AND MEXICO. WASHINGTON, Saturday. General Schenck is ill. NEW YORK, Friday.—According to intelligence from Mexico, dated the 15th instant, received via Havana, the insurgents have captured Jalapa, and seized the Vera Cruz Railroad, and the States of Puebla, Tlascola, and Vera Cruz have been declared in a state of siege.

A PRIEST COMMITTED FOR TRIAL The Rev. Dr Downes, a parish priest, and four of hia parishioners have been committed for trial at Limerick quarter-sessions for assaulting a widow and taking fore:¡, ble possession of her house.

THE 81-TON GUN. The Lords Commissioners of the Board of Admiralty have inspected and approved of designs for a barge to be specially constructed to meat the requirements of the removal of the 81-ton gun and carriage from the Hojai Arsenal, Woolwich, to Shoeburyness.

THE O'CONNOR DON. The electors passed a resolution on Saturday, pro* testing against the action of the O'Connor Don, in opposing Mr Butt's Grand Jury Bill, and expressing apprehension at the threatened defection of the O'CoMX# Don from the Hon'e Ru'e Party.

THE COURT The Queen, accompanied by Princess Beatrice, will leaue Windsor Castle to-day for Germany. The Princess of Wales and her children left Wiadsot Cattle on fcraturday, upon the termination of their visit to the Queer.

THE RIOTS AT EAST RETFORD ELECTION. At the Nottingham Assizes, on Saturday, seven of the leading rioters at the late Retford election, were sentenced to six months' imprisonment, and others to terms of four and two months.

THE KILDWICK RAILWAY COLLISION. At the Leeds Assizes, on Saturday, Harrison Palfre- man, the driver of the Scotch express which ran into a Bradford excursion train, on the 26th of August last, at Kildwick, was charged with the manslaughter of five persons. After the evidence for the prosecution waa heard the case broke down. Mr Justice Mellor remarked that no case of criminal negligence had been made out, and the jury being of that opinion, the prisoner was di. charged.

THE WEATHER. LONDON, Saturday.—The rise of the barometer which had commenced at the Scandinavian stations yesterday has continued in progress and extended over the whole of the North Sea and the British Isles, but in France the mer- cury has fallen somewhat. The highest readings are re- ported from the Norwegian stations, the lowest from the Bouth and west of France, with the south-west of our Islands, so that gradients for easterly winds prevail in nearly all parts of Western Europe, but thev steep. Temperature has begun to fall again at all except- ing the southern stations, where it has risen. Hard fr net- prevails in the Baltic. Scandinavia, and Denmark Tirfce to moderate easterly breezes are now bW-;™ North Sea and the greater part of thl Bri^T.W t t draw into south-east in Caithness buf Ireland (where thev are, stronger than elsewhere). but into north-east in the »orth-east of has fallen at some of th(^ Tnth !3T v, well as in the south of Franc* Trti"H stations, at Wick it is still falling d • l re £ 10n most places, with haie QIOTKT sll £ htly cloudy ia smooth or slight 5 °UT* eaf coast" wa *• Rations. p at our extreme sonth-westan

