The Otagao Daily Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1876.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4563, 2 October 1876, Page 2

The Otagao Daily Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1876.

By an overwhelming majority the House of Representatives has resolved to do what is just and right, and has handed over the Wharves and Quays Reserves to the rightful owners. We do not suppose that there will be very many to be found in Otago who will not be pleased to see this result following the appeal to the Assembly. Immediately the appeal was made to a body beyond the reach of local prejudice, the result was tolerably certain. The Reserves will now vest in their proper owner, and the City Council will have to content themselves with the enjoyment of their own property, and succeed in getting along without that of other people. We are inclined to regard the spirited action of the Harbour Board with especial favour, because we have understood that there are other reserves in the same plight in which this Harbour Board Reserve was formerly, that is to say, over which the Corporation have a power as trustees, and nothing more. It is to be hoped that steps will speedily be taken to examine into the whole question of the reserves in the city that have been handed over to the Corporation on trust ; and now that it is understood that they have been endeavouring to secure the property in these Wharves and Quays Reserves instead of merely acting as trustees, the public will be careful nofc to go to sleep aboufc the ofcher reserves. As we all know that there have been vigorous efforts made to secure a proprietary right over the Town Belt, but it ia not commonly known that over this Town Belt there ia absolutely no power in New Zealand—no, not even the Assembly itself, still less the City Council of Dunedin—which has any right to interfere. We should like to see some of those members of the Council who do not want to lay hold of anything that is not rightfully City property, making a motion to have presented to the Council an exact list of the reserves over which the Council is at present exercising proprietary rights. The entire question of reserves wants looking up. We should not be surprised to learn that the Council is deriving revenues from other lands set apart originally for purposes of a definite cha-

racter, and that it might be^ompelled to disgorge them. The success of the Harbour Board ought to inspire those who have a special interest .in the other reserves with good hopes for the future. We do the citizens of Dunedin the justice to think that the over zealous members of the Council who endeavoured to act on the j " grab-all" principle were by no means interpreting their wishes. It would be more than we have a right to expect from human nature to suppose that the diminution of rates which must follow from the appropriation of all reserves into the city net was not very acceptable to ratepayers; but, at the same time, we do not think that, if it were shown that the appropriation was illegitimate, there are many who would desire to purchase immunity from rates, or to see the city in possession of increased funds derived from sources which they would be compelled to own were improper sources. We look forward with much interest to the suit about the misuse to which the Town Belt has been subjected, although we do not think that there can be two opinions ' \as to how that suit will terminate. We look on the majority of thirty-two in the Assembly against the improper appropriation of the Wharves and Quays Reserves as a very valuable testimony against the misappropriation of the reserves in question. The exMayor of Dunedin and those who have fought with him are probably much astonished at things going against them in this way, when the point was submitted to an impartial authority. We give them every credit for supposing they were right ; it is astonishing how interest will blind otherwise honest men. It is commonly supposed by many that a large constituency like that which the Corporation represents will look to results and be governed by success, and that they will not be too particular as to how the money is got, if it be got. Experience has often proved that though at the first blush the public may look rather to the question of laying hold of properties than to anything else, yet that in the long run honesty prevails, and anything like overbearing conduct, and business based only on hypothetic morality, give satisfaction to no one. After all, reserves, as is implied in the very name, do net belong1 to any one generation. They are a trust for unborn citizens, and the attempt to use them up and deal with them on any other than a far-seeing principle, deserves, and does usually receive, the reprobation of all business men. We have no wish afc all to cast a slur on the honesty of intention of those who have so determinedly set themselves to grasp the Wharves and Quays Reserves. They have, we are well assured, no private interests involved in the matter. All that we cliarge against them is an error in judgment. But errors of judgment of this very grave kind require to be dealt with after a stern fashion, and deserve no very mild treatment. As no man should be a judge in his own cause, ifc was fortunate that an independent body like the Assembly, existed, to whom the matter of the disposition of the Wharves and Quays Eeserves could be referred. We only regret that the stubbornness of those who would insist on attempting to plunder the Harbour Board should have entailed so considerable an expense on the city. Still we shall not think fche lesson a very expensive one if it teaches the members of the City Council the facfc that they are by no means omnipotent, bufc that they are liable to make mistakes, and to be called to account for them like other men.

