NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 825, 20 September 1867, Page 8

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

(Abridged from the Correspondent of the Melbourne Argus.) London-, 26th July. Our sombre city has been putting on the garments of gladness, and taking its share in the festivities of peace. It is many years since London set itself in this fashion to play the part of a generous host. ' The Sultan has been here, and the Viceroy of Egypt, and at the same time Borne 3000 Belgian volunteers. There have been receptions of all kinds — banqnets, balls, concerts, reviews, and a sufficiency of pleasant excitements to diminish the regrets felt at the contemplation from a distance of the magnificent gaieties of Paris.

Meanwhile, the first and most brilliant chapter in the history of the Paris Exhibition maybe said to have closed with the distribution of prizes. This splendid ceremonial was made the more significant by the presence of the Sultan, who had "been received as the guest of the " Infidel" the day before, and welcomed into Paris with all the state that attends the progress of the most powerful monarchs. The great hall of the Palace of Industry ■was filled with an imposing assemblage — a, favored multitude of 20,000 gathered from every nation — ladies in the gayest toilets, soldiers in uniforms, officials of various grades in gorgeous state dresses.

The exhibitors in the ten various groups into which the Exhibition is divided who have gained grand prizes or gold medals, entered in procession, eachgroupbeingpreceded by a bannsr inscribed with its distinctive name, and took up their position near the throne. Presently the blare of trumpets and the hoarse shouting of the mob outside announced the arrival of the Imperial party — Ministers, marshals of France, admirals, and other privileged persons, grouped themselves around. The Emperor and Empress bowed on entering ; and the Sultan, too, bowed and waved his arm in a paternal manner until the cheering ceased. The Emperor took his seat in the centre of the throne, with the Sultan on his right, and the Empress on his left ; close at hand were the Prince of Wales, the Prince of Prussia, the Duke of Cambridge, and other celebrities, including " the brother of the Tycoon of Japan." First, a " Hymn to Napoleon 111. and his Noble People," composed by Rossini for the occasion, was performed, the whole assemblage rising at the close, ■while the cannon thundered without" and the trumpets sounded and the bells rang, adding their loudest acclamations of " Vive I'fimpcreur!" Then M. Rouher, the Minister of State and Finance, and the Vice-President of the Exhibition, advanced, and read a long report on the Exhibition, its history and success, which was impatiently listened to.

The Emperor next rose, and with clear penetrating voice, read one of his characteristic speeches — "The poets of antiquity," he said, " sang the praises of those. great games in which the various nations of Greece assembled to contend for the prizes of the race. What would they say to-day Averse they to be present at these Olympic games of the whole •world, in which all nations, contesting by intellect, seem to launch themselves simultaneously in the infinite career of progress towards an ideal incessantly ap proached without ever being able to be attained." There is a cumbrous wordiness about the Emperor's ideas us they are presented to us in an English dress ; but they have been well received, for they testify in favor of peace. A little selfglorification is apparent, and very skilfully does he strive to txirn the prestige of the moment to the permanent account of his dynasty. " Let us congratulate ourselves, gentlemen," were his Lnperial words, " upon having received among us the majority of the sovereigns and princes of Europe, and so many distinguished visitors. Let us also be proud of having shown to them France as she is — great, prosperous, and free. One must be destitute of all patriotic faith to doubt of her greatness ; must close one's eyes to evidence to deny her prosperity ; must misunderstandher institutions, tolerentsometimes even of licence, not to behold in them liberty. Foreigners have been able to appreciate this. France — formerly disquieted* and casting out her uneasiness beyond her frontiers— now laborious and cahn, always fertile in generous ideas, turning' her genius to the most diverse marvels^ and never allowing herself to be enervated by material enjoyments." ,

