ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 781, 26 January 1853, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

Le Corse, screw- steamer, belonging to France, and mounting four brass guns, arrived in oar river on Tuesday last. She has been for some time past cruising along the east coast, with the purpose, we believe, principally of watching the French herring vessels to prevent them making purchases from our fishermen, and then proceeding home and claiming on their purchased cargoes the bounty offered by the French Government to their fishermen on the quantity they themselves capture. — Dundee Courier.

East India Telegraph. — The East India Company, stimulated by the necessity for quick communication, as well for the purposes of good government in time of peace, as for the command of an army at a distance in time of war, have decided upon connecting the principal cities of all the presidencies by means of the electric telegraph. We understand it is intended that within two years from this time thy lines shall be complete in every direction, to the furthest extent of the company's territories ; and from that time communication can be had between the seat of Government and any remote district almost instantaneously. The order for the wire (about 3000 tons) has been placed in the hands of Messrs. Morewood and Rogers, of London, to be by them galvanised, so as to. ensure the most perfect protection from oxidation. The wire, we understand, is unusually strong, and has to be prepared with the utmost care, as it will have to bear not only its own weight from post to post, but also, in many districts, the weight of immense number of monkeys, who will come from the woods to swinef upon it, also huge eagles to roost at night. The East India Company have put the telegraph under the charge of Dr. W. B. O'Shaughnessy, of their medical staff, he has already constructed a line of several hundred miles in India with the most complete success.— Mining Journal. Suicide of Lieutenant and Patmasteb, Pratt, 99th Regiment, — On Monday morning last, Aug. 22, Edwtrd Pratt, Esq., Paymaster of the 99ih Regiment, committed suicide by throwing himself into Kingston harbour, where his dead body w«s found floating by two fishermen. The unfortunate gentleman had tied his feet tightly together, also his wrists, and* passed a rope from his neck to his feet, with which ho completely doubhd himself up, In this attitude his body was found, hardly cold, floating. On the inquest, the servant, woman of the house in which the deceased resided, near Kingstown, deposed that he returned from Hobart Town, Australia, where his regiment is stationed, about six weeks ago. During that period she had witnessed many acts of his that convinced her he was not in his right mind. She last saw him alive at the house of her mistress, Mrs. West, the step daughter of the deceased. It was at six o'clock that morning; he did not then appear in the letst flurry or uneasy. Witness had been in the family (or about three years, and during that time had frequently seen instances which led her to believe that deceased was not in his right mind. Saw him one morning during last week come in with a rope in his hand, which, on her taking from him, he said he had tied round his back for a pain. He had frequently said he could not live any longer, and she understood from her mistress that the reason for making use of that expression was, that a letter had arrived from Hobart Town stating that one of hit clerks, who had since shot himself, had robbed him of £800. Never beard that he waa uuwell whilst abroad. He was Paymaster of the 99th Regiment, and was home on a furlough of two years. Believed that he had always lived on good terms with his family. He was not in the habit of drinking any intoxicating liquors, not had she ever heard her mistress state that he had made any previous attempt upon his life. On one occasion, when he was going into town, he said, " If anything should happen to me, or that I should die, you know where my money is.' On that (Monday) morning abe had missed the ropes from the kitchen, where she had bung them after taking them from him. The deceased had been in the kitchen during her absence. To the best of her belief the ropes found on his body were smaller than those she now spoke of. On leaving the boose that morning, he said he was going out for a walk. Did not say anything about drowning himself. To a juror— her mistress had also Temtrked the strangeness of deceased's conduct. He was not, however, considered bad enough to be confined. They contented themselves with keeping a watch over him. On one occasion he went to the house of a gentleman, whom he was not acquainted with, and asked him what it would cost him to go to Hobart Town. Mr. Edward Fetherston deposed that he had known the deceased »bont tweWe years. L«st saw him alive about eight or nine days ago, when he came to hit office. He did not then mention the low of the £800, but stated that he bad wound up his accounts, and that he would have to pay about £200 or £300 out of his own pocket, but that as soon as the regiment .returned home it would be refunded to him, as it was due by the corps before he joined. lie had since learned from deceased's wife that a serjeant employed by him as clerk at New South -Wales bad made away with about £800 belonging to him, and that the serjeant in question bad since shot himself. He observed nothing curious in deceased's manner on that occasion, but remarked that his look was very wild. He was alwas fond of boasting, but oo that day he went a little beyond bis ordi-

