The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. In the House of Lords, on July 5, a discussion was raised by the Bishop of Cork with regard to the hardships alleged to be entailed or, small parishes by making the employment of certificated teachers an indispensable condition of obtain- ing the Government grant. Tho Duke of Marlborough admitted that it was most desirable this class of schools should receive the aid of the state, and promised to do his best for devising some means by Which subsidiary assistance might be extended to the poorest localities, if it were only by way of encouragement to exert e9 themselves, with the view of coming up to the required standard. The Consecration and Ordination Fees Bill was read a third time and passed; as was also the Land Tax Commis- SioneW Names Bill. The War Department Stores Protection Bill, and the Charitable Donations and Bequests (Ireland) Bill, were read tt second time. The Salmon Fishery (Ireland) Bill was opposed on the third reading, and upon a division rejected by 23 to 17, after which their Lordships adjourned. The House of Commons, at the morning sitting, again went Into committee on the lteform Bill, and resumed the con- sideration of Mr. Lowe's proposal to introduce a clause for cumulative voting, by providing that in any contested elec- tion for a county or borougti represented by more than two members, and having more than one seat vacant, every voter should be entitled to a number of votes equal to the number Si vacant seats, and might give all such votes to one can- didate. or distribute them among the candidates as he might think fit Mr. Adderley, speaking on behalf of the Government, opposed the clause, which, he said, introduced a principle that was totally unknown to the constitution. The principle of the constitution was that the whole people should be re- presented by the whole, and when a member was elected he represented the minority as well as the majority. Mr. Fawcett pronounced the proposal a logical one, for With three members in a constituency the majority would be represented by two and the minority by one. But it would not be logical to apply the principle to boroughs with two members only, for in that case the mino- rity and the majority would be placed on an equal footing. Mr. Newdegate would vote for the clause which was ren- dered necessary by the probable and not far distant extinc- tion of the smaller constituencies. Mr. Bright denounced the clause as one of the most violent attacks upon the principles of representation that had ever been witnessed in that House. At no time had he been in favour of new-fangled proposals. On the contrary, he had always asked the House to march along the ancient lines of the constitution, and thus far both the House and the Government had done so. But now came the mernberfor CaIne With this puerile, insignificant, and utterly worthless proposi- tion for arresting the tide of democracy as he called it, and preventing the ruin upon which he declared the House was rushing. In his opinion the House had better do their duty in reference to the matter before them, and leave these great changes to be made by those who came after them, in case they were necessary, and the measure the House was en- gaged in passing turned out to be a failure. Lord Cranborne argued that the clause was requisite as a means of counteracting the overwhelming preponderance which the bill would give to a particular class by the new franchise which it created. He contended that as they were engrafting a new principle of a democratic character upon the constitution they ought to engraft upon it also a pro- tective principle, even though it were new. Mr. Mill spoke at considerable length in favour of the clause as a portion of the scheme of representation known as "Mr. Hare's." Mr. Henley had no faith in the proposal as a counterpoise to what some hon. gentlemen regaroed with apprehension, the influence which the new consiitueiices would exercise in the representation. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in announcing his deter- mination to vote against the clause, said that nothing could afford a greater contrast than the largeness of the principle it contained and the smallness of its application. Why, then, run the risk of so great a change with such small re ,sults P If the principle were of the great advantage which its supporters claimed for it, surely it ought to be applied more extensively; and if it were good for constituencies re- turning three members, it would be equally good for those aeturning two. Apply the principle to boroughs with three representatives and the result must be that in the great bulk of the constituencies which returned two members only politicai opinions would be com- pletely neutralised. This being so, the government would thenceforward be in the hands of the constituencies who were represented by only one member; in fact, the United Kingdom would be governed by the gentlemen who came from Scotland. With regard to the dangers which were anticipated from the democratic tendency of the bill he frankly avowed that he had no fear on the subject, and he entreated the committee not to allow such a bugbear to be made the foundation of a new legislation that would have the effect of changing the whole character of the oon- stitution. Sir G. Grey would vote for the second reading of the clause, for the purpose of afterwards amending it in accordance With the views expressed by Mr. Morrison. Mr. Lowe having replied upon the whole debate, the oom- mittee divided, when there appeared for the clause, 173; and against it, 314. The clause was, therefore, rejected by the overwhelming majority of 141. On the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chairman then reported progress. The Lunacy (Scotland) Bill was passed through committee, and some other business of a routine nature-gone thruugh, and then the sitting was suspended. At the evening sitting there was the usual Friday night76 miscellaneous discussion on going into Supply. Sir C. O'Loghlen