LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 752, 28 April 1866, Page 4

LONDON.

(from the daily tiscbs corresvohdhtn.} 25th February.

New Zealand mails reached London 13rh and 17th instant, confirming previous intelligence of success over the rebels; future disposal of prisoners of war ; capture and conviction of the murderers ; progress in your Separation scheme ; departure of troops, &c —A recent telegram dated Melbourne, 25th January, also, acquainting us with further victories by General Chute. In all this we see hope ; and loag to congratulate you on a better state of things. Your colonists are complimented by the London press on their gallant deeds and readiness at self-defence, their courage, skill, and daring shew that they know how to fight the Maori, who will Boon, be convinced that Exeter Hall doctrines and Horse Guards routine give place to sharper practice ; and whether or not the war* be virtually over, it appears that you can safely dispense witb our troops, and trust to your own stout defenders for the preservation of internal peace : from foreign aggression of course, you are tolerably secure whilst part and parcel of Old Enj-lind. A glorious future evidently awaits your colony : the one great drawback hitherto being the proverbial continual cropping up of native warslet the present be the last of the series, and your brave volunteers who work such wonders will live in history.

Mr Monro, your Speaker, ia created a Knight of Great Britain and Ireland; Sir David was gazetted on the 13th instant. The same gazette specifies, that Msjor and Brevet Lieutenant- Colonel D. J. Gamble, C.8., now in New Zealand, is to be Colonel Also is published, a proclamation giving currency in the United Kingdom to gold com3 of the Sydney mint. The Oiago Daily Times tells us of Mr N. Chevalier on an art tour in your midst. Certainly the resources of your colony and the grandeur of ita scenery should be better known ; for until recently little was dreamt of in the old world as connected with your country, but New Zealand savages, blazing homesteads, and banquets of blood ; but things are very different now; and the works of the talented artist will excite much additional interest, and cause your distant land to be more justly appreciated. Randolph and Co. have launched on the Clyde, the Rakaia, for the Panama and New Zealand mail service : length 265 ft., beam 34 feet, depth 26 feet, 1504 tons, 350 horse-power. Also, the screw steamer Mataura, 1767 tons, 285 feet Jong, 35£ feet beam, 26 8 12 feet deep, 350 horsepower, built for the Panama, New Zealand and Australian Royal Mail Company, was launched in the Thames la9t week. "We thus hope you will not be much longer under the evil influences of your p-esent mail system. The following Antipodean vessels have arrived : — the Kingston, Lady Egidia, Yorkshire, Omar Pacha, Pride of the Ocean, Orient, Giant's Causeway, City of Melbourne, Moravian, Sir John Lawrence, Koskiusko, and Coonatto. The following have been spoken : — the Mary Shepherd, Africana, City of Sydney, Pak Wav, Queen of Australia, Aunt Lizzie, Martha Binnie, Harwich, Johanna Christina, and Edinburgh. In England we have lately had an anxious time ; the devastating, hurricanes which closed the old year and ushered in the new, were succeeded by violent storms ail round the coast, and the great loss of life and property ha 3 cast a gloom over the land which time alone can dispel. The sad experience acquired by these dreadful disasters shows that our magnificent mercantile marine may be improved on, and that, despite the Argue eves of Government surveyors and Lloyd's agents, passenger ships badly found are constantly leaving port. Nautical strictures come in apace, objecting to rigging, over loading, non- protection of engine rooms, insufficient boat accommodation in case of accident, &c. Influential meetings also are held respecting loss of life at sea, and the general tone of the argument is that official inspection is proved to be an inadequate security. That shipowners should be made answerable to a certain extent for the results ; and in the case of emigrant vessels, that the proprietors should only be paid for the number of passengers safely conveyed to their destination, and not for the number erabarked.

The official enquiry respecting the illfated London occupied 12 days ; about 40 witnesses were examined; and Mr Trail 1 is now preparing his report to the Board of Trade. An investigation is also ordered touching another Australian ship, which has gone down ia the Bay of Biscay, happily without loss of life. The Black Ball liner Wanato, 1347 tons, Capt. Dodd, left Liverpool, for Melbourne, 26th January — passengers, 190— crew, 40. In the night of 6th February, she came in collision with the Queen of Beauty, also bound for Melbourne. She rode the waters for two days after the accident, when, on the Bth, she was abandoned, all

souls Ironeterred to the Queen, and safel/ landed at Plymouth, with the total loss of luggage. The wild waves yet tell another horrid tale. The Jane Louden, Captain Joha Cassey, and reventeen crew, from Quebec; to Falmouth, timber-laden, got waterlogged in the great ocean ; and to avoid tne drowning seas which had already destroyed nine of the crew and the entirestock of provisions, the survivors aoughfc. refuge in the main top. One after another died from exhaustion, and the Captain alone was left, who, alter 28 days in that awful position and entirely without food,, was rescued January 18 th. The poor mariner, with toes and ringers frost bitten,, was taken to Dieppe, where be still survives, and is reported well doing. TheP. and O. Company's mail steam sshirp r Jeddo, from' Hong Kong, ran, upon theChoul Cadu shoal, fifteen miles south of Boniba)', on the 2nd instant, and i 3 supposed to be lost — passengers and crewsaved, as also the mails and part of the cargo.

