TOWN EDITION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 7382, 4 June 1895, Page 3

TOWN EDITION.

THE OUTSIDE WOULD.

As Bacon is by no means an uncommon name, it probably would not be safe to assume without evidence that the Vice-Chancellor of that name who has just died, at tho age of ninetyseven, was descended from the celebrated Lord Chancellor Bacon. Tf lie was he could boast of a better record than his ancestor, who was an infamous scoundrel. This description is much at variance with the popular idea of Lord Bacon, which is based upon falsehoods in school books, but it is true, as can be easily shown. But before doing so it will perhaps be better to dispose of the Vice-Cbancellor. The latter was the grandson of a lawyer, the son of a lawyer, and a lawyer himself. If he left a son he will probably be a lawyer also, for the profession has many advantages not to be found in other callings, and those who enter it naturally try to continue those benefits to their descendants. Sir James Bacon was called to the Bar in 1827, and found profitable work of a more or less private nature till 18G8, when he was appointed Commissioner of Bankruptcy for London. In the following year he was &l pointed Chief Judge io the Bankruptcy Court, in the next year he became Vice-Cbancellor, and in 1875 was made a Judge of the Chancery Division, of the High Court. When he retired in 18SG he wag appointed a member of the Privy Council

Now as to the celebrated scoundrel. This very clever person is principally remembered now by his learning, which was immense, and by his literary and philosophic gifts, which were of so high a grade that it is open to question whether they should not be called marvellous. But with all his learning and all his talent he was a truckler, and worse than a thief, for although in the receipt of a very large income from the State as a Judge, he sold his decisions to suitors who bribed him. There was hardly a shilling of the money he obtained for many years of his life that was honestly earned, and every succeeding title or honor lavished upon him by the King and his favorities was, rightly considered, an evidence of his moral vileneas. To please James I he on one occasion ordered that a poor old clergyman named Peacham should be put on the rack, in the hope that a confession of treasonable practices might be extorted from him. At last the state of the Courts under the control of Lord Bacon became so scandalous that a Parliamentary enquiry took place, and Lord Bacon was convicted upon his own written confession —made because the facts could not be gainsaid —of twenty-three acts of judicial corruption. He was condemned to pay a fine of £110,000, to be confined in the Tower " during the king's pleasure," and was declared unfit to hold any State office or to sit in Parliament.

But a3 lie was left in the enjoyment of a State pension of £1200 per annum, and had a private income of £1300 a year also, he was in fairly good case for a disgraced man. In addition to this he obtained much money from his wife's father, who was a wealthy Alderman of London. Moreover, soon after his condemnation was pronounced, the " pleasure of the king" was that his imprisonment ceased after two days in the Tower, his fine was remitted, and he was summoned to sit in the next Parliament. This shows that some kings can be grateful to their creatures. Lord Bacon did not sit in Parliament, however, but devoted his gifts and the remainder of hi 3 days to literature and science, establishing for himself a deathless name by his writings, and his countrymen are now proud to refer to him as the " Father of Inductive Philosophy." Lord Bacon was practically the discoverer of preserving meat by cold. He died in 1626 from a cold caught while making experiments with snow as a means for preserving game. When he died he owed £22.000 and left behind him a memory of moral rottenness, but his country owed him a debt for his researches and talents, and the memory of his mental achievements is glorious.

Another possible cause of international trouble looms large in the friction between France and Brazil, referred to in cable messages published during the last day or two. The message we make public this evening is of a rather startling kind, and it discloses to us Brazil taking a firm stand with regard to Prance, who is asked to pay at once an indemnity for the killing of certain Brazilians whom France chooses to consider brigands. The trouble has arisen through a disputed boundary about seventy miles from the equator. Those who will look at a map of South America will see, just above that wonderful river the Amazon, a strip of territory divided into British Guiana, Dutch Guiana. and French Guiana. To go into the history of this cutting up of that part of America between the three Powers named would take too much space. It is sufficient to say that they have been in occupation since the latter part of the sixteenth century. Cayenne, a name notorious in connection with the French convict system, i 3 the capital of French Guiana, to which country France sent nearly all her convicts up till recent years.

Under one terrible law, not rescinded, we believe, until after the fall of the Empire at Sedan, all French criminals sentenced to eight years' hard labor were compelled, upon the expiration of that sentence, to reside in Cayenne for the remainder of their lives. As it is one of the most unhealthy places in the world those sent there did not live long lives. The mortality was so great among the convicts that the French Government did not include it in their statistics. There has been persistent wrangling between Holland and Brazil and France and Brazil on tho question of boundaries, and so long ago as 18G2 tho Governments of the three countries named were trying to arrive at a settlement. Tho action now of France in shooting the Brazilians she chooses to consider as trespassers has brought matters to a climax. It will be interesting to see whether the demand by Brazil for an indemnity will bo agreed to, or whether France will embrace tho opportunity to go to war. Sho seems so determined to get into trouble with some Power or other—leaving Germany out, which she has apparently made up her mind not to tackle—that we should not wonder to see an insolent answer given to Brazil.

