Monmouthshire Merlin

MULTUM IN PARVO. The strength of the naval reserve on the 31st De- cember last was 15,091. During the past week 69 wrecks have been reported, taking far the nresant vear a toW of 771. A Berlin paper states that 152 German Protestants «ave joined the Papal army and made their first com- tautlioa on Easter-day. The Bishop of Calcutta hag ordered that idolaters &re not to be allowed within Christian churches dur- lag the time of divine service. -The Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by the tt°n. Mrs. Stonor and Major Grey, arrived at Marl- borough House, from Trentham, on Monday. The Epoca of Madrid states that the total effective of the Spanish army is 79,145 men, not including officers. The new civic guard is composed of 9,023 rauk and file. The bill for taxing trades and professions was passed by the Government of India on the 31st March, a class being added for incomes of j620,000 per annum and upwards. An iron-clad frigate, the Repulse, of 3,734 ton, pierced to carry twelve guns of large calibre, was launched on Saturday at Woolwich, in the presence of Prince Arthur. On the occasion of the marriage of Prince Humbert the Venice Gazette of the 22nd appears printed in blue ink, and with congratulations in verse and prose ad- dressed to the royal pair. The Prince and Princess of Wales, on Monday, left Trentham Hall for London. The Duke of Sutherland accompanied them, and Mrs. Stonor being in imme- diate attendance on the Princess. The John Bull has authority to state that the Bishop of Labuan has not yet tendered his resignation, and consequently that the announcement as to his suc- cessor having been appointed is unfounded. The France announces that pirates have appeared in the Cyclades, and that the news of their presence having reached Smyrna had led to the departure of the French steam despatch boat Forbin for the spot. The Times' City Article says it is estimated that during the two days preceding the Budget about £300,000 or £400,000 was paid into the Bank on account of tea and other produce, in expectation of some in- crease in the duty. TJ The Brussels journals announce that Mr. Henry Klehard, secretary of the Peace Society of London, hooper, one of its members, have arrived the Bel gian capitals to organise a peace congress ere in September nest. cioiPi R°BERT NAPIER.-The Queen has been gra- y Phased to srive orders for the appointment of be a at General Sir R. Napier, K.C.B. G.C.S.I. to kni t, 0rdiaary member of the military division of gats grand cross of the order of the Bath. Vesey-street, in New York, is the great tea centre that city; one establishment there employs 50 400 agents, and sells oftentimes 10,0001bs. of ea m a day. When the Pacific railroad is finished tea will reach New York from China in thirty days. The Record is informed that the letter of invitation from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to Dr. Cullen to attend the great banquet given in honour of the Prince of Wales, was, by Mr. Disraeli's desire, ad- dressed To his excellency the Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin." On Monday afternoon the news of the termination of the war with King Theodore was celebrated by the firing of the park and Tower guns. Thousands flock- ed to each place, but the greatest order prevailed, and at the end of the firing the spectators cried "God save the Queen." A writ of error has been lodged, under fiat of the Attorney-General for Ireland, in the House of Lords, in the case of Denis Dowling Mulcahy, a Fenian, found guilty of treason-felony in 1867. It alleges in- formalities in the swearing of the grand and petit juries. The decision will affect other Fenian trials. In consequence of the death of the Bishop of Here- ford, Bishop Selwyn becomes entitled to aseatin the •House of Lords as a spiritual peer. The new Bishop or Hereford will not be entitled to have a seat in the House of Lords until a vacancy arises in another diocese than Canterbury, York, London, Durham, or Winchester. The Times' City Article says advioes from the Western States of America report tavourably with regard to agricultural prospects. There appears to have been a large increase in the amount of land sown with wheat last autumn, and according to the Cincinnati price current all agree that the probabili- ties of a good crop are unusually strong. The Queen walked in the grounds at Osborne, on Monday morning, accompanied by Princess Chris- tian. Prince Leopold and Princess Beatrice alsa Went out. Prince Albert Victor, Prince George, and Princess Louise of Wales left Osborne on Monday for Marlborough House, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Grey. Sir Stafford Northcote has left Osborne. The Journal du Havre says :-The American ship Mercnrv, known as the fastest sailer that visits this Port, has just accomplished the quickest passage ever Blade bv a sailing vessel between America and Europ3 She left New York on the evening of April 9, and ar- rived at Havre on the morning of the 22nd, the pas- sage thus occupying some hours over twelve days. DREADFUL DEATH OF A RAILWAY POINTSMAN.— On Tuesday morning, a pointsman, named Robert Ball, who was employed at the Lancashire and York- shire Railway station, Great Howard-street, Liver- pool, was in the act of signalling a pilot engine, when a passenger train advanced from the opposite direc- tion ran over the poor fellow, and crushed him to death. THE JAMAICA COMMITTEE AND MR. EYRE.—Mr. Eyre, lateGovernor of Jamaica, states in a letter to the papers, that there has never been any attempt at con- cealment of his address or that there is no truth in the recent statement of Sir R. Collier, at Bow-street Police court, that proceedings had been delayed for about two years because Mr. Eyre was not within the jurisdiction. A communication from Madrid states that Mar- shal Narvaez lost his life through an act of impru- dence. He was recovering from a very severe attack of influenza, and still had a distressing cough, when he went to a fete given by one of the grandees. The heat in the room was suffooating, and the marshal took an ice, which made him so ill that he had im- mediately to return home. An inflammation of the chest set in and carried him off with extraordinary rapidity. A WOMAN KILLED AT MANCHESTER.