The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. la the House of Commons, on Wednesday, on going into committee on the Tests Abolition (Oxford) Bill, Mr. Neate moved that the terms of the royal commission oa oaths, declarations, or subscriptions now required to be ta&en may be extended, so that it may include an inquiry into those taken in the universities either of Oxford or Cambridge, as a condition for admission to the governing bodies of either of such universities, or to the headships or fellowships of any of the colleges thereof, or that another commission msy be appointed to make such inquiry. 1' Sir a. Grey said that it waa not within the scope and in- tention of those who appointed the commission on oaths tion of those who appointed the commission on oaths ai'l declarations to include precisely the_ tests now under 'discussion: but it was, nevertheless, quite competent to inquire into the declarations taken in the universities, but lot with a view to their abolition, for that would be too Jarge a power in regard to a subject which ought to be dealt *ith by legislation. But on the whole he thought it unde- to assent to the amendment. lis was withdrawn. lylr. P. Wyndham, believing that the religious reaching (lIf the university would not be interfered with by the opera- tion (if this bill, should support it. The House then went into committee. Sir W. Heathcote moved an amendment m the hrst clause, the object of which was to assimilate the practice in Oxford to that which exists in Cambridge, namely, that the degree Of master of arts should not necessarily, and without the I'A,oseription of the usual declarations, create eligibility for Membership of the convocation; bat enabling such masters arts to preside over private halls. Sir. Coleridge opposed the amendment. After observations from Mr. B. Hope, The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the amend- ment which proposed to assimilate the state of things in Oxford to that which existed now in Cambridge, could not be treated as an inconsiderable advance. In regard to inter- venes oil behalf of the proposal by the Government, he was uaabie to speak for the Government; but he would say that h settlement of the question involved was one worthy of elng undertaken by a Government. It was desirable to do this by a comprehensive measure, which should extend to colleges as well as universities, for it was impossible to draw a ^tinction between the religious teaching of colleges and uni- versities. Apart from the desire, in which he participated to ^stendthe benefits ofuui versityeduation as widelyas possible wag indispensable to consider the ° parents o £ England—of that class which send their sons to universi- ties, and which is uniform in its religiousi feeling; and he deprecated the nibbling by Parliament at the principles on ^hich university education is founded. All legislative change regard to universities should be decided,^but also as rare possible. It was said that after giving tne dissenter his gegree, it was invidious to exclude him i-rota convocation; W was it not more invidious, especially looking to the nature of the reward and its emoluments, to exclude km from a fellowship? and this distinc- tion was not touched by the bill. He was of opinion that everything in the way of honour, emolument, and go- vernment should be given to the dissenter, so far as was consistent with the maintenance of the religious teaching Of the university. 0 Mr. G. Duff should have wished to have heard the speech just delivered from the lips of any other person than the leader of the Liberal party. He stated that for some time J>ast a feeling had sprung up in Oxford that it was desirable to remove some of the disabilities which narrowed the Sphere of education in the university, and the present and similar bills had been the result, Sir S. Northcote supported the amendment. Sir S. Northcote supported the amendment. Mr. Evans expressed his disappointment at finding Mr Gladstone opposing this very moderate measure ofuiiiversit7 J3form, though he was not altogether surprised at it. After further debate, Lord J Manners made some vehemenu remarks on the course taken by Mr. Gladstone in temporarily taking the Wednesday leadership from the Home Secretary, in order to make a powertul speech against this bill, and then taking his departure with an intention not to vote at all. Sir G. Grey said that the Home Secretary had no special commission to lead the House on Wednesdays; and, as r-garded the subjects discussed on those days, they were of Jttch a character that members of all political opinions dif- «fed upon th°m. and that difference extended to members °? Government of both parties. He supported the bill. 0 After observations in rsply to the speeches delivered from air W. Heathcote and Mr. Coleridge, On a division the amendment was nega,tived-2.1,5 to 172. i'ae clause was agreed to, as were the others, and the Souse resumed.. Mr. C. Barry moved the second reaamg of the Poor-law Belief (Ireland) Bill, the object of which is to alter the System of rating for the relief of the poor, by substituting Assessment by unions for that by electoral districts. Mr. Gregory moved the rejection of the bill, contending1 that the circumstances of the two countries were 030 alfferet, '"hat it was not politic or expe^ent to apply the s une pan Ciple of rating to Ireland as that which prevailed in Jimg ianLord C. Hamilton was speaking at a quarter to six, "when the debate was perforce adjourned. The other business was disposed of, ana the House ad- journed shortly before six o'clock.