The seventh parliament of Queen Victoria baa assembled, and promises to be not the least memorable of the group. Air John E. Denison vvas unanimously reelecttd Speaker. The 196 new members were initiated in the art and mystery of law-making; and when the 658 Representatives of the British public had duly sworn allegiance and individually fraternised with their Chairman elect, then was commenced the legitimate business of this eventful Session. At its earliest dawn John Bright's eccentricity enlivened the dull routine by proposing that at Speaker's dinners and receptions, Court dress and such like tom-foolery be abrogated, and that an M.P, be allowed to don the garb of sober citizens of the 19th century. Mr Bright sadly wants to Americanize our aristocracy, and may some day be listened to. Lord Palmerston was missed and mourned ; but Gladstone takes his place as Leader of the House, and we see no reason _ why bo great a man should fail. There is talk of a three million surplus in his next budget, and of the national debt i being reduced ; but Ministerial revelations are not yet, therefore is speculation idle. The Reform measure \i likewise a secret ; whatever it may be, Government is pledged to stand or fall by it. Its rejection will lead to an appeal to the country; but whether it will include a re- distribution of seate, or be what is termed "a one barrelled bill" merely lowering the franchise to a L 6 ratal in Boroughs, and Lls in Counties, are matters on which we are kept in the dark, and on which the Ministers are thought undecided. The difficulty is to suit all ta3tea; and it is supposed that Messrs Bright and Forster are forming a " Union Liberal Party," whereby to assist in framing a measure to meet the times and secure a Parliamentary majority. Sir Cha?. Wood retires from public life, and is created a peer, under the title of Viscount Halifax ; and Earl De Grey is now the Indian Chief, with Mr Staosfeld as Under S-;cretary. Lord Hartingdon is Secretary at War, and Lord Dufferin second in command. These appointments are criticised as " fitting the place to the man — not the man to the place." Nevertheless, results may prove the reverse. The Queen, after her long seclusion,, was warmly greeted on opening the new Parliament in person. Htr Majesty is now about to re-enter the social sphere. The Royal marriage cornea off in June. Courfe ceremonials will be the rule instead of the exception ; and a brilliant season is prognosticated. Five receptions at Buckingham Palace will be held by the Sovereign ; the number of presentations at each to be limited to 250. The Princess of Wales will hold two drawing rooms on behalf of the Queen; and the Prince, in Her Majesty's name, is booked for sundry levees. Lieut. Prince Alfred has returned from his cruise, and is gazetted to the full rank of Captain, R.N., thus jumping over the intermediate step of Commander. Excepting Leopold, the Royal family are all well. And now, without too closely scanning illustrious vagaries, one may mention that the heir to the throne, after a day 'B fox-hunting last week, rode home on an engine with the driver and stoker ; and in the evening accompanied the Duke of Sutherland to a fire in Oxford street. The attainment by Prince Alfred of his majority, and the approaching marriage of his sister Helena, occasioned two distinct money transactions in Parliament, which resulted in voting L 15,000 a year to Alfred, and a life annuity of L6OOO to Helena, together with a dowry of L 30,000. On the same evening, the House voted tt, monument in Westminster Abbey to the late Lord Palmerston. It was carried nem. con. ; and the eloquent Gladstone concluded his oration by " surrendering Lord Palmerston to history." Rinderpest is still our dreadful scourge. Week after week the number of its victims are magnified, and as yet no remedy is discovered. The plague has run its uninterrupted course through every description 1 ot season and of weather, increasing in intensity, and extending to nearly each nook

and corner of the kingdom, except Ireland ; and now, when it rages with such fury as to alarm all communities, Government is forced by the people to apply to Parliament for the adoption of those stringent measures, which, upon their own responsibility, the Ministers dared not previously -sanction ; but it proved a legislative difficulty ; and, after long debate, a bill is passed enjoining the immediate slaughter of diseased animals and the burning or buryirg on the instant, every trace of the virus of rinderpest, allowing compensation to owners out of a county rate ; it also prohibits cattle traffic by railway •for six weeks, whilst; traffic by road or 'highway or from fa r m to farm, must lie under special license from local authorities; the butcher goes to the ox, and dead meat markets are substituted for cattle fairs— of -course there are exceptions made for the •breeding and feeding of stock. All things considered, it is admitted that the best course available is now adopted ; but further legislation will be required; the disea«e is too wide- spread to be thus easily checked, and it is feared that as the season opens and cattle turn out to graze, infection will increase, and with it the greater difficulty of extirpation. Nevertheless a resolute beginning is made ; and whilst the whole nation is anxious and willing to .aid the Government or anj' other party in wholesome and vigorous measures, we can only live in hope.

The perturbed state of Ireland is a sor rowful addition to our troubles ; and nothing short of suspending habeas corpus can meet the emergency. On Saturday, 17th inst. Parliament met specially, at the request of Government, to withhold the {Writ of Right from Sister Isle — at 12 o'clock the Commons

assembled, and at quarter to 5 the Bill of Suspenson wa< passed, then sent to the Lords and ratified, then forwarded to Osborne for Royal assent, and at twenty minutes to 1 o'clock on Sunday morning, it came back to Parliament approved. Thus 13 hours sufficed to deprive the Irish people of that cherished safe- guard, "the liberty of the subject." But the danger was imminent as repression was severe ; for we have official assurance that full SOOO wealthy stra.igers had arrived in Dublin purposely to subvert the Queen's authority; and if we would frustrate their designs and prevent an insurrection, there was not an hour to spare, and the Lord Lieutenant must be invested with despotic power.