—On Monday evening, a woman named Margaret Warburton, a factory operative, living in Shepley-street, London Road, Manchester, was struck by her husband during a quarrel, and, the single blow taking effect under the ear the result was her instant death. The deceased never moved after falling beneath the blow. She was taken to the Infirmary, but life was found to be extinct. There is no doubt that the death was the consequence of the blow, and the husband was im- mediately apprehended, and lodged in the Fairfield- street police-station. MR. HUGHES, M.P., AND HIS NEXT ELECTION EX- PENSES.—Mr. Thomas Hughes has announced his in- teution of putting the political virtue of his consti- tuents to a rigorous test at the next general election. The entire cost of the former contest was jEl,100 and. as Mr. Hughes justly says, it is probable that no metropolitan borough was ever won so cheaply be- fore. But a result which would have been highly satisfactory to most representatives of the people is no' pr. isfactory to Mr. Hughes. Ho declares that he cannot afford to pay even £ 1,100 for his seat again, and therefore that he intends to do without commit- tee-rooms, public-houses, and all the rest of the stock election machinery. BILLS OF EXCHANGE.—The Marquis of Clanricade has a bill before the House of Lords proposing to enact that the authority to any party to sign the name of another person, either as drawer, acceptor, maker, or endorser, on any bill of exchange or promissory note to be made after this year shall be in writing and signed by the person to be hereby (thereby) made chargeable and no signature to anysuch bill or note by any party so authorised shall be sufficient to bind or charge such person unless the words "per pro- curation," or the letters "P. P." or other contraction signifying the same, be added to such signature, or otherwise appear on such bill or note plainly appli- cable thereto. A curious attempt is made to secure perspicuity by designating the principal a "person" and the agent a party." THE RoY AT, VISIT TO MAYNOOTH COLLEGE.—Dr. Russell, president of Maynooth College, has received the following reply from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to the address from Maynooth Col- lege :—"Dublin Castle, 24th April, 1869.—Sir William Knollys is desired by the Prince of Wales to thank the president, masters, professors, and students of the College of St. Patrick's, Maynooth, for their address, and for their welcome on his visiting them. The literary and scientific institutions of Ireland must ever be an object of sincere interest to him and it is with feelings of great satisfaction that he has avail- ed himself of an opportunity of making himself better acquainted with one of so great importance as the College of St. Patrick's, Maynooth. Sir W. Knollys is further directed to convey the cordial acknowledg- ments of the Princess of Wales for the kind senti- ments towards Her Royal Highness expresepd inthie Address," A sporting contemporary states that the Marquis of Hastings, in consequence of having been unable to nay the bets lost, by him last year, has been warned Oy two of the leading book-makers not to appear in 'he bettIng, rmK. FEARFUL RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN AMERICA.—A disaster occurred on the Erie Railroad, near Port Jervis, on the morning of the 15th instant, by which 22 persons are known to have been killed, and a large number badly injured, some of them fatally. At three o'clock, the last four cars of the through train, from Buffalo and Dunkirk for New York, were thrown off the track, and rolled down an embankment oO feet high. The rear car was a sleeping car, and this one caught fire, and several persons, of whom nothing is known, are supposed to have been consumed with it. The accident is said to have been caused by a broken rail, and it is stated that the train was running too fast over a road in such unsafe condition. LOTTERY PRIZES.—The Gazetta di Milan says — Last week an individual went to a lottery office in Bergamo and dictated four numbers, which he divid- ed into ambetern, and quatern, but putting most on the latter, so that if the four numbers were drawn he would gain 97,000f. with the payment of simply 2f. 10c. On the eve of the drawing he returned, and told the clerk that, having reflected, he found he wanted a sum exceeding 100,000f. Consequently he placed another 20c. on the quatern if successful, he would receive an additional 12,000f. Fate smiled on this lucky mortal. The four numbers selected did actually appear, and he has thus gained the bagatelle of 109,000f. Strange as the statement may seem, it is absolutely true. MURDER BY A LUNATIC.—A shocking murder has just been prepetrated at Larny, a hamlet close to Lyons. Two days back the inhabitants were surprised to see one of their neighbours, named Claustres, a farmer, promenading the streets covered with blood, and shouting out that he had just killed his wife "for the greater glory of God He added that he had been sent on earth for the salvation of sinners." On the neighbours going to the house, they found the wife lying in a pool of blood with her head split open and nearly severed from her body by blows of a hatchet, which was by her side. The man was arrested but there seems to be no doubt that he is in a state of mental alienation. After a severe illness some time since he evinced unmistakeable signs of hallucina- tion, and was confined in an asylum. After a few months, having become apparently more reasonable, he was allowed to leave, and he returned home, but had always remained morose and unsociable. Noth- ing however, had indicated that his mania was homi- cidal. LIFE IN TEXAS.-In the village of Henderson I was introduced to a buxom school girl of fourteen vears who possessed the following names :—Dionysia Boadicea Jeffalinda Jacobing Christiana Buckiana Caledonia Susannah Emily Wyatt Wilkinson Moor Wynne. This young lady is a cousin of a young man of that village who, in this short span of his life of twenty-two, has done and has sufferod the following things :-He has had over a hundred personal en- counters has shot mortally three men not mortally eight; is now resting under seven bail bonds; has been through the war from the very beginning married, buried an infant daughter, and separated from his wife, who is now going to school; and is now living on his father's substance, in possession of a pair of fine boots, a spavined horse, a Mexican saddle, a silver watch, three revolvers and a Derringer, and one dollar in specie. All this he told me himself, and with much apparent satisfaction. He expects to attend the Waco races, but does not expect to lay heavy wagers.