In the House of Lords, on Thursday, the second rea.di.ng'of the Eight of Dramatising Works of Fiction Bill was nega- tived by 89 to 11. The Ecclesiastical Commission Bill was- taken in com- 1:JÜttee. The Labouring Classes Dwellings (Ireland) Bill and the Piers and Harbours (Ireltmd) Bill passed through committee. „ The Drainage Maintenance (Ireland) Bill was read a thud v>aie and passed. 'She Grand Juries Presentment (Ireland) Bill was read a second time. The House adjourned at five minutes past eight o eioek. In the House of Commons, Lord Proby, Treasurer of the Household, brought up the answer of her Majesty to the voint addresses of bothffouses, praying for commissions to inquire into corrupt practices at elections in certain boroughs—Lancaster, Beigate, Totnes, and Yarmouth— Signifying ber Majesty's assent thereto. In committee on the Reform Bill, the discussion on Mr. Kent's amendment on clause 4, to make the Ell county franchise a rating instead of a rental franchise, was resumed ^Colonel L Lindsay, who argued in favour of the justice ami convenience of a rating franchise, especially ia regard to registration, tha rate-book practically forming the re- UlMry"Qu Cane argued that a rating franchise was a more constitutional suffrage than a rental one wmle <e pay- ment of rates was a guarantee of the respectaeihty of the Mr"Avtnr taunted the Opposition with not confining the propositions before them in.comaattee, but endeavouring to talk out Reform altoget A. tested against the amendment, as an attempt to reve.s the decision to which the House had come adopting » Mr. Goschen said it had been alleged that the new electoral statistics showed that the number of occupiers between B50 and P,14 was much larger tha,n was supposed. Bat the calculation on which the amendment was based was erroneous by 70,000 voters; the occupiers who were also Owners not having been deducted. He also argued that too great a distinction had been taken between what was called the urban county voters living in small towns and the county voters proper, for the feelings and interests of the so-called urban voters were more l-ural than really urban. After some observations from Mr. Henley, the Solicitor- General, and Sir P. Burr ell, On a. division, the amendment was negatived by 280 to -Ii )i, Mr. B. Stanhope moved to omit section 3 of clause 4, which makes the qualifying' premises a house or other build- ing which, either alone or with laud held by the occupier, is of "the value of £ 14, pr ovioea, when the premises consist partly of a house or other building, and partly of land, it must either be the dwelling-house of the occupier, or must itself be of the clear yearly value oi £ 6. He contended that this was an alteration of the cou^y ^^chise s» as to make it] consist in the main of a house, instead ot laud alone being tha qualification. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said the object which was had in view in proposing this portion of the clause was to prevent as in the case of boroughs, notations votes, by ■"asistinsr that any building upon any land which contributed to Sv^f vote sh ould be of an actual annual value Th ough he Jf o Jn^on that there was value i n this part of the clause it aitton which had been ceded. -whipv, Some discussion ensued, m th, c a division Mr. White signified his against the amendment, and he hoped taac me wrewmw would be put into a minority. .,ro4.0ketg by Mr. Osborne counselled the giving up o:t oroi;cnets Dy those who desired to carry the bill, and uiBed division should be taken on the amendment. would Mr. Disraeli said as to preventing fictitious votes ne w f 'illy co-operate with the Governmeht. ,r embers An animated discussion followed, a number speaking very briefly, but with some heat, Mr. Bright ana Mr. Bouverie in particular protesting against the wlth- drawal of the paragraph in dispute. On a division the amendment was carried by 361 to 74. Mr Hunt moved the omission of paragraph 4 of the clause which provides that where the occupier is tenant of the Quaiifyiiig premises, the whole must be held under the sa.me landlord. After discussion the amendment was negatived. Sir S. Northcote moved to add that in any case in which the oCCllpier of any premises has sublet any portion thereof, he shall not be entitled to vote in respect of such premises, unless the portion of them remaining in his own occupation be of the clear yearly value of £ 14. Sir. <t. Grey said that the effect of the proposal woula be to alter the legal deiiuition of. occupation, and disfranchise a large number of voters. The amendment was-not pressed. Clause 4 was then agreed to, and the House resumed. The other business wa gone through, and the House ad- rued at twenty-five minutes to one o'clock.