At. the conclusion of this speech the groups of exhibitors, with their banners borne before them, advanced ; and every man entitled to a gold medal, or to other exceptional reward, mounted the steps of the throne in turn, and received it from, the Emperor's own hand. . Some' f>i the mecallistß, running forward, showed an almost nervous, haste lest in the long suc-

cession the ceremony should be too protracted ; and many, hesitating to approach too near the Imperial chair, obliged the Emperor inconveniently to stretch forth his arm to its full length. One little incident elicited loud applause A prize had been decreed to the Emperor for his model of a working man's house, and this the young Prince Imperial stepped forward to receive, and presented to Mb father with a grace that delighted the spectators. Of the prize lists, as since published, there may be two opinions ; but in this country there is an almost unanimous feeling that English exhibitors have not been generously treated, and that, whether the failure arise from defective classification or from the partiality _of jurors — especially as seen in the Fine Arts awards — our honors have^ not proved worth the cost of competition. Much astonishment has been expressed that no Englishman has received the riband of the Legion of Honor, which, it is said, has been withheld from this country at the request of the Queen, for the incredible "reason" that Englishmen would not -understand its value.

The distribution having been completed, the Emperor, the Sultan, and the Empress descended from their thrones, and followed by the princes and princesses, slowly walked round the nave, and so brought the ceremonial to a fitting conclusion. As the Imperial cortege emerged into the streets, the remainder of Paris was there to greet it ; and flags and decorations everywhere testified that the people had surrendered themselves with one accord to holiday enjoyments.

The ensuing week was to have been devoted to a series of fetes in honor of the Sultan. But just at the very zenith of festivity, a cloud from the far west threw a dark shadow on all the glory. The Emperor Maximilian was shot ! The tragic news, no longer to be questioned, raised the ghost of an unpopular policy; and in the recollections it revived, as well as in the grief it excited for the cruel fate of the prince, came like a personal wound to the Empercr. The Court went at once into mourning ; the review which was to have been held the next day was postponed, and a sudden gloom fell upon the city. The sorrow, indeed, was shared by all Europe, and by Queen Victoria, as first cousin of the unfortunate Emperor ; a state ball, which had been fixed to be held in Buckingham Palace, was countermanded, as also a review which had been arranged for Hyde Park.

Old Dover has rarely witnessed anything more picturesque than the disembarkation of the Sultan on the 12th of this month. The English squadron lay in a line stretching nearly a mile out to sea, dressed with flags, and the yards covered with men ; and when joined by the Fremh squadron, it thundered forth its salutes, and the castle batteries added their deep chorus. It was a roost imposing spectacle. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, and the Viceroy Egypt, as tributary, ' went on board the Imperial yacht. Then only did the Sultan emerge from Ids cabin, and, advancing along the deck, greet both his illustrious visitors with much deference. Accordingto Turkishetiquette, neither the Prince nor the Duke shook hands with him, but simply uncovered when he touched his fez, and remained bareheaded near him. The greeting given to the Viceroy of Egypt by the Sultan was far less ceremonious, and what seemed to be the coldness of His Majesty was remarked by all who saw it. After rest and refreshment, and an address of welcome from the Corporation of Dover, the royal train started for London, -while the citadel and forts again saluted.

The Sultan was accompanied by his little son and by two of his nephews, one of whom is the heir-apparent to his throne — which passes in succession to each eldest male of the House of Osman — and by Fuad Pasha, his able Giand Vizier. In general demeanour, His Majesty is reserved and unimpressionable ; his face is intelligent, though unamiable, and wears the aspect of premature age.

First of the foreign visitors who reached our shores was the Viceroy of Egypt. The first intimation that we had of his intention was, that he was about to take up his abode at the house of his agent at Blackheath; but no sooner was this rumored than the public voice was raised in remonstrance. It was not to be tolerated that a ruler to "whom, this country is so much indebted should, on' leaving the splendid hospitalities of Paris, be thus neglected. The Government accordingly hastened to make arrangements for his entertainment, by engaging andfiting tip their favorite caravanseri, Claridge's Hotel, for his reception y but although they sought to , justify' this arrangement by former precedents, . and the difficulties of finding a suitable home, their conduct was still loudly condemned. The magnificent reception which the Viceroy himself gave to the Prince of Wales

