ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP A LONDON CUSTOM HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 18, 24 January 1881, Page 2

ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP A LONDON CUSTOM HOUSE.

CONDITION OF HANLAN AND LAYCOCK. LORD LYTTON AND THE GOVERNMENT. DISGRACEFUL SCENE AT A PRIZE FIGHT. THE HOME RULERS AND AGRARIAN CRIMES. OPPOSITION TO THE PANAMA CANAL. [SPECIAL TO SYDNEY NBWS.J London, 16th January. An attempt has been made to fire a Customs House in London, bnt the plot was discovered in time to prevent the destruction of the place. The plot is understood to be the design of Fenian agents. A plot to murder Mr. Charles Bradlaugh, M.P., has been discovered and frustrated. Hanlan, while going through some training exercises yesterday, slightly sprained his arm. He is reported to be in splendid form, however, and in no way affected by the sprain. He practises daily in company with Ross, over whom his superiority is bo marked that backers are now freely offering 4tol on him. Laycock is also in excellent condition, and reported thoroughly game. Both he and friends are confident he will pull a great race to the finish. He is reported to be absolutely without any fear of the result, and fully satisfied he can win. Sir John A. M'Donald, the Premier of Canada, has addressed a letter to the miners in Staffordshire, remonstrating with them for bargaining with their employers in connection with liability to accident. In the House of Lords, Lord Lytton, late Viceroy of India, instituted a debate upon the policy of Government in regard to Afghanistan, which he severely critioised, Earl Granville warmly defending the policy of the Government. The generalship of General Roberts was highly eulogised from both sides of the House. A prize fight took place in Essex yesterday between two men named Taylor and Longen. It proved to be a very severe encounter. The combatants fought 52 rounds, and the fight lasted an^ hour and a half. Soth men were severely punished. They were very evenly matched, and fought till they could scarcely stand. Longen was fearfully beaten about the face, and at length was so exhausted that he was unable to respond to the call of " time." His supporters acknowledged his defeat in the usual fashion, and Taylor was accordingly declared the winner. In the House of Commons, the SolicitorGeneral likened the Irish Land League to an octopus, and Lord Hartington declared that the " Irish land miscreants " stifled the real feelings of the Irish people. Tha Home Rule members cheered the references made during the debate to undetected agrarian crimes in Ireland. The weather continues exceedingly cold and frosty. The bracing atmosphere has stimulated the champion scullers Hanlan and Laycock, whose daily exercises and trials are watched with much interest by large numbers of deeply-interested persons. The Irish Land League is financially in a flourishing condition. Its weekly receipts are .£4OOO. General Grant, ex-President of the United States, is using his utmost exertions to prevent the construction of the Panama Canal, as projected by M. De Lesseps. He delivered an address, denouncing the whole scheme, and recommending the cutting of a canal through Nicaragua, taking advantage of Lake Nicaragua, instead of across the Isthmn3.