dilated at considerable length on the grievances and anomalies of the Irish Peerage, concluding with a motion for an address to the Queen, praying her not to exercise her prerogative to create Irish Peers, which he withdrew, after some observations from Mr. Pullard- Urquhart, Mr. Pim, Colonel French, and Lord >"a is. Sir F. Goldsmid made a statement in reference to the recent persecution of the Jews in Roumania,—to which Lord Stanley replied that the inilueuce of England and ;i France was being exercised to put an end to these perse- cutiona, and that Prince Charles. personally strongly disap- proved them. Mr. Syrian called attention to the Keport of the Committee Of 1866 on the Army Medical Service, and moved a resolu- tion condemning the alterations in the Royal warrant of the 1st of October, 1858, and expressing the opinion that the efficiency of the Medical Service would be promoted by car- rying out the recommendations of the Committee in their integrity. Sir J. Pakington discussed the recommendations of the Committee, contending* that they had been substantially carried out and after some observations from Sir IL An- Struther the resolution was withdrawn. Ift. Peter Taylor brought under the notice of the House What he described a gross miscarriage of justice, in the re- cent conviction of two men by the Salisbury bench of magis- trates on a poaching charge, the circumstanccs of which have been fully detailed in the newspapers. Mr. Marsh and Sir M. T. Beach bore testimony to the high character of the committing magistrates and 1IJr. Hardy, after severely rebuking Nl r. Taylor for the un- fairness of some of his statements, and the spirit in which be had handled the matter, explained the course taken by the Home-office, and vindicated the impartiality and bona Mee of the magistrates. Mr. Mill protested against the warmth of Mr. Hardy's language. A long and acrimonious conversation on the various fea- tures of the case followed, and ultimately a division took place on a motion to produce the correspondence between the Home-office and the magistrates, which Mr. Hardy op- posed, and it was rejected by 70 to 31. was brought abruptly to an end, at a quarter to twoocJock, by a motion to adjourn, which was at once agreed to without demur. In the House of Lords, on July 8, the Consecration of Churchyards (No. 2) Bill passed through committee. The Barl of Shaftesbury called attention to a letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury, which had appeared in the Guardian newspaper, stating that convocation will be con- suited on the matters submitted to the ritual commission before they were submitted to parliament. He asked the grchfctehop on what authority he made that statement; and juso, if convocation disapproved of the report of the com- mission, which decision was to prevail. If convocation were to have such power it would be necessary to inquire what' convocation was, and whether it was to consist only of the province of Canterbury, or was to have representa- tives from the provinces of York, Dublin, and Armagh. Lord Taunton asked what progress the ritual commis- eioners had made on the question of clericaJ vestment The Archbishop of Canterbury replied that the inquiry of the.COmmi.88ioners had hitherto been confined to the matter of Vestments, and with regard to the question of the Earl of Shaftesbury, he said it was a historical fact that tle B >ok of Common Prayer became law by the joint act on oi parlia- ment and of convocatlOll, and he apprehended that no altera- tion would be made in it without consulting both bodies. The Bishop of London remarked that the machinery pos- sessed by convocation for legislation was of the humblest character. A proposition to alter the 29th canon had now been before the convocations of Canterbury and York for six years with less chance of an agreement being come to than when the question was first introduced. The Archbishop of Canterbury observed that he wrote the letter referred to without any authority from the Govern- ment for the statements contained in it. T. Lord Cranworth said it was perfectly true that the Prayer- book, before receiving the sanction of Parliament, was by convocation but no efficacy could be given to any alterations in it except by the Queen, Lords, and Commons. The Bishop of Carlisle thought the answer given by the Archbishop of Canterbury would be regar ded by the country with dismay. If it were really true that, convocation was to beconaulted npon the matters submitted to the rojal com- mission before Parliament made any enactment concerning them, be apprehended they would be simply playing into the hands of their enemies, who only asked for two years to enable them to revolutionise the church. He urged the necessity of prompt legislation upon the subject. The Earl of Derby declined to express an opinion as to the propriety of submitting the questions which had been placed in the hands of the c<mmjMtot)era to con vocation, but he was certainly of opinion that it was in the power of parlia-1 ment to legislate upon them without consulting convoca- tion.. The subject then dropped. The lferl of JOxaftejAwrj-gave notice that he should post- pone the second reading of the Clerical Vestments Bill for a I week. Several bills were advanced a stage, and their Lordships adjourned. In the House of Commons, Mr. Carington asked the Secre- tary of State for War whether it was true that the cavalry regiments who marched from Aldershot to Hounslow to take part in the intended review were left in the oamp entirely without rations until the following morning. Sir J. Pakington said the facts were not so bad as would appear in the question. The troops which reached Hounslow between eight and nine o'clock in the morning did not re- ceive their rations till four o'clock in the afternoon. No doubt there had been great want of care in some quarter, and he had been endeavouring to find out in what quarter. The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated, in reply to Mr. Hadfield, that after the 1st of January next the rate