when in Egypt, and the manner in which he had housed other distinguished travellers in his palaces, were remembered ; and it was felt to be little less than a national disgrace to send such a guest to an inn. " Why," it was asked, " does not the Prince of Wales himself take a more lively interest in the matter?" Finally the difficulty was to some extent met by a private nobleman, Lord Dudley, coming forward and placing his mansion at the disposal of the Viceroy. This point settled, every disposition was shown to pay him all due honors. But the question was not improperly raised in Parliament on the vote in supply for the maintenance of the Royal palaces. Mr Disraeli, in reply, went the length of saying that " we had not the means in this country of giving that reception to the guests of the Sovereign which became this country, nor were there any pecuniary means available for such a purpose ; a statement which was very emphatically repudiated by Mr Gladstone.

Coincident with the visit of the Sultan has been the arrival of the Belgian Volunteers, -who have responded to the invitation given in Brussels last year. Not more than a thousand were at first expected ; but soon the number swelled to more tlian double ; and later in the week additions a^e estimated to have brought up their total strength to nearly tlnee thousand men. Those who came with their regiments, that is the great bulk of them — were brought over by the Serapis, transport ship : and their journey was attended by some of the two usual incidents of mismanagement in the Transport and Commissariat departments. But these were soon forgotten in the cordial welcome given to the volunteers. When, on Friday, the 12th inst. , they marched into the city to lunch with the Lord Mayor, they made quite a triumphal entry. The concourse to see them was enormous : flags floated above, and the hurrahs were incessant along every step of the way. The luncheon itself our English critics say was meagre fare, and unworthy of the Corporation ; but the Belgians made very merry over it, and danced along the streets as they returned. On Saturday they made their debut at Wimbledon, and marching past the Prince of Wales received each a silver badge, commemorative of their visit. On Tuesday they wereentertainedat Windsor, as the guests of the Queen, though Her Majesty was necessarily absent at Spithead. And day succeeding day has brought its entertainments — now at the Crystal Palace; now at the Agricul-tural-hall, where a very successful ball was given ; and now at Holly-lodge, Highgate, where Miss Burdett Coutts hospitably entertained^he whole band of strangers at a sumptuous dejeuner. The week closed with the review at Wimbledon, the Belgians leading the march past the Sultan and the Prince of Wales. This week they have returned to Belgium ; but the enthusiasm and ovations which accompanied their leave taking were something marvellous.

The Reform Bill may be regarded as safe. On Monday night, the 15th July, an animated debate of eight hours' duration I took place, and a little after midnight the i bill was read a third time and passed the Lower House. But the occasion was far from being one of unalloyed satisfaction and triumph to Mr Disraeli, the putative father of the bill, and his Ministerial t colleagues. Instead of thoughtfully considering the general bearings and probable effects of this extraordinary stroke of competitive legislation, this final stage of discussion was spent chiefly in personalities. Hour after hour, Ministers were assailed by a storm of reproaches and unpleasant imputations, and the wonder was that no one had heart to rebut them. The speeches, some of which were powerful, took the form of protests or apologies. Lord Cranbornebore down sternly and heavily on his late Cabinet colleagues, quoting against them their previously expressed viewa with merciless pertinacity. Mr Lowe, the Cassandra of the House, consistent to the last, recapitulated all his former vaticinations of the evils sure to flow from this democratising measure ; but he closed by intimating that, having loosened the Constitution from its ancient and secure moorings, he and his friends would probably find it necessary to Americanise our institutions more completely, so that they may be in harmony with the democratic basis now adopted — a very significant threat ' The tone of most of the speeches showed plainly that the House was not enamoured of what it had done in committee, but felt the expediency of making the beßt of it, and concurring with as good a grace as possible in what vras clearly beyond 1 its control. The reticence and restraint of Ministers was remarkable. .Taunts could not goad them into reprisals. Shafts from Hansard, however thickly showered and deftly tipped, did not provoke to selfdefence. They took the flagellation as kindly as they covild. Whatever vindication was attempted was done by the dcx- < terous Chancellor. He was no craven.