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»» ant* a°a*n- forma thd greater part of his S ^tier and no inconsiderable portion of his an ? an<^ ^°.ur^, anc^ yet it is utterly worthless an mtailgibie, and destitute of all value as an argument. It cannot be made to appear, erefore, gw far ag j^g evidence concerned, jfc doeg no^ exist — De\ ^asoni" en^nut' It is not a priori ^edi n°r a not an argument! posit ^rom Pr°hability, or inferred from pro-1 Sx 10ns" only Father WILLIAMS'S "personal 30ln^e°ce> or the "personal experience" of aot ° e|se' which experience reasoning can- Q°thineC°^n*Se' an^ argument knows ;0 aT1^ its only use, as far as we can see, is USG an^ mystify a discussion of which it Qo part. Similar fallacies of reason- rUn through the whole of these I' eryt' clever letters, and underlie every Vexn U "^A^LER WILLIAMS'S argument. The Plrience of Lady GEORGIANA FULLERTON, "a t!er .18 *"§h repute," as Father WILLIAMS calls ^sentY)0^ ^uc^ess o1^ and of the tocraf UC^ES3 BUCCLEUCH, and of other aris- es EV^D a<^ea *3 REFERRED to by Father WILLIAMS Ostein -enCe truth of Father WILLIAMS'S ^hurch* an<^ We aro ^ie Roman Catholic *^her nuin^ers a strong and numerous army of &ood 6ntS' thousands of thena have that „abilitie8, are well educated, and are a considerable number of them and evetl eminent in art, science, literature, ktform ptemails^ip-" Is it really necessary to author' A^LER ILLIAMS that the argument from ls as valueless in this controversy as the S°Qa| fr°m experience ? and that the per- ^^OUA^E"ENCE" ^ADY GEORGIAN A FULLERTON, ^Qies^1 a 'nove^st of high repute," until she ol (I Court to b e interrogated, does not ^°es evil*ence> and, therefore, does not exist, bis « not father WILLIAMS perceive that if experience of other of atholica is to be admitted as evidence PerieQc^)t^ °f his system of religion, the ex- the Protestants is equally conclusive of 1"UJHs their system ? When Father WIL- of lijgSee^s convert a Protestant from the error S°Ha} Wa5*sj does he not assure him that "per- Hien ^^er^ence" is most deceptive, and that thejr r°u§h their self-love falsely relying upon Iliad -nee, delude themselves to their own 'hat «? -^nd yet Father WILLIAMS relies upon case Personal experience;" which, in the "Host °J Protestants, he affirms to be Steat eceptive and mischievous, as his 6UPport almost sole argument in ftient fr own Church and creed. The argu- literatu0rU 10611 "eminent in art, science, taugj^j^6' and statesmanship," is certainly more 6 aQ(I practical than the argument from truth, i i°e' then it unfortunately resolves C°^Uti ° a ni ere matter of authority and the the ng of heads. Father WILLIAMS affirms that ^athoiics in England and Wales at least 2,000,000 — which is one lllow +u Per cent more than statistics Cojfec. l6rn to be. But, admitting the *hol6 688 the statement for the present, the 23>000PG°rlatiun England and Wales exceeds thing So that if numbers really mean aey- t6aSons to 8 Controversy» there are ten and a half Cath0]jc 0ne against the truth of the Roman ^t, scien Cree- only those eminent in cited '°e' ^^erat'ure> an^ statesmanship are to C'8lll> let11^00^ t^ie tru^ ^oman Catholi- ^totest0 AT^ER WILLIAMS himself say whether *en0^ a^i £ ni beed fear a comparison. That men ^eli*16 Poetry, and painting, and literature, i within the pale of the Roman Catholic Mil cheerfully and gratefully admitted; but ven Father WILLIAMS, strongly prejudiced in ajjj r of his own Church and faith, venture to Or rl11 that they bear any comparison in numbers ach. leveiuents to those who have protested fa^8 ,^at Church and faith 1 The bead-roll of inclusively tell the story, even if Father ^8k ^es^ates to narrate it. But, we would >eM;QTWlLLIAMs' is not this style of argument t° invidious, and is not its only tendency draw the mind from the teachings ^notre^lts of the Confessional ? Truth *ulls e defined or proved by the reckoning of Pt°f n°r even by the triumphs in their own Hterat^0Ds °-^ men' "eminent in art, science, Mo* an<I statesmanship, for, after all our aDd concessions, the question will re- ^Slllts redoubled force;—are the teachings and lJl }^}8 the Confessional evil and immoral1? treating the numerical argument, e Wi^IAMS is not only prolific in fallacies, try8 w^ia,t ^°°ks very much like evasions. are 6 exigencies of his argument require it, ■fi formed that the Roman Catholic Church 4,lloH £ e,riCa^y powerful. But when we shew that 'he pe^ these 200,000,000 of Roman Catholics "h&n Centage of crime and immorality is greater lt Protestant peoples,Father WILLIAMS ktio^ f e^r! atea the criminal and immoral popu- go as Church, and tells us that they do l,< Confession, and are*, consequently, not Catholics. It is not permitted for >C, WILLIAMS to play fast and loose with Ho after this fashion. Moreover, if those ci-ij^^ctise the immorality and commit the ^80^ n0t I^ODr,an Catholics because they do '4l*cls *° Confession, then those who in Protestant lo Q^Coinmit *he crime and immorality do not go rot lirch or Chapel, and are consequently not So that one of two conclusions is tiot ca Either that crime and immorality are i*f0|.e0llllllitted by either Roman Catholics or fconj^^ts, or that no crime and immorality are ftiid ^ed at all, and that Government statistics legen Olltemporary hiatory are but myths and lids- We h ave dealt once for all with the argument ^Perience, and the argumont from autho- °f thg11^ w^h those surroundings and decorations e ^estion in which Father WILLIAMS is such yhi^ t and proficient, and the only use of *s^Uea app0ara to be to lead the question into side ^etj6s ailc^ lQt° endless mazes of argumentative sub- bea d rhetorical special pleading. All these ilt" e the question, which is the tendency and 1\11 tes: f the Confessional, and to that question, Co « statistical and other arguments, wo nfine ourselves in our next article.