Fenianism, like the Rinderpest, we hive vainly tiied to cure by gentle treatment, until we are driven to trie last resort. The reward for Stephens and Geary was increased to L3OOO, but they still remained undiscovered. Judge anJ jury performed their hard tasks fearlessly and temperately, and still the c >nppiraey enlarged. Out of 41 prisoners tried, 36 were convicted and sentenced, yet were gun 3 and pikes manufactured outside the very justice doors ; whole provinces were proclaimed, and still the treason spread ; trade was paralysed ; agrarian outrages and viudictive assassinations were constant ; cxci ement and terror seized on the orderly, who flocked from all quarters into Dublin for protection ; public meetings were held, at which " the country is in danger," resounded as with one voice, and hence the suspension of habeas corpus for six months, with a reservation to extend the term if requisite. But we hope that long before that time the conspirators will be caged, and Ireland restored to reason and her privileges—meantime the land is covered with soldiers and the prisons filled with Fenians. Unfortunately the army is revolutionary to a larger extent than was imagined : otherwise only the lower classes, stump orators, anel rabid writers are implicat d. That the projected rising, together with the "sinews cf war," spring from the United States, no one doubts ; and we pity our poor misguided brethren who are yet so blind to the folly and wickedness of outraging the laws vhich

exist alike for protecting Celt and Saxon. In England, Scotland, and Wales, FenLns are found and arrested, and our gaols are specially guarded with picked men from Scotland yard. For this loyal duty "no Irish need apply," as gentlemen with the brogue are scrupulously excluded. The notorious fact that this alarming organisation is of American origin leads to Parliamentary interrogation, and Mr Gladstone says, that at present the Washington authorities are quite free from any participation in it ; and that as we have every reason to believe in the bona jides of America, no remonstrance from England is considered necessary or at all contemplated.

Jamaica receives the pro tern. Governor and Royal Commissioners; Mr Edward John Eyre is relieved of an unenviable position ; and Sir Henry Storks will presently tell us all about it. Meantime we pin our faith on Mr Eyre's integrity and courage during the trying days of massacre and rebellion. Putting aside all ex parte statements tending to impugn the Character of a well-tripd public servant and hitherto a firm and righteous judge, it is still urged that he was prostrated by

panic, unequal to the sudden emergency, and insensible for the time to considerations of humanity. Certainly he may have committed errors, but we doubt such errors amounting to crimes ; anybody can be wise after the event. Supposing his conviction to have been that he was standing over a mine, or on the brink of a volcano, and that he acted accordingly, even this may or may not quite justify all his proceedings or the apparently cruel acts of his subordi» nates ; but any way, should his conduct bear the impress of severity, it may be that by his vigour he stamped out a treason which would have involved us in endless little wars and heavy losses. The long continuance of martial law — the wholesale slaughter of the blacks — the sending of Gordon from Kingston for trial by courtmartial at Morant Bay — the questionable | trial there — the approving of the verdict, and ordering execution : these are matters seriously affecting Mr Eyre ; and should the Commissioners rule against him, then comes the query, are such illegalities covered by the Bill of Indemnity pa c sed by the Assembly ? The Commission alone can now decide the issues raised between the Ex- Governor and the negroes, the colonists and the Home Government ; and by that award must all be bound. The future management of the island is now ! before the English Parliament; and Mr Caldwell, in introducing a Bill for transferring the Jamaican Government to the Crown, proposed that, by an order in Council, Jamaica for the next three years shall be subject to the same laws as Trinidad and the Mauritius, and at the 1 expiration of that time the Constitution to be ratified or further amended according to circumstances.

' France has just emerged from her riotous Carnival, in the midst of which came the Yellow Book, giving the entire correspondence with America on the Mexican question ; and whilst every disposition is shewn to conciliate the American mind, and perpetuate that amity which has reigned so long, we feel persuaded that no arrogant sensitivenessof the Americans v>ill betray Bonaparte into rash measures or offensive words ; at the sa*ne time we know him as a man not easily scared from his purpose. In this enterprise there is more than meets the eye. The idea was purely his own, and, perilous as it has been throughout, he himself considers it v the grandest act cf his reign." Thup, a lofty attitude is taken. On a mutual agreement of non-intervention being entered into by France and America, the French troops will be withdrawn, and Maximilian left face to face with his subjects; but if America refuses to pledge neutrality, them will the interest, the honor, and the dignity of France, be upheld; and at all hazards the army will rtmain until the fitting time comes for its removal. Napoleon will neither forego the glory to result from the expedition, nor sacrifice the Mexican people who place their lives and their fortunes under the protection of the sacred tri- color to the merciless vengeance of Juarez and his brigands. The sixth battalion of the Foreign legion has left the Mediterranean for Mexico ; and we hear of severe conflicts with doubtful results between Imptrialists and Republicans, in addition to which a place called Bagdad is captured by American filibusters ; a French ship is fired into ; and other incidents arise on the Rio Grande, involving serious complications between France and the United Stites.

M. Drouyn de Lhuys has sent Lord Clarenion the formal six months' notice to terminate our Extradition treaty of 1843. His principal grievance is that we don't give up offenders "judicially sentenced according to French laws." It is well known that in France a man is tried and convicted in his absence — a system diametrically opposed to our own ; and nothing but an assimilation of the law of both countries can surmount the difficulty. Again he says, " aprimafacie case should be sufficient proof of guilt to warrant extradition," which with us is not the case, fiom the circumstance that we attach a crave suspicion to all documentary evidence. However, the evils which must result from the proposed abrogation are so weighty that the eminent jurists of France and England are invited to study the question, and devise some reciprocal method to prevent the triumph of rascaldom.