The House of Representatives has been swarming round Mr Wakefield like so many bees in a hive. Although we regard the honorarium article as highly objectionable, and worthy of the censure that it must undoubtedly receive from all those not concerned, yet we take leave to doubt tlio advisability of making ifc a question of privilege. Everybody knows the Timaru Herald and its ways. The vulgar and offensive tone of its articles have become notorious throughout New Zealand long since. The Assembly would probably have consulted its own dignity more effectively if it had held its peace over this particular crime. Nothing is more certain than that, after a certain time, the movement of public opinion will affect an offender of this kind, and will inflict a more serious punishment on him than mere imprisonment until the end of the session. We shall not attempt to defend the article in question, which strayed far beyond the most elastic bounds of good taste, not to say decency. We had occasion not long since to comment on the prudery with which the Assembly had taken to regard anything like plain speech in its own halls. It is only necessary to read the article in question in the Timaru Herald to see at once how far it goes beyond the very worse of the hard words that have been used in the Houso during the session. The Assembly cannot at any rate be likened te the devil reproving sin. But the Timaru Herald's scandal is just another instance of what we lately said. The House of Representatives has poured out the vials of its wrath on Mr Pyke for using language which was in no true sense unparliamentary. To bring into play the terrors of Parliamentary censures for the use of tho word '' discreditable " (and this was, a3 any student of Hansard can see for himself, the whole of Mr Pyke's offence) is to weaken the force of the same weapon when it is applied to very much worse language. At thp same time we doubted the wisdom of making it a question of privilege, we doubted the wisdom of giving to the offender the benefit of notoriety which his soul undeniably craves. Mr Stafford's organ has acquired a character for the last few years which can only be rivalled in the lowest of tho organs of the States. Such importance as it possesses is solely derived from the fact that there are two members of the Assembly who are supposed to be intimately connected with the paper. This is probably the moving cause of much of the disturbance thafc has arisen in the House, and we have doubts as to whether this feeling is one that ought to be permitted to have any weight. The only punishment that can be meted out to the offender, now that the House has accepted Mr Wakefield's apology, is the punishment of exclusion from the society of gentlemen and a social ostracism, which to most persons in Mr Wakefield's position is harder than any direct punishment. It may be that he has been punished in this way long before this particular offence was committed. If so, his admission into decent society at any future period will now be rendered more difficult.

We cannot too strongly condemn the practice that seems to be gaining ground of permitting children of tender years to appear a3 principals in Police Courts in trumpery cases of assault. That little quarrels of the kind should receive so much public ventilation is not only ridiculous but humiliating, for, taken at first sight, the course pursued is suggestive of a decline in that high-spiritedness and instinctive shrinking from the con-

temptible for which "our boya" as a-rule ] are noted. Little urchins will fight and squabble over their tops and marbleß, and" boys of larger1 growth will quarrel; more seriously upon gravter subjects; but still they are boys, living in a world of their own, and generally are influenced by enough exclusiveneas to induce them to confine their little differences to their own circle. And, notwithstanding the few instances to the contrary that have come before the public of late, we are sure that boys have not ao seriously degenerated as to desire to depart from boyish practicea and ape the customs of their elders, who move in another sphere oi existence altogether. To foster and develop that bold boyish spirit for which the British youth, irrespective of class, has ever been remarkable, and which we are sure has suffered no deterioration, though its exportation to the Colonies should be one of the chief cares |of parents and teachers. One lesson for special inculcation is, quarrel as little as possible, and keep your quarrels to yourselves. There are few parents, we imagine, but would experience a feeling akin to humiliation if their sons ran whining to them with tales of every little quarrel with their fellows. Boys have their code of honour, and to abide by it is regarded as the correct thing. The writer of that admirable little work Tom Brown's School Days exactly gauges boyish proclivities, and exhibits a pattern of what boys should be. " Boys will be boys" is a world-wide aphorism, and one which we trust will ever maintain its significance. We can imagine nothing much mere contemptible than the converting boys into little complainants and defendants in a Police Court case. We say converting, for wo are very sure that boys would not appear so of their own accord, and therefore upon those who incite them to such a course must rest the obloquy of the transaction. The case which was heard at the Port Chalmers Court a few days ago is an extreme one in point, and proved a ludicrous exhibition. Both Court and Bar condemned the action as superfluous, and justly remarked that such a one should have been settled by the parents—an expression of opinion that we very heartily endorse. A great deal of influence rests with Magistrates, and to discourage such exhibitions would, we think, be no departure from the rule of the law, and at the same be decidedly beneficial to the rising generation.

Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs to us that the Harbour Billa will be pushed through on Monday (to-day). The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court -will commence this morning at ten o'clock, before His Honour Mr Justice Williams. There has been but one addition to the calendar during the past week — namely, the case of George Anderson, who has been committed for trial at Port Chalmers for larceny at Blueskin.

Mr Stout, M.H.R., proceeds to Wellington in the Lady Bird to-day for the purpose of attending bis duties in the General Assembly.

The births, deaths, and marriages registered in Dunedin during the past month numbered respectively 124, 54, and 29. The total number registered for the nine montha ending September 30th was as follows :•— Births, 1339 ; deaths, 471; marriages, 335. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co.'s annual walking show of entire horses will take place to-morrow forenoon at 11 o'clock. This show has, in years past, been very successful, being the occasion of bringing to. gether a considerable amount of draught and racing stock and numerous persons interested in horseflesh. No doubt this year there will be no exception to the rule. Vital statistics for the past quarter have been supplied us by Mr Monson, Registrar for the Port Chalmera district, and show there were <!!• births—l 4 males and 30 females ; 4 deaths—3 males and 1 female : 2 of the males dying violently, 1 from suffocation, the other through accidentally falling over a cliff. Three certificates of marriage were issued, one of the marriages having been civilly confirmed by the Registrar. The returns for the nine months ending September 30th are—Births, 127; deaths, —; marriages, 11—as against 90 births and 24 marriage certificates issued during the corresponding period last year.

A man named James Smith was received into the Dunodin Gaol on Saturday evening from Oamaru, where he had been sentenced to three calendar months' imprisonment, with hard labour, for stealing a watch and chain, together with a small sum of money, the property of Julia Paul. The prisoner is a native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and arrived in the Colony by the whaler Gazelle.

Of the thoroughbred stock brought by the ship Jessie Readman, the two surviving horses have been aent to Anderson's Bay to recruit before proceeding overland to Oamaru. The cow and the two heifers were sent to Oamaru by the Samson on Saturday. The cow wan in a very bad state, quite unable to stand. The rams are to be sent on to Oamara by the Samson to-morrow morning. Mr Thomson, the Government Sheep and Cattle Inspector, paid very close attention to the animals after they arrived. There was a fair muster of chessplayers at tha rooms on Saturday evening. The entries were to have closed then for the Scotch Gambit chess tourney for third and fourthclass players; but, although there were several entries, ifc waa thought sufficient notice had not been given, and it was resolved to keep the list open for another week. The Secretary of the Dunedin Chess Club reports, having received a communication from the President ef the Tokomairiro Chess Club to the effect that a meeting would be held to-morrow evening to select a number of players and make definite proposals for tho match with second-class players from Dunedin,

A special meeting of members of the Shearers' Union was held in the Scandinavian Hotel on Saturday evening, at which a large number were present. It was agreed that the standard price for shearing sheep be 20s per 100, as heretofore. During Divine service yesterday, the Rev, Dr Stuart announced that the new Knox Church was rapidly approaching completion, and would probably be opened in the early part of November. The acoustic properties of the new building have already been tried, and pronounced excellent. It may be mentioned that at least two of the Presbyterian congregations in Dunedin intend to take votes on the question of introducing instrumental music as an aid in the public services, and that they are almost unanimous in favour of the innovation.

At the regular service in the Queen's Theatre last evening, Mr Connell presided, and the addresses were .delivered by Mr Torrance and the Eev. Mr Russell, of Caversham. There was another crowded congregation.

We hear that the crew of the ship Thomasina M'Lellan were not on their best behaviour during the passage, and even broke oufc into open mutiny, which was with difficulty suppressed. Two of their number, named J. Cotter and Mealie were arrested and lodged in gaol at the Porfc yesterday, on the charge of broaching cargo, and ifc is pro* bable that some of the others will be alao brought to book for their bad conduct. The man Cotter was one of the few saved when the unfortunate )ship:.Cospatrick„was burnt at sea. The Sailor's Home contains at present 15 boarders. During August 35 entered, and 32 left. The average daily number was 15.