of post between this country tsiid the United States would be reduced from one shilling to sixpence. (This announcement was re- ceived with loud cheers,) The right hon. gentleman added that of the many propositions that had been made for cheap postal communication the vast majority had originated with the English Government, and that negociations were now in progress on the subject with Peru, Chili, and other South American states. During the last twelve months, too, he re- minded the House, the postal rate had been sensibly reduced with Sweden, Denmark, and Holland and the Government were in hopes to be able to carry the reduction still further in a short time. The House having gone into committee on the Reform Bill, Mr. Crawford moved a new clause, permitting voters for the City of London to reside within 25 miles of the nearest City boundary, and, after some discussion, the clause was added to the bill. On the motion of Mr. Russell Gurney, a new clause was ordered to form part of the bill disenfranchising persons reported guilty of bribery at Totnes from voting for the county of Devon; a, similar clause relating to Great Yar- mouth and the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk; a similar clause with regard to Lancaster and the county of Lancaster; and a similar clause respecting Reigate and the county o Surrey. Lord E. Cecil moved a clause disqualifying persons from voting who had been convicted of felony, larceny, perjury, or subornation of perjury. The committee allowed it to be read a second time, though the Chancellor of the Exchequer hinted his dislike for it; but, on the question that it be added to the bill, the Oppo- sition assumed a more decided tone, and Mr. Gladstone observed that the committee were perpetrating a grave error in introducing a new principle of criminal law into the Re- form Bill, a sentiment which was received with an approving cheer. The Solicitor General having expressed his concurrence in this view of the question, the clause was eventually with- drawn, its mover intimating that he should re-open the sub- ject on the report Faint and equally abortive attempts were made by Mr. H. Beaumont to carry a clause giving a second member to Hud- dersfleld; Mr. J. B. Smith, a clause restricting the opening of any inn or public-house on a polling-day; Mr. Dillwyn clause granting a second member to Swansea; and Mr. Monk, a, clause creating Clifton (Bristol) a new borough with one member. Mr. Gladstone moved a clause to the effect that South Lancashire should be separated into two divisions, each to have three members, instead of two each as proposed by the bill The clause was opposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and was negatived without a division. The next two clauses were negatived after a very short dis- cussion on each. One, which was moved by Mr. D. Griffith, was to enable a freeholder, copyholder, or leaseholder within a borough to be registered for the borough instead of for the county: and the other, by Lord Henley, to keep open the poll in counties till five o'clock instead of four. Colonel Gilpin moved that the four boroughs next above 10,000 inhabitants now returning two members each shall return only one member, and that Luton, Keighley, Barns- ley, and St. Helen's—four of the towns originally proposed to have representation conferred on them—shall each return one member. A lengthened discussion ensued, in the course of which the claims of Tiverton, Warwick, and Tamworth, three of the four boroughs which would be affected by the proposi- tion, were defended by their respective representatives, Mr. Denman, Mr. Walrond, Mr. J. Peel, and Mr. A. Peel (who proposed to find the four members by disfranchising the four smallest boroughs). Lord F. Cavendish and Mr. H. Beau- mont supported the claims of Barnsley, Mr. Whitbread and Colonel Stuart those of Luton, and Mr. A. Egerton thol1 of St. Helen's. Sir G. Grey supported the proposition of Mr. A. Peel. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said government had ado;pted the course which they thought most expedient, and in which they had been guides by the decisions the com- mittee had already arrived at and he appealed to tt- com- mittee not at the end of the session to unsettle what had been done, a course which he intimated might endanger the bill in the other house. Mr. Gladstone thought the committee would have great difficulty in tracing the connection between the modest pro. posal of Colonel Gilpin, and the flaming description given of it by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the momentous consequences to ensue from it, He contended that the com- mittee was not precluded by previous decisions frorm adopt- ing this clause On a division the clause was rejected by 224 to 195. Further progress with the bill was then postponed. Some other business was disposed of, and the House ad- journed. In the House of Lords on July 9, the Earl of Derby stated, in reply to Lord Stratford de Radcliffe, that he had received a telegram which showed that there could no longer be any doubt as to the fate of the Emperor Maximilian. He was shot on the 19th of June, in spite of every attempt to save him. The tone of the victorious party was defiant to all foreign powers, the United States included They refused to give up the Emperor's body. The French ministei was preparing to depart with his legation, but though hitherto unmolested he was apprehensive that he might be detained as a hostage for the giving up of Almonte. His lordship added that it was scarcely necessnry to say that he shared in the feelings of all their lordships with regard to this most unnecessary, cruel and barbarous murder, which must have excited horror in every civilised country. He de- clined to give any opinion as to whether their lordships should express their feelings with regard to this event by any public act. Lord Stratford de Redcliffe said his.mntiments on the matter were so strong, thot although he believed the govern- ment was prepared to do all that was right in the matter, he should feel himself bound to propose some resolution on the subject. The Railway Guards and Passengers Communication Bill was read a second time and referred to a select committee. Several other bills were forwarded a atage, and their Lordships adjourned. At the morning sitting of the House of Commons the houae, soon after it met, resolved itself into committee on the Representation of the People Bill. Mr. Locke moved a new clause, requiring the overseer, ¡in case a rate made on or before the 6th of January shall re- main unpaid on the 1st of June, to send notice thereof to the occupier. After some discussion it was arranged that the clause should be read a second time, and some amendments moved by Mr. Hardy were inserted, it being understood that the clause thus amended should be further considered on the report .