In Italy, retrenchment is the order of the day, and La Marmora's political army seem likely to stand their ground. The ministerial bill for suppressing religious corporations is forcing its way through the enemy's ranks and expected to pass muster. A pending settlement of the Italian question, in its broadest sense, is rumoured in Paris and Vienna, which, together with recent diplomatic movement, inclines us to expect good news.

Hopeless bankruptcy and the undisguised voice of the Romans begin to tell ; and as September approaches, so does the doom of temporal power. Discussions on Rome have lately occupied the French Chamber, and whilst the Emperor guarantees a

Foreign Legion for the Pope's protection, and is also resolved that the terms of the Convention shall be equally respected by Italy 8s by France, the impression at the Tuilerie3 appears to be that the Vatican Government will end with the departure of the last French brigade. But the statesmen at Madrid hold very different doctrines - they are for looking into the probable workings of a Convention manufactured by France and Italy, and say that Spain acknowledged the Italian kingdom merely to restore commercial relations, and with no view to ignore the claims of the Pope to Catholic sympathy and support. The breach between Rome and Russia is unhealed— diplomacy is completely severed. Austria at last bids fair to rise from the dust — her internal disputes with Croatia and Hungary are in train for settlement. The free trade treaty with England is so popular, that the people wonder such commercial advantages were not sooner made available ; whilst Francis Joseph himself begins to see his way pretty clearly, and if it be true that negociations are opened for relinquishing Venetia, it will account for another rumor — that he is prepared to brave the fury of King William of Prussia and Bismarck, by upholding Au«ustenbnrg's sovereign claim toSchleswig-Holstein. The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor is now at Vienna waiting its acceptance by the Austrian Crown Prince ; it goes from the Tuileries in return lor the new year's compliment paid to the '"Child of France"; and although these regal reciprocities may lack any real meaning, in these very critical times, they claim a pasang notice nevertheless.

In Prussia " chaos hss come again." The following are the incidents of the month:— The King assumes the title of Duke of Lauenburg, and also insists on a personal union between Prussia and the Duchies. Bismarck orders the prosecution of five or six out-spoken Deputies. The police di-perse the people at public meetings. Orl all these subjects the Chamber resolved that the Throne and the Ministers acted illegally, and remonstrances were sent to the King ; but Bismarck would not receive the resolutions, and they were returned to the Chamber as "unconstitutional," whereupon the indignant Deputies replied that unless their resolutions were accepted, no more Government measures would be discussed. Then came the Bismarckian. finale, " gag their mouths, and shut up the shop." Thus Prussia is again robbed of her Parliament, and how far the outraged peopleand their insultedrepresentatives are disposed th ; s time to brook " the proud man's contumely," we shall see ; a*, als >, whether the perspicacity of the audacious favorite may induce a pause in his mad career ; or whether, disregarding continued warnings of the surging waters, with his usual buldness, he will stem the torrent, and agiin rush on to success. The latter is his likely ourse ; but that he will ultimately no one step too far is plain to those who watch his iniquitous doings.

The rumor that Russia has sent a caution to King William respecting certain proceeding* in the Duchies gains credence ; likewise that Russian troops are moving to the Galician frontier. Alexander speaks of releasing Poland from martial law, and making the military chitfs henceforth subordinate to the civil authorities.

Belgium's new King adopts the wise counsels of his lamented sire, and steers clear of party intrigues. Greece again luxuriates in a new Cabinet, which certainly reveals a dismal state of affairs : but while nothing more alarming is reported than a change of ministers, a thing now familiar as household words amongst the Hellenes, we may leave the Statesmen of Athens to their studies till next month. N.B. Brigands are thriving. In Constantinople, the Cholera Conferrence has commenced its sittings. The Druses and Maronites are once more troublesome, and tbe Turks are sending a large army to quell some ugly disturbances in the Lebanon, where much obstinate fighting is announced. In the Principalities likewise there is considerable uneasiness, but as yet the confusion is limited to political disruption : the head- strong Prince Couza, apparently running his last course.

The recently born Spanish Prince is dead.— General Prim has been expelled from Portugal, and taken refuge in British territory. — Whether the rebellion is really crushed, and how soon we are to behold another ; or whether the explosion is merely smothered, leaving embers ofrevolt to expand into flame with next month's political breeze, are questions beyond argument for the moment. It is certain, however, that Spain, rejoicing in authority restored, talks of maintaining the Pope in his struggle with Italy : determines to hold hia military strength on its present organisation ; to increase the Pacific squadron to 22 vessels of war, and to continue most vigorous action -against Chili and Peru. — Letters of marque are issued at Cadiz, Valparaiso, and Lima ; privateers spring up like mushrooms, and unless some strong foreign mediation intervenes, we must look for a devastating war of re-

prisals, which may assume wide ramifications. Packs of wolves appear in Badajoar, and make such ravages amongst the cattle that good prices are put on the devoted. heads of the destroyers, and battues organised for their extermination.