If Formosa is declared a Republic it will be a very small one, but not by any means the smallest. The honor of being the smallest Republic in the world, and of having been so from tho middle ages, belong to San Marino, in Italy. It is the last survivor of the somewhat numerous Italian Commonwealths of Italy during the middle ages. This tiny State of nineteen miles cireumforence and 9000 inhabitants can boast of a balance at its bankers, and has devoted its annual surplus for some years past to the erection uf a new Senate House, which will bo worthy of the traditions of the oldest Republic in the world. The eminent Roman architect, Francesco Azzurri, was entrusted with the work, and the foundation - stone of the " Palazzo Qovernativo," as it is called, was laid in 1884. The building was formally opened last year. The Republic is governed by two presidents, called *' capitani reggenti" or " ruling captains." These two officials are elected twice a year by the " Council of Sixty " for a term of six months, to represent the majesty of this miniature community. In olden days they treated with " our very dear sister of Venice " on equal terms, and when one of the " Captains " died last year the French

Republic sent a message of sympathy j to the people of this rugged mountain, j which has maintained its independence j for fifteen centuries. San Marino lias ever remembered the last words of its i founder, the Dalmatian stonemason, j Marinus, which aro inscribed on his j picture in the old Senate House, "II leave you free from ail mankind."

An oxcel'ont programmo has been arranged for tho complimentary concert at tha Thoatrn Koyal tn-morr.j.v night, to hi tondcred by musical frionda to Miss Koxo Blaney and Misi Laura Fi?her, who leave Napier iv a few days for Australia. Mips Blacov will ;lu;r " Oh Roberto " and " Tell Mo the Lovo," Miss FL'hor "Iho Throo Fishers" and " S'm Wore a Wriath of Roses." Mr Boosoy will sing "Tho Garonne" and "Corao into tho Garden Maud." In a.ldi'.ion there will ba a pi-umforlo unct by Miss Malouoy and Mr Moginnity, and vocal duets by Mi*s BUnoy and Mr Boosey, Miss Fisher and Mr W. Davidson, besides selections by Meesre Longhnau and Sheath. With such a programmo no doubt many will bo attracted to the Theatre Koyal tomorrow night.

With roferonca to the death of a child at Woodville, through putting its mouth to the spjut of a teapot and sucking in the hot steam and tea, i", seems that the boy suffered terrible agony for pome time. The child died from suffocation, caused by the swelling of the larynx from the effects of tho hot steam and tea.

Mr Jardine, maotor of tho Manga-atua School, met with au unfortunate accident yesterday morniog He was starting from the Club Hotel Stables to begin his duties for the day, and had mounted his horse, when it started bucking violently, and threw him on his face on the rough stones His nose was broken, and he was so badly out about the nose and face that it took Dr Milne about two hours to sow up the wounds. As Mr Jardiue will be unable to attend to his duties for sumo time it is proposed (says tho Examiner) to close the Mauga-atua School for the mid-wintor holidays.

A meeting of too Anniversary Committee of the Loyal Napier Lodge of Oddfellows, 1.0.0. F., M U., whs held last evening, when it was decided to hold a social and dance in the Gaiety Theatre on Monday, 24th inst. The double ticket has been fixed at the reasonable price of five shillings,

extra lady two shillings. A decidedly queer looking person is Jessie Johnson, who waa this morning brought before Mr Turnbull, 8.M., on a charge of having no lawful visible means of support. Htr face bore a weird look, accentuated by her long grey hair, whioh was alio wod its f reo course, untrammelled by any head covering. Sha stepped iuto the box without the least possible concern, and in response to the charge she muttered some unintelligible sentences, her large eyes meanwhile roving over tho building with a cuiious expression. Constable Kennedy stated that the woman resided at Clive, where she was well known for hsr eccentric behavior. Thrice had she been examined as to hor sanity but eaoh timo a certificate for her committal to tho asylum was rofu'ed. Mr Turnbull was ovidently impressed with the idea that tho woman is not in her right mind, and remanded her for seven days for medioal examination.—Miry Burke, who was yesterday let off with a caution for drnnkenness, was brought up on a timilar charge again this morning, and a fine of £1 and costs was imposad, with tho alternative of a week's imprisonment. She went up.