In the House of Lords, on Monday, the Bishop of London j presented a petition from Miss Burdett Coutts in reference to the foundation of certain bishoprics in the colonies, which stated that she had contributed £ 17,500 towards a bishopric at Cape Town, P,17,500 for one at Adelaide, Aus- tralia, and L15,000 towards one in British Columbia, for which letters patent were granted, and a kind of guarantee given by the State that these bishoprics should be main- tained in connection with the Church of England; but the funds contributed had been diverted from the object to which they were devoted. The right rev. prelate pointed out that the case of Dr. Colenso had caused so much con- fusion in the status of colonial bishops, that legislation was required. After a discussion, The Archbishop of York gave notice that on Thursday he should move for a select committee to inquire into the con-' nection between the colonial church and the church at home. Several bills were advanced a stage, and the House ad- journed. In the House of Commons, on going into committee on ■the Reform Bill, on clause 5, which proposes a >£7 rental franchise in boroughs, Lord Dunkellin moved as an amendment, to substitute a "rating for a "rental" franchise in boroughs. He advo- cated a rating franchise as an easy and convenient one, the ratebook being the registry; nor did he propose to inter- fere with the figure at which the franchise should be fixed, though his own opinion was, that if the rating test was adopted-which had worked so well in Irelaud-a lower figure than £7 might be fixed. One of the greatest merits of this plan was, that it opposed an insurmountable barrier to universal suffrage. Mr. S. Cave seconded the amendment. The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that the propo- sition of the clause was a £7 rental franchise, which would enfranchise 214-1,000 persons, while £ 60,000 more would be enfranchised by the combined operation of the abolition of the rate-paying clauses and the arrangements as to com- pound householders, and to that the Government was resolved to adhere without reservation, to stand or fall by it. The amendment would operate not only to make votes depend on rateable value only, but would oust the juris- diction of the revising barrister altogether. He argued elaborately against transferring registration from the re- vising barrister to local rating authorities. The discussion was continued by Mr. Henley, Sir. P. Goldsmid, Mr. Goldney, Sir W. Jolliffe, Mr. Greene, Mr. Hibbert and Mr. P. Scrope. Mr. M. Torrens having- at length stated his ideas on the extension of the franchise, which were based on household suffrage, and denying that he was a party to a compact that this measure wa.s a compromise in the sature of a final settlement of the question, objected and argued against a rating' and in favour of a rental franchise. Mr. Powell having spoken, The Solicitor-General pointed out the very serious nature of the alteration in the law which was proposed by the amendment, by which, for the first time ia the history of the country, the right of a man was to be determined by the fact of his being placed on the rate-book by the local autho- rities. Lord E. Montagu followed, for the amendment. Mr. W. E. Forster said that what was being aimed at was to get the best possibly defined occupation franchise; and he contended that all argument was on the side of the rental suffrage; for it was on the gross estimated, value that the rateable value was based.. After some observations from Sir R. Peel, Mr. Bright said the real object of the amendment was, that it met the proposition of the Government to give the suffrage to all householders in boroughs of £7 occupation by a proposition to increase that franchise to 49. He argued that if rateable value was applied to any figure fixed for the franchise the effect would be to limit the suffrage, and that the arguments which had been put forward in favour of a rental franchise were irrefragable. If Lord Dunkellin was in ravour of the extension of the franchise he should have in- tunated that if his amendment were carried he should move I that £5 should be inserted in the clause instead of R7, and defeat ^5^ were done the main object of the bill would be Sir Ii, C-iras having spoken, .l. O"borne said before such a franchise could be adopted ™ ont« h.?f be an entire change made in the arrange- tiWp nf rating must be established in the diverse system. He denounced the r^Tv's, ^fd^support the amendment, if its pro- poae.s PP ters would make It a condition that a uni- form valuation should be made. Mr. VmLers contended that the opposition to the mea- sure was .ouftded on objection to all Reform, and all that begn done li,,td but one purpose, that of defeating the bit! aI1f ,E a?lo:a of t]le suffrage. The Chancellor of the Exchequer explained that he had not, as stated by air H. Cairns, affirmed that the Govern- I" meat wobld not yieid one particle of their measure, but had only asserted that Lheymasi, stand by the principle of the extension or the iranctuse, Met this was threatened by the amendment. On a division the amendment was carried by 315 to 30 k I Progress was then lepor^et, a.nd the House resumed. J The other business was disposed of, and the House | adjourned at about two o'clock.

In the House of Lords, on Tuesday, a £ t@x some pro forma business had been gone through, Earl Bnssell intimated to their LoatdsMps that in, conse- quence of the decision arrived at in the House of Commons the previous night a Cabinet; Council had been!held, at which certain, asogosais had been made, chichi would be B'zbmvfted to the Queen, and he moved that the House stand adjourned until Monday, to allow time to receive her Majesty's reply. At the afternoon sitting in the House of Commons, a similar motion, was brought forward by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who stated that under existing circum- stances it would take three or four days to receive her Majesty's answer. He moved, therefore, that the House be adjourned, with the customary power being granted of private committees to be allowed to sit.