The American tone has been more bumptious than agreeable ; and although. Congressional defe \t attended a proposition to renounce official communication with England, until the Alabama claims were satisfied, a reckles3 spirit of aggression pervade 3 the Washington Legislators Mr Chandler, of Michigan, eaid, "with characteristic emphasis, " I want you to tell the Britisher that he must pay or fight, but in either cafle he shall pay." Again, on Mexico, the Radicals stand firm for tbe Monroe Doctrine ; they also continue their vindictiveness against the South — cause arrests of parties already pardoned— pass a bill declaring Negro suffrage in Columbia— insist that if the blacks be not counted they as voters, shall not be represented in Congress — pass another bill declaring all persons born in the States, regardless of race or color (except Indians), equal before the law in every sense of the term. They insist oa an exclusive and very heavy excise on cotton and tobacco ; vehemently oppose Mr M'Culloch's financial scheme; and resist any reduction in the currency, being perfectly indifferent to the fact that the national debt will absorb 40 million* sterling annually for interest — and they also have the credit of instigating the capture of Bagdad and other outrages on the Rio Grande; but such acts are publicly disavowed by the Federal Government^ General Sheridan being commanded torestore order, arrest Crawford and his cofilibusters, ;and guard against future malpractices. We thus feel assured of the statesmanlike prudence of Mr Johnson-, and can only hope that the people will aid in preparing fer that fiscal crisis whica sooner or later may fall upon the country when, with a bona fide currency, war taxea have to be paid out of peace receipts; and t'nat they will support the government in peace and progress at home and abroad, instead of listening to demagogues who advocate another longf war and national ruin. The good President has again been alarmingly ill ; and were he not so manfully assisted fey General Grant, poor Jeff. Davis and other victims of rabid politics would fare mucl* worse than they even now do. The overwhelming majority of these obstructives in Congress will prevail until March 4th, 1867; and if they persist itt their present course, and Mr Johnson fails to break through the formidable phalanx, serious results must arise. This contest between President and Radicals is anxiously watched ; for no man may say what shall come of it. In addition, negra labor is unproductive, and the markets of the world are denuded of Southern products Mr Johnson, however, has publicly declared that he will resist the destructive element to the utmost; he says he is not himself a candidate for presidential reelection, and that, as he desires no office, he can afford to do right.

Canada sends no word of promise respecting the grand Confederation. We learn with sorrow that Mr Seward steadily refuses to renew the reciprocity treaty which will expire next month by effluxioß of time. The Toronto papers are constantin apprehensions of a Fenian raid; the " patriots " listen eagerly to the Irish; the Fenian Chief Colonel Robrrts and hia war secretary, General Sweeney, were beating up recruits through the States, — whilst money literally poured into the revolutionary exchequer by sacks-full; and it would appear that unless the American Government resolutely stamps out the parade of these "Irish Republicans/ some mad venture will be launched against England, which will prove most disastrous.

Cape news continues very bad ; a large section of the farmers were on the verge of ruin from failure of crop* and fatalities among the stock, occasioned by the long" drought ; the distress of the working classes was undiminished, and the general results of trade truly discouraging. The Governor's proposal to raise money by private guirantee for public works had failed ; a gigantic scheme of irrigation had also started, authorising an expenditure of LoOO.OOQ on the security of an export tax on wool was violently opposed, and expected to break down ; and thus there was no hope of relief. In the face of all this, immigration was mooted in high quarters, and Dr Mann, the SurveyorGeneral, was coming to England for victims. The Basuto war existed but ia-. name, both sides being content to rest 00. their laurels and enjoy the sweets of repose and plunder. Dr Colenso was very popular, but he and his metropolitan were on most: unchristianlike terms ; he is to be superseded by the consecration of another dignitary in his stead, called Bishop of Pietermaritzburg ; a new trial was likewise probable, as also a sentence of excommunication by Dr Gray against the fearless Colenso. Murderous warfare waff prevalent in the far north of Natal ; and.

lie systematic slave trade carried on by the Kaffirs was exciting public attention. Last Friday's Gazette gives an Order in Council uniting the Colony of Sierra JLeone with the Forts and Settlements on the West Coast of Africa into one Governanent, to be called the West Africa Settlements ; and S. W. Blackall, Esq., is appointed the Governor and Commander- inChief.

The Abyssinian prisoners have again leen noticed in Parliament : Earl Clarendon re^d a despatch, dated November 18, from Mr Rassara, who was cautiously pursuing bis way to the Gondar Court, but liad not received a safe conduct from the black Emperor. Letters from the unfortunate Cameron were enclosed, showing that he was in comparative good health. Another despatch from Mr Raseam states that on the 21st November he had reached Matemma, was waiting an answer from iDng Theodore, and expected to obtain the release ; up to 17th October the prisoners were reported well. Dr Beke, ■on the same mission, arrived at Aden, January 11th, and next day took steam for j&assowah.

In India, Mr Massey was struggling -through Sir O. Trevelyan's financial muddle. The rumored retirement of the Viceroy was officially contradicted. Arxangements were progressing for a weekly tnail with England. Dr Livingstone had mailed for Zanzibar. The Bhootan treaty having been signed, sealed and delivered, we considered ourselves well out of a dangerous, expensive, and most troublesome business : too soon, alas, we laid the flattering unction to cur souls. Bhootan, like Japan, beasts of two Emperors, with numerous unruly chieftains. The gentleman who holds our lo^t guns refuses fo ■part with them, his position is inaccessible, .and no earthly power can control him ; any endeavor to measure swords with him might cost us innumerable lives without redeeming our honor ; yet must we do so, or suffer the indignity inflicted on v«, and -wisdom teachts Sir John Lawrence to pocket the affront as the lesser evil.

Brazil and her allies, at last advices, Tvere invading Paraguay with 50,000 troops, and would be content with nought less than the expulsion of Lopez from that country. Some accounts ttate that Lopez was realising his property preparatory to flight; others representing that, wi:h a large army, he was waiting the approach of the enemy at Paso de la~Patrea: that the rivers were crowded with hostile cruisers, and that a battle was immiuent. It was generally btl'eveil, however, that ere the war be ended, it will be found that disease and famine have done more havoc than the sword. When hos"ilitie3 cease, it is intended that the Amazons liver stall be thrown open to the navigation of the world.