Qn Friday afternoon Sergt. M'Kay, Drill' Instructor, and Capt. Goldie and Lieufe Taylor, of the Port Chalmers Naval Brigade, visited several places about the shores of the harbour for the purpose of selecting a suit« able site for a heavy gun battery. Two gun* (long thirty-twos), belonging to the Brigade, have been lying for several months at the Graving Dock, and aro likely to be verymuch in the way there by-andbye. Moreover, to what purpose wore the guns senfc down, if they are not to be used, and they certainly cannot be used until properly mounted. The seekers did not find many available sites, but at last one was selected at Observation Point, just off the reclaimed, ground of the new pier. At present it is ahollow between the end of the pier and the Point, and before it can be utilised for thepurpose of a battery it must be filled up. We= hope that the representations that may be made by the Port Brigade for a site will be--favourably considered by the Government,

Amongst those of the Jessie Headman'simmigrants who went to Oamaru with thelast trip of the steamer Samson were several, quarrymen who had been trained in the* slate quarries of Ballachulish, Argyleshire. They have come out expressly, we understand, to work in the newly-opened slate quarries at Otepopo, and their.. experience can hardly fail in materially helping thei development of what must prove an important local industry.

There was a capital muster of tho Port; Chalmers Naval Brigade at the drill meeting, held on Friday evening. Fifty rank and file fell in, with officers in position and Captain:. Goldie in command. The men were putthrough company and battalion drill, and aoquitted themselves creditably, - and after* wards marched through the town. TheBrigade is paying close attention to drill preparatory to attending the Volunteer meeting, at Tokomairiro on the Prince of Wales'* - Birthday.

The French seem to be a long way aheadof the English in respect to methods of-im-parting geographical knowledge. Near, Pariea piece of ground several acres in extent i»laid off so as to represent the physical f<3t^ tures of the world. Several visits to thia-

interesting place by young people give them. a lasting impression of the appearance of ihecountries, seas, lakes, rivers, and mountainsof the earth, which less favoured .children-, cannot acquire by the best teaching frontgeography books. It is now- proposed to* lay off these world-gardens in other parts Of" France for educational purposes. Not content, however, with bestowing upon theirchildren as gcod a knowledge of geographyas can be acquired by those who cannot;leave their homes, the French are now pro- - posing a plan which will enable grown-up^ persons to perfect that knowledge in a prao* ticalway. "Soctet6 dcs Voyages d'etudesu Autour dv Monde" is the name of a companywhich is being formed in Paris under the* patronage of the Royal Geographical Societies of England and France, as well asof several other important Societies. Whilethe list of its promoters aad directors con.~ tains the names of many eminent men, asset forth in the Company's prospectus, itsaim "is to promote a practical knowledge, which every day becomes more necessary,ef the resources and productions of thedifferent countries of theworH and of the commercial and industrial position of the■■■ different nations, as well as their wants, their habits, and their institutions." With. this object, a steamer, capable of accommodating 50 first-class passengers, is to leaveHavre every year in the month of May on. alO months' voyage round.the world. .Aathe mission will, to a great extent, be aiieducational one, the steamer will carry wlthher several professors, and on board therewill be a well-selected library, maps, instruments of Natural Philosophy and Meteor- • ology, &c, which will be placed at the disposal of the passengers. In short, it will be= the aim of the Company "to introduce the elements of instruction, in combination with-, comfort and pleasure," during the voyage. Several gentlemen, we are told, have already requested to have their names entered forthe first journey. As the steamer is to visit. "the most distant and the most remarkable points of the globe," it is not unreasonableto expect that some fine day we may hear o£: her coming up our own harbour. Should:, she put in here, we can promise the passengers a hearty welcome. We only wish wecould send a boat-load of some of our owa-. folks to visit France. .

From all quarters we (Grey River Argus) hear of the departure of men en route. for the? Kumara. Every spare man in Reefton andr. in its surrounding centres of population hasleft or is preparing to leave, and the" word has come that the West Coast is likely to» have a return on a large scale of those whorußhed off some years ago to the Palmer and _ other diggings. We are informed that there--sre several hundred miners waiting at Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne for a favourable opportunity to come over, and the probability is that the Kumara will become thelargest goldfield ever discovered in the Co* lony. We have seen several telegrams from.-, business firms in Australia, which indicate: that a large rush of population may be expected from that quarter, and that the commercial branch of the community will not bebehind their industrial neighbours in taking advantage of the opportunity for .business which the new rush supplies.