THE GABN0N-8TRBET MURDER. At the Central Criminal Court, Old Eailey, on j Wednesday, William Smith, alias William Denton, was brought up for trial, before Mr. Baron Bramwell, charged with the wilful murder of Sarah Miisom, housekeeper to Messrs. Bevingion, Cannon-atrsefc, on Wednesday, the 11th of April last. The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Metoalfe and Mr. Straight, and the defence by Mr. Serjeant Balian- tine and Mr. Montague Williams. The prisoner, wha waa respectably dressed in hlack clothes, entered the dock in a very self-possessed man. ner, and on the charge being read to him he answered, in a clear steadv voice. Not Gnilfcv" Mr. Metcalfe then addressed the jury, and laid before them the circumstances of the case. After adverting to the prisoner's acauaintanoeship with the man named Terry, his having written to Mrs. Milsom, and after- wards receiving several sums of money from her, and signing Terry's name in the receipts, the learned coun- sel alluded to the movements of the prisoner on the night of the murder, and said that if the proof was conclusive to show that he was the man who left Messrs. Bevingtor.'p. at ten minutes after ten on that evening, there could ba very little doubt: aa to who committed the deed. Evidenca was then adduced. iiaward Kipps said he was in the service of Messrs. Bevington, of Cannon-straefi. It was his duty to see the place locked up every evening, and to see every- body off the premises. On Wednesday, 11th April, everything: was locked up, and the keys were, as usual, given to Mrs. Milsom, who, with the cook, were the only persons on the premises. Inside the front door there were a couple of swing doors, bat«reea which there was a light. There were four bolts and a latch and chain to the outer door. By Mr. Ballantine lgri. Milsom very rarely went out. From her appearance he would take her to be between 40 and 50 years of age. Mrs. Lowes said she was cook at Messrs. Bevington's, and had been there between nine and ten years. The first floor and part of the second were nsad as counting- houses. On Wednesday, April 11th, about ten minutes to nine, there was a ricg at the bell. Mrs. Millsom answered it. She was then in perfect health. I never saw her again alive. Aboul. ti quarter past ten, as she did not return., witness went downstairs and found deceased lying at the aoor. Under the impression that she was in a fit, witness took hold ef her hand. She waited till a police-constable came. He told her to wait till he came back from the station. It was than found that Mrs. Milsom was dead. The bell was rung frequently in the evening. On two occasions deceased borrowed XI from witness-the first time on a Friday, and the next on the following day, Saturday. Oa the Saturday that the sovereign was borrowed a ring came to the door. Mrs. Milsom answered the door, and it was after doing eo that she came and askad for the sove- reign. Witness looked out at the window and saw a man leaving. The police deposed to the finding of the body when they were called in, and Dr. May gave evidence as to the nature of the wounds inflicted after which John Moss, a detective officer, witnessed to the apprehen- sion of the prisoner at Windsor. The evidence given was the same as has already been at length before the public. The Clerk of the Court then read the letter written by the prisoner to Mrs. Milsom, on the back of which was the receipt signed, Wm. Denton, for George Terry." In cross-exammatioa by Mr. Ballantine, the last witness, Moss, said, I wrote down his answers to my questions1 at Windsor Poiiea-statioh half an hour after- wards. The blood was not on the ecatth-it he had on when in custody. The spots turned out not to be blood. I suggested that two police-constablea should walk by his side to convey him to the Mansion-hous. I had heard that he was to betaken by Cannon-street, so as to give Mrs. Bobbins and the servant maid next door a fair chance of identifying- him. I did not know that Mrs. Eobbins was to be looking out of the window. He was put among some of the prisoners afterwards for the purpose of seeing whether the women could point out the prisoner. Inspector Foulger said that after the death of Mrs. Milsom Mrs. Bobbins came to the police-station and gave him some information. When the prisoner was taken from Bow-lane to the Mansion-house he was taken through Cannon-street. There were no indica- tions to show that he was a prisoner, A policeman was manacled and put into a cab. There was a great crowd, and this was done to deceive them, and make them believe that he was the