He had led his associates into the quagmire, and he did his best to get them out. " Do you know what I aimed at /" said a boy to his big brother, after he had thrown a stone. "No ; what V " Why, that thing which I hit." Mr Disraeli's speech (says the Nonconformist') was conceived in this view. This Reform Bill was a true • exponent of Conservative principles. It was even imagined in 1852, but set aside by the Derby Cabinet because the country was not then prepared for it. If smaller measures had since been rejected, it was because they were inadequate, and therefore dangerous. "J, for my part," concluded Mr Disraeli, in reply to the melancholy prognostications of Mr Lowe, "do not believe that the country is in danger. I think England is safe in the race of men who inhabit her, that she is safe in something more precious than her accumulated ( apital — her accumulated experience. She is safe in her national character, in her fame, in the traditions of a thousand years, and in that glorious fnture which awaits her." After such a line of defence there ! was, of course, nothing to be said.

Escaped from the dangers of the Commons, there were still the obstructions and possible hostility of the Lords to be encountered. Earl "Grey threatened a formidable opposition, and some alarm took possession of the public mind. After two long evenings' debate, however, not meeting with the support anticipated, the earl did not force his amendment to a division; the bill was read a second time.

Notice of a motion on the subject having been given in the House of Peers by Lord Lyttelton, the Duke of Buckingham said there were no further papers which could be laid before Parliament, in reference to the distribution of the British troops in New Zealand, and successfully entreated his lordship to drop the subject, it being undesirable to have it discussed at the present time. The ex-Sec-retary of the Colonies, the Earl of Carnarvon, took the opportunity of stating that his attention had been called to a letter written by a person from New Zealand, in which various interpretations were placed on the despatch written by him in reference to this subject. He quite agreed with his noble friend, that, as Her Majesty's Government desired the postponement of the discussion, it was advisable to let the matter stand over. At the same time, he wished to say that the interpretations placed on his despatch were wholly unfounded, and he could only account for the mistake on the supposition that the writer of the letter had either read the despatch very carelessly indeed, or had not read it at all. On a future occasion he should be- perfectly prepared to justify the course which he had taken. He further remarked that if any part of the policy indicated in his despatch was being reconsidered by Her Majesty's Government, it was very desirable that the House should be informed of it. He had intended to settle the whole matter by the clearest and most definite instructions which he could give ; and if the noble duke was reconsidering the subject it was important that" he should state the circumstance to the House.

The subject was revived a few evenings later by Lord Carnarvon, who, in moving f^r an address for a return of the regiments in. New Zealand since January, 1865, and the date of their embarkation, entered upon a vindication of a despatch, written by him while holding the office of Colonial Secretary, which he considered had been misapprehended. He remarked that after the sole power of prescribing the policy with regard to the natives had been conceded to the New Zealand Government, the Duke of Newcastle, as Colonial Secretary, had directed the return to England of all the British troops, with one exception, subject to arrangement. These orders had not been carried out, except with very great delays, which Lord Carnarvon imputed to the Governor, Sir G. Grey, acting under the influence of his local advisers. "When he assumed office he had found the directions of lv's predecessors still unfulfilled, and he wrote a despatch insisting upon tho orders being carried out, believing that the military officer had been overruled by the Governor, but in that despatch he expressed j himself in reference to some reported circumstances in a manner which had been somewhat misunderstood. He, however, now desired to ascertain what were th« present intentions of the Government in respeect of the troops in New Zealand. The Duke of Buckingham replied that the question was nearly in the same position as Lord Carnarvon had left it, but he believed that by this time all the troops except one corps had left the Colony. Lord De Grey, referring to a particular remark, asked whether the number of troops to be retained in New Zealand was still to be I a subject for consideration ; but the Duke lof Buckingham replied that the doubt only applied to the one regiment which it had been always intended to leave in the Colony. Lord Lyitelton justified th©

withdrawal of the troops from the Colony, and remarked upon the independent action of the Governor. The Duke of Cambridge insisted strongly upon the subordination of the military to the civil authorities, and therefore to some extent regretted the removal of the troops, although circumstances had rendered necessary an exceptional course. The address was then agreed to.