The fearful catastrophe on board H.MS^ Thunderer has induced correspondence^ the Home papers relative to the more* efficacious mode of treating burns and scalds. Mitchell's Maritime Register has^ the following upon the subject:-— "DrR« Allnut writes : ' The last lamentable accident on board the Thunderer, at Portsmouth, recalls to my recollection aremedyfor burns and scalds which was suggested tome some years ago. by LordEbury. As an old medical man, and from personal observation, I can vouch for its efficacy, and in tha absence of professional assistance the application may prove of inestimable value. The; remedy is" simply this :—The common whiting of commerce, reduced by cold water tothe consistence of thick cream, is ta be spread on light linen rag, and the wholeburnt surface instrntly covered, smd thun excluded from the action of the air. The ease it affords is instantaneous, and it only requires to be kept' moist by subsequent occasional sprinklings of cold water.'"

Regarding the duplicate cable project, W& learn from the Sydney Morning Herald that Mr E. C. Cracknell, the Superintendent of Telegraphs of this Colony, who is at present, in England, has seat the foUowing telegram from London, under date the 9th instant, to the Postmaster General in reference to the. proposed duplicate cable:'—"Before deciding duplicate cable see my letter August 23rd via' Frisco. Have satisfied myself that cheapest and only duplicate necessary afc. present is from Singapore to Banjoewangie, which will require only small subsidy. Darwin cable not likely to give much trouble for some time, and will in future be immedi^ afcely repaired. When Western Australian, land lines finished, could carry cable 'from. Banjoewangie to N.W. Cape. Submarine cable to Ceylon or Mauritius considered impracticable and nothing doing, nor yefc with: cable Mauritius to Aden. Duplicate lines aro being shipped for Suez to Bombay, alsofor Rangoon and Penang. Normantowa proposal too expensive in comparison wifch Queensland proportion of subsidy. This is „only practical arrangement, without involving unnecessary expense to Colonies."

further evidence of the opinion in which' t&r Vincent Pyke ia held by his constituents is afforded by a letter from " Truth," a correspondent at Nevis, to tho Cromwell Aigus. It Is as follows:—" On arrival of your weekly paper I was more th?.n surprised on reading an extract from the minutes of [a public meeting held in the Library, to the effect that this meeting approve-; of the conduct of V. Pyke, Esq. For the sake of truth and justice I must inform you thafc I never heard of a public meeting being called for any such purpose, for if Such had been the case I can assure you the attendance would have exceeded seven—that being the number of persons present. As an elector, I consider Mr Pyke has broken every pledge, amongst the rest the one sole objecfc of his life since Le has been in Otago, viz., Separation. It is certainly very satisfactory to see that our member is co conversant with some of the ancient writers aud quotes so frequently from the same ; but I am sorry to think he has forgotten the inscription the ancient Athenians painted iv letters of gold over their public buildings." The Argus explains that " the resolution published by ns waß furnished by the gentleman who acted as secretary to the meeting." Each day (says the Newcastle Pilot) fresh instances of the deep bereavements caused by the wreck of the Dandenong are brought forward, but few there are which excite more sympathy than the death of Mrs M'Connachy and her two children. The unfortunate lady was in Melbourne with her husband, Capta-' 1 M'Connachy, of the barque Moneta, and left in the Dandenong, for Newcastle; Captain M'Connachy being also bound for this port in his vessel. It was arranged that they should meet here : and the husband and father, on coming into this port, anticipated a happy meeting with his wifo and children. Tho first news he heard, howeyer, was thafc the Dandenong had been wrecked, and that his wife and children -were numbered amongst those who had found their graves in the vast and mighty

deep. Captain M'Connachy is wsll known

in Newcastle, and formerly had command of fgjjhe barques Kalahome and Kassa. Strange V*"B|o say, Mrs M'Connachy was on board the Barrabool when she collidod with tho Queensland.

