LATEST ENGLISH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 3603, 29 May 1873, Page 3

LATEST ENGLISH.

We take the following from the European Mail, to hand by the Suez mail:— GENERAL STJMITAEY. Becent as is tho demise of the Emperor Napoleon, his name has already ceased to be spoken. Tho chances of hij son are regarded as nil, and his warmest partisans declare that for tho present ho can be Napoleon IV. only in their hearts. He has returned to his military instructors, and the Empress lives in seclusion. It 'will not, we take it, much surprise our readers to hear that, now that the Americans aro going into their account b, and deciding what to do with the enormous sum awarded them at Geneva, it is discovered that England has, aftor all, been most monstrously cheated, and that wo pay about twice as much as if the principle of rejecting indirect claims had been pursued into the details of the compulations. It is not particularly pleasant, when we are conscious of having been " done," to go again over the items, and show how cleverly tho triek has been accomplished; but we just mention that, in dividing the spoil, the American Government proclaims a doctrine that it instructed its agents not to press at the time, but, on the other hand, never to allow to be denounced —namely, that the compensation was made to the groat American nation, not to individuals. Of crime wo have had less than the übubl proportion during tho past mouth. Mercantile morality has received a severe shock in moro than one instance. First of all we have had a merchant, high in position and unimpeachable in churucter, charged with having sold the samo goods twice over. The vulgur process of ' arrest was exercised, and the evidence at the polico-court was somewhat damnatory. At first appearances wero so bad that the delinquent was sent to gaol, but on reconsideration bail was aceopted, and £12,000 risked by friends. The delinquent has repaid the kindness by keeping out of the way, and his friends are mourning his absence. A case of forgery of a somewhat curious character has cropped up within the last few days. The Bank of England is the victim, and the forged names rank among the best houses in commercial circles. From what little is yet know, it would appear that a large capital, great skill, interne sagacity, and utter unscrupulousness, have characterised tho proceeding of the conspirator or conspirators. An account was opened with the west-end branch of the Bank, large transactions effected, confidence made perfect, and then the swindle. It is not a little curious to observe that tho conspiracy was only detected by a moat unpardonable piece of stupidity on tho part of tho culprit* It may perhaps be considered perfectly gratuitous when we add that hithorto the polico have utterly failed in bringing tho oifenders to justice. They aro busily engaged, however, on tho task of detection. The prevention of crime has becomc an obsolete art nowadays. FtTBTITEE PARTICULARS OF THE WBECK OF TUE NOimiELEET.

Tho Murillo arrived at Cadiz on the 30th of January. The parties inlcrisfed in the steamer admit that she enmo in collision with some vessel on the night of the disaster at Dungenness, but deny that the vessel was the North fleet. Xho external marks of the collision are scarcely perceptible on the Murillo. A survey just held by the Lloyd's surveyor has furnished evidence of a collision with a wooden ship. Ponding tho issue of tho proceedings instituted, tho master and some of the crew havo been placed under arrest. After the collision, it appears that the Murillo sustained no damage, but went on her passage to Lisbon. Arrived off there, blio was signalled to proceed to Cadiz if 6he had been in collision, and at onco proceeded there. Even if by this act those in command of the Murillo had not shown that she was the ship that caused this disaster, a telegram from Cadiz announced her to have bci'n the ship in

collision with tho Northfleet.—The adjourned Board of Trade inquiry was resumed on Feb. 5. The cvidenco of Cuptain Forstcr and Mr. Sconce, emigration officers, was to tho effect that the ship was well found, but the gun, which appeared new, failed at the critical moment, tho boats were stowed bottom upwards ; and a discussion took; place as to whether that did not render launching them more difficult. Captain Oates, late commander of the Northfleet, saidtheycould be launched in ten minutes. The inquiry was again adjourned. Tho surveyors appointed at Cadiz to examine tho Spanish steamer Murillo, report as follows: —""We having been ordered by Lloyd's agent at this port to hold a survey on the Spanish steamer Murillo to ascertain if she has sustained any damage, also to report if she fchows any signs of having been in collision recently, proceeded on board and found as follows, viz. :—Uuon a careful examination inside we cannot find"any damage sustained, either to her upper works or below water. We carefully examined all rivets and butts in fore peak, and found all perfectly tight, and not the least sign of a leak at or near the stem. We found a loose scale of rust about Ift. 6in. in length by lOin. in width, had fallen from tho second plate from the main deck, at 4ft. from the stem, and now lying on its edge on the stringer plate below, evidently having fallen through concussion or otherwise, as the scale is not broken, but lying whole against the plate on tho stringer below. Outside we found tho peacock's paint on the ten-foot mark on stem and 8 inches abaft the stem marked with black paint. There are appearances of the ship having been in contact with wood. These appearances are more distinct on the starboard side of tho stem than the port Bide. We found a sharp dent in the second plate from the main deck, under the port cathead. This indentation does not appear to have been done recently, as we found the iron had a ooating of read lead under the black paint. A meeting of the executive committee of the Northfleet Fund was held at the Mansion i House, when it was reported that the subscriptions amounted to about £7000, and the l committee resolved that the fund should be i divided in the following manner, the form and ' manner of giving the amounts to be after- > wards arranged : —Mrs. Knowles, £1000; A ' j' 9 - , G-loack, widow of first officer, and family, - £800; Mrs. Blyth, widow of second officer, - and mother, £300; Mrs. Stevens, widow of 3 carpenter, £300 j Dr. Kunde'a relatives in 0 Pomerania, £100 ; eighteen seamen s relatives, t £150; fourteen widows and twenty-two children, and placing out of five orphans, a £101-0 ; relatives of married co-.iph's two