Mr George Darrell, who opanfl at the Theatre Boyal on Friday night in "Tna Double Event," i* undor engagement to appear at the Grand 'ihoatre, London, in September. Ho brings with him an excellent all-round company, including Mioses Harrie Ireland, Fitzmaurice, Gill, Isabel Stuart, Bessie Colville, Mostrs J. Batholwood, G. R. Ireland, Collet Dobson, Edwin Kelly, Fred. Cambourne, J. A. Patorson, D. Olercmow, Barry Mursohel, J. Byrne, and B. Eityman.

A seaman belonging to tho schooner Pirate, named Leonard Dareey, was this afternoon brought before Mr Turnbull, S. M, on a charge of willfully disobeying the command of tho master, William Cousins. Tho accused pleaded guilty " uudar provocation." The ovidenoe of the informant was to tho effect that when on the point of sailing last evening, the accused refused duty, giving as his reasou that the ship was shorthanded. This tha master denied, and produced to Mr Turnbull the ship's articles giving four seamen as the complement, whereas ho had five. The accused said there there was only one able seaman aboard the veßsel. One man fhipptd in Auokland had apparently not been to sea before, for he could not take bis place at the wheel. Tho captain roplied that the man complained of did his work satisfactorily. Accused expres?ed his willingness to return to the vessel providing another hand was engaged. Mr I urnbull said there was only ono other course open, imprisonment, and he sentenoed accused to seven days.

At the half-yearly meeting of the Albion Lodge (No. 159) U A.0.D., last night, the election of officers for the half-year resulted as follows :—J.P.A., Bro. 0. Dine ; AU., Bro. W. J. M'Grath ; VA. Bro. H. Cooper; secretary, Bro. H. Yarrall ; treasurer, Bro. Yeandle; pianist, Bro. H. Hooper; IG., Bro. F. Tankard; 0.G., Bro." J. Cleary; A.D. BarJs, Bros. J. Skidmore and J. Poiaton; V.A. Bards, Bros. R. P. Patersou and I>. Bird ; minuto secretary, Bro. G. Westoby.

An Auokland telegram says, " A fair amount of wagering is being transacted on the double, Grand National Huddle Raca and Great Northern Steeplechase. Gollau's pair (Ebor aud Norton) are quoted at 12 to 1; 15 to 1 is the best price obtainable about the two Libcratois, aud tho latter, coupled with Norton or Bombardier, is obtainable at a point longer,"

Mr Turnbull, 8.M., gave judgment this morning for plaintiff-J in the following suit):—J. Cresswell v. W. H. Sellars, £1 2s Bd,. costs 9s; T. 0. Moore v. G. Douglas, £1 2e, oosts Gs, solicitor 5s (Mr Dinwiddie for plaintiff); J. Crosswoll v. Si. O. Oobb, £5 18s, casta IGs ; Siundcrs, Gilbord, and Co., v. W. I Omig, £14 2-i, costs £1, solicitor 15s 6d (Mr Cornford for plaintiffs); W.S.Blythe v. W. H. Ssllars, £4 Is 6d, costs 9s, tolicitor 5a (Mr Cresswell for plaintiff); Daily Thlegkahi v. H. A. Hitchiogß, £4 10s, costs 6s, solicitor 5s (Mr Dinwiddie for plaintiff); J. Alexander v. J. Hague, £2 9a 9d, costs 6s, solicitor 5a (3ir W. Wasteneys for plaintiff); G. Kymsr v. W. Gourlay, £1 10s, costs Gs (Sir Dinwiddie for plaintiff) ; Smith aud Provis v. ijmiedin Brewery Co., £! 5 13a od, oosts £1, solicitor 16a 6d (Sir Cresswell for plaintiff); E, H. Hobinbonv. J. MoEwan, £1 7b Gd, costs 6j. In several oas3s against defaulters suad by the Taradale River Board the amounts had been paid into Court.

A football match will bo played at Farndon to-morrow afternoon batween teams representing vho Napier Tradesmen's Club and tho Olive Junior team. A drag will leave tho Hasouio Hotel at 2 p.m. for the convenience of the town players. Tho teams aro as follows :—Tradosmen—Fullback, J. Ryan; three-quarters, J. Dick, tiwal, Harper; halves, Warbriok and F. B. Stallard ; forwards, Pirie (2), Cox, Brown, Hamilton, Garner, EllyeU, Orccker, Derbyshire ; emergencies, Algar, Kesaell, Presting, Croigh. Clive—Full-back, IS. Ooghlun; three- quarters, Day, E. O'Ccnnidll, W. Sturm; halves, W. Orange, 8. Caldwell; wings, J. O'Connell, E. Bissoll; forwards, G. Caldwoll, J. Ooghlan, F. Alley, D. Alley, C Graham, Weagle, Goordiuo; emergencies, McGregor, W. O'Uonnell, Sturm *