The Auckland correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald, ;iu noting the "feelings of grave '.dissatisfaction" with which Major Atkinson's proposal to increase the number of Cabinet Ministers from seven to nine, with the inevitable paraphernalia of under-secretaries, chief clerks, staff, &c, has beea received, remarks : — Nine Cabinet Ministers—over 10 per cent, of the whole Legislature—to manage the political affairs of a Colony whose population; numbers little more thau a third of a million, betokens inordinate officialism or over-government, and opens up a wido field of usefulness for our political reformers.

It can hardly be credited that in NewZealand a woman should be allowed to die for lack of nourishment, but such appears to have happened in Taranaki. The Budget of the 23rd ult. relates tho following :— "A mau named Ward, a Government immigrant, came from Waitara this morning to register his wife's death, a young woman of 21 years. About four months ago she was taken ill, and has since been confined. The husband being unable to pay for attendance, has had to act as nurse, and was consequently unable to earn anj ihing even if he oould have got work. The wife is believed to have died from sheer want of nourishment. The man appeared to be in a pitiable condition, and almo t helpless. It looks like a hard case."

According to]" Atlas," who writes in the World, news has been received^of the missing Gainsborough. A letter has been received by Messrs Agnew from a person in New York stating that the lost Duchess is there in his possesion ; that the canvas is a little, but very little damaged ; and that it shall be restored on payment of £SCDO. It is believed, both by the Messrs Agnew and the authorities at Scotland Yard, that this is no hoax, but a communication made in good faith. It would obviously be worth the owners' while to pay tho money, as the sub-scription-list for the intended engraving is said to exceed £7000, and after the notoriety thus gained, the attractive powers of the picture as an exhibition would be enormous.

A soiree was held at Broad Bay on Tuesday evening, the 26th ultimo, in the Wesleyan Church, wbich has recently been enlarged, the original building having become much too small for the increased congregation. With the recent additions it will seat about 150 persons, and is well lighted and ventilated. The interior of the building ■was veiy tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens;, and about 140 persons partook of an excellent tea. The tables were presided over by the Misses Style (2), Anderson, Gwyn, nnd Raeburn, the whole arrangement!) being carried out by the younger members of the Church and congregation. The good things having been disposed of, tabl:s were removed, acd tho intellectual part of the proceedings commenced by the Bey. Mr Keall, of Port Chalmers, taking the chair and giving an address. The Treasurer's leport was given, and It was followed by appropriate addresses from the Rev. A. Greig and Mr G. P. Bell, both of NorthEast Harbour. After a very enjoyable evening, the proceedings closed with Doxology and Benediction. V^To-night those patronising tho Queen's Theatre will have the pleasure of hearing De Murska in opera. The third set of "Faust" will be presented in its entirety, with stage effects and full orchestra. Mdlle. De Murska will appear as Marguerite, Signor Rosnati as Faust, and Signor Susini as Mephistopheles. A concert embracing a selection of English ballads is to follow. A concert of sacred music is announced to bo Jn preparation. Mdlle. De Murska, with her company, will leave for Invercargill at the latter end of this week, aud, after appearing there, will depart for Tasmania.

The entertainment provided at the Temperance Hall on Saturday evening was fairly patronised. Clifford's Mirror of the World is certainly an admirable exhibition. A change of piogramma is announced for tonight. Aa afternoon performance for the benefit of the schools would doubtless be much applauded, and should attract a large audience.

A concert Ln aid of the funds of the Sawyer's Bay School was held at tho Foresters' Hall, Port Chahners, on Friday evening. The attendance was but moderate. Of the performers, Messrs Denovan and Neale sung with exceedingly good effect. The instrumental part of the concert was not to be commended.

" Jacob and Lcda " was produced for the last time at the Princess Theatre on Saturday evening. Thero was a good attendance, and the performance was, as usual, received with indications of satisfaction. Little Nell takes a farewell benefit to-nighfc.

Applications for Shares in the Otago Cooperative Store Company will be received until to-day. A meeting of parishioners of All Saints' will be held in All Salats' Church this evening at 8. Tho regular meeting of Lodge St. Andrew, No. 432, S.C, will bo held this evening.

The Athenaeum announces that Miss Elizabeth Thomson, the painter of the " Roll Call," bas joined the Church of Rome, and will^in future confine herself to painting sacred subjects.