The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

SUMMARY OF PASSING EfEMTS, e, THE eyes of all the peoples, not only of Europe, but of the whole world, are directed to the war in Germany. During the past week rumours reached us daily that Prussians, Italians, and Austrians were preparing for yet another decisive contest. All the time, however, the French Emperor had been sedulously employed in an endeavour to ar- bitrate between the contending Powers. At the last moment we hear that an armistice has been agreed upon, but whether this will eventuate in a final settlement of the struggle for the German su- premacy is a matter upon which we are not able to determine. Hostilities were to cease from the 21st of July, and the belligerents agreed upon a term of five days to decide upon a treaty of peace, i It is feared, however, that Prussia, in the heat of victory, will be too exacting in her demands, and that possibly France, seeing her dictatorial spirit, will resolve to humble her, and hence add another firebrand to the already inflamed state of the Con- tinent. England, we are thankful to say, has re- solved, come what may, not to interfere; neither the ransacking of Hanover, nor the taking of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, or any other German States to which we are allied, will induce the British Go- vernment to declare war. Such is the feeling ex- pressed by the new Administration through the mouth of Lord Stanley. THE Derby-Disraeli Government have as yet met with no opposition, and they will probably close the present Session without coming to a 'division upon any vital topic. Meanwhile the Opposition are using their efforts to amalgamate themselves into a strong body before the next meeting of Parliament. A new club, called the "Cobden," was inaugurated on Saturday—Mr. Gladstone in the chair-at Richmond. This club is on a similar plan to that of the celebrated Fox Club. As a political association, it is about the most powerful which has come into existence of late years. It already numbers one hundred and forty-five members—eighty-three of whom are re- presentatives of the people. At this meeting the memory of the late Richard Cpbden was drunk in silence, and the chairman paid the highest tribute of respect to him, calling him the apostle of Free Trade and the great promoter of peace throughout the world. Eirl Russell was present, and defended his conduct in foreign affairs as also his Reform Bill, and declared that whenever Government should propose progressive measures he should be ready to support them. THE cholera, which has been severe in Southamp- ton, has broken out in Newcastle, at Llanelly, at Liverpool, at Gravesend, and has now reached the metropolis, where many have died after a few hours' illness. The report of Dr. Simons to the Privy Council contains suggestions which, if promptly acted upon, will no doubt do much to arrest the progress of the disease. The report lays particular stress upon the necessity of disin- fecting all choleraic discharges on bedding, clothing, and other substances with which the patient has come in contact. The Registrar- G-aneral also saysImmediate measures should be adopted, by house-to-house visitation, to treat the disease in its earliest stages of diarrhoea, and the cholera excretions should be effectually removed and destroyed." The various local bodies have now an opportunity of showing, by their vigilance and energy, that they are deserving of the confi. dence reposed in their fitness for the discharge of the duties of self-government. The extraordinary range of temperature which has prevailed during the present month has, no doubt, had much to do with increasing the amount of sickness and the rate of mortality. For the week ending the 15th of July, the highest temperature in the sun was 125°, the maximum in the shade 85°, the minimum in the shade 56°, showing a range between the highest and the lowest of not less than 68 degrees. THE volunteer meeting at Wimbledon has been a great event this year. The fine weather induced numerous visitors to attend daily when the prizes were being contended for; and the knowledge that the Princess of Wales would with her own hand distribute the awards, caused such a multitude of persons to flock to Wimbledon on Saturday as were never seen before. To say that her Royal Highness did this with grace and un- affected interest is to say little, but every recipient of a prize valued the smile of the lovely Princess as much or more than the token of merit. The sham fight which followed was well worthy of the volunteers, and the manoeuvres were per- formed in as effective a manner as could have have been done by soldiers of the line. The Queen's prize was won by Private Cameron, of the 6th Inverness Rifles. He is 19 years old, five feet six inches high, has been only two years a volun- teer, obtained in his first year's service a marks- man's badge, and this year won the great prize, obtaining five more points than the winner of last year. Singular to say, most of the great prizes went to Scotland, although the scoring on the English part was better than last year. WE really seem at last to be fairly getting rid of the cattle plague; week by week the numbers decrease, until now they are a mere bagatelle. Of course, the consequences of it are not so soon to end; but it is something to know that our prospects with regard to cheap meat, and so forth, are improving. In the meantime, possibly with a view of allaying anxiety in the matter, experi- ments have been carried on at the Veterinary College, at Camden-town, the result of which has been to show that dogs, at any rate, may eat the meat of diseased animals with impunity. AN official paper just published shows that one hundred and fifty-four appointments for the liquidation of limited liability companies have been made since the Winding-up Act passed in 1862, and the greater part of these have been "shut up" during the present year. Strange stories might doubtless be told respecting the way in which many of these companies have been got up;" as, for instance, in the case of one which was brought under notice a few days since, the memorandum of association of which appears to have been executed by porters, messengers, and others, in the employ of the company, one of them being a mere office lad, but described as a gentle- man, and the holder of 220 shares. Speculators, beware! THE