-Letter to Cincinnati Commercial. ADMIRAL FARRAGUT IN MALTA.—A Malta letter of the 16th says:—"The principal tapic engaging public attention here just now is the visit of the dis- tinguished American admiral, Farragut, who arrived in Malta on Sunday last in the frigate Frank lin, from Syracuse, accompanied by the corvette Ticon- deroga. On Tuesday last a grand dinner was given by His Excellency the Governor, at the palace, and in the evening Lady Giant held a reception in honour of Admiral Farragut. Admiral Lord Clarence Paget gave a dinner to the gallant officer yesterday even- ing, and later Lady Paget was At home.' Invita- tions have been issued by the officers of the Malta garrison and the British squadron serving in the Mediterranean, for a ball to be given to-morrow night at the Auberge de Provence to meet Admiral Farra- gut and the omcers of the United States squadron. A naval review was held yesterday morning on the parade ground at Floriana, in honour of the A merican admiral, and in the afternoon all the disposable troops in garrison were reviewed by His Excellency the Lieutenant General commanding. THE POPE. — We learn from a correspondent at Rome that the Pope has lately given several general audiences to foreigners, receiving a thousand and even fifteen hundred at a time. He has also deliver- ed several discourses, two of which contained politi- cal allusions. In the first, he spoke of the evils in- flicted on the Church by certain rulers, the Herods and Pilates of the day, whi Ie the tendency of events was to expand and magnify the Holy Seo, bringing all men and all countries round the tomb of St Peter In the second discourse the Holy Father distressed his audience by his melancholy presentiments, and by reminding them that as David, though attended by a band of faithful and devoted friends, could not be saved from exile and the life of a fugitive, so the affection borne to himself by a few faithful Catholics could not preserve him from the trials which Heaven had still in store for him. This mysterious language was thought to have been inspired by unfavourable communications from foreign Governments. It is said that a message from Paris ad vices the immediate armament of the fortifications of Rome, and autho- rises the transport of eighty pieces of French ar- tillery from Civita Vecchia, should the guns in Rome be inadequate for the purpose.-Pall Mall Gazette. WALTZ BY H.R.H. PRINCE ALFRED.—We have received from Messrs. Anderson and Son a copy of a waltz composed by his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and performed in Sydney for the first time by Mr. Alfred Anderson, at his concert at the. Masonic Hall. It is almost impossible his Royal Highness should not be a musician in soul, if it be true that mental peculiarities are often inherited. The life of the late Prince Consort, written by her Majesty, reveals no characteristic of Prince Albert's domestic life more pleasing than his love of music he was not only an executant, but beguiled a portion of his leisure in composing and it is gratifying to think our Royal visitor is not insensible to the charms of the lyre. It would be bad taste to enter into a critical analysis of the waltz. Fulsome praise must be dis- tasteful to one who has been saturated with it-nol perhaps was this composition intended to go beyond the immediate circle in which his Royal Highness moves. We may, however, venture to say that it is very melodious, and easy of performance and his Royal Highness having honoured the colony by granting his permission to its publication, has given the people a souvenir of his visit in one of ths most agreeable shapes.-Sydney Morning Herald, Feb. 22. THE LIBEL ON MR. WATKIN, M.P.-In the Court of Queen's Bench, on Tuesday, a demurrer to a plea was made in the case of Watkin v. Hall. The plain- tiff, who is M.P. for Stockport, and is the chairman of the South-Eastern Railway Co., of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway, and of the Grand lrunk of Canada Railway Company, commenced an action against the defendant for libel in having ut- tered, in the presence of certain brokers, the follow- ing words You have heard what has caused the fall-1 mean the rumour about the chairman of the South-Eastern Railway having failed/' and the defen- dant pleaded a justification to the declaration to the effect that a rumour was current on the Stock Ex- change that the chairman of the South-Eastern Rail- way had failed. Mr. Beasley appeared in support; of the demurrer, and contended that the plea was bad. The plaintiff did not impute that the defendant had invented the libel; but contended that he was equally liable for having repeated the rumour as if he had invented it. On the part of the defendant, Mr. Hall contended that if the defendant merely repeated what he had heard, that would be a good defence to the action. Mr. Justice Blackburn gave judgment in favour of the plaintiff. Mr. Justice Lush was of the same opinion. Judgment for the plaintiff accord- ingly. THE MURDER OF MR. FEATHERSTONHAUGH.—A correspondent of the Irish Times, writing of the three men arrested on the charge of being concerned in the murder of Mr. Featherstonhaugh, says :—"Their names are Corcoran, Dunne, and Mitchell. Dunne and Corcoran are tenants on the estate of the late Mr. Featherstonhaugh, and Mitchell is the servant of a farmer, named Reilly, who lives near Corcoran. 