prisoner. Mrs. Robbins was t-ald to be in Cannon-street to see if they could recognise the prisoner. The girl did so, but Mrs. Robbins said she had not seen any one whom she knew. Isabella Cox, residing at New Kent-road, said she had been in the habit of calling on Mrs. Milsom, and had sometimes slept with her. While at Cannon- street she had heard the bell ring. On such occasions the deceased got agitated. She sometimes stayed at the door half an hour or three-quarters of an hour. Deceased had spoken to her about the person who called. Amelia Frances Long, Rose-street. Shoreditch, de- posed that she did washing for Mrs. Milaom. On one occasion a man called at Cannon-street while witness was there. Mrs. Milsom started back, and made an exclamation. Witness followed the man some distance. She took the prisoner whom she had seen at Newgate to be the man by his walk, but, judging by his features, she did not think he was the same. Catherine Collins was a servant next door to Messrs. Bevington's. Had seen a man call frequently there. To the best of her belief the prisoner was the man. I was told to stand in Messrs. Bevington's door on the day the prisoner was taken to the Mansion-house, for the purpose of seeing whether I could recognise the man who had called on Mrs. Milsom. I did recog- nise the man. I think he was bet wean two men. Foulger was about the length of the jury-box (four or five yards) before them. There were other passers by. I did not see the policemen who were with the pri- soner, or that they were policemen. I asked Mrs. Robbins If she knew any of those who passed. She said no; she was so confused that she did not recog- nise any one. Mrs. Arabella Collins: I am housekeeper at No. 1, Cannon. street, City. On Wednesday, April 11th, I went out at eight o'clock, and returned about ten minutes past ten. On my return my attention was attracted by a man leaving Mrs. Bevington's door. When he passed me he gave me a side look. He walked in a very hurried manner towards London- bridge. I then went in. His legs were very thin, his feet broad, and he walked fiat-footed. At Newgate I pointed out the prisoner and said I believed him to be the man. On the day that he was taken to the Man- sion-house I did not recognise him in Cannon-street, I was so confused. The man who passed me on the night of the murder wore a high hat and black clothes. George Terry: I am; at present an inmate of St. Olave's Workhouse. While Mrs. Milsom's husband was living we lived next door to them. Mrs. Milsom borrowed some money from my wife—not quite .£35. I got into difficulties after that. About the end of last year I got acquainted with Smith. We went into a public-house and wrote a note to Mrs. Milsom. I pointed out Messrs. Bevington's warehouse to him. He went and delivered the note. He asked me how much he thought he had got. I said £ He said no — £ 1. He gave it to me and I gave him 5a. I did not know that he had gone and got money after that. By Mr. Ballantine: The money was lent by my wife. I call her my wife, but I mean tha woman I lived with. Her proper name is Eiuton. She is not with me now. Mrs. Webber said she resided at Botherhithe. She believed her husband was alive (laughter). He was in Australia. She knew Terry. Witness gave Terry's wife .£33 to lend to Mrs. Milsom. It was to be paid back at the rate of 10s. a week, but payment was stopped. In all she received about £ 8. She never au- thorised Terry or the prisoner to receive any money for her. She called on Mrs. Milsom some time this year, and was told that a man had called twioe and got soma money. She told deceased not to give him any more. Henry Hunt,, a police-constable,, deposed to the ceased having sailed on him and shown him the letter and receipt., She was very much agitated. i Hemsy (Me&, fJrof}\ls. la!:i"!¡ Dtoa, dagssed to tha fact that the prisoner lived with his mother In Ston-square ™ continued: I was with him on the night of the 11th or 12 th April last, about seven in the evening. I asked him to come with me to a meeting. He said, No; ha had to go 40 miles that nighj. He had to g'o to London. I aaid that was not 40 mues. He persisted that it was. This conversation took place at Boanfield's beershop. Henry Blackmail, lamplighter, Eton Saw prisoner tne fifteen-arched bridge on Wednesday, April i f" vi-8 w'as a over a mile from. Slough j station. He wore a black coat and hat. It was about halt-past seven. John Whifcehouse, road surveyor: Knew the pri- a0BS- Met him between ssven and half-past seven going towards Slough station. Witness was going to priTate-taeatricala at the college, and