Working Men's Clubs, all over England, appear to be progressing favourably, and some very pleasant gatherings have lately been held in connection with them. One of the great charms of these clubs is that they are not necessarily formed in all cases after the same pattern, but may be adapted to the special requirements of the members. Every kind of innocent recreation is afforded them. In some clubs athletic exercises are practised, in all draughts and chess are intro- duced. All the best papers are taken in, and a sufficient quantity of light literature is at hand. Perhaps one reason why these clubs answer better than mechanics' institutions is, that the members are left more to themselves, and to do as they please, and not cut and trimmed after the be good fashion, which was formerly practised. AN interesting fact comes to us from Lancashire, affording proofs that the cotton weavers in their day of prosperity have not forgotten the sympathy shown to them by the Londoners in their time of distress. At a Court of Common Council held at the London Mansion-house last week, the Lord Mayor presiding, a letter addressed to him by the Rev. William H. Jones, vicar of Mottram, Lanca- shire, and secretary to one of the principal relief committees, was read by the chief clerk asking permission, on behalf of the cotton operatives, to place in the Guildhall, at their own cost, a stained glass window, in the highest style of art, to com- memorate the extraordinary exertions of the Mansion-house Committee, at the head of whom was Mr. Cubitt, then Lord Mayor, to mitigate the prevailing distress consequent on the cotton famine, and the gratitude of the whole of the Lancashire operatives for the munificent subscrip- tions of the citizens of London for their relief during the calamity. The request was cheerfaUy acceded to, and the subject was referred to a com- mittee, with a view to their co-operation with the representatives of the operatives in Lancashire. It is understood that the working men connected with cotton mills have raised X500 for this purpose, mostly by penny subscriptions among themselves. This is a noble proof of the highmindedness of a people who bore their sufferings bravely, and are ready to acknowledge the kindness of friends when prosperity again shines ivpijn them. IN the iron districts, it is stated, about 10,000 men are on strike. It appears that the iron masters have, in consequence of the great depres- sion in trade, resolved to reduce the rate of wages 10 per cent., seeing that, owing to previous advances which have been made, the average profits of the works have been reduced 75 per cent. On the other side it is alleged that, by the arrangements formerly entered into, the rate of wages was to depend on the rise or fall in the price of iron; and the working men still think it is a breach of the agreement to attempt to reduce wages in the face of an advance in the price of iron. It is a pity that some court of arbitration, or other body having the fall confidence of employer and employed, should not exist, before whom difficulties of this kind could be brought for adj astment, and thus avert the loss and misery occasioned by the barbarous system of strikes. WE rejoice to say that the Great Eastern is going on gloriously in the submerging of the Atlantic cable. The vessel has been favoured with fine weather. The three great dangers have been got over-first, the laying the shore end; secondly, passing down the submarine incline known as the Irish bank; and, thirdly, passing over a short steep valley, where the water sinks to almost as great a depth as in mid ocean-namely, 2,400 fathoms, or nearly three miles. The insula- tion and continuity, however, up to the time we write, having been declared perfect, we may reasonably hope that this great and beneficent scheme is near a triumphant completion. THE great Reform demonstration in London came off on Monday. The people were determined to meet in Hyde-park, contrary to the orders of Sir Richard Mayne, the Commissioner of Police, backed by the Home Secretary. Vast crowds of persons assembled, and found the park gates closed at seven o'clock; the crowd broke down the iron railings and made an entrance. An immense force of police, aided by the military, forced the people to retire; after which the Government orders were carried out with little trouble, and the main body of the crowd adjourned to Trafa1 gar-square, where they held their meeting, and then dispersed. -o* -o*

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VITRIOL THROWING THROUGH I JEALOUSY. At Hanley, on Monday, Elizabeth M'Dermott, a young woman of respectable appearance, who had been living in service, was charged with throwing vitriol on Barnard Sweeney. The prosecutor, who is a brick- layers' labourer, appeared in court with his face covered with a handkerchief, which was not removed, except for a moment to show the bench the extent of the injuries, and the sight then presented was sicken- ing. He stated that he lived at Hanley, and the pri- soner had been living at Burslem. He began to keep company with her about six months ago, but left her about three weeks since. He met her in the Market- square, Hanley, on Saturday evening, when she said she wanted to speak to him about the Welch girl she had heard he was going to marry. He told her he would see her far enough before he would speak to her, when she retorted that he had been drummed out of his regiment. He knowing, as he said, that her object was to put him in a passion, walked on, and she called out, daring him to come back. He went to the police-station to get advice, in order to prevent her following him about, and afterwards was talking in High-street with a young woman who had come from Stafford, when the prisoner passed, went into a druggist's shop, and returning to him, said, Is this the Welch woman you are going to marry and make a of, as you have made of me?" He replied, Yes," and she took a mug from under her shawl, and threw its con- tents into his face, saying, Take that, you Cross-examined: He had not promised to marry the prisoner, nor did he know that her wedding dress had been bought. Sha had told him she was in the family-way by him. He did not know whether er not she came to him a fortnight ago to ask what he meant to do about the child. He did not know that she had been almost destitute since she left service. The prisoner was committed for trial.