The Spectator of July 6 has a very able article on the military policy of the Earl of Carnarvon in New Zealand during his "brief 'Colonial administration. While bearing a highly appreciative testimony to his statesman- like ability in relation to Canada and Jamaica, the writer animadverts with some severity on his stupid blunderings in the treatment of the New Zealand Government. He is accused, in common with his official predecessors, of indulging in v a sort of priggish schoolmasterish tone," which the colonists are justified in resenting. Examples of this fault are given from recent despatches.

The Tichborne Baronetcy case, after having almost passed out of public notice, has at length become the subject of proceedings in the Court of Chancery. The Ifants Advertiser &a.ys that the claimant of tlie baronetcy was at Alresford, in Hunts, »ear which, the family seat is situated, a few weeks since, and was visited by the neighboring gentry and the Tichborne ■tenantry. He was invited to the family mansion %y its present occupant, Colonel Lushington, and people in large numbers came from the surrounding villages to see ■the heir who was lost, but is found again.

The horrible revelations of murder and villainous outrage made before the Sheffield Commission have produced, a profound impression on the public mind, and will lead to much acrimonious controversy and bitter recrimination ior a long time to come. So far as Sheffield is concerned, it is to be hoped that the confessions wrung from Broadhead, Crookes, Hallam, and their guilty confederates, have put us in possession of the worst of the crimes that have attached a stigma of infamy to that "town. The investigations were continued till the Bth instant, and evidence was adduced that the ' v executives" of the unions in the steel trade and the foriekmaking trade either connive at or sanction all sorts of atrocities, not always excluding -murder ; that the managing committee shut their eyes lest they should see facts patent to everybody else ; and that the minor persecutions, such as rattaning (that is, stealing and secreting tools as a punishment), are universally prevalent. So complete is the terrorism that one imas+er, Christopher Rotherham, was threatened with death for refusing to drive his men into tiie union ; another, Mr Tysack, thought it wisest not to inform the police when shot at with a revolver ; and a third, rather than appear refore the commissioners to testify against his workmen, rushed off to the Paris Exhibition. The masters, it was confessed, wer« "completely cowed." Among the brickmakere, needles are put into tlie clay used by non-iuiionists to destroy their hands. The iinal sitting of Mr Overend and his colleagues was on the Bth, when they received applications for -certificates on behalf of those who had made an unreserved' confession of their crimes. Mr Sugg applied, on behalf of many of the men, Br.oadhead's name being first on his list. Mr Overend handed him a list of the crimes to which Broadhead had confessed, with an inti mation that the secretary to the commission would give a certificate. The same course was taken, with respect to the other witnesses, the most noticeable of those who appeared in person being Sam. Crookes. The commissioners refused to hear Joseph Thompson, the secretary of the Scissor-forgers' Union. They had decided not to grant a certificate to him. Mr Overend expressed the thanks of the commissioners to the town authorities and to all those persons who had aided them in their arduous labors. He concluded by saying' " No doubt there have been very serious revelations made of terrible crimes, things the country never in any degree anticipated ; and although it has been a great disgrace to the town, I trust the fact of there having been these revelations will be the means of improving the position of the unions, and will enable the commissioners to present such a report to the Legislature as will enable it to provide laws and regulations to put the unions in a better position. At all events, not only the crimes of murder of the character we have heard, but also the other various crimes it has been our duty to investigate, have now come to light ; and I believe, and my colleagues believe, great good will come of this — however painful the in-; quiry has been — to the town and to, the country generally." The inquiry was ■then formally closed.