it was this cir- Gumstance that fixed the time upon his mind. William Clark, police-coxstable, Eton, deposed to seeing the prisoner in High.street, Eton, at six o'clock on the night of the murder. He had on a black coat and hat, and had a walking-stick in his hand. Met him the same night at 20 minutes to 12 o'clock. Had said to a man named Harris that he had seen him after 11 o clock. Some evidence as to the distance from Eton-square to Windsor and Slough stations closed the case for the prosecution. j Mr. Serjeant Ballantine addressed the jury, and said m anything mora empty, more unsatisfactory, and more I utterly inconclusive never was submitted to 12 men placed in their position. He was sure that after they heard the evidence which he (Serjeant Ballantine) had to bring forward, every one in the court and out of it wouid be convinced that the prisoner was innocent, and was placed in his present position by a blunder, he cared not by whom committed. The learned coun- sel, in the course of his remarks, pointed oat that fchn Windsor station waa close at hand, and that the pri- soner might have gone to it instead of going to Slough station, which was further away, The guard Eaves was at this juncture recalled, and deposed that three carriages left Windsor at 7.30 p.m. and joined the Slough train. Mr. Ballantine fcnen proceeded with his address at great length, and asserted that he would prove that the prisoner was never out of Windsor on the night of £ 9 °^. pnd that the police were informed of this during the inquiry. It arose from this circum- stance: The friends had sprung up with the view of having the prisoner defended, who was himself a pauper, and had no means of employing counsel on his own behalf. At the olose of the learned counsel's remarks the case stood adjourned till next morning. Next morning', at ten o'clock, the proceedings were resumed. The prisoner exhibited the same self-pos- session. and coolness that he did on the previous day. Baron Bram well having taken his seat on the bench, the witnesses for the defence were examined. Mr. Metoalfe and Mr. Streight again appeared for the prosecution, and Serjeant Ballantine and Mr. Montagu Williams for the defence. The evidence for the defence was that of Henry Harris, a hatter's apprentice, of Eton John Harris, his father; Henry Costin, a photographer; John Frailing, a brazier; Mrs. Goddard, the landlady of a beershop; and several other witnesses, whose evi- dence went to substantiate an alibi. Jane Smithy the sister of the prisoner, wass then examined. »Sna said: The prisoner lives at home with my mother and another sister. My mother is laundress to a great many colleges. I was at home all day on Wednesday, the 11th of April, and I let the prisoner in when hu came home. It was a little after twelve o'clock. He went to bed immediately, and I did not observe anything unusual in his appearanoe. I know that he had only one shirt, and I am sure that nothing was done to any of the clothes he was wearing at this time. Louisa Smith, another sister of the prisoner, said that she saw the prisoner at breakfast on the morning of the 12th of April, and observed nothing unusual about him. He was dressed in a dark coat and light trousers. (This closed the case for the prisoner, and the court adjourned in order that the jury might take some refreshment.) Mr. Ballantine then proceeded to sum up the case for the prisoner, and he said that unless his feelings aisd his judgment were completely warped, it appeared to him that there naver was a case in which a prisoner bad been able so conclusively to establish, not that there was any doubt of his guilt, but his complete and extire innocence. He then reminded the jury that the case did not rest entirely upon the evidence of those persons who were companions of the prisoner, bat that one or two other witnesses, persons of the utmost respectability, and who could not have had the slîghtest motive for not speaking the truth, had depoged to seeing the prisoner at Windsor at an hour that would have rendered it utterly impossible for him to have committed the crime of which he was accused. The learned serjeant concluded by calling upon the jury to return a verdict that would have the effect of showing that a terrible mistake bad been committed, and that the blood of the unhappy woman did not rest upon the prisoner at the bar. There was a burst of applause at the conclusion of the address of the learned counsel. Mr. Metcalfe replied. The learned Judge having summed up, the jury re- turned a verdiot of Not Guilty. The prisoner was then discharged.