THE MISSION OF PRINCE NAPOLEON. "The mission of Prince Napoleon," says the Patrie, "was, we believe, suddenly decided upon in consequence of the receipt of a despatch from the head-quarters of the King of Prussia. If our information is correct, Prince Napoleon is charged, in prevision of the accaptation by Austria of the bases of peace, to arrange with King Victor Em- manuel the questions concerning both the armis- tice between the Italian and Austrian armies, and the cession of Venetia. We have announced the departure from Paris of the propositions made by the < Emperar Napoleon as mediator between Prussia and Austria. They were sent the same day to Vienna and to the King of Prussia's headquarters. Calculating- the distances, and taking account of the difficulties of communication, they ought to arrive at Vienna before reaching King William. The answer of Prussia can hardly reach Paris before Friday, but her adhesion in principle has already arrived by telegraph. The reply of Vienna will be later." 4

STOPPAGE OF THE PRESTON BANK. The Preston Bank, which was established in 1844, has suspended payment. The announcement was made on Thursday morning by a written paper, posted upon the principal door of the bank in Fishergate, which ran as follows" In consequence of the pres- sure in the money market and temporary embarrass. ment, this bank is compelled to suspend operations for the present.—July 19, 1866." This notice was put up just before the usual time of opening the bank (nine o'clock); and as merchants, manufacturers, and others turned up between that hour and ten on financial busi- ness, and realised the face of there being "no admit- tance," the excitement created when the announcement was first made became very intense, and for a time the street was very nearly blocked up with people. Early in the week several parties apprehended that a stoppage was at hand, from the fact of the bank authorities having pressed heavily for outstanding accounts in certain quarters, and they withdrew their deposits, determined to be on the safe side whatever was the result. On Tuesday and Wednesday there was a most unusual run on the bank, and it is said that fully X40,000 was withdrawn in those two days alone. On Wednesday evening the legal adviser of the bank authorities was consulted, and the result was the announcement above given. The bank is in the hands of a company established under the Joint-Stock Ac* and the shareholders number in the aesrve- gata 113. The liabilities of the bank are I roughly estimated at XI,5100,000. The bank has branches at Lancaster, Southport, Ormskirk, Black- bum, Blackpool, Fleetwood, Lytham, and Garetang. The weak place in the bank, if not the actual cause of its stoppage, has, it is asserted, been its connection with a number of cotton manufacturers. Several of them daring the late cotton famine, and some even prior to the crisis which it caused, overdrew their accounts, or else, being hard pushed for money, had to mortgage their property; and not being able to realise upon the premises, mills, &a., so mort- gaged, or havisg pressed the parties named for pay- meat of sums owing before they had properly got upon their feet after the late depression in trade, the bank authorities have found themselves in a difficulty, and unable to meet the demands upon them, especially daring the run upon their fands caused by an appre- hension of their financial weakness, they have had to suspend operations. To the shareholders the bank has hitherto been a profitable concern, the interest derived being at the rate of 20 per coat, per annum. The bank has suffered very heavily by its Blackburn branch through the cause previously assigned. Nearly all the shareholders are men of good position and sub- stantial means, and numbers of depositors are large employers of labour.