It was naturally supposed that this eudden exposure of the devilish wickedness of the chief agents in the execution of trade union vengeance would have fipxex&d .them with shame, and driven

them forth from a town that must abhor their polluting presence. But, to their deeper disgrace,' it Is not so. The first shocV given to the public sense of propriety was by the announcement that Broadhead, with cool effrontery, had applied to the Court for his expenses in attending to give evidence. These were sternly refused, with expressions of disgust shared by the nation. Then we learned that the head murderer, who keeps a pub-lic-house, was driving a thriving business, the Royal George being the resort of cro wds of curious and sympathisingfriends, who talked and joked about the deeds of blood which had made him so famous. Crookes, too, was constantly on view, with the "ouidgun" that had slain the innocent; and the time was spent in heartless jesting and threats of what they will do in the future if any attempt is made to put down trade unions. And menaces against masters and individuals deemed hostile to them, have been as rife as ever. The managing editor of the Sheffield Teleyraph, who has before been threatened, writes to The Times to say that for remarks published during the inquiry he has been warned of his intended assassination. At the same time there exists in some quarters a mawkish sentimentality in relation to the miscreants who have so narrowly escaped the gallows they so richly deserved. A letter in The Times, signed " Hallamshire," and which many regarded as a tissue of irony, attempted to extenuate their crimes, and apjjealed for sympathy on their behalf. It, however, only represented with a slight exaggeration, a ph&se of feeling existing in Sheffield. During the first horror excited by tlis confessions of Crookes and his fellowassassins, the employers of Crookes very properly gave him notice to quit their service. This, in the -estimation of not a few persons, was unchristian persecution. If Messrs Taylor discharged him, who else would put him on 1 And if thrown out of work would be driven into a career of guilt, and his poor wife «,nd children would ■come to want. An exponent of these s?iew3 was found in the person of the Rev. R. Stainton, who went to Crookes's employers, and pleaded with them so successfully that they consented to retain him in their service. Mr Stainton being strongly censured for the step he had taken, he vindicated the duty and policy 1 of a course of charity and compassion towards these condoned criminals before a great open-air meeting at Sheffield, held •on the Bth inst. Between 10,000 and 15,000 working men were assembled on the occasion. A resolution, strongly condemning the foul deeds which have so long systematically disgraced the town, and promising to use every effort to redeem its character, was passed. In harmony with this public avowal, at a meeting since held, it was determined to establish a Chamber of Industry for the itown ; the object of it being "to look to the interests of both capital and labor, in order to bring them into closer union, to give advice in cases of dispute, to promote the study of the principles of political economy, and to examine the laws relating to capital and labor."

To avert suspicion of complicity or sympathy v ith the Sheffield outrages, a series of meetings have been held in London by the representatives of London and Provincial Trades Unions, to protest vehemently against all such atrocities, and to consider what course should be taken in consequence of the horrible revelations which have startled the country. So far as strongly-phrased resolutions go, these demonstrations were satisfactory enough. And to dissociate themselves from the villanies of Sheffield, they resolved that the executive and- head quarters of the association of organised trades ought to be withdrawn from that town, and that every union at all implicated must be reconstructed, or be put in Coventry till this is done.

The crowning demonstration of industrial indignation and horror took place in Exeter Stall on the evening ot the 2nd inst., and would have passed off successfully, leaving a salutary impression on the minds of the artisans present, but for one most pernicious speech, which has done infinite mischief, and bred a world of bitterness. That speech was delivered by Professor Beesly, who occupies a chair at the University College, London ; and though some feeble attempts have been made to excuse it, his best friends deeply regret it as a serious error of judgment. So great is the disgust that it has excited in influential quarters that his removal from his professorship has been rumored, a step against which the Spectator earnestly protests. The unveiling of Trades Union iniquities is to be further extended-. Sheffield is not the only place where outrages have been perpetrated; and the House of Commons have by a bill conferred on the commission the requisite powers to prosecute their inquiries in other towns. > In-. formatioa has been privately supplied to Mr Gurney which proves that vindictive! inflictions on non-unionists 'are the rule rathjpr than the exception] and letters'