MANIFESTO OF THE EMPEROB OF AUSTRIA. The following ara the most important passages of an Imperial manifesto to the Austrian people, issued on Sunday last:— "On the northern and southern frontiers of the empire are arrayed the armies of two allied enemies of Austria, with the intention of shaking the foun- dation of her position as an European Power. To neither of them has Austria given any cause for war. The preservation of the blessings of peace to the people of Austria has always been regarded by me as one of the first and most sacred of my duties as Sovereign, and one I have always considered myself bound faithfully to fulfil. But one of the hostile Powers deems no pretext necessary to justify its lust for the plunder of a portion of the Austrian Monarchy. In the eyes of that Power a favourable opportunity is sufficient cause for war. Two years ago wo were allied with Prussia, and a. part of my beloved Austrian army was drawn to the coast of the North Sea, in company with the Prussian troops (against whom we are now arrayed as enemies) to preserve rights accorded by treaty, to protect a threatened German nationality, to confine the misery of an un- avoidable war to its narrowest limits, and to obtain a lasting guarantee of peace necessary for the welfare of Austria, Germany, and Earope. Austria sought no conquests and bears no part of the blame for the sad list of unhappy complications which, had Prussia's intentions been equally disinterested, weuld never have arisen, and which have been brought about for the accomplishment of selfish objects, and are there- fore not susceptible of a peaceful solution by my Government." The manifesto then mentions the course of the ne- gotiations for the preservation of peace, which were carried on first wit a Prussia and subsequently with the other great Powers, and then enumerates the acts of violence committed by Prussia-viz., the entry of her troops into Holstein, the dissolution of the Estates convoked by the Imperial Governor of the Duchy, and the movement by which the Prussian troops, ten times superior in numbers, forced the Austrians to retire. It further declares that Prussia tore asunder the band of German unity by declaring her secession from the Confederation, and by proceeding with military force against the Sovereigns who re- mained true to the Bund. The manifesto then proceeds:— Therefore, the most fatal of wars, a war of Ger- mans against Germans, has become unavoidable. For all the misery which it will entail upon families, dis- tricts, and countries I make those who have provoked it answerable before the tribunal of posterity and of the Almighty and Eternal God. I advance to the conflict with that confidence which is afforded by a just cause, with the consciousness of the power which exists in » great empire where prince and people are penetrated with but one and the same thought—namely, the rights of Austria—asd with fresh and uifailing cour- age at the sight of my armed and valiant soldiers, who form a against which the power of Austria's enemies will be shattered, as well as at tfca sight cf my faithful peoples, who look up;to we, united, self- saeriSeiBg, and resolved. The prints and peoples of Germany are award of the dagger which threatens their liberty and indspe^enee, and nøi¡ only ourselves bat also out-German^brethren of the Confederation are l ia arms, f the of those objeefea whiíih all. | nations are bound to defend. We have been absolutely forced to take up arms. Since, then, in the midst of the work of peace which I had undertaken, with the view to lay the basis of a Constitution which should consolidate the unity of the whole empire and its posi- tion as a great Power, my Sovereign duties have com- pelled me to place the entire army upon a war foot- ing, we have taken up arms, and now we must not and will not lay them down until we have secured Austria and our Confederate German States their free internal development and their rightful position ia Europe."

THE GREAT EASTERN AND THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH. As the time draws near for the departure of the Great Eastern the utmost activity is observable on board in order that the great ship may be ready to leave her moorings in the Medway, at the latest, on Saturday, the 30th. With this view relays of work- men are employed, almost without intermission, both by day and night. Up to Saturday evening at the hour for the hands discontinuing work there only remained a length of cable of a little over 400 miles to be received on board, and by extra exertions the re- maining length will be shipped by the end of the present week. The whole of the 1,660 knots of new cable has been completed, and in the course of the present week the two Government vessels the Ame- thyst and Iris, lent by the Admiralty, and employed from the commencement in transporting the cable from the works to the Great Eastern, will receive on board their last freights for conveyance round to the Medway. The weight of the new cable is about 38cwt. per mile, which is almost doable the weight of the original Atlantic cable. The total quantity of cable to be taken out will exceed 2,700 milss. The steamer Medway, 1,900 tons, belonging to the company, will aceompany the Great Eastern, and will convey about 400 mileEl of the cable on board. The tanks for the stowage of this quantity of cable have been fitted on board that vessel, and by the time the Great Eastern is ready to take her departure everything will be in readiness on board the Medway. The paddle-wheel steamer Terrible will again accompany the Great Eastern; but it would seem that the Admiralty have intimated that a second vessel of war cannot be spared this year. The screw steamer Albany, a vessel of 1,500 tons, will accompany the expedition to render assistance, and to carry stores and sup- plies, besides which the screw steamer William Corry is also being fitted to proceed to sea with the other vessels. After completing her coaling the great ship will proceed direct to Valeatia, and commence the work of laying the cable about the 7th or 8 th of July. No doubt whatever is entertained by Captain Anderson of his being able to place the Great Ea.stern as near as possible over the spot at which the lost end of the cable lies, notwithstanding that the buoys which were left to mark the locality are swept away. Sup- posing the exact spot to be reached, the work of grappling for and, when found, hauling in the lost cable will be commenced, to accomplish which new machinery of enormous strength has been constructed and fitted on board. Twenty miles' length of wire grappling ropes have been manufactured at the com- pany's works, and some idea of the enormous strength of this rope may be formed when it is stated that it is nearly eight inches in circumference, and is manu- factured of the toughest possible steel wire. Daring the brief interval which will elapse before the Great Eastern takes her departure from the Med- way there is still a considerable amount of work remaining to be completed on board. Chief among this is the fitting up the enormous crinoline" guard, weighing upwards of 17 tons, over the screw, the object of which is to prevent the cable while being paid out coming in contact with the propeller- Some improvements suggested by the experience of last year, have also been made in tne maohinery of the Great Eastern, among other things the padulewheels are being fitted with disconnecting gear. Everything is now completed aloft, new wire rigging replacing that which was found to be unsound, masts and rigging entirely painted down, and funnels repaired. The decks are still crowded with machinery, workshops, and gear for coiling the cable, but much of this will be cleared away durmg the present week. The three tanks in which the cable is deposited, have been repaired and painted, and are again water-tight, while extra precautions have been taken in the way of additional supports to resist the enormous pressure during the possible rolling of the great ship in a beam sea. The work of coaling will be carried on up to the moment of the vessel leaving Chatham, and even then an additional quantity will have to be taken in at Bearhaven.