THE EUROPEAN WAR. FLORENCE, July 20. Prince Carignano and the Minister of War have sent their congratulations to Garibaldi upon the victories achieved by the volunteers at Ampola and Condino. Twelve thousand Austrians have left Trent for Innsjsrack. The Italian war guard is at Piave. FLORENCE, July 19. The decree organising the provisional administra- tion of Venetia and appointing special commissioners for the purpose has boen officially published to-day. Priace Napoleon has arrived at the head-qaartera at Rovigo. m, July 19, Evening. I he Marquis Pepoli has been appointed Italian com- missioner at Padua, Signor Mordini at Vicenza, and Signor Allieri at Bovigo. PARIS, July 18. A telegram received here from Vienna. announces that M. Benedetti, the French Ambassador at Berlin, has arrived in Vienna, and had a conference with Count Mensdorff. T i VIENNA, July 18. The commander of the Austrian troops in the Tyrol reports that, simultaneously with the engagement at Condino, several detachments or the intantry regiment under Crown Prince of Saxony made a demonstration on the right flank of the enemy's regiments stationed in the valley of the Chiese. The attack ot the Crown Prince Regiment being successful, the enemy withdrew in great haste across the Cafiaro, leaving 200 prisoners in the hands of the Austrians. Garibaldi ia supposed to have been present at the engagement. The Official Gazette of to-day says^—LIN' 18' Art. III. of the treaty of alliance between Prussia and Italy is as fol owa .-From this moment (the moment war. is declared) the war shall be prose. cuted by theIr MajestIes the Kings of Prussia and Italy with all the forces which Providence has placed at their disposal, and neither Prussia nor Italy shall conclude either pac.ce or armistice without mutual consent. ITALIAN ATTACK UPON LTSSA. ■xr 2. AT. T; ZARA, July 19. Yesterday the Itauan fleet, consisting of gome iron- clad vessels and several steamers, opened an attack upon the Islana of Lissa, on the coast of Dalmatia. Tile cannonade begaln aboat midday, and the firing heard here leads to the belief that the engagement was very severe. The artillery fire has recommenced to-day. SIEGE OF MENTZ. M ANHEIM, July 20. The Prussians have commenced a regular siege of the Federal fortress of Mentz. Boats on the Rhine are no longer allowed to proceed past the fortress, and the railway traffic with the town is stopped. THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR AN ARMISTICE _R „ PARIS, July 20. Th9 MouiteuT of this morning says:—"In reply to a communication from the Emperor Napoleon on the 4th July, the court of Berlin declared that it would only consent to an armistice upon condition of the preliminaries of peace being concluded first. Negotiations were thereupon opened between the courts of Paris and Berlin, which resulted in the court of the Tuileries recommendiog to the belligerents the bases of an arrangement which Prussia considered sufficient to allow of the conclusion of an armistice. Prussia engaged to abstain from all acts of hos- tility for five days on condition that Austria would pursue a similar course, and within that time the Austrian Government must make known its accep- tance or refusal of the bases agreed upon. The Government of the Emperor hastened to trans- mit this communication to the knowledge of the Austrian Government. If the reply from Vienna be in the affirmative, and Italy give her assent, an armistice may be signed immediately." THE ATTACK ON LISSA. FLORENCE, July 20. An official account has been published of the attack made upon the fortifications of the Island of Lissa by the Italian fleet on the 18th instant. After seven honrs' obstinate fighting Admiral Persano, with eight iron-clad vessels, silenced the Fort of St. George. A powder magazine in the fort was blown up during the engagement. The Italians had but few killed and wounded. Vice-Admiral Albini joined the squadron of Admiral Persano, who was about to give orders for a disembarka- tion, when he was apprised that the Austrian squadron was approaching to prevent this design from being carried out. The Italian fleet was preparing for an engagement with the Austrian squadron. ARMISTICE BETWEEN THE AUSTRIAN AND PRUSSIAN ARMIES. VIENNA, July 22. The armistice, to last for five days, between the Austrian and Prussian armies, commenced at noon to- day. Dispatches received here to-day from the Austrian head-quarters in the Tyrol announce that on the 21st instant the enemy, who had occupied the Val di Ledro in great force, was attacked by the Austrian troops. Colonel Monluisant crossed the Monte Pichea, 6,000 feet in height, with three battalions, and stormed Piene di Ledra and Breceoe where 12,000 Italians were stationed. He captured 1,000 prisoners and withdrew to his position on Monte Pichea, the enemy not ven- turing to pursue him. Maior.General Kaim, with a portion of his brigade and half the brigade of Lieut.