1 hey are all young men, and Mitchell, "whose passage was paid to America about a fortnight before the murder intended to go thither a day or two after he was arrested. Corcoran is a man of comfortable circumstances, has several cows, and keeps a jaunting car. Dunne is also tolerably well-to-do, and they are both amongst the tenants whose rents the late Mr. eatnerstonhaugh sought to raise, and they were both in with him on the Monday before his death, and tendered the rent, which he refused to take. 1 hey returned with the money in their pockets, and both drove on Corcoran's car to a village, named lteharney, three or four miles from this, and they drank some strong drink. When returning home they met Mitchell, and took him up on the car, and drove across to Kinnegad, four or five miles from their homes, and had some drink in two or three public-houses there; and every where they went they stated, in exaggerated terms no doubt, the alleged cruel conduct of their landlord." A reward of £ 2,000 subscribed by the magistrates and landed proprietors' of the district, is offered for the apprehension of the figtual murderer. ——- There are seven hundred race-horses now hie at Newmarket. We are happy to announce that the Marquis of Westminsier has sent to the royal Hospital for In- durables at Putney-heath the handsome contTibution )f £ 1,000. We learn that this is the third gift of the same amount made by his Lordship to ftns valuable institution.—Times. AN IRISH RESIDENCE FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES. —A Dnblin contemporary says it is rumoured that inquiries have been made as to the probable cost of renovating, enlarging', and decorating the mansion of Castleton, near Celbridge, as a royal residence in Ireland. The Prince drove through the picturesque I demesne lands on his return from Carton, the seat of the Duke of Leinster. EXTRAORDINARY ENCOUNTER WITH A SALMON.— The Field prints the following letter from Peter M'Pherson, the keeper of Mr. M. T. Bass, M.P., at Glen Tulchan, on the Spey :—"On the 11th inst. the Hon. Major Anson, with Sandy Grant, having been out fishing, were to be home to dinner at eight o clock. I looked out every way, and could not get any trace of them. I then started in search, and at about ten o'clock found them at Spenack, hooked in a monster of a salmon, and they told me they had had him on for four hours. The night being pitch dark, we had to get lights, never doubting that we should have him landed in a few minutes. Sandy got a torch of straw, and went in the river to gaffhim. Up he went j ilp the stream of Spenack at the rate of no allow- ance. The fish left Sandy far behind, and bolted down again. We then had to get a light on the South side of the Spey. We then went after him with n. boat, when the people of the glen, seeing the lights, got alarmed; and Sandy's wife and sister, thinking he had been drowned, made for the scene of action, and, finding all hands at work, went home again, in the hope that the salmon would be landed soon. But the monster began to make hard for life. We had to cross the river more than a dozen times as hard as we could row. One of these times the line got round me and the oar, and got twisted ronnd the rod. The major thought all was up, and said he was gone, when I called out to him he was still on. The salmon continued to fight till it was after six o'clock in the morning, when the fish was giving way a little. I then got within a foot of him with the gaff. They might think I ought to have clipped him then, but I durst not run the risk, when he rushed like a stroke of light across the river, and the fly came out of him, to the mortification of everyone. The major played this bard-mouthed creature for twelve hours, and in places where few men could have stood." THE AVENGER OF NELSON.—Another of the vete- rans of Trafalgar has been taken from us. Comman- der John Pollard, R. N., died on the 23rd inst., after a long and severe illness, at his residence in Green- wich Hospital. Our readers will like to hear some- thing of the services of this interesting, though neg- lected old officer, who was born on the 27th of July, 1787, and entered the navy on the 1st of November 1797, as first-class volunteer on board the Hawick, 16, in which sloop, after having chased a large con- voy and three armed vessels under the batteries of St. Malo, and been for some time warmly engaged with the enemy, he was wrecked on the 9th November 1800, at St. Aubin's Bay, Jersey. He next served in the Cambridge, 74; Hercules, 74 Culloden, 74 and Canopus, 80; and thence was transferred to the Vic- tory, 100, bearing the flag of Lord Nelson. On the return of the fleet from its pursuit of the combined fleets to the West Indies, Mr. Pollard was afforded as signal midshipman, an opportunity of participa- ting in the action off Cape Trafalgar. On that occa- sion, while standing on the poop, he was struck by a splinter on the right arm, and chanced to be the first officer who was there hit. A musket ball next pas- sed through the shell of his spy-glass above his hand and a second one shattered the watch in his pocket' Some time after the Victory had been in action with the FreDch /4-gun Redoubtable, the officers and men around him beginning to fall fast, the attention of Mr. I ollard was arrested oy a number of riflemen crouch- ing at the top of the Redoubtable, and directing a de- structive fire on the poop and quarter deck of the Vic- tory. He immediately seized a mnsket, and, being supplied by the signal-quartermaster with ammuni- non Jeit by the Marines (who from being picked offso fearfully were ordered by Nelson from the poop to the starboard gangway), continuing firing at the men in the enemy's tops till not one was to be seen. in the act of handing the last parcel of ball cartridges the quartermaster was killed on the spot, leaving Mr. Pollard when the action terminated the only officer alive of those who had been originally sta- tioned on the poop, and thus originated the belief that it was he who gave the fatal blow to the man who shot Lord Nelson, and this fact was shortly after the action confirmed by his Captain, Sir T. Hardy, who sent for him into the ward-room and in presence of the officers, congratulated him upon having avenged the death of their immortal chief. On leaving the Victory the following month he served successively in the Queen, 98, Dreadnought, 98, and Hibernia, 110, bearing the respective flags of Lords Collingwood^ Northesk, and St. Vincent, and was made lieutenant November 14th, 1806, and continued serving, with only an intermission of 16 months, until 1814, during which time he saw much war service, and was en- gaged in many cutting out expeditions, until Septem- her of that year, when he had to return home sick, and, notwithstanding such distinguished services, as we have narrated, Mr. Pollard was allowed to remain unrewarded, and shelved upon half-pay till 1828, when he was appointed for three years, still a lieutenant, to the Ordinary, at