from employers in several of our large ; towns show the frightful tyranny which j the trade executives are exercising over masters and men alike. An unseemly quarrel has happened be- , tween Mr Roebuck and Mr Conolly, of the Masons Society, who has attended the j sittings of the Trades Union Commission ' as representative of the trade. Mr Conolly, at a recent meeting, having said, in reference to the Sheffield outrages, that "anything might be expected of a town which returned such a representative as Mr Roebuck," that gentleman brought the insult before the commission, and demanded a retractation of the language. Mr Conolly refused ; whereupon Mr Roebuck said either Mr Conolly or himself must cease to attend the sittings of the commission. The commission decided on the exclusion of the author of the slander — whereupon there has teen plentiful dirt-throwing against Tear' em and the commission. Mr A. S. Hewitt, a Pennsylvanian ironmaster, has been examined before the Commission on Trades Unions. He says that unions exists all over America, and described a case at Pittsburg in which three or four murders had been committed to keep off outsiders. In another instance, the miners in New Jersey stopped without notice, and compelled all miners they could reach to leave work also. The laborers, however, are usually Irish, the English, like the Americans, doing the work of supervision, and the Scotch rising so fast in life that they were positively dreaded in the shops. In his own works the owners would not receive Scotch workmen, lest "they should become proprietors" — a striking testimony to the Scotch power of getting on.

The tailors' strike grows more and more complicated and hopeless. Several of the leaders of the movement were indicted for conspiracy against the employers, and for intimidation towards men who were disposed to work for the masters on the old terms. When the day for trial came, the counsel for the operatives declared that they were unprepared to undertake the defence, and pleaded for a postponement of the trial. After a long discussion the request was granted, on condition that the pickets should be in the meantime withdrawn. The committee of the operative association consented to this arrangement. When it became known to the trade, however, the excitement was intense and dangerous ; and^ under the sway of uncontrolled passion, the committee was expelled from office, and a new governing body chosen, who restored the irritating picketing system, and broke faith with the counsel for the prosecution. Meanwhile, the example of prosecuting for alleged conspiracy set by the masters has been imitated by the men. Seme of the employers have formed themselves into an association for the employmentof non-unionist journeymen only, and require all persons in their service to register themselves in an office n Air street. This the unionist operatives represent as an illegal combination against themselves, and on the 13th inst. the treasurer, secretary, and several of the members appeared before Mr Tyrwhitt to answer summonses taken out against them by the Operative Tailors Association. The case of the operatives was argued by Mr Chambers, but he failed signally to establish the charge of " unlawfully conspiring, or confederating by unlawful means and devices," to injure or molest tiie journeymen tailors, and the case Avas dismissed. The masters are determined to put down unionism, as it at present exists, if possible ; and public sympathy, which at first was with the operatives, is fast turning to the side of the master tailors.

The fugitive loaders in the late Fenian outbreak are one by one dropping into the hands of the authorities. Between two and three weeks ago, in consequence of

private information supplied to the police, some officers, accompanied by Corydon, the approver, turned oft to Queenstown, and went on board an outward-bound American steamer just as she was on the point of starting. This seasonable visit resulted in the capture of the Fenian General Halpin and a Fenian agent named Breslin. The are now in custody in Kilmainham Gaol, and are to be put on their trial. On Saturday, the 13th, another important success was achieved in the capture of General Fariola, an Italian by birth, late a General in the Federal army, and one of the busiest promoters of the Fenian sedition. He is a most intimate friend of Stephens. After having been on the Continent keeping out of the way for over three months, he was tracked to our shores, and arrested while walking along Oxford street.