Of China's rebel rising?, Imperial defeats, banditti maraudings, countless thousands of perishing peasants, we know not what to think ; but we do believe that Sir R. Alcoek is in Pekin, contending with an adverse feeling in the Cabinet respecting forej"jier? 5 and endeavoring- to smooih the wayiuJ- transplanting Western civilisation upon Celestial soil. V. r e are sorry to believe also in the numerous cases cf piracy •which are still rcporttd.

Japan announces the presence of Sir H. Parkes at Yokohama— resolute opposition of the Daiuiios to the admission of foieigners — consideratle rgitntion rc?pectirg the feudal system ; and an abundance of local disturbances. Duubrs, als.i, are entertained as to the ratification by the Mikado of the treaty £r opening the ports of Ossaca and Hiogo.

A rupture is reported between Chili and Monte Video, which, if tiue, will be ■unwelcome news at Lima, where war is declared agaiust Spain. An offensive and defensive alliance ratified between Peru and Chili, and an invitation .sent to the other South American Republics to join in common war against the Don ; an important clause in the treaty of alliance specifying that supreme naval command may be conferred «a any officer, native or foreign, who the Peruvian and Chilian Governments deem most competent— an opening for adventurous Americans, which, perbapp, will cot be disregarded. The blockade is now confined to Valparaiso and Caldera; and as the other ports are free, it is thought the Australian trade will not be much crippled — it is also suggested that the uiiion of ' the sister Republics may lead to the inyading squadron being blockaded in turn, if Spain repents not speedily the error of her ways, returning to reason and justice. According to late news, fortune favors the oppressed ; the capture of several Spanish merchantmen, &c. The Peruvian war ship "Huascar," which recently left the Thames and put, in at Brest, is detained by the Prench Government. Why it should be so pasfeth understanding, as the detention took place before Peru had declared war against Spain. Queen Victoria, by proclamation, ordains and enjoins neutrality daring the content ; and a similar declaration is reasonably expected from other nations — America alrtady professes it, if not officially announced.

A Spaniard named Monturiol is said to have solved the problem of sub-marine steam navigation, by inventing a vessel vyhich can remain many hours at a considerable depth — discharge cannons from below, and even act as a ram for piercing iron clads.

The wire, and principal material for the new Atlantic cable, is being manufactured at Birmingham, and another attempt at success in this great undertaking will be made early in the summer.

Electro-telegraphy boa?ts of another patent. Professor Wheatstone has introduced his improved automatic instrument, by which he can transmit 600 distinctly legible signs or letters per minute. A " commercial code of signals" i 3 now published in the French and English tongues ; it results from an Anglo-French commission appointed to facilitate communication between ships of each country. As concerns us and our neighbors, an arrangement is making to communicate by post and telegraph between vessels and the land, at a fixed tariff. Other nations are invited to adhere to the new code, and thu3 to establish one universal sea-lan-guage.

By a recent Order in Council, all Government ves?els, and all passenger ships fitted with Chaplin's distilling apparatus may proceed to sea with half the usual quantity of fresh water.

Captain Covvper Cole 3is again in disgrace, and this time to a certain extent he forfeits the public sympathy : he shewed temper ; he corresponded with the press ; disclosed secrets ; condemned the works of other contractors ; and clearly broke the terms of his engagement with the Crown — for this he is dismissed, and England loses the benefit of his ingenuity in the construction of turret armour clads.

The interest felt for Captain Wake, late of II.M. s. Bull Dog, and the general disapproval of the Court-martial verdict, induced a private subscription and the presentation of a sword of honor to the gallant sailor from a generous British public ; but the Captain is advised, that under the peculiar circumstances of the case his position as an officer in the Ro;i al Navy prohibits his acceptance of any testimonial.

The eight hundredth anniversary of the dedica'ion of Westminster Abbty has been celebrated by a special service.

In place of Sir Charles Eastlake, deceased, Sir Edwin Landseer was elected President of the Royal Academy ; but Sir Edwin is too busy on the Trafalgar lions, and in addi'ion he has no taste for afterdinner speechifying, so he declines the honor, and it ia now conferred on Mr Francis Grant, of Kilgrasdon, Perthshire.

The Glasgow M.P., Mr Graham, in seconding the ;i '.dress, delivered his parliamentary maiden speech, and elicited the commendations of the House. His oration abounded with commercial statistics; and amongst other things, he cautioned us on the probable exhaustion of our coal fields. In this he 3gree3 with SirWm. Armstrong md mar.y practical men ; therefore we are bound to conclude thU our valuable stock of coal is r,ot illimitable. The Scotch TCirk 13 still disturbed with Dr Lee's! innovations at Old GTeyfriars ; and amidst the agitation, one of the staunchest upholders of ancient forms is removed by death : Dr Macfarlane, minister of Duddingston, d ; ccl 6th inst. after a short illness. Mr Alex. Kay, the late Glasgow merchant, has b queathed Ll ß,ooo, for purchasing a public park for Kilinarnock. St. Kilda is reported to have been swept clean of provisions by the recent gale 3; — prompt and ample succour being recommended to avert famine. The " Old Market Cros?," at Edinburgh, is to be restored ; and woikmen have commenced laying the ba-ement within the north enclosing rail of St. Giles, very near to the ?pot where it was originally placed many cenfuiie- ago. The British Volunteers are preparing for the annual display of their martial tactics ; but as Easter comes early this year, Whit Monday is proposed to be substituted ; a very sensible idea truly, and one which will recommend itself to all who have any notion of Brighton Downs in bleak weather.