}1r. W. Cowper moved that the borough of Hertford should comprise the towns of Ware and Hoddesden, and Mr. I)imidale supported the motion. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said the discussion only showed that the power of the boundary commissioners was not understood. This was a matter for their consideration. Captain Hayter, who had a notice on the paper to add the towns of Shepton Mallet and Glastonbui-y to the city of Wells, said he was quite satisfied with that explanation, and should thei efore not bring forward his motion. Sir G. Grey asked if it was meant that the boundary com- missioners had the power of enlarging boroughs. The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied in the negative, but observed that the case of Ware, which was only half a mile from Hertford, would come within their powers. The motion was withdrawn. Several other clauses on the paper were then withdrawn, amongst them being one by Mr. Schreiber, that a second member be given to the borough of Cheltenham; one by Mr. Woodd, that the borough of Knaresborough do consist of the parishes of Knaresborough and Pannal; and one by Mr. H. Lewis, that two additional members be given to the H. Lewis, that two additional members be given to the borough of Marylebone. A new clause moved by Sir E Dering, that the county of Kent be divided into three divisions, each division to return two members, and which he brought forward, as he stated, not for the purpose of getting more representation, but that the county might be more equally divided, was negatived, as was also a similar clause by Mr. Henniker-Major with regard to the county of Suffolk. This was the last of the new clauses of which notice had been given, and the committee then, amid some cheering, proceeded to the consideration of the schedules. The new schedule A, which comprises the boroughs to re- turn one member only in future parliaments, was agreed to after a short discussion, in the course of which Colonel Dyott complained that injustice had been done to Lichfield as com- pared with Tamworth. Mr. Wyld made a protest against Bodmin being included, and Mr. D. Griffith moved that Bridgewater be included, which motion was negatived. Schedule B, which comprises the new boroughs to return one member each, was also agreed to without alteration, after a motion by Mr. Corrance to omit Stockton and insert Lowestoft, a motion by Mr. H. Beaumont to add Rotherhum and Doncaster, and another by Mr. Holden to add Keighley, were negatived. The remaining schedules were likewise agreed to without alteration, and the preamble of the bill passed through com- mittee, and it was arranged that the report should be taken at a morning sitting on Friday (July 12.) The sitting was then, at a quarter to seven o'clock, sus- pended. At the evening sitting, Mr. M'Kenna called attention to the enormous and dis- proportionate increase of Irish taxation since 1841, as compared with the increase in Great Britain, and canvassing critically the chief Budgets in that interval, he showed that while in Great Britain the taxation had increased between 1861 and 1861 at the rate of Be. 3d. per head, in Ireland the increase amounted to 10s. 2d. per head, and maintained that the imposition of new taxes unaccompanied by any countervailing advantage lay at the root of much of the political discontent of Ireland. Tracing next the causes which impeded the national prosperity of that country, he argued that the almost .simultaneous establishment of Free Trade and the construction of the system of Oontia«ntal raflwayvon wiefcprfaoipieB Ibftt cultural produce could be carried on them at a much lower rate than on the Irish railways, placed Ireland at a disad- vantage in supplying the English markets. He concluded by moving a resolution (after urging that the Governmentshould give some kind of guarantee to the Irish railways which would enable them to reduce their traffic rates) expressing an opinion that this disproportionate increase of taxation re- quires the immediate attention of Parliament. The motion was seconded and supported by Mr. Pollard- Urquhart and General Dunne, but, Mr. Monsell opposed it, advocating equality of taxation as the foundation for perfect religious equality—the want of which, and not taxation, was the cause of Irish discontent. Mr. Hunt remarked that the increase of taxation per head was generally accepted as a proof of increased prosperity or power to bear taxes, and pointed out that the great increase had taken place in the article of spirits. At the same time considerable relief had been afforded under such heads as coffee, tea, sugar, and wine the grants in aid of local taxa- tion, as well as the loans for public works, had been much larger in Ireland than in England. After a short discussion, in which Mr. Wlialley, Mr. Mon- sell. Lord Dunkellin, and other hon. members took part, the resolution was withdrawn. Mr. Bazley obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend the Carriers Act. Bills were brought in by Lord Naas to amend the laws re- u lating to the custody of dangerous lunatics in Ireland, and to the superannuation allowances of the Dublin p dice. The Bans of Matrimony Bill passed through Committee, and the House adjourned.