single men, £2649; eighty-six survivors and ten seamen (clothing, allowances, dtp.), Dixon'a case, and honorarium of 20 guineas to the pilot, £900 ; general expenses, recovery of the dead, burials, and local expenses, £150; testimonials to the officers and men of the Princess, cutter, steam-tug; City of London, and lugger Mary, £150; office expenses, advertising, and contingencies, £500. These grants will amount in the aggregate to about the sum collected. BREACH OF rEOinSE. The following highly amusing breach of promise case is reported in the European Math brought by the Suez mail:—This was an action for breach of promise. The defendant pleaded the Hsuul pleas. The parties became acquainted several years ago. The plaintiff was a dressmaker, and the daughter of a master builder. The defendant was formerly a grocer's assistant, but now the proprietor of the establishment in New-street, Covent Garden, which he had formerly managed. The parties first met in 1863. The defendant visited her at her father's house, and a voluminous correspondence took place between them, extending over several years. The first read was described as the coolest of the whole, and that each subsequent letter increased in warmth of affection. It commenced " Dear Nelly," and asked her to excuse him for not commencing in the usual orthodox fashion, but it concluded thus:—"May the pillow of peace kiss thy cheek—(laughter)—and the pleasure of imagination attend thy dreams. (Loud laughter.) With kindest love," &c. A letter, dated February, 1868, was referred to as showing that mutters were getting warmer :—" The oftener 1 see you the more I want you. (Laughter.) Oh, how I long for your company, and hear your own dear sweet voice. (Renewed laughter). I can't write more because I have to serve other members of society" (meaning, the learned counsel observed, the grocer's shop). " With fondest love," &c. Another letter states, " You have been so kind as to give me one of the first siveets in the flowers of affection." (Laughter.) Another, dated 31st March : —" My dearest Nelly,—Give me your lovely lips and your darling heart as a fresh assurance of your loTe, my precious angel. (Rears of laughter.) Your fond, affectionate, and loving John." Another contained the following : —" To the one I love, to the one I live for, to the one I would die for (if required). 'Renewed laughter.) Ever your affectionate and dear John." The next letter read commenced, " My own darling,—Do not think that you will tire me in writing. If you were to get a big box of pens, ton dozen bottles of ink, and a thousand quires of paper you would not write to mo more than I should be delighted to read." (Roars of laughter.) The last letter read commenced, "My darling, fond, devoted, and affectionate Nelly,—l sink happily to rest because to-morrow is Wednesday, and to-morrow will bring you. Sleep on, fair lady, and dream those dreams of universal happiness. No; they are not universal. They are but like the Sabbath, that too quickly pass away." Mr. Justice Quain —Do you think it necessary to read any more of these amatory utterances ? Mr. Serjeant Ballantine —We say the promise was finally broken off in August, ISG9. Mr. Cole said he did not read them to prove the promise. 'The defonce was that they were not to marry until they were in good circumstances, and that tho plaintiff voluntarily broke it off; but that, ho should meet with the posiLire statement of tho plaintiff that she was ready to wait until the defendant was in good circumstances, and the best evidence that he was not ready and willing and able to marry was that ho had recently married tho daughter of his master, for whom he managed the business. The plaintiff was called. She positively denied that she had released the defendant from his promise to marry her. She was always ready and willing to marry him. At the conclusion of the plaintiff's case, the further hearing was adjourned. Ultimately the plaintiff received a verdict for £50. A DOUBLE AIUBDEB.