The execution of Charlotte Winsor, the Devonshire child-murderesp, is again postponed ; and notwithstanding the unanimous decision of the judges as to the legality of a eecond trial alter a jury's discharge without a verdict, her case is to be re-argued next Term, on a writ of Error in the Court of Exchequer Chamber. The Attorney- General stated in the House last week, that should the ruling of the Queen's Bench judges be confirmed, then will this important question be for ever settled. The Kirwee and Banda booty also gives scope for professional ingenuity ; the argument commenced January Bth, and Dr. Lushington has had to endure forensic prolixity up to now. The 22nd sitting has been held with endless variety of argument ; one batch of learned counsel quickly succeeds another, and " the cry is still they come" — but cvi hono ? In the Indian mutiny our troops were equally brave and heroic ; and although it will be no eaey matter for the venerable judge to

digest the heavy mass of technical quibbling, it is hoped that Sir Stephen will crown a long life of legal toil, by adopting King David's judgment, and award the prize to the army generally.

A new Sanday movement has been amongst v->. To detach the "working classes from drunkenness a^.d immorality, Sunday evening free lectures, supplemented wit i sacred music from the creat Masters, were given at St Maitit.'s Hill and elsewhere. Mr J. B. Langley and other eminent men promoted t!'e ideu, but it died out prematurely. The Lord's Day Observance Society threatened legal proceedings under 21 G. 3, cap. 49, and the halls are now closed to such rationality. Counsel's opinion, however, is taken, and the Queen's Bench will have to decide.

The Duke of Newcastle has been duly installed Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons of Nottingham. Theatres are doing good business ; with Mr Jefferson's 148 th representation of Rip Van Winkle, and Mr Sothern's 102 nd of Dundreary's Brother Sam, the public approve; also with Mr Phelps's leading characters at Old Drury, and Mr Fechter's Master of Ravenswood " Never too late to mend " is also before us for morality's sake. The Opera Company, limited, hag, however, run out of funds; and as the lawful demands of " her Majesty's servants" met no pleasant reponse from the treasurer, on Saturday last, Covent Garden was suddenly closed; and now, das, for English Opera ! the lamentation is, where shall it now find shelter? the proverbial "echo" being the only answer. "'Tis true, 'tia pity, and pity 'tis 'tis true,'' English Opera is a failure ; it has no hold on the English mind, and ruin attends all who attempt it. We must evidently wait a little lonizer ere we nationalise the lyric I drama. The Keans were very popular in New Orleans last month, with other engagements on hand ; but they must close their eyes to the fascination of the " almighty dollar," and be homeward bound, as they are advertised to appear in London on May 17th. Mr H. Webb, ihe tenor and viola, is dead. That very ancient favorite, Madams Saqui, nne Lalanne, the tight-rope dancer of our infancy, has just died, a^ed 83. It is remarkable that a portion of the rescued London crew have been so ill- advised zs to appear publicly on the stage at the Ea«t end theatres — an exhibition which may answer managerial purpose 3 , but; which, in the face of the gen:ral sympathy for a dreadful ca'amity, is, to say the least of it, highly indecoroU3. Obituary. — Sir C. Phipp?, of Her Majesty's household, aged 65; Lord Monteagle (T. S. Rice), 75 ; Hon. J. C. Dundas (brother to Lord Zetland), .57; Right Hon. Lawrence Sulivan, 82 ; Earl of Kinnoul, 81 ; Eirl of Limerick, 53 ; Earl of Cionmell, 48; Earl of Milltown, 66 ; Earl of Duno ugh more, 43 ; Viscount Clifden, 41; Lord Edward P. St. Matir, 24; Sir T. V. Stonhonse, Bt , 6G- Sir Wm. Palmer, Bt., 89; Sir Geo. Pa'm-r, Bt., 55 ; Sir Henry Peyton, Bt , 62 ; Sir J. P. Wood, Bt., 70 ; Sir F. L. Goorlricke, Bt., 68 ; Sir Wm. Baynes, Bt , 76 ; Sir F. W. Sjke=. Bt, 43; Sir A. P. Cooper, Bt., 67; Rev D. H. F. Hatton, 70; Rev B. Bourehier, 70; Rev Henry Welles-ley, 72 ; Rev S. R. Muitlaud, 74 ; Dr Dauglisb, 65: Admiral Win. W.b'o. 76 ; Rtar- Admiral Wm. Turner, 63 ; Commander Win. Gould, 75; Comman'ler John White, 80; Lieutenant- General 11. J. Savage, 73 ; Major Donald Macqueen. 76; General P. Latour, 79 ; General Sir J. Love, -80; Major-General J. Fitzmaurice, 73 ; General Sir E C. Whinyafes, 84 ; Colonel F. P;»t?et. 58 ; General Charratie, 71 ; Captain W. Wainman. 57 ; Lieut -Col on el H. Arbu'hnot, 53; MijorGeneral J. N. Jackson, 85 ; Lis-ut- Colonel M. 11. Dow-biggin, 34; Colonel Charles Wyndham, 69"; Dr Travtrs, 45 ; Dr Petiie, of Dublin, 70; Sir John Howley, formerly Irish Attorney-Genen.l, 77 ; Thomas Love Peacock, Esq , 80; Smyth Lee, Esq., 28 ; Andrew Spottiswoode, the Queen's Printer, 79 ; Dr W. T. Brande, D.C.L., F.R.S., 80 ; John Thompson, the wood engraver, 81 ; William Harvey, arti9t and draughtsman (pupil and successor to the famous Bewiek), 69. W. F. Windlum, the notorious prodigal of FelbrigiT Hall, died on the 2nd instant, aged 26.— Amongst the very iowe^t dregs of society he squandered the whole of his magnificent fortune in three short years ; and died at this early age, a comparative beggar. In 1869 he" would have inherited the°Hanworth Estate (about L6OOO per annum) which is now supposed to revert to his infant eon : but, as the child's legitimacy is disputed by the deceased's family, there will be much more litigation, with its accompanying scandal, ere we hear the last of " the celebrated Windham case." Mr Foulkes's dog Brigadier, won the Great Waterloo Cup, 16th instant: The racing season commenced last week at Lincoln, and the Lincolnshire Handicap was won by Treasure Tro\e, Saccharoimter was second ; Copenhagen, third; and Valiant, fourth . No arrangement has yet been arrived at in London for an Australian cricket team this year.