PARTICULARS OF MAXIMILIAN'S EXECUTION. The Figaro (a Paris paper) professes to derive from the Esperanza, a Queretaro paper, of June 20, a de- tailed account of Maximilian's execution. The writer, after minutely describing the capture of the Emperor, says he was tried by court martial, that the sentence was sent to Juarez, who confirmed it, and returned it to Corona. He then proceeds :— As soon as General Corona was put in possession of the necessary document, the three prisoners were informed of it. They manifested no surprise, because it had been im- possible to conceal from them any longer the fate of the others. Maximilian simply requested that they might be left together until the last moment, which was graciously accorded. They were transferred to the building, formerly a convent, which served as an hospital for the French troops, because the hall on the ground floor was commodious and spacious, and had a pleasant prospect out upon the garden of the interior court. An altar was raised at the further end and the sentinels were instructed to fire upon any one attempting to enter or come out without a written permission from Captain Gon- zales. The only person allowed to enter was the Abbe Fischer, secretary and religious adviser of the Emperor. Some time after the Bishop of Queretaro arrived, offering his sacred ministration, which was accepted after a brief consultation between the prisoners. The night was passed in quiet con- versation, and the condemned men confessed. Miramon was suffering greatly from the wound in his eye, which he constantly bathed with cold water. Mejia fell isto a deep sleep. Maximilian asked for papers and' pens, which, in the middle of the night, were found with some difficulty. He wrote two letters, one in German, addressed to his mother, thr Archduchess Sophia, and the other to his wife. He con- fided them to the bishop, begging him to have them for- warded. He added a lock of his hair, which the wife of one of the guards came and cut off for him. He kissed it. folded it together, and slipped it into the envelope which was already sealed. Towards four in the morning, the Emperor desired to hear mass, which was said by the bishop. Mejia was roused up, and all three communicated. After mass Maximilian appears to have remained for a long time kneeling on the hard stones—for there was no prie- Dieu-with his head bent, and his hands over his eyes. Whether he was praying or weeping is uncertain. Miramon was pale and downcast; Mejia was radiant-for we must re- member that he is an Indian, and that it is glorious for him to die along with his master-as he declared. At seven o'clock the notes of a military band were heard, and Captain Gonzales entered the chapel with bandages to blindfold the prisoners. Miramon submitted to the opera- tion quietly. Mejia refused, and, as the captain was about to use force, the bishop whispered a few words to the gene: ral, who then acquiesced. But the Emperor, cominsr for- ward, declared, that as to himself, he would not be blind- folded. After a moment's hesitation, Gonzales with a friendly salutation to Maximilian, went and took his place at the head of the escorting party. The procession then mo ,'ed forward, a squadron of Lancers in front, followed by the band, playing a funeral march. A battalion of infantry, formed in two lines, composed the remainder of the escort. When it reached the principal gate of the hospital, Mejia said aloud, "Sire, give to us, for the last time, the example of your noble courage; we follow your Majesty." The Franciscan friars now appeared, the two in front bearing the cross and holy water, the others holding tapers. Each of the three coffins intended for the doomed men was carried by a group of four Indians three black crosses to be fixed where each prisoner knelt for execution were borne last. Captain Gonzales thea made a sign to Maximilian to move forward. The Emperor advanced courageously, saying to the two generals, Vamos nos a la libertad!" The procession slowly ascended the street leading to the cemetery, behind the church, and by the road approaching the aqueduct. It soon came out upon the height overlook- ing the plain, and, seen from below, the appearance of the cortege was most impressive. The Emperor walked first, having the Abbe Fischer on his right, and the bishop on his left. Immediately behind came Miramon, supported on each side by Franciscans, and Mejia. between two priests belonging to the parish of Santa Cruz. When the procession reached the summit of the liill, Maxi- milian looked steadily for a moment at the rising sun then, taking out his watch, he pressed a spring which concealed a portrait, in miniature, of, the Empress Charlotte. lIe kissed it, and handing the chain to the Abbe Fischer, said, "Carry this touvenir to Europe to my dear wife, and if she be ever able to understand you, say that my eyes closed with the im- pression of her image, which I shall carry with me above The cortege had now reached the groat exterior wall of the cemetery, and the bells were slo wly tolling for a funeralknell; only those composing the escort were present, for the crowd had been debarred from ascending the hill. Three small benches, with the wooden crosses, were placed against the wall; and the three shooting parties, each having two non-commissioned officers as a reserve, for the coup de fffdee, approached within a few paces of the prisoners. The Emperor, at the noise made by the movement of the muskets, thought the soldiers were about to fire, and, rapidly turn ng to his two companions, he embraced them most affectionately. Miramon, surprised, very nearly sunk upon the seat, where he remained quite helpless and the Fran- ciscans raised him in their arms. Mejia returned the em- brace of Maximilian, whispering some broken words which were not overheard; he then folded his arms, and remaiued standing. The bishop, advancing, addressed the Emperor: Sire, give to Mexico, without any exception, the kiss of reconcilia- tion in my person; let your Majesty, in-this supreme moment, accord pardon to all" The Emperor was unable to conceal the emotion which agitated him; he allowed the bishop to embrace him; then, raising his voice, he said "Tell Lopez that I forgive him his treachery; tell all Mexico that 1 pardon its crime." His Majesty then pressed the hand of the Abbe Fischer, who, unable to utter a word, sank at the feet of the Emperor, bathing with tears his hands, which he kissed. Many pre- sent wept bitterly. Maximilian gently extricated his hands, and advancing a step, said, with a melancholy smile, to the officer commanding the executing party, "A la disposition de usted.' At that moment on a sign given by the officer, the muskets were levelled against the Emperor's breast; he murmured a few words in German, and the discharge enveloped the spec- tators in smoke. Miramon fell heavily to the ground; Mejia remained erect, and waved his arms about, but a ball through the head ended his agony. The Emperor fell back upon the cross, which sustained his corpse; the body was immediately raised and placed in the coffin, as were those of the two generals. All three were buried without delay in the cemetery, the bishop giving the absolution. General Corona subsequently summoned the prelate and demanded the surrender of the letters. The one addressed to the Archduchess Sophia v as not opened, as she, being the m-'thei of the Emperor, could not be supposed to receive any dangerous communication from her son. That to the Empress Charlotte was unsealed for weighty and justifiable political state reasons, and we have been allowed to take a copy of it. Its terms are these:— My dearly beloved Carlotta,—If God one day permits your recovery, and you read these lines, you will learn the cruelty of the ill-fortune which has unceasingly pursued me since your departure for Europe. You took with you all my chance and my soul. Why did I not listen to your counsel ? So many events, alas so many 'sudden blows, have broken all my hopes, that death is for me a happy deliverance, and not an agony. I fall gloriously. as a soldier-as a king, van- quished but not dishonoured. If your sufferings be too great-if God call you speedily to rejoin me, I will bless the Divine hand which has so heavily pressed upon us. Adieu, adieu! Your poor MAX." This letter was written in French.

