ITEMS BY THE MAIL.

The State of South Carolina is again pfaotically in a state of war, owing to the political agitation within its borders. Ten Broeck, a famous American racer, ran four miles in the short time of 7min 15i8ecs, the fastest time ever made in the world. It has been officially announced at Berlin that the indemnity of 300,000f. paid by the Turkish Government to that of Germany on account of the Salonica outrage, has been handed over to Mrs Abbot, the widow of the German consul who was murdered. The monument to Karl Wilhelm, the composer of " Wacht am Rhein," at Schmalkalden, was unveiled on the 2nd September. 'Ihe name of Schneckenburger, the author of the words of the song, is also mentioned on the monument. The Admiralty has ordered three small steamers, to be known as " torpedo mooring vessels," to be built by private contract without delay. Their cost will be nearly £5000 each, and one will be appropriated to each of the principal naval ports of Great Britain to complete their system of torpedo defence. ihe late Queen Dowager Josephine, of Sweden, has left, it is said, some fifteen or twenty millions of Crowns (£840,000 or £1,120,000), and though large sums are bequeathed to charitable institutions founded by the late Queen herself, each of her hdfs will receive a considerable legacy. The Princess Royal of Denmark is one of the Queen Dowager's principal heirs. A telegram from Ispwich states that Mrs Elizabeth Abbot, who in early life waa (he friend an'l companion of Margaf et Catchpole, the heroine of Mr Cobbold's • well-knowji book, has ju9t died at the age of 105. Her family of two sous and three daughters are all alive, and the eldest is aged seventy-nine. Mrs Abbot possessed all her faculties until a year ago. i Hell -gate, an immense rock in New York Harbor, was blown up On Sunday, October 1. The whole arrangements were [ under the personal supervision ot General r Newton of the Engineer Corps. The charge was 50,0001 bs of dynamite, and the 1 explosion was a success, ft will shorten the steamer route from New York to Europe by 50 to 100 miles, according to thsir draught. The mine was started by electricity.