A shocking double murder has been committed nt on a married couple named Tupin. Tlio husband owned a small farm, which he let, and took a situation as gamekeeper to a gentleman in tl)6 neighbourhood, and resided in the porter's lodge attached to the park. One evening last week both husband and wife were found in their dwelling quite dead, the throat of each being cut, and the head smashed in with a crowbar. The appearances indicated that the wife was tlie first victim, aud that the husband, on being killed, was dragged by the murderer or murderers ou top of the dead body of Ilia wife. The house was ransacked, and all tho papers and documents that could be found were burnt, the object of tho murderers being either robbery or tho mere destruction of the papers. ME. BRIGHT IK THE HOUSE 01? COinIONS. Mr. Bright made his first appearance in tkc House of Commons for the first time during the present session on Feb. 24. The right lion, gentleman, who looked remarkably well, entered before prayers, and took possession of his old place at the corner of the second bench below the gangway. Being found there by the bulk of tho members when they entered, Ills reappearance did not afford tho opportunity for any general demonstration of welcome. But during his brief stay a large number of tha principal members of the Liberal side of the House went up to shake hands and chat with hiiu, amougst them being Mr. Childers and Mr. Forster, who followed each other in the occupancy of the stop in the gangway next to Mr. B right's seat. CONSTITUTION OF SUPKEME COUBT3 TO BE .ALTERED.

On February 20 the Lord Chancellor's bill on the constitution of a supreme court, and for other purposes relating to the administration of justice in England, was issued. It is divided into seven parts, and contains a schedule of rules on procedure. The measure is not to como into operation until the Ist of November, lS"t. It is proposed to make two divisions —the High Court of Jußtice and the Court of Appeal. The Lord Chiol Justice of England is to be the president of the High Court of Justice, and the Lord Chancellor of the Court of Appeal. There is to be " union" with law and equity, and law terms are to be abolished, and vacancies appointed, with trials in vacation. There are numerous provisions as to procedure, and " official referees," where jurors are not to try, are to hear cases. As many as fifty-nine rules as to the practice are set forth in the schedule. Legal practitioners ai-o to be called " solicitors." The bill must lead to considerable discussion in both Houses of Parliament. CONTINUATION OF THE COAL FAMINE. The Daily ISiews says : —" The question of the hour in London iB the price of coal. It is a verv old experience in the metropolis for a snowstorm or a severe frost to send up the fuel to a famine price ; and less than twenty years aco coal was, for a few weeks, higher than it'is to-day. But we are unable to give Londou householders the consolation that tbe present rise is due to any such temporary cause. The pri-seut rise of price has arisen from the fact that tho demand exceeds not merely the supply iu London, but the actual output of the collieries themselves. It is not that the great national stock of coal is failing, but that it cannot be got from the deep coal cellars, where nature has stored it for us, as quickly as we consume it.

THE HAUNTED HOU3KS IN" STAiIFOHD-STBEET, BLACKFUIARS. At the auction nmrL in Tokenhouse Yard, S Jt '=■ - SK «'f • n ding was extremely slow until the last lot wan offered, «lnch coasted of the large houae at the corner of Blackfriars road and Stamford-street, and which realised £-600. The whole property fetched £9810, and some Other houses in Whitechapel £3540, making a total of £13,350, which will go to the heirs-at-law of Miss Read. THE IMPRISONED GAS 6T0K883. The whole of the gas stokers -who were summarily convicted at the AA oolwich Policecourt for "leaving their employ tit Becton with-

out notice bare completed their six weeks' imprisonment and been discharged. Those who were sentenced to twelve months' iinpriaonment at the Central Criminal Court for intimidation have had eight months of their sentence commuted. ESTEAORDiyAKY ESCAPE FEOH A TEBEIBIiE DSATU, Mis 3 Walker, the eldest, daughter of Sir Edward.Walker, of Berry Hill, near Mansfield, has had an almost miraculous escape from instant death. Miss Walker and her sister were out on horseback, attended by a servant, intending to call upon the Rev. Brabazon Hallowes, of Glasswell Hall, near Chesterfield, the brother of Lady Walker. On arriving at Piai?ley, Alias Walker's horse took fright, and galloped at a very rapid rate to Giasswell, where the animal dashed furiously at eomo large iron gates, which were closed, forcing itself completely through one of them, and leaving an archway of iron above. Miss Walker was assisted by some gentlemen who were near, and, strange to say, she was quite free from injury. The gate was ten feet high, and the uprights, ten in number, were snapped asunder as though they were mere twigs. Had not Miss Walker been a skilful rider she must have assuredly lost her seat, and have been either killed on the spot or very seriously injured.