THE TICHBORNE BARONETCY, e During the past week, the quiet town of Alresford has been in rather an excited state, owing to the ar- rival of the claimant to the Tichborne baronetcy on Saturday, the 30th ult. During the two following days, Mr. Adams, solicitor, and a staff of clerks, were busily engaged in drawing up a number of affidavits, nearly 40 in number, in support of a motion for in- junction and the appointment of a receiver, which was argued in Vice-Chancellor Wood's Court on Thursday in last week. The bills filed in the Court of Chancery are lengthy documents, one—Sir Roarer Doughty Tich- borne, Bart., plaintiff, and Sir Pyers Mostyn and seven other defendants—occupying 89 pages of fools- cap, the recital of facts and of various other indentures and deeds affecting this valuable inheritance occupy- ing nearly one-half of the bill, jfhe other bill—Sir Roger Charles Doughty Tichborne, Bart, plaintiff, and the Hon. Theresa Mary Josephine Doughty Tichborne, widow, defendant, and five other defend- ants-is 64 pages, and relates to the properties which have for centuries been attached to the baronetage of Tichborne. From the affidavits made we give the fol- lowing extracts j Major Thomas Hey wood, late of the Carabineers, deposed: About February, 1847, I became a lieutenant in the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabineers), and I remember Mr. R. C. Tichborne joining that regiment as cornet in 1849. In 1850 I became a captain, and Mr. Tichborne succeeded me as lieutenant upon my promotion. I have this 1st day of July, 1867, seen and had a conversation with the above-named plaintiff, and I state my belief that he is the person as the said Mr. R. C. Tichborne, my brother officer, whom I formerly knew, and I have no doubt whatever as to his identity. Mr. Jervis M. Long, of Balmore House, Hants, deposed: In August, 1866,1 was in Sydney, and hearing of the expected arrival of Sir Roger Charles Tichborne there, I inquired after him, and was referred to the Metropolitan Hotel. I went there accordingly, and was shown into a room, where I saw the plaintiff and a lady and child, v-ho were, as I believe, his wife and child. I made myself known to the plaintiff, and the plaintiff remembered and referred to my hunting in a scarlet jacket, and on a Shetland pony, with a man at my side. He evinced so much knowledge of loca- lities and persons known to me in Hampshire that I had no hesitation in believing him, and do firmly believe him to be in reality Sir R. C. Tichborne. I saw him and his family on board ship when they left for England in September, 1880, and so convinced was I of his identity that I advanced to the plaintiff 200Z. towards the expense of his voyage. I left Sydney in January, 1867, and arrived in England in April following. I have been twice for several days upon a visit with the plaintiff at his house in Croydon. James Cairns, gatekeeper at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, deposed: I was a corporal in the 6th Regiment Dragoon Guards (Carabineers), in the same troop with Major Heywood. I remember Mr. R. C. Tichborne joining that regiment. I was assistant foot drill, and taught Mr. Tich- horne his facings and marching. On the 29th June, 1867, and again on the 1st of July, I have had long conversations with the above named plaintiff. I recognised him to be the same gentleman whom I learnt part of his drill. In conversation with the plaintiff he brought things to my recollection that happened in the regiment during the years 1849 to the end of 1852. I am perfectly satisfied that the plaintiff is the same person as Mr. R. C. Tichborne, and there were only two Catholic officers in the regiment, namely, Mr. M'Evoy and Mr. Tichborne, and these two officers took it in turn every other Sunday to march the men to chapel. Dame Henriette Felieite Tichborne deposed I am certain as I am of my own existence, and distinctly and positively swear, that the plaintiff is my first-born son, the issue of my marriage with the said Sir James Francis Doughty Tichborne, deceased. His features, disposition, and voice are unmis- takeable, and must, in my judgment, be recognised by im- partial persons who knew him before he left England in 1853. Since he returned we have constantly talked over many private family matters which occurred in his youth and up to the time of his leaving England, upon all of which he has a perfect recollection. The evidence I have had that the plaintiff is my first-born is most conclusive, and it is impos- sible I can be mistaken. Besides ths affidavits already taken, many other gentlemen are ready to give theirs as to his identity, including several officers in the 6th Regiment Dra- goon Guards (Carabineers.) For the defence it is said there will be a witness pro- duced who well knew the present claimant in Aus- tralia previous to Sir Roger Charles Tichborne visiting that country in 1854; also that a wituess will be pre- pared to give evidence to this effect-that she is the mother of the said claimant, besides a batch of evidence shortly expected from Australia. j

