NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2664, 13 November 1871, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

« This day week the debate on the Papal question came off in the French Chamber, when M. Thiers declared that he could not alienate a friendly nation (i.e. Italy) by venturing to unsettle a solution of the Roman question in which all Europe had acquiesced, sincerely as he regretted the loss of the temporal power of the Pope, and greatly as he condemned the exEtnperor for the policy which led to this consummation. M. Gambetta caused great consternation among the Eight by withdrawing the amendment he had moved, and stating that in consequence of the clearness and distinctness of M. Thiers' declaration, he would support the rote

for passing to the order of tho day. Thereupon M. Keller Baid that nothing could be satisfactory which waa supported by M. Gambetla, —a remark which M. Thiers rebuked, characterising it as the utterance of the "very voice of Discord." Notwithstanding this, an amendment was moved by the Kight, referring the bishops' petition in favor of the Temporal Power of the Pope, ou which the whole discussion had arisen, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (M. Jules Favro), and M". Gambetta's motion was defeated by ■103 votes to 264 i ( Jules]Favre himself, and we believe another of the Administration, voting amongthe 2G4 with M. Gambetta, while Jules Simon and Victor Lefrane did not vote at all). W hen the direct motion referring the Bishops' petition to the Minister of Foreign Affairs cameT.to be put, it was carried by 417 votes against 87, and it is said and believed that Julee Favro has tendered his resignation in consequence, which Thiers, howevor, declines to accept. The only interest of this storm in a tea-cup is that it shows M. Gambetta to bo at the head of a united party of between 80 and 90, and that he commands a good deal of support from exactly two-fit'ths of tho whole Assembly. Mr Scudamore has sent in a report upon the financial results of the purchase of the telegraphs. The broad results at present attained are that the telegraphs cost 7Jr millions sterling, that the receipts are now 10 per cent, on that sum, that the expenses are under 5} per cent., and that the purchase therefore returns come profit to the State. This profit, moreover, increases, aa the system extends itself, and becomes more thoroughly appreciated, but the true financial result of the undertaking will nover be known till the department is able to introduce the uniform sixpence. The middle clase is learning to telegraph to Bave itself the trouble of writing, but the millions do not use the wires except on exceptional occasions. It was supposed in the beginuing of the week that the telegraph was over-working its employes, a boy named Whitaker having died from over-work, but it appears that the boy, who received 25s a-week, over-worked himself to obtain money from other clerks. The boy's greediness is of course Mr Gladtone's fault, like everything else, cholera included— vide Fall Mall Gazette every day—but still his death waa not the result of Mr Scudamore'a meanness. The Cup day at Goodwood wae remarkable for the discomfitnre of the sporting newspapers. They had evefy chance, for only five horses started, but they were ail utterly in the wrong. The Field "plumped" for Favonius, and believed that only Favonius, Mortemer, and Verdure, had a chance; Hell's Life held that nothing could possibly beat Favonius and Morteiner, taking Favonius for choice; the Sporting Times thought it madnees to look ekewhere than to Favonius for a winner; the Sportsman backed Mortemer; and the Sporting Life declared for the same horae. Consequently Shannon, a filly against which £1000 to £20 had been offered juet before the race, came in the winuer, and all tho people who, knowing nothing about' uoraee, tnougtit tue prophets did Know, lost their money. Why does nofc the. public take to betting ou Zadkiel's prophecies? It would be quite as \ safe and a great deal more amusing.