Sheerness. From 1836 to 1858 he served in the Coastguard, and in the latter year, as a tardy recognition of his very long services both in war and in peace was, as a lieutenant, appointed to Greenwich Hos- pital. It is hard to conceive how an officer who stood such a murderous fire on the poop of the Victory at Trafalgar, and who if the event happened in_ these days, would have been thought worthy of the Victoria Cross, or, at least, rapid advancement till he attained his flag, should have been permitted to pine away in the same rank whichhe held the year afterthe action, with the exception of the merely nominal title of "retired commander." SERIOUS COIXTERY ACCIDENT NEAR BARNST EY. -About half-past ten o'clock on Saturday morning, the greatest excitement prevailed in the lower part of Barnsley, owing to a rumour, which spread about like wildfire, that the Mount Osborne Colliery had "fired." From Wilson's-piece, New-street, and t11e district between those places and Worsbro' Common, soon a stream of women, children, and not a few men rushed to the colliery in a highly excited state, most of them having relatives working in the pit. On arriving at the pit their fears were far from being allayed, for on the top were a number of boys who had just been drawn up half naked, with only their trousers and shoes on, and all of them labouring under a good deal of excitement. Quickly the cage was drawn up a second time, crowded with its living freight-literally packed, the little boys crouching between the legs of the men. As the men came up, Mr. Day, the proprietor, who chanced to be near at hand, inquired as to the cause of the rush to get out, and his mind must have been much relieved when he was informed that there had been no explosion, but a very extensive fall of roofin some old workings, bringing down some little gas and diverting the air- courses. It may be stated that the Mount Osborne is one of the largest collieries in the district, and has communication with two other pits, the Agnes Main and the Old Mill, in all of whichthere are about 500 men and boys employed. The first intimation given of anything being wrong was on the drawing up of the cage, when, on its getting about forty or fifty yards from the pit top, those in it, who were all boys, cried out imploringly to be drawn up quickly as the pit had fired," the ordinary term for an ex- plosion. Believing that such was the case orders. were given for the men at the other pits to come out, which was at once done. The man who came out of the Mount Osborne stated that the fall had taken place at a distance of about 1,200 yards from the bot- tom on the south side of the north incline, and caused such a concussion that many of them whilst at work were thrown back several yards, whilst others were struck with pieces of coal, &c. Many of them felt that peculiar sensation, too often the precursor of an explosion, termed "the suck;" whilst those at a distance from the "break" where the fall took place, were only made acquainted with what had occurred by the men going out. The boys at the bottom in charge of doors, and horses, and some of them work- ing as the hurriers, were, as before stated, the first 1 alarmed, and they left horses and corves where they 1 chanced to be, ran to the bottom, and on coming up many of them were in a perspiration from the fright which they had received. They were helped out of I the cage by Mr. Day and others, as the desire to stop on the pit bank was intense, and evidently the only place of safety in their minds, so that they ran some danger by pumping out. On the news reaching the Agnes Main, the whole of the men and boys got out, and there being no descent-drift in the pit the cupola fire was at once pulled out. Some idea may be formed of the immense quantity of roof which fell, when it is stated that it was upwards of sixty yards long, forty yards in width, and about 4J^ feet thick. The accident, which fortunately was unattended by injury to any one, affords another illustration of the value of the Stephenson lamp, and the necessity for having every one in use in a thoroughly efficient state. It is just probable that although there was no great accumulation of gas, that had there been a naked light, with a defective lamp, a serious explo- sion would have taken place. Work for the day, it is needless to state, was over, and a feeling of thank- fulness pervaded all classes in the town, on its being made known that no explosion had taken idlaqe. and that no perso had sustained any injury. I x 110 ..LJ'L.JI"V UOIUJI^ ILCLO LUITLT/U WILL uau. \Jl four vessels arrived, on'y two have rot fish Alexan- der, 11,500 River Tay, 8,000. The Rev. Dr. M'Leod, of Birkenhead, has given ro ije of his intention to move, at the approaching syiiod of the United Presbyterian Church in Edin- burgh, that one of the two secretaryships of the Churjh, either home or foreign, be thrown open to laymen. The superannuations granted ns ret^ringallowances or superannuations in tue public uince-* of the State laring last year amounted to £ j1,588 for compensa- tion, a id E43,669 for superannuations. The total am iunt under both heads that remained payable on the 31 st of last December was £ 877,641. THE SNIDER RIFLE.—The late issue of cartridges for the Snider rifle has turned out to be unfit for use. ft e Guards at'Aldershott have had some accidents wi'h it, and are, in consequence, unable to procecd regularly with their course of musketry instruction and we believe it is a fact that at the present moment oeautiful a weapon as it is, we have lirtle or no am- munition with which to render its beauties available. —Armv and Navu Gaze,te. Letters from Algeria state that troops have been detached to various points of the province of Algiers to protect the crops of the French colonists against the depredations of the serving Arab tribes. But bitter complaints are made that the military cannot go out of their own zone, and have no right to fol- low stolen grain, fruits, and vegetables which the Arhbs may succeed in making off wjth and carrying to their own gourbis. The opinion among all the colonists is rapidly gaining ground that the system of separate "zones" devised by the Emperor after a hurried run through the colony has proved an utler failure, is the principal cause of the present un- paralleled distress, and must be speedily done away with unless Algeria is to be ruined.