The latest intelligence regarding the fate of Dr Livingstone is ,as conflicting as ever. Another version of the story of Moosa and his Johanna men has led to the belief that the great explorer was undoubtedly killed by thetreacherousnatives on -the Zambesi. • , Sir Roderick .Murchison still' disbelieves the report; and news

» from Bombay represents one' of the { missing sepoys as Laving arrived at Zanzibar, with the infoimation that the doctor Ytas alive and ■well. It will not be before Christmas that these uncertainties will be set at rest by the report of the searching expedition. Lord Justice Turner, who died from the effects of a severe cold, will be succeeded by Sir John Bolt, the Attorney- General. Vice-Chancellor Kindersley has retired, and Mr Malms has been appointed in bis place. The Venerable Dr L^shington, owing to serious indisposition, has been compelled to vacate his post in the Admiralty Court ; and to complete the list of judicial changes, the retirement of Lord Colonsay in Scotland has been announced. Mr Warren, the Irish SolicitorGeneral, -will succeed Mr Chatterton in the office of Attorney-General, and also in the representation of Dublin University. Colonel Wilson Pa + ten is inducted into the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster, The railway excursion season promises to yield its usual harvest of death and disaster. We have already had several dreadful collisions, two of which were attended by a heavy loss of life and a fearful amount of mutilation and misery. The first accident happened on the London and North-western line, at Warrington junction, where a passenger train, owing to defective management of the points, ran at full speed into a slackened coal train, with the inevitable resulting horrors. A more terrible, though happilyless fatal, smash took place on the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway, near Victoria Station, and just before reaching the new bridge which spans the Thames. The pointsman was again in fault. Carriages were dashed against an abutment wall between the high and low level, and sixteen persons were more or less seriously injured. Berezowski, the Pole who shot at the Czar in Paris, has been found guilty, and sentenced to penal servitude for life. So great was the impression produced by the speech for the defence — an eloquent description of the violation of Poland — that no less than six of the jury, it is said, were for absolute acquittal. The assassin's parents are in Siberia. The eighteenth centenary of St. Peter has been celebrated in Rome with a magnificence seldom equalled, and which fairly turned,, the head of The Times correspondent. " Five hundred bishops save one were present, and about 20,000 priests, from all countries and climes. The Pope pronounced an allocution, but did not, as had been expected, summon a General Council to declare his infallibility. That bold step is reserved for some future occasion. Twenty-five newly-acknowledged martyrs received canonisation, and during the pageant one of the spectators was so overcome that he stabbed himself and died. The scattering of the sacerdotal throng was even more .rapid than the gathering. The cholera broke out, and the railways could scarcely carry away the frightened clergy. The Paris Presse professes to have information of a somewhat startling nature respecting the movement upon Rome, which has been anticipated for some time past. It has heard that Mazzini is in Italy, and is acting in the matter in concert with Garibaldi and the National Roman Junta. Garibaldi is said to be in Pisa, and to have appointed the officers, of the army which is to act in conjunction with the Liberals within the walls, who are to rise simultaneously in iisurrection. Should the movement be successful, a republic is to be proclaimed in the city. The Nord looks upon the present state of matters as a very serious one, and hints that the Pope is meditating an appeal for assistance to the Catholic Powers of Europe, with the view of giving a newlease to the duration of the temporal power. In Italy, the difficulty of dealing with church property lias caused the downfall of another Finance Minister. Signor Ferrara has resigned, and Ratazzi holds the portfolio for a time. He has consented to accept the sweeping proposals of the Parliamentary committee as the basis of the new financial policy. Each successive scheme is worse for the church " ' party than its predecessor. An attempt has been made, but defeated, to declare null and void all the acts of the Rlcasoli. Ministry in reference to the appointment of bishops and the recent negotiations ■ with Rome. The present Government has been beaten on an army question by a large majority. The chief military commands .are to >be suppressed. The fears which have for some time past been entertained respecting the safety of Mj Daro, the French Minister in Mexico, i have been set at rest .by the receipt, of a telegram from him, announcing his intention of leaving Mexico in a week. It ia, evident, from, the fact that he says nothing of what has occurred since he last communicated with the; Home Government, that his silence was an enforced one.