nary bounds. He was speaking of bis cervices in the American war, which were in reality very distinguished. Witness looked upon deceased as • very intelligent man, and one who was least likely to commit such«n act. The loss of money was the only reason he could assign for. the deed. Dr. Henry Coglan having examined the body, deposed there was no mark of violence upon any part of ir. In his opinion death had resulted from drowning, deceased having all the appearances produced by such a death, and none of those caused by strangulation. The deceased might possibly have tied his bands and feet in the manner described with the aid of his mouth, and by placing himself in a sitting posture. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased had committed suicide in Kingstown harbour whilst labouring under the effects of temporary insanity. Mb. Pugin. — This celebrated architect, whose name is identified with the revival of Gothic architecture in England, and the extension of the Roman Catholic religion in this country, died on the 13th instant, at his residence on the West cliff,' Ramsgate, after a few hours' illness. This eccentric but highly gifted man designed a great many places of worship, convents, and monasteries in the United Kingdom. His greatest work is the Roman Catholic cathedral in St. George's Fields, Southwark, which was erected after his design, and under his immediate superintendence. He was also the architect of the beautiful Catholic church at Cheadle, which was built at the sole expense of the Earl of Shrewsbury. Mr. Fugin'a architectural works were Tery numerous, and embraced several churches" belonging to the established religion. He was also the author of several works on architecture. The deceased gentleman was removed a few months since to Bethlehem hospital under circumstances which gave rise to some controversy in the public journals, and thence he was subsequently removed to a private asylum. The skill and care of his medical attendants were attended with success, and on Saturday last he relumed to his residence, on the West Cliff, in Ramsgate, where he has built a large church, monastery, and other buildings fronting the sea, at his own expense. On Monday, he appeared in excellent health, and rode as far as Broadstairs. In the evening he was taking exercise on Ramsgate pier and harbour, and on his return borne appeared very cheerful. At an early hour the next morning he was seized with s fit, and his medical attendants were sent for. He continued to get worse until the evening, when he expired. It is reported that bit remains will be interred in a vault constructed by him in the'cburch adjoining his residence. Mr. Fugin's genius, and talents were of no ordinary description, and his peculiar style obtained many admirers. It is snid that over study, and devotion to the |business of his profession, were the causes which led to a temporary aberration of intellect. Mr. Pugin was thrice married ; bis third wife survives him. The deceased gentleman expended upwards of £20,000 of bis private fortune on the church and adjacent buildings at Ramsgate. The spire, forming part of the design, is not yet completed ; but the tower which intersects the nave and church, is about 70 feet in height ; and upon it has been erected a curious kind of scaffolding, with a small chamber at the top — a conspicuous landmark, and known as " Pngin's Tower."

Labour in England. — The increase of emigration bat not only prodaced remarkable effect* in the labour market, bat bu raised some queitions which are beginning to excite earnest discussion in all circles. Of the immediate effects prodaced by emigration, the most striking is the diminution of hands at tbe barrest, and the consequent increase of agricultural wages. At first, the suddenness and unexpectedness of this state of things spread no little alarm in the rural districts. Bat we mast not judge of ultimate results by that expression of opinion which proceeds from a panic. The evil (if it be one) is, in fact, nothing more orjess than the good we have been all along looking*forward to, as the natural issue of systematic and extensive emigration. It has come, no donbt, sooner than anybody anticipated ; but it is, nevertheless, the precise realization, not yet indeed fully accomplished, of tbat great measure of home relief and colonial aid which the people in England and Australia had long been equally interested in promoting. Not many weeks have elapsed since tbe conditions of the mother country and the dependency were represented by excess of working power on tbe one hand, and want of it on the other. England was overpopulated, and Australia was underpopulated. The fact was universally admitted. Politicians of all classes and colours exerted themselves to redress the balance of labour, by aiding emigration "and giving it a right direction. The gold discovery imparted an extraordinary Impulse to the movement ; and in a few weeks the stream of emigration rose to so great a height, that a resnlt, which it might otherwise have taken years to bring about vfas achieved at once. Within a month the relief we had so eagerly desired has been actually attained. Like all rapid movements of the social body, it has not been unattended with a certaia rimonnt of risk and inconvenience. The farmer was unprepared for a deficiency of hands. He had been so long accustomed to a superabundance of labour, that it was not very surprising he should feel some difficulty in adapting himself without notice to so straug* and embarrassing a dilemma. But these matters are sure to find their level in tbe end. England is still overpopulated ; and although a vacuum has been thus made by a sort of magical operation where it was least expected, there are atill plenty of hands in the country for all the work of every sort demanded by its industrial activity. Some time will, no doubt, be required for the re-adjdstment of the labour market and the transference of hsndcraft, from the crowded employments to those which stand in need of additional help. The working multitude -will not fail to find this out in due time, and we are mistaken if the harvest of next year will be reduced to any difficulties by lack of labourers. The pressure is only transitory — a sort of revolution in its way, which will ultimately produce the most beneficial results. In Ireland, the exodus is ttill more sensibly felt than in England. Tbe Celtic population has almost vanished from tbe face of the soil. The country post-offices are besieged by applications for letters with remittances from friends abroad to enable their families to follow them into exile. Voluntary expatriation has literally become a passion amongst the Irish, and they follow it up with much tbe same •tothusiasni they used to display in the assertion