THE ALLEGED CASE OF MURDER, AT BLACKHEATH. On Tuesday, at the Greenwich Police-court, Joseph Richards, aged 22, carpenter and j oiner, of 1, Albert- place, Tottenham-road, Kingsland, was charged before Mr. Maude with causing the death of William John James Buchan, aged 23, engineer, by assaulting him and fracturing his jaw. Mr. Warner Sleigh appeared to prosecute on behalf of the friends of the deceased, and Mr. Brookes, solicitor, appeared for the prisoner. Charles Worth, butcher, of Deptford, said Between six and seven on the evening of Whit-Tuesday, the deceased passed me near the railway arches. He was tipsy and singing. A short time afterwards I saw some boys wrangling with deceased. I went towards them and there saw the prisoner. The pri- soner said to deceased, "If you hit the boys I will hit you." The prisoner called the deceased an offen- sive name, and the deceased retorted, and took off his hat and asked me to hold it for him. I did not take the hat, and he put it on his head. Then he got; exas- perated and knocked a cigar out of the prisoner's mouth. The prisoner then struck deceased four blows in the face, and deceased struck him. In turning round prisoner struck deceased on tbe head, causing him to reel and fall; and while falling, the prisoner struck him right and left with his fists under the jaw. I put my hand on the prisoner, and said it was not fair. The deceased was then lying on his side, with blood oozing from his mouth, and quite insensible. I afterwards lifted deceased, and placed his head between my kneee, and bathed him with water and vinegar. An inspector of police and a constable came up in about half an hour, and they took deceased to the top of the arches and laid him down, and then took him to the station. After the occurrence the prisoner remained a quarter of an hour and then went away, saying he couid not stop any longer. I told the police that the deceased had been knocked aboafc. By Mr. Brookes: There were four boys there. I did not see either of them throw stones. The deceased struck the prisoner about four times, but not enough to knock a fly off, as ha was too drunk. The pri- soner was not knocked down by any blow from the deceased. Mr. Brookes said no one regretted the occurrence more than the prisoner, who had been led to the use of violence through the deceased having knocked his cigar out of his mouth, and asked that he might be admitted to bail. Mr. Maude said the prisoner would be committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter, with bail in two sureties of .£100 each, with 48 hours' notice to be given of such proposed bail. The prisoner, who had been apprehended at the Green Dragon Tavern, Half Moon-street, City, waa then removed in custody. ♦—

Arrival of Troops.—The chartered fcrcop-ship Orwell arrived at Gravesend on Saturday, from Sydney, bringing detachments of Royal Artillery and troops from the 1st battalion of the 12th Regiment, who have completed their period of service. The Colliery Explosion at Dukir-field.-The number of widows and orphans left destitute by this deplorable catastrophe has naturally aroused the sympathy or the benevolent, and Mr. J. P. Kynder, at the instance of several influential gentlemen, had intended to call a meeting to consider the best means of rendering assistance to the poor people; but Mr. Astley has liberally expressed illS. intention of taking the entire responsibility upon himself. On Friday, Mr. Little, the deputy chief constable, Hyde, caused a visit to be made, with a view to ascertain the exact condition of the families. About 40 children have lost their fathers by the explosion, and some 18 women are left to mourn the loss of their husbands. One of these unfortunate widows lost, a child within an hour after herhusband was brought home dead. Mr. Foulkes, the surgeon to the pit, states that all the men under his care are fast recovering, except Patrick M'Cce and Joseph Wild, who are in a dangerous state. Joseph Wild, who are in a dangerous state.