RIOT OF LADIES IN A GOVERNMENT SCHOOL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 805, 12 September 1864, Page 5

RIOT OF LADIES IN A GOVERNMENT SCHOOL.

A curious revolt has just happened of the female students of the Arc Schools in connection, with the South Kensington Museum. It appears that their nuiruetors were the gentlemen who also taught in the male school; but in the geuteeler department, besides the masters, there were two matrons, who were responsible for the general behavior of the pupils committed to their care. Some litrie time since a change waa made, and a "lady superintendent" was introduced. The object of this novel appointment doss not appear to have been exactly clear to the students, who, on the whole, considered it only as a means of finding a comfortable berth for an individual; who was in tome way or other to be provided for* in this snug little manufactory of sinecures. They perforce accepted their new ruler in her office, but regarded her as a sort of superfluity, which might not absolutely hinder their progress, but certainly in no way promoted ifc. *o sooner wa3 the laiy superintendent in office, than she naturally desired to show her authority. A. notice concerning a private sketching club of tha students, posted in the pupils' cloak-room, was ordered to be removed, as it had not the signamre of the lady in command. More serious offences soon called for punishrannt and reproof! A la3y pupil was absolutely heard to snetz* in % loud and defiant manner, ana she was forfhw-th duly corrected for this outrageous breach of gool manners. It was not long bcfore_ other important transgressions of the laws of etiquette indicated the growing discontent of the s-tudents, and one after the other was corrected. The study of the fine avts is said to foften men's manners, bufc this time-honored assertion scarcely held good with the members' of the alreadysofter sex; they were not to be overawed by any lady superintendent whatever. They turned* the boards bearing1 notices with the authoritative signature to ihe wall; thej made noises, and finally devoted themselves with admirable energy to the rather masculine art of whistling. The anarchy went on for a littles time, till two of the students, who are said not to have been reaiiy the most prominent in tha affair, were pitched upon a3 the ringleaders. These ladies were required either to.applogise to the lao'y superintendent or leave the school; but neither alternative seemed to meet with their approbation. 1 hey scorned the idea of an apology ; and they flatly refused to go away. Their contumacy seemed to call for the intervention of as till higher power. Earl G'anville had to*, appear upon the scene; ot'ier potent members of the Privy t'ouneil werepre3ent; and before this high tribunal the offending ladies were requested to make their submission. The fair impenitent* however, again declined to do so, and as a consequence, they were formally expelled from tha school of My Lords. Not here, however, was the matter destined to end, for almost all lady students have left, the plac?, and the large rooms formerly so well filled are now nearly empty. Ifc will be remembered that the members of the parliamentary committee which has just been sitting; to inquire into the South Kensington • establishment were requested by the head of that institution to visit the schools, in order to sse what they were doing foi the art education of the people. They did so the other day, and everything was, as it always ia on such occasions, in exquisite order, but the ladie3 had absented themselves;, hence the committee —who probably like nature, abhor a vacuum—were left to foe in their owa judgment upon the empty benches from which the gentle rebels had seceded.— Daily Telegraphs

There is no doubt about the power of the Am rican torpedo, a new inventioa contrived during the present war. The Federals had lately a g»od example of its power, only unfortunately its effect took place on (in their opinion) the wrong party. Certain Federals were " hoist with, their own pstard,'1 proving that those " who use the sword shall perish by it." Thus:—A train. was conveying soidiers and negroes and four torpedoes, to "West Carolina. The last of the four wis being loaded, when they all exploded. The concussion caused by one, firing all the re3fc, was like, it is said, the crash of a thousand pieces of amllery. Keads, bodies, and jimbs were scattered for a quarter of a mile. A signal tower and als» a commissary building 20ft. by 80ft., built of logs> wei c blown SOOft. into the air and strewed the country around.