i of their domestic grievances, and the cry of "Ireland for the Irish." It is now changed to i " America and Australia for the Irish !" They seem to have arrived at a fixed conclusion that Ireland is no longer the place tor them to live in, and that their only chance of prosperity is to abandon it, and set up a new Ireland abroad. The last report of the Commissioners appointed I to inquire into the state of Ireland affirms that, ' if the present rate of emigration be carried on ! much longer, there will not be a, single Celt left t in the island — a statement which is founded on . stubborn statistics, and illustrated every day by r fresh facts. This great extension of the move- > ment has led to grave investigations into the I best means of conducting it effectively, so that 1 the relief may be permauent on the one wide, and ■ thoroughly available on the other. Ths errors of past emigration are avoided, and the benefits > of experience are turned to account in the sugi gestion of many improvements. In the season of transition some mistakes are committed, and numerous impositions are practised ; but, upon the whole, the systematic provision made for the conveyance of emigrants exhibits features of forethought, knowledge, and discretion, which abundantly justify the hope that we shall no longer hear of such calamities as formerly too frequently attended the scattered and undisciplined ventures of the poorer classes. — Hom6 Newt, September 8.

Romance in Real Lipe. — An English Geoom Regent of Parma. — The correspondent of the Daily News writes as follows :—: — " The elevation of Ward to the regency of Parma is not only a singular instance of the mutability of human affairs, but of the tendency of the Anglo-Saxon race, when transplanted to foreign countries, to emerge to eminence, and surpass others by the homely hot rare qualities of common sense and unfaltering energy. Ward was a Yorkshire groom. The Duke of Lucca, who obtained, by his fall from horseback in Rot-ten-row, the familiar sobriquet of ( Filthy Lucre,' spying tie lad's merit, took him into bis service, and promoted him through the several degrees of command in his stables, to be head groom of the ducal stud. Upon Ward's arrival in Italy with his master, it was soon found thkt the intelligence which he displayed iv the management of the stables was applicable to a variety of other departments. In fact, the Duke had such a high opinion of Ward's wisdom, that he very rarely omitted to consult him on any question that he was perplexed to decide ; and the success which never failed to crown Ward's advice, gave him in the eyes of the feeble descendsnt of the Spanish Bourbons the prestige of infallibility. The expenses of the stables having been reduced to less than half under his administration, while the Duke's horses were the envy of all Italy, it struck the prince naturally enough that it would be a good thing if the same economy could be introduced into other departments. So Ward tried his hand on one thing and the other, continually enlarging his sphere of influence, until from household matters he passed to those connected with the State ; which, indeed, is such a miniature affair that it does not greatly pass the limits of some private domestic establishments. Ward now became the factotum of the prince, won in the disturbances which preceded tbe revolutionary year of 1848 a diplomatic dignity, and was despatched to Florence upon a confidential mission of the highest importance. In 1849, when the Duke of Lucca resigned his other states to his son, Ward became the head-counsellor of this hopeful prince, who has thus been able to follow out a sporting bent under the best auspices, while he had a minister whose shrewd sense was more than a match for the first diplomatists in Italy. Ward was on one occasion despatched to Vienna in a diplomatic capacity. Schwarzenberg was astonished at his capacity ; in fact, the ci-devant Yorkshire stable boy was the only one of tbe diplomatic body that could make head against the impetuous counsels, or rather dictates, of Schwarzenberg ; and this was found highly by other members of the diplomatic body. Ward visited England. The broad dialect and homely phrase betraying his origin through the profusion of orders of all countries sparkling on his breast, he lately ventured to appear at evening soirees. Lord Palmerston declared he was one of the most remarkable men he had ever met with. Ward, through all his vicissitudes, has preserved an honest pride in his native country. He does not conceal his humble origin. The portraits of his parents, in their homespun clothes, appear in the splendid saloon of tbe prime minister of Parma."