-Pl,wis Corres- pondent of the Daily News. COURT-MARTIAL JUSTICE.—A strange case has occurred in the 16th Regiment, now stationed at Montreal. A short time after Christmas a soldier named Homewood loaded his rifle and fired at a comrade named Stiean, as he lay in bed, intending without doubt, to kill him but in this he was not successful, as the ball only penetrated the fleshy part of the thigh. Homewood was tried by court- martial and sentenced to penal servitude for the term of his natural life. The proceedings of the court were sent home for confirmation, when to the sur- prise of the whole garrison, Homewood was ordered to be released and to return to his duty. The man is now doing duty with his former comrades, com- rades no longer, for he is shunned by every one. Would it not be a mercy to discharge him ? It is to be presumed that the sentence was nullified in con- sequence of an informality.—United Service Gazetle. THE INCOME TAX.-The income-tax collected from the general public under Schedule D next October will be at the rate of sixpence in the pound; or in other words, the ordinary tax-payer will feel no dif- ference between the sum he is paying this present April and t_ie impost proposed on Thursday nightbv the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The course con- denlued by Mr. Ward Hunt of making the whole of an extra income tax payable in a single half of the year, wa.s necessarily pursued with respect to the Abyssinian penny, which thus became a virtnal twopence, and raised the income tax being collected now from 4d. to 6d. in the pound. The twoponce Mr Hunt proposes to add is to date from the 5th of this month until the 5th of April, 1FG9 and its collection will commence next October, and extend over the period between then and the June—or, in case of ar- rears, the October following. This rule applies to the great body of payers of the income-tax, but fund- holders, officials, and others feel the effect of an alteration at once, and are mulct or relieved the first time they receive their income after the rate has been increased or reduced. But the broad effect is that the^l,4o0,000 whjch is gained in round numbers bv tl'e onft°K °/a p?^.n7 111 tlle income-tax, becomes £ 2,900,000 by the addition of twopence and that one moiety of this— £ 1,800,000—becomes payable in the current financial year, the other moiety— £ 1 100,000 —payable m the financial year following. But'the point interesting to the payers of income-tax, the trades, professions, and occupiers is, that the rate they have paid or are paying this month is the one they will be called on to pay for many months to come; and that the present demand of the collector is a sample of the demands to come from him during the same time.—Express. SIR R. PEEL, M.P., AND THE INCUBATLVG SWAN. —An amnsing case was tried on Friday, in the Tam- worthCounty Court, before Mr. R. G. Welford, in which Sir Robert Peel brought an action of ejectment against a person named John Francis Woody. Mr. ELawkes appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. T. Argy!e for the defendant. The defendant had rented a piece of ground known as the Horse Fair Green, adjoining the Tame, and also a small islet in the river, known as the Round Island. This ground was recently sold to Sir Robert Peel, whose agent,Mr. John Carmichael, on the 17th of September last, gave Mr. Woodv notice to quit on the 25th of March. When this date ex- pired a messenger was sent to Mr. Woody to take pos- session of the Round Island, but Mr. Woo Jy set this messenger at defiance, and said he would not quit the islaud for anyone. The defence to the action was that Mr. John Francis Woody, the defendant, was only a lodger with his brother, Robert Ischam Woody, to whom the notice to quit should have been sent; and from the evidence adduced there seemed to be no doubt as to which of the two brothers was the real occupier of the island. Mr. Argyle said, now that lie was satisfied he had the law on his side, he would make a proposition which might be acceptable to Sir Robert Peel. The fact was that just at this moment Mr. Woody's swan was in an interesting condition. (Much laughter.) His Honour What is that ?—Mr. Argyle I say that Mr. Woody's swan is In a very interesting situation—(renewed laugh- ter)—and if Sir Robert Peel will allow this swan to finish her incubation, I promise that then he shall have possession of this island. (Great laughter.) -The Judge I think that would make a happy ter- mination to the case.—Mr. Argyle: Yes, and we might have a pleasant pic-nic upon the island. (Laughter.) --Mr. Hawkes When does the swan expect to sit ? (Roars of laughter.)—Mr. Argyle I don't know that. —Mr. Hawkes Well, say that we have judgment for possession in a month.—Mr. Argyle No, 1 object to judgment being given in the case.—His Honour Per haps the better way will be to adjourn the case, so as to allow the lady swan to be confined—(great laughter)—on the understanding that then the island will be given up. (Renewed laughter.)—This was agreed to, and the case was accordingly adjourned. FATAL PANIC IN A ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CHICAGO.—While our community is yet thrilled by the still fresh accounts of appalling disaster and loss of life by the burning of the steamer Sea Bird, another frightful casualty has burst onus in the cala- mity of last evening at the Roman Catholic Cathe- dral, St. Mary's, on the corner of Wabash-avenue and Madison-street, where the impressive and solemn evening service of Good Friday had called together an immense concourse of worshippers. The great interior was olosely packed, both pews and aisles, below and above, being filled with the throng, which extended out into the vestibule. The cathedral is one of the oldest and largest houses of worship in the city. By an extension of the front of the cathedral, completed a few months since, the space between the massive pillars had been walled up with a new front, enlarging the interior and making what was formerly the porch into a vestibule, as shown into this the doors from the main audience room open- ing, aud on either side, directly opposite the outer doors, flights of stairs descending directly from the immense galleries. The church thus packed with its worshipping throng, a sharp crack