CEPSHED TO I)KM!! COIUNG- TO SEW ZEALAND. The Liverpool Mercury reports the death of Mr. Frank Lnngley, M.R.C.S., under very painful circumstances. The deceased, with some 200 emigrants, was on his way to New Zealand, but, owing to the stormy weather which prevailed, and the disabled state of the vessel, the captain attempted on Friday last to put back into Falmouth, but without success, the timbers getting so badly injured that it was feared the vessel would founder A panic ensuing, an immediate rush was made for the deck, livery effort was made to keep the passengers below, Mr. Langley assisting the captafn and crew in a most gallant manner. Iu the confusion which followed, Mr. Langley and a seaman were crushed to death. Eventually tho vessol was towed into Brest in a fearfully disabled state. DEATH OP ANASIA3IA DOLBY. The death of this amiable and gifted lady has created a void which will not be easily supplied in a department of art and literature which she had made peculiarly her own. Mrs. Dolby, who in early life had been embroideress to the Queen, was the most erudite and skilful of needlewomen. No one has done so much as she has to promote needlework to the dignity of art, and to restore it to the high position it once enjoyed among the graceful accomplishments of English ladies. In her hand the needle was an instrument of form and colour—almost as much so as is the pencil in the hand of a painter, ller writings, more particularly her works on " Church Embroidery, Ancient and Modern," and " Church Vestments: their Origin, Use, and Ornament," which are books of standard authority, display grace of imagination and elegance of design in combination with profound archocological research and a rich fund of curious and antique learning. Mrs. Dolby, who was the wife of Mr. Edwin Dolby, the water-colour painter, died at Highgate oil Feb. 13, at the comparatively early age of 43—" A life too short for friendship, but not for fame." TEBItIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION. A fearful explosion, resulting in serious loss of life, took place on the 18th of February, in the colliery known as the Talk-o'-the-liill, n pit tituatod about four miles from Tunsta'il, and one mile from Harecastle Station. The scene of tho present disaster is one that is already well known in 1 lie annals of colliery catastrophes. At the Talk-o'the-Hill colliery occurred, on the l.'Jth December, 1566, an explosion which occasioned the loss of no less than eighty lives. On Tuesday afternoon about halt that number of lives i were sacrificed. Jt appears that the explosion occurred in the eight feet seam, where between thirty and forty men were working at the time. What caused it has not yet been ascertained. There is a conjecture, however, that tho firing of a shot was tho destructive None of the unfortunate miners escaped, and no hope is felt that any oao of uiem will be brought out of the" pit alive. Efforts have been made to recover the bodies, but without tho slif.hte.-t tueeess. It appears, indeed, to have been quite impossible to get to the workings, the roadways and supports having been destroyed by the explosion, and blocked Lhe passage. A portion of the works took fire in consequence of the explosion, and only with difficulty, and after the lapsa of considerable lime, were the flames extinguished. The men who, since the accident, have gone down tho pit, were quite unable to remain in it long, on account of the e.fterdiimp. Hopes were entertained that, in the course of some hours, the bodies would be reached. At the pit-mouth there has been, as may be supposed, a very distressing scene. MISCELLANEOUS. The Lord Chief Justice of England, having declined a peerage, has accepted tue Grand Cross of the Rath. In consequence of the break down of the Nevada, there are now two New Zealand mails due in England on March 16. New Zealand wilt be excellently represented at the Vienna Exhibition. The various AgentsGeneral have joined tl eir forces, and Australasia will miike itself felt among the Ger-

mans. On February 10th, at "Worcester, a married woman, named \\ cut her child s throat, and carried the body away in a shawl. At a luter hour th.' bodies of tho wretched woman and her victim were found iu the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, about half-a-mile fi-orn Wright's hou3_'. A large number of unpaid provisions, icveral county-court summonses, and tweuty-two pawn-tickets were found in the house. It is stated that she was addicted to drink. A razor, covered with blood, and marks of blood on the sheets, were also discovered at her house. The Church H&rald is enabled to state, on authority, that no less thau forty-eight of the colonial prelates hare expressed in one shape or another to the English bishops formally, others by private communications) I their convictions that any tampering with or alteration of the Creed of St. Athanasius I would be fraught with peril, and might severely strain the existing good relations between tho mother and daughter churches. The last vail of the Cansida and Southern railway, being the direct line for connection with the American railways East and West, has been laid with appropriate ceremonies. The total amount for which the War Office asks this Tear is dBl-1,416,400, which is a saving of £403,000 on last year. But over and above this it h*d been necessary to ask for inoro than £400,000 on account of the rise in prices of fuel, clothing, provisions, &c„ ana but for this abnormal dear:iess, tbe saving on the year would luve been doubled.