SPECULATING FOR A "FALL!" On Monday morning an inquest was held at the Queen's Hotel, Manchester, to inquire into the cause of the death of Mr. Alfred Baumgarten, merchant, who was found dead in his bedroom at the above named hotel, under the following extraordinary circumstances: — Finding the deceased did not leave his bedroom, the chambermaid procured a second key, and on en- tering the room was almost suffocated by a powerful smell of camphor. The clothes of the deceased were lying in all directions; the greater part of them hav- ing been cut to rags, apparently with a pair of scissors, which were discovered on the floor. In the fire-grate were the remains of a number of business letters and several bank-notes, partly de- stroyed by fire. On the toilet table was a large quan- tity of camphor and some belladonna. The deceased was lying in bed, and had apparently died without a struggle. A posi-mortem examination was made, but, as the surgeon failed to satisfy himself as to the cause of death, the deceased's stomach and its contents were submitted to chymical analysis. One of the witnesses deposed that the deceased had been operating in French funds, for the purpose of bearing" them, in the expectation of there being a war between France and Prussia, and that it was believed he had lost 7,0001, by that one speculation. The same witness also stated that a woman with whom the deceased was connected told him that Baumgarten had said to her several times during the last two or three weeks that she must not be suprised if he was found dead. Professor Crace Calvert, the well-known analytical chymist, said he had made a careful analysis of the stomach and its contents, and he found camphor in very large quantities. The camphor, which it would appear from the evidence the deceased had taken, would account for the frenzy which was shown by the deceased in cutting up his clothes, and for the tenour of tha letters which he wrote shortly before he was found dead. He believed death had resulted by the deceased taking camphor. The jury returned a verdict of H Suicide while in a state of temporary insanity."

A TRAGEDY in ST. PETER'S at ROMF. A letter from Rome gives the following particulars of a strange event which had occurred there on the day of the great ceremony :— At half-past eight, near the chapel of the Holy Sacrament, at the moment when the bishops, preceding the Pope were entering in procession and passing through the nave, anran of shabby appearance stabbed himself twice in the throat with a knife. His blood spurted out on those who surrounded him, and the gendarmes carried him out. Being at the other end of the building, I only heard a con fused murmur, soon drowned by the chants. Pius [X., it is said, on being informed of the incident, very grave from the consequence it might have of suspending the ceremony, ordered by his sunremfe authority, that no notice should be taken of it; and declared that ii the temple had been polluted, he released it from all impurity. A canon came afterwards and had the pavement washed, and recited some prayers over the spot.. But what is to be thought of the accident, or the crime, itself ? Some say that the man, not sound in mind, had be- n seized by a specie's of hallucination. This version is the least unfavourable. Others assert that he had tried to set fire to the draperies, and that in despair at not succeeding he wished to kill him- self. He is from Crema, a mason by trade, and named A chile Rossi

HOTEL CHARGES IN PAEIS, The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post makes the following remarks A number of exaggerated reports are constantly appearing as to the cost of visiting the great Exhibi- tion. No doubt the hotel charges of the superior establishments are still considerably higher than in ordinary times, but even first-rate hotels have reduced their original pretensions. So far as tho more humble inns and lodging-houses are concerned, the advance of prices is now comparatively insignificant^ There are in Paris several comfortable hotels which give the traveller a bedroom, breakfast, and dinner at from Ms. to 12s. per day. Bedrooms may be obtained for 4t' 5f,, and 6f. a night. A breakfast may be had in many of the establishments of the Palais Royal for If.■53c., including fresh meat, half a bottle of wine, and bread. These establishments charge 2f. 50c. for such 3 dinner as could not be had in London for double that price, as regards variety. There are many placos where thaw seeking economy can dine modestly for If. 25c., or'la. The Exhibition has an establishment called ;tthe Omnibus Dining Rooms, where you can have a decent meal at this price. As far a.s I can learn, the railways have not brought to Paris such a large number of per- sons as they anticipated, the industrial classes in all probability being deterred from visiting the Exhi- bition. on account of the asserted high price of living-in Paris.