and sinking of the floors startled every ear. Several cries of "Fire" were heard, aud in an ius' aut all were in motion and lushing for the doors,, the panic being heightened by the crash of one or two broken benches, as the seats gave way before the rushing throng. The wildest con- tusion prevailed, but most portions of the house were sleared without difficulty, save at the foot of the gal- lery stairs at the south end of the vestibule, where, unfortunately, the double doors opening inward, one of them, that nearest the wall, WLS shut and held fast by the sruggling and frantic crowd pouring down the stairs. In an instant those on the floor and those pressed against the door were overwhelmed with the throng behind, shrieking, praying, frantically pour- ing down to the destruction of the unfortunate suf- Ferers beneath. Save in this part of the church the panic seems to have been very brief. Several of the ulergy and others in the audience preserved their pre- sence of mind,and put forth prompt exertions of voice and action to allay the excitement, but this could not in any way avail in that part of the edifice where already an extreme anguish and frantic terror had created new reasons for panic. Meanwhile, outside the church, on the first cry of Fire," an alarm had been sounded from the adjoining fire-alarm box, and this signal from the Twelfth fire district caused a I rapid assemblage of the Fire Department, and a large concourse of citizens, among whom for a brief period the utmost alarm and excitement prevailed. Seve- ral members of the police were rapidly on the spot, md lent their exertions to restore order and aid in She rescue. The corner of the vestibule presented a 'rightfully heaped mass of struggling and perishing liu inanity. One by one these were removed, the aodies of the dead and severely wounded being taken ,o the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, next adjoin- ng or; t!i3 south. Three lifeless bodies of females ivere borne thither, and several are believed to be fatally wounded. The very many less severely hurt ivere taken immediately home to their friends.-From Its Chicago Republican, April 11. THE SUEZ CANAL.—The Poll Mall Gazette savs We have just received some de'ails as to the recent progress of the Suez Canal works. It appears that in the month ending March 15, the total extraction of earth amounted to 1,554,630 cubic metres, as com- pared with 1,466,428 cubic metres in the month end- ing February 15, and 1,130,3S6 cubic metres in the month ending January 15. The quantity of earth re- maining to be extracted at March 15, 1868, was esti- mated at 36,005,131 cubic metres. It is now calcula- fed by the believers in the enterprise that the canal will be finished by the close of 1869." A Cc.STLY PRESENT.—The Tnrin municipality pre- sented to the Princess Margaret, on her marriage, a costly casket in solid gold, and which is also a beauti- ful object of art, in the Italian style of the 16th cen- tury. It is thickly encrusted with Oriental lapis- lazuli and precious stones. On the lid are the arms of the city of Turin, under which are engraved the words—"Be fortunate and dear to the country 1" On the reverse, in raised enamel, is inscribed—"Your native citv, the 22nd of April, 1868, a day of public rejoicing." The weight of gold of the finest quality j used in this splendid gift is something extraordinary, even in these princely presents. The Moniteur says that it weighs 14 kilogrammes (over 311b.), and the rubies, pearls, and other gems number 2246. The gift of the ladies of Turin consists of a fan in gold, set with diamonds. It is some time since the King of Italy distributed amongst the libraries of Naples the precious collec- tion of books in the palace, with the exception of a thousand or so which were reserved for the use of the royal family. This gift, of the greatest advan- tage to the student, was completed by a very pre- cious collection of engravings, known by the name of "Raccolte Firmiana" and composed of many thousands of works by the most celebrated artists in that genre, and given to the National Museum. A yet more precious gift has now been made of the "Docu- menti Farnesiani," existing in the palace to the number of several thousands. This collection—so important for the history not only of Italy but of all Europe — has just been deposited in the Grand Archives of Naples; that is to say, up to the pre- sent time about 200 or more volumes of these inedi- ted documents have been already consigned, and by degrees the rest will all be given up. Amongst the letters of illustrious characters of various ages there are some, it is said, of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, up to the present time unknown. It is to be hoped that these invaluable autographs will in the course of time be publib hed.-At hence um. A ROMANCE AND A TRAGEDY OF THE HAREM.— A correspondent at Alexandria writing on the 7th ult., alludes the circumstances mentioned in recent letters from Cairo, commonly referred to as the palace tragedies," which continue to form the chief local topic. What is current (he says) is that "the Viceroy, under a supposed apprehension of intended harm to him, inspired from a quarter so nearinrela. tionship to him as to have raised doubtwhether mental delusion in this respect may not have weakened re- sponsibility for what he did, introduced into the inner apartments of his palace four young officers for the purpose of keeping guard in an ante-chamber to an apartment in which he slept. Scandal reports that they soon turned their attention to pleasanter objects than the sleeping Pasha. The latter was led to suspect impropriety, and confirmed, by discovery, the truth of his suspicions. The officers, unnerved by his Highness's presence, were secured without re- sistance, and have been sent to the White Nile, or to the wretched unwholesome settlement ofFazoklv on the Blue Nile—with what injunctions as to their dis- posal, the person in charge of them probably alone known. This was, perhaps, a more prudent course than making an example of them on the spot, which his Highness might have thought likely to produce disaffection. The unfortunate though guilty com- panions of the officers were, however, beyond the in- fluence of outside sympathy, and are said to the num- ber of six to have suffered the last penalty for their infidelity one who had stood in a particular relation to the Pasha himself—the report goes — having met her fate at his own hands. There was yet another act in the fatal drama. At least three eunuchs are said to have also been disposed of-how, is not pre- cisely stated, but flogging till all suffering was past and then the inevitable river, are both mentioned." HORRIBLE CONFESSION OF A MURDERER.