Talk on 'Change. — The talk is, that the barometer is looking op ; that the weather is, after all, bidding for a good harvest ; that the thunder-storms wete too violent to last long; that in England, the crops are nearly all saved ; that in Scotland, reaping is in extended progress, and that, in Ireland, the harvest will be good and the potatoes not seriously damaged ; that the political, like the physical storms, have nearly all ceased ; that the " great cod question" is becoming ludicroos and vulgar ; that there can be no war between Great Britain and America, and that, just at present, we have employment enough in looking after our material interests, without thinking of military material ; that the preference which our ascendancy gave us during the war has been restored to us by our skill and enterprise ; that we, in fact, command the markets of the world ; that recent events have placed us on a par with the natural advantages of the United States ; that we own a whole world in the Pacific' ; that it gives us not only ample room and verge enough for expansive population, but stimulate! to the ambition of greatness unknown in ancient or modern times ; that we too, have our California, invested with attributes, which California cannot claim; that the hills which pour down the auriferous sands in Australia arise in valleys of wealth and beauty, and that the hills themselves are not the less grand because arable almost to the summit, that (he atmosphere of the place is in itself a luxury ; that, while the sun ripena with an oriental warmth, it drives no man from bis toil even at mid-day ; that every day there is a fine day, and that the blessing of happy age ia the lot ' of all, for every man there literally lives all bis days ; that, not less important, English energy, English industry, and English sense of order are there ; that, unlike California, there is no necessity for Lynch law among them ; that gold is the ' instrument of good itself ; that the diggings are < only so many nuclei around which gather i thriving trade ; that men and government get rich 1 together ; that the revenue has increased beyond <

til precedent, and tbat » brilliant future is not " looming in tbe distance," bat it upon us. — Liverpool Journal, August 21.

Age of Generals. — It was the opinion of Montaigne, that tbe greatest deeds recorded in history bad been done by men that bad not passed the third decade of their existence, and be quotes Scipio and Hannibal in- proof of bis position. To lay down a rnle for such matters would seem impossible; Mental developement and activity in some men make tbeir appearance earlier than in others. The Emperor Charles V., as the historian Ranke has remarked, led the life of a sluggish youth up to the age of thirty ; bis heroic son, Don John of Austria, broke the sceptre of tbe Turkish sway in the Mediterranean, when, at the age of 25, he destroyed the Ottoman fleet off Lepanto. Gaston de Foix conquered at Ravenna, and Conde at Rocroy, when but 22 ; Gustavus Adolphus was 38, and the Duke of Saxe Weimar two years younger, when they routed Wallenstein at Lutzen -, Cortes took Mexico at 31 ; Casar and Napoleon were but 25 when they severally subjugated Italy. On the other hand, Marshal Villars bad the snow of 81 winters on bis head when he gained the victory of Denain ; and Blucber was no younger when triumphantly he galloped his war horse along the Parisian boulevards in that famous 1815. Radetzky waa the same age when he thrashed Young Italy on the historical field of Novara : and oor own Admiral Duncan fought his -greatest battle at threescore years and ten. Parmenio was, when seventy-nine, accounted the ablest lieutenant Macedonia's madman could count on; and Philoposmen, tbe last of tbe Greeks, added greatly to his laurels when eighty-two. Our own great general commanded in the trenches of Seringapatam at twenty-nine ; at thirty-one defeated the Mahrattas on the plains of Assaye, gained his first Peninsular victory at Roleia when thirty-nine, and bis lost at Toulouse when fortyfive. After Waterloo that " battle of giants,*' be was, then but forty-six, consigned to a life, in a military sense, of tranquillity and repose.

Female Pickpockets.— We find the following exceeding interesting description of the manner in which the female members of the swell mob pursue their avocation, in the Rev. Mr. Kingsmill's " Chapters onPrisons and Prisoners:" — " A professor of thieving gave Mr. Clay an account of female pickpockets, which will show how systematic it this crime, even !in provincial towns : — The women now travelling look so maidenlified and comely in their persons that no human being would suspect them of being pickpockets. Their attire is generally of the best, but it is not so with all. Some of the female wires are dressed in the first style. There are three of them attending the shops where most ladies go to ; one woman acts as servant while the wire acts mistress. When they go into one of these shops, as any other lady may do, they are on the watch to see when pnrses are pulled out, and the ' mistress' get close to the lady who hns shown a purse*, wires her of it, and then contrives to give it to the * servant,' who goes away, while the mistress remains in the shop, and, if she is clever, gets another purse before leaving it. There are now in Manchester three of the cleverest lady wires travelling — one from Birmingham, one from Leeds, and one from Liverpool. The oldest of these three is about 24 and the youngest about 16. This youngest keeps a young man, who is dressed like a gentleman, with his goM watch and curb chain Attached to ty and she, dresses so that any magistrate who saw her would say she never could be anything of the sort, only her speech instantly condemns her. Last summer, at Birkenhead and Chester railway stations, one or two of these lady-like wires attended regularly. They frequent, also, private sales in town and country. One may see them with books in their hands like other ladies, and giving now and then a bid for an article, bat they never come away with anything bought at tbe sale. They look into the newspapers for intelligence about sales, and also abont concerts, which they attend. I knew one woman and her man who got more money than aay three women travelling. They had their own horse and gig, riding about from fair to fair. Not long after coming out of Wakefield, where she had been twelve months, both she and her man got transported about three years ago at Derby. There is now in Manchester and Liverpool about fifty or sixty of these women wires, one day dressed np in their best, another day quite plain to escape any information that may have been laid against them.'*