I A PLEASANT RE-UNION. A few months after the breaking out of wax, in '61, a party of four ladies and four gentlemen wevt dining together at Delmonico's, in New York." During t the dinner, in talking over the national affairs, the gentlemen, one and all, solemnlv agreed to volunteer and serve during the war. The ladies were very enthusiastic, and promised 10 do all in their power to help the good cause. They then signed a document, agreeing, if they lived through the struggle, to meet ai the house cf one of the ladies on a certain day. hoar, and year, and there relate their several experiences. The day named for the re-union was the 14th of June, 1867, when they all assembled together 0¡U(: more. Two of the gentlemen had been promoted on the field for bravery; one was a colonel and the Other a major. The remaining two had both been wounded, one having lost a leg and the other an atiii. As for thu ladies, one was married to the gallant soldier who lost his leg-, he having fallen in love with her while she was nursing the wounded in the hi ispital another was eiv gaged to the colonel, and the third to the gentleman who lost his arm. The fourth young lady and the major assured the rest that they had arranged to live single the remainder of their lives. The evening was delightfully passed in listening to the many thrilling and a few amusing adventures each had gone through. NVe, (Nei- York Home Journal) promise 'to give a description of the sa.id military weddings when they I occur,

) CONFESSION OF MURDER COM MITTED 23 YEARS AGO. On Saturday night. a man presented himself at the Chester police-office and inquired to whom he could make a confession, as he had something on his mind which he could not bear to conceal any longer. On I being taken into the chief constable's office, he said hie name was Walter Roberts, nnd he wished to give him- self up for a murder committed in India twenty-tiuee years ago. He was then cautioned in the usual manner, after which he made the following sbtement In 184t I was a private in E Troop, 14tli,Light Dragoons, lyIng at Kirkee, Bombay. One night, as I was going out of the barracks, Corporal Lewis, of the R Troop, followed me down to Dawpoorie to Mr. Jones, thespper's hoiiso. a told him not to come, but he would come. He came in and refused to go away. Jones ordered him to iz,) avvty, a-ud ic would not go. I coaxed him away towards the bridge. When we got on the bridge, which was in course of construction, I he wanted to go back, and 1. gaie him a push, and he fell, I struck bim down lie fell 45 feet, and was found there the next morning dead. I went back to J ones's I place and told him all about it. I stayed in .Tones'a house drinking until 12 o'clock next day, when I went to the bar- racks, and was made prisoner. I wa brought before the civil, court for the murder cf Corporal Lewis, and after eleven days I was discharged. Jones al-o was in custody. I aften- I wawa volunteered into the Horse Artillery, and was (til!!1- eharged on the Ifth June, 1864, on a pension of Is. per day The statement was then read over to him, and he said it was correct, and put his signature to it. On Monday the prisoner was brought up before the magis- trates, and on the statement being read over to him'he denied the truth of it, stating that he had been drink- ¡ ing after receiving his pension, .and had had "the I horrors," and been tormented with horrible thoughts. The bench thought fit to remand the prisoner for -a week for inquiries to be made.

THE RELIGION OF MINORS. I The Lord Chancellor of Ireland gave his decision on Saturday in the case of the Purcells, minors, which was before him a short time ago. The mother of the ef ore minors, who is a Roman Catholic, removed her two I children, at great pecuniary loss to herself, outside the jurisdiction of the court, and took them to Francc, | where she had them educated in the Roman Catholic religion. This step was taken by Mrs. Purcell for the purpose of evading an order of the late Master of the Rolls, directing the children to be brought U1) in the Protestant religion, pursuant to the dying wish of their father, who had been a Protestant. After the removal of the minors from the jurisdiction an attach- ment issued against Mrs. Purcell. One of the minors (a girl) died in France, and the mother then returned with her eon and submitted to the authority of the court, She made a lengthened affidavit, in which she set forth tnat her eon had been brought up in the Roi-nan Catholic religion, and had imbibed the principles of that faith. The Lord Chancellor now stated that he would make an order for an attachment against he* -thc, attachment not to issue-and that she should within a fortnight give a security and find two sureties ill 10,Q0W. not to take the minor out of the jurisdiction, and to obey all orders of the court with reference to residence and everything else concerning the minor. When she had entered into thu security he would make such an order as was suitable for a boy of the minors expectations, with a view to his future welfare.

PIASO PLAYING UNDER DIFFICULTIES."—The arrival: of the Sultan in Paris has given rise to many anecdotes in the papers. Amongst them is one* to this effect—M. Leopold de Meyer, the pianist, was called, upon to play before Abdu'l Aziz. In order that no injury might be done to the beautiful mosaic "floor the piano was placed on the backs of five Turks then when M, de Mt-yer desired to sit down, he was-tbld that no one was permitted to be seated in the presence of the Sultan. Finally this difficulty was got. ove>, and tha professor was accommodated with a chair. The Bultlw., expressed himself as highly delighted with ib.9 per/ormm?*; and then afjked th& pianist I*.