—Details are published in the Russian journals concerning the murner of the Gemarine family at Tamboff. The tutor named Gorski has confessed his guilt. He had gone, he says, to the residence of M. Gemarine on the 1st of March last to give a lesson to his son, but with- out any intention of committing a crime on that day. While he was thus occupied the father went out. Gorski then determined to take advantage of the opportunity. He bad carried a revolver and life pre- server about with him for a whole week. He at once struck his pupil over the head, and the latter dropped insensible to the ground. On seeing him fall Gorski was seized with remorse, and his first movement was to escape, but fearing to be discovered, he again beat the boy until life was extinct. There were three other persons in the house the mistress, the cook, and a man-servant. He first called the mother, saying that her son was bleeding at the nose, and when she entered the room he shot her dead with the pistol he next summoned the man into the dining room and killed him in the same manner; lastly be fired twice at the cook, wounding her each time, and on her attempting to escape be deprived her of life with blows of the life-preserver. He waited in the kitchen until the housekeeper returned, and on her arriving shot at her, but as the pistol did not go off, he killed her by a single blow with a log of wood. As the mechanism of the revolver had become disarranged, he went out to get the arm repaired, and on return- ing met the coachman and the nursemaid he might have killed them both, he said, but his hand refused to obey his will. He then suffered so much from remorse that he went home with the intention of committing suicide. He put the barrel of the pistol to his month, but the instinct of life was too strong, and he could not carry out his intention. Gorski admits that his object was to rob Gemarine. He is only ninteen years of age, but of a most energetic character. He belongs to a Catholic family, but declares that he has no religious belief. THE ASSASSINATION OF THE HON. D'ARCY M'GEE IN CANADA.—We are enabled to furnish particulars of the funeral of Mr. D'Arcy M'Gee, and of the exa- mination of his supposed murderer up to the 15th. It was understood that a message had been received from Queen Victoria, extending her sympathy to the widow of Mr M'Gee. The Canadian Government and the English Cabinet were said to be exchanging long cable dispatches concerning the events of the past and the possible events of the future. A quantity of correspondence with New York Fenians had been un- earthed, implicating a good many notables in that organisation. A plot has been discovered to blow up the Houses of Parliament by means of nitro-glycerine. It had produced the most intense excitement in every circle. Extreme vigilance was maintained by the military and civil authorities to prevent any outbreak. Three of the prisoners arrested have turned Queen's evidence against Whelan, whose guilt is almost con- clusivelv established. For years past he has openly avowed Fenian sentiments and hatred to M'Gee in Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, and at a later period in Hamilton, Ontario. Whelan's wife and some others have been arrested. The authorities are still very confident that in holding Wbelan they have the right man, but at the same time other clues are being dili- gently followed up. The funeral of the late Hon. D'Arcy M'Gee took place on the 31st inst. at Mon- treal. By nine o'clock fully sixty thousand specta- tors had assembled. The side walks and streets were crowded to suffocation, and the housetops, windows, and balconies were black with gazers. In the streets j through which the procession marched the houses were decorated with festoons of crape, and funeral arches were erected, on which mottoes and inscrip- tions were displayed. All the places of business and the public offices were closed that day. Flags everywhere were all half-masted. The procession left the house of the deceased at about half-past nine. In the procession were theMayor and mem- bers of the Corporation, members of the House of Assembly, Legislative Councillors, members of the Local Governments, of the House of Commons, Sena- tors, Foreign Consuls, the militia, officers of the army, Adjutant-General and_staff, Major-General Russell and staff, magistrates, judges, members of the Privy Council, the Chief Justice and Judges, representa- tives of Ontario, Quebec, and of the Governor-Gene- ral, Sir Charles Wyndham, K.C.B., and staff; clergy, bar, the notaries, medical profession, students of law, medicine, and Universities Professors of M'Gill Col- lege of Medicine Students in Artsi St. Jean Baptiste I Society, St. Patrick's Society, Irish Protestants' ] Benevolent Society, St. Patrick's Benevolent Society, St. Patrick's Temperance Society, St. George's So- ] ciety, English Working Men's Benefit Society, St. 1 Andrew's Society, St. Andrews's Society of Ottawa, < Caledonian Society, Thistle Society, German Society, t New England Societies, Literary Societies, Board of < Arts and Manufactures Benevolent Societies,Catholic J YoungMen's Societies, Temperance Societies, Work- t ing Men's Societies, United Protestant Working ( Men's Benefit Society. Among the distinguished] strangers present were General Averill, the Ameri- ] can Consul, all the Cabinet Ministers except Sir John 1 A. M'Donald and Rose, the Mayors of Ottawa and Quebec, and a large number of military officers. A telegram from Secretary Seward was read by General Averill, assuring him that the American Government t joined in the regret inspired by the death of Mr. <■ M'Gee, and earnestly hoped that the perpetrator of t the shocking and heinous crime might be brought to ( justice. The chief mourners were Colonel M'Gee, J of the Irish Brigade, Mrs. M'Gee, and her two little t girls, and James Sadlier, of New York. A yaet crowd t of citizens followed in the rear, t