ITEMS BY THE MAIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1761, 27 March 1874, Page 3

ITEMS BY THE MAIL.

An important document, the existence of which has long been suspected, is now published in the form of a Papal Bull, setting aside the ordinances and ceremonies which have hitherto governed the the" election of a Pope. The Bull, which is dated May 21, 1873, declares the Cardinals absolved from the oath which binds them to observe the Constimtion now in force, and that not only for the purposes of the election of his next successor, but for those of future elections. More specially, the Cardinals are permitted under the circumstances to do what otherwise would be most improper — to discuss the bituation and make all arrangements for the election of a new Pope before the present Pope is actually dead j only they must on no account agree upon the persnn to be elected before the Chair of St. Peter is actually vacant. According to rule, the election must take place in the city where the late Pope died ; but Pius IX., assuming that a free election will not be possible in Rome, intimates that it may be held wherever the Dean of the Sacred College may appoint, be it Malta, Monaco, "or some French town." The object of such precautions is not.concealed ; " The unity as well as the peace of the Church depends on the timely election of the future Pontiff." A splendid new swing bridge across Leith Harbour has been opened. The bridge, which is of iron, cost L 32,000, and weighs 740 tons. It contains two linns for railway traffic and two roadways for foot passengers. On January 16 a fire broke out in the flour mills at Leith, belonging to Messrs Alexander and Robert Todd. The flames raged with intense fury, and shortly after midnight the extensive range of buildings' was completely destroyed. The damage is estimated at from L200,000t0L250,009. The greater part of it is covered by insurance. In consequence of the destruction of the mills nearly 400 men have been thrown out of work. Of all the swindles that could have been suggested to the human mind, Brooklyn appears to have carried oft' the palm, beating its sister city of New York and the Tammany Ring out of the field. It is said that in the Coroner's office "fictitious inquests by the hundreds have been discovered," and that there have been "six hundred and twenty-three bogus cases of small pox in three years." Papers were made out on physicians' certificates, and chaiged for, as if inquests had been really held. The Earl of Dundonald has lately come into a small windfall. His celebrated father, the Admiral, whom Chili and Peru delighted to honour, who fought the battle of Brazilian independence many years ago, preferred a claim against the Brazilian Government. They declined to pay it, but at last it was agreed that the matter should be referred to the arbitration of American and Italian arbitrators at Lisbon. They have recently awarded no less a sum than 200,000d01. The present Earl is a distinguished officer. He entered the navy, but after three years' service went into the army in 1830, and served under the late Lord Seaton during the whole of the Canadian rebellion. He afterwards served in China. He retired from the army in 1849. He is now in his 60th year.