Old Sam Day, the veteran jockey (brother to H Honest John") who for fifty years has been celebrated as a rider, died suddenly last week at Brompton. February 26.

The Bank of England rate of discount continued at 8 per ren*. till 22nd in-t , whtn it .'a, red.; :• ■! fo 7 pnr ccn'. ; a r ul a pro^orli .inte dc li'ie mi h=) ra'c of dis— CT.int is {'.'iin^ }.lii'e throughout K.irop?.

Con ol? h?ve s-.Jrlv ri-en lately, but art^ s ill a>, low a-i s?a IV maney, a-id 87| for the ace .unt.

The Coldstreim Q i-r. 1 ?. the 6th Dragoon Guard*, the BJih Regiment, and a iarge body of London police have just started for Ireland, where the arrested suspects (principally Irish- Americans) are' so numerous that, failing prison accommodation, they are sent to Spike Island for security.

The lost guns have been restored by the 1 Bhootan Chief, and our invading force iareturning. Thu?, fortunately, there will be no war in India.

It is positively stated in Paris that five I or six thousand men of the Mexican expedition are now en route for Fracce. Should this be so, a good understanding must exist between the Tuilerie3 and the White House. American Generals are reported to declare that Mexico is not worth fighting for, and belief is expressed that Maxitian's position is secure. But thfe scarcely tallies with news from America published this morning : viz., Juarez was at El Paso, January 17th ; Maximilian'asuccesses continued ; and Mexican papers called on the United States for explanation and reparation respecting Bagdad, to remove the necessity for a declaration of war. The Monroe doctrine was still uppermost, with propositions to unite with all the American Republics against French encroachments. The hostile feeling between the President and the Radicals is confirmed. The Chilian Consul in New York is to be prosecuted for breach of the neufralitv laws, and his exequatur is revoked. The Fenians solicit the Federal Government for open sympathy with their cause against England. Irish Republican bonds are being sold at offices in New York. Gold, 137f. Continental telegrams published to-day give attempts to excite the Christian populations to insurrections against the Turks. Uneasine33 in Servia and Roumania. A bloodless revolution at Bucharest ; Prince Couza deposed in the Principalities, taken prisoner, and forced to abdicate ; the Count of Flanders proclaimed Hospodar under the tirle of Pnilip I, all 1 ' which is expected to be ratified by Turkr-y and the European Powers ; ako, further rapid movements of Russian and Austrian troops on the Pruth and the Danube.

SciENTinc Jottings — Dr Paillon, of St. Foy, publi=hes the fo'lowing method of curing cor^za, or cold in the head. It consists iri inhaling through the nose emanations cf ammonia contained in a sne ling bottle. If the sen s eof smell is completely obliterated, the bo'tle should be kept under the nose until the pungency of the volatile alkali is felt. The Dottle is then removed, but only to be re-applied after a minute ; the second application, however, should not be long, that the patient may bear it. This e-i«y operation being repeated seven or eight times in the course of fi-.-e minute?, but always very rapid!}', except the first tim?, the nostrilsbecome free, the sense of smeiJ is restored, and the secretion of the irritating mucus is stopped. This remedy is peculiarly advantageous to sirgers. — M. Henry Sainte Claire Deville lately communicated to the Academy of Sciences the curious fact that nvgnesia obtained by calcination from chloride of mognesium will, whea exposed to the action of water for some month?, acquire considerable consistency and become hard enough to cut marble. A lamina of this magnesia, of moderate thickness, is tianslucid i like alabaster. With this substance M. Deville has been enabled to take casts, as if with plaster of Paris, onlj (he former sets under water. A mixture of chalk and masnesia in powder, made vp into a paste with water, is good for moulding, and will become exceedingly hard under water. Lieutenant Marior, F.N., states from experience that the Chinese preserve their ships admirably from the ravages of the shipworm (Teredo Navalisj by means of two kinds of resin, which are obtained from certain native trees. Ore of them is called by the Annamites Caudau, which means oil -tree. It often grows to a height of from 200 feet to 240 feet. A single tree will yield from two to three litres of oil by incision. The natives cut large boats lor as many as 30 men out of its trunk, and these boats are so durable as to descend by inheritance from father to son, for many generations. The other tree is also much of the same kind, but not so good. Vessels having their bottoms coated with a mixture of the resinous substances obtained from these two trees will resist the attacks of the shipworm for many years, and all Chinese and Annamite barques and junks are so preserved.

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