GENERAL SUMMARY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 969, 15 August 1868, Page 3

GENERAL SUMMARY.

London, June 19. The Queen is in good health, and is at Windsor. She will visit Germany in the autumn, and intends holding public breakfasts at Buckingham Palace, commencing when the Duke of Edinburgh arrives. Prince Michael of Servia has been shot dead by assassins, three of whom were father and sons. A lady beside him was fatally wounded. He lived long enough to name the assassins, and they were apprehended, Prince Maine has been raised to the throne, under a guardian. A vote of thanks has been passed to the Abyssinian forces by Parliament. The National Peace League Conference met at Berne on the 31st May. There were present French, Russian, German, and Italian delegates. The prompt trial and execution of O'Farrell has given great satisfaction. The Mount Cenis Railway was opened for traffic on June 15. It is reported that the Emperor of Russia's daughter is affianced to the Crown Prince of Saxe Weimer. The Irish Church Appointments Suspension Bill passed the House of Commons on June 16. Mr. Stuart Mill presented a petition to the House praying for a commission to inquire into the Abyssinian war and the murder of Theodore. Reardon, who lately asked whether the Queen should not abdicate never rises in the House without being assailed with yells. The Irish national papers say the Australian legislators who passed the TreasonFelony Bill are political eunuchs sunk in a slime of infamy. Meteoric stones fell in large quantities at Birmingham on May 29, and several persons were killed by lightning. The Queen sent a message of thanks to the Abyssinian troops, which was enthusiastically received. A battle has taken place between the Russians arid Bokharians. The Russians seized their capital. Disraeli intends to appeal to the country, and the Government has received one year's supplies. The grand jury ignored the bill against Eyre. The Government will pay hi 3 expenses, but refuse to stop further proceedings by enactment. The Conservative electors of Westminster are subscribing funds to enable Eyre to contest as their representative against Stuart Mill. A great fire has occurred in Shoreditch. Guppy and Copesteak's warehouse and fourteen other buildings were destroyed. The Government have consented to pay for the damage caused by the Clerkenwell explosion. Risk Allah (?) has brought an action against the Daily Telegraph. Damages laid at £20,000. The harvest promises well. Rain, however, is much wanted. The hay crops are scanty. A commission has been appointed in the Tichborne case, to examine witnesses in Australia and South America. Coal has been discovered in quantity in Russia. Longfellow, the poet, had arrived in England and been warmly welcomed. The degree of L. L. D. had been conferred upon bim by the Cambridge University. The report of the Peninsular and Oriental Co. shews a dividend of three per cent. ' for the half year. P. D. Haddon has been elected chairman. Two new steamers, the \ Magdala and.llindostan, 3000 tons burden ? and 600 horse power, are building. \ The P.N.Z. and A.R.M. Co.'s report shows a loss has been sustained by the year's operations. This is attributed to : the fear of yellow fever last autumn, and ; to a falling off in traffic between New Zealand and Australia. An improvement in the financial condition of the company . is looked for tbis year, i Napoleon consents to the proposition of ' the Emperor of Russia, prohibiting the use L of explosive missiles during war : •he says 1 that round shot is sufficient. J Italian affairs are improving. Fresh , taxes have been voted to a large amount, t There has been a splendid harvest. The i Opinion Florence states that French troops » will leave Rome before the convocation of • Council. Telegrams state that an amnesty will be ' granted to all political prisoners, on the 5 anniversary of tbe Pope's accession. . The Bavarian government has expressed i its willingness to participate in a South Ro- > man confederation. i Count Bismarck has retired from politic al life, through ill health — his nervous [ system being out of order. , The North German Federal Council has . adopted resolutions requesting the ChanL cellor of the Confederation to negociate a ' treaty with foreign powers, rendering pri--1 vate property at sea inviolable in time of ', war. An Imperial ukase has been issued by . the Czar, granting an amnesty under cer- , tain restrictions to Siberian prisoners. They will not be allowed to return to Russia. An

abundant harvest is expected this year on the shores of the Sea of Azoff. Money is plentiful, and business dull but sound. Lombard-street discount, l^ per cent ; bank rate 2 per cent. The obituary includes the names of Sir H, Halford, Sir John Liddell, Mr. G. B. Bruce, Prebendary Randolph, Hon. aud Rev. F; Baring, Sir James Brooke, and Earl of Shrewsbury.