- Colonel Hoffern, drove back the enemy from their positian in the direction of Condino and captured forty prisoners. The loss of the enemy in addition to the prisoners taken was very considerable. NIKOLSBUEG, July 21, The Prussian troops continue to be concentrated on the Marohfeld before Vienna. A division has marched through this place in a southerly direction. More troops are expected to- day. AUSTRIA AND THE GERMANIC CONFEDERA- TION. PARIS, July 21. It is asserted on reliable authority that Austria has consented to acceda to the proposition of France, and retire from the Germanic Confederation, and to recog- nise a reconstruction of that body in which she will take no part. ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN TEE AUSTRIAN AND ITALIAN FLEETS. VIENNA, July 21. Yesterday morning the Italian fleet, composed of 23 ships, including the ram Affondatore and 12 iron-clad frigates, was attacked off the island of Liasa by the Austrian squadron under the command of Admiral Tegethof. In the course of a severe action a large Italian iron-clad frigate was sunk by the Austrian iron-clad, Ferdinand Max, and another Italian frigate was blown up. All on board these vessels were lost. The Austrian line-of-battle ship Kaiser was surrounded by four Italian iron-clads, ef which she ran down one, and forced the others back, losing in the engagement her foremast and bowsprit, 22 killed, and 82 wounded. The Austrian squadron has sustained exceedingly little damage, and is qllitefit for action. After several hours' fighting the Italian fleet was driven back, pursued by the Austrian squadron, and the island of LISSa. is thereby relieved. 1 The Italians made three attempts to disembark troops near Comissa, which were each time success- fully repulsed by the garrison. OFFICIAL ITALIAN ACCOUNT. ™ A „ FLORENCE, July 21. ine rollomng official aocount of the naval engage- ment between the Austrian and Italian fleets, dated the bcsaits of Lissa, July 20," has been recsived here:— The Austrian squadron not having made its ap- pearance as expected, on the evening of the 18th, some of our iron-clad forced thir way yesterday into the Port St. George's. This morning disembarea- tion commenced, when the naval videttes signalled that the enemy's squadron was in sight. The Italian fleet put out to meet them, and a battle commenced. Admiral Persano hoisted his flag oa the Affonda- tore, and bore down upon the Austrian fleet under a heavy fire. The stern of the Austrian Admiral's vessel was destroyed. The fight was very severe. We lost the iron-clad Be d'ltalia, which the Admiral had left. and which sank from a collision with the enemy at the commencement of the battle. "The iron-clad gunboat, Palestro, caught fire, and the commander and crew refused to leave the vessel. She blew up amid their cries of Long live the King! Long live Italy!' No other vessel was loat or fell into the enemy's hands. "The Admiral renewed the at-.acknpon the Austrian squadron, which retired to Lesma without waiting for our fleet to come up, and the Austrians continuing their retreat the Italian squadron remained mistress of the scene of action. "The damages sustained by the enemy are consi- derable. Further intelligence is expected. The crew of the Emanneie nearly all picked up by the Vittorio EœaD.'Q.ele. the Italian volunteers were attacked tLrou^tU8tri?8,at Tiar*°- Ths were tmorougfciy repulsed. information received here from Lissa re- ports that one Austrian man-of-war and two steamers were sunk by the fire of the Italian squadron. T> -r,. July 22. I^aron Ricasoli has returned to this city. The Government is about to organise the Adminis- tration of the province of Treviso, which has been entirely evacuated by the Austrians.

I AMERICA. YORK, July 11. The House of Representatives has passed the Tariff Bill by 94 against 53 votes. The bill now goes to the Senate. Mr. Wade has introduced in the Senate a bill similar to the one recently introduced in the House guaranteeing a Mexican republican loan of 50.000.000 dollars. The President ia reported to be preparing a veto upon the new Freedmen's Bureau Bill; At Charleston General SicUaa has refaaed to respond to a writ of habeas corpus, on the ground that the privileges of the writ were still suspended in South Carolina. He stated that he bad been ordered by Mr. Stanton to resist by force any attempt to enforce the writ. The President is reported to have ordered General Sickles to answer the writ.

In consequence of fche b:,eduction in Duty, Boiniman's Txis are now supplied l>y t.h.e Agents KIGMTVENOE per 1b CNEAPER. Every Gmume Packet is signed Morniinan Ii; Co." RS. WINSLO W'S Soothing Syrup, for children cutting teeth, has gained a grea-tar filiation in America during the last 15 years tijan any remedy of the kwd ever known. It is plea- sant to take, and SAFE in all cases; it soothes the child and gives it rest; it reHeve-a griping in the bowels, or wind in the stomach, and cures dysentery or diarrhoea, whether arising from teething or other causes; it softens the gums and allays all irritation. No mother should be without it. Full directions oa each bottle. Price 12. l|d,Soid by all elierasMai i4 the Kingdom.